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 curiosity1 in neither can make choice of either's moiety.2

Kent. Is this your son, my lord?

Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge; I have so often blushed 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 son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?

Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper.

Glo. But I have, sir, a son, by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer.in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair: there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged.-Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund ? Edm. No, my lord.

purpose.

Glo. I shall, my lege.
[Exeunt GLOSTER and EDMUND.
Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker
Give me the map there.-Know, that we have di-
vided,
In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent
To shake all cares and business from our age:
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we
Unburden'd crawl toward death. Our son of
Cornwall,

And

We have this hour a constant will to publish
you, our no less loving son of Albany,
Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife
May be prevented now. The princes, France and
Burgundy,
Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,
Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,
And here are to be answer'd.-Tell me, my daugh

Do love you more than words can wield the matter,
Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich, or rare;

Glo. My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor: as my honorable friend.

Edm. My services to your lordship.

As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found.
A love that makes breath poor, and sper ch unable:

Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
better.
Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving.
Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he
shall again:-The king is coming.

[Trumpets sound within. Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, loster.

Čor. What shall Cordelia do? love, and be silent.
[Aside.
Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to
this,

With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted mends,
We make thee lady: To thine and Albany's issue
Be this perpetual.-What says our second daughter,
Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.
Reg. I am made of that self metal as me sister
• Open plains