Lyly, John · published 1592 · first performed or written 1589 (Annals) comedy · Children of Paul's (first) · before the Court T25 Kings, power and law: political sententi typicality 0.81 · 515 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T25: feare, kings, power, princes, lawes, loue, state, downe, honor, men.
whom having made slaves by unjust wars, I use now as slaves for all wars? Have not I enticed the subjects of my neighbour Princes to destroy their natural Kings? like moths that eat the cloth in which they were bred, like vipers that gnaw the bowels of which they were borne, and like worms that consume the wood in which they were engendered? To what kingdom have not I pretended claim? as though I had been by the Gods created heir apparent to the world, making every trifle a title; and all the territories about me, traitors to me. Why did I wish that all might be gold I touched, but that I thought all men's hearts would be touched with gold, that what policy could not compass, nor prows, gold might have commanded, and conquered. A bridge of gold did I mean to make in that Island where all my navy could not make a breach. Those Islands did I long to touch, that I might turn them to gold, and myself to glory. But unhappy Midas, who by the same means perisheth himself, that he thought to conquer others: being now become a shame to the world, a scorn to that petty Prince, and to thyself a consumption. A petty Prince, Midas? no, a Prince protected by the Gods, by Nature, by his own virtue, and his subjects obedience. Have not all treasons been discovered by miracle, not counsel? that do the God's challenge. Is not the Country walled with huge waves? that doth Nature claim. Is he not through the whole world a wonder, for wisdom and temperance? that is his own strength. Do not all his Subjects (like Bees) swarm to preserve the King of Bees? that their loyalty maintaineth. My Lords, I faint both for lack of food, & want of grace. I will to the river, where if I be rid of this intolerable disease of gold, I will next shake off that untemperate desire of government, and measure my Territories, not by the greatness of my mind, but the right of my Succession. I am not a little sorry, that because all that your Highness toucheth turneth to pure gold, and therefore all your Princely affections should be converted to dross. Doth your Majesty begin to melt your own Crown, that should make it with other Monarchies massy? Begin you to make enclosure of of your mind, and to debate of inheritance, when the sword proclaims you conqueror? If your highness heart be not of kingdom proof, every pelting Prince will batter it. Though you lose this garish gold, let your mind be still of steel, and let the sharpest sword decide the right of Sceptres. Every little king is a king, and the title consisteth not in the compass of ground, but in the right of inheritance. Are not conquests good titles? Conquests are great thefts. If your Highness would be advised by me, then would I rob for kingdoms, and if I obtained, fain would I see him that durst call the Conqueror a thief.
seed 43: T25 · seed 44: T6 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
whom hauing made slaues by vniust warres, I vse now as slaues for all warres? Haue not I entised the subiects of my neighbor Princes to destroy their natural Kings? like moaths that eate the cloth in which they were bred, like vipers that gnawe the bowels of which they were borne, and like woormes that consume the wood in which they were ingendred? To what kingdome haue not I pretended clayme? as though I had been by the Gods created heire apparant to the world, making euerie trifle a title; and all the territories about me, traitours to me. Why did I wish that all might bee gold I toucht, but that I thought all mens hearts would bee touched with gold, that what pollicie could not compasse, nor prowes, gold might haue commaunded, and conquered. A bridge of gold did I mean to make in that Iland where all my nauie could not make a breach. Those Ilandes did I long to touch, that I might turne them to gold, and my selfe to glorie. But vnhappie Mydas, who by the same meanes perisheth himself, that he thought to conquere others: being now become a shame to the world, a scorne to that petie Prince, and to thy self a consumption. A petie Prince, Mydas? no, a Prince protected by the Gods, by Nature, by his own vertue, and his Subiects obedience. Haue not all treasons beene discouered by miracle, not counsell? that doo the Gods chalenge. Is not the Countrie walled with huge waues? that dooth Nature claime. Is hee not through the whole world a wonder, for wisdome and temperance? that is his owne strength. Doe not all his Subiects (like Bees) swarme to preserue the King of Bees? that their loyaltie mainteineth. My Lords, I faint both for lack of food, & want of grace. I will to the riuer, where if I be rid of this intollerable disease of gold, I will next shake off that vntemperat desire of gouernment, and measure my Territories, not by the greatnesse of my minde, but the right of my Succession. I am not a little sorrie, that because all that your Highnesse toucheth turneth to pure golde, and therefore all your Princely affections should be conuerted to drosse. Doeth your Maiestie begin to melt your owne Crowne, that should make it with other Monarchies massie? Begin you to make incloasure of of your minde, and to debate of inheritance, when the sworde proclaimes you conqueror? If your Highnes heart be not of kingdome proofe, euery pelting Prince will batter it. Though you lose this garish golde, let your minde be still of steele, and let the sharpest sword decide the right of Scepters. Euerie little king is a king, and the title consisteth not in the compasse of grounde, but in the right of inheritance. Are not conquests good titles? Conquests are great thefts. If your Highnesse would be aduised by mee, then would I rob for kingdomes, and if I obteyned, fain woulde I see him that durste call the Conquerour a theefe.