Let her, who would be rid of him, devise SCENE II. A Field between the two Camps. [Exit. 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. 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: Glo. And that's true too. [Exeunt. Ripeness is all:] i. e. To be ready, prepared, is all. 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. 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 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: Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? to censure them.] i. e. to pass sentence or judgment on them. He, that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven, 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 advanc'd thee; if thou dost Does not become a sword:-Thy great employment Off I'll do't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast done. Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so, As I have set it down. 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 shown to-day your valiant strain, And fortune led you well: You have the captives 7 The goujeers-] The goujeres, i. e. Morbus Gallicus. 8 • Will not bear question;] Question, here, as in many other places, signifies discourse, conversation. Edm. Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention, and appointed guard; My reason all the same; and they are ready shall hold your session. session. At this time, We sweat, and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend; And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd The question of Cordelia, and her father, Requires a fitter place. Alb. I hold you but a subject of this war, Not as a brother. Reg. Sir, by your patience, That's as we list to grace him. Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded, Gon. 3 Not so hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, Reg. In my rights, By me invested, he compeers the best. And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes-] i. e. Turn the launcemen whom we have hired by giving them press-money. 2 Requires a fitter place.] i. e. The determination of the question what shall be done with Cordelia and her father, should be reserved for greater privacy. The which immediacy-] Immediacy is close and immediate connexion with me, and direct authority from me. Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you. Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Gon. Edm. Nor in thine, lord. Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. [To EDMUND. Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason:-Edmund, I arrest thee On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, This gilded serpent: [Pointing to GON.]-for your claim, fair sister, I bar it in the interest of my wife; 'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord, And I, her husband, contradict your bans. My lady is bespoke. Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy person, The let-alone lies not in your good will.] Whether he shall not or shall, depends not on your choice. |