Shirley, James · published 1637 · first performed or written 1634 [licensed for stage, Jun 24] (Annals) comedy · Queen Henrietta Maria's Men · Phoenix/Cockpit T9 Theatre talk: prologues, poets and playe typicality 0.79 · 491 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
TWill be a great Assize, how things will hit For us appearing at this barre of wit. Is most uncertaine, we have nam'd our Play The Example, and for ought we know it may Be made one, for at no time did the lawes However understood, more fright the cause Of unbefriended posy, since the praise Of wit, and judgement is not now adayes Owing to them that write, but hee that can Talke loud, and high, is held the witty man, And censures finely, rules the Box, and strikes With his court nod consent to what hee likes; But this must bee, nor ist our parts to grudge Any that by their place should bee a judge; Nay, hee that in the Parish never was Thought fit to bee o'th jury, has a place Here, on the Bench for six pence, and dares sit, And boast himselfe commissioner of wit, Which though he want he can condemne with othes, As much as they that we are the purple clothes, Robes I should say, or whom i'th Roman state Some ill-look'd stage-keepers, like Lictors waite With Pipes for fasces, while another beares Three-footed stooles in stead of Juory chaires, This is a destiny, to which wee bow, For all are innocent but the Poets now, Who suffer for their guilt of truth, and arts, And we for only speaking of their parts. But be it so, be judges all, and bee With our consent, but thus farre take me w'ee If any meete here, as some men i'th age Who understand no sense, but from one stage, And over partiall will entaile like land Vpon heires male all action, and command Of voice and gesture, upon whom they love, These, though cal'd Judges, may delinquent's prove. But few such wee hope here, to'th rest wee say Heare patiently ere you condemne the Play. Tis not the authors Confidence, to dare Your judgements, but your calme eares to prepare, That if for mercy you can finde no roome, Hee prayes that mildly, you pronounce his doome. Dormant, why Dormant, thou eternal sleeper! Who would be troubled with these lethargies about him? Dormant, are you come Dreamer. Would I were so happy, there's less noise in a Steeple upon a Coronation, oh sleep, sleep, though it were a dead one, would be comfortable; your worship might please to let my fellow Oldrat watch, as well as I. Oldrat? that fellow is a drone. He has slept this half hour, on the Iron Chest, would I were in my grave to take an nap, Death would do me a courtesy, I should be at rest, and hear no noise of Dormant. Ha? What's the matter? Nothing but a yaw sir, I do all that I can to keep myself waking. 'tis done considerately, this heavy dulness, Is the disease of souls, sleep in the night,? Shall I wake my fellow Oldrat, he is refreshed
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)
TWill be a great Assize, how things will hit For us appearing at this barre of wit. Is most uncertaine, we have nam'd our Play The Example, and for ought we know it may Be made one, for at no time did the lawes However understood, more fright the cause Of unbefriended posy, since the praise Of wit, and judgement is not now adayes Owing to them that write, but hee that can Talke loud, and high, is held the witty man, And censures finely, rules the Box, and strikes With his court nod consent to what hee likes; But this must bee, nor ist our parts to grudge Any that by their place should bee a judge; Nay, hee that in the Parish never was Thought fit to bee o'th jury, has a place Here, on the Bench for six pence, and dares sit, And boast himselfe commissioner of wit, Which though he want he can condemne with othes, As much as they that we are the purple clothes, Robes I should say, or whom i'th Roman state Some ill-look'd stage-keepers, like Lictors waite With Pipes for fasces, while another beares Three-footed stooles in stead of Juory chaires, This is a destiny, to which wee bow, For all are innocent but the Poets now, Who suffer for their guilt of truth, and arts, And we for only speaking of their parts. But be it so, be judges all, and bee With our consent, but thus farre take me w'ee If any meete here, as some men i'th age Who understand no sense, but from one stage, And over partiall will entaile like land Vpon heires male all action, and command Of voice and gesture, upon whom they love, These, though cal'd Judges, may delinquent's prove. But few such wee hope here, to'th rest wee say Heare patiently ere you condemne the Play. Tis not the authors Confidence, to dare Your judgements, but your calme eares to prepare, That if for mercy you can finde no roome, Hee prayes that mildly, you pronounce his doome. Dormant, why Dormant, thou eternall sleeper! Who would be troubled with these lethargies about him? Dormant, are you come Dreamer. Would I were so happie, ther's lesse noyse in a Steeple upon a Coronation, ohsleepe, sleepe, though it were a dead one, would be comfortable; your worship might please to let my fellow Oldrat watch, as well as I. Oldrat? that fellow is a drone. Hee has slept this halfe hower, on the Iron Chest, would I were in my grave to take an nappe, Death would doe me a courtesie, I should be at rest, and heare no noyse of Dormant. Ha? Whats the matter? Nothing but a yawne sir, I doe all that I can to keepe my selfe waking. Tis done consideratelie, this heavie dulnesse, Is the disease of soules, sleepe in the night,? Shall I wake my fellow Oldrat, he is refresht