The Misfortunes of Arthur (Certain Devices and Shows Presented to Her Majesty) · chunk 11 of 35
Hughes, Thomas / Fulbecke, William · published 1587 · first performed or written 1588 [Feb 28] (Annals) tragedy · before the Court unassigned nearest T25 Kings, power and law: political sententi · 477 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T25: feare, kings, power, princes, lawes, loue, state, downe, honor, men.
It is my fault, that he doth want his right: It is his own, to vex the Realm with wars. It is his right, that he attempts to seek: It is your wrong, that driveth him thereto. 'tis his insatiate mind, that is not so content, Which hath so many Kingdoms more beside. The more you ought to tremble at his power. The greater is my conquest, if I win. The more your foil, if you should hap to lose. For Arthur's fame, and valour's such, as you Should rather imitate, or at the least Envy, if hope of better fancies failed. For whereas Envy reigns, though it repines, Yet doth it fear a greater than itself. He that envies the valour of his foe, Detects a want of valour in himself. He fondly fights, that fights with such a foe, Where 'twere a shame to lose, no praise to win: But with a famous foe, succeed what will, To win is great renown, to lose less foil. His conquests, were they more, dismay me not: The oftener they have been, the more they threat. No danger can be thought both safe, and oft: And who hath oftener waged wars than he? Escapes secure him not: he owes the price: Whom chance hath often missed, chance hits at length Or, if that Chance have furthered his success, So may she mine: for Chance hath made me king. As Chance hath made you King, so Chance may change. Provide for peace: that's it the highest piers, No state except, even Conquerors ought to seek. Remember Arthur's strength, his conquests late, His fiery mind, his high aspiring heart. Mark then the odds: he expert, you untried: He ripe, you green: yield you, whiles yet you may, He will not yield: he wins his peace with wars. If Chance may change, his Chance was last to win. The likelier now to lose: his haughty heart And mind I know: I feel mine own no less. As for his strength, and skill, I leave to hap: Where many meet, it lies not all in one. What though he vanquished have the Roman troops? That boots him not: himself is vanquished here. Then weigh your words again: if Conquerors ought To seek for peace: The Conquered must perforce. But he'll not yield, he'll purchase peace with wars. Well: yield that will: I neither will, nor can: Come peace, come wars, choose him: my danger's his, His safety mine, our states do stand alike. If peace be good, as good for him, as me: If wars be good, as good for me, as him. What Cursed wars (alas) were those, wherein Both son and sire should so oppose themselves? Him, whom you now unhappy man pursue, If you should win, yourself would first bewail. Give him his Crown, to keep it peril breeds.
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)
It is my fault, that he doth want his right: It is his owne, to vexe the Realme with warres. It is his right, that he attempts to seéke: It is your wrong▪ that driueth him thereto. T'is his insatiate minde, that is not so content, Which hath so many Kingdomes more besides. The more you ought to tremble at his powre. The greater is my conquest, if I winne. The more your foile, if you should hap to loose. For Arthurs fame, and vallure's such, as you Should rather imitate, or at the least Enuie, if hope of better fansies failde. For whereas Enuie raignes, though it repines, Yet doth it feare a greater then it selfe. He that enuies the valure of his foe, Detects a want of valure in himselfe. He fondly fights, that fights with such a foe, Where t'were a shame to loose, no praise to winne: But with a famous foe, succeéde what will, To winne is great renowne, to loose lesse foile. His conquests, were they more, dismaie me not: The oftner they haue beéne, the more they threat. No danger can be thought both safe, and oft: And who hath oftner waged warres then he? Escapes secure him not: he owes the price: Whom chaunce hath often mist, chaunce hits at length Or, if that Chaunce haue furthered his successe, So may she mine: for Chaunce hath made me king. As Chaunce hath made you King, so Chaunce may change. Prouide for peace: that's it the highest piers, No state except, euen Conquerours ought to seéke. Remember Arthurs strength, his conquestes late, His fierie mynde, his high aspiring heart. Marke then the oddes: he expert, you vntried: He ripe, you greéne: yeelde you, whiles yet you may, He will not yeelde: he winnes his peace with warres. If Chaunce may chaunge, his Chaunce was last to winne▪ The likelier now to loose: his hautie heart And minde I know: I feéle mine owne no lesse. As for his strength, and skill, I leaue to happe: Where many meéte, it lies not all in one. What though he vanquisht haue the Romaine troupes? That bootes him not: him selfe is vanquisht here. Then waigh your wordes againe: if Conquerours ought To seéke for peace: The Conquered must perforce. But he'ill not yeélde, he'il purchase peace with warres. Well: yeelde that will: I neither will, nor can: Come peace, come warres, chuse him: my danger's his, His saffetie mine, our states doe stande alike. If peace be good, as good for him, as me: If warres be good, as good for me, as him. What Cursed warres (alas) were those, wherein Both sonne and sire shoulde so oppose themselues? Him, whom you nowe vnhappie man pursue, If you should winne, your selfe would first bewayle. Giue him his Crowne, to keepe it perill breeds.