The Night Walker, or The Little Thief · chunk 25 of 39
Fletcher, John / Shirley, James · published 1640 · first performed or written c.1611(?) [revised by Shirley and re-licensed for stage, May 11, 1633] (Annals) comedy · Lady Elizabeth's Men · Phoenix/Cockpit T30 Constables, justices and the watch typicality 0.81 · 500 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T30: constable, squire, tub, clay, worship, justice, turf, mr, hun, valentine.
Hold for thy buttons sake, the knave's transported. Jack Wildbrain? Honest Tom, how thrives the felonious world with thee now? You look and talk as you were much exalted. thout'the right I'll tele thee first, I ha' shook off my Aunt, and yet I live still, And drink, and sing; her house had like to ha' spoiled me; I keep no hours now; Nor need any false key To the old woman's Cabinets, I ha' money Upon my word, and pawn no oaths toth' Butler; No matrimonial protestations; Our sack possets to the Chambermaid, I praise my Fate, there be more ways toth' wood Tom. Prithee release my wonder. I'll increase it, wipe thine eyes, Here is a chain worth money and some man had it, A foolish Diamond, and other trifles— The very same, oh Gipsy! Infidel! All that I sweat, and ventured me neck for, He has got already; who would trust a strumpet. This? This is nothing to what I possess At home. What home? A house that shall be nameless; The Mistress of it mine too, such a piece For flesh and blood, added to that so loving— Is, she married? I know not, nor I care not; But such a prize, so mounting, so delicious, Thou wilt run mad, I'll tell thee more hereafter. Nay, prithee a word more. I took no pains to find out all this Paradise, My Destiny threw me upon't i'th' dark, I found it Wanting a lodging too. No old acquaintance? Never, never saw her; But these things happen not in every age, I cannot stay, If thou wilt meet anon At my own rendezvous, thou knowest the Tavern, we'll sup together, after that, a company Of merry lads have made a match to ring. You keep your exercise, i'the old Church? No other, There is no music to the bells, we would Have bonfires if we durst, and thou would come It shall cost thee nothing Tom, hang pilfering. And keep me company, in time I may Show thee my Wench too. I cannot promise; but you will be there? we'll toss the bells, and make the steeple Roar boy, but come to supper then. My hand, and expect me: Yes I will come or send, and to some purpose; Art come boy? Excellent, Knave, how didst thou purchase these? The staff I stole last night from a sleeping Constable; The rest I borrowed by my acquaintance with The player's boys; you were best to lose no time sir. So, so, help boy, 'tis very well, do I not look Like one that breaks the king's peace with authority? You know your charge, prepare things handsomely, My diligent boy, and leave me to my office. There wants nothing already; but I fly sir. Now Fortune prove no slut, and I'll adore thee. Within. Ser. whose's there? A friend would speak with Master justice. Who are you? I am the Constable. My Master is not at leisure to hear business.
seed 43: T36 · seed 44: T35 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Hold for thy buttons sake, the knave's transported. Jacke Wildbraine? Honest Tom, how thrives the fellonious world with thee now? You looke and talke as you were much exalted. Thar't 'ithe right Ile te ll thee first, I ha shooke off my Aunt, and yet I live still, And drinke, and sing; her house had like to ha spoil'd me; I keepe no houres now; Nor neede any false key To the old womans Cabinets, I ha money Vpon my word, and pawne no oathes toth' Butler; No matrimoniall protestations; Our sacke possets to the Chambermaid, I praise my Fate, there be more wayes toth' wood Tom. Prethee release my wonder. Ile encrease it, wipe thine eyes, Here is a chaine worth money and some man had it, A foolish Diamond, and other trifles — The very same, oh Gipsey! Infidell! All that I sweat, and ventur'd me necke for, He has got already; who would trust a strumpet. This? This is nothing to what I possesse At home. What home? A house that shall be namelesse; The Mistresse of it mine too, such a peece For flesh and blood, added to that so loving — Is, shee married? I know not, nor I care not; But such a prize, so mounting, so delicious, Thou wilt runne mad, Ile tell thee more hereafter. Nay, prethee a word more. I tooke no paines to finde out all this Paradise, My Destiny threw me upon't ith' darke, I found it Wanting a lodging too. No old acquaintance? Never, never saw her; But these things happen not in every age, I cannot stay, If thou wilt meete anon At my owne randevow, thou knowest the Taverne, Weele sup together, after that, a company Of merry lads have made a match to ring. You keepe your exercise, i'the old Church? No other, There is no musicke to the bells, we wo'd Have bonefires if we durst, and thou wo'd come It shall cost thee nothing Tom, hang pilfering. And keepe me company, in time I may Shew thee my Wench too. I cannot promise; but you will be there? Weele tosse the bells, and make the steeple Rore boy, but come to supper then. My hand, and expect me: Yes I will come or send, and to some purpose; Art come boy? Excellent, Knave, how didst thou purchase these? The staffe I stole last night from a sleeping Constable; The rest I borrowed by my acquaintance with The Players boyes; you were best to lose no time sir. So, so, helpe boy, tis very well, doe I not looke Like one that breakes the Kings peace with authoritie? You know your charge, prepare things hansomely, My diligent boy, and leave me to my office. There wants nothing already; but I fly sir. Now Fortune prove no slut, and Ile adore thee. Within. Ser. Whose there? A friend wo'd speake with Master Iustice. Who are you? I am the Constable. My Master is not at leasure to heare businesse.