_Lacy._ Truth all, my lord; and thus I make reply, At Harleston 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 Fressingfield Was fitter to be Lacy's wedded wife, Than concubine unto the Prince of Wales. _P. Edw._ Injurious Lacy, did I love thee more Than Alexander his Hephæstion? Did I unfold the passions 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' enchainèd fetters of such private friends? Base coward, false, and too effeminate To be corrival with a prince in thoughts! From Oxford have I posted since I din'd, To quite a traitor 'fore that Edward sleep. _Mar._ 'Twas I, my lord, not Lacy, stept awry: For oft he su'd and courted for yourself, And still woo'd for the courtier all in green; But I, whom fancy made but over-fond, 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, Are not of force to bury thoughts of friends. _P. Edw._ I tell thee, Peggy, I will have thy loves: Edward or none shall conquer Margaret. In frigates bottom'd with rich Sethin planks, Topt with the lofty firs of Lebanon, Stemm'd and encas'd with burnish'd ivory, And overlaid with plates of Persian wealth, Like Thetis shalt thou wanton on the waves, And draw the dolphins to thy lovely eyes, To dance lavoltas[207] in the purple streams: Sirens, with harps and silver psalteries, Shall wait with music at thy frigate's stem, And entertain fair Margaret with their lays. England and England's wealth shall wait on thee; Britain shall bend unto her prince's love, And do due homage to thine excellence, If thou wilt be but Edward's Margaret. _Mar._ Pardon, my lord: if Jove's great royalty Sent me such presents as to Danaë; If Phœbus 'tirèd in Latona's webs, Came courting from the beauty of his lodge; The dulcet tunes of frolic Mercury,-- Not all the wealth heaven's treasury affords,-- Should make me leave Lord Lacy or his love.