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 · 452 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T0: duke, lord, duchess, love, court, madam, prince, honour, grace, lady.
But then they tasted of your bounty. True, They gave me those good parts I was not borne too, And by my intercession they got that, Which (had I crossed them) they durst not have hoped for All this is Oracle. And shall I then, For a foolish whipping learn to honour him, That holds the wheel of Fortune? No, that savours Too much of the ancient freedom: Since great men Receive disgraces, and give thanks, poor knaves Must haue not spleene . Though I loue My limbs as well as any man, If you had now A humour to kick me lame into an office, Where I might sit in State, and undo others, Stood I not bound to kiss the foot that did it? Though it seem strange there have been such things seen In the memory of man. But to the purpose, And then that service done, make thine own fortunes. My wife thou sayst, is jealous, I am too Familiar with the Duchess. And incensed For her commitment in her brother's absence, And by her Mother's anger is spurred on To make discovery of it. This her purpose Was trusted to my charge, which I declined As much as in me lay, but finding her Determinately bent to undertake it, Though breaking my faith to her may destroy My credit with your Lordship, I yet thought, Though at my peril, I stood bound to reveal it. I thank thy care, and will deserve this secret, In making thee acquainted with a greater, And of more moment. Come into my bosom, And take it from me. Canst thou think, dull Graccho, My power, and honours, were conferred upon me, And ad to them this form, to have my pleasures Confined and limited? I delight in change, And sweet variety, that's my heaven on earth, For which I love life only. I confess, My wife pleased me a day, the Duchess, two, (And yet I must not say, I have enjoyed her) But now I care for neither. Therefore Graccho, So far I am from stopping Mariana In making her complaint, that I desire thee To urge her to it. That may prove your ruin, The Duke already being, as 'tis reported, Doubtful she hath played false. There thou art cozened, His dotage like an ague keeps his course, And now 'tis strongly on him. But I lose time, And therefore know, whether thou wilt or no, Thou art to be my instrument, and in spite Of the old saw, that says, it is not safe On any terms to trust a man that's wronged, I dare thee to be false. This is a language My Lord, I understand not.
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)
But then they tasted of your bountie. True, They gaue me those good parts I was not borne too, And by my intercession they got that, Which (had I cross'd them) they durst not haue hop'd for All this is Oracle. And shall I then, For a foolish whipping lerne to honour him, That holds the wheele of Fortune? No, that sauors Too much of th antient freedome: Since great men Receiue disgraces, and give thankes, poore knaues Must haue not spleene . Though I loue My limbes as well any man, you had now A humor to kick me lame into an office, Where I might sit in State, and vndoe others, Stood I not bound to kisse the foot that did it? Though it seeme strange there haue been such things seene In the memorie of man. But to the purpose, And then that seruice done, make thine owne fortunes. My wife thou say'st, is iealous, I am too Famillar with the Dutches. And incens'd For her commitment in her brothers absence, And by her Mothers anger is spur'd on To make discoucrie of it. This her purpose Was trusted to my charge, which I declin'd As much as in me lay, but sinding her Determinately bent to vndertake it, Though breaking my faith to her may destroy My credit with your Lordship, I yet thought, Though at my peril, I stood bound to reueale it. I thanke thy care, and will deserue this secret, In making thee acquainted with a greater, And of more moment. Come into my bosome, And take it from me. Canst thou thinke, dull Graccho, My power, and honours, were confer'd vpon me, And ad to them this forme, to haue my pleasures Confin'd and limited? I delight in change, And sweet varietie, that's my heauen on earth, For which I loue life only. I confesse, My wife pleas'd me a day, the Dutches, two, (And yet I must not say, I haue enioy'd her) But now I care for neither. Therefore Graccho, So farre I am from stopping Mariana In making her complaint, that I desire thee To vrge her to it. That may proue your ruine, The Duke alreadie being, as 'tis reported, Doubtfull she hath play'd false. There thou art cosen'd, His dotage like an ague keeps his course, And now 'tis strongly on him. But I loose time, And therefore know, whether thou wilt or no, Thou art to be my instrument, and in spite Of the old sawe, that sayes, it is not safe On any termes to trust a man that's wrong'd, I dare thee to be false. This is a language My Lord, I vnderstand not.