Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back; Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind, For which thou whip'st her. The usurer hangs the co zener. Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with gold, To see the things thou dost not.-Now, now, now, now: Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness! Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster : Thou must be patient; we came crying hither. Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, We wawl, and cry :-I will preach to thee; mark me. Glo. Alack, alack the day! Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are come To this great stage of fools;—This a good block?— It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Gent. O, here he is; lay hand upon him.-Sir, Your most dear daughter Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well; You shall have ransome. I am cut to the brains. Let me have a surgeon; Gent. You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds? All myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust. Gent. Good sir, Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: What ? I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king, My masters, know you that? Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. [Exit, running; Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch; Past speaking of in a king!—Thou hast one daughter, Who redeems nature from the general curse Which twain have brought her to. Edg. Hail, gentle sir. Gent. Sir, speed you: What's your will? Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears that, Which can distinguish sound. Edg. But, by your favour, How near's the other army? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought. Edg. I thank you, sir: that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, Her army is mov❜d on. Edg. I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me; Let not my worser spirit tempt me again To die before you please! Edg. Well pray you, father. Glo. Now, good sir, what are you? Edg. A most poor man, made tame by fortune's blows; Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, Glo. Hearty thanks: The bounty and the benizon of heaven To boot, and boot! Enter Steward. Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That must destroy thee. Glo. Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, [EDGAR opposes. Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou, diest. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill! Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; no matter vor your foins. [They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:-Villain, take my purse; If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; And give the letters, which thou find'st about me, To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out Upon the British party:- O, untimely death! [Dies. As badness would desire. Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you. Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, [Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: Then am I the pri soner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. Your wife, (so I would say,) and your affectionate servant, O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!— GONERIL. And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the sands, Of murderous lechers: and, in the mature time, [Exit EDGAR, dragging out the Body. The knowledge of themselves. Re-enter EDGAR. Edg. Give me your hand: Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. [Exeunt. |