PERSONS REPRESENTED. LEAR, King of Britain. The KING OF FRANCE. The DUKE Of Albany. The DUKE Of Cornwall. The EARL Of Kent. The EARL Of Gloster. EDGAR, son to Gloster. EDMUND, natural son to Gloster. Old Man, tenant to Gloster. A Fool. OSWALD, steward to Goneril, A Captain employed by Edmund. A Herald Servants to Cornwall. GONERIL, wife of Albany, REGAN, wife of Cornwall, CORDELIA, rejected by the Duke of Burgundy, married to the King of France, J daughter to Lear. Knights of Lear's Train, Captains, Messengers, SCENE,-BRitain. (6) KING LEAR. ACT I. SCENE I.-King Lear's Palace. Enter KENT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND. Kent. THOUGHT the king had more affected the duke of Albany than Cornwall. Glo. It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weighed that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund ? ΙΟ Edm. No, my lord. Glo. My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honorable friend. Edm. My services to your lordship. Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you better. Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again.—The king is coming. [Trumpets sound within. Enter Lear, Cornwall, ALBANY, GONERIL, RE- Lear. Attend the lords of France and Glo. I shall, my liege. [Exeunt Glos. and Edm. 20 Lear. Meantime we shall express our dark er purpose. Give me the map there.—Know that we have divided In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast in tent 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. The princes, France and Burgundy, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, 30 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 That we our largest bounty may extend Our eldest-born, speak first. Gon. Sir, I love you more than word can Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; As much as child e'er loved, or father found. unable; Beyond all manner of so much I love you. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, 40 50 We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual.—What says our second daughter, Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Reg. I am made of that self-metal as my sister, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love ; Which the most precious square of sense possesses; And find I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love. Then poor Cordelia ! And yet not so; since I am sure my love's More richer than my tongue. Lear. To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure, Than that conferr'd on Goneril.—Now, our joy, Although our last, not least; to whose young love The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interess'd: what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters ? Speak. Cor. Nothing, my lord. |