How a Man May Choose a Good Wife from a Bad · chunk 13 of 43
Anonymous · published 1602 · first performed or written 1602 [c.1601-1602] (Annals) comedy · Worcester's Men unassigned nearest T41 Household service: masters, doors and po · 510 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T41: master, house, door, iohn, old, mistress, basket, lord, gentleman, ick.
And as I told you, my unruly son Once having bid his wife home to my house, There took occasion to be much aggrieved About some household matters of his own, And in plain terms they fell in controversy. 'tis true sir, I was there the self-same time, And I remember many of the words. Lord what a man are you, you were not there That time, as I remember you were rid Down to the North, to see some friends of yours. Well I was somewhere, forward M. Arthur. All this is well, no fault is to be found In either of the parties, pray say on. Why sir I have not named the parties yet, Nor touched the fault that is complained upon. Well you touched somewhat: forward M. Arthur. And as I said, they fell in controversy: My son not like a husband gave her words Of great reproof, despite, and contumely. Which she poor soul digested patiently: This was the first time of their falling out. As I remember at the self same time One Thomas the Earl of Surrey's gentleman Dined at my table. O I knew him well. You are the strangest man, this gentleman That I speak of, I am sure you neuer faw, He came but lately from beyond the sea. I am sure I know one Thomas, forward sir. And is this all? make me a Minimus, And fend the offender straightways to the gail. First know the offender, how began the strife Betwixt this gentlewoman and my son, Since when sir he hath used her not like one That should partake his bed, but like a slave. My coming was, that you being in office And in authority, should call before you My unthrift son, to give him some advise, Which he will take better from you, then me That am his Father. here's the gentlewoman Wife to my son, and daughter to this man, Whom I perforce compelled to live with us. All this is well, here is your son you say, But she that is his wife you cannot find. You do mistake sir, here's the gentlewoman, It is her husband that will not be found. Well all is one, for man and wife are one: But is this all? I all that you can say, And much more than you can well put off. Nay if the case appear thus evident, Give me a cup of wine, what man and wife To disagree, I prithee fill my cup: I could say somewhat, tut, tut, by this wine, I promise you, 'tis good Canary Sack. Fathers you do me open violence To bring my name in question, and produce This gentleman and others here to witness My husband's shame in open audience: What may my husband think when he shall know I went unto the justice to complain: But M. justice here more wise than you, Says little to the matter, knowing well His office is no whit concerned herein: Therefore with favour I will take my leave.
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)
And as I told you, my vnruly sonne Once hauing bid his wife home to my house, There tooke occasion to be much agreeu'd About some houshold matters of his owne, And in plaine termes they fell in controuersie. Tis true sir, I was there the selfsame time, And I remember many of the words. Lord what a man are you, you were not there That time, as I remember you were rid Downe to the North, to see some friends of yours. Well I was somewhere, forward M. Arthur. All this is well, no fault is to be found In either of the parties, pray say on. Why sir I haue not nam'd the parties yet, Nor tucht the fault that is complaind vpon. Wel you tucht somewhat: forward M. Arthur. And as I said, they fell in controuersie: My sonne not like a husband gaue her words Of great reproofe, despight, and contumely. Which she poore soule disgested patiently: This was the first time of their falling out. As I remember at the selfe same time One Thomas the Earle of Surreys gentleman Dinde at my table. O I knew him well. You are the strangest man, this gentleman That I speak of, I am sure you neuer faw, He came but lately from beyond the sea. I am sure I know one Thomas, forward sir. And is this all? make me a Mimus, And fend the offender straitwaies to the gaile. First know the offender, how began the strife Betwixt this gentlewoman and my sonne, Since when sir he hath vsde her not like one That should partake his bed, but like a slaue. My comming was, that you being in office And in authoritie, should call before you My vnthrift sonne, to giue him some aduise, Which he will take better srom you, then me That am his Father. Heer's the gentlewoman Wife to my sonne, and daughter to this man, Whom I perforce compeld to liue with vs. All this is wel, here is your sonne you say, But she that is his wife you cannot finde. You do mistake sir, heer's the gentlewoman, It is her husband that will not be found. VVell all is one, for man and wife are one: But is this all? I all that you can say, And much more then you can well put off. Nay if the case appeare thus euident, Giue me a cup of wine, what man and wife To disagree, I prethee fill my cup: I could say somewhat, tut, tut, by this wine, I promise you, tis good Canary Sack. Fathers you do me open violence To bring my name in question, and produce This gentleman and others here to witnesse My husbands shame in open audience: VVhat may my husband thinke when he shall know I went vnto the Iustice to complaine: But M. Iustice here more wise then you, Saies little to the matter, knowing well His office is no whit concernd herein: Therefore with fauour I will take my leaue.