The Bloody Brother (Rollo, Duke of Normandy) · chunk 4 of 39
Fletcher, John / Field, Nathan / Massinger, Philip · published 1639 · first performed or written 1617 [revised 1627-1630] (Annals) tragedy · King's Men unassigned nearest T46 Swords, quarrels and valour · 474 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T46: rapier, sword, fight, gentlemen, gentleman, kicked, kill, dagger, signor, valour.
It needs not, and I would scorn to receive, Though offered, what I want not: therefore know From me, though not delivered in great words, Eyes red with rage, poor pride, and threatened action: Our father at his death, then, when no accent, Were't thou a son, could fall from him in vain, Made us Coheiress our part of Land and Honours Of equal weight; and to see this confirmed, The oaths of these are yet upon record, Who though they should forsake me, and call down The plagues of perjury on their sinful heads, I would not leave myself. Nor will we see the Will of the dead Duke infringed. Nor I the elder robbed of what's his right. Nor you? Let me take place, I say, I will not see't; My sword is sharpest. Peace you tinderboxes, That only carry matter to make a flame Which will consume you. You are troublesome, This is no time for arguments, my Title Needs not your schoole-defences, but my sword, With which the Gordian of your Sophistry Being cut, shall show th' Imposture. For your laws, It is in me to change them when I please, I being above them; Gisbert would you have me protect them; Let them now stretch their extremest rigour, And seize upon that traitor; and your tongue Make him appear first dangerous, then odious; And after, under the pretence of safety, For the sick State, the Lands and People's quiet, Cut off his head: and I'll give up my sword, And fight with them at a more certain weapon To kill, and with authority. Sir, I grant the Laws are useful weapons, but found out T'assure the Innocent, not to oppress. Then you conclude him Innocent? The Power your father gave him, must not prove a Crime, Nor should you so receive it. To which purpose, All that dare challenge any part in goodness, Will become suppliants to you. They have none That dare move me in this; hence, I defy you, Be of his party, bring it to your laws, And thou thy double heart, thou popular fool, Your moral rules of Justice and her balance; I stand on mine own guard. Which thy injustice Will make thy enemies; by the memory Of him, whose better part now suffers for thee, Whose reverend ashes with an impious hand Thou throw'st out to contempt, in thy repining At his so Just decree; thou art unworthy Of what his last Will, not thy merits, gave thee, That art so swollen within, with all those mischiefs That e'er made up a Tyrant, that thy breast, The prison of thy purposes, cannot hold them, But that they break forth, and in thy own words Discover, what a monster they must serve That shall acknowledge thee. Thou shalt not live to be so happy.
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)
It needs not, and I would scorne to receive, Though offerd, what I want not: therefore know From me, though not deliver'd in great words, Eyes red with rage, poore pride, and threatned action: Our father at his death, then, when no accent, Wer't thou a son, could fall from him in vaine, Made us Coheires our part of Land and Honours Of equall waight; and to see this confirm'd, The oaths of these are yet upon record, Who though they should forsake me, and call downe The plagues of perjury on their sinfull heads, I would not leave my selfe. Nor will we see the Will of the dead Duke infring'd. Nor I the elder rob'd of what's his right. Nor you? Let me take place, I say, I will not see't; My sword is sharpest. Peace you tinder-boxes, That only carry matter to make a flame Which will consume you. You are troublesome, This is no time for arguments, my Title Needs not your schoole-defences, but my sword, With which the Gordian of your Sophistry Being cut, shall shew th' Imposture. For your laws, It is in me to change them when I please, I being above them; Gisbert would you have me protect them Let them now stretch their extreamest rigour, And seize upon that traytour; and your tongue Make him appeare first dangerous, then odious; And after, under the pretence of safety, For the sick State, the Lands and Peoples quiet, Cut off his head: and I'le give up my sword, And fight with them at a more certain weapon To kill, and with authoritie. Sir, I grant the Laws are usefull weapons, but found ou T'assure the Innocent, not to oppresse. Then you conclude him Innocent? The Power your father gave him, must not prove a Crime, Nor should you so receive it. To which purpose, All that dare challenge any part in goodnesse, Will become suppliants to you. They have none That dare move me in this; hence, I defie you, Be of his party, bring it to your lawes, And thou thy double heart, thou popular foole, Your morall rules of Justice and her ballance; I stand on mine owne guard. Which thy injustice Will make thy enemies; by the memory Of him, whose better part now suffers for thee, Whose reverend ashes with an impious hand Thou throw'st out to contempt, in thy repining At his so Just decree; thou art unworthy Of what his last Will, not thy merits, gave thee, That art so swoln within, with all those mischiefes That e're made up a Tyrant, that thy brest, The prison of thy purposes, cannot hold them, But that they break forth, and in thy owe words Discover, what a monster they must serve That shall acknowledge thee. Thou shalt not live to be so happy.