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Shakespeare (spurious and doubtful works), 1564-1616

"Fair Em"


Go, William Conqueror, and seek thy love,
Whilest I draw back and court mine own the while,
Decking her body with such costly robes
As may become her beauties worthiness;
That so thy labors may be laughed to scorn,
And she thou seekest in foreign regions
Be darkened and eclipst when she arrives
By one that I have chosen nearer home.
MANVILE.
What! comes he too, to intercept my love?
Then hie thee Manvile to forestall such foes.
[Exit Manvile.]
MOUNTNEY.
What now, Lord Valingford, are you behind?
The king had chosen you to go with him.
VALINGFORD.
So chose he you, therefore I marvel much
That both of us should linger in this sort.
What may the king imagine of our stay?
MOUNTNEY.
The king may justly think we are to blame:
But I imagined I might well be spared,
And that no other man had borne my mind.
VALINGFORD.
The like did I: in friendship then resolve
What is the cause of your unlookt for stay?
MOUNTNEY.
Lord Valingford, I tell thee as a friend,
Love is the cause why I have stayed behind.
VALINGFORD.
Love, my Lord? of whom?
MOUNTNEY.
Em, the millers daughter of Manchester.
VALINGFORD.
But may this be?
MOUNTNEY.
Why not, my Lord? I hope full well you know
That love respects no difference of state,
So beauty serve to stir affection.
VALINGFORD.
But this it is that makes me wonder most:
That you and I should be of one conceit
I such a strange unlikely passion.


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