Greene, Robert · published 1599 · first performed or written 1587 [1587-1588] (Annals) romance · Queen Elizabeth's Men (?) T17 Eastern conquest: Persians, Turks and so typicality 0.70 · 481 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T17: tamburlaine, persian, cyrus, king, mahomet, arms, mighty, assyrian, thousand, army.
Denies to play the Prophet any more, But by the long entreaty of his Priests, He prophesies in such a crafty sort, As that the hearers needs must laugh for sport. Yet poor Belinus with his fellow Kings, Did give such credence to that forged tale, As that they lost their dearest lives thereby, And Amurack became a prisoner Unto Alphonsus, as straight shall appear. My fellow Priests of Mahound's holy house, What can you judge of these strange miracles, Which daily happen in this sacred seat? Hark what a rumbling rattleth in our cares. See flakes of fire proceeding from the mouth Of Mahomet that God of peerless power. Nor can I tell with all the wit I have, What Mahomet by these his signs doth crave. Thrice ten times Phoebus with his golden beams, Hath compassed the circle of the sky, Thrice ten times Ceres, hath her workmen hired, And filled her barns with fruitful crops of corn, Since first in Priesthood I did lead my life: Yet in this time I never heard before, Such fearful sounds, nor saw such wondrous sights, Nor can I tell, with all the wit I have, What Mahomet by these his signs doth crave. You cannot tell, nor will you seek to know, Oh perverse Priest, how careless are you waxed? As when my foes approach unto my gates, You stand still talking of I cannot tell: Go pack you hence, and meet the Turkish kings, Which now are drawing to my Temple ward: Tell them from me, God Mahomet is disposed To prophesy no more to Amurack, Since that his tongue is waxen now so free, As that it needs must chat and rail at me. Oh Mahomet, if all the solemn prayers Which from our childhood we haue offered th, Can make thee call this sentence back again, Bring not thy Priest into this dangerous state: For when the Turk doth hear of this repulse, We shall be sure to die the death therefore. Thou sayest truth, go call the Princes in, I'll prophesy unto them for this once, But in such wise, as they shall neither boast, Nor you be hurt in any kind of wise. You Kings of Turkey, Mahomet our God, By sacred science, having notice that You were sent Legates from high Amurack, Unto this place, commanded us his Priests, That we should cause you make as mickle speed, As well you might, to hear for certainty, Of that shall happen to your King and ye. For that intent we came into this place, And sithence that, the mighty Mahomet Is now at leisure for to tell the same, Let us make haste and take time while we may: For mickle danger happeneth through delay. Truth worthy king, and therefore you yourself, With your companions, kneel before this place, And listen well what Mahomet doth say.
seed 43: T18 · seed 44: T18 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Denies to play the Prophet any more, But by the long inatie of his Priests, He prophesies in such a craftie sort, As that the hearers needs must laugh for sport. Yet poore Belinus with his fellow Kings, Did giue such credence to that forged tale, As that they lost their dearest liues thereby, And Amuracke became a prisoner Vnto Alphonsus, as straight shall appeare. My fellow Priests of Mahounds holy house, What can you iudge of these strange miracles, Which daily happen in this sacred seate? Harke what a rumbling ratleth in our cares. See flakes of fire proceeding from the mouth Of Mahomet that God of peereles power. Nor can I tell with all the wit I haue, What Mahomet by these his signes doth craue. Thrise ten times Phoebus with his golden beames, Hath compassed the circle of the skie, Thrise ten times Ceres, hath her workemen hir'd, And fild her barnes with frutefull crops of corne, Since first in Priesthood I did lead my life: Yet in this time I neuer heard before, Such feareful sounds, nor saw such wondrous sights, Nor can I tell, with all the wit I haue, What Mahomet by these his signes doth craue. You cannot tell, nor will you seeke to know, Oh peruerse Priest, how carelesse are you waxt? As when my foes approach vnto my gates, You stand still talking of I cannot tell: Go packe you hence, and meete the Turkish kings, Which now are drawing to my Temple ward: Tell them from me, God Mahomet is dispos'd To prophesie no more to Amuracke, Since that his tongue is waxen now so free, As that it needs-must chat and raile at me. Oh Mahomet, if all the solemne prayers Which from our childhood we haue offered th, Can make thee call this sentence backe againe, Bring not thy Priest into this dangerous state: For when the Turke doth heare of this repulse, We shall be sure to die the death therefore. Thou sayest truth, go call the Princes in, Ile prophesie vnto them for this once, But in such wise, as they shall neither boast, Nor you be hurt in any kinde of wise. You Kings of Turkie, Mahomet our God, By sacred science, hauing notice that You were sent Legats from high Amuracke, Vnto this place, commaunded vs his Priests, That we should cause you make as mickle speed, As well you might, to heare for certaintie, Of that shall happen to your King and ye. For that intent we came into this place, And sithens that, the mightie Mahomet Is now at leisure for to tell the same, Let vs make haste and take time while we may: For mickle daunger hapneth through delay. Truth worthy king, and therfore you your selfe, With your companions, kneele before this place, And listen well what Mahomet doth say.