Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

NISUS

in Cupid's Revenge — Beaumont, Francis; Fletcher, John

Metadata

PlayCupid's Revenge
AuthorBeaumont, Francis; Fletcher, John
Year (catalogued)1615
First performance1608
Decade1610s
GenreTragedy
Play typeBoys Professional
CompanyChildren of the Queen's Revels
Speech prefix(es)Nis. | Nisus. | Nis: | Nus. | N.
Words608
Characters3102
Typicality0.38 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA06177
BritDrama no.1533
ClusterCluster 3 — Citizens, tradesfolk & neighbors

Important excerpts

Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 3 (numps, numpes, blastfield, wares, parson, nidden…). Matches are highlighted.

acknowledging her own unworthiness, and that she would be our servant. Her daughters a pretty Lady. Come, we stay too long. I cannot tell my Lord Dorialus, though my Own nature hate it, if all determine to be knaves, I'll try what I can do upon my self, thats certain, I will not have my throat cut for my goodness, The virtue will not

Full speech

Idle, why? She's twenty year old, I wonder She ask not a Husband. A hundred times this day if she will; And indeed, every day is such a day, for though The Duke has vowed it only on this day, He keeps it every day: he can deny Her nothing. How Like you this request my Lords? And we abuse the gods once, 'tis a Justice We should be held at hard meat: for my partly, I'll eene make ready for mine own affection, I know the God incensed, must send a hardness Through all good women's hearts, and then we have Brought our eggs and muscadine to a fair market: Would I had gin and 100. poun for a toleration, That I might but use my conscience in mine Own house. I do remember it to my grief, Young Maids were as cold as Cowcumbors, And much of that complexion: Bawds were abolished: and to which misery It must come again. There were no Cuckolds. Well, we had need pray to keep these Devils from us, The times grow mischievous. There he goes, Lord! This is a sacrilege I have not herd of: Would I were gelded, that I might not Feel what follows. This comes of fullness, a sin too frequent with us; I believe now we shall find shorter commons. This ill wind yet may blow the City good, And let them (if they can) get their own children, They have hung long enough in doubt: but howsoe ver, the old way was the surer, then they had'em. You will not, or you do not see the need That makes this joust to the world? Why yes: He being taken away, this base incontinence die presently, and she must see her shame and sorrow for it. I wonder from whence this of the Dwarves first sprung? Is the Prince coming home certainly? Why well I warrant you: did you not mark how humbly she carried her self to us on her marriage day, acknowledging her own unworthiness, and that she would be our servant. Her daughters a pretty Lady. Come, we stay too long. I cannot tell my Lord Dorialus, though my Own nature hate it, if all determine to be knaves, I'll try what I can do upon my self, thats certain, I will not have my throat cut for my goodness, The virtue will not quit the pain. Because he is honest. Have we nothing about our clothes that he may catch at? Does the Prince suffer to day? Yet we must do it, and thank em too, that our lives may be accepted. We will weep for joy sir, farewell. I'll tell you with that little breath I have; More joy then you dare think, The Prince is safe from Danger. As fast as wishes. Yes deadly sin we know you, would we did not. Why, did your Lord ship sleep out the day? Is not this a fine marriage? Madame we must needs win in doing Service to such a gracious Lady. Madam, this noble care and love has wone us For ever to your lives, weel to the King, And since your Grace has put it in our mouths, Wecle win him with the cunningest words we can. Madame, we kiss your hands, and so inspire Nothing but hapinesse can crown our prayers. Will you go see this sad sighed my Lord Agenor? This comes of Chastity. How does your Grace? And a fine Duke, that through his doting age Suffers him to be a child again Under his Wives tuition. I, concerning his being sent I know not whither.

Plot summary

Plot — Cupid's Revenge
Leontius, King of Lycia, promises his daughter Hydaspes anything she asks for on her birthday. She wants him to ban the cult of Cupid in Lycia: the god’s naked statues are to be taken down and burnt, and Cupid-worship to be made a capital offence. Leontius agrees, persuaded that the religion is the cause of national immorality. His nephew Ismenus demurs: he will promulgate the Duke’s orders, but will himself take no hand in obeying them. As his temples are dismantled, Cupid declares vengeance on the kingdom. The Lycian royal family begins to behave with inappropriate amorousness. Hydaspes fixates on Zoilus, a deformed dwarf, and asks to be allowed to marry him; her father’s response is to have him beheaded, and she pines to death. Prince Leucippus falls for Bacha, a strumpet only interested in his wealth and power, but, questioned by his father, denies sexual misbehaviour and praises her virtue and chastity. Leontius is so impressed that he sends Leucippus away ===== PAGE 378 ===== and woos Bacha for himself, affecting youthful clothing and behaviour. Bacha becomes Queen of Lycia. When Leucippus returns to court, Bacha tries to seduce him again. He refuses to cuckold his father, and, annoyed at his refusal, she plots his death; this will leave her daughter Urania as the only heir to the throne. She makes Leontius jealous of his son’s popularity with the people and courtiers, and persuades him that Leucippus is plotting his assassination. The court parasite Timantus tells Leucippus that the King is to discuss his arrest at a council, and arranges to place him where he can eavesdrop and be forewarned of the charges. It is a ruse: Leucippus is arrested and sentenced to death, and Urania is proclaimed heir to the throne. At the execution, the citizens rise in rebellion and rescue the Prince from the scaffold. As Leontius sickens, Bacha schemes to marry Urania to a foreign prince; but she is in love with Leucippus, locates him through the good offices of Ismenus, and follows him posing as a page. Bacha engages Timantus to murder Leucippus. He finds the Prince by intercepting a letter from Ismenus; but his attack fails when Urania interposes her own body and is mortally wounded. Timantus is killed, but reveals her true identity before he dies. Ismenus brings Leucippus news that Leontius is dead. He declares that he will leave Bacha to heaven’s justice, but she stabs him. He dies, bequeathing the throne to Ismenus and enjoining him to reinstate the cult and…