Dekker, Thomas · published 1607 · first performed or written 1606 [c.1606-1607] (Annals) history; allegory · Prince Henry's Men unassigned nearest T46 Swords, quarrels and valour · 508 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T46: rapier, sword, fight, gentlemen, gentleman, kicked, kill, dagger, signor, valour.
Then thus Sir; by the way of Argument I would a question put, to taste your censure, Because I do not soundly relish it. Propone it Sir, I'll solve it as I can. Suppose that in the field there were an Army, Commixed of half your kinsfolk, friends, and lovers, The other half sworn foes, (all countrymen;) And that the leader of them were your father, And that this leading father were so partial, That to preserve that half which loves you not, Ye would lose that which loves you: & that to take This captains life away, might bring this good, Of two sides to make one, and save much blood: Would not you do it. Umh: you're full of Ambage: I answer as my spirits lead me, thus, I would not do it. Why Sir. Because I hold, Quod non omninò Licet. Come, Come, I know (without all commenting) This text you understand: weigh the utility, That goes with it: the health it gives to thousands; The sap it spreads through branches which now wither: The restoration— Sir I see to'th bottom, Of this deep well you dive in: I do arm you, In this strong fight, just with the self same weapons Which I would wear to guard me, and those are My readings and belief settled by reading, And this I find- Quod non sunt facienda mala, vt veniant bene For good; (how great soever) must be done, no ill how small soever. 'tis no evil. To bar out so great ill, with so great good. All good must not be done, but only that- Quod benè & legitimè fieri potest: For Sir I know, that Deus magis amat adverbia quam nomina. Quia in actionibus magis et Placent Benè & legitimè quàm bonum. Ita vt nullum bonum Liceat facere, nisi bene & legitime fieri potest. Quod in hoc Casu fieri non potest. Yet (with your favour) several learned men, Are clean from your opinion and do hold, Quòd licet. Those learned men perhaps may hold it fit, That to save many, they to one man's danger, (Referring all to the depth inscrutable) May allow of a particular; on no warrant That they can show me written, but being stirred, With a humane compassion to men's lives: And less you revelation have divine, That bids you do, do not; Thus you have mine. What so hard at it. We have done: the time, Does pull me from your sweet society, You will to Babylon. I cannot tell; Whether I do or no, you shall have notice, How this great work goes forward; strengthen me, With all your comforts, and commend my service To the most glorious throne: if I get o'er, There lands black vengeance on the Fairy shore. If prayers can do it shall. But how shall I know, thou art the right truth; Because I am not painted. Nay if thou hast no better colour than that, there's no truth in thee, for I'm sure your fairest wenches are free of the painters.
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)
Then thus Sir; by the way of Argument I would a question put, to tast your censure, Because I doe not soundly relish it. Propone it Sir, Ile solue it as I can. Suppose that in the field there were an Army, Commixt of halfe your kinsfolke, friends, and louers, The other halfe sworne foes, (all countrimen;) And that the leader of them were your father, And that this leading father were so partiall, That to preserue that halfe which loues you not, Ye would loose that which loues you: & that to take This Captaines life away, might bring this good, Of two sides to make one, and saue much bloud: Would not you doe it. Vmh: ya're ful of Ambage: I answere as my spirits leade me, thus, I would not doe it. Why Sir. Because I hold, Quod non omninò Licet. Come, Come, I know (without al commenting) This text you vnderstand: wey the vtilitie, That goes with it: the health it giues to thousands; The sap it spreads through brāches which now wither: The restauration— Sir I see to'th bottome, Of this deepe well you diue in: I doe arme you, In this strong fight, iust with the selfe same weapons Which I would weare to guard mee, and those are My readings and beliefe setled by reading, And this I find-Quod non sunt faciēda mala, vt veiant For good; (how great soeuer) must be don, no ill how small soeuer. Tis no euill. To barre out so great ill, with so great good. All good must not be done, but onely that-Quod benè & legitimè fieri potest: For Sir I know, that Deus magis amat aduerbia quam nomina. Quia in actionibus magis et Placent Benè & legitimè quàm bonum. Ita vt nullum bonum Liceat sacere, nisi ben & legiime fieri potest. Quod in hoc Casu fieri non potest. Yet (with your fauour) seuerall learned men, Are cleane from your opinion and doe hold, Quòd licet. Those learned men perhaps may hold it fit, That to saue many, they to one mans danger, (Referring all to the depth inscrutable) May allow of a particular; on no warrant That they can shew me written, but being stird, With a humaine compassion to mens liues: And lesse you reuelation haue diuine, That bids you do, doe not; Thus you haue mine. What so hard at it. We haue done: the time, Doe's pull me from your sweet societie, You will to Babylon. I cannot tell; Whether I doe or no, you shall haue notice, How this great worke goes forward; strengthen mee, VVith all your comforts, and commend my seruice To the most glorious throne: if I get or'e, There lands blacke vengeance on the Fairy shore. If prayers can doe it shall. But how shall I know, thou art the right truth; Because I am not painted. Nay if thou hast no better coulour then that, ther's no trueth in thee, for Im'e sure your fairest wenches are free of the painters.