The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Lear._ Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,
With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,[2463][2464][2465]
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,[2464]
We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue[2466]
Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter,[2467] 65
Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.[2468]
_Reg._ I am made of that self metal as my sister,[2469]
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart[2470]
I find she names my very deed of love;[2471]
Only she comes too short: that I profess[2471][2472] 70
Myself an enemy to all other joys[2471]
Which the most precious square of sense possesses,[2473]
And find I am alone felicitate[2474][2475]
In your dear highness' love.[2474]
_Cor._ [_Aside_] Then poor Cordelia![2476][2477][2478]
And yet not so, since I am sure my love's[2479][2480] 75
More ponderous than my tongue.[2477][2480][2481]
_Lear._ To thee and thine hereditary ever
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom,
No less in space, validity and pleasure,
Than that conferr'd on Goneril. Now, our joy,[2482][2483][2484] 80
Although the last, not least, to whose young love[2483][2485]
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy[2483]
Strive to be interess'd, what can you say to draw[2483][2486]
A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.[2483][2487]
_Cor._ Nothing, my lord. 85
_Lear._ Nothing![2488]
_Cor._ Nothing.[2488]
_Lear._ Nothing will come of nothing: speak again.[2489]
_Cor._ Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave[2490][2491]
My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty[2490] 90
According to my bond; nor more nor less.[2490][2492]
_Lear._ How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little,[2493]
Lest it may mar your fortunes.[2494]
_Cor._ Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I[2495][2496]
Return those duties back as are right fit,[2496][2497] 95
Obey you, love you, and most honour you.
Why have my sisters husbands, if they say[2498]
They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,[2498][2499][2500]
That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry[2500]
Half my love with him, half my care and duty:[2500] 100
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,[2500][2501][2502]
To love my father all.[2502][2503]
_Lear._ But goes thy heart with this?
_Cor._ Ay, good my lord.[2504]
_Lear._ So young, and so untender?
_Cor._ So young, my lord, and true. 105
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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