The evidence: John Higgins’s The Mirror for Magistrates was a poetic history of England first published in 1555. In this section, Cordelia tells the story of what happened when her father divides his kingdom between his daughters.
THE TRAGEDY OF CORDELIA
adapted from a work by John Higgins
1 He thought to wed us unto nobles three, or Peers:
And unto them and theirs, divide and part the land:
For both my sisters first he sent as first their years
Required their minds, and love, and favor to understand.
5 (Quoth he) “All doubts of duty to aband’,
I must determine and also your friendships prove:
Now tell me each how much you do me love.”
Which when they answered, they loved him well and more
Than they themselves did love, or any worldly wight:
10 He praised them and said he would again therefore,
The loving kindness they deserved in fine requite:
So found my sisters favor in his sight,
By flattery fair they won their father’s heart:
Which after turned, him and me to smart.
15 But not content with this he minded me to prove,
Because his custom was to love me wondrous well:
“How much dost thou” (quoth he) “Cordelia thy father love?”
“I will” (said I) “at once my love declare and tell:
I loved you ever as my father well,
20 No otherwise, if more to know you crave:
We love you chiefly for the good you have.”
Thus much I said, the more their flattery to detect,
But he me answered thereunto again with ire,
“Because thou dost thy father’s aged years neglect,
25 That loved thee more of late than thy deserts require,
Thou never shalt, to any part aspire
Of this my realm, among thy sisters twain,
But ever shall disinherited remain.”
Then to the king of Albany for wife he gave
30 My sister Goneril, the eldest of us all:
And eke my sister Regan for Hinnine to have,
Who then was Prince of Cambria and Cornwall:
These after him should have his kingdom all
Between them both, he gave it frank and free:
35 But naught at all, he gave of dowry me.
Adapted from The Mirror for Magistrates by John Higgins. In the public domain.