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  • Title: Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (Quarto)
  • Editors: Christopher Hicklin, Christopher Matusiak

  • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Robert Greene
    Editors: Christopher Hicklin, Christopher Matusiak
    Peer Reviewed

    Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (Quarto)

    The honourable historie of Frier Bacon.
    410Ione. 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 good-
    415man Cob, my father bought a horse of him, Ile 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,
    420His 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.
    425Great lords haue come and pleaded for my loue,
    Who but the keepers lasse 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,
    430And 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,
    435You Beckls man will not forsake vs now,
    Lacie. 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,
    440Butter and cheese, creame, and fat venison,
    You shall haue store, and welcome therewithall.
    Lacie. Gramarcies Peggie, looke for me eare long.
    Exeunt omnes.
    Enter
    C