Not Peer Reviewed
Fair Em (Quarto 1, 1593)
0.001A Pleasant Commodie,
0.002of faire Em the Millers daughter
0.004William the Conqueror:
0.006honourable citie of London, by the right honourable
0.007the Lord Strange his seruaunts.
0.008Imprinted at London for T.N. and I.W.
0.010yarde in Fleete-streete.
0.011 A Pleasant Commodie of faire
0.012Em the Millers daughter of Manchester.
0.013With the loue of William the Conquerour.
1Actus Primus Scaena prima.
2Enter William the Conqueror: Marques Lubeck, with a picture:
3Mountney: Manuile: Ualingford: and Duke Dirot.
4Marques. WHat meanes faire Britaines mighty Conqueror
8Is of meere loue to your increasing ioyes:
9Only expecting cheerefull lookes for all.
11To dimme the brightnes of the day with frownes?
14I amorously do beare to your intent:
15For thanks and all that you can wish I yeeld.
17Is cause why thus I turne my conquering eyes
18To cowardes lookes and beaten fantasies.
21For if it issue from your owne conceits,
24Yet tell vs (good my Lord) what thought it is,
25That thus bereaues you of your late content,
27Or bend our forces to reuiue your spirits.
28W Con. Ah Marques Lubeck, in thy power it lyes
30And therefore, good my Lords forbeare a while,
31That we may parley of these priuate cares,
35Exit all but William and the Marques.
42Imagined on thy louely Maistres face,
43Made me abandon bodily regarde,
45Then gentle Marques tell me what she is,
48As iustly may giue place to myne,
49That if it be: my soule with honors wings
52Marques. Yf this be all renowned Conquerer:
53Aduance your drooping spirites, and reuiue
54The wonted courage of your Conquering minde,
56Is the true counterfeit of louelie Blaunch
57Princes and daughter to the King of Danes:
59Deserues another manner of defence
61Then Marques Lubeck any way presents.
62Therefore her vertues I resigne to thee,
64To be aduaunced and honoured to the full.
65Nor beare I this an argument of loue:
66But to renowne faire Blaunch my Soueraignes child,
67In euerie place where I by armes may do it.
69And had I heauen to giue for thy reward:
73That hangs on quicke atchiuement of my loue,
75To bring this Ladie to our Brittaine Court.
77And let me die if I denie my ayde.
78William. Then thus the Duke Dirot and Therle Dimach
80While mightie loue forbids my being here,
82Will goe with thee vnto the Danish Court.
84Bright Blaunch I come, sweete fortune fauour me,
85And I will laud thy name eternally.
86Exeunt.
87Enter the Miller, and Em his daughter.
90And gentleman of no meane discent,
91To vndertake this homelie millers trade:
96Their gentle neckes vnto their stubborne yoke,
98Sir Thomas Godard now old Goddard is
99Goddard the miller of faire Manchester.
103To ioyne with mine that thus we may protect
104Our harmeles liues, which ledd in greater port
105Would be an enuious obiect to our foes,
106That seeke to roote all Britaines Gentrie
107From bearing countenance against their tyrannie.
113And that all toyles my hands may vndertake,
114May serue to worke your worthines content.
118My state reuyued and I in former plight.
119Although our outward pomp be thus abased,
121Let vs retaine those honorable mindes
123Wherein true gentrie is the only meane
125Though we expect no knightly delicates,
129As if we were in our presedent way.
130And louely daughter, since thy youthfull yeares
132And that sweete loue vnpartiall perceiues
135The true discouerers of a Virgins due
136Now requisite, now that I know thy mynde
137Somthing enclynde to fauour Manuils sute,
138A gentleman, thy Louer in protest:
139And that thou maist not be by loue deceiued,
142Regard thine honour. Let not vehement sighes
143Nor earnest vowes importing feruent loue,
145For that transformed to former sweete delight,
148Of proofe to keepe out all inchaunting vowes,
150Are they that make deformed Ladies faire,
151Poore wretch, and such intycing men,
153Shall in perseuerance of a Virgins due
156But hoe: where is Trotter?
157Here enters Trotter the Millers man to them: And they
158within call to him for their gryste.
159Trotter. Wheres Trotter? why Trotter is here.
160yfaith, you and your daughter go vp and downe weeping,
161And wamenting and keeping of a wamentation,
162As who should saye, the Mill would go with your wamenting.
164Trotter. Why yonder is a company of yong men and maydes
166my stones be readie to grinde it. But yfaith, I would I coulde
167breake winde enough backward: you should not tarrie for your
168gryst I warrant you. Here he [...]
170Trotter. Iwis you will when I cannot. Why looke, necke.
171You haue a Mill. Why, whats your Mill without mee?
172Or rather Mistres, what were I without you?
173Em. Nay Trotter, if you fall achyding, I wil giue you ouer.
174Trotter. I chyde you dame to amend you.
175You are too fyne to be a Millers daughter:
177You will haue the crampe in your finger
178At least ten weekes after.
184Yea, and to make the mill to goe with the verie force of my loue.
185Here they must call for their gryst within.
189Enter king of Denmarke, with some attendants, Blanch his
190daughter, Mariana, Marques Lubeck, William
191disguised.
192King of Denmarke. Lord Marques Lubecke welcome home,
193Welcome braue Knight vnto the Denmarke King:
194For Williams sake the noble Norman Duke,
196That graceth him with name of Conqueror:
197Right double welcome must thou be to vs.
199Your graces courteous entertainment,
201A simple Knight attendant on his grace.
205As that I count it haynous guilt in him
206That honors not Duke William with his heart.
207Blanch, bid this straunger welcome, good my gyrle.
210Welcome Sir Knight to Denmarke hartelie.
216In whom thers nothing that contents my mynd.
217Ill head, worse featurde, vncomly, nothing courtly.
220Loue her? for what: I can no whit abide her.
221King of Denmark. Mariana, I haue this day receiued letters
222From Swethia, that lets me vnderstand,
226My entertainment in your graces court,
227But that I long to see my natiue home.
229Lord Marques I commit vnto your charge
230The entertainement of Sir Robert here,
231Let him remaine with you within the Court
233Exit king of Denmarke.
235Blanch speaketh this secretly at one end of the stage.
237That workes within my thoughts confusedly,
239To take, to like, nay more, to loue this Knight.
241Not verie fayer, but ritchly deckt with fauour:
242A sweete face, an exceding daintie hand,
243A bodie were it framed of wax
244By all the cunning artists of the world
245It could not better be proportioned.
247Here is no tyme for contemplation.
248Robert Windsor. My Lord, there is a certaine odd conceite,
249Which on the sudden greatly troubles me.
250Lubeck. How like you Blaunch? I partly do perceiue
251The little boy hath played the wagg with you.
252Sir Robert. The more I looke, the more I loue to looke,
253Who seyes that Mariana is not faire:
254Ile gage my gauntlet gainst the enuious man,
255That dares auowe there liueth her compare.
257This is the Ladie which you came to see.
258Sir Robert. yea, my Lord: Shee is counterfait in deede:
260Lubek. That is my loue. Sir Robert you do wrong me.
262As for the wrong, I see not how it growes.
265That none might looke vpon her but your selfe.
267Nor will I stand on termes to moue your patience.
269Then giue me leaue to loue as well as you.
272To brooke corriuals with me in my loue.
273Robert. So Sir, we are thorough for that L.
274Ladies farewell. Lord Marques, will you go?
277Enter Manuile alone disguised.
279The Anuyle whereupon my heart doth beate,
281Full yll this life becomes thy heauenly looke,
283Bad world, where riches is esteemd aboue them both,
285A Millers daughter, sayes the multitude,
286Should not be loued of a Gentleman.
287But let them breath their soules into the ayre:
289So thou be constant in thy plighted vowe.
290But here comes one, I wil listen to his talke.
291Enter Valingford at another dore, disguised Man[...]
293Seeke thou a mynion in a forren land selfe.
294Whilest I drawe back and court my loue at home,
295The millers daughter of faire Manchester
297And from her eyes do dart such golden beames,
299Manuile. He ruminates on my beloued choyce:
300God graunt he come not to preuent my hope.
301But heres another, him yle listen to.
302Enter Mountney disguised at another dore.
304To grace a pesant with a Princes fame:
306Although a millers daughter by her birth:
308To hyde the blemish of her birth in hell,
309Where neither enuious eyes nor thought can perce,
311Goe William Conqueror and seeke thy loue,
312Whilest I drawe back and court mine owne the while:
314As may become her beauties worthynes,
318By one that I haue chosen neerer home.
319Manuile. What comes he to, to intercept my loue?
321Mountney. What now Lord Ualingford are you behind?
322The king had chosen you to goe with him.
325What may the king imagine of our staye?
327But I immagined I might well be spared
328And that no other man had borne my mind.
331Mountney. Lord Ualingford I tell thee as a friend,
333Ualinford. Loue my Lord? of whome.
335Ualingford. But may this be?
336Mountney. Why not my Lord? I hope full well you know
345To ioyne our thoughts in such a Simpathy:
347To yeeld to eythers fortune in this choyce.
349Shake hands my Lord and fortune thriue at all.Exeunt
350Enter Em and Trotter the Millers man with a kerchife on
351his head, and an Urinall in his hand.
352Em. Trotter where haue you beene?
354Em. A kerchiefe, doth it not?
355Trotter. What call you this I praye?
360Trotter. Yfaith, euen as long as I haue not beene halfe well,
361And that hath beene a long time.
362Em. A loytering time I rather immagine.
364Em. Why, any thing I can do for recouerie of thy health,
365Be right well assured of.
366Trot. Then giue me your hand
367Em. To what end.
368Trot. That the ending of an old indenture
369Is the beginning of a new bargaine.
370Em. What bargaine?
372Em. On that condition I giue thee my hand.
377That hath poure to wound my harte,
379In prison bounde.
380Em. So all your ryme lies on the grounde.
381But what meanes this?
383For thee my loue full sicke I was, in hazard of my life
384Thy promise was to make me whole, and for to be my wife.
385Let me inioye my loue my deere,
389And he shall mumble vp the marriage out of hand.
390Em. But here comes one that will forbid the Banes.
391Here Enters Manuile to them.
392Trotter. Ah Sir you come too late.
393Manuile. What remedie Trotter.
394Em. Goe Trotter, my father calles.
395Trotter. Would you haue me goe in, and leaue you two here?
398Em. Goe thy waies I praye thee hartely.
400I will goe: but I praye sir, beware you
401Come not too neere the wench.Exit Trotter.
402Manuile. I am greatly beholding to you
404But time and fortune hath bereued me of that,
409When such a Swaine is riuall in his loue.
415Em. If touching loue, my Manuile charge me thus
416Vnkindly must I take it at his handes,
419That with thy cunning and defraudfull toung,
421Was neuer heard in Manchester before,
422Of true louer then hath beene betwixte vs twaine:
423And for my parte how I haue hazarded
426Two genlemen attending on Duke William
427Mountney and Valingford, as I heard them named,
432This Em is noted and too much talked on.
434Others there are that scorning grynne thereat,
435And saith, there goes the millers daughters wooers.
436Ah me, whome chiefely and most of all it doth concerne
438To thinke my loue should be rewarded thus,
439And for thy sake abhore all women kind.
440Em. May not a maide looke vpon a man
444For with them thou hadst talke and conference.
449So did I loue thee true and faithfully,
450For which I am rewarded most vnthankfully.
451Exit in a rage, Manet Em.
454Ah Manuile, little wottest thou,
455How neere this parting goeth to my heart.
456Vncourteous loue whose followers reapes reward,
457Of hate, disdaine, reproach and infamie,
458The fruit frantike, bedlome ielozie.
459Here enter Mountney to Em.
462For onely Manuile honor I in harte:
465To meete my loue, the mistres of my heart,
466Where time and place giues oportunitie
467At full to let her vnderstand my loue.
468He turnes to Em, & offers to take her by the hand, & shee goes from him.
470Heare you a word. What meaneth this?
471Nay stay faire Em.
474The hidden secrets of a louers thoughts,
476As naturally you are enclyned to.
477Em. The Gentle-man your friend Syr,
481To haue regard being honourable loue:
483Whome youthfull wantons play and dally with:
484But that vnites in honourable bands of holy rytes,
488You keepe a pratling with your lippes,
489But neuer a word you speake that I can heare.
492Sweete Em, it is no little griefe to mee,
493To see where nature in her pryde of art
494Hath wrought perfections ritch and admirable.
495Em. Speake you to mee Sir?
496Mountney. To thee my onely ioy.
497Em. I cannot heare you.
498Mountney. Oh plague of Fortune: Oh hell without compare.
499What bootes it vs to gaze and not enioy?
501Mountney. Fare well my loue. Nay farewell life and all.
504I am acquainted with the Kings Phisitions:
506Seignior Alberto, a verie learned man.
507His iudgement will I haue to help this ill.
508Ah Em, faire Em, if Art can make thee whole:
510But Mountney: stay, this may be but deceit,
511A matter fained onely to delude thee.
512And not vnlike, perhaps by Ualingford,
513He loues faire Em as well as I.
514As well as I? ah no, not halfe so well.
515Put case, yet may he be thine enimie,
517Ile try the euent, and if it fall out so?
519Enter Marques Lubeck, and Mariana.
521Lubeck. Gramercie Madam: but it is not great:
522Onely a thrust, prickt with a Rapiers point.
523Mariana. How grew the quarrel my Lord?
525There was this last night two maskes in one company,
528Eche Masker made choice of his Ladie:
531But this was taken in so ill parte,
532That at my comming out of the court gate, with iustling togither,
533It was my chaunce to be thrust into the arme.
535At that inconuenient time, was presently committed,
542Sir Rob. Why then my Lorde I thank you for my nights lodging.
547And the rather it might be alleaged to me of
550Was our happs to damnifie each other vnwillingly,
551Let vs be content with our harmes,
552And laye the fault where it was and so become friendes.
553Sir Robert. Yfaith I am content with my nights lodging
554If you be content with your hurt.
555Lubeck. Not content that I haue it, but content
556To forget how I came by it.
557Sir Robert. My Lord, here comes Ladie Blaunch, lets away.
558Enter Blaunch.
560Exit Lubeck and Sir Robert.
561Mariana. Madam.
564And were it not a breach to modestie,
567If you hould on as you begyn, you
568are in a pretie waie to scoulding.
570Mariana. Maddam here comes one.
571Here enters one with a letter.
573with any bodie here?
574Messenger. I haue a letter to deliuer to the Ladie Mariana.
575Blaunch. Giue it me.
578 Go to foolish fellow.
580Ile be so bolde to open it, whats here?
581Sir Robert greets you well?
583How he entertaines his new Maistres?
584And bestowes on Lubeck his od friend
585A horne night capp to keepe in his witt.
587Redd my letter, yet I praye you giue it me.
588Blaunch. Then take it there, and there, and there.
591Yet will I gather vp the peeces, which happelie
592May shew to me the intent thereof
593Though not the meaning.
594She gathers vpp the peeces and ioynes them.
597Is this William the Conqueror, shrouded vnder
599Were he the Monarch of the world
601Therefore I will to the Court, and there if I can
602Close to be friendes with Ladie Blaunch,
603And thereby keepe Lubeck my Loue for my selfe:
605Enter Em solus.
607And makes him conceiue and conster his intent,
611Which how vntrue it is, be iudge my God.
612But now no more: Here commeth Ualingford:
615Faire Em:
616Em. Who is that?
617Ualingf. I am Ualingford thy loue and friend.
619Ualingf. What ayleth thy eyes?
622Infortunate Valingford to be thus crost in thy loue.
625That will do any thing for thee at my request.
626To him will I resort, and enquire his iudgement,
629The verie name thereof to me is odious.
631Sweete Em, hether I came to parley of loue
632Hoping to haue found thee in thy woonted prosperitie.
637As idle loue presentes my eares withall,
640For which this plague is iustly fallen vpon me,
641Then to harken to the vanities of loue.
643Which I bestowe on thee in token of my loue.
645In iewels, treasure, or any worldly thing
648The paine of mine eyes is so extreame
652Why may not this be fained subteltie,
653By Mountneies inuention, to the intent
656Ile trie the euent, if I can by any meanes perceaue
658Freind Mountney the one of vs is like to repent our bargeine.Exit.
659Enter Mariana and Marques Lubeck.
661Presenteth place and opportunitie:
662Let me intreat your woonted kind consent
663And freindly furtherance in a suite I haue.
664Mariana. My Lord you know you neede not to intreat,
665But may commaund Mariana to her power
666Be it no impeachment to my honest fame.
668As may in question Ladie call your name:
670Standing vpon my honorable credit,
673I would redound greatly to my preiudice.
679Nor think thereof but well and honorable.
683No maruell then though he proue amorous.
685Lubeck. No Mariana, that is non it.
686His loue to Blunch was then extinct
688Tis thee he loues: yea, thou art onely shee
689That is maistres and commaunder of his thoughts.
692Oft haue I heard you saye, you loued me well:
694Can this be found an action of good faith,
695Thus to dissemble where you found true loue?
697Nor failes my faith to thee. But for my friend,
700Fitting thy loue and vertues of thy minde,
701For him I speake, for him do I intreat,
702And with thy fauour fully do resigne
703To him the claime and interest of my loue.
704Sweete Mariana then denie mee not,
705Loue William, loue my friend and honour mee
706Who els is cleane dishonored by thy meanes.
708On whome the Sunne of Fortune neuer shyned:
710Foretolde mine yll in my natiuitie.
713Which well I know proceedes of ardent loue.
714Mariana. But Lubeck now regardes not Mariana:
717Lubeck. He is my friend, and I do loue the man.
719Lubeck. No as his life Mariana he doth loue.
721Lubeck. So do I Madam, for he and I am one.
722Mariana. Then louing you I do content you both.
724Me, for I craue that fauour at your handes:
725He for hopes that comfort at your hands.
726Mariana. Leaue of my Lord, here comes the Ladie Blaunch.
731Blaunch. Mariana well met, you are verie forward in your Loue?
733If you wil but follow the complot I haue inuented
734you will not think me so forward
736Blaunch. As how?
737Mariana. Madam as thus: It is not vnknowen to you
738That Sir Robert of Windsor,
739A man that you do not little esteeme,
740Hath long importuned me of Loue:
741But rather then I will be found false
742Or vniust to the Marques Lubeck,
743I will as did the constant ladie Penelope
745Blaunch. What of all this?
748I will seeme to agree and like of any thing
750As it be no impeachment to my chastitie:
751And to conclude, poynt some place for to meete the man,
752For my conueiance from the Denmarke Court:
753Which determined vpon, he will appoynt some certaine time
754For our departure: whereof you hauing intelligence,
756And than?
757Blanch. What then?
758Mariana. If Sir Robert proue a King and you his Queene
759How than?
762But here comes the man.
765William. Con. Ladie this is well and happelie met,
766Fortune hetherto hath beene my foe,
769I cannot Madame tell a louing tale
772But this I bluntly let you vnderstand,
773I honor you with such religious Zeale
774As may become an honorable minde.
775Nor may I make my loue the seege of Troye
776That am a straunger in this Countrie.
778For that my friend hath let you that to vnderstand,
779The Marques Lubeck to whome I am so bound,
780That whilest I liue I count me onely his.
781Mariana. Surely you are beholding to the Marques,
784To grace Duke William with her gratious loue?
786To get me from the Courte.
791I haue at Sea a shipp that doth attend,
793Where when we are, I straight will marrie thee.
794We may not stay deliberating long
796Set in a foote to hinder our pretence.
798To maske my face the better to scape vnknowen.
802To wrong my chast determinations.
805Whome he thinkes worthie of his mariage bed.
806Mariana. In hope your othe is true,
807I leaue your grace till the appoynted tyme.
810Most fortunate in Marianaes loue,
811Well Lubeck well, this courtesie of thine
813Enter Valingford and Mountney at two sundrie dores, looking
814angerly each on other with Rapiers drauen.
817Not with the honor of my name,
819Ualingford. And Mountney, had not my reuenging wrath
820Incenst with more than ordinarie loue
821beene such for to depriue thee of thy life,
823wherein hath Ualingford offended thee?
824That honourable bond which late we did confirme
825In presence of the Gods,
826When with the Conqueror we arriued here
827For my part hath beene kept inuiolably
828Till now too much abused by thy villanie,
829I am inforced to cancell all those bands,
830By hating him which I so well did loue.
831Mountney. Subtil thou art, and cunning in thy frawd,
834Why Ualingford, was it not enough for thee
835To be a ryuall twixt me and my loue,
837That when I came to talke with her of loue,
841Wherein thou couldest not do me greater iniurie.
842Ualingford. Then I perceiue we are deluded both.
843For when I offered many gifts of Gold and Iewels
850Therefore lets ioyne hands in frindship once againe,
851Since that the iarre grewe only by coniecture.
852Mountney. With all my heart: Yet lets trye the truth hereof.
855Enter William and Blanch disguised, with a maske
856ouer her face.
857William. Come on my loue, the comfort of my life:
859And get we once to Seas, I force not then,
861Blaunch. But this I vrge you with your former oath.
863Vntill our marriage rights be all performed.
865And by the honour that I beare to Armes,
866Neuer to seeke or craue at hands of thee,
870Blanch. In hope your oath proceedeth from your heart,
871Lets leaue the Court, and betake vs to his power
872That gouernes all things to his mightie will,
874And plague the bad with most extreame annoy.
875William. Lady, as little tarriance as wee may,
878Enter the Miller, his man Trotter, & Manuile.
882Was neuer blotted with any title of defamation.
886Any euill intreatie. But should they haue profered it?
887Her chaste minde hath proofe enough to preuent it.
889For yfaith one of them gaue me sixe pence
890To fetch a quart of Seck. See maister here they come.
891Enter Mountney and Ualingford.
892Miller. Trotter, call Em, now they are here together,
894Mountney. Father, well met. We are come to conferre with you.
895Manuile. Nay? with his daughter rather.
899Any reasonable thing at my hands.
901They came to craue his good will.
903Is sodenly become both blind and deafe.
905She hath kept her chamber this three daies.
907Manuile. This is Gods iudgement for her trecherie.
908Enter Trotter leading Em.
909Miller. Gentlemen I feare your wordes are two true:
910See where Trotter comes leading of her.
911What ayles my Em, not blind I hope?
912Em. Mountney and Ualidgford both together?
913And Manuile to whom I haue faithfullie vowed my loue?
917Em. Trotter lend me thy hand,
921Terrible, horrible, outragious lie,
925Em. Trotter wheres my father?
926He thrusts Em vpon her father.
928He standeth right before you.
929Em. Is this my father?
930Good father giue me leaue to sit
931Where I may not be disturbed
934Thy eyes are louely to looke on,
936What a griefe is this to thy poore father?
939Miller. Trotter lead her in, the vtter ouerthrowe
940Of poore Goddardes ioy and onely solace.
941Exit the Miller, Trotter and Em.
944Now will I awaie to Manchester
947Let vs leaue this guest and harken after our King:
949Valingford. Goe my Lord Ile follow you.
950Well, now Mountney is gone
954Enter Marques Lubeck and the King of Denmark
955angerly with some attendants.
958Is this the man so highly you extold?
959And playe a parte so hatefull with his friend?
961What entertainement and what countenance
962He hath receiued, none better knowes than thou.
963In recompence whereof he quites me well,
966I am deluded of by this escape.
971Your highnes knowes Mariana was my loue,
972Sole paragon and mistres of my thoughts.
973Is it likely I should know of her departure,
974Wherein there is no man iniured more than I.
976Call foorth my daughter. Yet I am perswaded
979Which he to blame did not at all regard.
981It is your daughter is conueyed away.
982Zweno. What, my daughter gone?
983Now Marques your villanie breakes foorth.
984This match is of your making, gentle sir:
985And you shall dearly know the price thereof.
986Lubeck. Knew I thereof, or that there was intent
987In Robert thus to steale your highnes daughter:
991And minion, otherwise it cannot be,
992But you are an agent in this trecherie.
993I will reuenge it throughly on you both.
995My daughter stolen away?
1001Withall, that Blanch be sent me home againe,
1004Enter William taken with souldiers.
1006Could heauen or hell? Did both conspire in one
1008Then presently I am tormented with?
1009Ah Mariana cause of my lament:
1010Ioy of my hart, and comfort of my life.
1011For thee I breath my sorrowes in the ayre,
1015William. Hence villaines hence, dare you lay your hands
1016Vpon your Soueraigne?
1018But here comes one will remedie all this.
1019Enter Demarch.
1020Souldier. My Lord, watching this night in the campe,
1021We tooke this man, and know not what he is:
1022And in his companie was a gallant dame,
1024But that her face was maskte we could not see
1025The grace and fauour of her countenance.
1026Demarch. Tell me good fellow of whence and what thou art.
1030Thy proud behauiour verie well deserues
1033That in the absence of the Saxon Duke,
1036William. In knowing this, I know thou art a traytor,
1037A rebell, and mutenous conspirator.
1038Why Demarch, knowest thou who I am?
1040And misdemeaner to your princely excellencie.
1042Demarch. Free are my thoughts my dread and gratious Lord
1044Only reuengement of a priuate grudge
1045By Lord Dirot lately profered me,
1046That standes not with the honor of my name,
1048Some men in armes that may withstand his force,
1050William. Where is Lord Dirot?
1051Demarch. In armes my gratious Lord
1052Not past two miles from hence,
1053As credibly I am assertained.
1054William. Well, come let vs goe,
1056Enter the Citizen of Manchester and his daughter Elner
1057and Manuile.
1059If you could intreat your father to come hither:
1060But if you thinke it be too farr,
1062I am sure my daughter is content with either:
1065Manuile. Well Elner farwell, onely thus much,
1066I pray make all things in a readines,
1067Either to serue here or to carry thither with vs.
1069And so I betake you to your iournie.
1071But soft what gentleman is this?
1074Ualingford. The gentleman that parted from you, was he not
1075Of Manchester, his father lyuing there of good account.
1077Belike you haue had some acquaintance with him.
1079But through his double dealing,
1080I am growen werie of his companie.
1081For be it spoken to you:
1082He hath beene acquainted with a poore millers daughter,
1083And diuers tymes hath promist her mariage.
1084But what with his delayes and floutes,
1085He hath brought her into such a taking,
1086That I feare me it will cost her her life.
1088His father and I haue beene of old acquaintance,
1089And a motion was made,
1090Beteewene my daughter and his sonne,
1091Which is now throughly agreed vpon
1092Saue onely the place appoynted for the mariage,
1094And for no other occasion he is now ridden.
1095Elner. What hath he done to you?
1097Valingford. Oh gentlewoman I crie you mercie,
1098He is your husband that shalbe.
1099Elner. If I knew this to be true?
1101And therefore, good father,
1102I would desire you to take the paines
1103To beare this gentleman companie to Manchester
1104to know whether this be true or no.
1106Knowing how well I ment to him.
1107But I care not much to ride to Manchester
1108To know whether his fathers will be,
1113Now shall I be reuenged on Manuile,
1114And by this meanes get Em to my wife.
1115And therefore I will strayght to her fathers
1117 Enter William, the Ambassador of Denmarke,
1118 Demarch, and other attendants.
1120Embassador. Mary thus, the King of Denmark and my Soueraine
1124The onely staie and comfort of his life.
1125Therefore by me he willeth thee to send his daughter Blaunch:
1129He willeth me to send his daughter Blaunch:
1130Saying I conuaid her from the Danish court,
1131That neuer yet did once as think thereof.
1132As for his menacing and daunting threats
1133I nill regard him nor his Danish power.
1134For if he come to fetch her foorth my Realme,
1135I will prouide him such a banquet here
1141Musterd foorthwith for to defend the Realme,
1143We freely pardon this thy late offence.
1146Enter the Millier and Valingford.
1149Which is able to with-drawe the loue of any man from her,
1153But if my daughter knew so much:
1154It would goe verie neere her heart I feare me.
1158But I by reason of my good meaning
1161Enter Em to them.
1163My daughter is not to be compelled by me,
1165For I neuer was troubled with loue matters so much before.
1168Once more for thy sake Manuile thus am I inforced,
1170Father where are you?
1172That would so fayne enioye thy loue.
1174This idle and vaine pursuite of loue?
1175Is not England stord enought to content you?
1177Contemptible mayd of Manchester.
1180That being blynd himselfe,
1181Would haue you likewise troubled with a blinde wife,
1182Hauing the benefite of your eyes,
1183But neither follow him so much in follie,
1184But loue one, in whome you may better delight.
1186By graunting mee her loue:
1187I am a Gentleman of king Williams Court,
1188And no meane man in king Williams fauour.
1191Yours, as apparant in limiting your loue so vnorderly,
1192For which you rashly endure reprochement:
1193Mine, as open and euident,
1194When being shut from the vanities of this world,
1195you would haue me as an open gazing stock to all the world:
1196For lust, not loue leades you into this error:
1197But from the one I will keepe me as well as I can,
1198And yeeld the other to none but to my father,
1199As I am bound by duetie.
1203Let thy father speake what credibly he hath heard.
1207And doest thou now thus requite it?
1209Which hath made me marueile at his long absence.
1211were concerning Manuile?
1216To a mans daughter of no little wealth.
1217His owne father procures it,
1218And therefore I dare credit it,
1219And do thou beleeue it,
1221Em. Then good father pardon the iniurie,
1222That I haue don to you onely causing your griefe,
1226My loue to Manuile, thinking he would requite it,
1227Hath made me double with my father and you,
1228And many more besides,
1229Which I will no longer hyde from you.
1231I haue made my selfe deafe to any but to him.
1236My father, and all other amorous soliciters:
1237Wherewith not made acquainted, I perceiue
1238My true intent hath wrought mine owne sorrow.
1239And seeking by loue to be regarded,
1243Em. Credit me father I haue told you the troth,
1247But may I liue to see that vngratfull man
1248Iustly rewarded for his trecherie?
1249Poore Em woulde think her selfe not a little happie,
1250Fauour my departing at this instant,
1255being so handled by this gentleman:
1256And so Ile, leaue you, and go comfort my poore wench
1259Enter Zweno king of Denmarke with Rosilio,
1260and other attendants.
1262should meete mee?
1263Rosilio. It is, and like your grace.
1264Zweno. Goe captaine away, regard the charge I gaue:
1265See all our men be martialed for the fight.
1268Be kept apart vntill you heare from vs.
1270If William Duke of Saxon be the man,
1272Not words but wounds: not parleis but alarmes,
1275Enter William, and Demarch with other attendants
1277For I will goe parley with the Prince my selfe.
1278Demarch. Should Zweno by this parley call you foorth,
1279Vpon intent iniuriously to deale:
1280This offereth too much oportunitie.
1281William. No no Demarch, that were a breach
1282Against the law of Armes: therefore begon,
1285Zweno, William of Saxonie greeteth thee
1286Either well or yll, according to thy intent.
1287If well thou wish to him and Saxonie,
1288He bids thee frindly welcome as he can.
1289If yll thou wish to him and Saxanie,
1292To him, who were he worthie of those honours
1293That Fortune and his predecessors left,
1294I ought by right and humaine courtesie
1295To grace his style with Duke of Saxonie.
1297I frame my speech according to the man,
1298And not the state that he vnworthie holdes.
1300To breake the peace which by our auncesters
1301Hath heretofore bene honourably kept.
1303Had not thy selfe beene author of the breach:
1305Or nature of a father to his childe,
1307And not vnto the vtmost of my power
1308Reuenge so intollerable an iniurie.
1309William. Is this the colour of your quarrell Zweno?
1311And thinke you I conueyed away your daughter Blanch?
1318William. I haue and do.
1320William. Nay, that was Mariana,
1325Rosilio fetch her and the Marques hether.
1326Exit Rosilio for Mariana.
1329That in their watch they tooke a pensiue Ladie:
1330Who at the appoyntment of the Lord Dirot is yet in keeping.
1331What she is I know not,
1332Onely thus much, I ouer-hard by chance.
1333Welliam. And what of this.
1334Demarch. It may be Blaunch the King of Denmarkes daughter.
1336Yet Demarch, goe and fetch her strayght.
1337Enter Rosilio with the Marques.
1341Let them resolut you of the trueth hereing,
1344Vnlesse I here where as my daughter is.
1345William. O Marques Lubeck how it grieueth me,
1347Beiudge my soule that feeles the martirdome.
1350And for his pleasure doth me iniurie.
1351Enter Demarch with the Ladie Blaunch.
1353Here is the Ladie you sent me for,
1359Zweno. See Duke William, is this Blaunch or no?
1361William. Zweno I was deceiued, yea vtterly deceiued,
1363And for mine error, here I am content
1365Ah cruell Mariana thus to vse
1366The man which loued and honored thee with his heart.
1368And William often importing me of loue:
1370Shee should meete Sir William masked as I it were.
1373But it was I which he conueid awaie.
1374William. May this be true? It cannot be but true.
1375Was it Ladie Blaunch which I conueid awaie?
1376Vnconstant Mariana,
1377Thus to deale with him which ment to thee nought but faith.
1379Wherein I haue neglected me dutie
1380Which I in reuerence ought to shew your grace,
1381For led by loue I thus haue gone astray,
1382And now repent the errors I was in.
1385Yet loue that couers multitude of sinns
1386Makes loue in parents winke at childrens faults.
1388Thy follies past he knowes but will not know.
1389And here Duke William take my daughter to thy wife.
1392Lately come out of the fyer,
1395And coyly quaint it with dissembling face.
1400I tel thee Duke, this rash deniall
1403Through the false dealing of Mariana,
1404That vtterly I doe abhore their sex.
1406Who tryes as I haue tryed,
1407And findes as I haue founde,
1410Thers others faithfull, louing, loyall, & iust.
1411Enter to them Valingford with Em and the Miller,
1412and Mountney, and Manuile, and Elner.
1415that are contracted to one man,
1420Elner. To me my gratious Lord.
1426But you are deceiued, yfaith he will none of you.
1428As in the same I put my whole delight.
1430Made me forsake her quite,
1431For which I had her fathers franke consent.
1432William. What were the impediments?
1435Em. Pardon my Lord, Ile tell your grace the troth,
1436Be it not imputed to mee as discredite.
1439The forme and feature of that countenance
1440Which I did shrine an ydoll in mine heart.
1441And neuer could I see a man methought
1442That equald Manuile in my partiall eye.
1443Nor was there any loue betweene vs lost,
1444But that I held the same in high regard,
1446Of whome my Manuile grewe thus iealous:
1447As if he tooke exception I vouchsafed
1451By counterfaiting that I neither sawe nor heard,
1452Any wayes to rid my hands of them.
1453All this I did to keepe my Manuiles loue,
1454Which he vnkindly seekes for to rewarde.
1455Maluile. And did my Em to keepe her faith with mee
1457Pardon me sweet Em, for I am onely thine.
1465I tell thee Manuile, hadst thou beene blinde,
1466Or deafe, or dumbe, or else what impediments
1467might befall to man, Em would haue loued and kept,
1468And honoured thee: yea, begde if wealth had faylde
1469For thy releefe.
1471Em. I do forgiue thee with my heart,
1472And will forget thee too if case I can:
1475Well fare a wench that will.
1476Now, Elner I am thine owne my gyrle.
1479That whilest I liue I will abhor thy company.
1480Manuile. Is it come to this? of late, I had choyce of twaine
1481On either side to haue me to her husband:
1482And now am vtterly reiected of them both.
1483Valingford. My Lord this gentleman when time was
1484Stood some-thing in our light,
1485And now I thinke it not amisse
1487Mountney. Content my Lord, inuent the forme.
1488Ualingford. Then thus.
1490Blanch is faire: Methinkes I see in her,
1492Zweno, receiue a reconciled foe,
1493Not as thy friend, but as thy sonne in law,
1494If so that thou be thus content.
1496Here take my daughter Blanch,
1502As to craue a word with you?
1503Manuile. Yea, two or three: what are they?
1508Mountney. If that be true: then are we both deceiued.
1509Manuile. Why it is true, and you are both deceiued.
1511Might I aduise thee, take her vnto thy wife.
1515Marques. He will aske but her good will, and all her friends.
1518Such idle loue hencefoorth I will detest.
1519Valingford. The Foxe will eat no grapes, and why?
1521William. And may it be a Millers daughter by her birth?
1522I cannot thinke but shee is better borne.
1523Valingford. Sir Thomas Goddard hight this reuerent man,
1525Whose fame hath beene renowmed through the world.
1526William. Sir Thomas Goddard welcome to thy Prince,
1527And faire Em, frolike with thy good father.
1528As glad am I to finde Sir Thomas Goddard
1529As good Sir Edmund Treford on the plaines:
1530He like a sheepheard, and thou our countrie Miller.
1531Miller. And longer let not Goddard liue a day,
1532Then he in honour loues his soueraigne.
1534Miller. Goddard and all that he hath,
1537It seemde he loued you well,
1540And would I were a wife for his desert.
1541William. Then here Lord Valingford,
1542Receiue faire Em.
1544Then goe we in, that preparation may be made,
1547FINIS.