Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon she grew round-wombed, and had, indeed, Sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. Glo. But I have a son, Sir, by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world, before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gen tleman, 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. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. The king is coming. [Sennet within. Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Give me the map there. - Know, that we have divided To shake all cares and business from our age, 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. The princes, France and Burgundy, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, And here are to be answer'd. 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 eye-sight, space, and liberty; Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; 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; Cor. What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. [Aside. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests, and with champains 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 of Cornwall? Speak. Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister, Only she comes too short, that I profess Myself an enemy to all other joys, Which the most precious square of sense possesses, In your dear highness' love. Cor. Then, poor Cordelia! Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Now, our joy, [Aside. Although our last, and least; to whose young love Strive to be interess'd; what can you say, to draw 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 Lear. How? how, Cordelia? mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes. Cor. That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall carry To love my father all. Lear. But goes this with thy heart? Lear. So young, and so untender? Cor. So young, my lord, and true. Ay, my good lord. Lear. Let it be so: thy truth, then, be thy dower; For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, The mysteries of Hecate, and the night, By all the operation of the orbs, From whom we do exist, and cease to be, Hold thee from this for ever. The barbarous Scythian, Or he that makes his generation messes To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent! Good my liege, - Come not between the dragon and his wrath. So be my grave my peace, as here I give [TO CORDELIA. - Who stirs? Her father's heart from her! - Call France. That troop with majesty. - Ourself, by monthly course, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only, we still retain Kent. Royal Lear, [Giving the Crown. Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft. The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, When Lear is mad. What would'st thou do, old man? Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour 's bound, This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; Lear. Kent. Kent, on thy life, no more. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Lear. Kent. See better, Lear; The true blank of thine eye. Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. Out of my sight! and let me still remain Now, by Apollo, king, O, vassal! recreant! [Laying his hand upon his Sword. Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; I'll tell thee, thou dost evil. On thine allegiance hear me. Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear) Upon our kingdom: if on the tenth day following, The moment is thy death. This shall not be revok'd. Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. |