Lower, William · published 1639 · first performed or written 1639 [c.1622-1639] (Annals) not in BritDrama T17 Eastern conquest: Persians, Turks and so typicality 0.81 · 532 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T17: tamburlaine, persian, cyrus, king, mahomet, arms, mighty, assyrian, thousand, army.
Neither Sir, But an assault alas upon Damascus, A soldier that escaped, told me the manner, And thus it was: After the enemy Had sprung their Mine, which levelled the rampire, And made a breach that eight might march in front: They did assault it with their multitudes, And furiously fell on: thrice the besieged, Though hunger-starved, repulsed them, thrice they were enforced to quit the breach, some had their brains Dashed out with stones and beams, others with flails Received their deaths, and some whose limbs were rent To pieces with granadoes, but at length, Fresh succours from the quarters coming down, And Hydra-like increasing, they prevailed, When all our men were slain in the defence, Before they entered: only this poor soldier Escaped whilst they were pillaging the town, From whom I learned this sad intelligence. Now fortune do thy worst, and if thou canst, Make me more wretched, I'll no longer now Flatter thy malice; since mine eyes have seen The final period of my country's fate. Come Consolario, thou and I, and these, Will travel like poor pilgrims through the world, For I am weary of this desolation, And as we pass through this and tother Realm, We will inquire their state, that I may find, If possible, a partner in my grief. Dear Colonel, dismiss that little Army, That little remnant which the wars hath left me; Bid each man seek his safety where he can, And tell them if Amandus ere may hope To see a change of fortune, and enjoy Hereafter better days, he will then think Upon their faithful service, and reward them, When all these gusts of sorrow are blown o'er, In ample manner. Now let us obey Our stars, and follow where they point the way. Brother Praedarius, couldst thou not find in thy heart to turn Orator now, and bestow thy best Rhetoric in praise of our most noble profession. If my education, friend Rapinus were answerable to my desire, I should write whole volumes upon that subject, so much am I taken with it. How right you jump upon my humour, for when I do reflect with judicious eyes upon the poor state and condition of our former life, and weigh it with this glorious change, I magnify myself beyond measure for entertaining such brave sparks of honour and true fortitude in my breast, which hath kindled my affections to these worthy exploits. And now since you bring that into our remembrance, let us consider what poor mechanic rascals we were, under what slavery we lived, how oppressed by hard and usurping Landlords, and the like? All this is true, and much more we suffered, but how are these times altered since? how do we live now my friend? nothing inferior in command to the King of Arabia himself; are not all these mountains ours? these caves and forests ours? these deserts and wildernesses ours? are we not safe in these fortifications from the greatest powers that can possibly invade? we need not now fear the King nor his imposts, he shall now make us amends, and pay tribute of all such goods as pass this way under our jurisdiction.
seed 43: T18 · seed 44: T18 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Neither Sir, But an assault alas upon Damascus, A souldier that escap't, told me the manner, And thus it was: After the enemy Had sprung their Mine, which levelled the rampire, And made a breach that eight might march in front: They did assault it with their multitudes, And furiously fell on: thrice the besieg'd, Though hunger-sterv'd, repuls'd them, thrice they were Enforc'd to quit the breach, some had their braines Dash'd out with stones and beames, others with flailes Receiv'd their deaths, and some whose limbs were rent To pieces with granadoes, but at length, Fresh succours from the quarters comming downe, And Hydra-like encreasing, they prevail'd, When all our men were slaine in the defence, Before they entred: onely this poore souldier Escap't whilst they were pillaging the towne, From whom I learnt this sad intelligence. Now fortune doe thy worst, and if thou canst, Make me more wretched, I'le no longer now Fltter thy malice; since mine eyes have seene The finall period of my Countries fate. Come Consolario, thou and I, and these, Will travell like poore pilgrims through the world, For I am weary of this desolation, And as we passe through this and to'ther Realme, We will inquire their state, that I may finde, If possible, a partner in my griefe. Deere Colonell, dismisse that little Army, That little remnant which the warres hath left me; Bid each man seeke his safety where he can, And tell them if Amandus ere may hope To see a change of fortune, and enjoy Hereafter better dayes, he will then thinke Vpon their faithfull service, and reward them, When all these gusts of sorrow are blowne o're, In ample manner. Now let us obey Our stars, and follow where they point the way. Brother Praedarius, couldst thou not finde in thy heart to turne Oratour now, and bestow thy best Rhetorick in praise of our most noble profession. If my education, friend Rapinus were answerable to my desire, I should write whole volumes upon that subject, so much am I taken with it. How right you jump upon my humour, for when I doe reflect with judicious eyes upon the poor state and condition of our former life, and weigh it with this glorious change, I magnifie my selfe beyond measure for entertaining such brave sparks of honour and true fortitude in my breast, which hath kindled my affections to these worthy exploits. And now since you bring that into our remembrance, let us consider what poor mechanick rascals we were, under what slavery we lived, how oppressed by hard and uurping Land-lords, and the like? All this is true, and much more we suffered, but how are these times altered since? how doe we live now my friend? nothing inferiour in command to the King of Arabia himselfe; are not all these mountaines ours? these caves and forrests ours? these desarts and wildernesses ours? are we not safe in these fortifications from the greatest powers that can possibly invade? we need not now feare the King nor his imposts, he shall now make us amends, and pay tribute of all such goods as passe this way under our jurisdiction.