Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Pervez Rizvi
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

The History of King Lear.
Be this perpetuall. What saies our second daughter?
Our deerest Regan, wife to Cornwall, speake.
Reg. Sir I am made of the selfe-same mettal that my sister is
75And prize me at her worth in my true heart,
I finde she names my very deed of loue, onely shee came short,
That I professe my selfe an enemy to all other ioyes,
Which the most precious square of sence possesses,
80And finde I am alone felicitate in your deere highnesse loue.
Cor. Then poore Cordelia, and yet not so, since I am sure
My loue's more richer then my tongue.
85Lear. To thee and thine hereditary euer
Remaine this ample third of our faire kingdome,
No lesse in space, validity, and pleasure,
Then that confirm'd on Gonorill; but now our ioy,
Although the last, not least in our deere loue,
What can you say to win a third, more opulent
Then your sisters.
Cor. Nothing my Lord.
Lear. How, nothing can come of nothing, speake againe.
Cor. Vnhappy that I am, I cannot heaue my heart into my
mouth, I loue your Maiesty according to my bond, nor more
nor lesse.
100Lear. Go too, go too, mend your speech a little,
Least it may marre your fortunes.
Cord. Good my Lord,
You haue begot me, bred me, loued me,
I returne those duties backe as are right fit,
105Obey you, loue you, and most honour you,
Why haue my sisters husbands, if they say they loue you all,
Haply when I shall wed, that Lord whose hand
Must take my plight, shall carry halfe my loue with him,
Halfe my care and duty, sure I shall neuer
110Marry like my sisters, to loue my father all.
Lear. But goes this with thy heart?
Cor. I good my Lord.
Lear. So young and so vntender?
Cor. So young my Lord, and true.
Lear.
A3