1195Thus Brute this realm unto his rule subdued,

96And reignèd long in great felicity;

97Loved of his friends, and of his foes eschewed,

98He left three sons, his famous progeny,

99Born of fair Inogene of Italy;

100'Mongst whom he parted his imperial state,

101And Locrine left chief Lord of Brittay.

102At last ripe age bade him surrender late

103His life, and long good fortune unto final fate.

12104Locrine was left the sovereign lord of all;

105But Albanact had all the northern part,

106Which of himself Albania he did call;

107And Camber did possess the western quart,

108Which Severn now from Logris doth depart;

109And each his portion peaceably enjoyed,

110Ne was there outward breach nor grudge in heart

111That once their quiet government annoyed,

112But each his pains to others profit still employed.

13114Next him King Leyr in happy peace long reigned,

115But had no issue male him to succeed,

116But three fair daughters which were well up-trained,

117In all that seemèd fit for kingly seed;

118'Mongst whom his realm he equally decreed

119To have divided. Tho when feeble age

120Nigh to his utmost date he saw proceed,

121He called his daughters, and with speeches sage

122Inquired which of them most did love her parentage.

14123The eldest, Gonorill, 'gan to protest

124That she much more than her own life him loved;

125And Regan greater love to him professed

126Than all the world, whenever it were proved;

127But Cordelia said she loved him, as behooved;

128Whose simple answer, wanting colors fair

129To paint it forth, him to displeasance moved,

130That in his crown he counted her no heir

131But twixt the other twain his kingdom whole did share.

15132So wedded th'one to Maglan king of Scots,

133And th'other to the king of Cambria,

134And twixt them shared his realm by equal lots;

135But without dower the wise Cordelia

136Was sent to Aganip of Celtica.

137Their agèd sire, thus easèd of his crown,

138A private life led in Albania

139With Gonorill, long had in great renown,

140That naught him grieved to been from rule deposèd down.