Shirley, James · published 1637 · first performed or written 1634 [licensed for stage, Jun 24] (Annals) comedy · Queen Henrietta Maria's Men · Phoenix/Cockpit T49 Wooing a mistress: suitors, go-betweens typicality 0.86 · 500 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T49: mistress, gentleman, love, lady, woman, pray, gentlewoman, hear, honest, way.
He speaks well Of you, gave you a worthy Character. He cannot choose. He knows me well enough, and all the world, Besides I have a temper must not be Provoked with calumnies, 'tis true he has some Pretty parts, is held an excellent scholar, can sing, And dance, and manage a Horse well, he's borne of a good family, can speak, When he lists, to purpose too, I confess it, But what's all this when a man will be a rascal? What blessed pair of customers have I got? These would make excellent husbands, and love me Toth' purpose. Well, remember, you have promised, Upon condition, I dismiss you now, To give me another answer. My good Lord, I have an humble suit to you, I should ask First how your hopes thrive in that sullen Lady. I must expect, but what's your business, to me? In brief, to advance my service to That Lady, by your honour's testimony Of what I may deserve, I am confident I shall reward it, by securing her Fair sister to your wishes, she's your own, Or if she prove too honest, I shall make A recompense by offering to your pleasure, The other, who by authority of your breath, May make me Lord of her, and her full fortune, You understand, my gracious Lord. I do so. Va. Your Lordship's humble creatures. I am your servant. What shall we do, Ladies? but I forget, I have something more to say to you. To me, my Lord? Your clients increase, Lady, That gentleman tells me, he does love you, and would marry you. Because I have observed his nature, I'll Give him in brief, he is a fellow will Undo thee in a fortnight, though not in Thy estate, yet in thy mind, a greater mischief. If thou dost marry him, it will be policy, To turn witch betime, ere he sell thee o'er to shame, And so much poverty, the Devil won't Trust thee with a familiar, now believe him, we droop methinks— So, so, here are another couple, who shall trust Mankind? it will be a miracle to find One honest man i'th' bundle, sir, you are Bound to my Lord. His least favours to me Are more than my whole life can satisfy, Oh Lady, if you knew him but as I do, You would be lost in wonder of his goodness. 'bove all, he is adorer of chaste truth, And speaks religiously of any man. He will not trust obscure traditions, Or faith implicit, but concludes of things Within his own clear knowledge what he says, You may believe, and pawn your soul upon't. Vouchsafe me kiss your fair hand, whose least touch Consented to though I were old and dying, Would quicken me into a Spring. You forget, my Lord, the music was prepared To dance, and warm her blood. Each take his Lady Falstaffe I will believe thee, There is no faith in vilanous man. Begin there.
seed 43: T56 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Hee speakes well Of you, gave you a worthie Character. Hee cannot choose. He knowes me well enough, and all the world, Besides I have a temper must not bee Provok'd with calumnies, tis true hee has some Pretty parts, is held an excellent scholler, can sing, And daunce, and manage a Horse well, Hee's borne of a good familie, can speake, When hee lists, to purpose too, I confesse it, But what's all this when a man will bee a rascall? What blessed paire of customers have I got? These would make excellent husbands, and love me To'th purpose. Well, remember, you have promis'd, Vpon condition, I dismisse you now, To give mee an other answer. My good Lord, I have an humble suite to you, I should aske First how your hopes thrive in that sullen Ladie. I must expect, but what's your businesse, to me? In breefe, to advance my service to That Ladie, by your Honors testimonie Of what I may deserve, I am confident I shall reward it, by securing her Faire sister to your wishes, shees your owne, Or if shee prove too honest, I shall make A recompence by offering to your pleasure, The other, who by authoritie of your breath, May make me Lord of her, and her full fortune, You understand, my gracious Lord. I doe so. Va. Your Lordships humble creatures. I am your servant. What shall wee doe, Ladies? but I forget, I have something more to say to you. To me, my Lord? Your clyents increase, Ladie, That gentleman tells me, he does love you, and would marry you. Because I have obseru'd his nature, I'le Give him in breefe, he is a fellow will Vndoe thee in a fortnight, though not in Thy estate, yet in thy minde, a greater mischiefe. If thou dost marrie him, it will be pollicie, To turne witch betime, ere he sell thee o're to shame, And so much povertie, the Divell wonot Trust thee with a familiar, now beleeve him, Wee droupe methinks— So, so, here are an other couple, who shall trust Mankinde? it will be a miracle to finde One honest man i th bundle, sir, you are Bound to my Lord. His least favours to mee Are more then my whole life can satisfie, Oh Ladie, if you knew him but as I doe, You would be lost in wonder of his goodnesse. Bove all, he is adorer of chast truth, And speakes religiouslie of any man. Hee will not trust obscure traditions, Or faith implicite, but concluds of things Within his owne cleare knowledg what hee sayes, You may beleeve, and pawne your soule uppon't. Vouchsafe mee kisse your faire hand, whose least touch Consented to though I were old and dying, Would quicken mee into a Spring. You forget, my Lord, the musicke was prepar'd To daunce, and warme her blood. Each take his Ladie Falstasse I will beleeve thee, There is noe faith in vilanous man. Beginne there.