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 Which can distinguish sound. [hears that, Edg. But, by your favour, How near's the other army? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot, the main Stands on the hourly thought.. [descry Edg. I thank you, sir: that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special Her army is moved on. {cause is here, Edg. I thank you, sir. [Exit Geut. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath

from me;

Glo.

Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. [EDGAR opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. ['casion Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 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 battt 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; [me, And give the letters, which thou find'st about To Edmund, earl of Gloster; seek him out Upon the British party :-O untimely death!

[Dies.

Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you. Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, [sorry May be my friends.-He's dead: I am only 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 Their papers, is more lawful §§. [hearts;

[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 labour. Your wife, (so I would say,) and your affectionate servant, GONERIL. O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!— A plot upon her virtuous husband's life; And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified [sands, Of murderous lechers: and, in the mature time, With this ungracious paper strike the sight Of the death practised duke: For him 'tis well, That of thy death and business I can tell.

[Exit EDGAR, dragging out the body. Glo. The king is mad: How stiff is my vile

sense,

That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
So should my thoughts be severed from my
And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose [griefs;
The knowledge of themselves.
Re-enter EDGAR.

Edg.
Give me your hand:
Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten druin.
Coine, father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
[Exeunt.

SCENE VII. A Tent in the French Camp. LEAR, on a Bed, asleep: Physician, Gentleman, and others, attending.

Enter CORDELIA and KENT. Cor. O, thou good Kent, how shall I live, and work, [short, To match thy goodness? My life will be too And every measure fail me. [paid. Kent. To be acknowledged, madam, is o'erAll 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 1 pr'ythee, put them off. [hours; Kent. Pardon me, dear madam; Yet to be known, shortens my made intent itt: My boon I make it, that you know me not, Till time and I think meet.

+ Blessing. Go your way. I'll cover ttt Intent formed.

Thrusts.

Cor.

O, look upon me, sir,

Phys.
So please your majesty,
That we may wake the king? he hath slept long.
Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and
proceed

I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?
Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his
We put fresh garments on him. [sleep,
Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do
I doubt not of his temperance. [awake him;
Cor.
Very well. [music there.
Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the
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? In the most terrible and nimble stroke Of quick,cross lightning?to watch(poorperdu*!) With this thin helm +? Mine enemy's dog, Though he had bit me, should have stood that night [father, Against my fire: And wast thou fain, poor To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn, In short and musty straw? Alack, alack! "Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once "Had not concluded all.-He wakes; speak to Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. [him. Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? [o'the grave:Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out, Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears Do scald like molten lead.

Cor.
Sir, do you know me?
Lear. You are a spirit, I know: When did
Cor. Still, still, far wide!
[you die?
Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone
awhile.

Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I?

Fair day light?

[pity,

I am mightily abused.-I should even die with To see another thus.-I know not what to say.

And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:-
No, sir, you must not kneel.
Lear.

Pray do not mock me:
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly,
I fear, I am not in my perfect mind: [man:
Methinks, I should know you, and know this
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
WhereIdid lodge last night: Do not laugh at me,
For, as I am a man, I think this lady
To be my child Cordelia.

pray,

Cor.
And so I am, I am. [weep not:
Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, faith.
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.

Lear. Am I in France?
Kent.

No cause, no cause.

In your own kingdom, sir. Lear. Do not abuse me. [great rage, Phys. Be comforted, good macam: the You see, is cured in him and yet it is danger To make him event o'er the time he has lost. Desire him to go in; trouble him no more, Till further settling.

Cor. Wil't please your highness walk? Lear. You must bear with me: Pray now forget and forgive: I am old, and foolish. [Exeunt LEAR, CORD. Physician, & 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.

The bastard son of Gloster.
Gent.

As 'tis said,

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 kingApproach apace. [dom

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.

near Dover.

Enter, with Drums, and Colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose Or, whether since he is advised by aught [hold;

And self-reproving:-bring his constant ples-
sure T. [To an Officer, who goes out.
Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.
Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam.
Now, sweet lord,

Reg.

Thin covering of hair.

§ Forces. || Decisio

4 M 2

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 honour'd love.
Reg. But have you never found my brother's
To the forefended* place?
[way
Edm.
That thought abuses + you.
Reg. I am doubtful that you have been con-
junct

And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.
Edm. No, by mine honour, 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 rigour of our state
Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
I never yet was valiant: for this business,
It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make opposeỳ.
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
With the ancient of war on our proceedings.
Edm.I shall attend you presently at your tent.
Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?
Gon. No.

Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. [will go. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] I As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man Hear me one word. [so poor, I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Soldiers and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this

Alb.

letter.

Re-enter EDMUND.

Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your

powers.

[forces, Here is the guess of their true strength and By diligent discovery:-but your haste Is now urged on you.

Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit.
Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my
Each jealous of the other, as the stung [love;
Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,
If both remain alive; To take the widow,
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side **,
Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being
done,

Let her, who would be rid of him, devise
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear, and to Cordelia,-
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon: for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit.
SCENE II. A Field between the two Camps.
Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and
Colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, & their Forces;
and exeunt.

Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER.
Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree
For your good host; pray that the right may
If ever I return to you again, [thrive:
I'll bring you comfort.

Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit Evc. Alarums; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter

EDGAR.

Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand,

away;

King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en: Give me thy hand, come on.

Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. [endurs Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Ripeness is all tt: Come on.

Glo.

And that's true too. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. The British Camp near Dovei. Enter, in Conquest, with Drum & Colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as Pri. soners; 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,

For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down; Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. [sisters?

Shall we not see these daughters, and these

Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to] prison :

We two alone will sing like birds i'the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down,

And ask of thee forgiveness: So we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them
too,
[out:
Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's
And take upon us the mystery of things,
As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,
That ebb and flow by the moon.

Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? [heaven, He, that parts us, shall bring a brand from And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; The goujeers shall devour them, flesh aud fellt, starve first.

Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them
Come. [Exeunt LEAR and COR. 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
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
Tonoble fortunes; Know thou this,-that men
Are asthe time is: to be tender-minded [ment
Does not become a sword:-Thy great empley-
Will not bear question ; either say, thou'lt do't,
Or thrive by other means.

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,
As I have set it down.

Off.I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work, I will do it. [Exit Officer. Flourish. Enter ALBANY,GONERIL,REGAN, Officers, and Attendants.

Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, [tives And fortune led you well: You have the capWho were the opposites of this day's strife: We do require them of you; so to use them, As we shall find their merits and our safety May equally determine. Edm.

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 command them. With him I sent

And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed
By those that feel their sharpness:-
The question of Cordelia, and her father,
Requires a fitter places.

Alb.

Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, Not as a brother.

Reg.
That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks, our pleasure might have been de-
manded,

Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers;
Bore the commission of my place and person;
The which immediacy || may well stand up,
And call itself your brother.
Gon.

Not so hot:
In his own grace he doth exalt himself,
More than in your advancement.
Reg.

In my rights,
By me invested, he compeers the best.
Gon. That were the most, if he should hus-
band you.

Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.
Gon.

Holloa, holloa! That eye, that told you so, look'd but a-squint ¶. Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should

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,
And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your love to me,
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.

An interlude! [pet sound: Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumIf none appear to prove upon thy person, Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, There is my pledge; [Throwing down a Glove.] I'll prove it on thy heart, Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Than I have here proclaim'd thee. Reg. Sick, O, sick! Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. [Aside. Edm. There's my exchange: [Throwing down a Glove.] what in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies: Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach, On him, on you, (who not?) I will maintain My truth and honour firmly. Alb. A herald, ho!

[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.

What are you?

Her. Your name, your quality? and why you answer This present summons? Edg. Know, my name is lost; 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 sayst thou to him?
Edg.
Draw thy sword;
That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine.
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours,
My oath, and my profession: I protest,-
Maugret thy strength, youth, place, and emi-
nence,

Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour, and thy heart,-thou art a traitor:
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince;
And, from the extremest upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, No,
This sweed, this arm, and my best spirits, are

bent

To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.

Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, And that thy tongue some 'say of breeding breathes,

What safe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn:
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head;
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;

[out:

And more, much more: the time will bring it
'Tis past, and so am I: But what art thou,
That hast this fortune on me? If thou art noble,
I do forgive thee.
Edg.

Let's exchange charity.
I am no legs in blood than thou art, Edmund;
If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us:
The dark and vicious place where thee he got,
Cost him his eyes.

Edm. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; The wheel is come full circle; I am here.

Alb. Methought, thy very gait did prophesy A royal nobleness: I must embrace thee; Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I Did hate thee, or thy father! Edg.

I know it well.

Worthy prince,

Alb. Where have you hid yourself! How have you known the miseries of your father? [brief tale;

Edg. By nursing them, my lord-List¶ a And, when 'tis told, O, that my heart would The bloody proclamation to escape, [burst! That follow'd me so near, (O, our lives' sweetness!

That with the pain of death we'd hourly die, Rather than die at once!) taught me to shift Into a madman's rags; to assume a semblance That very dogs disdain'd: and in this habit Met I my father with his bleeding rings, Their precious stones new lost; became his guide, [despair; Led him, begg'd for him, saved him from + Notwithstanding.

* i. e., Valour.

§ Sample.