To avert your liking a more worthier way,
Than on a wretch whom Nature is ashamed
Almost to acknowlege hers.

This is most strange!

France. 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 favor! Sure, her offence
Must be of such unnatural degree,

That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection
Fallen into taint; 1 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 for 2 I want that glib and oily art,

To speak and purpose not; since what I well intend,

I'll do 't before I speak) that you make known,

It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,

No unchaste action, or dishonor'd step,

That hath deprived me of your grace and favor: 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.

Lear.

Better thou

1 Reproach.

2 Because.

Hadst not been born, than not to have pleased me

better.

France. Is it no more 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
Aloof from the intire point. Will you have her?
She is herself a dowry.

Give but that portion which yourself proposed,
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, that art most rich, being poor;

Most choice, forsaken; and most loved, despised; Thee and thy virtues here I seise 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 inflamed respect.

Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance,

Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France.

AN

Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy

Shall buy this unprized 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.1-
Come, noble Burgundy.

[florish. 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 named.

father:

Use well our

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.
Re.
Let your study
Be, to content your lord, who hath received you
At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,
And well are worth the want that you have
wanted.2

' Blessing.

2 i. e. you are well deserving of the want of dower which you are without.