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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    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
    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. If it please yo to go in
    Ile followe you presently.Exit Elner and her father.
    Now shall I be reuenged on Manuile,
    And by this meanes get Em to my wife.
    1115And therefore I will strayght to her fathers
    And informe them both of all that is hapned.Exit.
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