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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    Demarch. Pardon my dread Lord the error of my sence,
    1040And misdemeaner to your princely excellencie.
    Willi. Why Demarch, what is the cause my subiects are in armes?
    Demarch. Free are my thoughts my dread and gratious Lord
    From treason to your state and common weale,
    Only reuengement of a priuate grudge
    1045By Lord Dirot lately profered me,
    That standes not with the honor of my name,
    Is cause I haue assembled for my guard
    Some men in armes that may withstand his force,
    Whose setled malice aymeth at my life.
    1050William. Where is Lord Dirot?
    Demarch. In armes my gratious Lord
    Not past two miles from hence,
    As credibly I am assertained.
    William. Well, come let vs goe,
    1055I feare I shall find traytors of you both.Exit.
    Enter the Citizen of Manchester and his daughter Elner
    and Manuile.
    Citizen. In deed sir it would do verie well
    If you could intreat your father to come hither:
    1060But if you thinke it be too farr,
    I care not much to take horse and ride to Manchester,
    I am sure my daughter is content with either:
    How saiest thou Elner art thou not?
    Elner. As you shall think best I must be contented.
    1065Manuile. Well Elner farwell, onely thus much,
    I pray make all things in a readines,
    Either to serue here or to carry thither with vs.
    Citizen. As for that sir take you no care,
    And so I betake you to your iournie.
    1070Enter Ualingford.
    But soft what gentleman is this?
    Ualingf. God speed sir, might a man craue a word or two with you
    Citizen. God forbid els sir, I praye you speake your pleasure.
    Ualingford. The gentleman that parted from you, was he not
    Of