Randolph, Thomas · published 1638 · first performed or written 1630 [licensed for stage, Nov 25] (Annals) moral · King's Revels Company T19 Virtue, Fortune and Vice as abstractions typicality 0.78 · 520 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T19: virtue, fortune, virtues, honour, fame, vice, envy, world, pride, great.
REceive your places. The first that we present are the Extremes of a virtue necessary in our Conversation, called Comitas or Courtesy, which, as all other virtues, hath her deviations from the Mean. The one Colax, that to seem over Courteous falls into a servile flattery, the other (as fools fall into the contraries which they shun) is Dyscolus, who hating to be a slavish Parasite grows into peevishness and impertinent distaste. I thought you taught two vices for one virtue! So does Philosophy, but the Actors enter. How far they sin against humanity That use you thus! Believe me 'tis a Symptom Of Barbarism, and rudeness so to vex A gentle, modest nature as yours is. Why dost thou vex methen? I? Heaven defend! My breeding has been better; I vex you? You that I know so virtuous, just, and wise, So pious and religious, so admired So loved of all? Wilt thou not leave me then Eternal Torture? could your cruelty find No back but mine that you thought broad enough To bear the load of all these Epithets? Pious? Religious? he takes me for a fool. Virtuous? and Just? Sir, did I ever cheat you, Cousin, or gull you; that you call me just And virtuous? I am grown the common scoff Of all the world; the scoff of all the world. The world is grown too vile then. So art thou. Heaven! I am ●…un'd ridiculous! You ridiculous? But 'tis as impious Age; There was a time, (And pity 'tis so good a time had wings To fly away,) when reverence was paid To a grey head; 'twas held a sacrilege Not expiable to deny respect To one, Sir, of your years and Gravity. My years and gravity! Why how old am I? I am not rotten yet, or grown so rank As I should smell oth'grave: O Times and manners! Well Colax, well; go on: you may abuse me, Poor dust, and ashes, worms meat, years & gravity: He takes me for a Carcase! what see you So crazy in me? I have half my Teeth: I see with spectacles, do I not? and can walk too With th' benefit of my staff: mark if I cannot!— But you sir at your pleasure with years and gravity Think me decrepit. How? Decrepit sir! I see young roses bud within your cheeks; And a quick active blood run free and fresh Through your veins. I am turned boy again! A very stripling schoolboy! have I not The Itch and kibes? am I not scabbed and mangy About the wrists and hams? Still Dyscolus▪ Dyscolus! and why Dyscolus? when were we Grown so familiar? Dyscolus! by my name Sure we are Pylades and Orestes! are we not? Speak good Pylades. Nay worthy Sir Pardon my error, 'twas without intent Of an offence. I'll find some other name To call you by— What do you mean to call me? Fool? Ass? or Knave? my name is not so bad As that I am ashamed on't. Still you take all worse than it was meant, You are too jealous.
seed 43: T13 · seed 44: T16 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
REceive your places. The first that we present are the Extreams of a vertue necessary in our Conversation, call'd Comitas or Courtesy, which, as all other vertues, hath her deviations from the Mean. The one Colax, that to seeme over Courteous falls into a servile flattery, the other (as fooles fall into the contraries which they shunne) is Dyscolus, who hating to bee a slavish Parasite growes into peevishnesse and impertinent distast. I thought you taught two vices for one vertue! So does Philosophy, but the Actors enter. How farre they sinne against humanity That use you thus! Believe me 'tis a Symptom Of Barbarisme, and rudenesse so to vexe A gentle, modest nature as yours is. Why dost thou vexe methen? I? Heaven defend! My breeding has been better; I vexe you? You that I know so vertuous, just, and wise, So pious and religious, so admir'd So lov'd of all? Wilt thou not leave me then Eternall Torture? could your cruelty find No back but mine that you thought broad enough To beare the load of all these Epithites? Pious? Religious? he takes me for a foole. Vertuous? and Iust? Sir, did I ever cheat you, Cozen, or gull you; that you call me just And vertuous? I am grown the common scoff Of all the world; the scoff of all the world. The world is grown too vile then. So art thou. Heaven! I am un'd ridiculous! You ridiculous? But 'tis as impious Age; There was a time, (And pitty 'tis so good a time had wings To fly away,) when reverence was payd To a gray head; 'twas held a sacriledge Not expiable to deny respect To one, Sir, of your years and Gravity. My yeares and gravity! Why how ol d am I? I am not rotten yet, or grown so ranke As I should smell oth'grave: O Times and manners! Well Colax, well; goe on: you may abuse me, Poore dust, and ashes, wormes meat, yeares & gravity: He takes me for a Carkasse! what see you So crazy in me? I have halfe my Teeth: I see with spectacles, doe I not? and can walke too With th' benefit of my staffe: marke if I cannot!— But you sir at your pleasure with years and gravity Think me decrepit. How? Decrepit sir! I see young roses bud within your cheeks; And a quick active blood run free and fresh Through your veines. I am turn'd boy again! A very stripling schooleboy! have I not The Itch and kibes? am I not scabb'd and mangy About the wrists and hams? Still Dyscolus▪ Dyscolus! and why Dyscolus? when were we Grown so familiar? Dyscolus! by my name Sure we are Pylades and Orestes! are we not? Speak good Pylades. Nay worthy Sir Pardon my error, 'twas without intent Of an offence. Ile finde some other name To call you by— What doe you mean to call mee? Foole? Asse? or Knave? my name is not so bad As that I am asham'd on't. Still you take all worse then it was meant, You are too Iealous.