CORDELIA.
The jewels of our father, with wash’d eyes
Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are;
And like a sister am most loath to call
Your faults as they are nam’d. Love well our father:
To your professed bosoms I commit him:
But yet, alas, stood I within his grace,
I would prefer him to a better place.
So farewell to you both.
REGAN.
Prescribe not us our duties.
GONERIL.
Let your study
Be to content your lord, who hath receiv’d you
At fortune’s alms. You have obedience scanted,
And well are worth the want that you have wanted.
CORDELIA.
Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides:
Who covers faults, at last shame derides.
Well may you prosper.
FRANCE.
Come, my fair Cordelia.
[Exeunt France and Cordelia.]
GONERIL.
Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think our father will hence tonight.
REGAN.
That’s most certain, and with you; next month with us.
GONERIL.
You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little: he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly.
REGAN.
’Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself.