301Nor my playne meaning be misconstrued;

302My toung was neuer vsde to flattery.

303Gon. You were not best say I flatter: if you do,

304My deeds shall shew, I flatter not with you.

305I loue my father better then thou canst.

306Cor. The prayse were great, spoke from anothers mouth:

307But it should seeme your neighbours dwell far off.

308Rag. Nay, here is one, that will confirme as much

309As she hath sayd, both for my selfe and her.

310I say, thou dost not wish my fathers good.

311Cord. Deare father.-------

312Leir. Peace, bastard Impe, no Issue of King Leir,

313I will not heare thee speake one tittle more.

314Call not me father, if thou loue thy life,

315Nor these thy sisters once presume to name:

316Looke for no helpe henceforth from me nor mine;

317Shift as thou wilt, and trust vnto thy selfe:

318My Kingdome will I equally deuide

319 'Twixt thy two sisters to their royall dowre,

320And will bestow them worthy their deserts:

321This done, because thou shalt not haue the hope,

322To haue a childs part in the time to come,

323I presently will dispossesse my selfe,

324And set vp these vpon my princely throne.

325Gon. I euer thought that pride would haue a fall.

326Ra. Plaine dealing, sister: your beauty is so sheene,

327You need no dowry, to make you be a Queene.

329Cord. Now whither, poore forsaken, shall I goe,

330When mine own sisters tryumph in my woe?

331But vnto him which doth protect the iust,

332In him will poore Cordella put her trust.

333These hands shall labour, for to get my spending;

334And so ile liue vntill my dayes haue ending.

335Per. Oh, how I grieue, to see my Lord thus fond,

336To dote so much vpon vayne flattering words.

337Ah, if he but with good aduice had weyghed,

338The hidden tenure of her humble speech,

B2 Reason