Kent. To be acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid. All my reports go with the modest truth; Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. Be better suited:* These weeds are memories of those worser hours; Kent. Pardon me, dear madam; Yet to be known, shortens my madet intent: Till time and I think meet. Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How does the king? Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O you kind gods, Cure this great breach in his abused nature! The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up Phys. So please your majesty, [To the PHYSICIAN, That we may wake the king? he hath slept long. 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. Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well. Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the music there. Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters Have in thy reverence made! Kent. Kind and dear princess! Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face To be exposed against the warring winds? To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder? Of quick, cross lightning? to watch, (poor perdu !) § Though he had bit me, should have stood that night In short and musty straw? Alack, alack! Had not concluded all.-He wakes; speak to him. Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o' the grave:Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears Do scald like molten lead. * Dressed. † Formed. Forlorn hope, enfant perdu. Changed by his children. I Covering. Cor. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit, I know; When did you die? Phys. He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been ?-Where am I?-Fair daylight ? I am mightily abused.—I should even die with pity, To see another thus.-I know not what to say. I will not swear, these are my hands:-let's see; Cor. O look upon me, Sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:- Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly, Methinks, I should know you, and know this man: To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes 'faith. I pray, weep not: If you have poison for me, I will drink it. I know, you do not love me; for your sisters Have, as I do remember, done me wrong. You have some cause, they have not. Cor. No cause, no cause. Lear: Am I in France? Kent. In your own kingdom, Sir. Lear. Do not abuse me. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, You see, is cured in him: and yet it is danger To make him even* o'er the time he has lost. Desire him to go in; trouble him no more, Till further settling. Cor. Will't please your highness walk ? Lear. You must bear with me: Pray 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. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers* o' the kingdom Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement † is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, Sir. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with Drums and Colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and Others. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; To change the course: He's full of alteration, [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Reg. Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Edm. In honour'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended § place? Edm. That thought abuses you.|| Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct Reg. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Edm. Fear me not: She, and the duke her husband. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.— Reg. Why is this reason'd? † Decision. * Forces. Imposes on you. + Settled resolution. [Aside. Forbidden. ** Opposition. Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: Alb. Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again. [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 Is now urged on you. Alb. We will greet the time.* Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love. Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use * Meet the occasion. † I. e. make my party good. [Exit. [Exit. SCEND II-A Field between the two Camps. Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER. Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree 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. Glo. And that's true too. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Cor. We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; The goujeers shall devour them, flesh and fell, § |