The Constant Maid (Love Will Find Out the Way) · chunk 5 of 32
Shirley, James · published 1640 · first performed or written 1638 [1630(?)-1640] (Annals) not in BritDrama T33 Fathers, daughters and marriage negotiat typicality 0.90 · 497 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T33: daughter, marriage, father, love, davus, matter, son, chremes, wife, mother.
But with your pardon, mother, Although I could dispense with my own thoughts, And frame them to obedience, will this change Be for my honour, or my fame? when such A noble Gentleman shall boast he had, With your consent, my love? or pray admit That which we gain by riches of the second, Seem to authorise, and may justify The act with some; how can it cure the wound, Which the poor heart, which loves, shall find too soon, When 'tis neglected, and so cruelly, Where it did hope for cherishing? Oh think How you did love my father first, and be More gentle to your daughter, your estate Is above needy providence, or grafting Into a new stock; it doth grow already Fair from his own root, and doth want no piecing: Nor are the means of Hartwell so contemptible. No more: youhave considered well, you'll shape Another answer; i'th' mean time dispose Your countenance to entertain this new And able Lover: leave the satisfaction Of Hartwell to my care: He's here, to your chamber. I know not what's the trick on't, nor themselves yet; But he has a project to employ 'em all. I wish it well; but do you work yourself Into the opinion of her Nurse, she is The Major Domo, and has all the intelligence. Let me alone, I'll work her Sir like wax, To print what form you please upon her, 'tis A Loving Crone already to me, I Will speak her fair, and in my drink may marry her. Master Hartwell. About your business. There is a matter, Sir, which I must open, And you perhaps will wonder at. You prepare my attention. You do love my daughter, At least I think so. If you knew my heart, You might be confident, in her I sum All my desires on earth. Be not so fixed. How Lady? When you have heard me out, you'll find Your consent easy to call back a promise Made to your disadvantage. I acknowledge; This makes me wonder, pray interpret Lady, And speak the dialect I understand: I love your daughter. But must never glory In the reward which you expect should be, Her marriage. In the number of my actions There is not one that's guilty of so much Offence to you, that I should be so soon Lost to your favour. Have no thought so poor You can deserve less, my opinion Is richer laden with your merit. Now I fear again, this violent turn of praise Makes me suspect my state; if I be fall'n, Teach me to know my trespass. I ne'er looked With such clear eyes into your worth, and 'twere A sin to general goodness, to delay The free resign of that your worth may challenge. If this be meant, pray pardon my mistake Of something went before, love made me fear; You said I never should enjoy your daughter In marriage, which yourself so late inclined to.
seed 43: T6 · seed 44: T7 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
But with your pardon, mother, Although I could dispence with my owne thoughts, And frame them to obedience, will this change Be for my honour, or my fame? when such A noble Gentleman shall boast he had, With your consent, my love? or pray admit That which we gaine by riches of the second, Seeme to authorize, and may justifie The act with some; how can it cure the wound, Which the poore heart, which loves, shall find too soone, When 'tis neglected, and so cruelly, Where it did hope for cherishing? Oh think How you did love my father first, and be More gentle to your daughter, your estate Is above needy providence, or grafting Into a new stock; it doth grow already Faire from his owne root, and doth want no peecing: Nor are the meanes of Hartwell so contemptible. No more: y'have consider'd well, you'l shape Another answer; i'th' meane time dispose Your countenance to entertaine this new And able Lover: leave the satisfaction Of Hartwell to my care: He's here, to your chamber. I know not what's the trick on't, nor themselves yet; But he has a project to employ 'em all▪ I wish it well; but do you work your selfe Into the opinion of her Nurse, she is The Major Domo, and has all the intelligence. Let me alone, I'll work her Sir like wax, To print what forme you please upon her, 'tis A Loving Crone already to me, I Will speake her faire, and in my drink may marrie her. Master Hartwell. About your businesse. There is a matter, Sir, which I must open, And you perhaps will wonder at. You prepare my attention. You do love my daughter, At least I think so. If you knew my heart, You might be confident, in her I sum All my desires on earth. Be not so fixt. How Lady? When you have heard me out, you'l find Your consent easie to call back a promise Made to your disadvantage. I acknowledge; This makes me wonder, pray interpret Lady, And speake the dialect I understand: I love your daughter. But must never glorie In the reward which you expect should be, Her marriage. In the number of my actions There is not one that's guiltie of so much Offence to you, that I should be so soone Lost to your favour. Have no thought so poore You can deserve lesse, my opinion Is richer laden with your merit. Now I feare agen, this violent turne of praise Makes me suspect my state; if I be falne, Teach me to know my trespasse. I ne're look'd With such cleere eyes into your worth, and 'twere A sin to generall goodnesse, to delay The free resigne of that your worth may challenge. If this be meant, pray pardon my mistake Of something went before, love made me feare; You said I never should enjoy your daughter In marriage, which your selfe so late enclined to.