Per.

Reverend appearer, no;

I threw her o'erboard with these very arms. Cer. Upon this coast, I warrant you.

Per.

Tis most certain.

Cer. Look to the lady ;-O, she's but o'erjoy'd.

Early, one blust'ring morn, this lady was

Thrown on this shore. I op'd the coffin, and

Thai. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man Through whom the gods have shewn their power; that From first to last resolve you. [can

Per.

Reverend sir,

Per.

May we see them?

Cer. Great sir, they shall be brought you to my Whither I invite you. Look! Thaisa is Recover'd.

Thai. O, let me look!

[house,

If he be none of mine, my sanctity
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear,
But curb it, spite of seeing. O, my lord,
Are you not Pericles? Like him you speak,
Like him you are: Did you not name a tempest,
A birth, and death?
Per.
The voice of dead Thaisa!
Thai. That Thaisa am I, supposed dead,
And drown'd.

Per. Immortal Dian! Thai.

Now I know you better.When we with tears parted Pentapolis, The king, my father, gave you such a ring.

[Shows a ring. Per. This, this: no more, you gods your present kindness

Makes my past miseries sport: You shall do well,
That on the touching of her lips I may

Melt, and no more be seen. O come, be buried
A second time within these arms.
Mar.

My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom.
[Kneels to THAISA.
Per. Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh,
Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina, ['Thaisa;
For she was yielded there.
Thai.

Bless'd, and mine own! Hel. Hail, mamad, and my queen! Thai.

Per. You have heard, me say, when I did fly from

No needful thing omitted.

Per.

Pure Diana!
I bless thee for thy vision, and will offer
My night oblations to thee. Thaisa,
This prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter,
Shall marry her at Pentapolis. And now,

This ornament that makes me look so dismal,
Will I, my lov'd Marina, clip to form;
And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd,
To grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify.

Thai. Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, Sir, that my father's dead.

Per. Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves [queen, Will in that kingdom spend our following days; Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign. Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay, To hear the rest untold.—Sir, lead the way. [Exeunt. Enter GOWER.

Gow. In Antioch, and his daughter, you have heard
Of monstrous lust the due and just reward:
In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen
(Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen,
Virtue preserv'd from fell destruction's blast,
Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last
In Helicanus may you well descry

A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty:
In reverend Cerimon there well appears
The worth that learned charity aye wears.
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame
Had spread their cursed deed, and honour'd name
Of Pericles, to rage the city turn;

That him and his they in his palace burn.
The gods for murder seemed so content
To punish them; although not done, but meant.
So on your patience evermore attending,
New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.
[Exit GoWER.

This play was entered on the Stationers books, together with Antony and Cleopatra, in the year 1608, by Edward Blount, a bookseller of eminence, and one of the publishers of the first folio edition of Shakspeare's works. It was printed with his name in the title-page, in his life-time: but this circumstance proves nothing, because, by the knavery of booksellers, other pieces were also ascribed to him in his life-time, of which he indubitably wrote not a line. Nor is it necessary to urge, in support of its genuineness, that at a subsequent period it was as

on any circumstance of that kind; because, in all questions of this nature, internal evidence is the best that can be produced, and, to every person intimately acquainted with our poet's writ ings, must in the present case be decisive. The congenial sentiments, the numerous expressions bearing a striking similitude to passages in his undisputed plays, some of the incidents, the situation of many of the persons, and in various places the colour of the style, all these combine to set the seal of Shakspeare on the play before us, and furnish as with internal and irresistible proofs, that a considerable portion of this piece, as it now ap pears, was written by him. The greater part of the last three acts may, I think, on this ground be safely ascribed to him; and his hand may be traced occasionally in the other two divi. sions.

To alter, new-model, and improve the unsuccessful dramas of preceding writers, was, I believe, much more common in the time of Shakspeare than is generally supposed. This piece having been thus new-modelled by our poet, and enriched with many happy strokes from his pen, is unquestionably entitled to that place among his works, which it has now obtained.—MALONS.

THIS tragedy was entered in the books of the Stationers' Company, Nov. 26. 1607, and is there mentioned as having been played the preceding Christmas before his majesty, at Whitehall It must have been written after 1603, as Shakspeare has borrowed several fanstastic names of spirits, mentioned in this play, from Harsnett's Declaration of Popish Imposters, which was published that year. King Lear was not printed till 1008. There was an old play on the same subject, which had been in possession of the stage for many years before the production of Shakspeare's tragedy; but from which our author has co

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

LEAR, King of Britain.

KING OF FRANCE.

DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

DUKE OF CORNWALL

DUKE OF ALBANY.

EARL OF KENT.

EARL OF GLOSTER.

EDGAR, son to Gloster.

EDMUND, bastard son to Gloster.

CURAN, a courtier.

Old Man, tenant to Gloster.

Physician. Fool.

OSWALD, steward to Goneril.

An Officer employed by Edmund.
Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia.
A Herald. Servants to Cornwall.
GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, daughters to Lear.
Knights attending on the King, Officers, Messengers,
Soldiers, and Attendants.
SCENE,-BRitain.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-A Room of State in King Lear's Palace.

Enter KINT, 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 weigh'd, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety.

Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blush'd 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.

pied one passage only. The story of King Lear and his thres Daughters, is found in Holinshed's Chronicle; and was ori ginally told by Geoffry of Monmouth, who says that Lear was the eldest son of Bladud, and "nobly governed his country for sixty years." According to that historian, he died about 800 years before Christ. Shakspeare has taken the hint for the behaviour of the steward, and the reply of Cordelia to her father concerning her future marriage, from the Mirror of Magistrates,1587. According to Steevens, the episode of Glos ter and his sons is borrowed from Sidney's Arcadia.

Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants.

Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster.

Glo. I shall, my liege. [Exit GLOSTER & EDMUND. Lear. Mean-time we shall express our darker pur pose. [vided, Give me the map there.-Know, that we have di In three, our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age; Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburden'd crawl toward death. Our son of CornAnd you, our no less loving son of Albany, [wall We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife May be prevented now. The princes, France and BurGreat rivals in our youngest daughter's love, [gundy, 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, Our eldest-born, speak first.

Gon.

Sir, I

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, [Aside.

Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,

With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,
We make thee lady: To thine and Albany's issue
Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter
Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.

Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister,
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
find, she names my very deed of love;
Only she comes too short,-that I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys,

I

Which the most precious square of sense possesses

And find, I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness' love.
Cor.
Then poor Cordelia! [Asids.
And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's
More richer than my tongue.

Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever,
Remains this ample third of our fair kingdom;
No less in space, validity, and pleasure,
Than that confirm'd on Goneril.-Now, our joy,
Although the last, not least; to whose young love
The vines of France, and milk of Burgundy,
Strive to be interess'd; what can you say, to draw
A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.
Cor. Nothing, my lord.

Lear. Nothing!

Cor. Nothing.

Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: speak again. Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty According to my bond; nor more, nor less. Lear. How, how, Cordelia ? mend your speech a Lest it may mar your fortunes. [little, Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you, all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall carry Half my love with him, half my care, and duty! Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,

To love my father all.

Lear. But goes this with thy heart!
Cor.

Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd,
As my great patron thought on in my prayers,—
Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the
shaft.

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. Beverse tny doom; And, in thy best consideration, check

This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least} Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs no hollowness.

Lear. So young, and so untender! Cor. So young, my lord, and true.

Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me !

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;
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me
Hold thee, from this, for ever.-The barbarous Scy-
Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd,
As thou my sometime daughter.
Kent.

[thian,

Good my liege,

Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath: I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery.-Hence, and avoid my sight! So be my grave my peace, as here I give [ To ČOR. Her father's heart from her!-Call France;-Who Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, [stirs With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. I do invest you jointly with my power, Pre-eminence, and all the large effects That troop with majesty.-Ourself, With reservation of an hundred knights, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain The name, and all the additions to a king; The sway,

Revenue, execution of the rest,

[course, by monthly

Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm,
This coronet part between you. [ Giving the crown.
Kent.
Royal Lear,
Whom I have ever honour'd as my king,

(Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain'd pride,
To come betwixt our sentence and our power
(Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,)
Our potency made good, take thy reward.
Five days do we allot thee, for provision
To shield thee from diseases of the world;
And, on the sixth, to turn thy hated back
Upon our kingdom: if, on the tenth day following,
Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions,
The moment is thy death: Away! by Jupiter,
This shall not be revok'd.

[appear,

Kent. Fare thee well, king; since thus thou wilt Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.— The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [TO CORDELIA That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said!— And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [To REGAN and GONERIE That good effects may spring from words of love.Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit. 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
Hath rivall'd for our daughter; What, in the least,
Will you require in present dower with her,
Or cease your quest of love?
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.

Pardon me, royal sir;
Election makes not up on such conditions. [made me,
Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that
I tell you all her wealth.-For you, great king,
[To FRANCE.

I would not from your love make such a stray,
To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you
To avert your liking a more worthier way,
Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd
Almost to acknowledge her's.

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
Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle
So many folds of favour! Sure, her offence
Must be of such unnatural degree,

That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection
Fall into taint: which to believe of her,
Must be a faith, that reason without miracle
Could never plant in me.

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,
I'll do't before I speak,) that you make known
It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,
No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step,
That hath deprived me of your grace and favour:
But even for want of that, for which I am richer;
A still soliciting eye, and such a tongue
That I am glad I have not, though not to have it,
Hath lost me in your liking.
Lear.
Better thou [better.
Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me
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; I 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.

[lect

[poor; France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon : Be it lawful, I take up what's cast away. Gods, gods! 'tis strange, that from their cold'st negMy love should kindle to inflam'd respect.Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, La queen of us, of ours, and our fair France: Not all the dukes of wat'rish Burgundy Shall buy this unpris'd precious maid of me.

Lear. Thou hast her, France; let her be thine } Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again :-Therefore be gone, Without our grace, our love, our benizon. Come, noble Burgundy.

[Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORF WALL, ALBANY, GLOSTER, and Attendants. 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?
To your profess'd bosoms I commit him:
But yet, alas! stood I within his grace,
I would prefer him to a better place.
So farewell to you both.

Gon. Prescribe not us our duties.
Reg.

Let your study

Be, to content your lord; who hath receiv'd you
At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,
And well are worth the want that you have wanted.
Cor. Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides;
Who covers faults, at last shame them derides.
Well may you prosper!
France.

Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt FRANCE and CORDELIA. Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say, of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think, our father will hence to-night.

Reg. That's most certain, and with you; next month with us.

Gon. You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little; he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off,appears too grossly.

Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself.

Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted condition, but, therewithal, the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them.

Reg. Such unconstant starts we are like to have from him, as this of Kent's banishment.

Gon. There is further compliment of leave-taking between France and him. Pray you, let us hit together: If our father carry authority with such diepositions as he bears, this last surrender of his wil' but offend us.

Reg. We shall further think of it.

Gon. We must do something, and i' the heat. [Exeunt.

SCENE II-A Hall in the Earl of Gloster's Castle Enter EDMUND, with a letter.

Edm. Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law My services are bound: Wherefore should I Stand in the plague of custom; and permit The curiosity of nations to deprive me, For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base? When my dimensions are as well compact, My mind as generous, and my shape as true, As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base! Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take More composition and fierce quality, Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops, Got 'tween asleep and wake ?-Well then,