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. Glou. I know that voice. 93 Lear. Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered 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 'em, there I smelt 'em 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. Glou. The trick of that voice I do well remember: 152 A man may see how Look with thine 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. Glou. I see it feelingly. Lear. What! art mad? this world goes with no eyes. ears: see how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? Glow. Ay, sir. 160 Take that of me, my friend, who have the power To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes; And, like a scurvy politician, seem To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now; Pull off my boots; harder, harder; so. 180 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 't. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. Exit; 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 curse Edg. Hail, gentle sir! 210 Gent. 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. But, by your favour, Stands on the hourly thought. Edg. Her army is mov'd on. 220 Exit Gentleman. Edg. from me: Let not my worser spirit tempt me again Edg. Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Hearty thanks: Enter OSWALD. 230 O undistinguish'd space of woman's will! Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified That of thy death and business I can tell. Glou. The king is mad: how stiff is my vi sense, That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling And woes by wrong imaginations lose SCENE VII.-A Tent in the French Camp. Enter CORDELLA, KENT, Doctor, and Gentleman. 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. Doct. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er- I am mightily abus'd. I should e'en die with paid. All my reports go with the modest truth, Nor more nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. pity To see another thus. I know not what to say. I will not swear these Be better suited: I feel this pin prick. Of my condition! Cor. are my hands: let's see; Would I were assur'd O look upon me, sir, These weeds are memories of those worser hours: I prithee, put them off. 10 Cor. Then be't so, my good lord. To the Doct. Madam, sleeps still. Cure this great breach in his abused nature! I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? 20 Enter LEAR in a chair carried by Servants. Doct. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of sleep We put fresh garments on him. Kent. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Very well. Music. Cor. 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. Was this a face 30 Did challenge pity of them. Of quick cross lightning? to watch, poor perdu ! Against my fire. And wast thou fain, poor father, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me. 60 Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; And, to deal plainly, I fear I am not in my perfect mind. me; For, as I am a man, I think this lady Cor. If you have poison for me, I will drink it. Lear. Am I in France? No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. You see, is kill'd in him; and yet it is danger Cor. Will 't please your highness walk? Gent. Holds it true, Cornwall was so slain? Kent. Most certain, sir. Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester. 90 Gent. They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany. Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers of the kingdom approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir. Exit. Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought. Exit. ACT V. SCENE I.-The British Camp near Dover. Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose Or whether since he is advis'd by aught Edm. In honour'd love. powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces Reg. But have you never found my brother's By diligent discovery; but your haste way To the forfended place? Edm. 10 That thought abuses you. Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. Reg. I never shall endure her: dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Is now urg'd on you. Alb. Each jealous of the other, as the stung Both one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy Enter, with drum and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, His countenance for the battle; which being and Soldiers. Gon. Aside. I had rather lose the battle than that sister done, Let her who would be rid of him devise His speedy taking off. As for the mercy Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, The battle done, and they within our power, Shall never see his pardon; for my state Sir, this I heard; the king is come to his Stands on me to defend, not to debate. Should loosen him and me. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met. daughter, 20 SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, etc. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard, Until their greater pleasures first be known Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison; 11 We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: Who loses and who wins; who's in, who 's out; In his own grace he doth exalt himself Edm. 20 Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, Come. Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded. Giving a paper. Off I'll do 't, my lord. 81 In my rights, By me invested, he compeers the best. Alb. That were the most, if he should husband On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, Pointing to GONERIL. Gon. An interlude ! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloucester; let the trumpet sound: 90 If none appear to prove upon thy person Reg. Sick! O, sick! Gon. Aside. If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine. Edm. There's my exchange: Throws down a glove. What in the world he is |