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H.Gravelot in & del. V.6.P.3

G.Vander Gucht Scul

THE

LIFE and DEATH

O F

King LEAR.

A 2

Dramatis Perfonæ.

LEAR, King of Britain.

King of France.

Duke of Burgundy.

Duke of Cornwall.

Duke of Albany.

Earl of Glo'fter.

Earl of Kent.

Edgar, Son to Glo'fter.

Edmund, Baftard Son to Glo'fter.
Curan, a Courtier.

Doctor.

Fool.

Ofwald, Steward to Gonerill.
A Captain, employ'd by Edmund.
Gentleman, Attendant on Cordelia.
A Herald.

Old Man, Tenant to Glo'fter.
Servant to Cornwall.

zd. Servants to Glo'fter.

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Knights attending on the King, Officers, Meffengers,

Soldiers and Attendants.

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KING LEAR

ACTI.

SCENE, the KING'S PALACE. Enter Kent, Glo'fter, and Edmund the Baftard.

KENT.

Thought, the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall.

Glo. It did always feem fo to us: but now, in the Divifion of the Kingdom, it appears not, which of the Dukes he values moft; for qualities are fo weigh'd, that curiofity in neither can make

choice of either's moiety.

Kent. Is not this your fon, my lord?

Glo. His Breeding, Sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd to't.

Kent. I cannot conceive you.

Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon fhe grew round-womb'd; and had, indeed, Sir, a fon for her cradle, ere fhe had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?

A 3

Kent.

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Kent. I cannot wifh the fault undone, the iffue of it being fo proper.

Glo. But I have a fon, Sir, by order of law, fome year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account; though this knave came fomewhat fawcily to the world before he was fent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good fport at his making, and the whorfon must be acknowledg'd. Do you know this Nobleman, Edmund ?

Edm. No, my lord.

Glo. My lord of Kent;

Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.
Edm. My fervices to your lordship.

Kent. I must love you, and fue to know you better.
Edm. Sir, I shall study your deferving.

Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall
[Trumpets found, within.

again.

The King is coming.

Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerill, Regan,
Cordelia, and Attendants.

Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy,
Glofter.

Glo. I fhall, my Liege.

[Exit. Lear. Mean time we shall exprefs our darker purpose. Give me the Map here. Know, we have divided, In three, our Kingdom; and 'tis our faft intent, To fhake all cares and bufinefs from our age; Conferring them on younger ftrengths, while we Unburthen'd crawl tow'rd death. Our fon of Cornwall, And You, our no lefs loving fon of Albany, We have this hour a conftant will to publish Our daughters fev'ral Dow'rs, that future ftrife May be prevented now. The Princes France and Burgundy,

Great rivals in our younger daughter's love,

Long in our Court have made their am'rous fojourn,
And here are to be anfwer'd. Tell me, daughters,

(Since now we will diveft us, both of rule,

Int'reft of territory, cares of ftate ;)

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