Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FRIAR-BACON: LOVE-SUPPLANTER, by ROBERT GREENE Poet's Biography First Line: Edward, prince of wales. / lacy, earl of lincoln Last Line: Is not of force to bury thoughts of friends.... Subject(s): Betrayal; Courtship; Friendship - False Friends; Hearts; Love; Fair Weather Friends | ||||||||
Edward, Prince of Wales. Lacy, Earl of Lincoln. Enter Prince Edward, with his poniard in his hand: Lacy and Margaret. Edward. Lacy, thou canst not shroud thy traitrous thoughts, Nor cover, as did Cassius, all his wiles; For Edward hath an eye that looks as far As Linceus from the shores of Grecia. Did not I sit in Oxford by the friar, And see thee court the maid of Fresingfield, Sealing thy flattering fancies with a kiss? Did not proud Bungay draw his portasse forth, And joining hand in hand had married you, If Friar Bacon had not strook him dumb, And mounted him upon a spirit's back, That we might chat at Oxford with the friar? Traitor, what answerest, is not all this true? Lacy. Truth all, my lord, and thus I make reply: At Harlstone Fair there courting for your grace, Whenas mine eye survey'd her curious shape, And drew the beauteous glory of her looks, To dive into the centre of my heart; Love taught me that your honour did but jest, That princes were in fancy but as men: How that the lovely maid of Fresingfield Was fitter to be Lacy's wedded wife, Than concubine unto the Prince of Wales. Edward. Injurious Lacy, did I love thee more Than Alexander his Hephestion? Did I unfold the passion of my love, And lock them in the closet of thy thoughts? Wert thou to Edward second to himself, Sole friend, and partner of his secret loves? And could a glance of fading beauty break Th'inchainèd fetters of such private friends? Base coward, false, and too effeminate, To be co-rival with a prince in thoughts: From Oxford have I posted since I dined, To 'quite a traitor 'fore that Edward sleep. Margaret. 'Twas I, my lord, not Lacy stepp'd awry, For oft he sued and courted for yourself, And still woo'd for the courtier all in green; But I whom fancy made but overfond, Pleaded myself with looks as if I lov'd; I fed mine eye with gazing on his face, And still bewitch'd, lov'd Lacy with my looks: My heart with sighs, mine eyes pleaded with tears, My face held pity and content at once, And more I could not cipher out by signs, But that I lov'd Lord Lacy with my heart. Then, worthy Edward, measure with thy mind, If women's favours will not force men fall; If beauty, and if darts of piercing love Is not of force to bury thoughts of friends.... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: LEBID by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT HOBOKEN, 1825 by ROBERT STEVENSON COFFIN VISIONS IN VERSE: 4. CONTENT by NATHANIEL COTTON I OFTEN THINK by OLIVER MURRAY EDWARDS THE FEATHER by FORD MADOX FORD TO A FALSE FRIEND by THOMAS HOOD FRIEND AND FOE by WINIFRED LUCAS A FAREWELL TO FOLLY: CONTENT by ROBERT GREENE |
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