William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT I. 1. Scene I. A Room of State in King Lear's Palace.

[Enter Kent, Gloster, and Edmund.]

Kent.
I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than
Cornwall.

Glou.
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
equalities are so weighed that curiosity in neither can make
choice of either's moiety.

Kent.
Is not this your son, my lord?

Glou.
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.

Glou.
Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew
round-wombed, and 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.

Glou.
But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than
this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came
something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was
his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the
whoreson must be acknowledged.--Do you know this noble gentleman,
Edmund?

Edm.
No, my lord.

Glou.
My Lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.

Edm.
My services to your lordship.

Kent.
I must love you, and sue to know you better.

Edm.
Sir, I shall study deserving.

Glou.
He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again.--The king
is coming.

[Sennet within.]