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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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    Whose strength subdues me more than all the world.
    Valingford. We goe and wish thee priuate conference,
    Publicke affects in this accustomed peace.
    35Exit all but William and the Marques.
    William. Now Marques must a Conqueror at armes
    Disclose himselfe thrald to vnarmed thoughts,
    And threatned of a shaddow, yeeld to lust:
    No sooner had my sparkeling eyes beheld
    40The flames of beautie blasing on this peece,
    But suddenly a sence of myracle
    Imagined on thy louely Maistres face,
    Made mee abandon bodily regard,
    And cast all pleasures on my wounded soule:
    45Then gentle Marques tell me what she is,
    That thus thou honourest on thy warlike shield:
    And if thy loue and interest be such,
    As iustly may giue place to mine,
    That if it be: my soule with honors wings
    50May fly into the bosome of my deare.
    If not, close them and stoope into my graue.
    Marques. If this be all renowned Conquero:
    Aduance your drooping spirits, and reuiue
    The wonted courage of your Conquering minde,
    55For this faire picture painted on my shield
    Is the true counterfeit of louelie Blanch
    Princes and daughter to the King of Danes:
    Whose beautie and excesse of ornaments
    Deserues another manner of defence
    60Pompe and high person to attend her state
    Than Marques Lubeck any way presents:
    Therefore her vertues I resigne ro thee,
    Alreadie shrind in thy religious brest,
    To be aduanced and honoured to the full.
    65Nor beare I this an argument of loue:
    But to renowne faire Blanch my Soueraignes Childe,
    In euerie place where I by armes may doe it.
    William