 | King Lear |  |
Enter Kent, Gloster, and Edmund, the Bastard.
Kent.
I thought the King had more affected the Duke of
Albany than Cornwall.
Glo.
It did always seem so to us: but now, in the
division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the
dukes he values most; for qualities are so weigh'd,
that curiosity in neither, can make choice of either's
moiety.
Kent.
Is not this your son, my lord?
Glo.
His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I
have so 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; who
had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a
husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?
Kent.
I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it
being so proper.
Glo.
But I have a son, sir, by order of law, some
year older than this, who yet is no dearer, in my account;
though this knave came somewhat saucily into
the world, before he was sent for. Do you know this
nobleman, Edmund?
No, my lord.
Glo.
My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter, as
my honourable friend.
Ed.
My services to your lordship.
Kent.
I must love you, and sue to know you better.
Ed.
Sir, I shall study your deservings.
Glo.
He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again.
My lord, you wait the King, who comes, resolv'd
To quit the toils of empire, and divide
His realms amongst his daughters—
Heav'n succeed it!
But much I fear the change.
Kent.
I grieve to see him
With such wild starts of passion hourly seiz'd,
As renders majesty beneath itself.
Glo.
Alas, 'tis the infirmity of age:
Yet has his temper ever been unfix'd,
Chol'rick, and sudden— [Flourish.]
Hark, they approach.
[Exeunt.
Enter Cordelia and Edgar.
Edg.
Cordelia, royal fair, turn yet once more;
And ere successful Burgundy receive
The treasure of thy beauties from the King;
Ere happy Burgundy for ever fold thee,
Cast back one pitying look on wretched Edgar.
Alas! what would the wretched Edgar with
The more unfortunate Cordelia?
Who, in obedience to a father's will,
Flies from her Edgar's arms to Burgundy's.
[Exeunt.
We rather incline to Tate's beginning with the Bastard's soliloquy, than to this original scene of Shakespeare, which, somewhat altered, and rendered more decent, he places second.
Kent and Gloster require the externals of nobility. An unaffected, blunt mode of utterance is the leading requisite for Kent; Gloster should be more venerable in look, more feelingly mellow in expression.
From the Bastard's situation, transactions, and expression, we are led to expect a bold, martial figure, a genteel, but confident deportment, with a full, middle-toned, spirited voice.
Edgar should be represented by a performer of pleasing symmetry in person; his features without effeminacy; of an amorous cast; his voice silver-ton'd; his madness being affected, demands action, movement, and looks, of great extravagance, as feigned madness always caricatures real. His voice must be capable of many and quick transitions, to which should be added strong variations of countenance. Cordelia is most amiable, in principles, and should be so in features and figure: there is no great occasion for strength of countenance, nor brilliancy of eyes; she appears designed rather for a soft, than sprightly beauty; yet considerable sensibility, both of look and expression, is essential.
| King Lear | |