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.
    1440Lambert. Say Peggy nought shall make vs 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
    1445Be doubtful, while I haue debated with my selfe,
    Who or of whome 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,
    1450Yelding 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.
    1455Lambert. 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,
    1460Lawnes and rich networks for thy head attyre
    Costlie shalbe thy fare abiliments,
    If thou wilt be but Lamberts louing wife.
    Margret Content you gentles you haue profered faire,
    And more than fits a countrie maids degree,
    1465But 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,
    1470Such 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