[Giving the crown.]
KENT.
Royal Lear,
Whom I have ever honour’d as my king,
Lov’d as my father, as my master follow’d,
As my great patron thought on in my prayers.—
LEAR.
The bow is bent and drawn; make from the shaft.
KENT.
Let it fall rather, though the fork invade
The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly
When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man?
Think’st thou that duty shall have dread to speak,
When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour’s bound
When majesty falls to folly. Reverse thy state;
And in thy best consideration check
This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgement,
Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least;
Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sounds
Reverb no hollowness.
LEAR.
Kent, on thy life, no more.
KENT.
My life I never held but as a pawn
To wage against thine enemies; ne’er fear to lose it,
Thy safety being the motive.
LEAR.
Out of my sight!
KENT.
See better, Lear; and let me still remain
The true blank of thine eye.
LEAR.
Now, by Apollo,—
KENT.
Now by Apollo, King,
Thou swear’st thy gods in vain.