Prologue
Song
sung by a nymph and two shepherds.
How joyful is the day,
That ancient memories
Make now for me a show and celebration,
It can be seen, because around
All friendly people
Have gathered in this place.
We, who spend our days
In the woods and in the forests,
Have also come here,
I, the nymph, and we, the shepherds,
And while singing together, our loves.
Clear and peaceful days,
A happy and beautiful land,
Where the sound of our song was heard;
Therefore, cheerful and joyful,
We will accompany your endeavors
With our singing.
With such sweet harmony,
Which you have never heard before;
And then we will depart,
I, the nymph, and we, the shepherds,
And we will return to our ancient loves.
PROLOGUE
If the same people were to return to the world, just as the same events return, not a hundred years would pass before we find ourselves together again, doing the same things as now. This is said because in Athens, a noble and ancient city in Greece, there was a gentleman who, having no children other than a disabled son, happened to have a little girl brought into his house by chance. He raised her with utmost honesty until the age of seventeen. It so happened that both he and his son fell in love with her, and many strange and unexpected events arose from this competition of love, which, once overcome, led the son to take her as his wife, and they lived happily for a long time. What will you say when I tell you that this same situation occurred in Florence a few years ago? And our author, wanting to present one of the two to you, has chosen the Florentine, believing that you will take greater pleasure in this than the other. Athens is in ruins, the streets, squares, and places are unrecognizable. Furthermore, the citizens spoke in Greek, a language you would not understand. Therefore, take the case that occurred in Florence and do not expect to recognize either the family or the people, as the author, to avoid any burden, has changed the real names to fictitious ones. Before the comedy begins, he wishes for you to see the characters so that you may better recognize them when they perform. Everyone, come out here, let the people see you. Here they are. See how graceful they appear? Stand in a line, one close to the other. You see, the first one is Nicomaco, an old man filled with love. The one next to him is Cleandro, his son and rival. The other is called Palamede, a friend of Cleandro. The two following them, one is Pirro, a servant, the other is Eustachio, a steward, each of whom wishes to marry his master's lady. The woman who comes next is Sofronia, Nicomaco's wife. The one after her is Doria, her maid. Of the last two remaining, one is Damone, the other is Sostrata, his lady. Here is another person who will not appear because they are coming from Naples. I believe that is enough, and you have seen them sufficiently. The people bid you farewell; go back inside. This play is called Clizia because that is the name of the young lady at the center of the conflict. Do not expect to see her, as Sofronia, who raised her, does not wish her to appear for the sake of modesty. Therefore, if there is anyone who longs to see her, they must be patient. Now, let me tell you that the author of this comedy is a very respectable man, and it would displease him if you were to perceive any impropriety in the performance. He does not believe that it exists, but if it seems so to you, he excuses himself in this way. Comedies are conceived to benefit and entertain the audience. They truly benefit any person, especially young ones, by acquainting them with the greed of an old man, the frenzy of a lover, the deceptions of a servant, the gluttony of a parasite, the misery of a poor man, the ambition of a rich man, the seductions of a courtesan, and the lack of faith in all men. Comedies are replete with examples of these things, and all of them can be presented with the utmost respectability. However, to entertain, it is necessary to make the audience laugh, which cannot be achieved with serious and grave dialogue alone. The words that provoke laughter are either foolish, offensive, or amorous. It is necessary, therefore, to portray foolish, malicious, or love-struck characters, and thus those comedies that are filled with these three types of dialogue are full of laughter, while those lacking them find no one to accompany them in laughter. Therefore, our author, desiring to entertain and make the audience laugh, without introducing foolish characters and having refrained from speaking ill, has been compelled to turn to lovers and the incidents that arise from love. If anything improper is said, it will be done in such a manner that these women may listen to it without blushing. Therefore, be content to lend us your kind ears, and if you are satisfied by listening, we will strive to satisfy you with our performance.