Lower, William · published 1639 · first performed or written 1639 [c.1622-1639] (Annals) not in BritDrama unassigned nearest T14 Royal love, favour and dynastic relation · 533 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T14: prince, princess, love, king, lord, queen, madam, grace, lady, life.
Taking your word for my warrant then, I desire to know if you be in earnest or in jest, for I cannot believe you should so soon forget the great Prince of Persia, and dote so extremely on this stranger, whose rank and quality you know not, but by conjecture. Such is the commanding power of love thou seest, which is able to do more impossible matters then these; I mean sincerely; Neither have I reason to repent the chance. No, suppose he be that poor exiled Prince of Damascus, is he to be compared, or in your good opinion to be preferred before the puissant Persian, one of the greatest Monarchs of the world? How foolishly thou talkest, dost thou not know that comparisons are odious, especially in love matters? counsel me better what to do, or keep thy thoughts in thine own bosom. madam, my help and furtherance shall not be wanting in any thing wherein I can do you service: let your wit contrive the way according to your desire, and let me alone to put it in execution. Then what if I sent thee to him with a letter stuffed full of affection, would not that be a pretty way to cover my blushes, and yet discover my love? sure it would, what thinkest thou Sara? I cannot but approve your plot exceedingly madam, for if there be then any fault escaped, or any small breach of maiden modesty made, it shall be imputed to the ink and paper, which is of too pale a colour to blush. It shall be so then, get me pen, ink, and paper presently, but soft, he comes to save me that labour, I am armed with boldness for the encounter, assist me, Cupid, I beseech thee. Fair Princess, here behold before your eyes; Those whom your courtesy hath made your slaves: I mean my friends and me, whose thanks, yea lives We come to tender to you, but alas, The debt we owe is greater, and the sum Not to be answered so, yet we beseech you Take this in part of payment, which we offer With zealous hearts, and no less strong devotion, And though we cannot cancel your great bill, Impute that to our want, not to our will. Most courteous Sir, if through my means you have Enjoyed the benefit of any thing, I thank my fates that made me an instrument Of doing so much good: you shall oblige me To tell me, since I cannot tell myself What thing Lucinda did, that could produce So strong an obligation. You impose Too great a task upon me, for weak words Cannot express it full; madam, we owe you First for our lives, then for our liberties, For curing of our wounds with your fair hand, And many other favours great beside, All which we treasure up here in our hearts, As in a trusty Cabinet. Sure the man Seems of so gentle nature, that he would not Be so unkind, as to repel the suit Of a poor love-sick Lady— aside. Will you grant me One boon in lieu thereof, and you shall make me A tenfold satisfaction.
seed 43: T14 · seed 44: T9 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Taking your word for my warrant then, I desire to know if you be in earnest or in jest, for I cannot beleeve you should so soone forget the great Prince of Persia, and doat so extremely on this stranger, whose ranke and quality you know not, but by conjecture. Such is the commanding power of love thou eest, which is able to doe more impossible matters then these; I meane sincerely; Neither have I reason to repent the chance. No, suppose he be that poore exiled Prince of Damascus, is he to be compared, or in your good opinion to be preferred before the puisant Persian, one of the greatest Monarchs of the world? How foolishly thou talkest, dost thou not know that comparisons are odious, especially in love matters? counsell me better what to doe, or keep thy thoughts in thine owne bosome. Madame, my help and furtherance shall not be wanting in any thing wherein I can doe you service: let your wit contrive the way according to your desire, and let me alone to put it in execution. Then what if I sent thee to him with a letter stuff'd full of affection, would not that be a pretty way to cover my blushes, and yet discover my love? sure it would, what thinkest thou Sara? I cannot but approve your plot exceedingly Madame, for if there be then any fault escaped, or any small breach of maiden modesty made, it shall be imputed to the inke and paper, which is of too pale a colour to blush. It shall be so then, get me pen, inke, and paper presently, but soft, he comes to save me that labour, I am arm'd with boldnesse for the encounter, assist me, Cupid, I beseech thee. Faire Princesse, here behold before your eyes; Those whom your courtesie hath made your slaves: I meane my friends and me, whose thanks, yea lives We come to tender to you, but alas, The debt we owe is greater, and the summe Not to be answer'd so, yet we beseech you Take this in part of payment, which we offer With zealous hearts, and no less strong devotion, And though we cannot cancell your great bill, Impute that to our want, not to our will. Most courteous Sir, if through my means you have Enjoy'd the benefit of any thing, I thanke my fate that made me an instrument Of doing so much good: you shall oblige me To tell me, since I cannot tell my selfe What thing Lucinda did, that could produce So strong an obligation. You impose Too great a taske upon me, for weake words Cannot expresse it full; Madame, we owe you First for our lives, then for our liberties, For cuing of our wounds with your faire hand, And many other favours great besides, All which we treasure up here in our hearts, As in a trusty Cabinet. Sure the man Seemes of so gentle nature, that he would not Be so unkinde, as to repell the suit Of a poore love-sicke Lady—aside. Will you grant me One boone in lieu thereof, and you shall make me A ten-fold satisfaction.