Peele, George · published 1594 · first performed or written 1589 [1588-1589] (Annals) tragedy · Unknown unassigned nearest T50 Fleets, armies and generals: war by sea · 527 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T50: sea, honour, general, soldiers, men, ship, fight, soldier, king, vittori.
Why tell me Lords, why left ye Portugal, And crossed the seas with us to Barbarie, Was it to see the country and no more, Or else to slay before ye were assailed? I am ashamed to think that such as you, Whose deeds have been renowned heretofore, Should slack in such an act of consequence, We come to fight, and fighting vow to die, Or else to win the thing for which we came, Because Abdelmelec as pitying us, Sends messages to counsel quietness, You stand amazed and think it sound advise, As if our enemy would wish us any good, No, let him know we scorn his courtesy, And will resist his forces what so ere. Cast fear aside, myself will lead the way, And make a passage with my conquering sword Knee deep in blood of these accursed Moores, And they that love my honour follow me. Were you as resolute as is your king, Alcazar walls should fall before your face, And all the force of this Barbarian Lord Should be confounded, were it ten times more. So well become these words a kingly mouth That are of force to make a coward fight, But when advice and prudent foresight Is joined with such magnanimity, Troops of victory and kingly spoils Adorn his crown, his kingdom, and his fame. We have descried upon the mountain tops A hugy company of invading Moores, And they my lord, as thick as winter's hail, Will fall upon our heads at unawares, Best then betimes t'avoid this gloomy storm, It is in vain to strive with such a stream. Behold thrice noble Lord, uncalled I come, To counsel where necessity commands, And honour of undoubted victory, Makes me exclaim upon this dastard flight. Why king Sebastian, wilt thou now foreslow, And let so great a glory slip thy hands? Say you do march unto Larissa now, The forces of the foe are come so nigh, That he will let the passage of the river, So unawares you will be forced to fight. But know O king, and you thrice valiant Lords, Few blows will serve, I ask but only this, That with your power you march into the field, For now is all the army resolute, To leave the traitor helpless in the fight, And fly to me as to their rightful prince, Some horsemen have already led the way, And vow the like for their companions, The host is full of tumult and of fear. Then as you come to plant me in my seat, And to enlarge your fame in Africa, Now, now or never bravely execute Your resolution sound and honourable, And end this war together with his life, That doth usurp the crown with tyranny. captains, you hear the reasons of the king, Which so effectually have pierced wine ears, That I am fully resolute to fight, And who refuseth now to follow me, Let him be ever counted cowardly. Shame be his share that flies when kings do fight, Avero lays his life before your feet. For my part Lords, I cannot sell my blood Dearer than in the company of kings.
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)
Why tell me Lords, why left ye Portugall, And crost the seas with vs to Barbarie, Was it to see the countrie and no more, Or else to slay before ye were assaild? I am ashamd to thinke that such as you, Whose deeds haue bin renowmed heretofore, Should slacke in such an act of consequence, We come to fight, and fighting vow to die, Or else to win the thing for which we came, Because Abdilmelec as pittying vs, Sends messages to counsell quietnes, You stand amaz'd and thinke it sound aduise, As if our enemie would wish vs anie good, No, let him know we scorne his curtesie, And will resist his forces what so ere. Cast feare aside, my selfe will leade the way, And make a passage with my conquering sword Knee deepe in bloud of these accursed Moores, And they that loue my honor follow me. Were you as resolute as is your king, Alcazar wals should fall before your face, And all the force of this Barbarian Lord Should be confounded, were it ten times more. So well become these words a kingly mouth That are of force to make a coward fight, But when aduice and prudent fore-sight Is ioynd with such magnanimitie, Troupes of victorie and kingly spoiles Adorne his crowne, his kingdome, and his fame. We haue descride vpon the mountaine tops A hugie companie of inuading Moores, And they my lord, as thicke as winters haile, Will fall vpon our heads at vnawares, Best then betimes t'auoide this gloomie storme, It is in vaine to striue with such a streame. Beholde thrice noble Lorde, vncalde I come, To counsell where necessitie commands, And honor of vndoubted victorie, Makes me exclime vpon this dastard flight. Why king Sebastian, wilt thou now fore-slow, And let so great a glorie slip thy hands? Saie you doo march vnto Tarissa now, The forces of the foe are come so nigh, That he will let the passage of the riuer, So vnawares you will be forst to fight. But know O king, and you thrice valiant Lords, Few blowes will serue, I aske but onely this, That with your power you march into the field, For now is all the armie resolute, To leaue the traitor helplesse in the fight, And flie to me as to their rightfull prince, Some horse-men haue alreadie lead the waie, And vow the like for their companions, The host is full of tumult and of feare. Then as you come to plant me in my seate, And to inlarge your fame in Affrica, Now, now or neuer brauely execute Your resolution sound and honorable, And end this warre together with his life, That doth vsurpe the crowne with tyrannie. Captaines, you heare the reasons of the king, Which so effectually haue pearst wine eares, That I am fully resolute to fight, And who refuseth now to follow me, Let him be euer counted cowardly. Shame be his share that flies when kings do fight, Auero laies his life before your feet. For my parte Lordes, I cannot sell my bloud Deerer than in the companie of kings.