SCENE IV.-The same. A Tent.
Enter CORDELIA, Physician, and Soldiers.
Cor. Alack, 'tis he; why, he was met even now
As mad as the vex'd sea: singing aloud;
Crown'd with rank fumiter 5, and furrow weeds,
With harlocks 6, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow

In our sustaining corn. - A century send forth;
Search every acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.]-
What can man's wisdom do,

In the restoring his bereaved sense?

He, that helps him, take all my outward worth.
Phy. There is means, madam:

Our foster-nurse of nature is repose,

The which he lacks; that to provoke in him,
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.

Cor.

All bless'd secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate, In the good man's distress! - Seck, seek for him; Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life That wants the means to lead it.

In person there?

Stew.

Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier. Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? Stew. No, madam.

Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady.

Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out,
To let him live; where he arrives, he moves
All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone,
In pity of his misery, to despatch

His nighted life; moreover, to descry
The strength o' the enemy.

Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.

Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous.

Stew.

I may not, madam;

My lady charg'd my duty in this business.

Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you

Transport her purposes by word? Belike,

Something I know not what: -I'll love thee

much,

Let me unseal the letter.

Stew. Madam, I had rather — Reg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange œiliads 9, and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam?

Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it:
Therefore, I do advise you, take this note:
My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd;
And more convenient is he for my hand,

Than for your lady's: -You may gather more.
If you do find him, pray you, give him this:
And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.
So, fare you well.

If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam; I would
show
What party I do follow.
Reg.

Fare thee well. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-The Country near Dover.

Enter GLOSTER, and EDGAR dressed like a Peasant. Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill?

Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how we labour.

Glo. Methinks, the ground is even.
Edg.
Hark, do you hear the sea?

Glo.

Horrible steep;

No, truly.

Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imperfect By your eyes' anguish.

Glo.
So may it be, indeed :
Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st
In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst.
Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in nothing am I
chang'd,
But in my garments.

Glo.
Methinks, you are better spoken.
Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place: - stand
still. How fearful

And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low!
The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air,
Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphire 2; dreadful trade!
Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head :
The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice; and yon' tall anchoring bark,
Diminish'd to her cock 3; her cock, her buoy
Almost too small for sight: The murmuring surge,
That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,
Cannot be heard so high: - I'll look no more;
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
Topple 4 down headlong.

Glo.

Set me where you stand.

9A cast, or significant glance of the eye. 1 Observe what I am saying.

2 A vegetable gathered for pickling. 3 Her cock-boat.

4 Tumble,

[He leaps, and falls along. Edg. Gone, sir? farewell. And yet I know not how conceit may rob The treasury of life, when life itself Yields to the theft: Had he been where he thought, By this, had thought been past. — Alive, or dead? Ho, you sir! friend! - Hear you, sir?— speak! Thus might he pass indeed :-Yet he revives: What are you, sir? Away, and let me die.

Glo. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,

So many fathom down precipitating,

Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe;

Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st: art

sound.

I took it for a man; often 'twould say,
The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place.
Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts. -But who
comes here?

Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with flowers.
The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
His master thus.

Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the king himself.

Edg. O thou side-piercing sight!

Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.-There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard.9-Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace; this piece of toasted cheese will do't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. -O, well flown bird!-i' the clout, i'the clout 2: hewgh! — Give the word.s

Edg. Sweet marjoram. Lear. Pass.

Glo. I know that voice.

Lear. Ha! Goneril!—with a white beard!—They flatter'd me like a dog; and told me, I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say ay, and no, to every thing I said! - Ay and no too was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found them, there I smelt them out. Go to, they are not men o' their words: they told me I was every thing; 'tis a lie; I am not ague-proof.

Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is't not the king?

Lear.
Ay, every inch a king:
When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes.
I pardon that man's life: what was thy cause?.
Adultery.

Thou shalt not die: for Gloster's bastard son
Was kinder to his father, than my daughters
Born in the lawful bed.

Glo. O, let me kiss that hand!

Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to nought.- Dost thou know me?

Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny 5 at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.

Glo. Ay, sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office.

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

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 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. 8

But, by your favour,

Block anciently signified the head part of a hat. 7 i. e. A man of tears.

8 The main body is expected to be descried every hour.

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 3, 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 costardor 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. 6

[They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me: — Villain, take my purse;

If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;
And give the letters, which thou find'st about me,
To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out
Upon the British party: - - O, untimely death!
[Dies
Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villain;
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress,
As badness would desire.

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.

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,
Thee I'll rake up 7, 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.

[Exeunt. SCENE VII. A Tent in the French Camp. LEAR on a Bed, asleep: Physician, Gentleman, and others, attending. Enter CORDELIA and KENT. Cor. Othou 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'erpaid. All my reports go with the modest truth; Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. Be better suited 8: 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: My boon I make it, that you know me not, Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then be 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!
Th' 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. Beby, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance.

Cor.

Very well.

Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face
To be expos'd 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!
'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.

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.

Lear. Am I in France?
Kent.

No cause, no cause.

In your own kingdom, sir.

Lear. Do not abuse me.

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.

9 The allusion is to the forlorn hope in an army, called in French, enfans perdus. 1 Thin covering of hair.

2 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.

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound I can produce a champion, that will prove For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, What is avouched there: If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. 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.

[Erit. 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.7 [Erit.
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,
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.

[Ent.

SCENE II. - A Field between the two Camps. Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and their Forces; and ereunt. 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.

Grace go with you, sir! [Eril 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. 6 Decision. 7 Be ready to meet the occasion.

i. e. Make my part good.