orous sojourn, And here are to be answer'd. (Lines 38-50)
             Crucially, Lear wishes to be told how much his daughters love him before he divests (gives away) his rule, kingdom and cares of state:
             "Tell me, my daughters,- Since now we will divest us both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state,- Which of you shall we say doth [does] love us [King Lear] most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where nature doth with merit challenge" (Tell me my daughters since I will now divest my rule, assets and responsibilities of state, which of you shall say you love me most that my largest bounty or reward may extend or go where nature meets with merit or is deserving), (Lines 50-55).
             Lear first asks his eldest daughter Goneril to answer. She replies that she loves him more than words can express: "Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter;" (Lines 57-63). Cordelia is silent. Lear, gratified (happy, satisfied) gives her a large territory, which he outlines to her on the map present (Lines 65-69).
             Next, Lear asks Regan to pledge her love for him. She describes herself as being "made of that self metal [same character] as my sister," adding that "I profess [call declare] Myself an enemy to all other joys Which the most precious square of sense possesses... In your dear highness' love" (Regan explains that her sister falls short of her love for him; she claims to be an enemy of all other joys but her love for her King), (Lines 71-78).
             Cordelia in an aside (speech intended only for the audience a private speech revealing her innermost thoughts) is worried. Yet she says she is not, because her love is greater than her tongue (her love is greater than her ability to talk about it).
             Cordelia in an aside says: "Then, poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's More richer than my tongue" (Lines 79-80).
             Next Cordelia, whom Lear describes as his youngest daughter and whose hand in marriage is valued by both th...