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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    of Manchester.
    1075Of Manchester, his father lyuing there of good account.
    Citizen. Yes mary is he sir: why doe you aske?
    Belike you haue had some acquaintance with him.
    Ualingford. I haue beene acquainted in times past,
    But through his double dealing,
    1080I am growen werie of his companie.
    For be it spoken to you:
    He hath beene acquainted with a poore millers daughter,
    And diuers tymes hath promist her mariage.
    But what with his delayes and floutes,
    1085He hath brought her into such a taking,
    That I feare me it will cost her her life.
    Citizen. To be playne with you sir:
    His father and I haue beene of old acquaintance,
    And a motion was made,
    1090Beteewene my daughter and his sonne,
    Which is now throughly agreed vpon
    Saue onely the place appoynted for the mariage,
    Whether it shall be kept here or at Manchester,
    And for no other occasion he is now ridden.
    1095Elner. What hath he done to you?
    That you should speake so ill of the man.
    Valingford. Oh gentlewoman I crie you mercie,
    He is your husband that shalbe.
    Elner. If I knew this to be true?
    1100He should not be my husband were he neuer so good:
    And therefore, good father,
    I would desire you to take the paines
    To beare this gentleman companie to Manchester
    to know whether this be true or no.
    1105Citizen. Now trust me gentleman he deales with me verie hardly,
    Knowing how well I ment to him.
    But I care not much to ride to Manchester
    To know whether his fathers will be,
    He should deale with me so badlie.
    1110Will it please you sir to goe in, we will presently take horse & awaie.
    Valingford
    E