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 How 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 Conferring them on younger strengths, while we 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,- 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 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. My heart into my mouth: I love your Majesty Lear. How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes. Good my lord, Cor. Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. Ay, good my lord. Lear. But goes thy heart with this? 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 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 With my two daughters' dow'rs 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 The name, and all th' additions to a king The sway, Revènuc, 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, Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the 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. On thine allegiance hear me ! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow,-- |