As thou my fometime daughter. Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath. On her kind nurs'ry. Hence, avoid my fight![To Cor. Her father's heart from her. Call France; who ftirs? Burgundy.Cornwall and Albany, Call With my two daughters' dowers digeft the third. That troop with Majefty.. Ourself by monthly course,, Kent. Royal Lear, [Giving the crown Whom I have ever honour'd as my King, And as my patron thought on in my pray'rs Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the Referve thy ftate; with better judgment check Lear. Kent, on thy life no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage againft thy foes; nor fear to lose it,, Thy fafety being the motive. Lear. Out of my fight? A 3 Kent. Kent. See better, Lear, and let me ftill remain Kent. Now by Apollo, King, [Laying his hand on his sword. Alb. Corn. Dear Sir, forbear. Kent. Kill thy phyfician, and thy fee bestow Lear. Hear me, recreant ! Since thou hast fought to make us break our vow, Kent. Fare thee well, King; fith thus thou wilt ap- [To Gon. and Reg. That good effects may fpring from words of love. Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu, He'll shape his old courfe in a country new. SCENE III. [Exit. Enter Glo'fter, with France and Burgundy, and Attendants. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my Noble Lord. Lear. My Lordof Burgundy, We firft addrefs tow'rd you, who with this King † perver, for execution of the sentence. Have Have rivall'd for our daughter; what at least I crave no more than what you Highness offer'd, Lear. Right Noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we held her fo; But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands, And nothing more, may fitly like your Grace, Bur. I know no answer. you Lear. Will with those infirmities fhe owes, Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, Dower'd with our curfe, and stranger'd with our oath, Take her, or leave her? Bur. Pardon, Royal Sir; Election makes not up on fuch conditions. Lear. Then leave her, Sir; for by the pow'r that made me, I tell you all her wealth. I would not from your love make such a stray, To match you where I hate; therefore befeech you Than on a wretch, whom nature is afham'd France. This is moft ftrange! That she, who ev'n but now was your best object, As monsters it; or your fore-vouch'd affection Cor. I yet befeech your Majefty, To avert, for to turn, fimply. (If, (If, for I want that glib and oily art, To speak and purpofe not; fince what I will intend, No unchafte action, or dishonour'd step, That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour: That I'm glad I've not; though not to have it, Lear. Better thou Hadft not been born, than not have pleas'd me better. Which often leaves the hiftory unfpoke That it intends to do? My Lord of Burgundy, Aloof from th' entire † point. Say, will you have her?? Bur. Royal King, Give but that portion which yourself propos'd,. And here I take Cordelia by the hand, Duchefs of Burgundy. Lear. Nothing. -I've fworn. Bur. I'm forry then you have fo loft a father, That you must lose a husband. Cor. Peace be with Burgundy; Since that refpects of fortune are his love, I fhall not be his wife. France Fairest Cordelia, that art moft rich, being Most choice, forfaken! and moft lov'd, defpis'd! [poor! Thee and thy virtues here I feize upon. Be't lawful I take up what's caft away. Gods, gods! 'tis ftrange, that from their cold' neglect: My love should kindle to inflam'd respect. They dow'rlefs daughter, King, thrown to my chance, t entire, for right, true. Lear Lear. Thou haft her, France; let her be thine, for we Have no fuch daughter; nor fhall ever fee That face of her's again; therefore be gone [Flourish. Exeunt Lear and Burgundy. Cor. Ye jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you. I know what you are, And, like a fifter, am most loth to call Your faults, as they are nam'd. Love well our father. To your profeffing bofoms I commit him But yet, alas! ftood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place. Reg. Prefcribe not us our duty. ; Be to content your Lord, who hath receiv'd you Well may you profper! France. Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt France and Cordelia SCENE V. Gon. Sifter, it is not little I've to say, Of what most nearly appertains to us both; Reg. That's certain, and with you; next month with us. he Gon. You fee how full of change his age is, the obfervation we have made of it hath not been little always lov'd our fifter moft, and with what poor judgment he hath now caft her off, appears too grofsly. Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but flenderly known himself. Gon. The beft and foundest of his time hath been but rash; and must we look, from his age, to receive not alone |