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With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts,

That thou, my brother, my competitor

In top of all design, my mate in empire,

Friend and companion in the front of war.

The arm of mine own body, and the heart

"Where mine his thoughts did kindle,—that our stars,

Unreconcileable, should divide

Our cquahicss to this. Hear me, good friends,—

But I will tell you at some meeter season:

Enter a Messenger.
The business of this man looks out of him;
"Well hear him what he says. Whence are you?

Mess. A poor Egyptian yet. The queen my mis-
Confin'd in ail she has, her monument, [tress,
Of thy intents desires instruction.
That she preparedly may frame herself
To the way she's forced to.

Or. Bid her have good heart:

She soon rJiall know of us, by some of ours.
How honourable and how kindly we
Determine for her; for Caesar cannot live
Tn l>e ungentle.

A/ess. So the gods preserve thee I

[Exit.

Cas. Come hither, Proculeius. Go and say. We pari,osc "er HO shame: give her what comforts The quality of her passion shall require; Le^t, in her greatness, by some mortal stroke She do defeat us; for her life in Rome W'nuld lie eternal in our triumph. Go, And, with your speediest, bring us what she says, And how you find of her. Pro. Caesar, I shall. 1E*#

Car. Gallus, go you along. f^xif" Gallus.

Where s Dolabella,

To second Proculeius?
Ayr Mec, Dolabella 1

Las. Let him alone, for I remember now
How he's employ'd: he shall in time be ready.
Go with me to my teat, where you shall see
How hardly I was drawn into this war;
How calm and gentle I proceeded still
In all my writings: go with me, and see
What I can show in this. I Exeunt.

SCENE II.—Alexandria. The Monument,
Enter, above, Cleopatra, Charmian, and Iras.
Cleo. My desolation does begin to make
A better life. "Tis paltry to be Caesar;
Not being Fortune, he's but Fortune's knave,
A minister of her will, and it is great
To do that thing that ends all other deeds [
Which shackles accidents, and bolts up change;
Which sleeps, and never palates more the dung,
The beggar's nurse and Caesar's.

Enter, below, to the gates 0/the monument, Proculeius, Callus, and Soldiers.

Pro. C.xsar sends greeting to the queen of Egypt; And bids tliee study on what fair demands Thou mean st to have him grant thee.

Cieo. What's thy name I

Pro. My name is Proculeius.

Cleo. Antony
Did tell me of you, bade me trust you; but
I do not greatly care to be deceiv'a.
That have no use for trusting. If your master
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
That nmjesty, to keep decorum, must
No less beg than a kingdom; if he please
To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son,
He gives me so much of nunc own, as I
Will kneel to him with thanks.

Pro. Be of good cheer;

You are fallen into a princely hand, fear nothing;
Make your full reference freely to my lord.
Win* is so full of grace, that it flows over
Oh all ih.tt need: let me report to him
Your sweet dependency; and you shall find
A oinqueror that will pray in aid for kindness
Where he for grace is knecl'd to.

Cleo. Pray you, tell him

I am his fortune's vassal, and I send him
The greatness he has got. I hourly learn
A doctrine of obedience ; and would gladly
Look him 1* the face.

Pre. This I'll report, dear lady.

Have comfort, for I know your plight is pitied
Of him that caused It. [surpris'd.
Oat. {Aside to Pro. j You see how easily she may be
(Proculeius, and two of the Guard, ascend
the monument by a ladder, and com*
behind CleopatWL Some of the Guard
unbar and open the gates, discovering"
the lower room 0/ the monument.
[Aloud to Pro. ] Guard her till Caesar come. [Exit.
Iras. Royai queen I

Char. O Cleopatra 1 thou art taken, queen!
Cleo. Quick, quick, good hands.

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Pro. Hold, worthy lady,

[Seizes and disarms her. Do not yourself such wrong, who are in this Reliev'a, but not betray'd.

Cleo. What, of death too,

That rids our dogs of languish?

Pro. Cleopatra,
Do not abuse my master's bounty, by
The undoing of yourself: let the world see
His nobleness well acted, which your death
Will never let come forth

Cleo. Where art thou. Death 1

Come hither, come 1 come, come, and take a queen Worth many babes and beggars I

Pto. O, temperance, lady I

Cleo. Sir, I will eat no meat, II not drink, sir:
If idle talk will once be necessary;
I'll not sleep neither: this mortal house I'll ruin.
Do Caesar what he can. Know, sir, that I
Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court;
Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia. Shall they hoist me up.
And show me to the shouting varletry
Of censuring Rome 1 Rather a ditch in Egypt 1
Be gentle grave unto me! rather on Nilus' mud
Lay me stark nak'd, and let the water-flies
Blow me into abhorring 1 rather make
My country's high pyramides my gibbet.
And hang me up in chains.

Pro. You do extend

These thoughts of horror further than you shall
Find cause ;n Caesar.

Enter Dolabella.

Del. Proculeius.
What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows.
And he hath sent for thee: as for the queen,
111 take her to my guard.

Pro. So, Dolabella,

It shall content me best:—be gende to her.
[To Cleo.] To Caesar I will speak what you shall
If you'll employ me to him. [please,

Cleo. Say, I would die.

[Exeunt Proculeius and Soldiers.

Dol. Most noble empress, you have heard of me I

Cleo. I cannot teH.

Dol. Assuredly, you know me.

Cleo. No matter, sir, what I have heard, or known. You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams; Is't not your trick!

Dol. I understand not, madam.

Cleo. I dream'd there was an emperor Antony :— 0, such another sleep, that I might see But such another man 1

Dol. If it might please you,—

Cleo His face was as the heavens; and therein stuck

A sun and moon, which kept their course, and lighted The little 0, the earth.

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Crested the world: his voice was f
As all the tuned spheres, and that to friends;
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb.
He was as rattling thunder. For his liounty.
There was no winter in *t; an autumn 'twas.
That grew the more by reaping: his delights
Were dolphin-like; they show d his back above
The element they liv'd in; in his livery
Walk'd crowns, and crownets; realms and islands
As plates dropp'd from his pocket. [were
Dol. Cleopatra,—

Cleo. Think you there was, or might be, such a man,
As this I dream'd of?
Dot. Gentle madam, no

ingofthee

Cleo. You lie. up to the hearing o

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But, if there be, or ever were, one sucli.
It "s pftst the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff
To vie strange forms with fancy: yet, to imagine
An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy,
Condemning sliadows quite.

Dol. Hear me. pood

Your loss is as yourself, great; and you bear it
As answering to the weight; would 1 might never
O'ertake pursued success, but I do feel.
By the rebound of yours, a grief that smites
My very heart at root.

C/eo. I thank you, sir.

Know you what Cresar means to do with me t

Dol. I am loth to tell you what 1 would you knew.

CUo. Nay, pray you, sir,—

Do I. Though he be honourable,—

CUo. HeU lead me, then, in triumph? Dol. Madam, he will; 1 know it. \H'ithin.\ Make way there 1—Caesar I Enter Cajsar, Callus, Proculeius, Mecamas, Seleucus, and Attendants. Cas. Which is the queen of Kgyptt Dol. It is the emperor, madam.

[Cleopatra kneels.

Cas. Arise, you shall not kneel. I pray you, rise; rise, Egypt.

CUo. Sir, the gods

Will have tt thus; my master and my lord
I must obey.

Cas. Take to you no hard

The record of what injuries you did us.
Though written in our flesh, we shall remember
As things but done by chance.

C/eo. Sole sir o' the world,

I cannot project mine own cause so well
To make it clear; but do confess I have
Been laden with like frailties, which before
Have often shaxn'd our sex.

Cas. Cleopatra, know.

We will extenuate rather than enforce:
If you apply yourself to our intents,
(Which towards you are most gentle,) you shall find
A benefit in this change ; but if you seek
To lay on ine a cruelty, by taking
Antony's course, you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes, and put your children
To that destruction which 111 guard them from,
If thereon you rely. I'll take my leave.

CUo. And may, through all the world: 'tis yours and we,

Your scutcheons, and your signs of conquest, shall Hang in what place you please. Here, my good lord.

Cas. You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra

C/eo. [Gwmjra Sera//.] This is the brief of money, plate, and jewels, I am possess'd of : 'tis exactly valu'd; Not petty things admitted.—Where's Seleucus*

Set. Here, niadam

C/eo. This is my treasurer: let hiin speak, my lord;
Upon his peril, that I have reserv'd
To myself nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.

Sri. Madam,
I had rather seal my lips, than, to my peril,
Speak that which is not.

CUo. What have I kept hack t

St/. Enough to purchase what you have made known.

Cas. Nay, blush not, Cleopatra; I approve Your wisdom in the deed.

CUo. See, Caesar 1 O, l>ehold.

How pomp is follow'd 1 mine will now be yours;
And, should we shift estates, yours would be mine.
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
Even make me wild: O slave, of n/> more trust
Than. love that's hir'd 1—What, goest thou back!
thou shalt

Go back, I warrant thee; but I'll catch thine eyes.
Though they had wings: slave, soui-less villain, dog 1
O rarely base 1
Cas. Good queen, let us entreat you.

CUo. O Caesar, what a wounding shame is this.
That thou, vouchsafing here to visit me.
Doing the honour of thy lordliness
To one so meek, that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgrace by
Addition of his envy I Say, good Ca?sar,
That I some lady trifles have reserv'd,
exeat toi

As we greet modern friends witha ; and say,

Some nobler token have I kept apar

For IJ via, ami Octavia, to induce

Their mediation : must I be unfolded

With one that 1 have bred? The gods! it smites me

Beneath the fail 1 have. r7i»Sel.] PVythee, go hence;

Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits

Through the ashes of my chance: wert thou a man.

Thou wouldst have mercy on roe.

Cas. Forbear, Seleucus.

[Exeunt Seleucus.

C/eo. Be if known, that we, the greatest, are misthought

For things that others do; and, when we fall,
We answer others' merits in our name,
Are therefore to be pitied.

Cas. Cleopatra,
Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledged,
Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be it yours.
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
C.vsar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be cheerM;
Make not your thoughts your prisons : no, dear queen;
For we intend so to dipose you, as
Yourself shall give us counsel. Feed, and sleep:
Our care and pity is so much upon you,
That we remain your friend ; and so, adieu,

CUo. My master, and my lordl

Cas. Not so. Adieu.

[ Flourish. Exeunt Ca?sar and his train.

CUo. He words roe, girls, he words me, that I should not

Be noble to myself: but, hark thee. Charmian.

I Whispers Charmian.

Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done, And we are for the dark.

CUo. Hie thee again:

I have snoke already, and it is provided;
Go, put it to the haste.

Char. Madam, I will.

Jt.e~e.nter Dolabella. Do/. Where is the queen I

Char. Behold, sir. \Ex&.

CUo. Dolabella?

Dol. Madam, as thereto sworn by your command. Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Caesar through Syria Intends his journey; and, within three days. You with your children will he send before: Make your best use of this: I have perform'd Your pleasure, and my promise.

CUo. Dolabella, I shall remain your debtor

Dol. I am your servant.

Adieu, good queen ; I must attend on Caesar.

CUo. Farewell, and thanks.—[Exit Dol.J Now,
Iras, what think'st thou?
Thou, an ligyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Home, as well as I : mechanic slaves.
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths.
Rank of gross diet, shall we be enclouded.
And fore'd to drink their vapour.

Iras. The gods forbid t

CUo. Nay, 'tis most certain, Tras: saucy Itctors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
Fxtemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels ; Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
1' the posture o? a whore.

Iras. O, the good gods 1

CUo. Nav, that is certain.

IraS. ITl'never see it; for, I am sure, my nails Are stronger than mine eyes.

Cleo. Why, that's the way

To fool their preparation, and to conquer
Their most absurd intents

oys, things of such dignity

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To play tfll dooms-day. Bring our crown and all.

[Exit Iras.] A noise heard.

Wherefore's this noise?

Enter one of the Guard.

Guard. Here is a rural fellow.

That will not be denied your highness' presence:
He brings you figs.

Cleo. Let him come in. [Exit Guard.] What poor
an instrument.
May do a noble deed 1 he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Or woman in me: now from head to foot
I am marble-constant; now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

He-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing in a basket.

Guard. This is the man

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard.

Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there.
That kills and pains not?

Clown. Truly. 1 have him : but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him, for his biting is immortal j those that do die of it, do seldom or never recover.

Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died on't?

Clown. Very many, men and women too. I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday: a very honest woman, but something given to lie; as a woman should not do, but in the way of honesty: how she died of the biting of it, what pain she felt, truly, she makes a very good report o' the worm; but he that will believe all that they say, shall never be saved by half that they do: but this is most fallible, the worm's an odd worm.

Cleo. Get thee hence; farewell.

Clown. I wish you all joy of the worm.

[Sets down the basket.

Cleo. Farewell.

C/o7vn. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind. Cleo. Ay, ay ; farewell.

Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be trusted hut in the keeping of wise people; for, indeed, there is no goodness in the worm.

Cleo. Take thou no care; it shall be heeded.

Clown, Very good. Give it nothing. I pray you, for it is not worth the feeding.

Cleo. Will it eat me?

Clown. You most not think I am so simple, but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman; I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not; but, truly, these same whoreson devils do the eods great harm in their women; for in every ten that they make, the devils mar five.

Cleo. Well, get thee gone; farewell.

Clown. Yes, forsooth; I wish you joy of the worm. '[Exit.

Re-enter Iras, with a robe, crown, &-c.

Cleo. Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me : now no more The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip: Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Mcthinks I hear Antony cali; I see him rouse himself To praise my noble act; I hear him mock The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men To excuse their after wrath : husband, I come: Now to that name iny courage prove my title I I am fire, and air ; my other elements 1 give to baser life. So, have you done? Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips. Farewell, kind Ghanaian; Iras, long farewell,

[Kisses them. Iras falls and dies. Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall? If thou and nature can so gently part. The stroke of death is as a lover s pinch. Which hurts, and is desir'd.' Dost thou lie still J If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world It is not worth leave-taking, ("say.

Char. Dissolve, thick cloud, and rain; that I may The gods themselves do weep.

Cleo. This proves me base;

If she first meet the curled Antony,
He'll make demand of her, and spend that kiss.
Which is my heaven to have. Come, thou mortal
■wretch,

[ To the asp, which she affiles to her breast.

With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate

Of lite at once untie ; poor venomous fool.

Be angry, and despatch. O, couldst thou speak,'

That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass

Unpolicied I

Char. O eastern star I

Cleo. Peace, peace 1

Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,
That sucks the nurse asleep t

Char. O, break I 0, break 1

Cleo. As sweet as balm, as soft as air, as gentle.— O Antony I—Nay, I will take thee too.—

[Applying another asp to her arm. What should I stay— [Dies.

Char. In this wide world?—So, fare thee well.— Now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies A lass unparallel'd.—Downy windows, close; And golden Phoebus never be beheld Of eyes again so royal! Your crown's awry; I'll mend it, and then play.

Enter the Guard, rushing in.

i Guard. Where is the queen?

Char. Speak softly, wake her not.

i Guard. Caesar hath sent—

Char. Too slow a messenger.

[Applies an e. f fee *

O, come apace, despatch: I partly feel thee, i Guard. Approach, hoi All's not well: Caesar's beguil (1.

s Guard. .There's Dolabella sent from Caesar; call him.

i Guard. What work is here! Charmian, is this well done?

Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princess Descended of so many royal kings. Ah, soldier I [Dies, He-enter Dolabella. Dol. How goes it here t a Guard. All dead.

Del. Caesar, thy thoughts

Touch their effects in this: thyself art coming
To see perform'd the dreaded act, which thou
So sought'st to hinder.
[lVithin.\ A way there! a way for Caesar I

Re-enter Caesar and his train.
Dol. O sir, you are too sure an augurer;
That you did fear, is done.

Cas. Bravest at the last;

She levell'd at our purposes, and, being royal.
Took her own way. The manner of their deaths?
I do not see them bleed.
Dol. Who was last with them?

i Guard. A simple countryman, that brought her This was his basket. [figs:

Cas. Poison'd, then,

i Guard. O Caesar,

This Charmian lived but now; she stood, and spake:
I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead mistress : tremblingly she stood,
And on the sudden dropp'd.

Cas. O noble weakness I—

If they had swallow'd poison, 'twould appear
By external swelling: out she looks like sleep,
As she would catch another Antony
In her strong toil of grace.

Dol. _ Here, on her breast.

There is a vent of blood, and something blown:
The like is on her«rm.

i Guard. This is an aspic's trail; and these fig-leaves Have slime upon them, such as the aspic leaves Upon the caves of Nile.

Cas. Most probable

That so she died; for her physician tells me, she hath pursu'd conclusions infinite 3feasy ways to die. Take up her bed; And bear her women from the monument: She shall be buried by her Antony: grave upon the earth shall clip in it >air so famous. High events as these ke those that make them; and their story is No less in pity, than his glory, which Brought them to be lamented. Our army shall. In solemn show, attend this funeral; And then to Rome :—come, Dolabella, see High order in this great solemnity, [Exeunt,

King Lear.

DRAMATIS PERSONS.

Lear, King of Britain,
King of France.
Duke of Burgundy.
Duke of Cornwall.
Duke of Albany.
Earl of Kent.
Earl of Gloster.
Edgar, Son to Gloster.
Edmund, Bastard Son to
Curan, a Courtier.
Oswald, Steward to GoneriL
Old Man, Tenant to Gloster.

Physician.
Fool.

Officer, employed by Edmund.
Gentleman, Attendant on Cordelia*
A Herald

Servants to Cornwall.
Goneril, ^

Regan, > Daughters to Lear.
Cordelia, J

Knights of Lear's train. Officers, Messengers, Soldiers,
and Attendants.

SCENE,—Britain.

ACT I.

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•A Room of State in King Lear's Palace-
Enter Kent, Gloster, and Edmund.
Kent. 1 thought the king had more affected the
dakc of All Mil y, than Cornwall.

Glo. It did always seem so to us: but now, in the
division of the kingdom, it appears not which of
the dukes he values most: for equalities are soi
weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice ofi
cither's moiety.
Kent. Is not this your son, my lord?
Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I
have so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now
I am brazed to it.
Kent. 1 cannot conceive you.

Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could ; whereupon she grew round-woinbed, and had. indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?

Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of We make thee lady: to tiiine and Albany'sTissue, it being so proper. , -Be this perpetual.—What says our second daughter,

Glo. But I hav<

Long in our court have made their amerous so jours.

And here are to be answer'd.—Tell me, my daugb-
{Sincc now we will divest us, both of rule, [ters>
Interest of territory, cares of state,)
Which of you, sh.tfl we say, doth love us most?
That we our largest bounty may extend
Where nature doth with merit challenge.—Goneril,
Our eldest born, speak first.
Gon. Sir, I love you more than words can wield
the matter;
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour:
As much as child e'er lov d, or father found;
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
Cor. [Asuit:} What shall Cordelia do? Love, and
be silent.

Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,
With shadowy forests, and with chamuains rich'd.
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads.

ve a son, sir, by order of law. some Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.

year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world, before he was sent for. yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?

Edm. No, my lord.

Glo. My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.

Edm. My services to your lordship.

Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you better.

Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again.—The king is coming. [Sennet -within

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Glo. I shall, my liege.

\Exennt Gloster and Edmund. Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.

Give me the map there—Know, that we have divided
In three, our kingdom : and 'tis our fast intent
To shake all cares and business from our age;
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we
Unburden'd crawl toward death.—Our son of Corn-
And you, our no less loving son of Albany, [wall,
We have this hour a constant will to publish
Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife
May be prevented now. The princes, France and
Burgundy,

Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,

Reg. 1 .mi made of that self metal as my sister,
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
I find she names my very deed of love;
Only she comes too short,—that I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys.
Which the most precious square of sense possesses;
And find I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness' love.

Cor. [Aside ] Then, poor Cordelia I

And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's
More richer than my tongue.

Lear. To thee ami thine, hereditary ever.
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom;
No less in space, validity, and pleasure.
Than that conferr'd on Goneril. —Now, our joy.
Although our last, not least; to whose young love
The vines of France, and milk of Burgundy,
Strive to be interess'd; wh.it can you say, to draw
A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.
Gor. Nothing, my lord.
Lear. Nothing!
Cor. Nothing.

Lear. Nothing will come of nothing: speak again.

Cor. Unhappy that I am, 1 cannot neave
My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty
According to my bond: nor more, nor less.

Lear. How, how. Cordelia! mend your speech*
little.

Lest you may mar your fortunes.

Cor. Good my lord.

You have begot me. bred me, lov'd me: I
Return those duties back as are right fit.
Obey you, love you, and most honour you.
Why have my sisters husbands, if they say
They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed.

That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall carry

Half my love with him, half my care, and duty:
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,
To love my father alL

Lear. But goes thy heart with this?

Cor. Ay, good my lord.

Lear. So young, and so untender?

Cor. So young, my lord, and true.

Lear. Let it ne so,—thy truth, then, be thy dower:
For, by the sacred radiance of the sun.
The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;
By ail the operation of the orbs
From whom we do exist, and cease to be;
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood.
And, as a stranger to my heart and me,
Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous
Scythian,

Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
Be as well neighbour'*!, pitied, and relieved.
As thou my sometime daughter.

Kent. Good my liege,—

tear. Peace, Kent I 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 I— So be my grave my peace, as here I give Her father's heart from her I—Call France who Call Burgundy.—Cornwall, and Albany, [stirs? With my two daughters' dowers digest the third: Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. I do invest you jointly with my power, Pre-eminence, and all the large effects That troop with majesty. Ourself by monthly course, With reservation of a hundred knights. By you to be sustaln'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only, we still retain The name, and all th' additions to a king; The sway,

Revenue, execution of the rest.

Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm

This coronet part between you. [Giving the crown.

Kent. Royal Lear,

Whom I have ever honour'd as my king,
Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd.
As my great patron thought on in my prayers,—

Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft.

Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade
The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly,
When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man 5
Think'st thou that duly shall have dread to speak,
When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's
bound,

When majesty falls to folly. Reverse thy doom;
And, in thy best consideration, check
This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment,
Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least;
Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound
Rcverbs no hollowness.

Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more.

Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive.

Lear. Out of my sight 1

Kent. See better, Lear; and lef ine still remain The true blank of thine eye.

Lear. Now, by Apollo,—

Kent. Now, by Apollo, king.

Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. I miscreant 1

Lear. {Lay ins; his hand on his sword.] O vassal I

Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear.

Kent. Do;
Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow
Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift:
Or. whilst I can vent clamour from my throat,
I'll tell thee thou dost evil.

Lear. Hear me, recreant!

On thine allegiance, hear me I
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,)
Our potency made good, take thy reward.
Five days we do allot thee, for provision
To shield thee from diseases of the world;

And, on the sixth, to turn thy hated back

Upon our kingdom: if, on the tenth day following,

Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, The moment is thy death. Away 1 By Jupiter, This shall not be revok'd. [appear, Kent. Fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.— [ To Cor. ] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid.

That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said 1— [7VGon. and Reg.] And your large speeches may

your deeds approve, 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. Flourish. Re-enter Gloster, -with France, Burgundy, and Attendants.

Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.

Lear. My lord of Burgundy,
We first address toward you. who with this king
Hath rivail'd for our daughter: what, in the least.
Will you require in present dower with her.
Or cease your quest of love?

Bar. Most royal majesty,

I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, \or will you tender less.

Lear. Right noble Burgundy,

When she was dear to us, we did hold her so;
But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands I
If aught within that little seeming substance,
Or all of it, with our displeasure piec'd,
And nothing more, may fitly like your grace,
She's there, and she is yours.

Bur I know no answer.

Lear. Will you, with those infirmities she owes, Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, 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 you all her wealth.—f To France.] For you, great king,

I would not from your love make such a stray,
To match you where I hate; therefore, beseech you
T' avert your liking a more worthier way.
Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd
Almost to acknowledge hers.

France. This is most strange,

That she, who even but now was your best object,
The argument of your praise, balm of your age.
The best, the dearest, should in this trice of time
Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle
So many folds'of favour. Sure, her offence
Must be of such unnatural degree.
That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection
Fall into taint: which to believe of her.
Must be a faith that reason, without miracle.
Could never plant in me.

Cor. I yet beseech your majesty,

(Iffor I want that glib and oily art.
To speak and purpose not; since what I well intend,
I'll do't before I speak.) that you make known
It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness.
No unchaste action, or dishonoured stop,
That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour;
But even for want of that for which I am richer,—
A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue
That I am glad I have not, though not to have it.
Hath lost me in your liking.

Lear. Better thou

Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better.

France. Is it but this? a tardiness in nature,
Which often leaves the history unspoke.
That it intends to do?—My lord of Burgundy,
What say vou to the lady? Love is not love.
When it is'mingled with regards that stand
Aloof from the entire point. Will you have hert
She is herself a dowry.

Bur. Royal King,

Givo but that portion which yourself propos'd,
Ami here I take Cordelia by the hand.
Duchess of Burgundy.

'Lear. Nothing: I have sworn: I am firm,

Bur. 1 am sorry, then, you have so lost a father, I That you must lose a husband.

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