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

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

    The History of King Leir (Modern)

    1353.1[Scene 18] [Video Sc.18]
    Enter Cornwall and Gonorill
    1355Cornwall
    I wonder that the messenger doth stay
    Whom we dispatched for Cambria so long since.
    If that his answer do not please us well,
    And he do show good reason for delay,
    I'll teach him how to dally with his king,
    1360And to detain us in such long suspense.
    Gonorill
    My lord, I think the reason may be this:
    My father means to come along with him
    And, therefore, 'tis his pleasure he shall stay
    For to attend upon him on the way.
    1365Cornwall
    It may be so, and therefore till I know
    The truth thereof, I will suspend my judgment.
    Enter Servant
    Servant 1
    An't like your grace, there is an ambassador
    Arrived from Gallia and craves admittance to your majesty.
    1370Cornwall
    From Gallia? What should his message
    Hither import? Is not your father haply
    Gone thither? Well, whatsoe'er it be,
    Bid him come in; he shall have audience.
    Enter Ambassador
    1375What news from Gallia? Speak, ambassador.
    Ambassador
    The noble king and queen of Gallia first salute,
    By me, their honorable father, my lord Leir;
    Next, they commend them kindly to your graces,
    As those whose welfare they entirely wish.
    1380Letters I have to deliver to my lord Leir,
    And presents too, if I might speak with him.
    Gonorill
    If you might speak with him? Why, do you think
    We are afraid that you should speak with him?
    Ambassador
    Pardon me, madam, for I think not so,
    1385But say so only 'cause he is not here.
    Cornwall
    Indeed, my friend, upon some urgent cause
    He is at this time absent from the court,
    But if a day or two you here repose
    'Tis very likely you shall have him here,
    1390Or else have certain notice where he is.
    Gonorill
    Are not we worthy to receive your message?
    Ambassador
    I had in charge to do it to himself.
    Gonorill
    [Aside] It may be then 'twill not be done in haste. --
    [To the Ambassador] How doth my sister brook the air of France?
    1395Ambassador
    Exceeding well, and never sick one hour
    Since first she set her foot upon the shore.
    Gonorill
    I am the more sorry.
    Ambassador
    I hope not so, madam.
    Gonorill
    Didst thou not say that she was ever sick
    1400Since the first hour that she arrivèd there?
    Ambassador
    No, madam, I said quite contrary.
    Gonorill
    Then I mistook thee.
    Cornwall
    Then she is merry, if she have her health.
    Ambassador
    Oh no, her grief exceeds until the time
    1405That she be reconciled unto her father.
    Gonorill
    God continue it.
    Ambassador
    What, madam?
    Gonorill
    Why, her health.
    Ambassador
    Amen to that, but God release her grief
    1410And send her father in a better mind
    Than to continue always so unkind.
    Cornwall
    I'll be a mediator in her cause,
    And seek all means to expiate his wrath.
    Ambassador
    Madam, I hope your grace will do the like.
    1415Gonorill
    Should I be a mean to exasperate his wrath
    Against my sister, whom I love so dear? No, no.
    Ambassador
    To expiate or mitigate his wrath,
    For he hath misconceived without a cause.
    Gonorill
    Oh, ay, what else?
    1420Ambassador
    'Tis pity it should be so; would it were otherwise.
    Gonorill
    It were great pity it should be otherwise.
    Ambassador
    Than how, madam?
    Gonorill
    Than that they should be reconciled again.
    Ambassador
    It shows you bear an honorable mind.
    1425Gonorill
    [Aside] It shows thy understanding to be blind,
    And that thou hadst need of an interpreter.
    Well, I will know thy message ere't be long,
    And find a mean to cross it, if I can.
    Cornwall
    Come in, my friend, and frolic in our court
    1430Till certain notice of my father come.
    Exeunt.
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