Field, Nathan · published 1612 · first performed or written 1609 [1609-1610] (Annals) comedy · Children of the Queens Revels (Children of the Whitefriars) (?) · before the Court unassigned nearest T35 Fools, wit and railing · 468 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T35: fool, wit, aristippus, achilles, wise, fools, patroclus, thersites, master, men.
How well does Scudmore speak, ill for himself, Wit's a disease, that fit employment wants, Therefore we see, those happiest in best parts, and underborne fortunes under their merits, Grow to a sullen envy, hate, and scorn Of their Superiors; and at last, like winds Break forth into rebellious civil wars, Or private Treasons; none so apt for these, as melancholy wits fettered with need. How free's the Rustic Swain from these assaults, He never feels a passion all his life, But when he cannot sleep, or hunger gripes; And though he want Reason, Wit, Art, nay Sense, Is not so senseless to capitulate, and ask God why he made not him as great As that same foolish Lord, or that rich knave: His brains with nothing does Negotiate, But his hard Husbandry, which makes him live. But have we worthy gifts, as judgement, Learning, Ingenious sharpness, which wise God indeed, Doth seldom give out of his equal hand, But joined with poverty to make it even With Riches which he clogs with ignorance, We vent our blessing in profane conceits, Or in strong Arguments against ourselves, Foul Bawdry, and stark blindly hold it best, Rather to lose a soul, then lose a jest. Ill terms my friend, this wit in any man, (For that but seasoned with discretion) Holds him in awe of all these blemishes, Frees him of envy, doth Philosophize His Spirit, that he makes no difference Twixt man and man, twixt fortunes high and low, But as the thicker they with virtues grow, Freedom and bondage wit can make alone; So 'twould by being left, and being loved, If I had any of it tempered so: But you have spoke all this condemning me, For having wit to speak against myself, But I'll be ruled by you in all. Then thus: tonight by promise, I do give a Mask, as to congratulate the Bridal day, In which the Count, Pendant, and the wise Knight, Will be most worthy dancers, Sir you shall, Learn but my part, which I will teach you to, as nimbly as the Usher did teach me, and follow my further directions, Though I i'th' Morn were a prodigious wight, I'll give thee Bellafront in thine arms tonight. I am your property, my Engineer Prosper your purposes, shine thou eye of heaven, and make thy lowering Morn, a smiling Even. Oh, these are Lambeth fields. Strange murmured on the wedding day by you, At his own Bride's appointment, for my sake? As dead as Charity. This sounds not well. zounds, you may say as well I am the man, as doubt he lives, a plague of your belief, d'ye know this bloody Ruff which she has sent, lest you should be incredulous, and this Ring Which you have seen her wear?
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)
How well does Scudmore speake, ill for himselfe, Wit's a disease, that fit employment wants, Therefore we see, those happiest in best parts, and vnder-borne fortunes vnder their merrits, Grow to a sullen enuie, hate, and scorne Of their Superiors; and at last, like winds Breake forth into rebellious ciuil warres, Or priuate Treasons; none so apt for these, as melancholy wits fetter'd with neede. How free's the Rusticke Swaine from these assaults, He neuer feeles a passion all his life, But when he cannot sleepe, or hunger gripes; And though he want Reason, Wit, Art, nay Sence, Is not so sencelesse to capitulate, and aske God why he made not him as great As that same foolish Lord, or that rich knaue: His braines with nothing does Negotiate, But his hard Husbandry, which makes him liue. But haue we worthy gifts, as Iudgement, Learning, Ingenious sharpnesse, which wise God indeed, Doth seldome giue out of his equall hand, But ioyn'd with pouertie to make it euen With Riches which he clogs with ignorance, We vent our blessing in prophane conceits, Or in strong Arguments against our selues, Foule Bawdry, and starke blindly hold it best, Rather to loose a soule, then loose a iest. Ill tearmes my friend, this wit in any man, (For that but season'd with discretion) Holds him in awe of all these blemishes, Free's him of enuie, doth Phylosophize His Spirit, that he makes no difference Twixt man and man, twixt fortunes high and low, But as the thicker they with vertues grow, Freedome and bondage wit can make alone; So t'would by being left, and being lou'd, If I had any of it temper'd so: But you haue spoke all this condemning me, For hauing wit to speake against my selfe, But Ile be rul'd by you in all. Then thus: To night by promise, I do giue a Maske, as to congratulate the Bridall day, In which the Count, Pendant, and the wise Knight, Will be most worthy dancers, Sir you shall, Learne but my part, which I will teach you to, as nimbly as the Vsher did teach me, and follow my further directions, Though I i'th Morne were a prodigious wight, Ile giue thee Bellafrnt in thine armes to night. I am your property, my Enginer Prosper your purposes, shine thou eie of heauen, and make thie lowring Morne, a smiling Eeuen. Oh, these are Lambeth fields. Strange murther'd on the wedding day by you, At his owne Brides appointment, for my sake? As dead as Charity. This sounds not well. Zoones, you may say as well I am the man, as doubt he liues, a plague of your beleefe, De'e know this bloodie Ruffe which she has sent, Least you should be incredulous, and this Ring Which you haue seene her weare?