The True Chronicle of King Leir
The True Chronicle of King Leir

img: 1-a
sig: [N/A]


img: 1-b
sig: A1r


ln 0001THETHE
ln 0002TrueTrue ChronicleChronicle Hi-HistoryHi∣storyHistory
ln 0003story
ln 0003ofof KingKing LEIRLEIR, andand hishis threethree
ln 0004daughtersdaughters, GonorillGonorilGonorill, RaganRagan,
ln 0005andand CordellaCordella.


ln 0006AsAs itit hathhath benebeen diuersdivers andand sundrysundry
ln 0007timestimes latelylately actedacted.


ln 0008LONDONLONDON,
ln 0009PrintedPrinted byby SimonSimon StaffordStafford forfor IohnJohnjohn
ln 0010WrightWright, andand areare toto beebe soldsold atat hishis shopshop atat
ln 0011ChristesChrist’s ChurchChurch doredoor, nextnext Newgate-Newgate-MarketNewgate MarketNewgate-Market
ln 0012Market.
ln 001216051605.


img: 2-a
sig: A1v


img: 2-b
sig: A2r


wln 0001TheThe truetrue ChronicleChronicle HistorieHistory ofof KingKing
wln 0002LeirLeir andand hishis threethree daughtersdaughters.

wln 0003ACTVSACTUS II.


wln 0004EnterEnter KingKing LeirLeir andand NoblesNobles.

wln 0005THusTHus toto ourour griefegrief thethe obsequiesobsequies performdperformed
wln 0006OfOf ourour (tootoo latelate) deceastdeceased andand dearestdearest QueenQueen,
wln 0007WhoseWhose soulesoul II hopehope, possestpossessed ofof heauēlyheauēlyheavenly ioyesjoys,
wln 0008DothDoth rideride inin triumphtriumph ’mōgstmōgst’mongstamongst thethe CherubinsCherubins;
wln 0009LetLet vsus requestrequest youryour grauegrave aduiceadvice, mymy LordsLords,
wln 0010ForFor thethe disposingdisposing ofof ourour princelyprincely daughtersdaughters,
wln 0011ForFor whomwhom ourour carecare isis speciallyspecially imploydemployed,
wln 0012AsAs naturenature bindethbindeth toto aduaunceadvance theirtheir statesstates,
wln 0013InIn royallroyal marriagemarriage withwith somesome princelyprincely matesmates:
wln 0014ForFor wantingwanting nownow theirtheir mothersmother’s goodgood aduiceadvice,
wln 0015VnderUnder whosewhose gouernmentgovernment theythey hauehave receyuedreceived
wln 0016AA perfitperfect patternepattern ofof aa vertuousvirtuous lifelife:
wln 0017LeftLeft asas itit werewere aa shipship withoutwithout aa sternestern,
wln 0018OrOr sillysilly sheepesheep withoutwithout aa PastorsPastor’s carecare;
wln 0019AlthoughAlthough our seluesourselves doedo dearelydearlydear tendertender themthem,
wln 0020YetYet areare wewe ignorantignorant ofof theirtheir affayresaffairs:
wln 0021ForFor fathersfathers bestbest dodo knowknow toto gouernegovern sonnessons;
wln 0022ButBut daughtersdaughters’ stepssteps thethe mothersmother’s counsellcounsel turnesturns.
wln 0023AA sonneson wewe wantwant forfor toto succeedsucceed ourour CrowneCrown,
wln 0024AndAnd coursecourse ofof timetime hathhath cancelledcanceledcancelled thethe datedate
wln 0025OfOf furtherfurther issueissue fromfrom ourour witheredwithered loynesloins[·]:
wln 0026OneOne footefoot alreadyalready hangethhangeth inin thethe grauegrave,
wln 0027AndAnd ageage hathhath mademade deepedeep furrowesfurrows inin mymy faceface:
wln 0028TheThe worldworld ofof meme, II ofof thethe worldworld amam wearyweary,
wln 0029AndAnd II wouldwould faynefain resigneresign thesethese earthlyearthly carescares,
wln 0030AndAnd thinkethink vponupon thethe welfarewelfare ofof mymy soulesoul:
wln 0031WhichWhich byby nono betterbetter meanesmeans maymay bebe effectedeffected,
wln 0032ThenThanThen byby resigningresigning vpup thethe CrowneCrown fromfrom meme,
wln 0033InIn equallequal dowrydowry toto mymy daughtersdaughtersdaughter’s threethree.
wln 0034SkalligerSkalliger.AA worthyworthy carecare, mymy LiegeLiege, whichwhich wellwell declaresdeclares,
wln 0035TheThe zealezeal youyou barebarebore vntounto ourour quondamquondam QueeneQueen:
wln 0036AndAnd sincesince youryour GraceGrace hathhath licens’dlicensedlicenced meme toto speakespeak,
A2
I cen-

img: 3-a
sig: A2v

The History of King Leir


wln 0037II censurecensure thusthus;;, YourYour MaiestyMajesty knowingknowing wellwell,
wln 0038WhatWhat seuerallseveral SutersSuitors youryour princelyprincely daughtersdaughters hauehave,
wln 0039ToTo makemake themthem echeeach aa IoynterJointurejointure moremore oror lesseless,
wln 0040AsAs isis theirtheir worthworth, toto themthem thatthat louelove professeprofess.
wln 0041LeirLeirKing.NoNo moremore, nornor lesseless, butbut eueneven allall alikealike,
wln 0042MyMy zealezeal isis fixtfixed, allall fashiondfashioned inin oneone mouldmoldmould:
wln 0043WhereforeWherefore vnpartiallunpartial shallshall mymy censurecensure bebe,
wln 0044BothBoth oldold andand youngyoung shallshall hauehave alikealike forfor meme.
wln 0045Nobl.NobleNobl.MyMy graciousgracious LordLord, II hartilyheartily dodo wishwish,
wln 0046ThatThat GodGod hadhad lentlent youyou anan heyreheir indubitateindubitate,
wln 0047WhichWhich mightmight hauehave setsat vponupon youryour royallroyal thronethrone,
wln 0048WhenWhen fatesfates shouldshould looselose thethe prisonprison ofof youryour lifelife,
wln 0049ByBy whosewhose successionsuccession allall thisthis doubtdoubt mightmight ceasecease;
wln 0050AndAnd asas byby youyou, byby himhim wewe mightmight hauehave peacepeace.
wln 0051ButBut after-wishesafter-wishes euerever comecome tootoo latelate,
wln 0052AndAnd nothingnothing cancan reuokerevoke thethe coursecourse ofof fatefate:
wln 0053WhereforeWherefore, mymy LiegeLiege, mymy censurecensure deemesdeems itit bestbest,
wln 0054ToTo matchmatch themthem withwith somesome ofof youryour neighbourneighborneighbour KingsKings,
wln 0055BordringBord’ringBordering withinwithin thethe boundsbounds ofof AlbionAlbion,
wln 0056ByBy whosewhose vnitedunited friendshipfriendship, thisthis ourour statestate
wln 0057MayMay bebe protectedprotected ’gainstgainst’gainst allall forrayneforeign hatehate.
wln 0058LeirLeirKing.HereinHerein, mymy LordsLords, youryour wisheswishes sortsort-withsortsort with withwith minemine,
wln 0059AndAnd minemine (II hopehope) dodo sortsort withwith heauenlyheavenly powerspowers:
wln 0060ForFor atat thisthis instantinstant twotwo neerenear neyghbouringneighboringneighbouring KingsKings
wln 0061OfOf CornwallCornwall andand ofof CambriaCambria, motionmotion louelove
wln 0062ToTo mymy twotwo daughtersdaughters, GonorillGonorilGonorill andand RaganRagan.
wln 0063MyMy youngestyoungest daughterdaughter, fayrefair CordellaCordella, vowesvows
wln 0064NoNo likingliking toto aa MonarchMonarch, vnlesseunless louelove allowesallows..,
wln 0065SheShe isis sollicitedsolicited byby diuersdivers PeeresPeers;
wln 0066ButBut nonenone ofof themthem herher partiallpartial fancyfancy heareshears.
wln 0067YetYet, ifif mymy policypolicy maymay herher beguylebeguile,
wln 0068IleI’ll matchmatch herher toto somesome KingKing withinwithin thisthis IleIsleisle,
wln 0069AndAnd soso establishestablish suchsuch aa perfitperfect peacepeace,
wln 0070AsAs fortunesfortune’s forceforce shallshall ne’rene’ernever preuayleprevail toto ceasecease.
wln 0071Perillus.Perillus.OfOf vsus &and oursours, youryour graciousgracious carecare, mymy LordLord,
wln 0072DeseruesDeserves anan euerlastingeverlasting memorymemory,
wln 0073ToTo bebe inrol’denrolled inin ChroniclesChronicles ofof famefame,
wln 0074ByBy neuer-dyingnever-dying perpetuityperpetuity:
Yet

img: 3-b
sig: A3r

and his three daughters.


wln 0075YetYet toto becomebecome soso prouidentprovident aa PrincePrince,
wln 0076LoseLose notnot thethe titletitle ofof aa louingloving fatherfather:
wln 0077DoDo notnot forceforce louelove, wherewherefancywhere fancyfancy cannotcannot dwelldwell,
wln 0078LestLest streamesstreams beingbeing stoptstopped, aboueabove thethe banksbanks dodo swellswell.
wln 0079LeirLeirKing.II amam resolu’dresolved, andand eueneven nownow mymy mindmind
wln 0080DothDoth meditatemeditate aa suddensudden stratagemstratagem,
wln 0081ToTo trytry whichwhich ofof mymy daughtersdaughters louesloves meme bestbest:
wln 0082WhichWhich tilltill II knowknow, II cannotcannot bebe inin restrest.
wln 0083ThisThis grauntedgranted, whenwhen theythey ioyntlyjointly shallshall contendcontend,
wln 0084EcheEach toto exceedexceed thethe otherother inin theirtheir louelove:
wln 0085ThenThen atat thethe vantagevantage willwill II taketake CordellaCordella,
wln 0086EuenEven asas sheshe dothdoth protestprotest sheshe louesloves meme bestbest,
wln 0087IleI’ll saysay, ThenThen, daughterdaughter, grauntgrant meme oneone requestrequest,
wln 0088ToTo shewshow thouthou louestlovest meme asas thythy sisterssisters doedo,
wln 0089AcceptAccept aa husbandhusband, whomwhom my selfemyself willwill woowoo.
wln 0090ThisThis saydsaid, sheshe cannotcannot wellwell denydeny mymy sutesuit,
wln 0091AlthoughAlthough (poorepoor soulesoul) herher sencessenses willwill bebe mutemute:
wln 0092ThenThen willwill II tryumphtriumph inin mymy policypolicy,
wln 0093AndAnd matchmatch herher withwith aa KingKing ofof BrittanyBrittany.
wln 0094Skal.SkalligerSkal.IleI’ll toto themthem beforebefore, andand bewraybewray youryour secrecysecrecy.
wln 0095Per.PerillusPer.ThusThus fathersfathers thinkthink theirtheir childrenchildren toto beguilebeguile,
wln 0096AndAnd oftentimesoftentimes themseluesthemselves dodo firstfirst repentrepent,
wln 0097WhenWhen heauenlyheavenly powerspowers dodo frustratefrustrate theirtheir intentintent.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 0098EnterEnter GonorillGonorilGonorill andand RaganRagan.
wln 0099Gon.GonorilGon.II maruellmarvel, RaganRagan, howhow youyou cancan indureendure
wln 0100ToTo seesee thatthat proudproud pertpert PeatPeatpet, ourour youngestyoungest sistersister,
wln 0101SoSo slightlyslightly toto accountaccount ofof vsus, herher elderselders,
wln 0102AsAs ifif wewe werewere nono betterbetter thenthan her selfeherself!
wln 0103WeWe cannotcannot hauehave aa quayntquaint deuicedevice soso soonesoon,
wln 0104OrOr new madenew-madenew made fashionfashion, ofof ourour choycechoice inuentioninvention;
wln 0105ButBut ifif sheshe likelike itit, sheshe willwill hauehave thethe samesame,
wln 0106OrOr studystudy newernewer toto exceedexceed vsus bothboth.
wln 0107BesidesBesides, sheshe isis soso nicenice andand soso demuredemure;
wln 0108SoSo sobersober, courteouscourteous, modestmodest, andand preciseprecise,
wln 0109ThatThat allall thethe CourtCourt hathhath workework ynoughenough toto dodo,
wln 0110ToTo talketalk howhow sheshe exceedethexceedeth meme andand youyou.
wln 0111Ra.RaganRa.WhatWhat shouldshould II dodo? wouldwould itit werewere inin mymy powerpower,
wln 0112ToTo findfind aa curecure forfor thisthis contagiouscontagious illill:
A3
Some

img: 4-a
sig: A3v

The History of King Leir


wln 0113SomeSome desperatedesperate medicinemedicine mustmust bebe soonesoon applyedapplied,
wln 0114ToTo dimmedim thethe gloryglory ofof herher mountingmounting famefame;
wln 0115ElsElse ere’tere ’tere’t bebelongbe longlong, shee’leshe’ll hauehave bothboth prickprick andand praisepraise,
wln 0116AndAnd wewe mustmust bebe setset byby forfor workingworking dayesdays.
wln 0117DoeDo youyou notnot seesee whatwhat seuerallseveral choycechoice ofof SutersSuitors
wln 0118SheShe dailydaily hathhath, andand ofof thethe bestbest degreedegree?
wln 0119SaySay, amongstamongst allall, sheshe haphap toto fancyfancy oneone,
wln 0120AndAnd hauehave aa husbandhusband when aswhenas wewe hauehave nonenone:
wln 0121WhyWhy thenthen, byby rightright, toto herher wewe mustmust giuegive placeplace,
wln 0122ThoughThough itit bebe ne’rene’ernever soso muchmuch toto ourour disgracedisgrace.
wln 0123Gon.GonorilGon.ByBy mymy virginityvirginity, ratherrather thenthan sheshe shallshall hauehave
wln 0124AA husbandhusband beforebefore meme,
wln 0125IleI’ll marrymarry oneone oror otherother inin hishis shirtshirt:
wln 0126AndAnd yetyet II hauehave mademade halfehalf aa grauntgrant alreadyalready
wln 0127OfOf mymy goodgood willwill vntounto thethe KingKing ofof CornwallCornwall.
wln 0128Ra.RaganRa.SweareSwear notnot soso deeplydeeply (sistersister) herehere cōmethcōmethcometh mymy L.LordL. SkalligerSkalligerScaliger,,.
wln 0129SomethingSomething hishis hastyhasty commingcoming dothdoth importimport.EnterEnter Skal.SkalligerSkal.
wln 0130Skal.SkalligerSkal.SweetSweet PrincessesPrincesses, II amam gladglad II metmet youyou heerehere soso luckilyluckily,
wln 0131HauingHaving goodgood newesnews whichwhich dothdoth concerneconcern youyou bothboth,
wln 0132AndAnd crauethcraveth speedyspeedy expeditionexpedition.
wln 0133Ra.RaganRa.ForFor GodsGod’s sakesake telltell vsus whatwhat itit isis, mymy LordLord,
wln 0134II amam withwith childchild vntilluntil youyou vtterutter itit.
wln 0135Skal.SkalligerSkal.MadamMadam, toto sauesave youryour longinglonging, thisthis itit isis:
wln 0136YourYour fatherfather inin greatgreat secrecysecrecy to daytoday,
wln 0137ToldTold meme, hehe meanesmeans toto marrymarry youyou outout ofof handhand,
wln 0138VntoUnto thethe noblenoble PrincePrince ofof CambriaCambria;
wln 0139YouYou, MadamMadam, toto thethe KingKing ofof CornwallsCornwall’s GraceGrace:
wln 0140YourYour yongeryounger sistersister hehe wouldwould faynefain bestowbestow
wln 0141VponUpon thethe richrich KingKing ofof HiberniaHibernia:
wln 0142ButBut thatthat hehe doubtsdoubts, sheshe hardlyhardly willwill consentconsent;
wln 0143ForFor hithertohitherto sheshe ne’rene’ernever couldcould fancyfancy himhim.
wln 0144IfIf sheshe dodo yeeldyield, whywhy thenthen, betweenebetween youyou threethree,
wln 0145HeHe willwill deuidedivide hishis kingdomekingdom forfor youryour dowriesdowries.
wln 0146ButBut yetyet therethere isis aa furtherfurther mysterymystery,
wln 0147WhichWhich, soso youyou willwill concealeconceal, II willwill disclosedisclose.
wln 0148Gon.GonorilGon.What e’reWhate’erwhatever thouthouspeakstthou speakstspeak’st toto vsus, kindkind SkalligerSkalligerScaliger,
wln 0149ThinkeThink thatthat thouthou speakstspeak’stspeakst itit onlyonly toto thy selfethyself.
wln 0150Skal.SkalligerSkal.HeHe earnestlyearnestly desirethdesireth forfor toto knowknow,
Which

img: 4-b
sig: A4r

and his three daughters.


wln 0151WhichWhich ofof youyou threethree dodo bearebear mostmost louelove toto himhim,
wln 0152AndAnd onon youryour louesloves hehe soso extremelyextremely dotesdotes,
wln 0153AsAs neuernever anyany diddid, II thinkethink, beforebefore.
wln 0154HeHe presentlypresently dothdoth meanemean toto sendsend forfor youyou,
wln 0155ToTo bebe resolu’dresolved ofof thisthis tormentingtormenting doubtdoubt:
wln 0156AndAnd lookelook, whosewhose answereanswer pleasethpleaseth himhim thethe bestbest,
wln 0157TheyThey shallshall hauehave mostmost vntounto theirtheir marriagesmarriages.
wln 0158Ra.RaganRa.OO thatthat II hadhad somesome pleasingpleasing MermaydsMermaid’s voycevoice,
wln 0159ForFor toto inchauntenchantinchant hishis sencelessesenseless sencessenses withwith!
wln 0160Skal.SkalligerSkal.ForFor hehe supposethsupposeth thatthat CordellaCordella willwill
wln 0161(StriuingStriving toto gogo beyondbeyond youyou inin herher louelove)
wln 0162PromisePromise toto dodo what euerwhatever hehe desiresdesires:
wln 0163ThenThen willwill hehe straightstraight enioyneenjoin herher forfor hishis sakesake,
wln 0164TheThe HibernianHibernian KingKing inin marriagemarriage forfor toto taketake.
wln 0165ThisThis isis thethe summesum ofof allall II hauehave toto saysay;
wln 0166WhichWhich beingbeing donedone, II humblyhumbly taketake mymy leaueleave,
wln 0167NotNot doubtingdoubting butbut youryour wisdomeswisdoms willwill foreseeforesee,
wln 0168WhatWhat coursecourse willwill bestbest vntounto youryour goodgood agreeagree.
wln 0169Gon.GonorilGon.ThanksThanks, gentlegentle SkalligerSkalligerScaliger, thythy kindneskindness vndeseruedundeserved,
wln 0170ShallShall notnot bebe vnrequitedunrequited, ifif wewe liuelive.ExitExit SkalligerSkalliger.
wln 0171Ra.RaganRa.NowNow hauehave wewe fitfit occasionoccasion offredoffered vsus,
wln 0172ToTo bebe reueng’drevenged vponupon herher vnperceyu’dunperceived.
wln 0173Gon.GonorilGon.NayNay, ourour reuengerevenge wewe willwill inflictinflict onon herher,
wln 0174ShallShall bebe accountedaccounted pietypiety inin vsus:
wln 0175II willwill soso flatterflatter withwith mymy dotingdoting fatherfather,
wln 0176AsAs hehe waswas ne’rene’ernever soso flattredflattered inin hishis lifelife.
wln 0177NayNay, II willwill saysay, thatthat ifif itit bebe hishis pleasurepleasure,
wln 0178ToTo matchmatch meme toto aa beggerbeggar, II willwill yeeldyield:
wln 0179ForFor whywhy, II knowknow what euerwhatever II dodo saysay,
wln 0180HeHe meanesmeans toto matchmatch meme withwith thethe CornwallCornwall KingKing.
wln 0181Ra.RaganRa.IleI’ll saysay thethe likelike: forfor II amam wellwell assuredassured;
wln 0182What e’reWhate’erwhate’er II saysay toto pleaseplease thethe oldold mansman’s mindmind.
wln 0183WhoWho dotesdotes, asas ifif hehe werewere aa childchild agayneagain;
wln 0184II shallshall inioyenjoy thethe noblenoble CambrianCambrian PrincePrince:
wln 0185OnlyOnly, toto feedfeed hishis humourhumorhumour, willwill [**]fficesuffice●●fficesuffice,
wln 0186ToTo saysay, II amam contentcontent withwith anyany oneone
wln 0187WhomWhom heelehe’ll appoyntappoint meme; thisthis willwill pleaseplease himhim moremore.
wln 0188ThenThanThen e’ree’er ApolloesApollo’s musikemusic pleasedpleased IoueJovejove.
A4
Gon.

img: 5-a
sig: A4v

The History of King Leir


wln 0189Gon.GonorilGon.II smilesmile toto thinkthink, inin whatwhat aa wofullwoeful plightplight
wln 0190CordellaCordella willwill bebe, whenwhen wewe answereanswer thusthus:
wln 0191ForFor sheshe willwill ratherrather dyedie, thenthan giuegive consentconsent
wln 0192ToTo ioynejoin inin marriagemarriage withwith thethe IrishIrish KingKing:
wln 0193SoSo willwill ourour fatherfather thinkthink, sheshe louethloveth himhim notnot,
wln 0194BecauseBecause sheshe willwill notnot grauntgrant toto hishis desiredesire,
wln 0195WhichWhich wewe willwill aggrauateaggravate inin suchsuch bitterbitter termesterms,
wln 0196ThatThat hehe willwill soonesoon conuertconvert hishis louelove toto hatehate:
wln 0197ForFor hehe, youyou knowknow, isis alwayesalways inin extremesextremes.
wln 0198Rag.RaganRag.NotNot allall thethe worldworld couldcould laylay aa betterbetter plotplot,
wln 0199II longlong tilltill itit bebe putput inin practicepractice.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 0200EnterEnter LeirLeir andand PerillusPerillus.
wln 0201LeirLeirKing.PerillusPerillus, gogo seekeseek mymy daughtersdaughters,
wln 0202WillWill themthem immediatelyimmediately comecome andand speakspeak withwith meme.
wln 0203Per.PerillusPer.II willwill, mymy graciousgracious LordLord.ExitExit.
wln 0204LeirLeirKing.OhOhO, whatwhat aa combatcombat feelesfeels mymy pantingpanting heartheart,
wln 0205’TwixtTwixtTwixt’Twixt childrenschildren’s louelove, andand carecare ofof CommonCommon wealeweal!
wln 0206HowHow dearedear mymy daughtersdaughters areare vntounto mymy soulesoul,
wln 0207NoneNone knowesknows, butbut hehe, thatthat knowesknows mymy thoghtsthoughts &and secretsecret deedsdeeds.
wln 0208AhAh, littlelittle dodo theythey knowknow thethe dearedear regardregard,
wln 0209WhereinWherein II holdhold theirtheir futurefuture statestate toto comecome:
wln 0210WhenWhen theythey securelysecurely sleepesleep onon bedsbeds ofof downedown,
wln 0211TheseThese agedaged eyeseyes dodo watchwatch forfor theirtheir behalfebehalf:
wln 0212WhileWhile theythey likelike wantonswantons sportsport inin youthfullyouthful toyestoys,
wln 0213ThisThis throbbingthrobbing heartheart isis pearstpierced withwith diredire annoyesannoys.
wln 0214AsAs dothdoth thethe SunSun excceedexceed thethe smallestsmallest StarreStar,
wln 0215SoSo muchmuch thethe fathersfather’s louelove exceedsexceeds thethe childschild’s.
wln 0216YetYet mymy complayntscomplaints areare causlessecauseless: forfor thethe worldworld.
wln 0217AffordsAffords notnot childrenchildren moremore conformableconformable:
wln 0218AndAnd yetyet, me thinksmethinks, mymy mindmind presagethpresageth stillstill
wln 0219II knowknow notnot whatwhat;;: andand yetyet II fearefear somesome illill.
wln 0220EnterEnter PerillusPerillus, withwith thethe threethree daughtersdaughters.
wln 0221WellWell, herehere mymy daughtersdaughters comecome:: meme: II hauehave foundfound outout
wln 0222AA presentpresent meanesmeans toto ridrid meme ofof thisthis doubtdoubt.
wln 0223Gon.GonorilGon.OurOur royallroyal LordLord andand fatherfather, inin allall dutyduty,
wln 0224WeWe comecome toto knowknow thethe tenourtenor ofof youryour willwill,
wln 0225WhyWhy youyou soso hastilyhastily hauehave sentsent forfor vsus?
wln 0226LeirLeirKingDeareDear GonorillGonorilGonorill, kindkind RaganRagan, sweetsweet CordellaCordella,,
Ye

img: 5-b
sig: B1r

and his three daughters.


wln 0227YeYe florishingflourishing branchesbranches ofof aa KinglyKingly stockestock,
wln 0228SprungSprung fromfrom aa treetree thatthat onceonce diddid flourishflourish greenegreen,
wln 0229WhoseWhose blossomesblossoms nownow areare niptnipped withwith WintersWinter’s frostfrost,
wln 0230AndAnd palepale grymgrim deathdeath dothdoth waytwait vponupon mymy stepssteps,
wln 0231AndAnd summonssummons meme vntounto hishis nextnext AssizesAssizes.
wln 0232ThereforeTherefore, dearedear daughtersdaughters, asas yeye tendertender thethe safetysafety
wln 0233OfOf himhim thatthat waswas thethe causecause ofof youryour firstfirst beingbeing,
wln 0234ResolueResolve aa doubtdoubt whichwhich muchmuch molestsmolests mymy mindmind,
wln 0235WhichWhich ofof youyou threethree toto meme wouldwould proueprove mostmost kindkind;
wln 0236WhichWhich louesloves meme mostmost, andand whichwhich atat mymy requestrequest
wln 0237WillWill soonestsoonest yeeldyield vntounto theirtheir fathersfather’s hesthest.
wln 0238Gon.GonorilGon.II hopehope, mymy graciousgracious fatherfather makesmakes nono doubtdoubt
wln 0239OfOf anyany ofof hishis daughtersdaughter’s louelove toto himhim:
wln 0240YetYet forfor mymy partpart, toto shewshow mymy zealezeal toto youyou,
wln 0241WhichWhich cannotcannot bebe inin windywindy wordswords rehearstrehearsed,
wln 0242II prizeprize mymy louelove toto youyou atat suchsuch aa raterate,
wln 0243II thinkethink mymy lifelife inferiourinferior toto mymy louelove.
wln 0244ShouldShould youyou inioyneenjoin meme forfor toto tyetie aa milstonemillstone
wln 0245AboutAbout mymy neckneck, andand leapeleap intointo thethe SeaSea,
wln 0246AtAt youryour commaundcommand II willinglywillingly wouldwould doedo itit:
wln 0247YeaYea, forfor toto doedo youyou goodgood, II wouldwould ascendascend
wln 0248TheThe highesthighest TurretTurret inin allall BrittanyBrittany,
wln 0249AndAnd fromfrom thethe toptop leapeleap headlongheadlong toto thethe groundground:
wln 0250NayNay, moremore, shouldshould youyou appoyntappoint meme forfor toto marrymarry
wln 0251TheThe meanestmeanest vassaylevassal inin thethe spaciousspacious worldworld,
wln 0252WithoutWithout replyreply II wouldwould accomplishaccomplish itit:
wln 0253InIn briefebrief, commaundcommand what euerwhatever youyou desiredesire,
wln 0254AndAnd ifif II faylefail, nono fauourfavorfavour II requirerequire.
wln 0255LeirLeirKing.OO, howhow thythy wordswords reuiuerevive mymy dyingdying soulesoul!
wln 0256Cor.CordellaCor.OO, howhow II doedo abhorreabhor thisthis flatteryflattery!
wln 0257LeirLeirKing.ButBut whatwhat saythsaithsay RaganRagan toto herher fathersfather’s willwill?
wln 0258Rag.RaganRag.OO, thatthat mymy simplesimple vtteranceutterance couldcould sufficesuffice,
wln 0259ToTo telltell thethe truetrue intentionintention ofof mymy heartheart,
wln 0260WhichWhich burnesburns inin zealezeal ofof dutyduty toto youryour gracegrace,
wln 0261AndAnd neuernever cancan bebe quench’dquenched, butbut byby desiredesire
wln 0262ToTo shewshow thethe samesame inin outwardoutward forwardnessefor wardnesseforwardness.
wln 0263OhOhO, thatthat therethere werewere somesome otherother maydmaid thatthat durstdurst
wln 0264ButBut makemake aa challengechallenge ofof herher louelove withwith meme;;
B
Ide

img: 6-a
sig: B1v

The History of King Leir


wln 0265IdeI’d makemake herher soonesoon confesseconfess sheshe neuernever louedloved
wln 0266HerHer fatherfather halfehalf soso wellwell asas II doedo youyou.
wln 0267IAyay thenthen, mymy deedsdeeds shouldshould proueprove inin playnerplainer casecase,,.
wln 0268HowHow muchmuch mymy zealezeal aboundethaboundeth toto youryour gracegrace:
wln 0269ButBut forfor themthem allall, letlet thisthis oneone meanemean sufficesuffice,
wln 0270ToTo ratifyratify mymy louelove beforebefore youryour eyeseyes:
wln 0271II hauehave rightright noblenoble SutersSuitors toto mymy louelove,
wln 0272NoNo worseworse thenthan KingsKings, andand happelyhappily II louelove oneone:
wln 0273YetYet, wouldwould youyou hauehave meme makemake mymy choycechoice anewanew,
wln 0274IdeI’d bridlebridle fancyfancy, andand bebe rulderuled byby youyou.
wln 0275LeirLeirKing.DidDid neuernever PhilomelPhilomel singsing soso sweetsweet aa notenote.
wln 0276Cord.CordellaCord.DidDid neuernever flattererflatterer telltell soso falsefalse aa taletale.
wln 0277LeirLeirKing.SpeakSpeak nownow, CordellaCordallaCordella, makemake mymy ioyesjoys atat fullfull,
wln 0278AndAnd dropdrop downedown NectarNectar fromfrom thythy honyhoney lipslips.
wln 0279Cor.CordellaCor.II cannotcannot payntpaint mymy dutyduty forthforth inin wordswords,
wln 0280II hopehope mymy deedsdeeds shallshall makemake reportreport forfor meme:
wln 0281ButBut lookelook whatwhat louelove thethe childchild dothdoth oweowe thethe fatherfather,
wln 0282TheThe samesame toto youyou II bearebear, mymy graciousgracious LordLord.
wln 0283Gon.GonorilGon.HereHere isis anan answereanswer answerlesseanswerless indeedindeed:
wln 0284WereWere youyou mymy daughterdaughter, II shouldshould scarcelyscarcely brookebrook itit.
wln 0285Rag.RaganRag.DostDost thouthou notnot blushblush, proudproud PeacockPeacock asas thouthou artart,
wln 0286ToTo makemake ourour fatherfather suchsuch aa slightslight replyreply?
wln 0287LeirLeirKing.WhyWhy howhow nownow, MinionMinion, areare youyou grownegrown soso proudproud??;
wln 0288DothDoth ourour dearedear louelove makemake youyou thusthus peremptoryperemptory??:
wln 0289WhatWhat, isis youryour louelove becomebecome soso smallsmall toto vsus,
wln 0290AsAs thatthat youyou scornescorn toto telltell vsus whatwhat itit isis??:
wln 0291DoDo youyou louelove vsus, asas eueryevery childchild dothdoth louelove
wln 0292TheirTheir fatherfather? TrueTrue indeedindeed, asas somesome,
wln 0293WhoWho byby disobediencedisobedience shortshort theirtheir fathersfather’s dayesdays,
wln 0294AndAnd soso wouldwould youyou; somesome areare soso father-sickfather-sick,
wln 0295ThatThat theythey makemake meanesmeans toto ridrid themthem fromfrom thethe worldworld;
wln 0296AndAnd soso wouldwould youyou: somesome areare indifferentindifferent,
wln 0297WhetherWhether theirtheir agedaged parentsparents liuelive oror dyedie;
wln 0298AndAnd soso areare youyou. ButBut,, didstdidst thouthou knowknow, proudproud gyrlegirl,
wln 0299WhatWhat carecare II hadhad toto fosterfoster theethee toto thisthis,
wln 0300AhAh, thenthen thouthou wouldstwouldst saysay asas thythy sisterssisters dodo:
wln 0301OurOur lifelife isis lesseless, thenthan louelove wewe oweowe toto youyou.
wln 0302Cord.CordellaCord.DeareDear fatherfather, dodo notnot soso mistakemistake mymy wordswords,
Nor

img: 6-b
sig: B2r

and his three daughters.


wln 0303NorNor mymy playneplain meaningmeaning bebe misconstruedmisconstrued;
wln 0304MyMy toungtongue waswas neuernever vsdeused toto flatteryflattery.
wln 0305Gon.GonorilGon.YouYou werewere notnot bestbest saysay II flatterflatter: ifif youyou dodo,
wln 0306MyMy deedsdeeds shallshall shewshow, II flatterflatter notnot withwith youyou.
wln 0307II louelove mymy fatherfather betterbetter thenthan thouthou canstcanst.
wln 0308Cor.CordellaCor.TheThe praysepraise werewere greatgreat, spokespokespoken fromfrom anothersanother’s mouthmouth:
wln 0309ButBut itit shouldshould seemeseem youryour neighboursneighborsneighbours dwelldwell farfar offoff.
wln 0310Rag.RaganRag.NayNay, herehere isis oneone, thatthat willwill confirmeconfirm asas muchmuch
wln 0311AsAs sheshe hathhath saydsaid, bothboth forfor my selfemyself andand herher.
wln 0312II saysay, thouthou dostdost notnot wishwish mymy fathersfather’s goodgood.
wln 0313Cord.CordellaCord.DeareDear fatherfather.
wln 0314LeirLeirKing.PeacePeace, bastardbastard ImpeImp, nono issueissue ofof KingKing LeirLeir,
wln 0315II willwill notnot hearehear theethee speakespeak oneone tittletittle moremore.
wln 0316CallCall notnot meme fatherfather, ifif thouthou louelove thythy lifelife,
wln 0317NorNor thesethese thythy sisterssisters onceonce presumepresume toto namename:
wln 0318LookeLook forfor nono helpehelp henceforthhenceforth fromfrom meme nornor minemine;
wln 0319ShiftShistShift asas thouthou wiltwilt, andand trusttrust vntounto thy selfethyself:
wln 0320MyMy KingdomeKingdom willwill II equallyequally deuidedivide
wln 0321’TwixtTwixtTwixt’Twixt thythy twotwo sisterssisters toto theirtheir royallroyal dowredowerdowry,
wln 0322AndAnd willwill bestowbestow themthem worthyworthy theirtheir desertsdeserts:
wln 0323ThisThis donedone, becausebecause thouthou shaltshalt notnot hauehave thethe hopehope,
wln 0324ToTo hauehave aa childschild’s partpart inin thethe timetime toto comecome,
wln 0325II presentlypresently willwill dispossessedispossess my selfemyself,
wln 0326AndAnd setset vpup thesethese vponupon mymy princelyprincely thronethrone.
wln 0327Gon.GonorilGon.II euerever thoughtthought thatthat pridepride wouldwould hauehave aa fallfall.
wln 0328Ra.RaganRa.PlainePlain dealingdealing, sistersister: youryour beautybeauty isis soso sheenesheen,
wln 0329YouYou needneed nono dowrydowry, toto makemake youyou bebe aa QueeneQueen.
wln 0330ExeuntExeunt LeirLeir, GonorillGonorilGonorill, RaganRagan.
wln 0331Cord.CordellaCord.NowNow whitherwhither, poorepoor forsakenforsaken, shallshall II goego,
wln 0332WhenWhen minemine owneown sisterssisters tryumphtryumphintriumph inin mymy woewoe??:
wln 0333ButBut vntounto himhim whichwhich dothdoth protectprotect thethe iustjust,
wln 0334InIn himhim willwill poorepoor CordellaCordella putput herher trusttrust.
wln 0335TheseThese handshands shallshall labourlaborlabour, forfor toto getget mymy spendingspending;
wln 0336AndAnd soso ilei’llI’ll liuelive vntilluntil mymy dayesdays hauehave endingending.
wln 0337Per.PerillusPer.OhOhO, howhow II grieuegrieve, toto seesee mymy LordLord thusthus fondfond,
wln 0338ToTo dotedote soso muchmuch vponupon vaynevain flatteringflattering wordswords.
wln 0339AhAh, ifif hehe butbut withwith goodgood aduiceadvice hadhad weyghedweighed,
wln 0340TheThe hiddenhidden tenuretenor ofof herher humblehumble speechspeech,
B2
Reason

img: 7-a
sig: B2v

The History of King Leir


wln 0341ReasonReason toto ragerage shouldshould notnot hauehave giuengiven placeplace,
wln 0342NorNor poorepoor CordellaCordella suffersuffer suchsuch disgracedisgrace.ExitExit.
wln 0343EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian KingKing withwith MumfordMumford, andand threethree
wln 0344NoblesNobles moremore.

wln 0345KingKing.DisswadeDissuade meme notnot, mymy LordsLords, II amam resolu’dresolved,
wln 0346ThisThis nextnext fayrefair wyndwind toto saylesail forfor BrittanyBrittany,
wln 0347InIn somesome disguisedisguise, toto seesee ifif flyingflying famefame
wln 0348BeBe notnot tootoo prodigallprodigal inin thethe wondrouswondrous praysepraise
wln 0349OfOf thesethese threethree NymphesNymphs, thethe daughtersdaughters ofof KingKing LeirLeir.
wln 0350IfIf presentpresent viewview dodo answereanswer absentabsent praysepraise,
wln 0351AndAnd eyeseyes allowallow ofof whatwhat ourour earesears hauehave heardheard,
wln 0352AndAnd VenusVenus standstand auspiciousauspicious toto mymy vowesvows,
wln 0353AndAnd FortuneFortune fauourfavorfavour whatwhat II taketake inin handhand;
wln 0354II willwill returnereturn seyz’dseized ofof asas richrich aa prizeprize
wln 0355AsAs IasonJasonjason, whenwhen hehe wannewon thethe goldengolden fleecefleece.
wln 0356Mum.MumfordMum.HeauensHeavensheavens graūtgraūtgrant youyou maymay; thethe matchmatch werewere fulfull ofof honorhonorhonour,
wln 0357AndAnd wellwell beseemingbeseeming thethe youngyoung GallianGallian KingKing.
wln 0358II wouldwould youryour GraceGrace wouldwould fauourfavorfavour meme soso muchmuch,
wln 0359AsAs makemake meme partnerpartner ofof youryour PilgrimagePilgrimage.
wln 0360II longlong toto seesee thethe gallantgallant BrittishBritish DamesDames,
wln 0361AndAnd feedfeed minemine eyeseyes vponupon theirtheir rarerare perfectionsperfections:
wln 0362ForFor tilltill II knowknow thethe contrarycontrary, IleI’ll saysay,
wln 0363OurOur DamesDames inin FraunceFrance areare farfar moremore fayrefair thenthan theythey.
wln 0364Kin.KingKin.LordLord MumfordMumford, youyou hauehave sauedsaved meme aa labourlaborlabour,
wln 0365InIn offringoff’ringoffering thatthat whichwhich II diddid meanemean toto askeask:
wln 0366AndAnd II mostmost willinglywillingly acceptaccept youryour companycompany.
wln 0367YetYet firstfirst II willwill inioyneenjoin youyou toto obserueobserve
wln 0368SomeSome fewfew conditionsconditions whichwhich II shallshall proposepropose.
wln 0369Mum.MumfordMum.SoSo thatthat youyou dodo notnot tyetie minemine eyeseyes forfor lookinglooking
wln 0370AfterAfter thethe amorousamorous glauncesglances ofof fayrefair DamesDames:
wln 0371SoSo thatthat youyou dodo notnot tyetie mymy toungtongue fromfrom speakingspeaking,
wln 0372MyMy lipslips fromfrom kissingkissing whenwhen occasionoccasion seruesserves,
wln 0373MyMy handshands fromfrom congeescongéscongees, andand mymy kneesknees toto bowbow
wln 0374ToTo gallantgallant GyrlesGirls; whichwhich werewere aa tasketask moremore hardhard,
wln 0375ThenThanthan fleshflesh andand bloudblood isis ableable toto indureendure:
wln 0376CommaundCommand whatwhat elseelse youyou pleaseplease, II restrest contentcontent.
wln 0377Kin.KingKin.ToTo bindbind theethee fromfrom aa thingthing thouthou canstcanst notnot leaueleave,
wln 0378WereWere butbut aa meanemean toto makemake theethee seekeseek itit moremore:
And

img: 7-b
sig: B3r

and his three daughters.


wln 0379AndAnd thereforetherefore speakespeak, lookelook, kissekiss, salutesalute forfor meme;
wln 0380InIn thesethese my selfemyself amam likelike toto secondsecond theethee.
wln 0381NowNow hearehear thythy tasketask. II chargecharge theethee fromfrom thethe timetime
wln 0382ThatThat firstfirst wewe setset saylesail forfor thethe BrittishBritish shoreshore,
wln 0383ToTo vseuse nono wordswords ofof dignitydignity toto meme,
wln 0384ButBut inin thethe friendliestfriendliest manermanner thatthat thouthou canstcanst,
wln 0385MakeMake vseuse ofof meme asas thythy companioncompanion:
wln 0386ForFor wewe willwill gogo disguisdedisguised inin PalmersPalmers’Palmer’s weedsweeds,
wln 0387ThatThat nono manman shallshall mistrustmistrust vsus whatwhat wewe areare.
wln 0388Mum.MumfordMum.IfIf thatthat bebe allall, ilei’llI’ll fitfit youryour turneturn, II warrantwarrant youyou. II amam
wln 0389somesome kinkin toto thethe BluntsBlunts, andand II thinkthink, thethe bluntestbluntest ofof allall mymy kin-kindredkin∣dredkindred
wln 0390dred;
wln 0390therforetherefore ifif II beebe tootoo bluntblunt withwith youyou, thankthank your selfeyourself forfor
wln 0391prayingpraying meme toto bebe soso.
wln 0392KingKing.ThyThy pleasantpleasant companycompany willwill makemake thethe wayway seemesee meseemsee me shortshort.
wln 0393ItIt restethresteth nownow, thatthat inin mymy absenceabsence hencehence,
wln 0394II dodo commitcommit thethe gouernmentgovernment toto youyou
wln 0395MyMy trustytrusty LordsLords andand faythfullfaithful CounsellersCounselorscounsellors.
wln 0396TimeTime cuttethcutteth offoff thethe restrest II hauehave toto saysay:
wln 0397TheThe wyndwind blowesblows fayrefair, andand II mustmust needsneeds awayaway.
wln 0398NoblesNobles.HeauensHeavensheavens sendsend youryour voyagevoyage toto asas goodgood effecteffect,
wln 0399AsAs wewe youryour landland dodo purposepurpose toto protectprotect.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 0400EnterEnter thethe KingKing ofof CornwallCornwall andand hishis manman bootedbooted andand
wln 0401spurdspurred, aa ridingriding wandwand, andand aa letterletter inin hishis handhand.

wln 0402Corn.CornwallCorn.ButBut howhow farfar distantdistant areare wewe fromfrom thethe CourtCourt?
wln 0403Ser.ServantSer.SomeSome twentytwenty milesmiles, mymy LordLord, oror thereaboutsthereabouts.
wln 0404Corn.CornwallCorn.ItIt seemethseemeth toto meme twentytwenty thousandthousand mylesmiles:
wln 0405YetYet hopehope II toto bebe therethere withinwithin thisthis hourehour.
wln 0406Ser.ServantSer.ThenThen areare youyou likelike toto rideride alonealone forfor meme.toto him-himselfehim∣selfe
selfehimself.

wln 0407II thinkethink, mymy LordLord isis wearyweary ofof hishis lifelife.
wln 0408Corn.CornwallCorn.SweetSweet GonorillGonorilGonorill, II longlong toto seesee thythy faceface,
wln 0409WhichWhich hasthast soso kindlykindly gratifiedgratified mymy louelove.
wln 0410EnterEnter thethe KingKing ofof CambriaCambria bootedbooted andand spurdspurred, andand hishis
wln 0411manman withwith aa wandwand andand aa letterletter.

wln 0412Cam.CambriaCam.GetGet aa freshfresh horsehorse: forfor byby mymy soulesoul II sweareswear,HeHe lookeslooks
onon thethe
letterletter.

wln 0413II amam pastpast patiencepatience, longerlonger toto forbeareforbear
wln 0414TheThe wishedwished sightsight ofof mymy belouedbeloved mistrismistress,
wln 0415DeareDear RaganRagan, staystay andand comfortcomfort ofof mymy lifelife.
wln 0416Ser.ServantSer.NowNow whatwhat inin GodsGod’s namename dothdoth mymy LordLord intendintend?toto him-himselfehim∣selfehimself
selfe.

B3
He

img: 8-a
sig: B3v

The History of King Leir


wln 0417HeHe thinksthinks hehe ne’rene’ernever shallshall comecome at’sat ’sat’s iourneyesjourney’s endend.
wln 0418II wouldwould hehe hadhad oldold DedalusDaedalus’Dedalus waxenwaxen wingswings,
wln 0419ThatThat hehe mightmight flyefly, soso II mightmight staystay behindbehind:
wln 0420ForFor e’reere wewe getget toto TroynouantTroynovant, II seesee,
wln 0421HeHe quitequite willwill tyretire himselfehimself, hishis horsehorse andand meme.
wln 0422CornwallCornwall &and CambriaCambria lookelook oneone vponupon anotheranother, andand
wln 0423startstart toto seesee echeeach otherother therethere.

wln 0424Corn.CornwallCorn.BrotherBrother ofof CambriaCambria, wewe greetgreet youyou wellwell,
wln 0425AsAs oneone whomwhom herehere wewe littlelittle diddid expectexpect.
wln 0426Cam.CambriaCam.BrotherBrother ofof CornwallCornwall, metmet inin happyhappy timetime:
wln 0427II thoughtthought asas muchmuch toto hauehave metmet withwith thethe SouldanSouldanSultan ofof PersiaPersia,
wln 0428AsAs toto hauehave metmet youyou inin thisthis placeplace, mymy LordLord.
wln 0429NoNo doubtdoubt, itit isis aboutabout somesome greatgreat affayresaffairs,
wln 0430ThatThat makesmakes youyou herehere soso slenderlyslenderly accompaniedaccompanied.
wln 0431Corn.CornwallCorn.ToTo saysay thethe truthtruth, mymy LordLord, itit isis nono lesseless,
wln 0432AndAnd forfor youryour partpart somesome hastyhasty windwind ofof chancechance
wln 0433HathHath blowneblown youyou hitherhither thusthus vponupon thethe suddensudden.
wln 0434Cam.CambriaCam.MyMy LordLord, toto breakbreak offoff furtherfurther circumstancescircumstances,
wln 0435ForFor atat thisthis timetime II cannotcannot brookebrook delayesdelays:
wln 0436TellTell youyou youryour reasonreason, II willwill telltell youyou minemine.
wln 0437Corn.CornwallCorn.InIn faythfaith contentcontent, andand thereforetherefore toto bebe briefebrief;
wln 0438ForFor II amam suresure mymy haste’shaste’s asas greatgreat asas yoursyours:
wln 0439II amam sentsent forfor, toto comecome vntounto KingKing LeirLeir,
wln 0440WhoWhWho byby thesethese presentpresent lettersletters promisethpromiseth
wln 0441HisHis eldesteldest daughterdaughter, louelylovely GonorillGonorilGonorill,
wln 0442ToTo meme inin mariagemarriage, andand forfor presentpresent dowrydowry,
wln 0443TheThe moitymoiety ofof halfehalf hishis RegimentRegiment.
wln 0444TheThe LadiesLady’slady’s louelove II longlong agoago possestpossessed:
wln 0445ButBut vntilluntil nownow II neuernever hadhad thethe fathersfather’s.
wln 0446Cam.CambriaCam.YouYou telltell meme wonderswonders, yetyet II willwill relaterelate
wln 0447StrangeStrange newesnews, andand henceforthhenceforth wewe mustmust brothersbrothers callcall;
wln 0448WitnesseWitness thesethese lyneslines: hishis honourablehonorablehonourable ageage,
wln 0449BeingBeing wearyweary ofof thethe troublestroubles ofof hishis CrowneCrown,
wln 0450HisHis princelyprincely daughterdaughter RaganRagan willwill bestowbestow
wln 0451OnOn meme inin mariagemarriage, withwith halfehalf hishis SeignioriesSignoriessignories,
wln 0452WhomWhom II wouldwould gladlygladly hauehave acceptedaccepted ofof,
wln 0453WithWith thethe thirdthird partpart, herher complementscompliments areare suchsuch.
wln 0454Corn.CornwallCorn.IfIf II hauehave oneone halfehalf, andand youyou hauehave thethe otherother,
Then

img: 8-b
sig: B4r

and his three daughters.


wln 0455[··]enThenThen betweenebetween vsus wewe mustmust needsneeds hauehave thethe wholewhole.
wln 0456[··]m.Cam.CambriaCam.TheThe holehole! howhow meanemean youyou thatthat? Zlood’Sblood’zblood, II hopehope,
wln 0457WeWe shallshall hauehave twotwo holesholes betweenebetween vsus.
wln 0458Corn.CornwallCorn.WhyWhy, thethe wholewhole KingdomeKingdom.
wln 0459Cam.CambriaCam.IAyay, that’sthat’s veryvery truetrue.
wln 0460Cor.CornwallCor.WhatWhat thenthen isis leftleft forfor hishis thirdthird daughtersdaughter’s dowrydowry,
wln 0461LouelyLovely CordellaCordella, whomwhom thethe worldworld admiresadmires?
wln 0462Cam.CambriaCam.Tis’Tis veryvery strangestrange, II knowknow notnot whatwhat toto thinkethink,
wln 0463VnlesseUnless theythey meanemean toto makemake aa NunneNun ofof herher.
wln 0464Corn.CornwallCorn.’Twere’T were’Twere’T were pitypity suchsuch rarerare beautybeauty shouldshould bebe hidhid
wln 0465WithinWithin thethe compassecompass ofof aa CloystersCloister’scloister’s wallwall:
wln 0466ButBut howsoe’rehowsoe’er, ifif LeirsLeir’s wordswords proueprove truetrue,
wln 0467ItIt willwill bebe goodgood, mymy LordLord, forfor meme andand youyou.
wln 0468Cam.CambriaCam.ThenThen letlet vssuss hastehaste, allall dangerdanger toto preuentprevent,
wln 0469ForFor fearefear delayesdelays doedo alteralter hishis intentintent.ExeuntExeunt.

wln 0470EnterEnter GonorillGonorilGonorill andand RaganRagan.
wln 0471Gon.GonorilGon.SisterSister, whenwhen diddid youyou seesee CordellaCordella lastlast,
wln 0472ThatThat pretypretty piecepiece, thatthat thinksthinks nonenone goodgood ynoughenough
wln 0473ToTo speakespeak toto herher, becausebecause (sir-reuerencesir-reverence)
wln 0474SheShe hathhath aa littlelittle beautybeauty extraordinaryextraordinary?
wln 0475Ra.RaganRa.SinceSince timetime mymy fatherfather warndwarned herher fromfrom hishis presencepresence,
wln 0476II neuernever sawsaw herher, thatthat II cancan rememberremember.
wln 0477GodGod giuegiuergivegiver herher ioyjoy ofof herher surpassingsurpassing beautybeauty;
wln 0478II thinkethink, herher dowrydowry willwill bebe smallsmall ynoughenough.
wln 0479Gon.GonorilGon.II hauehave incenstincensed mymy fatherfather soso againstagainst herher,
wln 0480AsAs hehe willwill neuernever bebe reclaymdreclaimed agayneagain.
wln 0481Rag.RaganRag.II waswas notnot muchmuch behindbehind toto dodo thethe likelike.
wln 0482Gon.GonorilGon.FaithFaith, sistersister, whatwhat mouesmoves youyou toto bearebear herher suchsuch goodgood (willwill?
wln 0483Rag.RaganRag.InIn truthtruth, II thinkethink, thethe samesame thatthat mouethmoveth youyou;
wln 0484BecauseBecause sheshe dothdoth surpassesurpass vsus bothboth inin beautybeauty.
wln 0485Gon.GonorilGon.BeshrewBeshrew youryour fingersfingers, howhow rightright youyou cancan gesseguess:
wln 0486II telltell youyou truetrue, itit cutscuts meme toto thethe heartheart.
wln 0487Rag.RaganRag.ButBut wewe willwill keepekeep herher lowlow enoughenough, II warrantwarrant,
wln 0488AndAnd clipclip herher wingswings forfor mountingmounting vpup tootoo hyehigh.
wln 0489Gon.GonorilGon.Who euerWhoeverwhoever hathhath herher, shallshall hauehave aa richrich mariagemarriage ofof herher.
wln 0490Rag.RaganRag.SheShe werewere rightright fitfit toto makemake aa ParsonsParson’sparson’s wifewife:
wln 0491ForFor theythey, menmen saysay, dodo louelove fairefair womenwomen wellwell,
B4
And

img: 9-a
sig: B4v

The History of King Leir


wln 0492AndAnd manymany timestimes doedo marrymarry themthem withwith nothingnothing.
wln 0493Gon.GonorilGon.WithWith nothingnothing! marrymarry GodGod forbidforbid: whywhy, areare therethere anyany (suchsuch?
wln 0494Rag.RaganRag.II meanemean, nono moneymoney.
wln 0495Gon.GonorilGon.II crycry youyou mercymercy, II mistookemistook youyou muchmuch:
wln 0496AndAnd sheshe isis farfar tootoo statelystately forfor thethe ChurchChurch;
wln 0497SheeleShe’llshe’ll laylay herher husbandshusband’s BeneficeBenefice onon herher backback,
wln 0498EuenEven inin oneone gownegown, ifif sheshe maymay hauehave herher willwill.
wln 0499Ra.RaganRa.InIn faithfaith, poorepoor soulesoul, II pittypity herher aa littlelittle.
wln 0500WouldWould sheshe werewere lesseless fayrefair, oror moremore fortunatefortunate.
wln 0501WellWell, II thinkethink longlong vntilluntil II seesee mymy MorganMorgan,
wln 0502TheThe gallantgallant PrincePrince ofof CambriaCambria, herehere arriuearrive.
wln 0503Gon.GonorilGon.AndAnd soso dodo II, vntilluntil thethe CornwallCornwall KingKing
wln 0504PresentPresent himselfehimself, toto consummateconsummate mymy ioyesjoys.
wln 0505PeacePeace, herehere commethcometh mymy fatherfather.
wln 0506EnterEnter LeirLeir, PerillusPerillus andand othersothers.
wln 0507LeirLeirKing.CeaseCease, goodgood mymy LordsLords, andand suesue notnot toto reuersereverse
wln 0508OurOur censurecensure, whichwhich isis nownow irreuocableirrevocable.
wln 0509WeWe hauehave dispatcheddispatched lettersletters ofof contractcontract
wln 0510VntoUnto thethe KingsKings ofof CambriaCambria andand ofof CornwallCornwall;
wln 0511OurOur handhand andand sealeseal willwill iustifyjustify nono lesseless:
wln 0512ThenThen dodo notnot soso dishonourdishonordishonour meme, mymy LordsLords,
wln 0513AsAs toto makemake shipwrackshipwreck ofof ourour kinglykingly wordword.
wln 0514II amam asas kindkind asas isis thethe PellicanPelican,
wln 0515ThatThat kilskills itselfeitself, toto sauesave herher youngyoung onesones’ones liueslives:
wln 0516AndAnd yetyet asas ielousjealous asas thethe princelyprincely EagleEagle,
wln 0517ThatThat kilskills herher youngyoung onesones, ifif theythey-dothey-dothey dodo butbut dazelldazzle
wln 0518VponUpon thethe radiantradiant splendorsplendorsplendour ofof thethe SunneSun.EnterEnter
KingsKings ofof
CornwallCornwall andand Cam-CambriaCam∣bria
briaCambria.

wln 0519WithinWithin thisthis twotwo dayesdays II expectexpect theirtheir commingcoming.
wln 0520ButBut inin goodgood timetime, theythey areare arriu’darrived alreadyalready.
wln 0521ThisThis hastehaste ofof yoursyours, mymy LordsLords, dothdoth testifytestify
wln 0522TheThe feruentfervent louelove youyou bearebear vntounto mymy daughtersdaughters:
wln 0523AndAnd thinkthink your seluesyourselves asas welcomewelcome toto KingKing LeirLeir,
wln 0524AsAs euerever PryamsPriam’s childrenchildren werewere toto himhim.
wln 0525Corn.CornwallCorn.MyMy graciousgracious LordLord, andand fatherfather tootoo, II hopehope,
wln 0526PardonPardon, forfor thatthat II mademade nono greatergreater hastehaste:
wln 0527ButBut werewere mymy horsehorse asas swiftswift asas waswas mymy willwill,
wln 0528II longlong ereere thisthis hadhad seeneseen youryour MaiestyMajesty.
wln 0529Cam.CambriaCam.NoNo otherother scuse’scuse ofof absenceabsence cancan II frameframe,
Then

img: 9-b
sig: C1r

and his three daughters.


wln 0530ThenThanThen whatwhat mymy brotherbrother hathhath inform’dinformed youryour GraceGrace:
wln 0531ForFor ourour vndeseruedundeserved welcomewelcome, wewe dodo vowevow,
wln 0532PerpetuallyPerpetually toto restrest atat youryour commaundcommand.
wln 0533Corn.CornwallCorn.ButBut youyou, sweetsweet LoueLove, illustriousillustrious GonorillGonorilGonorill,
wln 0534TheThe RegentRegent, andand thethe SoueraigneSovereign ofof mymy soulesoul,
wln 0535IsIs CornwallCornwall welcomewelcome toto youryour ExcellencyExcellency?
wln 0536Gon.GonorilGon.AsAs welcomewelcome, asas LeanderLeander waswas toto HeroHero,
wln 0537OrOr brauebrave AeneasAeneas toto thethe CarthageCarthage QueeneQueen:
wln 0538SoSo andand moremore welcomewelcome isis youryour GraceGrace toto meme.
wln 0539Cam.CambriaCam.OO, maymay mymy fortunefortune proueprove nono worseworse thenthan hishis,
wln 0540SinceSince heauensheavens dodo knowknow, mymy fancyfancy isis asas muchmuch.
wln 0541DeareDear RaganRagan, saysay, ifif welcomewelcome vntounto theethee,
wln 0542AllAll welcomeswelcomes elseelse willwill littlelittle comfortcomfort meme.
wln 0543Rag.RaganRag.AsAs goldgold isis welcomewelcome toto thethe couetouscovetous eyeeye,
wln 0544AsAs sleepesleep isis welcomewelcome toto thethe TrauellerTravelerTraveller,
wln 0545AsAs isis freshfresh waterwater toto sea-beatensea-beaten menmen,
wln 0546OrOr moystnedmoistened showresshowers vntounto thethe parchedparched groundground,
wln 0547OrOr anyany thingthing moremore welcomerwelcomer thenthan thisthis,
wln 0548SoSo andand moremore welcomewelcome louelylovely MorganMorgan isis.
wln 0549LeirLeirKing.WhatWhat restethresteth thenthen, butbut thatthat wewe consummateconsummate,
wln 0550TheThe celebrationcelebration ofof thesethese nuptiallnuptial RitesRites?
wln 0551MyMy KingdomeKingdom II dodo equallyequally deuidedivide.
wln 0552PrincesPrinces, drawdraw lotslots, andand taketake youryour chauncechance asas fallesfalls.
wln 0553ThenThen theythey drawdraw lotslots.
wln 0554TheseThese II resigneresign asas freelyfreely vntounto youyou,
wln 0555AsAs earsterst byby truetrue successionsuccession theythey werewere minemine.
wln 0556AndAnd herehere II dodo freelyfreely dispossessedispossess my selfemyself,
wln 0557AndAnd makemake youyou twotwo mymy truetrue adoptedadopted heyresheirs:
wln 0558My selfeMyselfmyself willwill soiornesojourn withwith mymy sonneson ofof CornwallCornwall,
wln 0559AndAnd taketake meme toto mymy prayersprayers andand mymy beadesbeads.
wln 0560II knowknow, mymy daughterdaughter RaganRagan willwill bebe sorrysorry,
wln 0561BecauseBecause II dodo notnot spendspend mymy dayesdays withwith herher:
wln 0562WouldWould II werewere ableable toto bebe withwith bothboth atat onceonce;
wln 0563TheyThey areare thethe kindestkindest GyrlesgyrlesGytlesGirlsgirls inin ChristendomeChristendomchristendom.
wln 0564Per.PerillusPer.II hauehave binbeen silentsilent allall thisthis whilewhile, mymy LordLord,
wln 0565ToTo seesee ifif anyany worthyerworthier thenthan my selfemyself,
wln 0566WouldWould onceonce hauehave spokespoke inin poorepoor CordellaesCordella’s causecause:
wln 0567ButBut louelove oror fearefear tyesties silencesilence toto theirtheir toungstongues.
C
Oh,

img: 10-a
sig: C1v

The History of King Leir


wln 0568OhOhO, hearehear meme speakespeak forfor herher, mymy graciousgracious LordLord,
wln 0569WhoseWhose deedsdeeds hauehave notnot deseru’ddeserved thisthis ruthlesseruthless doomedoom,
wln 0570AsAs thusthus toto disinheritdisinherit herher ofof allall.
wln 0571LeirLeirKing.VrgeUrge thisthis nono moremore, andand ifif thouthou louelove thythy lifelife:
wln 0572II saysay, sheshe isis nono daughterdaughter, thatthat dothdoth scornescorn
wln 0573ToTo telltell herher fatherfather howhow sheshe louethloveth himhim.
wln 0574Who euerWhoeverwhoever speakethspeaketh hereofhereof toto meeme agayneagain,
wln 0575II willwill esteemeesteem himhim forfor mymy mortallmortal foefoe.
wln 0576ComeCome, letlet vsus inin, toto celebratecelebrate withvithwith ioyjoy,
wln 0577TheThe happyhappy NuptiallsNuptials ofof thesethese louelylovely payrespairs.
wln 0578ExeuntExeunt omnesomnes, manetmanet PerillusPerillus.
wln 0579Per.PerillusPer.AhAh, whowho soso blindblind, asas theythey thatthat willwill notnot seesee
wln 0580TheThe neerenear approchapproach ofof theirtheir owneown miserymisery?
wln 0581PoorePoor LadyLady, II extremelyextremely pittypity herher:
wln 0582AndAnd whilestwhilst II liuelive, echeeach dropdrop ofof mymy heartheart bloodblood,
wln 0583WillWill II straynestrain forthforth, toto dodo herher anyany goodgood.ExitExit.
wln 0584EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian KingKing, andand MumfordMumford, disguiseddisguised
wln 0585likelike PilgrimsPilgrims.

wln 0586Mum.MumfordMum.MyMy LordLord, howhow dodo youyou brookbrook thisthis BrittishBritish ayreair??
wln 0587KingKing of GalliaKing.MyMy LordLord? II toldtold youyou ofof thisthis foolishfoolish humourhumorhumour,
wln 0588AndAnd boundbound youyou toto thethe contrarycontrary, youyou knowknow.
wln 0589Mum.MumfordMum.PardonPardon meme forfor onceonce, mymy LordLord; II diddid forgetforget.
wln 0590KingKing of GalliaKing.MyMy LordLord agayneagain? thenthen let’slet’s hauehave nothingnothing elseelse,
wln 0591AndAnd soso bebe tanecaneta’en forfor spyesspies, andand thenthen tis’tis wellwell.
wln 0592Mum.MumfordMum.Swounds’Swounds’swounds, II couldcould bitebite mymy toungtongue inin twotwo forfor angerangertanger::
wln 0593ForFor GodsGod’s sakesake namename your selfeyourself somesome properproper namename.
wln 0594KingKing of GalliaKing.CallCall meme TresillusTrofillusTrofillusTresillus: IleI’ll callcall theethee DenapollDenapoll.
wln 0595Mum.MumfordMum.MightMight II bebe mademade thethe MonarchMonarch ofof thethe worldworld,
wln 0596II couldcould notnot hithit vponupon thesethese namesnames, II sweareswear.
wln 0597KingKing of GalliaKing.ThenThen callcall meme WillWill, ilei’llI’ll callcall theethee IackeJack.
wln 0598Mum.MumfordMum.WellWell, bebe itit soso, forfor II hauehave welwell deseru’ddeserved toto bebe cal’dcalled IacklackJack.
wln 0599KingKing of GalliaKing.StandStand closeclose; forfor herehere aa BrittishBritish LadyLady cōmethcōmethcometh:EnterEnter
CordellaCordella.

wln 0600AA fayrerfairer creaturecreature ne’rene’ernever minemine eyeseyes beheldbeheld.
wln 0601Cord.CordellaCord.ThisThis isis aa dayday ofof ioyjoy vntounto mymy sisterssisters,
wln 0602WhereinWherein theythey bothboth areare mariedmarried vntounto KingsKings;
wln 0603AndAnd II, byby byrthbirth, asas worthyworthy asas themseluesthemselves,
wln 0604AmAm turndturned intointo thethe worldworld, toto seekeseek mymy fortunefortune.
wln 0605HowHow maymay II blameblame thethe ficklefickle QueeneQueen ofof ChaunceChance,,.
That

img: 10-b
sig: C2r

and his three daughters.


wln 0606ThatThat makethmaketh meme aa patternepattern ofof herher powerpower?
wln 0607AhAh, poorepoor weakeweak maydmaid, whosewhose imbecilityimbecility
wln 0608IsIs farfar vnableunable toto indureendure thesethese bruntsbrunts.
wln 0609OhOhO, fatherfather LeirLeir, howhow dostdost thouthou wrongwrong thythy childchild,
wln 0610WhoWho alwayesalways waswas obedientobedient toto thythy willwill!
wln 0611ButBut whywhy accuseaccuse II fortunefortune andand mymy fatherfather?
wln 0612NoNo, nono, itit isis thethe pleasurepleasure ofof mymy GodGod:
wln 0613AndAnd II dodo willinglywillingly imbraceembrace thethe rodrod.
wln 0614KingKing of GalliaKing.ItIt isis nono GoddesseGoddess; forfor sheshe dothdoth complayn[·]complayntcomplaincomplaint
wln 0615OnOn fortunefortune, andand th’vnkindnesseth’ unkindnessth’unkindnes ofof herher fatherfather.
wln 0616Cord.CordellaCord.TheseThese costlycostly robesrobes illill fittingfitting mymy estateestate,
wln 0617II willwill exchangeexchange forfor otherother meanermeaner habithabit.
wln 0618Mum.MumfordMum.NowNow ifif II hadhad aa KingdomeKingdom inin mymy handshandehandshand,
wln 0619II wouldwould exchangeexchange itit forfor aa milkmaidsmilkmaid’s smocksmock andand petycoatepetticoat,
wln 0620ThatThat sheshe andand II mightmight shiftshift ourour clothesclothes togethertogether.
wln 0621Cord.CordellaCord.II willwill betakebetake meme toto mymy threedthread andand NeedleNeedle,
wln 0622AndAnd earneearn mymy liuinghuingliving withwith mymy fingersfingers’finger’s endsends.
wln 0623Mum.MumfordMum.OO brauebrave! GodGod willingwilling, thouthou shaltshalt hauehave mymy customecustom,
wln 0624ByBy sweetsweet S.SaintS. DenisDenis, herehere II sadlysadly sweareswear,
wln 0625ForFor allall thethe shirtsshirts andand night-gearenight gearenight-gearnight gear thatthat II wearewear.
wln 0626Cord.CordellaCord.II willwill professeprofess andand vowvow aa maydensmaiden’s lifelife.
wln 0627Mum.MumfordMum.ThēThēThen II protestprotest thouthou shaltshalt notnot hauehave mymy customcustom.
wln 0628KingKing of GalliaKing.II cancan forbeareforbear nono longerlonger forfor toto speakspeak:
wln 0629ForFor ifif II dodo, II thinkthink mymy heartheart willwill breakebreak.
wln 0630Mum.MumfordMum.Sblood’Sblood’sblood, WilWill, II hopehope youyou areare notnot inin louelove withwith mymy SēpsterSēpsterSempster.
wln 0631KingKing of GalliaKing.II amam inin suchsuch aa laborinthlabyrinth ofof louelove,
wln 0632AsAs thatthat II knowknow notnot whichwhich wayway toto getget outout.
wln 0633Mum.MumfordMum.You’lYou’ll ne’rene’ernever getget outout, vnlesseunless youyou firstfirst getget inin..,
wln 0634KingKing of GalliaKing.II prithyprithee IacklackeJack, crossecross notnot mymy passionspassions.
wln 0635Mum.MumfordMum.PrithyPrithee WilWill, toto herher, andand trytry herher patiencepatience.
wln 0636KingKing of GalliaKing.ThouThou fairestfairest creaturecreature, whatsoerewhatsoe’erwhatsoever thouthou artart,
wln 0637ThatThat euerever anyany mortallmortal eyeseyes beheldbe heldbeheldbe held,
wln 0638VouchsafeVouchsafe toto meme, whowho hauehave o’reheardo’erheard thythy woeswoeeswoes,
wln 0639ToTo shewshow thethe causecause ofof thesethese thythy sadsad lamentslaments.
wln 0640Cor.CordellaCor.AhAh PilgrimsPilgrims, whatwhat auailesavails toto shewshow thethe causecause,
wln 0641WhenWhen there’sthere’s nono meanesmeans toto findfind aa remedyremedy?
wln 0642KingKing of GalliaKing.ToTo vtterutter griefegrief, dothdoth easeease aa heartheart o’recharg’do’re charg’do’erchargedo’er charged.
wln 0643Cor.CordellaCor.ToTo touchtouch aa soresore, dothdoth aggrauateaggravateaggravate thethe paynepain.
C2
King. The

img: 11-a
sig: C2v

The History of King Leir


wln 0644KingKing of GalliaKing.TheThe sillysilly mousemouse, byby vertuevirtue ofof herher teethteeth,
wln 0645Releas’dReleased thethe princelyprincely LyonLion fromfrom thethe netnet.
wln 0646Cor.CordellaCor.KindKind PalmerPalmer, whichwhich soso muchmuch desir’stdefir’stdesir’st toto hearehear
wln 0647TheThe tragicktragic taletale ofof mymy vnhappyunhappy youthyouth:
wln 0648KnowKnow thisthis inin briefebrief, II amam thethe haplessehapless daughterdaughter
wln 0649OfOf LeirLeir, sometimessometimes KingKing ofof BrittanyBtittanyBrittany.
wln 0650KingKing of GalliaKing.WhyWhy, whowho debarresdebars hishis honourablehonorablehonourable ageage,
wln 0651FromFrom beingbeing stillstill thethe KingKing ofof BrittanyBrittany?
wln 0652Cor.CordellaCor.NoneNone, butbut himselfehimself hathhath dispossestdispossessed himselfehimself,
wln 0653AndAnd giuengiven allall hishis KingdomeKingdom toto thethe KingsKings
wln 0654OfOf CornwallCornwall andand ofof CambriaCambria, withwith mymy sisterssisters.
wln 0655KingKing of GalliaKing.HathHath hehe giuengiven nothingnothing toto youryour louelylovely selfeself?
wln 0656Cor.CordellaCor.HeHe lou’dloved meme notnot, &and therforetherefore gauegave meme nothingnothing,
wln 0657OnlyOnly becausebecause II couldcould notnot flatterflatter himhim:
wln 0658AndAnd inin thisthis dayday ofof tryumphtriumph toto mymy sisterssisters,
wln 0659DothDoth FortuneFortune tryumphtriumph inin mymy ouerthrowoverthrow.
wln 0660KingKing of GalliaKing.SweetSweet LadyLady, saysay therethere shouldshould comecome aa KingKing,
wln 0661AsAs goodgood asas eythereither ofof youryour sisterssisters’ husbandshusbands,
wln 0662ToTo crauecrave youryour louelove, wouldwould youyou acceptaccept ofof himhim?
wln 0663Cor.CordellaCor.OhOhO, doedo notnot mockemock withwith thosethose inin miserymisery,
wln 0664NorNor dodo notnot thinkthink, thoughthough fortunefortune hauehave thethe powerpower,
wln 0665ToTo spoylespoil minemine honourhonorhonour, andand debasedebase mymy statestate,
wln 0666ThatThat sheshe hathhath anyany interestinterest inin mymy mindmind:
wln 0667ForFor ifif thethe greatestgreatest MonarchMonarch onon thethe earthearth,
wln 0668ShouldShould suesue toto meme inin thisthis extremityextremity,
wln 0669ExceptExcept mymy heartheart couldcould louelove, andand heartheart couldcould likelike,
wln 0670BetterBetter thenthan anyany thatthat II euerever sawsaw,
wln 0671HisHis greatgreat estateestate nono moremore shouldshould mouemove mymy mindmind,
wln 0672ThenThan mountaynesmountains mouemove byby blastblast ofof eueryevery windwind.
wln 0673KingKing of GalliaKing.ThinkThink notnot, sweetsweet NymphNymph, tis’tis holyholy PalmersPalmer’s guiseguise,
wln 0674ToTo grieuedgrieved soulessouls freshfresh tormentstorments toto deuisedevise:
wln 0675ThereforeTherefore inin witnessewitness ofof mymy truetrue intentintent,
wln 0676LetLet heauenheaven andand earthearth bearebear recordrecord ofof mymy wordswords:
wln 0677ThereThere isis aa youngyoung andand lustylusty GallianGallian KingKing,
wln 0678SoSo likelike toto meme, asas II amam toto my selfemyself,
wln 0679ThatThat earnestlyearnestly dothdoth crauecrave toto hauehave thythy louelove,
wln 0680AndAnd ioynejoin withwith theethee inin HymensHymen’s sacredsacred bondsbonds.
wln 0681Cor.CordellaCor.TheThe likelike toto theethee diddid ne’rene’ernever thesethese eyeseyes beholdbehold;
Oh

img: 11-b
sig: C3r

and his three daughters.


wln 0682OhOhO liuelive toto addeadd newnew tormentstorments toto mymy griefegrief:
wln 0683WhyWhy didstdidst thouthou thusthus intrapentrap meme vnawaresunawares?
wln 0684AhAh PalmerPalmer, mymy estateestate dothdoth notnot befitbefit
wln 0685AA kinglykingly mariagemarriage, asas thethe casecase nownow standsstands.
wln 0686WhilomeWhilom when aswhenas II liu’dlived inin honourshonor’shonour’s heightheight,
wln 0687AA PrincePrince perhapsperhaps mightmight postulatepostulate mymy louelove:
wln 0688NowNow miserymisery, dishonourdishonordishonour andand disgracedisgrace,
wln 0689HathHath lightlight onon meme, andand quitequite reuerstreversed thethe casecase.
wln 0690ThyThy KingKing willwill holdhold theethee wisewise, ifif thouthou surceasesurcease
wln 0691TheThe sutesuit, whereaswhereas nono dowrydowry willwill insueensue.
wln 0692ThenThen bebe aduisedadvised, PalmerPalmer, whatwhat toto dodo:
wln 0693CeaseCease forfor thythy KingKing, seekeseek forfor thy selfethyself toto woowoo.
wln 0694KingKing of GalliaKing.YourYour birth’sbirth’s tootoo highhigh forfor anyany, butbut aa KingKing.
wln 0695Cor.CordellaCor.MyMy mindmind isis lowlow ynoughenough toto louelove aa PalmerPalmer,
wln 0696RatherRather thenthan anyany KingKing vponupon thethe earthearth.
wln 0697KingKing of GalliaKing.OO, butbut youyou neuernever cancan indureendure theirtheir lifelife,
wln 0698WhichWhich isis soso straightstraight andand fullfull ofof penurypenury.
wln 0699Cor.CordellaCor.OO yesyes, II cancan, andand happyhappy ifif II mightmight:
wln 0700IleI’ll holdhold thythy PalmersPalmer’s staffestaff withinwithin mymy handhand,
wln 0701AndAnd thinkethink itit isis thethe ScepterSceptre ofof aa QueeneQueen.
wln 0702SometimeSometime ilei’llI’ll setset thythy BonnetBonnet onon mymy headhead,
wln 0703AndAnd thinkethink II wearewear aa richrich imperiallimperial CrowneCrown.
wln 0704SometimeSometime ilei’llI’ll helpehelp theethee inin thythy holyholy prayersprayers,
wln 0705AndAnd thinkethink II amam withwith theethee inin ParadiseParadise.
wln 0706ThusThus ilei’llI’ll mockmock fortunefortune, asas sheshe mockethmocketh meme,
wln 0707AndAnd neuernever willwill mymy louelylovely choycechoice repentrepent:
wln 0708ForFor hauinghaving theethee, II shallshall hauehave allall contentcontent.
wln 0709KingKing of GalliaKing.’Twere’Twere sinsin toto holdhold herher longerlonger inin suspencesuspense,
wln 0710SinceSince thatthat mymy soulesoul hathhath vow’dvowed sheshe shallshall bebe minemine.
wln 0711AhAh, dearedear CordellaCordella, cordiallcordial toto mymy heartheart,
wln 0712II amam nono PalmerPalmer, asas II seemeseem toto bebe,
wln 0713ButBut hitherhither comecome inin thisthis vnknowneunknown disguisedisguise,
wln 0714ToTo viewview th’admiredth’admired beautybeauty ofof thosethose eyeseyes.
wln 0715II amam thethe KingKing ofof GalliaGallia, gentlegentle maydmaid,
wln 0716(AlthoughAlthough thusthus slenderlyslenderly accompaniedaccompanied)
wln 0717AndAnd yetyet thythy vassaylevassal byby imperiousimperious LoueLove,
wln 0718AndAnd swornesworn toto serueserve theethee euerlastinglyeverlastingly.
wln 0719Cor.CordellaCor.What e’reWhate’erwhate’er youyou bebe, ofof highhigh oror lowlow discentdescent,
C3
All’s

img: 12-a
sig: C3v

The History of King Leir


wln 0720All’sAll’s oneone toto meme, II dodo requestrequest butbut thisthis:
wln 0721ThatThat asas II amam, youyou willwill acceptaccept ofof meme,
wln 0722AndAnd II willwill hauehave youyou whatsoe’rewhatloe’rewhatsoe’er youyou bebe:
wln 0723YetYet wellwell II knowknow, youyou comecome ofof royallroyal racerace,
wln 0724II seesee suchsuch sparkssparks ofof honourhonorhonour inin youryour faceface:
wln 0725Mum.MumfordMum.HaueHave Palmer’sPalmer’s weedsweeds suchsuch powerpower toto winwin fayrefair LadiesLadies?
wln 0726FaythFaith, thenthen II hopehope thethe nextnext thatthat fallesfalls isis mynemine:
wln 0727VponUpon conditioncondition II nono worseworse mightmight speedspeed,
wln 0728II wouldwould forfor euerever wearewear aa PalmersPalmer’s weedweed.
wln 0729II likelike anan honesthonest andand playne dealingplain-dealingplain dealing wenchwench,
wln 0730ThatThat swearesswears (withoutwithout exceptionsexceptions) II willwill hauehave youyou.
wln 0731TheseThese foppetsfoppets, thatthat knowknow notnot whetherwhether toto louelove aa manman oror nono, ex-exceptex∣ceptexcept
wln 0732cept
wln 0732theythey firstfirst gogo askeask theirtheir mothersmother’s leaueleave, byby thisthis handhand, II hatehate
wln 0733themthem tenten tymestimes worseworse thenthan poysonpoison.
wln 0734KingKing of GalliaKing.WhatWhat restethresteth thenthen ourour happinessehappiness toto procureprocure?
wln 0735Mum.MumfordMum.FaythFaith, gogo toto ChurchChurch, toto makemake thethe mattermatter suresure.
wln 0736KingKing of GalliaKing.ItIt shallshall bebe soso, becausebecause thethe worldworld shallshall saysay,
wln 0737KingKing LeirsLeir’s threethree daughtersdaughters werewere weddedwedded inin oneone dayday:
wln 0738TheThe celebrationcelebration ofof thisthis happyhappy chauncechance,
wln 0739WeWe willwill deferredefer, vntilluntil wewe comecome toto FraunceFrance.
wln 0740Mum.MumfordMum.II likelike thethe wooingwooing, that’sthat’s notnot longlong a doinga-doinga doing.
wln 0741WellWell, forfor herher sakesake, II knowknow whatwhat II knowknow:
wln 0742IleI’ll neuernever marrymarry whilestwhilst II liuelive,
wln 0743ExceptExcept II hauehave oneone ofof thesethese BrittishBritish LadyesLadies,
wln 0744MyMy humourhumorhumour isis alienatedalienated fromfrom thethe maydsmaids ofof FraunceFrance.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 0745EnterEnter PerillusPerillus solussolus.
wln 0746Per.PerillusPer.TheThe KingKing hathhath dispossestdispossessed himselfehimself ofof allall,
wln 0747ThoseThose toto aduaunceadvance, whichwhich scarcescarce willwill giuegive himhim thanksthanks:
wln 0748HisHis youngestyoungest daughterdaughter hehe hathhath turndturned awayaway,
wln 0749AndAnd nono manman knowesknows whatwhat isis becomebecome ofof herher.
wln 0750HeHe soiournessojourns nownow inin CornwallCornwall withwith thethe eldesteldest,
wln 0751WhoWho flattredflattered himhim, vntilluntil sheshe diddid obtayneobtain
wln 0752ThatThat atat hishis handshands, whichwhich nownow sheshe dothdoth possesspossessespossesspossesses,,
wln 0753AndAnd nownow sheshe seessees heehe hathhath nono moremore toto giuegive,
wln 0754ItIt grieuesgrieves herher heartheart toto seesee herher fatherfather liuelive.
wln 0755OhOhO, whomwhom shouldshould manman trusttrust inin thisthis wickedwicked ageage,
wln 0756WhenWhen childrenchildren thusthus againstagainst theirtheir parentsparents ragerage?
wln 0757ButBut hehe, thethe myrrourmirror ofof mildmild patiencepatience,
Puts

img: 12-b
sig: C4r

and his three daughters.


wln 0758PutsPuts vpup allall wrongswrongs, andand neuernever giuesgives replyreply:
wln 0759YetYet shamesshames sheshe notnot inin mostmost opprobriousopprobrious sortsort,
wln 0760ToTo callcall himhim foolefool andand doterddotard toto hishis faceface,
wln 0761AndAnd setssets herher ParasitesParasites ofof purposepurpose oftoft,
wln 0762InIn scoffingscoffing wisewise toto offeroffer himhim disgracedisgrace.
wln 0763OhOhO yroniron ageage! OO timestimes! OO monstrousmonstrous, vildevild,
wln 0764WhenWhen parentsparents areare contemnedcontemned ofof thethe childchild!
wln 0765HisHis pensionpension sheshe hathhath halfehalf restrain’drestrained fromfrom himhim,
wln 0766AndAnd willwill, e’reere longlong, thethe otherother halfehalf, II fearefear:
wln 0767ForFor sheshe thinksthinks nothingnothing isis bestowdebestowed inin vaynevain,
wln 0768ButBut thatthat whichwhich dothdoth herher fathersfather’s lifelife maintaynemaintain.
wln 0769TrustTrust notnot alliancealliance; butbut trusttrust strangersstrangers ratherrather,
wln 0770SinceSince daughtersdaughters proueprove disloyalldisloyal toto thethe fatherfather.
wln 0771WellWell, II willwill counsellcounsel himhim thethe bestbest II cancan:
wln 0772WouldWould II werewere ableable toto redresseredress hishis wrongwrong.
wln 0773YetYet whatwhat II cancan, vntounto mymy vtmostutmost powerpower,
wln 0774HeHe shallshall bebe suresure ofof toto thethe latestlatest hourehour.ExitExit.
wln 0775EnterEnter GonorillGonorilGonorill, andand SkalligerSkalliger.
wln 0776Gon.GonorilGon.II prithyprithee, SkalligerSkalligerScaliger, telltell meme whatwhat thouthou thinkstthinkst:
wln 0777CouldCould anyany womanwoman ofof ourour dignitydignity
wln 0778EndureEndure suchsuch quipsquips andand peremptoryperemptory tauntstaunts,
wln 0779AsAs II dodo dailydaily fromfrom mymy dotingdoting fatherfather?
wln 0780Doth’tDoth ’tDoth’t notnot sufficesuffice thatthat II himhim keepekeep ofof almesalms,
wln 0781WhoWho isis notnot ableable forfor toto keepekeep himselfehimself?
wln 0782ButBut asas ifif hehe werewere ourour betterbetter, hehe shouldshould thinkethink
wln 0783ToTo checkcheck andand snapsnap meme vpup atat eueryevery wordword.
wln 0784II cannotcannot makemake meme aa new fashionednew-fashionednew fashioned gownegown,
wln 0785AndAnd setset itit forthforth withwith moremore thenthan commoncommon costcost;
wln 0786ButBut hishis oldold dotingdoting doltishdoltish witheredwithered witwit,
wln 0787IsIs suresure toto giuegive aa sencelessesence lessesenselesssencelesse checkcheck forfor itit.
wln 0788II cannotcannot makemake aa banquetbanquet extraordinaryextraordinary,
wln 0789ToTo gracegrace my selfemyself, andand spreadspread mymy namename abroadabroad,
wln 0790ButBut hehe, oldold foolefool, isis captiouscaptious byby andand byby,
wln 0791AndAnd saythsaithsay, thethe costcost wouldwould wellwell sufficesuffice forfor twicetwice.
wln 0792IudgeJudge thenthen, II praypray, whatwhat reasonreason istis ’tis’t, thatthat II
wln 0793ShouldShould standstand alonealone charg’dcharged withwith hishis vainevain expenceexpense,
wln 0794AndAnd thatthat mymy sistersister RaganRagan shouldshould gogo freefree,
wln 0795ToTo whomwhom hehe gauegave asas muchmuch, asas vntounto meme?
C4
I prithy,

img: 13-a
sig: C4v

The History of King Leir


wln 0796II prithyprithee, SkalligerSkalligerScaliger, telltell meme, ifif thouthou knowknow,
wln 0797ByBy anyany meanesmeans toto ridrid meme ofof thisthis woewoe.
wln 0798Skal.SkalligerSkal.YourYour manymany fauoursfavorsfavours stillstill bestowdebestowed onon meme,
wln 0799BindeBind meme inin dutyduty toto aduiseadvise youryour GraceGrace,
wln 0800HowHow youyou maymay soonestsoonest remedyremedy thisthis illill.
wln 0801TheThe largelarge allowanceallowance whichwhich hehe hathhath fromfrom youyou,
wln 0802IsIs thatthat whichwhich makesmakes himhim soso forgetforget himselfehimself:
wln 0803ThereforeTherefore abbridgeabridge itit halfehalf, andand youyou shallshall seesee,
wln 0804ThatThat hauinghaving lesseless, hehe willwill moremore thankfullthankful bebe:
wln 0805ForFor whywhy, abundanceabundance makethmaketh vsus forgetforget
wln 0806TheThe fountaynesfountains whencewhence thethe benefitsbenefits dodo springspring.
wln 0807Gon.Gen.GonorilGen.WellWell, SkalligerSkalligerScaliger, forfor thythy kyndkind aduiceadvice hereinherein,
wln 0808II willwill notnot bebe vngratefullungrateful, ifif II liuelive:
wln 0809II hauehave restraynedrestrained halfehalf hishis portionportion alreadyalready,
wln 0810AndAnd II willwill presentlypresently restraynerestrain thethe otherother,
wln 0811ThatThat hauinghaving nono meanesmeans toto releeuerelieve himselfehimself,
wln 0812HeHe maymay gogo seekeseek elsewhereelsewhere forfor betterbetter helpehelp.ExitExit.
wln 0813Skal.SkalligerSkal.GoGo, viperousviperous womanwoman, shameshame toto allall thythy sexesex:
wln 0814TheThe heauensheavens, nono doubtdoubt, willwill punishpunish theethee forfor thisthis:
wln 0815AndAnd meme aa villaynevillain, thatthat toto currycurry fauourfavorfavour,
wln 0816HaueHave giuengiven thethe daughterdaughter counsellcounsel ’gainst’gainst thethe fatherfather.
wln 0817ButBut vsus thethe worldworld dothdoth thisthis experienceexperience giuegive,
wln 0818ThatThat hehe thatthat cannotcannot flatterflatter, cannotcannot liuelive.ExitExit.
wln 0819EnterEnter KingKing ofof CornwallConrwallConrwallCornwall, LeirLeir, PerillusPerillus &and NoblesNobles.
wln 0820Corn.CornwallCorn.FatherFather, whatwhat aylethaileth youyou toto bebe soso sadsad?
wln 0821Me thinksMethinksmethinks, youyou frollikefrolic notnot asas youyou werewere wontwont.
wln 0822LeirLeirKing.TheThe neerernearer wewe dodo growgrow vntounto ourour grauesgraves,
wln 0823TheThe lesseless wewe dodo delightdelight inin worldlyworldly ioyesjoys.
wln 0824Corn.CornwallCorn.ButBut ifif aa manman cancan frameframe himselfehimself toto myrthmirth,
wln 0825ItIt isis aa meanemean forfor toto prolongprolong hishis lifelife.
wln 0826LeirLeirKing.ThenThen welcomewelcome sorrowsorrow, LeirsLeir’s onlyonly friendfriend,
wln 0827WhoWho dothdoth desiredesire hishis troubledtroubled dayesdays hadhad endend.
wln 0828Corn.CornwallCorn.ComfortComfort your selfeyourself, fatherfather, herehere comescomes youryour daughterdaughter,
wln 0829WhoWho muchmuch willwill grieuegrieve, II knowknow, toto seesee youyou sadsad.EnterEnter
GonorillGonorilGonorill.

wln 0830LeirLeirKing.ButBut moremore dothdoth grieuegrieve, II fearefear, toto seesee meme liuelive.
wln 0831Corn.CornwallCorn.MyMy GonorillGonorilGonorill, youyou comecome inin wishedwished timetime,
wln 0832ToTo putput youryour fatherfather fromfrom thesethese pensiuepensive dumpsdumps.
wln 0833InIn faythfaith, II fearefear thatthat allall thingsthings gogo notnot wellwell.
Gon. What,

img: 13-b
sig: D1r

and his three daughters.


wln 0834Gon.GonorilGon.WhatWhat, dodo youyou fearefear, thatthat II hauehave angredangered himhim?
wln 0835HathHath hehe complayndcomplained ofof meme vntounto mymy LordLord??:
wln 0836IleI’ll prouideprovide himhim aa piecepiece ofof breadbread andand cheesecheese;
wln 0837ForFor inin aa timetime heelehe’ll practisepracticepractise nothingnothing elseelse,
wln 0838ThenThanthan carrycarry talestales fromfrom oneone vntounto anotheranother.
wln 0839Tis’Tis allall hishis practisepractice forfor toto kindlekindle strifestrife,
wln 0840’Twixt’TwixtBetwixt youyou, mymy LordLord, andand meme youryour louingloving wifewife:
wln 0841ButBut II willwill taketake anan orderorder, ifif II cancan,
wln 0842ToTo ceasecease th’effectth’ effectth’effect, wherewhere firstfirst thethe causecause beganbegan.
wln 0843Corn.CornwallCorn.SweetSweet, bebe notnot angryangry inin aa partiallpartial causecause,
wln 0844HeHe ne’rene’ernever complayndcomplained ofof theethee inin allall hishis lifelife.
wln 0845FatherFather, youyou mustmust notnot weyghweigh aa womanswoman’s wordswords.
wln 0846LeirLeirKing.AlasAlas, notnot II: poorepoor soulesoul, sheshe breedsbreeds yongyoung bonesbones,
wln 0847AndAnd thatthat isis itit makesmakes herher soso tutchytuteliytouchytuteliy suresure.
wln 0848Gon.GonorilGon.WhatWhat, breedsbreeds youngyoung bonesbones alreadyalready! youyou willwill makemake
wln 0849AnAn honesthonest womanwoman ofof meme thenthen, belikebelike.
wln 0850OO vildvild oldeold wretchwretch! who euerwhoever heardheard thethe likelike,
wln 0851ThatThat seekethseeketh thusthus hishis owneown childchild toto defamedefame?
wln 0852Corn.CornwallCorn.II cannotcannot staystay toto hearehear thisthis discorddiscord soundsound.ExitExit.
wln 0853Gon.GonorilGon.ForFor anyany oneone thatthat louesloves youryour companycompany,
wln 0854YouYou maymay gogo packpack, andand seekeseek somesome otherother placeplace,
wln 0855ToTo sowesow thethe seedseed ofof discorddiscord andand disgracedisgrace.ExitExit.
wln 0856LeirLeirKing.ThusThus, saysay oror dodo thethe bestbest thatthat e’ree’er II cancan,
wln 0857Tis’Tis wrestedwrested straightstraight intointo anotheranother sencesense.
wln 0858ThisThis punishmentpunishment mymy heauyheavy sinnessins deseruedeserve,
wln 0859AndAnd moremore thenthan thisthis tenten thousandthousand thousandthousand timestimes:
wln 0860ElseElse agedaged LeirLeir themthem couldcould neuernever findfind
wln 0861CruellCruel toto himhim, toto whomwhom hehe hathhath binbeen kindkind.
wln 0862WhyWhy dodo II ouer-liueoverlive my selfemyself, toto seesee
wln 0863TheThe coursecourse ofof naturenature quitequite reuerstrouerstreversed inin meme?
wln 0864AhAh, gentlegentle DeathDeath, ifif euerever anyany wightwight
wln 0865DidDid wishwish thythy presencepresence withwith aa perfitperfect zealezeal:
wln 0866ThenThen comecome, II praypray theethee, eueneven withwith allall mymy heartheart,
wln 0867AndAnd endend mymy sorrowessorrows withwith thythy fatallfatal dartdart.HeHe weepesweeps.
wln 0868Per.PerillusPer.AhAh, dodo notnot soso disconsolatedisconsolate your selfeyourself,
wln 0869NorNor dewdew youryour agedaged cheekscheeks withwith wastingwasting tearestears.
wln 0870LeirLeirKing.WhatWhat manman artart thouthou thatthat takesttakest anyany pitypity
wln 0871VponUpon thethe worthlesseworthless statestate ofof oldold LeirLeir?
D
Per. One,

img: 14-a
sig: D1v

The History of King Leir


wln 0872Per.PerillusPer.OneOne, whowho dothdoth bearebe arebearbe are asas greatgreat aa shareshare ofof griefegrief,
wln 0873AsAs ifif itit werewere mymy dearestdearest fathersfather’s casecase.
wln 0874LeirLeirKing.AhAh, goodgood mymy friendfriend, howhow illill artart thouthou aduisdeadvised,
wln 0875ForFor toto consortconsort withwith miserablemiserable menmen:
wln 0876GoGo learnelearn toto flatterflatter, wherewhere thouthou maystmayst inin timetime
wln 0877GetGet fauourfavorfavour ’mongst’mongstamongst thethe mightymighty, andand soso clymeclimb::;
wln 0878ForFor nownow II amam soso poorepoor andand fullfull ofof wantwant.
wln 0879AsAs thatthat II ne’rene’ernever cancan recompencerecompense thythy louelove.
wln 0880Per.PerillusPer.What’sWhat’s gotgot byby flatteryflattery, dothdoth notnot longlong indureendure;
wln 0881AndAnd menmen inin fauourfavorfavour liuelive notnot mostmost securesecure.
wln 0882MyMy conscienceconscience telstells meme, ifif II shouldshould forsakeforsake youyou,
wln 0883II werewere thethe hatefulsthateful’sthatefulst excrementexcrement onon thethe earthearth:
wln 0884WhichWhich wellwell dodo knowknow, inin coursecourse ofof formerformer timetime,
wln 0885HowHow goodgood mymy LordLord hathhath binbeen toto meme andand minemine.
wln 0886LeirLeirKing.DidDid II ereereraysee’er rayseraise theethee higherhigher thenthan thethe restrest
wln 0887OfOf allall thythy ancestorsancestors whichwhich werewere beforebefore?
wln 0888Per.PerillusPer.II ne’rene’ernever diddid seekeseek itit; butbut byby youryour goodgood GraceGrace,
wln 0889II stillstill inioyedenjoyed mymy owneown withwith quietnessequietness..,
wln 0890LeirLeirKing.DidDid II ereere giuegive theethee liuingliving, toto increaseincrease
wln 0891TheThe duedue reuennuesrevenues whichwhich thythy fatherfather leftleft?
wln 0892Per.PerillusPer.II hadhad ynoughenough, mymy LordLord, andand hauinghaving thatthat,
wln 0893WhatWhat shouldshould youyou needneed toto giuegive meme anyany moremore?
wln 0894LeirLeirKing.OhOhO, diddid II euerever dispossessedispossess my selfemyself,
wln 0895AndAnd giuegive theethee halfehalf mymy KingdomeKingdom inin goodgood willwill??:
wln 0896Per.PerillusPer.AlasAlas, mymy LordLord, therethere werewere nono reasonreason, whywhy
wln 0897YouYou shouldshould hauehave suchsuch aa thoughtthought, toto giuegive itit meme.
wln 0898LeirLeirKing.NayNay, ifif thouthou talketalk ofof reasonreason, thenthen bebe mutemute;
wln 0899ForFor withwith goodgood reasonreason II cancan theethee confuteconfute.
wln 0900IfIf theythey, whichwhich firstfirst byby naturesnature’snatures sacredsacred lawlaw,
wln 0901DoDo oweowe toto meme thethe tributetribute ofof theirtheir liueslives;
wln 0902IfIf theythey toto whomwhom II alwayesalways hauehave binbeen kindekind,
wln 0903AndAnd bountifullbountiful beyondbeyond comparisoncomparison;
wln 0904IfIf theythey, forfor whomwhom II hauehave vndoneundone my selfemyself,
wln 0905AndAnd broughtbrought mymy ageage vntounto thisthis extremeextreme wantwant,
wln 0906DoDo nownow reiectreject, contemnecontemn, despisedespise, abhorabhor meme,
wln 0907WhatWhat reasonreason mouethmoveth theethee toto sorrowsorrow forfor meme??:
wln 0908Per.PerillusPer.WhereWhere reasonreason faylesfails, letlet tearestears confirmeconfirm mymy louelove,
wln 0909AndAnd speakespeak howhow muchmuch youryour passionspassions dodo meme mouemove.
Ah,

img: 14-b
sig: D2r

and his three daughters.


wln 0910AhAh, goodgood mymy LordLord, condemnecondemn notnot allall forfor oneone:
wln 0911YouYou hauehave twotwo daughtersdaughters leftleft, toto whomwhom II knowknow
wln 0912YouYou shallshall bebe welcomewelcome, ifif youyou pleaseplease toto gogo.
wln 0913LeirLeirKing.OhOhO, howhow thythy wordswords addeadd sorrowsorrow toto mymy soulesoul,
wln 0914ToTo thinkethink ofof mymy vnkindnesseunkindness toto CordellaCordella!
wln 0915WhomWhom causelessecauseleslecauseless II diddid dispossessedispossess ofof allall,
wln 0916VponUpon th’vnkindth’ unkindth’unkind suggestionssuggestions ofof herher sisterssisters:
wln 0917AndAnd forfor herher sakesake, II thinkethink thisthis heauyheavy doomedoom
wln 0918IsIs falnefall’nfallen onon meme, andand notnot withoutwithout desertdesert:
wln 0919YetYet vntounto RaganRagan waswas II alwayesalways kindekind,
wln 0920AndAnd gauegave toto herher thethe halfehalf ofof allall II hadhad:
wln 0921ItIt maymay bebe, ifif II shouldshould toto herher repayrerepair,
wln 0922SheShe wouldwould bebe kinderkinder, andand intreatentreat meme fayrefair.
wln 0923Per.PerillusPer.NoNo doubtdoubt sheshe wouldwould, &and practisepracticepractise ere’tere ’tere’t bebe longlong,
wln 0924ByBy forceforce ofof ArmesArms forfor toto redresseredress youryour wrongwrong.
wln 0925LeirLeirKing.WellWell, sincesince thouthou doestdost aduiseadvise meme forfor toto gogo,
wln 0926II amam resolu’dresolved toto trytry thethe worstworst ofof wowoe.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 0927EnterEnter RaganRagan solussolus.
wln 0928Rag.RaganRag.HowHow maymay II blessebless thethe howrehour ofof mymy natiuitynativity,
wln 0929WhichWhich bodethbodeth vntounto meme suchsuch happyhappy StarresStars!
wln 0930HowHow maymay II thankthank kindkind fortunefortune, thatthat vouchsafesvouchsafes
wln 0931ToTo allall mymy actionsactions, suchsuch desir’ddesired euentevent!
wln 0932II rulerule thethe KingKing ofof CambriaCambria asas II pleaseplease:
wln 0933TheThe StatesStates areare allall obedientobedient toto mymy willwill;
wln 0934AndAnd lookelook what erewhate’er II saysay, itit shallshall bebe soso;
wln 0935NotNot anyany oneone, thatthat darethdareth answereanswer nono.
wln 0936MyMy eldesteldest sistersister liueslives inin royallroyal statestate,
wln 0937AndAnd wantethwanteth nothingnothing fittingfitting herher degreedegreetdegree::
wln 0938YetYet hathhath sheshe suchsuch aa coolingcooling cardcard withallwithal,
wln 0939AsAs thatthat herher honyhoney sauourethsavorethsavoureth muchmuch ofof gallgall..,
wln 0940MyMy fatherfather withwith herher isis quarter-masterquartermaster stillstill,
wln 0941AndAnd manymany timestimes restraynesrestrains herher ofof herher willwill:
wln 0942ButBut ifif hehe werewere withwith meme, andand seru’dserved meme soso,
wln 0943IdeI’d sendsend himhim packingpacking some wheresomewhere elseelse toto gogo..,
wln 0944IdeI’d entertayneentertain himhim wi[··]withwi●●with suchsuch slenderslender costcost,
wln 0945ThatThat hehe shouldshould quicklyquickly wishwish toto changechange hishis hosthost.ExitExit.
wln 0946EnterEnter CornwallCornwall, GonorillGonorilGonorill, andand attendantsattendants.
wln 0947Corn.CornwallCorn.AhAh, GonorillGonorilGonorill, whatwhat diredire vnhappyunhappy chauncechance
D2
Hath

img: 15-a
sig: D2v

The History of King Leir


wln 0948HathHath sequestredsequestered thythy fatherfather fromfrom ourour presencepresence,
wln 0949ThatThat nono reportreport cancan yetyet bebe heardheard ofof himhim??:
wln 0950SomeSome greatgreat vnkindnesseunkindness hathhath binbeen offredoffered himhim,
wln 0951ExceedingExceeding farfar thethe boundsbounds ofof patiencepatience:
wln 0952ElseElse allall thethe worldworld shallshall neuernever meme perswadepersuade,
wln 0953HeHe wouldwould forsakeforsake vsus withoutwithout noticenotice mademade.
wln 0954Gon.GonorilGon.AlasAlas, mymy LordLord, whomwhom dothdoth itit touchtouch soso neerenear,
wln 0955OrOr whowho hathhath interestinterest inin thisthis griefegrief, butbut II,
wln 0956WhomWhom sorrowsorrow hadhad broughtbrought toto herher longestlongest homehome,
wln 0957ButBut thatthat II knowknow hishis qualitiesqualities soso wellwell?
wln 0958II knowknow, hehe isis butbut stolnestol’nstolen vponupon mymy sistersister
wln 0959AtAt vnawaresunawares, toto seesee herher howhow sheshe faresfares,
wln 0960AndAnd spendspend aa littlelittle timetime withwith herher, toto notenote
wln 0961HowHow allall thingsthings goego, andand howhow sheshe likeslikes herher choycechoice:
wln 0962AndAnd whenwhen occasionoccasion seruesserves, heelehe’ll stealesteal fromfrom herher,
wln 0963AndAnd vnawaresunawares returnereturn toto vsus agayneagain.
wln 0964ThereforeTherefore, mymy LordLord, bebe frolickfrolic, andand resolueresolve
wln 0965ToTo seesee mymy fatherfather herehere agayneagain e’reere longlong.
wln 0966Corn.CornwallCorn.II hopehope soso tootoo; butbut yetyet toto bebe moremore suresure,
wln 0967IleI’ll sendsend aa PostePost immediatelyimmediately toto knowknow
wln 0968WhetherWhether hehe bebe arriuedarrived therethere oror nono.ExitExit.
wln 0969Gon.GonorilGon.ButBut II willwill interceptintercept thethe MessengerMessenger,
wln 0970AndAnd tempertemper himhim beforebefore hehe dothdoth departdepart,
wln 0971WithWith sweetsweet perswasionspersuasions, andand withwith soundsound rewardsrewards,
wln 0972ThatThat hishis reportreport shallshall ratifyratify mymy speechspeech,
wln 0973AndAnd makemake mymy LordLord ceasecease furtherfurther toto inquireinquire.
wln 0974IfIf hehe bebe notnot gonegone toto mymy sisterssister’s CourtCourt,
wln 0975AsAs suresure mymy mindmind presagethpresageth thatthat hehe isis,
wln 0976HeHe happelyhappily maymay, byby trauellingtravelingtravelling vnknowneunknown wayesways,
wln 0977FallFall sickesick, andand asas aa commoncommon passengerpassenger,
wln 0978BeBe deaddead andand buriedburied: wouldwould GodGod itit werewere soso wellwell;
wln 0979ForFor thenthen therethere werewere nono moremore toto dodo, butbut thisthis,
wln 0980HeHe wentwent awayaway, andand nonenone knowesknows wherewhere hehe isis,
wln 0981ButBut saysay hehe bebe inin CambriaCambria withwith thethe KingKing,
wln 0982AndAnd therethere exclaymeexclaim againstagainst meme, asas hehe willwill:
wln 0983II knowknow hehe isis asas welcomewelcome toto mymy sistersister,
wln 0984AsAs waterwater isis intointo aa brokenbroken shipship.
wln 0985WellWell, afterafter himhim IleI’ll sendsend suchsuch thunderclapsthunderclaps
Of

img: 15-b
sig: D3r

and his three daughters.


wln 0986OfOf slaunderslander, scandallscandal, andand inuentedinuentedtalesinvented talestales,
wln 0987ThatThat allall thethe blameblame shallshall bebe remou’dremoved fromfrom meme,
wln 0988AndAnd vnperceiu’dunperceived reboundrebound vponupon himselfehimself.
wln 0989ThusThus withwith oneone naylenail anotheranother IleI’ll expellexpel,
wln 0990AndAnd makemake thethe worldworld iudgejudge, thatthat II vsdeused himhim wellwell.
wln 0991EnterEnter thethe MessengerMessenger thatthat shouldshould gogo toto CambriaCambria,
wln 0992withwith aa letterletter inin hishis handbandbandhand.

wln 0993Gon.GonorilGon.MyMy honesthonest friendfriend, whitherwhither awayaway soso fastfast?
wln 0994Mes.MessengerMes.ToTo CambriaCambria, MadamMadam, withwith lettersletters frōfrōfrom thethe kingking.
wln 0995Gon.GonorilGon.ToTo whomwhom?
wln 0996Mess.MessengerMess.VntoUnto youryour fatherfather, ifif hehe bebe therethere.
wln 0997Gon.GonorilGon.LetLet meme seesee themthem.SheShe opensopens themthem.
wln 0998Mess.MessengerMess.MadamMadam, II hopehope youryour GraceGrace willwill standstand
wln 0999BetweeneBetween meme andand mymy neck-verseneck-verse, ifif II bebe
wln 1000CalldCalled inin questionquestion, forfor openingopening thethe KingsKing’sking’s lettersletters.
wln 1001Gon.GonorilGon.’Twas was’Twas was II thatthat openedopened themthem, itit waswas notnot thouthou.
wln 1002Mes.MessengerMes.IAyay, butbut youyou needneed notnot carecare: andand soso mustmust II,
wln 1003AA hansomehandsome manman, bebe quicklyquickly trusttrussed vpup,
wln 1004AndAnd whenwhen aa man’sman’s hang’dhanged, allall thethe worldworld cannotcannot sauesave himhim,
wln 1005Gon.GonorilGon.HeHe thatthat hangshangs theethee, werewere betterbetter hanghang hishis fatherfather,
wln 1006OrOr thatthat butbut hurtshurts theethee inin thethe leastleast degreedegree.
wln 1007II telltell theethee, wewe makemake greatgreat accountaccount ofof theethee.
wln 1008Mes.MessengerMes.II amam o’re-ioy’do’erjoyed, II surfetsurfeit ofof sweetsweet wordswords:
wln 1009KindKind QueeneQueen, hadhad II aa hundredhundred liueslineslives, II wouldwould
wln 1010SpendSpend ninety nyneninety-nineninety nine ofof themthem forfor youyou, forfor thatthat wordword.
wln 1011GonGon.GonorilGon.IAyay, butbut thouthou wouldstwouldst keepekeep oneone lifelife stillstill,
wln 1012AndAnd that’sthat’s asas manymany asas thouthou artart likelike toto hauehave.
wln 1013Mes.MessengerMes.ThatThat oneone lifelife isis notnot tootoo dearedear forfor mymy goodgood QueeneQueen; thisthis
wln 1014swordsword, thisthis bucklerbuckler, thisthis headhead, thisthis heartheart, thesethese handshands, armesarms,
wln 1015legslegs, tripestripes, bowelsbowels, andand allall thethe membersmembers elseelse whatsoeuerwhatsoever, areare atat
wln 1016youryour disposedispose; vseuse meme, trusttrust meme, commaundcommand meme: ifif II faylefail inin anyany
wln 1017thingthing, tyetie meme toto aa dungdung cartcart, andand makemake aa ScauengersScavenger’sscavenger’s horsehorse ofof
wln 1018meme, andand whipwhip meme, soso longlong asas II hauehave anyany skinskin onon mymy backback.
wln 1019Gon.GonorilGon.InIn tokentoken ofof furtherfurther imploymentemployment, taketake thatthat.
wln 1020FlingsFlings himhim aa pursepurse.
wln 1021Mes.MessengerMes.AA strongstrong BondBond, aa firmefirm ObligationObligation, goodgood inin lawlaw, goodgood
wln 1022inin lawlaw: ifif II keepekeep notnot thethe conditioncondition, letlet mymy neckeneck bebe thethe forfey-forfeytureforfey∣tureforfeiture
wln 1023ture
wln 1023ofof mymy negligencenegligence.
D3
Gon. I

img: 16-a
sig: D3v

The History of King Leir



wln 1024Gon.GonorilGon.II likelike theethee wellwell,,; thouthou hasthast aa goodgood toungtongue.
wln 1025Mes.MessengerMes.AndAnd asas badbad aa toungtongue ifif itit bebe setset onon itit, asas anyany OysterwifeOyster-wife
wln 1026atat BillinsgateBillingsgateBillingsgate hathhath: whywhy, II hauehave mademade manymany ofof mymy neighboursneighborsneighbours
wln 1027forsakeforsake theirtheir houseshouses withwith raylingrailing vponupon themthem, andand gogo dwelldwell elseelsewhereelse
wln 1028wherewhere;
wln 1028andand soso byby mymy meanesmeans houseshouses hauehave binbeen goodgood cheapecheap inin
wln 1029ourour parishparish: MyMy toungtongue beingbeing wellwell whettedwhetted withwith chollercholer, isis moremore
wln 1030sharpesharp thenthan aa RazerRazor ofof PalernoPalermoPalernoPalermo.
wln 1031Gon.GonorilGon.OO, thouthou artart aa fitfit manman forfor mymy purposepurpose.
wln 1032Mes.MessengerMes.CommendCommend meme notnot, sweetsweet QueeneQueen, beforebefore youyou trytry meme.
wln 1033AsAs mymy desertsdeserts areare, soso dodo thinkthink ofof meme.
wln 1034Gon.GonorilGon.WellWell saydsaid, thenthen thisthis isis thythy tryalltrial: InsteadInstead ofof carryingcarrying
wln 1035thethe KingsKing’sking’s lettersletters toto mymy fatherfather, carrycarry thouthou thesethese lettersletters toto mymy
wln 1036sistersister, whichwhich contaynecontain mattermatter quitequite contrarycontrary toto thethe otherother: therethere
wln 1037shalshall sheshe bebe giuengiven toto vnderstandunderstand, thatthat mymy fatherfather hathhath detracteddetracted
wln 1038herher, giuengiven outout slaundroussland’rousslanderous speachesspeeches againstagainst herher; andand thatthat heehe
wln 1039hathhath mostmost intollerablyintolerably abusedabused meme, setletletset mymy LordLord andand meme atat va-varianceva∣riancevariance
wln 1040riance,
wln 1040andand mademade mutinyesmutinies amongstamongst thethe commonscommons.
wln 1041TheseThese thingsthings (althoughalthough itit bebe notnot soso)
wln 1042YetYet thouthou mustmust affirmeaffirm themthem toto bebe truetrue,
wln 1043WithWith othesoaths andand protestationsprotestations asas willwill serueserve,
wln 1044ToTo driuedrive mymy sistersister outout ofof louelove withwith himhim,
wln 1045AndAnd causecause mymy willwill accomplishedaccomplished toto bebe.
wln 1046ThisThis dodo, thouthou winstwinn’stwinst mymy fauourfavorfavour forfor euerever,
wln 1047AndAnd makestmakest aa hye wayhighwayhigh way ofof prefermentpreferment toto theethee
wln 1048AndAnd allall thythy friendsfriends.
wln 1049Mess.MessengerMess.ItIt sufficethsufficeth, conceytconceit itit isis alreadyalready donedone:
wln 1050II willwill soso toung-whiptongue-whip himhim, thatthat II willwill
wln 1051LeaueLeave himhim asas barebare ofof creditcredit, asas aa PoulterPoulter
wln 1052LeauesLeavesleaves aa ConyConeyconey, whenwhen sheshe pullspulls offoff hishis skinskin.
wln 1053Gon.GonorilGon.YetYet therethere isis aa furtherfurther mattermatter.
wln 1054Mes.MessengerMes.II thirstthirst toto hearehear itit.
wln 1055Gon.GonorilGon.IfIf mymy sistersister thinkeththinketh conuenientconvenient, asas mymy lettersletters
wln 1056importethimporteth, toto makemake himhim awayaway, hasthast thouthou thethe heartheart toto
wln 1057effecteffect itit?
wln 1058Mess.MessengerMess.FewFew wordswords areare bestbest inin soso smallsmall aa mattermatter:
wln 1059TheseThese areare butbut triflestrifles. ByBy thisthis bookebook II willwill.
wln 1060kissekiss thethe paperpaper.
Gon. About

img: 16-b
sig: D4r

and his three daughters.


wln 1061Gon.GonorilGon.AboutAbout itit presentlypresently, II longlong tilltill itit bebe donedone,
wln 1062Mes.MessengerMes.II flyfly, II flyfly.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 1063EnterEnter CordellaCordella solussolus.
wln 1064II hauehave binbeen ouer-negligentover-negligent to daytoday,
wln 1065InIn goinggoing toto thethe TempleTemple ofof mymy GodGod,
wln 1066ToTo renderrender thanksthanks forfor allall hishis benefitsbenefits,
wln 1067WhichWhich hehe miraculouslymiraculously hathhath bestowedbestowed onon meme,
wln 1068InIn raysingraising meme outout ofof mymy meanemean estateestate,
wln 1069When asWhenaswhenas II waswas deuoyddevoid ofof worldlyworldly friendsfriends,
wln 1070AndAnd placingplacing meme inin suchsuch aa sweetsweet contentcontent,
wln 1071AsAs farfar exceedsexceeds thethe reachreach ofof mymy desertsdeserts.
wln 1072MyMy kinglykingly husbandhusband, myrrourmy rrourmirror ofof hishis timetime,
wln 1073ForFor zealezeal, forfor iusticejustice, kindnessekindness, andand forfor carecare
wln 1074ToTo GodGod, hishis subiectssubjects, meme, andand CommonCommon wealeweal,
wln 1075ByBy hishis appoyntmentappointment waswas ordayndordained forfor meme.
wln 1076II cannotcannot wishwithwithwish thethe thingthing thatthat II dodo wantwant;
wln 1077II cannotcannot wantwant thethe thingthing butbut II maymay hauehave,
wln 1078SaueSave onlyonly thisthis whichwhich II shallshall ne’rene’ernever obtayneobtain,
wln 1079MyMy fathersfather’s louelove, ohoho thisthis II ne’rene’ernever shallshall gaynegain.
wln 1080II wouldwould abstayneabstain fromfrom anyany nutrymentnutriment,
wln 1081AndAnd pynepine mymy bodybody toto thethe veryvery bonesbones:
wln 1082Bare footeBarefootBare foot II wouldwould onon pilgrimagepilgrimage setset forthforth
wln 1083VntoUnto thethe furthestfurthest quartersquarters ofof thethe earthearth,
wln 1084AndAnd allall mymy life timelifetimelife time wouldwould II sackclothsackcloth wearewear,
wln 1085AndAnd mourning-wisemourning-wise powrepour dustdust vponupon mymy headhead:
wln 1086SoSo hehe butbut toto forgiueforgive meme onceonce wouldwould pleaseplease,
wln 1087ThatThat hishis graygraygrey haireshairs mightmight gogo toto heauenheaven inin peacepeace.
wln 1088AndAnd yetyet II knowknow notnot howhow II himhim offendedoffended,
wln 1089OrOr whereinwherein iustlyjustly II hauehave deserueddeserved blameblame.
wln 1090OhOhO sisterssisters! youyou areare muchmuch toto blameblame inin thisthis,
wln 1091ItIt waswas notnot hehe, butbut youyou thatthat diddid meme wrongwrong.
wln 1092YetYet GodGod forgiueforgive bothboth himhim, andand youyou andand meme,
wln 1093EuenEven asas II doedo inin perfitperfect charitycharity.
wln 1094II willwill toto ChurchChurch, andand praypray vntounto mymy SauiourSaviorSaviour,
wln 1095ThatThat ereere II dyedie, II maymay obtayneobtain hishis fauourfavorfavour.ExitExit.
wln 1096EnterEnter LeirLeir andand PerillusPerillus fayntlyfaintly.
wln 1097Per.PerillusPer.RestRest onon meme, mymy LordLord, andand staystay your selfeyourself,
wln 1098TheThe wayway seemesseems tedioustedious toto youryour agedaged lymmeslimbs.
D4
Leir. Nay,

img: 17-a
sig: D4v

The History of King Leir


wln 1099LeirLeirKing.NayNay, restrest onon meme, kindkind friendfriend, andand staystay thy selfethyself,
wln 1100ThouThou artart asas oldold asas II, butbut moremore kindkind.
wln 1101Per.PerillusPer.AhAh, goodgood mymy LordLord, itit illill befitsbefits, thatthat II
wln 1102ShouldShould leanelean vponupon thethe personperson ofof aa KingKing.
wln 1103LeirLeirKing.ButBut itit fitsfits worseworse, thatthat II shouldshould bringbring theethee forthforth,
wln 1104ThatThat hadhad nono causecause toto comecome alongalong withwith meme,
wln 1105ThroughThrough thesethese vncouthuncouth pathspaths, andand tirefulltireful wayesways,
wln 1106AndAnd neuernever easeease thythy fayntingfainting limmeslimbs aa whitwhit.
wln 1107ThouThou hasthast leftleft allall, IAyay, allall toto comecome withwith meme,
wln 1108AndAnd II, forfor allall, hauehave noughtnaught toto guerdonguerdon theethee.
wln 1109Per.PerillusPer.CeaseCease, goodgood mymy LordLord, toto aggrauateaggravate mymy woeswoes,
wln 1110WithWith thesethese kindkind wordswords, whichwhich cutscuts mymy heartheart inin twotwo,
wln 1111ToTo thinkthink youryour willwill shouldshould wantwant thethe powerpower toto dodo.
wln 1112LeirLeirKing.CeaseCease, goodgood PerillusPerillus, forfor toto callcall meme LordLord,
wln 1113AndAnd thinkthink meme butbut thethe shaddowshadow ofof my selfemyself.
wln 1114Per.PerillusPer.ThatThat honourablehonorablehonourable titletitle willwill II giuegive,
wln 1115VntoUnto mymy LordLord, soso longlong asas II dodo liuelive.
wln 1116OhOhO, bebe ofof comfortcomfort; forfor II seesee thethe placeplace
wln 1117WhereasWhereas youryour daughterdaughter keepskeeps herher residenceresidence.
wln 1118AndAnd loelo, inin happyhappy timetime thethe CambrianCambrian PrincePrince
wln 1119IsIs herehere arriu’darrived, toto gratifygratify ourour commingcoming.
wln 1120EnterEnter thethe PrincePrince ofof CambriaCambria, RaganRagan andand NoblesNobles: lookelook
wln 1121vponupon themthem, andand whisperwhisper togethertogether.

wln 1122LeirLeirKing.WereWere II bestbest speakspeak, oror sitsit meme downedown andand dyedie??:
wln 1123II amam asham’dashamed toto telltell thisthis heauyheavy taletale.
wln 1124Per.PerillusPer.ThenThen letlet meme telltell itit, ifif youyou pleaseplease, mymy LordLord:
wln 1125Tis’Tis shameshame forfor themthem thatthat werewere thethe causecause thereofthereof.
wln 1126Cam.CambriaCam.WhatWhat twotwo oldold menmen areare thosethose thatthat seemeseem soso sadsad?
wln 1127Me thinksMethinksmethinks, II shouldshould rememberremember wellwell theirtheir lookeslooks.
wln 1128Rag.RaganRag.NoNo, II mistakemistake notnot, suresure itit isis mymy fatherfather:
wln 1129II mustmust dissembledissemble kindnessekindness nownow ofof forceforce.
wln 1130SheShe runnethrunneth toto himhim, andand kneeleskneels downedown, sayingsaying:
wln 1131FatherFather, II bidbid youyou welcomewelcome, fullfull ofof griefegrief,
wln 1132ToTo seesee youryour GraceGrace vsdeused thusthus vnworthilyunworthily,
wln 1133AndAnd illill befittingbefitting forfor youryour reuerendreverend ageage,
wln 1134ToTo comecome onon footfoot aa iourneyjourney soso indurableindurableendurable.
wln 1135OhOhO, whatwhat disasterdisaster chauncechance hathhath binbeen thethe causecause,
wln 1136ToTo makemake youryour cheekscheeks soso hollowhollow, sparespare andand leanelean?
He

img: 17-b
sig: E1r

and his three daughters.


wln 1137HeHe cannotcannot speakespeak forfor weepingweeping: forfor GodsGod’s louelove, comecome,,.
wln 1138LetLet vsus refreshrefresh himhim withwith somesome needfullneedful thingsthings,
wln 1139AndAnd atat moremore leysureleisure wewe maymay betterbetter knowknow,
wln 1140WhenceWhence springssprings thethe groundground ofof thisthis vnlookt forunlooked-forunlooked for wowoe.
wln 1141Cam.CambriaCam.ComeCome, fatherfather, e’reere wewe anyany furtherfurther talketalk,
wln 1142YouYou shallshall refreshrefresh youyou afterafter thisthis wearyweary walkwalk.ExeuntExeunt, manetmanet
RaganRagan.

wln 1143Rag.RaganRag.ComesComes hehe toto meme withwith fingerfinger inin thethe eyeeye,
wln 1144ToTo telltell aa taletale againstagainst mymy sistersister herehere?
wln 1145WhomWhom II dodo knowknow, hehe greatlygreatly hathhath abusdeabused:
wln 1146AndAnd nownow likelike aa contentiouscontentious craftycrafty wretchwretch,
wln 1147HeHe firstfirst beginsbegins forfor toto complaynecomplain himselfehimself,
wln 1148When asWhenaswhenas himselfehimself isis inin thethe greatestgreatest faultfault.
wln 1149IleI’ll notnot bebe partiallpartial inin mymy sisterssister’s causecause,
wln 1150NorNor yetyet beleeuebelieve hishis dotingdoting vaynevain reportsreports:
wln 1151WhoWho forfor aa trifletrifle (safelysafely) II daredare saysay,
wln 1152VponUpon aa spleenespleen isis stolenstolen thencethence awayaway:
wln 1153AndAnd herehere (forsoothforsooth) hehe hopethhopeth toto hauehave harbourharborharbour,
wln 1154AndAnd toto bebe moan’dmoaned andand mademade onon likelike aa childchild:
wln 1155ButBut ere’tere ’tere’t bebe longlong, hishis commingcoming hehe shallshall cursecurse,
wln 1156AndAnd truelytruly saysay, hehe camecame fromfrom badbad toto worseworse:
wln 1157YetYet willwill II makemake fayrefair weatherweather, toto procureprocure
wln 1158ConuenientConvenient meanesmeans, andand thenthen ilei’llI’ll strikestrike itit suresure.ExitExit.
wln 1159EnterEnter MessengerMessenger solussolus..,
wln 1160Mes.MessengerMes.NowNow happilyhappily II amam arriuedarrived herehere,
wln 1161BeforeBefore thethe statelystately PalacePalace ofof thethe CambrianCambrian KingKing:
wln 1162IfIf LeirLeir bebe herehere safe-seatedsafe-seated, andand inin restrest,
wln 1163ToTo rowserouse himhim fromfrom itit II willwill dodo mymy bestbest.EnterEnter RaganRagan.
wln 1164NowNow bagsbags ofof goldgold, youryour vertuevirtue isis (nono doubtdoubt)
wln 1165ToTo makemake meme inin mymy messagemessage boldbold andand stoutstout.
wln 1166TheThe KingKing ofof heauenheaven preseruepreserve youryour MaiestyMajesty.
wln 1167AndAnd sendsend youryour HighnesseHighnesshighness’ euerlastingeverlasting raignereign.
wln 1168Ra.RaganRa.ThanksThanks, goodgood mymy friendfriend; butbut whatwhat importsimports thythy messagemessagemessagemessage??
wln 1169Mes.MessengerMes.KindKind greetingsgreetings fromfrom thethe CornwallCornwall QueeneQueen:
wln 1170TheThe residueresidue thesethese lettersletters willwill declaredeclare.
wln 1171SheShe opensopens thethe lettersletters.
wln 1172Rag.RaganRag.HowHow faresfares ourour royallroyal sistersister?
wln 1173Mes.MessengerMes.II diddid leaueleave herher atat mymy partingparting, inin goodgood healthhealth.
wln 1174SheShe readsreads thethe letterletter, frownesfrowns andand stampsstamps.
E
See

img: 18-a
sig: E1v

The History of King Leir


wln 1175SeeSee howhow herher colourcolorcolour comescomes andand goesgoes agayneagain,
wln 1176NowNow redred asas scarletscarlet, nownow asas palepale asas ashash:
wln 1177SheShe howhow sheshe knitsknits herher browbrow, andand bytesbites herher lipslips,
wln 1178AndAnd stampsstamps, andand makesmakes aa dumbedumb shewshow ofof disdaynedisdain,
wln 1179MixtMixed withwith reuengerevenge, andand violentviolent extreamesextremes.
wln 1180HereHere willwill bebe moremore workework andand moremore crownescrowns forfor meme.
wln 1181Rag.RaganRag.AlasAlas, poorepoor soulesoul, andand hathhath hehe vsdeused herher thusthus??
wln 1182AndAnd isis hehe nownow comecome hitherhither, withwith intentintent
wln 1183ToTo setset diuorcedivorce betwixtbetwixt mymy LordLord andand meme?
wln 1184DothDoth hehe giuegive outout, thatthat hehe dothdoth hearehear reportreporereport,
wln 1185ThatThat II dodo rulerule mymy husbandhusband asas II listlist,
wln 1186AndAnd thereforetherefore meanesmeans toto alteralter soso thethe casecase,
wln 1187ThatThat II shallshall knowknow mymy LordLord toto bebe mymy headhead?
wln 1188WellWell, itit werewere bestbest forfor himhim toto taketake goodgood heedheed,
wln 1189OrOr II willwill makemake himhim hophop withoutwithout aa headhead,
wln 1190ForFor hishis presumptionpresumption, dottarddotard thatthat hehe isis.
wln 1191InIn CornwallCornwall hehe hathhath mademade suchsuch mutiniesmutinies,
wln 1192FirstFirst, settingsetting ofof thethe KingKing againstagainst thethe QueeneQueen;
wln 1193ThenThen stirringstirring vpup thethe CommonsCommons ’gainst’gainst thethe KingKing;
wln 1194ThatThat hadhad hehe therethere continuedcontinued anyany longerlonger,
wln 1195HeHe hadhad binbeen call’dcalled inin questionquestion forfor hishis factfact.
wln 1196SoSo vponupon thatthat occasionoccasion thencethence hehe fledfled,
wln 1197AndAnd comescomes thusthus slilyslylyslily stealingstealing vntounto vsus:
wln 1198AndAnd nownow alreadyalready sincesince hishis commingcoming hitherhither,
wln 1199MyMy LordLord andand hehe areare grownegrown inin suchsuch aa leagueleague,
wln 1200ThatThat II cancan hauehave nono conferenceconference withwith hishis GraceGrace:
wln 1201II fearefear, hehe dothdoth alreadyalready intimateintimate
wln 1202SomeSome forgedforged cauillationscauillations’gainstcavillations ’gainst’gainst mymy statestate:
wln 1203Tis’Tis thereforetherefore bestbest toto cutcut himhim offoff inin timetime,
wln 1204LestLest slaunderousslanderous rumoursrumorsrumours onceonce abroadabroad disperstdispersed,
wln 1205ItIt isis tootoo latelate forfor themthem toto bebe reuerstreversed.
wln 1206FriendFriend, asas thethe tennourtenor ofof thesethese lettersletters shewesshows,
wln 1207MyMy sistersister putsputs greatgreat confidenceconfidence inin theethee.
wln 1208Mes.MessengerMes.SheShe neuernever yetyet committedcommitted trusttrust toto meme,
wln 1209ButBut thatthat (II hopehope) sheshe foundfound meme alwayesalways faythfullfaithful::,
wln 1210SoSo willwill II bebe toto anyany friendfriend ofof hershers,
wln 1211ThatThat hathhath occasionoccasion toto imployemploy mymy helpehelp.
wln 1212Rag.RaganRag.HastHast thouthou thethe heartheart toto actact aa stratagemstratagem,
And

img: 18-b
sig: E2r

and his three daughters.


wln 1213AndAnd giuegive aa stabbestab oror twotwo, ifif needneed requirerequire?
wln 1214Mes.MessengerMes.II hauehave aa heartheart compactcompact ofof AdamantAdamant,
wln 1215WhichWhich neuernever knewknew whatwhat meltingmelting pittypity meantmeant.
wln 1216II weighweigh nono moremore thethe murdringmurd’ring ofof aa manman,
wln 1217ThenThan II respectrespect thethe crackingcracking ofof aa FleaFlea,
wln 1218WhenWhen II doedo catchcatch herher bytingbiting onon mymy skinskin.
wln 1219IfIf youyou willwill hauehave youryour husbandhusband oror youryour fatherfather,
wln 1220OrOr bothboth ofof themthem sentsent toto anotheranother worldworld,
wln 1221DoDo butbut commaundcommand meme doo’tdo ’tdo’t, itit shallshall bebe donedone.
wln 1222Rag.RaganRag.ItIt isis ynoughenough, wewe makemake nono doubtdoubt ofof theethee:
wln 1223MeetMeet vsus to morrowtomorrow herehere, atat nynenine a clocko’clock:
wln 1224Meane whileMeanwhilemeanwhile, farewellfarewell, andand drinkdrink thatthat forfor mymy sakesake.ExitExit.
wln 1225Mes.MessengerMes.IAyay, thisthis isis itit willwill makemake meme dodo thethe deeddeed:
wln 1226OhOhO, hadhad II eueryevery dayday suchsuch customerscustomers,
wln 1227ThisThis werewere thethe gainefulstgainful’st tradetrade inin ChristendomeChristendom!
wln 1228AA pursepurse ofof goldgold giu’ngiven forfor aa paltrypaltry stabbestab!
wln 1229WhyWhy, hereshere’s aa wenchwench thatthat longslongs toto hauehave aa stabbestab.
wln 1230WelWell, II couldcould giuegive itit herher, andand ne’rene’ernever hurthurt herher neitherneither.
wln 1231EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian KingKing, andand CordellaCordella.
wln 1232KingKing of GalliaKing.WhenWhen willwill thesethese cloudsclouds ofof sorrowsorrow onceonce dispersedisperse,
wln 1233AndAnd smilingsmiling ioyjoy tryumphtriumph vponupon thythy browbrow??:
wln 1234WhenWhen willwill thisthis SceneScene ofof sadnessesadness hauehave anan endend,
wln 1235AndAnd pleasantpleasant actsacts insueensue, toto mouemove delightdelight?
wln 1236WhenWhen willwill mymy louelylovely QueeneQueen ceasecease toto lamentlament,
wln 1237AndAnd taketake somesome comfortcomfort toto herher grieuedgrieved thoughtsthoughts??;
wln 1238IfIf ofof thy selfethyself thouthou daignstdeign’st toto hauehave nono carecare,
wln 1239YetYet pittypity meme, whomwhom thythy griefegrief makesmakes despayredespair.
wln 1240Cor.CordellaCor.OO, grieuegrieve notnot youyou, mymy LordLord, youyou hauehave nono causecause..:
wln 1241LetLet notnot mymy passionspassions mouemove youryour mindmind aa whitwhit:
wln 1242ForFor II amam boundbound byby naturenature, toto lamentlament
wln 1243ForFor hishis illill willwill, thatthat lifelife toto meme firstfirst lentlent.
wln 1244IfIf soso thethe stockestock bebe dryeddried withwith disdaynedisdain,
wln 1245WitheredWithered andand seresere thethe branchbranch mustmust needesneeds remaineremain.
wln 1246KingKing of GalliaKing.ButBut thouthou artart nownow graftgraft inin anotheranother stockstock;
wln 1247II amam thethe stockstock, andand thouthou thethe louelylovely branchbranch:
wln 1248AndAnd fromfrom mymy rootroot continuallcontinual sapsap shallshall flowflow,
wln 1249ToTo makemake theethee flourishflourish withwith perpetuallperpetual springspring.
wln 1250ForgetForget thythy fatherfather andand thythy kindredkindred nownow,
E2
Since

img: 19-a
sig: E2v

The History of King Leir


wln 1251SinceSince theythey forsakeforsake theethee likelike inhumaneinhuman beastesbeasts,
wln 1252ThinkeThink theythey areare deaddead, sincesince allall theirtheir kindnessekindness diesdies,
wln 1253AndAnd burybury themthem, wherewhere blackblack obliuionoblivion lye[·]lyeslies.
wln 1254ThinkThink notnot thouthou artart thethe daughterdaughter ofof oldold LeirLeir,
wln 1255WhoWho diddid vnkindlyunkindly disinheritdisinherit theethee:
wln 1256ButBut thinkthink thouthou artart thethe noblenoble GallianGallian QueeneQueen,
wln 1257AndAnd wifewife toto himhim thatthat dearelydearlydear louethloveth theethee:
wln 1258EmbraceEmbrace thethe ioyesjoys thatthat presentpresent withwith theethee dwelldwell,
wln 1259LetLet sorrowsorrow packepack andand hidehide her selfeherself inin hellhell.
wln 1260Cord.CordellaCord.NotNot thatthat II missemiss mymy countrycountry oror mymy kinnekin,
wln 1261MyMy oldold acquaintanceacquaintance oror mymy ancientancient friendsfriends,
wln 1262DothDoth anyany whitwhit distemperatedistemperate mymy myndmind,
wln 1263KnowingKnowing youyou, whichwhich areare moremore dearedear toto meme,
wln 1264ThenThan CountryCountry, kinkin, andand allall thingsthings elselse cancan bebe.
wln 1265YetYet pardonpardon meme, mymy graciousgracious LordLord, inin thisthis:
wln 1266ForFor whatwhat cancan stopstop thethe coursecourse ofof naturesnature’s powerpower?
wln 1267AsAs easyeasy isis itit forfor foure-footedfourfooted beastsbeasts,
wln 1268ToTo staystay themseluesthemselves vponupon thethe liquidliquid ayreair,
wln 1269AndAnd mountmount aloftaloft intointo thethe elementelement,
wln 1270AndAnd ouerstripoverstrip thethe featheredfeathered FowlesFowls inin flightflight:
wln 1271AsAs easyeasy isis itit forfor thethe slimyslimy FishFish,
wln 1272ToTo liuelive andand thriuethrive withoutwithout thethe helpehelp ofof waterwater:
wln 1273AsAs easyeasy isis itit forfor thethe BlackamooreBlackamoor,
wln 1274ToTo washwash thethe tawnytawny colourcolorcolour fromfrom hishis skinskin,
wln 1275WhichWhich allall opposeoppose againstagainst thethe coursecourse ofof naturenature,
wln 1276AsAs II amam ableable toto forgetforget mymy fatherfather.
wln 1277KingKing of GalliaKing.MyrrourMirror ofof vertuevirtue, PhœnixPhoenixPhoenix ofof ourour ageage!
wln 1278TooToo kindkind aa daughterdaughter forfor anan vnkindunkind fatherfather,
wln 1279BeBe ofof goodgood comfortcomfort; forfor II willwill dispatchdispatch
wln 1280AmbassadorsAmbassadors immediatelyimmediately forfor BrittayneBritain,
wln 1281VntoUnto thethe KingKing ofof CornwallsCornwall’s CourtCourt, whereaswhereas
wln 1282YourYour fatherfather keepethkeepeth nownow hishis residenceresidence,
wln 1283AndAnd inin thethe kindestkindest manermanner himhim intreatentreat,
wln 1284ThatThat settingsetting formerformer grieuancesgrievances apartapart,
wln 1285HeHe willwill bebe pleasdepleased toto comecome andand visitvisit vsus.
wln 1286IfIf nono intreatyentreaty willwill sufficesuffice thethe turneturn,
wln 1287IleI’ll offeroffer himhim thethe halfehalf o[·]ofof allall mymy CrowneCrown:
wln 1288IfIf thatthat mouesmoves notnot, weelewe’ll furnishfurnish outout aa FleetFleet,
And

img: 19-b
sig: E3r

and his three daughters.


wln 1289AndAnd saylesail toto CornwallCornwall forfor toto visitvisit himhim;
wln 1290AndAnd therethere youyou shallshall bebe firemlyfirmly reconcildereconciled
wln 1291InIn perfitperfect louelove, asas earsterst youyou werewere [··]forebefore●●forebefore.
wln 1292Cor.CordellaCor.WhereWhere toungtongue cannotcannot suffic[···]sufficientsuf●●●●●●tsufficient thanksthanks affordafford,
wln 1293TheThe KingKing ofof heauenheaven remunerateremunerate mymy LordLord.
wln 1294KingKing of GalliaKing.OnlyOnly bebe blitheblithe, andand frolickfrolic (sweetsweet) withwith meme:
wln 1295ThisThis andand muchmuch moremore ilei’llI’ll dodo toto comfortcomfort theethee.
wln 1296EnterEnter MessengerMessenger solussolus.
wln 1297Mes.MessengerMes.ItIt isis aa worldworld toto seesee nownow II amam flushflush,
wln 1298HowHow manymany friendsfriends II purchasepurchase euery whereeverywhere!
wln 1299HowHow manymany seekesseeks toto creepecreep intointo mymy fauourfavorfavour,
wln 1300AndAnd kissekiss theirtheir handshands, andand bendbend theirtheir kneesknees toto meme!
wln 1301NoNo moremore, herehere comescomes thethe QueeneQueen, nownow shallshall II knowknow herher mindmind,
wln 1302AndAnd hopehope forfor toto deriuederive moremore crownescrowns fromfrom herher.EnterEnter RagāRagāRagan.
wln 1303Rag.RaganRag.MyMy friendfriend, II seesee thouthou mind’stmind’stmindest thythy promisepromise wellwell,
wln 1304AndAnd artart beforebefore meme herehere, me thinksmethinks, to daytoday.
wln 1305Mes.MessengerMes.II amam aa poorepoor manman, andand itit likelike youryour GraceGrace;
wln 1306ButBut yetyet II alwayesalways louelove toto keepekeep mymy wordword.
wln 1307Ra.RaganRa.WelWell, keepekeep thythy wordword withwith meme, &and thouthou shaltshalt seesee,
wln 1308ThatThat ofof aa poorepoor manman II willwill makemake theethee richrich.
wln 1309Mes.MessengerMes.II longlong toto hearehear itit, itit mightmight hauehave binbeen dispatchtdispatched,
wln 1310IfIf youyou hadhad toldtold meme ofof itit yesternightyesternight.
wln 1311Ra.RaganRa.ItIt isis aa thingthing ofof rightright strangestrange consequenceconsequence,
wln 1312AndAnd wellwell II cannotcannot vtterutter itit inin wordswords.
wln 1313Mes.MessengerMes.ItIt isis moremore strangestrange, thatthat II amam notnot byby thisthis
wln 1314BesideBeside my selfemyself, withwith longinglonging forfor toto hearehear itit.
wln 1315WereWere itit toto meetmeet thethe DeuillDevil inin hishis denneden,
wln 1316AndAnd trytry aa boutbout withwith himhim forfor aa scratchtscratched faceface,
wln 1317IdeI’d vndertakeundertake itit, ifif youyou wouldwould butbut bidbid meme.
wln 1318Ra.RaganRa.AhAh, goodgood mymy friendfriend, thatthat II shouldshould hauehave theethee dodo,
wln 1319IsIs suchsuch aa thingthing, asas II dodo shameshame toto speakespeak;
wln 1320YetYet itit mustmust needsneeds bebe donedone.
wln 1321Mes.MessengerMes.IleI’ll speakspeak itit forfor theethee, QueeneQueen: shallshall II killkill thythy fatherfather?
wln 1322II knowknow tis’tis thatthat, andand ifif itit bebe soso, saysay.Rag.RaganRag.IAyay.
wln 1323Mes.MessengerMes.WhyWhy, thatsthat’s ynoughenough.
wln 1324Rag.RaganRag.AndAnd yetyet thatthat isis notnot allall.
wln 1325Mes.MessengerMes.WhatWhat elseelse?
wln 1326Rag.RaganRag.ThouThou mustmust killkill thatthat oldold manman thatthat camecame withwith himhim.
E3
Mes. Here

img: 20-a
sig: E3v

The History of King Leir


wln 1327Mes.MessengerMes.HereHere areare twotwo handshands, forfor echeeach ofof themthem isis oneone..
wln 1328Rag.RaganRag.AndAnd forfor echeeach handhand herehere isis aa recompencerecompense
wln 1329GiueGive himhim twotwo pursespurses.
wln 1330Mes.MessengerMes.OhOhO, thatthat II hadhad tenten handshands byby myraclemiracle,
wln 1331II couldcould tearetear tenten inin piecespieces withwith mymy teethteeth,
wln 1332SoSo inin mymy mouthmouth youldyou’d putput aa pursepurse ofof goldgold.
wln 1333ButBut inin whatwhat manermanner mustmust itit bebe effectedeffected?
wln 1334Rag.RaganRag.To morrowTomorrow morningmorning ereere thethe breakebreak ofof dayday,
wln 1335II byby aa wylewile willwill sendsend themthem toto thethe thicketthicket,
wln 1336ThatThat isis aboutabout somesome twotwo mylesmiles fromfrom thethe CourtCourt,
wln 1337AndAnd promisepromise themthem toto meetmeet themthem therethere my selfemyself,
wln 1338BecauseBecause II mustmust hauehave priuateprivate conferenceconference,
wln 1339AboutAbout somesome newesnews II hauehave receyu’dreceived fromfrom CornwallCornwall.
wln 1340ThisThis isis ynoughenough, II knowknow, theythey willwill notnot faylefail,
wln 1341AndAnd thenthen bebe readyready forfor toto playplay thythy partpart:
wln 1342WhichWhich donedone, thouthou maystmayst rightright easilyeasily escapeescape,
wln 1343AndAnd nono manman onceonce mistrustmistrust theethee forfor thethe factfact:
wln 1344ButBut yetyet, beforebefore thouthou prosecuteprosecute thethe actact,
wln 1345ShewShow himhim thethe letterletter, whichwhich mymy sistersister sentsent,
wln 1346ThereThere letlet himhim readread hishis owneown inditementindictment firstfirst,
wln 1347AndAnd thenthen proceedproceed toto executionexertionexecution:
wln 1348ButBut seesee thouthou fayntfaint notnot; forfor theythey willwill speakespeak fayrefair.
wln 1349Mes.MessengerMes.CouldCould hehe speakspeak wordswords asas pleasingpleasing asas thethe pipepipe
wln 1350OfOf MercuryMercury, whichwhich charm’dcharmed thethe hundredhundred eyeseyes
wln 1351OfOf watchfullwatchful ArgosArgos, andand inforc’denforced himhim sleepesleep:
wln 1352ToTo thethe pursepurstpurse.YetYet herehere areare wordswords soso pleasingpleasing toto mymy thoughtsthoughts,
wln 1353AsAs quitequite shallshall taketake awayaway thethe soundsound ofof hishis.ExitExit.
wln 1354Rag.RaganRag.AboutAbout itit thenthen, andand whenwhen thouthou hasthast dispatchtdispatched,
wln 1355IleI’ll findfind aa meanesmeans toto sendsend theethee afterafter himhim.ExitExit.
wln 1356EnterEnter CornwallCornwall andand GonorillGonorilGonorill.
wln 1357Corn.CornwallCorn.II wonderwonder thatthat thethe MessengerMessenger dothdoth staystay,
wln 1358WhomWhom wewe dispatchtdispatched forfor CambriaCambria soso longlong sincesince::
wln 1359IfIf thatthat hishis answereanswer dodo notnot pleaseplease vsus wellwell,
wln 1360AndAnd hebebehe dodo shewshow goodgood reasonreason forfor delaydelay,
wln 1361IleI’ll teachteach himhim howhow toto dallydally withwith hishis KingKing,
wln 1362AndAnd toto detaynedetain vsus inin suchsuch longlong suspencesuspense.
wln 1363Gon.GonorilGon.MyMy LordLord, II thinkethink thethe reasonreason maymay bebe thisthis:
wln 1364MyMy fatherfather meanesmeans toto comecome alongalong withwith himhim,,
And

img: 20-b
sig: E4r

and his three daughters.


wln 1365AndAnd thereforetherefore tis’tis hishis pleasurepleasure hehe shallshall staystay,
wln 1366ForFor toto attendattend vponupon himhim onon thethe wayway.
wln 1367Corn.CornwallCorn.ItIt maymay bebe soso, andand therforetherefore tilltill II knowknow
wln 1368TheThe truthtruth thereofthereof, II willwill suspendsuspend mymy iudgementjudgement.
wln 1369EnterEnter SeruantServant.
wln 1370Ser.ServantSer.And’tAn ’tAn’t likelike youryour GraceGrace, therethere isis anan AmbassadorAmbassador
wln 1371ArriuedArrived fromfrom GalliaGallia, andand crauescraves admittanceadmittance toto youryour MaiestyMajesty.
wln 1372Corn.CornwallCorn.FromFrom GalliaGallia? whatwhat shouldshould hishis messagemessage
wln 1373HitherHither importimport? isis notnot youryour fatherfather happelyhaplyhappily
wln 1374GoneGone thitherthither? wellwell, whatsoerewhatsoe’erwhatsoever itit bebe,
wln 1375BidBid himhim comecome inin, hehe shallshall hauehave audienceaudience.
wln 1376EnterEnter AmbassadorAmbassador.
wln 1377WhatWhat newesnews fromfrom GalliaGallia? speakespeak AmbassadorAmbassador.
wln 1378Am.AmbassadorAm.TheThe noblenoble KingKing andand QueeneQueen ofof GalliaGallia firstfirst salutessalutes,
wln 1379ByBy meme, theirtheir honourablehonorablehonourable fatherfather, mymy LordLord LeirLeir:
wln 1380NextNext, theythey commendcommend themthem kindlykindly toto youryour GracesGraces,
wln 1381AsAs thosethose whosewhose wellfarewelfare theythey intirelyentirely wishwish,
wln 1382LettersLetters II hauehave toto deliuerdeliver toto mymy LordLord LeirLeir,
wln 1383AndAnd presentspresents tootoo, ifif II mightmight speakespeak withwith himhim.
wln 1384Gon.GonorilGon.IfIf youyou mightmight speakspeak withwith himhim? whywhy, dodo youyou thinkethink,
wln 1385WeWe areare afraydafraid thatthat youyou shouldshould speakespeak withwith himhim?
wln 1386Am.AmbassadorAm.PardonPardon meme, MadamMadam; forfor II thinkethink notnot soso,
wln 1387ButBut saysay soso onlyonly, cause’cause hehe isis notnot herehere.
wln 1388Corn.CornwallCorn.IndeedIndeed, mymy friendfriend, vponupon somesome vrgenturgent causecause,
wln 1389HeHe isis atat thisthis timetime absentabsent fromfrom thethe CourtCourt:
wln 1390ButBut ifif aa dayday oror twotwo youyou herehere reposerepose.
wln 1391Tis’Tis veryvery likelylikely youyou shallshall hauehave himhim herehere,
wln 1392OrOr elseelse hauehave certaynecertain noticenotice wherewhere hehe isis.
wln 1393Gon.GonorilGon.AreAre notnot wewe worthyworthy toto receiuereceive youryour messagemessage??:
wln 1394Am.AmbassadorAm.II hadhad ininchargein chargecharge toto dodo itit toto himselfehimself.
wln 1395Gon.GonorilGon.toto herselfeherself.ItIt maymay bebe thenthen ’twill’twill notnot bebe donedone inin hastehaste.
wln 1396HowHow dothdoth mymy sistersister brookebrook thethe ayreair ofof FraunceFrance?
wln 1397Am.AmbassadorAm.ExceedingExceeding wellwell, andand neuernever sickesick oneone hourehour,
wln 1398SinceSince firstfirst sheshe setset herher footfoot vponupon thethe shoreshore.
wln 1399Gon.GonorilGon.II amam thethe moremore sorrysorry.
wln 1400Am.AmbassadorAm.II hopehope, notnot soso, MadamMadam.
wln 1401Gon.GonorilGon.DidstDidst thouthou notnot saysay, thatthat sheshe waswas euerever sickesick,
wln 1402SinceSince thethe firstfirst hourehour thatthat sheshe arriuedarrived therethere?
E4
Am. No,

img: 21-a
sig: E4v

The History of King Leir


wln 1403Amb.AmbassadorAmb.NoNo, MadamMadam, II saydsaid quitequite contrarycontrary.
wln 1404Gon.GonorilGon.ThenThen II mistookemistook theethee.
wln 1405Corn.CornwallCorn.ThenThen sheshe isis merrymerry, ifif sheshe hauehave herher healthhealth.
wln 1406Am.AmbassadorAm.OhOhO nono, herher griefegrief exceedsexceeds, vntilluntil thethe timetime,
wln 1407ThatThat sheshe bebe reconcil’dreconciled vntounto herher fatherfather.
wln 1408Gon.GonorilGon.GodGod continuecontinue itit.
wln 1409Am.AmbassadorAm.WhatWhat, MadamMadam?
wln 1410Gon.GonorilGon.WhyWhy, herher healthhealth.
wln 1411Am.AmbassadorAm.AmenAmen toto thatthat: butbut GodGod releaserelease herher griefegrief,
wln 1412AndAnd sendsend herher fatherfather inin aa betterbetter mindmind,
wln 1413ThenThan toto continuecontinue alwayesalways soso vnkindunkind.
wln 1414Corn.CornwallCorn.IleI’ll bebe aa mediatormediator inin herher causecause,
wln 1415AndAnd seekeseek allall meanesmeans toto expiatexpiate hishis wrathwrath.
wln 1416Am.AmbassadorAm.MadamMadam, II hopehope youryour GraceGrace willwill dodo thethe likelike.
wln 1417Gon.GonorilGon.ShouldShould II bebe aa meanemean toto exasperateexasperate hishis wrathwrath
wln 1418AgainstAgainst mymy sistersister, whomwhom II louelove soso dearedear? nono, nono.
wln 1419Am.AmbassadorAm.ToTo expiateexpiate oror mittigatemitigate hishis wrathwrath:
wln 1420ForFor hehe hathhath misconceyuedmisconceived withoutwithout aa causecause.
wln 1421Gon.GonorilGon.OO, IAyay, whatwhat elseelse?
wln 1422Am.AmbassadorAm.Tis’Tis pitypity itit shouldshould bebe soso, wouldwould itit werewere otherwiseother wiseotherwiseother wise.
wln 1423Gon.GonorilGon.ItIt werewere greatgreat pitypity itit shouldshould bebe otherwiseotherwise.
wln 1424Am.AmbassadorAm.ThenThen howhow, MadamMadam?
wln 1425Gon.GonorilGon.ThenThen thatthat theythey shouldshould bebe reconcildereconciled againeagain.
wln 1426Am.AmbassadorAm.ItIt shewesshows youyou bearebear anan honourablehonorablehonourable mindmind.
wln 1427Gon.Con.GonorilCon.SpeakesSpeaks toto
her selfeherself.
ItIt shewesshows thythy vnderstandingunderstanding toto bebe blindblind,
wln 1428AndAnd thatthat thouthou hadsthadst needneed ofof anan InterpreterinterpreterinterpreterInterpreter:
wln 1429WellWell, II willwill knowknow thythy messagemessage ere’tere ’tere’t bebe longlong,
wln 1430AndAnd findfind aa meanemean toto crossecross itit, ifif II cancan.
wln 1431Corn.CornwallCorn.ComeCome inin, mymy friendfriend, andand frolickfrolic inin ourour CourtCourt,
wln 1432TillTill certaynecertain noticenotice ofof mymy fatherfather comecome.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 1433EnterEnter LeirLeir andand PerillusPerillus.
wln 1434Per.PerillusPer.MyMy LordLord, youyou areare vpup to daytoday beforebefore youryour hourehour,
wln 1435Tis’Tis newesnews toto youyou toto bebe abroadabroad sosoratheso ratherathe.
wln 1436LeirLeirKing.Tis’Tis newesnews indeedindeed, II amam soso extremeextreme: heauyheavy,
wln 1437ThatThat II cancan scarcelyscarcely keepekeep mymy eye-lidseyelids openopen.
wln 1438Per.PerillusPer.AndAnd soso amam II, butbut II imputeimpute thethe causecause
wln 1439ToTo risingrising soonersooner thenthanthen wewe vseuse toto dodo.
wln 1440LeirLeirKing.HitherHither mymy daughterdaughter meanesmeans toto comecome disguis’ddisguised::
Ile

img: 21-b
sig: F1r

and his three daughters.


wln 1441IleI’ll sitsit meme downedown, andand readread vntilluntil sheshe comecome.
wln 1442PullPull outout aa bookebook andand sitsit downedown.
wln 1443Per.PerillusPer.SheeleShe’llshe’ll notnot bebelongbe longlong, II warrantwarrant youyou, mymy LordLordsLord::
wln 1444ButBut saysay, aa couplecouple ofof thesethese theythey callcall goodgood fellowesfellows,,.
wln 1445ShouldShould stepstep outout ofof aa hedgehedge, andand setset vponupon vsus,
wln 1446WeWe werewere inin goodgood casecase forfor toto answereanswer themthem.
wln 1447LeirLeirKing.’Twere’Twere notnot forfor vsus toto standstand vponupon ourour handshands..
wln 1448Per.PerillusPer.II fearefear, wewe scantscant shouldshould standstand vponupon ourour legslegs.
wln 1449ButBut howhow shouldshould wewe dodo toto defenddefend our seluesourselves?
wln 1450LeirLeirKing.EuenEveneven praypray toto GodGod, toto blessebless vsus frōfrōfrom theirtheir handshands:
wln 1451ForFor feruentfervent prayerprayer muchmuch illill haphap withstandswithstands.
wln 1452Per.PerillusPer.IleI’ll sitsit andand praypray withwith youyou forfor companycompany;
wln 1453YetYet waswas II ne’rene’ernever soso heauyheavy inin mymy lifelife.
wln 1454TheyThey fallfall bothboth asleepeasleep.
wln 1455EnterEnter thethe MessengerMessenger oror murtherermurderer withwith twotwo
wln 1456daggersdaggers inin hishis handshands.

wln 1457Mess.MessengerMess.WereWere itit notnot aa madmad iestjest, iflestlestif twotwo oror threethree ofof mymy professiōprofessiōprofession
wln 1458shouldshould meetmeet meme, andand laylay meme downedown inin aa ditchditch, andand playplay robberob
wln 1459thiefethierethief withwith meme, &and perforceperforce taketake mymy goldgold awayaway fromfrom meme, whilestwhilst
wln 1460II actact thisthis stratagemstratagem, andand byby thisthis meanesmeans thethe graygraygrey beardsbeards shouldshould
wln 1461escapeescape? FaythFaith, whenwhen II werewere atat libertyliberty againeagain, II wouldwould makemake nono
wln 1462moremore toto dodo, butbut gogo toto thethe nextnext treetree, andand therethere hanghang my selfemyself.
wln 1463SeeSee themthem andand startstart.
wln 1464ButBut staystay, me thinksmethinks, mymy youthesyouths areare herehere alreadyalready,
wln 1465AndAnd withwith purepure zealezeal hauehave prayedprayed themseluesthemselves asleepeasleep.
wln 1466II thinkethink, theythey knowknow toto whatwhat intentintent theythey camecame,
wln 1467AndAnd areare prouidedprovided forfor anotheranother worldworld.
wln 1468HeHe takestakes theirtheir bookesbooks awayaway.
wln 1469NowNow couldcould II stabstab themthem brauelybravely, whilewhile theythey sleepesleep,
wln 1470AndAnd inin aa manermanner putput themthem toto nono paynepain;
wln 1471AndAnd doingdoing soso, II shewedshowed themthem mightymighty friendshipfriendship:
wln 1472ForFor fearefear ofof deathdeath isis worseworse thenthan deathdeath it selfeitself.
wln 1473ButBut thatthat mymy sweetsweet QueeneQueen will’dwilled meme forfor toto shewshow
wln 1474ThisThis letterletter toto themthem, ereere II diddid thethe deeddeed.
wln 1475MasseMass, theythey beginbegin toto stirrestir: ilei’llI’ll standstand asideaside;
wln 1476SoSo shallshall II comecome vponupon themthem vnawaresunawares.
wln 1477TheyThey wakewake andand riserise.
wln 1478LeirLeirKing.II maruellmarvel, thatthat mymy daughterdaughter stayesstays soso longlong.

F
Per. I

img: 22-a
sig: F1v

The History of King Leir


wln 1479Per.PerillusPer.II fearefear, wewe diddid mistakemistake thethe placeplace, mymy LordLord.
wln 1480LeirLeirKing.GodGod grauntgrant wewe dodo notnot miscarrymiscarry inin thethe placeplace:
wln 1481II hadhad aa shortshort napnap, butbut soso fullfull ofof dreaddread,
wln 1482AsAs muchmuch amazethamazeth meme toto thinkthink thereofthereof.
wln 1483Per.PerillusPer.FeareFear notnot, mymy LordLord, dreamesdreams areare butbut fantasiesfantasies,
wln 1484AndAnd slightslight imaginationsimaginations ofof thethe braynebrain.
wln 1485Mes.MessengerMes.PerswadePersuade himhim soso; butbut ilei’llI’ll makemake himhim andand youyou
wln 1486ConfesseConfess, thatthat dreamesdreams dodo oftenoften proueprove tootoo truetrue.
wln 1487Per.PerillusPer.II praypray, mymy LordLord, whatwhat waswas thethe effecteffect ofof itit?
wln 1488II maymay gogo neerenear toto gesseguess whatwhat itit pretendspretends.
wln 1489Mes.MessengerMes.LeaueLeave thatthat toto meme, II willwill expoundexpound thethe dreamedream.
wln 1490LeirLeirKing.Me thoughtMethoughtmethought, mymy daughtersdaughters, GonorillGonorilGonorill &and RaganRagan,
wln 1491StoodStood bothboth beforebefore meme withwith suchsuch grimgrim aspectsaspects,
wln 1492EcheEach brandishingbrandishing aa FaulchionFalchion inin theirtheir handhand,
wln 1493ReadyReady toto loplop aa lymmelimb offoff wherewhere itit fellfell,
wln 1494AndAnd inin theirtheir otherother handshands aa nakednaked poynyardponiardponyard,
wln 1495WherwithWherewith theythey stabdstabbed meme inin aa hundredhundred placesplaces,
wln 1496AndAnd toto theirtheir thinkingthinking leftleft meme therethere forfor deaddead:
wln 1497ButBut thenthen mymy youngestyoungest daughterdaughter, fayrefair CordellaCordella,
wln 1498CameCame withwith aa boxebox ofof BalsomeBalsambalsam inin herher handhand,
wln 1499AndAnd powredpoured itit intointo mymy bleedingbleeding woundswounds,
wln 1500ByBy whosewhose goodgood meanesmeans II waswas recoueredrecovered wellwell,
wln 1501InIn perfitperfect healthhealth, asas earsterst II waswas beforebefore:
wln 1502AndAnd withwith thethe fearefear ofof thisthis II diddid awakeawake,
wln 1503AndAnd yetyet forfor fearefear mymy feeblefeeble ioyntsjoints dodo quakequake.
wln 1504Mes.MessengerMes.IleI’ll makemake youyou quakequake forfor somethingsomething presentlypresently.
wln 1505StandStand, StandStand.TheyThey reelereel.
wln 1506LeirLeirKing.WeWe dodo, mymy friendfriend, althoughalthough withwith muchmuch adoeado.
wln 1507Mes.MessengerMes.DeliuerDeliver, deliuerdeliver.
wln 1508Per.PerillusPer.DeliuerDeliver vsus, goodgood LordLord, fromfrom suchsuch asas hehe.
wln 1509Mes.MessengerMes.YouYou shouldshould hauehave prayedprayed beforebefore, whilewhile itit waswas timetime,
wln 1510AndAnd thenthen perhapsperhaps, youyou mightmight hauehave scaptscaped mymy handshands:
wln 1511ButBut youyou, likelike faithfullfaithful watch-menwatchmen, fellfell asleepeasleep,
wln 1512TheThe whilstwhilst II camecame andand tooketook youryour HalberdsHalberds fromfrom youyou.
wln 1513ShewShow theirtheir BookesBooks.
wln 1514AndAnd nownow youyou wantwant youryour weaponsweapons ofof defencedefensedefence,
wln 1515HowHow hauehave youyou anyany hopehope toto bebe deliuereddelivered?
wln 1516ThisThis comescomes, becausebecause youyou hauehave nono betterbetter staystay,
But

img: 22-b
sig: F2r

and his three daughters.


wln 1517ButBut fallfall asleepeasleep, whenwhen youyou shouldshould watchwatch andand praypray..:
wln 1518LeirLeirKing.MyMy friendfriend, thouthou seemstseem’stseemst toto bebe aa properproper manman.
wln 1519Mes.MessengerMes.Sblood’Sblood’sblood, howhow thethe oldold slaueslave clawesclaws meme byby thethe elbowelbow?
wln 1520HeHe thinksthinks, belikebelike, toto scapescape byby scrapingscraping thusthus.
wln 1521Per.PerillusPer.AndAnd itit maymay bebe, areare inin somesome needneed ofof moneymoney.
wln 1522Mes.MessengerMes.ThatThat toto bebe falsefalse, beholdbehold mymy euidenceevidence.
wln 1523ShewesShows hishis pursespurses.
wln 1524LeirLeirKing.IfIf thatthat II hauehave willwill dodo theethee anyany goodgood,
wln 1525II giuegive itit theethee, eueneven withwith aa rightright goodgood willwill.TakeTake itit.
wln 1526Per.PerillusPer.HereHere, taketake minemine tootoo, &and wishwish withwith allall mymy heartheart,
wln 1527ToTo dodo theethee pleasurepleasure, itit werewere twicetwice asas muchmuch.
wln 1528TakeTake hishis, andand weyghweigh themthem bothboth inin hishis handshands.
wln 1529Mes.MessengerMes.IleI’ll nonenone ofof themthem, theythey areare tootoo lightlight forfor meme.
wln 1530PutsPuts themthem inin hishis pocketpocket.
wln 1531LeirLeirKing.WhyWhy thenthen farewellfarewell: andand ifif thouthou hauehave occasionoccasion
wln 1532InIn anyany thingthing, toto vseuse meme toto thethe QueeneQueen,
wln 1533’Tis’Tis likelike ynoughenough thatthat II cancan pleasurepleasure theethee.
wln 1534TheyThey profferproffer toto goego.
wln 1535Mes.MessengerMes.DoDo youyou hearehear, dodo youyou hearehear, sirsir??:
wln 1536IfIf II hadhad occasionoccasion toto vseuse youyou toto thethe QueeneQueen,
wln 1537WouldWould youyou dodo oneone thingthing forfor meme II shouldshould askeask?
wln 1538LeirLeirKing.IAyay, anyany thingthing thatthat lyeslies withinwithin mymy powerpower.
wln 1539HereHere isis mymy handhand vponupon itit, soso farewellfarewell.ProfferProffer toto goego.
wln 1540Mes.MessengerMes.HeareHear youyou sirsir, hearehear youyou? praypray, aa wordword withwith youyou.
wln 1541Me thinksMethinksmethinks, aa comelycomely honesthonest ancientancient manman
wln 1542ShouldShould notnot dissembledissemble withwith oneone forfor aa vantagevantage.
wln 1543II knowknow, whenwhen II shallshall comecome toto trytry thisthis gearegear,
wln 1544YouYou willwill recantrecant fromfrom allall thatthat youyou hauehave saydsaid.
wln 1545Per.PerillusPer.MistrustMistrust notnot himhim, butbut trytry himhim whenwhen thouthou wiltwilt:
wln 1546HeHe isis herher fatherfather, thereforetherefore maymay dodo muchmuch.
wln 1547Mes.MessengerMes.II knowknow hehe isis, andand thereforetherefore meanemean toto trytry himhim:
wln 1548YouYou areare hishis friendfriend tootoo, II mustmust trytry youyou bothboth.
wln 1549Ambo.Ambo.PrithyPrithee dodo, prithyprithee dodo.ProfferProffer toto gogo outout.
wln 1550Mes.MessengerMes.StayStay gray-beardsgray-beardsgraybeards thenthen, andand proueprove menmen ofof youryour wordswords:
wln 1551TheThe QueeneQueen hathhath tyedtied meme byby aa solemnesolemn otheoath,
wln 1552HereHere inin thisthis placeplace toto seesee youyou bothboth dispatchtdispatched:
wln 1553NowNow forfor thethe safegardsafeguard ofof mymy conscienceconscience,
wln 1554DoDo meme thethe pleasurepleasure forfor toto killkill your seluesyourselves:
F2
So

img: 23-a
sig: F2v

The History of King Leir


wln 1555SoSo shallshall youyou sauesave meme labourlaborlabour forfor toto dodo itit,
wln 1556AndAnd proueprove your seluesyourselves truetrue oldold menmen ofof youryour wordswords.
wln 1557AndAnd herehere II vowvow inin sightsight ofof allall thethe worldworld,
wln 1558II ne’rene’ernever willwill troubletrouble youyou whilstwhilst II liuelive agayneagain.
wln 1559LeirLeirKing.AffrightAffright vsus notnot withwith terrourterror, goodgood mymy friendfriend,
wln 1560NorNor strikestrike suchsuch fearefear intointo ourour agedaged heartshearts.
wln 1561PlayPlay notnot thethe CatCat, whichwhich dalliethdallieth withwith thethe mousemouse;
wln 1562AndAnd onon aa suddensudden makethmaketh herher aa prayprey:
wln 1563ButBut ifif thouthou artart marktmarked forfor thethe manman ofof deathdeath
wln 1564ToTo meme andand toto mymy DamionDamonDamion, telltell meme playneplain,
wln 1565ThatThat wewe maymay bebe preparedprepared forfor thethe strokestroke,
wln 1566AndAnd makemake our seluesourselves fitfit forfor thethe worldworld toto comecome.
wln 1567Mes.MessengerMes.II amam thethe lastlast ofof anyany mortallmortal racerace,
wln 1568ThatThat eree’erere youryour eyeseyes areare likelylikely toto beholdbehold,
wln 1569AndAnd hitherhither sentsent ofof purposepurpose toto thisthis placeplace,
wln 1570ToTo giuegive aa finallfinal periodperiod toto youryour dayesdays,
wln 1571WhichWhich areare soso wickedwicked, andand hauehave liuedlived soso longlong,
wln 1572ThatThat youryour owneown childrenchildren seekeseek toto shortshort youryour lifelife.
wln 1573LeirLeirKing.CamstCam’stcam’st thouthou fromfrom FranceFrance, ofof purposepurpose toto dodo thisthis?
wln 1574Mes.MessengerMes.FromFrom FranceFrance? zoones’zoonszounds, dodo II lookelook likelike aa FrenchmanFrenchman?
wln 1575SureSure II hauehave notnot minemine owneown faceface onon; some bodysomebody hathhath chang’dchanged
wln 1576facesfaces withwith meme, andand II knowknow notnot ofof itit: ButBut II amam suresure, mymy apparellapparel
wln 1577isis allall EnglishEnglish. SirraSirrah, whatwhat meanestmeanest thouthou toto askeask thatthat questionquestion?
wln 1578II couldcould spoylespoil thethe fashionfasionfashion oof thisthis faceface forfor angeranger. AA FrenchFrench faceface!
wln 1579LeirLeirKing.BecauseBecause mymy daughterdaughter, whomwhom II hauehave offendedoffended,
wln 1580AndAnd atat whosewhose handshands II hauehave deseru’ddeserved asas illill,
wln 1581AsAs euerever anyany fatherfather diddid ofof childchild,
wln 1582IsIs QueeneQueen ofof FraunceFrance, nono thanksthanks atat allall toto meme,
wln 1583ButBut vntounto GodGod, whowho mymy iniusticeinjustice seesee.
wln 1584IfIf itit bebe soso, thatthat sheeshe dothdoth seekeseek reuengerevenge,
wln 1585AsAs withwith goodgood reasonreason sheshe maymay iustlyjustly dodo,
wln 1586II willwill mostmost willinglywillingly resigneresign mymy lifelife,
wln 1587AA sacrificesacrifice toto mittigatemitigate herher ireire:
wln 1588II neuernever willwill intreatentreat theethee toto forgiueforgive,
wln 1589BecauseBecause II amam vnworthyunworthy forfor toto liuelive.
wln 1590ThereforeTherefore speakespeak soonesoon, &and II willwill soonesoon makemake speedspeed:
wln 1591WhetherWhether CordellaCordella will’dwilled theethee dodo thisthis deeddeed?
wln 1592Mes.MessengerMes.AsAs II amam aa perfitperfect gentlemangentleman, thouthou speakstspeak’stspeakst FrenchFrench toto meme:
I neuer

img: 23-b
sig: F3r

and his three daughters.


wln 1593II neuernever heardheard CordellaesCordella’s namename beforebefore,
wln 1594NorNor neuernever waswas inin FraunceFrance inin allall mymy lifelife:
wln 1595II neuernever knewknew thouthou hadsthadst aa daughterdaughter therethere,
wln 1596ToTo whomwhom thouthou didstdidst proueprove soso vnkindunkind aa churlechurl:
wln 1597ButBut thythy owneown toungtongue declaresdeclares thatthat thouthou hasthast binbeen
wln 1598AA vylevile oldold wretchwretch, andand fullfull ofof heynousheinous sinsin.
wln 1599LeirLeirKing.AhAh nono, mymy friendfriend, thouthou artart deceyueddeceived muchmuch:
wln 1600ForFor herher exceptexcept, whomwhom II confesseconfess II wrongdwronged,
wln 1601ThroughThrough dotingdoting frenzyfrenzy, andand o’re-ielouso’er-jealous louelove.
wln 1602ThereThere liueslives notnot anyany vnderunder heauensheaven’s brightbright eyeeye,
wln 1603ThatThat cancan conuictconvict meme ofof impietyimpiety.
wln 1604AndAnd therforetherefore suresure thouthou dostdost mistakemistake thethe markemark:
wln 1605ForFor II amam inin truetrue peacepeace withwith allall thethe worldworld.
wln 1606Mes.MessengerMes.YouYou areare thethe fitterfitter forfor thethe KingKing ofof heauenheaven:
wln 1607AndAnd thereforetherefore, forfor toto ridrid theethee ofof suspencesuspense,
wln 1608KnowKnow thouthou, thethe QueenesQueens ofof CambriaCambria andand CornwallCornwall,
wln 1609ThyThy owneown twotwo daughtersdaughters, GonorillGonorilGonorill andand RaganRagan,
wln 1610AppoyntedAppointed meme toto massacremassacre theethee herehere.
wln 1611WhyWhy wouldstwouldst thouthou thenthen perswadepersuade meme, thatthat thouthou artart
wln 1612InIn charitycharity withwith allall thethe worldworld? butbut nownow
wln 1613WhenWhen thythy owneown issueissue holdhold theethee inin suchsuch hatehate,
wln 1614ThatThat theythey hauehave hyredhired meme t’abbridget’ abridget’abridge thythy fatefate,
wln 1615OhOhO, fyfie vponupon suchsuch vylevile dissemblingdissembling breathbreath,
wln 1616ThatThat wouldwould deceyuedeceive, eueneven atat thethe poyntpoint ofof deathdeath.
wln 1617Per.PerillusPer.AmAm II awakeawake, oror isis itit butbut aa dreamedream?
wln 1618Mes.MessengerMes.FeareFear nothingnothing, manman, thouthou artart butbut inin aa dreamedream,
wln 1619AndAnd thouthou shaltshalt neuernever wakewake vntilluntil doomes daydoomsdaydoom’s day,
wln 1620ByBy thentheytheythen, II hopehope, thouthou wiltwilt hauehave sleptslept ynoughenough.
wln 1621LeirLeirKing.YetYet, gentlegentle friendfriend, grauntgrant oneone thingthing ereere II diedie.
wln 1622Mes.MessengerMes.IleI’ll grauntgrant youyou anyany thingthing, exceptexcept youryour liueslives.
wln 1623LeirLeirKing.OhOhO, butbut assureassure meme byby somesome certaynecertain tokentoken,
wln 1624ThatThat mymy twotwo daughtersdaughters hyredhired theethee toto thisthis deeddeed:
wln 1625IfIf II werewere onceonce resolu’dresolved ofof thatthat, thenthenthan II
wln 1626WouldWould wishwish nono longerlonger lifelife, butbut crauecrave toto dyedie.
wln 1627Mes.MessengerMes.ThatThat toto bebe truetrue, inin sightsight ofof heauenheaven II sweareswear.
wln 1628LeirLeirKing.SweareSwear notnot byby heauenheaven, forfor fearefear ofof punishmētpunishmētpunishment:
wln 1629TheThe heauensheavens areare guiltlesseguiltless ofof suchsuch haynousheinous actsacts.
wln 1630Mes.MessengerMes.II sweareswear byby earthearth, thethe mothermother ofof vsus allall.
F3
Leir. Sweare

img: 24-a
sig: F3v

The History of King Leir


wln 1631LeirLeirKing.SweareSwear notnot byby earthearth; forfor sheshe abhorsabhors toto bearebear
wln 1632SuchSuch bastardsbastards, asas areare murtherersmurderers ofof herher sonnessons.
wln 1633Mes.MessengerMes.WhyWhy thenthen, byby hellhell, andand allall thethe deuilsdevils II sweareswear.
wln 1634LeirLeirKing.SweareSwear notnot byby hellhell; forfor thatthat standsstands gapinggaping widewide,
wln 1635ToTo swallowswallow theethee, andand ifif thouthou dodo thisthis deeddeed.
wln 1636ThunderThunder andand lightninglightning.
wln 1637Mes.MessengerMes.II wouldwould thatthat wordword werewere inin hishis bellybelly agayneagain,
wln 1638ItIt hathhath frightedfrighted meme eueneven toto thethe veryvery heartheart:
wln 1639ThisThis oldold manman isis somesome strongstrong MagicianMagician:
wln 1640HisHis wordswords hauehave turndturned mymy mindmind fromfrom thisthis exploytexploit.
wln 1641ThenThen neytherneither heauenheaven, earthearth, nornor hellhell bebe witnessewitness;
wln 1642ButBut letlet thisthis paperpaper witnessewitness forfor themthem allall.
wln 1643ShewesShows GonorilsGonoril’s letterletter..:
wln 1644ShallShall II relentrelent, oror shallshall II prosecuteprosecute?
wln 1645ShallShall II resolueresolve, oror werewere II bestbest recantrecant?
wln 1646II willwill notnot crackcrack mymy creditcredit withwith twotwo QueenesQueens,
wln 1647ToTo whomwhom II hauehave alreadyalready pastpassed mymy wordword.
wln 1648OhOhO, butbut mymy conscienceconscience forfor thisthis actact dothdoth telltell,
wln 1649II getget heauensheaven’sheavens hatehate, earthsearth’s scornescorn, andand paynespains ofof hellhell.
wln 1650TheyThey blessebless themseluesthemselves.
wln 1651Per.PerillusPer.OhOhO iustjust IehouaJehovahjehova, whosewhose almightyalmighty powerpower
wln 1652DothDoth gouernegovern allall thingsthings inin thisthis spaciousspacious worldworld,
wln 1653HowHow canstcanst thouthou suffersuffer suchsuch outragiousoutrageous actsacts
wln 1654ToTo bebe committedcommitted withoutwithout iustjust reuengerevenge?
wln 1655OO viperousviperous generationgeneration andand accurstaccursed,
wln 1656ToTo seekeseek hishis bloodblood, whosewhose bloodblood diddid makemake themthem firstfirst!
wln 1657LeirLeirKing.AhAh, mymy truetrue friendfriend inin allall extremityextremity,
wln 1658LetLet vsus submitsubmit vsus toto thethe willwill ofof GodGod:
wln 1659ThingsThings pastpast allall sencesense, letlet vsus notnot seekeseek toto knowknow;
wln 1660ItIt isis GodsGod’s willwill, andand thereforetherefore mustmust bebe soso.
wln 1661MyMy friendfriend, II amam preparedprepared forfor thethe strokestroke:
wln 1662StrikeStrike whenwhen thouthou wiltwilt, andand II forgiueforgive theethee herehere,
wln 1663EuenEven fromfrom thethe veryvery bottomebottom ofof mymy heartheart.
wln 1664Mes.MessengerMes.ButBut II amam notnot preparedprepared forfor toto strikestrike.
wln 1665LeirLeirKing.FarewellFarewell, PerillusPerillus, eueneven thethe truesttruest friendfriend,
wln 1666ThatThat euerever liuedlived inin aduersityadversity:
wln 1667TheThe latestlatest kindnessekindness ilei’llI’ll requestrequest ofof theethee,
wln 1668IsIs thatthat thouthou gogo vntounto mymy daughterdaughter CordellaCordella,
And

img: 24-b
sig: F4r

and his three daughters.


wln 1669AndAnd carrycarry herher herher fathersfather’s latestlatest blessingblessing:
wln 1670WithallWithal desiredesire herher, thatthat sheshe willwill forgiueforgive meme;
wln 1671ForFor II hauehave wrongdwronged herher withoutwithout anyany causecause.
wln 1672NowNow, LordLord, receyuereceive meme, forfor II comecome toto theethee,
wln 1673AndAnd dyedie, II hopehope, inin perfitperfect charitycharity.
wln 1674DispatchDispatch, II praypray theethee, II hauehave liuedlived tootoo longlong.
wln 1675Mes.MessengerMes.IAyay, butbut youyou areare vnwiseunwise, toto sendsend anan erranderrand
wln 1676ByBy himhim thatthat neuernever meanethmeaneth toto deliuerdeliver itit:
wln 1677WhyWhy, hehe mustmust gogo alongalong withwith youyou toto heauenheaven:
wln 1678ItIt werewere notnot goodgood youyou shouldshould gogo allall alonealone.
wln 1679LeirLeirKing.NoNo doubtdoubt, hehe shalshall, whenwhen byby thethe coursecourse ofof naturenature,
wln 1680HeHe mustmust surrendersurrender vpup hishis duedue toto deathdeath:
wln 1681ButBut thatthat timetime shallshall notnot comecome, tilltill GodGod permitpermit.
wln 1682Mes.MessengerMes.NayNay, presentlypresently, toto bearebear youyou companycompany.
wln 1683II hauehave aa PasportPassport forfor himhim inin mymy pocketpocket,
wln 1684AlreadyAlready sealdsealed, andand hehe mustmust needsneeds rideride PostePost.
wln 1685ShewShow aa baggebag ofof moneymoney.
wln 1686LeirLeirKing.TheThe letterletter whichwhich II readread, importsimports notnot soso,
wln 1687ItIt onlyonly touchethtoucheth meme, nono wordword ofof himhim.
wln 1688Mess.MessengerMess.IAyay, butbut thethe QueeneQueen commaundscommands itit mustmust bebe soso,
wln 1689AndAnd II amam paydpaid forfor himhim, asas wellwell asas youyou.
wln 1690Per.PerillusPer.IIay, whowho hauehave borneborne youyou companycompany inin lifelife,
wln 1691MostMost willinglywillingly willwill bearebear aa shareshare inin deathdeath.
wln 1692ItIt skillethskilleth notnot forfor meme, mymy friendfriend, aa whitwhit,
wln 1693NorNor forfor aa hundredhundred suchsuch asas thouthou andand II.
wln 1694Mes.MessengerMes.MaryMarrymarry, butbut itit dothdoth, sirsir, byby youryour leaueleave; youryour goodgood dayesdays
wln 1695areare pastpast: thoughthough itit beebe nono mattermatter forfor youyou, tis’tis aa mattermatter forfor meme,
wln 1696properproper menmen areare notnot soso riferife.
wln 1697Per.PerillusPer.OhOhO, butbut bewarebeware, howhow thouthou dostdost laylay thythy handhand
wln 1698VponUpon thethe highhigh anoyntedanointed ofof thethe LordLordsLordsLord::
wln 1699OOOh, bebe aduisedadvised ereere thouthou dostdost beginbegin:
wln 1700DispatchDispatch meme straightstraight, butbut meddlemeddle notnot withwith himhim.
wln 1701LeirLeirKing.FriendFriend, thythy commissioncommission isis toto dealedeal withwith meme,
wln 1702AndAnd II amam hehe thatthat hathhath deserueddeserved allall:
wln 1703TheThe plotplot waswas laydlaid toto taketake awayaway mymy lifelife:
wln 1704AndAnd herehere itit isis, II dodo intreatentreat theethee taketake itit:
wln 1705YetYet forfor mymy sakesake, andand asas thouthou artart aa manman,
wln 1706SpareSpare thisthis mymy friendfriend, thatthat hitherhither withwith meme camecame::?
F4
I brought

img: 25-a
sig: F4v

The History of King Leir


wln 1707II broughtbrought himhim forthforth, whereaswhereas hehe hadhad notnot binbeen,
wln 1708ButBut forfor goodgood willwill toto bearebear meme companycompany.
wln 1709HeHe leftleft hishis friendsfriends, hishis countrycountry andand hishis goodsgoods,
wln 1710AndAnd camecame withwith meme inin mostmost extremityextremity.
wln 1711OhOhO, ifif hehe shouldshould miscarrymiscarry herehere andand dyedie,
wln 1712WhoWho isis thethe causecause ofof itit, butbut onlyonly II?
wln 1713Mes.MessengerMes.WhyWhy thatthat amam II, letlet thatthat ne’rene’ernever troubletrouble theethee.
wln 1714LeirLeirKing.OO nono, tis’tis II. OOOh, hadhad II nownow toto giuegive theethee
wln 1715TheThe monarchymonarchy ofof allall thethe spaciousspacious worldworld
wln 1716ToTo sauesave hishis lifelife, II wouldwould bestowbestow itit onon theethee:
wln 1717ButBut II hauehave nothingnothing butbut thesethese tearstears andand prayerprayer,
wln 1718AndAnd thethe submissionsubmission ofof aa bendedbended kneeknee.kneelskneels.
wln 1719OO, ifif allall thisthis toto mercymercy mouemove theythey mindmind,
wln 1720SpareSpare himhim, inin heauenheaven thouthou shaltshalt likelike mercymercy findfind.
wln 1721Mes.MessengerMes.II amam asas hardhard toto bebe mouedmoved asas anotheranother, andand yetyet
wln 1722me thinksmethinks thethe strengthstrength ofof theirtheir perswasionspersuasions stirresstirs meme
wln 1723aa littlelittle.
wln 1724Per.PerillusPer.MyMy friendfriend, ifif fearefear ofof thethe almightyalmighty powerpower
wln 1725HaueHave powerpower toto mouemove theethee, wewe hauehave saydsaid ynoughenough:
wln 1726ButBut ifif thythy mindmind bebe moueablemovable withwith goldgold,
wln 1727WeWe hauehave notnot presentlypresently toto giuegive itit theethee:
wln 1728YetYet toto thy selfethyself thouthou maystmayst dodo greatergreater goodgood,
wln 1729ToTo keepekeep thythy handshands stillstill vndefildeundefiled fromfrom bloodblood:
wln 1730ForFor dodo butbut wellwell considerconsider withwith thy selfethyself,
wln 1731WhenWhen thouthou hasthast finishtfinished thisthis outragiousoutrageous actact,
wln 1732WhatWhat horrourhorror stillstill willwill haunthaunt theethee forfor thethe deeddeed:
wln 1733ThinkThink thisthis agayneagain, thatthat theythey whichwhich wouldwould incenseincense
wln 1734TheeThee forfor toto bebe thethe ButcherButcher ofof theirtheir fatherfather,
wln 1735WhenWhen itit isis donedone, forfor fearefear itit shouldshould bebe knowneknown,
wln 1736WouldWould makemake aa meanesmeans toto ridrid theethee fromfrom thethe worldworld:
wln 1737OhOhO, thenthen artart thouthou forfor euerever tyedtied inin chayneschains
wln 1738OfOf euerlastingeverlasting tormentstorments toto indureendure,
wln 1739EuenEven inin thethe hotesthottest holehole ofof grislygrisly hellhell,
wln 1740SuchSuch paynespains, asas neuernever mortallmortal toungtongue cancan telltell.
wln 1741ItIt thundersthunders. HeHe quakesquakes, andand letslets fallfall thethe DaggerDagger
wln 1742nextnext toto PerillusPerillus.

wln 1743LeirLeirKing.OO, heauensheavens bebe thankedthanked, hehe wilwill sparespare mymy friendfriend,
wln 1744NowNow whenwhen thouthou wiltwilt comecome makemake anan endend ofof meme.
He

img: 25-b
sig: G1r

and his three daughters.


wln 1745HeHe letslets fallfall thethe otherother daggerdagger.
wln 1746Per.PerillusPer.OhOhO, happyhappy sightsight!!. HeHe meanesmeans toto sauesave mymy LordLord.
wln 1747TheThe KingKing ofof heauenheaven continuecontinue thisthis goodgood mindmind.
wln 1748LeirLeirKing.WhyWhy stayststay’st thouthou toto dodo executionexecution?
wln 1749Mes.MessengerMes.II amam asas wilfullwilful asas youyou forfor youryour lifelife:
wln 1750II willwill notnot dodo itit, nownow youyou dodo intreatentreat meme.
wln 1751Per.PerillusPer.AhAh, nownow II seesee thouthou hasthast somesome sparkespark ofof gracegrace.
wln 1752Mes.MessengerMes.BeshrewBeshrew youyou forfor itit, youyou hauehave putput itit inin meme:
wln 1753TheThe parlosestparlousest oldold menmen, thatthat eree’erere II heardheard.
wln 1754WellWell, toto bebe flatflat, ilei’llI’ll notnot meddlemeddle withwith youyou:
wln 1755HereHere II foundfound youyou, andand herehere ilei’llI’ll leaueleave youyou:
wln 1756IfIf anyany askeask youyou whywhy thethe casecase soso standsstands?
wln 1757SaySay thatthat youryour toungestoung astongues werewere betterbetter thenthan youryour handshands.ExitExit.
Mess.MessengerMess.

wln 1758Per.PerillusPer.FarewellFarewell. IfIf euerever wewe togethertogether meetmeemeetme,
wln 1759ItIt shallshall gogo hardhard, butbut II willwill theethee regreetre-greetregreet.
wln 1760CourageCourage, mymy LordLord, thethe worstworst isis ouerpastoverpast;
wln 1761LetLet vsus giuegive thanksthanks toto GodGod, andand hyehie vsus hencehence.
wln 1762LeirLeirKing.ThouThou artart deceyueddeceived; forfor II amam pastpast thethe bestbest,
wln 1763AndAnd knowknow notnot whitherwhither forfor toto gogo fromfrom hencehence:
wln 1764DeathDeath hadhad binbeen betterbetter welcomewelcome vntounto meme,
wln 1765ThenThanThen longerlengerlonger lifelife toto addeadd moremore miserymisery.
wln 1766Per.PerillusPer.ItIt werewere notnot goodgood toto returnereturn fromfrom whencewhence wewe (camecame,
wln 1767VntoUnto youryour daughterdaughter RaganRagan backback againeagain.
wln 1768NowNow letlet vsus gogo toto FranceFrance, vntounto CordellaCordella,
wln 1769YourYour youngestyoungest daughterdaughter, doubtlessedoubtless sheshe willwill succoursuccorsuccour youyou.
wln 1770LeirLeirKing.OhOhO, howhow cancan II perswadepersuade my selfemyselfemyself ofof thatthat,
wln 1771SinceSince thethe otherother twotwo areare quitequite deuoyddevoid ofof louelove;
wln 1772ToTo whomwhom II waswas soso kindkind, asas thatthat mymy giftsgifts,
wln 1773MightMight makemake themthem louelove meme, ifif ’twere’twere nothingnothing elseelse?
wln 1774Per.PerillusPer.NoNo worldlyworldly giftsgifts, butbut gracegrace fromfrom GodGod onon hyehigh,
wln 1775DothDoth nourishnourish vertuevirtue andand truetrue charitycharity.
wln 1776RememberRemember wellwell whatwhat wordswords CordellaCordella spakespoke,
wln 1777WhatWhat timetime youyou asktasked herher, howhow sheshe lou’dloved youryour GraceGrace.
wln 1778SeSheshe saydsaid, herher louelove vntounto youyou waswas asas muchmuch,
wln 1779AsAs oughtought aa childchild toto bearebear vntounto herher fatherfather.
wln 1780LeirLeirKing.ButBut sheshe diddid findfind, mymy louelove waswas notnot toto herher,
wln 1781AsAs shouldshould aa fatherfather bearebear vntounto aa childchild.
wln 1782Per.PerillusPer.ThatThat makesmakes notnot herher louelove toto bebe anyany lesseless,
G
If

img: 26-a
sig: G1v

The History of King Leir


wln 1783IfIf sheshe dodo louelove youyou asas aa childchild shouldshould dodo:
wln 1784YouYou hauehave tryedtried twotwo, trytry oneone moremore forfor mymy sakesake,
wln 1785IleI’ll ne’rene’ernever intreatentreat youyou furtherfurther tryalltrial makemake.
wln 1786RememberRemember wellwell thethe dreamedream youyou hadhad ofof latelate,
wln 1787AndAnd thinkethink whatwhat comfortcomfort itit foretelsforetells toto vsus.
wln 1788LeirLeirKing.ComeCome, truesttruest friendfriend, thatthat euerever manman possestpossessed,
wln 1789II knowknow thouthou counsailstcounsel’stcounselst allall thingsthings forfor thethe bestbest:
wln 1790IfIf thisthis thirdthird daughterdaughter playplay aa kinderkinder partpart,
wln 1791ItIt comescomes ofof GodGod, andand notnot ofof mymy desertdesert.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 1792EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian AmbassadorAmbassador solussolus.
wln 1793Am.AmbassadorAm.ThereThere isis ofof latelate newesnews comecome vntounto thethe CourtCourt,
wln 1794ThatThat oldold LordLord LeirLeir remaynesremains inin CambriaCambria:
wln 1795IleI’ll hyehie meme thitherthither presentlypresently, toto impartimpart
wln 1796MyMy lettersletters andand mymy messagemessage vntounto himhim.
wln 1797II neuernever waswas lesseless welcomewelcome toto aa placeplace
wln 1798InIn allall mymy lifelife timetime, thenthan II hauehave binbeen hitherhither,
wln 1799EspeciallyEspecially vntounto thethe statelystately QueeneQueen,
wln 1800WhoWho wouldwould notnot castcast oneone graciousgracious lookelook onon meme,
wln 1801ButBut stillstill withwith lowringlouringlowering andand suspicioussuspicious eyeseyes,
wln 1802WouldWould taketake exceptionsexceptions atat eacheach wordword II spakespakespoke,
wln 1803AndAnd faynefain sheshe wouldwould hauehave vnderminedundermined meme,
wln 1804ToTo knowknow whatwhat mymy AmbassageAmbassage diddid importimport:
wln 1805ButBut sheshe isis likelike toto hophop withoutwithout herher hopehope,
wln 1806AndAnd inin thisthis mattermatter forfor toto wantwant herher willwill,
wln 1807ThoughThough (byby reportreport) sheeleshe’ll hau’thave ’thave’t inin allall thingsthings elseelse.
wln 1808WellWell, II willwill postepost awayaway forfor CambriaCambria:
wln 1809WithinWithin thesethese fewfew dayesdays II hopehope toto bebe therethere,ExitExit.
wln 1810EnterEnter thethe KingKing andand QueeneQueen ofof GalliaGallia, &and MumfordMumford.
wln 1811KingKing of GalliaKing.ByBy thisthis, ourour fatherfather vnderstandsunderstands ourour mindmind,
wln 1812AndAnd ourour kindkind greetingsgreetings sentsent toto himhim ofof latelate;
wln 1813ThereforeTherefore mymy mindmind presagethpresageth ere’tere ’tere’t bebe longlong,
wln 1814WeWe shallshall receyuereceive fromfrom BrittayneBritain happyhappy newesnews.
wln 1815Cord.CordellaCord.II fearefear, mymy sistersister willwill disswadedissuade hishis mindemind;
wln 1816ForFor sheeshe toto meme hathhath alwayesalways binbeen vnkindunkind.
wln 1817KingKing of GalliaKing.FeareFear notnot, mymy louelove, sincesince thatthat wewe knowknow thethe worstworst,
wln 1818TheThe lastlast meanesmeans helpeshelps, ifif thatthat wewe missemiss thethe firstfirst:
wln 1819IfIf hee’lehe’ll notnot comecome toto GalliaGallia vntounto vsus,
wln 1820ThenThen wewe willwill saylesail toto BrittayneBritain vntounto himhim.
Mum. Well,

img: 26-b
sig: G2r

and his three daughters.


wln 1821Mum.MumfordMum.WellWell, ifif II onceonce seesee BrittayneBritain agayneagain,
wln 1822II hauehave swornesworn, ilei’llI’ll ne’rene’ernever comecome homehome withoutwithout mymy wenchwench,
wln 1823AndAnd ilei’llI’ll notnot bebe forsworneforsworn,
wln 1824IleI’ll ratherrather neuernever comecome homehome whilewhile II liuelive.
wln 1825Cor.CordellaCor.AreAre youyou suresure, MumfordMumford, sheshe isis aa maydmaid stillstill?
wln 1826Mum.MumfordMum.NayNay, ilei’llI’ll notnot sweareswear sheshe isis aa maydmaid, butbut sheshe goesgoes forfor oneone:
wln 1827I’leI’ll taketake herher atat allall aduenturesadventures, ifif II cancan getget herher.
wln 1828Cord.CordellaCord.IAyay, thatsthat’s wellwell putput inin.
wln 1829Mum.MumfordMum.WellWell putput inin??: naynay, itit waswas illill putput inin; forfor hadhad itit
wln 1830BinBeenbeen asas wellwell putput inin, asas eree’reere II putput inin, inin mymy dayesdays,
wln 1831II wouldwould hauehave mademade herher followfollow meme toto FraunceFrance.
wln 1832Cor.CordellaCor.NayNay, you’dyou’d hauehave binbeen soso kindkind, asas taketake herher withwith youyou,
wln 1833OrOr elseelse, werewere II asas sheshe,
wln 1834II wouldwould hauehave binbeen soso louingloving, asas idei’dI’d staystay behindbehind youyou:
wln 1835YetYet II mustmust confesseconfess, youyou areare aa veryvery properproper manman,
wln 1836AndAnd ableable toto makemake aa wenchwench dodo moremore thenthan sheshe wouldwould dodo.
wln 1837Mum.MumfordMum.WellWell, II hauehave aa payrepair ofof slopsslops forfor thethe noncenonce,
wln 1838WillWill holdhold allall youryour mocksmocks.
wln 1839KingKing of GalliaKing.NayNay, wewe seesee youyou hauehave aa hansomehandsome hosehose.
wln 1840Cor.CordellaCor.IAyay, andand ofof thethe newestnewest fashionfashion.
wln 1841Mum.MumfordMum.MoreMore bobsbobs, moremore: putput themthem inin stillstill,
wln 1842They’llThey’ll serueserve insteadinstead ofof bumbastbombast, yetyet putput notnot inin tootoo manymany,
wln 1843lestlest thethe seamesseams crackcrack, andand theythey flyfly outout amongstamongst youyou againeagain:
wln 1844youyou mustmust notnot thinkthink toto outfaceoutface meme soso easlyeasilyeasily inin mymy mistrismistress’ quarrelquarrel,
wln 1845whowho ifif II seesee onceonce agayneagain, tenten teameteam ofof horseshorses shallshall
wln 1846notnot drawdraw meme awayaway, tilltill II hauehave fullfull andand wholewhole possessionpossession.
wln 1847KingKing of GalliaKing.IAyay, butbut oneone teameteam andand aa cartcart willwill serueserve thethe turneturn.
wln 1848Cor.CordellaCor.NotNot onlyonly forfor himhim, butbut alsoalso forfor hishis wenchwench.
wln 1849Mum:Mum.MumfordMum.WellWell, youyou areare twotwo toto oneone, ilei’llI’ll giuegive youyou ouerover:
wln 1850AndAnd sincesince II seesee youyou soso pleasantlypleasantly disposeddisposed,
wln 1851WhichWhich indeedindeed isis butbut seldomeseldom seeneseen, ilei’llI’ll claymeclaim
wln 1852AA promisepromise ofof youyou, whichwhich youyou shallshall notnot denydeny meme:
wln 1853ForFor promisepromise isis debtdebt, &and byby thisthis handhand youyou promisdpromised itit meme.
wln 1854ThereforeTherefore youyou oweowe itit meme, andand youyou shallshall paypay itit meme,
wln 1855OrOr ilei’llI’ll suesue youyou vponupon anan actionaction ofof vnkindnesseunkindness.
wln 1856KingKing of GalliaKing.PrithyPrithee, LordLord MumfordMumford, whatwhat promisepromise diddid II makemake theethee?
wln 1857Mum.MumfordMum.FaythFaith, nothingnothing butbut thisthis,
wln 1858ThatThat thethe nextnext fayrefair weatherweather, whichwhich isis veryvery nownow,
G2
You

img: 27-a
sig: G2v

The History of King Leir


wln 1859YouYou wouldwould gogo inin progresseprogress downedown toto thethe sea sideseasidesea side,
wln 1860WhichWhich isis veryvery neerenear.
wln 1861KingKing of GalliaKing.FaythFaith, inin thisthis motionmotion II willwill ioynejoin withwith theethee,
wln 1862AndAnd bebe aa mediatormediator toto mymy QueeneQueen.
wln 1863PrithyPrithee, mymy LoueLove, letlet thisthis m[··]chmarchmatchmarch gogo forwardforward,
wln 1864MyMy mindmind foretelsforetells, ’twill’twill bebe aa luckylucky voyagevoyage.
wln 1865Cor.CordellaCor.EntreatyEntreaty needsneeds notnot, wherewhere youyou maymay cōmaundcōmaundcommand,
wln 1866SoSo youyou bebe pleasdepleased, II amam rightright wellwell contentcontent:
wln 1867YetYet, asas thethe SeaSea II muchmuch desiredesire toto seesee;
wln 1868SoSo amam II mostmost vnwillingunwilling toto bebe seeneseen.
wln 1869KingKing of GalliaKing.WeeleWe’llwe’ll gogo disguiseddisguised, allall vnknowneunknown toto anyany.
wln 1870Cor.CordellaCor.HowsoeuerHowsoever youyou makemake oneone, ilei’llI’ll makemake anotheranother.
wln 1871Mum.MumfordMum.andand II thethe thirdthird: ohoho, II amam ouer-ioyedoverjoyed!
wln 1872SeeSee whatwhat louelove isis, whichwhich gettethgetteth withwith aa wordword,
wln 1873WhatWhat allall thethe worldworld besidesbesides couldcould ne’rene’ernever obtayneobtain!
wln 1874ButBut whatwhat disguisesdisguises shallshall wewe hauehave, mymy LordLord?
wln 1875KingKing of GalliaKing.FaythFaithfaith thusthus: mymy QueeneQueen &and II wilwill bebe disguisdedisguised,
wln 1876LikeLike aa playneplain countrycountry couplecouple, andand youyou shallshall bebe RogerRoger
wln 1877OurOur manman, andand waytwait vponupon vsus: oror ifif youyou willwill,
wln 1878YouYou shallshall gogo firstfirst, andand wewe willwill waytwait onon youyou.
wln 1879Mum.MumfordMum.’Twere’Twere moremore thenthan timetime; thisthis deuicedevice isis excellentexcelentexcellent.
wln 1880ComeCome letlele vsus aboutabout itit.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 1881EnterEnter CambriaCambria andand RaganRagan, withwith NoblesNobles.
wln 1882Cam.CambriaCam.WhatWhat strangestrange mischancemischance oror vnexpectedunexpected haphap
wln 1883HathHath thusthus depriu’ddeprived vsus ofof ourour fathersfather’s presencepresence?
wln 1884CanCan nono manman telltell vsus what’swhat’s becomebecome ofof himhim,
wln 1885WithWith whomwhom wewe diddid conuerseconverse notnot twotwo dayesdays sincesince?
wln 1886MyMy LordsLords, letlet euery whereeverywhere light-horselight horselight-horse bebe sentsent,
wln 1887ToTo scourescour aboutabout throughthrough allall ourour RegimentRegiment.
wln 1888DispatchDispatch aa PostePost immediatelyimmediately toto CornwallCornwall,
wln 1889ToTo seesee ifif anyany newesnews bebybybe ofof himhim therethere;
wln 1890My selfeMyselfmyself willwill makemake aa stricktstrict inquiryinquiry herehere,
wln 1891AndAnd allall aboutabout ourour CitiesCities neerenear atat handhand,
wln 1892TillTill certaynecertain newesnews ofof hishis abodeabode bebe broughtbrought.
wln 1893Rag.RaganRag.AllAll sorrowsorrow isis butbut counterfetcounterfeit toto minemine,
wln 1894WhoseWhose lipslips areare almostalmost sealedsealed vpup withwith griefegrief:
wln 1895MineMine isis thethe substancesubstance, whilstwhilst theythey dodo butbut seemeseem
wln 1896ToTo weepeweep thethe lesseless, whichwhich tearestears cannotcannot redeemeredeem.
O,

img: 27-b
sig: G3r

and his three daughters.


wln 1897OOOh, ne’rene’ernever waswas heardheard soso strangestrange aa misaduenturemisadventure,
wln 1898AA thingthing soso farfar beyondbeyond thethe reachreach ofof sencesense,
wln 1899SinceSince nono mansman’s reasonreason inin thethe causecause cancan enterenter.
wln 1900WhatWhat hathhath remou’dremoved mymy fatherfather thusthus fromfrom hencehence?
wln 1901OO, II dodo fearefear somesome charmecharm oror inuocationinvocation
wln 1902OfOf wickedwicked spiritsspirits, oror infernallinfernal fiendsfiends,
wln 1903StirdStirred byby CordellaCordella, mouesmoves thisthis innouationinnovation,
wln 1904AndAnd bringsbrings mymy fatherfather timelessetimeless toto hishis endend.
wln 1905ButBut mightmight II knowknow, thatthat thethe detesteddetested WitchWitch
wln 1906WereWere certaynecertain causecause ofof thisthis vncertayneuncertain illill,
wln 1907MyselfeMyself toto FraunceFrance wouldwould gogo inin somesome disguisedisguise,
wln 1908AndAnd withwith thesethese naylesnails scratchscratch outout herher hatefullhateful eyeseyes:
wln 1909ForFor sincesince II amam depriueddeprived ofof mymy fatherfather,
wln 1910II loathloathe mymy lifelife, andand wishwish mymy deathdeath thethe ratherrather.
wln 1911Cam.CambriaCam.TheThe heauensheavens areare iustjust, andand hatehate impietyimpiety,
wln 1912AndAnd willwill (nono doubtdoubt) reuealereveal suchsuch haynousheinous crimescrimes:
wln 1913CensureCensure notnot anyany, tilltill youyou knowknow thethe rightright:
wln 1914LetLet himhim bebe IudgeJudgejudge, thatthat bringethbringeth truthtruth toto lightlight.
wln 1915Ra.RaganRa.OO, butbut mymy griefegrief, likelike toto aa swellingswelling tydetide,
wln 1916ExceedsExceeds thethe boundsbounds ofof commoncommon patiencepatience:
wln 1917NorNor cancan II moderatemoderate mymy toungtongue soso muchmuch,
wln 1918ToTo concealeconceal themthem, whomwhom II holdhold inin suspectsuspect.
wln 1919Cam.CambriaCam.ThisThis mattermatter shallshall bebe siftedsifted: ifif itit bebe sheshe,
wln 1920AA thousandthousand FrauncesFrances shallshall notnot harbourharborharbour herher.
wln 1921EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian AmbassadorAmbassador.
wln 1922Am.AmbassadorAm.AllAll happinessehappiness vntounto thethe CambrianCambrian KingKing.
wln 1923Cam.CambriaCam.WelcomWelcome, mymy friendfriend, fromfrom whencewhence isis thythy AmbassageAmbassage?
wln 1924Am.AmbassadorAm.II camecame fromfrom GalliaGallia, vntounto CornwallCornwall sentsent,
wln 1925WithWith lettersletters toto youryour honourablehonorablehonourable fatherfather,
wln 1926WhomWhom therethere notnot findingfinding, asas II diddid expectexpect,
wln 1927II waswas directeddirected hitherhither toto repayrerepair.
wln 1928Rag.RaganRag.FrenchmanFrenchman, whatwhat isis thythy messagemessage toto mymy fatherfather?
wln 1929Am.AmbassadorAm.MyMy lettersletters, MadamMadam, willwill importimport thethe samesame,
wln 1930WhichWhich mymy CommissionCommission isis forfor toto deliuerdeliver.
wln 1931Ra.RaganRa.InIn hishis absenceabsence youyou maymay trusttrust vsus withwith youryour lettersletters.
wln 1932Am.AmbassadorAm.II mustmust performeperform mymy chargecharge inin suchsuch aa manermanner,
wln 1933AsAs II hauehave strictstrict commaundementcommandment fromfrom thethe KingKing.
wln 1934Ra.RaganRa.ThereThere isis goodgood packingpacking twixttwixt youryour KingKing andand youyou:
G3
You

img: 28-a
sig: G3v

The History of King Leir


wln 1935YouYou needneed notnot hitherhither comecome toto askeask forfor himhim,
wln 1936YouYou knowknow wherewhere hehe isis betterbetter thenthan our seluesourselves.
wln 1937Am.AmbassadorAm.MadamMadam, II hopehope, notnot farfar offoff.
wln 1938Ra.RaganRa.HathHath thethe youngyoung murdressemurd’ressmurderess, youryour outragiousoutrageous QueeneQueen,
wln 1939NoNo meanesmeans toto colourcolorcolour herher detesteddetested deedsdeeds,
wln 1940InIn finishingfinishing mymy guiltlesseguiltless fathersfather’s dayesdays,
wln 1941(BecauseBecause hehe gauegave herher nothingnothing toto herher dowredowerdowry)
wln 1942ButBut byby thethe colourcolorcolour ofof aa fayn’dfeigned AmbassageAmbassage,
wln 1943ToTo sendsend himhim lettersletters hitherhither toto ourour CourtCourt?
wln 1944GoGo carrycarry themthem toto themthem thatthat sentsent themthem hitherhither,
wln 1945AndAnd bidbid themthem keepekeep theirtheir scroulesscrolls vntounto themseluesthemselves[·]:.
wln 1946TheyThey cannotcannot blindblindeblind vsus withwith suchsuch slightslight excuseexcuse,
wln 1947ToTo smothersmother vpup soso monstrousmonstrous vildvild abuseabuse.
wln 1948AndAnd werewere itit notnot, itit isis ’gainst’gainst lawlaw ofof ArmesArms,
wln 1949ToTo offeroffer violenceviolence toto aa MessengerMessenger,
wln 1950WeWe wouldwould inflictinflict suchsuch tormentstorments onon thy selfethyself,
wln 1951AsAs shouldshould inforceenforce theethee toto reuealereveal thethe truthtruth.
wln 1952Am.AmbassadorAm.MadamMadam, youryour threatsthreats nono whitwhit apallappall mymy mindmind,
wln 1953II knowknow mymy conscienceconscience guiltlesseguiltless ofof thisthis actact;
wln 1954MyMy KingKing andand QueeneQueen, II daredare bebe swornesworn, areare freefree
wln 1955FromFrom anyany thoughtthought ofof suchsuch impietyimpiety:
wln 1956AndAnd thereforetherefore, MadamMadam, youyou hauehave donedone themthem wrongwrong,
wln 1957AndAnd illill beseemingbeseeming withwith aa sisterssister’s louelove,
wln 1958WhoWho inin meeremere dutyduty tendertender himhim asas muchmuch,
wln 1959AsAs euerever youyou respectedrespected himhim forfor dowredowerdowry.
wln 1960TheThe KingKing youryour husbandhusband willwill notnot saysay asas muchmuch.
wln 1961Cam.CambriaCam.II willwill suspendsuspend mymy iudgementjudgement forfor aa timetime,
wln 1962TillTill moremore apparanceappearance giuegive vsus furtherfurther lightlight:
wln 1963YetYet toto bebe playneplain, youryour commingcoming dothdoth inforceenforce
wln 1964AA greatgreat suspicionsuspicion toto ourour doubtfulldoubtful mindmind,
wln 1965AndAnd thatthat youyou dodo resembleresemble, toto bebe briefebrief,
wln 1966HimHim thatthat firstfirst robsrobs, andand thenthen criescries, StopStop thethe theefethief.
wln 1967Am.AmbassadorAm.PrayPray GodGod somesome neerenear youyou hauehave notnot donedone thethe likelike.
wln 1968Rag.RaganRag.HenceHence, saucysaucy matemate, replyreply nono moremore toto vsus;SheShe strikesstrikes
himhim.

wln 1969ForFor lawlaw ofof ArmesArms shallshall notnot protectprotect thythy toungtongue.
wln 1970Am.AmbassadorAm.Ne’reNe’erNever waswas II offredoffered suchsuch discourtesydiscourtesy;
wln 1971GodGod andand mymy KingKing, II trusttrust, ereere itit bebe longlong,
wln 1972WillWill findfind aa meanemean toto remedyremedy thisthis wrongwrong,ExitExit Amb.AmbassadorAmb.
Rag. How

img: 28-b
sig: G4r

and his three daughters.


wln 1973Rag.RaganRag.HowHow shallshall II liuelive, toto suffersuffer thisthis disgracedisgrace,
wln 1974AtAt eueryevery basebase andand vulgarvulgar peasantspeasant’s handshands?
wln 1975ItIt illill befittethbefitteth mymy imperiallimperial statestate,
wln 1976ToTo bebe thusthus vsdeused, andand nono manman taketake mymy partpart.SheeSheshe weepsweeps.
wln 1977Cam.CambriaCam.WhatWhat shouldshould II dodo? infringeinfringe thethe lawlaw ofof ArmesArms,
wln 1978WereWere toto mymy euerlastingeverlasting obloquyobloquy:
wln 1979ButBut II willwill taketake reuengerevenge vponupon hishis mastermaster,
wln 1980WhichWhich sentsent himhim hitherhither, toto deludedelude vsus thusthus.
wln 1981Rag.RaganRag.NayNay, ifif youyou putput vpup thisthis, bebe suresure, ereere longlong,
wln 1982NowNow thatthat mymy fatherfather thusthus isis mademade awayaway.
wln 1983SheeleShe’llshe’ll comecome &and claymeclaim aa thirdthird partpart ofof youryour CrowneCrown,
wln 1984AsAs duedue vntounto herher byby inheritanceinheritance.
wln 1985Cam.CambriaCam.ButBut II willwill proueprove herher titletitle toto bebe noughtnaught
wln 1986ButBut shameshame, andand thethe rewardreward ofof ParricideParricide,
wln 1987AndAnd makemake herher anan exampleexample toto thethe worldworld,
wln 1988ForFor after-agesafter-ages toto admireadmire herher penancepenance.
wln 1989ThisThis willwill II dodo, asas II amam CambriaesCambria’s KingKing,
wln 1990OrOr loselose mymy lifelife, toto prosecuteprosecute reuengerevenge.
wln 1991ComeCome, firstfirst let’slet’s learnelearn whatwhat newesnews isis ofof ourour fatherfather,
wln 1992AndAnd thenthen proceedproceed, asas bestbest occasionoccasion fitsfits.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 1993EnterEnter LeirLeir, PerillusPerillus, andand twotwo MarrinersMariners, inin seasea-gownessea-gownssea-gownes
wln 1994gownes
wln 1994andand sea-capssea-caps.

wln 1995Per.PerillusPer.MyMy honesthonest friendsfriends, wewe areare asham’dashamed toto shewshow
wln 1996TheThe greatgreat extremityextremity ofof ourour presentpresent statestate,
wln 1997InIn thatthat atat thisthis timetime wewe areare broughtbrought soso lowlow,
wln 1998ThatThat wewe wantwant moneymoney forfor toto paypay ourour passagepassage.
wln 1999TheThe truthtruth isis soso, wewe metmet withwith somesome goodgood fellowesfellows,
wln 2000AA littlelittle beforebefore wewe camecame aboordaboard youryour shipship,
wln 2001WhichWhich striptstripped vsus quitequite ofof allall thethe coynecoin wewe hadhad,
wln 2002AndAnd leftleft vsus notnot aa pennypenny inin ourour pursespurses:
wln 2003YetYet wantingwanting monymoney, wewe willwill vseuse thethe meanemean,
wln 2004ToTo seesee youyou satisfiedsatisfied toto thethe vttermostuttermost.LookeLook onon LeirLeir.
wln 20051.1. Mar.MarinerMar.HeresHere’shere’s aa goodgood gowngown, ’twould’twould becomebecome meme passingpassing welwell,
wln 2006II shouldshould bebe finefine inin itit.LookeLook onon PerillusPerillus.
wln 20072.2. Mar.MarinerMar.HeresHere’shere’s aa goodgood clokecloak, II maruelmarvel howhow II shouldshould looklook inin itit..,
wln 2008LeirLeirKing.FaythFaith, hadhad wewe othersothers toto supplysupply theirtheir roomeroom,
wln 2009ThoughThough ne’rene’ernever soso meanemean, youyou willinglywillingly shouldshould hauehave themthem.
wln 20101.1. Mar.MarinerMar.DoDo youyou hearehear, sirsir? youyou lookelook likelike anan honesthonest manman;
G4
Ile

img: 29-a
sig: G4v

The History of King Leir


wln 2011IleI’ll notnot standstand toto dodo youyou aa pleasurepleasure: here’shere’s aa goodgood strōgstrōgstrong motlymotley ga-gaberdinega∣berdinegaberdine
wln 2012berdine,
wln 2012costcost meme xiiij.xiiijfourteenxiv. goodgood shillingsshillings atat BillinsgateBillingsgate, giuegive meme youryour
wln 2013gownegown forfor itit, &and youryour capcap forfor minemine, &and ilei’llI’ll forgiueforgive youryour passagepassage.
wln 2014LeirLeirKing.WithWith alall mymy heartheart, andand xx.twentyxx. thanksthanks.LeirLeir &and hehe changethchangeth.
wln 20152.2. Mar.MarinerMar.DoDo youyou hearehear, sirsir? youyou shalshall hauehave aa betterbetter matchmatch thēthēthan hehe,
wln 2016becausebecause youyou areare mymy friendfriend: herehere isis aa goodgood sheepssheep’ssheeps russetrusset sea-seagownesea-gown
wln 2017gowne,
wln 2017wilwill bidebide moremore stressestress, II warrantwarrant youyou, thenthanthen twotwo ofof hishis, yetyet
wln 2018forfor youyou seemseem toto bebe anan honesthonest gentlemangentleman, II amam contentcontent toto chāgechāgechange
wln 2019itit forfor youryour clokecloak, andand askeask youyou nothingnothing forfor youryour passagepassage moremore.
wln 2020PullPull offoff PerillusPerillus’ clokecloak.
wln 2021Per.PerillusPer.MyMy owneown II willinglywillingly wouldwould changechange withwith theethee,
wln 2022AndAnd thinkthink my selfemyself indebtedindebted toto thythy kindnessekindness:
wln 2023ButBut wouldwould mymy friendfriend mightmight keepekeep hishis garmentgarment stillstill.
wln 2024MyMy friendfriend, ilei’llI’ll giuegive theethee thisthis newnew dubletdoublet, ifif thouthou wiltwilt
wln 2025RestoreRestore hishis gownegown vntounto himhim backback agayneagain.
wln 20261.1. Mar.MarinerMar.NayNay, ifif II dodo, wouldwould II mightmight ne’rene’ernever eateeat powderdpowdered beefebeef
wln 2027andand mustardmustard moremore, nornor drinkdrink CanCan ofof goodgood liquorliquor whilstwhilst II liuelive.
wln 2028MyMy friendfriend, youyou hauehave smallsmall reasonreason toto seekeseek toto hinderhinder meme ofof mymy
wln 2029bargainebargain: butbut thethe bestbest isis, aa bargayne’sbargain’s aa bargaynebargain.
wln 2030LeirLeirKing.LeirLeir toto PerillusPerillus.KindKind friendfriend, itit isis muchmuch betterbetter asas itit isis;
wln 2031ForFor byby thisthis meanesmeans wewe maymay escapeescape vnknowneunknown;
wln 2032TillTill timetime andand opportunityopportunity dodo fitfit.
wln 20332.2. Mar.MarinerMar.HarkHark, harkhark, theythey areare layinglaying theirtheir headsheads togethertogether,
wln 2034TheileThey’llthey’ll repentrepent themthem ofof theirtheir bargaynebargain anonanon,
wln 2035’Twere’Twere bestbest forfor vsus toto gogo whilewhile wewe areare wellwell.
wln 20361.1. Mar.MarinerMar.GodGod bebe withwith youyou, sirsir, forfor youryour passagepassage backback agayneagain,
wln 2037IleI’ll vseuse youyou asas vnreasonableunreasonable asas anotheranother.
wln 2038LeirLeirKing.II knowknow thouthou wiltwilt; butbut wewe hopehope toto bringbring readyready moneymoney
wln 2039WithWith vsus, whenwhen wewe comecome backback agayneagain.ExeuntExeunt MarinersMariners.
wln 2040WereWere euerever menmen inin thisthis extremityextremity,
wln 2041InIn aa strangestrange countrycountry, andand deuoyddevoid ofof friendsfriends,
wln 2042AndAnd notnot aa pennypenny forfor toto helpehelp our seluesourselves?
wln 2043KindKind friendfriend, whatwhat thinkstthink’stthinkst thouthou willwill becomebecome ofof vsus?
wln 2044Per.PerillusPer.BeBe ofof goodgood cheerecheer, mymy LordLord, II hauehave aa dubletdoublet,
wln 2045WillWill yeeldyield vsus monymoney ynoughenough toto serueserve ourour turnesturns,
wln 2046VntillUntil wewe comecome vntounto youryour daughtersdaughter’s CourtCourt:
wln 2047AndAnd thenthen, II hopehope, wewe shallshall findfind friendsfriends ynoughenough.
wln 2048LeirLeirKing.AhAh, kindkind PerillusPerillus, thatthat isis itit II fearefear,
And

img: 29-b
sig: H1r

and his three daughters.


wln 2049AndAnd makesmakes meme fayntfaint, oror euerever II comecome therethere.
wln 2050CanCan kindnessekindness springspring outout ofof ingratitudeingratitude?
wln 2051OrOr louelove bebe reaptreaped, wherewhere hatredhatred hathhath binbeen sownesown?
wln 2052CanCan HenbaneHenbane ioynejoin inin leagueleague withwith MethridateMithridatemithridate?
wln 2053OrOr SugarSugar growgrow inin WormwoodsWormwood’s bitterbitter stalkestalk?
wln 2054ItIt cannotcannot bebe, theythey areare tootoo oppositeopposite:
wln 2055AndAnd soso amam II toto anyany kindnessekindness herehere.
wln 2056II hauehave thrownethrown WormwoodWormwood onon thethe sugredsugared youthyouth,
wln 2057AndAnd likelike toto HenbaneHenbane poysonedpoisoned thethe FountFount,
wln 2058WhenceWhence flowedflowed thethe MethridateMithridatemithridate ofof aa childschild’s goodwilgoodwill:
wln 2059IIay, likelike anan enuiousenvious thornethorn, hauehave pricktpricked thethe heartheart,
wln 2060AndAnd turndturned sweetsweet GrapesGrapes, toto sowresour vnrelishtunrelished SloesSloes:
wln 2061TheThe causelessecauselesseirecauselesscauselesseire ireire ofof mymy respectlesserespectless brestbreast,
wln 2062HathHath sowrdsoured thethe sweetsweet milkmilk ofof damedame NaturesNature’s papspaps:
wln 2063MyMy bitterbitter wordswords hauehave gauldgalled herher honyhoney thoughtsthoughts,
wln 2064AndAnd weedsweeds ofof rancourrancorrancour choktchoked thethe flowerflower ofof gracegrace.
wln 2065ThenThen whatwhat remainderremainder isis ofof anyany hopehope,
wln 2066ButBut allall ourour fortunesfortunes willwill gogo quitequite aslopeaslope?
wln 2067Per.PerillusPer.FeareFear notnot, mymy LordLord, thethe perfitperfect goodgood indeedindeed,
wln 2068CanCan neuernever bebe corruptedcorrupted byby thethe badbad:
wln 2069AA newnew freshfresh vessellvessel stillstill retaynesretains thethe tastetaste
wln 2070OfOf thatthat whichwhich firstfirst isis powr’dpoured intointo thethe samesame:
wln 2071AndAnd therforetherefore, thoughthough youyou namename yourselfeyourself thethe thornthorn,
wln 2072TheThe weedweed, thethe gallgall, thethe henbanehenbane &and thethe wormewoodwormwood;
wln 2073YetYet sheeleshe’ll continuecontinue inin herher formerformer statestate,
wln 2074TheThe honyhoney, milkemilk, GrapeGrape, SugarSugar, MethridateMithridatemithridate.
wln 2075LeirLeirKing.ThouThou pleasingpleasing OratorOrator vntounto meme inin wowoe,
wln 2076CeaseCease toto beguilebeguile meme withwith thythy hopefullhopeful speachesspeeches::
wln 2077OOOh ioynejoin withwith meme, andand thinkethink ofof noughtnaught butbut crossescrosses,
wln 2078AndAnd thenthen weelewe’ll oneone lamentlament anothersanother’s losseslosses.
wln 2079Per.PerillusPer.WhyWhy, saysay thethe worstworst, thethe worstworst cancan bebe butbut deathdeath,
wln 2080AndAnd deathdeath isis betterbetter thenthan forfor toto despairedespair:
wln 2081ThenThen hazzardhazard deathdeath, whichwhich maymay conuertconvert toto lifelife;
wln 2082BanishBanish despairedespair, whichwhich bringsbrings aa thousandthousand deathesdeaths.
wln 2083LeirLeirKing.OrecomeO’ercomeo’ercome withwith thythy strongstrong argumentsarguments, II yeeldyield,
wln 2084ToTo bebe directeddirected byby theethee, asas thouthou wiltwilt:
wln 2085AsAs thouthou yeeldstyield’st comfortcomfort toto mymy crazedcrazed thoughtsthoughts,
wln 2086WouldWould II couldcould yeeldyield thethe likelike vntounto thythy bodybody,
wln 2087WhichWhich isis fullfull weakeweak, II knowknow, andand illill apaydapaid,
H
For

img: 30-a
sig: H1v

The History of King Leir


wln 2088ForFor wantwant ofof freshfresh meatmeat andand duedue sustenancesustenance.
wln 2089Per.PerillusPer.AlackAlack, mymy LordLord, mymy heartheart dothdoth bleedbleed, toto thinkthink
wln 2090ThatThat youyou shouldshould bebe inin suchsuch extremityextremity.
wln 2091LeirLeirKing.ComeCome, letlet vsus gogo, andand seesee whatwhat GodGod willwill sendsend;
wln 2092WhenWhen allall meanesmeans failefail, hehe isis thethe surestsurest friendfriend.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 2093EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian KingKing andand QueeneQueensQueenQueens, andand MumfordMumford, withwith aa
wln 2094basketbasket, disguiseddisguised likelike CountreyCountry folkefolk.

wln 2095KingKing of GalliaKing.ThisThis tedioustedious iourneyjourney allall onon footfoot, sweetsweet LoueLove,
wln 2096CannotCannot bebe pleasingpleasing toto youryour tendertender ioyntsjoints,
wln 2097WhichWhich ne’rene’ernever werewere vsedused toto thesethese toylesometoilsome walkswalks.
wln 2098Cord.Card.CordellaCord.II neuernever inin mymy lifelife tooketook moremore delightdelight
wln 2099InIn anyany iourneyjourney, thenthan II dodo inin thisthis:
wln 2100ItIcIcIt diddid meme goodgood, when aswhenas wewe hapthapped toto lightlight
wln 2101AmongstAmongst thethe merrymerry cruecrew ofof countrycountry folkefolk,
wln 2102ToTo seesee whatwhat industryindustry andand paynespains theythey tooketook,
wln 2103ToTo winwin themthem commendationscommendations mongst’mongstamongst theirtheir friendsfriends.
wln 2104LordLord, howhow theythey labourlaborlabour toto bestirbestir themseluesthemselves,
wln 2105AndAnd inin theirtheir quirksquirks toto gogo beyondbeyond thethe MooneMoon,
wln 2106AndAnd soso taketake onon themthem withwith suchsuch antikeantic fitsfits,
wln 2107ThatThat oneone wouldwould thinkthink theythey werewere besidebeside theirtheir witswits!
wln 2108ComeCome awayaway, RogerRoger, withwith youryour basketbasket.
wln 2109Mum.MumfordMum.SoftSoft, DameDame, herehere comescomes aa couplecouple ofof oldold youthesyouths,
wln 2110II mustmust needsneeds makemake my selfemyself fatfat-withfat withwith iestingtestingjestingtesting atat themthem.
wln 2111Cor.CordellaCor.NayNay, prithyprithee dodo notnot, theythey dodo seemeseem toto bebeEnterEnter LeirLeir
&and PerillusPerillus
veryvery faintlyfaintly.

wln 2112MenMen muchmuch o’regoneo’ergone withwith griefegrief andand miserymisery.
wln 2113Let’sLet’s standstand asideaside, andand harkenharken whatwhat theythey saysay.
wln 2114LeirLeirKing.AhAh, mymy PerillusPerillus, nownow II seesee wewe bothboth
wln 2115ShallShall endend ourour dayesdays inin thisthis vntrustfulluntrustful soylesoil.
wln 2116OhOhO, II dodo faintfaint forfor wantwant ofof sustenancesustenance:
wln 2117AndAnd thouthou, II knowknow, inin littlelittle betterbetter casecase.
wln 2118NoNo gentlegentle treetree affordsaffords oneone tastetaste ofof fruitfruit,
wln 2119ToTo comfortcomfort vsus, vntilluntil wewe meetmeet withwith menmen:
wln 2120NoNo luckylucky pathpath conductsconducts ourour lucklesseluckless stepssteps
wln 2121VntoUnto aa placeplace wherewhere anyany comfortcomfort dwelsdwells.
wln 2122SweetSweet restrest betydebetide vntounto ourour happyhappy soulessouls;
wln 2123ForFor herehere II seesee ourour bodiesbodies mustmust hauehave endend.
wln 2124Per.PerillusPer.AhAh, mymy dearedear LordLord, howhow dothdoth mymy heartheart lamentlament,
wln 2125ToTo seesee youyou broughtbrought toto thisthis extremityextremity!
wln 2126OO, ifif youyou louelove meme, asas youyou dodo professeprofess,
Or

img: 30-b
sig: H2r

and his three daughters.


wln 2127OrOr euerever thoughtthought wellwell ofof meme inin mymy lifelife,HeHe stripsstrips vpup hishis armearm.
wln 2128FeedFeed onon thisthis fleshflesh, whosewhose veynesveins areare notnot soso drydry,
wln 2129ButBut therethere isis vertuevirtue leftleft toto comfortcomfort youyou..,
wln 2130OOOh, feedfeed onon thisthis, ifif thisthis willwill dodo youyou goodgood,
wln 2131IleI’ll smilesmile forfor ioyjoy, toto seesee youyou sucksuck mymy bloudblood.
wln 2132LeirLeirKing.II amam nono CaniballCannibal, thatthat II shouldshould delightdelight
wln 2133ToTo slakeslake mymy hungryhungry iawesjaws withwith humanehuman fleshflesh:
wln 2134II amam nono deuilldevil, oror tenten timestimes worseworse thenthan soso,
wln 2135ToTo sucksuck thethe bloudblood ofof suchsuch aa peerelessepeerless friendfriend.
wln 2136OO, dodo notnot thinkthink thatthat II respectrespect mymy lifelife
wln 2137SoSo dearelydearlydear, asas II dodo thythy loyallloyal louelove.
wln 2138AhAh, BrittayneBritain, II shallshall neuernever seesee theethee moremore,
wln 2139ThatThat hasthast vnkindlyunkindly banishedbanished thythy KingKing:
wln 2140AndAnd yetyet notnot thouthou dostdost makemake meme toto complaynecomplain,
wln 2141ButBut theythey whichwhich werewere moremore neerenear toto meme thenthan thouthou.
wln 2142Cor.CordellaCor.WhatWhat dodo II hearehear: thisthis lamentablelamentable voycevoice,
wln 2143Me thinksMethinksmethinks, ereere nownow II oftentimesoftentimes hauehave heardheard.
wln 2144LeirLeirKing.AhAh, GonorillGonorilGonorill, waswas halfehalf mymy KingdomesKingdom’skingdom’s giftgift
wln 2145TheThe causecause thatthat thouthou didstdidst seekeseek toto hauehave mymy lifelife??:
wln 2146AhAh, cruellcruel RaganRagan, diddid II giuegive theethee allall,
wln 2147AndAnd allall couldcould notnot sufficesuffice withoutwithout mymy bloudblood?
wln 2148AhAh, poorepoor CordellaCordella, diddid II giuegive theethee noughtnaught,
wln 2149NorNor neuernever shallshall bebe ableable forfor toto giuegive?
wln 2150OO, letlet meme warnewarn allall agesages thatthat insuethensueth,
wln 2151HowHow theythey trusttrust flatteryflattery, andand reiectreject thethe truethtruth.
wln 2152WellWell, vnkindunkind GirlesGirls, II herehere forgiueforgive youyou bothboth,
wln 2153YetYet thethe iustjust heauensheavens willwill hardlyhardly dodo thethe likelike;
wln 2154AndAnd onlyonly crauecrave forgiuenesseforgiveness atat thethe endend
wln 2155OfOf goodgood CordellaCordella, andand ofof theethee, mymy friendfriend;
wln 2156OfOf GodGod, whosewhose MaiestyMajesty II hauehave offendedoffended,
wln 2157ByBy mymy transgressiontransgression manymany thousandthousand wayesways:
wln 2158OfOf herher, dearedear heartheart, whomwhom II forfor nono occasionoccasion
wln 2159Turn’dTurned outout ofof allall, throughthrough flatterersflatterers’ perswasionpersuasion:
wln 2160OfOf theethee, kindkind friendfriend, whowho butbut forfor meme, II knowknow,
wln 2161HadstHadst neuernever comecome vntounto thisthis placeplace ofof wowoe.
wln 2162Cor.CordellaCor.AlackAlack, thatthat euerever II shouldshould liuelive toto seesee
wln 2163MyMy noblenoble fatherfather inin thisthis miserymisery.
wln 2164KingKing of GalliaKing.SweetSweet LoueLove, reuealereveal notnot whatwhat thouthou artart asas yetyet,
wln 2165VntillUntil wewe knowknow thethe groundground ofof allthisall thisillthis illill.
H2
Cor. O,

img: 31-a
sig: H2v

The History of King Leir


wln 2166Cor.CordellaCor.OO, butbut somesome meatmeat, somesome meatmeat: dodo youyou notnot seesee,
wln 2167HowHow neerenear theythey areare toto deathdeath forfor wantwant ofof foodfood?
wln 2168Per.PerillusPer.LordLord, whichwhich didstdidst helphelp theythey seruantsservants atat theirtheir needneed,
wln 2169OrOr nownow oror neuernever sendsend vsus helpehelp withwith speedspeed.
wln 2170OhOhO comfortcomfort, comfortcomfort! yonderyonder isis aa banquetbanquet,
wln 2171AndAnd menmen andand womenwomen, mymy LordLord: bebe ofof goodgood chearecheer;
wln 2172ForFor II seesee comfortcomfort commingcoming veryvery neerenear.
wln 2173OO mymy LordLord, aa banquetbanquet, andand menmen andand womenwomen!
wln 2174LeirLeirKing.OO, letlet kindkind pitypity mollifymollify theirtheir heartshearts,
wln 2175ThatThat theythey maymay helpehelp vsus inin ourour greatgreat extreamesextremes.
wln 2176Per.PerillusPer.GodGod sauesave youyou, friendsfriends; &and ifif thisthis blessedblessed banquetbanquet
wln 2177AffordethAffordeth anyany foodfood oror sustenancesustenance,
wln 2178EuenEven forfor hishis sakesake thatthat sauedsaved vsus allall fromfrom deathdeath,
wln 2179VouchsafeVouchsafe toto sauesave vsus fromfrom thethe gripegripe ofof faminefamine.SheShe bringethbringeth
himhim
toto thethe tabletable

wln 2180Cor.CordellaCor.HereHere fatherfather, sitsit andand eateat, herehere, sitsit &and drinkdrink:
wln 2181AndAnd wouldwould itit werewere farfar betterbetter forfor youryour sakessakes.
wln 2182PerillusPerillus takestakes LeirLeir byby thethe handhand toto thethe tabletable.
wln 2183Per.PerillusPer.IleI’ll giuegive youyou thanksthanks anonanon: mymy friendfriend dothdoth fayntfaint,
wln 2184AndAnd needethneedeth presentpresent comfortcomfort.LeirLeir drinksdrinks.
wln 2185Mum.MumfordMum.II warrantwarrant, hehe ne’rene’ernever stayesstays toto saysay gracegrace:
wln 2186OOOh, theresthere’s nono saucesauce toto aa goodgood stomakestomach.
wln 2187Per.PerillusPer.TheThe blessedblessed GodGod ofof heauenheaven hathhath thoughtthought vponupon vsus.
wln 2188LeirLeirKing.TheThe thanksthanks bebe hishis, andand thesethese kindkind courteouscourteous folkefolk,
wln 2189ByBy whosewhose humanityhumanity wewe areare preseruedpreserved.TheyThey eateat hungerlyhungerly, LeirLeir
drinkesdrinks.

wln 2190Cor.CordellaCor.AndAnd maymay thatthat draughtdraught bebe vntounto himhim, asas waswas
wln 2191ThatThat whichwhich oldold EsonAeson drankedrank, whichwhich diddid renuerenew
wln 2192HisHis witheredwithered ageage, andand mademade himhim youngyoung againeagain.
wln 2193AndAnd maymay thatthat meatmeat bebe vntounto himhim, asas waswas
wln 2194ThatThat whichwhich EliasElias ateate, inin strengthstrength whereofwhereof
wln 2195HeHe walkedwalked fourtyforty dayesdays, andand neuernever fayntedfainted.
wln 2196ShallShall II concealeconceal meme longerlonger fromfrom mymy fatherfather?
wln 2197OrOr shallshall II manifestmanifest my selfemyself toto himhim?
wln 2198KingKing of GalliaKing.ForbeareForbear aa whilewhile, vntilluntil hishis strengthstrength returnereturn,
wln 2199LestLest beingbeing ouer-ioyedoverjoyed withwith seeingseeing theethee,
wln 2200HisHis poorepoor weakeweak sencessenses shouldshould forsakeforsake theirtheir officeoffice,
wln 2201AndAnd soso ourour c[··]secausecause ofof ioyjoy bebe turndturned toto sorrowsorrow.
wln 2202Per.PerillusPer.WhatWhat cherecheer, mymy LordLord? howhow dodo youyou feelefeel your selfeyourself?
wln 2203LeirLeirKing.Me thinksMethinksmethinks, II neuernever ateate suchsuch sauorysavorysavoury meatmeat:
wln 2204ItIt isis asas pleasantpleasant asas thethe blessedblessed MannaManna,
That

img: 31-b
sig: H3r

and his three daughters.


wln 2205ThatThat rayndrained fromfrom heauenheaven amongstamongst thethe IsraelitesIsraelites:
wln 2206ItIt hathhath recall’drecalled mymy spiritsspirits homehome agayneagain,
wln 2207AndAnd mademade meme freshfresh, asas earsterst II waswas beforebefore.
wln 2208ButBut howhow shallshall wewe congratulatecongratulate theirtheir kindnessekindness?
wln 2209Per.PerillusPer.InfaythIn faithin faith, II knowknow notnononot howhow sufficientlysufficiently;
wln 2210ButBut thethe bestbest meanemean thatthat II cancan thinkthink onon, isis thisthis:
wln 2211IleI’ll offeroffer themthem mymy dubletdoublet inin requitallrequital;
wln 2212ForFor wewe hauehave nothingnothing elseelse toto sparespare.
wln 2213LeirLeirKing.NayNay, staystay, PerillusPerillus, forfor theythey shallshall hauehave minemine.
wln 2214Per.PerillusPer.PardonPardon, mymy LordLord, II sweareswear theythey shallshall hauehave minemine.
wln 2215PerillusPerillus proffersproffers hishis dubletdoublet: theythey willwill notnot taketake itit.
wln 2216LeirLeirKing.AhAh, whowho wouldwould thinkthink suchsuch kindneskindness shouldshould remayneremain
wln 2217AmongAmong suchsuch strangestrange andand vnacquaintedunacquainted menmen:
wln 2218AndAnd thatthat suchsuch hatehate shouldshould harbourharborharbour inin thethe brestbreast
wln 2219OfOf thosethose, whichwhich hauehave occasionoccasion toto bebe bestbest?
wln 2220Cor.CordellaCor.AhAh, goodgood oldold fatherfather, telltell toto meme thythy griefegrief,
wln 2221IleI’ll sorrowsorrow withwith theethee, ifif notnot addeadd relieferelief.
wln 2222LeirLeirKing.AhAh, goodgood youngyoung daughterdaughter, II maymay callcall theethee soso;
wln 2223ForFor thouthou artart likelike aa daughterdaughter II diddid oweowe.
wln 2224Cor.CordellaCor.DoDo youyou notnot oweowe herher stillstill? whatwhat, isis sheshe deaddead?
wln 2225LeirLeirKing.NoNo, GodGod forbidforbid: butbut allall mymy interest’sinterest’s gonegone,
wln 2226ByBy shewingshowing my selfemyself tootoo muchmuch vnnaturallunnatural:
wln 2227SoSo hauehave II lostlost thethe titletitle ofof aa fatherfather,
wln 2228andand maymemayme bebe call’dcalled aa strangerstranger toto herher ratherrather.
wln 2229Cor.CordellaCor.YourYour title’stitle’s goodgood stillstill; forfor tis’tis alwayesalways knowneknown,
wln 2230AA manman maymay dodo asas himhim listlist withwith hishis owneown.
wln 2231ButBut hauehave youyou butbut oneone daughterdaughter thenthen inin allall?
wln 2232LeirLeirKing.YesYes, II hauehave moremore byby twotwo, thenthan wouldwould II hadhad.
wln 2233Cor.CordellaCor.OO, saysay notnot soso, butbut ratherrather seesee thethe endend:
wln 2234TheyThey thatthat areare badbad, maymay hauehave thethe gracegrace toto mendmend:
wln 2235ButBut howhow hauehave theythey offendedoffended youyou soso muchmuch?
wln 2236LeirLeirKing.IfIf fromfrom thethe firstfirst II shouldshould relaterelate thethe causecause,
wln 2237’Twould’T would’Twould’T would makemake aa heartheart ofof AdamantAdamant toto weepeweep;
wln 2238AndAnd thouthou, poorepoor soulesoul, kind-heartedkind-hearted asas thouthou artart,
wln 2239DostDost weepeweep alreadyalready, ereere II dodo beginbegin.
wln 2240Cor.CordellaCor.ForFor GodsGod’s louelove telltell itit, andand whenwhen youyou hauehave donedone,
wln 2241IleI’ll telltell thethe reasonreason whywhy II weepeweep soso soonesoon.
wln 2242LeirLeirKing.ThenTheThenThe knowknow thisthis firstfirst, II amam aa BrittayneBritonBritain borneborn,
wln 2243andand hadhad threethree daughtersdaughters byby oneone louingloving wifewife:
H3
And

img: 32-a
sig: H3v

The History of King Leir


wln 2244AndAnd thoughthough II saysay itit, ofof beautybeauty theythey werewere spedsped;
wln 2245EspeciallyEspecially thethe youngestyoungest ofof thethe threethree,
wln 2246ForFor herher perfectionsperfections hardlyhardly matchtmatched couldcould bebe:
wln 2247OnOn thesethese II doteddoted withwith aa ielousjealous louelove,
wln 2248AndAnd thoughtthought toto trytry whichwhich ofof themthem lou’dloved meme bestbest,
wln 2249ByBy askingasking themthem, whichwhich wouldwould dodo mostmost forfor meme?
wln 2250TheThe firstfirst andand secondsecond flattredflattered meme withwith wordswords,
wln 2251AndAnd vowdvowed theythey lou’dloved meme betterbetter thenthan theirtheir liueslives:
wln 2252TheThe youngestyoungest saydsaid, sheshe louedloved meme asas aa childchild
wln 2253MightMight dodōdo: herher answereanswer II esteem’desteemed mostmost vildvild,
wln 2254AndAnd presentlypresently inin anan outragiousoutrageous moodmood,
wln 2255II turndturned herher fromfrom meme toto gogo sinkesink oror swymswim:
wln 2256AndAnd allall II hadhad, eueneven toto thethe veryvery clothesclothes,
wln 2257II gauegave inin dowrydowry withwith thethe otherother twotwo:
wln 2258AndAnd sheshe thatthat bestbest deseru’ddeserved thethe greatestgreatest shareshare,
wln 2259II gauegave herher nothingnothing, butbut disgracedisgrace andand carecare.
wln 2260NowNow markmark thethe sequellsequel: WhenWhen II hadhad donedone thusthus,
wln 2261II soiournedsojourned inin mymy eldesteldest daughtersdaughter’s househouse,
wln 2262WhereWhere forfor aa timetime II waswas intreatedentreated wellwell,
wln 2263AndAnd liu’dlived inin statestate sufficingsufficing mymy contentcontent:
wln 2264ButBut eueryevery dayday herher kindnessekindness diddid growgrow coldcold,
wln 2265WhichWhich II withwith patiencepatience putput vpup wellwell ynoughenough,
wln 2266AndAnd seemedseemed notnot toto seesee thethe thingsthings II sawsaw:
wln 2267ButBut atat thethe lastlast sheshe grewgrew soso farfar incenstincensed
wln 2268WithWith moodymoody furyfury, andand withwith causlessecauseless hatehate,
wln 2269ThatThat inin mostmost vildvild andand contumeliouscontumelious termesterms,
wln 2270SheShe badebade meme packpack, andand harbourharborharbour some wheresomewhere elseelse.
wln 2271ThenThen waswas II faynefain forfor refugerefuge toto repayrerepair
wln 2272VntoUnto mymy otherother daughterdaughter forfor relieferelief,
wln 2273WhoWho gauegave meme pleasingpleasing andand mostmost courteouscourteous wordswords;
wln 2274ButBut inin herher actionsactions shewedshowed her selfeherself soso soresore,
wln 2275AsAs neuernever anyany daughterdaughter diddid beforebefore:
wln 2276SheShe praydprayed meme inin aa morningmorning outout betimebetime,
wln 2277ToTo gogo toto aa thicketthicket twotwo milesmiles fromfrom thethe CourtCourt,
wln 2278PoyntingPointing thatthat therethere sheshe wouldwould comecome talketalk withwith meme:
wln 2279ThereThere sheshe hadhad setset aa shaghayrdshag-haired murdringmurd’ringmurdering wretchwretch,
wln 2280ToTo massacremassacre mymy honesthonest friendfriend andand meme.
wln 2281ThenThen iudgejudge your selfeyourself, althoughalthough mymy taletale bebe briefebrief,
wln 2282IfIf euerever manman hadhad greatergreater causecause ofof griefegrief.
King. Nor

img: 32-b
sig: H4r

and his three daughters.


wln 2283KingKing of GalliaKing.NorNor neuernever likelike impietyimpiety waswas donedone,
wln 2284SinceSince thethe creationcreation ofof thethe worldworld begunbegun.
wln 2285LeirLeirKing.AndAnd nownow II amam constraindconstrained toto seekeseek relieferelief
wln 2286OfOf herher, toto whomwhom II hauehave binbeen soso vnkindunkind;
wln 2287WhoseWhose censurecensure, ifif itit dodo awardaward meme deathdeath,
wln 2288II mustmust confesseconfess sheshe payespays meme butbut mymy duedue:
wln 2289ButBut ifif shetheshe shewshow aa louingloving daughtersdaughter’s partpart,
wln 2290ItIt comescomes ofof GodGod andand herher, notnot mymy desertdesert.
wln 2291Cor.CordellaCor.NoNo doubtdoubt sheshe willwill, II daredare bebe swornesworn sheshe willwill.
wln 2292LeirLeirKing.HowHow knowknow youyou thatthat, notnot knowingknowing whatwhat sheshe isis?
wln 2293Cor.CordellaCor.My selfeMyselfmyself aa fatherfather hauehave aa greatgreat wayway hencehence,
wln 2294VsdeUsed meme asas illill asas euerever youyou diddid herher;
wln 2295YetYet, thatthat hishis reuerendreverend ageage II onceonce mightmight seesee,
wln 2296IdeI’d creepecreep alongalong, toto meetmeet himhim onon mymy kneeknee.
wln 2297LeirLeirKing.OO, nono mensmen’s childrenchildren areare vnkindunkind butbut minemine.
wln 2298Cor.CordellaCor.CondemneCondemn notnot allall, becausebecause ofof othersothers’ crimecrime:
wln 2299ButBut lookelook, dearedear fatherfather, lookelook, beholdbehold andand seesee
wln 2300ThyThy louingloving daughterdaughter speakethspeaketh vntounto theethee.SheShe kneeleskneels.
wln 2301LeirLeirKing.OO, standstand thouthou vpup, itit isis mymy partpart toto kneelekneel,
wln 2302AndAnd askeask forgiuenesseforgiveness forfor mymy formerformer faultsfaults.hehe kneeleskneels.
wln 2303Cor.CordellaCor.OO, ifif youyou wishwish II shouldshould inioyenjoy mymy breathbreath,
wln 2304DeareDear fatherfather riserise, oror II receiuereceive mymy deathdeath.hehe risethriseth.
wln 2305LeirLeirKing.ThenThen II willwill riserise, toto satisfysatisfy youryour mindmind,
wln 2306ButBut kneelekneel againeagain, tiltill pardonpardon bebe resigndresigned.hehe kneeleskneels.
wln 2307Cor.CordellaCor.II pardonpardon youyou: thethe wordword beseemesbeseems notnot meme:
wln 2308ButBut II dodo saysay soso, forfor toto easeease youryour kneeknee.
wln 2309YouYou gauegave meme lifelife, youyou werewere thethe causecause thatthat II
wln 2310AmAm whatwhat II amam, whowho elseelse hadhad neuernever binbeen.
wln 2311LeirLeirKing.ButBut youyou gauegave lifelife toto meme andand toto mymy friendfriend,
wln 2312WhoseWhose dayesdays hadhad elseelse, hadhad anan vntimelyuntimely endend.
wln 2313CorCordellaCourYouYou broughtbrought meme vpup, when aswhenas II waswas butbut youngyoung,
wln 2314AndAnd farfar vnableunable forfor toto helpehelp my selfemyself.
wln 2315LeirLeirKing.II castcast theethee forthforth, when aswhenas thouthou wastwast butbut youngyoung,
wln 2316AndAnd farfar vnableunable forfor toto helpehelp thy selfethyself.
wln 2317Cor.CordellaCor.GodGod, worldworld andand naturenature saysay II dodo youyou wrongwrong,
wln 2318ThatThat cancan indureendure toto seesee youyou kneelekneel soso longlong.
wln 2319KingKing of GalliaKingLetLet meme breakebreak offoff thisthis louingloving controuersycontroversy,
wln 2320WhichWhich dothdoth reioycerejoice mymy veryvery soulesoul toto seesee.
wln 2321GoodGood fatherfather, riserise, sheshe isis youryour louingloving daughterdaughter,HeHe risethriseth
H4
And

img: 33-a
sig: H4v

The History of King Leir


wln 2322AndAnd honourshonorshonours youyou withwith asas respectiuerespective dutyduty,
wln 2323AsAs ifif youyou werewere thethe MonarchMonarch ofof thethe worldworld.
wln 2324Cor.CordellaCor.ButBut II willwill neuernever riserise fromfrom offoff mymy kneeknee,SheShe kneeleskneels.
wln 2325VntillUntil II hauehave youryour blessingblessing, andand youryour pardonpardon
wln 2326OfOf allall mymy faultsfaults committedcommitted anyany wayway,
wln 2327FromFrom mymy firstfirst birthbirth vntounto thisthis presentpresent dayday.
wln 2328LeirLeirKing.TheThe blessingblessing, whichwhich thethe GodGod ofof AbrahamAbraham gauegave
wln 2329VntoUnto thethe trybetribe ofof IudaJudah, lightlight onon theethee,
wln 2330AndAnd multiplymultiply thythy dayesdays, thatthat thouthou maystmayst seesee
wln 2331ThyThy childrenschildren’s childrenchildren prosperprosper afterafter theethee.
wln 2332ThyThy faultsfaults, whichwhich areare iustjust nonenone thatthat II dodo knowknow,
wln 2333GodGod pardonpardon onon highhigh, andand II forgiueforgive belowbelow.sheshe risethriseth.
wln 2334Cor.CordellaCor.NowNow isis mymy heartheart atat quietquiet, andand dothdoth leapeleap
wln 2335WithinWithin mymy brestbreast, forfor ioyjoy ofof thisthis goodgood haphap:
wln 2336AndAnd nownow (dearedear fatherfather) welcomewelcome toto ourour CourtCourt,
wln 2337AndAnd welcomewelcome (kindkind PerillusPerillus) vntounto meme,
wln 2338MyrrourMirror ofof vertuevirtue andand truetrue honestyhonesty.
wln 2339LeirLeirKing.OO, hehe hathhath binbeen thethe kindestkindest friendfriend toto meme,
wln 2340ThatThat euerever manman hadhad inin aduersityadversity.
wln 2341Per.PerillusPer.MyMy toungtongue dothdoth failefail, toto saysay whatwhat heartheart dothdoth thinkthink,
wln 2342II amam soso rauishtravished withwith exceedingexceeding ioyjoy.
wln 2343KingKing of GalliaKing.AllAll youyou hauehave spokespoke: nownow letlet meme speakspeak mymy mindmind,
wln 2344AndAnd inin fewfew wordswords muchmuch mattermatter herehere concludeconclude:hehe kneeleskneels.
wln 2345IfIf ereere mymy heartheart dodo harbourharborharbour anyany ioyjoy,
wln 2346OrOr truetrue contentcontent reposerepose withinwithin mymy brestbreast,
wln 2347TillTill II hauehave rootedrooted outout thisthis viperousviperous sectsect,
wln 2348AndAnd repossestrepossessed mymy fatherfather ofof hishis CrowneCrown,
wln 2349LetLet meme bebe countedcounted forfor thethe periurdstperjured’st manman,
wln 2350ThatThat euerever spakespakespoke wordword sincesince thethe worldworld beganbegan.riserise.
wln 2351Mum.MumfordMum.LetLet meme praypray totooto, thatthat neuernever pray’dprayed beforebefore;MumfordMumford
kneeleskneels.

wln 2352IfIf ereere II resaluteresalute thethe BrittishBritish earthearth,
wln 2353(AsAs (ere’tere ’tere’t bebe longlong) II dodo presumepresume II shallshall)
wln 2354AndAnd dodo returnereturn fromfrom thencethence withoutwithout mymy wenchwench,
wln 2355LetLet meme bebe geldedgelded forfor mymy recompencerecompense.riserise.
wln 2356KingKing of GalliaKing.ComeCome, let’slet’s toto armesarms forfor toto redresseredress thisthis wrongwrong:
wln 2357TillTill II amam therethere, me thinksmethinks, thethe timetime seemesseems longlong.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 2358EnterEnter RaganRagan solasola.
wln 2359Rag.RaganRag.II feelefeel aa hellhell ofof conscienceconscience inin mymy brestbreast,
wln 2360TormentingTormenting meme withwith horrourhorror forfor mymy factfact,
And

img: 33-b
sig: I1r

and his three daughters.


wln 2361AndAnd makesmakes meme inin anan agonyagony ofof doubtdoubt,
wln 2362ForFor fearefear thethe worldworld shouldshould findfind mymy dealingdealing outout.
wln 2363TheThe slaueslave whomwhom II appoyntedappointed forfor thethe actact,
wln 2364II ne’rene’ernever setset eyeeye vponupon thethe peasantpeasant sincesince:
wln 2365OOOh, couldcould II getget himhim forfor toto makemake himhim suresure,
wln 2366MyMy doubtsdoubts wouldwould ceasecease, andand II shouldshould restrest securesecure.
wln 2367ButBut ifif thethe oldold menmen, withwith perswasiuepersuasive wordswords,
wln 2368HaueHave sau’dsaved theirtheir liueslives, andand mademade himhim toto relentrelent;
wln 2369ThenThen areare theythey fledfled vntounto thethe CourtCourt ofof FraunceFrance,
wln 2370AndAnd likelike aa TrumpetTrumpet manifestmanifest mymy shameshame.
wln 2371AA shameshame onon thesethese white-liuerdwhite-livered slauesslaves, saysay II,
wln 2372ThatThat withwith fayrefair wordswords soso soonesoon areare ouercomeovercome.
wln 2373OO GodGod, thatthat II hadhad binbeen butbut mademade aa manman;
wln 2374OrOr thatthat mymy strengthstrength werewere equallequal withwith mymy willwill!
wln 2375TheseThese foolishfoolish menmen areare nothingnothing butbut meeremere pitypity,
wln 2376AndAnd meltmelt asas butterbutter dothdoth againstagainst thethe SunSun.
wln 2377WhyWhy shouldshould theythey hauehave preeminencepre-eminence ouerover vsus,
wln 2378SinceSince wewe areare creaturescreatures ofof moremore brauebrave resolueresolve?
wln 2379II sweareswear, II amam quitequite outout ofof charitycharity
wln 2380WithWith allall thethe heartlesseheartless menmen inin ChristendomeChristendom.
wln 2381AA poxepox vponupon themthem, whenwhen theythey areare affraydafraid
wln 2382ToTo giuegive aa stabstab, oror slitslit aa paltrypaltry Wind-pipeWindpipe,
wln 2383WhichWhich areare soso easyeasy mattersmatters toto bebe donedone.
wln 2384WellWell, hadhad II thoughtthought thethe slaueslave wouldwould serueserve meme soso,
wln 2385My selfeMyselfmyself wouldwould hauehaūehave binbeen executionerexecutioner:
wln 2386Tis’Tis nownow vndoneundone, andand ifif thatthat itit bebe knowneknown,
wln 2387IleI’ll makemake asas goodgood shiftshift asas II cancan forfor oneone.
wln 2388HeHe thatthat repinesrepines atat meme, how erehowe’er itit standsstands,
wln 2389’Twere’Twere bestbest forfor himhim toto keepekeep himhim fromfrom mymy handshands.ExitExit.
wln 2390SoundSound DrumsDrums &and TrumpetsTrumpets: EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian KingKing,
wln 2391LeirLeir, MumfordMumford andand thethe armyarmy.

wln 2392KingKing of GalliaKing.ThusThus hauehave wewe broughtbrought ourour armyarmy toto thethe seasea,
wln 2393WhereasWhereas ourour shipsships areare readyready toto receyuereceive vsus:
wln 2394TheThe windwind standsstands fayrefair, andand wewe inin fourefour houreshours’ saylesail,
wln 2395MayMay easilyeasily arriuearrive onon BrittishBritish shoreshore,
wln 2396WhereWhere vnexpectedunexpected wewe maymay themthem surprisesurprise,
wln 2397AndAnd gaynegain aa gloriousglorious victoryvictory withwith easeease.
wln 2398WhereforeWherefore, mymy louingloving CountreymenCountrymen, resolueresolve,
wln 2399SinceSince truthtruth andand iusticejustice fightethfighteth onon ourour sidessides,
I
Th[**]

img: 34-a
sig: I1v

The History of King Leir


wln 2400ThatThat wewe shallshall marchmarch withwith conquestconquest wherewhere wewe gogo.
wln 2401My selfeMyselfmyself willwill bebe asas forwardforward asas thethe firstfirst,
wln 2402AndAnd step by stepstep-by-stepstep by step marchmarch withwith thethe hardiesthardiest wightwight:
wln 2403AndAnd notnot thethe meanestmeanest souldiersoldier inin ourour CampeCamp
wln 2404ShallShall bebe inin dangerdanger, butbut ilei’llI’ll secondsecond himhim.
wln 2405ToTo youyou, mymy LordLord, wewe giuegive thethe wholewhole commaundcommand
wln 2406OfOf allall thethe armyarmy, nextnext vntounto our selfeourself,
wln 2407NotNot doubtingdoubting ofof youyou, butbut youyou willwill extendextend
wln 2408YourYour wontedwonted valourvalorvalour inin thisthis needfullneedful casecase,
wln 2409EncouragingEncouraging thethe restrest toto dodo thethe likelike,
wln 2410ByBy youryour approuedapproved magnanimitymagnanimity.
wln 2411Mum.MumfordMum.MyMy LiegeLiege, tis’tis needlesseneedless toto spurspur aa willingwilling horsehorse,
wln 2412ThatsThat’sthat’s aptapt enoughenough toto runrun himselfehimself toto deathdeath:
wln 2413ForFor herehere II sweareswear byby thatthat sweetsweet SaintsSaint’ssaint’s brightbright eyeeye,
wln 2414WhichWhich areare thethe starresstars, whichwhich guideguide meme toto goodgood haphap,
wln 2415EytherEither toto seesee mymy oldold LordLord crown’dcrowned anewanew,
wln 2416OrOr inin hishis causecause toto bidbid thethe worldworld adieuadieu.
wln 2417LeirLeirKing.ThanksThanks, goodgood LordLord MumfordMumford, tis’tis moremore ofof youryour goodgood willwill,
wln 2418ThenThan anyany meritmerit oror desertdesert inin meme.
wln 2419Mum.MumfordMum.AndAnd nownow toto youyou, mymy worthyworthy CountrymenCountry menCountrymenCountry men,
wln 2420YeYe valiantvaliant racerace ofof GenouestanGenovestan GawlesGauls,
wln 2421SurnamedSurnamed Red-shanksRed-thanksRedshanksRed-thanks, forfor youryour chyualrychivalry,
wln 2422BecauseBecause youyou fightfight vpup toto thethe shanksthanksthanksshanks inin bloudblood;
wln 2423ShewShow your seluesyourselves nownow toto bebe rightright GawlesGauls indeedindeed,
wln 2424AndAnd bebe soso bitterbitter onon youryour enemiesenemies,
wln 2425ThatThat theythey maymay saysay, youyou areare asas bitterbitter asas GallGall.
wln 2426GallGall themthem, brauebrave ShotShot, withwith youryour ArtilleryArtillery:
wln 2427GallGall themthem, brauebrave HalbertsHalberdshalberds, withwith youryour sharp pointsharp-pointsharp point BillesBills,
wln 2428EachEach inin theirtheir poyntedpointed placeplace, notnot oneone, butbut allall,
wln 2429FightFight forfor thethe creditcredit ofof your seluesyourselves andand GawleGaul.
wln 2430KingKing of GalliaKing.ThenThen whatwhat shouldshould moremore perswasionpersuasion needneed toto thosethose,
wln 2431ThatThat ratherrather wishwithwish toto dealedeal, thenthan hearehear ofof blowesblows?
wln 2432Let’sLet’s toto ourour shipsships, andand ifititif thatthat GodGod permitpermit,
wln 2433InIn fourefour houreshouressaylehours’ saylesail, II hopehope wewe shallshall bebe therethere.
wln 2434Mum.MumfordMum.AndAnd inin fiuefive houreshours moremore, II makemake nono doubtdoubt,
wln 2435ButBut wewe shallshall bringbring ourour wish’dwished desiresdesires aboutabout.ExeuntExeunt
wln 2436EnterEnter aa CaptayneCaptain ofof thethe watchwatch, andand twotwo watchmenwatchmen.
wln 2437Cap.CaptainCap.MyMy honesthonest friendsfriends, itit isis youryour turneturn to nighttonight,
wln 2438ToTo watchwatch inin thisthis placeplace, neerenear aboutabout thethe BeaconBeacon.
And

img: 34-b
sig: I2r

and his three daughters.


wln 2439AndAnd vigilantlyvigilantly hauehave regardregard,
wln 2440IfIf anyany fleetfleet ofof shipsships passepastepass hitherwardhitherward:
wln 2441WhichWhich itit youyou dodo, youryour officeoffice isis toto firefire
wln 2442TheThe beaconbeacon presentlypresently, andand raiseraise thethe townetown.ExitExit.
wln 24431.1. Wat.WatchmanWat.IAyay, IAyay, IAyay, fearefear nothingnothing; wewe knowknow ourour chargecharge, II warrantwarrant:
wln 2444II hauehave binbeen aa watchmanwatchman aboutabout thisthis BeaconBeacon thisthis xxx.thirtyxxx. yereyear, andand
wln 2445yetyet II ne’rene’ernever seesee itit stirstir, butbut stoodstood asas quietlyquietly asas mightmight bebe.
wln 24462.2. Wat.WatchmanWat.FaythFaith neighbourneighborneighbour, andand you’lyou’ll followfollow mymy vice’vice, insteadinstead ofof
wln 2447watchingwatching thethe BeaconBeacon, wee’lwe’ll gogo toto goodmangoodman Gen[·]ingsGenningsJenningsGennings, &and watchwatch
wln 2448aa potpot ofof AleAle andand aa rasherrasher ofof BaconBacon: andand ifif wewe dodo notnot drinkdrink ourour seluesourselves
wln 2449selues
wln 2449drunkedrunk, thenthen soso; II warrantwarrant, thethe BeaconBeacon willwill seesee vsus whenwhen
wln 2450wewe comecome outout agayneagain.
wln 24511.1. W.WatchmanW.IAyay, butbut howhow ifif some bodysomebody excuseexcuse vsus toto thethe CaptayneCaptain?
wln 24522.2. W.WatchmanW.TisI is’TisI is nono mattermatter, ilei’llI’ll proueprove byby goodgood reasonreason thatthat wewe watchwatch
wln 2453thethe BeaconBeacon: asseas forfor exampleexample.
wln 24541.1. W.WatchmanW.II hopehope youyou dodo notnot callcall meme asseass byby craftcraft, neighbourneighborneighbour.
wln 24552.2. W.WatchmanW.NoNo, nono, butbut forfor exampleexample: SaySay herehere standsstands thethe potpot ofof aleale,
wln 2456thatsthat’s thethe BeaconBeacon.1.1. W.WatchmanW.IAyay, IAyay, tis’tis aa veryvery goodgood BeaconBeacon.
wln 24572.2. W.WatchmanW.WellWell, saysay herehere standsstands youryour nosenose, thatsthat’s thethe firefire.
wln 24581.1. W.WatchmanW.IndeedIndeed II mustmust confesseconfess, tis’tis somewhatsomewhat redred.
wln 24592.2. W.WatchmanW.II seesee comecome marchingmarching inin aa dishdish, halfehalf aa scorescore piecespieces ofof saltsalt
wln 2460BaconBacon.1.1. W.WatchmanW.II vnderstandunderstand youryour meaningmeaning, thatsthat’s asas muchmuch toto saysay,
wln 2461halfhalf aa scorescore shipsships.22 W.WatchmanW.TrueTrue, youyou consterconsterconstrue rightright; presentlypresently, likelike
wln 2462aa faithfullfaithful watch manwatchmanwatch man, II firefire thethe BeaconBeacon,,; andand callcall vpup thethe townetown.
wln 24631.1. W.WatchmanW.IAyay, thatsthat’s asas muchmuch asas toto saysay, youyou setset youryour nosenose toto thethe potpot, andand
wln 2464drinkdrink vpup thethe drinkdrink.2.2. W.WatchmanW.YouYou areare inin thethe rightright; comecome, let’slet’s gogo
wln 2465firefire thethe BeaconBeacon.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 2466EnterEnter thethe KingKing ofof GalliaGallia withwith aa stilstill marchmarch, MumfordMumford &and soldierssoldiers..,
wln 2467KingKing of GalliaKing.NowNow marchmarch ourour ensignesensigns onon thethe BrittishBritish earthearth,
wln 2468AndAnd wewe areare neerenear approchingapproaching toto thethe townetown:
wln 2469ThenThen lookelook aboutabout youyou, valiantvaliant CountrymenCountrymen,
wln 2470AndAnd wewe shallshall finishfinish thisthis exploytexploit withwith easeease.
wln 2471Th’inhabitantsTh’ihabitantsTh’ inhabitantsth’inhabitants ofof thisthis mistrustfullmistrustful placeplace,
wln 2472AreAre deaddead asleepasleep, asas menmen thatthat areare securesecure:
wln 2473HereHere shallshall wewe skirmishskirmish butbut withwith nakednaked menmen,
wln 2474DeuoydDevoid ofof sencesense, newnew wakedwaked fromfrom aa dreamedream,
wln 2475ThatThat knowknow notnot whatwhat ourour commingcoming dothdoth pretendpretend,
wln 2476TillTill theythey dodo feelefeel ourour meaningmeaning onon theirtheir skinnesskins:
wln 2477ThereforeTherefore assaileassail: GodGod andand ourour rightright forfor vsus.ExeuntExeunt.
I2
Alarum

img: 35-a
sig: I2v

The History of King Leir


wln 2478AlarumAlarum, withwith menmen andand womenwomen halfe nakedhalf-nakedhalf naked: EnterEnter twotwo
wln 2479CaptaynesCaptains withoutwithout dubletsdoublets, withwith swordsswords.

wln 24801.1. Cap.CaptainCap.WhereWhere areare thesethese villainesvillains thatthat werewere setset toto watchwatch,
wln 2481AndAnd firefire thethe BeaconBeacon, ifif occasionoccasion seru’dserved,
wln 2482ThatThat thusthus hauehave suffredsuffered vsus toto bebe surprisdesurprised,
wln 2483AndAnd neuernever giuengiven noticenotice toto thethe townetown?
wln 2484WeWe areare betraydbetrayed, andand quitequite deuoyddevoid ofof hopehope,
wln 2485ByBy anyany meanesmeans toto fortifyfortify our seluesourselves.
wln 24862.2. Cap.CaptainCap.Tis’Tis tenten toto oneone thethe peasantspeasants areare o’recomeo’ercome withwith drinkedrink
wln 2487andand sleepsleep, andand soso neglectneglect theirtheir chargecharge.
wln 24881.1. Cap.CaptainCap.AA whirl-windwhirlwind carrycarry themthem quickquick toto aa whirl-poolewhirlpool,
wln 2489ThatThat therethere thethe slauesslaves maymay drinkedrink theirtheir belliesbellies fullfull.
wln 24902.2. Cap.CaptainCap.ThisThis tis’tis, toto hauehave thethe BeaconBeacon soso neerenear thethe Ale-houseAlehouse.
wln 2491EnterEnter thethe watchmenwatchmen drunkedrunk, withwith eacheach aa potpot.
wln 24921.1. Cap.CaptainCap.OutOut onon yeye, villaynesvillains, whitherwhither runrun youyou nownow?
wln 24931.1. Wat.WatchmanWat.ToTo firefire thethe townetown, andand callcall vpup thethe BeaconBeacon.
wln 249422 Wat.WatchmanWat.NoNo, nono, sirsir, toto firefire thethe BeaconBeacon.HeHe drinkesdrinks.
wln 24952.2. Cap.CaptainCap.WhatWhat, withwith aa potpot ofof aleale, youyou drunkendrunken RoguesRogues?
wln 24961.1. Cap.CaptainCap.You’lYou’ll firefire thethe BeaconBeacon, whenwhen thethe townetown isis lostlost:
wln 2497IleI’ll teachteach youyou howhow toto tendtend youryour officeoffice betterbetter.drawdraw toto stabstab themthem.
wln 2498EnterEnter MumfordMumford, CaptaynesCaptains runrun awayaway.
wln 2499Mum.MumfordMum.YeeldYield, yeeldyield, yeeldyield.HeHe kickskicks downedown theirtheir potspots.
wln 25001.1. Wat.WatchmanWat.ReeleReel? nono, wewe dodo notnot reelereel:
wln 2501YouYou maymay lackelack aa potpot ofof AleAle ereere youyou dyedie.
wln 2502Mum.MumfordMum.ButBut inin meanemean spacespace, II answeranswer, youyou wantwant nonenone.
wln 2503WelWell, theresthere’s nono dealingdealing withwith youyou, y’arey’ areyou’re talltall menmen, &and welwell weapōdweapōdweaponed,
wln 2504II wouldwould therethere werewere nono worseworse thenthan youyou inin thethe townetown.ExitExit.
wln 25052.2. Wat.WatchmanWat.A’A’a speaksspeaks likelike anan honesthonest manman, mymy cholerscholer’s pastpassed alreadyalready.
wln 2506ComeCome, neighbourneighborneighbour, let’slet’s gogo.
wln 25071.1. Wat.WatchmanWat.NayNay, firstfirst let’slet’s seesee andanand wewe cancan standstand.ExeuntExeunt.
wln 2508AlarumAlarum, excursionsexcursions, MumfordMumford afterafter themthem, andand somesome halfe nakedhalf-nakedhalf naked,
wln 2509EnterEnter thethe GallianGallian KingKing, LeirLeir, MumfordMumford, CordellaCordella, PerillusPerillus, andand soul-souldierssoul∣dierssoldiers
wln 2510diers,
wln 2510withwith thethe chiefechief ofof thethe townetown boundbound.

wln 2511KingKing of GalliaKing.FeareFear notnot, mymy friendsfriends, youyou shallshall receyuereceive nono hurthurt,
wln 2512IfIf you’lyou’ll subscribesubscribe vntounto youryour lawfulllawful KingKing,
wln 2513AndAnd quitequite reuokerevoke youryour fealtyfealty fromfrom CambriaCambria,
wln 2514AndAnd fromfrom aspiringaspiring CornwallCornwall tootoo, whosewhose wiueswives
wln 2515HaueHave practisdepracticedpractised treasontreason ’gainst’gainst theirtheir fathersfather’s lifelife.
wln 2516WeeWewe comecome inin iusticejustice ofof youryour wrongedwronged KingKing,
And

img: 35-b
sig: I3r

and his three daughters.


wln 2517AndAnd dodo intendintend nono harmeharm atat allall toto youyou,
wln 2518SoSo youyou submitsubmit vntounto youryour lawfulllawful KingKing.
wln 2519LeirLeirKing.KindKind CountrymenCountrymen, itit grieuesgrieves meme, thatthat perforceperforce,
wln 2520II amam constraindconstrained toto vseuse extremitiesextremities.
wln 2521NobleNoble.LongLong hauehave youyou herehere binbeen looktlooked forfor, goodgood mymy LordLord,
wln 2522AndAnd wish’dwished forfor byby aa generallgeneral consentconsent:
wln 2523AndAnd hadhad wewe knownknown youryour HighnesseHighness hadhad arriuedarrived,
wln 2524WeWe hadhad notnot mademade resistanceresistance toto youryour GraceGrace:
wln 2525AndAnd nownow, mymy graciousgracious LordLord, youyou needneed notnot doubtdoubt,
wln 2526ButBut allall thethe CountryCountry willwill yeeldyield presentlypresently,
wln 2527WhichWhich sincesince youryour absenceabsence hauehave binbeen greatlygreatly tax’dtaxed,
wln 2528ForFor toto maintaynemaintain theirtheir ouerswellingoverswelling pridepride.
wln 2529WeeleWe’llwe’ll presentlypresently sendsend wordword toto allall ourour friendsfriends;
wln 2530WhenWhen theythey hauehave noticenotice, theythey willwill comecome apaceapace.
wln 2531LeirLeirKing.ThanksThanks, louingloving subiectssubjects; andand thanksthanks, worthyworthy sonson,
wln 2532ThanksThanks, mymy kindkind daughterdaughter, thanksthanks toto youyou, mymy LordLord,
wln 2533WhoWho willinglywillingly aduenturedadventured hauehave youryour bloodblood,
wln 2534(WithoutWithout desertdesert) toto dodo meme soso muchmuch goodgood.
wln 2535Mum.MumfordMum.OO, saysay notnot soso:
wln 2536II hauehave binbeen muchmuch beholdingbeholding toto youryour GraceGrace:
wln 2537II mustmust confesseconfess, II hauehave binbeen inin somesome skirmishesskirmishes,
wln 2538ButBut II waswas neuernever inin thethe likelike toto thisthis:
wln 2539ForFor wherewhere II waswas wontwont toto meetmeet withwith armedarmed menmen,
wln 2540II waswas nownow incountredencountered withwith nakednaked womenwomen,
wln 2541Cord.CordellaCord.WeWe thatthat areare feeblefeeble, andand wantwant vseuse ofof ArmesArms,
wln 2542WillWill praypray toto GodGod, toto sheeldshield youyou fromfrom allall harmesharms.
wln 2543LeirLeirKing.TheThe whilewhile youryour handshands dodo managemanage ceaselesseceaseless toyletoil,
wln 2544OurOur heartshearts shallshall praypray, thethe foesfoes maymay hauehave thethe foylefoil.
wln 2545Per.PerillusPer.WeeleWe’llwe’ll fastfast andand praypray, whilstwhilst youyou forfor vsus dodo fightfight,
wln 2546ThatThat victoryvictory maymay prosecuteprosecute thethe rightright.
wln 2547KingKing of GalliaKing.Me thinksMethinksmethinks, youryour wordswords dodo amplifyamplify (mymy friendsfriends)
wln 2548AndAnd addeadd freshfrethfresh vigorvigorvigour toto mymy willingwilling limmeslimbs:DrumDrum.
wln 2549ButBut harkehark, II hearehear thethe aduerseadverse DrumDrum approchapproach.
wln 2550GodGod andand ourour rightright, SaintSaint DenisDenis, andand SaintSaint GeorgeGeorge,
wln 2551EnterEnter CornwallCornwall, CambriaCambria, GonorillGonorilGonorill, RaganRagan, andand thethe armyarmy.
wln 2552Corn.CornwallCorn.PresumptuousPresumptuous KingKing ofof GawlesGauls, howhow darestdarest thouthou
wln 2553PresumePresume toto enterenter onon ourour BrittishBritish shoreshore?
wln 2554AndAnd moremore thenthan thatthat, toto taketake ourour townestowns perforceperforce,
wln 2555AndAnd drawdraw ourour subiectssubjects’ heartshearts fromfrom theirtheir truetrue KingKing?
I3
Be

img: 36-a
sig: I3v

The History of King Leir


wln 2556BeBe sutesuresutesure toto buybuy itit atat asas dearedear aa priceprice,
wln 2557AsAs eree’reere youyou boughtbought presumptionpresumption inin youryour liueslives.
wln 2558KingKing of GalliaKing.Ore-daringO’erdaringo’erdaring CornwallCornwall, knowknow, wewe camecame inin rightright,,.
wln 2559AndAnd iustjust reuengementrevengement ofof thethe wrongedwronged KingKing,
wln 2560WhoseWhose daughtersdaughters therethere, fellfell vipersvipers asas theythey areare,
wln 2561HaueHave soughtsought toto murdermurder andand depriuedeprive ofof lifelife:
wln 2562ButBut GodGod protectedprotected himhim fromfrom allall theirtheir spightspite,
wln 2563AndAnd wewe areare comecome inin iusticejustice ofof hishis rightright.
wln 2564Cam.CambriaCam.NorNor hehe nornor thouthou hauehave anyany interestinterest herehere,
wln 2565ButBut whatwhat youyou winwin andand purchasepurchase withwith thethe swordsword.
wln 2566ThyThy slaundersslanders toto ourour noblenoble vertuousvirtuous QueenesQueens,
wln 2567Wee’lWe’ll inin thethe battellbattle thrustthrust themthem downdown thythy throtethroat,
wln 2568ExceptExcept forfor fearefear ofof ourour reuengingrevenging handshands,
wln 2569ThouThou flyefly toto seasea, asas notnot securesecure onon landslands.
wln 2570Mum.MumfordMum.WelshmanWelshman, ilei’llI’ll soso ferritferret youyou ereere nightnight forfor thatthat wordword,
wln 2571ThatThat youyou shallshall hauehave nono mindmind toto crakecrakecrack soso welwell thisthis tweluemonthtwelvemonth.
wln 2572Gon.GonorilGon.TheyThey lyelie, thatthat saysay, wewe soughtsought ourour fathersfather’s deathdeath.
wln 2573Rag.RaganRag.Tis’Tis meerelymerely forgedforged forfor aa colourscolor’scolour’s sakesake,
wln 2574ToTo setset aa glossegloss onon youryour inuasioninvasion.
wln 2575Me thinksMethinksmethinks, anan oldold manman readyready forfor toto dyedie,
wln 2576ShouldShould bebe asham’dashamed toto broachebroachbreachebroach soso foulefoul aa lyelie.
wln 2577Cord.CordellaCord.FyFie,, shamelesseshamelesleshameless sistersister, soso deuoyddevoid ofof gracegrace,
wln 2578ToTo callcall ourour fatherfather lyerliar toto hishis faceface.
wln 2579Gon.GonorilGon.PeacePeace (PuritanPuritan) dissemblingdissembling hypocritehypocrite,
wln 2580WhichWhich artart soso goodgood, thatthat thouthou wiltwilt proueprove starkstark naughtnaught:
wln 2581AnonAnon, when aswhenas II hauehave youyou inin mymy fingersfingers,
wln 2582IleI’ll makemake youyou wishwish your selfeyourself inin PurgatoryPurgatory.
wln 2583Per.PerillusPer.NayNay, peacepeace thouthou monstermonster, shameshame vntounto thythy sexesex:
wln 2584ThouThou fiendfiend inin likenesselikeness ofof aa humanehuman creaturecreature.
wln 2585Rag.RaganRag.II neuernever heardheard aa fouler spokenfouler-spokenfouler spoken manman.
wln 2586LeirLeirKing.OutOut onon theethee, viperviper, scumscum, filthyfilthy parricideparricide,
wln 2587MoreMore odiousodious toto mymy sightsight thenthanthen isis aa ToadeToad..,
wln 2588KnowestKnowest thouthou thesethese lettersletters?SheShe snatchessnatches themthem &and tearestears themthem.
wln 2589Rag.RaganRag.ThinkThink youyou toto outfaceoutface meme withwith youryour paltrypaltry scrowlesscrolls?
wln 2590YouYou comecome toto driuedrive mymy husbandhusband fromfrom hishis rightright,
wln 2591VnderUnder thethe colourcolorcolour ofof aa forgedforged letterletter.
wln 2592LeirLeirKing.Who euerWhoeverwhoever heardheard thethe likelike impietyimpiety?
wln 2593Per.PerillusPer.YouYou areare ourour debtourdebtor ofof moremore patiencepatience:
wln 2594WeWe werewere moremore patientpatient whenwhen wewe staydstayed forfor youyou,
Within

img: 36-b
sig: I4r

and his three daughters.


wln 2595WithinWithin thethe thicketthicket twotwo longlong houreshours andand moremore.
wln 2596Rag.RaganRag.WhatWhat houreshours? whatwhat thicketthicket?
wln 2597Per.PerillusPer.ThereThere, wherewhere youyou sentsent youryour seruantservant withwith youryour lettersletters,
wln 2598SealdSealed withwith youryour handhand, toto sendsend vsus bothboth toto heauenheaven,
wln 2599WhereWhere, asas II thinkethink, youyou neuernever meanemean toto comecome.
wln 2600Rag.RaganRag.AlasAlas, youyou areare grownegrown aa childchild agayneagain withwith ageage,
wln 2601OrOr elseelse youryour sencessenses dotedote forfor wantwant ofof sleepesleep.
wln 2602Per.PerillusPer.IndeedIndeed youyou mademade vsus riserise betimesbetimes, youyou knowknow,
wln 2603YetYet hadhad aa carecare wewe shouldshould sleepesleep wherewhere youyou badebade vsus staystay,
wln 2604ButBut neuernever wakewake moremore tilltill thethe latterlatter dayday.
wln 2605Gon.GonorilGon.PeacePeace, peacepeace, oldold fellowfellow, thouthou artart sleepysleepy stillstill.
wln 2606Mum.MumfordMum.FaythFaith, andand ifif youyou reasonreason tilltill to morrowtomorrow,
wln 2607YouYou getget nono otherother answereanswer atat theirtheir handshands.
wln 2608Tis’Tis pittypity twotwo suchsuch goodgood facesfaces
wln 2609ShouldShould hauehave soso littlelittle gracegrace betweenebetween themthem.
wln 2610WellWell, letlet vsus seesee ifif theirtheir husbandshusbands withwith theirtheir handshands,
wln 2611CanCan dodo asas muchmuch, asas theythey dodo withwith theirtheir toungstongues.
wln 2612Cam.CambriaCam.IAyay, withwith theirtheir swordsswords they’lthey’ll makemake youryour toungtongue vnsayunsay
wln 2613WhatWhat theythey hauehave saydsaid, oror elseelse they’lthey’ll cutcut themthem outout.
wln 2614KingKing of GalliaKing.Too’tTo ’tTo’t, gallantsgallants, too’tto ’tto’t, let’slet’s notnot standstand brawlingbrawling thusthus.
wln 2615ExeuntExeunt bothboth armyesarmies.
wln 2616SoundSound alarumalarum: excursionsexcursions. MumfordMumford mustmust chasechase CambriaCambria
wln 2617awayaway: thenthen ceasecease.
EnterEnter CornwallCornwall.

wln 2618Corn.CornwallCorn.TheThe dayday isis lostlost, ourour friendsfriends dodo allall reuoltrevolt,
wln 2619AndAnd ioynejoin againstagainst vsus withwith thethe aduerseadverse partpart:
wln 2620ThereThere isis nono meanesmeans ofof safetysafety butbut byby flightflight,
wln 2621AndAnd thereforetherefore ilei’llI’ll toto CornwallCornwall withwith mymy QueeneQueen.ExitExit.
wln 2622EnterEnter CambriaCambria.
wln 2623CamCambriaCamII thinkethink, therethere isis aa deuilldevil inin thethe CampeCamp hathhath hauntedhaunted
wln 2624meme to daytoday: hehe hathhath soso tyredtired meme, thatthat inin aa manermanner II cancan fightfight nono
wln 2625moremore.EnterEnter MumfordMumford.
wln 2626ZoundsZounds, herehere hehe comescomes, IleI’ll taketake meme toto mymy horsehorse.ExitExit.
wln 2627MumfordMumford followesfollows himhim toto thethe doredoor, andand returnesreturns.
wln 2628Mum.MumfordMum.FarewellFarewell (WelshmanWelshman) giuegive theethee butbut thythy duedue,
wln 2629ThouThou hasthast aa lightlight andand nimblenimble payrepair ofof legslegs:
wln 2630ThouThou areare moremore inin debtdebt toto themthem thenthanthen toto thythy handshands:
wln 2631ButBut ifif II meetmeet theethee onceonce agayneagain to daytoday,
wln 2632IleI’ll cutcut themthem offoff, andand setset themthem toto aa betterbetter heartheart.ExitExit.
I4
Alarums

img: 37-a
sig: I4v

The History of King Leir


wln 2633AlarumsAlarumsAlarms andand excursionsexcursions, thenthen soundsound victoryvictory. EnterEnter LeirLeir, Peril-PerillusPeril∣lusPerillus
wln 2634lus,
wln 2634KingKing, CordellaCordella, andand MumfordMumford.

wln 2635KingKing of GalliaKing.ThanksThanks bebe toto GodGod, youryour foesfoes areare ouercomeovercome,
wln 2636AndAnd youyou againeagain possessedpossessed ofof youryour rightright.
wln 2637LeirLeirKing.FirstFirst toto thethe heauensheavens, nextnext, thanksthanks toto youyou, mymy sonneson,
wln 2638ByBy whosewhose goodgood meanesmeans II repossesserepossess thethe samesame:
wln 2639WhichWhich ifif itit pleaseplease youyou toto acceptaccept your selfeyourself,
wln 2640WithWith allall mymy heartheart II willwill resigneresign toto youyou:
wln 2641ForFor itit isis yoursyours byby rightright, andand nonenone ofof minemine.
wln 2642FirstFirst, hauehave youyou raisdraised, atat youryour owneown chargecharge, aa powerpower
wln 2643OfOf valiantvaliant SouldiersSoldiers; (thisthis comescomes allall fromfrom youyou)
wln 2644NextNext hauehave youyou venturedventured youryour owneown personsperson’spersons scathescathe.
wln 2645AndAnd lastlylastly, (worthyworthy GalliaGallia neuernever stayndstained)
wln 2646MyMy kinglykingly titletitle II byby theethee hauehave gayndgained.
wln 2647KingKing of GalliaKing.ThankThank heauensheavens, notnot meme, mymy zealezeal toto youyou isis suchsuch,
wln 2648CommaundCommand mymy vtmostutmost, II willwill neuernever grutchgrutch.
wln 2649Cor.CordellaCor.HeHe thatthat withwith allall kindkind louelove intreatsentreats hishis QueeneQueen,
wln 2650WillWill notnot bebe toto herher fatherfather vnkindunkind seeneseen.
wln 2651LeirLeirKing.AhAh, mymy CordellaCordella, nownow II callcall toto mindmind,
wln 2652TheThe modestmodest answereanswer, whichwhich II tooketook vnkindunkind:
wln 2653ButBut nownow II seesee, II amam nono whitwhit beguildbeguiled,
wln 2654ThouThou louedstloved’stlovedst meme dearelydearlydear, andand asas oughtoughtaught aa childchild.
wln 2655AndAnd thouthou (PerillusPerillus) partnerpartner onceonce inin woewoe,
wln 2656TheeThee toto requiterequite, thethe bestbest II cancan, IleI’ll doedo:
wln 2657YetYet allall II cancan, IAyay, werewere itit ne’rene’ernever soso muchmuch,
wln 2658WereWere notnot sufficientsufficient, thythy truetrue louelove isis suchsuch.
wln 2659ThanksThanks (worthyworthy MumfordMumford) toto theethee lastlast ofof allall,
wln 2660NotNot greetedgreeted lastlast, ’cause’cause thythy desertdesert waswas smallsmall;
wln 2661NoNo, thouthou hasthast Lion-likeLion-like laydlaid onon to daytoday,
wln 2662ChasingChasing thethe CornwallCornwall KingKing andand CambriaCambria;
wln 2663WhoWho withwith mymy daughtersdaughters, daughtersdaughters diddid II saysay?
wln 2664ToTo sauesave theirtheir liueslives, thethe fugitiuesfugitives diddid playplay.
wln 2665ComeCome, sonneson andand daughterdaughter, whowho diddid meme aduaunceadvance,
wln 2666ReposeRepose withwith meme awhileawhile, andand thenthen forfor FraunceFrance.
wln 2667SoundSound DrummesDrums andand TrumpetsTrumpets. ExeuntExeunt.

wln 2668FINISFINIS.

img: 37-b
sig: [N/A]



Textual Notes
  1. 25 (2-b) : The regularized reading : is supplied for the original [·].
  2. 47 (3-a) : The regularized reading sat is amended from the original set.
  3. 185 (4-b) : The regularized reading suffice is supplied for the original [**]ffice.
  4. 455 (8-b) : The regularized reading Then is supplied for the original [··]en.
  5. 456 (8-b) : The regularized reading Cambria is supplied for the original [··]m..
  6. 614 (10-b) : The regularized reading complain is supplied for the original complayn[·].
  7. 944 (14-b) : The regularized reading with is supplied for the original wi[··].
  8. 1030 (16-a) : The regularized reading Palermo is amended from the original Palerno.
  9. 1253 (19-a) : The regularized reading lies is supplied for the original lye[·].
  10. 1287 (19-a) : The regularized reading of is supplied for the original o[·].
  11. 1291 (19-b) : The regularized reading before is supplied for the original [··]fore.
  12. 1292 (19-b) : The regularized reading sufficient is supplied for the original suffic[···].
  13. 1427 (21-a) : The regularized reading Goneril is amended from the original Con.
  14. 1778 (25-b) : The regularized reading She is amended from the original Se.
  15. 1863 (27-a) : The regularized reading match is supplied for the original m[··]ch.
  16. 1945 (28-a) : The regularized reading . is supplied for the original [·].
  17. 2201 (31-a) : The regularized reading cause is supplied for the original c[··]se.
  18. 2420 (34-a) : The regularized reading Genovestan comes from the original Genouestan, though possible variants include Cenovestan.
  19. 2447 (34-b) : The regularized reading Jennings is supplied for the original Gen[·]ings.
  20. 2507 (35-a) : The regularized reading an is amended from the original and.
  21. 2556 (36-a) : The regularized reading sure is amended from the original sute.
Choose Spelling:


First printed edition:
The True Chronicle of King Leir