Sivut kuvina
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Logan braes

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A mother's lament for the death of her son
Robert Bruce's address to his army

Strathallan's lament

Sonnet on hearing a thrush sing

The shepherd's resolution

Lesbia on her sparrow

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Sonnet, sung before Queen Elizabeth

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ELEGANT EXTRACTS,

FROM THE

MOST EMINENT POETS.

BOOK IX.

BALLADS, SONGS, AND SONNETS.

KING LEAR AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS.

KING Lear once ruled in this land,

With princely power and peace;
And had all things with heart's content
That might his joys increase.
Amongst those things that nature gave,
Three daughters fair had he,

So princely seeming beautiful,
As fairer could not be.

So on a time it pleas'd the king
A question thus to move,
Which of his daughters to his grace
Could show the dearest love:

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'For to my age you bring content,'

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Quoth he, then let me hear,

Which of you three in plighted troth
The kindest will appear.'

To whom the eldest thus began;
"Dear father, mind,' quoth she,
'Before your face, to do you good,
My blood shall render'd be :
And for your sake my bleeding heart
Shall here be cut in twain,
Ere that I see your reverend age
The smallest grief sustain.'

'And so will I,' the second said;
'Dear father, for your sakė,
The worst of all extremities
I'll gently undertake:

And serve your highness night and day

With diligence and love;

That sweet content and quietness
Discomforts may remove.'

'In doing so, you glad my soul,'

The aged king reply'd;

'But what say'st thou, my youngest girl, How is thy love ally'd?' 'My love,' quoth young Cordelia then, Which to your grace I owe,

Shall be the duty of a child,

And that is all I'll show.'

And wilt thou show no more,' quoth he, "Than doth thy duty bind?

I well perceive thy love is small,

When as no more I find.

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