Randolph, Thomas · published 1638 · first performed or written 1630 [licensed for stage, Nov 26] (Annals) pastoral · King's Revels Company · before the Court unassigned nearest T4 Love-longing and the lover's complaint · 486 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T4: love, heart, sweet, loves, fair, phillis, eyes, beauty, amyntas, lovers.
Now happy Damon she thy Garland wears That holds thy heart chained in her golden hairs! Most blessed I! this Garland once did twine About her head that now embraces mine. Desist Alexis, for she deigns to have The Garland that was mine. But me she gave That which was hers. 'tis more to take then give. I think 'tis greater kindness to receive. By this your share's the less, you but receive. And by your argument, yours you did but give▪ Love is the Garland. Then she did approve Of my affection best, she took my love. Fond Damon, she accepted love from thee, But what is more, she gave her love to me; In giving that to me, she proves my right. Why took she mine, but meaning to requite? I will dispute no more. Then let our spears Plead for us, And determine of our fears. Come Damon, by this argument let us prove, Which 'tis of us Laurinda best doth love. Yet 'tis, Alexis, clean against our oath. True, Damon, and perchance may ruin both▪ So neither shall enjoy her. Cruel breath! Besides this is the Sacred Vale, 'tis death To stain the hallowed grass but with one drop Of humane blood. So both should lose their hope! And which is more, 'tis against her commands. Whose every breath has power to stay our hands. we'll have her answer make a certain end. Till then, Alexis, let me be thy friend. Come Damon, le's together seek relief. 'tis fit, being Rivals both in love and grief. LAurinda, by thyself, the sweetest oath That can be sworn, By those fair eyes, whose light Comfort my soul; Whose heat inflameth mine; Unless you deign at length to end our strife, We both have vowed to sacrifice our life, On one another's spear. What shall I do? I find an equal war within my soul, Myself divided; now I would say Damon, Another time Alexis, then again Damon, and then Alexis: like a shepherd That sees on either hand a ravenous wolf, One snatching from his ewe a tender Lamb, The other watching for a gentle Kid, Knows not poor soul which hand to turn to first. Now he would save his Lamb; but seeing his Kid Half in the jaw of death, turns back in haste To reseve that, where viewing then his Lamb In greater danger, runs to that again; As doubtful which to save as which to lose: So fares it now with me. But love instruct me! Resolve. Or we'll resolve. No trick left yet? If ever one was peppered look on me! Why what's the matter? You talk of Love and Cupid, I have been plagued with a whole swarm of Cupids. what should this mean? I know not, but I am sure I have a thousand natural rapiers Stick in my flesh! The meaning of the riddle? The moral?
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Now happy Damon shee thy Garland weares That holds thy heart chain'd in her golden haires! Most blessed I! this Garland once did twine About her head that now imbraces mine. Desist Alexis, for shee deignes to have The Garland that was mine. But me she gave That which was hers. Tis more to take then give. I think 'tis greater kindnesse to receive. By this your share's the lesse, you but receive. And by your argument, yours you did but give▪ Love is the Garland. Then shee did approve Of my affection best, shee took my love. Fond Damon, she accepted love frō thee, But what is more, she gave her love to mee; In giving that to mee, she proves my right. Why took she mine, but meaning to requite? I will dispute no more. Then let our speares Plead for us, And determine of our feares. Come Damon, by this argument let us prove, Which tis of us Laurinda best doth love. Yet tis, Alexis, clean against our oath. True, Damon, and perchance may ruine both▪ So neither shall enjoy her. Cruell breath! Besides this is the Sacred Vale, tis death To staine the hallowed grasse but with one drop Of humane blood. So both should loose their hope! And which is more, 'tis against her commands. Whose every breath has powre to stay our hands. Wee'l have her answer make a certain end. Till then, Alexis, let me be thy friend. Come Damon, lets together seeke reliefe. Tis fit, being Rivalls both in love and griefe. LAurinda, by thy selfe, the sweetest oath That can be sworn, By those faire eyes, whose light Comfort my soule; Whose heat inflameth mine; Vnlesse you deigne at length to end our strife, We both have vow'd to sacrifice our life, On one anothers speare. What shall I doe? I find an equall warre within my soule, My selfe divided; now I would say Damon, Another time Alexis, then againe Damon, and then Alexis: like a sheapheard That sees on either hand a ravenous wolfe, One snatching from his ewe a tender Lamb, The other watching for a gentle Kid, Knowes not poore soule which hand to turne to first. Now he would save his Lamb; but seeing his Kid Halfe in the jaw of death, turnes back in hast To reseue that, where viewing then his Lamb In greater danger, runs to that again; As doubtfull which to save as which to loose: So fares it now with me. But love instruct mee! Resolve. Or wee'l resolve. No trick left yet? If ever one was pepper'd looke on mee! Why whats the matter? You talke of Love and Cupid, I have been plagu'd with a whole swarme of Cupids. what should this meane? I know not, but I am sure I have a thousand naturall rapiers Stick in my flesh! The meaning of the riddle? The morall?