Enter Kent, Glo'fter, and Edmund the Baftard.

Kent.

I

Thought the King had more affected the
Duke of Albany than Cornwall.

Glo. It did always feem fo to us: but now, in the divifion of the kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values molt; for qualities are fo weigh'd, that curiosity * in neither can make choice of either's moiety.

Kent. Is not this

your fon, my Lord?

Glo. His breeding, Sir, hath been at my charge. I have fo often blufh'd to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd to't.

Kent. I cannot conceive you.

Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon fhe grew round-womb'd; and had indeed, Sir, a fon for her cradle, ere fhe had a husband for her bed. Do you fmell a fault?

Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the iffue of it being fo proper.

Glo. But I have a fon, Sir, by order of law, fome year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came fomewhat faucily into the world before he was fent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good fport at his making, and the whorfon must be acknowledged. Do you know this Nobleman, Ed

mund?

Edm. No, my Lord.

Glo. My Lord of Kent;

Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.
Edm. My fervices to your Lordfhip.

Kent. I must love you, and fue to know you better.
Edm. Sir, I fhall study your deferving.

Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he fhall [Trumpets found, within.

again.

The King is coming.

Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerill, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendants.

Lear. Attend the Lords of France and Burgundy,

Glo'fter.

Glo. I fhall, my Liege.

[Exit.

Lear. Mean time we fhall exprefs our darker * purpose. Give me the map here: know, we have divided, In three, our kingdom; and 'tis our first intent, To shake all cares and business from our age; Conferring them on younger ftrengths, while we Unburthen'd crawl tow'rd death. Our fon of Cornwall,

• Darker for more fecret; not for indirect, oblique.

And you, our no lefs loving fon of Albany,
We have this hour a conftant will to publish
Our daughters fev'ral dow'rs, that future ftrife
May be prevented. The Princes France and Burgundy,
Great Rivals in our younger daughter's love,

Long in our court have made their am'rous fojourn,
And here are to be anfwer'd. Tell me, daughters,
(Since now we will diveft us, both of rule,
Int'reft of territory, and cares of state)
Which of you, fhall we fay, doth love us most ?
That we our largest bounty may extend,
Where nature doth with merit challenge.
Our eldest born, speak first.

Gon. I love you, Sir,

Dearer than eye fight, fpace, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;

Gonerill,

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 fo much I love you.

Cor. What fhall Cordelia do; love, and be filent.

EAfide.
Lear. Of all these bounds, ev'n from this line to this,
With fhadowy forests and with champions rich'd,
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,
We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's iffue
Be this perpetual.- -What fays our fecond daughter,
Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall? fpeak.
Reg. I'm made of that self-metal as my fifter,
And prize me at her worth, in my true heart,
I find the names my very deed of love;
Only fhe comes too fhort: that I profess
Myfelf an enemy to all other joys,

Which the moft precious fquare of fenfe poffeffes;
And find I am alone felicitate

In your dear Highness' love.

Cor. Then poor Cordelia!

And yet not fo, fince I am fure my love's

More pond'rous than their tongue.

Lear. To thee and thine, hereditary ever, Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom;.

i.e. beyond all expreflion.

[Afide