Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Or he that makes his generation2 messes Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent! Good my liege, Come not between the dragon and his wrath: stirs? Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, With my two daughters' dowers digest this third : That troop with majesty.-Ourself, by monthly course, With reservation of a hundred knights, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain The name, and all the additions3 to a king; The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest,4 Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, This coronet part between you. [Giving the crown Kent. Royal Lear, Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, the shaft. Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade (1) From this time. (3) Titles. . (2) His children. (4) All other subjects. 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 judg ment, 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; 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. Hear me, recreant! Ou thine allegiance hear me ! 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 (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear;) (1) Reverberates. (2) The mark to shoot at. Our potency make good, take thy reward. Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.-The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [To Cordelia That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said!And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [To Regan and Goneril. That good effects may spring from words of love.Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; He'll shape his old course1 in a country new. [Ex. Re-enter Gloster; with France, Burgundy, and Attendants. 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,' Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, 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, This is most strange! France. That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd4 affection Cor. I yet beseech our majesty (If for 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. (4) Former declaration of. (6) Because. Turn. (5) Reproach or censure. It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour: 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 Burgandy! 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.— (1) Who seeks for aught in love but love alone! |