Chapter CXXX: Act I

SC. 1. "What shall Cordelia do? love and be silent."

For 'do' the folio reads _speak_.

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"Only she comes too short _in_ that I profess."

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"Although the last not least."

The folio reads '_our_ last _and_ least.'

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"I crave no more than what your highness offer'd."

So the 4tos; the folio reads 'than _hath_.'

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"It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,
No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step."

How could the pure and gentle Cordelia suppose herself to be suspected of murder? which, moreover, accords not with the other charges she enumerates. Collier's folio reads _or other_ for 'murder or.' I feel strongly persuaded that the poet's word was _misdeed_, which, if a little effaced, might easily be taken for 'murder.'

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SC. 2. "Shall to the legitimate ... I grow, I prosper."

By pointing thus, as Rowe also did, we obviate the necessity of adopting Edwards' ingenious reading of _top_ for 'to.'

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"Though the wisdom of Nature can reason it thus and thus."

We should surely read _man_. 'Nature' is in the following line, and hence the error.

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"Banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts."

Johnson read _courts_. 'Cohorts' is not a Shakespearian term.

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SC. 3. "With checks; as flatteries, when they are seen, _are_ abused."

It is only thus I can make sense.

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"Remember what I have said _to you_.--Well, madam."

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"To hold my course.--Prepare for dinner _now_."

The usual reading is, To hold my _very_ course.

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SC. 4. "How now _our_ daughter! What makes that frontlet on?"

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"As you are old and reverend _you_ should be wise."

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"Woe's _him_ that too late repents ...--O sir, are you come?"

So perhaps the poet wrote.

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"To the great love I bear you.--Pray you _be_ content."

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"Though I condemn _it_ not ... yet under pardon."