And give the letters, which thou find'st about me, [Dies. Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, As badness would desire. Glo. What is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.— Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: [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 servant, GONERIL. O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!— A plot upon her virtuous husband's life; And the exchange, my brother !-Here, in the sands, Thee I'll rake up,' the post unsanctified Of murderous lechers: and, in the mature time, 9 To rip their papers is more lawful. I'll cover thee (the dead steward) in the sands. With this ungracious paper strike the sight [Exit EDGAR, dragging out the Body. Glo. The king is mad: How stiff is my vile sense, That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract: The knowledge of themselves. Edg. 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, Gentleman, 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'er-paid. All my reports go with the modest truth; Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Yet to be known, shortens my made intent:4 Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How does the king? Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O you kind gods, [To the Physician. Cure this great breach in his abused nature! Phys. Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep, We put fresh garments on him. Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well. 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 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 To be expos'd against the warring winds? To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder? 4 Intent formed. In the most terrible and nimble stroke Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu!)' Though he had bit me, should have stood that night Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty ? Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the grave: Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears Cor. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit, I know; When did you die? Cor. Still, still, far wide! Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I?-Fair day-light? I am mightily abus'd.—I should even die with pity, Cor. O, look upon me, sir, 5 The allusion is to the forlorn-hope in an army, called in French, enfans perdus. Thin covering of hair. And hold your hands in benediction o'er me :- 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: 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. You have some cause, they have not. Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Lear. Do not abuse me. No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, Cor. Will't please your highness walk? You must bear with me: 7 To reconcile it to his apprehension. |