The True Chronicle of King Leir (King Lear and his Three Daughters) · chunk 39 of 43
Anonymous · published 1605 · first performed or written 1590 [c.1588-1594] (Annals) history · Queen Elizabeth's Men (?) T50 Fleets, armies and generals: war by sea typicality 0.85 · 491 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T50: sea, honour, general, soldiers, men, ship, fight, soldier, king, vittori.
Come, let's to arms for to redress this wrong: Till I am there, methinks, the time seems long. I feel a hell of conscience in my breast, Tormenting me with horror for my fact, And makes me in an agony of doubt, For fear the world should find my dealing out. The slave whom I appointed for the act, I ne'er set eye upon the peasant since: O, could I get him for to make him sure, My doubts would cease, and I should rest secure. But if the old men, with persuasive words, Have saved their lives, and made him to relent; Then are they fled unto the Court of France, And like a Trumpet manifest my shame. A shame on these white-livered slaves, say I, That with fair words so soon are overcome. O God, that I had been but made a man; Or that my strength were equal with my will! These foolish men are nothing but mere pity, And melt as butter doth against the Sun. Why should they have pre-eminence over us, Since we are creatures of more brave resolve? I swear, I am quite out of charity With all the heartless men in Christendom. A pox upon them, when they are afraid To give a stab, or slit a paltry Windpipe, Which are so easy matters to be done. Well, had I thought the slave would serve me so, myself would have been executioner: 'tis now undone, and if that it be known, I'll make as good shift as I can for one. He that repines at me, howe'er it stands, 'Twere best for him to keep him from my hands. Thus have we brought our army to the sea, Whereas our ships are ready to receive us: The wind stands fair, and we in four hours sail, May easily arrive on British shore, Where unexpected we may them surprise, And gain a glorious victory with ease. Wherefore, my loving Countrymen, resolve, Since truth and justice fighteth on our sides, That we shall march with conquest where we go. myself will be as forward as the first, And step by step march with the hardiest wight: And not the meanest soldier in our Camp Shall be in danger, but i'll second him. To you, my Lord, we give the whole command Of all the army, next unto ourself, Not doubting of you, but you will extend Your wonted valour in this needful case, Encouraging the rest to do the like, By your approved magnanimity. My Liege, 'tis needless to spur a willing horse, That's apt enough to run himself to death: For here I swear by that sweet saint's bright eye, Which are the stars, which guide me to good hap, Either to see my old Lord crowned anew, Or in his cause to bid the world adieu. Thanks, good Lord Mumford, 'tis more of your good will, Than any merit or desert in me.
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)
Come, let's to armes for to redresse this wrong: Till I am there, me thinks, the time seemes long. I feele a hell of conscience in my brest, Tormenting me with horrour for my fact, And makes me in an agony of doubt, For feare the world should find my dealing out. The slaue whom I appoynted for the act, I ne're set eye vpon the peasant since: O, could I get him for to make him sure, My doubts would cease, and I should rest secure. But if the old men, with perswasiue words, Haue sau'd their liues, and made him to relent; Then are they fled vnto the Court of Fraunce, And like a Trumpet manifest my shame. A shame on these white-liuerd slaues, say I, That with fayre words so soone are ouercome. O God, that I had bin but made a man; Or that my strength were equall with my will! These foolish men are nothing but meere pity, And melt as butter doth against the Sun. Why should they haue preeminence ouer vs, Since we are creatures of more braue resolue? I sweare, I am quite out of charity With all the heartlesse men in Christendome. A poxe vpon them, when they are affrayd To giue a stab, or slit a paltry Wind-pipe, Which are so easy matters to be done. Well, had I thought the slaue would serue me so, My selfe would haūe bin executioner: Tis now vndone, and if that it be knowne, Ile make as good shift as I can for one. He that repines at me, how ere it stands, 'Twere best for him to keepe him from my hands. Thus haue we brought our army to the sea, Whereas our ships are ready to receyue vs: The wind stands fayre, and we in foure houres sayle, May easily arriue on Brittish shore, Where vnexpected we may them surprise, And gayne a glorious victory with ease. Wherefore, my louing Countreymen, resolue, Since truth and iustice fighteth on our sides, That we shall march with conquest where we go. My selfe will be as forward as the first, And step by step march with the hardiest wight: And not the meanest souldier in our Campe Shall be in danger, but ile second him. To you, my Lord, we giue the whole commaund Of all the army, next vnto our selfe, Not doubting of you, but you will extend Your wonted valour in this needfull case, Encouraging the rest to do the like, By your approued magnanimity. My Liege, tis needlesse to spur a willing horse, Thats apt enough to run himselfe to death: For here I sweare by that sweet Saints bright eye, Which are the starres, which guide me to good hap, Eyther to see my old Lord crown'd anew, Or in his cause to bid the world adieu. Thanks, good Lord Mumford, tis more of your good will, Then any merit or desert in me.