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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    of Manchester.
    1355I so detest the dealing of their sex,
    As that I count a louers state to be the base
    And vildest slauerie in the world.
    Demarch. What humors are these? heres a strange alteration.
    Zweno. See Duke William, is this Blanch or no?
    1360You know her, if you see her I am sure.
    William. Zweno I was deceiued, yea vtterly deceiued,
    Yet this is shee: this same is Ladie Blanch.
    And for mine error, here I am content
    To do whatsoeuer Zweno shall set downe.
    1365Ah cruell Mariana thus to vse
    The man which loued and honoured thee with his heart.
    Mariana. When first I came into your highnesse court,
    And William often importing me of loue:
    I did deuise to ease the griefe your daughter did sustain:
    1370Shee should meete Sir William masked as I it were.
    This put in proofe, did take so good effect,
    As yet it seemes his grace is not resolued,
    But it was I which he conueid away.
    William. May this be true? It cannot be but true.
    1375Was it Ladie Blanch which I conueid away?
    Vnconstant Mariana,
    Thus to deale with him which meant to thee nought but faith.
    Blanch. Pardon deere father my follies that are past,
    Wherein I haue neglected my dutie
    1380Which I in reuerence ought to shew your grace,
    For led by loue I thus haue gone astray,
    And now repent the errors I was in.
    Zweno. Stand vp deare daughter, though thy fault deserues
    For to be punisht in the extremest sort;
    1385Yet loue that couers multitude of sins
    Makes loue in parents winke at childrens faults.
    Sufficeth Blanch thy father loues thee so,
    Thy follies past he knowes, but will not know.
    And here Duke William take my daughter to thy wife.
    1390For well I am assured shee loues thee well.
    William.
    F