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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
    Alarums and excursions, then sound victory. Enter Leir, Peril-
    lus, King, Cordella, and Mumford.
    King. Thanks be to God, your foes are ouercome,
    And you againe possessed of your right.
    2635Leir. First to the heauens, next, thanks to you, my sonne,
    By whose good meanes I repossesse the same:
    Which if it please you to accept your selfe,
    With all my heart I will resigne to you:
    For it is yours by right, and none of mine.
    2640First, haue you raisd, at your owne charge, a power
    Of valiant Souldiers; (this comes all from you)
    Next haue you ventured your owne persons scathe.
    And lastly, (worthy Gallia neuer staynd)
    My kingly title I by thee haue gaynd.
    2645King. Thank heauens, not me, my zeale to you is such,
    Commaund my vtmost, I will neuer grutch.
    Cor. He that with all kind loue intreats his Queene,
    Will not be to her father vnkind seene.
    Leir. Ah, my Cordella, now I call to mind,
    2650The modest answere, which I tooke vnkind:
    But now I see, I am no whit beguild,
    Thou louedst me dearely, and as ought a child.
    And thou (Perillus) partner once in woe,
    Thee to requite, the best I can, ile doe:
    2655Yet all I can, I, were it ne're so much,
    Were not sufficient, thy true loue is such.
    Thanks (worthy Mumford) to thee last of all,
    Not greeted last, 'cause thy desert was small;
    No, thou hast Lion-like layd on to day,
    2660Chasing the Cornwall King and Cambria;
    Who with my daughters, daughters did I say?
    To saue their liues, the fugitiues did play.
    Come sonne and daughter, who did me aduaunce,
    Repose with me awhile, and then for Fraunce.
    2665Sound Drummes and Trumpets.Exeunt.

    FINIS.
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