The two last lines play on the words signor and signoria.

" "Unhappy man that I am," exclaimed the signor, "one thing, at least, I can quickly arrest and repair.

I honor your cunning, signor, but if you are indeed a gentleman, as I have always heard, you will now withdraw and permit me to regard the matter from a standpoint other than my own.

He is killing the signor!" Lanfear shouted.

Petitioning the native city of his ancestors (Bergamo) to intercede for him with the duke, he speaks of the writer as "this unhappy person;" and subscribes himself, "Most illustrious Signors, your affectionate servant, Torquato Tasso, a prisoner, and infirm, in the hospital of St. Anne in Ferrara.

"Tell me, signor, what was the cause of Antonio's sending Claudio to Venice, yesterday.