The White Devil Revenge Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Act.Scene

Quote #4

Fran… Like the wild Irish, I 'll ne'er think thee dead
Till I can play at football with thy head… (4.1)

Ireland frequently rebelled against England in John Webster's time. He calls the Irish savage warriors, favoring beheadings and other uncouth activities.

Quote #5

Lodo… Oh, the art,
The modest form of greatness! that do sit,
Like brides at wedding-dinners, with their looks turn'd
From the least wanton jests, their puling stomach
Sick from the modesty, when their thoughts are loose,
Even acting of those hot and lustful sports
Are to ensue about midnight: such his cunning!
He sounds my depth thus with a golden plummet.
I am doubly arm'd now. Now to th' act of blood,
There 's but three furies found in spacious hell,
But in a great man's breast three thousand dwell. (4.3)

Lodovico marvels at how Monticelso pretends to disapprove of him, while simultaneously enabling him with cash and using him as a hired assassin. Whereas Lodovico is openly depraved and wicked, Monticelso does a way better job of seeming to be virtuous.

Quote #6

Lodo. I do glory yet,
That I can call this act mine own. For my part,
The rack, the gallows, and the torturing wheel,
Shall be but sound sleeps to me: here 's my rest;
I limn'd this night-piece, and it was my best. (5.6)

Even though he's about to be tortured and killed, Lodovico celebrates his revenge. But maybe he'll be a little less ecstatic when he really is on "the torturing wheel"? ("Limn," by the way, means to highlight, depict, or make something stand-out.)