Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. Lear. But goes thy heart with this? 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 dow'r : For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, Here I disclaim all my paternal care, And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee, from this, for ever. Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent! Good my liege,— Come not between the dragon and his wrath.- On her kind nursery.-Hence, and avoid my sight!-- Her fathers heart from her!-Call France;-who stirs ? Call Burgundy.-[Exit a Knight.]-Cornwall and Albany, With my two daughters' dow'rs digest this third: Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. 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 th' additions to a king The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, Kent. [Giving the Crown to ALBANY. Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, -- Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd,- shaft. Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, When Lear is mad. Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive. Lear. Out of my sight! Kent. See better, Lear; and let me still remain The true blank of thine eye. Lear. Kent. Now, by Apollo, king, Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. Lear. Now, by Apollo,— O, vassal! miscreant. [Seizing his sword. Alb., Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me ! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow,- The moment is thy death. Away! by Jupiter, This shall not be revok'd. Kent. Fare thee well, king. [To CORDELIA.] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid! [To REGAN and GONERIL.] And your large speeches may your deeds approve. Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit. Flourish. Re-enter GLOSTER and EDMUND, with FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Attendants. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. Lear. My Lord of Burgundy, We first address towards you, who, with this king Hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least, Will you require in present dow'r with her, Or cease your quest of love? Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands : Bur. Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the pow'r that made me, I tell you all her wealth.-[To FRANCE. For you, great king, I would not from your love make such a stray, To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd France. This is most strange ! Cor. I yet beseech your Majesty,-make known, It is no vicious blot, nor stain of foulness, No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step, That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour; Lear. Better thou Hadst not been born than not t' 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, Give but that portion which yourself propose, Duchess of Burgundy. Lear. 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, thou art most rich, being poor; Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon. Thy dow'rless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France: Not all the dukes of wat'rish Burgundy Can buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me. Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again :- Therefore be gone [Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, Burgundy, France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor. Ye jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loathe to call Your faults as they are nam'd. Love well our father: To your professèd bosoms I commit him: But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place. Reg. Prescribe not us our duties. Let your study Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you Cor. hides: Time shall unfold what plaited cunning Who cover faults, at last them shame derides. Well may you prosper. France. Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt FRANCE and CORDELIA. Gon. I think our father will hence to-night. Reg. That's most certain, and with you; next month with us. Gon. You see how full of changes his age is; he always lov'd our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off appears too grossly. Reg. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this of Kent's banishment. Gon. Pray you, let us hit together: we must do something, and i' the heat. |