11For sith I see thee pressed to hear that wilt record

2What I Cordila tell to ease my inward smart,

3I will recite my story tragical each word,

4To thee that givest an ear to hear, and ready art;

5And lest I set the horse behind the cart,

6I mind to tell each thing in order so

7As thou mayest see and show whence sprang my woe.

28My grandsire Bladud hight that found the baths by skill,

9A feathered king that practiced for to fly and soar,

10Whereby he felt the fall God wot against his will,

11And never went, rode, reigned nor spake, nor flew no more.

12Who, dead, his son, my father, Leire therefore

13Was chosen king, by right apparent heir,

14Which after built the town of Leircester.

315He had three daughters. First and eldest hight Gonerell;

16Next after her my sister Ragan was begot;

17The third and last was, I, the youngest named Cordell,

18And of us all, our father Leire in age did dote.

19So, minding her that loved him best to note,

20Because he had no son t'enjoy his land,

21He thought to give where favor most he found.

422What though I youngest were, yet men me judge more wise

23Than either Gonerell or Ragan had more age,

24And fairer far. Wherefore my sisters did despise

25My grace and gifts and sought my praise t'assuage.

26But yet, though vice 'gainst virtue die with rage,

27It cannot keep her underneath to drown,

28But still she flits above, and reaps renown.

529Yet nonetheless my father did me not mislike.

30But age so simple is, and easy to subdue;

31As childhood weak, that's void of wit and reason quite.

32They think there's nought, you flatter feigned, but all is true;

33"Once old and twice a child," tis said with you,

34Which I affirm by proof, that was define:

35In age my father had a childish mind.