Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; To see the things thou dost not. -Now, now, now, now: 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 A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; Enter a Gentleman, with Assendants. 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, Gent. You shall have anything. Lear. No seconds? All myself? Why, this would make a man a mar of salt, 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 pitit 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 that, Which can distinguish sound. Edg. But, by your favour, How near 's the other army? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought. Edg. I thank you, Sir: that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, Her army is moved on. Edg. I thank you, Sir. [Exit Gent. Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first framed 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 Put strength enough to it. [EDGAR oppose Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, 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, 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 out, che vor' ye, or Ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder. Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill! Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, Zir: come; no matter vor your foins. [They fight, and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:-villain, take my If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; [purse: And give the letters which thou find'st about me To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out Upon the British party:-0, untimely death! [Dies. Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you. Let's see his pockets: these letters that he speaks of [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 jail; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. "Your wife, (so I would say,) and "GONERIL" O undistinguish'd space of woman's will l- [Exit EDGAR, dragging out the body Glo. The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense, 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. [Ereunt. SCENE VII.-A Tent in the French Camp. LEAR on a bed, asleep: Physician, Gentleman, and Kent. To be acknowledged, Madam, is o'erpaid. Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. Be better suited: These weeds are memories of those worser hours; I prythee, put them off. Kent. Pardon me, dear Madam; Yet to be known shortens my made intent: My boon I make it, that you know me not Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.- [To the Phys.] The bastard son of Gloster. How does the king? Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O you kind gods, Cure this great breach in his abusèd nature! The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up 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; I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well. Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the music 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! [there. Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face To be exposed against the warring winds? To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder? 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 Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. [majesty? Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out of the grave :Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears Do scald like molten lead. 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 a while. Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I?-Fair day light? I am mightily abused. I should even die with pity, Of my condition! Cor. 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. Gent. They say Edgar, His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, Sir. Or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, ACT V. [Exit. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; Or whether since he is advised by aught To change the course: he's full of alteration And self-reproving:-bring his constant pleasure. [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. Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended place? Edm. 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. Edm. Fear me not:--- She, and the duke her husband. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Gon. [Aside] I had rather lose the battle, than that Should loosen him and me. [sister 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 Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It toucheth us, as France invades our land, Not bolds the king, with others, whom I fear Most just and heavy causes make oppose. Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy; For these domestic and particular broils Are not to question here. Alb. Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Reg. Sister, you'll go with us? Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Gon. [Aside.] O, hol I know the riddle. 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, Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this 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 urged on you. Alb. We will greet the time. [Exil Cor. We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.- 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, Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, [first. The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way Does not become a sword:-thy great employment Will not bear question; either say thou'lt do't, Off. I'll do't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast 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. [done. [Exit Officer. 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, My reason all the same; and they are ready Where you shall hold your session. At this time Alb. Sir, by your patience, Reg. That's as we list to grace him. Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded, And call itself your brother. Gon. Not so hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, More than in your advancement. Reg. In my rights, By me invested, he compeers the best. Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. Holla, holla! That eye, that told you so, look'd but asquint. Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will. Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. Reg. [To EDMUND.] 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, [Pointing to GON.] This gilded serpent.-For your claim, fair sister, Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent. Come hither, herald, -let the trumpet sound, - Herald reads. [A trumpet sounds. "If any man of quality or degree, within the lists of the army, will maintain upon Edmund, supposed earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear [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 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 Edm. Himself; -what say'st thou to him? [Gloster? Edg. Draw thy sword, That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. Thou liest. Edm. In wisdom I should ask thy name; By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn: [Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls. Alb. O save him, save him! Gon. This is mere practice, Gloster: By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it: -hold, Sir; Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil: No tearing, lady; I perceive you know it. [Gives the letter to EDMUND. Gon. Say, if I do, -the laws are mine, not thine: Who shall arraign me for't? Alb. Most monstrous! Gon. Ask me not what I know. [Exit GONERIL. [To an Officer, who goes out. Edm. What you have charged me with, that have I done; And more, much more: the time will bring it out: That hast this fortune on me? If thou art noble, Edg. Let's exchange charity. I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; The dark and vicious place where thee he got, Eảm. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; Alb. Methought thy very gait did prophesy Edo. Worthy prince, I know it well. Alb. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? Edg. By nursing them, my lord. -List a brief tale;And, when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst!The bloody proclamation to escape, That follow'd me so near (O our lives' sweetness! Edm. This speech of yours hath moved me, Ald. If there be more, more woful, hold it in; Edg. This would have seem'd a period Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man, As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father; Why, then she lives. Kent. Is this the promised end? Edg. Or image of that horror? Alb. Fall, and cease! Jear. This feather stirs; she lives! if it be au, It is a chance that does redeem all sorrows That ever I have felt. Kent. [Kneeling.] O my good master! Lear. Prythee, away. Edg. 'Tis noble Kent, your friend. Lear. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all! I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever!Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little. Ha! What is't thou say'st?-Her voice was ever soft, Gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman.I kill'd the slave that was a hanging thee. Off. 'Tis true, my lords, he did. Lear. Did I not, fellow? I have seen the day, with my good biting faulchion, I would have made them skip: I am old now, And these same crosses spoil me.-Who are you? Lear. This is a dull sight:- are you not Kent? Your servant Kent. Where is your servant Caius? Lear. I'll see that straight. Kent. That, from your first of difference and decay, Have follow'd your sad steps. Lear. You are welcome hither. And desperately are dead Lear. Ay, so I think. Alb. He knows not what he says; and vain it is That we present us to him. Edg. Very bootless. Enter an Officer. Off. Edmund is dead, my lord. Alb. That's but a trifle here. You lords and noble friends, know our intent. During the life of this old majesty, To him our absolute power:-you, to your rights; [To EDGAR and KEXT. With boot, and such addition as your honours The wages of their virtue, and all foes The cup of their deservings.-O, see, see! Lear. And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life! Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, And thou no breath at all? O, thou wilt come no more, Pray you, undo this button thank you, Sir.- Edg. He faints!- My lord, my lord!- Edg. Look up, my lord. [He dies Kent. Vex not his ghost: 0, let him pass! he hates That would upon the rack of this tough world [him Stretch him out longer. Edg. O, he is gone, indeed. Kent. The wonder is he hath endured so long: Rule in this realm, and the gored state sustain. Alb. The weight of this sad time we must obey; Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. Shall never see so much, nor live so long. Kent. Nor no man else; all's cheerless, dark, and The oldest hath borne most: we that are young deadly. four eldest daughters have foredoom'd themselves, [Exeunt with a dead march |