Lyly, John · published 1591 · first performed or written 1588 [Feb 2(?)] (Annals) comedy · Children of Paul's (first) · before the Court unassigned nearest T4 Love-longing and the lover's complaint · 396 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T4: love, heart, sweet, loves, fair, phillis, eyes, beauty, amyntas, lovers.
MOst high and happy Princess, we must tell you a tale of the Man in the Moon, which if it seem ridiculous for the method, or superfluous for the matter, or for the means incredible, for three faults we can make but one excuse. It is a tale of the Man in the Moon. It was forbidden in old time to dispute of Chymera, because it was a fiction, we hope in our times none will apply pastimes, because they are fancies; for there liveth none under the Sun, that knows what to make of the Man in the Moon. we present neither Comedy, nor Tragedy, nor story, nor any thing, 〈◊〉 whosoever heareth may say this, Why here is a tale of the Man in the Moon. I Find Eumenides in all things both variety to content, & satiety to glut, saving only in my affections, which are so stayed, and withal so stately, that I can neither satisfy my heart with love, nor mine eyes with wonder. My thoughts Eumenides are stitched to the stars, which being as high as I can see; thou mayst imagine how much higher they are then I can reach. If you be enamoured of any thing above the Moon, your thoughts are ridiculous, for that things immortal are not subject to affections, if allured or enchanted with these transitory things under the Moon, you show yourself senseless, to attribute such lofty titles, to such love trifles. My love is placed neither under the Moon nor above. I hope you be not sotted upon the man in the Moon. No but settled, either to die, or possess the Moon herself. Is Endymion mad, or do I mistake? do you love the Moon Endymion? Eumenides the Moon. There was never any so peevish to imagine the Moon either capable of affection, or shape of a Mistress: for as impossible it is to make love fit to her humour which no man knoweth, as a coat to her form, which continueth not in one bigness whilst she is measuring. Cease of Endymion to feed so much upon fancies. That melancholy blood must be purged, which draweth you to a dotage no less miserable than monstrous. My thoughts have no veins, and yet unless they be let blood, I shall perish. But they have vanities, which being reformed, you may be restored.
seed 43: T49 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
MOst high and happy Princesse, we must tell you a tale of the Man in the Moone, which if it seeme ridiculous for the method, or superfluous for the matter, or for the meanes incredible, for three faultes wee can make but one excuse. It is a tale of the Man in the Moone. It was forbidden in olde time to dispute of Chymera, because it was a fiction, we hope in our times none will apply pastimes, because they are fancies; for there liueth none vnder the Sunne, that knowes what to make of the Man in the Moonee. VVee present neither Comedie, nor Tragedie, nor storie, nor anie thing, whosoeuer heareth may say this, VVhy heere is a tale of the Man in the Moone. I Finde Eumenides in all thinges both varietie to content, & satietie to glut, sauing onelie in my affections, which are so stayed, and withall so statelie, that I can neither satis-fie my hart with loue, nor mine eyes with wonder. My thoughts Eumenides are stitched to the starres, which beeing as high as I can see; thou maist imagin how much higher they are then I can reach. If you be enamored of any thing aboue the Moone, your thoughts are ridiculous, for that thinges immortall are not subiect to affections, if allured or enchaunted with these transitory things vnder the Moone, you shew your selfe sencelesse, to attribute such lofty tytles, to such loue trifles. My loue is placed neither vnder the Moone nor aboue. I hope you be not sotted vpon the man in the Moone. No but setled, eyther to die, or possesse the Moone herselfe. Is Endimion mad, or doe I mistake? doe you loue the Moone Endimion? Eumenides the Moone. There was neuer any so peeuish to imagin the Moone eyther capable of affection, or shape of a Mistris: for as impossible it is to make loue fit to her humor which no man knoweth, as a coate to her forme, which continueth not in one bignesse whilst she is measuring. Cease of Endimion to feede so much vpon fancies. That melancholy blood must be purged, which draweth you to a dotage no lesse miserable then monstrous. My thoughts haue no vaines, and yet vnlesse they be let blood, I shall perrish. But they haue vanities, which beeing reformed, you may be restored.