PERSONS REPRESENTED. LEAR, King of Britain. KING OF FRANCE. DUKE OF BURGUNDY. EARL OF GLOSTER. EDGAR, Son to Gloster. EDMUND, Bastard Son to Gloster. OLD MAN, Tenant to Gloster. FOOL. OSWALD, Steward to Goneril. An Officer, employed by Edmund. Servants to Cornwall. Knights attending on the King, Officers, Messen gers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Scene, Britain. KING LEAR. ACT I.. SCENE I.—A Room of State in King Lear's 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 weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety t. 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-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 ‡. 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 acknowledg ed. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund? Edm. No, my lord. Glo. My noble 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. Most scrupulous nicety. + Handsome. + Part or division. 146863A Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again:-The king is coming. [Trumpet sound within. Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glo. I shall, my-liege. [Exeunt Gloster and Edmund. Lear. Mean-time we shall express our darker purpose *. Give me the map there.-Know, that we have divided, In three, our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent + To shake all cares and business from our age; Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburden'd crawl toward death.-Our Cornwall, of 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, And here are to be answer'd.-Tell me, my daugh ters, (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? 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; No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, ho nour: As much as child e'er loved, or father found. Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be si- More secret. + Determined resolution. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, Which the most precious squaret of sense pos sesses; And find, I am alone felicitate t Cor. Then poor Cordelia! An yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's [Aside. Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity 9, 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. My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes. You have begot me, bred nie, loved me: I carry • Open plains. Made happy. + Comprehension. § Value. 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? 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 suns The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; By all the operations of the orbs, From whom we do exist, and cease to be; Hold thee, from this t, for ever. The barbarous Or he that makes his generation ‡ messes Kent. Good my liege,- Come not between the dragon and his wrath : sight! So be my grave my peace, as here I give Her father's heart from her !-Call France;-Who stirs ? Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, With my two daughter's dowers digest this third: 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 Revenue, execution of the rest ||, Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, Kindred. His children. § Titles. [Giving the Crown. + From this time. All other subjects. |