Or bobtail tike, or trundle-tail; Tom will make them weep and wail: For, with throwing thus my head, Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. Do de, de de. Sessa. Come, march to wakes and fairs, and market towns :-Poor Tom, thy horn is dry.

Lear. Then let them anatomize Regan, see what breeds about her heart: Is there any cause in nature, that makes these hard hearts? -You, sir, I entertain you for one of my hunared; only, I do not like the fashion of your garments you will say, they are Persian attire; but let them be changed. [To EDGAR. Kent. Now, good my lord, lie here, and rest awhile.

Lear. Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains: So, so, so: We'll go to supper i' the morning: So, so, so.

Fool. And I'll go to bed at noon.

Re-enter GLOSTER.

Glo. Come hither, friend: Where is the king my master?

Kent. Here, sir; but trouble him not, his wits are gone. [thy arms; Glo. Good friend, I pr'ythee take him in I have o'er-heard a plot of death upon him: There is a litter ready; lay him in't, And drive towards Dover, friend, where thou [master:

shalt meet

Both welcome and protection. Take up thy If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, With thine, and all that offer to defend him, Stand in assured loss: Take up, take up; And follow me, that will to some provision Give thee quick conduct.

Kent. Oppress'd nature sleeps:- [senses, This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken Which, if convenience will not allow, Stand in hard cure.-Come, help to bear thy master;

Thou must not stay behind. [To the Fool. Glo. Come, come, away. [Exeunt KENT, GLOSTER, and the Fool, bearing off the King.

Edg. When we our betters see bearing our

SCENE VII. A Room in Gloster's Castle. Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GONERIL, EDMUND, and Servants.

Corn. Post speedily to my lord your husband; show him this letter:-the army of France is landed:-Seek out the villain Gloster. Exeunt some of the Servants.

Reg. Hang him instantly.
Gon. Pluck out his eyes.

Corn. Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our sister company; the revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father, are not fit for your beholding. Advise the duke, where you are going, to a most festinate preparation; we are bound to the like. Our posts shall be swift, and intelligent betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister;-farewell, my lord of Gloster.

Enter Steward.

How now? Where's the king? [him hence:
Stew. My lord of Gloster hath convey'd
Some five or six and thirty of his knights,
Hot questrists after him, met him at gate;
Who, with some other of the lord's dependants,
Are gone with him towards Dover; where
To have well-arm'd friends.
[they boast

Corn.
Get horses for your mistress.
Gon. Farewell, sweet lord, and sister.
[Exeunt GONERIL and EDMUND.
Corn. Edinund, farewell.-Go, seek the
traitor Gloster,
Phion him like a thief; bring him before us:
[Exeunt other Servants.
Though well we may not pass upon his life
Without the form of justice; yet our power
Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men
May blame, but not control. Who's there?
The traitor?

Re-enter Servants, with GLOSTER. Reg. Ingrateful fox! 'tis he.

Corn. Bind fast his corky arms.
Glo. What mean your graces?-Good my
friends, consider

You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends.
Corn. Bind him, I say. [Servants bind him.
Reg.
Hard, hard:-O filthy traitor!
Glo. Unmerciful lady as you are, I am none.
Corn. To this chair bind him:-Villain, thou
shalt find- [REGAN plucks his beard.
Glo. By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.

Reg. So white, and such a traitor.
Glo.
Naughty lady,
These hairs, which thou dost ravish from my
chin,

host;

Will quicken**, and accuse thee: I am your With robbers' hands, my hospitable favours ++ You should not ruffle thus. What will you do? Corn. Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?

[truth.

Reg. Be simple-answer'd, for we know the Corn. And what confederacy have you with Late footed in the kingdom? [the traitors

Corn. Where hast thou sent the king?

To Dover.

Glo. Reg. Wherefore To Dover? Wast thou not charged at thy peril Corn. Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that. [stand the course. Glo. I am tied to the stake, and I must Reg. Wherefore to Dover ?

Glo. Because I would not see thy cruel nails Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. The sea, with such a storm as his bare head In hell-black night endured,would have buoy'd up, [heart, And quench'd the stelled fires: yet, poor old He holp the heavens to rain.

If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time, [the key; Thou shouldst have said, Good porter, turn All cruels else subscribed +:-But I shall see The winged vengeance overtake such children. Corn. See it shalt thou never:-Fellows, hold the chair:

Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot. [GLOSTER is held down in his Chair, while CORNWALL plucks out one of his Eyes, and sets his Foot on it. Glo. He, that will think to live till he be old, Give me some help: O cruel! O ye gods! Reg. One side will mock another; the other Corn. If you see vengeance,[too. Serv. Hold your hand, my lord: I have served you ever since I was a child; But better service have I never done you, Than now to bid you hold.

Reg. How now, you dog?

Serv. If you did wear a beard upon your chin, I'd shake it on this quarrel; What do you mean? Corn. My villain! [Draws, & runs at him.

Serv. Nay, then come on, and take the chance of anger.

[Draws. They fight. CORN. is wounded. Reg. Give me thy sword. [To another Serv.] A peasant stand up thus! [Snatches a Sword, comes behind, and stabs him. [one eye left Serv. O, 1 am slain!-My lord, you have To see some mischief on him:-O! [Dies. Corn. Lest it see more, prevent it:-Out, Where is thy lustre now? [vile jelly!

[Tears out GLOSTER'S other Eye, and throws it on the Ground.

Glo. All dark and comfortless. Where's my son Edmund?

Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature,
To quit this horrid act.
Reg.
Out, treacherous villain!
Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he
That made the overtures of thy treasons to us;
Who is too good to pity thee.
Glo.
Then Edgar was abused.-

O my follies!

Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him! Reg. Go, thrust him out at gates, and let him smell [look you? His way to Dover.--How is't, my lord? How Corn. I have received a hurt:-Follow me,

lady.

Turn out that eyeless villain ;-throw this slave Upon the dunghill.-Regan, I bleed apace: Untimely comes this hurt: Give me your arm,

[Exit CORN. led by REGAN ;-Servants unbind GLOSTER, and lead him out.

1 Serv. I'll never care what wickedness I do, If this man comes to good. 2 Serv. If she live long, And, in the end, meet the old course of death, Women will all turn monsters.

1 Serv. Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam || [madness To lead him where he would; his roguish Allows itself to any thing. [whites of eggs, 2 Serv. Go thou; I'll fetch some flax, and To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him! [Exeunt severally.

SCENE I. The Heath. Enter EDGAR. Edg. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd, [worst, Than still contemn'd and flatter'd T. To be The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, Stands still in esperance **, lives not in fear: The lamentable change is from the best; The worst returns to laughter. Welcome then, Thou unsubstantial air, that I embrace! The wretch, that thou hast blown unto the worst, [here?Owes nothing to thy blasts.-But who comes

* Starred.

Lald open,

Enter GLOSTER, led by an old Man. My father,poorly led?-World,world, O world! But that thy strange mutations †† make us hate Life would not yield to age. [thee, Old M. O, my good lord, I have been your tenant, and your father's tenant, these fourscore years. [gone: Glo. Away, get thee away; good friend, be Thy comforts can do me no good at all, Thee they may hurt.

I

Requite.

Our mean secures us; and our mere defects
Prove our commodities.-Ah, dear son Edgar,
The food of thy abused father's wrath!
Might I but live to see thee in my touch,
I'd say, I'd eyes again?

Old M.
How now? Who's there?
Edg. [Aside.] O gods! Who is't can say,
I am at the worst!

I am worse than e'er I was.

Old M.

'Tis poor mad Tom. Edg. [Aside.] And worse I may be yet: The worst is not,

So long as we can say, This is the worst.
Old M. Fellow, where goest?

Glo.

Is it a beggar-man? Old M. Madman and beggar too. [not beg.

Glo. He has some reason, else he could I'the last night's storm I such a fellow saw; Which made me think a man a worm: My son Came then into my mind; and yet my mind Was then scarce friends with him: I have heard more since:

As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods;
They kill us for their sport.
Edg.
How should this be?
Bad is the trade must play the fool to sorrow,
Angering itself and others. [Aside.]-Bless
thee, master!

Ay, my lord.

Glo. Is that the naked fellow?
Old M.
Glo. Then, pr'ythee, get thee gone: If, for
my sake,

Thou wilt o'ertake us, hence a mile or twain,
I'the way to Dover, do it for ancient love;
And bring some covering for this naked soul,
Whom I'll entreat to lead me.

Old M.
Alack, sir, he's mad.
Glo. 'Tis the time's plague, when madmen
lead the blind.

Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure;
Above the rest, be gone.

[have, Old M. I'll bring him the best 'parel that I Come on't what will. [Erit.

Glo. Sirrah, naked fellow !
Edg. Poor Tom's a-cold-I cannot daub*
it further.
[Aside.

Glo. Come hither, fellow.
Edg. [Aside.] And yet I must.- -Bless thy
sweet eyes, they bleed.

Glo. Knowst thou the way to Dover? Edg. Both stile and gate, horse-way, and foot-path. Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits: Bless the good man from the foul fiend! Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once; of lust, as Obidicut; Hobbididance, prince of dumbness; Mahu, of stealing; Modo, of murder; and Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and mowing; who since possesses chambermaids and waiting-women. So, bless thee, master!

Glo. Here, take this purse, thou whom the heaven's plagues.

Have humbled to all strokes: that I am wretched Makes thee the happier:-Heavens, deal so still!

* Disguise.

Let the superfluous, and lust-dieted man,
That slaves your ordinancet, that will not see
Because he doth not feel, feel your power
So distribution should undo excess, [quickly;
And each man have enough.- -Dost thou
Edg. Ay, master.
[know Dover?
Glo. There is a cliff, whose high and bending
Looks fearfully in the confined deep:
Bring me but to the very brim of it,
And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear,
With something rich about me: from that place
I shall no leading need.
Edg.
Give me thy arm;
Poor Tom shall lead thee.

[head

[Exeunt. SCENE II. Before the Duke of Albany's

Palace.

Enter GONERIL and EDMUND; Steward meeting them.

Gon. Welcome, my lord: I marvel, our mild husband [master? Not met us on the way:-Now, where's your Stew. Madam, within; but never man so

changed;

I told him of the army that was landed;
He smiled at it: I told him, you were coming;
His answer was, The worse: of Gloster's trea-
And of the loyal service of his son, [chery,
When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot;
And told me, I had turn'd the wrong side out:-
What most he should dislike, seems pleasant
What like, offensive.
[to him;
Gon.
Then shall you go no further.
[To EDMUND.

It is the cowish terror of his spirit,
That dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs,
Which tie him to an answer: Our wishes, on
[brother:

the way,

May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my Hasten his musters, and conduct his powers: I must change arms at home, and give the distaff Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant Shall pass between us: ere long, you are like to hear,

If you dare venture in your own behalf,
A mistress's command. Wear this; spare
speech;
[Giving a favour.
Decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak,
Would stretch thy spirits up into the air;-
Conceive, and fare thee well.

Edm. Yours in the ranks of death.
Gon.

My most dear Gloster!
[Exit EDMUND.
O, the difference of man, and man! To thee
A woman's services are due; my fool
Usurps my bed.
Stew.

Madam, here comes my lord. [Exit Steward. Enter ALBANY. Gon. I have been worth the whistle S. Alb. O Goneril! You are not worth the dust which the rude wind Blows in your face-I fear your disposition; That nature, which contemns its origin, Cannot be border'd certain in itself;

She that herself will sliver and disbranch From her material sap, perforce must wither, And come to deadly use.

Gon. No more; the text is foolish. [vile: Alb. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem Filths savour but themselves. What have you done?

Tigers, not daughters,what have you perform'd?
A father, and a gracious aged man,
Whose reverence the head-lugg'd bear woul
lick,
[madded.
Most barbarous, most degenerate! have you
Could my good brother suffer you to do it?
A man, a prince, by him so benefited?
If that the heavens do not their visible spirits
Send quickly down to tame these vile offences,
"Twill come,

Humanity must perforce prey on itself,
Like monsters of the deep.
Milk-liver'd man!"

Gon.

That bearst a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs;

Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning Thine honour from thy suffering; that not

know'st,

Fools do those villains pity, who are punish'd
Ere they have done their mischief. Where's
thy drum?
land;
France spreads his banners in our noiseless
With plumed helm thy slayer begins threats;
Whilst thou, a moral fool, sit'st still, and criest,
Aluck! why does he so?

Alb.
See thyself, devil!
Proper deformity seems not in the fiend
So horrid, as in woman.

Gon.
O vain fool! [for shame,
Alb. Thou changed and self-cover'd thing,
Be-monster not thy feature. Were it my fitness
To let these hands obey my blood t,
They are apt enough to dislocate and tear
Thy flesh and bones:-Howe'er thou art a fiend,
A woman's shape doth shield thee.
Gon. Marry, your manhood now!
Enter a Messenger.

Alb. What news? [wall's dead, Mess. O, my good lord, the duke of CornSlain by his servant, going to put out The other eye of Gloster. Alb. Gloster's eyes! [remorse, Mess. A servant that he bred, thrill'd with Opposed against the act, bending his sword To his great master; who, thereat euraged, Flew on him,and amongst them fell'd him dead: But not without that harmful stroke, which since Hath pluck'd him after. Alb. This shows you are above, You justicers, that these our nether crimes So speedily can venge!-But, O poor Gloster! Lost he his other eye?

Mess. Both, both, my lord. This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer; 'Tis from your sister.

Gon. [Aside.] One way I like this well; But being widow, and my Gloster with her, May all the building in my fancy pluck

Upon my hateful life: Another way, The news is not so tart.-I'll read and answer. [Exit. Alb. Where was his son, when they did take his eyes?

Mess. Come with my lady hither. Alb. He is not here. Mess. No, my good lord; I met him back Alb. Knows he the wickedness? [again. Mess. Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him; [punishment And quit the house on purpose, that their Might have the freer course.

Alb.

Gloster, I live To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king, [friend; And to revenge thine eyes.-Come hither, Tell me what more thou knowest. [Exeunt. SCENE III, The French Camp near Dover.

Enter KENT, and a Gentleman.

Kent. Why the king of France is so suddenly gone back know you the reason?

Gent.Something he left imperfect in the state, Which since his coming forth is thought of; which [danger, Imports to the kingdom so much fear and That his personal return was most required And necessary.

Kent. Who hath he left behind him general? Gent. The Mareschal of France, Monsieur le Fer.

Kent. Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?

Gent. Ay, sir; she took them, read them in

Who should express her goodliest. You have Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears Were like a better day: Those happy smiles, That play'd on her ripe lip, seem'd not to [thence,

know

What guests were in her eyes; which parted As pearls from diamonds dropp'd.-In brief, Would be a rarity most beloved, if all [sorrow Could so become it.

Kent. Made she no verbal questiont? Gent. 'Faith, once, or twice, she heaved the name of father

Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart;
Cried, Sisters! sisters!-Shame of ladies!
sisters!
["the night!
Kent! father! sisters! What? i'the storm?
Let pity not be believeds!-There she shook
The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
And clamour moisten'd: then away she started
To deal with grief alone.

Kent.
It is the stars,
The stars above us, govern our conditions;

Discourse, conversation. Dispositions.

Else one self mate and mate could not beget
Such different issues. You spoke not with her
Gent. No.
[since?
Kent. Was this before the king return'd?
Gent.
No, since.
Kent. Well, sir; The poor distress'd Lear is
i'the town;

Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers
What we are come about, and by no means
Will yield to see his daughter.

Gent.
Why, good sir?
Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him:
his own unkindness,

[her That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting

lfis mind so venomously, that burning shame Detains him from Cordelia.

Gent.
Alack, poor gentleman!
Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers
you heard not?

Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot. [Lear,
Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master
And leave you to attend him: some dear cause †
Will in concealment wrap me up awhile;
When I am known aright, you shall not grieve
Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go
Along with me.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV. The same. A Tent.
Enter CORDELIA, Physician, and Soldiers.
Cor. Alack, 'tis he; why, he was met even
As mad as the yex'd sea; singing aloud; [now
Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow
weeds,
[ers,
With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flow-
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow
In our sustaining corn.-A century send forth;
Search every acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.]—
What can man's wisdom do,

In the restoring his bereaved sense?
IIe, that helps him, take all my ontward worth.
Phy. There is means, madam:

Our foster-nurse of nature is repose,
The which he lacks; that to provoke in him,
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.

Cor.

All bless' secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Spring with my tears! be aidant,and remediate, In the good man's distress!-Seek, seek for him; Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life That wants the means to lead it. Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherward. Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands

In expectation of them.-O dear father,
It is thy business that I go about;
Therefore great France

Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out, To let him live; where he arrives, he moves All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone, In pity of his misery, to despatch His nighted life it; moreover, to descry The strength o'the enemy. [my letter. Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay The ways are dangerous. [with us;

Stew.
I may not, madam;
My lady charged my duty in this business.
Reg. Why should she write to Edmund?
might not you

Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
Something I know not what :-I'll love thee
Let me unseal the letter.
[much,
Stew.
Madam, I had rather-
Reg. I know, your lady does not love her

husband;

I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange œiliads, and most speaking looks [bosom. To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her Stew. I, madam? [know it:

Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I Therefore, I do advise you, take this notes: My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; And more convenient is he for my hand, Than for your lady's:-You may gather more. If you do find him, pray you, give him this; And when your mistress hears thus much from pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. [you, So, fare you well.

I

If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam! I
What party I do follow.
[would show
Fare thee well. [Exeunt.

Reg.
SCENE VI. The Country near Dover.
Enter GLOSTER, and EUGAR, dressed like a
Peasant.

Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill?

Fumitory. § Charlocks. Importunate. **Inflated, swelling. A cast, or significant glance of the eye. Infer more.