The Hector of Germany, or The Palsgrave, Prime Elector · chunk 1 of 31
Smith, William · published 1615 · first performed or written 1614 [c.1614-1615] (Annals) history; pseudo-history · Red Bull unassigned nearest T14 Royal love, favour and dynastic relation · 468 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T14: prince, princess, love, king, lord, queen, madam, grace, lady, life.
OUr Author for himself, this bade me say, Although the Palsgrave be the name of th' Play, 'tis not that Prince, which in this Kingdom late, Married the Maiden-glory of our state: What Pen dares be so bold in this strict age, To bring him while he lives upon the Stage? And though he would, Authorities stern brow Such a presumptuous deed will not allow: And he must not offend Authority, 'tis of a Palsgrave generous and high, Of an undaunted heart, an Hector's spirit, For his great valour, worthy royal merit; Whose fair achievements, and victorious glory, Is the mayne subject of our warlike Story. Mars governs here, his influence rules the day, And should by right be Prologue to the Play: But that besides the subject, Mercury Sent me to excuse our insufficiency. If you should ask us, being men of Trade, Wherefore the player's faculty we invade? Our answer is, No ambition to compare With any, in that quality held are; Nor with a thought for any grace you give To our weak action, by their course to live: But as in Camps, and Nurseries of Art, Learning and valour have assumed a part, In a cothurnal Scene their wits to try, Such is our purpose in this History. emperors have played, and their Associates to, Soldiers and Scholars; 'tis to speak and do. If Citizens come short of their high fame, Let Citizens bear with us for the name. And Gentlemen, we hope what is well meant, Will grace the weak deed for the good intent. Our best we promise with a dauntless cheek; And so we gain your love, 'tis all we seek. Sick at this instant now to be infirm, When the English King hath his kind Letter sent: For me to place this honourable prince, The Duke of Savoy in the empire's rule: That Nation my great Grandfather did love. And since I came to understand their valour, I held them the Prime Soldiers of the world: And think no Martial Tutor fits a prince, But he that is a true borne Englishman. Ill comes this Letter, and your Grace at once, A worser time than this you could not choose. Though I am chief Elector of the seven, And a mere Caesar now the Chair is void: Sickness hath weakened all my powers so much, I shallbe slighted as a worthless thing. Why should the Palsgrave so mistrust his Friends? Savoy, because I know them factious. And though Bohemia love me as his life, And umpire-like, should pacify our jars, What is his voice when Saxon draws his sword? Mentz of a Clergyman is stout and proud, Trier his like, in nature and in vice. And the bold Bastard, late expulsed from Spain, Has a bloodthirsty heart, a vengeful spleen.
seed 43: T14 · seed 44: T9 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
OUr Authour for himselfe, this bad me say, Although the Palsgraue be the name of th' Play, Tis not that Prince, which in this Kingdome late, Marryed the Mayden-glory of our state: What Pen dares be so bold in this strict age, To bring him while he liues vpon the Stage? And though he would, Authorities sternebrow Such a presumptuous deede will not allow: And he must not offend Authoritie, Tis of a Palsgraue generous and high, Of an vndaunted heart, an Hectors spirit, For his great valour, worthy royall merite; Whose fayre achieuements, and victorious glory, Is the mayne subiect of our warlike Story. Mars gouerns here, his influence rules the day, And should by right be Prologue to the Play: But that besides the subiect, Mercury Sent me to excuse our insufficiencie. If you should aske vs, being men of Trade, Wherefore the Players facultie we inuade? Our answere is, No ambition to compare With any, in that qualitie held are; Nor with a thought for any grace you giue To our weake action, by their course to liue: But as in Camps, and Nurseries of Art, Learning and valour haue assum'd a part, In a Cathurnall Sceane their wits to try, Such is our purpose in this History. Emperours haue playd, and their Associates to, Souldiers and Schollers; tis to speake and do. If Citizens come short of their high fame, Let Citizens beare with vs for the name. And Gentlemen, we hope what is well ment, Will grace the weake deede for the good intent. Our best we promise with a dauntlesse cheeke; And so we gayne your loue, tis all we seeke. Sicke at this instant now to be infirme, When the English King hath his kinde Letter sent: For mee to place this honourable prince, The Duke of Sauoy in the Empires rule: That Nation my great Grandfather did loue. And since I came to vnderstand their valour, I held them the Prime Souldiers of the world: And thinke no Martiall Tutor fittes a prince, But hee that is a true borne Englishman. Ill comes this Letter, and your Grace at once, A worser time then this you could not choose. Though I am chiefe Elector of the seuen, And a meere Caesar now the Chayre is voyde: Sicknesse hath weakened all my powers so much, I shalbe slighted as a worthlesse thing. Why should the Palsgraue so mistrust his Friends? Sauoy, because I know them factious. And though Bohemia loue me as his life, And Vmpeare-like, should pacifie our iars, What is his voyce when Saxon drawes his sword? Mentz of a Cleargie-man is stout and prowde, Trier his like, in nature and in vice. And the bold Bastard, late expulst from Spayne, Has a blood-thirsty hart, a vengefull spleene.