KENT.
Fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt appear,
Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. —
[To Cordelia.] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid,
That justly think'st and hast most rightly said!
[To Regan and Goneril.]
And your large speeches may your deeds approve,
That good effects may spring from words of love. —
Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu;
He'll shape his old course in a country new.
[Exit.]
[Flourish. Re-enter Gloucester, with France, Burgundy, and
Attendants.]
GLOUCESTER.
Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.
LEAR.
My Lord of Burgundy,
We first address toward 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?
BURGUNDY.
Most royal majesty,
I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd,
Nor will you tender less.
LEAR.
Right noble Burgundy,
When she was dear to us, we did hold her so;
But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands:
If aught within that little seeming substance,
Or all of it, with our displeasure piec'd,
And nothing more, may fitly like your grace,
She's there, and she is yours.
BURGUNDY.
I know no answer.
LEAR.
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?
BURGUNDY.
Pardon me, royal sir;
Election makes not up on such conditions.
