Jonson, Ben · published 1600 · first performed or written 1599 (Annals) comedy · Lord Chamberlain's (Hunsdon's) Men unassigned nearest T6 Money, debt and credit · 504 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T6: money, master, pound, law, lawyer, chain, gentleman, gold, pay, pray.
O I'll have a suit only for that sir. You must talk much of your kindred and allies. Lies! no signor, I shall not need to do so, I have kindred i'the city to talk of: I have a niece is a merchant's wife; and a nephew, my brother Sordido's son, of the Inns of court. O but you must pretend alliance with courtiers and great persons: and ever when you are to dine or sup in any strange presence, hire a fellow with a great chain (though it be copper it's no matter) to bring you letters, feigned from such a noble man, or such a knight, or such a Lady, To their worshipful, right rare, and noble qualified friend or kinsman, signor Insulso Sogliardo; give yourself style enough. And there (while you intend circumstances of news, or inquiry of their health, or so) one of your familiars (whom you must carry about you still) breaks it up (as't were in a jest) and reads it publicly at the table: at which, you must seem to take as unpardonable offence as if he had torn your mistress colours, or breathed upon her picture; and pursue it with that hot grace, as if you would enforce a challenge upon it presently. Stay, I do not like that humour of challenge, it may be accepted: but I'll tell you what's my humour now: I will do this, I will take occasion of sending one of my suits to the Tailors to have the pocket repaired, or so; and there such a letter as you talk of (broke open and all) shall be left: O, the tailor will presently give out what I am upon the reading of it: worth twenty of your Gallants. But then you must put on an extreme face of discontentment at your man's negligence. O, so I will, and beat him too: I'll have a man for the purpose. You may; you have land and crowns: O partial Fate! Mass well remembered, you must keep your men gallant, at the first, fine pied Liveries laid with good gold lace, there's no loss in it, they may rip't off and pawn it, when they lack victuals. By'r Lady that is chargeable signor, 'twill bring a man in debt. Debt? why that's the more for your credit sir: it's an excellent policy to owe much in these days, if you note it. As how good signor? I would fain be a Politician. O, look where you are indebted any great sum, your creditor observes you with no less regard, than if he were bound to you for some huge benefit, and will quake to give you the least cause of offence, lest he lose his money: I assure you (in these times) no man has his servant more obsequious and pliant, than gentlemen their creditors: to whom (if at any time) you pay but a moiety or a fourth part, it comes more acceptedly, than if you gave 'em a new years gift.
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)
O I'le haue a suit only for that sir. You must talke much of your kinred and allies. Lies! no Signior, I shall not need to doe so, I haue kinred i'the ittie to talke of: I haue a neece is a merchants wife; and a nephew, my brother Sordidos sonne, of the Innes of court. O but you must pretend alliance with Courtiours and great persons: and euer when you are to dine or uppe in any strange presence, hire a fellow with a great chaine (though it be copper it's no matter) to bring you letters, feign'd from such a noble man, or such a knight, or such a Ladie, To their worshipfull, right rare, and noble qualified friend or kinsman, Signior Insulso Sogliardo; giue your selfe stile enough. And there (while you intend circumstances of newes, or enquirie of their health, or so) one of your familiars (whome you must carrie about you still) breakes it vp (as't were in a jeast) and reads it publikely at the table: at which, you must seeme to take as vnpardonable offence as if hee had torne your mistresse colours, or breath'd vpon her picture; and pursue it with that hot grace, as if you would enforce a challenge vpon it presently. Stay, I doe not like that humor of challenge, it may be accepted: but I'le tell you what's my humor now: I will do this, I will take occasion of sending one of my suites to the Taylors to haue the pocket repaired, or so; and there such a letter as you talke of (broke open and all) shall be left: O, the Taylor will presently giue out what I am vpon the reading of it: worth twentie of your Gallants. But then you must put on an extreame face of discontentment at your mans negligence. O, so I will, and beate him too: I'le haue a man for the purpose. You may; you haue land and crownes: O partiall Fate! Masse well remembred, you must keepe your men gallant, at the first, fine pied Liueries laid with good gold lace, there's no losse in it, they may rip't off and pawn it, when they lacke victuals. Byr Ladie that is chargeable Signior, 'twill bring a man in debt. Debt? why that's the more for your credit sir: it's an excellent pollicie to owe much in these daies, if you note it. As how good Signior? I would faine be a Polititian. O, looke where you are indebted any great summe, your creditor observes you with no lesse regard, than if he were bound to you for some huge benefit, and will quake to giue you the least cause of offence, least hee loose his money: I assure you (in these times) no man has his servant more obsequious and pliant, than gentlemen their creditors: to whome (if at any time) you pay but a moiety or a fourth part, it comes more acceptedly, than if you gaue 'hem a newy eares gift.