The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)

 and his three daughters.
 1667And carry her her fathers latest blessing:
 1668Withall desire her, that she will forgiue me;
 1669For I haue wrongd her without any cause.
 1670Now, Lord, receyue me, for I come to thee,
 1671And dye, I hope, in perfit charity.
 1672Dispatch, I pray thee, I haue liued too long.
 1673Mes. I, but you are vnwise, to send an errand
 1674By him that neuer meaneth to deliuer it:
 1675Why, he must go along with you to heauen:
 1676It were not good you should go all alone.
 1677Leir. No doubt, he shal, when by the course of nature,
 1678He must surrender vp his due to death:
 1679But that time shall not come, till God permit.
 1680Mes. Nay, presently, to beare you company.
 1681I haue a Pasport for him in my pocket,
 1682Already seald, and he must needs ride Poste.
 1683Shew a bagge of money.
 1684Leir. The letter which I read, imports not so,
 1685It only toucheth me, no word of him.
 1686Mess. I, but the Queene commaunds it must be so,
 1687And I am payd for him, as well as you.
 1688Per. I, who haue borne you company in life,
 1689Most willingly will beare a share in death.
 1690It skilleth not for me, my friend, a whit,
 1691Nor for a hundred such as thou and I.
 1692Mes. Mary, but it doth, sir, by your leaue; your good dayes
 1693are past: though it bee no matter for you, tis a matter for me,
 1694proper men are not so rife.
 1695Per. Oh, but beware, how thou dost lay thy hand
 1696Vpon the high anoynted of the Lord:
 1697O, be aduised ere thou dost begin:
 1698Dispatch me straight, but meddle not with him.
 1699Leir. Friend, thy commission is to deale with me,
 1700And I am he that hath deserued all:
 1701The plot was layd to take away my life:
 1702And here it is, I do intreat thee take it:
 1703Yet for my sake, and as thou art a man,
 1704Spare this my friend, that hither with me came:
 F4 I brought

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The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)