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The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)
96Enter Gonorill and Ragan.
97Gon.I maruell, Ragan, how you can indure
99So slightly to account of vs, her elders,
100As if we were no better then her selfe!
102Or new made fashion, of our choyce inuention;
104Or study newer to exceed vs both.
107That all the Court hath worke ynough to do,
108To talke how she exceedeth me and you.
110To find a cure for this contagious ill:
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The History of King Leir
112To dimme the glory of her mounting fame;
116She daily hath, and of the best degree?
118And haue a husband when as we haue none:
119Why then, by right, to her we must giue place,
122A husband before me,
123Ile marry one or other in his shirt:
124And yet I haue made halfe a graunt already
125Of my good will vnto the King of Cornwall.
129Hauing good newes which doth concerne you both,
130And craueth speedy expedition.
132I am with child vntill you vtter it.
134Your father in great secrecy to day,
135Told me, he meanes to marry you out of hand,
136Vnto the noble Prince of Cambria;
137You, Madam, to the King of Cornwalls Grace:
139Vpon the rich King of Hibernia:
141For hitherto she ne're could fancy him.
142If she do yeeld, why then, betweene you three,
143He will deuide his kingdome for your dowries.
144But yet there is a further mystery,
Which
and his three daughters.
149Which of you three do beare most loue to him,
150And on your loues he so extremely dotes,
151As neuer any did, I thinke, before.
153To be resolu'd of this tormenting doubt:
159 (Striuing to go beyond you in her loue)
162The Hibernian King in marriage for to take.
164Which being done, I humbly take my leaue,
168Shall not be vnrequited, if we liue. Exit Skalliger.
170To be reueng'd vpon her vnperceyu'd.
172Shall be accounted piety in vs:
176To match me to a begger, I will yeeld:
177For why, I know what euer I do say,
178He meanes to match me with the Cornwall King.
181Who dotes, as if he were a child agayne,
182I shall inioy the noble Cambrian Prince:
184To say, I am content with any one
185Whom heele appoynt me; this will please him more,
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The History of King Leir
188Cordella will be, when we answere thus:
190To ioyne in marriage with the Irish King:
191So will our father think, she loueth him not,
193Which we will aggrauate in such bitter termes,
194That he will soone conuert his loue to hate:
195For he, you know, is alwayes in extremes.
196Rag. Not all the world could lay a better plot,