Mr. William Shakespeare-Tragedy-King Lear

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE V. Gloucester's castle.[/h]

Enter REGAN and OSWALD​

REGAN

But are my brother's powers set forth?
​

OSWALD

Ay, madam.
​

REGAN

Himself in person there?
​

OSWALD

Madam, with much ado:
Your sister is the better soldier.
​

REGAN

Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?
​

OSWALD

No, madam.
​

REGAN

What might import my sister's letter to him?
​

OSWALD

I know not, lady.
​

REGAN

'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
It was great ignorance, Gloucester'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 dispatch
His nighted life: moreover, to descry
The strength o' the enemy.
​

OSWALD

I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.
​

REGAN

Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us;
The ways are dangerous.
​

OSWALD

I may not, madam:
My lady charged my duty in this business.
​

REGAN

Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
Something--I know not what: I'll love thee much,
Let me unseal the letter.
​

OSWALD

Madam, I had rather--
​

REGAN

I know your lady does not love her husband;
I am sure of that: and at her late being here
She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks
To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.
​

OSWALD

I, madam?
​

REGAN

I speak in understanding; you are; I know't:
Therefore I do advise you, take this note:
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 you,
I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.
So, fare you well.
If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
​

OSWALD

Would I could meet him, madam! I should show
What party I do follow.
​

REGAN

Fare thee well.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE VI. Fields near Dover.[/h]

Enter GLOUCESTER, and EDGAR dressed like a peasant​

GLOUCESTER

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

EDGAR

You do climb up it now: look, how we labour.
​

GLOUCESTER

Methinks the ground is even.
​

EDGAR

Horrible steep.
Hark, do you hear the sea?
​

GLOUCESTER

No, truly.
​

EDGAR

Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect
By your eyes' anguish.
​

GLOUCESTER

So may it be, indeed:
Methinks thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st
In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
​

EDGAR

You're much deceived: in nothing am I changed
But in my garments.
​

GLOUCESTER

Methinks you're better spoken.
​

EDGAR

Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful
And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low!
The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade!
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head:
The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark,
Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy
Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge,
That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,
Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more;
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
Topple down headlong.
​

GLOUCESTER

Set me where you stand.
​

EDGAR

Give me your hand: you are now within a foot
Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon
Would I not leap upright.
​

GLOUCESTER

Let go my hand.
Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel
Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods
Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off;
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
​

EDGAR

Now fare you well, good sir.
​

GLOUCESTER

With all my heart.
​

EDGAR

Why I do trifle thus with his despair
Is done to cure it.
​

GLOUCESTER

[Kneeling] 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 falls forward
​

EDGAR

Gone, sir: farewell.
And yet I know not how conceit may rob
The treasury of life, when life itself
Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought,
By this, had thought been past. Alive or dead?
Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak!
Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.
What are you, sir?
​

GLOUCESTER

Away, and let me die.
​

EDGAR

Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,
So many fathom down precipitating,
Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe;
Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound.
Ten masts at each make not the altitude
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell:
Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.
​

GLOUCESTER

But have I fall'n, or no?
​

EDGAR

From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.
Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far
Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.
​

GLOUCESTER

Alack, I have no eyes.
Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,
To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,
When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage,
And frustrate his proud will.
​

EDGAR

Give me your arm:
Up: so. How is 't? Feel you your legs? You stand.
​

GLOUCESTER

Too well, too well.
​

EDGAR

This is above all strangeness.
Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that
Which parted from you?
​

GLOUCESTER

A poor unfortunate beggar.
​

EDGAR

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 honours
Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
​

GLOUCESTER

I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear
Affliction till it do cry out itself
'Enough, enough,' and die. That thing you speak of,
I took it for a man; often 'twould say
'The fiend, the fiend:' he led me to that place.
​

EDGAR

Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here?
Enter KING LEAR, fantastically dressed with wild flowers
The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
His master thus.
​

KING LEAR

No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the
king himself.
​

EDGAR

O thou side-piercing sight!
​

KING 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. 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. O, well
flown, bird! i' the clout, i' the clout: hewgh!
Give the word.
​

EDGAR

Sweet marjoram.
​

KING LEAR

Pass.
​

GLOUCESTER

I know that voice.
​

KING LEAR

Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered
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 that 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 'em, there I smelt 'em 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.
​

GLOUCESTER

The trick of that voice I do well remember:
Is 't not the king?
​

KING LEAR

Ay, every inch a king:
When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.
I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause? Adultery?
Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No:
The wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight.
Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's bastard son
Was kinder to his father than my daughters
Got 'tween the lawful sheets.
To 't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.
Behold yond simpering dame,
Whose face between her forks presages snow;
That minces virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure's name;
The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't
With a more riotous appetite.
Down from the waist they are Centaurs,
Though women all above:
But to the girdle do the gods inherit,
Beneath is all the fiends';
There's hell, there's darkness, there's 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.
​

GLOUCESTER

O, let me kiss that hand!
​

KING LEAR

Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.
​

GLOUCESTER

O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world
Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me?
​

KING LEAR

I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny
at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid! I'll not
love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the
penning of it.
​

GLOUCESTER

Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.
​

EDGAR

I would not take this from report; it is,
And my heart breaks at it.
​

KING LEAR

Read.
​

GLOUCESTER

What, with the case of eyes?
​

KING 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.
​

GLOUCESTER

I see it feelingly.
​

KING LEAR

What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes
with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond
justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in
thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which
is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen
a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?
​

GLOUCESTER

Ay, sir.
​

KING LEAR

And the creature run from the cur? There thou
mightst behold the great image of authority: a
dog's obeyed in office.
Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;
Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind
For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.
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:
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
And like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now:
Pull off my boots: harder, harder: so.
​

EDGAR

O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness!
​

KING LEAR

If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:
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.
​

GLOUCESTER

Alack, alack the day!
​

KING 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 't in proof;
And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,
Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants
​

Gentleman

O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir,
Your most dear daughter--
​

KING LEAR

No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;
You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
I am cut to the brains.
​

Gentleman

You shall have any thing.
​

KING LEAR

No seconds? all myself?
Why, this would make a man a man of salt,
To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
Ay, and laying autumn's dust.
​

Gentleman

Good sir,--
​

KING LEAR

I will die bravely, like a bridegroom. What!
I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,
My masters, know you that.
​

Gentleman

You are a royal one, and we obey you.
​

KING LEAR

Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you
shall get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.
Exit running; Attendants follow
​

Gentleman

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.
​

EDGAR

Hail, gentle sir.
​

Gentleman

Sir, speed you: what's your will?
​

EDGAR

Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
​

Gentleman

Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that,
Which can distinguish sound.
​

EDGAR

But, by your favour,
How near's the other army?
​

Gentleman

Near and on speedy foot; the main descry
Stands on the hourly thought.
​

EDGAR

I thank you, sir: that's all.
​

Gentleman

Though that the queen on special cause is here,
Her army is moved on.
​

EDGAR

I thank you, sir.
Exit Gentleman
​

GLOUCESTER

You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me:
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
To die before you please!
​

EDGAR

Well pray you, father.
​

GLOUCESTER

Now, good sir, what are you?
​

EDGAR

A most poor man, made tame to 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.
​

GLOUCESTER

Hearty thanks:
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot!
Enter OSWALD
​

OSWALD

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.
​

GLOUCESTER

Now let thy friendly hand
Put strength enough to't.
EDGAR interposes
​

OSWALD

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.
​

EDGAR

Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.
​

OSWALD

Let go, slave, or thou diest!
​

EDGAR

Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk
pass. An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life,
'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight.
Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor
ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be
the harder: ch'ill be plain with you.
​

OSWALD

Out, dunghill!
​

EDGAR

Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor
your foins.
They fight, and EDGAR knocks him down
​

OSWALD

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 Gloucester; seek him out
Upon the British party: O, untimely death!
Dies
​

EDGAR

I know thee well: a serviceable villain;
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
​

GLOUCESTER

What, is he dead?
​

EDGAR

Sit you down, father; rest you
Let's see these pockets: the 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'ld 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 goal; from
the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply
the place for your labour.
'Your--wife, so I would say--
'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 sands,
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified
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.
​

GLOUCESTER

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 sever'd from my griefs,
And woes by wrong imaginations lose
The knowledge of themselves.
​

EDGAR

Give me your hand:
Drum afar off
Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum:
Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE VII. A tent in the French camp. LEAR on a bed asleep,[/h]

soft music playing; Gentleman, and others attending.
Enter CORDELIA, KENT, and Doctor
​

CORDELIA

O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work,
To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,
And every measure fail me.
​

KENT

To be acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid.
All my reports go with the modest truth;
Nor more nor clipp'd, but so.
​

CORDELIA

Be better suited:
These weeds are memories of those worser hours:
I prithee, put them off.
​

KENT

Pardon me, dear madam;
Yet to be known shortens my made intent:
My boon I make it, that you know me not
Till time and I think meet.
​

CORDELIA

Then be't so, my good lord.
To the Doctor
How does the king?
​

Doctor

Madam, sleeps still.
​

CORDELIA

O you kind gods,
Cure this great breach in his abused nature!
The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up
Of this child-changed father!
​

Doctor

So please your majesty
That we may wake the king: he hath slept long.
​

CORDELIA

Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?
​

Gentleman

Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep
We put fresh garments on him.
​

Doctor

Be by, good madam, when we do awake him;
I doubt not of his temperance.
​

CORDELIA

Very well.
​

Doctor

Please you, draw near. Louder the music there!
​

CORDELIA

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!
​

CORDELIA

Had you not been their father, these white flakes
Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face
To be opposed 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--poor perdu!--
With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog,
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night
Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father,
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 him.
​

Doctor

Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.
​

CORDELIA

How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?
​

KING 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 moulten lead.
​

CORDELIA

Sir, do you know me?
​

KING LEAR

You are a spirit, I know: when did you die?
​

CORDELIA

Still, still, far wide!
​

Doctor

He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile.
​

KING LEAR

Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?
I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity,
To see another thus. I know not what to say.
I will not swear these are my hands: let's see;
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured
Of my condition!
​

CORDELIA

O, look upon me, sir,
And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:
No, sir, you must not kneel.
​

KING LEAR

Pray, do not mock me:
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less;
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.
​

CORDELIA

And so I am, I am.
​

KING 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.
​

CORDELIA

No cause, no cause.
​

KING LEAR

Am I in France?
​

KENT

In your own kingdom, sir.
​

KING LEAR

Do not abuse me.
​

Doctor

Be comforted, good madam: the great rage,
You see, is kill'd 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.
​

CORDELIA

Will't please your highness walk?
​

KING LEAR

You must bear with me:
Pray you now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish.
Exeunt all but KENT and Gentleman
​

Gentleman

Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain?
​

KENT

Most certain, sir.
​

Gentleman

Who is conductor of his people?
​

KENT

As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester.
​

Gentleman

They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl
of Kent in Germany.
​

KENT

Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the
powers of the kingdom approach apace.
​

Gentleman

The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you
well, sir.
Exit
​

KENT

My point and period will be throughly wrought,
Or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought.
Exit
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE I. The British camp, near Dover.[/h]

Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Gentlemen, and Soldiers.​

EDMUND

Know of the duke if his last purpose hold,
Or whether since he is advised by aught
To change the course: he's full of alteration
And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure.
To a Gentleman, who goes out
​

REGAN

Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.
​

EDMUND

'Tis to be doubted, madam.
​

REGAN

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?
​

EDMUND

In honour'd love.
​

REGAN

But have you never found my brother's way
To the forfended place?
​

EDMUND

That thought abuses you.
​

REGAN

I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.
​

EDMUND

No, by mine honour, madam.
​

REGAN

I never shall endure her: dear my lord,
Be not familiar with her.
​

EDMUND

Fear me not:
She and the duke her husband!
Enter, with drum and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers
​

GONERIL

[Aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister
Should loosen him and me.
​

ALBANY

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 toucheth us, as France invades our land,
Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
​

EDMUND

Sir, you speak nobly.
​

REGAN

Why is this reason'd?
​

GONERIL

Combine together 'gainst the enemy;
For these domestic and particular broils
Are not the question here.
​

ALBANY

Let's then determine
With the ancient of war on our proceedings.
​

EDMUND

I shall attend you presently at your tent.
​

REGAN

Sister, you'll go with us?
​

GONERIL

No.
​

REGAN

'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.
​

GONERIL

[Aside] O, ho, I know the riddle.--I will go.
As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised
​

EDGAR

If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor,
Hear me one word.
​

ALBANY

I'll overtake you. Speak.
Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR
​

EDGAR

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,
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. Fortune love you.
​

ALBANY

Stay till I have read the letter.
​

EDGAR

I was forbid it.
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again.
​

ALBANY

Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper.
Exit EDGAR
Re-enter EDMUND
​

EDMUND

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.
​

ALBANY

We will greet the time.
Exit
​

EDMUND

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,
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
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE II. A field between the two camps.[/h]

Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, KING LEAR, CORDELIA, and Soldiers, over the stage; and exeunt​

Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER​

EDGAR

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

GLOUCESTER

Grace go with you, sir!
Exit EDGAR
Alarum and retreat within. Re-enter EDGAR
​

EDGAR

Away, old man; give me thy hand; away!
King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en:
Give me thy hand; come on.
​

GLOUCESTER

No farther, sir; a man may rot even here.
​

EDGAR

What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure
Their going hence, even as their coming hither;
Ripeness is all: come on.
​

GLOUCESTER

And that's true too.
Exeunt
​

 

[*JujU*]

[h=3]SCENE III. The British camp near Dover.[/h]

Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND, KING LEAR and CORDELIA, prisoners; Captain, Soldiers, & c​

EDMUND

Some officers take them away: good guard,
Until their greater pleasures first be known
That are to censure them.
​

CORDELIA

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.
Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?
​

KING 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,
Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out;
And take upon's 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.
​

EDMUND

Take them away.
​

KING LEAR

Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,
The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee?
He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven,
And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;
The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve
first. Come.
Exeunt KING LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded
​

EDMUND

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
To noble fortunes: know thou this, that men
Are as the time is: to be tender-minded
Does not become a sword: thy great employment
Will not bear question; either say thou'lt do 't,
Or thrive by other means.
​

Captain

I'll do 't, my lord.
​

EDMUND

About it; and write happy when thou hast done.
Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so
As I have set it down.
​

Captain

I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work, I'll do 't.
Exit
Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, another Captain, and Soldiers
​

ALBANY

Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain,
And fortune led you well: you have the captives
That 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.
​

EDMUND

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,
An turn our impress'd lances in our eyes
Which do command them. With him I sent the queen;
My reason all the same; and they are ready
To-morrow, or at further space, to appear
Where you shall hold your session. At this time
We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend;
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 place.
​

ALBANY

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

REGAN

That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded,
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.
​

GONERIL

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

REGAN

In my rights,
By me invested, he compeers the best.
​

GONERIL

That were the most, if he should husband you.
​

REGAN

Jesters do oft prove prophets.
​

GONERIL

Holla, holla!
That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint.
​

REGAN

Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
From a full-flowing stomach. General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine:
Witness the world, that I create thee here
My lord and master.
​

GONERIL

Mean you to enjoy him?
​

ALBANY

The let-alone lies not in your good will.
​

EDMUND

Nor in thine, lord.
​

ALBANY

Half-blooded fellow, yes.
​

REGAN

[To EDMUND] Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.
​

ALBANY

Stay yet; hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason; and, in thine attaint,
This gilded serpent
Pointing to Goneril
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 loves to me,
My lady is bespoke.
​

GONERIL

An interlude!
​

ALBANY

Thou art arm'd, Gloucester: let the trumpet sound:
If none appear to prove upon thy head
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.
​

REGAN

Sick, O, sick!
​

GONERIL

[Aside] If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine.
​

EDMUND

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.
​

ALBANY

A herald, ho!
​

EDMUND

A herald, ho, a herald!
​

ALBANY

Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.
​

REGAN

My sickness grows upon me.
​

ALBANY

She is not well; convey her to my tent.
Exit Regan, led
Enter a Herald
Come hither, herald,--Let the trumpet sound,
And read out this.
​

Captain

Sound, trumpet!
A trumpet sounds
​

Herald

[Reads] 'If any man of quality or degree within
the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund,
supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he is a manifold
traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the
trumpet: he is bold in his defence.'
​

EDMUND

Sound!
First trumpet
​

Herald

Again!
Second trumpet
​

Herald

Again!
Third trumpet
Trumpet answers within
Enter EDGAR, at the third sound, armed, with a trumpet before him
​

ALBANY

Ask him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this call o' the trumpet.
​

Herald

What are you?
Your name, your quality? and why you answer
This present summons?
​

EDGAR

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.
​

ALBANY

Which is that adversary?
​

EDGAR

What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester?
​

EDMUND

Himself: what say'st thou to him?
​

EDGAR

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,
Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
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 below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou 'No,'
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.
​

EDMUND

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;
Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak!
Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls
​

ALBANY

Save him, save him!
​

GONERIL

This is practise, Gloucester:
By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer
An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
But cozen'd and beguiled.
​

ALBANY

Shut your mouth, dame,
Or with this paper shall I stop it: Hold, sir:
Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil:
No tearing, lady: I perceive you know it.
Gives the letter to EDMUND
​

GONERIL

Say, if I do, the laws are mine, not thine:
Who can arraign me for't.
​

ALBANY

Most monstrous! oh!
Know'st thou this paper?
​

GONERIL

Ask me not what I know.
Exit
​

ALBANY

Go after her: she's desperate; govern her.
​

EDMUND

What you have charged me with, that have I done;
And more, much more; the time will bring it out:
'Tis past, and so am I. But what art thou
That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble,
I do forgive thee.
​

EDGAR

Let's exchange charity.
I am no less 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 plague us:
The dark and vicious place where thee he got
Cost him his eyes.
​

EDMUND

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

ALBANY

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!
​

EDGAR

Worthy prince, I know't.
​

ALBANY

Where have you hid yourself?
How have you known the miseries of your father?
​

EDGAR

By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale;
And when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst!
The bloody proclamation to escape,
That follow'd me so near,--O, our lives' sweetness!
That we the pain of death would 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,
Led him, begg'd for him, saved him from despair;
Never,--O fault!--reveal'd myself unto him,
Until some half-hour past, when I was arm'd:
Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,
I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last
Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart,
Alack, too weak the conflict to support!
'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,
Burst smilingly.
​

EDMUND

This speech of yours hath moved me,
And shall perchance do good: but speak you on;
You look as you had something more to say.
​

ALBANY

If there be more, more woeful, hold it in;
For I am almost ready to dissolve,
Hearing of this.
​

EDGAR

This would have seem'd a period
To such as love not sorrow; but another,
To amplify too much, would make much more,
And top extremity.
Whilst I was big in clamour came there in a man,
Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding
Who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms
He fastened on my neck, and bellow'd out
As he'ld burst heaven; threw him on my father;
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
That ever ear received: which in recounting
His grief grew puissant and the strings of life
Began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded,
And there I left him tranced.
​

ALBANY

But who was this?
​

EDGAR

Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise
Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service
Improper for a slave.
Enter a Gentleman, with a bloody knife
​

Gentleman

Help, help, O, help!
​

EDGAR

What kind of help?
​

ALBANY

Speak, man.
​

EDGAR

What means that bloody knife?
​

Gentleman

'Tis hot, it smokes;
It came even from the heart of--O, she's dead!
​

ALBANY

Who dead? speak, man.
​

Gentleman

Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister
By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it.
​

EDMUND

I was contracted to them both: all three
Now marry in an instant.
​

EDGAR

Here comes Kent.
​

ALBANY

Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead:
This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble,
Touches us not with pity.
Exit Gentleman
Enter KENT
O, is this he?
The time will not allow the compliment
Which very manners urges.
​

KENT

I am come
To bid my king and master aye good night:
Is he not here?
​

ALBANY

Great thing of us forgot!
Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's Cordelia?
See'st thou this object, Kent?
The bodies of GONERIL and REGAN are brought in
​

KENT

Alack, why thus?
​

EDMUND

Yet Edmund was beloved:
The one the other poison'd for my sake,
And after slew herself.
​

ALBANY

Even so. Cover their faces.
​

EDMUND

I pant for life: some good I mean to do,
Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send,
Be brief in it, to the castle; for my writ
Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia:
Nay, send in time.
​

ALBANY

Run, run, O, run!
​

EDGAR

To who, my lord? Who hath the office? send
Thy token of reprieve.
​

EDMUND

Well thought on: take my sword,
Give it the captain.
​

ALBANY

Haste thee, for thy life.
Exit EDGAR
​

EDMUND

He hath commission from thy wife and me
To hang Cordelia in the prison, and
To lay the blame upon her own despair,
That she fordid herself.
​

ALBANY

The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile.
EDMUND is borne off
Re-enter KING LEAR, with CORDELIA dead in his arms; EDGAR, Captain, and others following
​

KING LEAR

Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones:
Had I your tongues and eyes, I'ld use them so
That heaven's vault should crack. She's gone for ever!
I know when one is dead, and when one lives;
She's dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass;
If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,
Why, then she lives.
​

KENT

Is this the promised end
​

EDGAR

Or image of that horror?
​

ALBANY

Fall, and cease!
​

KING LEAR

This feather stirs; she lives! if it be so,
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt.
​

KENT

[Kneeling] O my good master!
​

KING LEAR

Prithee, away.
​

EDGAR

'Tis noble Kent, your friend.
​

KING LEAR

A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all!
I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever!
Cordelia, Cordelia! stay a little. Ha!
What is't thou say'st? Her voice was ever soft,
Gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman.
I kill'd the slave that was a-hanging thee.
​

Captain

'Tis true, my lords, he did.
​

KING LEAR

Did I not, fellow?
I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion
I would have made them skip: I am old now,
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you?
Mine eyes are not o' the best: I'll tell you straight.
​

KENT

If fortune brag of two she loved and hated,
One of them we behold.
​

KING LEAR

This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent?
​

KENT

The same,
Your servant Kent: Where is your servant Caius?
​

KING LEAR

He's a good fellow, I can tell you that;
He'll strike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten.
​

KENT

No, my good lord; I am the very man,--
​

KING LEAR

I'll see that straight.
​

KENT

That, from your first of difference and decay,
Have follow'd your sad steps.
​

KING LEAR

You are welcome hither.
​

KENT

Nor no man else: all's cheerless, dark, and deadly.
Your eldest daughters have fordone them selves,
And desperately are dead.
​

KING LEAR

Ay, so I think.
​

ALBANY

He knows not what he says: and vain it is
That we present us to him.
​

EDGAR

Very bootless.
Enter a Captain
​

Captain

Edmund is dead, my lord.
​

ALBANY

That's but a trifle here.
You lords and noble friends, know our intent.
What comfort to this great decay may come
Shall be applied: for us we will resign,
During the life of this old majesty,
To him our absolute power:
To EDGAR and KENT
you, to your rights:
With boot, and such addition as your honours
Have more than merited. All friends shall taste
The wages of their virtue, and all foes
The cup of their deservings. O, see, see!
​

KING LEAR

And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life!
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life,
And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more,
Never, never, never, never, never!
Pray you, undo this button: thank you, sir.
Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips,
Look there, look there!
Dies
​

EDGAR

He faints! My lord, my lord!
​

KENT

Break, heart; I prithee, break!
​

EDGAR

Look up, my lord.
​

KENT

Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates him much
That would upon the rack of this tough world
Stretch him out longer.
​

EDGAR

He is gone, indeed.
​

KENT

The wonder is, he hath endured so long:
He but usurp'd his life.
​

ALBANY

Bear them from hence. Our present business
Is general woe.
To KENT and EDGAR
Friends of my soul, you twain
Rule in this realm, and the gored state sustain.
​

KENT

I have a journey, sir, shortly to go;
My master calls me, I must not say no.
​

ALBANY

The weight of this sad time we must obey;
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
The oldest hath borne most: we that are young
Shall never see so much, nor live so long.
Exeunt, with a dead march
​