The Magnetic Lady, or Humors Reconciled · chunk 20 of 45
Jonson, Ben · published 1640 · first performed or written 1632 [licensed for stage, Oct 12] (Annals) comedy · King's Men T9 Theatre talk: prologues, poets and playe typicality 0.85 · 487 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
They are no other but narrow, and shrunk natures; shriveld up, poor things, that cannot think well of themselves, who dare to detract others. That Signature is upon them, and it will last. A half-witted Barbarism! which no Barber's art, or his balls, will ever expunge or take out. Why, Boy? This were a strange Empire, or rather a Tyranny, you would entitle your Poet to, over Gentlemen, that they should come to hear, and see Plays, and say nothing for their money. O, yes; say what you will: so it be to purpose, and in place. Can any thing be out of purpose at a Play? I see no reason, if I come here, and give my eighteen pence, or two shillings for my Seat, but I should take it out in censure, on the Stage. Your two shilling worth is allowed you: but you will take your ten, shilling worth, your twenty shilling worth, and more: And teach others (about you) to do the like, that follow your leading face; as if you were to cry up or down every Scene, by confederacy, be it right or wrong. Who should teach us the right, or wrong at a Play? If your own science can not do it, or the love of Modesty, and Truth; all other entreaties, or attempts— are vain. You are fit Spectators for the Bears, than us, or the Puppets. This is a popular ignorance indeed, somewhat better appareled in you, than the People: but a hard handed, and stiff ignorance, worthy a Trewel, or a Hammer-man; and not only fit to be scorned, but to be triumphed over. By whom, Boy? Not particular, but the general neglect, and silence. Good Master Damplay, be yourself still, without a second: Few here are of your opinion to day, I hope; to morrow, I am sure there will be none, when they have ruminated this. Let us mind what you come for, the play, which will draw on to the Epitasis now. WHere's Mr. Doctor? O Mr. Tim Item, His learned Apothecary! you are welcome: He is within at dinner. Dinner! Death! That he will eat now, having such a business, That so concerns him! Why, can any business Concern a man like his meat? O twenty millions, To a Physician, that's in practice: I Do bring him news, from all the points o' the Compass, (That's all the parts of the sublunary Globe.) Of times, and double times. In, in, sweet Item, And furnish forth the Table with your news: Deserve your dinner: Sow out your whole bag full: The Guests will hear it. I heard they were out. But they are pieced, and put together again, You may go in, you'll found them at high eating: The Parson has an edifying stomach, And a persuading Palate (like his name:) He hath begun three draughts of sack in Doctrines, And four in Uses.
seed 43: T16 · seed 44: T15 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
They are no other but narrow, and ſhrunke natures; ſhriveld up, poore things, that cannot thinke well of themſelves, who dare to detract others. That Signature is upon them, and it will laſt. A halfe-witted Barbariſme! which no Barbers art, or his bals, will ever expunge or take out. Why, Boy? This were a ſtrange Empire, or rather a Tyrannie, you would entitle your Poet to, over Gentlemen, that they ſhould come to heare, and ſee Playes, and ſay nothing for their money. O, yes; ſay what you will: ſo it be to purpoſe, and in place. Can any thing be out of purpoſe at a Play? I ſee no reaſon, if I come here, and give my eighteene pence, or two ſhillings for my Seat, but I ſhould take it out in cenſure, on the Stage. Your two ſhilling worth is allow'd you: but you will take your ten, ſhilling worth, your twenty ſhilling worth, and more: And teach others (about you) to doe the like, that follow your leading face; as if you were to cry up or downe every Scene, by confederacy, be it right or wrong. Who ſhould teach us the right, or wrong at a Play? If your owne ſcience can not doe it, or the love of Modeſty, and Truth; all other intreaties, or attempts—are vaine. You are fitter Spectators for the Beares, then us, or the Puppets. This is a popular ignorance indeed, ſomewhat better appareld in you, then the People: but a hard handed, and ſtiffe ignorance, worthy a Trewel, or a Hammer-man; and not onely fit to be ſcorn'd, but to be triumph'd ore. By whom, Boy? No particular, but the generall neglect, and ſilence. Good Maſter Damplay, be your ſelfe ſtill, without a ſecond: Few here are of your opinion to day, I hope; to morrow, I am ſure there will bee none, when they have ruminated this. Let us mind what you come for, the lay, which will draw on to the Epitaſis now. VVHere's Mr. Doctor? O Mr. Tim Item, His learned Pothecary! you are welcome: He is within at dinner. Dinner! Death! That hee will eat now, having ſuch a buſines, That ſo concernes him! Why, can any buſines Concerne a man like his meat? O twenty millions, To a Phyſician, that's in practiſe: I Doe bring him newes, from all the points o' the Compaſſe, (That's all the parts of the ſublunary Globe.) Of times, and double times. In, in, ſweet Item, And furniſh forth the Table with your newes: Deſerve your dinner: Sow out your whole bag full: The Gueſts will heare it. I heard they were out. But they are piec'd, and put together againe, You may goe in, you'l find them at high eating: The Parſon has an edifying ſtomack, And a perſwading Palate (like his name:) Hee hath begun three draughts of ſack in Doctrines, And fower in Uſes.