The White Devil (Vittoria Corombona) · chunk 34 of 49
Webster, John · published 1612 · first performed or written 1612 [Winter 1612-1613] (Annals) tragedy · Queen Anne's Men T0 Court life: dukes, favour and honour typicality 0.81 · 482 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T0: duke, lord, duchess, love, court, madam, prince, honour, grace, lady.
You're too Stoical. The Duke will expect other discourse from you I shall never flatter him, I have studied man to much to do that: What difference is between the Duke and I? no more than between two bricks; all made of one clay. only't may be one is placed on the top of a turret; the other in the bottom of a well by mere chance; if I were placed as high as the Duke, I should stick as fast; make as fair a show; and bear out weather equally. If this soldier had a patent to beg in Churches, than he would tell them stories, I have been a soldier too. How have you thrived? Faith poorly. That's the misery of peace. Only outsides are then respected: As ships seem very great upon the river, which show very little upon the Seas: So some men i'th' Court seem Colossuses in a chamber, who if they came into the field would appear pitiful. Pigmies. Give me a fair room yet hung with Arras, and some great Cardinal to lug me by th' ears as his endeared Minion. And thou mayst do, the devil knows what villainy. And safely. Right; you shall see in the Country in harvest time, pigeons, though they destroy never so much corn, the farmer dare not present the fowling piece to them! why? because they belong to the Lord of the Manor; whilst your poor sparrows that belong to the Lord of heaven, they go to the pot for't. I will now give you some politic instruction. The Duke says he will give you pension; that's but bare promise: get it under his hand. For I have known men that have come from serving against the Turk; for three or four months they have had pension to buy them new wooden legs and fresh plasters; but after 'twas not to be had. And this miserable courtesy shows, as if a Tormenter should give hot cordial drinks to one three quarters dead o'th' rack, only to fetch the miserable soul again to endure more dog-days. How now, Gallants; what are they ready for the Barriers? Yes: the Lords are putting on their armour. What's he? A new upstart: one that swears like a Falconer, and will lie in the Duke's ear day by day like a maker of Almanacs; And yet I knew him since he came to th' Court smell worse of sweat than an under-tennis-court keeper. Look you, yonder's your sweet Mistress. Thou art my sworn brother, I'll tell thee, I do love that Moore, that Witch very constrainedly: she knows some of my villainy; I do love her, just as a man holds a wolf by the ears. But for fear of turning upon me, and pulling out my throat, I would let her go to the Devil. I hear she claims marriage of thee.
seed 43: T0 · seed 44: T0 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
You 're too Stoicall. The Duke will expect other discourse from you I shall neuer flatter him, I haue studied man to much to do that: What difference is betweene the Duke and I? no more than betweene two brickes; all made of one clay. Onely't may bee one is plac't on the top of a turret; the other in the bottom of a well by meere chance; if I were plac't as high as the Duke, I should sticke as fast; make as faire a shew; and beare out weather equally. If this souldier had a patent to beg in Churches, then hee would tell them stories, I haue bin a souldier too. How haue you thriu'd? Faith poorely. That's the miserie of peace. Onely outsides are then respected: As shippes seeme verie great vpon the riuer, which shew verie little vpon the Seas: So some men i'th Court seeme Colossusses in a chamber, who if they came into the feild would appeare pittifull. Pigmies. Giue mee a faire roome yet hung with Arras, and some great Cardinall to lug mee by th' eares as his endeared Minion. And thou maist doe, the deuill knowes what vilanie. And safely. Right; you shall see in the Countrie in haruest time, pigeons, though they destroy neuer so much corne, the farmer dare not present the fowling peece to them! why? because they belong to the Lord of the Mannor; whilest your poore sparrowes that belong to the Lord of heauen, they go to the pot for't. I will now giue you some polliticke instruction. The Duke saies hee will giue you pension; that's but bare promise: get it vnder his hand. For I haue knowne men that haue come from seruing against the Turke; for three or foure moneths they haue had pension to buy them new woodden legges and fresh plaisters; but after 'twas not to bee had. And this miserable curtesie shewes, as if a Tormenter should giue hot cordiall drinkes to one three quarters dead o'th' racke, onely to fetch the miserable soule againe to indure more dogdaies. How now, Gallants; what are they readie for the Barriers? Yes: the Lordes are putting on their armour. What's hee? A new vp-start: one that sweares like a Falckner, and will lye in the Dukes eare day by day like a maker of Almanacks; And yet I knew him since hee came to th' Court smell worse of sweat than an vnder-tennis-court keeper. Looke you, yonder's your sweet Mistresse. Thou art my sworne brother, I'le tell thee, I doe loue that Moore, that Witch very constrainedly: shee knowes some of my villanny; I do loue her, iust as a man holds a wolfe by the eares. But for feare of turning vpon mee, and pulling out my throate, I would let her go to the Deuill. I heare she claimes marriage of thee.