Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: The History of King Leir (Modern)
  • Editor: Andrew Griffin

  • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Editor: Andrew Griffin
    Peer Reviewed

    The History of King Leir (Modern)

    1807.1[Scene 21] [Video Sc.21]
    Enter Gallia, Cordella and Mumford
    Gallia
    By this, our father understands our mind
    1810And our kind greetings sent to him of late;
    Therefore, my mind presageth ere't be long,
    We shall receive from Britain happy news.
    Cordella
    I fear my sister will dissuade his mind,
    For she to me hath always been unkind.
    1815Gallia
    Fear not, my love, since that we know the worst,
    The last means helps if that we miss the first.
    If he'll not come to Gallia unto us,
    Then we will sail to Britain unto him.
    Mumford
    Well, if I once see Britain again, 1820I have sworn I'll ne'er come home without my wench, and I'll not be forsworn; I'll rather never come home while I live.
    Cordella
    Are you sure, Mumford, she is a maid still?
    Mumford
    Nay, I'll not swear she is a maid, but she goes for one. 1825I'll take her at all adventures, if I can get her.
    Cordella
    Ay, that's well put in.
    Mumford
    Well put in? Nay, it was ill put in, for had it been as well put in as e'er I put in in my days, I would have made her follow me to France.
    1830Cordella
    Nay, you'd have been so kind as take her with you, or else, were I as she, I would have been so loving as I'd stay behind you. Yet I must confess, you are a very proper man, and able to make a wench do more than she would do.
    1835Mumford
    Well, I have a pair of slops for the nonce will hold all your mocks.
    Gallia
    Nay, we see you have a handsome hose.
    Cordella
    Ay, and of the newest fashion.
    Mumford
    More bobs, more; put them in still! 1840They'll serve instead of bombast; yet put not in too many, lest the seams crack and they fly out amongst you again. You must not think to outface me so easily in my mistress' quarrel, who if I see once again, ten team of horses shall not draw me away till I have full and whole possession.
    1845Gallia
    Ay, but one team and a cart will serve the turn.
    Cordella
    Not only for him, but also for his wench.
    Mumford
    Well, you are two to one; I'll give you over; and since I see you so pleasantly disposed, which indeed is but seldom seen, I'll claim 1850a promise of you which you shall not deny me, for promise is debt, and by this hand you promised it me, therefore you owe it me, and you shall pay it me, or I'll sue you upon an action of unkindness.
    Gallia
    Prithee, Lord Mumford, what promise did I make thee?
    1855Mumford
    Faith, nothing but this: that the next fair weather, which is very now, you would go in progress down to the seaside, which is very near.
    Gallia
    Faith, in this motion I will join with thee,
    1860And be a mediator to my queen. --
    Prithee, my love, let this match go forward;
    My mind foretells 'twill be a lucky voyage.
    Cordella
    Entreaty needs not where you may command;
    So you be pleased, I am right well content.
    1865Yet as the sea I much desire to see,
    So am I most unwilling to be seen.
    Gallia
    We'll go disguised, all unknown to any.
    Cordella
    Howsoever you make one, I'll make another.
    Mumford
    And I the third. Oh, I am overjoyed!
    1870See what love is, which getteth with a word
    What all the world besides could ne'er obtain!
    But what disguises shall we have, my lord?
    Gallia
    Faith, thus: my queen and I will be disguised
    Like a plain country couple, and you shall be Roger,
    1875Our man, and wait upon us. Or, if you will,
    You shall go first, and we will wait on you.
    Mumford
    'Twere more than time; this device is excellent.
    Come let us about it.
    Exeunt.