courting for your grace When as mine eye â—uruaid her curious shape And drewe the beautious glory of her looks To diue into the center of my heart Loue taught me that your honour did but iest That princes were in fancie but as men How that the louely maid of Fresingfield Was fitter to be Lacies wedded wiâ—e Than concubine vnto the prince of Wales Edward Iniurious Lacie did I loue thee more Than Alexander his Hephestion Did I vnfould the passion of my loue And locke them in the closset of thy thoughts Wert thou to Edward second to himselfe Sole freind and partner of his secreat loues And could a glaunce of fading bewtie breake Theinchained fetters of such priuat freindes Base coward false and too effeminate To be coriuall with a prince in thoughts From Oxford haue I posted since I dinde To quite a traitor fore that Edward sleepe Marg. T was I my Lord not Lacie stept awry For oft he sued and courted for yourselfe And still woode for the courtier all in greene But I whome fancy made but ouer fond Pleaded my selfe with looks as if I lovd I fed myne eye with gazing on his face And still bewicht lovd Lacie with my looks My hart with sighes myne eyes pleaded with tearâ— My face held pittie and content at once And morâ— I couâ—d not siphâ—r out by signes But that I lovd Lord Lacie with my heart Then worthy Edward measure with thy minde If womens faâ—ours will not force men fall If bewtie and if daâ—â—s of 〈◊〉 â—oue Is not of force to bury thoughts of friendes Edward I tell thee Peggie I will haue thy louesâ— Edward or none shall conquer Margret In Frigats bottomd with rich Sethin planks Topt with the loftie firs of Libanon Stemd and incast with burnisht luorie And ouerlaid with plates of Persian wealth Like Thetis shalt thou wanton on the waues And draw the Dolphins to thy louely eyes To daunce lauoltas in the purple streames Sirens with harpes and siluer psalteries Shall waight with musicke at thy frigots stem And entertaine faire Margret with her laies England and Englands wealth shall wait on thee Brittaine shall bend vnto her princes loue And doe due homage to thine excellence If thou wilt be but Edwards Margret Margret Pardon my lord if Ioues great roialtie Sent me such presents as to Danae If Phoebus tied in Latonas webs Come courting from the beautie of his lodge The dulcet tunes of frolicke Mercurie Not all the wealth heauens treasurie affoords Should make me leaue lord Lacie or his loue Edw. I haue learnd at Oxford then this point ofschooles Abbata causa â—â—llitur effectus Lacie the cause that Margret cannot loue Nor fix her liking on the English Prince Take him away and then the effects will faile Villaine prepare thy selfe for I will bathe My poinard in the bosome of an eatle Lacie Rather then liue and misse faire Margrets loue Prince Edward stop not at the fatall doome But stabb it home end both my loues and life Marg. Braue Prince of Wales honoured for royall deeds T were sinne to staine fair Venus courts with blood Loues conquests ends my Lord in courtesie Spare Lacie gentle Edward let me die For so both you and he doe cease your loues Edward Lacie shall die as traitor to his Lord. Lacie I haue deserued it Edward act it well Margret What hopes the Prince to gaine by Lacies death Edward To end the loues twixt him and Margeret Marg. Why thinks king Henries sonne that Margrets loue Hangs in the vncertaine ballance of proud time That death shall make a discord of our thonghts No stab the earle and fore the morning sun Shall vaunt him thrice ouer the loftie east Margret will meet her Lacie in the heauens Lacie If ought betides to louely Margret That wrongs or wrings her honour from content Europes rich wealth nor Englands monarchie Should not allure Lacie to ouerliue Then Edward short my life and end her loues Margret Rid me and keepe a friend worth many loues Lacie Nay Edward keepâ— a loue worth many friends Margret And if thy mind be such as â—ame hath blazde Then princely Edward let vs both abide The fatall resolution of thy rage Banish thou fancie and imbrace reuenge And in one toombâ— knit both our carkases Whose hearts were linked in one perfect loue Edward Edward Art thou that famous prince of Wales Who at Damasco beat the Sarasens And broughtst home triumphe on thy launces point And shall thy plumes be puld by Venus downe Is it princely to disseuer louers leagues To part such friends as glorie in their loues Leaue Ned and make a vertue of this fault And further Peg and Lacie in their loues So in subduing fancies passion Conquering thy selfe thou getst the richest spoile Lacie rise vp faire Peggie heere 's my hand The prince of Wales hath conquered all his thoughts And all his loues he yeelds vnto the earle Lacie enioy the maid of Fresingfield Make her thy Lincolne countesse at the church And Ned as he is true Plantagenet Will giue hâ—â— to thee franckly for thy wiâ—e Lacie Humbly I take her of my soueraigne As if that Edward gaue me Englands right And richt me with the Albion diadem Margret And doth the English Prince mean true Will he vouchsafe to cease his former loues And yeeld the title of a countrie maid Vnto lord Lacie Edward I will faire Peggiâ— as I am true lord Marg. Then lordly sir whose conquest is as great In conquering loue as Caesars victories Margret as milde and humble in her thoughts As was Aspatia vnto Cirus selfe Yeelds thanks and next lord Lacie doth â—nshrine Edward the second secret in her heart Edw. Gramercie Peggie now that vowes are past And that your loues are not be reuolt Once Lacie friendes againe come we will post To Oxford for this day the king is there And brings for Edward Castile Ellinor Peggie I must go see and view my wife I pray God I like her as I loued thee Beside lord Lincolne we shall heaâ—e dispute Twixt frier Bacon and learned Vandermast Peggie wee le leaue you for a weeke or two Margret As it please lord Lacie but loues foolish looks Thinke footsteps Miles and minutes to be houres Lacie I le hasten Peggie to make short returne But please your houour goe vnto the lodge We shall haue butter cheese and venison And yesterday I brought for Margret A lustie bottle of neat clarret wine Thus can we feast and entertaine your grace Edward T is cheere lord Lacie for an Emperour If he respect the person and the place Come let vs in for I will all this night Ride post vntill I come to Bacons cell Exeunt Enter Henrie Emperour Castile Ellinor Vandermast Bungay Emperour Trust me Plantagenet these Oxford schooles Are richly seated neere the riuer side The mountaines full of fat and fallow deere The batling pastures laid with kine and flocks The towne gorgeous with high built colledges And schollers seemely in
Miles in thee rests Frier Bacons weale The honour and renowne af all his life Hangs in the watching of this brazen-head Therefore I charge thee by the immortall God That holds the soules of men within his fist This night thou watch for ere the morning star Sends out his glorious glister on the north The head will speake then Miles vpon thy life Wake me for then by Magick art I le worke To end my seuen yeares taske with excellence If that awinke but shut thy watchfull eye Thenfarewell Bacons glory and his fame Draw closse the courtaines Miles now for thy life Be watchfull and Here he falleth asleepe Miles So I thought you would talke your selfe a sleepe anon and t is no meruaile for Bungay on the dayes and he on the nights haue watcht Iust these ten and fifty dayes now this is the night and t is my taske and no more Now Iesus blesse me what a goodly head it is and a nose you talke of nâ—s autem glâ—râ—ficarâ— but here 's a nose that I warrant may be cald nos autem pâ—pelare for the people of the parish well I am furnished with weapons now sit I will set me downe by a post and makâ— it as good as a watch-man to wake me if I chaunce to slumber I thought goodman head I would call you out of your memento passion a God I haue almost broke my pate Vp Miles to your taske take your browne bill in your hand heere 's some of your maisters hobgoblins abroad With this a great noise The Head speakes Head Time is Milâ—s Time is Why maister Brazenhead haue you such a capitall nose and answer you with sillables Time is is this all my maisters cunning to spend seuen yeares studie about Time is well sir it may be we shall haue some better orations of it anon well I le watch you as narrowly as euer you were watcht and I le play with you as the Nightingale with the Slowworme I le set a pricke against my brest now rest there Miles Lord haue mercy vpon me I haue almost kild my selse vp Miles list how they rumble Head Time was Miles Well frier Bacon you spent your seuen years studie well that can make your Head speake but two wordes at once Time was yea marie time was when my maister was a wise man but that was before he began to make the Brasen-head you shall lie while your arâ—e ake and your Head speake no better well I will watch and walke vp and downe and be a Perepatetian and a Philosopher of Aristotles stampe what a freshe noise take thy pistols in hand Miles Heere the Head speakes and a lightning flasheth forth and a hand appeares that breaketh down the Head with a hammer Head Time is past Miles Maister maister vp hels broken loose your Head speakes and there 's such a thunder and lightning that I warrant all Oxford is vp in armes out of your bed and take a browne bill in your hand the latter day is come Bacon Miles I come oh passing warily watcht Bacon will make thee next himselfe in loue When spake the Headâ— Miles When spake the Head did not you say that hee should tell strange principles of Philosophie why sir it speaks but two wordes at a time Bacon Why villaine hath it spoken oft Miles Oft I marie hath it thrice but in all those three times it hath vttered but seuen wordes Bacon As how Miles Marâ—ie sir the first time he said Time is as if Fabius cumentator should haue pronoâ—nst a sentence he said Time was and the third time with thunder and lightning as in great choller he said Time is past Bacon T is past indeed a villaine time is past My life my fame my glorie all are past Bacon the turrets of thy hope are ruind downe Thy seuen yeares studie lieth in the dust Thy Brazen-head lies broken through a slaue That watcht and would not when the Head did will What said the Head first Miles Euen sir Time is Bacon Villaine if thou hadst cald to Bacon then If thou hadst watcht and wakte the sleepie frier The Brazen-head had vttered Aphorismes And England had been circled round with brasse But proud Astmâ—roth ruler of the North And Demegorgon maister of the fates Grudge that a mortall man should worke so much Hell trembled at my deepe commanding spels Fiendes frownd to see a man their ouermatch Bacon might bost more than a man might boast But now the braues of Bacon hath an end Europes conceit of Bacon hath an end His seuen yeares practise sorteth toill end And villaine sith my glorie hath an end I will appoint thee fatall to some end Villaine auoid getthee from Bacons sight Vagâ—â—t go â—ome and range about the world And periâ—â— as a vagabond on earth Miles Why then sir you forbid me your seruice Bacon My seruice villaine with a fatall curse That direfull plagues and mischiefe fall on thee Miles T is no matter I am against you with the old prouerb The more the foxis curst the better he fares God be with you sir I le take but a booke in my hand a wide sleeued gowne on my backe and a crowned cap on my head and see if I can want promotion Bacon Some fiend or ghost haunt on thy wearie steps Vntill they doe transport thee quicke to hell For Bacon shall haue neuer merrie day To loose the fame and honour of his Head Exit Enter Emperour Castile Henrie Ellinor Edward Lacie Raphe Emper. Now louely Prince the prince of Albions wealth How fares the ladie Ellinor and you What haue you courted and found Castile fit To answer England in equiuoâ—ence Wilt be a match twixt bonny Nell and thee Edâ— Should Paris enter in the courts of Greece And not lie fettered in faire Hellens lookes Or Phoâ—bus scape those piercing amorits That Daphne glaunsed at his dâ—itie Can Edward then â—it by a flame and freeze Whose heat puts Hellen and faire Daphne downe Now Monarcks aske the ladie if we gree Hen. What madam hath my son found grace or no. Ellinor Seeing my lord his louely counterfeit And hearing how his minde and shape agreed I come not troopt with all this warlike traine Doubting of loue but so effectionat As Edward hath in England what he wonne in Spaine Castâ—le A match my lord these wantons needes must loue Men must haue wiues and women will be wed Le ts hast the day to honour vp the rites Raphe Sirha Harry shall Ned marry Nell Henry I Raphe how then Raphe Marrie Harrie follow my counsaile send for frier Bacon to marrie them for hee le so coniure him and her with his Nigromancie that they shall loue togither like pigge and lambâ— whilest they liue Castâ—le But hearst thou Raphe art thou content to haue â—llinor to thy ladie Raphâ— I so she will promise me two things Castâ—le What 's that Raphe Raphe That shee will neuer scold with Ned nor fight with me Sirha Harry I haue put
THE HONORABLE HISTORIE of frier Bacon and frier Bongay As it was plaid by her Maiesties seruants Made by Robert Greene Maister of Arts. LONDON Printed for Edward White and are to be sold at his shop at the little North dore of Poules at the signe of the Gun 1594. THE HONOVRABLE Historie of Frier Bacon Enter Edward the first malcontented with Lacy earle of Lincolne Iohn Warren earle of Sussex and Ermsbie gentleman Raph Simnell the kings foole Lacie WHY lookes my lord like to a troubled skie When heauens bright shine is shadowed with a fogge A late we ran the deere and through the Lawndes Stript with our nagges the loftie frolicke bucks That scudded fore the teisers like the wind Nere was the Deere of merry Fresingfield So lustily puld down by iolly mates Nor sharde the Farmers such fat venison So franckly dealt this hundred yeares before Nor haue I seene my lord more frolicke in the chace And now changde to a melancholie dumpe Warren After the Prince got to the keepers lodge And had been iocand in the house a while Tossing of ale and milke in countrie cannes Whether it was the countries sweete content Or els the bonny damsell fild vs drinke That seemd so stately in her stammell red Or that a qualme did crosse his stomacke then But straight he fell into his passions Ermsbie Sirra Raphe what say you to your maister Shall he thus all amort liue malecontent Raphe Heerest thou Ned nay looke if hee will speake to me Edward What sayst thou to me foole Raphe I pree thee tell me Ned art thou in loue with the keepers daughter Eâ—wâ—rd How if I be what then Raphe Why then sirha I le teach thee how to deceiue loue Edward How Raphe Raphe Marrie sirha Ned thou shalt put on my cap and my coat and my dagger and I will put on thy clothes and thy sword and so thou shalt be my foole Edward And what of this Raphe Why so thou shalt beguile Loue for Loue is such a proud scab that he will neuer meddle with fooles nor children Is not Raphes counsell good Ned. Edward Tell me Ned Lacie didst thou marke the mayd How liuely in her country weedes she lookt A bonier wench all Suffolke cannot yeeld All Suffolke nay all England holds none such Rapâ—e Sirha Will Ermsby Ned is deceiued Ermsbiâ— Why Raphe Raphe He saies all England hath no such and I say and I le stand to it there is one better in Warwickshire VVarren How proouest thou that Raphe Raphe Why is not the Abbot a learned man and hath red many bookes and thinkest thou he hath not more learning than thou to choose a bonny wench yes I warrant thee by his whole grammer Ermâ—by A good reason Raphe Edward I tell the Lacie that hersparkling eyes Doe lighten forth sweet Loues alluring fire And in her tresses she doth fold the lookes Of such as gaze vpon her golden haire Her bâ—shfull white mixt with the mornings red Luna doth boast vpon her louely cheekes Her front is beauties table where she paints The gloâ—â—es of her gorgious excellence Her teeth are shelues of pretious Margarites Richly enclosed with ruddâ—e curroll cleues Tush Lacie she is beauties ouermatch If thou suruaist her curious imagerie Lacie I grant my lord the damsell is as faire As simple Suffolks homely towns can yeeld But in the court be quainter dames than she Whose faces are enricht with honours taint Whose bewties stand vpon the stage of fame And vaunt their trophies in the courts of loue Edâ— Ah Ned but hadst thou watcht her as my self And seene the secret bewties of the maid Their courtly coinesse were but foolery Ermâ—bie Why how watcht you her my lord Edâ—ard When as she swept like Venus through the house And in her shape fast foulded vp my thoughtes Into the Milkhouse went I with the maid And there amongst the cream-boles she did shine As Pallace mongst her Princely huswiferie She turnd her smocke ouer her Lilly armes And diued them into milke to run her cheese But whiter than the milke her christall skin Checked with lines of Azur made her blush That art or nature durst bring for compare Ermsbie if thou hadst seene as I did note it well How bewtie plaid the huswife how this girle Like Lucrece laid her fingers to the worke Thou wouldest with Tâ—rquine hazard Roome and all To win the louely mayd of Fresingfield Raphe Sirha Nâ—d wouldst faine haue her Edward I Raphe Raphe Why Ned I haue laid the plot in my head thou shalt haue her alreadie Edward I le giue thee a new coat and learne me that Raâ—he Why sirra Ned wee l ride to Oxford to Frier â—acon oh he is a braue scholler sirra they say he is a braue Nâ—gromancer that he can mâ—ke women of deuils and hee can iuggle cats into Costermongers Edward And how then Raphe Raphe Marry sirha thou shalt go to him and because thy father Harry shall not misse thee hee shall turne me into thee and I le to the Court and I le prince it out and he shall make thee either a silken purse full of gold or else a fine wrought sinocke Edward But how shall I haue the mayd Raphe Marry sirha if thou beest a silken purse full of gold then on sundaies shee le hang thee by her side and you must not say a word Now sir when she comes into a great prease of people for feare of the cut-purse on a sodaine shee le swap thee into her plackerd then sirha being there you may plead for your selfe Ermsbie Excellent pollicie Edward But how if I be a wrought smoâ—ke Raphe Then shee le put thee into her chest and lay thâ—â— into Lauender and vpon some good day shee le put thee on and at night when you go to bed then being turnd from a smocke to a man you may make vp the match Lâ—cie Wonderfully wisely counselled Raphe Edward Raphe shall haue a new coate Raph. God thanke you when I haue it on my backe Ned Edward Lacie the foole hath laid a perfect plot For why our countrie Margret is so coy And standes so much vpon her honest pointes That marriage or no market with the mayd Ermsbie it must be nigromaticke spels And charmes of art that must inchaine her loue Or else shall Edward neuer win the girle Therefore my wags wee le horse vs in the morne And post to Oxford to this iolly Frier Bacon shall by his magicke doe this deed Warren Content my lord and that 's a speedy way To weane these head-strong puppies from the teat Edward I am vnknowne not taken for the Prince They onely deeme vs frolicke Courtiers That reuell thus among our lieges game Therefore I haue dâ—uised a pollicie Lâ—cie thou knowst next friday is S. Iames And then the country flockes to Harlston faire Then will the keepers daughter frolicke there And ouer-shine the troupe of all the maids That come to see and to be seene that day Haunt thee
surges like the batteâ—ments That compast high built Babell in with towers Welcome my lords welcome braue westeme kings To Englands shore whose promontorie cleeues Shewes Albion is another little world Welcome sayes English Henrie to you all Chieâ—ly vnto the louely Eleanour Who darde â—or Edwards sake cut through the seas And venture as Agenors dâ—msell through the deepe To get the loue of Henries wanton sonne Castile Englands rich Monarch braue Plantagenet The Pyren mounts swelling aboue the clouds That ward the welthie Castile in with walles Could not detaine the beautious Eleanour But hearing of the fame of Edwards youth She darde to brooke Neptunus haughtie pride And bide the brunt of froward Eolus Then may faire England welcome her the more Elinor After that English Henrie by his lords Had sent prince Edwards louely counterfeit A present to the Castile Elinor The comly pourtraâ—t of so braue a man The vertuous fame discoursed of his deeds Edwards couragious resolution Done at the holy land fore Damas walles Led both mine eye and thoughts in equall links To like so of the English Monarchs sonne That I attempted perrils for his sake Emâ—erour Where is the Prince my lord Henrie He posted down not long since from the court To Suffolke side to merrie Fremingham To sport himselfe amongst my fallow deere From thence by packets sent to Hampton house We heare the Prince is ridden with his lords To Oxford in the Academie there To heare dispute amongst the learned men But we will send foorth letters for my sonne To will him come from Oxford to the court Empe. Nay rather Henrie let vs as we be Ride for to visite Oxford with our traine Faine would I see your Vniuersities And what learned men your Academie yields From Haspurg haue I brought a learned clarke To hold dispute with English Orators This doctor surnamde Iaques Vandermast A Germaine borne past into Padua To Florence and to faire Bolonia To Paris Rheims and stately Orleans And talking there with men of art put downe The chiefest of them all in Aphorismes In Magicke and the Mathematicke rules Now let vs Henrie trie him in your schooles Henrie He shal my lord this motion likes me wel Wee le progresse straight to Oxford with our trains And see what men our Academiâ— bringes And woonder Vandermast welcome to me In Oxford shalt thou find a iollie frier Cald Frier Baâ—on Englands only flower Set him but Non-plus in his magicke spels And make him yeeld in Mathematicke rules And for thy glorie I will bind thy browes Not with a poets garlandâ—made of Baies But with a coronet of choicest gold Whilst then we fit to Oxford with our troupes Le ts in and banquet in our English court Exit Enter Raphe Siâ—â—â—ll in Edwardes apparrell Edward Warrâ—â— Erâ—sby disguâ—sed Raphe Where be these vacabond knaues that they attend no better on their maisteâ— Edward If it please your honour we are all ready at an inch Raphe Sirha Ned I le haue no more post horse to ride on I le haue another fetch Ermsbie I pray you how is that my Lord Raphe Marrie sir I le send to the I le of Eely for foure or fiue dozen of Geese and I le haue them tide six and six together with whipcord Now vpon their backes will I haue a faire field bed with a Canapiâ— and so when it is my pleasure I le flee into what place I please this will be easie Warren Your honour hath said well but shall we to Brasen-nose Colledge before we pull off our bootes Ermsbie Warren well motioned wee will to the Frier Before we reuell it within the towne Raphe see you keepe your countenance like a Prince Raphe Wherefore haue I such a companie of cutting knaues to wait vpon me but to â—eep and defend my countenance against all mine enemies haue you not good swords and bucklers Enter Bacon and Miles Ermsbie Stay who comes heere Warren Some scholler and wee le aske him where Frier Bacon is Bacon Why thou arrant dunce shal I neuer make thee good scholler doth not all the towne trie out and say Frier Bacons subsiser is the greatest blockhead in all Oxford why thou canst not speake one word of true Latine Miles No sir yes what is this els â—gâ—â—um tuus homâ— I am your man I warrant you sir as good Tullies phrase as any is in Oxford Bacon Come on sirha what part of speech is Egâ— Miles Egâ— that is I marrie nomen sâ—bstantâ—â—â— Bacon How prooue you that Miles Why sir let him prooue himselfe and a will I can bâ— hard felt and vnderstood Bacon Oh grosse dunce Here beate him Edw. Come let vs breake off this dispute between these two Sirha where is Brazennose Colledge Miles Not far from Copper-smithes hall Edward What doest thou moâ—ke me Miles Not I sir but what would you at Brazennose Ermsbiâ— Mâ—rrie we would speake with frier Bacon Miles Whose men be you Ermsbie Marrie scholler here 's our maister Raphe Sirha I am the maister of these good fellowes mayst thou not know me to be a Lord by my reparrell Miles Then heere 's good game for the hawke for heer 's the maister foole and a couie of Cockscombs one wise man I thinke would spring you all Edward Gogs wounds Warren kill him VVarren Why Ned I thinke the deuâ—ll be in my sheath I cannot get out my dagger Ermsbie Nor I mine Swones Ned I thinke I am bewitcht Miles A companie of scabbes the proudest of you all drawe your weapon if he can See how boldly I speake now my maister is by Edward I striue in vaine but if my sword be shut And coniured fast by magicke in my sheath Villaine heere is my fist Strike him a box on the eare Miles Oh I beseech you coniure his hands too that he may not lift his armes to his head for he is light fingered Raphe Ned strike him I le warrant thee by mine honour Bacon What meanes the English prince to wrong my man Edward To whom speakest thou â—â—con To thee Edward Who art thou Bâ—con Could you not iudge when all your swords grew fastâ— That frier Bâ—con was not farre from hence Edward king Henries sonne and Prince of Wales Thy â—oole disguiâ—d cannot conceale thy selâ—e I know both Ermâ—bie and the Suslex Eâ—rle Els Frier Bacon had but little skill Thou comest in post from merrie Fresingfieldâ— Fast fancied to the keepers bonny lasse To craue some succour of the iolly Frier And Lacie Eare of Lincolne hast thou left To treat faire Margret to allow thy loues But friends are men and loue can baffle lords The Earle both woes and courtes her for himselfe VVarren Ned this is strange the frier knoweth al. Ermsbie Appollo could not vtter more than this Edward I stand amazed to heare this iolly Frier Tell euen the verie secrets of my thoughts But learned Bacon since thou knowest the cause Why I did post so fast from Fresingfield Helpe Frier at a pinch that I