Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

GRACCULO

in The Bondman (The Noble Bondman) — Massinger, Philip

Metadata

PlayThe Bondman (The Noble Bondman)
AuthorMassinger, Philip
Year (catalogued)1624
First performance1623
Decade1620s
GenreTragicomedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyLady Elizabeth's Men
TheaterPhoenix/Cockpit;Indoor Professional
Speech prefix(es)Gracculo. | Gracc. | Grac.
Words953
Characters5049
Typicality0.48 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07234
BritDrama no.2074
ClusterCluster 0 — Clowns, beggars & street sellers

Important excerpts

Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 0 (shillings, tom, guts, mutton, wares, dan…). Matches are highlighted.

speak for all. Nothing. You may see We are prepared for hanging, and confess We have deserved it. Our most humble suit is We may not twice be executed. Oh, I would dance Capers. As I were all air, and fire. As his Spaniel, Though he kicked me for exercise, and the Like I promise for all the rest. This is gross, Not find she flouts
marks are out of their mouths, they have none, They hardly can get salt enough to keep they From stinking above ground. They are Devils to us, I am sure. In abundance. Your Lord, that feels no ach in his chine at twenty, Forfeits his privilege, how should their Chirurgeon built else, Or ride on their Foot-clothes? Would I had
Foot-clothes? Would I had Lands, Or money to buy a place; and if I did not Sleep on the Bench, with the drowsiest of'em, play with my Chain, Look on my Watch, when my guts chimed twelve, and wear A state Beard, with my Barbers help, rank with they, In their most choice peculiar gifts; degrade me And put me to drink Water again, which
know their insides: Here's and ill-faced fellow, (But that will not be seen in a dark Shop,) If he did not in a month, learn to outswear, In the selling of his Wares, the cunningest Tradesman In Syracyse, I have no skill; Here's another, Observe but what a cosening look he has, (Hold up thy head, man) if for drawing Gallants
patent; pass the rest, they'll all make Sufficient Becos, and with their brow-antlets Bear up the Cap of maintenance. Do any thing, To burn a Church or two, and dance by the light on't Were but a May-game. Well said Venus, I am sure she Vulcan's him. So I do, Sir, Your looks are Agues to me. Plague on his mirth, I am sure I

Full speech

Indeed, You are no sooner out of sighed, but she Does feel strange qualms, then sends for her young Doctor Who ministers physic to her, on her back, Her Ladyship lying as she were enthranced. (I have peeped in at the key hold and observed them) And sure his Potions never fail to work, For she is so pleasant, in the taking them She tickles again. I feel a woman's longing. And the proud young fool My Master: If this take, I'll hamper him. Come on, Sir. How dost thou Like Thy Ladyship Zanthia? Give me thy hand; Let us Like conquering Roman walk in triumph, Our captives following. Then mount our Tribunals, And make the slaves our footstools. This is state indeed. It's justice; Oh here come more. Enter Cymbrio, Cleon, Poliphron, Olympiam. Cut his throat then, And hang him out for a scarecrow. Agreed, for I have thought of A most triumphant one, which shall express, we are Lords, and these our slaves. No, here's Jane of Apes shall serve; Carry your body swimming: where's the Music? Begin then sprightly. A good motion, We'll have nothing private. Nor superior, Nay, if you are Lyon-drunke, I will make one, For lightly ever he that parts the fray, Goes away with the blows. How could we be Lords else? Every man Seek a convenient Tree, and hang himself. You led us on. And we expect it. Some such things We were in men remembrance; the slaves are turned Lords of the Town, or so; nay, be not angry: Perhaps on good terms, giving security, You will be quiet men, we may allow you Some lodgings in our Garrets, or outhouses; Your great looks cannot carry it. Rifled your Chests, Been busy with your Wardrobes. A Caudle, for the Gentleman, Hee'll die a the pip else. That, as please the Fates, But we vouchsafe; speak Captain. And not leave One house unfired. Oh my heart! Fly, they follow; Oh, we shall be tormented: Give me leave, I'll speak for all. Nothing. You may see We are prepared for hanging, and confess We have deserved it. Our most humble suit is We may not twice be executed. Oh, I would dance Capers. As I were all air, and fire. As his Spaniel, Though he kicked me for exercise, and the Like I promise for all the rest. This is gross, Not find she flouts him. This is no cunning quean! slight, she will make him To think, that Like a Stag he has cast his homes, And is grown young again. 'Twas in his sleep, For waking I durst trust my Mother with him. Well. A Cart-rope Shall not bind me at home. Hold, good young Master, For pities sake. Do not roar, Sir, As you are a valiant beast: but do you know Why you use me thus? We look for no waiters; this is Wine. But if they find, we taste it, We are all damned to the quarry, during life, Without hope of redemption. And I, To loath base water: I would be hanged in peace now, For one month of such Holy-days. Nor Whores, whose marks are out of their mouths, they have none, They hardly can get salt enough to keep they From stinking above ground. They are Devils to us, I am sure. In abundance. Your Lord, that feels no ach in his chine at twenty, Forfeits his privilege, how should their Chirurgeon built else, Or ride on their Foot-clothes? Would I had Lands, Or money to buy a place; and if I did not Sleep on the Bench, with the drowsiest of'em, play with my Chain, Look on my Watch, when my guts chimed twelve, and wear A state Beard, with my Barbers help, rank with they, In their most choice peculiar gifts; degrade me And put me to drink Water again, which (now I have tasted Wine) were poison. Hum: the fools are modest, I know their insides: Here's and ill-faced fellow, (But that will not be seen in a dark Shop,) If he did not in a month, learn to outswear, In the selling of his Wares, the cunningest Tradesman In Syracyse, I have no skill; Here's another, Observe but what a cosening look he has, (Hold up thy head, man) if for drawing Gallants Into mortgages for Commodities, cheating Heirs With your new counterfeit Gold thread, and gummed Velvets, He does not transcend all that went before him, Call in his patent; pass the rest, they'll all make Sufficient Becos, and with their brow-antlets Bear up the Cap of maintenance. Do any thing, To burn a Church or two, and dance by the light on't Were but a May-game. Well said Venus, I am sure she Vulcan's him. So I do, Sir, Your looks are Agues to me. Plague on his mirth, I am sure I mourn for't. I thank him for't. I say, Sir, I'll teach him to hold his heals, If you will rule your fingers. I am bruised to jelly; better be a dog, Then slave to a Fool or Coward. Here's a second show Of the Family of pride. This is the first good turn, She ever did me. Exit Gracculo. Do you grumble? you were ever A brainless Ass, but if this hold, I'll teach you To come aloft, and do tricks Like and Ape Your morning's lesson: if you miss — What for the Carthaginians? a good beast. What for our self your Lord? exceeding well. Dances. There's your reward. Not kiss your paw? So, so, so. I'll have and Apple for Jack, and may be some scraps May fallen to your share Exeunt Gracculo, Zanthia, Cymbrio, Poliphron, Olympiam.

Plot summary

Plot — The Bondman (The Noble Bondman)
Carthage has territorial designs on Sicily, so Corinth sends its general, Timoleon, to take charge of the defence of Syracuse. On arrival, he criticizes the Sicilians for appointing unworthy and inexperienced senators and for general corruption. He decrees that all private wealth should be sequestered to pay for the war. It is an unpopular measure until Cleora public- spiritedly gives up her jewels, forcing the others to follow her example. Cleora has several suitors, including Pisander of Thebes; but her brother Timagoras, keen for her to marry his friend Leosthenes, slandered Pisander to induce their father to send him away. Now that the young men are going to war, Leosthenes is jealous about what she may get up to in his absence, so she promises literally not to see or say anything until his return. The slaves of Syracuse take advantage of the absence of the army and rebel, enslaving their former masters. The ringleader is Cleora’s slave Marullo, who claims to be motivated by unrequited passion for his mistress, but, when he gains access to her, disclaims any intention of raping her and receives in return a wordless acknowledgement of her regard for him. He encourages the former slaves to treat their former masters well, since their positions may again be reversed. News arrives of a victory over the Carthaginians, with particular military distinction achieved by Leosthenes. The rebellious slaves man the city’s walls and gates to keep out the returning army; from the walls, Marullo declares their grievances and demands their freedom. Timoleon realizes they will have to fight their way into the city, but the slaves put up a valiant resistance until cowed by the sight of their masters’ whips. Marullo flees to Cleora’s house, where he is captured. Cleora tells Leosthenes what happened, and asks him to use his influence to have Marullo spared, but this only makes Leosthenes jealous again. Cleora’s father gives her freedom to choose her own husband; he respects Marullo for his restraint in not ransacking the house during the revolt. Cleora realizes she must marry either Leosthenes or Marullo: both are worthy of her, but she is bound to disappoint one. On hearing that Marullo has been ill-treated by his captors, she rushes off to visit him in prison. Leosthenes and Timagoras follow, alerted by her maid, and find them alone together. Timagoras tries to kill Marullo, but is prevented, Timoleon is appointed to try Marullo’s case. Leosthenes and Marullo both…