The Conspiracy (Pallantus and Eudora) · chunk 58 of 63
Killigrew, Henry · published 1638 · first performed or written 1635 [Jan 8(?)] (Annals) tragedy · King's Men unassigned nearest T53 The crown: kingship claimed, resigned an · 510 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T53: crown, king, state, life, lord, lords, live, queen, tullia, prince.
If I thought so, I'd grant to your request, and kill you; I could do it, I have strength, and justice enough to make me able, but you are not so bad, as you suppose, these are despairing, and not malicious thoughts; yet ere I go one way or other I'll give you satisfaction, I came for that intent. Let me see your Articles— And if these may not be granted, that thus accompanied, we may depart the Isle. How poor are these requests? without more commission I dare grant you greater. Why, these are demands within the compass of a subject's breast, deceive not yourselves, you were not so safe in your own reign, as in your enemies. The State is not translated from one tyranny to another, but to a kingdom. A Prince governs now, which is the name of mercy, as well as power, which he truly knows, and in his first deeds desires to show on you; he does not think he's then like Iove when he can thunder, but when he can hold it in, not when he is the voice of death, but when he sits harmless, with the power of death about him. Revenge, Torments, Executions, are not expressions of a king, but a destruction, he rivals not the immortal powers in Temples, statues, adoration, but transcendent virtues, divine performances, these are the additions by which he climbs heaven, and appears a god on earth. Why should I be a stranger to these virtues, more than this man? I was not borne for less things than he, certainly when nature made this frame, she intended it for the noblest actions. Have you yet resolved on any thing? If you will go on, I can hear you still. I will go on in mercy, 'tis my commission, and if you will not damn against its streams, it may flow to you: yet the way is even; why look you strangely at the word? 'tis no wonder to the sender of it, nor they which live about him. Though the dangers may seem great, 'twere not worthy of the high name of his mercy, if the offence were not such. This is but the least of his expressions, that his enemies were courted for to live, but presently you think 'tis not to save you, but to defer your death. A vain thought, when can it be done more safely, and more justly, you are now as far from those to help you, as to pity you. None but himself has any care of you. 'tis true, there is a Lady that had a share in you, but with your honour you threw her off, nor can you claim an interest, when you have neglected her in all her miseries; not in your flight, your articles, no, not in your thoughts providing for her. And, had she not fallen into the hands of enemies that were servants too, to honour; you had thrown away a Jewel that had a first thought, even among the gods.
seed 43: T57 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
If I thought so, I'de grant to your request, and kill you; I could doe it, I have strength, and justice enough to make me able, but you are not so bad, as you suppose, these are dispairing, and not malitious thoughts; yet ere I goe one way or other Ile give you satisfaction, I came for that intent. Let me see your Articles — And if these may not be granted, that thus accompanied, wee may depart the Isle. How poore are these requests? without more commission I dare grant you greater. Why, these are demands within the compasse of a subjects breast, deceive not your selves, you were not so safe in your owne raigne, as in your enemies. The State is not translated from one tyranny to another, but to a kingdome. A Prince governes now, which is the name of mercy, as well as power, wch he truly knowes, and in his first deeds desires to shew on you; he does not thinke he's then like Iove when he can thunder, but when he can hold it in, not when he is the voice of death, but when he sits harmelesse, with the power of death about him. Revenge, Torments, Executions, are not expressions of a king, but a distruction, he rivalls not the immortall powers in Temples, statues, adoration, but transcendent virtues, divine performances, these are the additions by which he climbes heaven, and appeares a god on earth. Why should I bee a stranger to these virtues, more than this man? I was not borne for lesse things than he, certainly when nature made this frame, she intended it for the noblest actions. Have you yet resolv'd on any thing? If you will goe on, I can heare you still. I will goe on in mercy, tis my commission, and if you will not dam against its streames, it may flow to you: yet the way is even; why looke you strangely at the word? tis no wonder to the sender of it, nor they which live about him. Though the dangers may seeme great, twere not worthy of the high name of his mercy, if the offence were not such. This is but the least of his expressions, that his enemies were courted for to live, but presently you thinke tis not to save you, but to deferre your death. A vaine thought, when can it be done more safely, and more justly, you are now as farre from those to help you, as to pity you. None but himselfe has any care of you. Tis true, there is a Lady that had a share in you, but with your honor you threw her off, nor can you claime an interest, when you have neglected her in all her miseries; not in your flight, your articles, no, not in your thoughts providing for her. And, had she not fallen into the hands of enemies that were servants too, to honour; you had throwne away a Jewell that had a first thought, even among the gods.