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Romana, referred to in dialogue as Lady Romanadvoratrelundar was a character in an alternative version of William Shakespeare's play Pericles.
She was clearly based upon the first incarnation of the Time Lord Romana, with the character's presence being the reason for the alternative draft's inclusion in the Shakespeare Notebooks. The introduction of Romana gave rise to various theories as to why the sequence was reworked for the final version of the play.
She claimed to "travel on time's seas", often being "washed up roughly on ungentle shores and trapped in vile dungeons". She also had a companion called the Doctor. Together, they searched for "a precious jewel". In the play, she found herself in a house of ill-repute in Mytilene. She claimed that "most ungentle fortune ha[d] placed [her] in this sty" and that though she was used to arriving in unpleasant environments a house of ill-repute was a first for her. (PROSE: Pericles [+]Loading...["Pericles (short story)"])
History[[edit] | [edit source]]
In Scene VI, Lord Lysimachus came to the house and inquired as to "what wholesome iniquity" they had. The Bawd told him they had one unlike anybody who had ever come to Mytilene, who she assured him was "never plucked yet". Lysimachus called for this woman to be called forth and so the Pandar brought in Romana, after which the Bawd and Pandar left her alone with Lysimachus.
He asked her how long she had been at "this trade" to which she asked what trade. Lysimachus replied that he could not name it and Romana responded "I should think not", telling him she had heard he was "of honourable parts" but that there was no honour in his visiting of this place. After confirming he was the governor of Mytilene, she asked if he held "a Doctor" in the prisons. Lysimachus initially believed Romana was in need of medical help but recognised to whom she referred after she labelled him "a wand'ring fool". Romana then commanded him to "fetch the Doctor, let me out, nail these bawds and mend thy ways". She also advised him that his cloak needed a press and that there was egg on his cuff. Additionally, after shutting down his suggestion that he had hoped to take her "precious jewel", she told him of a girl in the market named Marina who was an actual princess, and that he would be lucky to have her. She then directly told him to "woo the girl", opining that his state was "in a state" and that "Mytilene needs Marina, as do you". As a final request, Romana also asked for Lysimachus to bring gold in payment for the nice food she had eaten during her stay.
After Lysimachus departed, the Pandar returned and evaluated Romana's performance negatively, declaring they would have to take a different approach with her in future to prevent gentlemen from being driven away. He told the Bawd that she had "spoken holy words" to Lysimachus to which she exclaimed "hang her up for ever!" and wished aloud that Romana had never set foot in the house, despite the woman's continued presence in the room. Romana then announced that rescue would arrive in an hour. She humourously asked if she could have more stew and if the Pandar had experienced a good restaurant, offering to show him how to fold a napkin. This caused the Bawd to comment Romana was "born to undo us". The Bawd then told her "dish of chastity" to come, promising to "serve thee up with rosemary and bays". Romana responded that "that had better be a yes" to her question. (PROSE: Pericles [+]Loading...["Pericles (short story)"])