KING LEAR A C T I. SCENE, the KING'S PALACE. Enter Kent, Glo'fter, and Edmund the Baftard. KENT. Thought, the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. Glo. It did always feem fo to us: but now, in the Divifion of the Kingdom, it appears not, which of the Dukes he values moft; for qualities are fo weigh'd, that curiofity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. Kent. Is not this your fon, my lord? Glo. His Breeding, Sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd to't. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon fhe grew round-womb'd; and had, indeed, Sir, a fon for her cradle, ere fhe had a husband for her bed. Do you fmell a fault? A 3 Kent. Kent. I cannot wifh the fault undone, the iffue of it being fo proper. Glo. But I have a fon, Sir, by order of law, fome year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account; though this knave came fomewhat fawcily to the world before he was fent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good fport at his making, and the whorfon must be acknowledg'd. Do you know this Nobleman, Edmund? Edm. No, my lord. Glo. My lord of Kent ; Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend. Kent. I must love you, and fue to know you better. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he fhall [Trumpets faund, within, again. The King is coming. Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerill, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Glofter. Glo. I fhall, my Liege. [Exit Our daughters fev'ral Dow'rs, that future ftrife The Princes France and Burgundy, Great rivals in our younger daughter's love, Long in our Court have made their am'rous fojourn, And here are to be anfwer'd. Tell me, daughters, (Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Int'reft of territory, cares of ftate; } Which of you, fhall we fay, doth love us moft? Where nature doth with merit challenge. Gonerill, Gon. I love you, Sir, Dearer than eye-fight, fpace and liberty; No lefs than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour: Cor. What fhall Cordelia do? love and be filent. [Afide Lear. Of all these Bounds, ev'n from this line to this, With fhadowy forefts and with champions rich'd, With plenteous rivers and wide-fkirted meads, and We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's iffue Be this perpetual. What fays our fecond daughter, Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall? fpeak. Beg. I'm made of that felf-metal as my fifter, Only the comes too fhort: that I profefs Which the most precious fquare of fenfe poffeffes; In your dear Highnefs' love." Cor. Then poor Cordelia! And yet not fo, fince, I am fure, my love's Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, [Afide. (1) And prize me at her Worth. In my true Heart,] Mr. Bishop prefcrib'd the Pointing of this Paffage, as I have regulated it in the Text. Regan would fay, that in the Truth of her Heart and Affection, the equals the worth of her Sifter. Without this Change in the Pointing, the makes a Boaft of her felf' without any Caufe affign'd, Although our laft, not leaft; to whofe young love, Strive to be int'refs'd: what say you, to draw Lear. Nothing? Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing can come of nothing; speak again. My heart into my mouth: I love your Majefty Lear. How, how, Cordelia ? mend your speech a little, Left you may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me. I To love my father all, Lear. But goes thy heart with this? Cor. Ay, my good lord. Lear. So young, and fo untender ? Cor. So young, my lord, and true. Lear. Let it be fo, thy truth then be thy dower : For by the facred radiance of the fun, The myfteries of Hecate, and the night, By all the operations of the orbs, From whom we do exift, and ceafe to be; Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barb'rous Scythian, Kent. Kent. Good my Liege Come not between the dragon and his wrath. So be my grave my peace, as here I give [To Cor. Her father's heart from her; Call France; who ftirs? With my two daughters' dowers digest the third. That troop with Majefty. Our felf by monthly course, Beloved fons, be yours; which to confirm, Kent. Royal Lear, [Giving the Crown. Whom I have ever honour'd as my King, Lov'd as my father, as my mafter follow'd, Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade Referve thy State; with better judgment check Lear. Kent, on thy life no more. Kent, My life I never held but as a pawn |