E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Giovan’ni (Don).
A Spanish libertine. (See JUAN.) His valet, Leporello, says his master had “in Italy 700 mistresses, in Germany 800, in Turkey and France 91, in Spain 1,003.” When “the measure of his iniquity was full,” the ghost of the commandant whom he had slain came with a legion of “foul fiends,” and carried him off to a “dreadful gulf that opened to devour him.” (Mozart: Don Giovanni, Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte.)
