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.