Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me ! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, (Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain'd pride, To come betwixt our sentence and our power; Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.— 3 He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit. (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,) Our potency made good,] i. e. They to whom I have yielded my power and authority, yielding me the ability to dispense it in this instance, take thy reward. 2 By Jupiter,] Shakspeare makes his Lear too much a mythologist: he had Hecate and Apollo before. JOHNSON. 3 He'll shape his old course-] He will follow his old maxims; he will continue to act upon the same principles. Re-enter GLOSTER; with FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. We first address towards you, who with this king Or cease your quest of love?4 Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, we did hold her so; But now her price is fall'n: Sir, there she stands; Bur. Lear. Sir, I know no answer. Will you, with those infirmities she owes," Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Take her, or leave her? Bur. Pardon me, royal sir; Election makes not up on such conditions." •quest of love?] Quest of love is amorous expedition. The term originated from Romance. A quest was the expedition in which a knight was engaged. 6 seeming-] is beautiful, or rather specious. owes,] i. e. is possessed of. Election makes not up on such conditions.] Election comes not to a decision; in the same sense as when we say, "I have made up my mind on that subject." Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me, I tell all her wealth.-For you, great king, you [TO FRANCE. I would not from your love make such a stray, This is most strange! France. That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection 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, No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step, That I am glad I have not, though not to have it, 8 or your fore-vouch'd affection Fall into taint:] Either her offence must be monstrous, or, if she has not committed any such offence, the affection which you always professed to have for her must be tainted and decayed, and is now without reason alienated from her. 9 If for I want, &c.] If this be my offence, that I want the glib and oily art, &c. Lear. Better thou Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. 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, 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. France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; 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. My love should kindle to inflam'd respect.- siderations. 2 with respects,] i. e. with cautious and prudential con - from the entire point.] Single, unmixed with other considerations. Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind : Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see [Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORN- 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 professed 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 cover faults, at last shame them derides. 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. › Thou losest here,] Here and where have the power of nouns. Thou losest this residence to find a better residence in another place. plaited cunning-] i. e. complicated, involved cunning. |