16106106But while that I these joys so well enjoyed in France,
107107My father Leir in Britain was unwieldy old.
108108Whereon his daughters more themselves aloft t'advance
109109Desired the realm to rule it as they would.
110110Their former love and friendship waxed cold,
111111Their husbands revels void of reason quite
112112Rose up, rebelled, bereft his crown and right,
17113113Caused him agree they might in parts equall
114114Divide the realm, and promised him a guard
115115Of sixty knights on him attending still at call.
116116But in six months such was his hap too hard,
117117That Gonerell of his retinue barred.
118118The half of them, she and her husband rest,
119119And scarce allowed the other half they left.
18120120Eke as in Albany lay he lamenting fates,
121121When as my sister so, sought all his utter spoil:
122122The meaner upstart courtiers thought themselves his mates,
123123His daughter him disdained and forced not his foil.
124124Then was he fain for succor his to toil
125125With half his train, to Cornwall there to lie
126126In greatest need, his Ragan's love to try.
19127127So when he came to Cornwall, she with joy
128128Received him, and Prince Maglaurus did the like.
129129There he abode a year, and lived without annoy,
130130But then they took all his retinue from him quite
131131Save only ten, and showed him daily spite.
132132Which he bewailed complaining durst not strive
133133Though in disdain they last allowed but five.
20134134What more despite could devilish beasts devise
135135Than joy their father's woeful days to see?
136136What vipers vile could so their King despise,
137137Or so unkind, so curst, to cruel be?
138138Fro' thence again he went to Albany,
139139Where they bereaved his servants all save one,
140140Bade him content himself with that, or none.
King Leir