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. His nighted life; moreover, to descry 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; My lady charged my duty in this business. Let me unseal the letter. Stew. Madam, I had ratherReg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange ciliads, and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam? Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it: Therefore, I do advise you, take this note :3 If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam; I would 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 labor. Glo. Methinks, the ground is even. Horrible steep; But in my garments. Glo. And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low! A vegetable gathered for pickling. Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy surge, That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes, Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon Let go my hand. [Seems to go. Glo. With all my heart. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Is done to cure it. Glo. O you mighty gods! This world I do renounce; and, in your sights, Shake patiently my great affliction off: If I could bear it longer, and not fall To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, My snuff, and loathed part of nature, should Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!Now fellow, fare thee well. [He leaps, and falls along. Glo. So many fathom down precipitating, Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Glo. But have I fallen, or no? Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn; Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorgeds lark so far Is wretchedness deprived that benefit, Give me your arm: Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, and waved like the enridged sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy father, Think that the clearest gods, who make them honors Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee. Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with The safer sense will ne'er accommodate Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the king himself. Edg. O thou side-piercing sight! Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.-There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard.2-Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace ;-this piece of toasted cheese will do't.-There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant.-Bring up the brown bills-0, well flown bird!-i' the clout, i' the clout: hewgh!Give the word.5 Elg. Sweet marjoram. Lear. Pass. Glo. I know that voice. Lear. Ha! Goneril!--with a white beard!-They flatter'd me like a dog; and told me, I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say ay, and no, to every thing I said!-Ay and no too was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found them, there I smelt them out. Go to, they are not men o' their words: they told me I was every thing; 'tis a lie; I am not ague-proof. Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is't not the king? Lear. Ay, every inch a king: Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No: Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.- Whose face between her forks presageth snow; The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't Down from the waist they are centaurs, But to the girdle do the gods inherit, Beneath is all the tiend's; there's hell, there's dark ness. There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption;-Fie, fie, fie! pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee. Glo. O, let me kiss that hand! Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to naught.-Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me? No, dothy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.-Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it. Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Edg. I would not take this from report;-it is, And my heart breaks at it. Lear. Read. Glo. What, with the case of eyes? Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: Yet you see how this world goes. Glo. I see it feelingly. Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears; see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handydandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?-Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? Glo. Ay, sir. Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of authority: a dog's obey'd in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: back; Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks. come To this great stage of fools;-This a good block ?8 It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, Then kill, ki!l, kill, kill, kill, kill. 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 ransom. Let me have a surgeon, I am cut to the brains. Gent. You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds? All myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,9 To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust. Gent. Good sir, Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king, 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. How near's the other army ? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought. But by your favor, 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 Let not my worser spirit2 tempt me again To die before you please! Edg. me; 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, I'll lead you to some biding. Glo Hearty thanks: The bounty and the benizon3 of heaven For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs To boot, and boot!4 the cozener. An arrow of a cloth-yard long. The white mark for archers to aim at. The watch-word. Likeness, manner. Battle-axes. • Look asquint. Block anciently signified the head part of a hat. i.e. A man of tears. The main body is expected to be descried every hour • Evil genius. Blessing. Reward, recompense. Enter Steward. Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh To raise my fortunes.-Thou old unhappy traitor, Briefly thyself remember:-The sword is out That must destroy thee. Glo. Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. EDGAR opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take 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,5 and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been swagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been so 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.s [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, [Dies. Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of your mistress, 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, May be my friends.-He's dead: I am only sorry He had no other death's man.-Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts; Their papers, is more lawful. [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 prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labor. Your wife, (so I would say,) and your affectionate servant, GONERIL. O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!- Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified Of murderous lechers; and, in the mature time, [Exit EDGAR, dragging out the Body. These weeds are memories of those worser hours; Pardon me, dear madam; Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How does the king? [To the Physician. Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O you kind gods, Cure this great breach of his abused nature! Phys. So please your majesty, That we may wake the king! he hath slept long. Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. sic there! Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face Of quick, cross lightning to watch (poor perdu !2) Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your . majesty? Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o' the Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore, and upwards; and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should know you, and know this man; Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant What place this is; and all the skill I have Remembers not these garments; nor I know not Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at me. For, as I am a man, I think this lady 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 Lear. Am I in France? No cause, no cause. The allusion is to the forlorn hope in an army, called in French, enfans perdus. Thin covering of hair. Kent. In your own kingdom, sir. You see, is cured in him; and yet it is danger 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? Most certain, sir. As 'tis said, They say, Edgar, Kent. The bastard son of Gloster. His banish'd son, is with the earl of 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 | I can produce a champion, that will prove Dover. Enter, with Drums and Colors, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold, Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught To change the course: He's full of alteration, And self-approving: - Bring his constant pleasure.5 [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Reg. Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister? Edm. In honor'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended place? Edm. you. That thought abuses Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. Edm. No, by mine honor, madam. 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. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me. [Aside. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear,--The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigor of our state Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It touches us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose.9 Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestic and particular broils Are not to question here. Alb. Let us then determine Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Gon. O,ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] I will go. 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, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, To reconcile it to his apprehension. His settled resolution. Imposes on you. • Opposition. • Forbidden. What is avouched there: If you miscarry, 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 urged on you. Alb. Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use [Exit. SCENE III-The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in Conquest, with Drum and Colors, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as Prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Emd. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known That are to censure them. i. e. Emboldens him. 1 Decision. i.e. Make my part good. Be ready to meet the occasion. • Pass judgment on them, Cor. We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, caught thee! Have I He that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven, And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; The goujeers shall devour them, flesh and fell,6 Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them starve first. Come. [Exeunt LEAR and Cordelia, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. Take thou this note; [Giving a Paper.] go, follow them to prison: One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost Off. I'll do't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast done. Mark-I say, instantly; and carry it so, Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, And fortune led you well: You have the captives, Edm. Holloa, holloa! Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. That eye, that told you so, look'd but a-squint.“ Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer From a full-flowing stomach.--General, Take thou thy soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine: Witness the world, that I create thee here My lord and master. Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Ath. The let-alone lies not in your good will. Edm. Nor in thine, lord. Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. [TO EDMUND. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason:--Edmund, I arrest thee On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, This gilded serpent: [Pointing to GoN.]-for your claim, fair sister, I bar it in the interest of my wife; 'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord, Gon. If none appear to prove upon thy person, Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less That names me traitor, villain-like he lies: Alb. A herald, ho! Reg. This sickness grows upon me. Enter a Herald. Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent. [Exit REGAN, led. Come hither, herald,-Let the trumpet sound,— And read out this. Off. Sound trumpet. [A Trumpet sounds. Herald reais. Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention, and appointed guard; Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, To pluck the common bosom on his side, And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes Which do comniand them. With him I sent the trumpet: He is bold in his defence. If any man of quality, or degree, within the lists of the army, will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear at the third sound of the Edm. Sound. [1 Trumpet. 2 Trumpet. [3 Trumpet. [Trumpet answers within. Enter EDGAR, armed, preceded by a Trumpet. Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears Upon this call o' the trumpet. Her. What are you? Your name, your quality? and why you answer This present summons? Edg. Know, my name is lo By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit:" Yet am I noble, as the adversary I come to cope withal. Alb. Which is that adversary? Edg. What's he, that speaks for Edmund earl of Gloster? Edm. Himself:--What say'st thou to him? That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Alluding to the proverb: "Love being jealous makes good eye look a squint." i. e. Valor. Notwithstanding. |