The Tragedy of King Lear
William Shakespeare
Paperback
(Independently published, Aug. 8, 2020)
KENT.I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall.GLOUCESTER.It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which ofthe Dukes he values most, for qualities are so weighed that curiosity in neither can makechoice of either’s moiety.KENT.Is not this your son, my lord?GLOUCESTER.His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blush’d to acknowledge him thatnow I am braz’d to’t.KENT.I cannot conceive you.GLOUCESTER.Sir, this young fellow’s mother could; whereupon she grew round-wombed, and hadindeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?KENT.I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper.GLOUCESTER.But I have a son, sir, by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in myaccount: though this knave came something saucily to the world before he was sent for, yetwas his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must beacknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?EDMUND.No, my lord.GLOUCESTER.My Lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.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.