Scene 1: Lear, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia (Ii)

LEAR. Tell me, my 52 daughters— 53 [Since now we will divest us both of rule, 54 claim or title to Interest of territory, cares of state—] 55 Which of you shall we say doth love us most, 56 That we our largest bounty may extend 57 Where merit and natural affection lay claim Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, 58 to it (i.e., to Lear’s largest bounty) Our eldest born, speak first. 59 wield the matter: express the substance GONERIL. Sir, I love you more than word can wield the 60 (of her love) matter, 61 Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty, 62 estimated, appraised Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare, 63 No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor; 64 i.e., found himself to be loved As much as child e’er loved, or father found; 65 breath: voice; unable: unequal to the A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable. 66 task Beyond all manner of so much I love you. 67 CORDELIA,

What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. 68 LEAR, i.e., the lands within these boundaries Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, 69 shady; : i.e., rich plains With shadowy forests [and with champains riched, 70 broad meadows With plenteous rivers] and wide-skirted meads, 71 descendants We make thee lady. To thine and Albany’s ⟨issue⟩ 72 Be this perpetual.—What says our second 73 daughter, 74 Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall? ⟨Speak.⟩ 75 same; mettle: () temperament; REGAN. I am made of that self mettle as my sister 76 esteem, value And prize me at her worth. In my true heart 77 my love exactly I find she names my very deed of love; 78 i.e., in that Only she comes too short, that I profess 79 Myself an enemy to all other joys 80 possible meanings of square are area; Which the most precious square of sense 81 measure; perfection. ⟨possesses,⟩ 82 made happy And find I am alone felicitate 83 In your dear Highness’ love. 84 CORDELIA,

Then poor Cordelia! 85 And yet not so, since I am sure my love’s 86 weightier (and therefore more More ponderous than my tongue. 87 significant) LEAR. To thee and thine hereditary ever 88 Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, 89 value No less in space, validity, and pleasure 90 Than that conferred on Goneril.—Now, our joy, 91 Although our last and least, to whose young love 92 [The vines of France and milk of Burgundy 93 i.e., vineyards; milk: i.e., pastures Strive to be interessed,] what can you say to draw 94 to have a right or share; to be closely A third more opulent than your sisters’? Speak. 95 connected; draw: gain CORDELIA Nothing, my lord. 96 [LEAR Nothing? 97 CORDELIA Nothing.] 98 LEAR. Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again. 99 CORDELIA. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave 100 My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty 101 According to my bond, no more nor less. 102 duty or obligation (of child to father) LEAR. How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, 103 Lest you may mar your fortunes. 104 CORDELIA Good my lord, 105 You have begot me, bred me, loved me. 106 educated me, brought me up I return those duties back as are right fit: 107 fitting, appropriate Obey you, love you, and most honor you. 108 Why have my sisters husbands if they say 109 They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, 110 perchance, perhaps That lord whose hand must take my plight shall 111 will receive my vow or pledge carry 112 Half my love with him, half my care and duty. 113 Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, 114 ⟨To love my father all.⟩ 115 LEAR But goes thy heart with this? 116 CORDELIA Ay, my good lord. 117 LEAR So young and so untender? 118 CORDELIA So young, my lord, and true. 119 LEAR. Let it be so. Thy truth, then, be thy dower, 120 For by the sacred radiance of the sun, 121 The of Hecate and the night, 122 secret rites; Hecate: goddess of witchcraft By all the operation of the orbs 123 and of the moon. a two-syllable word.); From whom we do exist and cease to be, 124 operation . . . be: influence of the planets Here I disclaim all my paternal care, 125 that govern human life and death Propinquity, and property of blood, 126 Propinquity . . . blood: kinship And as a stranger to my heart and me 127 as . . . this: i.e., consider you a stranger Hold thee from this forever. 128 from this moment