Randolph, Thomas · published 1638 · first performed or written 1630 [licensed for stage, Nov 26] (Annals) pastoral · King's Revels Company · before the Court T55 Fairies, fairy queens and enchanted desi typicality 0.68 · 507 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T55: fairy, fairies, oberon, mopsus, queen, land, grace, babylon, mab, thestylis.
And our Birds Talk better far than they: a newlaid egg Of Sicily shall out talk the bravest Parrot In Oberon's, Utopia. But what languages Do they speak, servant? Several languages, As Cawation, Chirpation, Hootation. Whistleation, Crowation, Cackleation, Shreekation, Hissation. And Fooleation. No, that's our language, we ourselves speak that, That are the learned Augurs. What success Does your Art promise? Very good. What Birds Met you then first? A Woodcock and a Goose. Well met. I told 'em so. And what might this portend? Why thus— and first the Woodcock— Wood and Cock, Both very good signs. For first the wood doth signify The fire of our love shall never goeout, Because it has more fuel: wood doth signify Morefuell. What the Cock? Better than t'other: That I shall crow over those that are my rivals, And roost myself with thee. But now the Goose? ay, I the Goose, that likes me best of all, thoust heard our gray-b●…ard sheapherds talk of Rome, And what the Geese did there: The Goose doth signify That I shall keep thy Capit●…ll. Good gander! It cannot choose but strangely please his highness! What are you studying of Iocastus, ha? A rare devise, a Masque to entertain His Grace of Fairy with. A Masque? what is't? An Antimasque of fleaes, which I have taught To dance Currantoes on a spider's thread. An Antimasque of fleaes? brother me thinks A mask of Birds were better, that could dance The morris in the air, Wrens and Robin-redbrests, Linnets, and Titmise. So! and why not rather Your Geese & Woodcocks? Mortal hold thy tongue, Thou dost not know the mystery. 'tis true He tells you Mopsus, leave your Augury, Follow his counsel, and be wise. Be wise? I scorn the motion! follow his counsel and be wise? That's a fine trick i'faith! is this an age For to be wise in? Then you mean I see, T'expound the Oracle. I do mean to be Th'interpreter. And then a jig of Pismires Is excellent. What to interpret Oracles? A fool must be th'interpreter. Then no doubt But you will have the honour. Nay I hope I am as fair for't as another man. If I should now grow wise against my will, And catch this wisdom! Never fear it Mopsus. 'twere dangerous venturing. Now I think on't too Pray Heaven this air be wholesome! is there not An antidote against it? what do you think Of garlic every morning? Fie upon't, 'Twill spoil our kissing! and beside I tell you Garlick's a dangerous dish, eating of garlic May breed the sickness, for as I remember 'tis the Philosophers diet. Certainly I am infected, now the fit's upon me! 'tis some thing like an ague, sure I caught it With talking with a Scholar next my heart. How sad a life live I, Betwixt their folly and Amyntas madness! For Mopsus I'll prescribe you such a diet As shall secure you. Excellent she Doctor! Your women are the best Physicians, And have the better practice.
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: T47 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
And our Birds Talke better farre then they: a new-laid egge Of Sicilie shall out talke the bravest Parrat In Oberons, Vtopia. But what languages Doe they speake, servant? Severall languages, As Cawation, Chirpation, Hootation. Whistleation, Crowation, Cackleation, Shreekation, Hissation. And Fooleation. No, that's our language, we our selves speak that, That are the learned Augurs. What successe Does your Art promise? Very good. What Birds Met you then first? A Wood-cock and a Goose. Well met. I told 'em so. And what might this portend? Why thus—and first the Wood-cock—Wood and Cock, Both very good signes. For first the wood doth signify The fire of our love shall never goeout, Because it has more fuell: wood doth signify Morefuell. What the Cock? Better then t'other: That I shall crow ore those that are my rivalls, And roost my selfe with thee. But now the Goose? I, I the Goose, that likes me best of all, Th'ast heard our gray-bard sheapherds talk of Rome, And what the Geese did there: The Goose doth signify That I shall keep thy Capitll. Good gander! —It cannot choose but strangely please his highnesse! What are you studying of Iocastus, ha? A rare devise, a Masque to entertaine His Grace of Fairy with. A Masque? what i'st? An Anti-masque of fleaes, which I have taught To dance Currantoes on a spiders thread. An Anti-masque of fleaes? brother me thinkes A masque of Birds were better, that could dance The morrice in the aire, Wrens and Robin-redbrests, Linnets, and Titmise. So! and why not rather Your Geese & Wood-cocks? Mortall hold thy tongue, Thou dost not know the mystery. Tis true He tells you Mopsus, leave your Augurie, Follow his counsell, and be wise. Be wise? I skorne the motion! follow his counsell and be wise? That's a fine trick i'faith! is this an age For to be wise in? Then you mean I see, T'expound the Oracle. I doe mean to be Th'interpreter. —And then a jig of Pismires Is excellent. What to interpret Oracles? A foole must be th'interpreter. Then no doubt But you will have the honour. Nay I hope I am as faire for't as another man. If I should now grow wise against my will, And catch this wisdome! Never feare it Mopsus. Twere dangerous ventring. Now I think on't too Pray Heaven this aire be wholsome! is there not An antidote against it? what doe you think Of garlick every morning? Fy upon't, 'Twill spoile our kissing! and besides I tell you Garlick's a dangerous dish, eating of garlick May breed the sicknesse, for as I remember Tis the Phylosophers dyet. Certainly I am infected, now the fit's upon mee! Tis some thing like an ague, sure I caught it With talking with a Scholar next my heart. How sad a life live I, Betwixt their folly and Amyntas madnesse! For Mopsus Ile prescribe you such a diet As shall secure you. Excellent she Doctor! Your women are the best Physitians, And have the better practice.