doubt hee thinkes our Colledge fare is slender and so hath sent you his cooke with a shoulder of mutton to make it exceed Hostesse Oh where am I or what 's become of me Bacon What art thou Hostesse Hostesse at Henly mistresse of the Bell. Bacon How camest thou heere Hostesse As I was in the kitchen mongst the maydes Spitting the meate against supper for my guesse A motion mooued me to looke forth of dore No sooner had I pried into the yard But straight a whirlewind hoisted me from thence And mounted me aloâ—t vnto the cloudes As in a trance I thought nor feared nought Nor know I where or whether I was tane Nor where I am nor what these persons be Bacon No know you not maister Burden Hâ—stesse Oh yes good sir he is my daily guest What maister Burden t was but yesternight That you and I at Henly plaid at cardes Burden I knowe not what we did a poxe of all coniuring Friers Clement Now iolly Frier tell vs is this the booke that Burden is so carefull to looke on Bacon It is but Burden tell me now Thinkest thou that Bacons Nicromanticke skill Cannot performe his head and wall of Brasse When he can fetch thine hostesse in such post Miles I le warrant you maister if maister Burden could coniure as well as you hee would haue his booke euerie night from Henly to study on at Oxford Mason Burden what are you mated by this frolicke Frier Looke how he droops his guiltie conscience Driues him to bash and makes his hostesse blush Bacon Well mistres for I wil not haue you mist You shall to Henly to cheere vp your guests Fore supper ginne Burden bid her adew Say farewell to your hostesse sore she goes Sirha away and set her safe at home Hostesse Maister Burden when shall we see you at Henly Exeunt Hostesse and the Deuill Burden The deuill take thee and Henly too Miles Maister shall I make a good motion Bacon What 's that Miles Marry sir nowe that my hostesse is gone to prouide supper coniure vp another spirite and send doctor Burden â—â—ying after Bacon Thus rulers of our Accademicke state You haue seene the Frier frame his art by prooâ—â— And as the colledge called Brazâ—nnoâ—â—â— Is vnder him and he the maister there So surely shall this head of brasse be framdâ— And yeeld forth strange and vncoth Aphâ—rismes And Hell and Heccate shall faâ—le the Fâ—â—â—r But I will circle England round with brasse Miles So be it nâ—ne sempâ—r Amen Exeunt â—mnes Enter Margaret the â—aire mayd of Fresingfield with Thomas and â—one and other clownes Latie disguised in countrie apparell Thomas By my troth Margret heere 's a wether is able to make a man call his father whorson if this wether hold wee shall haue hay good cheape and butter and cheese at Harlston will beare no price Margret Thomas maides when they come to see the faire Count not to make a cope for dearth of hay When we haue turnd our butter to the salt And set our cheese safely vpon the rackes Then let our fathers prise it as they please We countrie sluts of merry Fresingfield Come to buy needlesse noughts to make vs fine And looke that yong-men should be francke this day And court vs with such fairings as they can Phâ—â—us is blythe and frolicke lookes from heauen As when he courted louely Semele Swearing the pedlers shall haue emptie packs If that faire wether may make chapmen buy Lacie But louely Peggie Semele is dead And therefore Phâ—bus from his pallace pries And seeing such a sweet and seemly saint Shewes all his glories for to court your selfe Margret This is a fairing gentle sir indeed To sooth me vp with sucâ— smooth flatterie But learne of me your scoâ—â—es to broad before Well Ione our bewties must abide their iestes We serue the turne iniolly Fresingfield Ione Margretâ— a farmers daughter for a farmers sonnâ— I warrant you the meanest of vs both Shall haue a mate to leade vs from the Church But Thomas what 's the newes what in a dumpe Giue me your hand we are neere a pedlers shop Out with your purse we must haue fairings now Thâ—mas Faith Ione and shall I le bestow a fairing on you and then we will to the Tauâ—rn and snap off a pint of wine or two All this while Lacie whiâ—pers Margret in the â—are Margret Whence are you sir of Suffolke for your 〈◊〉 are finer than the common sort of men Laciâ— Faith louely girle I am of Beckles by Your neighbour not aboue six miles from hence A farmers sonne that neuer was so quainâ— But that he could do courtesie to such dames But trust me Margret I am sent in charge From him that reueld in your fathers house And fild his Lodge with cheere and venison Tyred in greene he sent you this rich purse His token that he helpt you run your cheese And in the milkhouse chatted with your selfe Mâ—rgret To me you forget your selfe Laciâ— Women are often weake in memorieâ— Margret Oh pardon sir I call to mind the man T were little manners to refuse his gift And yet I hope he sends it not for loue For we haue little leisure to debate of that Ione What Margret blush not mayds must haue their loues Thomas Nay by the masse she lookes pale as if she were angrie Richard Sirha are you of Beckls I pray how dooth goodman Cob my father bought a horse of him I le tell you Marget a were good to be a gentlemans iade for of all things the foule hilding could not abide a doongcart Margret How different is this farmer from the rest That earst as yet hath pleasd my wandring sight His words are wittie quickened with a smile His courtesie gentle smelling of the court Facill and debonaire in all his deeds Proportiond as was Paris when in gray He courted Aenon in the vale by Troy Great lords haue come and pleaded for my loue Who but the keepers lasâ—e of Fresingfield And yet me thinks this Farmers iolly sonne Passeth the prowdest that hath pleasd mine eye But Peg disclose not that thou art in loue And shew as yet no signe of loue to him Although thou well wouldst wish him for thy loue Keepe that to thee till time doth serue thy turne To shew the greefe wherein thy heart doth burne Come Ione and Thomas shall we to the faire You Beckls man will not forsake vs now Laciâ— Not whilst I may haue such quaint girls as you Margret Well if you chaunce to come by Fresingfield Make but a step into the keepers lodge And such poore fare as Woodmen can affoord Butter and cheese creame and fat venison You shall haue store and welcome therewithall Lacie Gramarcies Peggie looke for me â—are long Enter Henry the third the emperour the king of Castile Elinâ—r his daughter Iaques Vanâ—â—rmaâ—â— a Gâ—rmaine Henrie Great men of Europe monarks of the West Ringd with the wals of old Ocâ—â—nus Whose loâ—tie
may haue The loue of louely Margret to my selfe And as I am true Prince of Wales I le giue Liuing and lands to strength thy colledge state VVarren Good Frier helpe the Prince in this Raphe Why seruant Ned will not the frier doe it Were not my sword glued to my scabberd by coniuration I would cut off his head and make him do it by force Miles In faith my lord your manhood and your sword all alike they are so fast coniured that we shall neuer see them Ermsbie Wat doctor in a dumpe tush helpe the prince And thou shalt see how liberall he will prooue Bacon Craue not such actions greater dumps than these I will my lord straine out my magicke spels For this day comes the earle to Fresingfield And fore that night shuts in the day with darke Thei le be betâ—othed ech to other fast But come with me wâ—e le to my studie straight And in a glasse proâ—pectiue I will shew What 's done this day in mâ—rry Fresingfield Edward Gramercies Bacon I will quite thy paine Bacon But send your traine my lord into the towne My scholler shall go bring them to their Inne Meane while wee le see the knauerie of the earle Edâ—aâ—d Warren leaue me and Ermsbie take the foole Let him be maister and go reuell it Till I and Frier Bacon taâ—ke a while VVarrâ—n We will my lord Raphe Faith Ned and I le lord it out till thou comest I le be Prince of Wales ouer all the blacke pots in Oxford Exeunt Bacon and Edward goes into the study Bacon Now frolick â—dâ—ard welcome to my Cell Heere tempers Frier Bacon many toies And holds this place his consistorie court Wherin the diuels pleads homage to his words Within this glasle prâ—â—pectiue thou shalt see This day what 's done in merry Fresingfield Twixt louely Peggie and the Lincolne earle Edward Frier thou gladst me nowshall Edward trie How Lacie meaneth to his soueraigne lord Bacon Stand there and looke directly in the glasse Enter Margret and Frier Bungayâ— Bacon What sees my lord Edward I see the keepers louely lasse appeare As bright-sunne as the parramour of Mars Onely attended by a iolly frier Bacon Sit still and keepe the christall in your eye Margret But tell me frier Bungay is it true That this faire courtious countrie swaine Who saies his father is a farmer nie Can be lord Lacie earle of Lincolnshire Bungaâ— Peggie t is true t is Lacie for my life Or else mine art and cunning both doth faile Left by prince Edward to procure his loues For he in greene that holpe you runne your cheese Is sonne to Henry and the prince of Wales Margret Be what he will his lure is but for lust But did lord Lacie like poore Margret Or would he daine to wed a countrie lasse Frier I would his humble handmayd be And for great wealth quite him with courtesie Bungay Why Margret doest thou loue him Margret His personage like the pride ofvaunting Troy Might well auouch to shadow Hellens cape His witis quicke and readie in conceit As Greece affoorded in her chiefest prime Courteous ah Frier full of pleasing smiles Trust me I loue too much to tell thee more Suffice to me he is Englands parramour Bungay Hath not ech eye that viewd thy pleasing face Surnamed thee faire maid of Fresingfield Margret Yes Bungay and would God the loâ—ely Earle Had that in esse thatso many sought â—ungay Feare not the Frier will not be behind To shew his cunning to entangle loue Edward I thinke the Frier courts the bonny wench Bacon me thinkes he is a lustie churle Bacon Now looke my lord â—nter Lacie Edward Gogs wounds Bacon heere comes Lacie Bacon Sit still my lord and marke the commedie Bungay Heere 's Lacie Margret step aside awhile Lacie Daphne the damsell that caught Phaebus fast And lockt him in the brightnesse of her lookes Was not so beautious in Appollos eyes As is fâ—â—re Margret to the Lincolne earle Recant thee Lacie thou art put in trust Edward thy soueraignes sonne hath chosen thee A secret friend to court her for himselfe And darest thou wrong thy Prince with trecherie Lacie loue makes no acception of a friend Nor deemes it of a Prince but as a man Honour bids thee controll him in his lust His wooing is not for to wed the girle But to intrap her and beguile the lasse Lacie thou louest then brooke not such abuse But wed her and abide thy Princes frowne For better die then see her liue disgracde Margret Come Frier I will shake him from his dumpes How cheere you sir a penie for your thought Your early vp pray God it be the neere What come from Beckles in a morne so soone Lacie Thus watchfull are such men as liue in loue Whose eyes brooke broken slumbers for their sleepe I tell thee Peggie since last Harlston faire My mindâ— hath felt a heape of passions Margret A trustie man that court it for your friend Woo you still for the courtier all in greene I maruell that he sues not for himselfe Lacie Peggie I pleaded first to get your grace for him But when mine â—iâ—s furuaid your beautious lookes Loue like a wagge straight diued into my heart And there did shrine the Idea of your selfe Pittie me though I be a farmers sonne And measure not my riches but my loue Margret You are verâ—e hastie for to garden well Seeds must haue time to sprout before they spring Loue ought to creepe as doth the dials shade For timely ripe is rotten too too soone Bungay Deus hic roome for a merry Frier What youth of Beckles with the keepers lasse T is well but tell me heere you any newes Margret No Frier what newes Bungay Heere you not how the purseuants do post With proclamations through ech country towne Lacie For what gentle frier tell the newes Bungay Dwelst thou in Beckles heerst not of these news Lacie the Earle of Lincolne is late fled From Windsor court disguised like a swaine And lurkes about the countrie heere vnknowne Henrie suspects him of some trecherie And therefore doth proclaime in euery way That who can take the Lincolne earle shall haue Paid in the Exchequer twentie thousand crownes Lacie The earle of Lincoln Frier thou art mad It was some other thou mistakest the man The earle of Lincolne why it cannot be Margret Yes verie well my lord for you are he The keepers daughter tooke you prisoner Lord Lacie yeeld I le be your gailor once Edward How familiar they be Bacon Bacon Sit still and marke the sequell of their loues Lacie Then am I double prisoner to thy selfe Peggie I yeeld but are these newes iniest Margret In â—â—st with you but earnest vnto me For why these wrongs do wring me at the heart Ah how these earles and noble men of birth Flatter and faine to forge poore womens ill Lacie Beleeue me lasse I am the Lincolne earle I not denie but tyred thus in rags I
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
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
thine art I will be English Henrie to thy selfe But tell me shall we dine with thee to day Bacon With me my Lord and while I â—it my cheere See where Prince Edward comes to welcome you Gratious as the morning starre of heauen Exit Entâ—r Edward Lacic Warren Ermsbie Emperour Is this Prince Edward Henries royall sonne How martâ—all iâ— the figurâ— of his face Yâ—t louely and beâ—â—t with Amorets Henrie Nâ—d where hast thou been Edward At Framingham my Lord to trie your buckes Iâ— they could scape they teisers or the toile But hearing of these lordly Potentates Landed and prograst vp to Oxford towne I posted to giue entertaine to them Chiefe to the Almaine Monarke next to him And ioynt with him Castile and Saxonie Are welcome as they may bâ— to the English Court Thus for the men but see Venus appeares Or one that ouermatch eth Venus in her shape Sweete Ellinor beauties highswelling pride Rich natures glorie and her wealth at once Faire of all faires welcome to Albion Welcome to me and welcome to thine owne If that thou dainst the welcome from my selfe Ellinor Martiall Plantagenet Henries high minded sonneâ— The marke that Ellinor did count her aime I likte thee fore I saw thee now I loue And so as in so short a time I may Yet so as time shall neuer breake that so And therefore so accept of Ellinor Caâ—â—ile Feare not my Lord this couple will agree If loue may creepe into their wanton eyes And therefore Edward I accept thee heere Without suspence as my adopted sonne Henrie Let me that ioy in these consorting greets And glorie in these honors done to Ned Yeeld thankes for all these fauours to my sonne And rest a true Plantagenet to all Enter Miles with a cloth and trenchers and salt Miles Saluete â—mnes reges that gouern your Greges in Saxonie and Spaine in England and in Almaine for all this frolicke table must I couer thee table with trenchers salt and cloth and thenlooke for your broth Emperour What pleasant fellow is this Henrie T is my lord doctor Bacons poore scholler Milâ—s My maister hath made me sewer of these great lords and God knowes I am as seruiceable at a table as a sow is vnder â—n apple tree t is no matter their cheere shall not be great and therefore what skils where the salt stand before or behinde Castile Theseschollers knowes more skill in actiomes How to vse quips and sleights of Sophistrie Than for to couer courtly for a king Enter Miâ—es with a messe of poâ—â—age and broth and after him Eacon Mileâ— Spill sir why doe you thinke I neuer carried twopeny chop before in my life by your leaue Nobile dâ—cus for here comes doctor Bacons pecus being in his full age to carrie a messe of pottage Bacon Lordings admire not if your cheere be this For we must keepe our Accademicke fare No riot where Philosophiâ— doth raine And therefore Henrie place these Potentates And bid them fall vnto their frugall cates Emp. Presumptuous Frier what scoffst thou at a king What doest thou taunt vs with thy pesants fare And giue vs cates fit for countrey swaines Henrie proceeds this iest of thy consent To twit vs with such a pittance of such price Tell me and Fredericke will not greeue the long Henrie By Henries honour and the royall faith The English monarcke beareth to his friend I knew not of the friers feeble fare Nor am I pleasd he entertaines you thus Bacon Content thee Fredericke for I shewd the cates To let thee see how schollers â—se to feede How little mâ—ate refines our English wits Miles take away and let it be thy dinner Miles Marry sir I wil this day shal be a festiual day with me For I shall exceed in the highest degree Exit Miles Bacon I tell thee Monarch all the Germane Peeres Could not aâ—â—oord thy entertainmentsuch So roiall and so full of Maiestie As Bacon will present to Fredericke The Basest waiter that attends thy cups Shall be in honours greater than thy selfe And for thy cates rich Alexandria drugges Fetcht by Carueils from Aegypts richest straights Found in the wealthy strond of Affrica Shall royallize the table of my king Wines richer than the Gyptian courtisan Quaâ—t to Augustus kingly countermatch Shal be carrowst in â—â—glish Henries feastsâ— Candie shall yeeld the richest of her canes Persia downe her volga by Canows Send dâ—wn the secrets of her spicerie The Africke Dates mirab les of Spaine Conserues and Suckets from Tiberias Cates from Iudea choiser than the lampe That fiered Rome with sparkes of gluttonie Shall bewtisie the board for Fredericke And therfore grudge not at a friers feast Enter two gentlemen Lambert and Serlby with the keeper Lambert Come frolicke keeper of our lieges game Whose table spred hath euer venison And Iacks of wines to welcome passengers Know I am in loue with iolly Margret That ouer-shines our damsels as the moone Darkneth the brightest sparkles of the night In Laxfield heere my land and liuing lies I le make thy daughter ioyâ—ter of it all So thou consent to giue her to my wise And I can spend fiue hundreth markes a yeare Serlbie I am the lanâ—lord keeper of thy holds By coppie all thy liuing lies in me Laxfield did neuer see me raise my due I will infeofe faire Margret in all So she will take her to a lustie squire Keeper Now courteous gentls if the Keepers girlâ— Hath pleased the lâ—king fancie of you both And with her beutie hath subdued your thoughts T is doubtfull to decide the question It ioyes me that such men of great esteeme Should lay their liking on this base estate And that her state should grow so fortunate To be a wife to meaner men than you But sith such squires will stoop to keepers fee I will to auoid displeasure of you both Call Margret forth and she shall make her choise Exit Lambert Content Keeper send hâ—rvnto vs. Why Serlsby is thy wife so lately dead Are all thy loues so lightly passed ouer As thou canst wed before the yeare be out Serlsby I liue not Lambert to content the dead Nor was I wedded but for life to her The graues ends and begins a maried state Enter Margrâ—t Lambert Peggie the louelie slower of all townes Suffolks faire Hellen and rich Englands star Whose beautietempered with her huswifrie Maks England talke of merry Frâ—singâ—ield Serlsby I cannot tricke it vp with poesies Nor paint my passions with comparisons Nor tell a tall of Phebus and his loues But this beeleue me Laxfield here is mine Of auncient rent seuen hundred pounds a yeare And if thou canst but loue acountrie squire I wil infeoffe thee Margret in all I can not flatter trie me if thou please Mar. Braue neighbouring squires the stay of Suffolks cliâ—e A Keepers daughters is too base in gree To match with men accoumpted of such worth But might I notdisplease I would reply Lambert Say Peggy nought shall make vs
liued disguisd to winne faire Peggies loue Margret What loue is there where wedding ends not loue Lacie I meant faire girle to make thee Lacies wife Margret I 〈◊〉 thinke that earles wil stoop so low Lacie Say shalâ— I make thee countesse ere I sleep Marg. Handmaid vnto the earle so please himselfe A wife in name but seruant in obedience Lacie The Lincolne countesse for it shal be so I le plight the bands and seale it with a kisse Edward Gogs wounds Bacon they kisse I le stab them Bacon Oh hold your handes my lord it is the glasse Edward Coller to see the traitors gree so well Made me thinke the shadowes substances Bacon T were a long poinard my lord to reach betweene Oxford and Fresingfield but â—it still and see more Bungay Well lord of Lincolne if your loues be knit And thaâ— your tongues and thoughts do both agree To auoid insuing iarres I le hamper vp the match I le take my portace forth and wed you heere Then go to bed and seale vp your desires Lacie Frier content Peggie how like you this Margret What likes my lord is pleasing vnto me Bungay Then hand-fast hand and I wil to my booke Bacon What sees my lord now Edward Bacon I see the louers hand in hand The Frier readie with his portace there To wed them both then am I quite vndone Bacon helpe now if ere thy magicke serude Helpe Bacon stop the marriage now If diuels or nigromansie may suffice And I will giue thee fortie thousand crownes Bacon Feare not my lord I le stop the iolly Frier For mumbling vp his orisons this day Lacie VVhy speakst not Bungay Frier to thy booke Bungay is mute crying Hud hud. Margret How lookest thou frier as a man disttaughtâ— To see if he will take this taske in hand Clement Stay what rumor is this the towne is vp in a mutinie what hurly burlie is this Enter a Constable with Raphe Warren Ermsbie and Miles Constable Nay maisters if you were nere so good you shall before the doctors to aunswer your misdemeanour Burden What 's the matter fellow Constable Marie sir here 's a companie of rufflers that drinking in the Tauerne haue made a great braule and almost kilde the vintner Milâ—s Salue doctor Burden this lubberly lurden Ill shapte and ill faced disdaind and disgraced What he tels vnto vâ—bis mentitur de nobis Burden Who is the maister and cheeâ—e of this crew Miles Ecce asinum mundi fugura rotundi Neat sheat and fine as briske as a cup of wine Burden What are you Raphe I am father doctor as a man would say the Belwether of this copany these are my lords and I the prince of Wales Clement Are you Edward the kings sonne Raphe Sirra Miles bring hither the tapster that drue the wine and I warrant when they see how soundly I haue broke his head thei le say t was done by no lesse man than a prince Mason I cannot beleeue that this is the prince of Wales Warren And why so sir Mason For they say the prince is a braue a wise gentleman VVar. Why and thinkest thou doctor that he is not so Darst thou detract and derogat from him Being so louely and so braue a youth Ermsbie Whose face shining with many a sugred smile Bewraies that he is bred of princely race Miles And yet maister doctor to speake like a proctor And tell vnto you what is veriment and true To cease of this quarrell looke but on his apparrell Then marke but my talis he is great prince of Walis The cheese of our gregis and filiâ—â— regis Then ware what is done for he is Henries white sonne Raphe Doctors whose doting nightcaps are not capable of my ingenious dignitie know that I am Edward Plantagenet whom if you displease will make a shippe that shall hold all your colleges and so carrie away the Niniuersitie with a fayre wind to the Bankeside in Southwarke how sayst thou Ned Warraine shall I not do it VVarren Yes my good lord and if it please your lordship I wil gather vp al your old pantophles and with the corke make you a Pinnis of fiue hundred tunne that shall serue the turne maruellous well my lord Ermsbie And I my lord will haue Pioners to vndermine the towne that the very Gardens and orchards be carried away for your summer walkes Miles And I with scientia and great diligentia Will coniure and charme to keepe you from harme That vtrum horum mauis your very great nauis Like Bartlets ship from Oxford do skip With Colleges and schooles full loaden with fooles Quid dices ad hoc worshipfull domine Dawcocke Clement Why harebraind courtiers are you drunke or mad To taunt vs vp with such scurilitie Deeme you vs men of base and light esteeme To bring vs such a fop for Henries sonne Call out the beadls and conuay them hence Straight to Bocardo let the roisters lie Close clapt in bolts vntill theirwits be tame Eâ—msbie Why shall we to prison my lord Raphe What saist Miles shall I honour the prison with my presence Miles No no out with your blades and hamper these iades Haue a flurt and a crash now play reuell dash And teach these Sacerdos that the Bocardos Like pezzants and elues are meet for themselues Mâ—sâ—n To the prison with them constable Warren Well doctors seeing I haue sported me With laughing at these mad and merrie wagges Know that prince Edward is at Brazennose And this attired like the prince of Wales Is Raphe king Henries only loued foole I earle of Essex and this Ermsbie Oâ—e of the priuie chamber to the king Who while the prince with Frier Bacon staies Haue reueld it in Oxford as you see Mason My lord pardon vs we knew not what you werâ— But courtiers may make greater skapes than these Wilt please your honour dine with me to day VVarren I will maister doctor and satisfie the vintner for hâ—â— hurt only I must desire you to imagine him all this forenoon the prince of Wales Mason I will sir Raphe And vpon that I will lead the way onely I will haue Miles go before me because I haue heard Henrie say that wisedome must go before Maiestie Exeunt â—mnes Enter prince Edward with his poinard in his hand Lacie and Margret Edward Lacie thou canst not shroud thy traitrous thoughts Nor couer as did Cassius all his wiles For Edward hath an eye that lookes as farre As Lâ—ncaeus from the shores of Grecia Did not I sit in Oxford by the Frier And see theâ— court the mayd of Fresingfield Seahog thy flattering fancies with a kisse Did not prowd Bâ—ngay draw his portasse foorth And ioyning hand in hand had married you If Frier Bâ—con had not stroke him 〈◊〉 And mounted him vpon a spirits backe That we might chat at Oxford with the frier Traitor what answerst is not all this true Lacie Truth all my Lord and thus I make replie At Harlstone faire there
discontent Marg. Then gentils note that loue hath little stay Nor can the flames that Venus sets on fire Be kindled but by fancies motion Then pardon gentils if a maids reply Be doubtful while I haue debated with my selfe Who or of whomâ— loue shall constraine me like Serlsbie Let it be me and trust me Margret The meads inuironed with the siluer streames Whose Batling pastures fatneth all my flockes Yelding forth fleeces stapled with such woole As Lempster cannot yelde more finer stuffe And fortie kine with faire and burnisht heads With strouting duggs that paggle to the ground Shall serue thy dary if thou wed with me Lambert Let passe the countrie wealth as flocks and kine And lands that waue with Ceres golden sheues filling my barnes with plentie of the fieldes But peggie if thou wed thy selfe to me Thou shalt haue garments of Imbrodred silke Lawnes and rich networks for thy head attyre Costlie shal be thy fare abiliments If thou wilt be but Lamberts louing wife Margret Content you gentles you haue profered faireâ— And more than fits a countrie maids degree But giue me leaue to counsaile me a time For fancie bloomes not at the first assault Giue me but ten dayes respite and I will replye Which or to whom my selfe affectionats Serslby Lambert I tell thee thou art importunate Such beautie fits not such a base esquire It is for Serlsby to haue Margret Lamb. Thinkst thou with wealth to ouer reach me Serlsby I scorne to brooke thy country braues I dare thee Coward to maintaine this wrong At dint of rapier single in the field Serlsby I le aunsweâ—e Lambâ—rt what I haue auoucht Margret farewel another time shall serue Exit Serlsby Lambert I le follow Peggie farâ—well to thy selfe Listen how well â—le answer for thy loâ—e Exit Lambert Margeret How Fortâ—â—â— tempeâ—s lucky happes with frowns And wrongs me wiâ—h the sweets of my delight Loue is my blisâ—e and loue is now my bale Shall I be Hellen in my forward fates As I am Hellen in my maâ—chles hâ—e And set rich Suâ—â—olke with my face afire If louely Lacie were but with hiâ— Peggy The cloudie darckenesâ—e of his bitter â—rowne Would châ—â—k the pride of these aspiring squires Before the teâ—â—e of ten dayes be expired When as they looke for aâ—â—swere of their loues My Lord will come to merry Fâ—isingfield And end their fancies and their follies both Til when Peggie be bâ—â—th and of good cheere Enter a post with a letter and a bag of gold Post Fair louely damsell which way leads this path How might I post mevnâ—o Frisingfield which footpath leadeth to the keepers lodge Margeret Youâ— way is â—eady and this path is right My selfe doâ— dweâ—â— herâ—by in Frisingfield And if the keeper be the â—an you seeke I am his daughter may 〈…〉 the cause Post Louely and once bâ—loâ—â—d of my lord No meruaâ—le if his eyâ— was â—odgâ— so low when brighâ—â—r 〈◊〉 is not â—n the he aâ—ens The Lincolne earle hath â—ent you letters here And with them iust an hundrâ—d pounds in gold Sweete bonny wâ—nch read them and make reply Margret The scrowles that Ioue sent Danae Wrapt in rich closures of fine burnisht gold Were not more welcome than these lines to me Tell me whilst that I doe vnrip the seales Liues Lacie well how fares my louely Lord Post Well if that wealth may make men to liue well The letter and Margreâ—reads it Margaret THe bloomes of the Almond tree grow in a night and vanish in a mome the flies Hamere faire Peggie take life with the Sun and die with the dew fancie that slippeth in with a gase goeth out with a winke and too timely loues haue euer the shortest length I write this as thy grefe and my folly who at Frisingfield lovd that which time hath taught me to be but meane dainties eyes are dissenâ—blers and fancie is but queasie therefore know Margret I haue chosen a Spanish Ladâ—e to be my wife cheefe waighting woman to the Priâ—cessâ— Ellinour a Lady saire and no lesse faire thâ—n thy selfe honorâ—ble and wealthy in that I forsake thee I leaue thee to thine own likingâ— and for thy dowrâ—e I haue sent thee an hundred pounds and euer assurâ— thee of my fauour which shall auaile thee and thine much Farewell Not thine nor his owne Edâ—ard Lâ—â—iâ— Fond Atae doomer of bad boading fates That wrappes proud Fortune in thy snaky locks Didst thou inchaunt my byrth-day with such stars As lightned mischeefe from their infancie If heauens had vowd ifâ—tars had made decree To shew on me their froward influence If Lâ—cie had but lovd heauens hell and all Could not haue wrongd the pâ—tience of my minde Pâ—st It grieues me damsell but the Earâ—â— is forst To loue the Lady by the Kings commaund Margret The wealth combinde within the English shelues Europes commaunder noâ— the English King Should not haue moude the loue of Peggie from her Lord. Pâ—sâ— What answere shall I returne to my Lord Margret First for thou camst from Lacie whom I lovd Ah giue me leaue to sigh at euery thought Take thou my freind the hundred pound he sent For Margrets resolution craues no dower The world shal be to her as vanitie Wealth trash loue hate pleasure dispaire For I will straight to stately Fremingham And in the abby there be shorne a Nun And yeld my loues and libertie to God Fellow I giue thee this not for the newes For those be hatefull vnto Margret But for th art Lacies man once Margrets loue Post What I haue heard what passions I haue seene I le make report of them vnto the Earle Exit Pâ—â—â— Margret Say that she ioyes his fancies be at rest And praies that his misfortune may be hers Exit Enter Frier Bacon drawing the courtaines with a white sticke a booke in his hand and a lampe lighted by him and the brasen head and miles whith weapons by him Bacon Miles where are you Mites Here sir Bacon How chaunce you tarry so long Miles Thinke you that the watching of the brazen head craues no furniture I warrant you sir I haue so armed my selfe that if all your deuills come I will not feare them an inch Bacon Miles thou knowest that I haue diued into hell And sought the darkest pallaces of fiendes That with my Magick spels great Belcephon Hath left his lodge and kneeled at my cell The rafters of the earth rent from the poles And three-formd Luna hid her filuer looks Trembling vpon her concaue contenent When Bacon red vpon his Magick booke With seuen yeares tossing nigromanticke charmes Poring vpon darke Hecats principles I haue framd out a monstrous head of brasse That by theinchaunting forces of the deuil Shall tell out strange and vncoth Aphorismes And girt faire England with a wall of brasse Bungay and I haue watcht these threescore dayeâ— And now our vitall spirites craue some rest If Argos livd and had his hundred eyes They could not ouerwatch Phobeters night Now
cheere thee drowne not in despaire Sinnes haue their salues repentance can do much Thinke mercie sits where Iustice holds her seate And from those wounds those bloudie Iews did pierce Which by thy magicke oft did bleed a fresh From thence for thee the dew of mercy drops To wash the wrath of hie Iehouahs ire And make thee as a new borne babe from sinne Bungay I le spend the remnant of my life In pure deuotion praying to my God That he would saue what Bacon vainly lost Exit Enter Marâ—ret in Nuns apparrell Keeper her father and their friend Keep Margret be not so headstrong in these vows Oh burie not such beautie in a cell That England hath held famous for the hue Thy fathers haire like to the siluer bloomes That beautifie the shrubs of Affrica Shall fall before the dated time of death Thus to forgoe his louely Margret Margret A father when the hermonie of heauen soundeth the measures of a liuely faith The vaine Illusions of this flâ—ttering world Seemes odious to the thoughts of Margret I loued once lord Lacie was my loue And now I hate my selfe for that I lovd And doated more on him than on my God For this I scourge my selfe with sharpe repentâ—â— But now the touch of such aspiring sinnes Tels me all loue is lust but loue of heauens That beautie vsde for loue is vanitie The world containes nought but alluring baites Pride flatterie and inconstant thoughts To shun the pricks of death I leaue the world And vow to meditate on heauenly blisse To liue in Framingham a holy Nunne Holy and pure in conscience and in deed And for to wish all maides to learne of me To seeke heauens ioy before earths vanitie Friend And will you then Margret be shorâ— a Nunne and so leaue vs all Margret Now farewell world the engin of all woe Farewell to friends and father welcome Christ Adew to daintie robes this base attire Better befits an humble minde to God Than all the shew of rich abilliments Loue oh Loue and with fond Loue farewell Sweet Lacie whom I loued once so deere Euer be well but neuer in my thoughts Least I offend to thinke on Lacies loue But euen to that as to the rest farewell Enter Lacie Warrain Ermsbie booted and spurd Lacie Come on my wags weere neere the keepers lodge Heere haue I oft walkt in the watrie Meades And chatted with my louely Margret VVarraine Sirha Ned is not this the keeper Lacie T is the same Eâ—msbie The old lecher hath gotton holy mutton to him a Nunne my lord Lâ—cie Keeper how farest thou holla man what cheere How doth Peggie thy daughter and my loue Keâ—per Ah good my lord oh wo is me for Pegge See where she stands clad in her Nunnes attire Readie for to be shorne in Framingham She leaues the world because she left your loue Oh good my lord perswade her if you can Lacie Why how now Margret what a malecontent A Nunne what holy father taught you this To taske your selfe to such a tedious life As die a maid t were iniurie to me To smother vp such bewtie in a cell Mâ—rgret Lord Lacie thinking of thy former missâ— How fond the prime of wanton yeares were spent In loue Oh fie vppon that fond conceite Whose hap and essence hangeth in the eye I leaue both loue and loues content at once Betaking me to him that is true loue And leâ—uing all the world for loue of him Lacie Whence Peggie comes this Metamorphosis What shorne a Nun and I haue from the co urt Posted with coursers to conuaie thee hence To Windsore where our Mariage shal be kept Thy wedding robes are in the tailors hands Come Peggy leaue these peremptorie vowes Margret Did not my lord resigne his interest And make diuorce twixt Margret and himâ— Lacy. T was but to try sweete Peggies constancie But will faire Margret leaue her loue and Lord Margret Is not heauens ioy before earths fading blisse And life aboue sweeter than life in loue Lacie Why then Margret will be shorne a Nun Marg. Margret hath made a vow which may not be reuokt Warraine We cannot stay my Lord and if she be so strict Our leisure graunts vs not to woo a fresh Ermsby Choose you faire damsell yet the choise is yours Either a solemne Nunnerie or the court God or Lord Lacie weich contents you best To be a Nun or els Lord Lacies wife Lacie A good motion Peggie your answere must be short Maâ—gret The flesh is frayle my Lord doth know it well That when he comes with his inchanting face What so erâ— betyde I cannot say him nay Off goes the habite of a maidens heart And seeing Fortune will faire Fremingham And all the shew of holy Nuns farewell Lacie for mâ— if he wil be my lord Lacie Peggie thy Lord thy loue thy husband Trust me by truth of knighthood that the King Staies for to marry matchles Ellinour Vntil I bring thee richly to the court That one day may both marry her and thee How saist thou Keeper art thou glad of this Keeper As if the English King had giuen The parke and decre of Frisingfield to me Erms. I pray thee my Lord of Sussex why art thou in a broune study Warraine To see the nature of women that be they neuer so neare God yet they loue to die in a mans armes Lacie What haue you fit for breakefast we haue hied and posted all this night to Frisingfield Margret Butter and cheese and humbls of a Deere Such as poore Keepers haue within their lodge Lacie And not a bottle of wine Margret Wee le find one for my Lord. Lacie Come Sussex lets in we shall haue more for she speaks least to hold her promise sure Exeunt Enter a denill to seeke Miles Deuill How restles are the ghosts of hellish spirites When euerie charmer with his Magick spels Cals vs from nine-fold trenched Blegiton To scud and ouer-scoure the earth in post Vpon the speedie wings of swiftest winds Now Bacon hath raisd mâ— from the darkest deepe To search about the world for Miles his man For Miles and to torment his lasie bones For careles watchidg of his Brasen head See where he comes Oh he is mine Enter Miles with a gownâ— and a corner cap. Miles A scholler quoth you marry sir I would I had bene made a botlemaker when I was made a scholler for I can get neither to be a Deacon Reader nor Schoolemaister no not the clarke of a parish some call me dunce another saith my head is as full of Latine as an egs full of oatemeale thus I am tormented that the deuil and Frier Bacon haunts me good Lord heer 's one of my maisters deuils I le goe speake to him what maister Plutus how chere you Deuill Doost thou know me Miles Know you sir why are not you one of my maisters deuils that were wont to come to my maister Doctor Bacon at Brazen-nose Deuil Yes marry am I.