225Bur. Pardon me Royall Sir,

226Election makes not vp in such conditions.

227Le. Then leaue her sir, for by the powre that made me,

228I tell you all her wealth. For you great King,

229I would not from your loue make such a stray,

230To match you where I hate, therefore beseech you

231T'auert your liking a more worthier way,

232Then on a wretch whom Nature is asham'd

233Almost t'acknowledge hers.

234Fra. This is most strange,

235That she whom euen but now, was your obiect,

236The argument of your praise, balme of your age,

237The best, the deerest, sh}ould in this trice of time

238Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle

239So many folds of fauour: sure her offence

240Must be of such vnnaturall degree,

241That monsters it: Or your fore-voucht affection

242Fall into taint, which to beleeue of her

243Must be a faith that reason without miracle

244Should neuer plant in me.

245Cor. I yet beseech your Maiesty.

246If for I want that glib and oylie Art,

247To speake and purpose not, since what I will intend,

248Ile do't before I speake, that you make knowne

249It is no vicious blot, murther, or foulenesse,

250No vnchaste action or dishonoured step

251That hath depriu'd me of your Grace and fauour,

252But euen for want of that, for which I am richer,

253A still soliciting eye, and such a tongue,

254That I am glad I haue not, though not to haue it,

255Hath lost me in your liking.

256Lear. Better thou had'st '

257Not beene borne, then not t haue pleas'd me better.

258Fra. Is it but this ? A tardinesse in nature,

259Which often leaues the history vnspoke

260That it intends to do: my Lord of Burgundy,

261What say you to the Lady? Loue's not loue

262When it is mingled with regards, that stands

263Aloofe from th'intire point, will you haue her?

264She is herselfe a Dowrie.

265Bur. Royall King,

266Giue but that portion which your selfe propos'd,

267And here I take Cordelia by the hand,

268Dutchesse of Burgundie.

269Lear. Nothing, I haue sworne, I am firme.

270Bur. I am sorry then you haue so lost a Father,

271That you must loose a husband.

272Cor. Peace be with Burgundie,

273Since that respect and Fortunes are his loue,

274I shall not be his wife.

275Fra. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poore,

276Most choise forsaken, and most lou'd despis'd,

277Thee and thy vertues here I seize vpon,

278Be it lawfull I take vp what's cast away.

279Gods, Gods! 'Tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect

280My Loue should kindle to enflam'd respect.

281Thy dowrelesse Daughter King, throwne to my chance,

282Is Queene of vs, of ours, and our faire France:

283Not all the Dukes of watrish Burgundy,

284Can buy this vnpriz'd precious Maid of me.

285Bid them farewellCordelia, though vnkinde,

286Thou loosest here a better where to finde.

287Lear. Thou hast her France, let her be thine, for we

288Haue no such Daughter, nor shall euer see

289That face of hers againe, therfore be gone,

290Without our Grace, our Loue, our Benizon:

291Come Noble Burgundie. Flourish. Exeunt.

292Fra. Bid farwell to your Sisters.

293Cor. The Iewels of our Father, with wash'd eies

294Cordelia leaues you, I know you what you are,

295And like a Sister am most loth to call

296Your faults as they are named. Loue well our Father:

297To your professed bosomes I commit him,

298But yet alas, stood I within his Grace,

299I would prefer him to a better place,

300So farewell to you both.

301Regn. Prescribe not vs our dutie.

302Gon. Let your study

303Be to content your Lord, who hath receiu'd you

304At Fortunes almes, you haue obedience scanted,

305And well are worth the want that you haue wanted.

306Cor. Time shall vnfold what plighted cunning hides,

307Who couers faults, at last with shame derides:

308Well may you prosper.

309Fra. Come my faire Cordelia. Exit France and Cor.

310Gon. Sister, it is not little I haue to say,

311Of what most neerely appertaines to vs both,

312I thinke our Father will hence to night. (with vs.

313Reg. That's most certaine, and with you: next moneth

314Gon. You see how full of changes his age is, the ob-

315seruation we haue made of it hath beene little; he alwaies

316lou'd our Sister most, and with what poore iudgement he

317hath now cast her off, appeares too grossely.

318Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age, yet he hath euer but

319slenderly knowne himselfe.

320Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath bin but

321rash, then must we looke from his age, to receiue not a-

322lone the imperfections of long ingraffed condition, but

323therewithall the vnruly way-wardnesse, that infirme and

324cholericke yeares bring with them.

325Reg. Such vnconstant starts are we like to haue from

326him, as this of Kents banishment.

327Gon. There is further complement of leaue-taking be-

328tweene France and him, pray you let vs sit together, if our

329Father carry authority with such disposition as he beares,

330this last surrender of his will but offend vs.

331Reg. We shall further thinke of it.

332Gon. We must do something, and i'th'heate. Exeunt.

335Bast. Thou Nature art my Goddesse, to thy Law

336My seruices are bound, wherefore should I

337Stand in the plague of custome, and permit

338The curiosity of Nations, to depriue me?

339For that I am some twelue, or fourteene Moonshines

340Lag of a Brother? Why Bastard? Wherefore base?

341When my Dimensions are as well compact,

342My minde as generous, and my shape as true

343As honest Madams issue? Why brand they vs

344With Base? With basenes Barstadie? Base, Base?

345Who in the lustie stealth of Nature, take

346More composition, and fierce qualitie,

347Then doth within a dull stale tyred bed

348Goe to th'creating a whole tribe of Fops

349Got 'tweene a sleepe, and wake ? Well then,

350Legitimate Edgar, I must haue your land,

351Our Fathers loue, is to the Bastard Edmond,

352As to th'legitimate: fine word: Legitimate.