Crown'd with rank fumiter', and furrow weeds; With harlocks", hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers, Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow In our sustaining corn. — A century send forth; [Exit an Officer.] What can man's wisdom do, 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, 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! — Seek, seek for him ; Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life That wants the means to lead it. Mess. Enter a Messenger. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherward. 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. 5 Fumitory. • Charlocks. 7 Importunate. 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 ; Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you Transport her purposes by word? Something-I know not what : much, Let me unseal the letter. Stew. Reg. I know, husband; Madam, I had rather your lady does not love her I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it: Therefore, I do advise you, take this note ': lady's: your Than for If you well. 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. 9 A cast, or significant glance of the eye. Edg. Horrible steep: No, truly. Hark, do you hear the sea? Glo. Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imper fect 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, Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down 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 Would I not leap upright. Glo. Let go my hand. Here, friend, is another purse; in it a jewel A vegetable gathered for pickling. 3 Her cock-boat. 4 Tumble. Well worth a poor man's taking: Fairies, and gods, Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. Glo. To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, Edg. [He leaps, and falls along. 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? Glo. Away, and let me die. Edg. Had'st thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, So many fathom down precipitating, Thou had'st shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn: 5 Thus might he die in reality. |