Fair Em

Chapter 7

Then take it: there, and there, and there!

[She tears it. Et exit Blaunch.]

MARIANA.

How far doth this differ from modesty! Yet will I gather up the pieces, which happily may shew to me the intent thereof, though not the meaning.

[She gathers up the pieces and joins them.]

"Your servant and love, sir Robert of Windsor, Alias William the Conqueror, wisheth long health and happiness". Is this William the Conqueror, shrouded under the name of sir Robert of Windsor? Were he the Monarch of the world he should not disposess Lubeck of his Love. Therefore I will to the Court, and there, if I can, close to be friends with Lady Blaunch; and thereby keep Lubeck, my Love, for my self, and further the Lady Blaunch in her suit, as much as I may.

[Exit.]

SCENE III.

Manchester. The Mill.

[Enter Em sola.]

EM.

Jealousy, that sharps the lovers sight, And makes him conceive and conster his intent, Hath so bewitched my lovely Manvils senses That he mis...o...b..s his Em, that loves his soul; He doth suspect corrivals in his love, Which, how untrue it is, be judge, my G.o.d!

But now no more--Here commeth Valingford; Shift him off now, as thou hast done the other.

[Enter Valingford.]

VALINGFORD.

See how Fortune presents me with the hope I lookt for.

Fair Em!

EM.

Who is that?

VALINGFORD.

I am Valingford, thy love and friend.

EM.

I cry you mercy, Sir; I thought so by your speech.

VALINGFORD.

What aileth thy eyes?

EM.

Oh blind, Sir, blind, stricken blind, by mishap, on a sudden.

VALINGFORD.

But is it possible you should be taken on such a sudden?

Infortunate Valingford, to be thus crost in thy love! Fair Em, I am not a little sorry to see this thy hard hap. Yet nevertheless, I am acquainted with a learned Phisitian that will do any thing for thee at my request. To him will I resort, and enquire his judgement, as concerning the recovery of so excellent a sense.

EM.

Oh Lord Sir: and of all things I cannot abide Phisicke, the very name thereof to me is odious.

VALINGFORD.

No? not the thing will do thee so much good? Sweet Em, hether I cam to parley of love, hoping to have found thee in thy woonted prosperity; and have the G.o.ds so unmercifully thwarted my expectation, by dealing so sinisterly with thee, sweet Em?

EM.

Good sir, no more, it fits not me To have respect to such vain fantasies As idle love presents my ears withall.

More reason I should ghostly give my self To sacred prayers for this my former sin, For which this plague is justly fallen upon me, Then to harken to the vanities of love.

VALINGFORD.

Yet, sweet Em, Accept this jewell at my hand, which I Bestowe on thee in token of my love.

EM.

A jewell, sir! what pleasure can I have In jewels, treasure, or any worldly thing That want my sight that should deserne thereof?

Ah, sir, I must leave you: The pain of mine eyes is so extreme, I cannot long stay in a place. I take my leave.

[Exit Em.]

VALINGFORD.

Zounds, what a cross is this to my conceit! But, Valingford, search the depth of this devise. Why may not this be fained subteltie, by Mountneys invention, to the intent that I seeing such occasion should leave off my suit and not any more persist to solicit her of love? I"ll try the event; if I can by any means perceive the effect of this deceit to be procured by his means, friend Mountney, the one of us is like to repent our bargain.

[Exit.]

ACT III.

SCENE I. The Danish Court.

[Enter Mariana and Marques Lubeck.]

LUBECK.

Lady, Since that occasion, forward in our good, Presenteth place and opportunity, Let me intreat your woonted kind consent And friendly furtherance in a suit I have.

MARIANA.

My Lord, you know you need not to intreat, But may command Mariana to her power, Be it no impeachment to my honest fame.

LUBECK.

Free are my thoughts from such base villainy As may in question, Lady, call your name: Yet is the matter of such consequence, Standing upon my honorable credit, To be effected with such zeal and secrecy As, should I speak and fail my expectation, It would redound greatly to my prejudice.

MARIANA.

My Lord, wherein hath Mariana given you Occasion that you should mistrust, or else Be jealous of my secrecy?

LUBECK.

Mariana, do not misconster of me: I not mistrust thee, nor thy secrecy; Nor let my love misconster my intent, Nor think thereof but well and honorable.

Thus stands the case: Thou knowest from England hether came with me Robert of Windsor, a n.o.ble man at Arms, l.u.s.ty and valiant, in spring time of his years: No marvell then though he prove amorous.

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