KING LEAR. Kent. ACT I. SCENE I. SCENE A Palace. Enter Kent, Glo'fter, and Edmund the Baftard. I Thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. 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? Glo. 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; whereupon The grew round-womb'd, and had indeed, Sir, a fon for her cradle, ere fhe had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wifh the fault undone, the iffue of it being fo proper. Gio. But I have a fon, Sir, by order of law, fome years elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account; though this knave came fomewhat fawcily into the world before he was fent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the whorefon must be acknowledg'd. Do you know this nobleman, Edmund? Baft. No, my Lord. Glo, My Lord of Kent; 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 shall again. The King is coming SCENE II. To them, Enter King Lear, Cornwall, [Exit. Long in our Court have made their am'rous fojourn, Which of you fhall we fay doth love us moft ? Where nature doth with merit challenge. Gon. I love you, Sir, Dearer than eye-fight, fpace and liberty, Beyond what can be valued rich or rare ; Gonerill No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour : As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found. A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable, Beyond all manner of fo much I love you. Cor. What hall Cordelia do ? love and be filent? [Afide. Lear. Of all these bounds, ev'n from this line to this, With shadowy forefts and with champions rich'd, With With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, Which the most precious fpirit of fenfe poffeffes, In your dear Highness' love. Cor. Then poor Cordelia! And yet not fo, fince I am fure my love's Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, [Afide Than that confer'd on Gonerill.-Now our joy, Lear. Nothing? Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing will come of nothing, speak again. My heart into my mouth: I love your Majefty According to my bond, no more nor less. Lear. How, how, Cordelia ? mend your speech a little, Left you may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my Lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me. I That Lord whole hand muft take my plight, fhall carry Sure Sure I shall never marry like my fifters, Lear. But goes thy heart with this? Lear. So young, and so untender? Lear. Let it be fo, thy truth then be thy dowre: The myfteries of Hecate, and the night, From whom we do exift, and cease to be; Hold thee from this for ever. The barb'rous Scythian,' Kent. Good my Liege Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath. [To Cor. Her father's heart from her; call France; who ftirs? With my two daughters dowres, digeft the third. That troop with Majefty. Ourself by monthly course, By you to be fuftain'd, fhall our abode Beloved fons, be yours; which to confirm Kent, Royal Lear, [Giving the Crown. Whom Whom I have ever honour'd as my King, Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft. Referve thy State; with better judgment check Lear. Kent, on thy life no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thy foes; nor fear to lose it, Thy fafety being the motive. Lear. Out of my fight! Kent. See better, Lear, and let me still remain The true blank of thine eye. Lear. Now by Apollo Kent. Now by Apollo, King, Thou fwear'ft thy Gods in vain. Lear. O vaffal! mifcreant ! [Laying his band on his fword. · Alb. Corn. Dear Sir, forbear. Kent, Kill thy phyfician, and thy fee bestow Lear. Hear me, recreant! Since thou haft fought to make us break our vow, And |