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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    The Millers daughter
    680Thus stands the case: Thou knowest from England
    Hither came with me Robert of Windsor, a noble man at Armes,
    Lustie and valiant, in spring time of his yeares,
    No maruell then though he proue amorous.
    Mariana. true my Lord, he came to see faire Blanch.
    685Lubeck. No Mariana, that is not it.
    His loue to Blanch was then extinct
    When first he saw thy face
    Tis thee he loues: yea, thou art onely shee
    That is maistris and commander of his thoughts.
    690Mariana. Well, well, my Lord, I like you, for such drifts
    Put silly Ladies often to their shifts,
    Oft haue I heard you say, you loued me well:
    Yea, sworne the same, and I beleeued you to.
    Can this be found an action of good faith,
    695Thus to dissemble where you found true loue?
    Lubeck. Mariana, I not dissemble on mine honour:
    Nor failes my faith to thee. But for my friend,
    For princely William, by whom thou shalt possesse
    The title of estate and Maiestie,
    700Fitting thy loue and vertues of thy minde,
    For him I speake, for him do I intreat,
    And with thy fauour fully do resigne
    To him the claime and interest of my loue.
    Sweet Mariana then denie mee not.
    705Loue William, loue my friend and honour mee
    Who else is cleane dishonoured by thy meanes.
    Mariana, Borne to mishap, my selfe am onely shee,
    On whome the Sunne of fortune neuer shined:
    But Planets rulde by retrogarde aspect,
    710Foretold mine ill in my natiuitie.
    Lubeck. Sweet Ladie cease, let my intreatie serue
    To pacifie the passion of thy griefe,
    Which well I know proceeds of ardent loue.
    Mariana. But Lubeck now regards not Mariana.
    715Lubeck. Euen as my life, so loue I Mariana.
    Mariana.