not on the semblance, on the thing she has given another than us! girt: surrounded. — hypochondria: an extremely depressed mental condition. — Nessus' shirt: a poisoned shirt which caused its wearer much pain. See myths about Hercules. fourpence-half-penny a day: this amount is nine cents in American money. servitor: an undergraduate at Oxford whose expenses were partly paid by the university and who was expected to wait at table. — gentleman commoner: a student who paid all his expenses now called a commoner. "Commons" is the college word for food. WHAT CONSTITUTES A STATE? SIR WILLIAM JONES (1746–1794) was an English writer and scholar of remarkable attainments. What constitutes a state? Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, Thick wall, or moated gate; Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned ; Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride; Not starred and spangled courts Where low-born baseness wafts perfume to pride; Men who their duties know, 5 10 But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain; 15 And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain! KING LEAR WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, one of the greatest dramatic poets that ever lived, was born at Stratford, England, in 1564. He was.an actor as well as a writer of plays. Many of his stories were frankly taken from other writers, but the beauty and power of his plays are all his own. A great 5 German critic said of him, "Never was there such a wide talent for the drawing of character as Shakespeare's.” This king of poets died in 1616. Among his greatest plays are "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "King Lear," "Julius Cæsar," and "Romeo and Juliet." NOTE. The play of "King Lear" is considered by some critics to be 10 Shakespeare's greatest work. The story is an old one and found in many languages. In this scene Lear has called together his court to announce his division of the kingdom. His three daughters attend him. Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there. Know that we have divided 15 In three our kingdom: and 't is our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age; Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburdened crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, And you, our no less loving son of Albany, 20 We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife Interest of territory, cares of state, 25 Which of you shall we say doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Our eldest-born, speak first. Goneril. Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor; A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; Cordelia [aside]. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests and with champains riched, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, 10 We make thee lady: . . . What says our second daughter, 15 Of the self-same metal that my sister is, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love; Only she comes too short: that I profess Myself an enemy to all other joys, Which the most precious square of sense possesses ; In your dear highness' love. 20 25 Cordelia [aside]. Then poor Cordelia ! And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's More richer than my tongue. Lear. To thee and thine hereditary ever 5 Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure, Than that conferred on Goneril. Although the last, not least; draw Now, our joy, what can you say to A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. 10 Cordelia. Nothing, my lord. Lear. Nothing! Cordelia. Nothing. Lear. Nothing will come of nothing: speak again. Lear. How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little, Cordelia. Good my lord, You as a father bred me, loved me: I 20 Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honor you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry 25 Half my love with him, half my care and duty: |