The Scottish History of James the Fourth · chunk 24 of 40
Greene, Robert · published 1598 · first performed or written c.1590 (Annals) romance · Unknown unassigned nearest T46 Swords, quarrels and valour · 472 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T46: rapier, sword, fight, gentlemen, gentleman, kicked, kill, dagger, signor, valour.
With speedy letters to your father send, Who will revenge you, and defend your right. As if they kill not me, who with him fight? As if his breast be touched, I am not wounded, As if he wailed, my joys were not confounded: We are one heart, though rent by hate in twain: One soul, one essence doth our weal contain: What then can conquer him that kills not me? If this advice displease, than madam flee. Where may I wend or travel without fear? Where not, in changing this attire you wear? What shall I clad me like a Country maid? The policy is base I am afraid. Why Nano? Ask you why? what may a Queen March forth in homely weed and be not seen? The Rose although in thorny shrubs she spread: Is still the Rose, her beauties wax not dead. And noble minds although the coat be bare, Are by their semblance known, how great they are The Dwarf saith true. What garments lik'st thou then? Such as may make you seem a proper man. He makes me blush and smile, though I am sad. The meanest coat for safety is not bad. What shall I jet in breeches like a squire? Alas poor dwarf, thy Mistress is unmeet. Tut, go me thus, your cloak before your face, Your sword upreared with quaint & comely grace, If any come and question what you be, Say you a man, and call for witness me. What should I wear a sword, to what intent: madam for show, it is an ornament, If any wrong you, draw a shining blade Withdraws a coward thief that would invade. But if I strike, and he should strike again, What should I do? I fear I should be slain. No, take it single on your dagger so, I'll teach you madam how to ward a blow. How little shapes much substance may include? Sir Bartram, Rosse, ye Ladies and my friends, Since presence yields me death, and absence life, Hence will I fly disguised like a squire, As one that seeks to live in Irish wars, You gentle Rosse, shall furnish my depart. Yea Prince, & die with you with all my heart, Vouchsafe me then in all extremest states, To weight on you and serve you with my best. To me pertains the woe, live then in rest: Friends fare you well, keep secret my depart, Nano alone shall my attendant be. Then madam are you manned, I warrant ye, Give me a sword, and if there grow debate, I'll come behind, and break your enemy's pate. How sore we grieve to part so soon away. Grieve not for those that perish if they stay. The time in words misspent, is little worth, Madam walk on, and let them bring us forth.
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)
With speedie letters to your father send, Who will reuenge you, and defend your right. As if they kill not me, who with him fight? As if his brest be toucht, I am not wounded, As if he waild, my ioyes were not confounded: We are one heart, tho rent by hate in twaine: One soule, one essence doth our weale containe: What then can conquer him that kils not me? If this aduice displease, then Madame flee. Where may I wend or trauel without feare? Where not, in changing this attire you weare? What shall I clad me like a Country maide? The pollicie is base I am affraide. Why Nano? Aske you why? what may a Queene March foorth in homely weede and be not seene? The Rose although in thornie shrubs she spread: Is still the Rose, her beauties waxe not dead. And noble mindes altho the coate be bare, Are by their semblance knowne, how great they are The Dwarfe saith true. What garments likste thou than? Such as may make you seeme a proper man. He makes me blush and smile, tho I am sad. The meanest coat for safetie is not bad. What shall I et in breeches like a squire? Alasse poore dwarfe, thy Mistresle is vnmeete. Tut, go me thus, your cloake before your face, Your sword vpreard with queint & comely grace, If any come and question what you bee, Say you a man, and call for witnesse mee. What should I weare a sword, to what intent: Madame for shewe, it is an ornament, If any wrong you, drawe a shining blade Withdrawes a coward theefe that would inuade. But if I strike, and hee should strike againe, What should I do? I feare I should bee slaine. No, take it single on your dagger so, Ile teach you Madame how to ward a blow. How litle shapes much substance may include? Sir Bartram, Rosse, yee Ladies and my friends, Since presence yeelds me death, and absence life, Hence will I flie disguised like a squire, As one that seekes to liue in Irish warres, You gentle Rosse, shal furnish my depart. Yea Prince, & die with you with all my hart, Vouchsafe me then in all extreamest states, To waight on you and serue you with my best. To me pertaines the woe, liue then in rest: Friends fare you well, keepe secret my depart, Nano alone shall my attendant bee. Then Madame are you mand, I warrant ye, Giue me a sword, and if there grow debate, Ile come behinde, and breake your enemies pate. How sore wee greeue to part so soone away. Greeue not for those that perish if they stay. The time in words mispent, is litle woorth, Madam walke on, and let them bring vs foorth.