Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee. Glo. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear Affliction, till it do cry out itself, Lear. Read. Glo. What, with the case of eyes? Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: Yet you see how this world goes. Glo. I see it feelingly. Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this Enough, enough, and die. That thing you speak of, world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears: Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But who comes here? Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with flowers. The safer sense will ne'er accommodate His master thus. Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the king himself. Edg. O thou side-piercing sight! Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.-There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace;-this piece of toasted cheese will do't.-There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant.-Bring up the brown bills. --O, well flown, bird!-i'the clout, i'the clout: hewgh!-Give the word. Edg. Sweet marjoram. Lear. Pass. Glo. I know that voice. Lear. Ha! Goneril-with a white beard! They flatter'd me like a dog; and told me I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say, ay, and no, to every thing I said!Ay and no, too, was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found them, there smelt them out. Go to, they are not men o'their words; they told me I was every thing; 'tis a lie; I am not ague-proof. Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is't not the king? Lear. Ay, every inch a king: When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes. Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No: Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.— Whose face between her forks presageth snow; The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't Down from the waist they are centaurs, But to the girdle do the gods inherit, Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.-Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it. Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Edg. I would not take this from report;—it is, And my heart breaks at it. see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief, Hark, in thine ear: Change places; and, handydandy, which is the justice, which is the thief!Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar! Glo. Ay, sir. Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of thority: a dog's obeyed in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back; Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind, For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener. Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster: Thou must be patient; we came crying hither. Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, We wawl, and cry:-I will preach to thee; mark me. Glo. Alack, alack the day! Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are come To this great stage of fools;-This a good block!— It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill. Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Gent. O, here he is; lay hand upon him.-Sir, Your most dear daughter Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune. Use me well; You shall have ransome. Let me have a surgeon, I am cut to the brains. Gent. You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds? all myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt, Gent. Good sir, Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom; What? I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king, Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. [Exit, running; Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch; Past speaking of in a king!-Thou hast one daughter, Who redeems nature from the general ourse Which twain have brought her to. Edy. Hail, gentle sir. Gont. Sir, speed you: What's your will? Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward! Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears that, | Which can distinguish sound. Edg. But, by your favour, How near's the other army? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought. Edg. I thank you, sir: that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is Her army is mov'd on. [here, Edg. I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, Briefly thyself remember :-The sword is out That must destroy thee. Glo. Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. (Edgar opposes.) Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ad ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill! Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; no matter for your foins. (They fight; and Edgar knocks him down.) Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:-Villain, take What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, May be my friends.-He's dead; I am only sorry He had no other death's-man.-Let us see:Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts; Their papers, is more lawful. (Reads.) Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off; if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: Then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. Your wife, (so I would say,) and your affectionate Ó undistinguish'd space of woman's will! And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the sands, [Exit Edgar, dragging out the body. Edy. Re-enter EDGAR. Give me your hand: Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Exeunt. SCENE VII.-A Tent in the French Camp. LEAR on a bed, asleep; Physician, Gentlemen, and others, attending. Enter CORDELIA, and KENT. Cor. O thou, good Kent, how shall I live, and work, To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, And every measure fail me. Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'erpaid. All my reports go with the modest truth; Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Kent. Cor. Be better suited: These weeds are memories of those worser hours; I pr'ythee, put them off. Pardon me, dear madam; Yet to be known, shortens my made intent: My boon I make it, that you know me not, Till time and I think meet. Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How does the Cure this great breach in his abused nature! I'the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? Cor. Very well. Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the mu sic there. Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters Have in thy reverence made! Kent. Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? [grave:Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the I am mightily abus'd.-I should even die with pity, Cor. Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should know you, and know this man; Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant What place this is; and all the skill I have Remembers not these garments; nor I know not Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at me; For, as I am a man, I think this lady To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: If you have poison for me, I will drink it. I know, you do not love me; for your sisters Lear. Am I in France? No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. Lear. Do not abuse me. Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish. [Exeunt Lear, Cordelia, Physician, and Attendants. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Now, sweet lord, Rey. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Fear me not: Edm. She, and the duke her husband,— Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me. (A side.) Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear, The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigour of our state Forc'd to cry ont. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It touches us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose. Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd! Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestic and particular broils Are not to question here. Alb. Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Reg. Sister, you'll go with us? Gon. No, Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: (Aside.)-I will go.. As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so Hear me one word. [poor, Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, ‘Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion, that will prove What is avouched there: If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune love you! Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. Edg. I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again. [Brit. Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper. Re-enter EDMUND. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit. Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use SCENE II-A Field betweeen the two Camps. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, Lear, Cordelia, and their Forces; and exeunt. Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER. Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host; pray that the right may thrive: If ever I return to you again, I'll bring you comfort. Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit Edgar. Alarums; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter EDGAR. Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away; King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en: Give me thy hand, come on. : Glo. No further, sir; a inan may rot even here. Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither: And that's true too. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR, and CORDELIA, as prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edm. Some officers take them away; good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known, That are to censure them. Cor. As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, Take them away. thee? Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work, I will do it. [Exit Officer. Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Officers, and Attendants. Alb. Sir, you have shewn to-day your valiant strain, And fortune led you well: You have the captives, Sir, I thought it fit My reason all the same; and they are ready Sir, by your patience, Reg. Gon. Not so hot: In my rights, Gon. Alb. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason:-Edmund, I arrest thee On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, I bar it in the interest of my wife: Gon. An interlude! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy person, Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Reg. Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. Sick, O, sick! (Aside.) I come to cope withal. Alb. Which is that adversary? Edg. What's he, that speaks for Edmund earl of Gloster? Edm. Himself;-what say'st thou to him? That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; Gon. This is mere practice, Gloster: By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd, But cozen'd and beguil'd. Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it :-Hold, sir:Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil: Know'st thou this paper? Most monstrous! Gon. Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. (To an Officer, who goes out.) Ask me not what I know. [Exit. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that have And more, much more; the time will bring it out; I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; The dark and vicious place where thee he got, I know it well. Alb. Worthy prince, Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father! Edg. By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale; And, when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst!— Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me, And shall, perchance, do good: but speak you on; You look as you had something more to say. Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in; For I am almost ready to dissolve, Hearing of this. Edg. This would have seem'd a period To such as love not sorrow; but another, To amplify too much, would make much more, And top extremity. Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man, Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding guise |