Her father, old king Leir, this while She took from him his chiefest means, For whereas twenty men were wont And after scarce to three: Nay, one she thought too much for him: So took she all away, In hope that in her court, good king, Am I rewarded thus, quoth he, In giving all I have Unto my children, and to beg For what I lately gave? Full fast he hies then to her court; But no way could relieve his wants; Within her kitchen, he should have When he had heard with bitter tears, Example to all men. I will return again, quoth he, She will not use me thus, I hope, But in a kinder sort. Where when he came, she gave command To drive him thence away: When he was well within her court, (She said) he would not stay. Then back again to Gonorell The woeful king did hie, But there of that he was deny'd, Thus 'twixt his daughters, for relief That lately wore a crown. And calling to remembrance then Which made him rend his milk-white locks, And tresses from his head, And all with blood bestain his cheeks, With age and honour spread: To hills and woods and wat'ry founts, He made his hourly moan, Till hills and woods, and senseless things, Did seem to sigh and groan. Even thus possest with discontents, In hope from fair Cordelia there To find some gentler chance: Most virtuous dame! which when she heard Of this her father's grief, As duty bound, she quickly sent Him comfort and relief. And by a train of noble peers, In brave and gallant sort, She gave in charge he should be brought Whose royal king, with noble mind, To muster up his knights at arms, And so to England came with speed, To repossess king Leir, And drive his daughters from their thrones By his Cordelia dear: Where she, true-hearted noble queen, Was in the battle slain : Yet he, good king, in his old days, But when he heard Cordelia's death, Of her dear father, in whose cause But on her bosom left his life, The lords and nobles when they saw 'The end of these events, The other sisters unto death They doomed by consents; And being dead, their crowns they left Unto the next of kin : Thus have you seen the fall of pride, And disobedient sin. JOHNSON. |