21142The soldiers gathered from each quarter of the land,

143Came at the length to know the king, his mind and will,

144Who did commit them to my father's aged hand,

145And I likewise of love and reverent mere goodwill

146Desired my king, he would not take it ill,

147If I departed for a space withal,

148To take a part, or ease my father's thrall.

22149This had, I parted with my father from my fere,

150We came to Britain with our royal camp to fight;

151And manly fought so long our enemies vanquished were

152By martial feats, and force by subjects' sword and might.

153The British kings were fain to yield our right,

154And so my father well this realm did guide

155Three years in peace, and after that he died.

23156Then I at Leircester in Janus' temple made,

157His tomb and buried there his kingly regal corpse,

158As sundry times in life before he often bade;

159For of our father's will we then did greatly force;

160We had of conscience eke so much remorse

161That we supposed those children's lives too ill,

162Which break their father's testament and will.

24163And I was queen the kingdom after still to hold,

164Till five years past I did this island guide.

165I had the Britons at what beck and bay I would,

166Till that my loving king, mine Aganippus, died.

167But then my seat it faltered on each side;

168Two churlish imps began with me to jar,

169And for my crown waged with me mortal war.

25170The one hight Morgan, th'elder son of Gonerell

171My sister, and that other Conidagus hight

172My sister Ragan's son that loved me never well;

173Both nephews mine, yet would against me, Cordel, fight

174Because I loved always that seemed right;

175Therefore they hated me, and did pursue,

176Their aunt and queen as she had been a ewe.