Jonson, Ben · published 1600 · first performed or written 1599 (Annals) comedy · Lord Chamberlain's (Hunsdon's) Men unassigned nearest T9 Theatre talk: prologues, poets and playe · 516 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
Troth, that which doth essentially please me: the warping condition of this green and soggy multitude: but in good faith signor, your Author hath largely outstripped my expectation in this Scene, I will liberally confess it. For when I saw Sordido so desperately intended, I thought I had had a hand of him then. What? you supposed he should have hung himself indeed? I did; and had framed my objection to it ready, which may yet be very fitly urged, & with some necessity: for though his purposed violence lost th'effect, & extended not to death, yet the Intent & Horror of the object was more than the nature of a Comedy will in any sort allow. I? what think you of Plautus in his Come die called Cistellaria there? where he brings in Alcesimarchus with a drawn sword ready to kill himself, and as he is e'en fixing his breast upon it, to be restrained from his resolved outrage by Silenium and the Bawd: is not his authority of power to give our Scene approbation? Sir, I have this (your only) evasion left me, to say, I think it be so indeed, your memory is happier than mine: but I wonder what engine he will use to bring the rest out of their Humours? That will appear anon, never preoccupy your imagination withal. Let your mind keep company with the Scene still, which now removes itself from the Country to the Court. Here comes Macilente and signor Brisk freshly suited, lose not yourself, for now the Epitasis or busy part of our Subject is in Action. Well now signor Macilente, you are not only welcome to the Court, but also to my mistress with drawing chamber: Boy get me some Tobacco, I'll but go in, and show I am here, and come to you presently sir. What's that he said? by heaven I marked him not, My thoughts, and I were of another world; I was admiring mine own outside here, To think what privilege and palm it bears Here in the court: Be a man ne'er so vile In wit, in judgement, manners, or what else; If he can purchase but a Silken cover, He shall not only pass, but pass regarded: Whereas let him be poor and meanly clad, Though ne'er so richly parted; you shall have A fellow (that knows nothing but his Beef Or how to rinse his clammy guts in beer) Will take him by the shoulders or the throat, And kick him down the stairs, Such is the state Of virtue in bad Clothes, ha, ha, ha, ha, That Raiment should be in such high request? How long should I be ere I should put off To my Lord chancellors tomb, or the Shrieve's posts? By heaven (I think) a thousand thousand year, His gravities, his wisdom, and his faith, To my dread Sovereign (graces that survive him) These I could well endure to reverence, But not his Tomb, no more than I'll commend The Chapel Organ for the guilt without, Or this base Viol for the varnished face.
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Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Troth, that which doth essentially please me: the warping condition of this greene and soggie multitude: but in good faith Signior, your Author hath largely outstript my expectation in this Scene, I will liberally confesse it. For when I saw Sordido so desperately intended, I thought I had had a hand of him then. VVhat? you suppos'd hee should haue hung himselfe indeed? I did; and had fram'd my objection to it readie, which may yet be very fitly vrg'd, & with some necessitie: for though his purpos'd violence lost th'effect, & extended not to death, yet the Intent & Horror of the object was more than the nature of a Come die will in any sort allow. I? what thinke you of Plautus in his Come die called Cistellaria there? where he brings in Alcesimarchus with a drawne sword readie to kill himselfe, and as hee is e'ne fixing his breast vpon it, to bee restrain'd from his resolu'd outrage by Silenium and the Bawd: is not his authoritie of power to giue our Scene approbation? Sir, I haue this (your only) euasion leftmee, to say, thinke it bee so indeed, your memorie is happier than mine: but I wonder what engine he will vse to bring the rest out of their Humors? That will appeare anone, neuer preoccupie your imagination withall. Let your mind keepe companie with the Scene stil, which now remoues it selfe from the Countrie to the Court. Here comes Macilente and Signior Briske freshly suted, loose not your selfe, for now the Epitasis or busie part of our Subject is in Action. VVell now Signior Macilente, you are not onely welcome to the Court, but also to my mistresse with drawing chā ber: Boy get me some Tabacco, I'le but goe in, and shew I am here, and come to you presently sir. VVhat's that he said? by heauen I markt him not, My thoughts, and I were of another world; I was admiring mine owne outside here, To thinke what priuiledge and palme it beares Here in the court: Be a man ne're so vile In wit, in judgement, manners, or what else; If he can purchase but a Silken couer, He shall not only passe, but passe regarded: VVhereas let him be poore and meanely clad, Though ne're so richly parted; you shall haue A fellow (that knowes nothing but his Beefe Or how to rince his clammie guts in beere) VVill take him by the shoulders or the throte, And kicke him downe the staires, Such is the state Of vertue in bad Cloths, ha, ha, ha, ha, That Raiment should be in such high request? How long should I be ere I should put off To my Lord Chancelors tombe, or the Shriues posts? By heauen (I think) a thousand thousand yeare, His Grauiti, his wisdome, and his faith, To my dread Soueraigne (graces that suruiue him) These I could well endure to reuerence, But not his Tombe, no more than I'le commend The Chappell Organ for the guilt without, Or this bace Violl for the varnisht face.