Yet nathelesse my father did me not mislike, But age so simple is and easy to subdue, As childhode weake thats voide of wit and reason quite; They thinke thers nought you flatter fainde, but all is true, Once old and twyse a childe tis said with you, Which I affirme by proofe that was definde, In age my father had a childishe minde. [463] He thought to wed vs vnto nobles three, or peres. ib. [464] Sent. ib. [465] I must assaye and eke your frendships proue. Now tell me eche how much you do me loue. ib. [466] Lou’de him well and more. ib. [467] Would agayne therefore. ib. [468] But not content with this he minded me to proue, For why he wonted was to loue me wonders wel: How much dost thou (quoth he) Cordile thy father loue I wil (sayd I) at once my loue declare and tell: I lou’de you euer as my father well, No otherwyse, if more to know you craue: We loue you chiefly for the goodes you haue. Thus much I said, the more their flattery to detect But he me aunswered therunto again with ire, Because thou dost thy fathers aged yeare neglect. That lou’de the more of late then thy deserts require, Thou neuer shalt, to any part aspire Of this my realme, emong thy sisters twayne, But euer shalt vndotid ay remayne. Then to the king of Albany for wife he gaue My sister Gonerell, the eldest of vs all: And eke my sister Ragan for Hinnine to haue, Which then was Prince of Camber and Cornwall: These after him should haue his kingdome all Betwene them both, he gaue it franke and free: But nought at all he gaue of dowry mee. At last it chaunst the king of Fraunce to here my fame. My beuty braue was blazed al abrode eche where: And eke my vertues praisde me to my fathers blame Did for my sisters flattery me lesse fauour beare. Which when this worthy king my wrongs did heare, He sent ambassage likte me more then life, T’intreate he might me haue to be his wife. My father was content with all his harte, and sayde, He gladly should obtaine his whole request at will Concerning me, if nothing I herin denayde: But yet he kept by their intisment hatred still, (Quoth he) your prince his pleasure to fulfill, I graunt and giue my daughter as you craue: But nought of me for dowry can she haue. King Aganippus well a greed to take me so, Hee deemde that vertue was of dowries all the best And I contented was to Fraunce my father fro For to depart, and hoapte t’enioye some greater rest. I maried was, and then my ioyes encreaste, A gate more fauoure in this Prince his sight, Then euer Princesse of a princely wight.