Bravi
Avevano entrambi intorno al capo una reticella verde, che cadeva sull'omero sinistro, terminata in una gran nappa, e dalla quale usciva sulla fronte un enorme ciuffo: due lunghi mustacchi arricciati in punta: una cintura lucida di cuoio, e a quella attaccate due pistole: un piccol corno ripieno di polvere, cascante sul petto, come una collana: un manico di coltellaccio che spuntava fuori d'un taschino degli ampi e gonfi calzoni: uno spadone, con una gran guardia traforata a lamine d'ottone, congegnate come in cifra forbite e lucenti: a prima vista si davano a conoscere per individui della specie de' bravi.
Each of them wore a green hairnet, which hung down on his left shoulder, ending in a large tassel, while a huge quiff emerged from it in front to hang over his forehead. Each had long, pointed mustaches, a polished leather belt bearing two pistols, a small powder-horn hanging down on his chest like a pendant, a dagger the hilt of which stuck out of its special pocket in his wide and well-padded breeches, and a heavy sword with a great polished glittering guard composed of a network of narrow strips of bronze arranged in a sort of monogram. The first glance showed that they were members of the species known as bravoes.
Each had a green net on his head, which fell upon his left shoulder, ending in a large tassel. Their long hair, appearing in one large lock upon the forehead. On the upper lip two long mustachios, curled at the end. Their doublets confined bybright leather girdles, from which hung a brace of pistols: a little horn of powder, dangling round their necks, and falling on their breasts like a necklace. On the right side of their large and loose pantaloons, a pocket, and from the pocket the handle of a dagger. A sword hanging on the left, with a large basket-hill of brass, carved in cipher, polished and gleaming: all, at a glance, discovered them to be individuals of the species bravo.
Don Abbondio
Il nostro Abbondio non nobile, non ricco, coraggioso ancor meno, s’era dunque accorto, prima quasi di toccar gli anni della discrezione, d’essere, in quella società, come un vaso di terra cotta, costretto a viaggiare in compagnia di molti vasi di ferro.
Poor Abbondio was not noble, nor rich and little less was he courageous; was therefore accustomed from his very infancy to took upon himself as a vessel of fragile earthenware. Obliged to journey in company with many vessels of iron.