King Lear

King Lear

Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund. [Kent and Glouceste converse.<br />Edmund stands back.]<br />Kent. I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than<br />Cornwall. Glou. It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of the<br />kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values most, for equalities<br />are so weigh'd that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety.<br />Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glou. His breeding, sir, hath been at<br />my charge. I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him that now I am<br />braz'd to't. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glou. Sir, this young fellow's<br />mother could; whereupon she grew round-womb'd, and had indeed, sir, a<br />son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?<br />Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. Glou.<br />But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is<br />no dearer in my account. Though this knave came something saucily into<br />the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good<br />sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged.- Do you<br />know this noble gentleman, Edmund? Edm. [comes forward] No, my lord.<br />Glou. My Lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.<br />Edm. My services to your lordship. Kent. I must love you, and sue to<br />know you better. Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. Glou. He hath been out<br />nine years, and away he shall again. Sound a sennet. The King is coming.<br />Enter one bearing a coronet; then Lear; then the Dukes of Albany and<br />Cornwall; next, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, with Followers.