ears before Christ. Shakspeare has taken the hint for the the reply of Cordelia to her father concerning her future marMagistrates, 1587. According to Steevens, the episode of -ed from Sidney's Arcadia." et, and Lear, are placed by general consent as first in the list ions, but to the character of Lear, is yielded the pre-eminence. wonderfu. dramatic conception on record. We have enour selections, the entire development of this extraordinary RSONS REPRESENTED. Britain. Ε. NDY. VALL. Y. ER. Gloster. imate son to Gloster. ier. nt to Gloster. bol. ard to Goneril. Loyed by Edmund. endant on Cordelia. rvants to Cornwall. -N, Cordelia, daughters to Lear. on the King, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers and Attendants. SCENE,--BRITAIN. We have this hour a constant will to publish Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? Gon. Sir, I Do love you more than words can wield the matte Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be sil Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line t With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady: To thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual. - What says our second daught Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. Reg. I am 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 possesse And find, I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love. Then poor Cordelia ! [Aside And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Cor. Nothing, my lord. Lear. Nothing? Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: speak again. My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes. Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I 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 this with thy heart? Lear. So young, and so untender ? Cor. So young, my lord, and true. Ay, good my lord. Lear. Let it be so, -Thy truth then be thy dower: For, by the sacred radiance of the sun; The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; By all the operations of the orbs, From whom we do exist, and cease to be; Hold thee, from this, for ever. Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent! Good my liege, Come not between the dragon and his wrath: Whom I have ever honor'd as my king, Lear. Kent, on thy life, no m 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! 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. Kent. Now, by Apollo, kir O, vassal! misc [Laying his Lear. Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Or, whilst I can vent clamor from my throat, I'll tell thee thou dost evil. Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me!- Kent. Fare thee well, king; since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.- That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said! And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [TO CORDELIA [TO REGAN and GONERIL. Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu : He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit. That good effects may spring from words of love. 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 towards you, who with this king Or cease your quest of love? Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; If aught within that little, seeming substance, 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 she owes, Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Take her, or leave her? |