Robert Greene

Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay





Source text for this digital edition:
Greene, Robert. Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay. [online] Edited by Francisco Lázaro Lázaro for the EMOTHE collection. València: University of València, 2017.
Digital text editor for EMOTHE:
  • Lázaro Lázaro, Francisco

Dramatis Personae

EDWARD Prince of Wales
LACY Earl of Lincoln}
WARREN Earl of Sussex}
ERMSBY } his friends
RAFE Simnell the royal fool
King HENRY the Third King of England
MARGARET daughter of the keeper of Fressingfield
The KEEPER of Fressingfield
The Keeper's FRIEND
HOSTESS of the Bell Inn at Henley
JOAN her friend
THOMAS }
RICHARD } countrymen of Fressingfield
LAMBERT }
SERLSBY } Suffolk squires
FIRST SCHOLAR Lambert’s son
SECOND SCHOLAR Serlsby’s son
The King of CASTILE
Princess ELEANOR his daughter
The EMPEROR of Germany
The Duke of Saxony
Friar BACON
MILES his poor scholar
Friar BUNGAY
BURDEN }
MASON }
CLEMENT } doctors of the University of Oxford
Jaques VANDERMAST a German magician
The spirit of HERCULES
A DEVIL
The CONSTABLE
The POST boy
The HEAD

[SCENE I]

Enter [the future]*
X
- Bevington the future
Edward the First,N
X
Nota del editor

Edward I “Longshanks” (1239-1307) was King of England from 1272 to 1307

malcontentedN
X
Nota del editor

Lavin explains the meaning of “malcontented” in the following way: “Suffering from love-melancholy: indicated by a dispirited and abstracted manner (line 23); perhaps even by sighs, gestures, and careless dress.”

, with Lacy, Earl of Lincoln; John Warren, Earl of Sussex, and Ermsby, gentleman; RafeN
X
Nota del editor

Rafe is a variant of Ralph, representing the traditional pronunciation of the name (Hanks, Harcastle and Hodges). According to these authors, Raphe is the “Spelling representation of the traditional pronunciation of the name Ralph, a pronunciation now largely restricted to the upper classes in England.” The 1594 quarto prints “Raphe” throughout.

Simnell, the King's fool.

Lacy.
1
Why looks my lord like to a troubled sky
2
When heaven's bright shine is shadowed with a fog?
3
AlateN
X
Nota del editor

Alate, lately, of late (OED adv.).

we ran the deer and through the laundsN
X
Nota del editor

launds, glades, untilled grounds (OED n.).

4
StrippedN
X
Nota del editor

Stripp’d, outstripped (OED v.2 2, first recorded use).

with our nags the lofty frolicN
X
Nota del editor

frolic, joyous, merry, sportive (OED adj. 1a, earliest record from ?1548).

bucks
5
That scudded 'fore the teasersN
X
Nota del editor

teasers, hunting hounds, hounds used to rouse the deer (OED n. 1d).

like the wind.
6
Ne'er was the deer of merry Fressingfield
7
So lustilyN
X
Nota del editor

lustily, vigorously (OED adv. 2).

pulled down by jolly mates,
8
Nor shared the farmers such fat venison,
9
So franklyN
X
Nota del editor

frankly, generously distributed (OED adv. 2b).

dealt, this hundred years before;
10
Nor have I seen my lord more frolic in the chase,
11
And now changed to a melancholy dumpN
X
Nota del editor

dump, fit of musing (OED n.1 1).

.

Warren.
12
After the Prince got to the Keeper's lodge
13
And had been jocundN
X
Nota del editor

jocund, merry (OED adj. a).

in the house awhile,
14
Tossing of ale and milk in country cans,
15
Whether it was the country's sweet content,
16
Or else the bonnyN
X
Nota del editor

bonny, beautiful (OED adj. 1a).

damsel filledN
X
Nota del editor

filled, who filled.

us drink,
17
That seemed so statelyN
X
Nota del editor

stately, majestic (OED adj. 1a).

in her stammelN
X
Nota del editor

stammel, a coarse woolen cloth, or linsey-woolsey, usually dyed red; an under-garment of this material, worn by ascetics (OED n.2)

red,
18
Or that a qualm did cross his stomach then,
19
But straightN
X
Nota del editor

straight, at once (OED adv. 2c).

he fell into his passions.

Ermsby.
20
Sirrah Rafe, what say you to your master?
21
Shall he thus all amortN
X
Nota del editor

amort, lifeless, inanimate; fig. spiritless, dejected (OED adv. and adj. a, oldest appearance).

live malcontent?

Rafe.
22Hearest thou, NedN
X
Nota del editor

Ned, Edward.

?−Nay, look if he will speak 23to me.

Edward.
24
What say'st thou to me, fool?

Rafe.
25I prithee tell me, Ned, art thou in love with the 26Keeper's daughter?

Edward.
27How if I be, what then?

Rafe.
28Why then, sirrah, I'll teach thee how to deceive Love.

Edward.
29How, Rafe?

Rafe.
30MarryN
X
Nota del editor

Marry, By Mary, expressing surprise, astonishment, outrage; also used to give emphasis to one’s words (OED int. 1).

, sirrah Ned, thou shalt put on my cap and 31my coat and my daggerN
X
Nota del editor

my cap and my coat and my dagger, stock properties of the professional jester (Lavin).

, and I will put on thy clothes and thy 32sword, and so thou shalt be my fool.

Edward.
33And what of this?

Rafe.
34Why, so thou shalt beguile Love, for Love is such a 35proud scabN
X
Nota del editor

scab, scoundrel (OED adj. 1).

that he will never meddle with fools nor children. Is 36not Rafe's counsel good, Ned?

Edward.
37
Tell me, Ned Lacy, didst thou mark the maid,
38
How lively*
X
- Dyce Grosart Harrison Gayley lovely
in her country weeds she looked?
39
A bonnier wench all Suffolk cannot yield.
40
All Suffolk? Nay, all England holds none such.

Rafe.
41SirrahN
X
Nota del editor

Sirrah, used here to address a superior in rank.

Will Ermsby, Ned is deceived.

Ermsby.
42
Why, Rafe?

Rafe.
43
He says all England hath no such, and I say, and
44
I'll stand to it, there is one better in Warwickshire.

Warren.
45
How provest thou that, Rafe?

Rafe.
46Why, is not the abbot a learned man, and hath read 47many booksN
X
Nota del editor

Joke that depends of understanding “books” as a cant term for “woman”.

, and thinkest thou he hath not more learning than 48thou to choose a bonny wench? Yes, I warrant thee, by his whole 49grammar.

Ermsby.
50
A good reason, Rafe.

Edward.
51
I tell thee*
X
- Dyce thee
- Q1 the
, Lacy, that her sparkling eyes
52
Do lighten forth sweet Love's alluring fire,
53
And in her tressesshe doth foldN
X
Nota del editor

fold, enclose, cover, wrap up (OED v.1 8).

the looks
54
Of such as gaze upon her golden hair;
55
Her bashful white mixed with the morning's red,
56
LunaN
X
Nota del editor

Luna is the moon, goddess Diana. Bevington explains that the pale moon triumphs in the chaste whiteness of her cheeks, mixed with the red of the morning sun.

doth boast upon her lovely cheeks;
57
Her frontN
X
Nota del editor

front, forehead (OED n. 1a).

is BeautyN
X
Nota del editor

In this verse we find a personification of beauty.

's table, where she paints
58
The glories of her gorgeous excellence;
59
Her teeth are shelves of precious margaritesN
X
Nota del editor

margarites, pearls (OED n.1 1a).

,
60
Richly enclosed with ruddy coral cliffsN
X
Nota del editor

ruddy coral cliffs, red lips (Bevington).

N
X
Nota del editor

This description is a Petrarchan mixture of the white of moonlight and the red of dawn

.
61
Tush, Lacy, she is Beauty's overmatch,
62
If thou survey'st her curious imageryN
X
Nota del editor

curious imagery, delicate beauty (Bevington).

.

Lacy.
63
I grant, my lord, the damsel is as fair
64
As simple Suffolk's homelyN
X
Nota del editor

homely, rustic, unsophisticated (OED adj. 2a).

towns can yield;
65
But in the court be quainterN
X
Nota del editor

quainter, more beautiful, more fashionable, elegant (quaint, OED adj. 3c).

dames than she,
66
Whose faces are enriched with honour's taint,N
X
Nota del editor

honour’s taint, the hue of high rank, the mark of nobility (Lavin).

67
Whose beauties stand upon the stage of fame
68
And vaunt their trophies in the courts of love.N
X
Nota del editor

courts of love, chivalric tribunals which decided questions of gallantry (Lavin).

Edward.
69
Ah, Ned, but hadst thou watched her as myself,
70
And seen the secretN
X
Nota del editor

secret, not widely known (Bevington).

beauties of the maid,
71
Their courtly coynesswere but fooleryN
X
Nota del editor

foolery, coquetry (Lavin).

.

Ermsby.
72
Why, how watched you her, my lord?

Edward.
73
WhenasN
X
Nota del editor

Whenas, When (OED adv. and conj. 1a).

she swept like Venus through the house,
74
And in her shape fast folded up my thoughts,
75
Into the milkhouse went I with the maid,
76
And there amongst the cream bowls she did shine
77
As Pallas 'mongst her princely huswifery.
78
She turned her smock over her lily arms
79
And dived them into milk to run her cheese;
80
But, whiter than the milk her crystal skin,
81
Checked with lines of azure, made her blush
82
That art or nature durst bring for compare.
83
Ermsby, if thou hadst seen, as I did note it well,
84
How Beauty played the huswife, how this girl,
85
Like LucreceN
X
Nota del editor

Lucrece was a virtuous Roman matron of a good family, raped by Sextus Tarquin, Tarquin the Proud’s son (534-510 a.C.), last king of Rome. To avoid the dishonour for the rape she killed herself by stabbing herself in the heart, an affair which triggered the end of the Roman monarchy. Shakespeare wrote The Rape of Lucrece about this story.

, laid her fingers to the work,
86
Thou wouldest with Tarquin hazard Rome and all
87
To win the lovely maid of Fressingfield.

Rafe.
88Sirrah Ned, wouldst fainN
X
Nota del editor

fain, gladly (OED adv.).

have her?

Edward.
89
Ay, Rafe.

Rafe.
90Why, Ned, I have laid the plot in my head thou 91shalt have her already.

Edward.
92
I’ll give thee a new coat an*
X
- Bevington an
- Q1 and
learn me thatN
X
Nota del editor

an an and learn me that, if you teach me that (Bevington); an*

X
- Bevington an
- Q1 and
, if (OED conj. 2); learn, teach (OED v. 4)

.

Rafe.
93Why, sirrah Ned, we'll ride to Oxford to Friar Bacon. Oh, 94he is a braveN
X
Nota del editor

brave, fine, splendid (OED adj. 2).

scholar, sirrah; they say he is a braveN
X
Nota del editor

brave, fine, splendid (OED adj. 2).

necromancer,N
X
Nota del editor

necromancer, magician, wizard, conjuror (OED n. 1).

95that he can make women of devils, and he can juggleN
X
Nota del editor

juggle, change magically. (OED v. 4b, earliest example).

catsN
X
Nota del editor

cats, spirits (Bevington).

into 96costermongers.N
X
Nota del editor

costermongers, fruit-sellers (OED n. 1).

Edward.
97
And how then, Rafe?

Rafe.
98Marry, sirrah, thou shalt go to him, and becauseN
X
Nota del editor

because, in order that (OED conj. 2).

thy father 99Harry shall not miss thee, he shall turn me into thee; and 100I'll to the court, and I'll prince it out, and he shall make thee 101either a silken purse, full of gold, or else a fine wrought smock.N
X
Nota del editor

wrought smock, embroidered petticoat (Bevington).

Edward.
102
But how shall I have the maid?

Rafe.
103Marry, sirrah, if thou be'st a silken purse full of gold,N
X
Nota del editor

A version of essentially the same idea appears en the A text of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (I, iv, 47): “No, no, sir. If you turn me into anything, let it be in the likeness of a little pretty frisky flea, that I may be here and there and everywhere. Oh, I’ll tickle the pretty wenches’ plackets; I’ll be amongst them, i’ faith.”Though, according to Lavin, the passage is dismissed by some editors as an actor’s addition.

104then on Sundays she'll hang thee by her side, and you must not 105say a word. Now, sir, when she comes into a great pressN
X
Nota del editor

press, crowd (OED n.1 5).

of people, 106for fear of the cutpurse on a suddenshe'llswap thee into her 107plackerdN
X
Nota del editor

plackerd, placard, underskirt, apron, slit (OED n. 2c).

; then, sirrah, being there you may plead for yourself.

Ermsby.
108
Excellent policy!

Edward.
109
But how if I be a wrought smock?

Rafe.
110Then she'll put thee into her chest and lay thee into 111lavender, and upon some good day she'll put thee on, and at 112night when you go to bed, then being turned from a smock to a 113man, you may make up the match.

Lacy.
114
Wonderfully wisely counselled, Rafe.

Edward.
115
Rafe shall have a new coat.

Rafe.
116God thank you when I have it on my back, Ned.

Edward.
117
Lacy, the fool hath laid a perfect plot,
118
ForwhyN
X
Nota del editor

Forwhy, Because (OED conj. 1a).

our country Margaret is so coy
119
And stands so much upon her honest points,
120
That marriage or no marketN
X
Nota del editor

marriage or no market, according to Lavin it might be a proverbial phrase. No marriage, no sex. No deal, no sex.

with the maid.
121
Ermsby, it must be necromantic spells
122
And charms of artN
X
Nota del editor

art, art of sorcery (Seltzer); black art, magic (Lavin).

that must enchain her love,
123
Or else shall Edward never win the girl.
124
Therefore, my wagsN
X
Nota del editor

wags, fellows (OED n. 1).

, we'll horse us in the morn,
125
And post to Oxford to this jolly friar.
126
Baconshall by his magic do this deed.

Warren.
127
Content, my lord. And that's a speedy way
128
To wean these headstrong puppies from the teat.

Edward.
129
I am unknown, not taken for the prince;
130
They only deem us frolic courtiers
131
That revel thus among our liege's game.
132
Therefore I have devised a policy.
133
Lacy, thou know'st next Friday is Saint James',N
X
Nota del editor

Saint James’, Saint James’s day, the twenty-fifth of July.

134
And then the country flocks to Harleston fair.
135
Then will the Keeper's daughter frolic there
136
And overshine the troop of all the maids
137
That come to see and to be seen that day.
138
Haunt theeN
X
Nota del editor

haunt thee, make frequent visit (Bevington).

disguised among the country swains;
139
Feign thou'rt a farmer's son, not far from thence;
140
Espy her loves,N
X
Nota del editor

loves, likings (OED n.1 3).

and who she liketh best;
141
CoteN
X
Nota del editor

Cote, Surpass, Outstrip (OED v.1 2).

him, and court her to control the clown.N
X
Nota del editor

court her to control the clown, court her putting the bumpkin in his place (Bevington).

142
Say that the courtier tirèdN
X
Nota del editor

tirèd, attired (Bevington).

all in green,
143
That helped her handsomely to run her cheese
144
And filled her father's lodge with venison,
145
Commends him and sends fairingsN
X
Nota del editor

fairings, presents, souvenirs, or other items given at or brought back from a fair. (OED n.1 1a, earliest record from 1574).

to herself;
146
Buy something worthy of her parentage,
147
Not worth her beauty, for, Lacy, then the fair
148
Affords no jewel fitting for the maid.
149
And when thou talkest of me, note if she blush.
150
Oh, then she loves! But if her cheeks wax pale,
151
Disdain it is. Lacy, sendN
X
Nota del editor

send, dispatch by messenger, send word (OED v.1 6a).

how she fares,
152
And spare no time nor cost to win her loves.

Lacy.
153
I will, my lord, so execute this charge
154
As if that Lacy were in love with her.

Edward.
155
Send letters speedily to Oxford of the news.

Rafe.
156And, sirrah Lacy, buy me a thousand thousand millionof fine bells.

Lacy.
157
What wilt thou do with them,Rafe?

Rafe.
158Marry, every time that Ned sighs for the Keeper's 159daughter I'll tie a bell about him, and so within three or four 160days I will send word to his father Harry that his son and my 161master Ned is become Love's morris danceN
X
Nota del editor

morris dance, a lively traditional English dance performed in formation by a group of dancers in a distinctive costume, usually wearing bells and ribbons and carrying handkerchiefs or sticks (OED n. 1).

.

Edward.
162
Well, Lacy, look with care unto thy charge,
163
And I will haste to Oxford to the friar,
164
That he by art, and thou by secret gifts,
165
Mayst make me lord of merry Fressingfield.

Lacy.
166
God send Your Honour your heart's desire.

Exeunt.

[SCENE II]

Enter Friar Bacon, with Miles, his poor scholar, with books under his arm; with them Burden, Mason, Clement, three doctorsN
X
Nota del editor

doctors, scholars (Bevington).

.

Bacon.
167Miles, where are you?

Miles.
168Hic sum, doctissime doctissime dostissime et reverendissime doctor.

Bacon.
169Attulisti nos libros meos de necromantia?

Miles.
170Ecce quam bonum et quam iocundum, habitares libros 171in unum!in unum!Ecce quam bonum et quam iocundum, habitares libros in unum! “Behold how good and delightful it is when one lives with books.” It is a parody of Psalm 133 of the Bible: “Ecce quam bonum et quam iocundum, habitare fratres in unum”. Miles uses the incorrect form “habitares”, maybe showing that his Latin is not quite good.

Bacon.
172
Now, masters of our academic state,
173
That rule in Oxford, viceroysN
X
Nota del editor

viceroys, governors of the institution by virtue of the academic eminence (Bevington).

in your place,
174
Whose heads contain maps of the liberal artsN
X
Nota del editor

liberal arts, the seven subjects of the trivium (grammar, rhetoric, and logic) and quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy) considered collectively (OED n.).

,
175
Spending your time in depth of learnèd skill,
176
Why flock you thus to Bacon's secret cell,
177
A friar newly stalledN
X
Nota del editor

stalled, installed (OED v.1 7a).

in Brazennose?
178
Say what's your mind, that I may make reply.

Burden.
179
Bacon, we hear that long we have suspect,
180
That thou art readN
X
Nota del editor

read, learned (OED adj.1b).

in magic's mystery;
181
In pyromancyN
X
Nota del editor

pyromancy, divination by fire, or by signs derived from fire (OED n.).

to divineN
X
Nota del editor

divine, prophesy (OED v. 8).

by flames;
182
To tell, by hydromancy*
X
- Ward hydromancy
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Hadromaticke
- Collier hydromatic
N
X
Nota del editor

hydromancy hydromancy Hadromaticke hydromatic , divination by means of signs derived from water, its tides and ebbs (OED n.).

, ebbs and tides;
183
By aeromancyN
X
Nota del editor

aeromancy, divination by air or by things in the air, for example clouds or birds (OED n.).

to discover doubts,N
X
Nota del editor

discover doubts, resolve uncertainties (Bevington).

184
To plain outN
X
Nota del editor

plain out, elucidate (Bevington).

questions, as Apollo did.

Bacon.
185
Well, Master Burden, what of all this?

Miles.
186Marry, sir, he doth but fulfil, by rehearsingN
X
Nota del editor

rehearsing, reciting (OED v. 4a).

of these 187names, the fable of the fox and the grapesN
X
Nota del editor

This is an allusion to the fable by Aesop (c.600-c.564), the ancient Greek writer, in which the fox said that the grapes were sour just because they were unreachable.

: that which is above 188us pertains nothingN
X
Nota del editor

nothing, not at all (OED adv. 1a).

to us.N
X
Nota del editor

that which is above us pertains nothingN

X
Nota del editor

nothing, not at all (OED adv. 1a).

to us is a proverbial phrase, Lavin tells us to have a look at Adagia by Erasmus: ”Quae supra nos, nihil ad nos”, that is to say, “Things above us are of no concern to us”.

Burden.
189
I tell thee, Bacon, Oxford makes report−
190
Nay, England, and the court of Henry says−
191
Thou'rt making of a brazen head by art
192
Which shall unfoldN
X
Nota del editor

unfold, explain (OED v.1 2).

strange doubts and aphorismN
X
Nota del editor

aphorisms, scientific principles, concise statements of principles in any science (OED n. 1).

s
193
And read a lectureN
X
Nota del editor

read a lecture, deliver a lecture (Bevington).

in philosophy;
194
And, by the help of devils and ghastly fiends,
195
Thou mean'st, ere many years or days be past,
196
To compassN
X
Nota del editor

compass, encompass, surround (OED v.1 III).

England with a wall of brass.

Bacon.
197And what of this?

Miles.
198What of this, master? Why, he doth speak mystically,N
X
Nota del editor

mystically, figuratively (OED adv. 2b).

199for he knows if your skill fail to make a brazen head, yet Mother 200Waters'N
X
Nota del editor

Mother Waters’, an innkeeper’s (Bevington).

strong ale will fit his turnN
X
Nota del editor

turn, purpose (OED n. 30).

to make him have a copper 201nose.N
X
Nota del editor

a copper nose, a drunkard’s red nose, with a quibble on “brazen” and “copper” (Lavin).

Clement.
202
Bacon, we come not grieving at thy skill,
203
But joying that our academy yields
204
A man supposed the wonder of the world.
205
For, if thy cunning work these miracles,
206
England and Europe shall admireN
X
Nota del editor

admire, marvel at (OED v. 1b[a]).

thy fame,
207
And Oxford shall, in characters of brass
208
And statues such as were built up in Rome,
209
Eternize Friar Bacon for his art.

Mason.
210
Then, gentle friar, tell us thy intent.

Bacon.
211
Seeing you come as friends unto the friar,
212
Resolve you,N
X
Nota del editor

Resolve you, be assured (Lavin), understand (Bevington).

doctors, Bacon can by books
213
Make storming BoreasN
X
Nota del editor

Boreas, the North Wind, imprisoned in the Cave of the Winds, controlled by Aeolus (Aeneid, I, 50-59).

thunder from his cave,
214
And dim fair Luna to a dark eclipse.N
X
Nota del editor

Ability commonly attributed to magicians.

215
The great archruler, potentate of hell,
216
Trembles when Bacon bids him or his fiends
217
Bow to the force of his pentageron.N
X
Nota del editor

pentageron, pentagonon, pentagram, a five-pointed star thought to have magical power (pentagram OED n. 1).

218
What art can work, the frolic friar knows,
219
And therefore will I turnN
X
Nota del editor

turn, turn the pages of (Bevington).

my magic books,
220
And strain out necromancy to the deep.N
X
Nota del editor

to the deep, to the fullest extent possible (Bevington).

221
I have contrived and framedN
X
Nota del editor

framed, devised (OED v. 6a).

a head of brass
222
(I made BelcephonN
X
Nota del editor

Belcephon is not known elsewhere as the name of a demon. Lavin points at the possibility that it derives from Baal-zephon (Exodus xiv:2 , Numbers xxxiii:7).

hammer out the stuff),
223
And that by art shall read philosophy.
224
And I will strengthen England by my skill,
225
That, ifN
X
Nota del editor

if, even if (OED conj. 4a).

ten Caesars lived and reigned in Rome,
226
With all the legions Europe doth contain,
227
They should not touch a grass of English ground.
228
The work that Ninus reared at Babylon,
229
The brazen walls framed by Semiramis,
230
Carved out like to the portal of the sun,
231
Shall not be such as rings the English strand
232
From Dover to the marketplace of Rye.N
X
Nota del editor

From Dover to the marketplace of Rye, surrounding the island. Dover and Rye are two ports about 20 miles apart on the extreme south-east coast of England.

Burden.
233
Is this possible?

Miles.
234I'll bring ye two*
X
- Q2 two
- Q1 to
or three witnesses.

Burden.
235
What be those?

Miles.
236Marry, sir, three or four as honest devils and good 237companions as any be in hell.

Mason.
238
No doubt but magic may do much in this,
239
For he that reads but mathematicN
X
Nota del editor

mathematic, astrological (OED adj.).

rules
240
Shall find conclusions that avail to work
241
Wonders that pass the common senseN
X
Nota del editor

common sense, natural intelligence possessed by a typical person (OED n. 4a).

of men.

Burden.
242
But Bacon roves a bow beyond his reach,
243
And tells of more than magic can perform,
244
Thinking to get a fame by fooleries.
245
Have I not passed as far in state of schoolsN
X
Nota del editor

in state of schools, in academic rank (Lavin), in academic learning (Bevington).

246
And read of many secrets? Yet to think
247
That heads of brass can utter any voice,
248
Or, more, to tell of deep philosophy−
249
This is a fable Aesop had forgot.

Bacon.
250
Burden, thou wrong'st me in detracting thus;
251
Bacon loves not to stuff himself with lies.
252
But tell me 'fore these doctors, if thou dare,
253
Of certain questions I shall move to thee.

Burden.
254
I will. Ask what thou can*
X
- Bevington I will. Ask what thou can
- Q1 I will aske what thou can
- Q2 I will, aske what thou can
.N
X
Nota del editor

I will. Ask what thou can I will. Ask what thou can I will aske what thou can I will, aske what thou can , without punctuation in the quarto. Other editors have used a comma or a semicolon, but I have chosen this punctuation because I think “I will” is the reaction to the previous words by Bacon, and the pause after this reply has to be emphasized.

Miles.
255Marry, sir, he'll straight be on your pickpack toN
X
Nota del editor

he’ll straight be on your pickpack, he’ll be riding you, pressing his argument (Bevington).

256know whether the feminine or the masculine gender be mostN
X
Nota del editor

whether the feminine or the masculine gender be most worthy, a common academic topic for debate (Bevington).

257worthy.N
X
Nota del editor

The widely-used Latin grammar by William Lily (1549) ranged the genders in order of “worthiness”: masculine, feminine and neuter.

Bacon.
258Were you not yesterday, Master Burden, at Henley- 259upon-the-Thames?

Burden.
260
I was. What then?

Bacon.
261
What book studied you there on all night?

Burden.
262
I? None at all, I read not there a line.

Bacon.
263
Then, doctors, Friar Bacon's art knows naught.

Clement.
264What say you to this, Master Burden? Doth he not 265touch you?

Burden.
266
I pass notN
X
Nota del editor

pass not of, do not care about (OED v. 51b).

of his frivolous speeches.

Miles.
267Nay, Master Burden, my master, ere he hath done 268with you, will turn you from a doctor to a dunce, and shake you 269so small that he will leave no more learning in you than is in BalaamN
X
Nota del editor

Balaam’s ass. This ass appears in the Bible (Numbers xxii:21-33); it spoke, but lacked human intelligence and learning. It refused to obey Balaam’s order to go forward when it saw an angel of the lord standing in their way.

's 270ass.

Bacon.
271
MastersN
X
Nota del editor

Masters, Good sirs (OED n. 20b).

, for thatN
X
Nota del editor

for that, since, because (OED conj. 1a).

learned Burden's skill is deep,
272
And soreN
X
Nota del editor

sore, grievously, sorely (OED adv. 5a).

he doubts of Bacon's cabbalismN
X
Nota del editor

cabbalism, mystic or occult doctrine, mystery (OED n. 2, earliest example).

,
273
I'll show you why he haunts to Henley oft:
274
Not, doctors, for to taste the fragrant air,
275
But there to spend the night in alchemy,N
X
Nota del editor

alchemy, literally the search for a method of transmuting base metals into gold, or for the panacea, but according to Lavin here it is apparently a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

276
To multiply with secret spells of art.
277
Thus private steals he learning from us all.
278
To prove my sayings true, I'll show you straight
279
The book he keeps at Henley for himself.

Miles.
280Nay, nowN
X
Nota del editor

now, now that.

my master goes to conjuration, take heed!

Bacon.
281Masters, stand still. Fear not, I'll show you but his 282book.
Here he conjures.
283
Per omnes deos infernales, Belcephon!

Enter a woman [the Hostess of the Bell ] with a shoulder of mutton on a spit, and a devil.

Miles.
284Oh, master, cease your conjuration or you spoil all, for 285here's a she-devil come with a shoulder of mutton on a spit. You 286have marred the devil's supper; but no doubt he thinks our college 287fare is slender, and so hath sent you his cook with a shoulder 288of mutton to make it exceed.N
X
Nota del editor

exceed, to have more than usual at a meal, chiefly a Cambridge expression (OED v. 6a, earliest example).

Hostess.
289
Oh, where am I, or what's become of me?

Bacon.
290
What art thou?

Hostess.
291
Hostess at Henley, mistress of the Bell.

Bacon.
292
How camest thou here?

Hostess.
293
As I was in the kitchen 'mongst the maids,
294
Spitting the meat againstN
X
Nota del editor

against, in preparation for (OED prep. 10).

supper for my guests,
295
A motionN
X
Nota del editor

motion, impulse (OED n. 12a).

moved me to look forth of door.N
X
Nota del editor

forth of door, out the door (OED adv., prep. and n. 9a).

296
No sooner had I priedN
X
Nota del editor

pried, peered (OED v.1 1).

into the yard,
297
But straight a whirlwind hoisted me from thence,
298
And mounted me aloft unto the clouds.
299
As in a trance, I thought nor fearèd naught,
300
Nor know I where or whither I was ta'en,
301
Nor where I am, nor what these persons be.

Bacon.
302
No? Know you not Master Burden?

Hostess.
303
Oh, yes, good sir, he is my daily guest. −
304
What, Master Burden, 'twas but yesternight
305
That you and I at Henley played at cards.

Burden.
306I know not what we did. A pox of allN
X
Nota del editor

A pox of, a curse on (OED n. 2a).

conjuring 307friars!

Clement.
308
Now, jolly friar, tell us, is this the book
309
That Burden is so careful to look on?

Bacon.
310
It is.− But, Burden, tell me now,
311
Thinkest thou that Bacon's necromantic skill,
312
Cannot perform his head and wall of brass,
313
When he can fetch thine hostess in such post?N
X
Nota del editor

post, haste, speed (OED v.2 2a).

Miles.
314I'll warrant you, master, if Master Burden could conjure 315as well as you, he would have his book every night from 316Henley to study on at Oxford.

Mason.
317
Burden, what, are you matedN
X
Nota del editor

mated, abashed, checkmated (OED adj. 3).

by this frolic friar?−
318
Look how he droops! His guilty conscience
319
Drives him to bashN
X
Nota del editor

Drives him to bash, Makes him abashed (Bevington).

and makes his hostess blush.

Bacon.
320
Well, mistress, for I will not have you missed,
321
You shall to Henley to cheer up your guests
322
'Fore supper 'gin.−Burden, bid her adieu,
323
Say farewell to your hostess 'fore she goes.
324
[To the devil*
X
- Bevington [To the devil]
]
Sirrah, away, and set her safe at home.

Hostess.
325
Master Burden, when shall we see you at Henley?

Exeunt Hostess and the Devil.

Burden.
326
The devil take thee and Henley too!

Miles.
327Master, shall I make a good motion?N
X
Nota del editor

motion, proposal (OED n. 13b).

Bacon.
328
What's that?

Miles.
329Marry, sir, now that my hostess is gone to provide supper, 330conjure up another spirit, and send Doctor Burden flying 331after.

Bacon.
332
Thus, rulers of our academic state,
333
You have seen the friar frame his art by proof.N
X
Nota del editor

by proof, by way of proof (Bevington).

334
And as the college callèd Brazennose
335
Is under him and he the master there,
336
So surely shall this head of brass be framed,
337
And yield forth strange and uncouthN
X
Nota del editor

uncouth, unusual, marvellous, strange (OED adj.and n. 3a).

aphorisms;
338
And hell and HecateN
X
Nota del editor

Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft and magic. It has to be read trisyllabically.

shall fail the friar,
339
But I will circle England round with brass.

Miles.
340So be it et nunc et semper, amen.

Exeunt omnes.

[SCENE III]

Enter Margaret, the fair maid of Fressingfield, with Thomas [, Richard*
X
- Bevington [, Richard]
] and Joan, and other clownsN
X
Nota del editor

clowns, rustics (OED n. 1a).

; Lacy, disguised in country apparel.

Thomas.
341By my troth, Margaret, here's a weather is able to 342make a man call his father whoreson.N
X
Nota del editor

a weather is able to make a man call his father whoreson, a weather so favourable that a farmer can thumb his nose at his poor father (Bevington).

If this weather hold, we shall 343have hay good cheap,N
X
Nota del editor

good cheap, good bargain, at a good price (OED n. 8a).

and butter and cheese at Harleston will 344bear no price.N
X
Nota del editor

bear no price, be almost priceless (Bevington).

Margaret.
345
Thomas, maids when they come to see the fair,
346
Count not to make a copeN
X
Nota del editor

a cope, a bargain (OED n.3 1).

for dearth of hay.
347
When we have turned our butter to the salt,N
X
Nota del editor

turned our butter to the salt, salted our butter (Bevington).

348
And set our cheese safely upon the racks,
349
Then let our fathers it as they please.
350
We country slutsN
X
Nota del editor

sluts, girls, wenches (OED n. 2a).

of merry Fressingfield
351
Come to buy needless naughtsN
X
Nota del editor

naughts, trifles (OED n. 2b).

to make us fine,N
X
Nota del editor

fine, attractive, good-looking, handsome (OED adj. 9a).

352
And look that young men should be frankN
X
Nota del editor

frank, generous (OED adj.2 2a).

this day,
353
And court us with such fairingsN
X
Nota del editor

fairings, fair gifts (OED n.1 1a).

as they can.
354
PhoebusN
X
Nota del editor

Semele was loved not by Phoebus, but by Jove (with whom he had a child, Dionysius), and was consumed when he visited her in the divine splendour of his thunder and lightning.

is blithe, and frolic looks from heaven
355
As when he courted lovely Semele,
356
Swearing the pedlars shall have empty packs,
357
If that fair weather may make chapmenN
X
Nota del editor

chapmen, customers (OED n. 4a).

buy.

Lacy.
358
But, lovely Peggy, Semele is dead,
359
And therefore Phoebus from his palace pries,
360
And, seeing such a sweet and seemly saint,
361
Shows all his glories for toN
X
Nota del editor

for to, in order to (OED prep. and conj. 11a).

court yourself.

Margaret.
362
This is a fairingN
X
Nota del editor

fairing, complimentary gift (OED n.1 2a).

, gentle sir, indeed,
363
To soothe me upN
X
Nota del editor

soothe me up, blandish me, humour me (OED v. 5a).

with such smooth flattery.
364
But learn of me, your scoff's to broadN
X
Nota del editor

broad, obvious, clear (OED adj. n.1 and adv. 5a).

before.−
365
Well, Joan, our beauties must abide their jests;
366
We serve the turnN
X
Nota del editor

turn, purpose (OED n. 30).

in jolly Fressingfield.

Joan.
367
Margaret, a farmer's daughter for a farmer's son!
368
I warrant you the meanest of us both
369
Shall have a mate to lead us from the church.−
370
But, Thomas, what's the news? What, in a dump?N
X
Nota del editor

dump, reverie (OED n.1 1).

371
Give me your hand; we are near a pedlar's shop;
372
Out with your purse; we must have fairings now.

Thomas.
373Faith, Joan, and shall. I'll bestow a fairing on you, and 374then we will to the tavern, and snap offN
X
Nota del editor

snap off, drink quickly (OED v. 7a).

a pint of wine or two.

All this while Lacy whispers [to*
X
- Bevington [to]
] Margaret in the ear.

Margaret.
375Whence are you, sir? Of Suffolk, for your termsN
X
Nota del editor

terms, accent, way of speaking (OED n. 12).

376are finer than the common sort of men?

Lacy.
377
Faith, lovely girl, I am of Beccles by,
378
Your neighbour, not above six miles from hence,
379
A farmer's son, that never was so quaintN
X
Nota del editor

quaint, disdainful, proud (OED adj., adv. and n.2 7).

380
But that he could do courtesy to such dames.
381
But trust me, Margaret, I am sent in charge
382
From him that revelled in your father's house,
383
And filled his lodge with cheer and venison,
384
TirèdN
X
Nota del editor

Tirèd, Attired (Bevington).

in green. He sent you this rich purse,
385
His token, that he helped you run your cheese,
386
And in the milkhouse chatted with yourself.

Margaret.
387
To me? You forget .N
X
Nota del editor

You forget , You are mistaken, Surely you mistake (OED v. 5b).

Lacy.
388
Women are often weak in memory.

Margaret.
389
Oh, pardon, sir, I call to mind the man.
390
'Twere little manners to refuse his gift,
391
And yet I hope he sends it not for love;
392
For we have little leisure to debate of that.

Joan.
393What, Margaret, blush not. Maids must have their 394loves.

Thomas.
395Nay, by the mass,N
X
Nota del editor

by the mass, an oath (OED n.1 4a).

she looks pale as if she were 396angry.

Richard.
397 [to Lacy] Sirrah, are you of Beccles? I pray, how doth goodmanN
X
Nota del editor

goodman, farmer (OED n. 4b).

398Cob? My father bought a horse of him−I'll tell you, , 399'a were good to beN
X
Nota del editor

’a were good to be, he would be a good (Lavin).

a gentleman's jadeN
X
Nota del editor

jade, a contemptuous name for a horse, a horse of inferior breed (OED n.1 1a).

, for of all things the foul 400hildingN
X
Nota del editor

hilding, worthless or vicious beast (OED n. 1).

could not abide a dung-cart.

Margaret.
401
[aside]
How different is this farmer from the rest,
402
That erst as yetN
X
Nota del editor

erst as yet, up to now (Lavin).

hath pleased my wand'ring sight!
403
His words are witty, quickened with a smile,
404
His courtesy gentleN
X
Nota del editor

gentle, noble, courteous (OED adj and n. 3a).

, smelling of the court;
405
FacileN
X
Nota del editor

facile, affable, courteous (OED adj. and adv. 3b).

and debonaire in all his deeds,
406
Proportioned as was Paris, when, in grey,
407
He courted in the vale by Troy.
408
Great lords have come and pleaded for my love−
409
Who but the keeper's lass of Fressingfield?−
410
And yet methinks this farmer's jolly son
411
Passeth the proudestN
X
Nota del editor

proudest, most lordly (OED adj., n. and adv. 5a).

that hath pleased mine eye.
412
But, Peg, disclose not that thou art in love,
413
And show as yet no sign of love to him
414
Although thou well wouldst wish him for thy love.
Docena
415
Keep that to thee till time doth serve thy turn
416
To show the grief wherein thy heart doth burn. −
417
Come, Joan and Thomas, shall we to the fair?
418
You, Beccles man, will not forsake us now?

Lacy.
419
Not whilst I may have such quaintN
X
Nota del editor

quaint, beautiful, pretty (OED adj. 3c).

girls as you.

Margaret.
420
Well, if you chance to come by Fressingfield,
421
Make but a step into the Keeper's lodge,
422
And such poor fare as woodmenN
X
Nota del editor

woodmen, keepers of forests (OED n.1 2).

can afford−
423
Butter and cheese, cream, and fat venison−
424
You shall have store,N
X
Nota del editor

store, plenty (OED n. 4b).

and welcome therewithal.

Lacy.
425
GramerciesN
X
Nota del editor

Gramercies, Thanks (OED int. 1a).

, Peggy. Look for me ere long.

Exeunt omnes.

[SCENE IV]

Enter Henry the ThirdN
X
Nota del editor

Henry III (1207-1276), king of England from 1216 to 1276.

; the EmperorN
X
Nota del editor

Emperor Frederick II (1211-1250), Henry III’s brother-in-law, never visited England.

; the King of Castile; Eleanor,his daughter; Jaques Vandermast, a German.

Henry.
426
Great men of Europe, monarchs of the West,
427
Ringed with the walls of old Oceanus,
428
Whose lofty is like the battlements
429
That compassed high-built Babel in with towers,
430
Welcome, my lords, welcome, brave Western kings,
431
To England's shore, whose promontory cliffs
432
Shows Albion is another little world.
433
Welcome, says English Henry to you all,
434
Chiefly unto the lovely ,
435
Who dared for Edward's sake cut through the seas,
436
And venture as Agenor's damsel through the deep,
437
To get the love of Henry's wantonN
X
Nota del editor

wanton, amorous, lustful, not chaste, sexually promiscuous (OED adj. and n. 3a).

son.

Castile.
438
England's rich monarch, brave Plantagenet,N
X
Nota del editor

Henry III was a member of the family of the Plantagenet. The House of Plantagenet reigned in England from 1154 to 1399.

439
The Pyren Mounts, swelling above the clouds,
440
That ward the wealthy Castile in with walls,
441
Could not detain the beauteous Eleanor.
442
But, hearing of the fame of Edward's youth,
443
She dared to brook Neptunus' haughty pride
444
And bide the brunt of frowardN
X
Nota del editor

froward, unfavourable, perverse (OED adj., adv. and prep. 2). Aeolus was the god of adverse winds.

Aeolus.
445
Then may fair England welcome her the more.

Eleanor.
446
After that English Henry, by his lords,N
X
Nota del editor

by his lords, by means of his lords (Bevington).

447
Had sent prince Edward's lovely counterfeit,N
X
Nota del editor

counterfeit, picture (OED adj. and n. 3a).

448
A present to the Castile Eleanor,
449
The comely portrait of so braveN
X
Nota del editor

brave, handsome, splendid (OED adj., n. and int. 2).

a man,
450
The virtuous fame discoursèd of his deeds,
451
Edward's courageous resolution
452
Done at the Holy Land 'fore Damas' walls,
453
Led both mine eye and thought in equal linksN
X
Nota del editor

in equal links, in equal parts united (Bevington).

454
To like so of the English monarch's son
455
That I attempted perils for his sake.

Emperor.
456
Where is the Prince, my lord?

Henry.
457
He postedN
X
Nota del editor

posted, hastened (OED v.2 2a).

down, not long since, from the court,
458
To Suffolk sideN
X
Nota del editor

side, region, area (OED n.1 20b).

, to merry Framlingham - Dyce Framlingham
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Fremingham
,
459
To sport himself amongst my fallowN
X
Nota del editor

fallow, red-brown (OED adj.1 and n.2 A1).

deer.
460
From thence, by packetsN
X
Nota del editor

packets, mail dispatches (Bevington).

sent to Hampton House,
461
We hear the Prince is ridden with his lords
462
To Oxford, in the academy there
463
To hear dispute amongst the learnèd men.
464
But we will send forth letters for my son
465
To will him come from Oxford to the court.

Emperor.
466
Nay, rather, Henry, let us, as we be,
467
Ride for to visit Oxford with our train.
468
Fain would I see your universities
469
And what learned men your academy yields.
470
From Hapsburg - Collier Hapsburg
- Q1 Haspurg
have I brought a learnèd clerkN
X
Nota del editor

clerk, scholar (OED n. 4a).

471
To hold dispute with English orators.
472
This doctor, surnamed Jaques Vandermast,
473
A German born, passed intoN
X
Nota del editor

passed into, travelled through, journeyed (Bevington).

Padua,
474
To Florence, and to fair Bologna,
475
To Paris, Rheims, and stately Orleans,
476
And, talking there with men of artN
X
Nota del editor

art, learning (OED n.1 10b).

, put down
477
The chiefest of them all in aphorisms,
478
In magic, and the mathematic rules.
479
Now let us, Henry, tryN
X
Nota del editor

try, test (OED v. 7a).

him in your schools.

Henry.
480
He shall, my lord, this motionN
X
Nota del editor

motion, proposal (OED n. 13b).

likes me well.N
X
Nota del editor

likes me well, pleases me (OED v.1 1a).

481
We'll progress straight to Oxford with our trains,
482
And see what men our academy bringsN
X
Nota del editor

brings, brings forth (OED v. 7a).

.−
483
And, wonderN
X
Nota del editor

wonder, wonderful, wondrous (OED adj.).

Vandermast, welcome to me.
484
In Oxford shalt thou find a jolly friar
485
Called Friar Bacon, England's only flower.N
X
Nota del editor

only flower, chief ornament (Bevington).

486
Set him but nonplusN
X
Nota del editor

Set him but nonplus, Confound him (Bevington).

in his magic spells,
487
And make him yield in mathematic rules,
488
And for thy glory I will bind thy brows
489
Not with a poet's garland made of bays,
490
But with a coronet of choicest gold.
491
Whilst thenN
X
Nota del editor

Whilst then, Until the time that (OED adv. and conj. 4).

we flit*
X
- Bevington flit
- Collins Seltzer Lavin Q1 fit
- Q2 Q3 sit
- Collier Dyce Ward Grosart Gayley Neilson Harrison set
to Oxford with our troopsN
X
Nota del editor

troops, companions (OED n. 1b).

,
492
Let's in and banquet in our English court.

.

[SCENE V]

Enter Rafe Simnell in Edward's apparel, Edward [disguised as Rafe], Warren [and] Ermsby, disguised as the Prince's followers].

Rafe.
493Where be these vagabond knaves, that they attend 494no better on their master?

Edward.
495
If it please Your Honour, we are all ready at an inch.N
X
Nota del editor

at an inch, close at hand, at any instant, (OED n.1 P1).

Rafe.
496Sirrah Ned, I'll have no more post-horse to ride on. 497I'll have another fetchN
X
Nota del editor

fetch, contrivance, trick, device (OED n.1 2).

.

Ermsby.
498
I pray you, how is that, my lord?

Rafe.
499Marry, sir, I'll send to the Isle of Ely for four or five 500dozen of geese, and I'll have them tied six and six together with 501whipcord. Now upon their backs will I have a fair field-bedN
X
Nota del editor

field-bed, portable military bed (OED n. and adj. 1).

502with a canopy. And so, when it is my pleasure, I'll fleeN
X
Nota del editor

flee, fly (OED v. 6).

into what 503place I please. This will be easy.

Warren.
504
Your Honour hath said well, but shall we to Brazennose
505
College before we pull off our boots?

Ermsby.
506
Warren, well motionedN
X
Nota del editor

motioned, urged (OED v. 2b).

. We will to the friar
507
Before we revel it within the town.−
508
Rafe, see you keep your countenance like a prince.

Rafe.
509Wherefore have I such a company of cuttingN
X
Nota del editor

cutting, swaggering (OED adj. 3, second earliest example).

knaves 510to wait upon me, but to keep and defend my countenanceN
X
Nota del editor

countenance, reputation, princely dignity, a quibble on Ermsby’s words (OED n.1 10).

against 511all mine enemies? Have you not good swords and bucklers?N
X
Nota del editor

bucklers, shields (OED n.2 1).

Enter Bacon and Miles [not at first noticing Edward, Ermsby, Warren and ]

Ermsby.
512
Stay, who comes here?

Warren.
513Some scholar; and we'll ask him where Friar Bacon 514is.

Bacon.
515Why, thou arrant dunce, shall I never make thee good 516scholar? Doth not all the town cry out and say "Friar Bacon's 517subsizarN
X
Nota del editor

subsizar, at Cambridge University, an undergraduate receiving financial assistance from his or her college and ranking below a sizar (OED n. 1, earliest example).

is the greatest blockhead in all Oxford"? Why, thou canst 518not speak one word of true Latin.

Miles.
519No, sir? Yes. What is this else:Ego sum tuus homo,"I am 520your man"? I warrant you, sir, as good Tully's phraseN
X
Nota del editor

Tully’s phrase, that is, in elegant classical Latin like that of M. Tullius Cicero.

as any is in 521Oxford.

Bacon.
522
Come on, sirrah,N
X
Nota del editor

The joke in these lines depends on understanding the allusions to parts of the grammar by William Lily, quoted by Lavin in his edition: “A Noune is the name of a thinge, that may be seene, felte, hearde, or understood” and “A nowne substantyve is that standeth by himself”. This is the traditional pedagogical definition of a noun.

what part of speech is Ego?

Miles.
523
Ego, that is "I"; marry, nomen substantivo.

Bacon.
524
How prove you that?

Miles.
525Why, sir, let him prove himself an 'a will.N
X
Nota del editor

an a’ will, if he wishes; an, if (OED conj. 2); a’, he ; will, wish (OED v.2 1a).

"I" can be 526heard*
X
- Q2 heard
- Q1 hard
, felt and understood.

Bacon.
527
Oh, gross dunce!

Here beat him.

Edward.
528
Come, let us break off this dispute between these two.−
529
Sirrah, where is Brazennose College?

Miles.
530
Not far from Coppersmiths' Hall.

Edward.
531
What, dost thou mock me?

Miles.
532
Not I, sir, but what would you at Brazennose?

Ermsby.
533
Marry, we would speak with Friar Bacon.

Miles.
534
Whose men be you?

Ersmby.
535
Marry, scholar, here's our master.

Rafe.
536Sirrah, I am the master of these good fellows. Mayst 537thou not know me to be a lord by my reparel?N
X
Nota del editor

reparel, apparel (OED n. 1b).

Miles.
538Then here's good game for the hawk; for here's the 539master fool and a covey of coxcombs. One wise man, I think, 540would springe*
X
- Bevington springe
- Q1 spring
N
X
Nota del editor

springe springe spring , ensnare (OED v.2 1).

you all.

Edward.
541
Gog's wounds!N
X
Nota del editor

Gog’s wounds, a euphemism for “God’s wounds”, an oath (OED n. and int. P3 b[a]). A deformation of this expression, which appears three lines below, is ’Swones.

Warren, kill him.

[ uses his magic to charm them, so that they can't draw their swords]

Warren.
542Why, Ned, I think the devil be in my sheath! I 543cannot get out my dagger.

Ermsby.
544
Nor I mine. 'Swounds, Ned, I think I am bewitched.

Miles.
545A company of scabs!N
X
Nota del editor

scabs, knaves, scoundrels (OED adj. 1).

The proudest of you all draw 546your weapon, if he can. 547[Aside]*
X
- Seltzer [Aside]
See how boldly I speak now my master is byN
X
Nota del editor

by, near, at hand (OED prep. and adv. B1a).

.

Edward.
548
I strive in vain; but if my sword be shut
549
And conjured fast by magic in my sheath,
550
Villain, here is my fist.

Strike him a box on the ear.

Miles.
551 [to Bacon]*
X
- Bevington [to Bacon]
Oh, I beseech you conjure his hands, too, that he may 552not lift his arms to his head, for he is light-fingered.N
X
Nota del editor

light-fingered, having fingers quick and dexterous; thievish, dishonest (OED adj. b).

Rafe.
553Ned, strike him. I'll warrantN
X
Nota del editor

warrant, protect, back up (OED v. 1a).

thee, by mine honour.

Bacon.
554
What means the English prince to wrong my manN
X
Nota del editor

man, attendant, manservant (OED n. and int. 7a).

?

Edward.
555
To whom speakest thou?

Bacon.
556
To thee.

Edward.
557
Who art thou?

Bacon.
558
Could you not judge, when all your swords grew fast,N
X
Nota del editor

grew fast, stuck fast (Bevington).

559
That Friar Bacon was not far from hence?
560
Edward, King Henry's son and Prince of Wales,N
X
Nota del editor

Edward is referred to by this title several times in the play, but historically he never bore it. He gave it to his eldest son (who became Edward II) in 1301, a custom that has remained until nowadays.

561
Thy fool disguised cannot conceal thyself.
562
I know both Ermsby and the Sussex Earl,N
X
Nota del editor

the Sussex Earl, Warren.

563
Else Friar Bacon had but little skill.
564
Thou comest in post from merry Fressingfield,
565
Fast-fanciedN
X
Nota del editor

Fast-fancied, strongly attached by fancy, bound by infatuation, bound by love (OED adj. C1b).

to the keeper's bonny lass,
566
To crave some succour of the jolly friar;
567
And Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, hast thou left
568
To treatN
X
Nota del editor

treat, entreat, request (OED. v. 3a).

fair Margaret to allowN
X
Nota del editor

allow, receive (OED v. 1a).

thy loves.
569
But friends are men, and love can baffle lords;N
X
Nota del editor

But even friends, being mortal males, are subject to love, and hence likely to sacrifice friendship to love (Bevington).

570
The Earl both woos*
X
- Q1 woes
- Q2 Q3 wooes
- Collier woos
and courts her for himself.

Warren.
571
Ned, this is strange! The friar knoweth all.

Ermsby.
572
ApolloN
X
Nota del editor

Apollo is the all-knowing god of prophecy. The greatest oracle in ancient Greece was that of Apollo.

could not utter more than this.

Edward.
573
I stand amazed to hear this jolly friar
574
Tell even the very secrets of my thoughts.−
575
But, learnèd Bacon, since thou knowest the cause
576
Why I did post so fast from Fressingfield,
577
Help, friar, at a pinch,N
X
Nota del editor

at a pinch, in this emergency (OED n. 6a).

that I may have
578
The love of lovely Margaret to myself.
579
And, as I am true Prince of Wales, I'll give
580
Living and lands to strengthN
X
Nota del editor

strength, strengthen (OED v. I).

thy college stateN
X
Nota del editor

state, estate (OED n. 1b [c]).

.

Warren.
581
Good Friar, help the Prince in this.

Rafe.
582Why, servant Ned, will not the friar do it? Were 583not my sword glued to my scabbard by conjuration, I would cut 584off his head and make him do it by force.

Miles.
585In faith, my lord, your manhood and your sword is all alike;N
X
Nota del editor

Miles addresses the disguised Rafe as though he were the real Prince of Wales.

586they are so fast conjured that we shall never see them.

Ermsby.
587
What, Doctor, in a dump?N
X
Nota del editor

dump, reverie (OED n.1 1).

Tush, help the Prince,
588
And thou shalt see how liberalN
X
Nota del editor

liberal, generous (OED adj. and n. A1a).

he will prove.

Bacon.
589
Crave not such actions greater dumps than these?
590
I will, my lord, strain outN
X
Nota del editor

strain out, search thoroughly, employ to the outmost (OED v.1 10f).

my magic spells,
591
For this day comes the Earl to Fressingfield,
592
And 'fore that night shuts in the day with dark
593
They'll be betrothed each to other fast.
594
But come with me; we'll to my study straight,
595
And in a glass prospectiveN
X
Nota del editor

glass prospective, Bacon’s magic mirror, in which he can see events distant in time and place (OED n. 1).

I will show
596
What's done this day in merry Fressingfield.

Edward.
597
Gramercies, Bacon. I will quite thy painN
X
Nota del editor

quite thy pain, requite your efforts (Bevington).

.

Bacon.
598
But send your train, my lord, into the town.
599
My scholar shall go bring them to their inn.
600
Meanwhile we'll see the knavery of the Earl.

Edward.
601
Warren, leave me; and Ermsby, take the fool.
602
Let him be master, and go revel itN
X
Nota del editor

revel it, have fun (OED v.1 1b, second earliest example).

603
Till I and Friar Bacon talk awhile.

Warren.
604
We will, my lord.

Rafe.
605Faith, Ned, and I'll lord it outN
X
Nota del editor

lord it out, play or act the Prince (Bevington).

till thou comest. I'll be 606Prince of Wales over all the black potsN
X
Nota del editor

black pots, leather beer-mugs. Here, figuratively, “drinkers” (OED n. 1).

in Oxford.

Exeunt.

[SCENE VI]

Bacon and Edward goesN
X
Nota del editor

The third person plural in –s is frequent in Elizabethan writing and occurs several times in this play.

into the study.

Bacon.
607
Now, frolic Edward, welcome to my cell.
608
Here tempersN
X
Nota del editor

tempers, mixes (OED v. 3).

Friar Bacon many toys,N
X
Nota del editor

toys, trifles (OED n. 5).

609
And holds this place his consistory court,N
X
Nota del editor

consistory court, ecclesiastical court held by the diocesan chancellor (Lavin).

610
Wherein the devils pleads homage to his words.
611
Within this glass prospective thou shalt see
612
This day what's done in merry Fressingfield,
613
'Twixt lovely Peggy and the LincolnN
X
Nota del editor

Lincolnshire is in the area of East Midlands, on the shore of the North Sea.

Earl.

Edward.
614
Friar, thou glad'st me. Now shall Edward tryN
X
Nota del editor

try, ascertain (OED v. 5a).

615
How Lacy meaneth toN
X
Nota del editor

meaneth to, is disposed towards (OED v.1 2).

his sovereign lord.

Bacon.
616
Stand there and look directly in the glass.
Enter Margaret and Friar Bungay [as if in the magic . They are visible to Edward but cannot be heard by him]
617
What sees my lord?

Edward.
618
I see the keeper's lovely lass appear,
619
As brightsomeN
X
Nota del editor

brightsome, bright-looking (OED adj.).

as the paramour of Mars,N
X
Nota del editor

the paramour of Mars, Venus, who is the lover of Mars, the god of war.

620
Only attended by a jolly friar.

Bacon.
621
Sit still and keep the crystal in your eyeN
X
Nota del editor

eye, view, sight (OED n.1 2).

.

Margaret.
622
But tell me, Friar Bungay, is it true
623
That this fair courteous country swain,
624
Who says his father is a farmer nigh,
625
Can be Lord Lacy, Earl of Lincolnshire?

Bungay.
626
Peggy, 'tis true.'Tis Lacy, for my life−
627
Or else mine art and cunning both doth fail−
628
Left by Prince Edward to procure his loves;
629
For he in green that holpN
X
Nota del editor

holp, helped (OED v.).

you run your cheese
630
Is son to Henry, and the Prince of Wales.

Margaret.
631
Be what he will, his lureN
X
Nota del editor

lure, bait, temptation (OED n.2 4a).

is but for lust.
632
But did Lord Lacy likeN
X
Nota del editor

But did Lord Lacy like, But if Lord Lacy loves (Bevington).

poor Margaret,
633
Or would he deign to wed a country lass,
634
Friar, I would his humble handmaid be,
635
And, for great wealth,N
X
Nota del editor

for great wealth, in return for great wealth (Bevington).

quiteN
X
Nota del editor

quite, requite (Bevington).

him with courtesy.

Bungay.
636
Why, Margaret, dost thou love him?

Margaret.
637
His personage, like the pride of vauntingN
X
Nota del editor

the pride of vaunting Troy, Paris, son of King Priam of Troy.

Troy,
638
Might well avouch to shadowN
X
Nota del editor

shadow, screen from blame, excuse (OED v. 3b).

Helen's scape*
X
- Gayley Helen’s scape
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Hellens cape
- Dyce Ward Collins Grosart Helen’s rape
;N
X
Nota del editor

scape Helen’s scape Hellens cape Helen’s rape , transgression (OED n.1 2).

639
His wit is quick and ready in conceit,
640
As Greece afforded in her chiefest primeN
X
Nota del editor

chiefest prime, golden age (Bevington).

;
641
Courteous, ah, friar, full of pleasing smiles.
642
Trust me, I love too much to tell thee more,
643
Suffice to me he is England's paramour.

Bungay.
644
Hath not each eye that viewed thy pleasing face
645
Surnamèd thee fair maid of Fressingfield?

Margaret.
646
Yes, Bungay, and would God the lovely earl
647
Had that in esse that so many sought!

Bungay.
648
Fear not; the friar will not be behind
649
To show his cunning to entangle love.

Edward.
650
I think the friar courts the bonny wench.
651
Bacon, methinks he is a lustyN
X
Nota del editor

lusty, lustful (OED adj. 4).

churlN
X
Nota del editor

churl, peasant (OED n. 4).

.

Bacon.
652
Now look, my lord.

Enter Lacy [disguised*
X
- Bevington [disguised in country garb, as before]
in country garb, as before]

Edward.
653
Gog's wounds, Bacon, here comes Lacy!

Bacon.
654
Sit still, my lord, and mark the comedy.

Bungay.
655
Here's Lacy. Margaret, step aside awhile.

[They overhear Lacy's soliloquy]

Lacy.
656
Daphne, the damsel that caught Phoebus fastN
X
Nota del editor

Phoebus Apollo fell violently in love with Daphne, who escaped his pursuit by being metamorphosed into a laurel tree, which is precisely what her name means in Greek.

657
And locked him in the brightness of her looks,
658
Was not so beauteous in Apollo's eyes
659
As is fair Margaret to the Lincoln Earl.
660
Recant thee, Lacy! Thou art put in trust.
661
Edward, thy sovereign's son, hath chosen thee,
662
A secretN
X
Nota del editor

secret, close (OED adj. and n. 2a).

friend, to court her for himself,
663
And darest thou wrong thy prince with treachery?
664
Lacy, love makes no exception*
X
- Q2 exception
- Q1 acception
of a friend,
665
Nor deemsN
X
Nota del editor

deems, considers, values (OED v. 6).

it of a prince but as a man.N
X
Nota del editor

Love treats a prince as any other man.

666
Honour bids thee controlN
X
Nota del editor

control, hinder (OED v. 4a).

him in his lust;
667
His wooing is not for to wed the girl,
668
But to entrap her and beguile the lass.
669
Lacy, thou lovest; then brook notN
X
Nota del editor

brook not, do not tolerate (OED v.1 3a).

such abuse,
670
But wed her, and abide thy prince's frown;
671
For better die than see her live disgraced.

Margaret.
672
Come, friar, I will shake him from his dumps.
673
How cheer you, sir? A penny for your thought.N
X
Nota del editor

A penny for your thought is a proverbial phrase.

674
You're early up;N
X
Nota del editor

You’re early up; pray God it be the near, an allusion to the proverb “Early up and never the nearer” (Lavin).

pray God it be the near.N
X
Nota del editor

the near, nearer to your purpose (Bevington).

675
What, come from Beccles in a morn so soon?

Lacy.
676
Thus watchfulN
X
Nota del editor

watchful, sleepless (OED adj. 1).

are such men as live in love,
677
Whose eyes brook broken slumbers for their sleep.N
X
Nota del editor

brook … sleep, have to endure interrupted slumbers instead of undisturbed sleep.

678
I tell thee, Peggy, since last Harleston fair
679
My mind hath felt a heap of passions.

Margaret.
680
A trusty man, that court it for your friend!
681
Woo you still for the courtier all in green?
682
I marvel that he suesN
X
Nota del editor

sues, woos (OED v. 15).

not for himself.

Lacy.
683
Peggy, I pleaded first to get your grace for him,
684
But when mine eyes surveyed your beauteous looks,
685
Love, like a wag,N
X
Nota del editor

wag, mischievous boy (OED n.2 1).

straight dived into my heart,
686
And there did shrineN
X
Nota del editor

shrine,enshrine (OED v. 4)

the ideaN
X
Nota del editor

idea, image (OED n. 7).

of yourself.
687
Pity me, though I be a farmer's son,
688
And measure not my riches, but my love.

Margaret.
689
You are very hasty, for to garden well
690
Seeds must have time to sprout before they spring.
691
Love ought to creep as doth the dial'sN
X
Nota del editor

dial’s, sundial’s (OED n.1 2a).

shade,
692
For timelyN
X
Nota del editor

timely, quickly, without delay (OED adv. 1).

ripe is rotten too tooN
X
Nota del editor

too too, lamentably, regrettably (OED adv. 4a).

soon.

Bungay.
693
Deus hic! Room for a merry friar.
694
What, youth of Beccles, with the keeper's lass?
695
'Tis well. But, tell me, hear you any news?

Margaret.
696
No, friar. What news*
X
- No, friar. What news?
Dyce and Ward assign this line to Lacy.
?

Bungay.
697
Hear you not how the pursuivantsN
X
Nota del editor

pursuivants, royal messengers (OED n. and adj. 2a).

do post
698
With proclamations through each country town?

Lacy.
699
For what, gentle friar? Tell the news.

Bungay.
700
Dwell'st thou in Beccles and hear'st not of these news?
701
Lacy, the Earl of Lincoln, is late fled
702
From Windsor court, disguisèd like a swainN
X
Nota del editor

swain, rustic (OED n. 4).

,
703
And lurks about the country here unknown.
704
Henry suspects him of some treachery,
705
And therefore doth proclaim in every way
706
That whoN
X
Nota del editor

who, whoever (OED pron. (and n.)6).

can take the Lincoln Earl shall have,
707
Paid in the ExchequerN
X
Nota del editor

the Exchequer, the royal treasury (OED n. 2a).

twenty thousand crowns.N
X
Nota del editor

crown, five shillings (OED n. 32b).

Lacy.
708
The Earl of Lincoln! Friar, thou art mad,
709
It was some other, thou mistakest the man.
710
The Earl of Lincoln! Why, it cannot be.

Margaret.
711
Yes, very well, my lord, for you are he;
712
The Keeper's daughter took you prisoner.
713
Lord Lacy, yield. I'll be your jailer once.

Edward.
714
How familiar they be, Bacon!

Bacon.
715
Sit still and mark the sequel of their loves.

Lacy.
716
Then am I double prisoner to thyself.
717
Peggy, I yield. But are these news in jest?

Margaret.
718
In jest with you, but earnest unto me,
719
ForwhyN
X
Nota del editor

Forwhy, because (OED conj. 1a).

these wrongs do wring me at the heart.
720
Ah, how these earls and noble men of birth
721
Flatter and feign to forgeN
X
Nota del editor

forge, frame, fashion (OED v.1 1).

poor women's ill!

Lacy.
722
Believe me, lass, I am the Lincoln Earl,
723
I not deny. But tirèdN
X
Nota del editor

tirèd, attired (Bevington).

thus in rags
724
I lived disguised to win fair Peggy's love.

Margaret.
725
What love is there where wedding endsN
X
Nota del editor

ends, completes (OED v. 1a).

not love?

Lacy.
726
I meant, fair girl, to make thee Lacy's wife.

Margaret.
727
I little think that earls will stoop so low.

Lacy.
728
Say, shall I make thee countess ere I sleep?

Margaret.
729
Handmaid unto the Earl, so please himself.N
X
Nota del editor

so please himself, if it so pleases him, if he so wishes (Lavin).

730
A wife in name, but servant in obedience.

Lacy.
731
The Lincoln Countess, for it shall be so!
732
I'll plight the bandsN
X
Nota del editor

plight the bands, confirm the union (Lavin).

and seal it with a kiss.

Edward.
733
Gog's wounds, Bacon, they kiss! I'll stab them!

Bacon.
734
Oh, hold your hands, my lord, it is the glass!

Edward.
735
CholerN
X
Nota del editor

Choler, Anger (OED n. and adj. 3).

to see the traitors 'greeN
X
Nota del editor

’gree, agree (OED v.).

so well,
736
Made me think the shadows substances.N
X
Nota del editor

Bacon’s reminds the audience that the solid actors on stage represent shadows in the magic glass.

Bacon.
737
'Twere a long poniard, my lord, to reach between
738
Oxford and Fressingfield, but sit still and see more.

Bungay.
739
Well, Lord of Lincoln, if your loves be knit,
740
And that your tongues and thoughts do both agree,
741
To avoid ensuing jarsN
X
Nota del editor

jars, quarrels, dissension (OED n.1 6b).

, I'll hamper upN
X
Nota del editor

humper up, make fast, make secure (Bevington).

the match.
742
I'll take my portaceN
X
Nota del editor

portace, service book, breviary, prayer-book (OED n. 1a).

forth and wed you here;
743
Then go to bed and seal up your desires.

Lacy.
744
Friar, content!−Peggy, how like you this?

Margaret.
745
What likesN
X
Nota del editor

likes, pleases (OED v.1 1a).

my lord is pleasing unto me.

Bungay.
746
Then handfastN
X
Nota del editor

handfast, to promise formally in marriage to another (OED v. 1a).

hand, and I will to my book.

Bacon.
747
What sees my lord now?

Edward.
748
Bacon, I see the lovers hand in hand,
749
The friar ready with his portace there
750
To wed them both. Then am I quite undone.
751
Bacon, help now, if e'er thy magic served,
752
Help, Bacon. Stop the marriage now,
753
If devils or necromancy may suffice,
754
And I will give thee fourty thousand crownsN
X
Nota del editor

crowns, gold coins (OED n. 32b).

.

Bacon.
755
Fear not, my lord, I'll stop the jolly friar
756
ForN
X
Nota del editor

For, From (OED prep. and conj. 23d).

mumbling up his orisons this day.

[Bacon*
X
- Bevington [Bacon puts a spell on Bungay]
puts a spell on Bungay]

Lacy.
757
Why speak'st not, Bungay? Friar, to thy book.

Bungay is mute, crying "Hud, hud".

Margaret.
758
How lookest thou, friar, as a man distraught!
759
ReftN
X
Nota del editor

Reft, Bereft (OED adj.1 2).

of thy senses, Bungay? Show by signs,
760
If thou be dumb, what passionsN
X
Nota del editor

passions, forces (OED n. 11a).

holdeth thee.

Lacy.
761
He's dumb indeed. Bacon hath with his devils
762
Enchanted him, or else some strange disease
763
Or apoplexy hath possessed his lungs.
764
But Peggy, what he cannot with his book
765
We'll 'twixt us both unite it up in heart.

Margaret.
766
Else let me die, my lord, a miscreant.N
X
Nota del editor

miscreant, heretic, unbeliever (OED adj. and n. B1a).

Edward.
767
Why stands Friar Bungay*
X
- Collier Bungay
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Bacon
‘Bacon’ crossed out in Q1 and corrected as ‘Bungay’
so amazed?

Bacon.
768
I have struck him dumb, my lord; and if Your Honour please,
769
I'll fetch this Bungay straightway from Fressingfield,
770
And he shall dine with us in Oxford here.

Edward.
771
Bacon, do that, and thou contentest me.

Lacy.
772
Of courtesy,N
X
Nota del editor

Of courtesy, As a matter of courtesy (OED n. 3a).

Margaret, let us lead the friar
773
Unto thy father's lodge, to comfort him
774
With broths to bring him from this hapless trance.

Margaret.
775
Or else, my lord, we were passingN
X
Nota del editor

passing, very, exceedingly (OED adj. prep. and adv. Ca)

unkind
776
To leave the friar so in his distress.
Enter a devil, and carry Bungay on his back [and so ]
777
O, help, my lord! A devil, a devil, my lord!
778
Look how he carries Bungay on his back!
779
Let's hence, for Bacon's spirits be abroad.

Exeunt [Margaret and ]

Edward.
780
Bacon, I laugh to see the jolly friar
781
Mounted upon the devil, and how the Earl
782
Flees with his bonny lass for fear!
783
As soon as Bungay is at Brazennose,
784
And I have chatted with the merry friar,
785
I will in postN
X
Nota del editor

in post, in haste, quickly, hasten (OED n.3 P4).

hie me to Fressingfield
786
And quiteN
X
Nota del editor

quite, requite (Bevington).

these wrongs on Lacy ere it be long.

Bacon.
787
So be it, my lord. But let us to our dinner;
788
For ere we have taken our repast awhile
789
We shall have Bungay brought to Brazennose.

Exeunt.

[SCENE VII]

Enter three doctors: Burden, Mason, [and] Clement.

Mason.
790
Now that we are gathered in the Regent House,
791
It fitsN
X
Nota del editor

fits, befits (OED v.1 3).

us talk about the King's repair;N
X
Nota del editor

repair, visit (OED n.1 2b).

792
For he, trooped withN
X
Nota del editor

trooped with, accompanied by (OED v. 2a, earliest example).

all the Western kings
793
That lie alongst the Danzig seas by east,
794
North by the clime of frosty Germany,
795
The AlmainN
X
Nota del editor

Almain, German. It is archaic and of literary usage according to the OED.

monarch, and the Saxon*
X
- Dyce Saxon
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Scocon
N
X
Nota del editor

Scocon in the first quarto, Saxon*

X
- Dyce Saxon
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Scocon
since the edition by Dyce. Currently Saxon*
X
- Dyce Saxon
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Scocon
y is a state (Land) part of Germany, on the middle-east of the country. The Saxon*
X
- Dyce Saxon
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Scocon
duke is a silent character who does not actually speak in the play.

duke,
796
Castile, and lovely Eleanor with him,
797
Have in their jestsN
X
Nota del editor

jests, entertainments (OED n. 8).

resolved for Oxford town.

Burden.
798
We must lay plotsN
X
Nota del editor

plots, outlines or schemes of plays (OED n. 3d).

of statelyN
X
Nota del editor

stately, dignified (OED adj. and n. A1a).

tragedies,
799
Strange comic shows,N
X
Nota del editor

Strange comic shows, Exciting masques and pageants (Lavin).

such as proud RosciusN
X
Nota del editor

Roscius, Quintus Roscius Gallus was a famous Roman actor who lived in the first century BC.

800
VauntedN
X
Nota del editor

Vaunted, Declaimed proudly (OED v. 1a).

before the Roman emperors,
801
To welcome all the western potentates.

Clement.
802
But more, the King by letters hath foretold
803
That Frederick, the Almain emperor,
804
Hath brought with him a German of esteem,
805
Whose surname is Don Jaques Vandermast,N
X
Nota del editor

Don Jacques Vandermast, even though he is German Greene gives him the treatment of “Don”.

806
Skilful in magic and those secret arts.

Mason.
807
Then must we all make suit unto the friar,
808
To Friar Bacon that he vouchN
X
Nota del editor

vouch, agree to undertake, vouchsafe (OED v. 11a, third earliest example).

this task,
809
And undertake to countervailN
X
Nota del editor

countervail, match (OED v. 2a).

in skill
810
The German; else there's none in Oxford canN
X
Nota del editor

can, who can.

811
Match*
X
- Match and dispute with learnèd Vandermast
SP Clement ] Dyce; Q1-3 Bevington on line 801.
and dispute with learnèd Vandermast.

Burden.
812
Bacon, if he will hold the German play,N
X
Nota del editor

hold the German play, keep the German in play (Lavin).

813
We'll teach him what an English friar can do.
814
The devil, I think, dare not dispute with him.

Clement.
815
Indeed, Mas'N
X
Nota del editor

Mas’, Master (OED n.1 1).

Doctor, he pleasured*
X
- Ward Lavin displeasured
you,
816
In that he brought your hostess with her spit
817
From Henley posting unto Brazennose.

Burden.
818
A vengeance on the friar for his pains!
819
But, leaving that, let's hie to Bacon straight
820
To see if he will take this task in hand.

Clement.
821
Stay, what rumourN
X
Nota del editor

rumour, din, noise, uproar (OED n. 5).

is this? The town is up in a mutiny.
822
What hurly-burly is this?

Enter a Constable, with Rafe [disguised*
X
- Bevington [disguised as Prince Edward]
as Prince Edward], Warren, Ermsby and Miles.

Constable.
823Nay, masters, if you were ne'er so good, you shall 824before the doctors to answer your misdemeanour.

Burden.
825
What's the matter, fellow?

Constable.
826Marry, sir, here's a company of rufflersN
X
Nota del editor

rufflers, ruffians, swaggerers (OED n.1 2).

that, drinking 827in the tavern, have made a great brawl and almost killed 828the vintner.

Miles.
Romance heroico (tirada)
829
Salve, Doctor Burden! This lubberlyN
X
Nota del editor

lubberly, stupid, clumsy (OED adj. and adv. 1).

lurdane,N
X
Nota del editor

lurdane, lazy, worthless, ill-bred (OED n. and adj. B).

830
Ill-shaped and ill-faced, disdained and disgraced,
831
What he tells unto vobis, mentitur de nobis.

Burden.
832
Who is the master and chief of this crew?

Miles.
Romance heroico (tirada)
833
Ecce asinum mundi, figura rotundiEcce asinum mundi, figura rotundiEcce asinum mundi, figura rotundi, “Behold the ass of the round-shaped world”. In good Latin it should be “figura rotunda” because it is a feminine noun.,
834
NeatN
X
Nota del editor

Neat, unadulterated (OED adj., (n.2 and int.) and adv. 8a).

, sheatN
X
Nota del editor

sheat, trim, neat (OED adj.).

and fine, as brisk as a cup of wine.

Burden.
835What are you?

Rafe.
836I am, Father Doctor, as a man would say, the bell-wetherN
X
Nota del editor

bell-wether, the leading sheep of a flock, leader (OED n. 1).

837of this company. These are my lords, and I the Prince of Wales.

Clement.
838
Are you Edward, the King's son?

Rafe.
839Sirrah Miles, bring hither the tapster that drew the 840wine, and I warrant when they see how soundly I have brokeN
X
Nota del editor

broke, banged (Bevington).

his 841head, they'll say 'twas done by no less man than a prince.

Mason.
842
I cannot believe that this is the Prince of Wales.

Warren.
843
And why so, sir?

Mason.
844
For they say the Prince is a brave and a wise gentleman.

Warren.
845
Why, and thinkest thou, Doctor, that he is not so?
846
Dar'st thou detract and derogate from him,
847
Being so lovely and so braveN
X
Nota del editor

brave, handsomely dressed, handsome, fine (OED adj., n. and int. 2).

a youth?

Ermsby.
848
Whose face, shining with many a sugared smile,
849
BewraysN
X
Nota del editor

Bewrays, Reveals (OED v. 4).

that he is bred of princely race.

Miles.
Docena
850
And yet, Master Doctor, to speak like a proctor,N
X
Nota del editor

speak like a proctor, speak authoritatively. A proctor is one whose job is to keep watch over students during examinations (Bevington).

851
And tell unto you what is verimentN
X
Nota del editor

veriment, correct, veritable (OED adv., n. and adj. C, earliest example).

and true,
852
To ceaseN
X
Nota del editor

cease of, cease (OED v. 1a).

of this quarrel, look but on his apparel;
853
Then mark but my talisN
X
Nota del editor

talis, tales, account. Here it is a comic rhyme (Bevington).

, he is great Prince of Walis,
854
The chief of our gregis, and filius regis.
855
Then wareN
X
Nota del editor

ware, beware (OED v. 3a).

what is done, for he is Henry's whiteN
X
Nota del editor

white, favourite, most beloved (OED adj. (and adv.) and n. 9).

son.

Rafe.
856Doctors, whose doting nightcaps are not capable of 857my ingeniousN
X
Nota del editor

ingenious, generous, high-minded, noble (OED adj. 2a).

dignity, know that I am Edward Plantagenet, 858whom if you displease will make a ship that shall hold all your 859colleges, and so carry away the NiniversityN
X
Nota del editor

Niniversity, word formed from “ninny”(synonym of “fool”, “simpleton”) and “university”.

with a fair wind to 860the Bankside in Southwark.N
X
Nota del editor

A riverside area at the south end of London Bridge, outside the city’s jurisdiction, where theatres, brothels and bear-baiting pits (where chained bears were to fight against dogs trained for that) flourished.

How say'st thou, Ned Warren, 861shall I not do it?

Warren.
862Yes, my good lord. And if it please Your Lordship, 863I will gather up all your old pantoflesN
X
Nota del editor

pantofles, cork-soled shoes or slippers (OED n.).

, and with the cork make 864you a pinnaceN
X
Nota del editor

pinnace, small light vessel (OED n. 1a).

of five hundred ton that shall serve the turn 865marvellous well, my lord.

Ermsby.
866And I, my lord, will have pioneersN
X
Nota del editor

pioneers, diggers (OED n. and adj. A1b).

to undermine the 867town, that the very gardens and orchards be carried away for 868your summer walks.

Miles.
869
And I, with scientia and great diligentia,
870
Will conjure and charm to keep you from harm,
871
That utrum horum mavis, your very great navis,
872
Like Bartlet's ship,N
X
Nota del editor

According to Lavin, this is probably an allusion to the translation by Alexander Barclay in 1509 of the Ship of Fools by Sebastian Brant.

from Oxford do skip
873
With colleges and schools full loaden with fools.
874
Quid dices ad hoc, worshipful domine Dawcockdomine Dawcockdomine Dawcock, master simpleton. The jackdaw, a large blackbird, was a byword for stupidity.?

Clement.
875
Why, hare-brained courtiers, are you drunk or mad,
876
To taunt us up with such scurrility?
877
Deem you us men of base and lightN
X
Nota del editor

light, little (Lavin).

esteem,
878
To bring us such a fop for Henry's son?
879
Call out the beadlesN
X
Nota del editor

beadles, university constables (Lavin), minor officials (Bevington).

and convey them hence,
880
Straight to Bocardo. Let the roistersN
X
Nota del editor

roisters, roisterers, riotous fellows (OED n.1 1a).

lie
881
Close clappedN
X
Nota del editor

Close clapped, Securely confined (OED adj. and adv. S2).

in bolts, until their wits be tame.

Ermsby.
882
Why, shall we to prison, my lord?

Rafe.
883What say'st Miles, shall I honour the prison with my presence?

Miles.
Docena
884
No, no! Out with your blades, and hamperN
X
Nota del editor

hamper, strike, beat (OED v.2, second earliest example).

these jades.
885
Have a flirtN
X
Nota del editor

flirt, blow (OED n. 2, earliest example).

and a crash, now play revel-dash,N
X
Nota del editor

revel-dash, playful or boisterous delivery of blows or strokes (OED n.1 C2).

886
And teach these sacerdos, that the Bocardos,
887
Like peasants and elves, are meetN
X
Nota del editor

meet, suitable (OED adj. 2a).

for themselves.

Mason.
Blank verse
888
To the prison with them, constable!

Warren.
889
Well, doctors, seeing I have sportedN
X
Nota del editor

sported me, amused myself (OED v. 1a).

me
890
With laughing at these mad and merry wags,
891
Know that Prince Edward is at Brazennose,
892
And this, attirèd like the Prince of Wales,
893
Is Rafe, King Henry's only lovèd fool;
894
I, Earl of Sussex*
X
- Collier Sussex
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Essex
; and this Ermsby,
895
One of the privy chamber to the King,
896
Who, while the prince with Friar Bacon stays,
897
Have revelled it in Oxford as you see.

Mason.
898
My lord, pardon us, we knew not what you were,
899
But courtiers may make greater scapesN
X
Nota del editor

scapes, faults, escapades, pranks (OED n.1 3).

than these.
900
Will't please Your Honour dine with me today?

Warren.
901I will, Master Doctor, and satisfy the vintner for his 902hurt; only I must desire you to imagine himN
X
Nota del editor

him, refers to Rafe.

all this forenoon the 903Prince of Wales.

Mason.
904
I will, sir.

Rafe.
905And upon that I will lead the way, only I will have 906Miles go before me, because I have heard Henry say that 907wisdom must go before majesty.

Exeunt omnes.

[SCENE VIII]

Enter Prince Edward with his poniard in his hand, Lacy and Margaret.

Edward.
908
Lacy, thou canst not shroud thy trait'rous thoughts,
909
Nor cover as did CassiusN
X
Nota del editor

Cassius secretly conspired against Caesar, conspiracy that ended up in the assassination of the latter in the ides of March (the fifteenth of this month).

all his wiles,
910
For Edward hath an eye that looks as far
911
As Lynceus from the shores of Grecia.
912
Did not I sit in Oxford by the friar
913
And see thee court the maid of Fressingfield,
914
Sealing thy flattering fancies with a kiss?
915
Did not proud Bungay draw his portaceN
X
Nota del editor

portace, service book, breviary, prayer-book (OED n. 1a).

forth,
916
And, joining hand in hand, hadN
X
Nota del editor

had, would have.

married you,
917
If Friar Bacon had not struck him dumb,
918
And mounted him upon a spirit's back,
919
That we might chat at Oxford with the friar?
920
Traitor, what answer'st? Is not all this true?

Lacy.
921
Truth all, my lord, and thus I make reply.
922
At Harlestone Fair, there courting for Your Grace,
923
Whenas mine eye surveyed her curiousN
X
Nota del editor

curious, beautifully wrought (OED adj. 14).

shape,
924
And drew the beauteous glory of her looks
925
To dive into the centre of my heart,
926
Love taught me that Your Honour did but jest,
927
That princes were in fancyN
X
Nota del editor

in fancy, in affairs of the heart (Bevington).

but as men;
928
How that the lovely maid of Fressingfield
929
Was fitter to be Lacy's wedded wife
930
Than concubine unto the Prince of Wales.

Edward.
931
Injurious Lacy! Did I love thee more
932
Than Alexander his Hephestion?N
X
Nota del editor

Hephaestion, Macedonian general, close friend of Alexander the Great, who mourned his death extravagantly.

933
Did I unfold the passionN
X
Nota del editor

passion, suffering (OED n. 3).

of my love,
934
And lock them in the closet of thy thoughts?
935
Wert thou to Edward second to himself,
936
Sole friend, and partner of his secret loves?
937
And could a glance of fadingN
X
Nota del editor

fading, transitory (OED adj. a).

beauty break
938
The enchainèd fetters of such private friends?
939
Base coward, false, and too effeminateN
X
Nota del editor

effeminate, self-indulgent, weak, unmanly (OED adj. and n. 1a).

940
To be corrivalN
X
Nota del editor

corrival, (OED n. and adj. 2, earliest example).

with a prince in thoughts!
941
From Oxford have I posted since I dined,
942
To quite a traitor 'fore that Edward sleep.

Margaret.
943
'Twas I, my Lord, not Lacy, stepped awry;
944
For oft he sued and courted for yourself,
945
And stillN
X
Nota del editor

still, continually, constantly (OED adv. 3).

wooed for the courtier all in green.
946
But I, whom fancyN
X
Nota del editor

fancy, love (OED n. 8b).

made but overfond,
947
Pleaded myself with looks as if I loved;
948
I fed mine eye with gazing on his face,
949
And, still bewitched, loved Lacy with my looks.
950
My heart with sighs, mine eyes pleaded with tears,
951
My face held pity and content at once,
952
And more I could not cipher outN
X
Nota del editor

cipher out, concealingly express (OED v. 2).

by signs
953
But that I loved Lord Lacy with my heart.
954
Then, worthy Edward, measure with thy mind
955
If women's favoursN
X
Nota del editor

favours, beauties (OED n. 8).

will not force men fall,
956
If beauty and if darts of piercing love
957
Is not of forceN
X
Nota del editor

of force, full of strength (OED n. 1b).

to bury thoughts of friends.

Edward.
958
I tell thee, Peggy, I will have thy loves.
959
Edward or none shall conquer Margaret.
960
In frigates bottomed with rich Shittim*
X
- Bevington Shittim
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Sethin
N
X
Nota del editor

“Shittim*

X
- Bevington Shittim
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Sethin
” is Hebrew for wood from the acacia tree (shitta tree), which appears in the King James Bible. This wood had to be used to make the Ark of Covenant.

planks,
961
Topped with the lofty firs of Lebanon,
962
Stemmed and encased with burnished ivory
963
And overlaid with plates of Persian wealth.
964
Like Thetis shalt thou wantonN
X
Nota del editor

wanton, play sportively (OED v. 1a).

on the waves
965
And draw the dolphins to thy lovely eyes
966
To dance lavoltasN
X
Nota del editor

lavoltas, lively dances for two persons, consisting a good deal in high and active bounds (OED n.).

in the purple streams.
967
Sirens, with harps and silver psalteries,N
X
Nota del editor

psalteries, instruments similar to dulcimers (OED n. 1).

968
Shall waitN
X
Nota del editor

wait, attend (OED v.1 9a).

with music at thy frigate's stemN
X
Nota del editor

stem, bow (OED n.2 3).

969
And entertain fair Margaret with their*
X
- Collier their
- Q1 Q2 Q3 her
lays.N
X
Nota del editor

lays, songs (OED n.4 1a).

970
England and England's wealth shall wait on thee,
971
Britain shall bend unto her prince's love
972
And do due homage to thine excellence,
973
If thou wilt be but Edward's Margaret.N
X
Nota del editor

A similar offer, in comparable terms, was made by Tamburlaine to Zenocrate in the play by Marlowe (Tamburlaine, I, ii, 93-105).

Margaret.
974
Pardon, my lord. If Jove's great royalty
975
Sent me such presents as to Danaë - Q1 Danae
- Neilson Danaë
,
976
If Phoebus, tirèd - Dyce tirèd
- Q1 tied

tirèd tirèd tied , attired (Bevington).

in Latona's webs,

webs, garments (OED n. 2a).

977
Came*
X
- Collier Came
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Come
courting from the beauty of his lodgeN
X
Nota del editor

his lodge, the sky.

,
978
The dulcet tunes of frolic Mercury,
979
Nor*
X
- Bevington Nor
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Not
all the wealth heaven's treasury affords,
980
Should make me leave Lord Lacy or his love.

Edward.
981
I have learned at Oxford, then, this point of schools:N
X
Nota del editor

point of schools, debating point, aphorism (Lavin), scholastic debate (Bevington).

982
Ablata Abbata causa, tollitur effectus.
983
Lacy, the cause that Margaret cannot love
984
Nor fix her liking on the English prince,
985
Take him away, and then the effects will fail.
986
Villain, prepare thyself, for I will bathe
987
My poniard in the bosom of an earl.

Lacy.
988
[Kneeling*
X
- Bevington [Kneeling]
]
Rather than live and miss fair Margaret's love,
989
Prince Edward, stop not at the fatal doomN
X
Nota del editor

doom, sentence (OED n. 2).

,
990
But stab it home; end both my loves and life.

Margaret.
991
Brave Prince of Wales, honoured for royal deeds,
992
'Twere sin to stain fair Venus' courts with blood.
993
Love's conquests ends, my Lord, in courtesy.
994
Spare Lacy, gentle Edward; let me die,
995
For soN
X
Nota del editor

For so, In this way (OED adv. and conj. 2c).

both you and he do cease your loves.

Edward.
996
Lacy shall die as traitor to his lord.

Lacy.
997
I have deserved it. Edward, act it well.

Margaret.
998
What hopes the Prince to gain by Lacy's death?

Edward.
999
To end the loves 'twixt him and Margaret.

Margaret.
1000
Why, thinks king Henry's son that Margaret's love
1001
Hangs in the uncertain balance of proud Time,N
X
Nota del editor

Time, in this case it is a personification.

1002
That death shall make a discord of our thoughts?
1003
No! Stab the Earl, and 'fore the morning sun
1004
Shall vaunt himN
X
Nota del editor

vaunt him, display himself proudly (OED v. 3a).

thrice over the lofty east,
1005
Margaret will meet her Lacy in the heavens.

Lacy.
1006
If aught betides to lovely Margaret
1007
That wrongs or wringsN
X
Nota del editor

wrings, wrests, twists (OED 2. 2a).

her honour from content,
1008
Europe's rich wealth nor England's monarchy
1009
Should not allure Lacy to overliveN
X
Nota del editor

overlive, outlive, live longer than (OED v. 1).

.
1010
Then, Edward, shortN
X
Nota del editor

short, shorten the duration (OED v. 2a).

my life and end her loves.

Margaret.
1011
Rid me,N
X
Nota del editor

Rid me, Kill me, Get rid of me (OED v. 4b).

and keep a friend worth many loves.

Lacy.
1012
Nay, Edward, keep a love worth many friends.

Margaret.
1013
And if thy mind be such as fame hath blazedN
X
Nota del editor

blazed, published (OED v.2 2a).

,
1014
Then, princely Edward, let us both abideN
X
Nota del editor

abide, undergo, suffer (OED v. 15).

1015
The fatal resolution of thy rage.
1016
Banish thou fancyN
X
Nota del editor

fancy, infatuation, love (OED n. 8b).

and embrace revenge,
1017
And in one tomb knit both our carcasses,
1018
Whose hearts were linkèd in one perfect love.

Edward.
1019
Edward, art thou that famous Prince of Wales
1020
Who at Damasco beat the Saracens,N
X
Nota del editor

Saracens, Arabs, members of a nomadic people living in the deserts between Syria and Arabia (OED n. 1a).

1021
And brought'st home triumph on thy lance's point,
1022
And shall thy plumesN
X
Nota del editor

plumes, things in which to take pride (OED n. 3b).

be pulled by Venus down?
1023
Is it princely to dissever lovers' leagues,
1024
To part such friends as glory in their loves?
1025
Leave, Ned, and make a virtue of this fault,
1026
And further Peg and Lacy in their loves.
1027
So in subduing fancy's passion,
1028
Conquering thyself thou get'st the richest spoilN
X
Nota del editor

spoil, booty (OED n. 1).

. −
1029
Lacy, rise up! Fair Peggy, here's my hand,
1030
The Prince of Wales hath conquered all his thoughts,
1031
And all his loves he yields unto the Earl.
1032
Lacy, enjoy the maid of Fressingfield,
1033
Make her thy Lincoln countess at the church.
1034
And Ned, as he is true Plantagenet,
1035
Will give her to thee franklyN
X
Nota del editor

frankly, freely (OED adv. 1).

for thy wife.

Lacy.
1036
Humbly I take her of my sovereign,
1037
As if that Edward gave me England's right,
1038
And riched me with the Albion diadem.N
X
Nota del editor

Albion diadem, English crown (Bevington).

Margaret.
1039
And doth the English prince mean true?
1040
Will he vouchsafe to cease his former loves,
1041
And yield the title of a country maid
1042
Unto Lord Lacy?

Edward.
1043
I will, fair Peggy, as I am true lord.

Margaret.
1044
Then, lordly sir, whose conquest is as great
1045
In conquering love as Caesar's victories,
1046
Margaret, as mild and humble in her thoughts
1047
As was AspasiaN
X
Nota del editor

Aspasia, celebrated courtesan, longtime companion to Pericles of Athens (fifth century before Christ). She came from Miletus, near the coast of what was then Persia under King Cyrus.

unto Cyrus' self,
1048
Yields thanks, and, next Lord Lacy, doth enshrine
1049
Edward the secondN
X
Nota del editor

second, next in importance (OED adj. and n. 15).

secretN
X
Nota del editor

secret, closest (OED adj. and n. 2).

in her heart.

Edward.
1050
Gramercy, Peggy. Now that vows are passed,N
X
Nota del editor

passed, exchanged (OED v. 35a).

1051
And that your loves are not be revolt,N
X
Nota del editor

revolt, changed in their allegiance, withdrawn, overturned (OED v. 2b).

1052
Once, Lacy, friends again, come, we will post
1053
To Oxford; for this day the King is there
1054
And brings for Edward Castile Eleanor.
1055
Peggy, I must go see and view my wife;
1056
I pray God I like her as I loved thee.
1057
Beside, Lord Lincoln, we shall hear dispute
1058
'Twixt Friar Bacon and learned Vandermast.
1059
Peggy, we'll leave you for a week or two.

Margaret.
1060
As it please Lord Lacy; but love's foolish looks
1061
Think footsteps miles and minutes to be hours.

Lacy.
1062
I'll hasten, Peggy, to make short return.−
1063
But, please Your Honour, go unto the lodge.
1064
We shall have butter, cheese, and venison.
1065
And yesterday I brought for Margaret
1066
A lustyN
X
Nota del editor

lusty, strong (OED adj. 5a).

bottle of neat claret wine.
1067
Thus can we feast and entertain Your Grace.

Edward.
1068
'Tis cheer, Lord Lacy, for an emperor,
1069
If he respect the person and the place.N
X
Nota del editor

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare (V, i, 91-92) Theseus displays the same magnanimity.

1070
Come, let us in, for I will all this night
1071
Ride post until I come to Bacon's cell.

Exeunt.

[SCENE IX]

Enter Henry, Emperor, Castile, [the Duke*
X
- Bevington [the Duke of Saxony]
attendants*
X
- Bevington [and other lords and attendants]
of Saxony], Eleanor, Vandermast, Bungay[and other lords and attendants].

Emperor.
1072
Trust me, Plantagenet, these Oxford schools
1073
Are richly seated near the riverside,
1074
The mountains full of fat and fallow deer,
1075
The battlingN
X
Nota del editor

battling, nourishing, fattening (OED adj.2 1).

pastures laidN
X
Nota del editor

laid, covered, ornamented (OED v.1 42).

with kine and flocks,
1076
The town gorgeous with high-built colleges,
1077
And scholars seemely in their grave attire,
1078
Learnèd in searchingN
X
Nota del editor

searching, investigating (OED v. 5a).

principles of art.−
1079
What is thy judgement, Jaques Vandermast?

Vandermast.
1080
That lordly are the buildings of the town,
1081
Spatious the roomsN
X
Nota del editor

rooms, open spaces (OED n.1 and int. 6d).

and full of pleasant walks.
1082
But for the doctors, how that they be learnèd,
1083
It may be meanlyN
X
Nota del editor

meanly, slenderly (Bevington).

, for aught I can hear.

Bungay.
1084
I tell thee, German, Hapsburg holds none such,
1085
None readN
X
Nota del editor

read, well-read, learned (OED adj.1b).

so deepN
X
Nota del editor

deep, deeply, widely (OED adv.1a).

as Oxenford contains.
1086
There are within our accademic state
1087
Men that may lecture it in Germany
1088
To all the doctors of your Belgic schools.

Henry.
1089
Stand to him, Bungay. CharmN
X
Nota del editor

Charm, Overcome (OED v.1 4).

this Vandermast,
1090
And I will use thee as a royal king.N
X
Nota del editor

as a king should do (Bevington).

Vandermast.
1091
Wherein darest thou dispute with me?

Bungay.
1092
In what a doctor and a friar can.

Vandermast.
1093
Before rich Europe's worthiesN
X
Nota del editor

worthies, of rank, noble, high-born (OED adj., n. and adv.10).

put thou forth
1094
The doubtful question unto Vandermast.

Bungay.
1095
Let it be this: whether the spirits of pyromancy
1096or geomancy be most predominant in magic.

Vandermast.
Docena
1097
I say, of pyromancy.N
X
Nota del editor

pyromancy, divination by fire (OED n.).

Bungay.
1098
And I, of geomancy.N
X
Nota del editor

geomancy, divination by means of signs derived from the earth, usually by a handful thrown in the air (OED n.1).

Vandermast.
Blank verse
1099
The cabbalistsN
X
Nota del editor

cabbalists, skilled in mystic arts or learning (OED n. 2, earliest example).

that write of magic spells,
1100
As Hermes, Melchie and Pythagoras,N
X
Nota del editor

Hermes Trismegistus and Malchus Porphyrius were Neoplatonist philosophers. The philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras is included probably because of the mystical significance of numbers.

1101
Affirm that 'mongst the quadruplicityN
X
Nota del editor

mongst the quadruplicity of elemental essence, among the four elements (earth, air, fire and water).

1102
Of elemental essence, terra is but thought
1103
To be a punctum squarèd to the rest;
1104
And that the compassN
X
Nota del editor

compass, range, scope (OED n., adj. and adv. 9a).

of ascending elements
1105
Exceed in bigness as they do in height,
1106
Judging the concave circle of the sun
1107
To hold the rest in hisN
X
Nota del editor

his, its.

circumference.
1108
If, then, as Hermes says, the fire be great'st,
1109
Purest, and onlyN
X
Nota del editor

only, alone (OED adj.1).

giveth shapes to spirits,
1110
Then must these demonsN
X
Nota del editor

demons, supernatural beings (OED n. (and adj.) 1a).

that haunt that placeN
X
Nota del editor

that place, the sun, the place of fire.

1111
Be every way superior to the rest.

Bungay.
1112
I reason not of elemental shapes,
1113
Nor tell I of the concave latitudes,
1114
Noting their essence nor their quality,
1115
But of the spirits that pyromancy calls
1116
And of the vigour of the geomantic fiends.
1117
I tell thee, German, magic haunts the grounds,
1118
And those strange necromantic spells
1119
That work such showsN
X
Nota del editor

shows, sights (OED n.1 1b).

and wondering in the world
1120
Are acted by those geomantic spirits
1121
That Hermes calleth terræ filiiterræ filiisons of the earth..
1122
The fiery spirits are but transparent shades,N
X
Nota del editor

transparent shades, spectres, ghosts (Bevington).

1123
That lightly pass as heralds to bear news;
1124
But earthly fiends, closed in the lowest deep,
1125
Dissever mountains if they be but charged,N
X
Nota del editor

charged, given orders, commanded (OED v. 14a).

1126
Being more grossN
X
Nota del editor

gross, large, massive (OED adj. and n.4 1a).

and massyN
X
Nota del editor

massy, hard and compact, solid (OED adj.3a).

in their power.

Vandermast.
1127
Rather, these earthly geomantic spirits
1128
Are dull and like the place where they remain;
1129
For, when proud Lucifer fell from the heavens,
1130
The spirits and angels that did sin with him
1131
Retained their local essenceN
X
Nota del editor

local essence, defining character (Bevington); essence which characterised them as spirits of earth or air, etc … (Lavin)

as their faults,
1132
All subject under Luna's continent.N
X
Nota del editor

Luna’s continent, the sphere of the Moon, one of the spheres which surrounded the Earth according to the heliocentric system of the Greek scientist Claudius Ptolemy (c.100-c.170).

1133
They which offended lessN
X
Nota del editor

A reference to the angels which did not revolt (Bevington).

hang in the fire,
1134
And second faults did rest within the air;
1135
But Lucifer and his proud-hearted fiends
1136
Were thrown into the centre of the earth,
1137
Having less understandingN
X
Nota del editor

understanding, reason (OED n. 1).

than the rest,
1138
As having greater sin and lesser grace.
1139
Therefore such gross and earthly spirits do serve
1140
For jugglers, witches and vile sorcerers,
1141
Whereas the pyromantic genii
1142
Are mighty, swift, and of far-reaching power.
1143
But, grantN
X
Nota del editor

grant, supposing (OED v. 7a).

that geomancy hath most force,
1144
Bungay, to please these mighty potentates,
1145
Prove by some instance what thy art can do.

Bungay.
1146
I will.

Emperor.
1147
Now, English Harry, here begins the game;
1148
We shall see sport between these learnèd men.N
X
Nota del editor

Another contest between Bacon and Vandermast occurs in John of Bordeaux, an anonymous sequel to Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay.

Vandermast.
1149
What wilt thou do?

Bungay.
1150
Show thee the tree leaved with refinèd gold
1151
Whereon the fearful dragon held his seat
1152
That watched the garden called Hesperides,
1153
Subdued and won by conquering Hercules.

Vandermast.
1154
Well done.

Here Bungay conjures and the tree appears with the dragon shooting fire.

Henry.
1155
What say you, royal lordings, to my friar?
1156
Hath he not done a pointN
X
Nota del editor

point, feat (OED n.1 28).

of cunning skill?

Vandermast.
1157
Each scholar in the necromantic spells
1158
Can do as much as Bungay hath performed.
1159
But as Alcmena's bastard razed this tree,
1160
So will I raise him up as when he lived,
1161
And cause him pull the dragon from his seat,
1162
And tear the branches piecemeal from the root.−
1163
Hercules Prodi, Prodi, Hercules!

Hercules appears in his lion's skin.

Hercules.
1164
Quis me vult?

Vandermast.
1165
Jove's bastard son, thou Libyan Hercules,
1166
Pull off the sprigs from off the Hesperian tree,
1167
As once thou didst to win the golden fruit.

Hercules.
1168
Fiat.

Here he begins to break the branches.

Vandermast.
1169
Now, Bungay, if thou canst by magic charm,
1170
The fiend appearing like great Hercules
1171
From pulling down the branches of the tree,
1172
Then art thou worthy to be counted learnèd.

Bungay.
1173
I cannot.

Vandermast.
1174
Cease, Hercules, until I give thee charge-N
X
Nota del editor

charge, order (OED n. 15a).

1175
Mighty commander of this English isle,
1176
Henry, come from the stoutN
X
Nota del editor

stout, brave (OED adj. and adv. 3a).

Plantagenets,
1177
Bungay is learned enough to be a friar,
1178
But to compare with Jaques Vandermast
1179
Oxford and Cambridge must go seek their cells
1180
To find a man to match him in his art.
1181
I have given nonplusN
X
Nota del editor

nonplus, perplexed (OED n. and adj. 1).

to the Paduans,
1182
To them of Sien, Florence and Bologna,
1183
Rheimes, Louvain and fair Rotterdam,
1184
Frankfort, Utrecht - Collier Utrecht
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Lutrech
and Orleans.
1185
And now must Henry, if he do me right,
1186
Crown me with laurel, as they all have done.

Enter Bacon.

Bacon.
1187
All hail to this royal company,
1188
That sit to hear and see this strange dispute!−
1189
Bungay, how stand'st thou as a man amazed!
1190
What, hath the German actedN
X
Nota del editor

acted, done, performed (OED n. 2a).

more than thou?

Vandermast.
1191
What art thou that questions thus?

Bacon.
1192
Men call me Bacon.

Vandermast.
1193
Lordly thou lookest, as if that thou wert learned;
1194
Thy countenance, as if scienceN
X
Nota del editor

science, mastery of any branch of learning (OED n. 2).

held her seat
1195
Between the circled arches of thy brows.

Henry.
1196
Now, monarchs, hath the German found his match.

Emperor.
1197
Bestir thee, Jaques, take not now the foilN
X
Nota del editor

foil, repulse, set-back (OED n.2 2a).

,
1198
Lest thou dost lose what foretimeN
X
Nota del editor

foretime, previously (OED n. and adv. B).

thou didst gain.

Vandermast.
1199
Bacon, wilt thou dispute?

Bacon.
1200
No, unless he were more learned than Vandermast.
1201
For yet, tell me: what hast thou done?

Vandermast.
1202
Raised Hercules to ruinate that tree
1203
That Bungay mountedN
X
Nota del editor

mounted, caused to rise (OED v. 2a).

by his magic spells.

Bacon.
1204
Set Hercules to work.

Vandermast.
1205
Now, Hercules, I charge thee to thy task.
1206
Pull off the golden branches from the root.

Hercules.
1207
I dare not. See'st thou not great Bacon here,
1208
Whose frown doth act more than thy magic can?

Vandermast.
1209
By all the thrones and dominations,
1210
Virtues, powers and mighty hierarchies!
1211
I charge thee to obey to Vandermast.

Hercules.
1212
Bacon, that bridles headstrong Belcephon,
1213
And rules Asmenoth, guider of the north,
1214
Binds me from yielding untoN
X
Nota del editor

yielding unto, obeying (OED v. 2a).

Vandermast.

Henry.
1215
How now, Vandermast, have you met with your match?

Vandermast.
1216
Never before was't known to Vandermast
1217
That men held devils in such obedient awe.
1218
Bacon doth more than art,N
X
Nota del editor

art, magical skill (Bevington).

or else I fail.

Emperor.
1219
Why, Vandermast, art thou overcome?−
1220
Bacon, dispute with him and try his skill.

Bacon.
1221
I come not, monarchs, for to hold dispute
1222
With such a novice as is Vandermast;
1223
I come to have your royalties to dine
1224
With Friar Bacon here in Brazennose.
1225
And, for this German troubles but the place
1226
And holds this audience with a long suspense,
1227
I'll send him to his academy hence.−
1228
Thou, Hercules, whom Vandermast did raise,
1229
Transport the German unto Hapsburg straight,
1230
That he may learn by travail,N
X
Nota del editor

travail, a pun with the two possible meanings of the word: (i) work (OED n. 2), (ii) travel (OED n. 7).

'gainst the spring*
X
- Collier spring
- Q1 Q2 Q3 springs
,N
X
Nota del editor

’gainst the spring spring springs , in time for spring*

X
- Collier spring
- Q1 Q2 Q3 springs
(Bevington).

1231
More secret dooms and aphorisms of art.
1232
VanishN
X
Nota del editor

Vanish, Cause to dissapear (OED v. 4).

the tree and thou away with him.

Exit the spirit with Vandermast and the tree.

Emperor.
1233
Why, Bacon, whither dost thou send him?

Bacon.
1234
To Hapsburg; there Your Highness, at return,
1235
Shall find the German in his study safe.

Henry.
1236
Bacon, thou hast honoured England with thy skill,
1237
And made fair Oxford famous by thine art.
1238
I will be English Henry to thyself.N
X
Nota del editor

As King of England, I will acknowledge and proclaim your greatness.

1239
But tell me, shall we dine with thee today?

Bacon.
1240
With me, my lord. And, while I fitN
X
Nota del editor

fit, prepare (OED n. 6a).

my cheer,N
X
Nota del editor

cheer, food and drink for a festive occasion (OED n. 6).

1241
See where Prince Edward comes to welcome you,
1242
Gracious as the morning star of heaven.

Exit.
Enter Edward, Lacy, Warren, Ermsby.

Emperor.
1243
Is this Prince Edward, Henry's royal son?
1244
How martial is the figure of his face,
1245
Yet lovely and beset with amorets!N
X
Nota del editor

amorets, love-looks, looks that inspire love (OED n. 5, second earliest example).

Henry.
1246
Ned, where hast thou been?

Edward.
1247
At Framingham, my lord, to try your bucks
1248
If they could scape the teasers*
X
- Q2 the teasers
- Q1 they teasers
or the toil.N
X
Nota del editor

toil, net or nets into which game is driven (OED n.2 1a).

1249
But hearing of these lordly potentates
1250
Landed and progressed up to Oxford town,
1251
I posted to give entertainN
X
Nota del editor

entertain, entertainment, welcome (OED n. 1a).

to them−
1252
Chief to the Almain monarch; next to him,
1253
And jointN
X
Nota del editor

joint, joined, (OED adj. 1a).

with him, Castile and Saxony
1254
Are welcome as they may be to the English court.
1255
Thus for the men. But see! Venus appears,
1256
Or one that overmatchethN
X
Nota del editor

overmatcheth, surpasses (OED v. 1a).

Venus in her shape. −
1257
Sweet Eleanor, beauty's high-swelling pride,
1258
Rich nature's glory and her wealth at once,
1259
Fair of all fairs, welcome to Albion.
1260
Welcome to me, and welcome to thine own,
1261
If that thou deign'st the welcome from myself.

Eleanor.
1262
Martial Plantagenet, Henry's high-minded son,
1263
The mark that Eleanor did count her aim,
1264
I liked thee 'fore I saw thee; now I love,
1265
And so as in so short a time I may.
1266
Yet so as time shall never break that "so,"
1267
And therefore so accept of Eleanor.

Castile.
1268
Fear not, my lord, this couple will agree,
1269
If love may creep into their wanton eyes.−
1270
And therefore, Edward, I accept thee here,
1271
Without suspense, as my adopted son.

Henry.
1272
Let me, that joyN
X
Nota del editor

joy, rejoice (OED v. 1).

in these consortingN
X
Nota del editor

consorting, agreeing, harmonious (OED adj., only example).

greetsN
X
Nota del editor

greets, greetings (OED n.1, earliest example).

1273
And glory in these honours done to Ned,
1274
Yield thanks for all these favours to my son,
1275
And rest a true Plantagenet to all.

Enter Miles with a cloth and trenchersN
X
Nota del editor

trenchers, wooden plates (OED n.1 2).

and salt.

Miles.
Romance heroico (tirada)
1276
Salvete omnes reges, that govern your greges,
1277
In Saxony and Spain, in England and in Almain;
1278
For all this frolic rabble must I cover the table,
1279
With trenchers, salt and cloth, and then look for your broth.

Emperor.
1280
What pleasant fellow is this?

Henry.
1281
'Tis, my lord, Doctor Bacon's poor scholar.

Miles.
1282[Aside] My master hath made me sewerN
X
Nota del editor

sewer, attendant at a meal, butler, waiter (OED n.2).

of these great lords,
1283 and God knows I am as serviceable at a table as a sow is under 1284 an apple tree. 'Tis no matter; their cheer shall not be great, and 1285 therefore what skillsN
X
Nota del editor

what skills, what does it matter? (OED v.1 2b).

where the salt stand before or behind?

Exit

Castile.
1286
These scholars knows more skill in axioms,
1287
How to use quips and sleightsN
X
Nota del editor

sleights, tricks (OED n.1 4a).

of sophistry,
1288
Than for to coverN
X
Nota del editor

cover, spread a cloth, lay the table (OED v. 2d).

courtly for a king.

Enter Miles with a mess of pottageN
X
Nota del editor

a mess of pottage, a proverbially current phrase in allusions to Esau’s sale of his birthright to his brother Jacob.

and broth, and after him, Bacon.

Miles.
1289Spill sir? Why do you think I never carried twopenny chopN
X
Nota del editor

twopenny chop, worthless stew, (OED n.1 2c, first appearance).

1290before in my life? By your leave, nobile decus, for here comes 1291doctor Bacon's pecus, being in his full age, to carry a mess of 1292pottage.

Bacon.
1293
Lordings, admire notN
X
Nota del editor

admire not, don’t be surprised (OED v. 1a).

if your cheer be this,
1294
For we must keep our academic fare;
1295
No riotN
X
Nota del editor

riot, extravagance (OED n. 2a).

where philosophy doth reign.
1296
And therefore, Henry, placeN
X
Nota del editor

place, assign a place to (OED v. 3a).

these potentates,
1297
And bid them fall unto their frugal cates.N
X
Nota del editor

cates, delicacies (OED n.1 1a). Here used ironically.

Emperor.
1298
Presumptuous friar! What, scoff'st thou at a king?
1299
What, dost thou taunt us with thy peasants' fare,
1300
And give us cates fit for country swains?
1301
Henry, proceeds this jest of thy consent,
1302
To twit us with a pittance of such price?
1303
Tell me, and Frederick will not grieve thee long.

Henry.
1304
By Henry's honour and the royal faith
1305
The English monarch beareth to his friend,
1306
I knew not of the friar's feeble fare,
1307
Nor am I pleased he entertains you thus.

Bacon.
1308
Content thee, Frederick, for I showed the cates
1309
To let thee see how scholars use to feed,
1310
How little meatN
X
Nota del editor

meat, food (OED n. 1a).

refines our English wits.−
1311
Miles, take away, and let it be thy dinner.

Miles.
Docena
1312
Marry, sir, I will. This day shall be a festival day with me,
1313
For I shall exceed in the highest degree.

Exit Miles.

Bacon.
1314
I tell thee, monarch, all the German peers
1315
Could not afford thy entertainment, such−
1316
So royal and so full of majesty−
1317
As Bacon will present to Frederick.
1318
The basest waiter that attends thy cups,
1319
Shall be in honours greater than thyself.
1320
[to Henry*
X
- Bevington [to Henry]
]
And for thy cates, rich Alexandria drugsN
X
Nota del editor

drugs, spices (Bevington).

,
1321
Fetched by carvelsN
X
Nota del editor

carvels, small, fast ships, especially from Spain and Portugal (OED n. 1).

from Egypt's richest straits,
1322
Found in the wealthy strand of Africa,
1323
Shall royalize the table of my king.
1324
Wines richer than the Gyptian courtesanN
X
Nota del editor

the Gyptian courtesan, Cleopatra.

1325
Quaffed to Augustus' kingly countermatchN
X
Nota del editor

Augustus’ kingly countermatch, Mark Antony.

1326
Shall be carousedN
X
Nota del editor

caroused, drunk off repeatedly (OED v. 1a).

in English Henry's feasts;
1327
Candy shall yield the richest of her canesN
X
Nota del editor

canes, sugarcanes (OED n.1 1a).

;
1328
Persia, down her Volga by canoes,
1329
Send down the secrets of her spicery;
1330
The Afric dates, N
X
Nota del editor

mirabellle, a small sweet yellow plum, eaten chiefly in France; the tree producing this fruit, Prunus × domestica subsp. italica var. syriaca (OED n. 1a). Sometimes confused with the myrobalan plum or cherry plum, Prunus cerasifera, or its fruit.

of Spain,
1331
Conserves and sucketsN
X
Nota del editor

suckets, succades, sweetmeats (OED n. a).

from Tiberias,N
X
Nota del editor

Tiberias, a town in Galilee.

1332
Cates from Judea, choicer than the lampN
X
Nota del editor

lamp, torch (OED n.1 1c).

1333
That fired Rome with sparks of gluttony,
1334
Shall beautify the board for Frederick;
1335
And therefore grudgeN
X
Nota del editor

grudge, grumble, complain (OED v. 1a).

not at a friar's feast.

[Exeunt.]

[SCENE X]

Enter two gentlemen, Lambert and Serlsby, with the Keeper.

Lambert.
1336
Come, frolic Keeper of our liege's game,
1337
Whose table spread hath ever venison
1338
And jacksN
X
Nota del editor

jacks, black-jacks, leather drinking vessels (OED n.2 2).

of wines to welcome passengers.
1339
Know I am in love with jolly Margaret,
1340
That overshines our damsels as the moon
1341
Dark'neth the brightest sparklesN
X
Nota del editor

sparkles, glittering or flashing point of light, stars (OED n. 5a).

of the night.
1342
In Laxfield here my land and living lies;
1343
I'll make thy daughter jointerN
X
Nota del editor

jointer, joint possessor, sole inheritor of the estate (OED n.1).

of it all,
1344
So thou consent to give her to my wife,N
X
Nota del editor

to my wife, to be my wife, as my wife.

1345
And I can spend five hundreth marksN
X
Nota del editor

marks, units of monetary computation worth 13s 4d each (OED n.2 2a).

a year.

Serlsby.
1346
I am the landslord, Keeper, of thy holds,N
X
Nota del editor

holds, tenancies, properties (OED n.1 8).

1347
By copyN
X
Nota del editor

copy, copyhold, tenure (Bevington).

all thy living lies in me.
1348
Laxfield did never see me raise my due.N
X
Nota del editor

my due, the rent due to me (OED n. 3b).

1349
I will enfeoffN
X
Nota del editor

enfeoff, put in absolute possession of (OED v. 1aα).

fair Margaret in all,
1350
So she will take her to a lusty squire.

Keeper.
1351
Now, courteous gentles, if the Keeper's girl
1352
Hath pleased the liking fancy of you both,
1353
And with her beauty hath subdued your thoughts,
1354
'Tis doubtfulN
X
Nota del editor

doubtful, difficult (OED adj. 6).

to decide the question.
1355
It joys me that such men of great esteem
1356
Should lay their liking on this base estate,
1357
And that her state should grow so fortunate
1358
To be a wife to meanerN
X
Nota del editor

meaner, humbler (OED adj. 3d).

men than you.
1359
But sithN
X
Nota del editor

sith, since (OED adv., prep. and conj. C1a).

such squires will stoop to keeper's fee,N
X
Nota del editor

fee, pension, revenue, income, social rank, status (OED n. 4b).

1360
I will, to avoid displeasure of you both,
1361
Call Margaret forth, and she shall make her choice.

Lambert.
1362
Content, Keeper, send her unto us.
Exit [Keeper]*
X
- Bevington [Keeper]
.
1363
Why, Serlsby, is thy wife so lately dead?
1364
Are all thy lovesN
X
Nota del editor

loves, affection, fondness, loyalty (OED n. 1a).

so lightly passèd over
1365
As thou canst wed before the year be out?

Serlsby.
1366
I live not, Lambert, to content the dead,
1367
Nor was I wedded but for life to her.
1368
The ends and begins a married state.N
X
Nota del editor

Death ends one marriage and provides opportunity for another (Bevington).

Enter Margaret.

Lambert.
1369
Peggy, the lovely flower of all towns,
1370
Suffolk's fair Helen, and rich England's star,
1371
Whose beauty, temperedN
X
Nota del editor

tempered, mixed (OED v. 3).

with her huswif'ry,
1372
Makes England talk of merry Fressingfield!

Serlsby.
1373
I cannot trick it upN
X
Nota del editor

trick it up with poesies, employ fanciful, poetic language (Lavin).

with poesies,
1374
Nor paint my passions with comparisons,N
X
Nota del editor

comparisons, simile, poetic metaphors (OED n. 3b).

1375
Nor tell a tale of Phoebus and his loves;
1376
But this believe me: Laxfield here is mine,
1377
Of ancient rent seven hundred pounds a year,
1378
And if thou canst but love a country squire,
1379
I will enfeoff thee, Margaret, in all.
1380
I cannot flatter; try me, if thou please.

Margaret.
1381
Brave neighbouring squires, the stayN
X
Nota del editor

stay, support (OED n. 1c).

of Suffolk's clime,N
X
Nota del editor

clime, area, region (OED n. 2b).

1382
A keeper's is too base in 'greeN
X
Nota del editor

’gree, degree (OED n. 4).

1383
To match with men accounted of such worth;
1384
But might I not displease, I would reply.

Lambert.
1385
Say, Peggy. Naught shall make us discontent.

Margaret.
1386
Then, gentles, note that love hath little stay,N
X
Nota del editor

stay, duration, continuance in a state (OED n.3 6c).

1387
Nor can the flames that Venus sets on fire
1388
Be kindled but by fancy's motion.
1389
Then pardon, gentles, if a maid's reply
1390
Be doubtful, whileN
X
Nota del editor

while, until (OED adv. (and adj.) and conj. (and prep.),B3a).

I have debated with myself,
1391
Who, or of whom, love shall constrain me like.

Serlsby.
1392
Let it be me; and trust me, Margaret,
1393
The meadsN
X
Nota del editor

meads, meadows (OED n.2 a).

environed with the silver streams,
1394
Whose battlingN
X
Nota del editor

battling, nourishing (OED adj.2 1).

pastures fatt'neth all my flocks,
1395
Yielding forth fleeces stapledN
X
Nota del editor

stapled, wool, cotton, silk, etc... having a staple, fibered (OED adj.1 3b, earliest example).

with such wool
1396
As Lempster cannot yield more finer stuff,
1397
And forty kine with fair and burnishedN
X
Nota del editor

burnished, glossy (OED adj. 2a).

heads,
1398
With stroutingN
X
Nota del editor

strouting, protruding, swelling (OED v. 2a).

dugs that paggleN
X
Nota del editor

paggle, bulge as though pregnant (OED v., only example).

to the ground,
1399
Shall serve thy dairy if thou wed with me.

Lambert.
1400
Let passN
X
Nota del editor

pass, forget about (OED v. 30a).

the country wealth, as flocks and kine,
1401
And lands that wave with Ceres' golden sheaves
1402
Filling my barns with plenty of the fields.
1403
But, Peggy, if thou wed thyself to me,
1404
Thou shalt have garments of embroderedN
X
Nota del editor

embrodered, embroidered (OED v.).

silk,
1405
Lawns,N
X
Nota del editor

lawns, fine linens (OED n.1 1).

and rich networksN
X
Nota del editor

networks, light fabric of netted threads (OED n. and adj. A1).

for thy head-attire.
1406
Costly shall be thy fair habiliments,N
X
Nota del editor

habilements, garments (OED n. 4).

1407
If thou wilt be but Lambert's loving wife.

Margaret.
1408
Content you, gentles. You have proffered fair,
1409
And more than fits a country maid's degree;
1410
But give me leave to counsel meN
X
Nota del editor

counsel me, consider by myself (OED v. 5).

a time,
1411
For fancy blooms not at the first assault.
1412
Give me but ten days' respite and I will reply
1413
Which or to whom myself affectionates.N
X
Nota del editor

myself affectionates, I regard with affection (OED v. 1).

Serlsby.
1414
Lambert, I tell thee, thou art importunate.
1415
Such beauty fits not such a base esquire.
1416
It is for Serlsby to have Margaret.

Lambert.
1417
Think'st thou with wealth to overreach me?
1418
Serlsby, I scorn to brookN
X
Nota del editor

brook, put up with (OED v.1 3a).

thy country bravesN
X
Nota del editor

braves, boasts, threads (Lavin, Bevington).

.
1419
I dare thee, coward, to maintain this wrong
1420
At dintN
X
Nota del editor

At dint of, by blows from (OED n. 1a).

of rapier single in the field.N
X
Nota del editor

single in the field, man to man in a duel (Lavin).

Serlsby.
1421
I'll answer, Lambert, what I have avouched.−
1422
Margaret, farewell; another time shall serve.

Exit Serlsby

Lambert.
1423
I'll follow.−Peggy, farewell to thyself,
1424
Listen how well I'll answer for thy love.

Exit Lambert

Margaret.
1425
How Fortune tempers lucky hapsN
X
Nota del editor

haps, happenings, occurrences (OED n.1 3).

with frowns,
1426
And wrongs me with the sweets of my delight!
1427
Love is my bliss, and love is now my bale.N
X
Nota del editor

bale, woe, often opposed alliteratively to bliss (OED n.1 5).

1428
Shall I be Helen in my fates,
1429
As I am Helen in my matchless hue,N
X
Nota del editor

hue, shape, figure (OED n.1 1a).

1430
And set rich Suffolk with my face afire?N
X
Nota del editor

Compare with Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus about Helen:“Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships / And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?”(v, i, 96-97).

1431
If lovely Lacy were but with his Peggy,
1432
The cloudy darkness of his bitter frown
1433
Would check the pride of these aspiring squires.
1434
Before the term of ten days be expired,
1435
Whenas they look for answer of their loves,
1436
My lord will come to merry Fressingfield
1437
And end their fancies and their follies both;
1438
Till when, Peggy, be blithe and of good cheer.

Enter a post with a letter and a bag of gold.

Post.
1439
Fair lovely damsel, which way leads this path?
1440
How might I postN
X
Nota del editor

post me, hasten (OED v.2 2a).

me unto Fressingfield?
1441
Which footpath leadeth to the keeper's lodge?

Margaret.
1442
Your way is readyN
X
Nota del editor

ready, straight ahead, close at hand (OED adj., adv., int. and n. A9).

and this path is right.
1443
Myself do dwell hereby in Fressingfield,
1444
And if the keeper be the man you seek,
1445
I am his daughter. May I know the cause?

Post.
1446
Lovely and once belovèd of my lord.
1447
No marvel if his eye was lodged so low,
1448
When brighter beauty is not in the heavens.
1449
The Lincoln Earl hath sent you letters here,
1450
And with them just an hundred pounds in gold.
1451
Sweet bonny wench, read them and make reply.

[He delivers*
X
- [He delivers the letter and the money]
This edition
the letter and the money]

Margaret.
1452
The scrolls that Iove sent Danaë,
1453
Wrapped in rich closuresN
X
Nota del editor

closures, covers, coverings (OED n. 1a).

of fine burnished gold,
1454
Were not more welcome than these lines to me.
1455
Tell me, whilst that I do unrip the seals,
1456
Lives Lacy well? How fares my lovely lord?

Post.
1457
Well, if that wealth may make men to live well.
1458 The letter, and Margaret reads it. "The blooms of the almond tree grow in a night, and vanishN
X
Nota del editor

The letter is written in the euphuistic style, after John Lyly’s Euphues (1578-1580), with fanciful natural history, antithetical sentence structures,etc... (Bevington)

1459in a morn; the flies hemeraeN
X
Nota del editor

haemerae, hemera, insects of short life (OED n.1 1a, earliest example).

, fair Peggy, take life with 1460the sun and die with the dew; fancy, that slippeth in with a 1461gaze, goeth out with a wink; and too timely loves have ever the 1462shortest length. I write this as thy grief, and my folly, who at 1463Fressingfield loved that which time hath taught me to be but mean 1464dainties. Eyes are dissemblers, and fancy is but queasy.N
X
Nota del editor

queasy, delicate, fastidious, squeamish (OED adj. 2b).

Therefore 1465know, Margaret, I have chosen a Spanish lady to be my wife, 1466chief waiting-woman to the Princess Eleanor; a lady fair, 1467and no less fair than thyself, honourable and wealthy. In that I 1468forsake thee, I leave thee to thine own liking; and for thy dowry 1469I have sent thee an hundred pounds, and ever assure thee of my 1470favour, which shall avail thee and thine much. Farewell. 1471Not thine nor his own, 1472Edward Lacy."
1473
Fond Até, doomer of bad-boding fates,
1474
That wraps proud Fortune in thy snaky locks,N
X
Nota del editor

snaky locks, it was Medusa, not Ate, who was the snake-haired goddess.

1475
Didst thou enchant my birthday with such stars
1476
As lightenedN
X
Nota del editor

lightened, emitted flashes (OED v. 7).

mischief from their infancy?
1477
If heavens had vowed, if stars had made decree,
1478
To show on me their frowardN
X
Nota del editor

froward, perverse (OED adj., adv. and prep. A2).

influence,
1479
If Lacy had but loved, heavens, hell and all
1480
Could not have wronged the patience of my mind.

Post.
1481
It grieves me, damsel, but the Earl is forced
1482
To love the lady by the King's command.

Margaret.
1483
The wealth combined within the English shelves,N
X
Nota del editor

shelves, cliffs (OED n.1 5a).

1484
Europe's commander,N
X
Nota del editor

commander, the emperor (Bevington).

nor the English king
1485
Should not have moved the love of Peggy from her lord.

Post.
1486
What answer shall I return to my lord?

Margaret.
1487
First, for thou cam'st from Lacy whom I loved−
1488
Ah, give me leave to sigh at every thought!−
1489
Take thou, my friend, the hundred pound he sent,
1490
For Margaret's resolution craves no dower.
[She returns the money*
X
- Bevington [She returns the money]
]
1491
The world shall be to her as vanity;
1492
Wealth, trash; love, hate; pleasure, despair.
1493
For I will straight to stately Framingham,
1494
And in the abbey there be shorn a nunN
X
Nota del editor

shorn a nun, have the hair cut off and become a nun.

1495
And yield my loves and liberty to God.
1496
Fellow, I give thee this, not for the news,
1497
For those be hateful unto Margaret,
1498
But for thou'rt Lacy's man, once Margaret's love.

Post.
1499
What I have heard, what passionsN
X
Nota del editor

passions, emotions (OED n. 6a).

I have seen,
1500
I'll make report of them unto the Earl.

Exit Post

Margaret.
1501
Say that she joys his fancies be at rest,
1502
And prays that his misfortune may be hers.

Exit

[SCENE XI]

Enter Friar Bacon drawing the curtains with a white stickN
X
Nota del editor

white stick, conjuring wand (Bevington).

, a book in his hand, and a lamp lighted by him, and the brazen head; and Miles, with weapons by him.

Bacon.
1503
Miles, where are you?

Miles.
1504
Here, sir.

Bacon.
1505
How chance you tarry so long?

Miles.
1506Think you that the watching of the brazen head 1507cravesN
X
Nota del editor

craves, demands (OED v. 1a).

no furniture?N
X
Nota del editor

furniture, weapons (OED v. 4b).

I warrant you, sir, I have so armed myself 1508that, if all your devils come, I will not fear them an inch.

Bacon.
1509
Miles, thou knowest that I have dived into hell
1510
And sought the darkest palaces of fiends,
1511
That with my magic spells great Belcephon
1512
Hath left his lodge and kneelèd at my cell;
1513
The rafters of the earth rent from the poles,
1514
And three-formed Luna hid her silver looks,
1515
Trembling upon her concave continentN
X
Nota del editor

concave continent, the sky or the sphere of the Moon, orbit (Lavin).

1516
When Bacon read upon his magic book.
1517
With seven years' tossing necromantic charms,
1518
Poring upon dark Hecate's principles,
1519
I have framed out a monstrous head of brass,
1520
That, by the enchanting forces of the devil,
1521
Shall tell out strange and uncouthN
X
Nota del editor

uncouth, unusual, marvellous, remarkable (OED adj.and n. 3a).

aphorisms,
1522
And girt fair England with a wall of brass.
1523
Bungay and I have watched these threescore days,
1524
And now our vital spirits crave some rest.
1525
If Argus lived and had his hundred eyes,
1526
They could not overwatch Phobeter's night.
1527
Now, Miles, in thee rests Friar Bacon's weal;N
X
Nota del editor

weal, welfare (OED n.1 1a).

1528
The honour and renown of all his life
1529
Hangs in the watching of this brazen head.
1530
Therefore, I charge thee by the immortal God,
1531
That holds the souls of men within his fist,
1532
This night thou watch, for ere the morning star
1533
Sends out his glorious glisterN
X
Nota del editor

glister, bright light (OED n. 1).

on the north
1534
The head will speak. Then, Miles, upon thy life,
1535
Wake me; for then by magic art I'll work
1536
To end my seven years' task with excellence.
1537
If that a wink but shut thy watchful eye,
1538
Then farewell Bacon's glory and his fame.
1539
Draw close the curtains. Miles, now, for thy life,
1540
Be watchful and−

Here he falleth asleep.

Miles.
1541So. I thought you would talk yourself a sleep anon; 1542and 'tis no marvel, for Bungay on the days, and he on the 1543nights have watched just these ten-and-fifty days. Now this is 1544the night, and 'tis my task and no more. Now, Jesus bless me! 1545What a goodly head it is, and a nose! You talk of nos autem glorificare, 1546but here's a nose, that I warrant may be called nos autem popelare 1547for the people of the parish. Well, I am furnished with 1548weapons. Now, sir, I will set me down by a post, and make it as 1549good as a watchman to wake me if I chance to slumber. 1550I thought, goodman Head, I would call you out of your mementomementomemento, humorously misused for “reverie”, “brown study” (OED’s earliest example is from Greene, 1587). Miles alludes to the similarity between the brazen head and those skulls, with the inscription memento mori (“remember that you will die”), kept by the pious as a constant reminder of death.. (Sit down and knock your head.N
X
Nota del editor

knock your head, nod in sleep against the stage pillar (Lavin).

)
1551Passion o' God, I have almost broke my pate! Up, Miles, to your 1552task! Take your brown billN
X
Nota del editor

brown bill, halberd, pike (OED n.).

in your hand, here's some of your 1553master's hobgoblins abroad.

With this, a great noise. The head speaks.

Head.
1554
Time is.

Miles.
1555Time is? Why, Master Brazenhead, have you such a 1556capital nose, and answer you with syllables? "Time is"? Is this all 1557my master's cunning, to spend seven year's study about "Time is"? 1558Well, sir, it may be we shall have some better orations of it anon. 1559Well, I'll watch you as narrowly as ever you were watched, and I'll 1560play with you as the nightingaleN
X
Nota del editor

as the nightingale, proverbially, the nightingale sings with its breast against a thorn. The implication here seems to be that the slowworm (snake) is waiting for the bird to sleep before attacking it (Lavin).

with the slowworm.N
X
Nota del editor

slowworm, small lizard, snake (OED n.).

I'll set a prick 1561 [He leans a halberd against his breast*
X
Bevington
.]
against my breast. Now, rest 1562 [He falls over] there, Miles. Lord have mercy upon me, I have almost

Head.
1563
Time was.
1564 [A loud noise again.] killed myself! Up, Miles. List how they rumble!

Miles.
1565Well, Friar Bacon, you spent your seven years' study 1566well, that can make your Head speak but two words at once. 1567'Time was'. Yea, marry, time was when my master was a wise man, 1568but that was before he began to make the brazen head. You shall 1569lie while your arse ache N
X
Nota del editor

, if (OED conj. 2).

your head speak no better. Well, I 1570will watch, and walk up and down, and be a peripatetianN
X
Nota del editor

peripatetian, peripatician, follower of the Peripatetic Aristotle’s school of philosophy (OED n. 1).

and a 1571philosopher of Aristotle's stamp. What, a fresh noise? Take thy 1572pistols in hand, Miles!

Here the Head speaks, and a lightning flasheth forth, and a hand appears that breaketh down the head with a hammer.

Head.
1573
Time is past.

Miles.
1574Master, master, up! Hell's broken loose! Your head 1575speaks, and there's such a thunder and lightning that, I warrant, 1576all Oxford is up in arms. Out of your bed and take a brown bill 1577in your hand! The latter dayN
X
Nota del editor

latter day, the Last Day, doomsday, the Day of Judgement (OED n. A2b).

is come.

Bacon.
1578
Miles, I come. Oh, passingN
X
Nota del editor

passing, exceedingly (OED adj., prep. and adv. Ca).

warily watched!
1579
Bacon will make thee next himself in love.
1580
When spake the Head?

Miles.
1581When spake the head? Did not you say that he 1582should tell strange principles of philosophy? Why, sir, it speaks but 1583two words at a time.

Bacon.
1584
Why, villain, hath it spoken oft?

Miles.
1585Oft? Ay, marry, hath it, thrice. But in all those three times 1586it hath uttered but seven words.

Bacon.
1587
As how?

Miles.
1588Marry, sir, the first time he said "Time is." As if Fabius 1589CumentatorCumentatorFabius Cumentator, Quintus Fabius Maximus, nicknamed “Cunctator” (c. 280-203) was a Roman dictator. Cunctator means “the delayer” in Latin and refers to his military tactics during the Second Punic War. He was appointed dictator to save Rome in 217 BC after the defeat in the battle of Trasimeno against Hannibal. should have pronounced a sentence, he said "Time was". 1590And the third time, with thunder and lightning, as in great choler,N
X
Nota del editor

choler, anger (OED n. and adj. 3).

1591he said "Time is past."

Bacon.
1592
'Tis past indeed. Ah, villain, time is past;
1593
My life, my fame, my glory, all are past!
1594
Bacon, the turrets of thy hope are ruined down;
1595
Thy seven years' study lieth in the dust.
1596
Thy brazen head lies broken through a slave
1597
That watched, and would not when the head did will. ̶
1598
What said the head first?

Miles.
1599
Even, sir, "Time is."

Bacon.
1600
Villain, if thou hadst called to Bacon then,
1601
If thou hadst watched and waked the sleepy friar,
1602
The brazen head had uttered aphorisms,
1603
And England had been circled round with brass.
1604
But proud Astmeroth, ruler of the north,
1605
And Demogorgon, master of the fates,
1606
Grudge that a mortal man should workN
X
Nota del editor

work, achieve (OED v. 9).

so much.
1607
Hell trembled at my deep commanding spells;
1608
Fiends frowned to see a man their overmatch.
1609
Bacon might boast more than a man might boast,
Docena
1610
But now the bravesN
X
Nota del editor

braves, boasts (Lavin, Bevington).

of Bacon hath an end;
1611
Europe's conceitN
X
Nota del editor

conceit, good opinion (OED n. 6a).

of Bacon hath an end.
1612
His seven years' practice sortethN
X
Nota del editor

sorteth, concludes, leads to (OED v.1 7b).

to ill end;
1613
And, villain, sith my glory hath an end,
1614
I will appoint thee fatal to some end.N
X
Nota del editor

fatal to some end, doomed to a fatal end (Bevington).

Blank verse
1615
Villain, avoidN
X
Nota del editor

avoid, go, get away (OED v. 6a).

! Get thee from Bacon's sight.
1616
Vagrant, go roam and rangeN
X
Nota del editor

range, wander (OED v.1 I1a).

about the world,
1617
And perish as a vagabond on earth.

Miles.
1618
Why then, sir, you forbid me your service?

Bacon.
1619
My service, villain, with a fatal curse
1620
That direful plagues and mischief fall on thee!

Miles.
1621'Tis no matter. I am against you withN
X
Nota del editor

I am against you with, I can answer or counter you with (Lavin).

the old proverb, 1622"The more the fox is cursed, the better he fares.N
X
Nota del editor

The more the fox is cursed, the better he fares is proverbial and collected in the Dictionary of proverbs by George Latimer Apperson and Martin H. Manser (2007) on page 219. There is a double play with the words: firstly, “cursed” has the meaning “damned” and “chased” (coursed); secondly, “fares” may refer to “succeed” or to “go away”.

" God be with you, 1623sir. I'll take but a book in my hand, a wide-sleeved gown on my 1624back and a crowned cap on my head, and see if I can wantN
X
Nota del editor

want, lack (OED v. 1a).

1625promotion.

Bacon.
1626
Some fiend or ghost haunt onN
X
Nota del editor

haunt on, pursue (OED v. 5a).

thy weary steps
1627
Until they do transport thee quick to hell!
[Exit*
X
- Bevington [Exit Miles]
Miles.]
1628
For Bacon shall have never merry day
1629
To loseN
X
Nota del editor

To lose, Having lost.

the fame and honour of his head.

Exit.

[SCENE XII]

Enter Emperor, Castile, Henry, Eleanor, Edward, Lacy, Rafe.

Emperor.
1630
Now, lovely prince, the prince of Albion's wealth,
1631
How fares the Lady Eleanor and you?
1632
What, have you courted and found Castile fit
1633
To answer England in equivalence?
1634
Will't be a match 'twixt bonny Nell and thee?

Edward.
1635
Should Paris enter in the courts of Greece
1636
And not lie fettered in fair Helen's looks?
1637
Or Phoebus scape those piercing amorets,N
X
Nota del editor

amorets, looks of love (OED n. 5, second earliest example).

1638
That Daphne glancèd at his deity?
1639
Can Edward then sit by a flameN
X
Nota del editor

a flame, Eleanor.

and freeze,
1640
Whose heat puts Helen and fair Daphne downN
X
Nota del editor

down, in the shade (Bevington).

?
1641
Now, monarchs, ask the lady if we 'gree.

Henry.
1642
What, madam, hath my son found grace or no?

Eleanor.
1643
Seeing, my lord, his lovely counterfeit,N
X
Nota del editor

counterfeit, portrait (OED adj. and n. 3a).

1644
And hearing how his mind and shape agreed,
1645
I come not, troopedN
X
Nota del editor

trooped, accompanied (OED v. 2a, earliest example).

with all this warlike train,
1646
Doubting of love, but so affectionate
1647
As Edward hath in England what he won in Spain.

Castile.
1648
[to King Henry*
X
- Bevington [to King Henry]
]
A match, my lord. These wantons needs must love;
1649
Men must have wives and women will be wed.
1650
Let's haste the day to honour up the rites.

Rafe.
1651Sirrah Harry, shall Ned marry Nell?

Henry.
1652
Ay, Rafe. How then?

Rafe.
1653MarryN
X
Nota del editor

Marry allows a pun due to the two meanings it has, as an exclamation and as a verb.

, Harry, follow my counsel: send for Friar Bacon 1654to marry them, for he'll so conjure him and her with his 1655necromancy that they shall love together like pig and lamb 1656whilst they live.

Castile.
1657But hear'st thou,Rafe, art thou content to have Eleanor 1658to thy lady?

Rafe.
1659Ay, so she will promise me two things.

Castile.
1660What's that, Rafe?

Rafe.
1661That she will never scold with Ned nor fight with 1662me.− Sirrah Harry, I have put her down with a thing unpossible.

Henry.
1663What's that, Rafe?

Rafe.
1664Why, Harry, didst thou ever see that a woman could 1665both hold her tongue and her hands? No. But when egg-piesN
X
Nota del editor

when egg-pies … bagpiper, never, it is impossible that this happens (Lavin).

1666grows on apple-trees, then will thy grey mare prove a bag-piper.

Emperor.
1667
What says the Lord of Castile and the Earl of
1668
Lincoln, that they are in such earnest and secret talk?

Castile.
1669
I stand, my lord, amazèd at his talk,
1670
How he discourseth of the constancy
1671
Of one surnamed, for beauty's excellence,
1672
The fair maid of merry Fressingfield.

Henry.
1673
'Tis true, my lord, 'tis wondrous for to hear;
1674
Her beauty passing Mars's paramour,
1675
Her virgin's right as rich as Vesta's was.
1676
Lacy and Ned hath told me miracles.

Castile.
1677
What says Lord Lacy? Shall she be his wife?

Lacy.
1678
Or else Lord Lacy is unfit to live.−
1679
May it please Your Highness give me leave to post
1680
To Fressingfield, I'll fetch the bonny girl
1681
And prove in true appearance at the court
1682
What I have vouchèd often with my tongue.

Henry.
1683
Lacy, go to the querryN
X
Nota del editor

querry, equerry, officer in charge of the royal stables (OED n. 2).

of my stable,
1684
And take such coursersN
X
Nota del editor

coursers, swift, spirited horses (Bevington).

as shall fit thy turn.
1685
Hie thee to Fressingfield and bring home the lass,
1686
And, forN
X
Nota del editor

for, because.

her fame flies through the English coast,
1687
If it may please the lady Eleanor,
1688
One day shall match Your Excellence and her.N
X
Nota del editor

One day shall match Your Excellence and her, you shall both be married on the same day (Lavin).

Eleanor.
1689
We Castile ladies are not very coy.N
X
Nota del editor

coy, disdainful, proud, distant (OED adj. 3).

1690
Your Highness may command a greater boon;
1691
And glad were I to grace the Lincoln Earl
1692
With being partner of his marriage day.

Edward.
1693
Gramercy, Nell, for I do love the lordN
X
Nota del editor

for I do love … in love, I love Lacy as the closest to my heart after my first attachment to you (Bevington).

1694
As he that's second to myself in love.

Rafe.
1695You love her?− Madam Nell, never believe him you, 1696though he swears he loves you.

Eleanor.
1697
Why, Rafe?

Rafe.
1698Why, his love is like unto a tapster's glass that is broken 1699with every touch, for he loved the fair maid of Fressingfield 1700once out of all ho.N
X
Nota del editor

out of all ho, beyond all moderation (OED n. B).

−Nay, Ned, never wink upon me; I care not, I.

Henry.
1701
Rafe tells all, you shall have a good secretary of him.
1702
But, Lacy, haste thee postN
X
Nota del editor

post, speedily (OED adv. 1).

to Fressingfield;
1703
For ere thou hast fitted all things for her state
1704
The solemn marriage day will be at hand.

Lacy.
1705
I go, my lord.

Exit Lacy.

Emperor.
1706
How shall we pass this day, my lord?

Henry.
1707
To horse, my lord. The day is passing fair.
1708
We'll fly the partridgeN
X
Nota del editor

fly the partridge, fly the hawks at the partridges (OED v.1 3c).

or go rouse the deer.−
1709
Follow, my lords. You shall not want for sport.

Exeunt.

[SCENE XIII]

Enter Friar Bacon with Friar Bungay to his cell.

Bungay.
1710
What means the friar that frolicked it of late,
1711
To sit as melancholy in his ,
1712
As if he had neither lost nor won today?

Bacon.
1713
Ah, Bungay, my brazen head is spoiled,
1714
My glory gone, my seven years' study lost.
1715
The fame of Bacon, bruitedN
X
Nota del editor

bruited, widely proclaimed (OED adj. 5a).

through the world,
1716
Shall end and perish with this deep disgrace.

Bungay.
1717
Bacon hath built foundation of*
X
- Collier of
- Q1 Q2 Q3 on
his fame
1718
So surely on the wings of true report,
1719
With acting strange and uncouthN
X
Nota del editor

uncouth, remarkable, strange, marvellous (OED adj. 3a).

miracles,
1720
As this cannot infringeN
X
Nota del editor

infringe, destroy, invalidate (OED v.1 1).

what he deserves.

Bacon.
1721
Bungay, sit down, for by prospectiveN
X
Nota del editor

prospective, prophetic, able to see into the future (OED n. and adj. B1).

skill
1722
I find this day shall fall out ominous.
1723
Some deadly act shall 'tideN
X
Nota del editor

’tide, happen, betide, befall (OED v. 1a).

me ere I sleep,
1724
But what and wherein little can I guess.

Bungay.
1725
My mind is heavy, whatsoe'er shall hap*
X
- My mind is heavy, whatsoe’er shall hap.
Grosart, Gayley and Neilson assign this line to Bacon.
.

Knock.

Bacon.
1726
Who's that knocks?

Bungay.
1727
Two scholars that desires to speak with you.

Bacon.
1728
Bid them come in.
Enter two scholars,N
X
Nota del editor

scholars, undergraduates (OED n. 2a).

sons to Lambert and .
Now, my youths, what would you have?

1 Scholar.
1729
Sir, we are Suffolk men and neighbouring friends;
1730
Our fathers, in their countries,N
X
Nota del editor

countries, districts (OED v. AI 4a).

lustyN
X
Nota del editor

lusty, vigorous (OED adj. 5a).

squires;
1731
Their lands adjoin. In Cratfield mine doth dwell,
1732
And his in Laxfield. We are college mates,
1733
Sworn brothers, as our fathers lives as friends.

Bacon.
1734
To what end is all this?

2 Scholar.
1735
Hearing your worship kept within your cell
1736
A glass prospective wherein men might see
1737
Whatso their thoughts or hearts' desire could wish,
1738
We come to know how that our fathers fare.

Bacon.
1739
My glass is free for every honest man.
1740
Sit down and you shall see ere long
1741
How or in what state your friendly fathers live*
X
- Collier Q1 father lives
- Q2 Q3 fathers live
.
1742
Meanwhile, tell me your names.

Lambert.
1743
Mine, Lambert.

2 Scholar.
1744
And mine, Serlsby.

Bacon.
1745
[Aside to Bungay*
X
- Bevington [Aside to Bungay]
]
, I smell there will be a tragedy.

Enter [as in the magic glass*
X
- Bevington [as in the magic glass]
] Lambert and Serlsby, with rapiers and daggers.

Lambert.
1746
Serlsby, thou hast kept thine hourN
X
Nota del editor

hour, appointed time (OED n. 4a).

like a man.
1747
Thou'rt worthy of the title of a squire
1748
That durst, for proof of thy affection,
1749
And for thy mistress' favour, prizeN
X
Nota del editor

prize, stake, risk (OED v.1 1b).

thy blood.
1750
Thou know'st what words did pass at Fressingfield,
1751
Such shameless bravesN
X
Nota del editor

braves, boasts, threats, taunts (Lavin, Bevington).

as manhood cannot brook.N
X
Nota del editor

brook, tolerate (OED v.1 3a).

1752
Ay, for I scorn to bear such piercing taunts.
1753
Prepare thee, Serlsby; one of us will die.

Serlsby.
1754
Thou see'st I single thee the ,N
X
Nota del editor

single thee the , take thee apart, draw out; based on hunting terminology (Seltzer).

1755
And what I spake I'll maintain with my sword.
1756
Stand on thy guard! I cannot scold it out.N
X
Nota del editor

scold it out, continue wrangling to the end. (OED v. 2, earliest example).

1757
And if thou kill me, think I have a son,
1758
That lives in Oxford in the Broadgates Hall,
1759
Who will revenge his father's blood with blood.

Lambert.
1760
And, Serlsby, I have there a lusty boy,
1761
That dares at weapon buckle withN
X
Nota del editor

buckle with, grapple, engage with, encounter with (OED v. 3b).

thy son,
1762
And lives in Broadgates too, as well as thine.
1763
But draw thy rapier, for we'll have a bout.

Bacon.
1764
Now, lusty younkers,N
X
Nota del editor

younkers, young men(OED n. 2a).

look within the glass,
1765
And tell me if you can discern your sires.

1 Scholar.
1766
Serlsby, 'tis hard. Thy father offers wrong
1767
To combat with my father in the field.

2 Scholar.
1768
Lambert, thou liest! My father's is the abuse,N
X
Nota del editor

My father’s is the abuse, My father is wronged (Bevington).

1769
And thou shalt find it, if my father harm.N
X
Nota del editor

harm, be harmed.

Bungay.
1770
How goes it, sirs?

1 Scholar.
1771
Our fathers are in combat hard by Fressingfield.

Bacon.
1772
Sit still, my friends, and see the event.N
X
Nota del editor

event, result, outcome (OED n. 3a).

Lambert.
1773
Why stand'stN
X
Nota del editor

stand’st, remain motionless (OED v. 4a).

thou, Serlsby? Doubt'st thou ofN
X
Nota del editor

Doubt’st thou of, Do you fear for (OED n.2 8a).

thy life?
1774
A venyN
X
Nota del editor

a veny, a bout of fencing. (OED n.2 2).

, man; fair Margaret craves so much.

Serlsby.
1775
Then this for her!

1 Scholar.
1776
Ah, well thrust!

2 Scholar.
1777
But mark the wardN
X
Nota del editor

ward, defensive move in fencing, parry (OED n.2 8a).

.

They fight and kill each other.

Lambert.
1778
Oh, I am slain!

Serlsby.
1779
And I! Lord have mercy on me.

1 Scholar.
1780
My father slain! − Serlsby, ward that.

2 Scholar.
1781
And so is mine. Lambert, I'll quiteN
X
Nota del editor

quite, requite (Bevington).

thee well.

The two scholars stab one another*
X
- Q1 The two scholars stab on another
Bevington places the stage direction here instead of before line 1781, and this makes more sense.
.

Bungay.
1782
O, strange stratagem!N
X
Nota del editor

stratagem, violent act (OED n. 3).

Bacon.
1783
See, friar, where the fathers both lie dead.N
X
Nota del editor

There is no indication here or at the end of the scene as to how the four bodies were removed from the audience’s view.

1784
Bacon, thy magic doth effect this massacre.
1785
This glass prospective worketh many woes;
1786
And therefore, seeing these brave lusty brutes,N
X
Nota del editor

brutes, bruisers (OED adj. and n.1 2b).

1787
These friendly youths, did perish by thine art,
1788
End all thy magic and thine art at once.
1789
The poniard that did end the fatalN
X
Nota del editor

fatal, condemned by fate, doomed (OED adj. 2).

lives
1790
Shall break the cause of their woes.
1791
So fade the glass, and end with it the shows
1792
That necromancy did infuse the crystal with.

He breaks the glass.

Bungay.
1793
What means learned Bacon thus to break his glass?

Bacon.
1794
I tell thee, Bungay, it repents me sore
1795
That ever Bacon medled in this art.
1796
The hours I have spent in pyromantic spells,
1797
The fearful tossingN
X
Nota del editor

tossing, turning over and over (OED v. 2).

in the latest nightN
X
Nota del editor

in the latest night, deep of night (OED adj., n. and adv. 4, earliest example).

1798
Of papers full of necromantic charms,
1799
ConjuringN
X
Nota del editor

Conjuring, Calling upon (OED v. 3).

and adjuringN
X
Nota del editor

adjuring, invoking (OED v. 3).

devils and fiends,
1800
With stoleN
X
Nota del editor

stole, vestments worn by a priest when engaged in exorcism or conjuration (OED n. 2b).

and albN
X
Nota del editor

alb, white vestment reaching the feet and enveloping the entire body, worn by clergy, servers, and others taking part in church services (OED n.).

and strange pentagonon,
1801
The wrestingN
X
Nota del editor

wresting, wrenching, misapplying, misusing (OED v. 5a).

of the holy name of God,
1802
As Sother, Eloim, and Adonai,
1803
Alpha, Manoth, and Tetragrammaton,
1804
With praying to the five-fold powers of heaven,
1805
Are instancesN
X
Nota del editor

instances that, reasons why (OED n. 2).

that Bacon must be damned
1806
For using devils to countervail his God.
1807
Yet, Bacon, cheer thee, drown not in despair.
1808
Sins have their salves: repentance can do much,
1809
Think Mercy sits where Justice holds her seat;
1810
And from those wounds those bloody Jews did pierce,
1811
Which by thy magic oft did bleed afresh,
1812
From thence for thee the dew of mercy drops
1813
To wash the wrath of high Jehovah's ire,
1814
And make thee as a new-born babe fromN
X
Nota del editor

from, free from.

sin.−
1815
Bungay, I'll spend the remnant of my life
1816
In pure devotion, praying to my God
1817
That he would save what Bacon vainly lost.N
X
Nota del editor

what Bacon vainly lost, his soul.

Exit [with Bungay*
X
- Bevington [with Bungay]
].

[SCENE XIV]

Enter Margaret in nun's apparel; Keeper, her father; and their friend.

Keeper.
1818
Margaret, be not so headstrong in these vows.
1819
Oh, bury not such beauty in a cell
1820
That England hath held famous for the hue.
1821
Thy father's hair, like to the silver blooms
1822
That beautify the shrubs of Africa,
1823
Shall fall before the datedN
X
Nota del editor

dated, having a fixed date, destined (OED adj. 1).

time of death,
1824
Thus to forgo his lovely Margaret.

Margaret.
1825
Ah, father, when the harmony of heaven
1826
Soundeth the measuresN
X
Nota del editor

measures, melodies (OED n. 14).

of a livelyN
X
Nota del editor

lively, living (OED adj. and n. A1a).

faith,
1827
The vain illusions of this flattering world
1828
Seems odious to the thoughts of Margaret.
1829
I lovèd once, Lord Lacy was my love.
1830
And now I hate myself for that I loved,
1831
And doted more on him than on my God.
1832
For this I scourge myself with sharp repents,N
X
Nota del editor

repents, repentances (OED n.).

1833
But now the touch of such aspiring sins
1834
Tells me all love is lust but love of heavens,
1835
That beauty used for love is vanity.
1836
The world contains naught but alluring baits:
1837
Pride, flattery, and inconstant thoughts.
1838
To shun the pricksN
X
Nota del editor

pricks, marks on a surface made with a pointed tool (OED n. 2a).

of death I leave the world
1839
And vow to meditate on heavenly bliss,
1840
To live in Framlingham a holy nun,
1841
Holy and pure in conscience and in deed;
1842
And for to wish all maids to learn of me
1843
To seek heaven's joy before earth's vanity.

Friend.
1844And will you then, Margaret, be shorn a nun, and so 1845leave us all?

Margaret.
1846
Now, farewell, world, the engineN
X
Nota del editor

engine, instrument (OED n. 13).

of all woe.
1847
Farewell to friends and father! Welcome, Christ.
1848
Adieu to dainty robes! This base attire
1849
Better befits an humble mind to God
1850
Than all the show of rich habiliments.
1851
Love, o love, and with fondN
X
Nota del editor

fond, foolish (OED adj. and n.1 A2).

love, farewell!
1852
Sweet Lacy, whom I lovèd once so dear,
1853
Ever be well, but never in my thoughts,
1854
Lest I offend to think on Lacy's love.
1855
But even to that, as to the rest, farewell!

Enter Lacy, Warren, Ermsby, booted and spurred.N
X
Nota del editor

The characters who enter do not see Margaret, the Keeper and the friend at first, and Margaret stands to one side (Bevington).

Lacy.
1856
Come on, my wagsN
X
Nota del editor

wags, mischievous boys (OED n.2 1).

, we're near the Keeper's lodge.
1857
Here have I oft walked in the wat'ry meads,
1858
And chatted with my lovely Margaret.

Warren.
1859
Sirrah Ned, is not this the Keeper?

Lacy.
1860
'Tis the same.

Ermsby.
1861
The old lecher hath gotten holy muttonN
X
Nota del editor

mutton, slang term for prostitute (OED n. 4).

to him.
1862
A nun, my lord!

Lacy.
1863
Keeper, how farest thou? Holla, man, what cheer?
1864
How doth Peggy, thy daughter and my love?

Keeper.
1865
Ah, good my lord! Oh, woe is me for Peg!
1866
See where she stands, clad in her nun's attire,
1867
Ready for to be shorn in Framlingham.
1868
She leaves the world because she leftN
X
Nota del editor

left, lost (OED v. 12b).

your love.
1869
Oh, good my lord, persuade her if you can.

Lacy.
1870
Why, how now, Margaret. What, a malcontent?N
X
Nota del editor

malcontent, discontented (OED n.1 and adj. B).

1871
A nun? What holy father taught you this,
1872
To task yourself toN
X
Nota del editor

task yourself to, put yourself to, impose on yourself (OED v. 2b, earliest example).

such a tedious life
1873
As die a maid? 'Twere injury to me
1874
To smother up such beauty in a cell.

Margaret.
1875
Lord Lacy, thinking of N
X
Nota del editor

, as Bevington proposes makes more sense than the Q1 form (“thy”), and is a probable mistake of substitution of possessives.

former missN
X
Nota del editor

miss, misdeed, fault, error (OED n.1 4a).

,
1876
How fondN
X
Nota del editor

fond, foolishly (Lavin, Bevington).

the prime of wanton years were spent
1877
In love− Oh, fie upon that fond conceitN
X
Nota del editor

conceit, idea, notion (OED n. 1a).

,
1878
Whose hap and essence hangeth in the eye!N
X
Nota del editor

hangeth in the eye, is only superficial (Bevington).

1879
I leave both love and love's content at once,
1880
Betaking me to Him that is true love,
1881
And leaving all the world for love of Him.

Lacy.
1882
Whence, Peggy, comes this metamorphosis?
1883
What, shorn a nun? And I have from the court
1884
Posted with coursers to convey thee hence
1885
To Windsor, where our marriage shall be keptN
X
Nota del editor

kept, celebrated (OED v. 12).

?
1886
Thy wedding robes are in the tailor's hands,
1887
Come, Peggy, leave these peremptoryN
X
Nota del editor

peremptory, obstinate (OED n. 4a).

vows.

Margaret.
1888
Did not my lord resign his interest
1889
And make divorce 'twixt Margaret and him?

Lacy.
1890
'Twas but to try sweet Peggy's constancy.
1891
But will fair Margaret leave her love and lord?

Margaret.
1892
Is not heaven's joy before earth's fading bliss,
1893
And life above sweeter than life in love?

Lacy.
1894
Why, then Margaret will be shorn a nun?

Margaret.
1895
Margaret hath made a vow which may not be revoked.

Warren.
1896
We cannot stay, my lord; and if she be so strict,
1897
Our leisure grants us not to woo afresh.

Ermsby.
1898
Choose you, fair damsel. Yet the choice is yours:
1899
Either a solemn nunnery or the court,
1900
God or Lord Lacy. Which contents you best,
1901
To be a nun, or else Lord Lacy's wife?

Lacy.
1902
A good motion.−Peggy, your answer must be short.

Margaret.
1903
The flesh is frail. My lord doth know it well,
1904
That when he comes with his enchanting face,
1905
Whatsoe'er betide, I cannot say him nay.
1906
Off goes the habit of a maiden's heart,
1907
And, seeing Fortune will,N
X
Nota del editor

will, wishes it (OED v.2 1a).

fair Framlingham,
1908
And all the show of holy nuns, farewell!
1909
Lacy for me, if he will be my lord.

Lacy.
1910
Peggy, thy lord, thy love, thy husband.
1911
Trust me, by truth of knighthood, that the king
1912
Stays for to marry matchless Eleanor
1913
Until I bring thee richly to the court,
1914
That one day may both marry her and thee−
1915
How say'st thou, keeper? Art thou glad of this?

Keeper.
1916
As if the English king had given
1917
The park and deer of Fressingfield to me.

Ermsby.
1918I pray thee, my Lord of Sussex, why art thou in a brown 1919study?N
X
Nota del editor

in a brown study, in a reverie (Bevington).

Warren.
1920To see the nature of women, that, be they never so 1921near God, yet they love to dieN
X
Nota del editor

die allows a pun because it has the double meaning of “pass away” and “experience an orgasm”. We can find these meaning in the OED: “To experience a sexual orgasm. (Most common as a poetical metaphor in the late 16th and 17th cent.)”

in a man's arms.

Lacy.
1922
What have you fit for breakfast? We have hiedN
X
Nota del editor

I have maintained the prose in the original. Bevington’s option, for example, was treating it as verse.

1923
And posted all this night to Fressingfield.

Margaret.
1924
Butter and cheese and humblesN
X
Nota del editor

humbles, the inwards of a deer or other beast (OED n.2).

of a deer,
1925
Such as poor keepers have within their lodge.

Lacy.
1926
And not a bottle of wine?

Margaret.
1927
We'll find one for my lord.

Lacy.
1928Come, Sussex, let's in. We shall have more, for she speaksN
X
Nota del editor

Like in lines 1922-1923, I have maintained the prose in the original.

1929least to hold her promise sure.

Exeunt.

[SCENE XV]

Enter a devil to seek Miles.

Devil.
1930
How restless are the ghosts of hellish spirits,
1931
When every charmer with his magic spells
1932
Calls us from nine-fold trenchèd Phlegethon,
1933
To scudN
X
Nota del editor

scud, hurry (OED v.1 1a).

and overscourN
X
Nota del editor

overscour, scour, move rapidly over (OED v.1 1c).

the earth in post
1934
Upon the speedy wings of swiftest winds!
1935
Now Bacon hath raised me from the darkest deep
1936
To search about the world for Miles his man,
1937
For Miles, and to torment his lazy bones
1938
For careless watching of his brazen head.
1939
See where he comes. Oh, he is mine.

Enter Miles with a gown and a corner cap.

Miles.
1940A scholar, quoth you? Marry, sir, I would I had been made 1941a bottle-maker when I was made a scholar, for I can get neither to 1942be a deacon, reader,N
X
Nota del editor

reader, uncertain meaning between (i) teacher (OED n. 4a) and (ii) minor functionary in the Catholic Church (OED n. 3).

nor schoolmaster. No, not the clerk of 1943a parish. Some call me a dunce, another saith my head is as full of 1944Latin as an egg's full of oatmeal. Thus I am tormented that the 1945devil and Friar Bacon haunts me.−Good Lord, here's one of my 1946masters devils! I'll go speak to him.−What, Master Plutus, 1947how cheer you?N
X
Nota del editor

how cheer you?, how are you? (OED v.1 6b)

Devil.
1948
Dost thou know me?

Miles.
1949Know you, sir? Why, are not you one of my master's 1950devils, that were wont to come to my master Doctor Bacon at 1951Brazennose?

Devil.
1952
Yes, marry, am I.

Miles.
1953Good Lord, Master Plutus, I have seen you a thousand times at 1954my master's, and yet I had never the manners to make you drink.N
X
Nota del editor

make you drink, offer you something to drink; make, offer (OED v. 44a).

1955But, sir, I am glad to see how conformable you are to the statute.N
X
Nota del editor

statute, regulation (OED n. 1b).

1956 [To the audience*
X
- Bevington [To the audience]
]
I warrant you he's as yeomanly a man as you shall 1957see. Mark you,N
X
Nota del editor

Mark you, masters is a direct address to the audience.

masters, here's a plain honest man, without welt or guardN
X
Nota del editor

without welt or guard, without ornament (OED n.1 2c, first example).

1958 [To the devil*
X
- Bevington [To the devil]
]
But I pray you, sir, do you come lately from hell?

Devil.
1959Ay, marry. How then?

Miles.
1960Faith, 'tis a place I have desired long to see. Have you not 1961good tippling houses there? May not a man have a lusty fire there, 1962a pot of good ale, a pairN
X
Nota del editor

pair, pack of cards (OED n.1 6).

of cards, a swingeingN
X
Nota del editor

swingeing, large, huge (OED adj. (and adv.) 2a, earliest example).

piece of chalk, 1963and a brown toast that will clapN
X
Nota del editor

clap, flatten out (OED v.1 9b).

a white waistcoatN
X
Nota del editor

white waistcoat, foam, a head of foam (Bevington).

on a cup 1964of good drink?

Devil.
1965All this you may have there.

Miles.
1966You are for me, friend, and I am for you. But I pray 1967you, may I not have an officeN
X
Nota del editor

office, a position, employment (OED n. 2a).

there?

Devil.
1968Yes, a thousand. What wouldst thou be?

Miles.
1969By my troth, sir, in a place where I may profit myself. 1970I know hell is a hot place, and men are marvellous dry, and 1971much drink is spentN
X
Nota del editor

spent, consumed (OED adj. 1a).

there. I would be a tapster.

Devil.
1972Thou shalt.

Miles.
1973There's nothing letsN
X
Nota del editor

lets, prevents, hinders (OED v.2 1a).

me from going with you but 1974that 'tis a long journey, and I have never a horse.

Devil.
1975Thou shalt ride on my back.

Miles.
1976Now surely here's a courteous devil, that for to pleasure his friend 1977will not stickN
X
Nota del editor

stick, hesitate, scruple (OED v.1 19a).

to make a jadeN
X
Nota del editor

jade, horse, nag (OED n.1 2b).

of himself.− But I pray 1978you, goodman friend, let me move a questionN
X
Nota del editor

move a question, propose something (Bevington).

to you.

Devil.
1979What's that?

Miles.
1980I pray you, whether is your pace a trot or an amble?

Devil.
1981An amble.

Miles.
1982
'Tis well, but take heed it be not a trot.
1983
But 'tis no matter, I'll prevent it.

Devil.
1984
What dost?

Miles.
1985Marry, friend, I put on my spurs; for if I find your pace 1986either a trot or else uneasy, I'll put you to a false gallop.N
X
Nota del editor

false gallop, canter, between a trot and a full gallop (OED n. 3a).

I'll make 1987you feel the benefit of my spurs.

Devil.
1988Get up upon my back.

Miles.
1989Oh, Lord, here's even a goodly marvel, when a man 1990rides to hell on the devil's back!

Exeunt roaring.

[SCENE XVI]

Enter the Emperor with a pointless sword,N
X
Nota del editor

In this coronation procession the traditional symbolic objects are represented: a pointless sword is the blunted sword of Edward the Confessor (King of England between 1042 and 1066), signifying mercy; a sword with a point signifying justice; the globe the golden orb, signifying earthly power; a rod of gold with a dove on it, wand of office signifying equity (the dove represents the wisdom-giving Holy Spirit); crown and sceptre, the most familiar objects of the regalia, both symbols of power.

next the king of Castile, carrying a sword with a point; Lacy, carrying the globe; Edward; Warren, carrying a rod of gold with a dove on it; Ermsby with a crown and sceptre; Queen[Eleanor] with [Margaret] the fair maid of Fressingfield on her left hand; Henry; Bacon, with other lords attending.

Edward.
1991
Great potentates, earth's miracles for state,N
X
Nota del editor

for state, of stately authority (Bevington).

1992
Think that Prince Edward humbles at your feet,
1993
And for these favours, on his martial sword
1994
He vows perpetual homage to yourselves,
1995
Yielding these honours unto Eleanor.

Henry.
1996
Gramercies, lordlings. Old Plantagenet,N
X
Nota del editor

Old Plantagenet, King Henry.

1997
That rules and sways the Albion diadem,
1998
With tears discoversN
X
Nota del editor

discovers, manifests (OED v. 5b).

these conceivèdN
X
Nota del editor

conceivèd, apprehended (OED v. 2).

joys,
1999
And vows requital, if his men-at-arms,
2000
The wealth of England, or due honours done
2001
To Eleanor, may quite his favourites.
2002
But all this while, what say you to the dames,
2003
That shine like to the crystal lamps of heaven?

Emperor.
2004
If but a third were added to these two,N
X
Nota del editor

these two, Eleanor and Margaret.

2005
They did surpass those gorgeous images
2006
That gloried Ida with rich beauty's wealth.

Margaret.
2007
'Tis I, my lords, who humbly on my knee
2008
Must yieldN
X
Nota del editor

yield, offer (OED v. 10a).

her orisons to mighty Jove
2009
For lifting up his handmaid to this state,
2010
Brought from her homelyN
X
Nota del editor

homely, humble, rustic (OED adj. 2b).

cottage to the court,