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  • Title: The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)
  • Editor: Andrew Griffin

    • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Editor: Andrew Griffin
    Peer Reviewed

    The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)

    The History of King Leir
    Amb.No, Madam, I sayd quite contrary.
    Gon.Then I mistooke thee.
    Corn.Then she is merry, if she haue her health.
    Am.Oh no, her griefe exceeds, vntill the time,
    1405That she be reconcil'd vnto her father.
    Gon. God continue it.
    Am.What, madam?
    Gon.Why, her health.
    Am.Amen to that: but God release her griefe,
    1410And send her father in a better mind,
    Then to continue alwayes so vnkind.
    Corn.Ile be a mediator in her cause,
    And seeke all meanes to expiat his wrath.
    Am. Madam, I hope your Grace will do the like.
    1415Gon. Should I be a meane to exasperate his wrath
    Against my sister, whom I loue so deare? no, no.
    Am.To expiate or mittigate his wrath:
    For he hath misconceyued without a cause.
    Gon.O, I, what else?
    1420Am. Tis pity it should be so, would it were otherwise.
    Gon. It were great pity it should be otherwise.
    Am. Then how, Madam?
    Gon. Then that they should be reconcilde againe.
    Am. It shewes you beare an honourable mind.
    1425Gon. It shewes thy vnderstanding to be blind, Speakes to her selfe.
    And that thou hadst need of an Interpreter:
    Well, I will know thy message ere't be long,
    And find a meane to crosse it, if I can.
    Corn.Come in, my friend, and frolick in our Court,
    1430Till certayne notice of my father come. Exeunt.
    Enter Leir and Perillus.
    Per. My Lord, you are vp to day before your houre,
    Tis newes to you to be abroad so rathe.
    Leir. Tis newes indeed, I am so extreme heauy,
    1435That I can scarcely keepe my eye-lids open.
    Per. And so am I, but I impute the cause
    To rising sooner then we vse to do.
    Leir. Hither my daughter meanes to come disguis'd:
    Ile
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