Shirley, James · published 1632 · first performed or written 1632 [licensed for stage, Jan 10] (Annals) comedy · King's Revels Company (?); Prince Charles's Men (second) (?) · Salisbury Court T9 Theatre talk: prologues, poets and playe typicality 0.77 · 518 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of T9: play, stage, poet, prologue, author, wit, plays, muse, scene, players.
THat Muse whose Song within another Sphere Hath pleased some, and of the best, whose ear Is able to distinguish strains that are Clear, and Phoebean, from the popular; And sinful dregs of the adulterate brain, By me salutes your Candour once again; And begs this noble favour, that this place, And weak performances may not disgrace His fresh Thalia; 'las our Poet knows we have no name, a torrent overflows Our little Island, miserable we, Do every day play our own Tragedy: But 'tis more noble to create than kill, He says, and if but with his flame, your will Would join, we may obtain some warmth, and prove Next them that now do surfeit with your love. Encourage our beginning, nothing grew Famous at first, and Gentlemen, if you Smile on this barren Mountain, soon it will, Become both fruitful and the muse's hill. I Heard your Niece, Sir, was not well, you should encourage her to take the air some times. Indeed she's somewhat melancholy, and keeps Her chamber: 'T may prove inconvenient for Her health, does she not languish for a husband? Take heed o'th' green disease. I'll find a cure, If that will do't; your daughters are not yet Disposed of? No, but we have clients daily That visit their affections; and while We are speaking, here is one. Ha, which of them? I hope not Master Yongrave. He would engage his service to my Niece, I shall not think him worthy, if he have Two Hares afoot. He is a stranger to me, But Master Gerard that holds conference with him, Maintains some correspondence with my daughters: Pray let's observe. Prithee come, venture in. No farther, you have obligation, Excuse me, I have affairs, some other time I'll wait on you. What needs this ceremony? The fair ones will not blast you. 'Twere a sin, To think their beams could hurt. Faith, I could wish Thy affection not engaged, there's so much beauty And goodness in this pair of sisters. Do not Make me suspect your friendship, you would wish Me miserable, not that I dispute Their merit, but I must not yield to that Will bring my faith and honour into question; I have a Mistress, be you happy Sir in yours. I like this well, let's interrupt 'em; Good fortune Master Yongrave. You are Sir, Most opportunely met. Kind Master Gerard. I had a present resolution, To visit you at home, and your fair kinswoman. I shall be bold. Pray enter. we'll together: I take my leave. I am your humble servant, Come Master Yongrave. This Gerard is a Gentleman of handsome parts, And they say fortuned, diligent in's courtship: But it concerns me to be careful in Disposing of my children. Sir Gervace Simple Sir, is newly entered, His wisdom must be welcome: there's a Knight With Lordships, but no manors, one that has But newly cast his country skin, came up To see the fashions of the Town, has crept Into a Knighthood which he paid for heartily And in his best clothes is suspected for A Gentleman.
seed 43: T16 · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
THat Muse whose Song within another Spheare Hath pleased some, and of the best, whose eare Is able to distinguish straines that are Cleare, and Phebean, from the popular; And sinfull dregs of the adulterate braine, By mee salutes your Candor once againe; And begs this noble favour, that this place, And weake performances may not disgrace His fresh Thalia; 'las our Poet knowes Wee have no name, a torrent overflowes▪ Our little Iland, miserable wee, Doe every day play our owne Tragedy: But 'tis more noble to create than kill, Hee saies, and if but with his flame, your will Would joyne, wee may obtaine some warmth, and prove Next them that now doe surfeit with your love▪ Encourage our beginning, nothing grew Famous at first, and Gentlemen, if you Smile on this barren Mountaine, soone it will, Become both fruitfull and the Muses hill. I Heard your Neece, Sir, was not well, you should incourage her to take the aire some times. Indeed shee's somewhat melancholy, and keepes Her chamber: 'T may prove inconvenient for Her health, does she not languish for a husband? Take heed oth' greene disease▪ I'le finde a cure, If that will doe't; your daughters are not yet Dispos'd of? No, but we have clients daily That visit their affections; and while We are speaking, here is one. Ha, which of them? I hope not Master Yongrave ▪ Hee would engage his service to my Neece, I shall not thinke him worthy, if he have Two Hares afoot. He is a stranger to me, But Master Gerard that holds conference with him, Maintaines some correspondence with my daughters: Pray let's observe. Prethee come, venter in. No farther, you have obligation, Excuse me, I have affaires, some other time Ile waite on you. What needes this ceremony? The faire ones will not blast you. 'Twere a sinne, To thinke their beames could hurt▪ Faith, I could wish Thy affection not ingag'd, there's so much beauty And goodnesse in this paire of sisters▪ Doe not Make me suspect your friendship, you would wish Me miserable, not that I dispute Their merit, but I must not yeeld to that Will bring my faith and honour into question; I have a Mistris, be you happy Sir in yours. I like this well, lets interrupt e'm; Good fortune Master Yongrave. You are Sir, Most opportunely met. Kinde Master Gerard. I had a present resolution, To visit you at home, and your faire kins-woman. I shall be bold. Pray enter. Wee'l together: I take my leave. I am your humble servant, Come Master Yongrave. This Gerard is a Gentleman of handsome parts, And they say fortun'd, diligent in's courtship: But it concernes me to be carefull in Disposing of my children. Sir Gervace Simple Sir, is newly entred, His wisdome must be welcome: there's a Knight With Lordships, but no mannors, one that has But newly cast his country skin, came up To see the fashions of the Towne, has crept Into a Knight-hood which he paid for heartily And in his best clothes is suspected for A Gentleman.