The Misfortunes of Arthur (Certain Devices and Shows Presented to Her Majesty) · chunk 13 of 35
Hughes, Thomas / Fulbecke, William · published 1587 · first performed or written 1588 [Feb 28] (Annals) tragedy · before the Court unassigned nearest T53 The crown: kingship claimed, resigned an · 500 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T53: crown, king, state, life, lord, lords, live, queen, tullia, prince.
All things are ruled in constant course: No Fate But is foreset, The first day leads the last. No wisdom then: but difference in conceit, Which works in many men, as many minds. You love the mean, and follow virtues race: I like the top, and aim at greater bliss. You rest content, my mind aspires to more: In brief, you fear, I hope: you doubt, I dare. Since then the sagest counsels are but strifes, Where equal wits may wrest each side alike, Let counsel go: my purpose must proceed: Each likes his course, mine own doth like me best. Wherefore e'er Arthur breath, or gather strength, Assault we him: lest he assault us first. He either must destroy, or be destroyed. The mischief's in the midst: catch he that can. But will no reason rule that desperate mind? A fickle mind that every reason rules. I rest resolved: and to my Sire say thus: If here he stay but three days to an end, And not forthwith discharge his band and host, 'tis Mordred'S oath: assure himself to die. But if he find his courage so to serve, As for to stand to his defence with force: In Cornwall if he dare, I'll try it out. O strange contempt: like as the craggy rock, Resists the streams, and flings the waltering waves Aloof, so he rejects and scorns my words. LO, where (as they decreed) my faithful friends Have kept their time, be all your powers repaired? They be: and all with ardent minds to Mars. They cry for wars, and longing for th'alarm Even now they wish t'encounter with their foes. What could be wished for more? Puissant King. For your great help and valiant Irish force, If I obtain the conquest in these wars, Whereas my father claims a tribute due Out of your Realm, I here renounce it quite. And if assistance need in doubtful times, I will not fail to aid you with the like. It doth suffice me to discharge my Realm, Or at the least to wreak me on my foes. I rather like to live your friend and pier, Then rest in Arthur's homage and disgrace. Right noble Duke, through whom the Saxons vow Their lives with mine, for my defence in wars: If we prevail and may subdue our foes: I will in lieu of your so high deserts, Give you and yours all British lands that lie Between the flood of Humber, and the Scots. Besides as much in Kent as Horsus and Hengistus had, when Vortigern was King. Your gracious proffers I accept with thanks, Not for the gain, but that the good desire I have henceforth to be your subject here, May thereby take effect: which I esteem More than the rule I bear in Saxon soil. (Renowned Lord) for your right hardy Picts, And chosen warriors to maintain my cause, If our attempts receive a good success, The Alban Crown I give to you and yours.
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)
All things are rulde in constant course: No Fate But is foreset, The first daie leades the last. No wisedome then: but difference in conceit, Which workes in many men, as many mindes. You loue the meane, and follow vertues race: I like the top, and aime at greater blisse. You rest content, my minde aspires to more: In briefe, you feare, I hope: you doubt, I dare. Since then the sagest counsailes are but strifes, Where equall wits may wreast each side alike, Let counsaile go: my purpose must proceede: Each likes his course, mine owne doth like me best. Wherefore e'r Arthur breath, or gather strength, Assault we him: least he assault vs first. He either must destroie, or be destroide. The mischiefe's in the midst: catch he that can. But will no reason rule that desperate minde? A fkle minde that euerie reason rules. I rest resolu'd: and to my Sire say thus: If here he stay but three daies to an end, And not forthwith discharge his band and hoast, Tis Mordreds oath: assure himselfe to die. But if he finde his courage so to serue, As for to stand to his defence with force: In Cornewalle if he dare, I'le trye it out. O strange contempt: like as the craggy rocke, Resists the streames, and flings the waltering waues Aloofe, so he reiects and scornes my words. LO, where (as they decreéd) my faithfull friends Haue kept their time, be all your powers repaird? They be: and all with ardent mindes to Mars. They cry for warres, and longing for th'allarme Euen now they wish t'incounter with their foes. What could be wisht for more? Puissant King. For your great helpe and valiant Irish force, If I obtaine the conquest in these warres, Whereas my father claimes a tribute due Out of your Realme, I here renounce it quite. And if assistance neéde in doubtfull times, I will not faile to aide you with the like. It doth suffice me to discharge my Realme, Or at the least to wreke me on my foes. I rather like to liue your friend and piere, Then rest in Arthurs homage and disgrace. Right noble Duke, through whom the Saxons vowe Their liues with mine, for my defence in warres: If we preuaile and may subdue our foes: I will in liew of your so high deserts, Geue you and yours all Brytish lands that lie Betweene the floud of Humber, and the Scottes. Besides as much in Kent as Horsus and Hengistus had, when Vortigern was King. Your gracious proffers I accept with thankes, Not for the gaine, but that the good desire I haue henceforth to be your subiect here, May thereby take effect: which I esteeme More then the rule I beare in Saxon soile. (Renowmed Lord) for your right hardy Picts, And chosen warriers to maintaine my cause, If our attempts receiue a good successe, The Albane Crowne I giue to you and yours.