To avert your liking a more worthier way, France. This is most strange! 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 That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection 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, 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 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, 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. Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy Shall buy this unprized precious maid of me.— Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see [florish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, Cornwall, 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. Use well our father: To your professed bosoms I commit him: But yet, alas! stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place: Gon. Prescribe not us our duties. Let your study Be, to content your lord, who hath received you ' Blessing. 2 i. e. you are well deserving of the want of dower which you are without. |