THE TRAGEDY OF KING Ꮮ Ꭼ Ꭺ Ꭱ . ACT I. SCENE I. — A Room of State in King LEAR's Palace. I Enter KENT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND. KENT. THOUGHT the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. Gloster. 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 qualities 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 braz'd to it. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon she grew round-womb'd, 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. (207) Glo. But I have a son, sir, 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? Edmund. No, my 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. Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he The King is coming. shall again. [Sennet within. Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the Lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glo. I shall, my liege. [Exeunt GLOSTER and EDMUND. Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker pur pose. Give me the me the map there. Know, that we have di- In three, our kingdom; and 'tis our fast intent wall, And you, our no less loving son of Albany, 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, Interest of territory, cares of State,) Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where nature doth with merit challenge. Our eldest-born, speak first. Goneril. Sir, Goneri!, I 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; A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Beyond all manner of so much I love you. Cordelia. [Aside.] What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests, and with champains rich'd, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love; 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. [Aside.] Then, poor Cordelia! 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; Strive to be interess'd, what can you say to draw Lear. Nothing? Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing will 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 you may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I 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 thy heart with this? |