Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

  • Title: Fair Em (Quarto 1, 1593)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Quarto 1, 1593)

    The Millers daughter
    Hath so bewitched my louely Manuils sences,
    That he misdoubts his Em that loues his soule.
    610He doth suspect corriuals in his loue:
    Which how vntrue it is, be iudge my God.
    But now no more: Here commeth Ualingford:
    Shift him off now, as thou hast done the other. Enter Ualingford.
    Valingf See how Fortune presents me with the hope I lookt for.
    615Faire Em:
    Em. Who is that?
    Ualingf. I am Ualingford thy loue and friend.
    Em. I cry you mercie Sir: I thought so by your speach.
    Ualingf. What ayleth thy eyes?
    620Em. Oh blinde Sir, blinde, striken blind by mishap on a sudden.
    Valingf. But is it possible you should be taken on such a suddain?
    Infortunate Valingford to be thus crost in thy loue.
    Faire Em, I am not a little sorie to see this thy hard hap:
    Yet neuerthelesse, I am acquainted with a learned Phisitian,
    625That will do any thing for thee at my request.
    To him will I resort, and enquire his iudgement,
    As concerning the recouerie of so excellent a sence.
    Em. O Lord Sir: and of all things I cannot abide Phisicke:
    The verie name thereof to me is odious.
    630Valingford. No? not the thing will doe thee so much good?
    Sweete Em, hether I came to parley of loue
    Hoping to haue found thee in thy woonted prosperitie.
    And haue the gods so vnmercifully thwarted my expectation?
    By dealing so sinisterly with thee sweete Em?
    635Em. Good sir, no more, it fits not me
    To haue respect to such vaine fantasies,
    As idle loue presentes my eares withall,
    More reason I should ghostlie giue my selfe,
    To sacred prayers for this my former sinne,
    640For which this plague is iustly fallen vpon me,
    Then to harken to the vanities of loue.
    Valingford. Yet sweet Em accept this iewell at my hand
    Which I bestowe on thee in token of my loue.
    Em.