In fome difguife, to fee if flying fame Be not too prodigall in the wondrous prayse Of these three nymphes, the daughters of king Leir. And As lafon, when he wanne the golden fleece. Mum. Heauens graut you may; the match were ful of honor, And well befeeming the young Gallian king. I would your grace would fauour me fo much, I long to fee the gallant Brittish dames, Our dames in Fraunce are far more fayre then they. Mum. So that you do not tye mine eyes for looking Kin. To bind thee from a thing thou canst not leaue, In these my felfe am like to fecond thee. Now heare thy tafke. I charge thee from the time But in the friendlieft manner that thou canft, For we will go difguifde in palmers weeds, That no man shall mistrust vs what we are. Mum. If that be all, Ile fit your turne I waurant you. I am fome kin to the Blunts, and I think, the blunteft of all my kindred; therefore if I bee too blunt with you, thanke your felfe for praying me to be fo. King. Thy pleasant company will make the way feeme fhort. It refteth now, that in my absence hence, I do commit the gouernment to you The wynd blowes fayre, and I muft needs away. Nobles. Heauens fend your voyage to as good effect, As we your land do purpose to protect. Exeunt. Enter the king of Cornwall and his man booted and spurd, a riding wand, and a letter in his hand. Corn. But how far diftant are we from the court? Ser. Some twenty miles, my lord, or thereabouts. Corn, It feemeth to me twenty thousand myles: Yet hope I to be there within this houre. Ser. Then are you like to ride alone for me. I thinke my lord is weary of his life. Corn. Sweet Gonorill, I long to fee thy face, Which hast so kindly gratified my loue. LI 4 To himfelfe. Enter Enter the king of Cambria booted and fpurd, and his man with a wand and a letter. Cam. Get a fresh horfe: for by my foule I sweare, He lookes on the letter, I am past patience, longer to forbeare lord intend? He thinks he ne're shall come at's iourneyes end. He quite will tyre himselfe, his horfe and me. To himfelfe. Cornwall and Cambria locke one vpon another, and start to Jee eche other there.. Corn. Brother of Cambria, we greet you well, As one whom here we little did expect. Cam. Brother of Cornwall, met in happy time: I thought as much to haue met with the fouldan of Perfia, No doubt, it is about fome great affayres, And for your part fome hafty wind of chance Carn. Corn. In fayth content, and therefore to be briefe; I am fent for, to come vnto king Leir, The ladies loue I long ago poffeft: But vntill now I neuer had the fathers. Cam. You tell me wonders, yet I will relate Strange newes, and henceforth we must brothers call; Corn. If I haue one halfe, and you haue the other, Then betweene vs we must needs haue the whole. ! Cam. The hole! how meane you that? zlood, I hope, We fhall haue two holes betweene vs. Corn. Why, the whole kingdome. Cam. I, that's very true, Cor. What then is left for his third daughters dowry, Louely Cordella, whom the world admires ? Cam. Tis very strange, I know not what to thinke, Vnleffe they meane to make a nunne of her. Corn. 'Twere pity fuch rare beauty should be hid Cam. Then let vs hafte, all danger to preuent, Exeunt. Enter Enter Gonorill and Ragan. Gon. Sifter, when did you fee Cordella laft, That pretty piece, that thinks none good ynough To speake to her, because (fir-reuerence) She hath a little beauty extraordinary? Ra. Since time my father warnd her from his presence, I neuer faw her, that I can remember. God giue her ioy of her furpaffing beauty; I thinke, her dowry will be fmall ynough. As he will neuer be reclaymd agayne. Rag. I was not much behind to do the like. Gon. Faith, fifter, what moues you to beare her fuch good will? Rag. In truth, I thinke, the fame that moueth you ; Because she doth furpaffe vs both in beauty. Gon. Behrew your fingers, how right you can geffe: I tell you true, it cuts me to the heart. Rag. But we will keepe her low enough, I warrant, And clip her wings for mounting vp too hye. Gon. Who euer hath her, fhall haue a rich mariage of her. Rag. She were right fit to make a parfons wife : For they, men fay, do loue faire women well, And many times doe marry them with nothing. Gon. With nothing! marry God forbid: why, are there any fuch. Rag. I meane, no money. Gon. I cry you mercy, I miftooke you much : And she is far too stately for the church; Ra. In faith, poore foule, I pitty her a little. Well |