Albion’s England Leir: Warner Author William Warner Editor Andrew Griffin Conversion and Remediation LEMDO Team Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada McMaster University Poculi Ludique Societas University of Waterloo University of Toronto Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies University of Victoria Friends of the ISE

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 University of Victoria on the Linked Early Modern Drama Online Platform

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Queen’s Men Editions

Born-digital, peer-reviewed document written by Andrew Griffin. First published in the QME 1.0 anthology on the ISE platform. Converted to TEI-XML and remediated by the LEMDO Team for republication in the QME 2.0 anthology on the LEMDO platform.

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 Published file. Updated metadata Updated metadata, proofread. Remediated file. Created TEI from IML file. Peer review arranged by QME Editorial Board From William Warner, Albion’s England (London: G. Robinson for T. Cadmna, 1586) About a thirty years and five did Leir rule this land, When, doting on his daughters three, with them he fell in hand To tell how much they loved him. The eldest did esteem Her life inferior to her love, so did the second deem, The youngest said her love was such as did a child behoove, And that how much himself was worth, so much she him did love. The foremost two did please him well, the youngest did not so. Upon the Prince of Albany the first he did bestow, The middle on the Cornish prince: their dowry was his throne At his decease. Cordella’s part was very small, or none, Yet for her form, and virtuous life, a noble Gallian king Did her, un-dowed, for his queen into his country bring. Her sisters sick of father’s health, their husbands by consent Did join in arms. From Leir so by force the scepter went, Yet, for they promise pensions large, he rather was content. In Albany the quondam king at eldest daughter’s court Was settled scarce, when she repines, and lessens still his port. His second daughter then, he thought, would show herself more kind, To whom, he going, for a while did frank allowance find. Ere long, abridging almost all, she keepeth him so low, That of the two bads, for better’s choice he back again did go. But Gonorill at his return, not only did attempt Her father’s death, but openly did hold him in contempt. His aged eyes pour out their tears, when holding up his hands, He said: “O God, who so thou art, that my good hap withstands, Prolong not life, defer not death, myself I over-live, When those that owe to me their lives to me my death would give. Thou town, whose walls rose of my wealth, stand evermore to tell Thy founder’s fall, and warn that none do fall as Leir fell. Bid none affy in friends, for say, his children wrought his wrack: Yea those that were to him most dear did loathe and let him lack. Cordella, well Cordella said, she loved as a childe: But sweeter words we seek than sooth, and so are men beguiled. She only rests untried yet, but what may I expect From her, to whom I nothing gave, when these do me reject. Then die, nay, try, the rule may fail, and nature may ascend, Nor are they ever surest friends, on whom we most do spend.” He ships himself to Gallia then, but maketh known before Unto Cordella his estate, who rueth him so poor, And kept his there arrival close, till she provided had To furnish him in every want. Of him her king was glad, And nobly entertained him; the Queen, with tears among, (Her duty done) conferreth with her father of his wrong. Such duty, bounty, kindness, and increasing love, he found In that his daughter and her lord, for sorrows more abound For this unkindly using her, then for the others crime. And king-like thus in Agamps’ court did Leir dwell, till time The noble king his son-in-law transports an army great, Of forcy Gauls, possessing him of dispossessed seat, To whom Cordella did succeed, not reigning long in quite. Not how her nephews war with her and one of them slew th’other Shall followe: but I will disclose a most tyrannous mother.