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 it being so proper. Glo. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some 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. [Trumpets sound within. Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, Goneril, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glo. I shall, my liege. No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour: As much as child e'er loved, or father found: Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests and with champains riched, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual.-What says our second daugh ter, 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 possesses, And find I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love. [Aside. Cor. Then poor Cordelia! Lear. To thee and thine, hereditary ever, Come not between the dragon and his wrath: So be my grave my peace, as here I give Call Burgundy.-Cornwall and Albany, course, With reservation of an hundred knights, The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest. Beloved sons, be yours: which to cor firm, |