Glo. My Lord of Kent; Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend. Kent. I muft love you, and fue to know you better. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. The King is coming. SCENE II. To them, Enter King Lear, Corn- [Exit. To fhake all cares and bufinefs from our age, Long in our Court have made their am'rous fojourn, Which of you fhall we fay doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where nature doth with merit challenge. Gonerill Our eldest born, fpeak firft. Gon. I love you, Sir, Dearer than eye-fight, fpace and liberty," Beyond what can be valued rich or rare; No lefs than life, with grace, health, beauty, honours As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found. A love that makes breath poor, and fpeech unable, love you. love and be filent. [Afide. Beyond all manner of fo much With plenteous rivers and wide-fkirted meads, Reg. I'm made of that felf-metal as my fifter, Which the most precious fpirit of fenfe poffeffes, And yet not fo, fince I am fure my love's Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Lear. Nothing? Cor. Nothing. [Afide. Lear. Nothing will come of nothing, speak again. My heart into my mouth: I love your Majefty According to my bond, no more nor lefs. Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech a little, Left you may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my Lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me. That Lord whofe hand muft take my plight, fhall carry Sure Sure I fhall never marry like my fifters, Lear. But goes thy heart with this? Lear. So young, and fo untender? Lear. Let it be fo, thy truth then be thy dowre: The myfteries of Hecate, and the night, By all the operations of the orbs From whom we do exift, and cease to be ; And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee from this for ever. The barb'rous Scythian, To gorge his appetite, fhall to my bofom Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, Kent. Good my Liege. Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath. Her father's heart from her; Call France; who ftirs? With my two daughters dowres, digeft the third. That troop with Majefty. Our self by monthly course, By you to be fuftain'd, fhall our abode Beloved fons, be yours; which to confirm [Giving the Crown. Whom Whom I have ever honour'd as my King, Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft, Referve thy State; with better judgment check Το Lear. Kent, on thy life no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn wage against thy foes nor fear to lofe it, Thy fafety being the motive, Lear. Out of my fight! Kent. See better, Lear, and let me ftill remain The true blank of thine eye. Lear. Now by Apollo. Kent. Now by Apollo, King, Thou fwear'ft thy Gods in vain. Lear. O vaffal! mifcreant! [Laying bis band on bis, fword. Alb. Corn. Dear Sir, forbear. Kent. Kill thy phyfician, and thy fee bestow Lear. Hear me, recreant! Since thou haft fought to make us break our vow, And And on the fixth to turn thy hated back ६ [To Cos. Kent. Fare thee well, King; fith thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here; The Gods to their dear fhelter take thee, maid, That juftly think'ft, and haft moft rightly faid I And your large fpeeches may your deeds approve! [To Gon. and Regan. That good effects may fpring from words of love: Thus Kent, O Princes, bids you all adieu, [Exit. He'll fhape his old courfe in a country new. Glo. Here's France and Purgundy, my noble Lord, We first address tow'rd you, who with this King Bur. Moft royal Majesty, I crave no more than what your Highness offer'd, Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When the was dear to us we held her fo, But now her price is fall'n: Sir, there the stands, And nothing more, may fitly like your Grace, Bur. I know no answer. Lear. Will you with, those infirmities fhe owes, Dowr'd with our curfe, and stranger'd with our path, Bur. Pardon, royal Sir. Election makes not up on fuch conditions. Lear. Then leave her, Sir; for by the pow'r that made me, |