Massinger, Philip · published 1639 · first performed or written 1624 [1624-1625] (Annals) tragedy · King's Men · Globe unassigned nearest T1 Death, grief and revenge · 486 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T1: death, life, dead, die, blood, revenge, soul, father, heart, heaven.
What you have done is granted, and applauded, but yet know this glorious relation of your actions must not so blind our judgements, as to suffer this most unnatural crime you stand accused of, to pass unquestioned. No, you must produce reasons of more validity, and weight, to plead in your defence, or we shall hardly conclude you innocent. The large volume of your former worthy deeds, with your experience, both what, and when to do, but makes against you. For had your care and courage been the same as heretofore, the dangers we are plunged in had been with ease prevented. What have I Omitted in the power of flesh, and blood, Even in the birth to strangle the designs Of this hell-bred wolf my son? alas my Lords, I am no god, nor like him could foresee His cruel thoughts, and cursed purposes, Nor would the sun at my command forbear To make his progress to the other world, Affording to us one continued light. Nor could my breath dispress those foggy mists Covered with which, and darkness of the night, Their navy undiscerned, without resistance Beset our harbour? make not that my fault, Which you in justice must ascribe to fortune. But if that nor my former acts, nor what I have delivered, can prevail with you To make good my integrity and truth: Rip up this bosom; and pluck out the heart That hath been ever loyal. How! a trumpet! inquire the cause. Thou searcher of men's hearts, And sure defender of the innocent, (My other crying sins, a while not looked on) If I in this am guilty strike the dead, Or by some unexpected means confirm, I am accused unjustly. Speak the motives That brings thee hither. From our Admiral thus, He does salute you fairly, and desires It may be understood no public hate, Hath brought him to Marseilles, nor seeks he The ruin of his country, but aims only To wreak a private wrong; and if from you He may have leave, and liberty to decide it In a single combat, he'll give up good pledges If he fall in the trial of his right, we shall weigh anchor and no more molest This town with hostile arms. Speak to the man, (If in this presence he appear to you) To whom you bring this challenge. 'tis to you; His father! Can it be! Strange and prodigious. Thou seest I stand unmoved were thy voice thunder It should not shake me, say what would the viper? The reverence a father's name may challenge, And duty of a son, no more remembered He does defy thee to the death. Go on. And with his sword well prove it on thy head, Thou art a murderer, an Atheist And that all attributes of men turned furies Cannot express thee, this he will make good If thou dar'st give him meeting.
seed 43: T62 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
What you have done is granted, and applauded, but yet know this glorious relation of your actions must not so blinde our judgements, as to suffer this most unnaturall crime you stand accus'd of, to passe unquestion'd. No, you must produce reasons of more validitie, and weight, to plead in your defence, or we shall hardly conclude you innocent. The large volume of your former worthy deeds, with your experience, both what, and when to doe, but makes against you. For had your care and courage beene the same as heretofore, the dangers we are plung'd in had beene with ease prevented. What have Omitted in the power of flesh, and bloud, Even in the birth to strangle the designes Of this hell-bred wolfe my sonne? alas my Lords, I am no god, nor like him could foresee His cruell thoughts, and cursed purposes, Nor would the sun at my command forbeare To make his progresse to the other world, Affording to us one continued light. Nor could my breath dispresse those foggie mists Coverde with which, and darkenesse of the night, Their navie undiscernd, without resistance Beset our harbor? make not that my fault, Which you in justice must ascribe to fortune. But if that nor my former acts, nor what I have deliverd, can prevaile with you To make good my integritie and truth: Rip up this bosome; and plucke out the heart That hath beene ever loyall. How! a trumpet! Enquire the cause. Thou searcher of mens hearts, And sure defender of the innocent, (My other crying sinnes, a while not lookd on) If I in this am guiltie strike the dead, Or by some unexpected meanes confirme, I am accusd unjustly. Speake the motives That brings thee hither. From our Admirall thus, He does salute you fairely, and desires It may be understood no publike hate, Hath brought him to Marselis, nor see he The ruine of his countrie, but aimes only To wreake a private wrong; and if from you He may have leave, and libery to decide it In a single combate, he'll give up good pledges If he fall in the triall of his right, Wee shall waigh anchor and no more molest This towne with hostile armes. Speake to the man, (If in this presence he appeare to you) To whom you bring this challenge. Tis to you; His father Can it be! Strange and prodigious. Thou feest I stand unmovd were thy voice thunder It should not shake mee, say what would the viper? The reverence a fathers name may challenge, And duty of a soone, no more remembred He does defie thee to the death. Goe on. And with his sword well prove it on thy head, Thou art a murtherer, an Atheist And that al attributes of men turnd furies Cannot expresse thee, this he will make good If thou darst give him meeting.