Give me the map there.-Know, that we have divided, And you, our no less loving son of Albany, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? Where merit doth most challenge it.-Goneril, 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, ho nour: As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found. we will now discover what has not been told before, the reasons by which we shall regulate the partition. This interpretation will justify or palliate the exordial dialogue. JOHNSON. and 'tis our fast intent] Our determined resolution. 8 constant will] Constant is firm, determined. Constant will is the certa voluntas of Virgil. 9 Beyond all manner of so much-] Beyond all assignable quantity. I love you beyond limits, and cannot say it is so much, for how much soever I should name, it would be yet more. Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be si lent. [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, 2 Which the most precious square of sense possesses ;* And find, I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love. Cor. Then poor Cordelia! [Aside. And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's More richer 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, 3 Than that confirm'd on Goneril.-Now, our joy, that I profess, &c.] In that, i. e. inasmuch as, I profess myself, &c. 2 Which the most precious square of sense possesses;] Perhaps square means only compass, comprehension; or, the full complement of all the senses. 3 No less in space, validity,] Validity, for worth, value; not for integrity, or good title. 4 Strive to be interess'd;] To interest and to interesse, are not, perhaps, different spellings of the same verb, but are two distinct words though of the same import; the one being derived from the Latin, the other from the French interesser. 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 little, 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 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. Ay, good my lord. 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; The barbarous To Or he that makes his generation3 messes Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent! Good my liege, Come not between the dragon and his wrath: 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 comfirm,. This coronet part between you. [Giving the Crown. Kent. Royal Lear, Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, 5 6 a king. 7 generation - i. e. his children. all the additions to a king;] All the titles belonging to execution of the rest,] All the other business, 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; 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. 8 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.9 Lear. Now, by Apollo, Kent. Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. Lear, Now, by Apollo, king, O, vassal! miscreant! [Laying his Hand on his Sword. Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; 8 Reverbs-] This is, perhaps, a word of the poet's own making, meaning the same as reverberates. 9 The true blank of thine eye.] The blank is the white or exact mark at which the arrow is shot. See better, says Kent, and keep me always in your view. |