The Night Walker, or The Little Thief · chunk 38 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 unassigned nearest T11 Siblings, kin and confidants · 488 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T11: sister, brother, love, friend, heart, father, mother, woman, lord, hear.
Sir in my Opinion, 'twas an argument of love To your Maria, for whose sake you could Affect one that but carried her small likeness. No more, you are too charitable, but I know my guilt, and will from henceforth never Change words with that strange maid, whose innocent face Like your Maria's won so late upon me, My passions are corrected, and I can Look on her now, and woman kind, without Love in a thought; 'tis thus, I came to tell you. If after this acknowledgement, you'll be So kind to show me in what silent grave You have disposed your daughter, I will ask Forgiveness of all her dust, and never leave, Till with the loud confession of my shame I wake her ghost, and that pronounce my pardon: Will you deny this favour? then farewell, I'll never see you more: ha! Be not deluded sir, upon my life This is the soul whom you but thought Maria In my daughter's habit; what did you mean Nurse? I knew she would but cozen you, is she not like now? One dew unto another is not nearer. She thinks she is a gentlewoman; And that imagination has so taken her, She scorns to speak, how handsomely she carries it, As if she were a well bread thing, her body? And I warrant you, what looks? Pray be not foolish. I disturb nobody, speak but half a word And I am satisfied, but what needs that? I'll swear 'tis she. But do not, I beseech you, For trust me sir, you know not what I know. Peace then, And let me pray, she holds up her hands with me. This will betray all. Love ever honoured, And ever young, thou Sovereign of all hearts, Of all our sorrows, the sweet ease, Does she still cozen me? You will see anon, 'Twas her desire, expect the issue Madam. My souls so big, I cannot pray; 'tis she, I will go nearer. Here's Mr. Algripe and other strangers Madam. Here good Lady, Upon my knees I ask thy worship's pardon; Here's the whole sum I had with thy fair daughter; Would she were living, I might have her peace too, And yield her up again to her old liberty: I had a wife before, and could not marry; My penance shall be on that man that honoured her To confer some land. This is incredible. 'tis truth. Do you know me sir? Ha, the gentleman I deceived. My name is Lurcher. shalt have thy mortgage. I ha that already, no matter for the deed If you release it. I'll do't before thy witness; But where's thy sister? if she live I am happy, though I conceal our contract, which was Stolen from me with the evidence of this land. Your daughter smiles. I hope she lives, but where, I cannot tell sir. Even here, and please you sir. How?
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)
Sir in my Opinion, 'twas an argument of love To your Maria, for whose sake you could Affect one that but carried her small likenesse. No more, you are too charitable, but I know my guilt, and will from henceforth never Change words with that strange maide, whose innocent face Like your Marias wonne so late upon me, My passions are corrected, and I can Looke on her now, and woman kinde, without Love in a thought; 'tis thus, I came to tell you. If after this acknowledgement, youl'e be So kinde to shew me in what filent grave You have dispos'd your daughter, I will aske Forgivenesse of all her dust, and never leave, Till with the loud confession of my shame I wake her ghost, and that pronounce my pardon: Will you deny this favour? then farewell, Ile never see you more: ha! Be not deluded sir, upon my life This is the soule whom you but thought Maria In my daughters habit; what did you meane Nurse? I knew she would but cozen you, is she not like now? One dew unto another is not nearer. She thinkes she is a gentlewoman; And that imagination has so taken her, She scornes to speake, how hansomely she carries it, As if she were a well bread thing, her body? And I warrant you, what lookes? Pray be not foolish. I disturbe no body, speake but halfe a word And I am satisfied, but what needs that? Ile sweare tis she. But doe not, I beseech you, For trust me sir, you know not what I know. Peace then, And let me pray, she holds up her hands with me. This will betray all. Love ever honor'd, And ever young, thou Soveraigne of all hearts, Of all our sorrowes, the sweet ease, Does she still cozen me? You will see anon, 'Twas her desire, expect the issue Madam. My soules so bigge, I cannot pray; tis she, I will goe neerer. Here's Mr. Algripe and other strangers Madam. Here good Lady, Vpon my knees I aske thy worships pardon; Heres the whole summe I had with thy faire daughter; Would she were living, I might have her peace too, And yeeld her up againe to her old liberty: I had a wife before, and could not marry; My pennance shall be on that man that honor'd her To conferre some land. This is incredible. Tis truth. Doe you know me sir? Ha, the gentleman I deceiv'd. My name is Lurcher. 'Shat have thy morgage. I ha that already, no matter for the deede If you release it. Ile do't before thy witnesse; But where's thy sister? if she live I am happy, though I conceale our contract, which was Stolne from me with the evidence of this land. Your daughter smiles. I hope she lives, but where, I cannot tell sir. Even here, and please you sir. How?