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Edition:
King Leir
The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)
- Introduction
- Texts of this edition
- Contextual materials
1061Enter Cordella solus.
1062 I haue bin ouer-negligent to day,
1063In going to the Temple of my God,
1064To render thanks for all his benefits,
1067When as I was deuoyd of worldly friends,
1069As far exceeds the reach of my deserts.
1070My kingly husband, myrrour of his time,
1073By his appoyntment was ordayned for me.
1074I cannot wish the thing that I do want;
1075I cannot want the thing but I may haue,
1076Saue only this which I shall ne're obtayne,
1077My fathers loue, oh this I ne're shall gayne.
1078I would abstayne from any nutryment,
1079And pyne my body to the very bones:
1080Bare foote I would on pilgrimage set forth
1081Vnto the furthest quarters of the earth,
1082And all my life time would I sackcloth weare,
1084So he but to forgiue me once would please,
1085That his grey haires might go to heauen in peace.
1086And yet I know now how I him offended,
1089It was not he, but you that did me wrong.
1090Yet God forgiue both him, and you and me,
1091Euen as I doe in perfit charity.
1092I will to Church, and pray vnto my Sauiour,
1093That ere I dye, I may obtayne his fauour. Exit.