Ford, John · published 1629 · first performed or written 1628 [licensed for stage, Nov 24] (Annals) tragicomedy · King's Men · Globe unassigned nearest T14 Royal love, favour and dynastic relation · 487 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T14: prince, princess, love, king, lord, queen, madam, grace, lady, life.
I see then I must court thee. Take the word Of a just Prince for any thing thou speakest. I have more than a Pardon, thanks and love. I will remember you of an old Tale that something concerns you. Meleander, the great (but unfortunate Statesman, was by your Father treated with for a Match between you and his eldest daughter, the Lady Eroclea. You were both near of an age. I presume you remember a Contract, and cannot forget Her. She was a lovely beauty: Prithee forward. To Court was Eroclea brought, was courted by your Father, not for Prince Palador, as it followed, but to be made a prey to some less noble design.— With your favour I have forgot the rest. Good call it back again into thy memory, Else losing the remainder, I am lost too. You charm me. In brief, a Rape, by some bad Agents, was attempted; by the Lord Meleander her father rescue, she conveyed away Meleander accused of treason, his Land seized, he himself distracted and confined to the Castle where he yet lives. What had ensued was doubtful. But your Father shortly after died. But what became of fair Eroclea? She never since was heard of. No hope lives then Of ever, ever seeing her again. Sir, I fear I should anger ye. There was, as I said, an old Tale: I have now a new one, which may perhaps season the first with a more delightful relish. I am prepared to hear, say what you please. My Lord Meleander falling, on whose favour my fortunes relied, I furnished myself for travail, and bent my course to Athens, where a pretty accident after a while came to my knowledge. My ear is open to thee. A young Lady contracted to a noble Gentleman, as the Lady we last mentioned, and your Highness were, being hindered by their jarring Parents, stole from her home, and was conveyed like a Ship-boy in a Merchant, from the Country where she lived, into Corinth first, and afterwards to Athens; where in much solitariness she lived like a Youth almost two years, courted by all for acquaintance, but friend to none by familiarity. In habit of a man? A handsome young man, till within these three months, or less, her sweet hearty Father dying some year before, or more, she had notice of it, and with much joy returned home, and as report voiced it, at Athens enjoyed her happiness: she was long an exile: For now Noble Sir, if you did love the Lady Eroclea, why may not such safety and fate direct her, as directed the other? 'tis not impossible. If I did love her, Rhetias: yes I did. Give me thy hand: As thou didst serve Meleander, And art still true to these, henceforth serve me. My duty and my obedience are my surety, But I have been too bold.
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)
I see then I must court thee. Take the word Of a iust Prince for any thing thou speakest. I haue more then a Pardon, thankes and loue. I will remember you of an old Tale that somthing concernes you. Meleander, the great (but vnfortunate Statesman, was by your Father treated with for a Match betweene you and his eldest daughter, the Lady Eroclea. You were both neere of an age. I presume you remember a Contract, and cannot forget Her. She was a louely beauty: Prethee forward. To Court was Eroclea brought, was courted by your Father, not for Prince Palador, as it followed, but to be made a prey to some lesse noble designe.—With your fauour I haue forgot the rest. Good call it backe agen into thy memory, Else losing the remainder, I am lost too. You charme me. In briefe, a Rape, by some bad Agents, was attempted; by the Lord Meleander her father rescude, she conuay'd away Meleander accus'd of treason, his Land seized, he himselfe distracted and confined to the Castle where he yet liues. What had ensude was doubtfull. But your Father shortly after dyed. But what became of faire Eroclea? She neuer since was heard of. No hope liues then Of euer, euer seeing her againe. Sir, I feare I should anger yee. There was, as I said, an old Tale: I haue now a new one, which may perhaps season the first with a more delightfull rellish. I am prepar'd to heare, say what you please. My Lord Meleander falling, on whose fauour my fortunes relyde, I furnisht my selfe for trauaile, and bent my course to Athens, where a pretty accident after a while came to my knowledge. My eare is open to thee. A young Lady contracted to a noble Gentleman, as the Lady we last mentioned, and your Highnes were, being hindred by their iarring Parents, stole from her home, and was conueyed like a Ship-boy in a Merchant, from the Countrey where she liu'd, into Corinth first, and afterwards to Athens; where in much solitarinesse she liu'd like a Youth almost two yeeres, courted by all for acquaintance, but friend to none by familiaritie. In habit of a man? A handsome young man, till within these three moneths, or lesse, her sweet hearty Father dying some yeere before, or more, shee had notice of it, and with much ioy returned home, and as report voyced it, at Athens enioyed her happinesse: she was long an exile: For now Noble Sir, if you did loue the Lady Eroclea, why may not such safety and fate direct her, as directed the other? tis not impossible. If I did loue her, Rhetias: yes I did. Giue me thy hand: As thou didst serue Meleander, And art still true to these, henceforth serue me. My duty and my obedience are my suretie, But I haue been too bold.