SCENE 1.--The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold; Or whether, since, he is advised by aught To change the course. He's full of alteration And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure. [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Now, sweet lord, Reg. will go. As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. 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 avouchéd 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. [Exit. Alb. Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper. Re-enter EDMUND. Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces, Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love; Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Her husband being alive. Now, then, we'll use [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 For your good host: pray that the right may thrive. If ever I return to you again, I'll bring you comfort. Glo. 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. Grace go with you, sir. [Exit EDGAR. Glo, No further, sir: a man may rot even here. Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Ripeness is all. Come on. Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters? Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out; Come. [Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. Take thou this note [giving a paper]: go, follow them to prison. One step I have advanced thee: if thou dost Ofi. I'll do 't, my lord. Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, My reason all the same: and they are ready The question of Cordelia and her father Know, my name is lost; By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-Lit: Yet am I noble as the adversary I come to cope withal. Edm. Himself:-what say'st thou to him? Edg. Draw thy sword; That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, My oath, and my profession; I protest, Thou liest. Edm. In wisdom I should ask thy name: But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, And that thy tongue some 'say of breeding breathes, What safe and nicely I might well delay [Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls. Alb. O save him, save him! Alb. Methought thy very gait did propnecy Edg. Worthy prince, I know it. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? Edg. By nursing them, my lord. List a briet tale: And when 't is told, O that my heart would burst!— The bloody proclamation t' escape That followed me so near, (O our lives' sweetness! That with the pain of death we'd hourly die, Edm. This speech of yours hath moved 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 seemed a period Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man |