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 histori of Frier Bacon.
    Emperour. If but a third were added to these two
    They did surpasse those gorgeous images,
    2095That gloried Ida with rich beauties wealth.
    Margret. Tis I my lords who humbly on my knee,
    Must yelde her orisons to mightie Ioue,
    For lifting vp his handmaide to this state,
    Brought from her homely cottage to the court,
    2100And graste with Kings Princes and Emperours,
    To whom (next to the noble Lincolne Earle)
    I vowe obedience, and such humble loue,
    As may a handmaid to such mightie men.
    Ellinour. Thou martiall man that wears the Almaine crowne,
    2105And you the westerne Potentates of might,
    The Albian Princesse, English Edwards wife,
    Prowde that the louely star of Frisingfield,
    Faire Margret, Countesse to the Lincolne Earle,
    Attendes on Ellinour, gramercies Lord for her,
    2110Tis I giue thanks for Margret to you all,
    And rest for her due bounden to your selues.
    Henrie. Seeing the marriage is solemnised,
    Lets martch in triumph to the royall feast,
    But why stands Frier Bacon here so mute?
    2115Bacon. Repentant for the follies of my youth,
    That Magicks secreat misteries misled,
    And ioyfull that this roiall marriage,
    Portendes such blisse vnto this matchles realme.
    Hen. Why Bacon what straunge euẽt shall happẽ to this land
    2120Or what shall grow from Edward and his Queene.
    Bacon. I find by deepe praescience of mine art,
    Which once I tempred in my secreat cell,
    That here where Brute did build his Troynouant,
    From forth the royall garden of a King,
    2125Shall flowrish out, so rich and faire a bud,
    Whose brightnesse shall deface proude Phoebus flowre,
    And ouer-shadow Albion with her leaues.
    Til then, Mars shall be maister of the field,
    But