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,
King Leir