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Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are;

And like a sister am most loth to call

Your faults as they are

named. Use well our father:

To your professed bosoms I commit him:

But yet, alas! stood I within his grace,

I would prefer him to a better place.

So farewell to you both.
Reg. Prescribe not us our

duties.

Gon.

Let your study

Be to content your lord, who hath received you

At fortune's alms; you have obedience scanted,

And well are worth the want that you have wanted. Cor. Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides; Who cover faults, at last shame them derides.

Well may you prosper!

France.

Cordelia.

Come, my fair

[Exeunt FRANCE and CORDELIA.

Gon. Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both.

2a

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 judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly.

Reg. 'Tis 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-engraffed 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 further compliment of leave-taking__between France and him. Pray you, let's hit together: if our father carry authority with such disposition as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us.

Reg. We shall further think on't.

Gon. We must do something, and i' the heat.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A Hall in the Earl of GLOUCESTER'S Castle.

Enter EDMUND, with a letter.

Edm. Thou, Nature, art my goddess; to thy law

My services are bound. Wherefore should I

Stand in the plague of custom, and permit

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