Massinger, Philip · published 1623 · first performed or written 1621 [1621-1623] (Annals) tragedy · King's Men · Blackfriars T10 England and France: war, embassy and pea typicality 0.84 · 483 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T10: france, french, england, king, lord, english, edward, talbot, peace, lords.
I come not (Emperor) to invade thy mercy, By fawning on thy fortune; Nor bring with me Excuses, or denials. I profess (And with a good Man's confidence, even this instant, That I am in thy power) I was thine enemy; Thy deadly and vowed enemy; One that wished Confusion to thy Person and Estates; And with my utmost powers, and deepest counsels (Had they been truly followed) furthered it: Nor will I now, although my neck were under The Hangman's Axe, with one poor syllable Confess, but that I honoured the French King, More than thyself, and all Men. By Saint Iaques, This is no flattery. There is Fire, and Spirit in't; But not long lived, I hope. Now give me leave, (My hate against thyself, and love to him Freely acknowledged) to give up the reasons That made me so affected. In my wants I ever found him faithful; Had supplies Of Men and Moneys from him; And my hopes Quite sunk, were by his Grace, buoyed up again: He was indeed to me, as my good Angel, To guard me from all dangers. I dare speak (Nay must and will) his praise now, in as high And loud a key, as when he was thy equal. The benefits he sowed in me, met not Unthankful ground, but yielded him his own With fair increase, and I still glory in it. And though my fortunes (poor, compared to his, And Milan weighed with France, appear as nothing) Are in thy fury burned: Let it be mentioned, They served but as small Tapers to attend The solemn flame at this great Funeral: And with them I will gladly waste myself, Rather than undergo the imputation, Of being base or unthankful. Nobly spoken. I do begin, I know not why, to hate him Less than I did. If that then to be grateful For courtesies received; Or not to leave A friend in his necessities, be a crime Amongst you Spaniards (which other Nations That like your aimed at Empire, loved, and cherished where'er they found it) Sforza brings his Head To pay the forfeit; Nor come I as a Slave, pinioned and fettered, in a squalid weed, Falling before thy Feet, kneeling and howling, For a forestalled remission; That were poor, And would but shame thy victory: For conquest Over base foes, is a captivity, And not a triumph. I ne'er feared to die, More than I wished to live. When I had reached My ends in being a Duke, I wore these Robes, This Crown upon my Head, and to my side This Sword was girt; And witness truth, that now 'Tis in another's power when I shall part With them and life together, I am the same, My Veins then did not swell with pride; nor now, They shrink for fear: Know Sir, that Sforza stands Prepared for either fortune.
seed 43: T8 · seed 44: T8 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
I come not (Emperor) to inuade thy mercie, By fawning on thy fortune; Nor bring with me Excuses, or denials. I prosesse (And with a good Mans confidence, euen this instant, That I am in thy power) I was thine enemie; Thy deadly and vow'd enemie; One that wish'd Confusion to thy Person and Estates; And with my vtmost powers, and deepest counsels (Had they been truely followed) further'd it: Nor will I now, although my neck were vnder The Hang mans Axe, with one poore sillable Confesse, but that I honor'd the French King, More then thy selfe, and all Men. By Saint Iaques, This is no flatterie. There is Fire, and Spirit in't; But not long liu'd, I hope. Now giue me leaue, (My hate against thy selfe, and loue to him Freely acknowledg'd) to giue vp the reasons That made me so affected. In my wants I euer found him faithfull; Had supplyes Of Men and Moneys from him; And my hopes Quite sunke, were by his Grace, bouy'd vp againe: He was indeed to me, as my good Angell, To guard me from all dangers. I dare speake (Nay must and will) his prayse now, in as high And lowd a key, as when he was thy equall. The benefits he sow'd in me, met not Vnthankefull ground, but yeelded him his owne With faire encrease, and I still glorie in it. And though my fortunes (poore, compar'd to his, And Millaine waigh'd with France, appeare as nothing) Are in thy furie burnt: Let it be mentioned, They seru'd but as small Tapers to attend The solemne flame at this great Funerall: And with them I will gladly wast my selfe, Rather then vndergoe the imputation, Of being base or vnthankefull. Nobly spoken. I doe begin, I know not why, to hate him Lesse then I did. If that then to be gratefull For curtesies receiu'd; Or not to leaue A friend in his necessities, be a crime Amongst you Spaniards (which other Nations That like your aym'd at Empire, lou'd, and cherish'd Where e're they found it) Sforza brings his Head To pay the forfeit; Nor come I as a Slaue, Piniond and setterd, in a squallid weed, Falling before thy Feet, kneeling and howling, For a forestal'd remission; That were poore, And would but shame thy victorie: For conquest Ouer base foes, is a captiuitie, And not a triumph. I ne're fear'd to dye, More then I wish'd to liue. When I had reach'd My ends in being a Duke, I wore these Robes, This Crowne vpon my Head, and to my side This Sword was girt; And witnesse truth, that now 'Tis in anothers power when I shall part With them and life together, I am the same, My Veines then did not swell with pride; nor now, They shrinke for feare: Know Sir, that Sforza stands Prepar'd for either fortune.