If you have poison for me I will drink it. You have some cause, they have not. Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Lear. Do not abuse me. No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Lear. You must bear with me: Pray you now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish. [Exeunt LEAR, CORDELIA, Physician, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain ? Kent. Most certain, sir. Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloster. Gent. They say, Edgar, his banish'd son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany. Kent. Report is changeable. "Tis time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir. Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. [Exit. SCENE I.—The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with drums and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, hold: Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Now, sweet lord, Reg. Edm. In honour'd love. goes out. Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct Reg. I never shall endure her: dear my lord, Edm. Fear me not : She, and the duke her husband Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me. [Aside. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.— Reg. Why is this reason'd? Are not the question here. Alb. Let's then determine With the ancient of war on our proceeding. Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you go with us. As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. Edg. [Exit. Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper. Re-enter EDMUND. Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery ;-but your haste Is now urg'd on you. Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit. Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love; Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use Shall never see his pardon: for my state [Exit. SCENE II-A Field between the two Camps. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and their Forces; and exeunt. Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER. Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree If ever I return to you again, I'll bring you comfort. Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit EDGAR. Alarums; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter EDGAR. Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. Ripeness is all: come on. Glo. And that's true too. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known That are to censure them. Cor. We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. |