QueenʼsMen Editions

About this text

  • 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.
    Should not haue moude the loue of Peggie from her Lord.
    Post. What answere shall I returne to my Lord?
    1545Margret. 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 shalbe to her as vanitie,
    1550Wealth 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,
    1555For those be hatefull vnto Margret,
    But for thart Lacies man once Margrets loue.
    Post. What I haue heard what passions I haue seene
    Ile make report of them vnto the Earle. Exit Post
    Margret. Say that she ioyes his fancies be at rest,
    1560And 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?
    1565Miles. 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.
    1570Bacon. 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,
    1575And three-formd Luna hid her siluer looks,
    Trembling