0.1[Scene 1] [Video Sc.1] 1.0.11Enter King Leir[, Skalliger, Perillus and a Nobleman] Thus to our grief, the obsequies performed
1.24Of our -- too late -- deceased and dearest queen,
1.35Whose soul, I hope, possessed of heavenly joys,
1.46Doth ride in triumph 'mongst the cherubim.
1.57Let us request your grave advice, my lords,
1.68For the disposing of our princely daughters,
1.79For whom our care is specially employed,
1.810As nature bindeth, to advance their states
1.911In royal marriage with some princely mates;
1.1012For wanting now their mother's good advice,
1.1113Under whose government they have received
1.1214A perfect pattern of a virtuous life --
1.1315Left, as it were, a ship without a stern,
1.1416Or silly sheep without a pastor's care --
1.1517Although ourselves do dearly tender them,
1.1618Yet are we ignorant of their affairs,
1.1719For fathers best do know to govern sons,
1.1820But daughters' steps the mother's counsel turns.
1.1921A son we want for to succeed our crown,
1.2022And course of time hath cancellèd the date
1.2123Of further issue from our withered loins;
1.2224One foot already hangeth in the grave,
1.2325And age hath made deep furrows in my face.
1.2426The world of me, I of the world am weary,
1.2527And I would fain resign these earthly cares
1.2628And think upon the welfare of my soul,
1.2729Which by no better means may be effected
1.2830Than by resigning up the crown from me
1.2931In equal dowry to my daughters three.
A worthy care, my liege, which well declares
1.3133The zeal you bare unto our quondam queen.
1.3234And since your grace hath licensed me to speak,
1.3335I censure thus: your majesty, knowing well
1.3436What several suitors your princely daughters have,
1.3537To make them each a jointure -- more or less,
1.3638As is their worth -- to them that love profess.
No more nor less, but even all alike.
1.3840My zeal is fixed: all fashioned in one mould,
1.3941Wherefore unpartial shall my censure be;
1.4042Both old and young shall have alike from me.
My gracious lord, I heartily do wish
1.4244That God had lent you an heir indubitate,
1.4345Which might have set upon your royal throne
1.4446When Fates should loose the prison of your life,
1.4547By whose succession all this doubt might cease
1.4648And, as by you, by him we might have peace.
1.4749But after-wishes ever come too late
1.4850And nothing can revoke the course of fate;
1.4951Wherefore, my liege, my censure deems it best,
1.5052To match them with some of your neighbor kings,
1.5153Bord'ring within the bounds of Albion,
1.5254By whose united friendship, this our state,
1.5355May be protected 'gainst all foreign hate.
Herein, my lords, your wishes sort with mine,
1.5557And mine, I hope, do sort with heavenly powers,
1.5658For at this instant two near-neighboring kings,
1.5759Of Cornwall and of Cambria, motion love
1.5860To my two daughters, Gonorill and Ragan.
1.5961My youngest daughter, fair Cordella, vows
1.6062No liking to a monarch unless love allows.
1.6163She is solicited by divers peers,
1.6264But none of them her partial fancy hears.
1.6365Yet, if my policy may her beguile,
1.6466I'll match her to some king within this isle
1.6567And so establish such a perfect peace
1.6668As Fortune's force shall ne'er prevail to cease.
Of us and ours, your gracious care, my lord,
1.6870Deserves an everlasting memory
1.6971To be enrolled in chronicles of fame
1.7072By never-dying perpetuity;
1.7173Yet, to become so provident a prince,
1.7274Lose not the title of a loving father.
1.7375Do not force love where fancy cannot dwell,
1.7476Lest streams, being stopped, above the banks do swell.
I am resolved, and even now my mind
1.7678Doth meditate a sudden stratagem
1.7779To try which of my daughters loves me best,
1.7880Which, till I know, I cannot be in rest.
1.7981This granted, when they jointly shall contend,
1.8082Each to exceed the other in their love,
1.8183Then at the vantage will I take Cordella,
1.8284Even as she doth protest she loves me best;
1.8385I'll say, "Then, daughter, grant me one request:
1.8486To show thou lov'st me as thy sisters do,
1.8587Accept a husband whom myself will woo."
1.8688This said, she cannot well deny my suit,
1.8789Although, poor soul, her senses will be mute.
1.8890Then will I triumph in my policy,
1.8991And match her with a king of Brittany.
[Aside] I'll to them before and bewray your secrecy.
[Aside] Thus, fathers think their children to beguile,
1.9294And oftentimes themselves do first repent
1.9395When heavenly powers do frustrate their intent.
95.2[Scene 2] [Video Sc.2] I marvel, Ragan, how you can endure
2.298To see that proud pert peat, our youngest sister,
2.399So slightly to account of us, her elders,
2.4100As if we were no better than herself!
2.5101We cannot have a quaint device so soon,
2.6102Or new-made fashion of our choice invention,
2.7103But, if she like it, she will have the same,
2.8104Or study newer to exceed us both.
2.9105Besides, she is so nice and so demure,
2.10106So sober, courteous, modest, and precise,
2.11107That all the court hath work enough to do
2.12108To talk how she exceedeth me and you.
What should I do? Would it were in my power
2.14110To find a cure for this contagious ill:
2.15111Some desperate medicine must be soon applied
2.16112To dim the glory of her mounting fame,
2.17113Else, ere't be long, she'll have both prick and praise,
2.18114And we must be set by for working days.
2.19115Do you not see what several choice of suitors
2.20116She daily hath, and of the best degree?
2.21117Say, amongst all, she hap to fancy one,
2.22118And have a husband whenas we have none;
2.23119Why, then, by right, to her we must give place,
2.24120Though it be ne'er so much to our disgrace.
By my virginity, rather than she shall have
2.27123I'll marry one or other in his shirt.
2.28124And yet I have made half a grant already
2.29125Of my good will unto the king of Cornwall.
Swear not so deeply, sister. Here cometh my Lord Skalliger.
2.31127Something his hasty coming doth import.
Sweet princesses, I am glad I met you here so luckily,
2.33129Having good news which doth concern you both
2.34130And craveth speedy expedition.
For God's sake, tell us what it is, my lord!
2.36132I am with child until you utter it.
[To Ragan] Madam, to save your longing, this it is:
2.38134Your father, in great secrecy, today
2.39135Told me he means to marry you out of hand
2.40136Unto the noble prince of Cambria. --
2.41137You, madam, to the king of Cornwall's grace. --
2.42138Your younger sister he would fain bestow
2.43139Upon the rich king of Hibernia,
2.44140But that he doubts she hardly will consent,
2.45141For hitherto she ne'er could fancy him.
2.46142If she do yield, why then, between you three,
2.47143He will divide his kingdom for your dowries.
2.48144But yet there is a further mystery
2.49145Which, so you will conceal, I will disclose.
Whate'er thou speakst to us, kind Skalliger,
2.51147Think that thou speak'st it only to thyself.
He earnestly desireth for to know
2.53149Which of you three do bear most love to him,
2.54150And on your loves he so extremely dotes
2.55151As never any did, I think, before.
2.56152He presently doth mean to send for you
2.57153To be resolved of this tormenting doubt,
2.58154And look whose answer pleaseth him the best,
2.59155They shall have most unto their marriages.
Oh, that I had some pleasing mermaid's voice
2.61157For to enchant his senseless senses with!
For he supposeth that Cordella will,
2.63159Striving to go beyond you in her love,
2.64160Promise to do whatever he desires;
2.65161Then will he straight enjoin her, for his sake,
2.66162Th'Hibernian king in marriage for to take.
2.67163This is the sum of all I have to say,
2.68164Which, being done, I humbly take my leave,
2.69165Not doubting but your wisdoms will foresee
2.70166What course will best unto your good agree.
Thanks, gentle Skalliger; thy kindness undeserved
2.72168Shall not be unrequited, if we live.
Now have we fit occasion offered us
2.74170To be revenged upon her unperceived.
Nay, our revenge we will inflict on her
2.76172Shall be accounted piety in us.
2.77173I will so flatter with my doting father
2.78174As he was ne'er so flattered in his life.
2.79175Nay, I will say that if it be his pleasure
2.80176To match me to a beggar, I will yield,
2.81177For why I know -- whatever I do say --
2.82178He means to match me with the Cornwall king.
I'll say the like, for I am well assured,
2.84180Whate'er I say to please the old man's mind,
2.85181Who dotes as if he were a child again,
2.86182I shall enjoy the noble Cambrian prince;
2.87183Only, to feed his humor, will suffice
2.88184To say I am content with anyone
2.89185Whom he'll appoint me. This will please him more
2.90186Than e'er Apollo's music pleasèd Jove.
I smile to think in what a woeful plight
2.92188Cordella will be when we answer thus,
2.93189For she will rather die than give consent
2.94190To join in marriage with the Irish king.
2.95191So will our father think she loveth him not
2.96192Because she will not grant to his desire,
2.97193Which we will aggravate in such bitter terms
2.98194That he will soon convert his love to hate,
2.99195For he, you know, is always in extremes.
Not all the world could lay a better plot;
2.101197I long till it be put in practice.
197.1[Scene 3] [Video Sc.3] Perillus, go seek my daughters. Will them immediately
Come and speak with me. I will, my gracious lord.
Oh, what a combat feels my panting heart
3.4203'Twixt children's love and care of common weal!
3.5204How dear my daughters are unto my soul
3.6205None knows but He that knows my thoughts and secret deeds.
3.7206Ah, little do they know the dear regard
3.8207Wherein I hold their future state to come.
3.9208When they securely sleep on beds of down,
3.10209These agèd eyes do watch for their behalf.
3.11210While they, like wantons, sport in youthful toys,
3.12211This throbbing heart is pierced with dire annoys.
3.13212As doth the sun exceed the smallest star,
3.14213So much the father's love exceeds the child's.
3.15214Yet my complaints are causeless, for the world
3.16215Affords not children more conformable,
3.17216And yet methinks my mind presageth still
3.18217I know not what, and yet I fear some ill.
3.18.1218Enter Perillus, with the three daughters[, Gonorill, Ragan and Cordella] 3.19219Well, here my daughters come. I have found out
3.20220A present means to rid me of this doubt.
Our royal lord and father, in all duty
3.22222We come to know the tenor of your will,
3.23223Why you so hastily have sent for us.
Dear Gonorill, kind Ragan, sweet Cordella,
3.25225Ye flourishing branches of a kingly stock,
3.26226Sprung from a tree that once did flourish green,
3.27227Whose blossoms now are nipped with winter's frost,
3.28228And pale, grim Death doth wait upon my steps,
3.29229And summons me unto his next assizes.
3.30230Therefore, dear daughters, as ye tender the safety
3.31231Of him that was the cause of your first being,
3.32232Resolve a doubt which much molests my mind:
3.33233Which of you three to me would prove most kind,
3.34234Which loves me most, and which, at my request,
3.35235Will soonest yield unto their father's hest?
I hope my gracious father makes no doubt
3.37237Of any of his daughters' love to him;
3.38238Yet, for my part, to show my zeal to you,
3.39239Which cannot be in windy words rehearsed,
3.40240I prize my love to you at such a rate,
3.41241I think my life inferior to my love.
3.42242Should you enjoin me for to tie a millstone
3.43243About my neck and leap into the sea,
3.44244At your command I willingly would do it.
3.45245Yea, for to do you good, I would ascend
3.46246The highest turret in all Brittany,
3.47247And from the top leap headlong to the ground.
3.48248Nay, more, should you appoint me for to marry
3.49249The meanest vassal in the spacious world,
3.50250Without reply I would accomplish it.
3.51251In brief, command whatever you desire,
3.52252And if I fail, no favor I require.
Oh, how thy words revive my dying soul!
[Aside] Oh, how I do abhor this flattery!
But what saith Ragan to her father's will?
Oh, that my simple utterance could suffice
3.57257To tell the true intention of my heart,
3.58258Which burns in zeal of duty to your grace
3.59259And never can be quenched but by desire
3.60260To show the same in outward forwardness.
3.61261Oh, that there were some other maid that durst
3.62262But make a challenge of her love with me:
3.63263I'd make her soon confess she never loved
3.64264Her father half so well as I do you.
3.65265Ay, then my deeds should prove in plainer case
3.66266How much my zeal aboundeth to your grace.
3.67267But, for them all, let this one mean suffice
3.68268To ratify my love before your eyes:
3.69269I have right noble suitors to my love,
3.70270No worse than kings, and happily I love one;
3.71271Yet, would you have me make my choice anew,
3.72272I'd bridle fancy, and be ruled by you.
Did never Philomel sing so sweet a note?
[Aside]Did never flatterer tell so false a tale?
Speak now, Cordella, make my joys at full,
3.76276And drop down nectar from thy honey lips.
I cannot paint my duty forth in words;
3.78278I hope my deeds shall make report for me.
3.79279But look what love the child doth owe the father:
3.80280The same to you I bear, my gracious lord.
Here is an answer answerless indeed!
3.82282Were you my daughter, I should scarcely brook it.
Dost thou not blush, proud peacock as thou art,
3.84284To make our father such a slight reply?
Why, how now, minion, are you grown so proud?
3.86286Doth our dear love make you thus peremptory?
3.87287What, is your love become so small to us
3.88288As that you scorn to tell us what it is?
3.89289Do you love us as every child doth love
3.90290Their father? True indeed, as some
3.91291Who by disobedience short their fathers' days,
3.92292And so would you; some are so father-sick
3.93293That they make means to rid them from the world,
3.94294And so would you; some are indifferent
3.95295Whether their agèd parents live or die,
3.96296And so are you. But didst thou know, proud girl,
3.97297What care I had to foster thee to this,
3.98298Ah, then thou wouldst say as thy sisters do:
3.99299"Our life is less than love we owe to you."
Dear father, do not so mistake my words,
3.101301Nor my plain meaning be misconstrued;
3.102302My tongue was never used to flattery.
You were not best say I flatter: if you do,
3.104304My deeds shall show I flatter not with you.
3.105305I love my father better than thou canst.
The praise were great, spoke from another's mouth,
3.107307But it should seem your neighbors dwell far off.
Nay, here is one that will confirm as much
3.109309As she hath said, both for myself and her.
3.110310I say thou dost not wish my father's good.
Dear father --
Peace, bastard imp, no issue of King Leir!
3.113313I will not hear thee speak one tittle more.
3.114314Call not me father if thou love thy life,
3.115315Nor these thy sisters once presume to name;
3.116316Look for no help henceforth from me nor mine;
3.117317Shift as thou wilt and trust unto thyself.
3.118318My kingdom will I equally divide
3.119319'Twixt thy two sisters to their royal dower,
3.120320And will bestow them worthy their deserts.
3.121321This done, because thou shalt not have the hope
3.122322To have a child's part in the time to come,
3.123323I presently will dispossess myself
3.124324And set up these upon my princely throne[H3].
I ever thought that pride would have a fall.
Plain-dealing sister, your beauty is so sheen,
3.127327You need no dowry to make you be a queen.
Now whither -- poor, forsaken -- shall I go,
3.129330When mine own sisters triumph in my woe,
3.130331But unto Him which doth protect the just?
3.131332In Him will poor Cordella put her trust.
3.132333These hands shall labor for to get my spending,
3.133334And so I'll live until my days have ending.
Oh, how I grieve to see my lord thus fond
3.135336To dote so much upon vain flattering words.
3.136337Ah, if he but with good advice had weighed
3.137338The hidden tenor of her humble speech,
3.138339Reason to rage should not have given place,
3.139340Nor poor Cordella suffer such disgrace.
340.1[Scene 4] [Video Sc.4] 4.0.1341Enter the King of Gallia with Mumford and 342three Nobles more. Dissuade me not, my lords, I am resolved
4.2344This next fair wind to sail for Brittany
4.3345In some disguise, to see if flying Fame
4.4346Be not too prodigal in the wondrous praise
4.5347Of these three nymphs, the daughters of King Leir.
4.6348If present view do answer absent praise,
4.7349And eyes allow of what our ears have heard,
4.8350And Venus stand auspicious to my vows,
4.9351And Fortune favor what I take in hand,
4.10352I will return seized of as rich a prize
4.11353As Jason when he won the golden fleece.
Heavens grant you may: the match were full of honor
4.13355And well beseeming the young Gallian king.
4.14356I would your grace would favor me so much
4.15357As make me partner of your pilgrimage.
4.16358I long to see the gallant British dames
4.17359And feed mine eyes upon their rare perfections,
4.18360For till I know the contrary, I'll say
4.19361Our dames in France are more fair than they.
Lord Mumford, you have saved me a labor
4.21363In off'ring that which I did mean to ask,
4.22364And I most willingly accept your company.
4.23365Yet, first I will enjoin you to observe
4.24366Some few conditions which I shall propose.
So that you do not tie mine eyes for looking
4.26368After the amorous glances of fair dames,
4.27369So that you do not tie my tongue from speaking,
4.28370My lips from kissing when occasion serves,
4.29371My hands from congees, and my knees to bow
4.30372To gallant girls -- which were a task more hard
4.31373Than flesh and blood is able to endure --
4.32374Command what else you please, I rest content.
To bind thee from a thing thou canst not leave
4.34376Were but a mean to make thee seek it more,
4.35377And therefore speak, look, kiss, salute for me;
4.36378In these myself am like to second thee.
4.37379Now hear thy task: I charge thee, from the time
4.38380That first we set sail for the British shore,
4.39381To use no words of dignity to me,
4.40382But, in the friendliest manner that thou canst,
4.41383Make use of me as thy companion,
4.42384For we will go disguised in palmers' weeds,
4.43385That no man shall mistrust us what we are.
If that be all, I'll fit your turn, I warrant you. I am
387some kin to the Blounts, and, I think, the bluntest of all my kin
388dred; therefore, if I be too blunt with you, thank yourself for
389praying me to be so.
Thy pleasant company will make the way seem short. --
4.46391It resteth now that in my absence hence
4.47392I do commit the government to you,
4.48393My trusty lords and faithful counsellors.
4.49394Time cutteth off the rest I have to say:
4.50395The wind blows fair, and I must needs away.
Heavens send your voyage to as good effect
4.52397As we your land do purpose to protect.
397.1[Scene 5] [Video Sc.5] 5.0.1398Enter the King of Cornwall and his man[, Servant 1,] booted and 399spurred; a riding wand and a letter in [Cornwall's] hand But how far distant are we from the court?
Some twenty miles, my lord, or thereabouts.
It seemeth to me twenty thousand miles;
5.4403Yet hope I to be there within this hour.
[To himself] Then are you like to ride alone for me.
5.6405I think my lord is weary of his life.
Sweet Gonorill, I long to see thy face,
5.8407Which hast so kindly gratified my love.
5.8.1408Enter the King of Cambria, booted and spurred with a wand and a letter, and his man[, Servant 2] [He looks at the letter.] Get a fresh horse, for, by my soul I swear,
5.10411I am past patience longer to forbear
5.11412The wished sight of my beloved mistress,
5.12413Dear Ragan, stay and comfort of my life.
[To himself] Now what in God's name doth my lord intend?
5.14415He thinks he ne'er shall come at's journey's end.
5.15416I would he had old Daedalus' waxen wings
5.16417That he might fly, so I might stay behind;
5.17418For ere we get to Troynovant, I see,
5.18419He quite will tire himself, his horse, and me.
5.18.1420Cornwall and Cambria look one upon another and 421start to see each other there. Brother of Cambria, we greet you well,
5.20423As one whom here we little did expect.
Brother of Cornwall, met in happy time.
5.22425I thought as much to have met with the Sultan of Persia
5.23426As to have met you in this place, my lord.
5.24427No doubt it is about some great affairs
5.25428That makes you here so slenderly accompanied.
To say the truth, my lord, it is no less.
5.27430And, for your part, some hasty wind of chance
5.28431Hath blown you hither thus upon the sudden.
My lord, to break off further circumstances,
5.30433For at this time I cannot brook delays,
5.31434Tell you your reason, I will tell you mine.
In faith, content; and, therefore, to be brief,
5.33436For I am sure my haste's as great as yours:
5.34437I am sent for to come unto King Leir,
5.35438Who, by these present letters, promiseth
5.36439His eldest daughter, lovely Gonorill,
5.37440To me in marriage and for present dowry
5.38441The moiety of half his regiment.
5.39442The lady's love I long ago possessed,
5.40443But until now I never had the father's.
You tell me wonders, yet I will relate
5.42445Strange news, and henceforth we must brothers call.
5.43446Witness these lines: his honorable age,
5.44447Being weary of the troubles of his crown,
5.45448His princely daughter Ragan will bestow
5.46449On me in marriage, with half his seigniories,
5.47450Whom I would gladly have accepted of
5.48451With the third part, her complements are such.
If I have one half and you have the other,
5.50453Then between us we must needs have the whole.
The hole! How mean you that? 'Sblood, I hope
5.52455We shall have two holes between us.
Why, the whole kingdom.
Ay, that's very true.
What then is left for his third daughter's dowry,
5.56459Lovely Cordella, whom the world admires?
'Tis very strange. I know not what to think,
5.58461Unless they mean to make a nun of her.
'Twere pity such rare beauty should be hid
5.60463Within the compass of a cloister's wall;
5.61464But, howsoe'er, if Leir's words prove true,
5.62465It will be good, my lord, for me and you.
Then let us haste, all danger to prevent,
5.64467For fear delays do alter his intent.
467.1[Scene 6] [Video Sc.6] Sister, when did you see Cordella last,
6.2470That pretty piece that thinks none good enough
6.3471To speak to her because, sir-reverence,
6.4472She hath a little beauty extraordinary?
Since time my father warned her from his presence,
6.6474I never saw her that I can remember.
6.7475God give her joy of her surpassing beauty;
6.8476I think her dowry will be small enough.
I have incensed my father so against her
6.10478As he will never be reclaimed again.
I was not much behind to do the like.
Faith, sister, what moves you to bear her such good will?
In truth, I think the same that moveth you:
6.14482Because she doth surpass us both in beauty.
Beshrew your fingers, how right you can guess.
6.16484I tell you true, it cuts me to the heart.
But we will keep her low enough, I warrant,
6.18486And clip her wings for mounting up too high.
Whoever hath her shall have a rich marriage of her.
She were right fit to make a parson's wife,
6.21489For they, men say, do love fair women well,
6.22490And many times do marry them with nothing.
With nothing! Marry, God forbid! Why, are there any such?
I mean, no money.
I cry you mercy, I mistook you much.
6.26494And she is far too stately for the church:
6.27495She'll lay her husband's benefice on her back
6.28496Even in one gown, if she may have her will.
In faith, poor soul, I pity her a little.
6.30498Would she were less fair or more fortunate.
6.31499Well, I think long until I see my Morgan,
6.32500The gallant Prince of Cambria, here arrive.
And so do I until the Cornwall king
6.34502Present himself to consummate my joys.
6.35503Peace, here cometh my father.
Cease, good my lords, and sue not to reverse
6.37506Our censure which is now irrevocable.
6.38507We have dispatchèd letters of contract
6.39508Unto the kings of Cambria and of Cornwall:
6.40509Our hand and seal will justify no less.
6.41510Then do not so dishonor me, my lords,
6.42511As to make shipwreck of our kingly word.
6.43512I am as kind as is the pelican
6.44513That kills itself to save her young ones' lives,
6.45514And yet as jealous as the princely eagle
6.46515That kills her young ones if they do but dazzle
6.47516Upon the radiant splendor of the sun.
6.48517Within this two days I expect their coming.
6.48.1Enter Kings of Cornwall and Cambria 6.49518But in good time they are arrived already.
6.50519This haste of yours, my lords, doth testify
6.51520The fervent love you bear unto my daughters,
6.52521And think yourselves as welcome to King Leir
6.53522As ever Priam's children were to him.
My gracious lord, and father too, I hope,
6.55524Pardon for that I made no greater haste,
6.56525But were my horse as swift as was my will,
6.57526I long ere this had seen your majesty.
No other 'scuse of absence can I frame
6.59528Than what my brother hath informed your grace;
6.60529For our undeserved welcome, we do vow
6.61530Perpetually to rest at your command.
But you, sweet love, illustrious Gonorill,
6.63532The regent and the sovereign of my soul,
6.64533Is Cornwall welcome to your excellency?
As welcome as Leander was to Hero,
6.66535Or brave Aeneas to the Carthage queen,
6.67536So and more welcome is your grace to me.
Oh, may my fortune prove no worse than his
6.69538Since heavens do know my fancy is as much.
6.70539Dear Ragan, say if welcome unto thee;
6.71540All welcomes else will little comfort me.
As gold is welcome to the covetous eye,
6.73542As sleep is welcome to the traveler,
6.74543As is fresh water to sea-beaten men,
6.75544Or moistened showers unto the parchèd ground,
6.76545Or anything more welcomer than this,
6.77546So and more welcome lovely Morgan is.
What resteth, then, but that we consummate
6.79548The celebration of these nuptial rites?
6.80549My kingdom I do equally divide.
6.81550Princes, draw lots, and take your chance as falls.
6.82552These I resign as freely unto you
6.83553As erst by true succession they were mine.
6.84554And here I do freely dispossess myself
6.85555And make you two my true adopted heirs.
6.86556Myself will sojourn with my son of Cornwall
6.87557And take me to my prayers and my beads.
6.88558I know my daughter Ragan will be sorry
6.89559Because I do not spend my days with her.
6.90560Would I were able to be with both at once:
6.91561They are the kindest girls in Christendom.
I have been silent all this while, my lord,
6.93563To see if any worthier than myself
6.94564Would once have spoke in poor Cordella's cause,
6.95565But love or fear ties silence to their tongues.
6.96566Oh, hear me speak for her my gracious lord,
6.97567Whose deeds have not deserved this ruthless doom,
6.98568As thus to disinherit her of all.
Urge this no more an if thou love thy life!
6.100570I say she is no daughter that doth scorn
6.101571To tell her father how she loveth him.
6.102572Whoever speaketh hereof to me again,
6.103573I will esteem him for my mortal foe.
6.104574Come, let us in to celebrate with joy
6.105575The happy nuptials of these lovely pairs.
Ah, who so blind as they that will not see
6.107578The near approach of their own misery?
6.108579Poor lady, I extremely pity her,
6.109580And, whilst I live, each drop of my heart blood
6.110581Will I strain forth to do her any good.
581.1[Scene 7] [Video Sc.7] 7.0.1582Enter the King of Gallia and Mumford, disguised 583like pilgrims. My lord, how do you brook this British air?
"My lord"? I told you of this foolish humor
7.3586And bound you to the contrary, you know.
Pardon me for once, my lord, I did forget.
"My lord" again? Then let's have nothing else
7.6589And so be ta'en for spies, and then 'tis well.
'Swounds, I could bite my tongue in two for anger!
7.8591For God's sake name yourself some proper name.
Call me Tresillus; I'll call thee Denapoll.
Might I be made the monarch of the world,
7.11594I could not hit upon these names, I swear.
Then call me Will; I'll call thee Jack.
Well, be it so, for I have well deserved to be called Jack.
Stand close, for here a British lady cometh.
7.15598A fairer creature ne'er mine eyes beheld.
This is a day of joy unto my sisters,
7.17600Wherein they both are married unto kings,
7.18601And I, by birth as worthy as themselves,
7.19602Am turned into the world to seek my fortune.
7.20603How may I blame the fickle queen of chance
7.21604That maketh me a pattern of her power?
7.22605Ah, poor, weak maid, whose imbecility
7.23606Is far unable to endure these brunts!
7.24607Oh, father Leir, how dost thou wrong thy child
7.25608Who always was obedient to thy will!
7.26609But why accuse I Fortune and my father?
7.27610No, no, it is the pleasure of my God,
7.28611And I do willingly embrace the rod.
It is no goddess, for she doth complain
7.30613On Fortune and th'unkindness of her father.
These costly robes, ill fitting my estate,
7.32615I will exchange for other meaner habit.
Now if I had a kingdom in my hands,
7.34617I would exchange it for a milkmaid's smock and petticoat
618that she and I might shift our clothes together.
I will betake me to my thread and needle,
7.36620And earn my living with my fingers' ends.
O brave! God willing, thou shalt have my custom,
7.38622By sweet St. Denis here I sadly swear,
7.39623For all the shirts and nightgear that I wear!
I will profess and vow a maiden's life.
Then I protest thou shalt not have my custom.
I can forbear no longer for to speak,
7.43627For if I do I think my heart will break.
'Sblood, Will, I hope you are not in love with my sempster!
I am in such a labyrinth of love
7.46630As that I know not which way to get out.
You'll ne'er get out unless you first get in.
I prithee, Jack, cross not my passions.
Prithee, Will, to her and try her patience.
Thou fairest creature, whatsoe'er thou art,
7.51635That ever any mortal eyes beheld,
7.52636Vouchsafe to me, who have o'erheard thy woes,
7.53637To show the cause of these thy sad laments.
Ah pilgrims, what avails to show the cause
7.55639When there's no means to find a remedy?
To utter grief doth ease a heart o'ercharged.
To touch a sore doth aggravate the pain.
The silly mouse, by virtue of her teeth,
7.59643Released the princely lion from the net.
Kind palmer, which so much desir'st to hear
7.61645The tragic tale of my unhappy youth,
7.62646Know this in brief: I am the hapless daughter
7.63647Of Leir, sometime king of Brittany.
Why, who debars his honorable age
7.65649From being still the king of Brittany?
None but himself hath dispossessed himself,
7.67651And given all his kingdom to the kings
7.68652Of Cornwall and of Cambria with my sisters.
Hath he given nothing to your lovely self?
He loved me not and therefore gave me nothing,
7.71655Only because I could not flatter him,
7.72656And in this day of triumph to my sisters
7.73657Doth Fortune triumph in my overthrow.
Sweet lady, say there should come a king --
7.75659As good as either of your sisters' husbands --
7.76660To crave your love: would you accept of him?
Oh, do not mock with those in misery;
7.78662Nor do not think, though Fortune have the power
7.79663To spoil mine honor and debase my state,
7.80664That she hath any interest in my mind,
7.81665For if the greatest monarch on the earth
7.82666Should sue to me in this extremity,
7.83667Except my heart could love and heart could like
7.84668Better than any that I ever saw,
7.85669His great estate no more should move my mind
7.86670Than mountains move by blast of every wind.
Think not, sweet nymph, 'tis holy palmer's guise
7.88672To grievèd souls fresh torments to devise;
7.89673Therefore, in witness of my true intent,
7.90674Let heaven and earth bear record of my words:
7.91675There is a young and lusty Gallian king,
7.92676So like to me as I am to myself,
7.93677That earnestly doth crave to have thy love
7.94678And join with thee in Hymen's sacred bonds.
[Aside] The like to thee did ne'er these eyes behold.
7.96680Oh, live to add new torments to my grief!
7.97681Why didst thou thus entrap me unawares? --
7.98682Ah, palmer, my estate doth not befit
7.99683A kingly marriage as the case now stands.
7.100684Whilom whenas I lived in honor's height,
7.101685A prince perhaps might postulate my love;
7.102686Now misery, dishonor, and disgrace
7.103687Hath light on me, and quite reversed the case.
7.104688Thy king will hold thee wise if thou surcease
7.105689The suit whereas no dowry will ensue.
7.106690Then be advisèd, palmer, what to do:
7.107691Cease for thy king, seek for thyself to woo.
Your birth's too high for any but a king.
My mind is low enough to love a palmer
7.110694Rather than any king upon the earth.
Oh, but you never can endure their life,
7.112696Which is so straight and full of penury.
Oh, yes, I can, and happy if I might.
7.114698I'll hold thy palmer's staff within my hand
7.115699And think it is the scepter of a queen;
7.116700Sometime I'll set thy bonnet on my head
7.117701And think I wear a rich imperial crown;
7.118702Sometime I'll help thee in thy holy prayers
7.119703And think I am with thee in paradise:
7.120704Thus I'll mock Fortune as she mocketh me,
7.121705And never will my lovely choice repent,
7.122706For having thee, I shall have all content.
[Aside] 'Twere sin to hold her longer in suspense
7.124708Since that my soul hath vowed she shall be mine. --
7.125709Ah, dear Cordella, cordial to my heart,
7.127711But hither come in this unknown disguise
7.128712To view th'admirèd beauty of those eyes.
7.129713I am the king of Gallia, gentle maid,
7.130714Although thus slenderly accompanied,
7.131715And yet thy vassal by imperious Love,
7.132716And sworn to serve thee everlastingly.
Whate'er you be, of high or low descent,
7.134718All's one to me; I do request but this:
7.135719That as I am, you will accept of me,
7.136720And I will have you whatsoe'er you be.
7.137721Yet well I know you come of royal race;
7.138722I see such sparks of honor in your face.
Have palmers' weeds such power to win fair ladies?
7.140724Faith, then I hope the next that falls is mine.
7.141725Upon condition I no worse might speed,
7.142726I would forever wear a palmer's weed.
7.143727I like an honest and plain-dealing wench
7.144728That swears, without exceptions, "I will have you."
7.145729These foppets that know not whether to love a man or no -- ex
730cept they first go ask their mothers' leave -- by this hand, I hate
731them ten times worse than poison.
What resteth, then, our happiness to procure?
Faith, go to church to make the matter sure.
It shall be so because the world shall say,
7.149735"King Leir's three daughters were wedded in one day."
7.150736The celebration of this happy chance
7.151737We will defer until we come to France.
I like the wooing that's not long a doing.
7.153739Well, for her sake, I know what I know:
740I'll never marry whilst I live
741except I have one of these British ladies.
742My humor is alienated from the maids of France.
742.1[Scene 8] [Video Sc.8] The king hath dispossessed himself of all,
8.2745Those to advance which scarce will give him thanks.
8.3746His youngest daughter he hath turned away,
8.4747And no man knows what is become of her.
8.5748He sojourns now in Cornwall with the eldest,
8.6749Who flattered him until she did obtain
8.7750That at his hands which now she doth possess;
8.8751And, now she sees he hath no more to give,
8.9752It grieves her heart to see her father live.
8.10753Oh, whom should man trust in this wicked age
8.11754When children thus against their parents rage?
8.12755But he, the mirror of mild patience,
8.13756Puts up all wrongs and never gives reply,
8.14757Yet shames she not, in most opprobrious sort,
8.15758To call him "fool" and "dotard" to his face,
8.16759And sets her parasites of purpose oft
8.17760In scoffing-wise to offer him disgrace.
8.18761Oh, iron age! Oh, times! Oh, monstrous, vile,
8.19762When parents are condemnèd of the child!
8.20763His pension she hath half restrained from him,
8.21764And will, ere long, the other half, I fear,
8.22765For she thinks nothing is bestowed in vain
8.23766But that which doth her father's life maintain.
8.24767Trust not alliance, but trust strangers rather,
8.25768Since daughters prove disloyal to the father.
8.26769Well, I will counsel him the best I can.
8.27770Would I were able to redress his wrong!
8.28771Yet what I can unto my utmost power
8.29772He shall be sure of to the latest hour.
772.1[Scene 9] [Video Sc.9] I prithee, Skalliger, tell me what thou think'st:
9.2775Could any woman of our dignity
9.3776Endure such quips and peremptory taunts
9.4777As I do daily from my doting father?
9.5778Doth't not suffice that I him keep of alms
9.6779Who is not able for to keep himself,
9.7780But, as if he were our better, he should think
9.8781To check and snap me up at every word?
9.9782I cannot make me a new-fashioned gown,
9.10783And set it forth with more than common cost,
9.11784But his old doting, doltish, withered wit
9.12785Is sure to give a senseless check for it.
9.13786I cannot make a banquet extraordinary
9.14787To grace myself and spread my name abroad
9.15788But he, old fool, is captious by and by,
9.16789And saith the cost would well suffice for twice.
9.17790Judge then, I pray, what reason is't that I
9.18791Should stand alone charged with his vain expense
9.19792And that my sister Ragan should go free,
9.20793To whom he gave as much as unto me?
9.21794I prithee, Skalliger, tell me, if thou know,
9.22795By any means to rid me of this woe.
Your many favors still bestowed on me
9.24797Bind me in duty to advise your grace
9.25798How you may soonest remedy this ill.
9.26799The large allowance which he hath from you
9.27800Is that which makes him so forget himself;
9.28801Therefore, abridge it half and you shall see
9.29802That, having less, he will more thankful be,
9.30803For why abundance maketh us forget
9.31804The fountains whence the benefits do spring.
Well, Skalliger, for thy kind advice herein,
9.33806I will not be ungrateful if I live.
9.34807I have restrainèd half his portion already
9.35808And I will presently restrain the other,
9.36809That, having no means to relieve himself,
9.37810He may go seek elsewhere for better help.
Go, viperous woman, shame to all thy sex,
9.39812The heavens no doubt will punish thee for this.
9.40813And me, a villain that, to curry favor,
9.41814Have given the daughter counsel 'gainst the father.
9.42815But us the world doth this experience give:
9.43816That he that cannot flatter cannot live.
816.1[Scene 10] [Video Sc.10] 10.0.1817Enter King of Cornwall, Leir, Perillus, and Nobles Father, what aileth you to be so sad?
10.2819Methinks you frolic not as you were wont.
The nearer we do grow unto our graves,
10.4821The less we do delight in worldly joys.
But if a man can frame himself to mirth,
10.6823It is a mean for to prolong his life.
Then welcome sorrow, Leir's only friend,
10.8825Who doth desire his troubled days had end.
Comfort yourself, father, here comes your daughter,
10.10827Who much will grieve, I know, to see you sad.
But more doth grieve, I fear, to see me live.
My Gonorill, you come in wishèd time
10.13830To put your father from these pensive dumps.
10.14831In faith, I fear that all things go not well.
What, do you fear that I have angered him?
10.16833Hath he complained of me unto my lord?
10.17834I'll provide him a piece of bread and cheese,
10.18835For in a time he'll practise nothing else
10.19836Than carry tales from one unto another.
10.20837'Tis all his practice for to kindle strife
10.21838'Twixt you, my lord, and me your loving wife.
10.22839But I will take an order, if I can,
10.23840To cease th'effect where first the cause began.
Sweet, be not angry in a partial cause:
10.25842He ne'er complained of thee in all his life. --
10.26843Father, you must not weigh a woman's words.
Alas, not I. Poor soul, she breeds young bones,
10.28845And that is it makes her so touchy sure.
What, "breeds young bones" -- already! You will make
10.30847An honest woman of me then, belike.
10.31848O vile old wretch! Whoever heard the like,
10.32849That seeketh thus his own child to defame?
I cannot stay to hear this discord sound.
[To Leir and his attendants] For anyone that loves your company,
10.35852You may go pack and seek some other place
10.36853To sow the seed of discord and disgrace.
Thus, say or do the best that e'er I can,
10.38855'Tis wrested straight into another sense.
10.39856This punishment my heavy sins deserve,
10.40857And more than this ten thousand thousand times,
10.41858Else agèd Leir them could never find
10.42859Cruel to him to whom he hath been kind.
10.43860Why do I overlive myself, to see
10.44861The course of nature quite reversed in me?
10.45862Ah, gentle Death, if ever any wight
10.46863Did wish thy presence with a perfect zeal,
10.47864Then come, I pray thee, even with all my heart,
10.48865And end my sorrows with thy fatal dart.
Ah, do not so disconsolate yourself,
10.50867Nor dew your agèd cheeks with wasting tears.
What man art thou that takest any pity
10.52869Upon the worthless state of old Leir?
One who doth bear as great a share of grief,
10.54871As if it were my dearest father's case.
Ah, good my friend, how ill art thou advised
10.56873For to consort with miserable men.
10.57874Go learn to flatter where thou mayst in time
10.58875Get favor 'mongst the mighty, and so climb;
10.59876For now I am so poor and full of want
10.60877As that I ne'er can recompense thy love.
What's got by flattery doth not long endure,
10.62879And men in favor live not most secure.
10.63880My conscience tells me if I should forsake you,
10.64881I were the hateful'st excrement on the earth,
10.65882Which well do know, in course of former time,
10.66883How good my lord hath been to me and mine.
Did I e'er raise thee higher than the rest
10.68885Of all thy ancestors which were before?
I ne'er did seek it, but by your good grace
10.70887I still enjoyed my own with quietness.
Did I e'er give thee living to increase
10.72889The due revenues which thy father left?
I had enough, my lord, and having that,
10.74891What should you need to give me any more?
Oh, did I ever dispossess myself
10.76893And give thee half my kingdom in good will?
Alas, my lord, there were no reason why
10.78895You should have such a thought to give it me.
Nay, if thou talk of reason, then be mute,
10.80897For with good reason I can thee confute.
10.81898If they, which first by nature's sacred law
10.82899Do owe to me the tribute of their lives,
10.83900If they to whom I always have been kind
10.84901And bountiful beyond comparison,
10.85902If they for whom I have undone myself
10.86903And brought my age unto this extreme want,
10.87904Do now reject, condemn, despise, abhor me,
10.88905What reason moveth thee to sorrow for me?
Where reason fails let tears confirm my love,
10.90907And speak how much your passions do me move.
10.91908Ah, good my lord, condemn not all for one:
10.92909You have two daughters left to whom I know
10.93910You shall be welcome, if you please to go.
Oh, how thy words add sorrow to my soul,
10.95912To think of my unkindness to Cordella,
10.96913Whom causeless I did dispossess of all
10.97914Upon th'unkind suggestions of her sisters;
10.98915And for her sake I think this heavy doom
10.99916Is fallen on me, and not without desert.
10.101918And gave to her the half of all I had.
10.102919It may be, if I should to her repair,
10.103920She would be kinder and entreat me fair.
No doubt she would, and practise, ere't be long,
10.105922By force of arms for to redress your wrong.
Well, since thou dost advise me for to go,
10.107924I am resolved to try the worst of woe.
924.1[Scene 11] [Video Sc.11] How may I bless the hour of my nativity
11.2927Which bodeth unto me such happy stars!
11.3928How may I thank kind Fortune that vouchsafes
11.4929To all my actions such desired event!
11.5930I rule the king of Cambria as I please;
11.6931The states are all obedient to my will
11.7932And look whate'er I say, it shall be so;
11.8933Not anyone that dareth answer no.
11.9934My eldest sister lives in royal state
11.10935And wanteth nothing fitting her degree;
11.11936Yet hath she such a cooling card withal
11.12937As that her honey savoreth much of gall.
11.13938My father with her is quartermaster still,
11.14939And many times restrains her of her will,
11.15940But, if he were with me, and served me so,
11.16941I'd send him packing somewhere else to go:
11.17942I'd entertain him with such slender cost
11.18943That he should quickly wish to change his host.
943.1[Scene 12] [Video Sc.12] 12.0.1944Enter Cornwall, Gonorill, and attendants Ah, Gonorill, what dire unhappy chance
12.2946Hath sequestered thy father from our presence
12.3947That no report can yet be heard of him?
12.4948Some great unkindness hath been offered him,
12.5949Exceeding far the bounds of patience,
12.6950Else all the world shall never me persuade
12.7951He would forsake us without notice made.
Alas, my lord, whom doth it touch so near,
12.9953Or who hath interest in this grief but I,
12.10954Whom sorrow had brought to her longest home,
12.11955But that I know his qualities so well?
12.12956I know he is but stol'n upon my sister
12.13957At unawares to see her how she fares
12.14958And spend a little time with her, to note
12.15959How all things go and how she likes her choice;
12.16960And when occasion serves, he'll steal from her
12.17961And unawares return to us again.
12.18962Therefore, my lord, be frolic and resolve
12.19963To see my father here again ere long.
I hope so too, but yet to be more sure
12.21965I'll send a post immediately to know
12.22966Whether he be arrivèd there or no.
12.22.1Exit [Cornwall with attendants]. But I will intercept the messenger
12.24968And temper him, before he doth depart,
12.25969With sweet persuasions and with sound rewards,
12.26970That his report shall ratify my speech
12.27971And make my lord cease further to inquire.
12.28972If he be not gone to my sister's court,
12.29973As sure my mind presageth that he is,
12.30974He haply may, by travelling unknown ways,
12.31975Fall sick, and as a common passenger
12.32976Be dead and buried. Would God it were so well,
12.33977For then there were no more to do but this:
12.34978"He went away, and none knows where he is."
12.35979But say he be in Cambria with the king
12.36980And there exclaim against me, as he will;
12.37981I know he is as welcome to my sister
12.39983Well, after him I'll send such thunderclaps
12.40984Of slander, scandal, and invented tales
12.41985That all the blame shall be removed from me
12.42986And, unperceived, rebound upon himself.
12.43987Thus with one nail another I'll expel,
12.44988And make the world judge that I used him well.
12.44.1989Enter the Messenger that should go to Cambria, 990 with a letter in his hand. My honest friend, whither away so fast?
To Cambria, madam, with letters from the king.
To whom?
Unto your father, if he be there.
Let me see them.
Madam, I hope your grace will stand
997between me and my neck-verse if I be
998called in question for opening the king's letters.
'Twas I that opened them; it was not thou.
Ay, but you need not care, and so must I,
1001a handsome man, be quickly trussed up;
1002and when a man's hanged, all the world cannot save him.
He that hangs thee were better hang his father,
12.541004Or that but hurts thee in the least degree.
12.551005I tell thee, we make great account of thee.
I am o'erjoyed; I surfeit of sweet words.
12.571007Kind Queen, had I a hundred lives, I would
12.581008Spend ninety-nine of them for you for that word.
Ay, but thou wouldst keep one life still,
12.601010And that's as many as thou art like to have.
That one life is not too dear for my good queen: this
1012sword, this buckler, this head, this heart, these hands, arms,
1013legs, tripes, bowels, and all the members else whatsoever, are at
1014your dispose. Use me, trust me, command me; if I fail in any
1015thing, tie me to a dung cart and make a scavenger's horse of
1016me, and whip me so long as I have any skin on my back.
In token of further employment, take that.
A strong bond, a firm obligation, good in law, good
1020in law. If I keep not the condition, let my neck be the forfei
1021ture of my negligence.
I like thee well; thou hast a good tongue.
And as bad a tongue, if it be set on it, as any oysterwife
1024at Billingsgate hath. Why, I have made many of my neighbors
1025forsake their houses with railing upon them, and go dwell
1026elsewhere, and so, by my means, houses have been good cheap in
1027our parish. My tongue being well whetted with choler is more
1028sharp than a razor of Palermo.
Oh, thou art a fit man for my purpose.
Commend me not, sweet Queen, before you try me.
12.681031As my deserts are, so do think of me.
Well said. Then this is thy trial: instead of carrying
1033the king's letters to my father, carry thou these letters to my
1034sister, which contain matter quite contrary to the other. There
1035shall she be given to understand that my father hath detracted
1036her, given out slanderous speeches against her, and that he
1037hath most intolerably abused me, set my lord and me
1038at variance, and made mutinies amongst the commons.
12.701039These things -- although it be not so --
12.711040Yet thou must affirm them to be true
12.721041With oaths and protestations as will serve
12.731042To drive my sister out of love with him
12.741043And cause my will accomplishèd to be.
12.751044This do, thou winn'st my favor forever,
12.761045And makst a highway of preferment to thee
It sufficeth; conceit, it is already done.
1048I will so tongue-whip him that I will
1049leave him as bare of credit
1050as a poulter leaves a cony when she pulls off his skin.
Yet there is a further matter.
I thirst to hear it.
If my sister thinketh convenient, as my letters
1054importeth, to make him away, hast thou the heart to
1055effect it?
Few words are best in so small a matter;
12.831057These are but trifles. By this book I will.
About it presently; I long till it be done.
I fly, I fly.
1060.1[Scene 13] [Video Sc.13] I have been over-negligent today
13.21063In going to the temple of my God
13.31064To render thanks for all his benefits
13.41065Which he miraculously hath bestowed on me
13.51066In raising me out of my mean estate
13.61067Whenas I was devoid of worldly friends
13.71068And placing me in such a sweet content
13.81069As far exceeds the reach of my deserts.
13.91070My kingly husband, mirror of his time
13.101071For zeal, for justice, kindness, and for care
13.111072To God, his subjects, me, and common weal,
13.121073By His appointment was ordained for me.
13.131074I cannot wish the thing that I do want,
13.141075I cannot want the thing but I may have,
13.151076Save only this which I shall ne'er obtain:
13.161077My father's love. Oh, this I ne'er shall gain.
13.191080Barefoot, I would on pilgrimage set forth
13.201081Unto the furthest quarters of the earth,
13.211082And all my lifetime would I sackcloth wear,
13.221083And mourning-wise pour dust upon my head,
13.231084So he but to forgive me once would please,
13.241085That his grey hairs might go to heaven in peace.
13.251086And yet I know not how I him offended,
13.261087Or wherein justly I have deserved blame.
13.271088O sisters! You are much to blame in this:
13.281089It was not he but you that did me wrong.
13.291090Yet God forgive both him and you and me,
13.311092I will to church and pray unto my savior
13.321093That, ere I die, I may obtain his favor.
1093.1[Scene 14] [Video Sc.14] Rest on me, my lord, and stay yourself;
14.21096The way seems tedious to your agèd limbs.
Nay, rest on me, kind friend, and stay thyself;
14.41098Thou art as old as I, but more kind.
Ah, good my lord, it ill befits that I
14.61100Should lean upon the person of a king.
But it fits worse that I should bring thee forth,
14.81102That had no cause to come along with me,
14.91103Through these uncouth paths and tireful ways,
14.101104And never ease thy fainting limbs a whit.
14.111105Thou hast left all -- ay, all -- to come with me,
14.121106And I, for all, have nought to guerdon thee.
Cease, good my lord, to aggravate my woes
14.141108With these kind words, which cut my heart in two
14.151109To think your will should want the power to do.
Cease, good Perillus, for to call me "lord,"
14.171111And think me but the shadow of myself.
That honorable title will I give
14.201114Oh, be of comfort, for I see the place
14.211115Whereas your daughter keeps her residence.
14.221116And, lo, in happy time the Cambrian prince
14.231117Is here arrived to gratify our coming.
14.23.11118Enter the Prince of Cambria, Ragan, and Nobles; look 1119upon them and whisper together. Were I best speak or sit me down and die?
14.251121I am ashamed to tell this heavy tale.
Then let me tell it, if you please, my lord.
14.271123'Tis shame for them that were the cause thereof.
What two old men are those that seem so sad?
14.291125Methinks I should remember well their looks.
No, I mistake not, sure it is my father.
14.311127[Aside] I must dissemble kindness now of force.
14.31.11128She runneth to him, and kneels down, saying: 14.321129Father, I bid you welcome, full of grief,
14.331130To see your grace used thus unworthily,
14.341131And ill-befitting for your reverend age
14.351132To come on foot a journey so indurable.
14.361133Oh, what disaster chance hath been the cause
14.371134To make your cheeks so hollow, spare, and lean? --
14.381135He cannot speak for weeping. For God's love, come,
14.391136Let us refresh him with some needful things
14.401137And at more leisure we may better know
14.411138Whence springs the ground of this unlooked-for woe.
Come, father; ere we any further talk,
14.431140You shall refresh you after this weary walk.
Comes he to me with finger in the eye
14.451142To tell a tale against my sister here,
14.461143Whom I do know he greatly hath abused?
14.471144And now, like a contentious crafty wretch,
14.481145He first begins for to complain himself,
14.491146Whenas himself is in the greatest fault.
14.501147I'll not be partial in my sister's cause,
14.511148Nor yet believe his doting vain reports,
14.521149Who, for a trifle, safely I dare say,
14.531150Upon a spleen is stolen thence away,
14.541151And here, forsooth, he hopeth to have harbor
14.551152And to be moaned and made on like a child.
14.561153But ere't be long, his coming he shall curse,
14.571154And truly say he came from bad to worse.
14.581155Yet will I make fair weather to procure
14.591156Convenient means, and then I'll strike it sure.
1156.1[Scene 15] [Video Sc.15] Now happily I am arrivèd here
15.21159Before the stately palace of the Cambrian king.
15.31160If Leir be here safe-seated and in rest,
15.41161To rouse him from it I will do my best.
15.51162Now, bags of gold, your virtue is, no doubt,
15.61163To make me in my message bold and stout. --
15.71164The king of heaven preserve your majesty,
15.81165And send your highness everlasting reign.
Thanks, good my friend, but what imports thy message?
Kind greetings from the Cornwall queen;
15.111168The residue these letters will declare.
How fares our royal sister?
I did leave her at my parting in good health.
15.141173[Aside] See how her color comes and goes again,
15.151174Now red as scarlet, now as pale as ash;
15.161175See how she knits her brow, and bites her lips,
15.171176And stamps, and makes a dumbshow of disdain
15.181177Mixed with revenge and violent extremes.
15.191178Here will be more work and more crowns for me.
[Aside] Alas, poor soul, and hath he used her thus?
15.211180And is he now come hither with intent
15.221181To set divorce betwixt my lord and me?
15.231182Doth he give out that he doth hear report
15.241183That I do rule my husband as I list,
15.251184And therefore means to alter so the case
15.261185That I shall know my lord to be my head?
15.271186Well, it were best for him to take good heed,
15.281187Or I will make him hop without a head
15.291188For his presumption, dotard that he is.
15.301189In Cornwall he hath made such mutinies --
15.311190First, setting of the king against the queen,
15.321191Then stirring up the commons 'gainst the king --
15.331192That had he there continued any longer,
15.341193He had been called in question for his fact.
15.351194So upon that occasion thence he fled,
15.361195And comes thus slyly stealing unto us,
15.371196And now already since his coming hither,
15.381197My lord and he are grown in such a league
15.391198That I can have no conference with his grace.
15.411200Some forgèd cavillations 'gainst my state.
15.421201'Tis therefore best to cut him off in time,
15.431202Lest slanderous rumors, once abroad dispersed,
15.441203It is too late for them to be reversed. --
15.451204[To the Messenger] Friend, as the tenor of these letters shows,
15.461205My sister puts great confidence in thee.
She never yet committed trust to me
15.481207But that, I hope, she found me always faithful.
15.501209That hath occasion to employ my help.
Hast thou the heart to act a stratagem,
15.521211And give a stab or two if need require?
I have a heart compact of adamant
15.541213Which never knew what melting pity meant.
15.551214I weigh no more the murd'ring of a man
15.561215Than I respect the cracking of a flea
15.571216When I do catch her biting on my skin.
15.581217If you will have your husband or your father
15.591218Or both of them sent to another world,
15.601219Do but command me do't: it shall be done.
It is enough; we make no doubt of thee.
15.621221Meet us tomorrow, here, at nine o'clock.
[She gives him a purse.]
Meanwhile, farewell, and drink that for my sake.
Ay, this is it will make me do the deed.
15.661225This were the gainful'st trade in Christendom!
15.671226A purse of gold giv'n for a paltry stab!
15.681227Why, here's a wench that longs to have a stab.
15.691228Well, I could give it her, and ne'er hurt her neither.
1228.1[Scene 16] [Video Sc.16] When will these clouds of sorrow once disperse
16.21231And smiling joy triumph upon thy brow?
16.31232When will this scene of sadness have an end
16.41233And pleasant acts ensue to move delight?
16.51234When will my lovely queen cease to lament
16.61235And take some comfort to her grievèd thoughts?
16.71236If of thyself thou deignst to have no care,
16.81237Yet pity me whom thy grief makes despair.
Oh, grieve not you, my lord, you have no cause.
16.101239Let not my passions move your mind a whit,
16.121241For his ill will that life to me first lent.
16.131242If so the stalk be drièd with disdain,
16.141243Withered and sere the branch must needs remain.
But thou art now graft in another stock:
16.161245I am the stock and thou the lovely branch,
16.171246And from my root continual sap shall flow
16.181247To make thee flourish with perpetual spring.
16.191248Forget thy father and thy kindred now,
16.201249Since they forsake thee like inhumane beasts.
16.211250Think they are dead since all their kindness dies,
16.221251And bury them where black oblivion lies.
16.231252Think not thou art the daughter of old Leir,
16.251254But think thou art the noble Gallian queen,
16.261255And wife to him that dearly loveth thee.
16.271256Embrace the joys that present with thee dwell;
16.281257Let sorrow pack and hide herself in hell.
Not that I miss my country or my kin,
16.301259My old acquaintance or my ancient friends --
16.321261Knowing you, which are more dear to me
16.331262Than country, kin and all things else can be?
16.341263Yet pardon me, my gracious lord, in this,
16.351264For what can stop the course of nature's power?
16.361265As easy is it for four-footed beasts
16.371266To stay themselves upon the liquid air
16.391268And overstrip the feathered fowls in flight,
16.411270To live and thrive without the help of water,
16.431272To wash the tawny colour from his skin,
16.441273Which all oppose against the course of nature,
Mirror of virtue, Phoenix of our age!
16.471276Too kind a daughter for an unkind father!
16.481277Be of good comfort, for I will dispatch
16.491278Ambassadors immediately for Britain,
16.501279Unto the king of Cornwall's court, whereas
16.511280Your father keepeth now his residence,
16.521281And in the kindest manner him entreat
16.531282That, setting former grievances apart,
16.541283He will be pleased to come and visit us.
16.551284If no entreaty will suffice the turn,
16.561285I'll offer him the half of all my crown.
16.571286If that moves not, we'll furnish out a fleet
16.581287And sail to Cornwall for to visit him,
16.591288And there you shall be firmly reconciled
16.601289In perfect love, as erst you were before.
Where tongue cannot sufficient thanks afford,
16.621291The king of heaven remunerate my lord.
Only be blithe and frolic, sweet, with me;
16.641293This and much more I'll do to comfort thee.
1293.1[Scene 17] [Video Sc.17] It is a world to see, now I am flush,
17.21296How many friends I purchase everywhere!
17.31297How many seek to creep into my favor,
17.41298And kiss their hands and bend their knees to me!
17.51299No more, here comes the queen; now shall I know her mind,
17.61300And hope for to derive more crowns from her.
My friend, I see thou mindst thy promise well
17.81302And art before me here, methinks, today.
I am a poor man, an it like your grace,
17.101304But yet I always love to keep my word.
Well, keep thy word with me and thou shalt see
17.121306That of a poor man I will make thee rich.
I long to hear it; it might have been dispatched
17.141308If you had told me of it yesternight.
It is a thing of right strange consequence,
17.161310And well I cannot utter it in words.
It is more strange that I am not by this
17.181312Beside myself with longing for to hear it.
17.191313Were it to meet the devil in his den
17.201314And try a bout with him for a scratched face,
17.211315I'd undertake it if you would but bid me.
Ah, good my friend, that I should have thee do
17.231317Is such a thing as I do shame to speak,
I'll speak it for thee, Queen; shall I kill thy father?
17.261320I know 'tis that, an if it be so, say.
Ay.
Why, that's enough.
And yet that is not all.
What else?
Thou must kill that old man that came with him.
Here are two hands; for each of them is one.
And for each hand here is a recompense.
Oh, that I had ten hands by miracle,
17.351329I could tear ten in pieces with my teeth,
17.361330So in my mouth you'd put a purse of gold.
17.371331But in what manner must it be effected?
Tomorrow morning ere the break of day,
17.391333I by a wile will send them to the thicket
17.401334That is about some two miles from the court,
17.411335And promise them to meet them there myself
17.421336Because I must have private conference
17.431337About some news I have received from Cornwall.
17.441338This is enough, I know, they will not fail,
17.451339And then be ready for to play thy part,
17.461340Which done, thou mayst right easily escape
17.471341And no man once mistrust thee for the fact.
17.481342But yet, before thou prosecute the act,
17.491343Show him the letter which my sister sent;
17.501344There let him read his own indictment first,
17.521346But see thou faint not, for they will speak fair.
Could he speak words as pleasing as the pipe
17.541348Of Mercury, which charmed the hundred eyes
17.551349Of watchful Argos and enforced him sleep,
17.561350Yet here are words so pleasing to my thoughts,
17.571351As quite shall take away the sound of his.
About it then, and when thou hast dispatched,
17.591353I'll find a means to send thee after him.
1353.1[Scene 18] [Video Sc.18] I wonder that the messenger doth stay
18.21356Whom we dispatched for Cambria so long since.
18.31357If that his answer do not please us well,
18.41358And he do show good reason for delay,
18.51359I'll teach him how to dally with his king,
18.61360And to detain us in such long suspense.
My lord, I think the reason may be this:
18.81362My father means to come along with him
18.91363And, therefore, 'tis his pleasure he shall stay
It may be so, and therefore till I know
18.121366The truth thereof, I will suspend my judgment.
An't like your grace, there is an ambassador
18.141369Arrived from Gallia and craves admittance to your majesty.
From Gallia? What should his message
18.161371Hither import? Is not your father haply
18.171372Gone thither? Well, whatsoe'er it be,
18.181373Bid him come in; he shall have audience.
18.191375What news from Gallia? Speak, ambassador.
The noble king and queen of Gallia first salute,
18.211377By me, their honorable father, my lord Leir;
18.221378Next, they commend them kindly to your graces,
18.231379As those whose welfare they entirely wish.
18.241380Letters I have to deliver to my lord Leir,
18.251381And presents too, if I might speak with him.
If you might speak with him? Why, do you think
18.271383We are afraid that you should speak with him?
Pardon me, madam, for I think not so,
18.291385But say so only 'cause he is not here.
Indeed, my friend, upon some urgent cause
18.311387He is at this time absent from the court,
18.331389'Tis very likely you shall have him here,
18.341390Or else have certain notice where he is.
Are not we worthy to receive your message?
I had in charge to do it to himself.
[Aside] It may be then 'twill not be done in haste. --
18.381394[To the Ambassador] How doth my sister brook the air of France?
Exceeding well, and never sick one hour
18.401396Since first she set her foot upon the shore.
I am the more sorry.
I hope not so, madam.
Didst thou not say that she was ever sick
18.441400Since the first hour that she arrivèd there?
No, madam, I said quite contrary.
Then I mistook thee.
Then she is merry, if she have her health.
Oh no, her grief exceeds until the time
18.491405That she be reconciled unto her father.
God continue it.
What, madam?
Why, her health.
Amen to that, but God release her grief
18.541410And send her father in a better mind
I'll be a mediator in her cause,
18.571413And seek all means to expiate his wrath.
Madam, I hope your grace will do the like.
Should I be a mean to exasperate his wrath
18.601416Against my sister, whom I love so dear? No, no.
To expiate or mitigate his wrath,
18.621418For he hath misconceived without a cause.
Oh, ay, what else?
'Tis pity it should be so; would it were otherwise.
It were great pity it should be otherwise.
Than how, madam?
Than that they should be reconciled again.
It shows you bear an honorable mind.
[Aside] It shows thy understanding to be blind,
18.701426And that thou hadst need of an interpreter.
18.711427Well, I will know thy message ere't be long,
18.721428And find a mean to cross it, if I can.
Come in, my friend, and frolic in our court
18.741430Till certain notice of my father come.
1430.1[Scene 19] [Video Sc.19] My lord, you are up today before your hour.
19.21433'Tis news to you to be abroad so rathe.
'Tis news indeed; I am so extreme heavy,
19.41435That I can scarcely keep my eyelids open.
And so am I, but I impute the cause
19.61437To rising sooner than we use to do.
Hither my daughter means to come disguised;
19.81439I'll sit me down and read until she come.
She'll not be long, I warrant you, my lord,
19.101442But say a couple of these they call good-fellows
19.111443Should step out of a hedge and set upon us.
19.121444We were in good case for to answer them.
'Twere not for us to stand upon our hands.
I fear we scant should stand upon our legs.
19.151447But how should we do to defend ourselves?
Even pray to God to bless us from their hands,
19.171449For fervent prayer much ill hap withstands.
I'll sit and pray with you for company;
19.191451Yet was I ne'er so heavy in my life.
19.19.21453Enter the Messenger, or murderer, with two1454 daggers in his hands Were it not a mad jest if two or three of my profession
1456should meet me and lay me down in a ditch and play rob-
1457thief with me and perforce take my gold away from me whilst
1458I act this stratagem, and by this means the gray-beards should
1459escape? Faith, when I were at liberty again I would make no
1460more to do but go to the next tree and there hang myself.
19.211462But stay, methinks my youths are here already
19.221463And with pure zeal have prayed themselves asleep.
19.231464I think they know to what intent they came
19.251467Now could I stab them bravely, while they sleep,
19.261468And in a manner put them to no pain,
19.271469And doing so, I showed them mighty friendship,
19.281470For fear of death is worse than death itself.
19.291471But that my sweet queen willed me for to show
19.301472This letter to them ere I did the deed.
19.311473Mass, they begin to stir. I'll stand aside;
I marvel that my daughter stays so long.
I fear we did mistake the place, my lord.
God grant we don't miscarry in the place;
19.361479I had a short nap, but so full of dread
19.371480As much amazeth me to think thereof.
Fear not, my lord: dreams are but fantasies
19.391482And slight imaginations of the brain.
[Aside] Persuade him so, but I'll make him and you
19.411484Confess that dreams do often prove too true.
I pray, my lord, what was the effect of it?
19.431486I may go near to guess what it portends.
[Aside] Leave that to me: I will expound the dream.
Methought my daughters, Gonorill and Ragan,
19.461489Stood both before me with such grim aspects,
19.471490Each brandishing a falchion in their hands,
19.481491Ready to lop a limb off where it fell,
19.491492And in their other hands a naked poniard,
19.501493Wherewith they stabbed me in a hundred places,
19.511494And, to their thinking, left me there for dead;
19.521495But then my youngest daughter, fair Cordella,
19.531496Came with a box of balsam in her hand,
19.541497And poured it into my bleeding wounds,
19.551498By whose good means I was recovered well,
19.561499In perfect health, as erst I was before;
19.571500And with the fear of this I did awake,
19.581501And yet for fear my feeble joints do quake.
I'll make you quake for something presently.
We do, my friend, although with much ado.
Deliver, deliver!
Deliver us, good Lord, from such as he.
You should have prayed before, while it was time,
19.651508And then perhaps you might have 'scaped my hands;
19.661509But you, like faithful watchmen, fell asleep
19.671510The whilst I came and took your halberds from you
19.681512And now you want your weapons of defence.
19.691513How have you any hope to be delivered?
19.701514This comes because you have no better stay
19.711515But fall asleep when you should watch and pray.
My friend, thou seemst to be a proper man.
[Aside] 'Sblood, how the old slave claws me by the elbow?
19.741518He thinks, belike, to 'scape by scraping thus.
And, it may be, are in some need of money.
That to be false, behold my evidence.
If that I have will do thee any good,
19.781523I give it thee, even with a right good will.
19.78.1[Messenger] take[s] Leir's purse. Here, take mine too, and wish with all my heart,
19.801525To do thee pleasure, it were twice as much.
19.80.11526Takes [Perillus' purse], and weighs them both in his hands I'll none of them: they are too light for me.
Why then, farewell, an if thou have occasion
19.841531'Tis like enough that I can pleasure thee.
Do you hear? Do you hear, sir?
19.861534If I had occasion to use you to the queen,
19.871535Would you do one thing for me, I should ask?
Ay, anything that lies within my power;
19.891537Here is my hand upon it. So farewell.
Hear you, sir? Hear you? Pray, a word with you.
19.911539Methinks a comely honest ancient man
19.921540Should not dissemble with one for a vantage.
19.931541I know when I shall come to try this gear,
19.941542You will recant from all that you have said.
Mistrust not him, but try him when thou wilt;
19.961544He is her father, therefore may do much.
I know he is, and therefore mean to try him.
19.981546You are his friend too; I must try you both.
Prithee do, prithee do.
Stay, gray-beards, then, and prove men of your words.
19.1021550Here in this place to see you both dispatched.
19.1031551Now, for the safeguard of my conscience,
19.1041552Do me the pleasure for to kill yourselves;
19.1051553So shall you save me labor for to do it,
19.1061554And prove yourselves true old men of your words.
19.1071555And here I vow, in sight of all the world,
19.1081556I ne'er will trouble you whilst I live again.
Affright us not with terror, good my friend,
19.1101558Nor strike such fear into our agèd hearts.
19.1111559Play not the cat which dallieth with the mouse
19.1131561But if thou art marked for the man of death
19.1161564And make ourselves fit for the world to come.
I am the last of any mortal race
19.1181566That e'er your eyes are likely to behold,
19.1191567And hither sent of purpose to this place
19.1211569Which are so wicked and have lived so long
19.1221570That your own children seek to short your life.
Cam'st thou from France of purpose to do this?
From France? 'Zoons, do I look like a Frenchman?
1573Sure I have not mine own face on: somebody hath changed
1574faces with me and I know not of it. But I am sure my apparel
1575is all English. Sirrah, what meanest thou to ask that question?
1576I could spoil the fashion of this face for anger. A French face!
Because my daughter, whom I have offended,
19.1261578And at whose hands I have deserved as ill
19.1281580Is queen of France, no thanks at all to me,
19.1361588Therefore speak soon, and I will soon make speed,
19.1371589Whether Cordella willed thee do this deed?
As I am a perfect gentleman, thou speakst French to me.
19.1411593I never knew thou hadst a daughter there
19.1421594To whom thou didst prove so unkind a churl;
19.1431595But thy own tongue declares that thou hast been
19.1441596A vile old wretch, and full of heinous sin.
Ah no, my friend, thou are deceivèd much,
19.1461598For her except, whom I confess I wronged
19.1471599Through doting frenzy and o'erjealous love,
19.1481600There lives not any under heaven's bright eye
19.1501602And, therefore, sure thou dost mistake the mark,
19.1511603For I am in true peace with all the world.
You are the fitter for the king of Heaven;
19.1531605And, therefore, for to rid thee of suspense,
19.1541606Know thou the queens of Cambria and Cornwall,
19.1551607Thy own two daughters, Gonorill and Ragan,
19.1571609Why wouldst thou then persuade me that thou art
19.1591611When thy own issue hold thee in such hate
19.1601612That they have hired me t'abridge thy fate?
19.1611613Oh, fie upon such vile dissembling breath
19.1621614That would deceive even at the point of death.
Am I awake, or is it but a dream?
Fear nothing, man, thou art but in a dream,
19.1651617And thou shalt never wake until doomsday.
19.1661618By then, I hope, thou wilt have slept enough.
Yet, gentle friend, grant one thing ere I die.
I'll grant you anything except your lives.
Oh, but assure me by some certain token
19.1701622That my two daughters hired thee to this deed.
19.1721624Would wish no longer life, but crave to die.
That to be true, in sight of heaven, I swear.
Swear not by heaven for fear of punishment:
19.1751627The heavens are guiltless of such heinous acts.
I swear by earth, the mother of us all.
Swear not by earth; for she abhors to bear
19.1781630Such bastards as are murderers of her sons.
Why then, by hell and all the devils, I swear.
Swear not by hell, for that stands gaping wide
19.1811633To swallow thee an if thou do this deed.
[Aside] I would that word were in his belly again:
19.1831636It hath frighted me even to the very heart.
19.1851638His words have turned my mind from this exploit. --
19.1861639Then neither heavens, earth, nor hell be witness,
19.1871640But let this paper witness for them all.
19.1881642[Aside] Shall I relent, or shall I prosecute?
19.1901644I will not crack my credit with two queens
19.1921646Oh, but my conscience for this act doth tell,
19.1931647I get heaven's hate, earth's scorn, and pains of hell.
O just Jehovah, whose almighty power
19.1951650Doth govern all things in this spacious world,
19.1961651How canst thou suffer such outrageous acts
19.1991654To seek his blood whose blood did make them first!
Ah, my true friend in all extremity,
19.2021657Things past all sense, let us not seek to know:
19.2031658It is God's will, and therefore must be so.
19.2041659My friend, I am preparèd for the stroke;
19.2051660Strike when thou wilt, and I forgive thee here,
But I am not prepared for to strike.
Farewell, Perillus, even the truest friend
19.2101665The latest kindness I'll request of thee
19.2111666Is that thou go unto my daughter Cordella
19.2121667And carry her her father's latest blessing.
19.2131668Withal desire her that she will forgive me,
19.2141669For I have wronged her without any cause. --
19.2151670Now, Lord, receive me, for I come to thee,
19.2171672Dispatch, I pray thee; I have lived too long.
Ay, but you are unwise to send an errand
19.2191674By him that never meaneth to deliver it.
19.2201675Why, he must go along with you to heaven;
19.2211676It were not good you should go all alone.
No doubt he shall, when, by the course of nature,
19.2241679But that time shall not come till God permit.
Nay, presently, to bear you company.
19.2271682Already sealed, and he must needs ride post.
The letter which I read imports not so:
Ay, but the queen commands it must be so,
I, who have borne you company in life,
19.2331689Most willingly will bear a share in death.
19.2341690It skilleth not for me, my friend, a whit,
Marry, but it doth, sir, by your leave: your good days
1693are past. Though it be no matter for you, 'tis a matter for me;
1694proper men are not so rife.
Oh, but beware how thou dost lay thy hand
19.2401698Dispatch me straight, but meddle not with him.
Friend, thy commission is to deal with me,
19.2441702And here it is: I do entreat thee take it.
19.2451703Yet, for my sake, and as thou art a man,
19.2461704Spare this my friend that hither with me came.
19.2471705I brought him forth whereas he had not been
19.2491707He left his friends, his country, and his goods,
Why that am I! Let that ne'er trouble thee.
Oh no, 'tis I. Oh, had I now to give thee
19.2561714To save his life, I would bestow it on thee;
19.2571715But I have nothing but these tears and prayers,
19.2601718Spare him! In heaven thou shalt like mercy find.
[Aside] I am as hard to be moved as another, and yet
1720methinks the strength of their persuasions stirs me
1721a little.
My friend, if fear of the almighty power
19.2631723Have power to move thee, we have said enough,
19.2661726Yet to thyself thou mayst do greater good
19.2671727To keep thy hands still undefiled from blood,
19.2691729When thou hast finished this outrageous act,
19.2701730What horror still will haunt thee for the deed.
19.2711731Think this again, that they which would incense
19.2721732Thee for to be the butcher of their father,
19.2731733When it is done, for fear it should be known
19.2741734Would make a means to rid thee from the world.
19.2751735Oh, then art thou forever tied in chains
19.2771737Even in the hottest hole of grisly hell,
19.2781738Such pains as never mortal tongue can tell.
19.278.11739It thunders. [Messenger] quakes, and lets fall the dagger 1740next to Perillus. Oh, heavens be thanked, he will spare my friend!
19.2801742Now, when thou wilt, come make an end of me.
Oh, happy sight! He means to save my lord.
19.2821745The king of heaven continue this good mind.
Why stayst thou to do the execution?
I am as wilful as you for your life:
19.2851748I will not do it, now you do entreat me.
Ah, now I see thou hast some spark of grace.
Beshrew you for it; you have put it in me!
19.2881751The parlousest old men that e'er I heard!
19.2891752Well, to be flat, I'll not meddle with you;
19.2901753Here I found you, and here I'll leave you.
19.2921755Say that your tongues were better than your hands.
Farewell. If ever we together meet,
19.2941757It shall go hard, but I will thee re-greet.--
19.2951758Courage, my lord, the worst is overpast;
19.2961759Let us give thanks to God, and hie us hence.
Thou art deceived, for I am past the best
19.2981761And know not whither for to go from hence.
It were not good to return from whence we came,
19.3041767Your youngest daughter; doubtless she will succor you.
Oh, how can I persuade myself of that,
19.3061769Since th'other two are quite devoid of love
19.3081771Might make them love me, if 'twere nothing else?
No worldly gifts, but grace from God on high,
19.3121775What time you asked her how she loved your grace.
19.3141777As ought a child to bear unto her father.
But she did find my love was not to her
That makes not her love to be any less
19.3181781If she do love you as a child should do.
19.3191782You have tried two; try one more for my sake.
19.3201783I'll ne'er entreat you further trial make.
19.3211784Remember well the dream you had of late,
19.3221785And think what comfort it foretells to us.
Come, truest friend that ever man possessed,
19.3241787I know thou counselst all things for the best.
19.3251788If this third daughter play a kinder part,
1789.1[Scene 20] [Video Sc.20] There is of late news come unto the court
20.21792That old Lord Leir remains in Cambria.
20.31793I'll hie me thither presently to impart
20.41794My letters and my message unto him.
20.51795I never was less welcome to a place
20.61796In all my lifetime than I have been hither,
20.71797Especially unto the stately queen
20.81798Who would not cast one gracious look on me,
20.91799But still, with louring and suspicious eyes,
20.101800Would take exceptions at each word I spake,
20.111801And fain she would have undermined me
20.121802To know what my embassage did import.
20.131803But she is like to hop without her hope,
20.141804And in this matter for to want her will,
20.151805Though, by report, she'll have't in all things else.
20.171807Within these few days I hope to be there,
1807.1[Scene 21] [Video Sc.21] By this, our father understands our mind
21.21810And our kind greetings sent to him of late;
21.31811Therefore, my mind presageth ere't be long,
21.41812We shall receive from Britain happy news.
I fear my sister will dissuade his mind,
21.61814For she to me hath always been unkind.
Fear not, my love, since that we know the worst,
21.81816The last means helps if that we miss the first.
21.91817If he'll not come to Gallia unto us,
21.101818Then we will sail to Britain unto him.
Well, if I once see Britain again,
1820I have sworn I'll ne'er come home without my wench,
1821and I'll not be forsworn;
1822I'll rather never come home while I live.
Are you sure, Mumford, she is a maid still?
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.
Ay, that's well put in.
Well put in? Nay, it was ill put in, for had it
1828been as well put in as e'er I put in in my days,
1829I would have made her follow me to France.
Nay, you'd have been so kind as take her with you,
1831or else, were I as she,
1832I would have been so loving as I'd stay behind you.
1833Yet I must confess, you are a very proper man,
1834and able to make a wench do more than she would do.
Well, I have a pair of slops for the nonce
1836will hold all your mocks.
Nay, we see you have a handsome hose.
Ay, and of the newest fashion.
More bobs, more; put them in still!
1840They'll serve instead of bombast; yet put not in too many,
1841lest the seams crack and they fly out amongst you again.
1842You must not think to outface me so easily in my mistress' quarrel,
1843who if I see once again, ten team of horses shall
1844not draw me away till I have full and whole possession.
Ay, but one team and a cart will serve the turn.
Not only for him, but also for his wench.
Well, you are two to one; I'll give you over;
1848and since I see you so pleasantly disposed,
1849which indeed is but seldom seen, I'll claim
1850a promise of you which you shall not deny me,
1851for promise is debt, and by this hand you promised it me,
1852therefore you owe it me, and you shall pay it me,
1853or I'll sue you upon an action of unkindness.
Prithee, Lord Mumford, what promise did I make thee?
Faith, nothing but this:
1856that the next fair weather, which is very now,
1857you would go in progress down to the seaside,
1858which is very near.
Faith, in this motion I will join with thee,
21.281861Prithee, my love, let this match go forward;
21.291862My mind foretells 'twill be a lucky voyage.
Entreaty needs not where you may command;
21.311864So you be pleased, I am right well content.
21.321865Yet as the sea I much desire to see,
We'll go disguised, all unknown to any.
Howsoever you make one, I'll make another.
And I the third. Oh, I am overjoyed!
21.371870See what love is, which getteth with a word
21.381871What all the world besides could ne'er obtain!
21.391872But what disguises shall we have, my lord?
Faith, thus: my queen and I will be disguised
21.411874Like a plain country couple, and you shall be Roger,
21.421875Our man, and wait upon us. Or, if you will,
21.431876You shall go first, and we will wait on you.
'Twere more than time; this device is excellent.
1878.1[Scene 22] [Video Sc.22] What strange mischance or unexpected hap
22.21881Hath thus deprived us of our father's presence?
22.31882Can no man tell us what's become of him,
22.41883With whom we did converse not two days since?
22.51884My lords, let everywhere light-horse be sent
22.61885To scour about through all our regiment;
22.71886Dispatch a post immediately to Cornwall
22.81887To see if any news be of him there;
22.91888Myself will make a strict inquiry here,
22.101889And all about our cities near at hand,
22.111890Till certain news of his abode be brought.
All sorrow is but counterfeit to mine,
22.131892Whose lips are almost sealèd up with grief.
22.141893Mine is the substance whilst they do but seem
22.151894To weep the loss which tears cannot redeem.
22.161895Oh, ne'er was heard so strange a misadventure,
22.171896A thing so far beyond the reach of sense,
22.181897Since no man's reason in the cause can enter,
22.191898What hath removed my father thus from hence?
22.201899Oh, I do fear some charm or invocation
22.211900Of wicked spirits or infernal fiends,
22.221901Stirred by Cordella, moves this innovation
22.231902And brings my father timeless to his end.
22.241903But might I know that the detested witch
22.251904Were certain cause of this uncertain ill,
22.261905Myself to France would go in some disguise
22.271906And with these nails scratch out her hateful eyes,
22.281907For since I am deprivèd of my father,
22.291908I loathe my life and wish my death the rather.
The heavens are just and hate impiety,
22.311910And will no doubt reveal such heinous crimes;
22.321911Censure not any till you know the right:
22.331912Let Him be judge that bringeth truth to light.
Oh, but my grief, like to a swelling tide,
22.351914Exceeds the bounds of common patience,
22.361915Nor can I moderate my tongue so much
22.371916To conceal them whom I hold in suspect.
This matter shall be sifted; if it be she,
22.391918A thousand Frances shall not harbor her.
All happiness unto the Cambrian king.
Welcome, my friend, from whence is thy embassage?
I came from Gallia unto Cornwall sent
22.431923With letters to your honorable father,
22.441924Whom there not finding, as I did expect,
Frenchman, what is thy message to my father?
My letters, madam, will import the same,
22.511928Which my commission is for to deliver.
In his absence you may trust us with your letters.
I must perform my charge in such a manner,
22.501931As I have strict commandment from the king.
There is good packing 'twixt your king and you.
22.521933You need not hither come to ask for him;
22.531934You know where he is better than ourselves.
Madam, I hope not far off.
Hath the young murd'ress, your outrageous queen,
22.561937No means to color her detested deeds
22.571938In finishing my guiltless father's days--
22.581939Because he gave her nothing to her dower--
22.591940But by the color of a feigned embassage
22.601941To send him letters hither to our court?
22.611942Go carry them to them that sent them hither,
22.621943And bid them keep their scrolls unto themselves;
22.631944They cannot blind us with such slight excuse
22.641945To smother up so monstrous vile abuse.
22.651946And, were it not it is 'gainst law of arms
22.671948We would inflict such torments on thyself
22.681949As should enforce thee to reveal the truth.
Madam, your threats no whit appal my mind:
22.701951I know my conscience guiltless of this act.
22.711952My king and queen, I dare be sworn, are free
22.731954And, therefore, madam, you have done them wrong,
22.741955And ill-beseeming with a sister's love,
22.751956Who, in mere duty, tender him as much
22.761957As ever you respected him for dower.
22.771958The king your husband will not say as much.
I will suspend my judgment for a time
22.791960Till more appearance give us further light;
22.801961Yet, to be plain, your coming doth enforce
22.811962A great suspicion to our doubtful mind,
22.821963And that you do resemble, to be brief,
22.831964Him that first robs and then cries, "Stop the thief."
Pray God some near you have not done the like.
Hence, saucy mate, reply no more to us,
22.861967For law of arms shall not protect thy tongue.
Ne'er was I offered such discourtesy!
22.881969God and my king, I trust, ere it be long,
22.891970Will find a mean to remedy this wrong.
How shall I live to suffer this disgrace
22.911972At every base and vulgar peasant's hands?
22.931974To be thus used, and no man take my part.
What should I do? Infringe the law of arms
22.961977But I will take revenge upon his master,
22.971978Which sent him hither to delude us thus.
Nay, if you put up this, be sure, ere long,
22.991980Now that my father thus is made away,
22.1001981She'll come and claim a third part of your crown
But I will prove her title to be nought
22.1081989Come, first let's learn what news is of our father,
1990.1[Scene 23] [Video Sc.23] 23.0.11991Enter Leir, Perillus, and two mariners in 1992sea-gowns and sea-caps. My honest friends, we are ashamed to show
23.21994The great extremity of our present state,
23.31995In that at this time we are brought so low
23.41996That we want money for to pay our passage.
23.51997The truth is so: we met with some good-fellows,
23.61998A little before we came aboard your ship,
23.71999Which stripped us quite of all the coin we had
23.82000And left us not a penny in our purses.
23.92001Yet, wanting money, we will use the mean
23.102002To see you satisfied to the uttermost.
23.10.1First Mariner looks on Leir. Here's a good gown; 'twould become me passing well;
2004I should be fine in it.
23.11.1Second Mariner looks on Perillus. Here's a good cloak; I marvel how I should look in it.
Faith, had we others to supply their room,
23.142007Though ne'er so mean, you willingly should have them.
Do you hear, sir? You look like an honest man;
2009I'll not stand to do you a pleasure. Here's a good, strong,
2010motley gaberdine, cost me fourteen good shillings at Billingsgate; give me your
2011gown for it, and your cap for mine, and I'll forgive your passage.
With all my heart and twenty thanks.
23.16.1Leir and [First Mariner] changeth. Do you hear, sir? You shall have a better match than he
2014because you are my friend: here is a good sheep's russet sea-
2015gown: will bide more stress, I warrant you, than two of his. Yet,
2016for you seem to be an honest gentleman, I am content to change
2017it for your cloak, and ask you nothing for your passage more.
My own I willingly would change with thee,
23.202020And think myself indebted to thy kindness,
23.212021But would my friend might keep his garment still.
23.222022My friend, I'll give thee this new doublet if thou wilt
23.232023Restore his gown unto him back again.
Nay, if I do, would I might ne'er eat powdered beef
2025and mustard more, nor drink can of good liquor whilst I live.
2026My friend, you have small reason to seek to hinder me of my
2027bargain, but the best is, a bargain's a bargain.
[To Perillus] Kind friend, it is much better as it is,
23.262029For by this means we may escape unknown
Hark, hark, they are laying their heads together;
23.292032They'll repent them of their bargain anon.
23.302033'Twere best for us to go while we are well.
God be with you, sir. For your passage back again,
2035I'll use you as unreasonable as another.
I know thou wilt, but we hope to bring ready money
2037with us when we come back again.
23.342039In a strange country, and devoid of friends,
23.352040And not a penny for to help ourselves?
23.362041Kind friend, what thinkst thou will become of us?
Be of good cheer, my lord. I have a doublet
23.382043Will yield us money enough to serve our turns
23.392044Until we come unto your daughter's court;
23.402045And then, I hope, we shall find friends enough.
Ah, kind Perillus, that is it I fear,
23.422047And makes me faint or ever I come there.
23.432048Can kindness spring out of ingratitude,
23.442049Or love be reaped where hatred hath been sown?
23.452050Can henbane join in league with mithridate,
23.462051Or sugar grow in wormwood's bitter stalk?
23.472052It cannot be: they are too opposite,
23.492054I have thrown wormwood on the sugared youth,
23.502055And, like to henbane, poisoned the fount
23.512056Whence flowed the mithridate of a child's good will.
23.522057I, like an envious thorn, have pricked the heart
23.532058And turned sweet grapes to sour, unrelished sloes.
23.542059The causeless ire of my respectless breast
23.552060Hath soured the sweet milk of Dame Nature's paps.
23.562061My bitter words have galled her honey thoughts,
23.572062And weeds of rancour choked the flower of grace.
23.592064But all our fortunes will go quite aslope?
Fear not, my lord, the perfect good indeed
23.622067A new fresh vessel still retains the taste
23.632068Of that which first is poured into the same.
23.642069And therefore, though you name yourself the thorn,
23.652070The weed, the gall, the henbane, and the wormwood,
23.662071Yet she'll continue in her former state,
23.672072The honey, milk, grape, sugar, mithridate.
Thou pleasing orator unto me in woe,
23.692074Cease to beguile me with thy hopeful speeches.
23.702075Oh, join with me and think of nought but crosses,
23.712076And then we'll one lament another's losses.
Why say the worst? The worst can be but death[H1],
23.732078And death is better than for to despair.
23.742079Then hazard death, which may convert to life,
23.752080Banish despair, which brings a thousand deaths.
O'ercome with thy strong arguments, I yield,
23.772082To be directed by thee, as thou wilt.
23.782083As thou yieldst comfort to my crazèd thoughts,
23.792084Would I could yield the like unto thy body,
23.802085Which is full weak, I know, and ill-apaid
23.812086For want of fresh meat and due sustenance.
Alack, my lord, my heart doth bleed to think
23.832088That you should be in such extremity.
Come, let us go and see what God will send:
23.852090When all means fail, He is the surest friend.
2090.1[Scene 24] [Video Sc.24] 24.0.12091Enter the King of Gallia, Cordella, and Mumford, with a 2092basket [and table], disguised like country folk. This tedious journey all on foot, sweet love,
24.22094Cannot be pleasing to your tender joints
24.32095Which ne'er were usèd to these toilsome walks.
I never in my life took more delight
24.52097In any journey than I do in this;
24.5.1[Enter attendants with banquet table.] 24.62098It did me good, whenas we happed to light
24.72099Amongst the merry crew of country folk,
24.82100To see what industry and pains they took
24.92101To win them commendations 'mongst their friends.
24.102102Lord, how they labor to bestir themselves,
24.112103And in their quirks to go beyond the moon,
24.122104And so take on them with such antic fits
24.132105That one would think they were beside their wits!
Soft, dame, here comes a couple of old youths.
24.162108I must needs make myself fat with jesting at them.
24.16.1Enter Leir and Perillus, very faintly Nay, prithee do not; they do seem to be
24.182110Men much o'ergone with grief and misery.
24.192111Let's stand aside and harken what they say.
24.19.1[Cordella, Gallia, and Mumford stand aside and listen to Leir and Perillus.] Ah, my Perillus, now I see we both
24.212113Shall end our days in this unfruitful soil.
24.222114Oh, I do faint for want of sustenance,
24.232115And thou, I know, in little better case.
24.242116No gentle tree affords one taste of fruit
24.252117To comfort us until we meet with men,
24.262118No lucky path conducts our luckless steps
24.272119Unto a place where any comfort dwells.
24.282120Sweet rest betide unto our happy souls,
24.292121For here I see our bodies must have end.
Ah, my dear lord, how doth my heart lament
24.312123To see you brought to this extremity!
24.322124Oh, if you love me, as you do profess,
24.332125Or ever thought well of me in my life,
24.342126Feed on this flesh, whose veins are not so dry
24.352127But there is virtue left to comfort you.
24.362128Oh, feed on this; if this will do you good,
24.372129I'll smile for joy to see you suck my blood.
I am no cannibal that I should delight
24.392131To slake my hungry jaws with human flesh;
24.402132I am no devil, or ten times worse than so,
24.412133To suck the blood of such a peerless friend.
24.422134Oh, do not think that I respect my life
24.432135So dearly as I do thy loyal love. --
24.442136Ah, Britain, I shall never see thee more,
24.452137That hast unkindly banishèd thy king,
24.462138And yet not thou dost make me to complain,
24.472139But they which were more near to me than thou.
What do I hear? This lamentable voice,
24.492141Methinks, ere now I oftentimes have heard.
Ah, Gonorill, was half my kingdom's gift
24.512143The cause that thou didst seek to have my life?
24.522144Ah, cruel Ragan, did I give thee all,
24.532145And all could not suffice without my blood?
24.542146Ah, poor Cordella, did I give thee nought,
24.552147Nor never shall be able for to give?
24.562148Oh, let me warn all ages that ensueth
24.572149How they trust flattery and reject the truth.
24.582150Well, unkind girls, I here forgive you both --
24.592151Yet the just heavens will hardly do the like --
24.602152And only crave forgiveness, at the end,
24.612153Of good Cordella, and of thee, my friend;
24.622154Of God, whose majesty I have offended
24.632155By my transgression many thousand ways;
24.642156Of her, dear heart, whom I for no occasion
24.652157Turned out of all through flatterers' persuasion;
24.662158Of thee, kind friend, who, but for me, I know,
24.672159Hadst never come unto this place of woe.
Alack, that ever I should live to see
Sweet love, reveal not what thou art as yet,
24.712163Until we know the ground of all this ill.
Oh, but some meat, some meat! Do you not see
24.732165How near they are to death for want of food?
24.73.1[Cordella takes Mumford's basket and empties out the food onto a table.] Lord, which didst help thy servants at their need,
24.752167Or now or never send us help with speed.--
24.762168Oh, comfort, comfort! Yonder is a banquet
24.772169And men and women, my lord; be of good cheer,
24.792171Oh, my lord, a banquet and men and women!
Oh, let kind pity mollify their hearts
24.812173That they may help us in our great extremes.
God save you, friends, and if this blessed banquet
24.842176Even for his sake that saved us all from death,
24.852177Vouchsafe to save us from the grip of famine.
24.85.1 [Cordella] bringeth [Perillus] to the table. Here, father, sit and eat; here, sit and drink,
24.872179And would it were far better for your sakes.
24.87.12180Perillus takes Leir by the hand to the table. I'll give you thanks anon: my friend doth faint
[Aside] I warrant, he ne'er stays to say grace.
24.912184Oh, there's no sauce to a good stomach.
The blessèd God of heaven hath thought upon us.
The thanks be His, and these kind courteous folk,
24.94.1They eat hungrily. Leir drinks. And may that draught be unto him as was
24.962189That which old Aeson drank, which did renew
24.972190His withered age and made him young again.
24.982191And may that meat be unto him as was
24.992192That which Elias ate, in strength whereof
24.1012194[To King of Gallia] Shall I conceal me longer from my father?
Forbear a while until his strength return,
24.1052198His poor weak senses should forsake their office
24.1062199And so our cause of joy be turned to sorrow.
What cheer, my lord? How do you feel yourself?
Methinks I never ate such savory meat:
24.1102203That rained from heaven amongst the Israelites.
24.1132206But how shall we congratulate their kindness?
In faith, I know not how sufficiently,
24.1152208But the best mean that I can think on is this:
Nay, stay, Perillus, for they shall have mine.
Pardon, my lord, I swear they shall have mine.
24.119.12213Perillus proffers his doublet; they will not take it. Ah, who would think such kindness should remain
24.1212215Among such strange and unacquainted men,
24.1222216And that such hate should harbor in the breast
24.1232217Of those which have occasion to be best?
Ah, good old father, tell to me thy grief;
24.1252219I'll sorrow with thee if not add relief.
Ah, good young daughter, I may call thee so,
Do you not owe her still? What, is she dead?
No, God forbid, but all my interest's gone
24.1322226And may be called a stranger to her rather.
Your title's good still, for 'tis always known
24.1352229But have you but one daughter then in all?
Yes, I have more by two than would I had.
Oh, say not so, but rather see the end:
24.1382232They that are bad may have the grace to mend.
If from the first I should relate the cause,
24.1412235'Twould make a heart of adamant to weep,
24.1422236And thou, poor soul, kind-hearted as thou art,
For God's love tell it, and when you have done
24.1452239I'll tell the reason why I weep so soon.
Then know this first, I am a Briton born,
24.1472241And had three daughters by one loving wife;
24.1482242And, though I say it, of beauty they were sped,
24.1502244For her perfections hardly matched could be.
24.1522246And thought to try which of them loved me best
24.1532247By asking them which would do most for me.
24.1542248The first and second flattered me with words
24.1552249And vowed they loved me better than their lives.
24.1562250The youngest said she loved me as a child
24.1572251Might do. Her answer I esteemed most vile
24.1592253I turned her from me to go sink or swim,
24.1602254And all I had, even to the very clothes,
24.1622256And she that best deserved the greatest share,
24.1632257I gave her nothing but disgrace and care.
24.1642258Now mark the sequel: when I had done thus,
24.1652259I sojourned in my eldest daughter's house
24.1672261And lived in state sufficing my content.
24.1682262But every day her kindness did grow cold,
24.1692263Which I with patience put up well enough,
24.1712265But at the last she grew so far incensed
24.1732267That, in most vile and contumelious terms,
24.1742268She bade me pack and harbor somewhere else.
24.1772271Who gave me pleasing and most courteous words,
24.1782272But in her actions showed herself so sore
24.1812275To go to a thicket two miles from the court,
24.1822276'Pointing that there she would come talk with me;
24.1832277There she had set a shag-haired murd'ring wretch
24.1852279Then judge yourself, although my tale be brief,
Nor never like impiety was done
And now I am constrained to seek relief
24.1932287But if she show a loving daughter's part,
No doubt she will. I dare be sworn she will.
How know you that, not knowing what she is?
Myself a father have a great way hence,
24.1992293Yet, that his reverend age I once might see,
Oh, no men's children are unkind but mine.
Condemn not all because of others' crime,
24.2032297But look, dear father, look, behold and see,
Oh, stand thou up! It is my part to kneel
24.2062300And ask forgiveness for my former faults.
Oh, if you wish I should enjoy my breath,
24.2082302Dear father rise, or I receive my death.
Then I will rise, to satisfy your mind,
24.2102304But kneel again, till pardon be resigned.
I pardon you; the word beseems not me,
24.2132307You gave me life, you were the cause that I
But you gave life to me and to my friend,
24.2162310Whose days had else had an untimely end.
You brought me up whenas I was but young,
I cast thee forth whenas thou wast but young
God, world, and nature say I do you wrong,
24.2222316That can endure to see you kneel so long.
Let me break off this loving controversy,
24.2252319Good father, rise. She is your loving daughter,
24.2272321As if you were the monarch of the world.
But I will never rise from off my knee,
24.2302323Until I have your blessing and your pardon
24.2322325From my first birth unto this present day.
The blessing, which the God of Abraham gave
24.2352328And multiply thy days, that thou mayst see
24.2362329Thy children's children prosper after thee.
24.2372330Thy faults, which are just none that I do know,
24.2382331God pardon on high, and I forgive below.
Now is my heart at quiet and doth leap
24.2402333Within my breast for joy of this good hap.
24.2412334And now, dear father, welcome to our court,
Oh, he hath been the kindest friend to me
My tongue doth fail to say what heart doth think,
All you have spoke, now let me speak my mind,
24.2492342And in few words much matter here conclude:
24.2522345Till I have rooted out this viperous sect
24.2542347Let me be counted for the perjured'st man
24.2552348That ever spake word since the world began.
Let me pray too, that never prayed before;
24.2582351As, ere't be long, I do presume I shall,
24.2592352And do return from thence without my wench,
Come, let's to arms for to redress this wrong.
24.2622355Till I am there, methinks the time seems long.
2355.1[Scene 25] [Video Sc.25] I feel a hell of conscience in my breast,
25.22358Tormenting me with horror for my fact,
25.32359And makes me in an agony of doubt
25.42360For fear the world should find my dealing out.
25.52361The slave whom I appointed for the act,
25.62362I ne'er set eye upon the peasant since.
25.72363Oh, could I get him for to make him sure,
25.82364My doubts would cease, and I should rest secure.
25.92365But if the old men with persuasive words
25.102366Have saved their lives and made him to relent,
25.112367Then are they fled unto the court of France,
25.122368And like a trumpet manifest my shame.
25.132369A shame on these white-livered slaves, say I,
25.142370That with fair words so soon are overcome.
25.152371Oh, God, that I had been but made a man,
25.162372Or that my strength were equal with my will!
25.172373These foolish men are nothing but mere pity,
25.182374And melt as butter doth against the sun.
25.192375Why should they have pre-eminence over us,
25.202376Since we are creatures of more brave resolve?
25.222378With all the heartless men in Christendom.
25.232379A pox upon them when they are afraid
25.242380To give a stab or slit a paltry windpipe,
25.252381Which are so easy matters to be done.
25.262382Well, had I thought the slave would serve me so,
25.282384'Tis now undone, and if that it be known,
25.292385I'll make as good shift as I can for one.
25.302386He that repines at me howe'er it stands,
25.312387'Twere best for him to keep him from my hands.
2387.1[Scene 26] [Video Sc.26] 26.0.2 Enter the King of Gallia, 2389Leir, Mumford, and the army Thus have we brought our army to the sea
26.22391Whereas our ships are ready to receive us.
26.32392The wind stands fair and we in four hours' sail
26.42393May easily arrive on British shore
26.52394Where, unexpected, we may them surprise
26.62395And gain a glorious victory with ease.
26.72396Wherefore, my loving countrymen, resolve,
26.82397Since truth and justice fighteth on our sides,
26.92398That we shall march with conquest where we go.
26.102399Myself will be as forward as the first,
26.112400And step-by-step march with the hardiest wight;
26.122401And not the meanest soldier in our camp
26.132402Shall be in danger, but I'll second him. --
26.142403[To Mumford]To you, my lord, we give the whole command
26.162405Not doubting of you but you will extend
26.172406Your wonted valor in this needful case,
My liege, 'tis needless to spur a willing horse
26.212410That's apt enough to run himself to death,
26.222411For here I swear by that sweet saint's bright eyes,
26.232412Which are the stars which guide me to good hap,
26.242413Either to see my old lord crowned anew,
26.252414Or in his cause to bid the world adieu.
Thanks, good Lord Mumford, 'tis more of your good will
[To the soldiers] And now to you, my worthy countrymen,
26.292418Ye valiant race of Genovestan Gauls,
26.302419Surnamed Redshanks for your chivalry,
26.312420Because you fight up to the shanks in blood,
26.322421Show yourselves now to be right Gauls indeed,
26.342423That they may say you are as bitter as gall.
26.352424Gall them, brave shot, with your artillery,
26.362425Gall them, brave halberds, with your sharp-point bills,
26.372426Each in their 'pointed place. Not one, but all,
26.382427Fight for the credit of yourselves and Gaul.
Then what should more persuasion need to those
26.402429That rather wish to deal than hear of blows?
26.412430Let's to our ships. And if that God permit,
26.422431In four hours' sail I hope we shall be there.
And in five hours more, I make no doubt
26.442433But we shall bring our wished desires about.
2433.1[Scene 27] [Video Sc.27] 27.0.12434Enter a Captain of the Watch [( 1 Captain)] and two Watchmen My honest friends, it is your turn tonight
27.22436To watch in this place, near about the beacon,
27.42438If any fleet of ships pass hitherward;
27.52439Which if you do, your office is to fire
27.62440The beacon presently and raise the town.
Ay, ay, ay, fear nothing. We know our charge, I warrant:
2442I have been a watchman about this beacon this thirty year, and
2443yet I ne'er see it stir but stood as quietly as might be.
Faith, neighbor, and you'll follow my 'vice, instead of
2445watching the beacon, we'll go to Goodman Jennings' and watch
2446a pot of ale and a rasher of bacon. An if we do not drink our
2447selves drunk, then so, I warrant, the beacon will see us when
2448we come out again.
Ay, but how if somebody excuse us to the captain?
'Tis no matter. I'll prove by good reason that we watch
2451the beacon, ass for example --
I hope you do not call me ass by craft, neighbor.
No, no, but for example: say here stands the pot of ale,
2454that's the beacon.
Ay, ay, 'tis a very good beacon.
Well, say here stands your nose: that's the fire.
Indeed, I must confess 'tis somewhat red.
I see come marching in a dish, half a score pieces of
2458salt bacon.
I understand your meaning. That's as much to say
2459half a score ships.
True; you construe right. Presently, like
2460a faithful watchman, I fire the beacon and call up the town.
Ay, that's as much as to say you set your nose to the pot, and
2462drink up the drink.
You are in the right. Come, let's go
2463fire the beacon.
2463.1[Scene 28] [Video Sc.28] 28.0.12464Enter the King of Gallia with a still march, Mumford, and soldiers. Now march our ensigns on the British earth,
28.22466And we are near approaching to the town;
28.32467Then look about you, valiant countrymen,
28.42468And we shall finish this exploit with ease.
28.52469Th'inhabitants of this mistrustful place
28.62470Are dead asleep, as men that are secure.
28.72471Here shall we skirmish but with naked men
28.82473That know not what our coming doth portend
28.92474Till they do feel our meaning on their skins.
28.102475Therefore, assail! God and our right for us!
2475.1[Scene 29] [Video Sc.29] 29.0.2Enter two 2477Captains without doublets, with swords Where are these villains -- that were set to watch
29.22479And fire the beacon, if occasion served --
29.32480That thus have suffered us to be surprised,
29.42481And never given notice to the town?
29.52482We are betrayed and quite devoid of hope
29.62483By any means to fortify ourselves.
'Tis ten to one the peasants are o'ercome
29.8 With drink
2485and sleep, and so neglect their charge.
A whirlwind carry them quick to a whirlpool,
29.102487That there the slaves may drink their bellies full.
This 'tis to have the beacon so near the ale house.
Out on ye, villains! Whither run you now?
To fire the town and call up the beacon.
No, no, sir, to fire the beacon.
What, with a pot of ale, you drunken rogues?
You'll fire the beacon when the town is lost!
29.182495I'll teach you how to tend your office better.
Yield, yield, yield!
Reel? No, we do not reel.
2499You may lack a pot of ale ere you die.
But in meanspace, I answer, you want none.
2501Well, there's no dealing with you, y'are tall men and well weaponed.
2502I would there were no worse than you in the town.
'A speaks like an honest man. My choler's passed already.
2504Come, neighbor, let's go.
Nay, first let's see an we can stand.
29.23.22506Alarum, excursions, Mumford after them, and some half-naked 2506.1[Scene 30] [Video Sc.30] 30.0.12507Enter the King of Gallia, Leir, Mumford, Cordella, Perillus and Sol2508diers, with the Chief of the town bound, [and an English Nobleman] Fear not, my friends, you shall receive no hurt
30.22510If you'll subscribe unto your lawful king
30.32511And quite revoke your fealty from Cambria,
30.42512And from aspiring Cornwall too, whose wives
30.52513Have practiced treason 'gainst their father's life.
30.62514We come in justice of your wrongèd king,
30.72515And do intend no harm at all to you,
30.82516So you submit unto your lawful king.
Kind countrymen, it grieves me that perforce
30.102518I am constrained to use extremities.
Long have you here been looked for, good my lord,
30.122520And wished for by a general consent;
30.132521And had we known your highness had arrived,
30.142522We had not made resistance to your grace.
30.152523And now, my gracious lord, you need not doubt
30.162524But all the country will yield presently,
30.172525Which, since your absence, have been greatly taxed
30.182526For to maintain their overswelling pride.
30.192527We'll presently send word to all our friends:
30.202528When they have notice, they will come apace.
Thanks, loving subjects, and thanks, worthy son;
30.222530Thanks, my kind daughter, thanks to you, my lord,
30.232531Who willingly adventured half your blood,
30.242532Without desert, to do me so much good.
Oh, say not so!
2534I have been much beholding to your grace:
2535I must confess, I have been in some skirmishes,
2536but I was never in the like to this,
2537for where I was wont to meet with armed men,
2538I was now encountered with naked women.
We that are feeble and want use of arms
30.272540Will pray to God to shield you from all harms.
The while your hands do manage ceaseless toil,
30.292542Our hearts shall pray the foes may have the foil.
We'll fast and pray whilst you for us do fight,
30.312544That victory may prosecute the right.
Methinks your words do amplify, my friends,
30.332546And add fresh vigor to my willing limbs.
30.342547But hark, I hear the adverse drum approach.
30.352548God and our right, Saint Denis, and Saint George!
30.35.12549Enter Cornwall, Cambria, Gonorill, Ragan, and the army. Presumptuous King of Gauls, how dar'st thou
30.372551Presume to enter on our British shore?
30.382552And, more than that, to take our towns perforce,
30.392553And draw our subjects' hearts from their true king?
30.402554Be sure to buy it at as dear a price
30.412555As e'er you bought presumption in your lives.
O'erdaring Cornwall, know we came in right
30.432557And just revengement of the wrongèd king,
30.442558Whose daughters there, fell vipers as they are,
30.452559Have sought to murder and deprive of life;
30.462560But God protected him from all their spite,
30.472561And we are come in justice of his right.
Nor he nor thou have any interest here
30.492563But what you win and purchase with the sword.
30.502564Thy slanders to our noble virtuous queens
30.512565We'll in the battle thrust them down thy throat
30.522566Except, for fear of our revenging hands,
30.532567Thou fly to sea, as not secure on lands.
Welshman, I'll so ferret you ere night for that word
2569that you shall have no mind to crake so well this twelvemonth.
They lie that say we sought our father's death.
'Tis merely forgèd for a color's sake,
30.582573Methinks an old man ready for to die
30.592574Should be ashamed to broach so foul a lie.
Fie, shameless sister, so devoid of grace,
30.612576To call our father "liar" to his face.
Peace, puritan, dissembling hypocrite,
30.632578Which art so good that thou wilt prove stark naught!
30.642579Anon, whenas I have you in my fingers,
30.652580I'll make you wish yourself in purgatory.
Nay, peace, thou monster, shame unto thy sex,
30.672582Thou fiend in likeness of a human creature!
I never heard a fouler spoken man.
Out on thee, viper, scum, filthy parricide,
30.702585More odious to my sight than is a toad.
30.71.1She snatches them and tears them. Think you to outface me with your paltry scrolls?
30.732588You come to drive my husband from his right,
Whoever heard the like impiety?
You are our debtor of more patience:
30.772592We were more patient when we stayed for you
30.782593Within the thicket two long hours and more.
What hours? What thicket?
There, where you sent your servant with your letters,
30.812596Sealèd with your hand, to send us both to heaven,
30.822597Where, as I think, you never mean to come.
Alas, you are grown a child again with age,
30.842599Or else your senses dote for want of sleep.
Indeed, you made us rise betimes, you know,
30.862601Yet had a care we should sleep where you bade us stay,
30.872602But never wake more till the latter day.
Peace, peace, old fellow, thou art sleepy still.
Faith, an if you reason till tomorrow
30.902605You get no other answer at their hands.
30.922607Should have so little grace between them.
30.932608Well, let us see if their husbands, with their hands,
30.942609Can do as much as they do with their tongues.
Ay, with their swords they'll make your tongue unsay
30.962611What they have said, or else they'll cut them out.
Too't, gallants, too't; let's not stand brawling thus.
2613.1[Scene 31] [Video Sc.31] 31.0.2Mumford must chase Cambria 2615away, then cease. The day is lost: our friends do all revolt
31.22617And join against us with the adverse part.
31.32618There is no means of safety but by flight,
31.42619And therefore I'll to Cornwall with my queen.
I think there is a devil in the camp hath haunted
2622me today: he hath so tired me that in a manner I can fight no
2623 more.
31.62624'Zounds, here he comes; I'll take me to my horse.
31.6.22625Mumford follows him to the door and returns. Farewell, Welshman, give thee but thy due:
31.82627Thou hast a light and nimble pair of legs.
31.92628Thou art more in debt to them than to thy hands,
31.112630I'll cut them off and set them to a better heart.
2630.1[Scene 32] [Video Sc.32] 32.0.12631Alarums and excursions, then sound victory 32.0.2Enter Leir, PERIL2632LUS, Gallia, Cordella, and Mumford Thanks be to God: your foes are overcome,
32.22634And you again possessed of your right.
First to the heavens, next, thanks to you, my son,
32.42636By whose good means I repossess the same,
32.52637Which if it please you to accept yourself,
32.62638With all my heart I will resign to you,
32.72639For it is yours by right, and none of mine.
32.82640First, have you raised, at your own charge, a power
32.92641Of valiant soldiers -- this comes all from you --
32.102642Next have you ventured your own person's scathe,
32.112643And lastly, worthy Gallia never stained,
32.122644My kingly title I by thee have gained.
Thank heavens, not me; my zeal to you is such,
32.142646Command my utmost, I will never grutch.
He that with all kind love entreats his queen
32.162648Will not be to her father unkind seen.
Ah, my Cordella, now I call to mind
32.182650The modest answer which I took unkind;
32.192651But now I see, I am no whit beguiled,
32.202652Thou loved'st me dearly, and as ought a child.
32.212653And thou, Perillus, partner once in woe,
32.222654Thee to requite, the best I can, I'll do;
32.232655Yet all I can, ay, were it ne'er so much,
32.242656Were not sufficient, thy true love is such.
32.252657Thanks, worthy Mumford, to thee last of all,
32.262658Not greeted last 'cause thy desert was small,
32.272659No, thou hast lion-like laid on today,
32.282660Chasing the Cornwall king and Cambria,
32.292661Who with my daughters -- "daughters," did I say? --
32.302662To save their lives, the fugitives did play.
32.312663Come son and daughter, who did me advance,
32.322664Repose with me awhile, and then for France.
King Leir