No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
Marry we will all to the eighteen pence Ordinary, how say you Gentlemen? Even as the Eagle soars against the sun, And spite of Phœbus shine, pries in his face: Even as the swordfish meets the mighty Whale, And puts the hugy monster to disgrace, So Emnius thoughts intending to aspire Soar gainst the sun, and fleet in wrathful ire: The Duke the sun that dazzles Emnius eyes, The Duke the hugy Whale that overbears me, But I will gaze and blind him too ere long, And play the swordfish though he little fears me. The less suspected sooner shall I strike him, And this my reason is for I mislike him His Daughter with enticing words is won mine own, But I disdain her were she fairer far: Tush 'tis for rule I cast and Princely throne, The state of Prince, brighter than brightest star. And who does hinder Emnius but the Duke? And therefore who should perish but the Duke? Shortly a solemn hunting he intends, And who but I S put in chie est trust? Well I'll be trusty if my Pistol hold, In love and kingdoms Jove will prove unjust. He dead, I wed his Heir and only Daughter, And so shall win a Crown by one men slaughter. Suppose he have been kind, liberal and free, Why I confess it, but its my desire, To be as able to bestow as he, And till I can my heart consumes in fire. Oh sovereign glory, chiefest earthly good, A Crown! to which who would not wade through blood. Then ruthless of his life do I resolve. To wait my time till I have wrought his end, He die, the Duke shall die, and Emnius reign, Were he my father or a dearer friend. Tears shall not hinder, prayers shall not entreat me, But in his throne by blood I soon will seat me. I have a Dag not for your Majesty. My honourable Lord, the train attends, All things are ready for your highness sport: And I am sent from other of estate. To pray your Grace to hast your wonted presence. Say on my Honourable Lord to me. Die on the traitor, and prepare his graven, Before he should one thought of comfort have. A Dag my Lord? True my most Gracious Lord. I would regard no hight to claim the fruit That should content me, but attempt to climb The highest top of hight, or fallen to death, Alone and naked to obtain my will. Only my sword my Lord, that is my rest, My resolution to defend your Grace. Gainst beasts my Lord does Emnius Like to deal, He is not so beastly and abominate, As he delights to joy in treachery, welcome my death, desertful I confess, Heavens Pardon my intent, your highness bless. Oh that same Cobbling Rogue that raving runs, And madding aims at every hid intent, Revealed this practice, but I'll stab the slave, and he once dead the Dukes death will I have.
Plot summary
Plot — The Cobbler's Prophecy
Security has bred social ills in Boeotia, including impiety and disrespect for age. Meanwhile Venus scandalizes heaven with her adulterous liaison with Mars. Mercury selects Ralph Cobbler at random to prophesy to both Mars and Boeotia, and strikes his wife Zelota mad. A courtier, landlord, scholar, and soldier debate the relative merits of their different estates; Sateros the soldier, who is seeking employment from Mars, is obviously the worthiest. He visits the Muses to seek directions to Mars’s court, while Ralph tries to ride there with Charon. On arrival, they are sent on to Venus’ court by a dangerous route, and find Mars engaged in sexual dalliance with Venus. Mars recommends Sateros to the Duke of Boeotia, but is ===== PAGE 168 ===== infuriated by Ralph’s prophecy and quarrels with Venus. When he learns that she has another sexual partner, Contempt, he becomes jealous and misogynistic, and returns to his proper concern with warfare. Venus bears Contempt’s illegitimate child, Ruina. She is deprived of her godhead and banished from heaven; Contempt also abandons her. The Duke hires Sateros and learns from Ralph that the courtier Emnius is plotting to assassinate him while they are out hunting. Under questioning, Emnius confesses, but pretends to repent under threat of being shot with his own pistol. Spared but determined to take revenge, he assaults Ralph and is stabbed to death by mad Zelota. Both Ralph and Zelota are imprisoned for the killing. Boeotia is invaded by foreign powers, and Sateros musters the army; prisoners, including Ralph, are released to serve as soldiers. The invasion is understood to be a punishment from the gods for disregarding Ralph’s prophecies, and in penance the Duke has Contempt’s cabin burnt. News arrives of victory, granted by the gods. Ralph returns to shoemaking, Zelota is cured and pardoned, and Sateros and the scholar unite in support of the Duke’s regime.