QueenʼsMen Editions

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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.
    Is not of force to bury thoughts of friendes.
    Edward. I tell thee Peggie I will haue thy loues,
    Edward or none shall conquer Margret,
    In Frigats bottomd with rich Sethin planks,
    1000Topt with the loftie firs of Libanon,
    Stemd and incast with burnisht Iuorie
    And ouerlaid with plates of Persian wealth,
    Like Thetis shalt thou wanton on the waues
    And draw the Dolphins to thy louely eyes,
    1005To 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,
    1010Brittaine 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,
    1015If 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 affords,
    Should make me leaue lord Lacie or his loue.
    1020Edw. I haue learnd at Oxford then this point of schooles,
    Abbata causa, tollitur 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,
    1025Villaine 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.
    1030Marg. Braue Prince of Wales, honoured for royall deeds,
    Twere sinne to staine fair Venus courts with blood,
    Loues