Act 1
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A nunnery.
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A nunnery.
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Enter ISABELLA and FRANCISCA
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ISABELLA and FRANCISCA enter.
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ISABELLA And have you nuns no farther privileges?
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ISABELLA And so you nuns have no other privileges?
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FRANCISCA Are not these large enough?
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FRANCISCA Aren’t these enough?
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ISABELLA Yes, truly; I speak not as desiring more;
But rather wishing a more strict restraint
5Upon the sisterhood, the votarists of Saint Clare.
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ISABELLA Oh, yes. I didn’t mean I wanted more freedom. Actually, I wish there were even more restrictions on the Saint Claire sisterhood.
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LUCIO [Within] Ho! Peace be in this place!
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LUCIO
(offstage) Hello! Peace to this place!
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ISABELLA Who’s that which calls?
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ISABELLA Who’s that?
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FRANCISCA It is a man’s voice. Gentle Isabella,
Turn you the key, and know his business of him;
10You may, I may not; you are yet unsworn.
When you have vow’d, you must not speak with men
But in the presence of the priore
Then, if you speak, you must not show your face,
Or, if you show your face, you must not speak.
15He calls again; I pray you, answer him.
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FRANCISCA It’s a man’s voice. Isabella, unlock the door and ask him what he wants. I can’t, but you can, since you haven’t taken your vows yet. Once you have, you’ll only be able to speak with men in the presence of the Mother Superior. Then, if you speak, you mustn’t show your face. Or if you show your face, you mustn’t speak. He’s calling again. Please answer him.
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Exit
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She exits.
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ISABELLA Peace and prosperity! Who is’t that calls
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ISABELLA Peace and prosperity! Who’s there?
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Enter LUCIO
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LUCIO enters.
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LUCIO Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses
Proclaim you are no less! Can you so stead me
As bring me to the sight of Isabella,
20A novice of this place and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother Claudio?
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LUCIO Well, hello, virgin—if you are one, as your rosy cheeks proclaim you to be. Can you help me to find Isabella, a novice here and the pretty sister to Claudio, her unlucky brother?
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