Middleton, Thomas / Rowley, William · published 1620 · first performed or written 1620 (Annals) masque · Prince Charles's Men (first) unassigned nearest T9 Theatre talk: prologues, poets and playe · 471 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
THis our Device, we do not call a Play, Because we break the Stages Laws today Of Acts & Scenes, sometimes a Comic strain Hath hit delight home in the Master-vein: Thalia's prize, Melpomine's sad style, Hath shook the Tragic hand another while; The Muse of History hath caught your eyes, And she chants the pastor all Psalteries: We now lay claim to none, yet all present Seeking out pleasure to find your content; You shall perceive by what comes first in sight, It was intended for a Royal Night. There's one hour's words, the rest in Songs & Dances, Lands no man's own, no man himself advances, No man is lifted but by other hands, Say he could leap, he lights but where he stands: Such is our fate; if good, much good may't do you, If not (sorry) we'll lose our labours wi' you. WHy, Richmond, Richmond, why art so heavy? I have reason enough for that good sainted, Sister. Am I not built with stone, fair, large, and freestone, some part covered with Lead too? All this is but a lightheaded understanding now. I mean, why so melancholy, thou look'st, mustily, methinks. Do I so? and yet I dwell in sweeter air Than you, sweet St Iames's: How three days Warming has spirited you; you have sometimes Your vacations as other of your friends have, If you call yourself to mind. Thou never sawst my new Gallery & my Tennis-court, Richmond. No: but I heard of it, and from whence it came too. Why, from whence came it? Nay, lawfully derived, from the Brickhills, as thou Didst thyself. Thou breed'st Crickets, I think, & that will serve for the Anagram to a critic, come, I know thy grief: Thou fear'st that our late Rival, Denmark-House, Will take from our regard, and we shall want The Noble presence of our Princely Master, (In his so frequent visitation) Which we were wont so fully to enjoy. And is not that a cause of sorrow then? Rather a cause of joy, that we enjoy So fair a fellowship, Denmark. Why, she's A stately Palace, and majestical, Ever of courtly breeding, but of late Built up unto a Royal height of state, Rounded with Noble prospects, by her side, The silver-footed Thamesis doth slide, As (though more faintly) Richmond, does by thee. Which I (denied to touch) can only see. Who's this? 'tis she herself i'faith, Comes with a courteous brow. You're welcome, most nobly welcome. Hark you now, Richmond, did not I tell thee 'twas a Royal House? Why, was there any doubt, Of our kind gratulation? I am proud Only to be in fellowship with you, Co-mate and Servant to so great a Master. That's Richmond's fear, thou'lt rob us both, Thou hast such an enticing face of thine own.
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)
THis our Deuice, wee doe not call a Play, Because we breake the Stages Lawes to day Of Acts & Sceanes, somtimes a Comick straine Hath hit delight home in the Master-vayne: Thalia's prize, Melpomine's sad stile, Hath shooke the Tragicke hand another while; The Muse of Historie hath caught your eyes, And she chaunts the pastor all Psalteries: We now lay claime to none, yet all present Seeking out pleasure to finde your content; You shall perceiue by what comes first in sight, It was intended for a Royall Night. There's one houres words, the rest in Songs & Dances, Lauds no mans owne, no man himselfe aduances, No man is lifted but by other hands, Say he could leape, he lights but where he stands: Such is our fate; if good, much good may't doe you, If not (sorry) weele lose our labours wi you. WHy, Richmond, Richmond, why art so heauy? I haue reason inough for that good sainted, Sister. Am I not built with stone, faire, large, and free-stone, some part couer'd with Lead too? All this is but a light-headed vnderstanding now. I meane, why so melancholy, thou lookst, mustily, me thinkes. Doe I so? and yet I dwell in sweeter ayre Then you, sweet St Iames's: How three dayes Warming has spirited you; you haue sometimes Your vacations as other of your friends haue, If you call your selfe to minde. Thou neuer saw'st my new Gallery & my Tennis-court, Richmond. No: but I heard of it, and from whence it came too. Why, from whence came it? Nay, lawfully deriu'd, from the Brickhils, as thou Didst thy selfe. Thou breed'st Crikets, I thinke, & that wil serue for the Anagram to a Critique, come, I know thy griefe: Thou fear'st that our late Riuall, Denmarke-House, Will take from our regard, and we shall want The Noble presence of our Princely Master, (In his so frequent visitation) Which we were wont so fully to enioy. And is not that a cause of sorrow then? Rather a cause of Ioy, that we enioy So faire a fellowship, Denmarke. Why, shee's A stately Palace, and maiesticall, Euer of courtly breeding, but of late Built vp vnto a Royall height of state, Rounded with Noble prospects, by her side, The siluer-footed Thamesis doth slide, As (though more faintly) Richmond, do's by thee. Which I (denied to touch) can onely see. Who's this? Tis she her selfe yfaith, Comes with a courteous browe. Ye'are welcome, most nobly welcome. Hark you now, Richmond, did not I tel thee T was a Royall House? Why, was there any doubt, Of our kinde gratulation? I am proud Onely to be in fellowship with you, Co-mate and Seruant to so great a Master. Thats Richmonds feare, thou'lt rob vs both▪ Thou hast such an enticing face of thine owne.