Davenport, Robert · published 1639 · first performed or written 1625 [c.1624-1639] (Annals) comedy · Queen Henrietta Maria's Men (?); Lady Elizabeth's Men (?) T16 Gallantry: ladies, lordships and complim typicality 0.74 · 492 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T16: lady, madam, gentleman, lordship, ladies, honour, mistress, sweet, court, servant.
Part of it lies in what he left behind, Observance, state, retinue, and attendance, Of which you must partake. Lord, who'd have thought it? Would he had sent that part of his Lordship hither, And stayed himself behind; but where's his honour? Dost thou not see him there? Him, but not it. How cast thou fool? his Nobility lies in his blood, 'Tis that I fain would see. His Blood? Yes, if his Lordship live in that. Would you match me to a thing invisible? Where I bestow myself I'll see and feel, And choose to my own liking. Art thou mad? So you would make me; this is but a man, And I can find a man to my own liking and never trouble him. This foolish baggage will cross all we would compass. I am plain sir; I have not much to give, yet I would stretch My utmost, to my poor ability, To show myself a Father, what she wants In means she hath in Gentry; that my blood Can witness for her: something too beside Though not sufficient to ennoble her, Yet still to make her a good Gentlewoman, And that's all my ambition. And that's all I can demand. His Lordship asks no more. Provided still, all be with her consent, For I'll force nothing, were't from a stranger, Much less from my Child. There's no condition you have yet proposed But warrants grant, they are so reasonable. Till now I had thought, your Lords, and Noble men Had been possessed of many worthier parts, Where meaner men are scanted; but I see All's one, or little difference. Mistress Anne, it were superfluous to begin a Suit Which hath before been entered; and I know Made known to you ere this; I come not now For motion, but for answer: All those honours Titles, and Dignities conferred on me We likewise do communicate with you. Which she is ready to accept. Good mother, 'tis me, not you, whom this affair concerns: You gave your own free answer to my Father, So give me leave to do where I affect, The good or bad is mine; not touches you That are disposed already. My good wench, I do commend thee for't. Will you still prate? No more wife, I have done. Or I shall but begin. My Lord, proceed. Court Ladies I have often seen and tried, Fair Country Damsels, Virgins of choice beauty, Bred from the City Scarlet, and 'mong these I might have made my choice, but all relinquished To place affection here; what comfort, Lady? Faith little in that name: Title my Lord, is a cold Bedfellow, And many study style that marry cares; Can honour help in Childbirth? or Nobility Us privilege from throws? Why no such thing. What is this honour then? Why Ceremony; The gift of Princes, and the pride of States, Regard in the Weal public, and employment, Respect, and duty.
seed 43: T5 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Part of it lyes in what he left behind, Obſervance, ſtate, retinue, and attendance, Of which you muſt partake. Lord, who'de have thought it? Would he had ſent that part of his Lordſhip hither, And ſtay'd himſelfe behind; but where's his honour? Do'ſt thou not ſee him there? Him, but not it. How caſt thou foole? his Nobility lyes in his blood, 'Tis that I faine would ſee. His Blood? Yes, if his Lordſhip live in that▪ Would you match me to a thing inviſible? Where I beſtow my ſelfe Ile ſee and feele, And chuſe to my owne liking. Art thou mad? So you would make me; this is but a man, And I can find a man to my owne liking and never trouble him. This fooliſh baggage will croſſe all we would compaſſe. I am plaine ſir; I have not much to give, yet I would ſtretch My utmoſt, to my poore ability, To ſhew my ſelfe a Father, what ſhe wants In meanes ſhe hath in Gentry; that my blood Can witneſſe for her: ſomething too beſides Though not ſufficient to ennoble her, Yet ſtill to make her a good Gentlewoman, And that's all my ambition. And that's all I can demand. His Lordſhip askes no more. Provided ſtill, all be with her conſent, For Ile force nothing, wer't from a ſtranger, Much leſſe from my Childe. There's no condition you have yet propoſ'd But warrants grant, they are ſo reaſonable. Till now I had thought, your Lords, and Noble men Had bin poſſeſſ'd of many worthier parts, Where meaner men are ſcanted; but I ſee All's one, or little difference. Miſtris Anne, it were ſuperfluous to begin a Suite Which hath before beene entred; and I know Made knowne to you ere this; I come not now For motion, but for anſwer: All thoſe honours Titles, and Dignities conferr'd on me We likewiſe doe communicate with you. Which ſhe is ready to accept. Good mother, 'tis me, not you, whom this affaire concernes: You gave your owne free anſwer to my Father, So give me leave to doe where I affect, The good or bad is mine; not touches you That are diſpoſ'd already. My good wench, I doe commend thee for't. Will you ſtill prate? No more wife, I have done. Or I ſhall but begin. My Lord, proceed. Court Ladies I have often ſeene and tryed, Faire Country Damſels, Virgins of choice beauty, Bred from the City Scarlet, and 'mong theſe I might have made my choiſe, but all relinquiſh'd To place affection here; what comfort▪ Lady? Faith little in that name: Title my Lord, is a cold Bed-fellow, And many ſtudy ſtile that marry cares; Can honour helpe in Child-birth? or Nobility Us priviledge from throwes? Why no ſuch thing. What is this honour then? Why Ceremony; The gift of Princes, and the pride of States, Regard in the Weale publicke, and imployment▪ Reſpect, and duty.