Sister, when did you see Cordella last,

6.2470That pretty piece that thinks none good enough

6.3471To speak to her because, sir-reverence,

6.4472She hath a little beauty extraordinary?

Since time my father warned her from his presence,

6.6474I never saw her that I can remember.

6.7475God give her joy of her surpassing beauty;

6.8476I think her dowry will be small enough.

I have incensed my father so against her

6.10478As he will never be reclaimed again.

I was not much behind to do the like.

Faith, sister, what moves you to bear her such good will?

In truth, I think the same that moveth you:

6.14482Because she doth surpass us both in beauty.

Beshrew your fingers, how right you can guess.

6.16484I tell you true, it cuts me to the heart.

But we will keep her low enough, I warrant,

6.18486And clip her wings for mounting up too high.

Whoever hath her shall have a rich marriage of her.

She were right fit to make a parson's wife,

6.21489For they, men say, do love fair women well,

6.22490And many times do marry them with nothing.

With nothing! Marry, God forbid! Why, are there any such?

I mean, no money.

I cry you mercy, I mistook you much.

6.26494And she is far too stately for the church:

6.27495She'll lay her husband's benefice on her back

6.28496Even in one gown, if she may have her will.

In faith, poor soul, I pity her a little.

6.30498Would she were less fair or more fortunate.

6.31499Well, I think long until I see my Morgan,

6.32500The gallant Prince of Cambria, here arrive.

And so do I until the Cornwall king

6.34502Present himself to consummate my joys.

6.35503Peace, here cometh my father.

Cease, good my lords, and sue not to reverse

6.37506Our censure which is now irrevocable.

6.38507We have dispatchèd letters of contract

6.39508Unto the kings of Cambria and of Cornwall:

6.40509Our hand and seal will justify no less.

6.41510Then do not so dishonor me, my lords,

6.42511As to make shipwreck of our kingly word.

6.43512I am as kind as is the pelican

6.44513That kills itself to save her young ones' lives,

6.45514And yet as jealous as the princely eagle

6.46515That kills her young ones if they do but dazzle

6.47516Upon the radiant splendor of the sun.

6.48517Within this two days I expect their coming.

6.49518But in good time they are arrived already.

6.50519This haste of yours, my lords, doth testify

6.51520The fervent love you bear unto my daughters,

6.52521And think yourselves as welcome to King Leir

6.53522As ever Priam's children were to him.

My gracious lord, and father too, I hope,

6.55524Pardon for that I made no greater haste,

6.56525But were my horse as swift as was my will,

6.57526I long ere this had seen your majesty.

No other 'scuse of absence can I frame

6.59528Than what my brother hath informed your grace;

6.60529For our undeserved welcome, we do vow

6.61530Perpetually to rest at your command.

But you, sweet love, illustrious Gonorill,

6.63532The regent and the sovereign of my soul,

6.64533Is Cornwall welcome to your excellency?

As welcome as Leander was to Hero,

6.66535Or brave Aeneas to the Carthage queen,

6.67536So and more welcome is your grace to me.

Oh, may my fortune prove no worse than his

6.69538Since heavens do know my fancy is as much.

6.70539Dear Ragan, say if welcome unto thee;

6.71540All welcomes else will little comfort me.

As gold is welcome to the covetous eye,

6.73542As sleep is welcome to the traveler,

6.74543As is fresh water to sea-beaten men,

6.75544Or moistened showers unto the parchèd ground,

6.76545Or anything more welcomer than this,

6.77546So and more welcome lovely Morgan is.

What resteth, then, but that we consummate

6.79548The celebration of these nuptial rites?

6.80549My kingdom I do equally divide.

6.81550Princes, draw lots, and take your chance as falls.

6.82552These I resign as freely unto you

6.83553As erst by true succession they were mine.

6.84554And here I do freely dispossess myself

6.85555And make you two my true adopted heirs.

6.86556Myself will sojourn with my son of Cornwall

6.87557And take me to my prayers and my beads.

6.88558I know my daughter Ragan will be sorry

6.89559Because I do not spend my days with her.

6.90560Would I were able to be with both at once:

6.91561They are the kindest girls in Christendom.

I have been silent all this while, my lord,

6.93563To see if any worthier than myself

6.94564Would once have spoke in poor Cordella's cause,

6.95565But love or fear ties silence to their tongues.

6.96566Oh, hear me speak for her my gracious lord,

6.97567Whose deeds have not deserved this ruthless doom,

6.98568As thus to disinherit her of all.

Urge this no more an if thou love thy life!

6.100570I say she is no daughter that doth scorn

6.101571To tell her father how she loveth him.

6.102572Whoever speaketh hereof to me again,

6.103573I will esteem him for my mortal foe.

6.104574Come, let us in to celebrate with joy

6.105575The happy nuptials of these lovely pairs.

Ah, who so blind as they that will not see

6.107578The near approach of their own misery?

6.108579Poor lady, I extremely pity her,

6.109580And, whilst I live, each drop of my heart blood

6.110581Will I strain forth to do her any good.