Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not? Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot. Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, And leave you to attend him: some dear cause Will in concealment wrap me up awhile; When I am known aright, you shall not grieve Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go Along with me. SCENE IV.-The same. A tent. [Exeunt. Enter CORDELIA, Physician, and Soldiers. In our sustaining corn.-A century send forth; In the restoring his bereaved sense? He, that helps him, take all my outward worth. Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, The which he lacks; that to provoke in him, Are many simples operative, whose power Cor. All bless'd secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, That wants the means to lead it. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherward. My mourning, and important tears, hath pitied. But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right: [Exeunt. SCENE V.-A room in Gloster's castle. Enter REGAN and Steward. Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth? Reg. Himself 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, 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; 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. Horrible steep: Hark, do you hear the sea? Glo. 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 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, Glo. Set me where you stand. Edg. Give me your hand: You are now within a foot Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon Glo. Let go my hand. Here, friend, is another purse; in it, a jewel Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Glo. O you mighty gods! This world I do renounce; and, in your sights, To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, [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, What are you, sir? Glo. Away, and let me die. Edg. Had'st thou been aught but gossomer, feathers, air, So many fathom down precipitating, Thou had'st shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; |