I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange œiliads,1 and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam? R. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it, Therefore, I do advise you, take this note2: My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; And more convenient is he for my hand, Than for your lady's: You may gather more. If you do find him, pray you, give him this: And when your mistress hears thus much from I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. [you, So, fare you well. If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Preferment fall on him that cuts him off. Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam; I would show Edg. Give me your hand: You are now within a foot Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon Would I not leap upright. Glo. Let go my hand. Prosper it with thee! Go thou further off; Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Is done to cure it. Glo. O you mighty gods! This world I do renounce: and, in your sights, Shake patiently my great affliction off: If I could bear it longer, and not fall To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, My snuff and loathed part of nature, should Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!Now fellow, fare thee well. Edg. [He leaps, and falls along. Gone, sir? farewell. And yet I know not how conceit may rob The treasury of life, when life itself What party I do follow. Yields to thetheft: Had he been wherehethought, Reg. Fare thee well. [Exeunt. By this, had thought been past. -Alive, or dead? SCENE VI. - THE COUNTRY NEAR DOVER. Enter Gloster and Edgar dressed like a Peasant. Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill? E. You do climb up it now: look, how we labour. Hark, do you hear the sea? No, truly. E. Why, then your other senses grow imperfect. By your eyes' anguish. Glo. So may it be, indeed: Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst. Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in nothing am I But in my garments. [chang'd, Glo. Methinks, you are better spoken. Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place:-stand still. How fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! [air, The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade! Ho, you sir! friend!-Hear you, sir?-speak! Thus might he pass indeed:-Yet he revives: What are you, sir? Glo. Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, So many fathom down precipitating, Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost [sound. breathe; Glo. But have I fallen, or no? Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky Look up a-height; -the shrill-gorg'd3 lark so far Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up. Glo. Alack, I have no eyes. Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit, To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort, When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage, And frustrate his proud will. Edg. Give me your arm: Up:-So;-How is't? Feel you your legs? You Glo. Too well, too well. [stand. Edg. This is above all strangeness. Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that Which parted from you? Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. E. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, 4 and wav'd like the enrich'd sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy father, Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee. Glo. I do remember now henceforth I'll bear Affliction, till it do cry out itself, 1 Glances of the eye. 3 A vegetable. 5 Tumble. 1 Die in reality. 3 Shrill-throated. 5 The purest. 4 Twisted. Enough, enough, and die. That thing you speak I took it for a man; often 'twould say, [of, The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place. Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But who comes here? 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. L. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears; Enter Lear, fantastically dressed upwith flowers. see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief. 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.1-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. 2-0, well flown bird!-i' the clout, i' the clout3: hewgh!-Give the word. 4 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 I 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: Was kinder to his father, than my daughters. Whose face between her forks presageth snow; That minces virtue, and does shake the head To hear of pleasure's name; [darkness. Beneath is all the fiends; there's hell, there's There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption;-Fie, fie, fie; pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination; there's money for thee. Glo. O, let me kiss that hand! L. 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? L. 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. G. 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. Lear. Read. Glo. What, with the case of eyes? Hark, in thine ear: Change places; and, handydandy, 1 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 authority: a dog's obeyed in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: Why dost thou lash that wanton? Strip thine own back; Thou hotly lustest 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: [now: Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness! L. 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 Glo. Alack, alack the day! [me. Lear. Whenwe are born, we cry, that we are come To this great stage of fools; 'Tis a good plot. 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. Oh, 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, 2 To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust, Gent. Good sir, L. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: What i I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king, My masters, know you that? 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; 1 (A game.) 1 An arrow. 8 The white mark. 5 A plant. 2 Battle-axes. 4 The watchword. 6 Look obliquely. 2 Tears. Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh To raise my fortunes. -Thou old unhappytraitor, Briefly thyself remember: The sword is out That must destroy thee. Glo. Lest that the infection of his fortune take E. Ch'ill not let go, sir, without vurther'casion. Edg. Good gentlemen, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud 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 bats 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.9 [They fight; and Edgar knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:- Villain, take my purse; If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.- [of, Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks May be my friends.-He's dead: Iamonly sorry He had no other death's man.-Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' mind, we'd rip their Their papers, is more lawful. [hearts; [Reads.] Letour reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him of: 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 which deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. Your wife, (so I would say,) and your GONERIL. O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!- [Exit Edgar, dragging out the Body. 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. [To the Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cure this great breach in his abused nature! 1 Near by. 6 Way. 3 Evil genius. 4 Blessing. 5 Recompense. 2 Is expected to be descried every hour. 7 Head. 8 Club. 9 Thrusts. 1 Bury. 2 Death practised on. 8 Dressed. Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the musick 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. Kind and dear princess! Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu1!) Cor. majesty? Sir, do you know me? L. You are a spirit, I know; When did you Cor. Still, still, far wide! [die? Ph. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I?-Fair [pity, day-light?- I am mightily abus'd.-I should even die with Cor. O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:No, sir, you must not kneel. Lear. Pray do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, 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 Have, as I do remember, done me wrong: You have some cause, they have not. Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Kent. No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. [rage, Lear. Do not abuse me. Ph. Be comforted, good madam: the great You see, is cur'd in him: and yet it is danger To make him even o'er the time he has lost. Desire him to go in; trouble him no more, Till further settling. Lear. Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Gent. Holds it true, sir, Kent. The bastard son of Gloster. His banish'd son, is with the earl Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers o' the kingApproach apace. [dom Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. Act Fifth. [Exit. SCENE I.-THE CAMP OF THE BRITISH FORCES, NEAR DOVER. Enter, with Drums and Colours, Edmund, Regan, Officers, Soldiers, and others. E. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught To change the course: He's full of alteration, And self-reproving: [To an Officer, who goes out.] bring his constant pleasure. 1 Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, inadam. 1 His settled resolution. 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. [us. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] Iwill go. As they are going out, enter Edgar, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man Hear me one word. [so 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 Forhim 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. Edm. The eenemy'sinview,draw upyour powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and By diligent discovery; but your haste [forces Is now urg'd on you. Alb. We will greet the time.3 [Exit. Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my Each jealous of the other, as the stung [love; Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, If both remain alive: To take the widow, Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit. SCENE II. A FIELD BETWEEN 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 [thrive. For your good host; pray that the right may 1 Emboldens. 2 Opposition. 8 Be ready. 4 Purposes. We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down; Myself could else out-frown false fortune's [sisters? Shall we not see these daughters, and these frown. L. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness: So we'll live, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues Talk of court news: and we'll talk with them tooWho loses, and who wins; who'sin, who 'sout;And take upon us the mystery of things, As if we were Heaven'sspies: Andwe'llwearout, In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, That ebb and flow by the moon. Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? [ven, He, that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaAnd fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them starve first. Come. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia, guarded. low them to prison: One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou dost As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way To noble fortunes: Know thou this, that men Are as the time is: to be tender-minded (ment Does not become a sword:--Thy great employWill not bear question; either say, thou 'lt do't, Or thrive by other means. Off. I'll do't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thoa hast done. Mark,-I say, instantly; and carry it so, 1 Pass judgment on. As I have set it down. |