Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, Whom I have ever honour'd as my King, Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, When Lear is mad. What would'st thou do, old · man? Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, When majesty stoops to folly.. Reverse thy doom; And, in thy best consideration, check This hideous rashness: answer my life my judge ment, Thy youngest daughter dost not love thee least; Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs no hollowness. 1 Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive. Lear. Out of my sight! Kent. See better, Lear; and let me still remain The true blank of thine eye. Lear. Now, by Apollo, Kent. Now, by Apollo', King, Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. Lear. O, vassal! miscreant!: [laying his hand on his sword. Alb. Corn. Dear Sir, forbear. Kent. Do; Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, (Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain'd pride,< To come betwixt our sentence and our power; Kent. Fare thee well, King: since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives heuce, and banishment is here. Re-enter GLOSTER; with FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Attendants. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble Lord. Lear. My Lord of Burgundy, We first address towards you, who with this King Bur. Most royal Majesty, I crave no more than hath your Highness offer'd. Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; Bur. I know no answer. Lear. Sir, Will you, with those infirmities she owes, Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Take her, or leave her? -Bur. Pardon me, royal Sir; Election makes not up on such conditions. Lear. Then leave her, Sir; for, by the power I tell you all her wealth. that made me, For you, great King, I would not from your love make such a stray, Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd France. This is most strange! That she, that even but now was your best object, The argument of your praise, balm of your age, Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection Cor. I yet beseech your Majesty, (If for I want that glib and oily art, To speak and purpose not; since what I well intend, That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour: That I am glad I have not, though, not to have it, Hath lost me in your liking. Lear. Better thou Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. France. Is it but this? a tardiness in nature, Which often leaves the history unspoke, That it intends to do? My Lord of Burgundy, What say you to the lady? Love is not love, When it is mingled with respects, that stand Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her? She is herself a dowry. Bur. Royal Lear, Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, And here I take Cordelia by the hand, Duchess of Burgundy. Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; am firm. Bur. I am sorry then, you have so lost a father, That you must lose a husband. Cor. Peace be with Burgundy! Since that respects of fortune are his love, I shall not be his wife. France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich; Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! Gods, gods! 'tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My love should kindle to inflam'd respect. Thy dowerless daughter, King, thrown to my chance, Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORNWALL, France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults, as they are nam'd. Use well our father: |