Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 edition. Excerpt: ... king lear. This tragedy (the story of which is so well known) commences at the period in which the two elder daughters of the king, are just given in marriage, Goneril (the eldest) to the duke of Albany--and Regan to the duke of Cornwall. In regal state king Lear orders these princes, -with all the nobles of his court, to attend him, together with the king of France, and duke of Burgundy, who were both in England at this time, soliciting the hand of Cordelia, theyoungest, and favourite daughter of Lear. The intention of this meeting was, that they might be present whilst he bestowed upon these his daughters such portions of his dominions, as it might appear to him, each one deserved. To discover this more fully, he thus addressed them. "Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there.--Know, that we have divided, In three, our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age; Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburden'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, And you, our no less loving son of Albany, We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters several dowers, that future strife May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, And here are to be answer'd--Tell me, my daughters, (Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state, ) Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where merit doth most challenge it.--Goneril, Our eldest-born, speak first." To this request Goneril answered, that she loved him far more dear, than eye-sight, space, or liberty beyond what could be valued, rich-or...