Informers are ye common shore of a citty, nothing falls amisse unto them: they
can eate men alive and digest them, they have their conscience in a string and
can stifle it at their pleasure, ye devil's iourny-men, set up for themselves,
and keepe a damnation house of their owne. they
are F agents for ye devil in their life time; and if they die, have this priviledge
to bee sonns of hell by adoption, and take place of seriants.
By Gasparo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1),
Philip Massinger
in British Library Additional MS 22608, f. 80r
A raw young fellow never traind in arms but
rather fashioned to tilt with ladyes lips, then
crack a launce, ravish a feather from a mistresse fan and weare it as a favor a steele hel
met will cracke his necke:
By Timagoras,
in The Bondman (1.1.50-56),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 5v
twere impertinence to
wish you to be carefull of your honour that ever
keepe in pay a guard of faithfull vertues about you =
By Timagoras,
in The Bondman (2.1.55-57),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 7r
I never conversed you further then might
become a brother I nere tuned loose notes to your
chast eares or brought rich presents for my ar
tillery to batter downe the fortresse of your honor
nor endeavored to make your blood to run high at
solemne feasts with viands the speeding Philtres
I workt no bawdes to tempt you
By Leosthenes,
in The Bondman (2.1.124-131),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 7r
honest simplicity
and truth were all the agents I employed and
when I came to see you it was with that reverence
I beheld the alters of the gods and love that
came along with mee was taught to leave his
arrowes and his torch behind quenched in my
feare to give offence:
By Leosthenes,
in The Bondman (2.1.134-139),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 7r
his grave discours
in one no more indebted unto yeares amazes
such as heare him horsman and skill and weapons are familiar to him as for knowledg e
in musicke he needs it not being borne
with him all that he speakes being with suc h
grace delivered that it makes perfit harmonie
By Carolo Charomonte,
in The Great Duke of Florence (1.1.32-49),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 21v
The rarest beauties Italy can boast are
But meere shadows to her shee the sub
stance of all perfections and what in= creases the wonder her bodys matchles
forme is betterd by the purnes of her
soule such sweete discourse such ravi
shing behaviour such charming language
such inchanting manners with a sim
plicity that shames all courtship
By Contarino,
in The Great Duke of Florence (2.1.118-125),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 22v
Hee hath some drops of the kings blood run
ning in his veines, derivd some ten degrees
of his revenue lyes in a narrow compasse
the kings eare and yeelds him every houre
a fruitfull harvest men may talke of 3 crop s
in a yeere in the fortunate Islands, or pro
fit made by wooll, but while there are suitors
his sheep shearing nay shunning to the quicke
is in every quarter,
By Astutio,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.23-31),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
you beleevd the taking of the wall a
tribute due to your gaudy cloathes
and could not walke at midnight
without a causles quarrell, as if men
of courser outsides were bound to beare
your affronts,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.94-99),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
The soveraigne meanes to teach irregu
lar heires civillity is 2 or 3 sound beatings
youth and heate of bloud in your intrepretation may both pleade and me
diate for him,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.102-104),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
let sycophants that feede upon your
favours stile coldnes caution, and pre
fer your case before your honour and
conclude to eate and sleepe supinely.
is the end of humane blessings: I must
tell you Sr vertue if not in action is a
vice when we move not forward we goe
backward, nor is this peace (the nurse
of drones and cowards) our health but
our disease
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.181-189),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
Thinke not our councells built upon soe
weake a base as to be overturned or sha
ken with tempestuous winds of words
As I before resolvd you, I will not engage
my person in this quarrell neither
Press my subjects to maintaine it yet to show
my rule is gentle, Since these gallants weary
of the happynes of peace, desire to tast the
bitter sweets of warr, we do consent as volunteeres they may make tryall of their force
By Roberto,
in The Maid of Honour (1.1.244-257),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
This is a suttor whose sweet presence court
ship and language would have staggred
the chast Penelope and did not modesty
forbid it I should aske that from him hee
sues to me for,
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.61-65),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
If forcing this sweete favor from your
lips faire madam argue mee of to much
boldnes when you are pleased to under
stand I take a parting kiss if not excuse
The offence
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.74-85),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
Re. An: Re.
the consciousnes
of my owne wants alas Sir we like parallels never meet in one center
your birth (without addition) were
an ample dowry for owne of fairer
fortunes and this shape were you ignoble
farre above all value to this so cleare a
minde so furnisht with harmonious facul
ties molded from heaven that though you
were Thersites in your features of no des
cent and Irus in your fortunes Ulisses like
you would force all eyes and eares to love
But seene and when heard wonder at
Your matchles story but all these bound
up together in one volume give me leave
with admiration to looke upon ‘em but
not presume in my owne flattering hopes
I may or can enjoy them
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.120-144),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
An: Re. An:
true love should walke
on equall feete in us it does not Sr but rest assu
red expecting this I shall be devoted to your
service
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (1.2.157-167),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 23v
Ime as little bound to serve your peremptorie will as she to obey your summons
twill become you Sir to waite her leisure
then her pleasure knowne you may pre
sent your duty,
By Adorni,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.56-60),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
I must tell you Sr in plaine language how
ere your glittering outside promise gentry
The rudnes of your carriage and behavior
speakes you a courser thing
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.72-74),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Hee has the worst report among good men
I ever heard of for bribery and extortion
in there prayers widows and orphans
Curse him for a canker and caterpillar
in their state
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.90-94),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
This harsh education must serve as a foyle
To the well tund observance and respect
you will hereafter pay mee being made
familiar with my purpose
By Fulgentio,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.102-105),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
what might be
The motives inducin you to leave the free-dome of a batchelors life on your soft necke to were the stubborne yoke of marriage
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.111-114),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Ime doubtfull whether you are a man Since for your shape trimd up in ladyes dress
ings you might passe for a woman your faire
complexion is dull and faint
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (2.2.137-143),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Temper your heate and loose not by to sudden
rashnes that which be but patient will be offred
to you, securitie ushers ruine proud contempt
of an enemy three parts vanquisht with desire
and greediness of spoyle have often wrested a
certaine victory from the conquerors gripe
discretion is the tutor to the warre valour the
puple and when we command with levity
and your directions followed with cheerfullness
A prosperous end must crowne our works well
undertaken
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.3.11-22),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
fortunes false smiles deprive you
of your judgments the condition of our affaires
exacts a double care and like befronted Janus
we must looke backward as well as forward
tho a flattering calme bids us urge on a sudden
Tempest raised not feared much less expected in our
reare may fouly fall upon us and distract us
to our confusion,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.3.23-31),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
This must be prevented not disputed your
Estridge plumes that but in now like quils of
Porcupines seemde to threaten the starres drop
at the rumor of a showre and like to captive
colours sweepe the earth, great mindes are never but in great dangers proude shall a few
loose troopes untrained but in a customarie
ostentation presented as a sacrifice to your va
lours cause a direction in you,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.3.38-48),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
No aides from Cicilie hath hope forsooke us and
that vaine comfort to afliction pitty by our vow
de freind denyed us we cannot live nor dye
with honour like beasts in a toyle we waite the
leisure of the bloody hunter who is not so farr
reconciled unto us as in one death to give a
period to our calamities but in delaying the
fate we cannot flie from starved with want
we dye to night to live againe to morrow and
Suffer greater torments
By Ferdinand,
in The Maid of Honour (2.4.1-11),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
to
To be ore come deserves no shame if you had
fallen ingloriously or could have accused
your want of courage in resistance twere to
be lamented,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.5.34-37),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Valor imployed in an ill quarrel turnes
to cowardice and vertue then puts on
fowle vices vizard this is that which can= cells all freindships bands,
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (2.5.88-91),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Delicates prepared by median cookes for
Epicures when not our owne are bitter
guilts filled high with gossamire and roses
cannot yeeld the body soft repose the minde
kept waking with anguish and afliction
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (3.1.103-107),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
tell him Ile were these fetters till my flesh and
they be incorporated in my selfe as in a glas
Ile looke on humane frailtie and curse the
height of royall bloud since I in being borne
neere to Jove am nearest thunder,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (3.1.189-194),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Which of my hath begot and nourished this
more then rude presumption, couldst thou
suppose my innocence could ever fall so low
as to have neede of thy rash sword to gaurd it
against malicious slander
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.46-53),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
But that forto owe a curtesie to a simple virgin
would take from the deserving I find in mee
some sparks of fire which fanned with honours
breath might rise into a flame and in men
dearken their usurped splendor
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.157-162),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
he is a man
I know that a reverend distance loves me
and such are ever faithfull what a sea of mel
ting Ice I walke on what strange censures
am I to undergoe but good intents deride
all future rumors,
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.166-172),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
To doubt your ready desire to serve me or
prepare you with the repetition of former
merrits would in my diffidence rong you but
I will and without circumstance in the trust
that I impose upon you free you from suspition,
By Camiola,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.177-182),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
if loyallty can finde a recompense beyond
hope or immagination let it fall on me in
The other world as a reward for in this I
Dare not hope it
By Adorni,
in The Maid of Honour (3.3.219-222),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
you shall heare from me such strong as
surance of his unlimmitted desires to
serve you as will I hope drowne in
forgetfullnes the memorie of what is
past,
By Astutio,
in The Maid of Honour (4.2.16-20),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
his face speakes him = = = but some glorious
Angell concealing its devinitie in his shape
hath done this miracle it being not an
act for wolvish man,
Resolve me if thou looke for bent knees in
adoration,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.54-59),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
shee in the
Abstract of her selfe containes What is
or can be whish in the Idea of a woman
O what service or dutie can I pay her
if not to live and dye her charities slave
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.73-78),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
collect all oathes and imprecations whos
least breath is damnation and those
ministred to mee in a forme more dreadfull, set heaven and hell before me Ile
take em
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.95-98),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
Devine Cam: but words cannot express thee
Ile build to thee an alter in my soule on
which Ile offer a still increasing sacrifice
of duty,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.3.109-112),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
An:
Graet mindes for triall of their valours oft maintaine quarrels unjust yet without malice
such a faire construction I make of him Ide see
him
By Aurelia,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.37-42),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
I know no man enamoured of his fetters or
delighting in cold and hunger or that wold
in reason prefer straw in a dungeon before
a downe bed in a palace,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.78-82),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
should those cheekes
of lovely fullnes be made prey to megre
famine or those eyes whose every glance
stores cupids emptyde quiver be dimed with
tedious watching, those lips those rubie lips
of whose fresh colour cherries and roses of
were but coppies should grow pale for want
of nectar or those legs that beare a burthen
of more worth then is supported by Atlas
wearied shouldiers should be crampt with
the weight of Iron I could dwell ever on this
discription,
By Bertoldo,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.89-99),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
An:
let not Sr the violence
of my passions nourish in you an ill opinion
or grant my carriage out of the roade or
common garbe of private women, Tis still
done with decorum as I am a princes what
I doe is above censure and to be immitated
By Aurelia,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.122-132),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v
The reverence and maiestie of Juno shind
In her lookes and coming to the campe
appeared a second palace, I can see no
such devinitie in you if without offence
I may speake my thoughts
By Gonzaga,
in The Maid of Honour (4.4.),
Philip Massinger
in Folger MS V.a.87, f. 26v