[queen,

Per. Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves Will in that kingdom spend our following days; Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign. Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay,

To hear the rest untold.-Sir, lead the way. [Exeunt.

Enter GOWER.

Gow. In Antioch, and his daughter, you have heard Of monstrous lust the due and just reward: In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen (Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen) Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast, Led on by Heaven, and crown'd with joy at last. In Helicanus may you well descry

A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty:

In reverend Cerimon there well appears,
The worth that learned charity aye wears.
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame

Had spread their curséd deed, and honour'd name
Of Pericles, to rage the city turn;

That him and his they in his palace burn.
The gods for murder seemed so content

To punish them; although not done, but meant.
So on your patience evermore attending,

New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.
[Exit Gower

KING LEAR.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

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.

Fool.

OSWALD, Steward to Goneril.
An Officer, employed by Edmund.
Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia.
A Herald.

Servants to Cornwall.

Knights attending on the King, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

SCENE,-Britain.

KING LEAR.

ACT I.

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 not this your son, my lord?

Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: ! have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it.

Kent. I cannot conceive you.

Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, sir, a