are come Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remem- Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: ber : Why dost thou lash that whore? strip thine Is't not the king ? own back; Lear. Ay, every inch a king : Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind, When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes. For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hang I pardon that man's life: What was thy cause? the cozener. Adultery. Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No: Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin The wren goes to’t, and the small gilded fly with gold, Does lecher in my sight. And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it. Was kinder to his father, than my daughters None does offend, none, I say, none; l'11 able Got 'tween the lawful sheets. 'em : To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.- Take that of me, my friend, who have the power Behold yon' simpering dame, To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes; Whose face between her forks presageth snow; And, like a scurvy politician, seem That minces virtue, and does shake the head To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, To hear of pleasure's name; now, now: The fitchew, nor the soild horse, goes to't Pull off my boots:-harder, harder; so. With a more riotous appetite. Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd ! Down from the waist they are centaurs, Reason in madness! Though women all above: Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my But to the girdle do the gods inherit, eyes. Beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's I know thee well enough ; thy name is Gloster: darkness, Thou must be patient; we came crying hither. there is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalling, Thou know'st, the first time that we sinell the air, stench, consumption ;-Fye, fye, fye! pah; We wawl, and cry :-) will preach to thee; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothe mark me. cary, to sweeten my imagination : there's money Glo. Alack, alack the day! for thee. Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we Glo. O let me kiss that hand ! Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mor- To this great stage of fools ;-This a good tality. block? Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature. This great It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe world A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, me? Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill. Enter a Gentlemun, with Attendants. blind Cupid; I'll not love.—Read thou this Gent. O, here he is; lay hand upon him.challenge; mark but the penning of it. Sir, Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am The natural fool of fortune.—Use me well ; Lear. Read. You shall have ransome. Let me have a surgeon, Glo. What, with the case of eyes ? I am cut to the brains. Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No Gent. You shall have any thing. eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Lear. No seconds? All myself? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a Why, this would make a man, a man of salt, a light: yet you see how this world goes. To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Glo. I see it feelingly, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust. Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how Gent. Good sir, this world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom : ears : see how yon' justice rails upon yon' siin What ? ple thief. Hark, in thine car : Change places ; I will be jovial ; come, come ; I am a king, and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which My masters, know you that ? is the thief?-Thou hast seen a farmer's dog Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. bark at a beggar ? Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you Glo. Ay, sir. get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, Lear. And the creature run from the cur? [Erit, running ; Attendants follux. There thou might'st behold the great image of Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest authority: a dog's obeyed in office. a one. even wretch; sa. : hearts; from me ; Past speaking of in a king !—Thou hast one Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:-Villain, daughter, take my purse ; Who redeems nature from the general curse If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; Which twain have brought her to. And give the letters, which thou find'st about me, Edg. Hail, gentle sir. To Edmund earl of Gloster ; seek him out Gent. Sir, speed you: What's your will ? Upon the British party :-0 untimely death! Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle to [ Dies. ward? Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villain; Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, that, As badness would desire. Which can distinguish sound. Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. But, by your favour, Edg. Sit you down, father ; rest you.How near's the other ariny? Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main speaks of, descry May be my friends.—He's dead ; I am only sorry Stands on the hourly thought. He had no other death’s-man.-Let us see:Edy. I thank you, sir : that's all. Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not : Gent. Though that the queen on special cause To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip up their is here, Her army is mov'd on. Their papers, is more lawful. Edg. I thank you, sir. [Erit Gent. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breathi [Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows he remem bered. You have many opportunities to cut him Let not my worser spirit tempt me again, of"; if your will want not, time and place will be To die before you please! fruitfully ffered. There is nothing done, if he Edg. Well pray you, father. return the conqueror : Then am I the prisoner, Glo. Now, good sir, what are you? and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth Fdg. A most poor man, made tame by for- whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your tune's blows; labour. Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Your wife, (so I would say,) and your Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, affectionate servant, I'll lead you to some biding. GONERIL. Glo. Hearty thanks : The bounty and the benizon of heaven O undistinguish'd space of woman's will! To boot, and boot ! A plot upon her virtuous husband's life; And the exchange, my brother !-Here, in the Enter Steward. sands, Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified That eyeless bead of thine was first fram'd flesh of murderous lechers : and, in the mature time, my fortunes. Thou old unhappy trai- With this ungracious paper strike the sight tor, Of the death-practis'u duke: For him 'tis well, Briefly thyself remember :-The sword is out That of thy death and business I can tell. That must destroy thee. [Erit Edgar, dragging out the body. Glo. Now let thy friendly hand Glo. Thekingis mad: How stiffismy vile sense, Put strength enough to it. [Edgar opposes. That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract: Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs, Lest that the infection of his fortune take And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. The knowledge of themselves. Edg. Ch’ill not let go, zir, without vurther Re-enter EDGAR. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest. Edg. Give me your hand : Edy. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. poor volk pass. And ch’ud ha' been zwaggered Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as [Exeunt. ’tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor’ye, or ise try whether SCENE VII.-A tent in the French camp. your costard or my bat be the harder: Ch’ill be LEAR 'on a bed, asleep; Physician, Gentle men, and others, attending. Stew. Out, dunghill ! Edg. Ch’ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; no Enter CORDELIA, and Kent. matter vor your foins. Cor. O thou, good Kent, how shall I live, and [They fight; and Edgar knocks him down. work, To raise 'casion. plain with you, you die? SO. him ; To match thy goodness : My life will be too Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears short, Do scald like molten lead. And every measure fail me. Cor. Sir, do you know me? Kent. To be acknowledg’d, madam, is o’erpaid. Lear. You are a spirit, I know; When did All my reports go with the modest truth ; Nor more, nor clipp'd, bu Cor. Still, still, far wide ! Cor. Be better suited: Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. These weeds are memories of those worser Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? hours; Fair day-light?I pr’ythee, put them off. I am mightily abus’d.— I should even die with Kent. Pardon me, dear madam ; pity, Yet to be known, shortens my inade intent: To see another thus. I know not what to say.My boon I make it, that you know me not, I will not swear, these are my hands : -let's see; Till time and I think meet. I feel this pin prick. 'Would I were assur'd Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.—How Of my condition. does the king ? [To the Physician. Cor. O, look upon me, sir, Phys. Madam, sleeps still. And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:Cor. O you kind gods, No, sir, you must not kneel. Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly, Phys. So please your majesty, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. That we may wake the king? he hath slept long: Methinks, I should know you, and know this Cor. Be govern’d by your knowledge, and man ; proceed Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant I’the sway of your own will. Is he array'd ? What place this is; and all the skill I have Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his Remembers not these garments ; nor I know not sleep, Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at We put fresh garments on him. me ; Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake For, as I am a man, I think this lady To be my child Cordelia. I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. And so I am, I am. Cor. Very well. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the pray, weep not: music there. If you have poison for me, I will drink it. Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang I know, you do not love me ; for your sisters Thy medicine on iny lips; and let this kiss Have, as I do remember, done me verong: Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters You have some cause, they have not. Have in thy reverence made! Cor. No cause, no cause. Kent. Kind and dear princess ! Lear. Am I in France ? Cor. Had you not been their father, these Kent. In your own kingdom, sir. white flakes Lear. Do not abuse me. Had challeng’d pity of them. Was this a face Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great To be expos'd against the warring winds ? rage, To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder? You see, is cur’d in him: and yet it is danger In the most terrible and nimble stroke To make him even o'er the time he has lost. Of quick, cross lightning ? to watch (poor Desire him to go in ; trouble him no more, perdu !) Till further settling. With this thin helm ?- Mine enemy's dog, Cor. Will’t please your highness walk? Though he had bit me, should have stood that Lear. You must bear with me: night Pray now, forget and forgive : I am old and Against my fire: And wast thou fain, poor fa- foolish. [Ereunt Lear, Cordelia, Physse ther, cian, and Attendants. To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn, Gent. Holds it true, sir, In short and musty straw? Alack, alack ! That the duke of Cornwall was so slain? 'Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once Kent. Most certain, sir. Had not concluded all.—He wakes; speak to him. Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Phys. Madam, do you ; 'tis fittest. hent. As 'tis said, Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares The bastard son of Gloster. your majesty ? Gent. They say, Edgar, Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent grave: In Germany a "Tis time to look about; the powers o'the king dom Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir. Exit. Kent. My point and period will be throughly Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. wrought, ACT V. will go hold; SCENE I.-The camp of the British Forces, Gon. No. near Dover. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, RE Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle : [Aside. ]-I GAN, Officers, Soldiers, and Others. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose As they are going out, enter Edgar, disguised. Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man To change the course: He's full of alteration, so poor, And self-reproving:-bringhis constant pleasure. Hear me one word. [To an Officer, who goes out. Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. [Ereunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Officers, Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Soldiers, and Attendants. Reg. Now, sweet lord, Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letYou know the goodness I intend upon you: ter. Tell me,—but truly,--but then speak the truth, If you have victory, let the trumpet sound Do you not love my sister ? For him that brought it: wretched though I Edm. In honour'd love. seem, heg. But have you never found my brother’s I can produce a champion, that will prove way What is avouched there : If you miscarry, To the forfended place ? Your business of the world hath so an end, Edm. That thought abuses you. And machination ceases. Fortune love you! Reg. I am doubtful, that you have been con- Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. junct Edg. I was forbid it. And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, Edm. No, by mine honour, madam. And I'll appear again. [Erit. Reg. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord, Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy Be not familiar with her. paper. Edm. Fear me not: She, and the duke her husband, Re-enter EDMUND. Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your Enter Albany, GONERIL, and Soldiers. powers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that Here is the guess of their true strength and forces sister By diligent discovery ;—but your haste Should loosen him and me. [Aside. Is now urgʻd on you. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.- Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit. Sir, this I hear,—The king is come to his daughter, Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my With others, whom the rigour of our state love ; Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, Each jealous of the other, as the stung I never yet was valiant : for this business, Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take ? It toucheth us as France invades our land, Both ? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, Not bolds the king ; with others, whom, I fear, If both remain alive: To take the widow, Most just and heavy causes make oppose. Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril ; Edm. Sir, you speak nobly: And hardly shall I carry out my side, Reg. Why is this reason'd? Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: His countenance for the battle; which being done, For these domestic and particular broils Let her, who would be rid of him, devise Are not to question here. His speedy taking off. As for the mercy Alb. Let us then determine Which he intends to Lear, and to Cordelia, With the ancient of war on our proceedings. The battle done, and they within our power, Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Shall never see his pardon : for my state Reg. Sister, you'll go with us? Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit. Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them SCENE II.- A field between the two camps. starve first. Come. [Ereunt Lear and Cordelia, guarded. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. LEAR, CORDELIA, and their Forces ; and ex- Take thou this note; [Giving a paper.] 89, eunt. follow them to prison : One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou dost Enter Edgar and GLOSTER. As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree To noble fortunes : Know thou this,-that men For your good host; pray that the right may Are as the time is; to be tender-minded thrive : Does not become a sword :-Thy great employIf ever I return to you again, ment I'll bring you comfort. Will not bear question ; either say, thou'lt dot, Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit Edgar. Or thrive by other means. Off. I'll do't, my lord. Alarums; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter EDGAR. Edm. About it, and write happy, when thou Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away; hast done. King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en: Mark,- I say, instantly; and carry it so, Give me thy hand, come on. As I have set it down. Glo. No further, sir ; a man may rot even here. Off: I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried ents; Edg. What, in ill thoughts again ? Men must If it be man's work, I will do it. [Erit Officer. endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Flourish. Enter Albany, GONEril, Recas, Ripeness is all: Come on. Officers, and Attendants. Glo. And that's true too. [Ereunt. Alb. Sir, you have shewn to-day your valiant strain, SCENE III.-The British camp near Dover. And fortune led you well: You have the captives, Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, Ed- We do require them of you ; so to use them, Who were the opposites of this day's strife: MUND; LEAR and Cordelia, as Prisoners ; As we shall find their merits and our safety Officers, Soldiers, fc. May equally determine. Edm. Some officers take them away: good Édm. Sir, I thought it fit guard ; To send the old and miserable king Until their greater pleasures first be known, To some retention, and appointed guard; That are to censure them. Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, Cor. We are not the first, To pluck the common bosom on his side, Who, with best meaning, have incurr’d the worst. And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down-; Which do command them. With him I sent Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. My reason all the same; and they are ready Shall we not see these daughters, and these sis- To-morrow, or at farther space, to appear ters? Where you shall hold your session. At this time, Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to We sweat, and bleed: the friend hath lost his prison : friend; We two alone will sing like birds i’the cage : And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs’d When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, By those that feel their sharpness :And ask of thee forgiveness : So we'll live, The question of Cordelia, and her father, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh Requires a fitter place. At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues Alb. Sir, by your patience, Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them I hold you but a subject of this war, too, Not as a brother. Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;- Reg. That's as we list to grace him. And take upon us the mystery of things, Methinks our pleasure might have been deAs if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, manded, In a wall’d prison, packs and sects of great ones, Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers; That ebb and flow by the moon. Bore the commission of my place and person; Edm. Take them away. The which immediacy may well stand up, In his own grace he doth exalt himself, the queen ; a |