The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [TO CORDELIA. [To REGAN and GONERIL. That good effects may spring from words of love. [Exit. Flourish. Re-enter GLOSTER; with FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Attendants. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. Lear. My lord of Burgundy, We first address toward you, who with this king Hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least Or cease your quest of love? Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, Bur. I know no answer. Lear. Will you, with those infirmities she owes, Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Bur. Pardon me, royal Sir; Election makes not up on such conditions. Lear. Then leave her, Sir; for, by the power that made me, I tell you all her wealth. For you, great king, [TO FRANCE. T'avert your liking a more worthier way, France. This is most strange, That she, that even but now was your best object, That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection Cor. I yet beseech your majesty, (If for I want that glib and oily art, To speak and purpose not, since what I well intend, That I am glad I have not, though not to have it, Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. France. Is it but this? a tardiness in nature, Which often leaves the history unspoke, That it intends to do? - My lord of Burgundy, What say you to the lady? Love is not love, Bur. Royal Lear, Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, And here I take Cordelia by the hand, Duchess of Burgundy. Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. Bur. I am sorry, then, you have so lost a father, That you must lose a husband. Cor. Peace be with Burgundy: Since that respects of fortune are his love, I shall not be his wife. France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor, Most choice, forsaken, and most lov'd, despis'd, Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon : Be it lawful, I take up what's cast away. Gods, gods! 't is strange, that from their cold'st neglect Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, Lear. Thou hast her, France; let her be thine, for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again : - therefore, be gone Without our grace, our love, our benison. [Flourish. - Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GLOSTER, and Attendants. France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults as they are nam'd. Love well our father · But yet, alas! stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place. Gon. Prescribe not us our duty. Reg. Let your study Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you France. Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt FRANCE and CORdelia. Gon. Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think, our father will hence to-night. Reg. That's most certain, and with you; next month with us. Gon. You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little: he always loved our sister most, and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off, appears too grossly. Reg. 'T is the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself. Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then, must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted condition, but, therewithal, the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them. Reg. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him, as this of Kent's banishment. Gon. There is farther compliment of leave-taking between France and him. Pray you, let us hit together: if our father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us. Reg. We shall farther think of it. Gon. We must do something, and i' the heat. SCENE II. A Hall in the Earl of GLOSTER'S Castle. Enter EDMUND, with a letter. Edm. Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law My services are bound. Wherefore should I [Exeunt. Stand in the plague of custom, and permit For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines My mind as generous, and my shape as true, More composition and fierce quality, Enter GLOSter. Glo. Kent banish'd thus! And France in choler parted! And the king gone to-night! subscrib'd his power! Confin'd to exhibition! All this done Upon the gad! - Edmund, How now! what news? Edm. So please your lordship, none. [Putting up the Letter. Glo. Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter? Edm. I know no news, my lord. Glo. What paper were you reading? Edm. Nothing, my lord. Glo. No! What needed, then, that terrible despatch of it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath not such need to hide itself. Let's see; come; if it be nothing, I shall not need spectacles. Edm. I beseech you, Sir, pardon me: it is a letter from my |