Enter Kent, Glo'fter, and Edmund the Baftard. Kent. I Thought the King had more affected the 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. Kent. I must love you, and fue to know you better. 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, Long in our court have made their am'rous fojourn, Gon. I love you, Sir, Dearer than eye fight, fpace, and liberty; Gonerill, No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour; A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable, Cor. What fhall Cordelia do; love, and be filent. EAfide. Which the moft precious fquare of fenfe poffeffes; 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 |