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 0.79 · 517 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T19: virtue, fortune, virtues, honour, fame, vice, envy, world, pride, great.
Excellent good, proceed. Without remorse Each star and planet kept their wont course. What here could fright▪ them? (mark the answer now) O sir ask not that: The Vulgar know not why they fear, nor what. But in their humours too inconstant be, Nothing seems strange to them but constancy. Has not my friend approved himself a Poet? The Verses sir are excellent, but your friend Approves himself a thief. Why good Alazon? A Plagiary I mean, the verses sir Were stolen. From whom? From me, believe't I made 'um. They are alas unworthy sir your owning. Such Trifles as my muse had stumbled on This morning. Nay, they may be yours: I told you That you come near me sir. Yours they may be. Good wits may jump: but let me tell you, Eiron, Your Friend must steal them if he have them. What pretty Gulls are these? I'll take 'em off; Alazon, you are learned. I know that. And virtuous. 'tis confessed. A good Historian. Who dares deny it? A rare Arithmetician. I have heard it often. I commend your care That know your virtues! why should modesty Stop good men's mouths from their own praise? our neighbours Are envious, and will rather blast our memories With infamy, then immortalize our names: When Fame hath taken cold, and lost her voice, We must be our own trumpets; careful men Will have an Inventory of their goods, And why not of their virtues? should you say You were not wise, it were a sin to truth. Let Eirons' modesty tell bashful lies, To cloak and mask his parts; he's a fool for't. 'twas heavenly counsel bid us know ourselves. You may be confident, chant your own encomiums, Ring out a Panegyrique to yourself▪ And yourself write the learned Commentary Of your own actions. So I have. Where is it? 'tis stolen. I know the thief, they call him Cesar. Go in good sir; there is within a Glass That will present you with the Felons face. Exit Alaz. Eiron, you hear the news! Not I, what is it? That you are held the only man of Art. Is't currant Colax? Currant as the air, Every man breathes it for a certainty. This is the first time I heard on't in truth. Can it be certain? so much charity left In men's opinion? You call it charity Which is their duty: Virtue sir, like yours Commands men's praises. Emptiness and folly, Such as Alazon is, use their own Tongues, While real worth hears her own praise, not speaks it. Other men's mouths become your trumpeters, And winged fame proclaims you loudly forth From East to West, till either Pole admire you. Selfe-praise is bragging, and begets the envy Of them that hear it, while each man therein Seems undervalved: You are wisely silent In your own worth, and therefore 'twere a sin For others to be so: The fish would lose Their being mute, ere such a modest worth Should want a speaker: yet sir I would have you Know your own virtues, be acquainted with them.
seed 43: T13 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Excellent good, proceed. Without remorse Each starre and planet kept their wonted course. What here could fright ▪ them? (mark the answer now) O sir aske not that: The Vulgar know not why they feare, nor what. But in their humors too inconstant bee, Nothing seemes strange to them but constancy. Has not my friend approv'd himselfe a Poet? The Verses sir are excellent, but your friend Approves himselfe a thiefe. Why good Alazon? A Plagiary I mean, the verses sir Were stolne. From whom? From me, beleeu't I made 'um. They are alasse unworthy sir your owning. Such Trifles as my muse had stumbled on This morning. Nay, they may be yours: I told you That you come neare me sir. Yours they may be. Good witts may jump: but let me tell you, Eiron, Your Freind must steale them if he have them. What pretty Gulls are these? Ile take 'um off; Alazon, you are learned. I know that. And vertuous. Tis confessd. A good Historian. Who dares deny it? A rare Arithmetician. I' have heard it often. I commend your care That know your vertues! why should modesty Stop good mens mouthes from their own praise? our neighbours Are envious, and will rather blast our memories With infamy, then immortalize our names: When Fame hath taken cold, and lost her voice, We must be our own trumpets; carefull men Will have an Inventory of their goods, And why not of their vertues? should you say You were not wise, it were a sinne to truth. Let Eirons modesty tell bashfull lies, To cloake and masque his parts; hee's a foole for't. Twas heavenly counsell bid us know our selves. You may be confident, chaunt your own encomiums, Ring out a Panegyrique to your selfe▪ And your selfe write the learned Commentarie Of your own actions. So I have. Where is it? Tis stolne. I know the thiefe, they call him Cesar. Goe in good sir; there is within a Glasse That will present you with the Felons face. Exit Alaz. Eiron, you hear the newes! Not I, what is it? That you are held the only man of Art. Is't currant Colax? Currant as the aire, Every man breaths it for a certainty. This is the first time I hear'd on't in truth. Can it be certain? so much charity left In mens opinion? You call it charity Which is their duty: Vertue sir, like yours Commands mens praises. Emptinesse and folly, Such as Alazon is, use their own Tongues, While reall worth hears her own praise, not speaks it. Other mens mouths become your trumpeters, And winged fame proclaimes you lowdly forth From East to West, till either Pole admire you. Selfe-praise is bragging, and begets the envy Of them that heare it, while each man therein Seemes undervalued: You are wisely silent In your own worth, and therefore 'twere a sinne For others to be so: The fish would loose Their being mute, ere such a modest worth Should want a speaker: yet sir I would have you Know your own vertues, be acquainted with them.