EDMUND.
My services to your lordship.
KENT.
I must love you, and sue to know you better.
EDMUND.
Sir, I shall study deserving.
GLOUCESTER.
He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. — The king
is coming.
[Sennet within.]
[Enter Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and
Attendants.]
LEAR.
Attend the lords of France and Burgundy,
Gloucester.
GLOUCESTER.
I shall, my liege.
[Exeunt Gloucester and Edmund.]
LEAR.
Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. —
Give me the map there. — Know that we have divided
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 you, our no less loving son of Albany,
We have this hour a constant will to publish
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 daughters, —
Since now we will divest us both of rule,
Interest of territory, cares of state, —
Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
That we our largest bounty may extend
Where nature doth with merit challenge. — Goneril,
Our eldest-born, speak first.
