Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 3 (numps, numpes, blastfield, wares, parson, nidden…). Matches are highlighted.
gods exceeds them all. What reason moves thee and Assyrian born. To bear such rancour to thy country soil. Inform the king certainly I will, Oh Persians truly fortunate are you, Under subjection of so sweet a prince, That measures all the actions of his life, By mercy, justice, and respect of right. It seems the Assyrian prince
Full speech
The Medians that did enforce the fight, and seconded the Persian men at arms, Allot to them six hundred arming coats. And truth Chrisantas you know well, That bows and quivers gree with archers best, Cyrus himself you see refuseth gold, And only seeks to make his fellows rich, what rests amid the conquered spoils, wherein his highness may be gratified? And here is a tent, though far from such a tent, This shall be mine, the owner's fled or slain, Thy habit shows thou art and enemy, And we may suspect thou meanest but ill, Therefore if thou wilt yield unarm thy self, And we will bring thee unto Cyrus tent. How haughty minded is this conquered man, Cyrus shall know upon what terms he stands. Assyrian captain as thou love thy life, Stand not upon thy guard, but yield to us. Chrisantas, when I look into the life, The manners deeds, and qualities of mind, The graveness power, and imperial parts, wherewith young Cyrus is so full adorned, My thoughts foresee that he is ordained of God, To enlarge the limits of the Persian reign. And of the sundry virtues that abounds Daily increasing in her princely breast, Religion to the gods exceeds them all. What reason moves thee and Assyrian born. To bear such rancour to thy country soil. Inform the king certainly I will, Oh Persians truly fortunate are you, Under subjection of so sweet a prince, That measures all the actions of his life, By mercy, justice, and respect of right. It seems the Assyrian prince hath injured this man, with some notorious great indignity. Happy were I if Alexandra please. And wrath of princes, what is it but death? Araspas on my honour make a proof, And never shun the presence of our Lord, A prince he is most mild and merciful, Soon mollified with vows and penitence, And though with great impatience he endure, Your threatened violence to the Susan Queen, Yet your submission and desire of grace, Will pierce him with compassion of your suit, And purchase pardon at his royal hands. And doubt not but of Cyrus you shall find, A pitiful and passing gracious prince. My Lord Araspas in the Assyrian arms, Does crave success unto your Majesty. Nay it belongs unto a Persian. I served Astiages your highness sire. But if a stranger may deserve the place, I hope my serving merits it my lord. Pardon me Cyrus though I do repine, why should we draw lots for our proper right?
Plot summary
Plot — The Wars of Cyrus, King of Persia
Cyrus has conquered the rulers of Lydia, Arabia, and Assyria, and now he divides the spoils with his men, accepting none for himself. Unwilling to serve the new King of Assyria, who murdered his son, Gobryas defects to Cyrus and is given a command in his army. Panthea is taken captive: the Persians propose to present her to Cyrus, but she is faithful to her husband, Abradatas, and Cyrus refuses the temptation to love her. Appointed Panthea’s keeper, Araspas falls in love with her. When she rejects him, he resorts to magic; but the charm fails, and she reports him to Cyrus. Antiochus, the new King of Assyria, seeks revenge on Cyrus for his father’s death, and sends Ctesiphon as a feigned defector to the Persian camp. He also has vengeful designs on Gobryas’ daughter, Alexandra, but she swaps clothes with her page Libanio, who persuades Antiochus to hold ‘her’ hostage while ‘her page’ goes to persuade Gobryas to return. However, these plans go awry: Ctesiphon is so impressed with Cyrus that he renounces Antiochus’ sovereignty, confesses his former King’s plot, and offers to kill him; and when Dinon attempts to seduce the false Alexandra, ‘she’ sings him to sleep, kills him, and absconds to the Persian camp. Gobryas randomly selects a Persian husband for his daughter using the custom of blindfold turf-throwing; the clod lands on Hystaspas. Cyrus sends Ctesiphon back to Antiochus with a letter purportedly offering peace terms; in fact, it tells the Assyrian king of Ctesiphon’s treachery, and the would-be murderer is executed. Though Araspas is pardoned when he confesses the impropriety of his amorous behaviour, Cyrus persuades him to pretend to desert in fear of his wrath, and sends him to Babylon to spy on the Assyrians. Panthea persuades Cyrus to send for her husband Abradatas, who defects to the Persians because Antiochus attempted to seduce her. Araspas returns with news of Antiochus’ preparations for battle, and the Persians draw lots for the honour of leading the vanguard. Abradatas wins, and goes into battle. Panthea prays to Bellona for his safety, but he is killed. The grieving Panthea kills herself, leaving Cyrus to promise them both a worthy funeral.