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 one bearing a Coronet, then LEAR, then the Dukes of ALBANY and CORNWALL, next GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, with followers Lear. Attend the Lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glo. I shall, my liege. Lear. [Exeunt GLOSTER and EDMUND. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there. Know, that we have divided In three our kingdom; and 't is our fast intent And you, our no less loving son of Albany, 18-B Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, And here are to be answered. daughters,-. Tell me, my Since now we will divest us both of rule, Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? 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 loved, or father found : Cor. [Aside.] What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests and with champains riched, 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 to Cornwall? Speak. Only she comes too short; that I profess Which the most precious square of sense possesses, In your dear highness' love. Cor. [Aside.] Then, poor Cordelia ! And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's More richer than my tongue. Lear. To thee and thine, hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure, Than that conferred on Goneril.-Now, our joy, Although our last, not least; to whose young love The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interessed; what can you say, to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. Cor. Nothing, my lord. 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 According to my bond; nor more, nor less. Lear. How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my lord You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Half my love with him, half my care, and duty : Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. Lear. But goes thy heart with this? Cor. 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, From whom we do exist and cease to be, And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Or he that makes his generation messes Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent! Good my liege,— Come not between the dragon and his wrath. sight! So be my grave my peace, as here I give stirs ? Call Burgundy. Cornwall, and Albany, Who With my two daughters' dowers digest the third : |