Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: Anonymous
Editor: Andrew Griffin
Peer Reviewed

The History of King Leir (Modern)

1878.1[Scene 22] [Video Sc.22]
Enter Cambria and Ragan, with Nobles
1880Cambria
What strange mischance or unexpected hap
Hath thus deprived us of our father's presence?
Can no man tell us what's become of him,
With whom we did converse not two days since?
My lords, let everywhere light-horse be sent
1885To scour about through all our regiment;
Dispatch a post immediately to Cornwall
To see if any news be of him there;
Myself will make a strict inquiry here,
And all about our cities near at hand,
1890Till certain news of his abode be brought.
[Exit Nobles.]
Ragan
All sorrow is but counterfeit to mine,
Whose lips are almost sealèd up with grief.
Mine is the substance whilst they do but seem
To weep the loss which tears cannot redeem.
1895Oh, ne'er was heard so strange a misadventure,
A thing so far beyond the reach of sense,
Since no man's reason in the cause can enter,
What hath removed my father thus from hence?
Oh, I do fear some charm or invocation
1900Of wicked spirits or infernal fiends,
Stirred by Cordella, moves this innovation
And brings my father timeless to his end.
But might I know that the detested witch
Were certain cause of this uncertain ill,
1905Myself to France would go in some disguise
And with these nails scratch out her hateful eyes,
For since I am deprivèd of my father,
I loathe my life and wish my death the rather.
Cambria
The heavens are just and hate impiety,
1910And will no doubt reveal such heinous crimes;
Censure not any till you know the right:
Let Him be judge that bringeth truth to light.
Ragan
Oh, but my grief, like to a swelling tide,
Exceeds the bounds of common patience,
1915Nor can I moderate my tongue so much
To conceal them whom I hold in suspect.
Cambria
This matter shall be sifted; if it be she,
A thousand Frances shall not harbor her.
Enter the Gallian Ambassador
1920Ambassador
All happiness unto the Cambrian king.
Cambria
Welcome, my friend, from whence is thy embassage?
Ambassador
I came from Gallia unto Cornwall sent
With letters to your honorable father,
Whom there not finding, as I did expect,
1925I was directed hither to repair.
Ragan
Frenchman, what is thy message to my father?
Ambassador
My letters, madam, will import the same,
Which my commission is for to deliver.
Ragan
In his absence you may trust us with your letters.
1930Ambassador
I must perform my charge in such a manner,
As I have strict commandment from the king.
Ragan
There is good packing 'twixt your king and you.
You need not hither come to ask for him;
You know where he is better than ourselves.
1935Ambassador
Madam, I hope not far off.
Ragan
Hath the young murd'ress, your outrageous queen,
No means to color her detested deeds
In finishing my guiltless father's days--
Because he gave her nothing to her dower--
1940But by the color of a feigned embassage
To send him letters hither to our court?
Go carry them to them that sent them hither,
And bid them keep their scrolls unto themselves;
They cannot blind us with such slight excuse
1945To smother up so monstrous vile abuse.
And, were it not it is 'gainst law of arms
To offer violence to a messenger,
We would inflict such torments on thyself
As should enforce thee to reveal the truth.
1950Ambassador
Madam, your threats no whit appal my mind:
I know my conscience guiltless of this act.
My king and queen, I dare be sworn, are free
From any thought of such impiety.
And, therefore, madam, you have done them wrong,
1955And ill-beseeming with a sister's love,
Who, in mere duty, tender him as much
As ever you respected him for dower.
The king your husband will not say as much.
Cambria
I will suspend my judgment for a time
1960Till more appearance give us further light;
Yet, to be plain, your coming doth enforce
A great suspicion to our doubtful mind,
And that you do resemble, to be brief,
Him that first robs and then cries, "Stop the thief."
1965Ambassador
Pray God some near you have not done the like.
Ragan
Hence, saucy mate, reply no more to us,
She strikes him.
For law of arms shall not protect thy tongue.
Ambassador
Ne'er was I offered such discourtesy!
God and my king, I trust, ere it be long,
1970Will find a mean to remedy this wrong.
Exit [Ambassador].
Ragan
How shall I live to suffer this disgrace
At every base and vulgar peasant's hands?
It ill befitteth my imperial state
To be thus used, and no man take my part.
She weeps.
1975Cambria
What should I do? Infringe the law of arms
Were to my everlasting obloquy,
But I will take revenge upon his master,
Which sent him hither to delude us thus.
Ragan
Nay, if you put up this, be sure, ere long,
1980Now that my father thus is made away,
She'll come and claim a third part of your crown
As due unto her by inheritance.
Cambria
But I will prove her title to be nought
But shame and the reward of parricide,
1985And make her an example to the world
For after-ages to admire her penance.
This will I do, as I am Cambria's king,
Or lose my life to prosecute revenge.
Come, first let's learn what news is of our father,
1990And then proceed as best occasion fits.
Exeunt.