Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with gold,

And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks : Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it. None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em 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.

Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness!

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.

I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster : Thou must be patient; we came crying hither. Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, We wawl, and cry :-I will preach to thee; mark

me.

Glo. Alack, alack the day!

Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are

come

To this great stage of fools;- -This a good block? It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe

A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Gent. O, here he is, lay hand upon him.-Sir, Your most dear daughter

:

Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well; You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon, I am cut to the brains. Gent.

You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds? All myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,2 To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust.

Gent.

Good sir,

Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom:

What?

I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king,

My masters, know you that?

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. [Exit, running. 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
Which twain have brought her to.
Edg. Hail, gentle sir.
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

But, by your favour,

that, Which can distinguish sound. Edg. How near's the other army? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.3 Edg.

I thank you, sir; that's all.

A proclaim'd prize! most happy!
That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh
To raise my fortunes.-Thou old unhappy traitor,
Briefly thyself remember:-The sword is out
That must destroy thee.
Glo.

Now let thy friendly hand
Edgar opposes.
Wherefore, bold peasant,

Put strength enough to it.
Stew.

Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence;
Lest that the infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.
Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait,8 and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep your costard of out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether my bat be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill!

Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; nc matter vor your foins.11

[They fight: and Edgar knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me :-Villain, take

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, May be my friends.-He's dead; I am only sorry He had no other death's-man.-Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts; Their papers, is more lawful. 12

[Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows be remem bered. 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

(4) Evil genius. (5) Blessing. (6) Reward. (7) Quickly recollect the offences of thy life. (8) Go your way.

(9) Head. (10) Club. (11) Thrusts. (12) To rip their papers is more lawful.

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:

sands;

Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified

Of murderous lechers: and, in the mature time,
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death-practis'd duke: For him 'tis well,
That of thy death and business I can tell.

[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:
So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs;
And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose
The knowledge of themselves.

Re-enter Edgar.

Edg. Give me your hand. Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Exe.

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.

Cor.

Be better-suited :2

These weeds are memories of those worser hours;
I pr'ythee, put them off.
Kent.

Pardon me, dear madam;
Yet to be known, shortens my made intent :4
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then b it so, my good lord.-How does the king? [To the Physician.

Phys. Madam, sleeps still.

Cor. O you kind gods,

Cure this great breach in his abused nature!
The untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up
Of this child-changed father!
Phys.

So please your majesty, That we may wake the king? he hath slept long. Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed

I'the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?

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;

Very well.

I doubt not of his temperance.
Cor.
Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the mu-

sic there.

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.

Kind and dear princess!

(1) I'll cover thee (the dead steward) in the sands. (2) Dressed. (3) Memorials. (4) Intent formed. (5) French, enfans perdus.

Though he had bit me, should have stood that night
Against my fire And wast thou fain, poor father,
To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn,
In short and musty straw? Alack, alack!
'Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once
Had not concluded all.-He wakes; speak to him.
Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.

Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?

Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the

O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me: No, sir, you must not kneel.

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:
Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is; and all the skill I have
Remembers not these garments; nor I know not
Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at me;
For, as I am a man, I think this lady
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
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong:
You have some cause, they have not.
Cor.

No cause, no cause In your own kingdom, sir. Lear. Do not abuse me.

Lear. Am I in France?
Kent.

Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage,

You see, is cur'd in him: and yet it is danger
To make him even o'er the time he has lost.
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more,
Till further settling.

Cor. Will't please your highness walk?
Lear.
You must bear with me:
Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old, and foolish
[Exeunt Lear, Cordelia, Physician, and
Attendants.

Gent. Holds it true, sir,

(6) Thin covering of hair.

(7) To reconcile it to his apprehension.

SCENE I.-The camp of the British forces, near Dover. Enter, with drums and colours, Edmund, Regan, Officers, Soldiers, and others.

Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught To change the course: He's full of alteration, And self-reproving :-bring his constant pleasure.3 [To an officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Reg. Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Tell me, but truly,-but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister? Edm.

In honour'd love.

[Aside.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear,-The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigour of our state Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It touches us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose.7 Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestic and particular broils

Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] I 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 avouched there: If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases.8 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 By diligent discovery;-but your haste Is now urg'd on you.

Alb. We will greet the time.9 [Exit. 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? Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, If both remain alive: To take the widow, Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; And hardly shall I carry out my side,10 Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use His countenance for the battle; which being 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 Stands on me to defend, not to debate. 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.

[Exit.

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.

Grace go with you, sir! [Exit Edgar 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: Ripeness is all :" Come on.

Glo.

And that's true too. [Exeunt.

(8) i. e. All designs against your life will have

(9) Be ready to meet the occasion.

an end.

(3) His settled resolution.

(4) Forbidden.

(5) Imposes on you.

(6) i. e. Emboldens him.

(7) Opposition.

(10) i. e. Make my party good.

(11) 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:
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee forgiveness: So we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,-
Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;
And take upon us the mystery of things,
As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,
That ebb and flow by the moon.
Edm.

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, And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; The goujeers2 shall devour them, flesh and fell,3 Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them starve Come.

first.

[Exe. Lear and Cor. 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
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes: Know thou this,-that men
Are as the time is: to be tender-minded

Does not become a sword:-Thy great employment
Will not bear question;4 either say, thou'lt do't,
Or thrive by other means.

Offi.

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.

Offi. 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
Who were the opposites of this day's strife:
We do require them of you; so to use them,
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.

Edm.

Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention, and appointed guard; Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, To pluck the common bosom on his side, And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes

(1) Pass judgment on them.

(2) The French disease.

(4) Admit of debate.

(3) Skin.

(5) To be discoursed of in greater privacy.

Half-blooded fellow, yes.

Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title [To Edmund.

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,

bar it in the interest of my wife;

'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your love to me,
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.
An interlude!
Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster :-Let the trumpet
sound:

If none appear to prove upon thy person,
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge; [Throwing down a glove.] I'll
prove it on thy heart,

Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.
Reg.
Sick, O, sick!
Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. [Aside.
Edm. There's my exchange: [Throwing down
a glove,] what in the world he is
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies:
Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, (who not?) I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.

(6) Authority to act on his own judgment. (7) Alluding to the proverb: Love being jea ous makes a good eye look a-squint.' (8) The hindrance.

Took their discharge.

This is mere practice,5 Gloster :

By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer
An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
But cozen'd and beguil'd.
Alb.

Shut your mouth, dame,

Reg.

Enter a Herald.

[1 Trumpet. 2 Trumpet. [3 Trumpet. [Trumpet answers within.

Enter Edgar, armed, preceded by a trumpet. Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears Upon this call o'the trumpet. Her. What are you? Your name, your quality? and why you answer This present summons?

Edg.

Know, my name is lost; By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit: Yet am I noble, as the adversary

I come to cope withal.
Alb.
Which is that adversary?
Edg. What's he, that speaks for Edmund earl
of Gloster?

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,-
Maugre2 thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour, and thy heart,-Thou art a traitor:
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince;
And, from the extremest upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, No,
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits,
bent

To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,

Thou liest.

[Gives the letter to Edmund. Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine:

Who shall arraign me for't?

Alb.
Know'st thou this paper?
Gon.

Most monstrous!

Ask me not what I know [Exit Goneril. Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. [To an Officer, who goes out. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that

have I done;

And more, much more: the time will bring it out; 'Tis and so am I: But what art thou, past, That hast this fortune on me? If thou art noble, I do forgive thee.

Edg.

Let's exchange charity.

I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund;
If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us :

The dark and vicious place where thee he got,
Cost him his eyes.
Edm.
Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true;
The wheel is come full circle; I am here.
Alb. Methought, thy very gait did prophesy
A royal nobleness :-I must embrace thee;
Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I
Did hate thee, or thy father!

Edg.

I know it well.

Alb.

Worthy prince,

Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name ;3 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 By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn: Back do I toss these treasons to thy head: With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart; Which (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,) This sword of mine shall give them instant way, Where they shall rest for ever.-Trumpets, speak. [Alarums. They fight. Edmund falls. Alb. O save him, save him!

Until some half-hour past, when I was arm'd,
Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,
I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last
Told him my pilgrimage: But his flaw'd heart,
(Alack, too weak the conflict to support!)
Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,
Burst smilingly.

Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd 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 seem'd a period To such as love not sorrow; but another, To amplify too much, would make much more, And top extremity. ⚫