~Les Femmes D'Affaire~

" As for the number of these Venetian courtesans it is very great. For it is thought there are of them in the whole city and other adjacent places, as Murano, Malamocco, etc. at the least twenty thousand, whereof many are esteemed so loose that they are said to open their quivers to every arrow, a most ungodly thing without doubt that there should be tolleration of such licentious wantons in so glorious, so potent, so renowned a city. ... First, they think that the chastity of their wives would be the sooner assaulted, and so consequently they should be capricornified, (which of all the indignities in the world the Venetian cannot patiently endure) were it not for these places of evacuation. But I marvel how that should be true though these courtesans were utterly rooted out of the city. For the gentlemen do even coop up their wives always within the walls of their houses for fear of these inconveniences, much as if there were no courtesans at all in the city. So that you shall very seldom see a Venetian gentleman's wife but either at the solemnization of a great marriage or at the Christening of a Jew, or late in the evening rowing in a gondola. The second cause is for that the revenues which they pay unto the Senate for their tolleration do maintain a dozen of their galleys...

So infinite are the allurements of these amorous Calypsoes, that the fame of them hath drawn many to Venice from some of the remotest parts of Christendom to contemplate their beauties and enjoy their pleasing dalliances. And indeed such is the variety of the delicious objects they minister to their lovers, that they want nothing tending to delight. For when you come into one of their palaces (as indeed some few of the principallest of them live in very magnificent and portly buildings for for the entertainment of a great prince) you seem to enter into the Paradise of Venus. For their fairest rooms are most glorious and glittering to behold. The walls round about being adorned with most sumptous tapistry and gilt leather. Besides you may see the picture of the noble courtesan most exquisitely drawn. As for herself, she comes to thee decked like the queen and goddess of love. "

" Perchance my Lord I show more craft than love,

And fell so roundly to a large confession,

To angle for your thoughts, but you are wise, Or else you love not, for to be wise and love

Exceeds man's might, that dwells with the gods above. "    ~Wlm Shakespeare"

I am Lucia Isabella Di Cipriani D'Venetie... Mistress of "Les Femmes D'Affaire"  

Oh mistress mine, where are you roaming?

O, stay and hear, your true - love's coming;

That can sing both high and low.

Trip no further, pretty sweeting;

Journeys end in lovers meeting,

Every wise man's son doth know.  What is love?  Tis not hereafter;

Present mirth hath present laughter;  What's to come is still unsure.

In delay there lies no plenty,

Then come kiss me sweet and twenty;  Youth's a stuff will not endure."    ~W.S.~

Lucia Isabella Di Cipriani de Firenze ... born to a Stewart in the royal line of succession and a mother from the house of Medici.  Her father's identity was taken to her mothers grave at the time of Lucia's birth. Born into wealth, she had no need of her father, nor the need to know his identity.

A favorite of the most notable houses of Europe.  One of perhaps a handful of courtesans that rivel the power and wealth of the men she seduces or serves.  Courtesan to only the wealthiest Lords and irrestible rogues, providing they be as equal in countenance as they are in purse.

Not bound by convention, Lucia is free to travel at will.. easily bored with the trivial existance of the wives of her men ,she learned early from the mistakes of others.  With a downward glance, the long lashes that frame wild blue eyes, she could, with little or no effort.. obtain anything she wished.. anything..

Lucia Isabella, wealthier beyond the reach of most, yet she perfers to travel in the clothing of a simple tavern wench.  She is known for her beautiful thick wild hair... a symbol of what cant be tamed...

A fiery muse, a lady love.. a warrior, a business woman...but always the lady of gentle breeding...

Come rest ye head awhile on her bosom... and find thyself straying not far..

"My bounty is as

boundless as the sea,

My love as deep;  the more

I give to thee,

The more I have, for both

are infinite."      ~W.S.~

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!

It seems she hangs on the cheek of night

As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear -

Beauty is too rich for use, for earth too dear!

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,

As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.

The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,

And touching hers, make blessed my rude hadn.

Did my heart love till now?  Forswear it, sight!

For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. (Romeo & Juliet)

~W.S.~

Mnagelica-Seemon, "STAFF "  Sgt ...be warned ...her hands are her weapons...mayhap you will see her grope in action...if thou be'est lucky and wealthy.  If you the sort NOT to be regimental under your kilt...steer clear me lads..this one lassie and her dagger will have ye freed up in less time than it takes you to say "Oh Crap! "  She be a fast one..  

"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east and Veronica is the sun.

Arrise fair sun and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief

That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.

Be not her maid, since she is envious;

Her vestal livery is but sick and green;

And none but foos do wear it; cast it off.

It is my lady, O, it is my love ! "  ~W.S~   (more or less)

Veronica De La Calavera.....Courtesan extraordinaire....of Venice, naturally...but coveted by every court in Europe.  Definately a dangerous beauty, guard thyself well, when wrapped in this beauty's gaze...thou wilt gladly spend an emperor's treasure on what lies therein...