I just took a trip to my favorite bookstore, where I did something truly terrible. I went to cop Thomas Jefferson's Notes on The State of Virginia, next on my appointed book-list. Instead I somehow came out with Notes, Theresa Urbainczysk's Slave Revolts in Antiquity, Chandra Manning's What This Cruel War Was Over, and most grievously, a copy of King Lear.

Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. 

Give me the map there. Know that we have divided 

In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent 

To shake all cares and business from our age; 

Conferring them on younger strengths, while we 

Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, 

And you, our no less loving son of Albany, 

We have this hour a constant will to publish 

Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife 

May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, 

Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, 

Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, 

And here are to be answer'd. 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 love us most? 

That we our largest bounty may extend 

Where nature doth with merit challenge. 

Goneril, Our eldest-born, speak first.