Shakespeare, William · published 1600 · first performed or written 1598 (Annals) comedy · Lord Chamberlain's (Hunsdon's) Men T30 Constables, justices and the watch typicality 0.81 · 491 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T30: constable, squire, tub, clay, worship, justice, turf, mr, hun, valentine.
If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man: and for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why the more is for your honesty. If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands on him? Truly by your office you may, but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled: the most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is, to let him show himself what he is, and steal out of your company. You have been always called a merciful man, partner. Truly I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honesty in him. If you hear a child cry in the night you must call to the nurse and bid her still it. How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us. Why then depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying, for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes, will never answer a calf when he bleats. 'tis very true. This is the end of the charge: you constable are to present the princes own person, if you meet the prince in the night, you may stay him. Nay birlady that I think a cannot. Five shillings to one on 't with any man that knows the statutes, he may stay him, mary not without the prince be willing, for indeed the watch ought to offend no man, and it is an offence to stay a man against his will. Birlady I think it be so. Ha ah ha, well masters good night, and there be any matter of weight chances, call up me, keep your fellows counsels, and your own, and good night, come neighbour. Well masters, we hear our charge, let us go sit here upon the church bench till two, and then all to bed. One word more, honest neighbours, I pray you watch about signor Leonatoes' door, for the wedding being there to morrow, there is a great coil to night, a diew, be vigitant I beseech you. What Conrade? Peace, stir not. Conrade I say. Here man, I am at thy elbow. Mass and my elbow itched, I thought there would a scab follow. I will owe thee an answer for that, and now forward with thy tale. Stand thee close then under this penthouse, for it drissells rain, and I will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee. Some treason masters, yet stand close. Therefore know, I have earned of Dun Iohn a thousand ducats. Is it possible that any villainy should be so dear? Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible any villainy should be so rich? for when rich villains have need of poor ones poor ones may make what price they will. I wonder at it.
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: T35 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
If you meete a thiefe, you may suspect him, by vertue of your office, to be no true man: and for such kind of men, the lesse you meddle or make with them, why the more is for your honesty. If we know him to be a thiefe, shal we not lay hands on him? Truely by your office you may, but I thinke they that touch pitch will be defilde: the most peaceable way for you, if you doe take a thiefe, is, to let him shew himselfe what he is, and steale out of your companie. You haue beene alwayes called a mercifull manne, partner. Truely I would not hang a dogge by my will, much more a man who hath anie honestie in him. If you heare a child crie in the night you must call to the nurse and bid her stil it. How if the nurse be asleepe and will not heare vs. Why then depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying, for the ewe that will not heare her lamb when it baes, will neuer answer a calfe when he bleates. Tis very true. This is the end of the charge: you constable are to present the princes owne person, if you meete the prince in the night, you may stay him. Nay birlady that I thinke a cannot. Fiue shillings to one on twith any man that knowes the statutes, he may stay him, mary not without the prince be willing, for indeed the watch ought to offend no man, and it is an offence to stay a man against his will. Birlady I thinke it be so. Ha ah ha, wel masters good night, and there be any matter of weight chaunces, cal vp me, keepe your fellowes counsailes, and your owne, and good night, come neighbour. Well masters, we heare our charge, let vs goe sitte here vppon the church bench till twoo, and then all to bed. One word more, honest neighbors, I pray you watch about signior Leonatoes doore, for the wedding being there to morrow, there is a great coyle to night, a diew, be vigitant I beseech you. What Conrade? Peace, stir not. Conrade I say. Here man, I am at thy elbow. Mas and my elbow itcht, I thought there would a scabbe follow. I will owe thee an answer for that, and now forward with thy tale. Stand thee close then vnder this penthouse, for it drissells raine, and I will, like a true drunckard, vtter all to thee. Some treason masters, yet stand close. Therefore know, I haue earned of Dun Iohn a thousand ducates. Is it possible that any villanie should be so deare? Thou shouldst rather aske if it were possible any villanie shuld be so rich? for when rich villains haue need of poor ones poore ones may make what price they will. I wonder at it.