May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Long in our court have made their amorous so journ, And here are to be answer'd.-Tell me, my daughters, (Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? Our eldest-born, speak first. Gon. Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter, Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; As much as child e'er loved, or father found. Beyond all manner of so much I love you. Cor. [aside.] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. 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 issues Be this perpetual.-What says our second daughter, Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall? Reg. I am made of that self-metal as my sister, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love; Which the most precious square of sense pos sesses; And find, I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love. Cor. [aside.] Then poor Cordelia ! And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's More ponderous than my tongue. Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure, Than that conferr'd on Goneril.-Now, our joy, Although our 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 will 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 little, Lest you may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, loved 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 thy heart with this? Ay, my good lord. Cor. So young, my lord, and true. Lear. Let it be so:-thy truth, then, be thy For, by the sacred radiance of the sun; From whom we do exist, and cease to be; Scythian, The barbarous Or he that makes his generation messes Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent ! Good my liege, Come not between the dragon and his wrath : So be my grave my peace, as here I give Her father's heart from her!-Call France.— Call Burgundy.-Cornwall and Albany, Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. That troop with majesty.-Ourself, by monthly course, With reservation of an hundred knights, Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, When Lear is mad. What wouldst 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 falls to folly. Reserve thy state; And, in thy best consideration, check This hdieous rashness: answer my life my judg ment, Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sounds Reverb no hollowness. Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more! Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; ne'er fear to lose it, Thy safety being 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,- Now, by Apollo, king, Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. O, vassal! miscreant ! [Laying his hand on his sword. Alb., Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kent. Kill thy physician, and thy fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, I'll tell thee, thou dost evil. Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance, hear me ! That thou hast sought to make us break our vows, (Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain'd pride, To come betwixt our sentences and our power, Kent. Fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.— [To CORDELIA.] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, |