The Blind Beggar of Alexandria (Irus) · chunk 2 of 26
Chapman, George · published 1598 · first performed or written 1596 [Feb 12] (Annals) comedy · Admiral's (Nottingham's) Men unassigned nearest T37 Riches, poverty and covetousness · 500 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T37: wealth, riches, money, god, rich, poverty, men, learning, poor, ic.
But Madam this must be the likeliest mean To seek him out, and have him at your will Let his true picture through your land be sent. Opposing great rewards to him that finds him, And threaten death to them that succour him, So I'll assure your grace shall meet with him ere long. Happy and blessed be Irus for his skill He sweetly plants in my contentious mind, For which most reverent and religious man, I give this jewel to thee richly worth. A quintal or an hundred weight of gold, Bestow it as thou list on some good work, For well I know thou nothing dost reserve, Of all thy riches men bestow on thee, But wouldst thou leave this place and poor man's life, The count of Egypt should embrace thy feet, And Topless honours be bestowed on thee, I thank your highness for thus raising me, But in this barrenness I am most renowned. For wisdom and the sight of heavenly things, Shines not so clear as earthly vanities. Most rich is Irus in his poverty Oh that to find his skill my crown were lost. None but poor Irus can of riches boast, Now my Cleanthes I will straight advance Thy lovely pictures on each monument About the City and within the land. Proposing twice five thousand Crowns to him, That finds him to be tendered by my hands, And a kind kiss at my imperial lips, To him that succours him, I'll threaten death, But he that doth not threaten him shall die, For who is worthy, life will see him want. To all his pictures when they be dispersed. Will I continual pilgrimages make, As to the saints and Idols I adore, Where I will offer sighs, and vows, and tears. And sacrifice a hecatomb of beast, On several altars built where they are placed, By them shall Isis' stature gently stand, And I'll pretend my jealous rites to her But my Cleanthes shall the object be, And I will kneel and pray to none but he. See Earth and Heaven where her Cleanthes is. I am Cleanthes and blind Irus too, And more than these, as you shall soon perceive, Yet but a shepherds son at Memphis borne, And I will tell you how I got that name, My Father was a fortune teller and from him I learned his art, And knowing to grow great, was to grow rich, Such money as I got by palmistry, I put to use and by that means became To take the shape of Leon. by which name, I am well known a wealthy Usurer, And more than this I am two noble men, Count Hermes is another of my names, And Duke Cleanthes whom the Queen so loves, For till the time that I may claim the crown, I mean to spend my time in sports of love, Which in the sequel you shall plainly see, And joy I hope in this my policy.
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)
But Maddam this must be the liklist meane To seeke him out, and haue him at your will Let his true picture through your land be sent. Opposing great rewardes to him that findes him, And threaten death to them that succour him, So Ile assure your grace shall meete with him eare long. Happie and blest be Irus for his skill He sweetely plantes in my contentious mind, For which most reuerent and religious man, I giue this Iewell to thee richly worth. A kentall or an hndreth waight of gold, Bestow it as thou list on some good worke, For well I know thou nothing doost reserue, Of all thy riches men bestow on thee, But wouldst thou leaue this place and poore mans life, The count of Aegipt should imbrace thy feete, And Toples honors be bestowed on thee, I thanke your highnes for thus raysing mee, But in this barrennesse I am most renound. For wisdome and the sight of heauenly thinges, Shines not so cleare as eathlye vanities. Most rich is Irus in his pouertie Oh that to finde his skill my crowne were lost. None but poore Irus can of riches boast, Now my Cleathes I will straight aduance Thy louely pictures on each monument About the Cittie and within the land. Proposing twise fiue thousand Crownes to him, That findes him to be tendered by my handes, And a kind kisse at my imperiall lipes, To him that succours him, Ile threaten death, But he that doth not threaten him shall die, For who is worthy, life will see him want. To all his pictures when they be disperst. VVill I continuall pilgrimages make, As to the saintes and Idols I adore, VVhere I will offer sighes, and vowes, and teares. And sacifice a hecatombe of beast, On seuerall alters built where they are plast, By them shal Isis stature gently stand, And Ile pretend my Iealous rites to her But my Cleanthes shall the obiect bee, And I will kneele and pray to none but he. See Earth and Heauen where her Cleanthes is▪ I am Cleanthes and blind Iru too, And more then these, as you shall soone perceaue, Yet but a shepheardes sonne at Memphis borne, And I will tell you how I got that name, My Father was a fortune teller and from him I learnt his art, And knowing to grow great, was to grow riche, Such mony as I got by palmestrie, I put to vse and by that meanes became To take the shape of Leon. by which name, I am well knowne a wealthie Vsurer, And more then this I am two noble men, Count Hermes is another of my names, And Duke Cleanthes whom the Queene so loues, For till the time that I may claime the crowne, I meane to spend my tyme in sportes of loue, VVhich in the sequell you shal playnely see, And Ioy I hope in this my pollicie.