a love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much i love you.
Cordelia: [aside] What shall cordelia speak? love, and be silent.
Lear: Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,
With shadowy forests and with champaigns riched,
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,
We make thee lady. to thine and albany’s issue
Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter,
Our dearest regan, wife of cornwall?
Regan: i am made of that self-mettle as my sister,
and prize me at her worth. in my true heart
i find she names my very deed of love;
Only she comes too short: that i profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys
Which the most precious square of sense professes,
and find i am alone felicitate
in your dear highness’ love.
Cordelia: [aside] Then poor cordelia!
and yet not so, since i am sure my love’s
More ponderous than my tongue.
Lear: to thee and thine hereditary ever
remain this ample third of our fair kingdom,
no less in space, validity, and pleasure,
Than that conferred on Goneril. now, our joy,
although our last and least, to whose young love
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy
strive to be interessed, what can you say to draw
a third more opulent than your sisters? speak.
Cordelia: nothing, my lord.
Lear: nothing?
Cordelia: nothing.
Lear: nothing will come of nothing; speak again.
Cordelia: Unhappy that i am, i cannot heave
My heart into my mouth. i love your majesty
according to my bond; no more nor less.
Lear: how, how, cordelia! Mend your speech a little,
lest it may mar your fortunes.
