Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: Anonymous
Editor: Andrew Griffin
Peer Reviewed

The History of King Leir (Modern)

1990.1[Scene 23] [Video Sc.23]
Enter Leir, Perillus, and two mariners in sea-gowns and sea-caps.
Perillus
My honest friends, we are ashamed to show
The great extremity of our present state,
1995In that at this time we are brought so low
That we want money for to pay our passage.
The truth is so: we met with some good-fellows,
A little before we came aboard your ship,
Which stripped us quite of all the coin we had
2000And left us not a penny in our purses.
Yet, wanting money, we will use the mean
To see you satisfied to the uttermost.
First Mariner looks on Leir.
First Mariner
Here's a good gown; 'twould become me passing well; I should be fine in it.
Second Mariner looks on Perillus.
2005Second Mariner
Here's a good cloak; I marvel how I should look in it.
Faith, had we others to supply their room,
Though ne'er so mean, you willingly should have them.
Second Mariner
Do you hear, sir? You look like an honest man; I'll not stand to do you a pleasure. Here's a good, strong, 2010motley gaberdine, cost me fourteen good shillings at Billingsgate; give me your gown for it, and your cap for mine, and I'll forgive your passage.
With all my heart and twenty thanks.
Leir and [First Mariner] changeth.
Second Mariner
Do you hear, sir? You shall have a better match than he because you are my friend: here is a good sheep's russet sea-2015gown: will bide more stress, I warrant you, than two of his. Yet, for you seem to be an honest gentleman, I am content to change it for your cloak, and ask you nothing for your passage more.
Pull[s] off Perillus' cloak
Perillus
My own I willingly would change with thee,
2020And think myself indebted to thy kindness,
But would my friend might keep his garment still.
My friend, I'll give thee this new doublet if thou wilt
Restore his gown unto him back again.
First Mariner
Nay, if I do, would I might ne'er eat powdered beef 2025and mustard more, nor drink can of good liquor whilst I live. My friend, you have small reason to seek to hinder me of my bargain, but the best is, a bargain's a bargain.
[To Perillus] Kind friend, it is much better as it is,
For by this means we may escape unknown
2030Till time and opportunity do fit.
Second Mariner
Hark, hark, they are laying their heads together;
They'll repent them of their bargain anon.
'Twere best for us to go while we are well.
First Mariner
God be with you, sir. For your passage back again, 2035I'll use you as unreasonable as another.
I know thou wilt, but we hope to bring ready money with us when we come back again.
Exeunt Mariners.
Were ever men in this extremity,
In a strange country, and devoid of friends,
2040And not a penny for to help ourselves?
Kind friend, what thinkst thou will become of us?
Perillus
Be of good cheer, my lord. I have a doublet
Will yield us money enough to serve our turns
Until we come unto your daughter's court;
2045And then, I hope, we shall find friends enough.
Ah, kind Perillus, that is it I fear,
And makes me faint or ever I come there.
Can kindness spring out of ingratitude,
Or love be reaped where hatred hath been sown?
2050Can henbane join in league with mithridate,
Or sugar grow in wormwood's bitter stalk?
It cannot be: they are too opposite,
And so am I to any kindness here.
I have thrown wormwood on the sugared youth,
2055And, like to henbane, poisoned the fount
Whence flowed the mithridate of a child's good will.
I, like an envious thorn, have pricked the heart
And turned sweet grapes to sour, unrelished sloes.
The causeless ire of my respectless breast
2060Hath soured the sweet milk of Dame Nature's paps.
My bitter words have galled her honey thoughts,
And weeds of rancour choked the flower of grace.
Then what remainder is of any hope,
But all our fortunes will go quite aslope?
2065Perillus
Fear not, my lord, the perfect good indeed
Can never be corrupted by the bad:
A new fresh vessel still retains the taste
Of that which first is poured into the same.
And therefore, though you name yourself the thorn,
2070The weed, the gall, the henbane, and the wormwood,
Yet she'll continue in her former state,
The honey, milk, grape, sugar, mithridate.
Thou pleasing orator unto me in woe,
Cease to beguile me with thy hopeful speeches.
2075Oh, join with me and think of nought but crosses,
And then we'll one lament another's losses.
Perillus
Why say the worst? The worst can be but death[H1],
And death is better than for to despair.
Then hazard death, which may convert to life,
2080Banish despair, which brings a thousand deaths.
O'ercome with thy strong arguments, I yield,
To be directed by thee, as thou wilt.
As thou yieldst comfort to my crazèd thoughts,
Would I could yield the like unto thy body,
2085Which is full weak, I know, and ill-apaid
For want of fresh meat and due sustenance.
Perillus
Alack, my lord, my heart doth bleed to think
That you should be in such extremity.
Come, let us go and see what God will send:
2090When all means fail, He is the surest friend.
Exeunt.