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King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Pervez Rizvi
Not Peer Reviewed
The History of King Lear.
By Iupiter, this shall not be reuokt.
Kent. Why fare thee well King, since thou wilt appeare,
195Friendship liues hence, and banishment is here;
The Gods to their protecction take the maid,
That rightly thinkes, and hath most iustly said,
And your large speeches may your deeds approue,
That good effects may spring from words of loue:
200Thus Kent, O Princes, bids you all adew,
Hee'l shape his old course in a Country new.
Enter France and Burgundy with Glocester.
Glo. Heer's France and Burgundy, my noble Lord.
205Lear. My Lord or Burgundy, we first addresse towards you,
Who with a King hath riuald for our daughter,
What in the least will you require in present
Dower with her, or cease your quest of loue?
210Burg. Roiall Maiesty, I craue no more then what
Your Highnesse offered, nor will you tender lesse?
Lear. Right noble Burgundy, when she was deare to vs,
215We did hold her so, but now her price is fallen;
Sir, there she stands, if ought within that little
Seeming substance, or all of it with our displeasure peec'st,
And nothing else may fitly like your Grace,
Shee's there, and she is yours.
220Burg. I know no answer.
Lear. Sir, will you with those infirmities she owes,
Vnfriended, new adopted to our hate,
Couered with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath,
Take her or leaue her.
225Burg. Pardon me royall sir, election makes not vp
On such conditions.
Lear. Then leaue her sir, for by the power that made me,
I tell you all her wealth. For you great King,
I would not from your loue make such a stray,
230To match you where I hate, therefore beseech you,
To auert your liking a more worthier way,
Then on a wretch whom Nature is asham'd
Almost to acknowledge hers.
Fran.