The Three Lords and Three Ladies of London · chunk 1 of 41
Wilson, Robert · published 1590 · first performed or written 1588 [1588-1590] (Annals) moral · Queen Elizabeth's Men (?) unassigned nearest T16 Gallantry: ladies, lordships and complim · 470 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T16: lady, madam, gentleman, lordship, ladies, honour, mistress, sweet, court, servant.
LO, Gentles, thus the Lord doth London guard, Not for my sake, but for his own delight: For all in vain the Sentinels watch and ward, Except he keep the City day and night. Now may my foes in vain both spurn and spite, My foes I mean, that London represent, Guarded from heaven by Angels excellent. This blessing is not my sole benefit, All England is, and so preserved hath been, Not by man's strength, his policy and wit, But by a power and providence unseen. even for the love wherewith God loves our Queen: In whom, for whom, by whom we do possess More grace, more good, than London can express. And that hath bred our plenty and our peace, And they do breed the sports you come to see, And joy it is, that I enjoy increase, My former fruits were lovely Ladies three, Now of three Lords to talk is London's glee. Whose deeds I wish may to your liking frame, For London bids you welcome to the same. HEre I advance my shield and hang it up, To challenge him whoever dare deny, That one of those three London Ladies rare Ought not of right be matched with Policy: A London Lord, the which I represent. Pom. And pomp provides his challenge in his word, (Glory sans peer) claiming the one of them, Not by compulsion, but by common right, Yet maugre men my shield is here advanced For one matchless, a London Lady best Beseemeth Pomp (a London Lord) to have. Pleasure hath soared as doth his impreze show, To look aloof on earthly Ladies all, Yet never could my curious eye discern A Dame of worth, for London's pleasure's love, But one, and she doth shine as silver Dove. Of self bred soil, of London is her race, For whom in challenge I my shield advance. Thus each in honour of his Mistress And in regard of his well daring mind, Hath here emprised the challenge of his right: But Lordings both, and brethren bred and sworn, A caution must be had in this conceit, That all our thoughts aspire not to one heaven, Nor all our ships do sail for one self haven, I mean that all our suits and services We tend and tender to one only Dame, All choosing one, refusing th'other two. A great mislike amongst us that might breed. I seek but one and her unto myself. And one with I sans partner of my loves. It stands with honour to be sole or none. Whom lovest thou pleasure? Hark ye. Lush, ye lie. If my master were a soldier, that word would have the stab. Well Will, still you'll be a saucy Scab. Why Pleasure? Pomp hath chosen Lucre's love. Why pomp? But pleasure honours Lucre most.
seed 43: T13 · seed 44: T16 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
LO, Gentles, thus the Lord dooth London guard, Not for my sake, but for his owne delight: For all in vaine the Centonels watch and ward, Except he keepe the Citie day and night. Now may my foes in vaine both spurn and spight, My foes I meane, that London represent, Guarded from heauen by Angels excellent. This blessing is not my sole benefit, All England is, and so preseru'd hath bene, Not by mans strength, his pollicie and wit, But by a power and prouidence vnseene. Euen for the loue wherwith God loues our Queen: In whom, for whom, by whom we do possesse More grace, more good, than London can expresse. And that hath bred our plenty and our peace, And they doo breed the sportes you come to see, And ioy it is, that I enioy increase, My former fruites were louely Ladies three, Now of three Lords to talke is Londons glee. Whose deeds I wish may to your liking frame, For London bids you welcome to the same. HEre I aduance my shield and hang it vp, To challenge him who euer dare denie, That one of those thrée London Ladies rare Ought not of right be matcht with Pollicie: A London Lord, the which I represent. Pom. And pomp prouides his challenge in his word, (Glorie sauns peere) claiming the one of them, Not by compulsion, but by common right, Yet maugre men my shield is here aduaunc'd For one matchlesse, a London Lady best Beséemeth Pompe (a London Lord) to haue. Pleasure hath soar'd as dooth his ympreze show, To loke alooffe on earthly Ladies all, Yet neuer could my curious eie discerne A Dame of woorth, for Londons Pleasures loue, But one, and she dooth shine as siluer Dooue. Of selfe bred soile, of London is her race, For whom in challenge I my shield aduaunce. Thus each in honor of his Mistresse And in regard of his wel daring mind, Hath here ymprizde the challenge of his right: But Lordings both, and brethren bred and sworne, A caution must be had in this conceit, That all our thoughtes aspire not to one heauen, Nor all our ships do saile for one selfe hauen, I meane that all our suites and seruices We tend and tender to one onely Dame, All choosing one, refusing th'other two. A great mislike amongst vs that might breede. I seeke but one and her vnto my selfe. And one with I sauns partner of my loues. It stands with honour to be sole or none. Whom louest thou pleasure? Hearke ye. Lush, ye lie. If my maister were a souldier, that word wold haue the stab. VVel Wil, stil you'll be a saucie Scab. VVhy Pleasure? Pompe hath chosen Lucres loue. VVhy pompe? But pleasure honors Lucre most.