That we our largest bounty may extend Gon. Sir, I Do love you more than words can wield the matter, Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare ; No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour: A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be filent. [Afule. Reg. I am made of that felf metal as my fifter, Only she comes too short,-That I profess Which the most precious fquare of fenfe poffeffes; In your dear highness' love. Then poor Cordelia! Cor. [Afide. Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No lefs in space, validity, and pleasure, Than that confirm'd on Goneril.-Now, our joy, Although B 2 Although the laft, not leaft; to whose young love Strive to be interefs'd; what can you say, to draw Lear. Nothing? Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: fpeak again. 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, Left it may mar your fortunes. Cor. That lord, whofe hand must take my plight, fhall carry Sure, I shall never marry like my fisters, 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 facred radiance of the fun The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; By all the operations of the orbs, From whom we do exift, and cease to be; Here I difclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood, - And And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Scythian, Or he that makes his generation messes To gorge his appetite, fhall to my bofom Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, 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 [TO CORDELIA. Her father's heart from her!-Call France ;-Who stirs? Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, With my two daughters' dowers digeft this third: Let pride, which the calls plainnefs, marry her. That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course, By you to be fuftain'd, fhall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only we ftill retain The fway, Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved fons, be yours: which to confirm, This coronet part between you. Kent. [giving the crown. Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, Lov'd as my father, as my mafter follow'd, As my great patron thought on in my prayers, Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the fhaft. B 3 Kent. 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? This hideous rashness: anfwer my life my judgment, Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn Lear: Out of my fight! Kent. See better, Lear; and let me still remain The true blank of thine eye. Lear. Now, by Apollo, Kill thy phyfician, and the fee beltow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Or, whilft I can vent clamour from my throat, Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me !— Since thou haft fought to make us break our vow, (Which we durft never yet,) and, with strain'd pride, To come betwixt our sentence and our power; (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,) This fhall not be revok'd. Kent. Fare thee well, king: fince thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [To CORDELIA. That juftly 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 Or cease your quest of love? Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When the was dear to us, we did hold her fo; |