Their mediation; must I be unfolded [me
With one that I have bred? The gods! It smites
Beneath the fall I have. Pr'ythee, go hence;
[To Seleucus.
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through the ashes of my chance.-Wert thou a
Thou wouldst have mercy on me. [man,
Cœes. Forbear, Seleucus. (Exit Seleucus.
Cleo. Be it 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.

Cœes.

Cleopatra,

Not what you have reserv'd, nor what acknowledg'd,

Put we i' the roll of conquest: still be it yours,
Bestow it at your pleasure; and believe,
Cæsar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold. Therefore be
cheer'd;

Make not your thoughts your prisons: no, dear
For we intend so to dispose you, as [queen;
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.
Cleo. My master, and my lord!
Cæs.

Not so: Adieu.

[Exeunt Cæsar and his Train. Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that

I should not

Be noble to myself; but hark thee, Charmian.
[Whispers Charmian.
Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
Hie thee again:
I have spoke already, and it is provided;
Go, put it to the haste.

And we are for the dark.

Cleo.

Char.

Madam, I will. Re-enter Dolabella. Dol. Where is the queen?

Char.

Behold, sir.

[Exit Charmian. Dolabella?

Cleo. D. Madam, as thereto sworn byyour command, Which my love makes religion to obey, I tell you this: Cæsar 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. Cleo.

Dolabella,

thee leave

To play till doomsday.-Bring our crown and all.
Wherefore's this noise?
[Exit Iras. A noise within.
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.] How poor an instrument

May do a noble deed! he brings me liberty.
My resolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in me: Now from head to foot
I am marble-constant: now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine.

Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a Basket.

Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. [Exit Guard. Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there, That kills and pains not?

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

Cleo. Remember'st thou any that have died 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 pains 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. Cleo. Farewell. [Clown sets down the Basket. Clown. You must think this, look you, that the worm will do his kind.8

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 Gloster.

CURAN, a Courtier.

Old Man, Tenant to Gloster,
Physician.

Act First.. SCENE I.

A ROOM OF STATE IN KING LEAR'S PALACE.

Enter Kent, Gloster, and Edmund. Kent. I thought, the king had more affected the duke of Albany, 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 so weigh'd that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety.

Kent. Is this your son, my lord? Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him,

that now I am brazed 2 to it.

Kent. I cannot conceive you.

Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother had 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, yet was his mother fair, and he 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.

Glo. I shall, my liege.

purpose.

[Exeunt Gloster and Edmund. Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker1 [divided, Give me the map there.-Know, that we have 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 Cornwall,

And you, our no less loving son of Albany,
We have this hour a constant will to publish
Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife
May be prevented now. The princes, France,
Great rivals in our youngest daughters' love,
and Burgundy,
Long in our court have made their amorous
sojourn,
[daughters,
And here are to be answer'd.-Tell me, my
(Since now we will divest us, both of rule,
Interest of territory, cares of state,)
Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most?
Where merit doth most challenge it.-Goneril,
That we our largest bounty may extend
Our eldest-born, speak first.
Sir, I

Gon.

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.

1 Scrutiny.

2 Hardened.

Cor. [Aside.] What shall Cordelia do ? love and be silent.

[this,

With shadowy forests and with champains 2 L. Of all these bounds, even from this line to 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 daughter,

Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.

1 Secret,

2 Plains.

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 square1 of sense And find, I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love.

[sesses;

Cor. [Aside.] Then poor Cordelia!
And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's
More richer than my tongue.

Lear. To thee, and thine hereditary ever,
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom:
No less in space, validity,2 and pleasure,
Than that confirm'd on Goneril.Now, our joy,
Although the last, not least; to whose young love
The vines of France, and milk of Burgundy,
Strive to be interess'd: what can you say, to draw
A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.
Cor. Nothing, my lord.
Lear. Nothing?

Cor. Nothing.

L. Nothing can come of nothing: speak again. Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty According to my bond; nor more nor less. Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech a Lest it may mar your fortunes. [little,

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 this with thy heart?
Ay, good my lord.

Cor.

Lear. So young, and so untender?
Cor. So young, my lord, and true.

L. 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;
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity, and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me [thian,
Hold thee,from this3 for ever. The barbarousScy-
Or he that makes his generation 4 messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
Be us well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd,
As thou my sometime daughter.
Kent.

Good my liege,

Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath: I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery.-[To Cordelia.] Hence, and avoid my sight!So be my grave my peace, as here I give

Her father's heart from her!-Call France;-Who Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, [stirs? With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: 1 Complement 2 Valna

8 (From this time.)

4 His children.

Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain
The name, and all the additions1 to a king;
The sway,

Revenue, execution of the rest,
Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm,
This coronet part between you.

T

[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 would'st thou do, old man? [speak,

Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound,

When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom; And, in thy best consideration, check [ment, This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgThy youngest daughter does not love thee least; Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs 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!

Kent. See better, Lear; and let me still remain The true blank2 of thine eye.

Lear. Now, by Apollo,

Kent.

Now, by Apollo, king,

Thou swear'st thy gods in vain.

Lear. [Laying his hand on his Sword.] 0, vassal, miscreant!

Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear.
Kent. Do;

(

pride,

To come betwixt our sentence and our power;
(Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,)
Our potency make 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 dayfollowing,
Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions,
The moment is thy death: Away! By Jupiter,
This shall not be revok❜d.
[appear,

Kent. Fare thee well,king: since thus thou wilt Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.1 Titles. 2 Mark

[To Cordelia.] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid,

That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said!--
[To Regan and Goneril. ]And your large speeches
J. 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.
Re-enter Gloster; with France, Burgundy, and
Attendants.

G. Here's France and Burgundy,my noble lord.
Lear. My lord of Burgundy,

We first address towards you, who with this king
Hath rivall'd for our daughter;What,in the least,
Will you require in present dower with her,
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;
But now her price is fall'n: Sir, there she stands;
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.

Lear. Sir,

I know no answer.

Will you, with those infirmities she owes,1
Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate,
Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our
Take her, or leave her?
[oath,

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.-To France.] For you, great king,

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

France.

This is most strange! That she, 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 so monstrous, to dismantle
So many folds of favour! Sure, her offence
Must be of such unnatural degrée,

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, (If for2 I want that glib and oily art, [tend, To speak and purpose not; since what I well inI'll do't before I speak,) that you make known It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, No unchaste 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 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.

Better thou

Lear. Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd sme 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 you to the lady? Love is not love, When it is mingled with respects, that stand She is herself a dowry. Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her?

Royal Lear,

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

Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. Bur. I am sorry 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 shall not be his wife..

France. Fairest Cordelia, thou art most rich, being poor;!

Most choice, forsaken: and most lov'd, despis'd!
Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon:
Be it lawful, I take up what's cast away.
Gods, gods! 'tis strange, that from their cold'st
neglect

My love should 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 wat'rish 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 hast her, France: let her be thine;

for we !

Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again:-Therefore be gone, Without our grace, our love, our benizon. 1Come, noble Burgundy.

[Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, Cornwall, Albany, Gloster, and Attendants. France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor.The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you; I know you what you are; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults, as they are nam'd. Use well our father:

To your professed bosoms I commit him:
But yet, alas! stood I. within his grace,
I would prefer him to a better place.
So farewell to you both.

Gon. Prescribe 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. [hides;

Cor. Time shall unfold what plaited cunning Who cover faults, at last shame them derides Well may you prosper! France.

Come, my fair Cordelia, [Exeunt France and Cordelia. Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say, of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think, our father will hence to-night. 1 Blessing..