Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: John Higgins
Editor: Andrew Griffin
Not Peer Reviewed

John Higgins (Selection)

But while that I these joys so well enjoyed in France,
My father Leir in Britain was unwieldy old.
Whereon his daughters more themselves aloft t'advance
Desired the realm to rule it as they would.
110Their former love and friendship waxed cold,
Their husbands revels void of reason quite
Rose up, rebelled, bereft his crown and right,
Caused him agree they might in parts equall
Divide the realm, and promised him a guard
115Of sixty knights on him attending still at call.
But in six months such was his hap too hard,
That Gonerell of his retinue barred.
The half of them, she and her husband rest,
And scarce allowed the other half they left.
120Eke as in Albany lay he lamenting fates,
When as my sister so, sought all his utter spoil:
The meaner upstart courtiers thought themselves his mates,
His daughter him disdained and forced not his foil.
Then was he fain for succor his to toil
125With half his train, to Cornwall there to lie
In greatest need, his Ragan's love to try.
So when he came to Cornwall, she with joy
Received him, and Prince Maglaurus did the like.
There he abode a year, and lived without annoy,
130But then they took all his retinue from him quite
Save only ten, and showed him daily spite.
Which he bewailed complaining durst not strive
Though in disdain they last allowed but five.
What more despite could devilish beasts devise
135Than joy their father's woeful days to see?
What vipers vile could so their King despise,
Or so unkind, so curst, to cruel be?
Fro' thence again he went to Albany,
Where they bereaved his servants all save one,
140Bade him content himself with that, or none.