The Conspiracy of Charles Duke of Byron · chunk 9 of 33
Chapman, George · published 1608 · first performed or written 1608 [1607-1608] (Annals) history · Children of the Queen's Revels unassigned nearest T10 England and France: war, embassy and pea · 478 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T10: france, french, england, king, lord, english, edward, talbot, peace, lords.
I have devised the fashion and the weight; To valures hard to draw, we use retreats; And, to pull shafts home, (with a good bow-arm) We thrust hard from us: since he came from Flanders He heard how I was threatened with the King, And hath been much inquisitive to know The truth of all, and seeks to speak with me; The means he used, I answered doubtfully; And with an intimation that I shunned him, Which will (I know) put more spur to his charge; And if his haughty stomach be prepared, With will to any act: for the aspiring Of his ambitious aims, I make no doubt But I shall work him to your highness wish. But undertake it, and I rest assured: You are reported to have skill in Magic, And the events of things, at which they reach That are in nature apt to overreach: Whom the whole circle of the present time, In present pleasures, fortunes, knowledges, Can not contain: those men (as broken loose From humane limits) in all violent ends Would feign aspire the faculties of fiends, And in such air breath his unbounded spirits, Which therefore well will fit such conjurations, Attempt him then by flying; close with him, And bring him home to us, and take my dukedom. My best in that, and all things, vows your service. Thanks to my dear friend; and the French Ulysses. Here is the man; my honoured friend, Laffin? Alone, and heavy countenanced? on what terms Stood th' insultation of the King upon you? Why do you ask? Since I would know the truth. And when you know it; what? I'll judge betwixt you, And (as I may) make even th' excess of either. Ah 'las my Lord, not all your loyalty, Which is in you, more than hereditary, Nor all your valour (which is more than human) Can do the service you may hope on me In sounding my displeased integrity; Stand for the King, as much in policy As you have stirred for him in deeds of arms, And make yourself his glory, and your countries Till you be sucked as dry, and wrought as leave, As my stead carcase: you shall never close With me, as you imagine. You much wrong me, To think me an intelligencing Lord. I know not now your so affected zeal, To be reputed a true hearted subject, May stretch or turn you; I am desperate; If I offend you, I am in your power: I care not how I tempt your conquering fury, I am predestined to too base an end, To have the honour of your wrath destroy me; And be a worthy object for your sword: I lay my hand, and head too at your feet, As I have ever, here I hold it still, End me directly, do not go about.
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)
I haue deuisde the fashion and the weight; To valures hard to draw, we vse retreates; And, to pull shaftes home, (with a good bow-arme) We thrust hard from vs: since he came from Flanders He heard how I was threatned with the King, And hath beene much inquisitiue to know The truth of all, and seekes to speake with me; The meanes he vsde, I answerd doubtfully; And with an intimation that I shund him, Which will (I know) put more spur to his charge; And if his haughty stomacke be preparde▪ With will to any act: for the aspiring Of his ambitious aimes, I make no doubt But I shall worke him to your highnesse wish. But vndertake it, and I rest assur'd: You are reported to haue skill in Magick, And the euents of things, at which they reach That are in nature apt to ouerreach: Whom the whole circkle of the present time, In present pleasures, fortunes, knowledges, Can not containe: those men (as broken loose From humaine limmits) in all violent ends Would faine aspire the faculties of fiends, And in such ayre breathe his vnbounded spirits, Which therefore well will fit such coniurations, Attempt him then by flying; close with him, And bring him home to vs, and take my dukedome. My best in that, and all things, vowes your seruice. Thankes to my deare friend; and the French Vlisses. Here is the man; my honord friend, Laffin? Alone, and heauy countinanc't? on what termes Stood th' insultation of the King vpon you? Why do you aske? Since I would know the truth. And when you know it; what? Ile iudge betwixt you, And (as I may) make euen th' excesse of either. Ah las my Lord, not all your loyaltie, Which is in you, more then hereditary, Nor all your valure (which is more then humane) Can do the seruice you may hope on me In sounding my displeasde integrity; Stand for the King, as much in policie As you haue stird for him in deeds of armes, And make your selfe his glorie, and your countries Till you bee suckt as drie, and wrought as leaue, As my steade carcase: you shall neuer close With me, as you imagine. You much wrong me, To thinke me an intelligencing Lord. I know not now your so affected zeale, To be reputed a true harted subiect, May stretch or turne you; I am desperate; If I offend you, I am in your powre: I care not how I tempt your conquering furie, I am predestin'd to too base an end, To haue the honor of your wrath destroy me; And be a worthy obiect for your sword: I lay my hand, and head too at your feete, As I haue euer, here I hold it still, End me directly, doe not goe about.