:09:04
Tis our intent to shake all cares
from our age,
:09:08
conferring them on younger strengths,
:09:11
while we unburdened crawl
toward death.
:09:14
Our son of Cornwall,
:09:17
and you, our son of Albany, we have
this hour a constant will to publish
:09:21
our daughters' several dowers,
:09:24
that future strife
may be prevented now.
:09:29
The princes,
France and Burgundy,
:09:32
great rivals in our youngest
daughter's love,
:09:36
long here are to be answered.
:09:49
Tell me, my daughters...
:09:57
which of you
doth love us most?
:10:02
That we our largest bounty may extend
:10:05
where nature doth with merit
challenge.
:10:09
Goneril, our eldest born,
speak first.
:10:16
I love you more than
words can wield the matter.
:10:22
Dearer than eyesight,
space and liberty,
:10:27
beyond what can be valued,
rich or rare.
:10:30
No less than life, with grace,
health, beauty, honour.
:10:33
As much as child e'er loved,
:10:37
or father found.
:10:40
A love that makes my speech unable,
beyond all manner so much I love you.
:10:48
What shall Cordelia do?
:10:52
Of all these bounds, even from this
line to this,
:10:57
we make thee lady: To thine and
Albany's issue be this perpetual.