Digital Renaissance Editions

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  • Title: Fair Em (Modern)
  • Editor: Brett Greatley-Hirsch
  • 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
    Editor: Brett Greatley-Hirsch
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Fair Em (Modern)

    Fair Em
    1[Scene 1]
    Enter William the Conqueror, Marquis L眉beck with a picture, Mountney, Manville, Valingford, and Duke Dirot.
    L眉beck
    What means fair Britain始s mighty conqueror
    5So suddenly to cast away his staff
    And, all in passion, to forsake the tilt?
    Dirot
    My lord, this triumph we solemnise here
    Is of mere love to your increasing joys,
    Only expecting cheerful looks for all.
    10What sudden pangs then moves your majesty
    To dim the brightness of the day with frowns?
    William
    Ah, good my lords, misconster not the cause.
    At least suspect not my displeas猫d brows;
    I amorously do bear to your intent.
    15For thanks and all that you can wish I yield,
    But that which makes me blush and shame to tell
    Is cause why thus I turn my conquering eyes
    To cowards始 looks and beaten fantasies.
    Mountney
    Since we are guiltless, we the less dismay
    20To see this sudden change possess your cheer.
    For if it issue from your own conceits,
    Bred by suggestion of some envious thoughts,
    Your highness始 wisdom may suppress it straight.
    Yet tell us, good my lord, what thought it is
    25That thus bereaves you of your late content,
    That in advice we may assist your grace
    Or bend our forces to revive your spirits.
    William
    Ah, Marquis L眉beck, in thy power it lies
    To rid my bosom of these thrall猫d dumps.
    30And therefore, good my lords, forbear a while
    That we may parley of these private cares,
    Whose strength subdues me more than all the world.
    Valingford
    We go, and wish thee private conference,
    Public affects, in this accustomed peace.
    35Exit all but William and the Marquis [L眉beck].
    William
    Now, Marquis, must a conqueror-at-arms
    Disclose himself thralled to unarm猫d thoughts
    And, threatened of a shadow, yield to lust.
    [Indicating L眉beck始s shield] No sooner had my sparkling eyes beheld
    40The flames of beauty blazing on this piece,
    But suddenly a sense of miracle
    Imagined on thy lovely mistress始 face
    Made me abandon bodily regard
    And cast all pleasures on my wounded soul.
    45Then, gentle Marquis, tell me what she is
    That thus thou honour始st on thy warlike shield,
    And if thy love and interest be such
    As justly may give place to mine.
    That, if it be, my soul with honour始s wings
    50May fly into the bosom of my dear;
    If not, close them and stoop into my grave.
    L眉beck
    If this be all, renown猫d conqueror,
    Advance your drooping spirits and revive
    The wonted courage of your conquering mind,
    55For this fair picture painted on my shield
    Is the true counterfeit of lovely Blanche,
    Princess and daughter to the King of Danes,
    Whose beauty and excess of ornaments
    Deserves another manner of defence,
    60Pomp, and high person to attend her state
    Than Marquis L眉beck any way presents.
    Therefore, her virtues I resign to thee,
    Already shrined in thy religious breast
    To be advanced and honoured to the full.
    65Nor bear I this an argument of love,
    But to renown fair Blanche, my sovereign始s child,
    In every place where I by arms may do it.
    William
    Ah, Marquis, thy words bring heaven unto my soul
    And had I heaven to give for thy reward,
    70Thou shouldst be throned in no unworthy place.
    But let my uttermost wealth suffice thy worth,
    Which here I vow, and to aspire the bliss
    That hangs on quick achievement of my love,
    Thyself and I will travel in disguise
    75To bring this lady to our Britain court.
    L眉beck
    Let William but bethink what may avail,
    And let me die if I deny my aid.
    William
    Then thus: the Duke Dirot and th始Earl Demarch
    Will I leave substitutes to rule my realm
    80While mighty love forbids my being here,
    And in the name of Sir Robert of Windsor
    Will go with thee unto the Danish court.
    Keep William始s secrets, Marquis, if thou love him.
    Bright Blanche, I come. Sweet Fortune favour me,
    85And I will laud thy name eternally.
    Exeunt.