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Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom. Shall marry ber at Pentapolis. And now,

(Kneels to THAIBA. This ornament that makes me look so dismal, Per · Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh, Will I, my lov'd Marina, clip to form; Thaisa ;

And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd, Thy burden at the sea, and callid Marina.

To grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify. For she was yielded there.

Thai. Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, Thai. Bless'd, and mine own! Sir, that my father's dead.

(queen, Hel. Hail, madam, and my queen!

Per. Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my Thai.

I know you not. We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves Per. You have heard me say, when I did fly from Will in that kingdom spend our following daya; Tyre,

Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reiga.
I left behind an ancient substitute,

Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay,
Can you remember what I call'd the man ? To hear the rest untold.-Sir, lead the way.
I have nam'd him oft.

1 Exeunt. Thai.

'Twas Helicanus then. Per. Still confirmation:

Enter Gower. Embrace him, dear Tbaisa; this is he.

Gow. In Antioch, and his daughter, you have Now do I long to hear how you were found;

heard How possibly preserv'd; and whom to thank,

Of monstrous lust the due and just reward : Besides the gods, for this great miracle.

In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen Thai. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this inan

(Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen,) Through whom the gods have shown their power; Virtue preserv'd from fell destruction's blast, that can

Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last. From first to last resolve you.

In Helicanus may you well desery
Per.
Reverend sir,

A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty :
The gods can have no mortal officer

In reverend Cerimon there well appears More like a god than you. Will you deliver

The worth that learned charity aye wears. How this dead queen re-lives ?

For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame Cer.

I will, my lord. Had spread their cursed deed, and honour'] Beseech you, first go with me to my house,

name Where shall be shown you all was found with her; Of Pericles, to rage the city turn; How she came placed here within the temple;

That him and his they in his palace burn. No needful thing omitted.

The gods fog murder seemed so content
Per.
Pure Diana i

To punish thèm; althougb not done, but meant I bless thee for thy vision, and will offer

So on your patien.e evermore attending, My night oblations to thee. Thaisa,

New joy wait on you! Here our p.ay has This prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter.

ending.

(Fcii Gonio

2

KING LEAR.

}

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for

her bed. Do you smell a fault ? LEAR, King of Britain.

Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue KING OF FRANCE.

of it being so proper. DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

Glo. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some DUKE OF CORNWALL.

year elder than this, who yet is no dearer, in my acDuke of ALBANY.

count: though this knave came somewhat saucily EARI. 07 KENT.

into the world before he was sent for, yet was his EARL OF GLOSTER.

mother fair; there was good sport at his making, EDGAR, son to GLOSTER.

and the whoreson must be acknowledged.-Do you EDMUND, bastard son to Gloster.

know this noble gentleman, Edmund ? CURAN, a courtier.

Edm. No, my lord. Old Man, tenant to Gloster.

Glo. My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter Physician,

as my honourable frieud. Fool.

Edm. My services to your lordship. OswALD, steward to Goneril.

Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you heter An Officer, employed by Edmund.

Edn. Sir, I shall study deserving. Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia.

Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he A Herald.

shall again :-The king is coming. Servants to Cornwall.

[Trumpets sound within. GUNERIL,

Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, daughters to Lear.

Regan, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Cordelia,

Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy,

Gloster.
Knights attending on the King, officers, Messengers,
Suldiers, and Aliendants.

Glo. I shall, my liege.

(Exeunt Gloster and EDMUND. SCENE,--BRITAIN.

Lear. Mean-time we shall express our darker purpose.

(vided, Give me the map there.-Know, that we have di

In three, our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent
ACT I.

To shake ail cares and business from our age;
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we

Unburden'd crawl toward death.–Our son of Corn SCENE I.-A Room of State in King Lear's

wall Palace

And you, our no less loving son of Albany,

We have this hour a constant will to publish
Enter KENT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND.

Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife Kent. I thought, the king had more affected the May be prevented now. The princes, France and duke of Albany, than Cornwall.

Burgundy, Glo. It did always seem so to us : but now, in Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, the division of the kingdom, it appears not which Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so And here are to be answer’d.—Tell me, my weigh'd, that curiosity in neither can make choice

daughters, of either's moiety.

(Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Kent. Is not this your son, my lord ?

Interest of territory, cares of state,) Gilo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most ? I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that. That we our largest bounty may extend now I am brazed to it.

Where merit doth most challenge it.-Guneril, Kent I cannot conceive you.

Our eldest-born, speak first. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: where. Gon.

Sir, I uyon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, Do love you more than words can wield the matter,

The sway,

man?

Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;

Kent.

Good my liege. Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;

Lear. Peace, Kent! No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour: Come not between the dragon and his wrath : As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found. I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable ; On her kind nursery.—Hence, and avoid my sight! Beyond all manner of so much I love you.

[To CORDELIA. Cor. What shall Cordelia do ? Love, and be si- So be my grave my peace, as here I give lent.

[Aside. Her father's heart from her !—Call France;-W'bo Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to

stirs ? this,

Call Burgundy:--Cornwall, and Albany, With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, With

my two daughters' dowers digest this third : With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. We make thee lady: To thine and Albany's issue I do invest you jointly with my power, Be this perpetual.—What says our second daughter, Pre-eminence, and all the large effects

(course, Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall ? Speak. That troop with majesty.-Ourself, by month.y

Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister, With reservation of an hundred knights,
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode
I find, she names my very deed of love;

Make with you by due turps. Only we still retain Only she comes too short, -that I profess

The name, and all the additions to a king;
Myself an enemy to all other joys,
Which the most precious square of sense possesses; Revenue, execution of the rest,
And find, I am alone felicitate

Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm,
In your dear highness' love.

This coronet part between you. (Giving the croun Cor. Then poor Cordelia! (Aside. Kent.

Royal Lear, And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's

Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, More richer than my tongue.

Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, As my great patron thought on in my prayers, – Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom;

Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from No less in space, validity, and pleasure,

the shaft. Than that confirm’d on Goneril.-Now, our joy, Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade Although the last, not least; to whose young love The region of my heart : be Kent unmannerly, The vines of France, and milk of Burgundy,

When Lear is mad. What would'st thou do, ola Strive to be interess'd; what can you say, to draw A third more opulent than your sisters ? Speak.

Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, Cor. Nothing, my lord.

When power to flattery bows? To plainness hoLear. Nothing ?

nour's bound, Cor. Nothing.

When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom; Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: speak again. And, in thy best consideration, check Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; According to my bond; nor more, nor less. Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Lear. How, how, Cordelia ? mend your speech a Reverbs no hollowness. little,

Lear.

Kent, on thy life, no more. Lest it may mar your fortunes.

Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn Cor.

Good my lord, To wage against thine enemies ; nor fear to lose it, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I

Thy safety being the motive. Return those duties back as are right fit,

Lear.

Out of my sight! Obey you, love you, and most honour you.

Kent, See better, Lear; and let me still remain Why have my sisters husbands, if they say

The true blank of thine eye. They love you, all? Haply, when I shall wed, Lear. Now, by Apollo, Thai lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall Kent.

Now, by Apollo, king, carry

Thou swear’st thy gods in vain. Half my love with him, half my care, and duty:

Lear.

O vassal! miscreant! Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,

(Laying his hund on his sword. To love my father all.

Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Lear. But goes this with thy heart ?

Kent. Do; Cor.

Ay, good my lord, Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Lear. So young, and so untender ?

Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Cor. So young, my lord, and true.

Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, Lear. Let it be so, -Thy truth then by the dower: I'll tell thee, thou dost evil. For, by the sacred radiance of the sun;

Lear.

Hear me, recreant ? The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;

On thine allegiance böar me!By all the operations of the orbs,

Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, From whom we do exist, and cease to be;

(Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain d Here I disclaim all my paternal care,

pride, Propinquity and property of blood,

To come betwixt our sentence and our power; And as a stranger to my heart and me (Scythian, (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,) Hold thee, frum this,' for ever. The barbarous Our potency made good, take thy reward. Or be that makes his generation messes

Five days we do allot thee, for provision To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom

To shield thee from diseases of the world; Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, And, on the sixth, to turn thy hated back As thou my sometime daughter.

Upon our kingdom : if, on the tenth day following, Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, Had'st not been born, than not to have pleas’d mo The moment is thy death: Away! by Jupiter,

better. This shall not be revok'd.

(appear, France. Is it but this ? a tardiness in nature, Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt Which often leaves the history unspoke, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is bere.- That it intends to do ?-My lord of Burgundy, The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, What say you to the lady ? Love is not love,

[To CORDELIA. When it is mingled with respects, that stand That justly think’st, and hast most rightly said !- Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her? And your large speeches may your deeds approve,

She is herself a dowry. ( To ŘEgan and GONERIL. Bur.

Royal Lear, That good effects may spring from words of love. Give but that portion which yourself propos’d, Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu ;

And here I take Cordelia by the hand, He'll shape his old course in a country new. (Exit. Duchess of Burgundy:

Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. Re-enter Gloster; with France, BURGUNDY, and Bur. I am sorry then, you have so lost a father, Attendants.

That you must lose a husband. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my nuble lord.

Cor.

Peace be with Burgundy! Lear. My lord of Burgundy,

Since that respects of fortune are his love, We first address towards you, who with this king I shall not be his wife.

(poor; Hath rivall’d for our daughter; What, in the least, France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being Will you require in present dower with her, Most choice, forsaken; and most lov’d, despis'd! Or cease your quest of love ?

Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon: Bur.

Most royal majesty, Be it lawful, I take up what's cast away, I crave no more than hath your highness offer’d, Gods, gods! 'tis strange, that from their cold'st Nor will you tender less.

neglect Lear.

Right noble Burgundy, My love should kindle to inflam'd respect.When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, But now her price is falln: Sir, there she stands; Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France : If aught within that little, seeming substance, Not all the kes of wat’rish Burgundy, Or all of it, with our displeasure piec'd,

Shall buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me.And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind: She's there, and she is yours.

Thou losest here, a better where to find. (for we Bur.

I know no answer.

Lear. Thou hast her, France : let ber be thine; Lear. Sir,

Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see Will you, with those infirmities she owes,

That face of hers again :--Therefore be gone, Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate,

Without our grace, our love, our benizon. Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Come, noble Burgundy. 'Take her, or leave her?

(Flourish. Exeunt Lear, BURGUNDY, CORN. Bur. Pardon me, royal sir;

WALL, ALBANY, GLOSTER, and Attendants. Election makes not up on such conditions.

France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes

Cordelia leaves you : I know you what you are ; I tell you all her wealth.–For you, great king. And, like a sister, am most loath to call

[To FRANCE. Your faults, as they are nam’d. Use well our father: I would not from your love make such a stray, To your professed bosoms I commit him: To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you But yet, alas! stood I within his grace, To avert your liking a more worthier way,

I would prefer bim to a better place. Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd

So farewell to you both.
Almost to acknowledge hers.

Gon. Prescribe not us our duties.
France.
This is most strange! Reg.

Let your study That she, that eyen but now was your best object, Be, to content your lord; who hath receiv'd you The argument of your praise, balm of your age, At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time And well are worth the want that you have wanted. Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle

Cor. Tine shall unfold what plaited cunning So many folds of favour! Sure, her offence

hides; Must be of such unnatural degree,

Who cover faults, at last shame them derides.
That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection Well may you prosper!
Fall into taint: which to believe of her,

France.

Come, my fair Cordelia. Must be a faith, that reason without miracle

[Ereunt France and CORDELIA. Could never plant in me.

Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say, of what Cor.

I yet beseech your majesty, most nearly appertains to us both. I think, our (If for I want that glib and oily art,

father will hence to-night. To speak and purpose not; since what I well intend, Reg. That's most certain, and with you; next I'll do't before I speak,) that you make known month with us. It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,

· Gon. You see how full of changes his age is; the No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step,

observation we have made of it hath not been little: That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour : he always loved our sister most; and with what But even for want of that, for which I am richer; poor judgment he hath pow cast her off, appears too A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue

grossly. That I am glad I have not, though, not to have it, Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath Hath lost me in your liking.

ever but slenderly known himself. Lear. Better thou

Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath boun

made me,

but rush; then must we look to receive from his them. I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in age, not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted the oppression of ayed tyranny; who sways, noi as it condition, but therewithal, the unruly waywardness hath power, but as it is suffered. Come to me, that of that infirm and cholerick years bring with them. this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till

Rey. Such unconstant starts are we like to have I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue for from him, as this of Kent's banishment.

erer, and live the beloved of your brother, Edgar.Gon. There is further compliment of leave-taking Humph-Conspiracy :-Sleep till I waked hin,-between France and him. Pray you, let us hit to- you should enjoy half his revenue.- - My son Edgar! gether : If our father carry authority with such dis. Had he a hand to write this? a heart and brain to positions as he bears, this last surrender of his will breed it in ? When came this to you? Who brought it? but oflend us.

Edm. It was not brought me, my lord; there's Reg. We shall further think of it.

the cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the case. Gon. We must do something, and i'the heat. ment of my closet.

(Exceunt. Glo. You know the character to be your brother's ?

Edm. If the matter were good, my lord, I durst SCENE II.-A Hall in the Earl of Gloster's Castle. swear it were his; but, in respect of that, I would

fain think it were not. Enter EDMUND, with a letter.

Glo. It is his. Edm. Thou, uature, art my goddess; to thy law Edn. It is his hand, my lord; but I hope, his My services are bound: Wherefore should I

heart is not in the contents. Stand in the plague of custom; and permit

Gio. Hath he never heretofore sounded you in The curiosity of nations to deprive me,

this business? For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines Edm. Never, my lord: But I have often heard Lag of a brother? Why bastard ? wherefore base ? him maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, When my dimensions are as well compact, and fathers declining, the father should be as ward My mind as generous, and my shape as true, to the son, and the son manage his revenue. As honest madam's issue ? Why brand they us Glo. () 'villain, villain !-His very opinion in the With base ? with baseness ? bastardy? base, base ? letter !-Abhorred villain ! Unnatural, detested, Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take

brutish villain! worse than brutish ! Go, sirrah, More composition and fierce quality,

seek him; I'll apprehend him :-Abominable vil. Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed,

lain !_Where is he? Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops,

Edm. I do not well know, my lord. If it shall Got 'tween asleep and wake ?-Well then, please you to suspend your indignation against my Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land: brother, till you can derive from himn better testí. Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund, mony of his intent, you shall run a certain course; As to the legitimate: Fine word, -legitimate ! where, if you violently proceed against him, misa Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed,

tuking his purpose, it would make a great gap in And my invention thrive, Edmund the base your own honour, and shake in pieces the heart of Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper his obedience. I dare pawn down my life for him, Now, gods, stand up for bastards !

that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your

honour, and to no other pretence of danger. Enter GLOSTER.

Glo. Think you so ? Glo. Kent banish'd thus! And France in choler Edm. If your honour judge it meet, I will place parted !

you where you shall bear us confer of this, and by And the king gone to-night! subscrib'd his power! an auricular assurance have your satisfaction; and Contin'd to exhibition! All this done Inews ? that without any further delay than tbis very evening. Upon the gad !Edmund ! How now; what Glo. He cannot be such a mouster. Edm. So please your lordship, cone.

Edm. Nor is not, sure.

(Putting up the letter. Glo. To his father, that so tenderly and entirely Glo. Why so earnestly seek you to put up that loves him.—Heaven and earth!- Edmund, seek letter?

him out; wind me into hun, I pray you; frame the Edm. I know no news, my lord.

business after your own wisdom: I would unstate Glo. What paper were you reading ?

myself, to be in a due resolution. Edm. Nothing, my lord.

Edm. I will seek him, sir, presently; convey the Glo

. No ? what needed then that terrible despatch business as I shall fiud means, and acquaint you of it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath withal. not such need to hide itself. Let's see : Come, if Glo. These late eclipses in the sun and moon por. it be nothing, I shall not need spectacles.

tend no good to us : Though the wisdom of nature Edm. I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself from my brother, that I have not all o’er-read; for scourged by the sequent effects : love cools, friendso much as I have perused, I find it not fit for your ship falls off, brothers diride: in cities, mutinies; over-looking

in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the Glo. Give me the letter, sir.

bond cracked between son and father. This villain Edm. I shall offend, either to detain or give it.' of mine comes under the prediction; there's son The contents, as in part I understand them, are to against father : the king falls from bias of nature; blame.

there's father against child. We have seen the best Glo. Let's see, let's see.

of our time: Machinations, hollowness, treachery, Edm. I hope, for my brother's justification, he and all ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. graves - Find out this villain, Edmund; it shall

Glo. (Reads.] This policy, and reverence of age, lose thee nothing; do it carefully :-And the noblo makes the world bitter to the best of our times : keeps and true-hearted Kent banished ! bis offence, bomur fortunes from us, till our oldness cannot relish nesty!-Strange! strange !

Brit

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