KING LEAR. Her delicate cheek: it seem'd, she was a queen Kent. O, then it mov'd her. strove Gent. Not to a rage: patience and sorrow Who should express her goodliest. You have [seen Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears Were like a better day: Those happy smiles, Kent. Made she no verbal question?* sisters! Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart; Kent. It is the stars, The stars above us, govern our conditions ;t Gent. No. Kent. Was this before the king return'd? Kent. Well, Sir: The poor distress'd Lear is i'the town: Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers Gent. Why, good Sir? Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him: his That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd sting His mind so venomously, that burning shame Gent. Alack, poor gentleman! 867 And bring him to our eye. [Exit an OFFICER. In the restoring his bereaved sense? In SCENE V.-A Room in GLOSTER'S Castle. Enter REGAN and STEWARD. Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth? Reg. Himself person there? Stew. Madam, with much ado: Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady. Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. fout, It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers In pity of his misery, to despatch His nighted life; moreover, to descry Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with The ways are dangerous. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; Stew. I may not, madam; My lady charg'd my duty in this business. Something-I know not what :-I'll love thee Let me unseal the letter. Stew. I, madam? Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I Therefore, I do advise you, take this note :* If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam! [Excunt. SCENE VI.-The Country near Dover. Enter GLOSTER, and EDGAR, dressed like a Peasant. This world I do renounce; and, in your sights [He leaps, and falls ciong. Edg. Gone, Sir? farewell.- Glo. Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but goss mer, So many fathom down precipitating, Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky [far Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit, [fort, Edg. Give me your arm: Up :-So-How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand. Glo. Too well, too well. [that Edg. This is above all strangeness. Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes [noses. Were two full moons; he had a thousand sea; Horns whelk'd,§ and wav'd like the enridged Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee. I took it for a man; often 'twould say, Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with Flowers. The safer sense will ne'er accommodate Leur. No, they cannot touch me for coining; Edg. O thou side-piercing sight! Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.There's your press-money. That fellow hanIdles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a Thus might he die in reality. + Ie. This chalky boundary of England. Shrill-throated. Twisted, convolved. The purest clothier's yard.—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.t-O, well down, ird! i'the clout, i'the clout: hewgh!-Give the word. 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 reIs't not the king? [member: 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: Die for adultery! No: The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly Does lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son Was kinder to his father, than my daughters Got 'tween the lawful sheets. To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.Behold yon' simpering dame, Whose face between her forks presageth snow; The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't Down from the waist they are centaurs, But to the girdle do the gods inherit," darkness, There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption ;-Fie, fie, fie! pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee. 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 [me? Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squinytt at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.-Read thou this challenge: mark but the penning of it. Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not Glo. What, with the case of eyes? Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: Yet you see how this world goes. Go. I see it feelingly. Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes, with no eyes. Look with An arrow of a cloth yard long. I The white mark for archers to aim at. 4 The watchword. Only. ** Pos ca. + Battle-axes. Likeness, manner. tr Look asquint. thine ears: see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: Change places; and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?-Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? Glo. Ay, sir. Leur. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back; Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener. 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: [power Take that of me, my friend, who have the 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, To this great stage of fools;-This a good block?* It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe Enter a GENTLEMAN, with Attendants. Leur. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well; Gent. You shall have any thing. I Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: What? will be jovial; come, come; I am a king, My masters, know you that? Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey 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. Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main Stands on the hourly thought." [descry Edg. I thank you, Sir: that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, Her army is mov'd on. Edg. I thank you, Sir. [Exit GENT. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me; Let not my worser spirit+ tempt me again Edg. Well pray you, father. Glo. Now, good Sir, what are you? Edg. A most poor man, made tame by fortune's blows; Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Glo. Hearty thanks: The bounty and the benison of heaven To boot, and boot! Enter STEWARD. Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh [traitor, To raise my fortunes.-Thou old unhappy Briefly thyself remember:-The sword is out That must destroy thee. Glo. Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. [EDGAR opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take 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 batft 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 purse; If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; [me, And give the letters, which thou find'st about To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out Upon the British party:-O, untimely death! [Dies. Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable vilAs duteous to the vices of thy mistress, [lain; As badness would desire. Glo. What, is he dead? The main body is expected to be descried every hour. + Evil genius. ↑ Blessing. Quickly recollect the offences of thy life. Go your way. ** Head | Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, [sorry May be my friends.-He's dead; I am only He had no other death's-man.-Let us see :— Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: [hearts; To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their 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 jail; from the loathed warmth 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; And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the sands, Thee I'll rake up,t the post unsanctified [Erit EDGAR, drugging out the Body. Glo. The king is mad: How stiff is my vile sense, That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose Re-enter EDGAR. Edg. Give me your hand: Far off, methinks I hear the beaten drum. Enter CORDELIA and KENT. Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live, To match thy goodness? My life will be too and work, [short, And every measure fail me. Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'erAll my reports go with the modest truth; paid. Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. Be better-suited:‡ [hours; These weeds are memories of those worser Yet to be known, shortens my made intent:]] Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How [long. Phys. So pleare your majesty, That we may wake the king? he hath slept 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 We put fresh garments on him. [sleep, Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; 1 doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well. Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the music 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! Cor. Had you not been their father, these Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face 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. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the awhile. Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I? Fair day-light?[pity, I am mightily abus'd.-I should even die with To see another thus.-I know not what to say.[see; I will not swear, these are my hands:-let's I feel this pin prick. 'Would I were assur'd 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. [man: Methinks, I should know you, and know this 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 [me; not Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at 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. The allusion is to the forlorn-hope in an army, called in French enfans perdus. Thin covering of hair. I know, you do not love me; for your sisters Kent. In your own kingdom, Sir. 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: [foolish. Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old, and [Exeunt LEAR, CORDELIA, PHYSICIAN, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, Sir, That the duke of Cornwall was so slain? Gent. Who is conductor of his people? The bastard son of Gloster. Gent. They say, Edgar, His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent Kent. Report is changeable. [kingdom 'Tis time to look about; the powerst o'the Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement; is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, Sir. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, neur Dover. Enter, with Drums, and Colours, EDMUND, Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught You know the goodness I intend upon you: Edm. In honour'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's To the forefended place? [way Edm. That thought abuses¶ you. |