Golding, Arthur / Beza, Theodore · published 1577 · first performed or written 1575 (Annals) biblical play unassigned nearest T51 Parents and children: blessing, birthrig · 455 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T51: esau, iacob, father, son, isaac, god, love, birthright, parents, thing.
Was never child that spoke with better skill. I am ashamed, and therefore take my flight. Alas my son, before thou leave this light And that my hand do give thunkindly blow, Upon thy mouth let me a kiss bestow. Isac my son, let this same arm of mine Which must thee kill, embrace this neck of thine With right good will and hearty thanks. You skies the great gods work aye glistering in our eyes Which well have seen how God (who still is true) Did me with fruit by Isaac here indew: And thou O land five times to me behight, Bear witness that my fingers do not smite This child of mine for hatred or for vengeance, But only for to yield my dew obeisance, To that great God which hath created me, And all the things that live or move or be: Who saves the good that put in him their trust, And stroyes the bad that serve their wicked lust. Bear witness that I faithful Abraham, Through gods great goodness still so steadfast am As notwithstanding all that human wit Can say or think, to make me now to flit: In one belief I ever do remain, That not one word of God doth happen vain. But now my hand, high time it is that thou Do gather strength to execute thy vow. That by thy kill of mine only son, Thy deadly stroke may through my heart eke run, What do I here? Alas my father dear! A, a, a, a. I am at your william. Am I now well? your pleasure then fulfil. Did ever man so piteous case yet found? Was ever any friendship yet so kind? And was there ever yet so piteous case. I die my son, I die before thy face. Away with all this fear of yours I pray. Will you from God yet longer time me stay? Alas who ever yet so stout a mind Within so weak a body erst did found? Alas my son I pray thee me forgive Thy death. It kills me that thou may not live. Abraham, Abraham. My God here I am. Into the sheath put up thy knife, And see thou do not take his life, Nor hurt the child in any wise. For now I see before mine eyes, What love thou bearest to the Lord, And honour unto him avord, In that thou dost so willingly Thy son thus offer even to die. O God. O God. O Lord a man may see. How good it is obedient for to be To thee: the case is fitly furnished. I will go take him tied by the head. O Abraham. Lord here I am.
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)
Was neuer child that spake with better skil. I am ashamde, and therfore take my flight. Alas my sonne, before thou leaue this light And that my hand doe giue thvnkindly blowe, Upon thy mouth let me a kisse bestowe. Isac my sonne, let this same arme of mine Which must thee kil, imbrace this neck of thine With right good will and hartie thankes. Ye skyes the great gods woork ay glistring in our eyes Which well haue seene how God (who still is trew) Did me with frute by Isaac here indew: And thou O land fiue times to me behight, Beare witnesse that my fingers doo not smight This child of mine for hatred or for vengance, But only for to yeeld my dew obeysance, To that great God which hath created me, And all the thinges that liue or moue or be: Who saues the good that put in him their trust, And stroyes the bad that serue their wicked lust. Beare witnesse that I faithfull Abraham, Through gods great goodnes stil so stedfast am As notwithstanding all that humane wit Can say or think, to make me now to flit: In one beleef I euer doo remaine, That not one word of God doth happen vaine. But now my hand, high time it is that thow Doo gather strength to execute thy vow. That by thy killing of mine only sonne, Thy deadly stroke may through my hart eke ronne, What doe I heere? Alas my father deere! A, a, a, a. I am at your will. Am I now well? your pleasure then fulfill. Did euer man so piteous cace yit find? Was euer any frendship yit so kind? And was there euer yit so piteous cace. I dye my sonne, I dye before thy face. Away with all this feare of yours I pray. Will you from God yit longer time me stay? Alas who euer yit so stowt a mind Within so weake a bodie erst did find? Alas my sonne I prey thee me forgiue Thy death. It kills me that thou may not liue. Abraham, Abraham. My God heere I am. Into the sheath put vp thy knife, And see thou doe not take his life, Nor hurt the child in any wyse. For now I see before mine eyes, What loue thou bearest to the Lord, And honor vnto him auord, In that thou doost so willingly Thy sonne thus offer euen to dye. O God. O God. O Lord a man may see. How good it is obedient for to bee To thee: the cace is fitly furnished. I will go take him tyed by the head. O Abraham. Lord heere I am.