PERSONS REPRESENTED. Lear, king of Britain. King of France. Duke of Burgundy. Duke of Cornwall. Duke of Albany. Earl of Kent. Edgar, son to Gloster. Edmund, bastard son to Gloster. Old Man, tenant to Gloster. Knights attending on the King, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants. SCENE, Britain. SCENE 1-A Room of State in King Lear's Palace. Enter Kent, Gloster, and Edmund. Kent. I THOUGHT, the king had more affected the duke of Albany, than Cornwall. Glo. It did always seem so to us: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glo. His breeding, sir, has been at my charge: I have so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. Glo. But I have, sir, a son, by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged.-Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund ? Edm. No, my lord. Glo. My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend. Edm. My services to your lordship. Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you better. Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. Gle. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again :-The king is coming. [Trumpets sound within. Enter Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glo. I shall, my liege. [Exeunt Glo. and Edmund. Lear. Mean-time we shall express our darker pur pose. Give me the map there.-Know, that we have divided Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, And here are to be answer'd.-Tell me, my daughters, (Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state,) Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend. Where merit doth most challenge it.-Goneril, Do love you more than words can wield the matter, Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour: As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found. A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Beyond all manner of so much I love you. Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent. Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister, Only she comes too short,-that I profess Which the most precious square of sense possesses; And find, I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love. Cor. Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's [Aside. Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. Cor. Nothing, my lord. Lear. Cor. Nothing? Nothing. Lear. Nothing can come of nothing; speak again. My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall carry To love my father all. Lear. But goes Cor. this with thy heart? Ay, good my lord, So young, my lord, and true. Lear. So young, and so untender? Cor. Lear. Let it be so,-Thy truth then be thy dower: For, by the sacred radiance of the sun; The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; By all the operations of the orbs, From whom we do exist, and cease to be; Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Seythian, |