Dramatis Perfona. LEAR, King of Britain. 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. Knights attending on the King, Officers, Meffengers, SCENE yes in Britain. f KING LEAR ACT C T I. SCENE, the KING'S PALACE. Enter Kent, Glo'fter, and Edmund the Baftard. ΚΕΝΤ. 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 fo 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 fmell a fault? 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. Kent. I must love you, and fue to know you better. Glo. He hath been out nine years, and again. The King is coming. away he fhall [Trumpets found, within. Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany Gonerill, Regan, Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Glo. I fhall, my Liege. [Exit. We have this hour a conftant will to publish Great rivals in our younger daughter's love, Long in our Court have made their am'rous fojourn, Which |