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The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)
and his three daughters.
1521Shewes his purses.
1522Leir. If that I haue will do thee any good,
1525To do thee pleasure, it were twice as much.
1526Take his, and weygh them both in his hands.
1527Mes. Ile none of them, they are too light for me.
1528Puts them in his pocket.
1530In any thing, to vse me to the Queene,
1531 'Tis like ynough that I can pleasure thee.
1532They proffer to goe.
1535Would you do one thing for me I should aske?
1536Leir. I, any thing that lyes within my power.
1539Me thinks, a comely honest ancient man
1540Should not dissemble with one for a vantage.
1541I know, when I shall come to try this geare,
1542You will recant from all that you haue sayd.
1544He is her father, therefore may do much.
1545Mes. I know he is, and therefore meane to try him:
1546You are his friend too, I must try you both.
1548Mes.Stay gray-beards then, and proue men of your words:
1549The Queene hath tyed me by a solemne othe,
F2 So