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 unassigned nearest T11 Siblings, kin and confidants · 485 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T11: sister, brother, love, friend, heart, father, mother, woman, lord, hear.
And can it be, you could do less, that love him As well as I, to see him made my husband, Would it not make you melancholy sister, And oft retire into the dark to weep, Could you behold us freely kiss, embrace And go to bed together, remembering that You gave this friend to me from your own Heart, and live? Why let me die then, Rather than you, I shall perhaps obtain Some charitable Epitaph, to tell The world, I died to save my sister's life; 'tis no such thing to die. This is again Our misery, it is not in our power Be resignation, to assure to either His love, he only must determine it, we cannot guide his passion. Nor himself Direct it, as he now appears divided, May be, it would be fortunate for both, Would he be more particular. That makes Our flame increase, that he protests he loves Us both, so equally. 'Tis very strange. Let us then join our argument to persuade him, To point out one of us to be his Bride, Tother in time, may hope to gain her freedom; I know not what I say— we both must plead Against ourselves: see, he is come already. The scales are even still, that one had less Perfection, to make the doubtful balance Give difference in their value; but I wrong Their virtues to wish either any want, That equally incline my soul to love 'em. justice I now consent, thou shouldst be blind, My eyes are but the cause I cannot see, And will not give my judgement leave to make Distinction of these two Democritus, I do allow thy rashness, ad confess Than thou didst rectify thy contemplation When thou didst lose thy sight. Which of these two Instruct me love, that other? both? what fate Hovers about my choice? Were it not sin I would be blind, as Poets fancy love, Into whom now I am transformed, that then My soul not looking through these glasses, might With inward speculation aim at her, That is the happiest, if one can be so. Sir, if we be not troublesome— You cannot. To interrupt your meditations, we have a suit. Both? it must needs be granted, Nor let us suffer in our modesties, If our request seem strange. 'tis a command, And I must needs obey; you two divide this Empires You prepare; we dispute not The strangeness of your love, but pity it, And are so ready in our own affection To answer your opinion of us both, That if you can collect, what divide On two, and place it fairly upon one, Choose whom you will make happy. We expect not Your hasty answer, though we both desire A swift end to your trouble. I pray stay. I would determine now, but cannot— fair ones, Was ever lover so perplexed? I must resolve.
seed 43: T15 · seed 44: T12 — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
And can it be, you could doe lesse, that love him As well as I, to see him made my husband, Would it not make you melancholy sister, And ofte retire into the darke to weepe, Could you behold us freely kisse, embrace And goe to bed together, remembring that You gave this friend to me from your owne Heart, and live? Why let me dye then, Rather than you, I shall perhaps obtaine Some charitable Epitaph, to tell The world, I died to save my sisters life; Tis no such thing to dye. This is agen Our misery, it is not in our power Be resignation, to assure to either His love, he only must determine it▪ Wee cannot guide his passion. Nor himselfe Direct it, as he now appeares divided, May be, it would be fortunate for both, Would he be more particular. That makes Our flame increase, that he protests he loves Vs both, so equally. 'Tis very strange. Let us then joyne our argument to perswade him, To point out one of us to be his Bride, Tother in time, may hope to gaine her freedome; I know not what I say—we both must plead Against our selves: see, he is come already. The scales are even still, that one had lesse Perfection, to make the doubtfull ballance Give difference in their value; but I wrong Their vertues to wish either any want, That equally incline my soule to love 'em. Iustice I now consent, thou shouldst be blinde, My eyes are but the cause I cannot see, And will not give my judgement leave to make Distinction of these two Democritus, I doe allow thy rashnesse, ad confesse Then thou didst rectifie thy contemplation When thou didst lose thy sight. Which of these two Instruct me love, that tother? both? what fate Hovers about my choice? Were it not sinne I would be blind, as Poets fancie love, Into whom now I am transform'd, that then My soule not looking through these glasses, might With inward speculation ayme at her, That is the happiest, if one can be so. Sir, if wee be not troublesome— You cannot. To interrupt your meditations, wee have a sute. Both? it must needes be granted, Nor let us suffer in our modesties, If our request seeme strange. Tis a command, And I must needes obey; you two divide this Empires You prepare; we dispute not The strangenesse of your love, but pitty it, And are so ready in our owne affection To answer your opinion of us both, That if you can collect, what devide On two, and place it fairely upon one, Choose whom you will make happie. We expect not Your hasty answer, though wee both desire A swift end to your trouble. I pray stay. I would determine now, but cannot—faire ones, Was ever lover so perplext? I must resolve.