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 't.

it, you shall get it with running.

Nay, if you get

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?

But, by your favour,

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.

210

Glou. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath

from me;

Let not my worser spirit tempt me again

To die before you please!

Edg.

Well pray you, father.

Glou. Now, good sir, what are you?

214. vulgar, widely known. 217. the main descry, etc.,

the discovery of the main body is hourly expected.

Edg. A most poor man, made tame to fortune's
blows;

Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I'll lead you to some biding.

Glou.

Hearty thanks:
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot!

Osw.

Enter OSWALD.

A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! 230 That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out

Darest thou support a publish'd traitor?
Lest that the infection of his fortune take

Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Hence!

Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.

Osw. Let go, slave, or thou diest !

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder: chill be plain with you.

By

227. pregnant, easily moved. 230. To boot, and boot. the repetition Gloster wishes to convey both meanings of 'to boot,' in addition (to my thanks)' and '(the bounty of

heaven) be your help.'

240

233. thyself remember, recall and confess thy sins.

246. che vor ye, I warn you. 247. ballow, cudgel.

Osw. Out, dunghill!

[They fight.

Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir: come; no 250

matter vor your foins.

[Oswald falls.

Osw. 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 Gloucester; 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.

Glou.

What, is he dead?

Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.

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 deathsman. 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.

260

[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 270 return the conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour.

'Your-wife, so I would say—
'affectionate servant,
'GONERIL.'

251. foins, thrusts in fencing. 263. deathsman, executioner.

276. servant, lover.

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
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.

290

[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.

Be better suited:

Cor.
These weeds are memories of those worser hours:

I prithee, put them off.

Pardon me, dear madam;

Kent.
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'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. 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.

Doct. Be by, good madam, when we do awake

Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss

Repair those violent harms that my two sisters

6. suited, attired.

7. memories, memorials.

9. my made intent, the plan

I had formed.

10

20

17. child-changed, changed by the conduct of children. 24. temperance, calmness.