KING LEAR. ACT I. SCENE I. SCENÉ A Palace. Enter Kent, Glo'ter, and Edmund the Baftard. KENT. Thought the King had more affected the Glo. It did always feem fo to us: but now in the divifion of the kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values moft; for qualities are fo weigh'd, that curiofity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. Kent. Is not this your fon, my lord? Clo. His breeding, Sir, hath been at my charge. I have fo often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd to't. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; where upon fhe grew round-womb'd, and had indeed, Sir, a fon for her cradle, ere fhe had a husband for her bed. Do you fmell a fault? Kent, I cannot with the fault undone, the iffue of it being fo proper. Glo Glo. But I have a fon, Sir, by order of law, fome: year elder than this; who yet is no dearer in my account, though this knave came fomewhat fawcily to the world before he was fent for; yet was his mother fair, there was good fport at his making, and the whorfon must be acknowledg'd. Do you know this nobleman, Edmund ? Baft. No, my lord.. Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.. Kent. I muft love you, and fue to know you better. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he The King is coming. SCENERI King To them, Enter Lear, Cod Albany, Gos [Exit Great rivals in our younger daughter's love, Long in our court have made their am'rous fojourn, Which of you fhall we fay doth love us moft? That That we our largeft bounty may extend Gon. I love you Sir, Dearer than eye-fight, fpace and liberty, Beyond what can be valued rich or rare, No lefs than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour A love that makes breath poor, and fpeech unable, Cor. What fhall Cordelia do love and be filent. a [Afide Reg. I'm made of that felf-metal as my fifter, Which the moft precious fquare of fense possesses, In your dear highnefs' love.. Cor. Then poor Cordelia! And yet not fo, fince I am fure my love's More pond'rous than my tongue.. Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, No lefs in fpace, validity, and pleafure, c [4 fide Than that confer'd on Gonerill. Now our joy, A third, more opulent than your fifters fpeak. Lear. Nothing? a Speak. Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing will come of nothing, fpeak again. My heart into my mouth: I love your majefty Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech Left you may mar, your fortunes. You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me. I d To love my father all Lear. But goes thy heart with this? Lear. So young, and fo untender? Cor. So young, my lord, and true. Lear. Let it be fo, thy truth then be thy dowre: For by the facred radiance of the fun, The mysteries of Hecate, and the night, By all the operations of the orbs From whom we do exift, and ceafe to be: Propinquity, and property of blood, Hold thee from this for ever. The barb'rous Scythian, To gorge his appetite; fhall to my bofom Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, Kent. Good my Liege Lear. Peace, Kent Come not between the dragon and his wrath. I Thefe words reftor'd from the first edition, without which the fenfe was not compleat. 1 I lov'd her most, and thought to fet my reft So be my grave my peace, as here I give With my two daughters dowres, digeft the third. That troop with majefty. Our self by monthly course, Beloved fons, be yours; which to confirm This Cor'onet part between you. [Giving the Crown. Kent. Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as a King, Lov'd as my father, as my mafter follow'd, Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade Referve thy State; with better judgment check Lear. Kent, on thy life no more. e Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn • thine enemies, neʼer Lear |