...(steward to Goneril)... Mr. GORDON CRAIG.

Knights attending on LEAR, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, and

SCENE 1.-Court within Gloster's Castle
SCENE 2.-Open Country...

SCENE 3.-Court within Gloster's Castle

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...

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J. Harker.

7. Harker.

Hawes Craven.

J. Harker.

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SCENE 2.-Open Country ...
SCENE 3.-Country near Dover
SCENE 4.-French Camp
SCENE 5.-Tent in the French Camp

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ACT V.

SCENE 1.-British Camp near Dover

SCENE. BRITAIN.

KING LEAR.

ACT I.

SCENE 1.-King LEAR'S Palace.

Enter KENT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND.

Kent.

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. 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. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year older than this, who is yet no dearer in my account. Do you know this

noble gentleman, Edmund ?

Edm. 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. [Trumpets within.] The king is coming.

Enter LEAR, Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan, CORDELIA, Fool, 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

purpose

Give me the map there.-Know that we've 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 son of

Cornwall,

And you, our no less loving son of Albany,

We have this hour a constant will to publish

Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife

May be prevented now. 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.-Goneril,

Our eldest-born, speak first.

Gon. Sir,

I love you more than words can wield the matter; Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty;

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.

Cor. [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 champians rich'd, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual.-What says our second daughter, Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. Reg. Sir,

I'm made of that self metal as my sister,

And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
I find she names my very deed of love;

Only she comes too short.

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;
No less in space, validity, and pleasure,
Than that conferr'd on Goneril.-Now, our joy,
Although our 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 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 it may mar your fortunes.

Good my lord,

Cor.
You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me; I
Return those duties back as are right fit,