My grandsire _Bladud_ hight, that found the bathes by skill, A fethered King that practis’d highe to soare[451] Whereby hee felt the fall, God wot against his will, And neuer went, road, raygnd, nor spake, nor flew no more. After whose death my father[452] _Leire_ therefore Was chosen King, by right apparent heyre, Which after built the towne of _Leircestere_. 7. Hee had three daughters, first and eld’st hight _Gonerell_,[453] Next after her his yonger _Ragan_[454] was begot: The third and last was I the yongest, nam’d _Cordell_. Vs all our father _Leire_ did loue to well, God wot.[455] But[456] minding her that lou’d him best to note, Because hee had no sonne t’enioy his land, Hee thought to guerdon most where[457] fauour most hee fand. 8. What though I yongest were, yet men mee iudg’d more wise Then either _Gonerell_, or _Ragan_ more of age:[458] And fairer farre: wherefore my sisters did despise My grace and giefts, and sought my wrecke to wage.[459] But yet though vice on[460] vertue dye with rage, It can not keepe her vnderneath to drowne: For still[461] shee flittes aboue, and reaps renowne.[462] 9. My father thought to wed vs vnto Princely peeres,[463] And vnto them and theirs deuide and part the land. For both my sisters first hee cal’d[464] (as first their yeares Requir’d) their mindes, and loue, and fauoure t’vnderstand. (Quoth hee) all doubts of duty to aband, I must assay your frendly faithes to proue: My daughters, tell mee how you doe mee loue.[465] 10. Which when they aunswerd him they lou’d their father more[466] Then they themselues did loue, or any worldly wight: He praised them, and sayd hee would therefore[467] The louing kindnes they deseru’d in fine requite. So found my sisters fauour in his sight, By flattery faire they won their father’s heart, Which after turned hym and mee to smart. 11.[468] But not content with this, hee asked mee likewise If I did not him loue and honour well. No cause (quoth I) there is I should your grace despise: For nature so doth binde and duty mee compell, To loue you, as I ought my father, well. Yet shortely I may chaunce, if Fortune will, To finde in heart to beare another more good will. 12. Thus much I sayd of nuptiall loues’ that ment, Not minding once of hatred vile or ire: And partly taxing them, for which intent They set my fathers heart on wrathfull fire. “Shee neuer shall to any part aspire Of this my realme (quoth hee) among’st you twayne: But shall without all dowry aie remaine.” 13.