Our potency make good, take thy reward. Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, 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 coursel 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. Right noble Burgundy, Lear. 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, She's there, and she is yours. 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, Pardon me, royal sir; Take her, or leave her? 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, France. This is most strange! That she, that even but now was your best object, That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd4 affection Could never plant in me. Cor. I yet beseech your 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. (3) Turn. (4) Former declaration of. (5) Reproach or censure. (6) Because. It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue That I am glad I have not, though not to have it, Lear. Better thou Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. G France. Is it but this? a tardiness in nature, She is herself a dowry. Bur. Royal Lear, Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, 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, France. Fairest Cordelia, thou art most rich, being poor; Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! 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!" i 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, Gon. Prescribe not us our duties. Let your study Reg. Be, to content your lord; who hath receiv'd you 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. Well may you prosper! 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. little he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off, appears too grossly. Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself. Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted condition, but therewithal, the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them. Reg. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him, as this of Kent's banishment. Gon. There is further compliment of leavetaking between France and him. Pray you, let us hit together: If our father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us. Reg. We shall further think of it. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A hall in the Earl of Gloster's Edm. 'Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law More composition and fierce quality, (1) Qualities of mind. (2) Strike while the iron is hot. (3) The injustice. (4) The nicety of civil institution. |