Globe 10 20 M. William Shak-fpeare HIS Hiftorie, of King Lear (Q1). Enter Kent, Gloster, and Bastard. Kent. Thought the King had more affected the Duke of Al- Gloft. It did allwaies feeme fo to vs, but now in the diuifion of the kingdomes, it appeares not which of the Dukes he values moft, for equalities are fo weighed, that curiofitie in neither, can make choife of eithers moytie. Kent. Is not this your fonne my Lord? Gloft. His breeding sir hath beene at my charge, I haue fo often blusht to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd to it. Kent. I cannot conceiue you. Gloft. Sir, this young fellowes mother Could, wherupon shee grew round wombed, and had indeed Sir a fonne for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed, doe you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wish the fault vndone, the issue of it being fo proper. Gloft. But I haue fir a fonne by order of Law, fome yeare elder then this, who yet is no deerer in my account, though this knaue came fomething fawcely into the world before hee was fent for, yet was his mother faire, there was good sport at his makeing & the whorefon must be acknowledged, do you know this noble gentleman Edmund? Baft. No my Lord. Gloft. My Lord of Kent, remember him hereafter as my honorable friend. Bast. My feruices to your Lordship. 30 Kent. I muft loue you, and fue to know you better. Bast. Sir I fhall study deferuing. Gloft. Hee hath beene out nine yeares, and away hee shall againe, the King is comming. [4 Globe I. i. 10 THE TRAGEDIE OF KING LEAR (F1). Actus Primus. Scœna Prima. Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmond. Kent. Thought the King had more affected the Glou. It did alwayes feeme fo to vs: But Kent. Is not this your Son, my Lord? Glou. His breeding Sir, hath bin at my charge. I haue fo often blufh'd to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd too't. Kent. I cannot conceiue you. Glou. Sir, this yong Fellowes mother could; where- Kent. I cannot wifh the fault vndone, the issue of it, 20 Glou. But I haue a Sonne,. Sir, by order of Law, fome yeere elder then this; who, yet is no deerer in my account, though this Knaue came fomthing fawcily to the world before he was fent for: yet was his Mother fayre, there was good sport at his making, and the horfon must be acknowledged. Doe you know this Noble Gentleman, Edmond? 30 Edm. No, my Lord. Glou. My Lord of Kent: Remember him heereafter, as my Honourable Friend. Edm. My feruices to your Lordship. Kent. I muft loue you, and fue to know you better. Edm. Sir, I fhall ftudy deferuing. Glou. He hath bin out nine yeares, and away he shall againe. The King is comming. I. i. 40 Sound a Sennet, Enter one bearing a Coronet, then Lear, then the Lear. Attend my Lords of France and Burgundy, Glofter. Lear. Meane time we will expresse our darker purposes, In three, our kingdome; and tis our first intent, To shake all cares and bufines of our state, Confirming them on yonger yeares, The two great Princes France and Burgundy, Which of you fhall we fay doth loue vs moft, Where merit doth moft challenge it, Gonorill our eldest borne, speake first? Gon. Sir I do loue you more then words can weild the Dearer then eye-light, fpace or libertie, Beyond what can be valued rich or rare, No leffe then life; with grace, health, beautie, honour, 60 As much a child ere loued, or father friend, 70 A loue that makes breath poore, and speech vnable, Beyond all manner of fo much I loue you. Cor. What shall Cordelia doe, loue and be filent. Lear. Of al thefe bounds, euen from this line to this, With fhady forrefts, and wide skirted meades, We make thee Lady, to thine and Albaines iffue, Our deereft Regan, wife to Cornwell, speake? (matter, Be this perpetuall, what faies our fecond daughter? Reg. Sir I am made of the felfe same mettall that my fifter is, And prize me at her worth in my true heart, I find the names my very deed of loue, onely fhe came fhort, [5 I. i. Sennet. Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerill, Re- Lear. Attend the Lords of France & Burgundy, Glofter. Lear. Meane time we shal expreffe our darker purpose. Conferring them on yonger strengths, while we Vnburthen'd crawle toward death. Our fon of Cornwal, May be preuented now. The Princes, France & Burgundy, Long in our Court, haue made their amorous foiourne, 50 (Since now we will diueft vs both of Rule, Intereft of Territory, Cares of State) Which of you fhall we fay doth loue vs most, That we, our largest bountie may extend Where Nature doth with merit challenge. Gonerill, Our eldest borne, fpeake first. Gon. Sir, I loue you more then word can weild y matter, Deerer then eye-fight, space, and libertie, Beyond what can be valewed, rich or rare, No leffe then life, with grace, health, beauty, honor: 60 As much as Childe ere lou'd, or Father found. 70 A loue that makes breath poore, and speech vnable, Beyond all manner of fo much I loue you. Cor. What fhall Cordelia fpeake? Loue, and be filent. We make thee Lady. To thine and Albanies iffues Reg. I am made of that felfe-mettle as my Sifter, I finde fhe names my very deede of loue: Onely she comes too fhort, that I profeffe [283b I. i. Which the most precious fquare of fence poffeffes, And find I am alone felicitate, in your deere highnes loue. Cord. Then poore Cord. & yet not fo, fince I am fure 80 My loues more richer then my tongue. Lear. To thee and thine hereditariè euer What can you fay to win a third, more opulent Cord. Nothing my Lord. (againe. Lear. How, nothing can come of nothing, speake Cord. Vnhappie that I am, I cannot heaue my heart into my mouth, I loue your Maieftie according to my bond, nor more nor leffe. Lear. Goe to, goe to, mend your speech a little, Leaft it may mar your fortunes. Cord. Good my Lord, You haue begot me, bred me, loued me, I returne thofe duties backe as are right fit, 100 Obey you, loue you, and most honour you, 110 Why haue my fifters husbands if they fay they loue you all, Muft take my plight, fhall cary halfe my loue with him, Halfe my care and duty, fure I shall neuer Mary like my fifters, to loue my father all. Lear. But goes this with thy heart? Cord. I good my Lord. Lear. So yong and so vntender. Cord. So yong my Lord and true. Lear. Well let it be fo, thy truth then be thy dower, For by the facred radience of the Sunne, The mistreffe of Heccat, and the might, By all the operation of the orbs, From whome we doe exfift and ceafe to be Heere I difclaime all my paternall care, Propinquitie and property of blood, [6 |