The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, When Lear is mad. What would'st thou do, old man? Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom; And, in thy best consideration, check This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs! no hollowness. Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive. Lear. Out of my sight! Kent. See better, Lear; and let me still remain The true blank2 of thine eye. Lear. Now, by Apollo, Kent. Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. Lear. Now, by Apollo, king, O, vassal! miscreant ! [Laying his hand on his sword. Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kent. Do; F Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, I'll tell thee, thou dost evil. Lear. On thine allegiance hear me! Hear me, recreant! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow (Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain'd pride, To come betwixt our sentence and our power (1) Reverberates. (2) The mark to shoot at. Our patency make good, take thy reward. Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.- Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. Lear. My lord of Burgundy, We first address towards you, who with this king Hath rivall'd for our daughter; What, in the least Will you require in present dower with her, Or cease your quest of love?2 Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; But now her price is fall'n: Sir, there she stands; If aught within that little, seeming3 substance, Or all of it, with our displeasure piec'd, (1) Follow his old mode of life. (2) Amorous expedition. (3) Specious. And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, Bur. Lear. Sir, I know no answer. Will you, with those infirmities she owes,1 Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Take her, or leave her? Bur. Pardon me, royal sir; Election makes not up2 on such conditions. Lear. Then leave her, sir; for by the power that made me, I tell you all her wealth.-For you, great king, [To France. I would not from your love make such a stray, To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you To averts your liking a more worthier way, Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd Almost to acknowledge hers. France. So many folds of favour! Sure, her offence That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd4 affection Cor. I yet beseech your majesty (If for6 I want that glib and oily art, To speak and purpose not; since what I well intend, I'll do't before I speak,) that you make known (1) Owns, is possessed of. (2) Concludes not. (3) Turn. (4) Former declaration of. (6) Because. Reproach or censure. It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour: But even for want of that, for which I am richer; A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue That I am glad I have not, though not to have it, Hath lost me in your liking. Lear. Better thou Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. France. Is it but this? a tardiness in nature, Which often leaves the history unspoke, That it intends to do?-My lord of Burgundy, What say you to the lady? Love is not love, When it is mingled with respects, that stand Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her? She is herself a dowry. Bur. Royal Lear, Duchess of Burgundy. Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. Bur. I am sorry then, you have so lost a father, That you must lose a husband. Cor. Peace be with Burgundy! Since that respects of fortune are his love, I shall not be his wife. France. Fairest Cordelia, thou art most rich, being poor; Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon : Be it lawful, I take up what's cast away. Gods, gods! 'tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My love should kindle to inflam'd respect. Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, (1) Who seeks for aught in love but love alo Shall buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me.- Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see [Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, Cornwall, Albany, Gloster, and Attendants. France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults, as they are nam'd. Use well our father: you Gon. Prescribe not us our duties. Reg. Let your study Be, to content your lord; who hath receiv'd At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, And well are worth the want that you have wanted. Cor. Time shall unfold what plaited3 cunning hides; Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. France. Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt France and Cordelia. Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say, of what most nearly appertains to us both. 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 (1) Place. (2) Blessing. (3) Folded, doubled. |