CORNWALL

But how far distant are we from the Court? It seems to me twenty thousand miles: Yet hope I to be there within this hour. Sweet Gonorill, I long to see thy face, Which hast so kindly gratified my love. Brother of Cambria, we greet you well, As one whom here we little did expect. To say the truth, my Lord, it is no less, And for your partly some hasty wind of chance Hath blown you hither thus upon the sudden. In faith content, and therefore to be brief; For I am sure my haste's as great as yours: I am sent for, to come unto King Leir, Wh by these present letters promises His eldest daughter, lovely Gonorill, To me in marriage, and for present dowry, The moiety of half his Regiment. The Ladies love I long ago possessed: But until now I never had the father's. If I have one half, and you have the other, Then between us we must needs have the whole. Why, the whole Kingdom. IT were pity such rare beauty should be hid Within the compass of a Cloisters wall: But howsoever, if Leirs words prove true, It will be good, my Lord, for me and you. My gracious Lord, and father too, I hope, Pardon, for that I made no greater haste: But were my horse as swift as was my will, I long ere this had seen your Majesty. But you, sweet Love, illustrious Gonorill, The Regent, and the Sovereign of my soul, Is Cornwall welcome to your Excellency? Father, what aileth you to be so sad? Me thinks, you frollike not as you were wont. But if a man can frame himself to mirth, It is a mean for to prolong his life. Comfort your self, father, here comes your daughter, Who much will grieve, I know, to see you sad. My Gonorill, you come in wished time, To put your father from these pensive dumps. In faith, I fear that all things go not well. Sweet, be not angry in a partial cause, He never complained of thee in all his life. Father, you must not weigh a woman's words. I cannot stay to hear this discord found. Ah, Gonorill, what dire unhappy chance Hath sequestered thy father from our presence, That no report can yet be herd of him: Some great unkindness hath been offered him, Exceeding far the bounds of patience: Else all the world shall never me persuade, He would forsake us without notice made. I hope so too; but yet to be more sure, I'll send a Post immediately to know Whither he be arrived there or no. I wonder that the Messenger does stay, Whom we dispatched for Cambria so long since If that his answer do not please us well, And be do show good reason for delay, I'll teach him how to dally with his King, And to detain us in such long suspense. It may be so, and therefore till I know The truth thereof, I will suspend my judgement. From Gallia? what should his message Hither import? is not your father happily Gone thither? well, whatsoever it be, Bid him come in, he shall have audience. What news from Gallia? speak Ambassador. Indeed, my friend, upon some urgent cause, He is at this time absent from the Court: But if a day or two you here repose. 'Tis very likely you shall have him here, Or else have certain notice where he is. Then she is merry, if she have her health. I'll be a mediator in her cause, And seek all means to expiate his wrath. Come in, my friend, and frolic in our Court, Till certain notice of my father come. Presumptuous King of Gawles, how darest thou Presume to enter on our British shore? And more then that, to take our towns perforce, And draw our subjects hearts from their true King? Be suit to buy it at as deer a price, As ere you bought presumption in your lives. The day is lost, our friends do all revolt, And join against us with the adverse partly: There is no means of safety but by flight, And therefore isle to Cornwall with my Queen. It shows thy understanding to be blind, And that thou hadst needs of and interpreter: Well, I will know thy message ere't be long, And find a mean to cross it, if I can.