Old Man. Fellow, where goest ?. I told him of the army that was landed; Glu, Is it a beggar-man ? He smild at it: I told bim you were coming ; Old Man. Madman and beggar too. His answer was, The worse : of Gloster's treacbery, Glo. He has some reason, else he could not beg. And of the loyal service of his son, l' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw; When I inform'd him, then he call’d me sot; Which made me think a man a worm: My son And told me, I had turn'd the wrong side out :Came then into my mind; and yet my mind What most he should dislike, seems pleasant to him, Was then scarce friends with him : I have heard What like, offensive. more since: Gon. Then shall you go no further. As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods ; To Edmund. They kill us for their sport. It is the cowish terror of his spirit, Edg. How should this be? That dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs, Bad is the trade must play the fool to sorrow, Which tie him to an answer: Our wishes, on the Ang’ring itself and others. (Aside.)-Bless thee, way, master! May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother ; Glo. Is that the naked fellow ? Hasten his musters and conduct his powers : Old Man. Ay, my lord. I must change arms at home, and give the distaff Glo. Then, proythee, get thee gone : If, for my Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant sake, Shall pass between us : ere long you are like to hear, Thou wilt o'ertake us, hence a mile or twain, If you dare venture in your own behalf, l' the way to Dover, do it for ancient love ; A mistress's command. Wear this ; spare speech; And bring some covering for this naked soul, (Giving a furour. Whom l'il entreat to lead me. Decline your head. this kiss, if it durst speak, Old Man. Alack, sir, he's mad. Would stretch thy spirits up into the air ;Glo. 'Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead Conceive, and fare thee well. the blind. Edm. Yours in the ranks of death. Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure ; Gon, My most dear Gloster! Above the rest, be gone. (Exit EDMUND. Old Man. I'll bring him the best parrel that I have, o, the difference of man, and man! To thee Come on't what will. (Exit. A woman's services are due; my fool Glo. Sirrah, naked fellow. Usurps my bed. Edg. Poor Tom's a-cold. I cannot daub it fur. Stew. Madam, here comes my lord. ther. (Aside. [Exit Steward. Glo. Come hither, fellow. Edg. Aside. And yet I must.-—Bless thy sweet Enter ALBANY. Gon. I have been worth the whistle. Glo. Know'st thou the way to Dover ? Alb. O Goneril! Edg. Both stile and gate, horse-way, and foot. You are not worth the dust which the rude wind path. Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good Blows in your face.-I fear your disposition : wits : Bless the good man from the foul fiend; Five That nature, which contemn3 its origin, fiends have been in poor Tom at once; of lust, as Cannot be border'd certain in itself; Obidicut; Hobbididance, prince of dumbness; Mahu, She that herself will silver and disbranch of stealing; Modo, of murder; and Flibbertiyibbet, From her material sap, perforce must wither, of mopping and mowing; who since possesses and come to deadly use. chambermaids and waiting-women. So, bless thee, Gon. No more; the text is foolish. master! (ven's plagues Alb. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile : Glo. Here, take this purse, thou whom the hea- Filths savour but themselves. What have you done ? Have humbled to all strokes : that I am wretched, Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd ? Makes thee the happier :—Heavens deal so still! A father, and a gracious aged man, Let the superfluous, and lust-dieted man, Whose reverence the head-lugg'd bear wonld lick, That slaves your ordinance, that will not see Most barbarous, most degenerate! have you maddedt Because he doth not feel, feel your power quickly; Could my good brother suffer you to do it? So distribution should undo excess, (Dover? A man, a prince, by him so benefited ? And each man have enough.—Dost thou know If that the heavens do not their visible spirits Edg. Ay, master. Send quickly down to tame these vile offences, Glo. There is a cliff, whose high and bending head "Twill come, Looks fearfully in the contined deep: Humanity must perforce prey on itself, Bring me but to the very brim of it, Like monsters of the deep. And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear, Gon. Milk-liver'd man: With something rich about me: from that place That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; I shall no leading need. Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning Edg. Give me thy arm; Thine honour from thy suffering; that not know'st, Poor Tom shall lead thee. (Exeunt. Fools do those villains pity, who are punish'd Ere they have done their mischief. Where's thy SCENE II.-Before the Duke of Albany's Palace. drum? France spreads his banners in our noiseless land, Enter GONERIL and EDMUND; Steward With plumed helm thy slayer begins threats; meeting them. Whilsi thou, a moral fool, sit’st still, and cry'st, Gim, Welcome, my lord; I marvel our mild Alack ! why does he so ? husband Alb. See thyself, devil! Not met 1e on the way:-Now, where's your master Proper deformity seems not in the fiend -w Madam, within; but never man su chang'd : So horrid, as in woman. eyes, they bleed. Gon. O vain fool ! [shame, | Were like a better day: Those happy smiles, Alb. Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for That play'd on her ripe lip, seem'd not to know Be-monster not thy feature. Were it my fitness What guests were in her eyes; which parted tb :uce, To let these hands obey my blood, As pearls from diamonds dropp’d.-In brief, sorrow They are apt enough to dislocate and tear Would be a rarity most belov'd, if all Kent. Made she no verbal question ? Gon. Marry, your manhood now ! Gent. 'Faith, once, or twice, she heav'd the name of father Enter a Messenger. Pantingly forth, as if it press’d her heart; Alb. What news ? (dead : Cried, Sisters ! sisters !-Shame of ladits! sisters ! Mess. O, my good lord, the duke of Cornwall's Kent! father! sisters! What? i'the storm ? i'tho Slain by his servant, going to put out night? The other eye of Gloster. Let pity not be believ'd!—There she shook The holy water from her heavenly eyes, Kent. It is the stars Such different issues. You spoke not with her since ? Gent. No. You justicers, that these our nether crimes Kent. Was this before the king return'd ? So speedily can venge !—But, 0, poor Gloster ! Gent. No; since Lost he his other eye? Kent. Well, sir; the poor distress'd Lear is i'the Mess. Both, both, my lord, — town: This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer; Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers 'Tis from your sister. What we are come about, and by no means Gon. [Aside.] One way I like this well; Will yield to see his daughter But beinz widow, and my Gloster with her, Gent. Why, good sir ? May all ihe building in my fancy pluck Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him : his own Upon my hateful life : Another way, unkindness, The news is not so tart.-I'll read and answer. That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her (Exit. To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights Alo. Where was his son, when they did take his To his dog hearted daughters, these things sting eyes? His mind so venomously, that burning shame Moss Come with my lady hither. Detains him from Cordelia. Alack, poor gentleman! Mess No, my good lord; I met him back again. Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you MLO. Knows he the wickedness ? heard not? Mess. Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot. against him; (ment Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, And quit the house on purpose, that their punish- And leave you to attend him: some dear cause Might have the freer course. Will in concealment wrap me up awhile; Alb. Gloster, I live When I am known arigbt, you shall not grieve To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king, Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go And to revenge thine eyes.-Come hither, friend; Along with me. (Exeunt Tell me what more thou knowest. (Ereunt. SCENE IV.- The same. A Tent. SCENE III.- The French Camp, near Dover. Enter CORDELIA, Physician, and Soldiers. Enter Kent and a Gentleman. Cor. Alack, 'tis be ; why he was met even now Kent. Why the king of France is so suddenly As mad as the vex'd sea : singing aloud; gone back know you the reason ? Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow weeds, Cont. Something he left imperfect in the state, With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers, Which since his coming forth is thought of; which Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow Imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger, In our sustaining corn.—A century send forth; That his personal return was most requir’d, Search every acre in the high-grown field, And necessary; And bring him to our eye. Erit an Officer. | Kent. Who bath he left behind him general ? What can man's wisdom do, Gent. The Mareschal of France, Monsieur le Fer. In the restoring is bereaved sense ? Kent. Did your letters pierce the queen to any He, that helps him, take all my outward worth. demonstration of grief? (presence; Phy. There is means, madam : Gent. Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, And now and then an ample tear trill'd down The which he lacks; that to provoke in him, Her delicate cheek: it seem'd, she was a queen Are many simples operative, wbose power Over her passion; who, most rebel-like, Will close the eye of anguish. Sought to be the king o'er her. Cor. All bless d secrets, Kert. 0, then it mov'd her. All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Gent. Not to a rage : patience and sorrow strove Spring with my tears ! be aidant, and remediate, Who should express her goodliest. You have seen in the good man's distress !-Seek, seek for him Sunshine and rain at once : her smiles and tears Lest hic ungovern'd rage dissolve the life . That wants the means to lead it Hark, do you hear the sea ? No, truly. Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imperfect Mess, Madam, news; By your eyes' anguish. The British powers are marching hitherward. Glo. So may it be, indeed : Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st In expectation of them.-- dear father, In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst. It is thy business that I go about; Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in pothing am 1 Therefore great France chang’d, My mourning, and important tears, hatb pitied. But in my garments. No blown ambition doth our arms incite, Glo. Methinks, you are better spoken. But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right : Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place ;-stand still, Soon may I hear, and see him! (Ereunt. -How fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! SCENE V.-A Room in Gloster's castle. The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air, Enter REGAN and Steward. Show scarce so gross as beetles : Half way down Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth ? Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade i Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head • Stew, Ay, madam. Reg. Himself The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, In person there? Appear like mice; and yon' tall anchoring bark, Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy Stev Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier. Almost too small for sight: The murmuring surge, (home ? Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes, Stew. No, madam. Cannot be heard so high :-I'll look no more; Topple down headlong. Set me where you stand. Edg. Give me your hand : You are now within a foot To let him live; where he arrives, he moves All hearts against us; Edmund, I think, is gone, Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moun Would I not leap upright. In pity of his misery, to despatch Glo. His nighted life; moreover, to descry Let go my hand. The strength o’the enemy. [letter. Here, friend, is another purse; in it, a jewel Stew. I'must needs after him, madam, with my Prosper it with thee? Go thou further off; Well worth a poor man's taking: Fairies and gods, Rey. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. The ways are dangerous. Stew, I may not, madam; Edg. Now fare you well, good sir. (Seems to go. Glo. My lady charg'd my duty in this business. With all my heart Reg. 'Why should she write to Edmund ? Might is done to cure it. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with Liu despair, Glo. Transport her purposes by words ? Belike, O you mighty gods ! Something I know not what :-P'll love thee much, This world I do renounce; and, in your sights, Let me unseal the letter. Shake patiently my great affliction off: If I could bear it longer, and not fall To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, If Edgar live, O, bless him!- Edg. Gone, sir? farewell.- The treasury of life, when life itself Yields to the theft : Had he been where he thought My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; And more convenient is he for my hand, By this, had thought been past.-Alive, or dead? Than for your lady's:-You may gather more. Ho, you sir ! friend :—Hear you, sir ?---speak! If you do find him, pray you, give him this; Tbus might he pass indeed :-Yet he revives : What are you, sir ? Aud when your mistress hears thus much from you, Glo. Away, and let me die. I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. Edg. Had’st thou been aught but gossomer, So, fare you well. feathers, air, If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, fathom down precipitating, (show [breathe; Preferment falls on him that cuts him off, Steu. 'Would I could meet him, madam ! I would Thou had’st shiver'd like an egg : but thou dosi Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art What party I do follow. sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Which thou hast perpendicularly fell; Thy life's a miracle : Speak yet again. Enter GLOSTER, and EDGAR dressed like a peasant. Glo. But have I fallen, or no ? Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourg hill ? Look up a-height;—the shrill-gorg'd lark so far Edg. You do climb upit now: look how we labour. Cannot be seen or heard : do but look up. Glo. Methinks the ground is even. Glo. Alack, I have no eyes.Edg. Horrible steep: Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit, not you So many To end itself by death ? 'Twas yet some comfort, Down from the waist they are centaurs But to the girdle do the gods inherit, Give me your arin : Beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's dark, Up:-Soz-How is't? Feel you your legs? You ness, there is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stand. stench, consumption ;-Fye, fye, fye ! pah; pah! Glo. Too well, too wall. Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to Edg. This is above all strangeness. sweeten my imagination : there's money for thee. Upon the crown o'the cliff, what thing was that Glo. O, let me kiss that hand! Which parted from you ? Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. poor unfortunate beggar. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know me ? Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost Horns whelk’d, and wav'd like the enridged sea; thou squiny at me ? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; It was some fiend : Therefore, thou happy father, I'll not love.—Read thou this challenge; mark' but Think that the clearest gods, who inake them honours the penning of it. Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee. Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Glo, I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear Edg. I would not take this from report;--it is, Affliction, till it do cry out itself, And my heart breaks at it. Glo. What, with the case of eyes ? Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.—But who in your head, nor no money in your purse ? Your comes here? eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light : Yes you see how this world goes. Enter Lear fantastically dressed up with flowers. Glo. I see it feelingly. The safer sense will ne'er accommodate Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this His master thus. world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining. see how yon' justice jails upon yon’ simple thief. I am the king himself. Hark, in thine ear: Change places; and, handy. Edg. O thou side-piercing sight! dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief ? Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.—There's Thou hast seen a fariner's dog bark at a beggar? your press-money. That fellow handles his bow Glo. Ay, sir. like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard.- Lear. And the creature run from the cur? Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace ;-this piece of There thou might'st behold the great image of aucoasted cheese will do't.---There's my gauntlet; I'll thority: a dog's obeyed in office. prove it on a giant.-Bring up the brown bills. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand : [back; O, well flown, bird !-' the clout, i' the clout : Why dost thou lash that whore ? Strip thine own hewgh ! Give the word. Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind Edg. Sweet marjoram. For which thou whipp’st her. The usurer hangs Lear. Pass. the cozener. Glo. I know that voice. Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Lear. Ha! Goneril !-- with a white beard !- Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with They flatter'd me like a dog; and told me, I had gold, wbite hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks : there. To say ay, and no, to every thing I said !- Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it. Ay and no too was no good divinity. When the None does offend, none, I say, none; l'll able 'em: rain came to wet mé once, and the wind to make Take that of me, my friend, who have the power me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes; my bidding; there I found them, there I smelt And, like a scurvy politician, seem (now: them out. Go to, they are not men o'their words : To see the things thou dost not. ---Now, now, now, they told me I was every thing ; 'tis a lie ; I am not Pull off my boots :-harder, harder; so. ague-proof. Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd ! Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. Lear, Ay, every inch a king : I know thee well enough; thy naine is Gloster : When I do stare, sce, how the subject quakes. Thou must be patient; we came crying hither. I pardon that man's life: What was thy cause ?- Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, Adultery. We wawl, and cry: I will preach to thee; mark me. Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No: Glo. Alack, alack the day! The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly Lear, When we are born, we cry, that we are come Does lecher in my sight. To this great stage of fools ;—This a good block ? Let copulation thrive for Gloster's bastard son It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe Was kinder to his father, than my daughters A troop of horse with felt : I'll put it in proof; Got 'tween the lawful sheets. And when I have stolen upon these sous-in-law, To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.- Tben, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill. Behold yon' simpering dame, Enter a Gentleruan, with Attendants. Whose face between her forks presageth snow; Gent. O, here he is; lay hand upon bim.--Sir, That minces virtue, and does shake the head Your most dear daughterTo hear of pleasure's name; Lear. No rescue ? Wbat, a prisuner? I am eved The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't The natural fool of fortune. Use me well; With a mi re riotous appetite. You shall have ransome. Let me have a surgector Her army I am cut to the brains. Slew. Slave, thou hast slain me :- Villain, take Geni. You shall have any thing. my purse; Lear. No seconds ? all myself ? If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; Why, this would make a man, a man of salt, And give the letters, wbich thou find'st about me, To use his eyes for garden water-pots, To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out Ay, and for laying autumn's dust. Upon the British party :- -0, untimely death! Gent. Good sir, (Dies Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom ; Edg. I know thee well : A serviceable villain, What? As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king, As badness would desire. My masters, know you that ? Glo. What, is he dead ? Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you. Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, Let's see his pockets : these letters that he speaks of, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. May be my friends. He is dead; I am only sorry [Erit running. Attendants follow. He had no other death’s-man.-Let us see :Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch ; Leave, gentle wax : and, manners, blame us not : Fast speaking of in a king - Thou hast one daugh- To know our enemics' minds, we'd rip their hearts; ter, Their papers, is more lawful. [Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows be remembered Edg. Hail, gentle sir. You have many opportunities cut him off*: if your Gent. Sir, speed you: What's your will ? will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward : There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror; Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears that , Then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from Which can distinguish sound. the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the Edy. But, by your favour, place for your labour. How near's the other army ? Your wife, ( so I would say,) and your affectionate Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry servant, GONERIL. Stands on the hourly thought. O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!Edg. I tbank you, sir: that's all. A plot upon her virtuous husband's life; Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is And the exchange, my brother !-Here, in the sands here, Thee I'll rake up, the post uusanctified moy'd on. Of murderous lechers : and, in the mature time, Edg. I thank you, sir. (Erit Gent. With this ungracious paper strike the sight Glo. You ever gentle gods, take my breath from of the death-practis'd'duke: For him 'tis well, me; That of thy death and business I can tell. Let not my worser spirit tempt me again (Exit Edgar, dragging out the body. To die before you please! Glo. The king is mad: How stiff is my vile sense, Edy. Well pray you, father. That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling Glo. Now, good sir, what are you ? Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract: Edy. A most poor man, made tame by fortune's So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs, blows; And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose Re-enter EDGAR. Give me your hand: The bounty and the benizon of heave.: Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. (Eseunt. Enter CORDELIA and KENT. Put strength enough to it. [EDGAR opposes. Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live, ana work, Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, To match thy goodness ? My life will be too short, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor ? Hence; And every measure fail me. Lest that the infection of his fortune take Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er-paid. Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. All my reports go with the modest truth; Cor. Be better suited Edg. Good gentleman, go your gast, and let poor These weeds are memories of those worser hours; tolk pase. And ch’ud ha' been zwagger'd out of I pr’ythee, put them off. my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a Kent. Pardon me, dear madam vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep Yet to be known, shortens my made intent : out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or My boon I make it, that you know me not, my bat be the harder : Ch’ill be plain with you. Till time and I think meet. Stew. Out, dunghill! Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.—How does the Edg. Ch’ill pick your teeth, zir : Come; no matter king ? [To the Physiciau. For your foins. Phys. Madam, sleeps still. ( They fight; and Edgar knurks him down Cor O you kind gods, |