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 sojourn, 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? Gon. Sir, I Do love you more than words can weild 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, Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister, 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 Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, [Aside Than that confirm'd on Goneril.-Now, our joy, Lear. Nothing? Cor. 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 Lest it may mar your fortunes. 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 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? Lear. So young, and so untender? Cor. So young, my lord, and true. Lear. Let it be so,-Thy truth then be thy dower : For, by the sacred radiance of the sun; From whom we do exist, and cease to be; Το thian, The barbarous Scy Or he that makes his generation messes Kent. Good my liege, Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath : On her kind nursery.-Hence, and avoid my sight! [To Cordelia. So be my grave my peace, as here I give Her father's heart from her!-Call France ;-Who stirs? Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, With my two daughters' dowers digest this third : That troop with majesty.-Ourself, by monthly course, With reservation of an hundred knights, Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, This coronet part between you. [Giving the crown. Kent. Royal Lear, Whom I have honour'd as my king, 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. Reverse thy doom; This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, 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 Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me !— Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.—- [To Cordelia, That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said!And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [To Regan and Goneril. 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. We first address towards you, who with this king Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, |