Must be a faith that reason without miracle 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 No unchaste action, or dishonoured step, That hath deprived me of your grace and favour; But even for want of that for which I am richer, A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue That I am glad I have not, though not to have it Hath lost me in your liking. Lear. Better thou Hadst not been born, than not to have pleased me better. France. Is it but this? a tardiness in nature, That it intends to do ?-My Lord of Burgundy, She is herself a dowry. Bur. Royal king, have her? Give but that portion which yourself proposed, And here I take Cordelia by the hand, 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, I shall not be his wife. France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; Most choice, forsaken; and most loved, despised; Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon : Be it lawful I take up what's cast away. Gods, gods! 't is strange, that from their cold'st neglect My love should kindle to inflamed respect. Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, Is Queen of us, of ours, and our fair France: Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see [Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GLOSTER, and Attendants. France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor. The jewels of our father, with washed eyes Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are, And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults as they are named. father: Love well our To your professéd bosoms I commit him; Reg. Prescribe not us our duty. Gon. Let your study Be, to content your lord, who hath received you At fortune's alms: you have obedience scanted, And well are worth the want that you have wanted. Cor. Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides; Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. Well may you prosper ! France. Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt FRANCE and CORDELIA. Gon. Sister, it is not 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 little he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off, appears too grossly. Reg. 'T is 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 longengraffed 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 leave-taking between France and him. Pray you, let us hit together if our father carry authority with such : disposition as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us. Reg. We shall further think of it. Gon. We must do something, and i' the heat. SCENE II.-A Hall in the Earl of GLOSTER'S Enter EDMUND, with a letter Edm. Thou, Nature, art my goddess; to thy law My services are bound. Wherefore should I Stand in the plague of custom, and permit The curiosity of nations to deprive me, For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon shines Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base ? My mind as generous, and my shape as true, Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, |