If aught within that little, feeming fubftance,
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.

Lear. Sir,

I know no answer.

Will you, with those infirmities the 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 fir;

Election makes not up on fuch conditions,

Lear. Then leave her, fir; for, by the power that

made me,

I tell you all her wealth.-For you, great king,

[To FRANCE.

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

France.

This is moft ftrange!

That the, that even but now was your best object,
The argument of your praise, balm of your age,
Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time
Commit a thing fo monftrous, to dismantle
So many folds of favour! Sure, her offence
Must be of fuch 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 befeech your majesty,

(If for I want that glib and oily art,

Τα

To speak and purpofe not; fince what I well intend,
I'll do't before I fpeak,) that you make known
It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,
No unchafte action, or dishonour'd step,
That hath depriv'd me of your grace

and favour:

But even for want of that, for which I am richer;
A ftill-foliciting eye, and fuch a tongue

That I am glad I have not, though, not to have it,
Hath loft me in your liking.

Lear.

Better thou

Hadft 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 fay you to the lady? Love is not love,
When it is mingled with respects, that stand
Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her?
She is herself a dowry.

Give but that portion which yourself propos'd,
And here I take Cordelia by the hand,

Duchefs of Burgundy.

Lear.

Nothing I have fworn; I am firm.

:

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

Cor.

Peace be with Burgundy!

Since that respects of fortune are his love,

I fhall not be his wife.

France. Fairest Cordelia, that art moft rich, being poor; Moft choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! Thee and thy virtues here I feize upon :

Be it lawful, I take up what's caft away.

Gods, gods! 'tis ftrange, that from their cold'ft neglect

My

My love fhould kindle to inflam'd respect.

Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance,
Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France :
Not all the dukes of watʼrifh Burgundy
Shall buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me.-
Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind:
Thou losest here, a better where to find.

Lear. Thou haft her, France: let her be thine; for we Have no fuch daughter, nor shall ever see

That face of hers again :-Therefore be gone,

Without our grace, our love, our benizon.→→

Come, noble Burgundy.

[Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GLOSTER, and Attendants.

France. Bid farewell to your fifters.

Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are;

And, like a fifter, am most loath to call

Your faults, as they are nam'd. Ufe well our father:
To your profeffed bofoms I commit him :

But yet, alas! ftood I within his grace,

I would prefer him to a better place.
So farewell to you both.

Gon. Prefcribe not us our duties.
Reg.
Let your study
Be, to content your lord; who hath receiv'd you
At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,
And well are worth the want that you have wanted.
Cor. Time fhall unfold what plaited cunning hides ;
Who cover faults, at last fhame them derides.

Well may you prosper!

France.

Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt FRANCE and CORDELIA.

Gon.

WN.Gardiner del et sc

King Lear

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lub May 198 by Edwarding 98 Pall Mall.