Jonson, Ben · published 1601 · first performed or written 1598 (Annals) comedy · Lord Chamberlain's (Hunsdon's) Men unassigned nearest T52 Prodigals, portions and poor kin · 453 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T52: brother, father, uncle, cousin, son, poor, bread, old, given, master.
Well, it is the strangest letter that ever I read. Is this the man, my son (so oft) hath praised To be the happiest, and most precious wit That ever was familiar with Art? Now (by our Lady's blessed son) I swear, I rather think him most infortunate, In the possession of such holy gifts, Being the master of so loose a spirit. Why what unhallowed ruffian would have writ, With so profane a pen, unto his friend? The modest paper e'en looks pale for grief To feel her virgin-cheeke defiled and stained With such a black and criminal inscription. Well, I had thought my son could not have strayed, So far from judgement, as to mars himself Thus cheaply, (in the open trade of scorn) To jeering folly, and fantastic humour But now I see opinion is a fool, And hath abused my senses. Musco. Sir. What is the fellow gone that brought this letter? Yes sir, a pretty while since. And where's Lorenzo? In his chamber sir. He spoke not with the fellow, did he? No sir, he saw him not. Then Musco take this letter, and deliver it unto Lorenzo: but sirrah, (on your life) take you no knowledge I have opened it. O Lord sir, that were a jest in deed. I am resolved I will not cross his journey. Nor will I practise any violent mean, To stay the hot and lusty course of youth. For youth restrained strait grows impatient, And (in condition) like an eager dog, Who (ne'er so little from his game withheld) Turns head and leaps up at his master's throat. Therefore i'll study (by some milder drift) To call my son unto a happier shrift. Yes sir, (on my word) he opened it, & read the contents▪ It scarce contents me that he did so. But Musco didst thou observe his countenance in the reading of it, whether he were angry or pleased? Why sir I saw him not read it. No? how knowest thou then that he opened it? Marry sir because he charged me (on my life) to tell no body that he opened it, which (unless he had done) he would never fear to have it revealed. That's true: well Musco hie thee in again, Lest thy protracted absence do lend light, To dark suspicion: Musco be assured I'll not forget this thy respective love. Oh Musco, didst thou not see a fellow here in a whatsha-callum doublet; he brought mine uncle a letter even now? Yes sir, what of him? Where is he, canst thou tell? Why he is gone. Gone? which way? when went he? how long since? It's almost half an hour ago since he rid hence.
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)
Well, t is the strangest letter that euer I read. Is this the man, my sonne (so oft) hath prays'd To be the happiest, and most pretious wit That euer was familiar with Art? Now (by our Ladies blessed sonne) I sweare, I rather thinke him most infortunate, In the possession of such holy giftes, Being the master of so loose a spirit. Why what vnhallowed ruffian would haue writ, With so prophane a pen, vnto his friend? The modest paper eene lookes pale for griefe To feele her virgin-cheeke defilde and staind With such a blacke and criminall inscription. Well, I had thought my son could not haue straied, So farre from iudgement, as to mart himselfe Thus cheapely, (in the open trade of scorne) To geering follie, and fantastique But now I see opinion is a foole, And hath abusde my sences. Musco. Sir. What is the fellow gone that brought this letter? Yes sir, a prettie while since. And wher's Lorenz? In his chamber sir. He spake not with the fellow, did he? No sir, he saw him not. Then Musco take this letter, and deliuer it vnto Lorenzo: but sirra, (on your life) take you no knowledge I haue open'd it. O Lord sir, that were a iest in deed. I am resolu'd I will not crosse his iourney. Nor will I practise any violent meane, To stay the hot and lustie course of youth. For youth restraind straight growes impatient, And (in condition) like an eager dogge, Who (ne're so little from his game withheld) Turnes head and leapes vp at his masters throat. Therefore ile studie (by some milder drift) To call my sonne vnto a happier shrift. Yes sir, (on my word) he opend it, & read the contents▪ It scarse contents me that he did so. But Musco didst thou obserue his countenance in the reading of it, whether hee were angrie or pleasde? Why sir I saw him not reade it. No? how knowest thou then that he opend it? Marry sir because he charg'd mee (on my life) to tell no body that he opend it, which (vnlesse he had done) he wold neuer feare to haue it reueald. Thats true: well Musco hie thee in againe, Least thy protracted absence do lend light, To darke suspition: Musco be assurde Ile not forget this thy respectiue loue. Oh Musco, didst thou not see a fellow here in a whatsha-callum doublet; he brought mine vncle a letter euen now? Yes sir, what of him? Where is he, canst thou tell? Why he is gone. Gone? which way? when went he? how long since? Its almost halfe an houre ago since he rid hence.