Massinger, Philip · published 1623 · first performed or written 1621 [1621-1623] (Annals) tragedy · King's Men · Blackfriars T0 Court life: dukes, favour and honour typicality 0.79 · 503 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T0: duke, lord, duchess, love, court, madam, prince, honour, grace, lady.
Dangers that we see To threaten ruin are with ease prevented: But those strike deadly, that come unexpected; The lightning is far off: yet soon as seen, We may behold the terrible effects, That it produceth. But I'll help your knowledge, And make his cause of fear familiar to you. The war so long continued between The Emperor Charles, and Francis the French King Have interested in either's cause, the most Of the Italian Princes: Among which Sforza, As one of greatest power, was sought by both, But with assurance having one his friend, The other lived his enemy. 'tis true, And 'twas a doubtful choice. But he, well knowing, And having too, (it seems) the Spanish pride, Lent his assistance to the King of France: Which hath so far incensed the Emperor, That all his hopes, and honours are embarked, With his great patron's Fortune. Which stands fair, For aught I yet can hear. But should it change, The Duke's undone. They have drawn to the field Two royal armies, full of fiery youth, Of equal spirit to dare, and power to do: So near entrenched, that 'tis beyond all hope, Of humane council, they can e'er be severed, Until it be determined by the sword, Who hath the better cause. For the success, Concludes the victor innocent, and the vanquished Most miserably guilty. How uncertain, The Fortune of the war is, children know; And, it being in suspense, on whose fair Tent, Winged victory will make her glorious stand; You cannot blame the Duke, though he appear, Perplexed and troubled. But why then, In such a time when every knee should bend, For the success, and safety of his person, Are these loud triumphs? In my weak opinion, They are unseasonable. I judge so too; But only in the cause to be excused. It is the Duchess Birthday: once a year Solemnized, with all pomp, and ceremony: In which, the Duke is not his own, but hers: Nay, every day indeed, he is her creature, For never man so doted; But to tell The tenth part of his fondness, to a stranger, Would argue me of fiction. She's indeed, A Lady of most exquisite form. She knows it, And how to prize it. I ne'er heard her tainted, In any point of honour. On my life, she's constant to his bed, and well deserves His largest Favours. But when beauty is Stamped on great women, great in birth, and fortune, And blown by flatterers greater than it is, 'Tis seldom unaccompanied with pride; Nor is she, that-way free. Presuming on The Duke's affection, and her own Desert, She bears herself with such a Majesty, Looking with scorn on all, as things beneath her: That Sforza's mother, (that would lose no part Of what, was once her own): Nor his fair Sister, (A Lady too acquainted with her worth, Will brook it well; And howsoe'er, their hate, Is smothered for a time, 'tis more than feared, It will at length break out.
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Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Dangers that we see To threaten ruine are with ease preuented: But those strike deadly, that come vnexpected; The lightning is farre off: yet soone as seene, We may behold the terrible effects, That it produceth. But Ile helpe your knowledge, And make his cause of feare familiar to you. The warre so long continued betweene The Emperour Charles, and Francis the French King Haue interrest'd in eithers cause, the most Of the Italian Princes: Among which Sforza, As one of greatest power, was sought by both, But with assurance hauing one his frend, The other liu'd his enemie. Tis true, And 'twas a doubtfull choice. But hee, well knowing, And hauing too, (it seemes) the Spanish pride, Lent his assistance to the King of France: Which hath so farre incens'd the Emperor, That all his hopes, and honours are embark'd, With his great Patrons Fortune. Which stands faire, For ought I yet can heare. But should it change, The Dake's vndon. They haue drawne to the field Two royall armies, full of fierie youth, Of equall spirit to dare, and power to doe: So neere entrench'd, that 'tis beyond all hope, Of humaine councell, they can er'e be seuerd, Vntill it be determin'd by the sword, Who hath the better cause. For the successe, Concludes the victor innocent, and the vanquish'd Most miserably guilty. How vncertaine, The Fortune of the warre is, children know; And, it being in suspence, on whose faire Tent, Win'gd victory wil make her glorious stand; You cannot blame the Duke, though he appeare, Perplex'd and troubled. But why then, In such a time when euery knee should bend, For the successe, and safetie of his person, Are these lowd triumphs? In my weake opinion, They are vnseasonable. I iudge so too; But onely in the cause to be excus'd. It is the Dutchesse Birth-day: once a yeere Solemniz'd, with all pompe, and ceremony: In which, the Duke is not his owne, but hers: Nay, euery day indeed, he is her creature, For neuer man so doted; But to tell The tenth part of his fondnesse, to a stranger, Would argue me of fiction. She's indeed, A Lady of most exquisite forme. She knowes it, And how to prize it. I ne're heard her tainted, In any point of honour. On my life, Shee's constant to his bed, and well deserues His largest Fauours. But when beauty is Stampt on great women, great in birth, and fortune, And blowne by flatterers greater then it is, 'Tis seldome vnaccompanied with pride; Nor is shee, that-way free. Presuming on The Dukes affection, and her owne Desert, Shee beares her selfe with such a Maiestie, Looking with scorne on all, as things be neath her: That Sforzas mother, (that would loose no part Of what, was once her owne): Nor his faire Sister, (A Lady too acquainted with her worth, Will brooke it well; And howsoer'e, their hate, Is smother'd for a time, Tis more then feard, It will at length breake out.