0.002Fair Em

What means fair Britainʼs mighty conqueror

1.25So suddenly to cast away his staff

1.36And, all in passion, to forsake the tilt?

My lord, this triumph we solemnise here

1.58Is of mere love to your increasing joys,

1.69Only expecting cheerful looks for all.

1.710What sudden pangs then moves your majesty

1.811To dim the brightness of the day with frowns?

Ah, good my lords, misconster not the cause.

1.1013At least suspect not my displeasèd brows;

1.1114I amorously do bear to your intent.

1.1215For thanks and all that you can wish I yield,

1.1316But that which makes me blush and shame to tell

1.1417Is cause why thus I turn my conquering eyes

1.1518To cowardsʼ looks and beaten fantasies.

Since we are guiltless, we the less dismay

1.1720To see this sudden change possess your cheer.

1.1821For if it issue from your own conceits,

1.1922Bred by suggestion of some envious thoughts,

1.2023Your highnessʼ wisdom may suppress it straight.

1.2124Yet tell us, good my lord, what thought it is

1.2225That thus bereaves you of your late content,

1.2326That in advice we may assist your grace

1.2427Or bend our forces to revive your spirits.

Ah, Marquis Lübeck, in thy power it lies

1.2629To rid my bosom of these thrallèd dumps.

1.2730And therefore, good my lords, forbear a while

1.2831That we may parley of these private cares,

1.2932Whose strength subdues me more than all the world.

We go, and wish thee private conference,

1.3134Public affects, in this accustomed peace.

Now, Marquis, must a conqueror-at-arms

1.3337Disclose himself thralled to unarmèd thoughts

1.3438And, threatened of a shadow, yield to lust.

1.3539[Indicating Lübeckʼs shield] No sooner had my sparkling eyes beheld

1.3640The flames of beauty blazing on this piece,

1.3741But suddenly a sense of miracle

1.3842Imagined on thy lovely mistressʼ face

1.3943Made me abandon bodily regard

1.4044And cast all pleasures on my wounded soul.

1.4145Then, gentle Marquis, tell me what she is

1.4246That thus thou honourʼst on thy warlike shield,

1.4347And if thy love and interest be such

1.4448As justly may give place to mine.

1.4549That, if it be, my soul with honourʼs wings

1.4650May fly into the bosom of my dear;

1.4751If not, close them and stoop into my grave.

If this be all, renownèd conqueror,

1.4953Advance your drooping spirits and revive

1.5054The wonted courage of your conquering mind,

1.5155For this fair picture painted on my shield

1.5256Is the true counterfeit of lovely Blanche,

1.5357Princess and daughter to the King of Danes,

1.5458Whose beauty and excess of ornaments

1.5559Deserves another manner of defence,

1.5660Pomp, and high person to attend her state

1.5761Than Marquis Lübeck any way presents.

1.5862Therefore, her virtues I resign to thee,

1.5963Already shrined in thy religious breast

1.6064To be advanced and honoured to the full.

1.6165Nor bear I this an argument of love,

1.6266But to renown fair Blanche, my sovereignʼs child,

1.6367In every place where I by arms may do it.

Ah, Marquis, thy words bring heaven unto my soul

1.6569And had I heaven to give for thy reward,

1.6670Thou shouldst be throned in no unworthy place.

1.6771But let my uttermost wealth suffice thy worth,

1.6872Which here I vow, and to aspire the bliss

1.6973That hangs on quick achievement of my love,

1.7074Thyself and I will travel in disguise

1.7175To bring this lady to our Britain court.

Let William but bethink what may avail,

1.7377And let me die if I deny my aid.

Then thus: the Duke Dirot and thʼEarl Demarch

1.7579Will I leave substitutes to rule my realm

1.7680While mighty love forbids my being here,

1.7781And in the name of Sir Robert of Windsor

1.7882Will go with thee unto the Danish court.

1.7983Keep Williamʼs secrets, Marquis, if thou love him.

1.8084Bright Blanche, I come. Sweet Fortune favour me,

1.8185And I will laud thy name eternally.