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So speedily can venge!-But, O poor Glofter!
Loft he his other eye!

Mef.

Both, both, my lord.This letter, madam, craves a fpeedy answer; 'Tis from your fifter.

Gon. [Afide.] One way I like this well;

But being widow, and my Glofter with her,'
May all the building in my fancy pluck

Upon my hateful life: Another way,

The news is not so tart.-I'll read, and answer.

[Exit.

Alb. Where was his fon, when they did take his eyes? Mef. Come with my lady hither.

Alb.

He is not here.

Mef. No, my good lord; I met him back again.
Alb. Knows he the wickedness?

Mef. Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him; And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment Might have the freer course.

Alb.

Glofter, I live

To thank thee for the love thou show'dft the king,
And to revenge thine eyes.—Come hither, friend;
Tell me what more thou knoweft.

SCENE III.

The French Camp, near Dover.

Enter KENT, and a Gentleman.

[Exeunt.

Kent. Why the king of France is fo fuddenly gone back know you the reason?

Gent. Somethi g he left imperfect in the state, Which fince his coming forth is thought of; which Imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger,

That

That his personal return was most requir'd,
And necessary.

Kent. Who hath he left behind him general?

Gent. The Marefchal of France, Monfieur le Fer. Kent. Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?

Gent. Ay, fir; she took them, read them in my presence; And now and then an ample tear trill'd down Her delicate cheek: it feem'd, fhe was a queen Over her paffion; who, most rebel-like,

Sought to be king o'er her.

Kent.

O, then it mov'd her.

Gent. Not to a rage: patience and forrow strove
Who should express her goodliest. You have seen
Sunshine and rain at once: her fmiles and tears
Were like a better day: Thofe happy smiles,
That play'd on her ripe lip, feem'd not to know
What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence,
As pearls from diamonds dropp'd.-In brief, forrow
Would be a rarity most belov'd, if all

Could fo become it.

Kent.

Made fhe no verbal question?

Gent. 'Faith, once, or twice, the heav'd the name of father

Pantingly forth, as if it prefs'd her heart;

Cry'd, Sifters! fifters !-Shame of ladies! fifters!

Kent! father! fifters! What? i the form? i the night?
Let pity not be believed!-There she shook

The holy water from her heavenly eyes,

And clamour moisten'd: then away she started
To deal with grief alone.

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The stars above us, govern our conditions;

Elfe one felf mate and mate could not beget
Such different issues. You spoke not with her since ?

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Gent. No.

Kent. Was this before the king return'd?

Gent.

No, fince.

Kent. Well, fir; The poor diftrefs'd Lear is i' the town: Who fometime, in his better tune, remembers

What we are come about, and by no means

Will yield to fee his daughter.

Gent.

Why, good fir?

Kent. A fovereign fhame fo elbows him : his own un

kindness,

That ftripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her
To foreign cafualties, gave her dear rights

To his dog-hearted daughters,-these things fting
His mind fo venomously, that burning shame
Detains him from Cordelia.

Gent.

Alack, poor gentleman!

Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?
Gent. 'Tis fo; they are afoot.

Kent. Well, fir, I'll bring you to our master Lear,
And leave you to attend him: fome dear caufe
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.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

The fame. A Tent.

Enter CORDELIA, Phyfician, and Soldiers.

Cor. Alack, 'tis he; why, he was met even now
As mad as the vex'd fea : finging aloud;

Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow weeds,
With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,

7

Darnel,

Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow

In our fustaining corn.-A century fend 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 fofter-nurfe of nature is repose,

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

Cor.

All blefs'd fecrets,

All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth,

Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate,
In the good man's distress !—Seek, seek for him;
Left his ungovern'd rage diffolve the life

That wants the means to lead it.

Mef.

Enter a Meffenger.

Madam, news;

The British powers are marching hitherward.

Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands In expectation of them.-O dear father,

It is thy business that I go about;

Therefore great France

My mourning, and important tears, hath pitied.
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,

But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right:
Soon may I hear, and see him!

[Exeunt.

SCENE

G 3

SCENE V.

A Room in GLOSTER'S Caftle.

Enter REGAN and Steward.

Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth?

Stew.

Reg.

Ay, madam.
Himfelf

In person there ?

Stew.

Madam, with much ado:

Your fifter is the better foldier.

Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?
Stew. No, madam.

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

Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
It was great ignorance, Glofter'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 mifery, 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 fet 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 fhould fhe write to Edmund? Might not you Transport her purposes by word? Belike,

Something I know not what :—I'll love thee much,
Let me unfeal the letter.

Sterw.

Madam, I had rather

Reg. I know, your lady does not love her husband;

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