Seneca, Lucius Annaeus / Newton, Thomas · published 1581 · first performed or written 1581 (Annals) tragedy T34 Thebes and royal catastrophe: siege, sla typicality 0.88 · 511 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T34: thebes, antigone, polynices, creon, eteocles, war, theban, gods, dear, country.
No force, no power, no violence, shall make me to withdraw My duty unto thee my Sire, to whom I vow mine awe. I will not be dissevered, ne pulled from thy side. I will assist thee, while that breath shall in this Breast abide. My Brother's twain let them contend, and fight for Princely sway Of wealthy Thebes: where whilom reigned King Labdack many a day. The greatest share and portion that I do look to have Out of my Father's Kingdom, is my Father's life to save. Him neither shall Eteocles my elder brother take Away from me, who now by force the Theban realm doth rake. Ne Polynices, who as now is Mustering men apace. From Argos Land: with full intent his brother to displace. No, though the world went all on wheels: though Ioue should from above Hurle flashing flakes upon the Earth, all shall not quail my love. No, though his thumping thunderbolt (when we together stand) Should light between us, where as we are plighted hand in hand) Yet will I never thee forsake, but held my handfast still: Therefore it's bootless father dear, to countermand my will In this my full resolved mind. Forbid me if you please. But surely I will be your guide in weal, woe, dole, & case. And maugre all your sharp reproofs (though much against your mind) I will direct your steps and gate, that you your way may find: Through thick & thin, through rough and smooth I will be at an inch In hill and dale, in wood & grove, I'll serve at every pinch. If that you go where danger lies, and seek your own annoy, You shall well prove, that I to lead the dance will not be coy. Advise yourself therefore, of twain to which I guide shall be: My count is cast, I am full bent with you to live and die. Without me perish can you not: but with me, well you may, It booteth not, in other sort to move me aught to say. Here is an huge Promontory that elbows into Sea Let us from thence throw down ourselves, and work our last decay, If that ye will. Here also is a flinty Rock beside, Which if you please shall serve our turns: Here beaten with the tide be craggy Cliffs, let's go to them: Here runs a gulphy stream With force afore it driving stones as big as mountain beam. What say you? shall we drench ourselves within this foamy Flood? Go where you will, take which you list, do as you deem it good. Conditionally that I may first receive the wound of death: I reck no whit, I ready stand to yield up vital breath. I neither draw you to nor fro: but even as best you think So do, so deal. Would you so fain deaths bitter cup to drink? My lord and Father, take you death so great a boon to be? If that you die (this I assure) die first you shall me see.
seed 43: T30 · seed 44: T33 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
No force, no power, no violence, ſhall make me to withdraw My duty vnto thee my Syre, to whom I vow myne awe. I will not be diſſeuered, ne pulled from thy ſyde. I will aſſiſt thee, whyle that breath ſhal in this Breaſt abyde. My Brothers twayne let them contend, and fight for Princelye ſwaye Of wealthy Thebes: where whilom raignd King Labdacke many a day. The greateſt ſhare and portion that I do loke to haue Out of my Fathers Kingdome, is my Fathers lyfe to ſaue. Him neither ſhall Etheocles my elder brother take Away from mee, who now by force the Thebane realme doth rake. Ne Polynices, who as now is Muſtring men apace. From Argos Land: with ful entent his brother to diſplace. No, though y• world went all on wheeles: though Ioue ſhould frō aboue Hurle flaſhing flakes vpon the Earth, all ſhall not quayle my loue. No, though his thumping thunderbolt (when wee togeather ſtand) Should light betweene vs, where as we are plighted hand in hand) Yet wil I neuer thee forſake, but held my handfaſt ſtill: Therefore its boateles father deare, to counteraund my will In this my full reſolued mynd. Forbid me if you pleaſe. But ſurely I will be your guide in weale, woe, dole, & caſe. And maugre al your ſharpe reprofes (though much againſt your mind) I wil direct your ſteppes and gate, that you your way may fynd: Through thick & thinne, through rough and ſmoth I wil be at an ynch In hill and dale, in wood & groue, Ile ſerue at eu'ry pinch. If that you goe where daunger lies, and ſeeke your owne annoy, You ſhall wel proue, that I to leade the daunce wil not be coy. Aduyſe your ſelfe therfore, of twayne to which I guyde ſhall be: My count is caſt, I am ful bent with you to liue and die. Without me periſh can you not: but with me, wel you may, It booteth not, in other ſort to moue me ought to ſaye. Here is an huyge Promontory that elboes into Sea Let vs from thence throw downe our ſelues, and worke our laſt decay, If that ye wil. Here alſo is a flinty Rocke beſyde, Which if you pleaſe ſhal ſerue our turnes: Heere beaten with the tyde Bee craggy Cliffes, let's goe to them: Here runnes a gulphy ſtreame With force afore it dryuing ſtones as bigge as mountaine beame. What ſay you? ſhall wee drench our ſelues within this fomy Flood? Goe where you wil, take which you liſt, do as you deeme it good. Conditionally that I may firſt receyue the wound of death: I recke no whit, I ready ſtand to yeld vp vitall breath. I neyther draw you to nor froe: but euen as beſt you thinke So doe, ſo deale. Would you ſo fayne Deathes bitter cup to drinke? My lord and Father, take you death ſo greate a boone to bee? If that you dye (this I aſſure) die firſt you ſhall me ſee.