Le Opere Italiane di Giordano Bruno

1 For poets and pedants, the greatest enemy they have is wealth and property; while they perform an anatomy original: "nothomia"; a detailed dissection or analysis with their brains, for fear of being truly torn apart, quartered, and dissipated by these riches, they flee from them like a hundred thousand devils, and go to find those who keep them used and in reserve. To the point that by serving such rabble, I have such hunger, such hunger, that if I needed to vomit, I could vomit nothing but my spirit; if I were forced to defecate, I could defecate nothing but my soul like a hanged man. In conclusion, I want to go and become a monk, and whoever wants to do the prologue, let them do it.

10 ### | Pre-prologue. [21]

Where has that rogue gone, whose back is meant for beatings, who was supposed to perform the prologue? Gentlemen, the comedy will be without a prologue. And it doesn't matter, because it is not necessary for there to be one. The matter, the subject, the manner, and the order and circumstances of it, I tell you that they will be presented to you in order, and will be placed before your eyes in order: which is much better than if they were narrated to you in order. This is a kind of 15 fabric that has the warp and the weaving together. Let him who can understand it, understand it. Let him who wants to comprehend it, comprehend it. But I will not fail to warn you that you must imagine yourself to be in the most royal city of Naples, near the Seat of Nilo original: "seggio di Nilo"; one of the historical noble administrative districts of Naples. This house that you see formed here, for tonight, will serve for certain tricksters, 20 rogues, and rascals (watch yourselves, that they don't make you "widowers" meaning to be robbed or deprived of something of something you are carrying on you). Here these men will spread their nets: and hazard original: "zara"; a game of dice, here meaning "bad luck" or "risk" to whom it touches. On this side is the room of the Candlebearer, that is original: "id est" Master 25 Bonifacio, and Carubina his wife, and that of Master Bartholomeo. On this other side is the room of Signora Vittoria, and of Giovanni Bernardo the painter, and Scaramuré who acts as a necromancer. Around these parts—I know not for what occasions—a most solemn pedant named Manphurio is very often seen wandering about. I am sure you will see them all. And the procuress 30 Lucia, because of her many affairs, must come and go many times. You will mostly see Poll with his teacher; this is a scholar of black and white ink. You will see Bonifacio’s page, Ascanio—a servant for sun and candle meaning he serves day and night, or perhaps a joke on Bonifacio's obsession. Mochione, Bartholomeo’s boy, is neither hot nor cold; he doesn't smell or stink. In Sanguino, Barra, Marca, and Corcovizzo, 35 you will contemplate in part the dexterity of the rascally discipline. You will recognize the form of alchemical deceits original: "barrarie" in Cencio. And as a pastime, you will be presented with Consalvo the apothecary, Martha, Bartholomeo’s wife, and the most witty Signor Ottaviano. Consider who goes, who [comes...]