1 The Publishers believing that the want of a strictly correct edition of the Plays of Shakspeare, as they are acted at the present day, which might serve the purpose of mentor and guide, has long been felt by the public, and particularly by the members of the theatrical profession, have endeavored to supply the want, and present this work as the first result of their efforts. It is RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED to EDWIN FORREST, ESQ. as an humble tribute to the genius of the greatest impersonator and expounder living, of the works of the immortal bard, and a recognition of kindly assistance received from him. In making the corrections and interpolations (from the original text) his knowledge and research were invaluable; and the unusual facility afforded by his private library (the finest Shakspearian in the world) have enabled the Publishers to perfect a work which they can present with confidence to the public. NEW YORK, 1860. WM. A. MOORE & C. S. BERNARD. KING LEAR ACT I. SCENE I.—An Anti-chamber in King Lear's Palace. Enter Edmund, r.h. Edm. Thou, Nature, art my goddess; to thy law Depriv'd of a son's right, because I came not Why bastard? Wherefore base? when I can boast And heighten'd by such lucky accidents, That now the slightest circumstance confirms him, (Retires a little, r.h.) Enter Kent and Gloster, l.h. Glost. Nay, good my lord, your charity O'ershoots itself, to plead in his behalf; You are yourself a father, and may feel First-born and best-belov'd.—O, villain Edgar! Glost. Plead with the seas, and reason down the winds, Yet shalt thou ne'er convince me: I have seen His foul designs through all a father's fondness. Edm. It works as I could wish; I'll shew myself. (Aside, Advances.) Glost. Ha, (Crosses to Edmund, r.h.) Edmund welcome, boy.—O Kent! see here Inverted nature, Gloster's shame and glory: This bye-born, the wild sally of my youth, Pursues me with all filial offices; Whilst Edgar, begged of heaven, and born in honor, To curse in age the pleasure of my youth. Nay, weep not, Edmund, for thy brother's crimes. Kent. I grieve to see him Heaven succeed it! With such wild starts of passion hourly seiz'd, As render majesty beneath itself. Glost. Alas! 'tis the infirmity of his age: Yet has his temper ever been unfixt, Chol'ric, and sudden. (Flourish of Trumpets and Drums, R.H.) [Flourish.-Exeunt, R.H. Hark, they approach. Enter Cordelia, l.h. Edgar, following. Edg. Cordelia, royal fair, turn yet once more, And, ere successful Burgundy receive The treasure of thy beauties from the king, Cast back one pitying look on wretched Edgar. Cord. Alas! what would the wretched Edgar, with The more unfortunate Cordelia ? Who, in obedience to a father's will, Flies from her Edgar's arms to Burgundy's. (A Flourish sounds and continues until the Scene changes.) [Exeunt; Cordelia, r.h., and Edgar, l.h SCENE II-A Room of State in the Palace. (Flourish of Drums and Trumpets, r.h.) King Lear upon his Throne, ALBANY, CORNWALL, BUR GUNDY, KENT, GLOSTER, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, Captain of the Guard, three Knights, two Pages, two Gentlemen with the Map, two Gentlemen with the Crown, Physician, Herald, Banners and Guards, Lords, Ladies, &c., &c., discovered. Lear. Attend, my lords of Albany and Cornwall, With princely Burgundy. Alb. We do, my liege. Lear. Give me the map.—(The Gentlemen who hold the Map, l.h., advance a little, and unroll it.)—Know, lords, we have divided, In three our kingdom, having now resolv'd Long in our court have made your amorous sojourn, Goneril, our eldest born, speak first. Gon. Sir, I do love you more than words can utter, Beyond what can be valu'd rich or rare; As much as child can love the best of fathers. Lear. Of all these bounds, e'en from this line to this, Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, Reg. My sister, sir, in part, express my love; I have my all in my dear lieges love. Lear. Therefore, to thee and thine hereditary, Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom. (Whilst Cordelia is speaking, Lear, assisted by Kent l.h., and Gloster, r.h., descends from the throne and comes forward into the centre; Kent goes be low Burgundy, l h., and Gloster remains at Lear's r.h., a little behind him. Cord. Now comes my trial.—How am I distrest, That must with cold speech tempt the chol'ric king, Rather to leave me dowerless, than to condemn me To Burgundy's embraces. (Aside.) Lear. Speak now, our last, not least in our dear love,— So ends my task of state,—Cordelia, speak: What canst thou say to win a richer third, Than what thy sisters gained? Cord. Now must my love, in words, fall short of their's, As much as it exceeds in truth—(Aside.)—Nothing, my lord. Lear. Nothing? Cord. Nothing. Lear. Nothing can come of nothing; speak again. Sir, as I ought, I love your majesty, No more, nor less. Lear. Take heed, Cordelia ; Thy fortunes are at stake; think better on't, And mend thy speech a little. Cord. O my liege! You gave me being, bred me, dearly loved me, And I return my duty as I ought, Obey you, love you, and most honor you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they love you all? Haply when I shall wed, the lord, whose hand Shall take my plight, will carry half my love; |