Peer Reviewed
- Edition: Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay
Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (Quarto)
- Introduction
- Texts of this edition
- Contextual materials
-
- The Famous History of Friar Bacon
-
- Inventions or Devices Very Necessary for all Generals and Captains or Leaders of Men
-
- A Book of Magic, with Instructions for Invoking Spirits
-
- A Geometrical Practice named Pantometria
-
- Autobiographical Tracts of Dr. John Dee
-
- The Vanity of the Eye
-
- The Comical History of Alphonsus King of Aragon
-
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.
1Enter, Edward the first malcontented with Lacy earle of Lin-
2 colne, Iohn Warren earle of Sussex, and Ermsbie gentle-
3 man: Raph Simnell the kings foole.
4Lacie.
5WHY lookes my lord like to a troubled skie,
7Alate we ran the deere and through the Lawndes
8Stript with our nagges the loftie frolicke bucks,
11So lustily puld down by iolly mates,
13So franckly dealt this hundred yeares before:
14Nor haue I seene my lord more frolicke in the chace,
15And now changde to a melancholie dumpe.
16Warren. After the Prince got to the keepers lodge
17And had been iocand in the house a while:
18Tossing of ale and milke in countrie cannes,
19Whether it was the countries sweete content:
25Shall he thus all amort liue malecontent.
27to me.
29Raphe. I pree thee tell me Ned, art thou in loue with the
30keepers daughter?
31Edward. How if I be, what then?
33Edward. How Raphe.
35my coat, and my dagger, and I will put on thy clothes, and thy
37Edward. And what of this?
39proud scab, that he will neuer meddle with fooles nor children, Is
40not Raphes counsell good Ned.
42How liuely in her country weedes she lookt:
43A bonier wench all Suffolke cannot yeeld,
45Raphe. Sirha, Will Ermsby, Ned is deceiued.
46Ermsbie. Why Raphe?
50Raphe. Why is not the Abbot a learned man, and hath red
51many bookes, and thinkest thou he hath not more learning than
52thou to choose a bonny wench, yes I warrant thee by his whole
53grammer.
58Of such as gaze vpon her golden haire,
59Her bashfull white mixt with the mornings red,
60Luna doth boast vpon her louely cheekes,
61Her front is beauties table where she paints,
62The glories of her gorgious excellence:
63Her teeth are shelues of pretious Margarites,
64Richly enclosed with ruddie curroll cleues.
69But in the court be quainter dames than she,
70Whose faces are enricht with honours taint,
72And vaunt their trophies in the courts of loue.
75Their courtly coinesse were but foolery.
76Ermsbie. Why how watcht you her my lord?
79Into the Milkhouse went I with the maid,
82She turnd her smocke ouer her Lilly armes,
83And diued them into milke to run her cheese:
84But whiter than the milke her christall skin,
85Checked with lines of Azur made her blush,
86That art or nature durst bring for compare,
88How bewtie plaid the huswife, how this girle
89Like Lucrece laid her fingers to the worke,
90Thou wouldest with Tarquine hazard Roome and all
93Edward. I Raphe.
94Raphe. Why Ned I haue laid the plot in my head thou
95shalt haue her alreadie.
96Edward. Ile giue thee a new coat and learne me that.
99that he can make women of deuils, and hee can iuggle cats into
100Costermongers.
101Edward. And how then Raphe?
112Ermsbie. Excellent pollicie.
116night when you go to bed, then being turnd from a smocke to a
117man, you may make vp the match.
120Raphe. God thanke you when I haue it on my backe Ned,
122For why our countrie Margret is so coy,
124That marriage or no market with the mayd:
126And charmes of art that must inchaine her loue,
128Therefore my wags weele horse vs in the morne,
129And post to Oxford to this iolly Frier,
130Bacon shall by his magicke doe this deed.
133Edward. I am vnknowne, not taken for the Prince,
134They onely deeme vs frolicke Courtiers,
135That reuell thus among our lieges game:
136Therefore I haue deuised a pollicie,
137Lacie, thou knowst next friday is S. Iames,
139Then will the keepers daughter frolicke there,
140And ouer-shine the troupe of all the maids,
143Fain thart a farmers sonne, not far from thence,
145Coat him, and court her to controll the clowne,
146Say that the Courtier tyred all in greene,
150Buy some thing worthie of her parentage,
151Not worth her beautie for Lacie then the faire,
154Oh then she loues, but if her cheekes waxe pale,
158As if that Lacie were in loue with her.
161on of fine bels.
162Lacie. What wilt thou doe with them Raphe?
164daughter, Ile tie a bell about him, and so within three or foure
166maister Ned is become Loues morris dance.
167Edward. Well Lacie, looke with care vnto thy charge,
168And I will hast to Oxford to the Frier,
169That he by art, and thou by secret gifts,
172Enter frier Bacon, with Miles his poore scholer with bookes
173vnder his arme, with them Burden, Mason,
174Clement, three doctors.
175Bacon. Miles where are you?
179in vnum.
181That rule in Oxford Vizroies in your place,
182Whose heads containe Maps of the liberall arts,
183Spending your time in deapth of learned skill,
186Say whats your mind, that I may make replie.
188That thou art read in Magicks mysterie,
189In Piromancie to diuine by flames,
190To tell by Hadromaticke, ebbes and tides,
191By Aeromancie, to discouer doubts,
192To plaine out questions, as Apollo did.
195names the Fable of the Fox and the grapes, that which is aboue
196vs, pertains nothing to vs.
197Burden. I tell thee Bacon, Oxford makes report,
198Nay England, and the court of Henrie saies,
199Thart making of a brazen head by art,
205Bacon. And what of this?
207for he knowes if your skill faile to make a brazen head, yet mo-
209per nose.
210Clement. Bacon we come not greeuing at thy skill,
211But ioieng that our Academie yeelds
213For if thy cunning worke these myracles,
214England and Europe shall admire thy fame,
217Eternize Frier Bacon for his art.
218Mason. Then gentle Frier, tell vs thy intent.
219Bacon. Seeing you come as friends vnto the frier
221Make storming Boreas thunder from his caue,
222And dimme faire Luna to a darke Eclipse,
223The great arch-ruler, potentate of hell,
224Trembles, when Bacon bids him, or his fiends,
225Bow to the force of his Pentageron.
226What art can worke, the frolicke frier knowes,
227And therefore will I turne my Magicke bookes,
228And straine out Nigromancie to the deepe,
229I haue contrivd and framde a head of brasse,
232And I will strengthen England by my skill,
234With all the legions Europe doth containe,
236The worke that Ninus reard at Babylon,
237The brazen walles framde by Semiramis,
238Carued out like to the portall of the sunne,
240From Douer to the market place of Rie.
245companions as any be in hell.
246Mason. No doubt but magicke may doe much in this,
247For he that reades but Mathematicke rules,
250Burden. But Bacon roues a bow beyond his reach,
251And tels of more than magicke can performe:
252Thinking to get a fame by fooleries,
254And red of many secrets, yet to thinke,
255That heads of Brasse can vtter any voice,
256Or more, to tell of deepe philosophie,
262Burden. I will aske what thou can.
265worthie.
267vpon the Thembs?
268Burden. I was, what then?
270Burden. I, none at all I red not there a line.
273touch you?
278laams Asse.
281Ile shew you why he haunts to Henly oft,
283But there to spend the night in Alcumie,
285Thus priuat steales he learning from vs all,
287The booke he keepes at Henly for himselfe.
290booke.
291Heere he coniures.
293Enter a woman with a shoulder of mutton
294on a spit, and a Deuill.
299der of mutton to make it exceed.
300Hostesse. Oh where am I, or whats become of me.
301Bacon. What art thou?
306A motion mooued me to looke forth of dore.
307No sooner had I pried into the yard,
309And mounted me aloft vnto the cloudes:
310As in a trance I thought nor feared nought,
311Nor know I where or whether I was tane:
316That you and I at Henly plaid at cardes.
317Burden. I knowe not what we did, a poxe of all coniuring
318Friers.
319Clement. Now iolly Frier tell vs, is this the booke
320that Burden is so carefull to looke on?
321Bacon. It is, but Burden tell me now,
322Thinkest thou that Bacons Nicromanticke skill,
323Cannot performe his head and wall of Brasse,
326iure as well as you, hee would haue his booke euerie night from
327Henly to study on at Oxford.
328Mason. Burden what are you mated by this frolicke Frier,
329Looke how he droops, his guiltie conscience
333Fore supper ginne, Burden bid her adew,
337Exeunt Hostesse and the Deuill.
338Burden. The deuill take thee and Henly too.
340Bacon. Whats that?
343ing after.
345You haue seene the Frier frame his art by proofe:
346And as the colledge called Brazennose,
347Is vnder him and he the maister there:
350And Hell and Heccate shall faile the Frier,
351But I will circle England round with brasse.
353Exeunt omnes.
354Enter Margaret the faire mayd of Fresingfield, with Thomas
355 and Ione, and other clownes: Lacie disguised in countrie
356 apparell.
357Thomas. By my troth Margret heeres a wether is able to
360beare no price.
362Count not to make a cope for dearth of hay,
363When we haue turnd our butter to the salt,
368And looke that yong-men should be francke this day,
369And court vs with such fairings as they can.
370Phaebus is blythe and frolicke lookes from heauen,
371As when he courted louely Semele:
372Swearing the pedlers shall haue emptie packs,
373If that faire wether may make chapmen buy.
374Lacie. But louely Peggie Semele is dead,
375And therefore Phaebus from his pallace pries,
377Shewes all his glories for to court your selfe.
384I warrant you the meanest of vs both,
385Shall haue a mate to leade vs from the Church:
386But Thomas whats the newes? what in a dumpe.
387Giue me your hand, we are neere a pedlers shop,
391All this while Lacie whispers Margret in the eare.
394Lacie. Faith louely girle, I am of Beckles by,
395Your neighbour not aboue six miles from hence,
399From him that reueld in your fathers house,
402His token, that he helpt you run your cheese,
405Lacie. Women are often weake in memorie.
407Twere little manners to refuse his gift,
408And yet I hope he sends it not for loue:
409For we haue little leisure to debate of that.
411loues.
413angrie.
415man Cob, my father bought a horse of him, Ile tell you Marget,
416a were good to be a gentlemans iade, for of all things the foule
417hilding could not abide a doongcart.
420His words are wittie, quickened with a smile,
422Facill and debonaire in all his deeds,
423Proportiond as was Paris, when in gray,
424He courted Aenon in the vale by Troy.
425Great lords haue come and pleaded for my loue,
427And yet me thinks this Farmers iolly sonne,
432Keepe that to thee till time doth serue thy turne,
433To shew the greefe wherein thy heart doth burne.
434Come Ione and Thomas, shall we to the faire,
435You Beckls man will not forsake vs now,
438Make but a step into the keepers lodge,
442Lacie. Gramarcies Peggie, looke for me eare long.
443Exeunt omnes.
444Enter Henry the third, the emperour, the king of Castile, Elinor
445his daughter, Iaques Vandermast a Germaine.
447Ringd with the wals of old Oceanus,
449That compast high built Babell in with towers,
450Welcome my lords, welcome braue westerne kings,
452Shewes Albion is another little world,
454Chiefly vnto the louely Eleanour,
456And venture as Agenors damsell through the deepe,
457To get the loue of Henries wanton sonne.
458Castile. Englands rich Monarch braue Plantagenet,
459The Pyren mounts swelling aboue the clouds,
460That ward the welthie Castile in with walles,
461Could not detaine the beautious Eleanour,
462But hearing of the fame of Edwards youth,
463She darde to brooke Neptunus haughtie pride,
464And bide the brunt of froward Eolus,
465Then may faire England welcome her the more.
467Had sent prince Edwards louely counterfeit,
469The comly pourtrait of so braue a man,
471Edwards couragious resolution,
472Done at the holy land fore Damas walles,
473Led both mine eye and thought in equall links,
475That I attempted perrils for his sake.
476Emperour. Where is the Prince, my lord?
481We heare the Prince is ridden with his lords,
482To Oxford, in the Academie there,
485To will him come from Oxford to the court.
486Empe. Nay rather Henrie let vs as we be,
487Ride for to visite Oxford with our traine,
489And what learned men your Academie yields,
490From Haspurg haue I brought a learned clarke,
493A Germaine borne, past into Padua,
494To Florence, and to faire Bolonia,
495To Paris, Rheims, and stately Orleans,
496And talking there with men of art, put downe
498In Magicke, and the Mathematicke rules,
499Now let vs Henrie trie him in your schooles.
502And see what men our Academie bringes.
503And woonder Vandermast welcome to me
505Cald Frier Bacon, Englands only flower
506Set him but Non-plus in his magicke spels,
507And make him yeeld in Mathematicke rules,
508And for thy glorie I will bind thy browes,
509Not with a poets garland made of Baies,
510But with a coronet of choicest gold,
513Enter Raphe Simnell in Edwardes apparrell, Ed-
514ward, Warren, Ermsby disguised.
516no better on their maister?
519Ile haue another fetch.
520Ermsbie. I pray you how is that my Lord?
523whipcord, Now vpon their backes will I haue a faire field bed,
528Ermsbie. Warren well motioned, wee will to the Frier
529Before we reuell it within the towne.
530Raphe see you keepe your countenance like a Prince.
532to wait vpon me, but to keep and defend my countenance against
533all mine enemies: haue you not good swords and bucklers.
534Enter Bacon and Miles.
535Ermsbie. Stay who comes heere.
537con is.
541not speake one word of true Latine.
544Oxford.
547Bacon. How prooue you that?
549hard felt and vnderstood.
551Here beate him.
553Sirha, where is Brazennose Colledge.
561thou not know me to be a Lord by my reparrell.
562Miles. Then heeres good game for the hawke, for heers the
564would spring you all.
565Edward. Gogs wounds Warren kill him.
567cannot get out my dagger.
568Ermsbie. Nor I mine, Swones Ned I thinke I am bewitcht.
570your weapon if he can,
575Strike him a box on the eare.
577not lift his armes to his head, for he is light fingered.
581Bacon. To thee.
582Edward. Who art thou.
584That frier Bacon was not farre from hence:
585Edward king Henries sonne and Prince of Wales,
587I know both Ermsbie and the Sussex Earle,
588Els Frier Bacon had but little skill.
592And Lacie Eare of Lincolne hast thou left,
593To treat faire Margret to allow thy loues:
594But friends are men, and loue can baffle lords.
595The Earle both woes and courtes her for himselfe.
597Ermsbie. Appollo could not vtter more than this.
599Tell euen the verie secrets of my thoughts:
602Helpe Frier at a pinch, that I may haue
603The loue of louely Margret to my selfe,
604And as I am true Prince of Wales, Ile giue
606VVarren. Good Frier helpe the Prince in this.
609off his head and make him do it by force.
617And fore that night shuts in the day with darke,
618Theile be betrothed ech to other fast:
622Edward. Gramercies Bacon, I will quite thy paine.
625Meane while weele see the knauerie of the earle.
626Edward. Warren leaue me and Ermsbie, take the foole,
627Let him be maister and go reuell it,
628Till I and Frier Bacon talke a while.
629VVarren. We will my lord.
631Prince of Wales ouer all the blacke pots in Oxford.
632Exeunt.
633Bacon and Edward goes into the study.
634Bacon. Now frolick Edward, welcome to my Cell,
635Heere tempers Frier Bacon many toies:
637Wherin the diuels pleads homage to his words,
640Twixt louely Peggie and the Lincolne earle.
642How Lacie meaneth to his soueraigne lord.
644Enter Margret and Frier Bungay.
647As bright-sunne as the parramour of Mars,
648Onely attended by a iolly frier.
650Margret. But tell me frier Bungay is it true,
651That this faire courtious countrie swaine,
652Who saies his father is a farmer nie,
653Can be lord Lacie earle of Lincolnshire.
654Bungay. Peggie tis true, tis Lacie for my life,
655Or else mine art and cunning both doth faile.
656Left by prince Edward to procure his loues,
657For he in greene that holpe you runne your cheese,
658Is sonne to Henry and the prince of Wales.
660But did lord Lacie like poore Margret,
661Or would he daine to wed a countrie lasse,
662Frier, I would his humble handmayd be,
663And for great wealth, quite him with courtesie.
666Might well auouch to shadow Hellens cape:
667His wit is quicke and readie in conceit,
670Trust me I loue too much to tell thee more,
671Suffice to me he is Englands parramour.
674Margret. Yes Bungay, and would God the louely Earle
676Bungay. Feare not, the Frier will not be behind,
677To shew his cunning to entangle loue.
678Edward. I thinke the Frier courts the bonny wench,
679Bacon, me thinkes he is a lustie churle.
680Bacon. Now looke my lord.
681Enter Lacie.
682Edward. Gogs wounds Bacon heere comes Lacie.
686And lockt him in the brightnesse of her lookes,
687Was not so beautious in Appollos eyes,
688As is faire Margret to the Lincolne earle,
689Recant thee Lacie thou art put in trust,
692And darest thou wrong thy Prince with trecherie.
693Lacie, loue makes no acception of a friend,
694Nor deemes it of a Prince, but as a man:
695Honour bids thee controll him in his lust,
696His wooing is not for to wed the girle,
697But to intrap her and beguile the lasse:
699But wed her, and abide thy Princes frowne:
702How cheere you sir, a penie for your thought:
703Your early vp, pray God it be the neere,
708My minde hath felt a heape of passions.
710Woo you still for the courtier all in greene.
713But when mine eies suruaid your beautious lookes
714Loue like a wagge, straight diued into my heart,
716Pittie me though I be a farmers sonne,
717And measure not my riches but my loue.
720Loue ought to creepe as doth the dials shade,
721For timely ripe is rotten too too soone.
723What youth of Beckles, with the keepers lasse,
724Tis well, but tell me heere you any newes.
725Margret. No, Frier what newes.
727With proclamations through ech country towne:
728Lacie. For what gentle frier tell the newes.
730Lacie the Earle of Lincolne is late fled
732And lurkes about the countrie heere vnknowne.
734And therefore doth proclaime in euery way,
735That who can take the Lincolne earle, shall haue
736Paid in the Exchequer twentie thousand crownes.
737Lacie. The earle of Lincoln, Frier thou art mad,
739The earle of Lincolne, why it cannot be.
740Margret. Yes verie well my lord, for you are he,
741The keepers daughter tooke you prisoner,
742Lord Lacie yeeld, Ile be your gailor once.
743Edward. How familiar they be Bacon.
748For why, these wrongs do wring me at the heart,
749Ah how these earles and noble men of birth,
750Flatter and faine to forge poore womens ill.
752I not denie, but tyred thus in rags
754Margret. What loue is there where wedding ends not loue?
755Lacie. I meant faire girle to make thee Lacies wife.
759A wife in name, but seruant in obedience.
766Bacon. Twere a long poinard my lord, to reach betweene
768Bungay. Well lord of Lincolne, if your loues be knit,
769And that your tongues and thoughts do both agree:
770To auoid insuing iarres, Ile hamper vp the match,
771Ile take my portace forth, and wed you heere,
773Lacie. Frier content, Peggie how like you this?
778The Frier readie with his portace there,
779To wed them both, then am I quite vndone,
780Bacon helpe now, if ere thy magicke serude,
781Helpe Bacon, stop the marriage now,
783And I will giue thee fourtie thousand crownes.
785For mumbling vp his orisons this day.
787Bungay is mute, crying Hud hud.
790If thou be dum what passions holdeth thee.
791Lacie. Hees dumbe indeed: Bacon hath with his diuels
794But Peggie what he cannot with his booke
795Weele twixt vs both vnite it vp in heart.
800And he shall dine with vs in Oxford here.
803Vnto thy fathers lodge, to comfort him
804With brothes to bring him from this haplesse trance.
808Margret. O helpe my lord, a deuill, a deuill my lord,
809Looke how he carries Bungay on his backe:
810Lets hence for Bacons spirits be abroad.
811Exeunt.
813Mounted vpon the diuell, and how the earle
814Flees with his bonny lasse for feare,
816And I haue chatted with the merrie frier,
818And quite these wrongs on Lacie ere it be long,
819Bacon. So be it my lord, but let vs to our dinner:
820For ere we haue taken our repast awhile,
822Exeunt.
823Enter three doctors, Burden, Mason,
824Clement.
826It fits vs talke about the kings repaire,
827For he troopt with all the westerne kings
829North by the clime of frostie Germanie,
830The Almain Monarke, and the Scocon duke,
831Castile, and louely Ellinor with him,
835Vaunted before the Romane Emperours.
837But more the king by letters hath foretold,
838That Fredericke the Almaine Emperour
839Hath brought with him a Germane of esteeme,
843To Frier Bacon that he vouch this taske,
844And vndertake to counteruaile in skill
845The German, els theres none in Oxford can,
847Burden. Bacon, if he will hold the German play,
848Weele teach him what an English Frier can doe:
849The diuell I thinke dare not dispute with him.
853Burden. A vengeance on the Frier for his paines,
854But leauing that, lets hie to Bacon straight,
855To see if he will take this taske in hand.
857tinie, what hurly burlie is this?
858Enter a Constable, with Raphe, Warren, Ermsbie
859and Miles.
862Burden. Whats the matter fellow?
864king in the Tauerne haue made a great braule, and almost kilde
865the vintner.
868What he tels vnto vobis, mentitur de nobis.
872Burden. What are you?
874ther of this cõpany, these are my lords, and I the prince of Wales.
879Mason. I cannot beleeue that this is the prince of Wales.
886Bewraies that he is bred of princely race.
888And tell vnto you, what is veriment and true,
889To cease of this quarrell, look but on his apparrell,
890Then mark but my talis, he is great prince of Walis,
892Then ware what is done, for he is Henries white sonne.
894my ingenious dignitie, know that I am Edward Plantagenet,
898shall I not do it?
900I wil gather vp al your old pantophles, and with the corke, make
902maruellous well, my lord.
903Ermsbie. And I my lord will haue Pioners to vndermine the
904towne, that the very Gardens and orchards be carried away for
905your summer walkes.
907Will coniure and charme, to keepe you from harme,
909Like Bartlets ship, from Oxford do skip,
910With Colleges and schooles, full loaden with fooles,
912Clement. Why harebraind courtiers, are you drunke or mad,
916Call out the beadls and conuay them hence,
917Straight to Bocardo, let the roisters lie
918Close clapt in bolts, vntill their wits be tame.
924Like pezzants and elues, are meet for themselues.
927With laughing at these mad and merrie wagges,
928Know that prince Edward is at Brazennose,
929And this attired like the prince of Wales,
930Is Raphe, king Henries only loued foole,
931I, earle of Essex, and this Ermsbie
932One of the priuie chamber to the king,
933Who while the prince with Frier Bacon staies,
934Haue reueld it in Oxford as you see.
935Mason. My lord pardon vs, we knew not what you were,
936But courtiers may make greater skapes than these,
937Wilt please your honour dine with me to day?
940prince of Wales.
942Raphe. And vpon that I will lead the way, onely I will haue
945Enter prince Edward with his poinard in his hand, Lacie
946 and Margret.
948Nor couer as did Cassius all his wiles,
949For Edward hath an eye that lookes as farre,
951Did not I sit in Oxford by the Frier,
954Did not prowd Bungay draw his portasse foorth,
955And ioyning hand in hand had married you,
956If Frier Bacon had not stroke him dumbe,
957And mounted him vpon a spirits backe,
958That we might chat at Oxford with the frier,
960Lacie. Truth all my Lord and thus I make replie,
961At Harlstone faire there courting for your grace,
963And drewe the beautious glory of her looks,
964To diue into the center of my heart.
965Loue taught me that your honour did but iest,
966That princes were in fancie but as men,
968Was fitter to be Lacies wedded wife,
969Than concubine vnto the prince of Wales.
970Edward. Iniurious Lacie did I loue thee more
971Than Alexander his Hephestion,
972Did I vnfould the passion of my loue,
973And locke them in the closset of thy thoughts,
975Sole freind, and partner of his secreat loues,
976And could a glaunce of fading bewtie breake,
977The inchained fetters of such priuat freindes,
979To be coriuall with a prince in thoughts,
981To quite a traitor fore that Edward sleepe.
984And still woode for the courtier all in greene,
985But I whome fancy made but ouer fond,
986Pleaded my selfe with looks as if I lovd,
987I fed myne eye with gazing on his face,
988And still bewicht lovd Lacie with my looks,
989My hart with sighes, myne eyes pleaded with tears,
990My face held pittie and content at once,
992But that I lovd Lord Lacie with my heart,
993Then worthy Edward measure with thy minde,
994If womens fauours will not force men fall,
995If bewtie and if darts of persing loue,
996Is not of force to bury thoughts of friendes.
997Edward. I tell thee Peggie I will haue thy loues,
998Edward or none shall conquer Margret,
999In Frigats bottomd with rich Sethin planks,
1000Topt with the loftie firs of Libanon,
1002And ouerlaid with plates of Persian wealth,
1003Like Thetis shalt thou wanton on the waues
1004And draw the Dolphins to thy louely eyes,
1005To daunce lauoltas in the purple streames,
1008And entertaine faire Margret with her laies,
1009England and Englands wealth shall wait on thee,
1010Brittaine shall bend vnto her princes loue,
1011And doe due homage to thine excellence,
1012If thou wilt be but Edwards Margret.
1013Margret. Pardon my lord if Ioues great roialtie,
1015If Phoebus tied in Latonas webs,
1016Come courting from the beautie of his lodge,
1017The dulcet tunes of frolicke Mercurie,
1019Should make me leaue lord Lacie or his loue.
1021Abbata causa, tollitur effectus,
1022Lacie the cause that Margret cannot loue,
1025Villaine prepare thy selfe for I will bathe
1026My poinard in the bosome of an eatle.
1028Prince Edward stop not at the fatall doome,
1029But stabb it home, end both my loues and life.
1030Marg. Braue Prince of Wales, honoured for royall deeds,
1033Spare Lacie gentle Edward, let me die,
1037Margret What hopes the Prince to gaine by Lacies death?
1038Edward. To end the loues twixt him and Margeret.
1040Hangs in the vncertaine ballance of proud time,
1043Shall vaunt him thrice, ouer the loftie east,
1044Margret will meet her Lacie in the heauens.
1045Lacie. If ought betides to louely Margret,
1046That wrongs or wrings her honour from content,
1047Europes rich wealth nor Englands monarchie,
1048Should not allure Lacie to ouerliue,
1049Then Edward short my life and end her loues.
1050Margret. Rid me, and keepe a friend worth many loues.
1051Lacie. Nay Edward keepe a loue worth many friends.
1053Then princely Edward let vs both abide
1054The fatall resolution of thy rage,
1055Banish thou fancie, and imbrace reuenge,
1056And in one toombe knit both our carkases,
1058Edward. Edward Art thou that famous prince of Wales,
1060And broughtst home triumphe on thy launces point,
1061And shall thy plumes be puld by Venus downe,
1062Is it princely to disseuer louers leagues,
1063To part such friends as glorie in their loues,
1064Leaue Ned, and make a vertue of this fault,
1065And further Peg and Lacie in their loues,
1068Lacie rise vp, faire Peggie heeres my hand,
1069The prince of Wales hath conquered all his thoughts
1070And all his loues he yeelds vnto the earle,
1072Make her thy Lincolne countesse at the church,
1073And Ned as he is true Plantagenet,
1074Will giue her to thee franckly for thy wife.
1076As if that Edward gaue me Englands right,
1077And richt me with the Albion diadem.
1080And yeeld the title of a countrie maid,
1081Vnto lord Lacie.
1082Edward. I will faire Peggie as I am true lord.
1085Margret as milde and humble in her thoughts,
1087Yeelds thanks, and next lord Lacie, doth inshrine
1090And that your loues are not be reuolt:
1091Once Lacie friendes againe, come we will post
1092To Oxford, for this day the king is there,
1093And brings for Edward Castile Ellinor.
1095I pray God I like her as I loued thee.
1097Twixt frier Bacon, and learned Vandermast,
1098Peggie weele leaue you for a week or two.
1100Thinke footsteps Miles, and minutes to be houres.
1102But please your houour goe vnto the lodge,
1104And yesterday I brought for Margret,
1105A lustie bottle of neat clarret wine,
1106Thus can we feast and entertaine your grace.
1107Edward. Tis cheere lord Lacie for an Emperour,
1109Come let vs in, for I will all this night,
1110Ride post vntill I come to Bacons cell.
1111Exeunt.
1112Enter Henrie, Emperour, Castile, Ellinor, Van-
1113dermast, Bungay.
1116The mountaines full of fat and fallow deere,
1118The towne gorgeous with high built colledges,
1120Learned in searching principles of art,
1121What is thy iudgement, Iaquis Vandermast.
1122Vandermast. That lordly are the buildings of the towne,
1123Spatious the romes and full of pleasant walkes:
1124But for the doctors how that they be learned,
1125It may be meanly, for ought I can heere.
1127None red so deepe as Oxenford containes,
1128There are within our accademicke state,
1129Men that may lecture it in Germanie,
1132And I will vse thee as a royall king.
1135Vandermast. Before rich Europes worthies put thou forth
1138or Geomancie, be most predominant in magick.
1140Bungay. And I of Geomancie.
1142As Hermes, Melchie, and Pithagoras,
1147Exceed in bignesse as they doe in height.
1148Iudging the concaue circle of the sonne,
1149To hold the rest in his circomference,
1155Nor tell I of the concaue lattitudes,
1156Noting their essence nor their qualitie,
1157But of the spirites that Piromancie calles,
1158And of the vigour of the Geomanticke fiends,
1159I tell thee Germane magicke haunts the grounds,
1163That Hermes calleth Terrae filii.
1165That lightly passe as Heralts to beare newes,
1167Disseuer mountaines if they be but chargd,
1170Are dull and like the place where they remaine:
1171For when proud Lucipher fell from the heauens,
1173Retaind their locall essence as their faults,
1177But Lucifer and his proud hearted fiends,
1178Were throwne into the center of the earth,
1182For Iuglers, Witches, and vild sorcerers,
1183Whereas the Piromanticke gemij,
1184Are mightie, swift, and of farre reaching power,
1185But graunt that Geomancie hath most force,
1188Bungay. I will.
1191Vandermast. What wilt thou doe.
1193Wheron the fearefull dragon held his seate,
1194That watcht the garden cald Hesperides,
1195Subdued and wonne by conquering Hercules.
1196Vandermast. Well done.
1197Heere Bungay coniures and the tree appeares with
1198the dragon shooting fire.
1200Hath he not done a point of cunning skill.
1202Can doe as much as Bungay hath performd,
1204So will I raise him vp as when he liued,
1206And teare the branches peecemeale from the roote,
1207Hercules Prodie, Prodi Hercules.
1208Hercules appeares in his Lions skin.
1212As once thou didst to win the golden fruit.
1214Heere he begins to breake the branches.
1216The fiend appearing like great Hercules,
1217From pulling downe the branches of the tree,
1218Then art thou worrhy to be counted learned.
1219Bungay. I cannot.
1221Mightie commander of this English Ile,
1222Henrie come from the stout Plantagenets,
1223Bungay is learned enough to be a Frier.
1224But to compare with Iaquis Vandermast,
1226To find a man to match him in his art.
1227I haue giuen non-plus to the Paduans,
1228To them of Sien, Florence, and Belogna,
1229Reimes, Louain and faire Rotherdam,
1230Franckford, Lutrech and Orleance:
1231And now must Henrie if he do me right,
1232Crowne me with lawrell as they all haue done.
1233Enter Bacon.
1234Bacon. All haile to this roiall companie,
1237What hath the Germane acted more than thou,
1239Bacon. Men call me Bacon.
1242Betweene the circled arches of thy browes.
1243Henrie. Now Monarcks hath the Germain found his match.
1248For yet tell me, what hast thou done?
1250That Bongay mounted by his magicke spels.
1251Bacon. Set Hercules to worke.
1252Vander. Now Hercules, I charge thee to thy taske,
1253Pull off the golden branches from the roote.
1256Vandermast. By all the thrones and dominations,
1257Vertues, powers and mightie Herarchies,
1258I charge thee to obey to Vandermast.
1260And rules Asmenoth guider of the North:
1261Bindes me from yeelding vnto Vandermast.
1264That men held deuils in such obediant awe,
1265Bacon doth more than art or els I faile.
1267Bacon dispute with him, and trie his skill:
1270I come to haue your royalties to dine
1271With Frier Bacon heere in Brazennose,
1272And for this Germane troubles but the place
1274Ile send him to his Accademie hence,
1279Vanish the tree and thou away with him.
1280Exit the spirit with Vandermast and the Tree.
1285And made faire Oxford famous by thine art,
1287But tell me shall we dine with thee to day.
1289See where Prince Edward comes to welcome you:
1291Enter Edward, Lacie, Warren, Ermsbie.
1293How martiall is the figure of his face,
1294Yet louely and beset with Amorets.
1296Edward. At Framingham my Lord, to trie your buckes.
1298But hearing of these lordly Potentates
1299Landed, and prograst vp to Oxford towne,
1300I posted to giue entertaine to them,
1301Chiefe to the Almaine Monarke, next to him,
1302And ioynt with him, Castile and Saxonie,
1303Are welcome as they may be to the English Court.
1304Thus for the men, but see Venus appeares,
1305Or one that ouermatcheth Venus in her shape,
1306Sweete Ellinor, beauties high swelling pride,
1307Rich natures glorie, and her wealth at once:
1308Faire of all faires, welcome to Albion,
1309Welcome to me, and welcome to thine owne,
1312The marke that Ellinor did count her aime,
1313I likte thee fore I saw thee, now I loue,
1316And therefore so accept of Ellinor.
1317Castile. Feare not my Lord, this couple will agree,
1318If loue may creepe into their wanton eyes:
1319And therefore Edward I accept thee heere,
1322And glorie in these honors done to Ned,
1324And rest a true Plantagenet to all.
1325Enter Miles with a cloth and trenchers and salt.
1327nie and Spaine, in England and in Almaine: for all this frolicke
1329then looke for your broth.
1334an apple tree: tis no matter, their cheere shall not be great, and
1338Than for to couer courtly for a king.
1339Enter Miles with a messe of pottage and broth,
1340and after him Bacon.
1342twopeny chop before in my life: by your leaue, Nobile decus, for
1344messe of pottage.
1345Bacon. Lordings admire not if your cheere be this,
1346For we must keepe our Accademicke fare,
1347No riot where Philosophie doth raine,
1348And therefore Henrie place these Potentates,
1349And bid them fall vnto their frugall cates.
1355Tell me, and Fredericke will not greeue the long.
1356Henrie. By Henries honour and the royall faith
1357The English monarcke beareth to his friend:
1358I knew not of the friers feeble fare,
1359Nor am I pleasd he entertaines you thus.
1363Miles take away, and let it be thy dinner.
1366Bacon. I tell thee Monarch, all the Germane Peeres
1369As Bacon will present to Fredericke,
1371Shall be in honours greater than thy selfe:
1372And for thy cates rich Alexandria drugges,
1375Shall royallize the table of my king,
1376Wines richer than the Gyptian courtisan,
1377Quaft to Augustus kingly countermatch,
1380Persia downe her volga by Canows,
1382The Africke Dates mirabiles of Spaine,
1383Conserues, and Suckets from Tiberias,
1384Cates from Iudea choiser than the lampe
1386Shall bewtifie the board for Fredericke,
1387And therfore grudge not at a friers feast.
1388Enter two gentlemen, Lambert, and Serlby
1389with the keeper.
1390Lambert. Come frolicke keeper of our lieges game,
1392And Iacks of wines to welcome passengers,
1393Know I am in loue with iolly Margret,
1396In Laxfield heere my land and liuing lies,
1397Ile make thy daughter ioynter of it all,
1398So thou consent to giue her to my wife,
1401By coppie all thy liuing lies in me.
1403I will infeofe faire Margret in all,
1405Keeper. Now courteous gentls, if the Keepers girle,
1406Hath pleased the liking fancie of you both,
1407And with her beutie hath subdued your thoughts,
1408Tis doubtfull to decide the question.
1412To be a wife to meaner men than you.
1417Why Serlsby is thy wife so lately dead,
1419As thou canst wed before the yeare be out,
1420Serlsby. I liue not Lambert to content the dead,
1421Nor was I wedded but for life to her,
1422The graues ends and begins a maried state.
1423Enter Margret.
1430Nor tell a tall of Phebus and his loues,
1431But this beeleue me Laxfield here is mine,
1432Of auncient rent seuen hundred pounds a yeare,
1434I wil infeoffe thee Margret in all,
1437A Keepers daughters is too base in gree
1438To match with men accoumpted of such worth,
1443Be kindled but by fancies motion,
1444Then pardon gentils, if a maids reply
1445Be doubtful, while I haue debated with my selfe,
1452And fortie kine with faire and burnisht heads,
1453With strouting duggs that paggle to the ground,
1454Shall serue thy dary if thou wed with me.
1456And lands that waue with Ceres golden sheues
1458But peggie if thou wed thy selfe to me,
1460Lawnes and rich networks for thy head attyre
1462If thou wilt be but Lamberts louing wife.
1463Margret Content you gentles you haue profered faire,
1464And more than fits a countrie maids degree,
1465But giue me leaue to counsaile me a time,
1467Giue me but ten dayes respite and I will replye,
1469Serslby. Lambert I tell thee thou art importunate,
1471It is for Serlsby to haue Margret.
1473Serlsby, I scorne to brooke thy country braues
1474I dare thee Coward to maintaine this wrong,
1480Margeret. How Fortune tempers lucky happes with frowns,
1481And wrongs me with the sweets of my delight,
1482Loue is my blisse, and loue is now my bale,
1483Shall I be Hellen in my froward fates,
1484As I am Hellen in my matchles hue
1486If louely Lacie were but with his Peggy,
1487The cloudie darckenesse of his bitter frowne
1489Before the term of ten dayes be expired,
1490When as they looke for aunswere of their loues,
1492And end their fancies, and their follies both,
1493Til when Peggie be blith and of good cheere.
1494Enter a post with a letter and
1495a bag of gold.
1498which footpath leadeth to the keepers lodge?
1499Margeret Your way is ready and this path is right,
1501And if the keeper be the man you seeke,
1502I am his daughter may I kuow the cause?
1503Post Louely and once beloued of my lord,
1504No meruaile if his eye was lodgd so low,
1505when brighter bewtie is not in the heauens,
1506The Lincolne earle hath sent you letters here,
1507And with them, iust an hundred pounds in gold,
1508Sweete bonny wench read them and make reply.
1511Were not more welcome than these lines to me.
1513Liues Lacie well, how fares my louely Lord?
1514Post. Well, if that wealth may make men to liue well.
1515The letter, and Margret reads it.
THe bloomes of the Almond tree grow in a night, and vanish
1518the Sun, and die with the dew, fancie that slippeth in with a
1519gase, goeth out with a winke, and too timely loues, haue euer the
1524cheefe waighting woman to the Princesse Ellinour, a Lady faire,
1526forsake thee I leaue thee to thine own liking, and for thy dowrie
1529 Not thine nor his owne,
1530Edward Lacie.
1531Fond Atae doomer of bad boading fates,
1532That wrappes proud Fortune in thy snaky locks,
1534As lightned mischeefe from their infancie,
1535If heauens had vowd, if stars had made decree,
1537If Lacie had but lovd, heauens hell and all,
1538Could not haue wrongd the patience of my minde.
1540To loue the Lady, by the Kings commaund.
1542Europes commaunder nor the English King,
1543Should not haue moude the loue of Peggie from her Lord.
1546Ah giue me leaue to sigh at euery thought,
1547Take thou my freind the hundred pound he sent,
1548For Margrets resolution craues no dower,
1549The world shalbe to her as vanitie,
1552And in the abby there be shorne a Nun
1553And yeld my loues and libertie to God,
1554Fellow I giue thee this, not for the newes,
1555For those be hatefull vnto Margret,
1556But for thart Lacies man once Margrets loue.
1558Ile make report of them vnto the Earle. Exit Post
1560And praies that his misfortune may be hers. Exit
1561Enter Frier Bacon drawing the courtaines with a white sticke,
1562 a booke in his hand, and a lampe lighted by him, and the
1563 brasen head and miles, whith weapons by him.
1564Bacon. Miles where are you?
1567Miles. Thinke you that the watching of the brazen head
1569that if all your deuills come I will not feare them an inch.
1572That with my Magick spels great Belcephon,
1573Hath left his lodge and kneeled at my cell,
1574The rafters of the earth rent from the poles,
1575And three-formd Luna hid her siluer looks,
1576Trembling vpon her concaue contenent,
1577When Bacon red vpon his Magick booke,
1579Poring vpon darke Hecats principles,
1581That by the inchaunting forces of the deuil,
1583And girt faire England with a wall of brasse,
1586If Argos livd and had his hundred eyes,
1587They could not ouerwatch Phobeters night,
1588Now Miles in thee rests Frier Bacons weale,
1589The honour and renowne of all his life,
1590Hangs in the watching of this brazen-head,
1591Therefore I charge thee by the immortall God
1593This night thou watch, for ere the morning star
1594Sends out his glorious glister on the north,
1595The head will speake, then Miles vpon thy life,
1596Wake me for then by Magick art Ile worke,
1597To end my seuen yeares taske with excellence,
1599Then farewell Bacons glory and his fame,
1600Draw closse the courtaines Miles now for thy life,
1603and tis no meruaile, for Bungay on the dayes, and he on the
1610good as a watch-man to wake me if I chaunce to slumber.
1611I thought goodman head, I would call you out of your memento,
Sit down and
knocke
your
head.
1613taske, take your browne bill in your hand, heeres some of your
1615The Head speakes.
1616Head. Time is.
1621well Ile watch you as narrowly as euer you were watcht, and Ile
1622play with you as the Nightingale with the Slowworme, Ile set a
1625rumble
1626Head. Time was.
1628well that can make your Head speake but two wordes at once,
1631lie while your arce ake and your Head speake no better: well I
1632will watch and walke vp and downe, and be a Perepatetian and a
1634pistols in hand Miles.
1635Heere the Head speakes and a lightning flasheth forth,
1636and a hand appeares that breaketh down the
1637Head with a hammer.
1641all Oxford is vp in armes, out of your bed and take a browne bill
1642in your hand, the latter day is come.
1644Bacon will make thee next himselfe in loue,
1645When spake the Head?
1648two wordes at a time.
1651it hath vttered but seuen wordes.
1652Bacon. As how.
1655and the third time with thunder and lightning, as in great choller,
1658My life, my fame, my glorie, all are past:
1659Bacon, the turrets of thy hope are ruind downe,
1661Thy Brazen-head lies broken through a slaue
1662That watcht, and would not when the Head did will,
1667The Brazen-head had vttered Aphorismes,
1668And England had been circled round with brasse,
1669But proud Astmeroth ruler of the North,
1670And Demegorgon maister of the fates,
1672Hell trembled at my deepe commanding spels,
1673Fiendes frownd to see a man their ouermatch,
1675But now the braues of Bacon hath an end,
1676Europes conceit of Bacon hath an end:
1678And villaine sith my glorie hath an end,
1679I will appoint thee fatall to some end,
1680Villaine auoid, get thee from Bacons sight:
1681Vagrant go rome and range about the world,
1682And perish as a vagabond on earth.
1685That direfull plagues and mischiefe fall on thee.
1687The more the fox is curst the better he fares: God be with you
1690motion.
1692Vntill they doe transport thee quicke to hell,
1693For Bacon shall haue neuer merrie day,
1695Enter Emperour, Castile, Henrie, Ellinor, Ed-
1696ward, Lacie, Raphe.
1697Emper. Now louely Prince the prince of Albions wealth,
1698How fares the ladie Ellinor and you:
1700To answer England in equiuolence
1701Wilt be a match twixt bonny Nell and thee.
1702Edw. Should Paris enter in the courts of Greece,
1703And not lie fettered in faire Hellens lookes,
1705That Daphne glaunsed at his deitie:
1707Whose heat puts Hellen and faire Daphne downe,
1708Now Monarcks aske the ladie if we gree.
1710Ellinor. Seeing my lord his louely counterfeit,
1711And hearing how his minde and shape agreed,
1712I come not troopt with all this warlike traine,
1714As Edward hath in England what he wonne in Spaine.
1716Men must haue wiues and women will be wed,
1717Lets hast the day to honour vp the rites.
1719Henry. I Raphe, how then.
1721con to marrie them, for heele so coniure him and her with his
1722Nigromancie, that they shall loue togither like pigge and lambe
1723whilest they liue.
1725linor to thy ladie.
1727Castile.Whats that Raphe.
1729me, Sirha Harry I haue put her downe with a thing vnpossible.
1730Henry. Whats that Raphe.
1732both hold her tongue and her handes, no but when egge-pies
1733growes on apple-trees, then will thy gray mare prooue a bag-
1734piper.
1739Of one surnam'd fot beauties excellence,
1741Henrie. Tis true my lord, tis wondrous for to heare,
1742Her beautie passing Marces parramour:
1743Her virgins right as rich as Vestas was,
1744Lacie and Ned hath told me miracles.
1749And prooue in true apparance at the court
1750What I haue vouched often with my tongue.
1755If it may please the ladie Ellinor,
1756One day shall match your excellence and her,
1758Your highnesse may command a greater boone,
1759And glad were I to grace the Lincolne earle
1760With being partner of his marriage day.
1761Edward. Gramercie Nell for I do loue the lord,
1763Raphe. You loue her, madam Nell, neuer beleeue him you
1764though he sweares he loues you.
1765Ellinor. Why Raphe.
1768once out of all hoe, nay Ned neuer wincke vpon me, I care not I.
1772The solemne marriage day will be at hand.
1778Exeunt.
1779Enter frier Bacon with frier Bungay to his cell.
1780Bungay. What meanes the frier that frolickt it of late,
1781To sit as melancholie in his cell:
1782To sit as melancholie in his cell,
1783As if he had neither lost nor wonne to day.
1786The fame of Bacon bruted through the world,
1788Bungay. Bacon hath built foundation on his fame,
1789So surely on the wings of true report,
1791As this cannot infringe what he deserues.
1795But what and wherein little can I gesse.
1797Enter two schollers, sonnes to Lambert and Serlby.
1798Knocke.
1801Bac. Bid thẽ come in, Now my youths what would you haue.
1804Their lands adioyne, in Crackfield mine doth dwell,
1805And his in Laxfield, we are colledge mates,
1806Sworne brothers as our fathers liues as friendes.
1807Bacon. To what end is all this.
1811We come to know how that our fathers fare.
1814How or in what state your friendly father liues,
1815Meane while tell me your names.
1816Lambert. Mine Lambert.
18172. Scholler. And mine Serlsbie.
1819Enter Lambert and Serlsbie, with Rapiers and daggers.
1821Th'art worthie of the title of a squire:
1826I for I skorne to beare such piercing taunts,
1827Prepare thee Serlsbie one of vs will die.
1830Stand on thy guard I cannot scold it out.
1831And if thou kill me, thinke I haue a sonne,
1832That liues in Oxford in the Brodgates hall,
1833Who will reuenge his fathers bloud with bloud.
1835That dares at weapon buckle with thy sonne,
1836And liues in Broadgates too as well as thine,
1837But draw thy Rapier for weele haue a bout.
1841To combat with my father in the field.
1848A venie man, faire Margret craues so much.
1849Serlbie. Then this for her.
18512. Scholler. But marke the ward.
1852They fight and kill ech other.
1854Serlbie. And I, Lord haue mercie on me.
1856The two schollers stab on another.
1859Bacon. See Frier where the fathers both lie dead.
1864End all thy magicke and thine art at once:
1865The poniard that did end the fatall liues,
1869He breakes the glasse.
1872That euer Bacon medled in this art,
1875Of papers full of Nigromanticke charmes,
1876Coniuring and adiuring diuels and fiends,
1878The wresting of the holy name of God,
1879As Sother, Elaim, and Adonaie,
1880Alpha, Manoth, and Tetragramiton,
1881With praying to the fiue-fould powers of heauen,
1883For vsing diuels to counteruaile his God.
1884Yet Bacon cheere thee, drowne not in despaire,
1885Sinnes haue their salues repentance can do much,
1888Which by thy magicke oft did bleed a fresh,
1889From thence for thee the dew of mercy drops,
1890To wash the wrath of hie Iehouahs ire,
1891And make thee as a new borne babe from sinne,
1892Bungay Ile spend the remnant of my life
1893In pure deuotion praying to my God,
1895Enter Margret in Nuns apparrell, Keeper, her father,
1896and their friend.
1898Oh burie not such beautie in a cell:
1899That England hath held famous for the hue,
1900Thy fathers haire like to the siluer bloomes:
1902Shall fall before the dated time of death,
1903Thus to forgoe his louely Margret.
1904Margret. A father when the hermonie of heauen,
1907Seemes odious to the thoughts of Margret,
1908I loued once, lord Lacie was my loue,
1909And now I hate my selfe for that I lovd,
1910And doated more on him than on my God:
1913Tels me all loue is lust but loue of heauens:
1914That beautie vsde for loue is vanitie,
1915The world containes nought but alluring baites:
1917To shun the pricks of death I leaue the world,
1918And vow to meditate on heauenly blisse,
1919To liue in Framingham a holy Nunne,
1920Holy and pure in conscience and in deed:
1921And for to wish all maides to learne of me,
1922To seeke heauens ioy before earths vanitie.
1924leaue vs all.
1925Margret. Now farewell world the engin of all woe,
1926Farewell to friends and father, welcome Christ:
1927Adew to daintie robes, this base attire
1928Better befits an humble minde to God,
1929Than all the shew of rich abilliments,
1930Loue, oh Loue, and with fond Loue farewell,
1931Sweet Lacie whom I loued once so deere,
1932Euer be well, but neuer in my thoughts,
1934But euen to that as to the rest farewell.
1935Enter Lacie, Warrain, Ermsbie, booted and spurd.
1936Lacie. Come on my wags weere neere the keepers lodge,
1937Heere haue I oft walkt in the watrie Meades,
1938And chatted with my louely Margret.
1939VVarraine. Sirha Ned, is not this the keeper.
1941Ermsbie. The old lecher hath gotton holy mutton to him
1942a Nunne my lord.
1944How doth Peggie thy daughter and my loue.
1945Keeper. Ah good my lord, oh wo is me for Pegge,
1947Readie for to be shorne in Framingham:
1949Oh good my lord perswade her if you can.
1950Lacie. Why how now Margret, what a malecontent,
1951A Nunne, what holy father taught you this,
1953As die a maid, twere iniurie to me.
1956How fond the prime of wanton yeares were spent
1957In loue, Oh fie vppon that fond conceite,
1959I leaue both loue and loues content at once,
1960Betaking me to him that is true loue,
1961And leauing all the world for loue of him.
1963What shorne a Nun, and I haue from the court,
1966Thy wedding robes are in the tailors hands,
1967Come Peggy leaue these peremptorie vowes.
1969And make diuorce twixt Margret and him?
1971But will faire Margret leaue her loue and Lord?
1973And life aboue sweeter than life in loue,
1975Marg. Margret hath made a vow which may not be reuokt.
1979Either a solemne Nunnerie, or the court,
1980God, or Lord Lacie, weich contents you best,
1981To be a Nun, or els Lord Lacies wife.
1984That when he comes with his inchanting face,
1986Off goes the habite of a maidens heart,
1987And seeing Fortune will, faire Fremingham,
1988And all the shew of holy Nuns farewell,
1989Lacie for me, if he wilbe my lord.
1990Lacie. Peggie thy Lord, thy loue, thy husband,
1991Trust me, by truth of knighthood, that the King
1992Staies for to marry matchles Ellinour,
1993Vntil I bring thee richly to the court,
1994That one day may both marry her and thee,
1999study?
2001neare God, yet they loue to die in a mans armes.
2005Such as poore Keepers haue within their lodge.
2006Lacie. And not a bottle of wine?
2010Enter a denill to seeke Miles.
2012When euerie charmer with his Magick spels
2013Cals vs from nine-fold trenched Blegiton,
2017To search about the world for Miles his man,
2018For Miles, and to torment his lasie bones,
2019For careles watchidg of his Brasen head,
2020See where he comes, Oh he is mine.
2021Enter Miles with a gowne and a corner
2022cap.
2024a botlemaker when I was made a scholler, for I can get neither to
2025be a Deacon, Reader, nor Schoolemaister, no, not the clarke of
2027Latine as an egs full of oatemeale, thus I am tormented that the
2028deuil and Frier Bacon, haunts me, good Lord heers one of my
2030how chere you?
2034Brazen-nose?
2035Deuil. Yes marry am I.
2037times at my maisters and yet I had neuer the manners to make
2041garde, but I pray you sir do you come lately from hel?
2042Deuil. I marry how then,
2045a pot of good ale, a paire of cardes, a swinging peece of chalke,
2047of good drinke?
2048Deuil. All this you may haue there.
2049Miles. You are for me freinde, and I am for you, but I pray
2050you, may I not haue an office there?
2053selfe, I know hel is a hot place, and men are meruailous drie, and
2056Miles, Theres nothing lets me from going with you, but
2057that tis a long iourney, an I haue neuer a horse.
2061you goodman friend let me moue a question to you.
2062Deuil. Whats that?
2063Miles. I pray you whether is your pace a trot or an amble?
2064Deuil. An amble.
2065Miles. Tis well, but take heede it be not a trot,
2066But tis no matter Ile preuent it.
2071Deuil. Get vp vpon my back.
2072Miles. Oh Lord heres euen a goodly meruaile, when a man
2073rides to hell on the Deuils backe. Exeunt roring.
2074Enter the Emperour with a pointles sword, next the King of
2075 Castile, carrying a sword with a point, Lacie carying the
2076 globe Ed. Warr. carrying a rod of gold with a doue on it,
2077 Ermsby with a crowne and Scepter, The queene with the
2078 faire maide of Frisingfield on her left hand, Henry, Bacon
2079 with other Lords attending.
2081Thinke that prince Edward humbles at your feet,
2083He vowes perpetuall homage to your selues,
2084Yeelding these honours vnto Ellinour.
2085Henrie. Gramercies Lordlings, old Plantagenet,
2086That rules and swayes the Albion diademe,
2088And vowes requitall, if his men at armes,
2089The wealth of England, or due honours done
2090To Ellinour, may quite his fauorites.
2091But all this while what say you to the Dames,
2095That gloried Ida with rich beauties wealth.
2096Margret. Tis I my lords who humbly on my knee,
2099Brought from her homely cottage to the court,
2100And graste with Kings Princes and Emperours,
2101To whom (next to the noble Lincolne Earle)
2102I vowe obedience, and such humble loue,
2103As may a handmaid to such mightie men.
2104Ellinour. Thou martiall man that wears the Almaine crowne,
2105And you the westerne Potentates of might,
2108Faire Margret, Countesse to the Lincolne Earle,
2109Attendes on Ellinour, gramercies Lord for her,
2110Tis I giue thanks for Margret to you all,
2113Lets martch in triumph to the royall feast,
2115Bacon. Repentant for the follies of my youth,
2117And ioyfull that this roiall marriage,
2120Or what shall grow from Edward and his Queene.
2122Which once I tempred in my secreat cell,
2123That here where Brute did build his Troynouant,
2124From forth the royall garden of a King,
2127And ouer-shadow Albion with her leaues.
2131Drums shallbe turnd to timbrells of delight,
2132With wealthy fauours, plentie shall enrich,
2137And Venus hyacinth shall vaile her top,
2143But glorious commaunders of Europas loue,
2144That makes faire England like that wealthy Ile,
2146In royallising Henries Albion,
2147With presence of your princelie mightines,
2148Lets march, the tables all are spread,
2151You shall haue welcome mighty potentates,
2153Only your hearts be frolick for the time,
2156Finis Frier Bacon, made by Robert Greene,
2157Maister of Arts.
Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit vtile dulci.