Bid farewell to your sisters
France
Bid farewell to your sisters.
Cordelia
The jewels of our father, with washed eyes
Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are,
And like a sister am most loath to call
Your faults as they are named. Love well our father.
Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides,
Who covers faults at last with shame derides.
To your professèd 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 duty.
Goneril
Let your study
Be to content your lord, who hath received 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 with shame derides.
Well may you prosper.
France
Come, my fair Cordelia.
France and Cordelia exit.
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 judgment he hath now cast her off
appears too grossly.
Regan
‘Tis the infirmity of his age. Yet he hath ever
but slenderly known himself.
Goneril
The best and soundest of his time hath been
but rash. Then must we look from his age to
receive not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed
condition, but therewithal the unruly waywardness
that infirm and choleric years bring with them.
Regan
Such unconstant starts are we like to have
from him as this of Kent's banishment.
Goneril
There is further compliment of leave-taking
between France and him. Pray you, let us sit
together. If our father carry authority with such
disposition as he bears, this last surrender of his will
but offend us.
Regan
We shall further think of it.
Goneril
We must do something, and i' th' heat.
They exit.