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

2.26122A husband before me,

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.