340.1[Scene 4] [Video Sc.4] 4.0.1341Enter the King of Gallia with Mumford and 342three Nobles more. Dissuade me not, my lords, I am resolved
4.2344This next fair wind to sail for Brittany
4.3345In some disguise, to see if flying Fame
4.4346Be not too prodigal in the wondrous praise
4.5347Of these three nymphs, the daughters of King Leir.
4.6348If present view do answer absent praise,
4.7349And eyes allow of what our ears have heard,
4.8350And Venus stand auspicious to my vows,
4.9351And Fortune favor what I take in hand,
4.10352I will return seized of as rich a prize
4.11353As Jason when he won the golden fleece.
Heavens grant you may: the match were full of honor
4.13355And well beseeming the young Gallian king.
4.14356I would your grace would favor me so much
4.15357As make me partner of your pilgrimage.
4.16358I long to see the gallant British dames
4.17359And feed mine eyes upon their rare perfections,
4.18360For till I know the contrary, I'll say
4.19361Our dames in France are more fair than they.
Lord Mumford, you have saved me a labor
4.21363In off'ring that which I did mean to ask,
4.22364And I most willingly accept your company.
4.23365Yet, first I will enjoin you to observe
4.24366Some few conditions which I shall propose.
So that you do not tie mine eyes for looking
4.26368After the amorous glances of fair dames,
4.27369So that you do not tie my tongue from speaking,
4.28370My lips from kissing when occasion serves,
4.29371My hands from congees, and my knees to bow
4.30372To gallant girls -- which were a task more hard
4.31373Than flesh and blood is able to endure --
4.32374Command what else you please, I rest content.
To bind thee from a thing thou canst not leave
4.34376Were but a mean to make thee seek it more,
4.35377And therefore speak, look, kiss, salute for me;
4.36378In these myself am like to second thee.
4.37379Now hear thy task: I charge thee, from the time
4.38380That first we set sail for the British shore,
4.39381To use no words of dignity to me,
4.40382But, in the friendliest manner that thou canst,
4.41383Make use of me as thy companion,
4.42384For we will go disguised in palmers' weeds,
4.43385That no man shall mistrust us what we are.
If that be all, I'll fit your turn, I warrant you. I am
387some kin to the Blounts, and, I think, the bluntest of all my kin
388dred; therefore, if I be too blunt with you, thank yourself for
389praying me to be so.
Thy pleasant company will make the way seem short. --
4.46391It resteth now that in my absence hence
4.47392I do commit the government to you,
4.48393My trusty lords and faithful counsellors.
4.49394Time cutteth off the rest I have to say:
4.50395The wind blows fair, and I must needs away.
Heavens send your voyage to as good effect
4.52397As we your land do purpose to protect.
King Leir