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 gentleman, Edmund? Edmind. No, my lord. Glós. 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. Glos. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. The king is coming. [Sennet1 within. Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glos. I shall, my liege. [Exeunt GLOSTER and EDMUND. Lear. 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 3 To shake all cares and business from our age, Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburden'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, 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.5 The princes, France and Burgundy, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, 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 1. Sennet, flourish of trumpets. Goneril, 4. Constant will, determined will; the 2. Darker purpose, secret, hidden | same as fast intent. purpose. 5. See last note but one of Scene 4, 3. Fast intent, fixed, settled intent. Act III. Goneril. Sir, I love you more than words can wield the Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; matter;1 No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour: A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Cordelia. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent. We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue Regan. I am made of that self metal as my sister, Only she comes too short, that I profess3 Myself an enemy to all other joys, Which the most precious square of sense possesses,* In your dear highness' love. Cor. Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, [Aside. comprehension; or, the full complement of all the senses. But this passage may possibly be corrupted. 5. The use of both forms of comparison together was common with the old writers. See many passages in this play. 6. Validity, worth, value; not integrity, or good title. 1* Strive to be interess'd; what can you say, to draw Lear. Nothing? Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing will come of nothing: speak again. 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, goodmy 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, Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood, And as a stranger to my heart and me, Hold thee from this for ever.2 The barbarous Scythian, 1. i. e. As I am bound to do. Good my liege, 4. Sometime, former. As thou that 2. i. e. from this time forth for ever. wert my daughter. 3. Generation, children. Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath. [To CORDELIA. Who stirs ? So be my grave my peace, as here I give 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 [Giving the crown. Kent. Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, As my great patron thought on in my prayers, 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? When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment,3 Lear. Kent. Kent, on thy life, no more. 1. i. e. all the titles belonging to a king. 2. i. e. all the other business. 4. Reverbs, for reverberates. 5. I ever considered my life but as a loan, to risk at any time against thine 3. I will answer for it with my enemies. life, that &c. To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Kent. See better, Lear; Kent. Out of my sight! Thou swear'st thy gods in vain Now, by Apollo, king, O, vassal! recreant! [Laying his hand upon his sword. Albany & Corn. Dear Sir, forbear. Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, Lear. Hear me, recreant! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, [To CORDELIA. 4 That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said! And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [To REGAN and GONERIL. 1. The blank is the white or exact mark at which the arrow is shot. See better and keep me always in your view. 2. i. e. They to whom I have yielded my power and authority, yielding me the ability to dispense it in this instance, take thy reward. 3. Diseases, discomforts, hardships: the literal sense of the word, but now obsolete. 4. And may your deeds approve your large speeches. |