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, the youngest of three sisters, was a daughter of Lear, king of Britain. That venerable monarch, weary of the cares of state, having almost fulfilled his allotted time on earth, determined to divide his kingdom between his children—two of whom had husbands—that he might pass his last days in honored repose. The fond, foolish old father called his daughters together; and making known to them his inclination to share his domain among them according to the affection they respectively entertained for him, he questioned the two married princesses as to the fervor of their filial love. Goneril and Kegan replied with all the fulsome flattery of mercenary tongues, and so put to the blush the true-minded Cordelia, that when it was her turn to speaks she refused to acknowledge any more affection for her father than her duty compelled. This answer so incensed the choleric king that he cast her off utterly, and divided her portion between her two sisters.

There were then at the court of Britain two suitors for Cordelia's hand—the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France: when the duke learned that she would be dowerless, he withdrew his suit; but the King of France was so touched by her lofty spirit, and her forlorn condition, that he married her, and made her queen over his fair kingdom.