King Lear Analysis Act 1, Sc 2
KING OF FRANCE
Bid farewell to your sisters.
CORDELIA
The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; And like a sister am most loath to call Your faults as they are named. Use well our father: To your professed bosoms I commit him But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place. So, farewell to you both.
REGAN
Prescribe not us our duties.
GONERIL
Let your study Be to content your lord, who hath received you At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, And well are worth the want that you have wanted.
CORDELIA
Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides: Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. Well may you prosper!
KING OF FRANCE
Come, my fair Cordelia.
Exeunt KING OF FRANCE and CORDELIA
GONERIL
Sister, it is not a little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think our father will hence to-night.
REGAN
That's most certain, and with you; next month with us.
GONERIL
You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little: he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off appears too grossly.
REGAN
'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself.
GONERIL
The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed condition, but therewithal the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them.
REGAN
Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this of Kent's banishment.
GONERIL
There is further compliment of leavetaking between France and him. Pray you, let's hit together: if our father carry authority with
such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us.
REGAN
We shall further think on't.
GONERIL
Bid farewell to your sisters.
CORDELIA
The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; And like a sister am most loath to call Your faults as they are named. Use well our father: To your professed bosoms I commit him But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place. So, farewell to you both.
REGAN
Prescribe not us our duties.
GONERIL
Let your study Be to content your lord, who hath received you At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, And well are worth the want that you have wanted.
CORDELIA
Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides: Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. Well may you prosper!
KING OF FRANCE
Come, my fair Cordelia.
Exeunt KING OF FRANCE and CORDELIA
GONERIL
Sister, it is not a little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think our father will hence to-night.
REGAN
That's most certain, and with you; next month with us.
GONERIL
You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little: he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off appears too grossly.
REGAN
'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself.
GONERIL
The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed condition, but therewithal the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them.
REGAN
Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this of Kent's banishment.
GONERIL
There is further compliment of leavetaking between France and him. Pray you, let's hit together: if our father carry authority with
such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us.
REGAN
We shall further think on't.
GONERIL