"I promise, by my royal word that I shall build a Franciscan convent in the town of Mafra if the Queen gives me an heir within a year of this day" (King Joao, p. 6).

"Baltasar Mateus, alias Sete-Sois, makes no attempt to speak but gazes upon Blimunda. Each time she returns his gaze, he feels a knot in his stomach" (Baltasar, p. 45).

"...and just as man, who inhabits the earth, found it necessary to become a sailor, so he will fing it neccesary to become a sailor" (Padre Bartolomeu, p. 53).

"The King became so gravely ill...but the King will eventually recover his health while the Queen's dreams will never be revived" (p. 106).

"...ether is to be found inside men and women, ...it is constituted, note carefully, from the wills of living souls" (Padre Bartolomeu, p. 116).

"There was a lull, during which the crickets went on screeching and...