Heywood, Thomas · published 1636 · first performed or written 1635 [1634-1636] (Annals) tragicomedy · King's Men · Blackfriars T9 Theatre talk: prologues, poets and playe typicality 0.72 · 464 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
THe Roman and Athenian Drammas far Differ from us, And those that frequent are In Italy and France, even in these days, Compared with ours, are rather jigs than Plays: Like of the Spanish may be said, and Dutch, None versed in language, but confess them such. They do not build their projects on that ground, Nor have their phrases half the weight and sound Our laboured Scenes have had; (and yet our Nation, Already too much taxed for imitation, In seeking to Ape others) cannot quit Some of our Poets, who have sinned in it. For where before great Patriots, Dukes and Kings Presented for some high facinorious things, Were the stage-subject; now we strive to fly In their low pitch, who never could soar high: For now the common argument entreats, Of puling Lovers, crafty Bawds or cheats. Nor blame I their quick fancies, who can fit These queasy Times, with Humours flashed in wit, Whose Art I both encourage and commend; I only wish that they would sometimes bend To memorise the valours of such men, Whose very names might dignify the Pen, And that our (once applauded) Roscian strain, In acting such might be revived again: Which you to countenance, would the Stage make proud, And Poets strive to key their strings more loud, THe united blood of Spain and Portugal, Now meets in us; the Hereditary hopes, That were but in Conception, now have birth, And what was but Idea, till this day, Hath put on essence. joy to the Prince and Princess. This Hail from you, we count a blessing to us, And more than common greeting, as from Gentlemen, Crowned both in blood, and virtue. These perhaps, See with judicial eyes unto these joys You gain by enjoying us. we find them great. But great? we looked for a superlative, And if there be a fit, and known degree, Above compare; to have binne mark'd with th we would not have a thought conceived of us, But should be mixed with rapture, and what you Term joy, transported into ecstasy, But great? Methinks addition great enough For any mortal Woman. To such goodness, Your highness might have lent an attribute Of far more weight, and splendour. Teach us that? I shall, who would be weighed unto my worth, And yet in all my poise not lose a dram, Put you the proudest Lady in one scale, And me into another. You shall mount her— If pride will do't. This Beauty, Virtue, Birth, Shall unto mine own Centre sink myself, And lift her, unto nought save smoke and Air. Nay, that upon my knowledge. Fair Isabella, Instruct me modestly in what I err, And if I shall but scant you in the least, I'll make you large amends.
seed 43: T16 · seed 44: T15 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
THe Roman and Athenian Drammaes farre Differ from us, And those that frequent are In Italy and France, even in these dayes, Compar'd with ours, are rather jiggs than Playes: Like of the Spanish may be said, and Dutch, None verst in language, but confesse them such. They doe not build their projects on that ground, Nor have their phrases halfe the weight and sound Our laboured Scenes have had; (and yet our Nation, Already too much taxt for imitation, In seeking to Ape others) cannot quit Some of our Poets, who have sinn'd in it. For where before great Patriots, Dukes and Kings Presented for some hie facinorious things, Were the Stage-Subiect; now we strive to flie In their low pitch, who never could soare hie: For now the common argument intreats, Of puling Lovers, craftie Bawdes or cheates. Nor blame I their quick fancies, who can fit These queasie Times, with Humours flash't in wit, Whose Art I both incourage and commend; I only wish that they would sometimes bend To memorise the valour of such men, Whose svery names might dignifie the Pen, And that our (once applauded) Roscian straine, In acting such might be reviv'd againe: Which you to countenance, would the Stage make proud, And Poets strive to key their strings more loud, THe united blood of Spaine and Portugall, Now meetes in us; the Hereditary hopes, That were but in Conception, now have birth, And what was but Idea, till this day, Hath put on essence. Ioy to the Prince and Princesse. This Hayl from you, wee count a blessing to us, And more then common greeting, as from Gentlemen, Crown'd both in blood, and vertue. These perhapps, See with judiciall eyes unto thse joyes You gaine by enjoying us. Wee find them great. But great? wee look'd for a superlative, And if there be a fit, and knowne degree, Above compare; to have binne mark'd with th Wee would not have a thought conceiv'd of But should be mix'd with rapture, and what you Terme joy, transported into extasie, But great? Mee-thinkes addition great enough For any mortall Woman. To such goodnesse, Your highnesse might have lent an attribute Of farre more weight, and splendor. Teach us that? I shall, who would be weigh'd unto my worth, And yet in all my poyse not loose a dram, Put you the prowdest Lady in one scale, And mee into another. You shall mount her—If pride will do't. This Beauty, Vertue, Birth, Shall unto mine owne Center sinke my selfe, And lift her, unto nought save smoake and Ayre. Nay, that upon my knowledge. Faire Isabella, Instruct mee modestly in what I erre, And if I shall but skant you in the least, Ile make you large amends.