Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, Kent. Lear. Peace, Kent! Good my liege, Come not between the dragon and his wrath: sight! So be my grave my peace, as here I give [To Cordelia. Her father's heart from her!-Call France; -Who stirs? Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: course, Ourself, by monthly With reservation of an hundred knights, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, This coronet part between you. [Giring the crown. Kent. Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, 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? Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom; And, in thy best consideration, check This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, 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 blank of thine eye. Lear. Now, by Apollo, Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Lear. On thine allegiance hear me! Hear me, recreant ! Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,) This shall not be revok'd. Kent. Fare thee well, king: since thus thou wilt appear, Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [To Cordelia. That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said!- He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit. Re-enter GLOSTER; with FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Attendants. Glo. 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. Right noble Burgundy, Lear. And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, Bur. Lear. Sir, I know no answer. Will you, with those infirmities she owes, Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, Take her, or leave her? Bur. Pardon me, royal sir; power that Election makes not up on such conditions. made me, I tell you all her wealth.-For you, great king, [To France. I would not from your love make such a stray, you To avert your liking a more worthier way, France. This is most strange! That she, that even but now was your best object, That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection Must be a faith, that reason without miracle Cor. I yet beseech your majesty, (If for 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 dishonour'd step, That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour: But even for want of that, for which I am richer; That I am glad I have not, though, not to have it, |