Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain;

As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
Glou.

What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you 260 Let's see these pockets: the 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'ld rip their hearts;

Their papers, is more lawful.

[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 goal; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labor. Your-wife, so I would sayAffectionate 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, 280

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 practised duke: for him 'tis well
That of thy death and business I can tell.

Glou. 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 290
The knowledge of themselves.
Edg.

Give me your hand : [Drum afar off. 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, soft music playing; Gentleman, and others attending

Enter CORDELIA, KENT, and Doctor. 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 acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid.

All my reports go with the modest truth;
Nor more nor clipp'd, but so.

Cor

Be better suited

These weeds are memories of those worser hours:

I prithee, 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 10
Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then be't so, my good lord. [To the
Doctor How does the king?

Doct. Madam, sleeps still.

Cor. O you kind gods,

Cure this great breach in his abused nature! The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up Of this child-changed father!

Doct.

So please your majesty

That we may wake the king: he hath slept

long.

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!
Cor. Had you not been their father, these
white flakes

30 Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face

To be opposed 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 !

With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog. 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! 40 "Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him.

Doct. 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 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.

Doct. He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile.

Lear. Where have I been? Where am I?
Fair daylight?
[pity.

I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with
To see another thus. I know not what to say.
I will not swear these are my hands: let's see;
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured
Of my condition!
O, look upon me, sir,

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

Lear.

60

Pray, do not mock me : I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less;

And, to deal plainly,

great rage,

You see, is kill'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 81 Till further settling.

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

[Exeunt all but Kent and Gentleman. Gent. Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain?

Kent. Most certain, sir.

Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. As 'tis said, the bastard son of

Gloucester.

90

50

Or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Ex

Cor.
Sir, do you know me?
Lear. You are a spirit, I know when did
you die?
Cor. Still, still, far wide!

ACT V.

SCENE I. The British camp, near Dover. Enter, with drum and colors, EDMUND, REGAN, Gentlemen, and Soldiers.

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 a Gentleman, 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.

found my

In honor'd love. Reg. But have you never brother's way

To the forfended place?

Edm.

10

That thought abuses you. Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct

And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. Edm. No, by mine honor, madam.

Reg. I never shall endure her dear my lord,

Be not familiar with her.

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; 60 And hardly shall I carry out my side,

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. [Exit.

SCENE II. A field between the two camps. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colors, LEAR, CORDELIA, and Soldiers, over the stage; and exeunt.

Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER.

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.
Glou.

Alarum and retreat within.

Grace go with you, sir! [Exit Edgar. Re-enter EDGAR.

Edg. Away, old man; give me thy hand,

away!

King Lear hath lost, ne and his daughter ta'en: Give me thy hand; come on.