4I thought the King had more affected the

5Duke of Albany, then Cornwall.

6Glou. It did alwayes seeme so to vs: But

7now in the diuision of the Kingdome, it ap-

8peares not which of the Dukes hee valewes

9most, for qualities are so weigh'd, that curiosity in nei-

10ther, can make choise of eithers moity.

11Kent. Is not this your Son, my Lord?

12Glou. His breeding Sir, hath bin at my charge. I haue

13so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am

14braz'd too't.

15Kent. I cannot conceiue you.

16Glou. Sir, this yong Fellowes mother could; where-

17vpon she grew round womb'd, and had indeede (Sir) a

18Sonne for her Cradle, ere she had husband for her bed.

19Do you smell a fault?

20Kent. I cannot wish the fault vndone, the issue of it,

21being so proper.

22Glou. But I haue a Sonne, Sir, by order of Law, some

23yeere elder then this; who, yet is no deerer in my ac-

24count, though this Knaue came somthing sawcily to the

25world before he was sent for: yet was his Mother fayre,

26there was good sport at his making, and the horson must

27be acknowledged. Doe you know this Noble Gentle-

28man, Edmond?

29Edm. No, my Lord.

30Glou. My Lord of Kent:

31Remember him heereafter, as my Honourable Friend.

32Edm. My seruices to your Lordship.

33Kent. I must loue you, and sue to know you better.

34Edm. Sir, I shall study deseruing.

35Glou. He hath bin out nine yeares, and away he shall

36againe. The King is comming.

39Lear. Attend the Lords of France & Burgundy, Gloster.

40Glou. I shall, my Lord. Exit.

41Lear. Meane time we shal expresse our darker purpose.

42Giue me the Map there. Know, that we haue diuided

43In three our Kingdome: and 'tis our fast intent,

44To shake all Cares and Businesse from our Age,

45Conferring them on yonger strengths, while we

46Vnburthen'd crawle toward death. Our son of Cornwal,

47And you our no lesse louing Sonne of Albany,

48We haue this houre a constant will to publish

49Our daughters seuerall Dowers, that future strife

50May be preuented now. The Princes, France & Burgundy,

51Great Riuals in our yongest daughters loue,

52Long in our Court, haue made their amorous soiourne,

53And heere are to be answer'd. Tell me my daughters

54(Since now we will diuest vs both of Rule,

55Interest of Territory, Cares of State)

56Which of you shall we say doth loue vs most,

57That we, our largest bountie may extend

58Where Nature doth with merit challenge. Gonerill,

59Our eldest borne, speake first.

60Gon. Sir, I loue you more then word can weild y^e matter,

61Deerer then eye-sight, space, and libertie,

62Beyond what can be valewed, rich or rare,

63No lesse then life, with grace, health, beauty, honor:

64As much as Childe ere lou'd, or Father found.

65A loue that makes breath poore, and speech vnable,

66Beyond all manner of so much I loue you.

67Cor. What shall Cordelia speake? Loue, and be silent.

68Lear. Of all these bounds euen from this Line, to this,

69With shadowie Forrests, and with Champains rich'd

70With plenteous Riuers, and wide-skirted Meades

71We make thee Lady. To thine and Albanies issues

72Be this perpetuall. What sayes our second Daughter?

73Our deerest Regan, wife of Cornwall?

74Reg. I am made of that selfe-mettle as my Sister,

75And prize me at her worth. In my true heart,

76I finde she names my very deede of loue:

77Onely she comes too short, that I professe

78My selfe an enemy to all other ioyes,

79Which the most precious square of sense professes,

80And finde I am alone felicitate

81In your deere Highnesse loue.

82Cor. Then poore Cordelia,

83And yet not so, since I am sure my loue's

84More ponderous then my tongue.

85Lear. To thee, and thine hereditarie euer,

86Remaine this ample third of our faire Kingdome,

87No lesse in space, validitie, and pleasure

88Then that conferr'd on Gonerill. Now our Ioy,

89Although our last and least; to whose yong loue,

90The Vines of France, and Milke of Burgundie,

91Striue to be interest. What can you say, to draw

92A third, more opilent then your Sisters? speake.

93Cor. Nothing my Lord.

94Lear. Nothing?