A Room of state in King Lear's Palace. Enter KENT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND. Kent. I thought, the King had more affected the Duke of Albany, than Cornwall. Glo. It did always seem so to us: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values most; for equalities are so weigh'd, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. Kent. Is not this your son, my Lord? Glo. His breeding, Sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it. Kent. I cannot conceive you, Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, Sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. Glo. But I have, Sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund ? Edm. No, iny Lord. Glo. My Lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend. Edm. My services-to your Lordship. Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you better. .1 Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he The King is coming. shall again: [Trumpets sound within. ཏྭཱ་ །༢ Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Glo. I shall, my Liege. Gloster. [Exeunt GLOSTER and EDMUND. Lear. Mean-time we shall express our darker woa, os of purpose. Give me the map there. Know, that we have divided, L In three, our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent And you, our no less loving son of Albany, I L.. Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, daughters, (Since now we will devest us, both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state,) Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where merit doth most challenge it. Our eldest-born, speak first. Gon. Sir, I Gonerily 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, honour: As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found. 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, Only she comes too short, that I profess Myself an enemy to all other joys, - 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, Than that confirm'd on Goneril. Now, our joy, Although the 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 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, 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; And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Or he that makes his generation messes Kent. Good my Liege, Come not between the dragon and his wrath: So be my grave my peace, as here I give Call Burgundy. Who stirs? Cornwall, and Albany, With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry herd I do invest you jointly with my power, Pre-eminence, and all the large effects That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course, With reservation of an hundred knights, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain The name, and all the additions to a King; The sway, |