Digital Renaissance Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • Title: Fair Em (Quarto 2, 1631)
  • Editors: Brett Greatley-Hirsch, Kevin A. Quarmby
  • ISBN:

    Copyright Digital Renaissance Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Editors: Brett Greatley-Hirsch, Kevin A. Quarmby
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Fair Em (Quarto 2, 1631)

    of Manchester.
    Bad world, where riches is esteemed aboue them both,
    In whose base eyes nought else is bountifull.
    285A Millers daughter saies the multitude,
    Should not be loued of a gentleman.
    But let them breath their soules into the ayre:
    Yet will I still affect thee as my selfe.
    So thou be constant in thy plighted vow,
    290But here comes one, I will listen to his talke.
    Enter Valingford at another dore, disguised. Manuile staies
    Valingford. Goe William Conqueror and seeke thy loue. hiding him-
    Seeke thou a mynion in a forren land selfe.
    Whilest I draw backe and court my loue at home,
    295The Millers daughter of faire Manchester
    Hath bound my feet to this delightsome soyle:
    And from her eyes do dart such golden beames,
    That holds my heart in her subiection.
    Manuile, He ruminates on my beloued choyce:
    300God grant he come not to preuent my hope.
    But heres another, him yle listen to.
    Enter Mountney disguised at another dore.
    L. Mountney. Nature vniust, in vtterance of thy art,
    To grace a pesant with a Princes fame:
    305Pesant am I so to mis-terme my loue
    Although a Millers daughter by her birth:
    Yet may her beautie and her vertues well suffice
    To hide the blemish of her birth in hell,
    Where neither enuious eyes nor thought can pierce,
    310But endlesse darknesse euer smother it.
    Goe William Conqueror and seeke thy loue,
    Whilest I draw backe and court mine owne the while:
    Decking her bodie with such costly robes
    As may become her beauties worthinesse,
    315That so thy labours may be laughed to scorne,
    And she thou seekest in forraine regions,
    Be darkned and eclipst when she arriues,
    By one that I haue chosen neerer home.
    Manuile.
    B 2