Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, Kent. Good my liege,— Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath: I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery.-Hence, and avoid my sight!— [TO CORDELIA. So be my grave my peace, as here I give Her father's heart from her!-Call France;-Who stirs? Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. That troop with majesty.-Ourself, by monthly course, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain The name, and all the additions to a king; The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, This coronet part between you. Kent. Royal Lear, Whom I have honour'd as my king, [Giving the Crown. Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, As my great patron thought on in my prayers,- Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom; And, in thy best consideration, check This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, Το Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive. Lear. Out of my sight! Kent. See better, Lear; and let me still remain The true blank of thine eye. Lear. Now, by Apollo,- Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. [Laying his Hand on his Sword. Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me !— Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, (Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain'd pride, To come betwixt our sentence and our power; (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,) Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.— The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [To CORDELIA. That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said!— And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [To REGAN and GONERIL. That good effects may spring from words of love.— Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit. Re-enter GLOSTER; with FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Attendants. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. We first address towards you, who with this king Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, Bur. I know no answer. Lear. Sir, Will you, with those infirmities she owes, Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Take her, or leave her? Bur. Pardon me, royal sir; Election makes not up on such conditions. Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me, I tell all her wealth. For you, great king, you [TO FRANCE. I would not from your love make such a stray, To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you Almost to acknowledge hers. France. This is most strange! That she, that even but now was your best object, That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection Must be a faith, that reason without miracle 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, That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour: That I am glad I have not, though not to have it, Lear. Better thou Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. Which often leaves the history unspoke, Bur. Royal Lear, Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, And here I take Cordelia by the hand, Duchess of Burgundy. Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. 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. |