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- Edition: King Leir
The History of King Leir (Quarto, 1605)
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The History of King Leir
1705I brought him forth, whereas he had not bin,
1706But for good will to beare me company.
1707He left his friends, his country and his goods,
1708And came with me in most extremity.
1710Who is the cause of it, but only I?
1711aMes. Why that am I, let that ne're trouble thee.
1712Leir. O no, tis I. O, had I now to giue thee
1713The monarchy of all the spacious world
1715But I haue nothing but these teares and prayers,
1717O, if all this to mercy moue thy mind,
1718Spare him, in heauen thou shalt like mercy find.
1719Mes.I am as hard to be moued as another, and yet
1721a little.
1722Per.My friend, if feare of the almighty power
1723Haue power to moue thee, we haue sayd ynough:
1724But if thy mind be moueable with gold,
1725We haue not presently to giue it thee:
1730What horrour still will haunt thee for the deed:
1731Think this agayne, that they which would incense
1732Thee for to be the Butcher of their father,
1733When it is done, for feare it should be knowne,
1734Would make a meanes to rid thee from the world:
1735Oh, then art thou for euer tyed in chaynes
1736Of euerlasting torments to indure,
1738Such paynes, as neuer mortall toung can tell.
1740next to Perillus.
1742Now when thou wilt come make an end of me.
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