Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

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:
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 Gloster'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 yon' simpering dame,

Whose face between her forks presageth snow; That minces virtue, and does shake the head

To hear of pleasure's name;

[ocr errors]

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 is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption; Fye, fye, fye! 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 nought.-Dost thou know me? 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.

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 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

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Glo. Alack, alack the day!

Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are come To this great stage of fools; This a good block?

It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe

A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof;
And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law,
Then, kill, kill, 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 ransome. 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, To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust.

Good sir,

Gent.
Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom;
What?

I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king,
My masters, know you that?

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.

[Exit running; Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch; Past speaking of in a king!-Thou hast one daughter,

Who redeems nature from the general curse
Which twain have brought her to.
Edg. Hail, gentle sir.

Gent.
Sir, speed you: What's your will?
Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears that,
Which can distinguish sound.

Edg.

How near's the other army?

But, by your favour,

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

Edg.

I thank you, sir: that's all.
Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is
here,
Her army is mov'd on.

Edg.
I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent.
Glo. You ever gentle gods, take my breath from

me;

Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
To die before you please!

Edg.
Well pray you, father,
Glo. Now, good sir, what are you?

[blocks in formation]

Stew.

Enter Steward.

A proclaim'd prize! Most happy!
That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd 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. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.
Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill!

Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; no matter vor your foins.

[They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me :- Villain, take my purse;

If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my-body;
And give the letters, which thou find'st about me,
To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out.
Upon the British party:O, untimely death!
[Dies.
Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villain;
As duteous to the vices of thy 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 is 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 of fered. 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;

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

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

Enter CORDELIA and KENT.

Cor. 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 acknowledg'd, madam, is 'er-paid.
All my reports go with the modest truth;
Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so.

Kent,

Cor.
Be better suited:
These weeds are memories of those worser hours;
I pr'ythee, put them off.
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.

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 in his abused nature!
The untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up,
Of this child-changed father!

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

[graphic]

Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss
Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang
Have in thy reverence made!
Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters

Kent.
Kind and dear princess!
Cor. Had you not been their father, these white
flakes

Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face
To be expos'd against the warring winds?
To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?

And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the sands, In the most terrible and nimble stroke

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-practis'd duke: For him 'tis well,
That of thy death and business I can tell.

[Exit EDGAR, dragging out the body.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

Cor. 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. 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
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.
Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage,
You see, is cur'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.

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.

[blocks in formation]

ACT V.

Edm.

SCENE I. — The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover.

Enter, with drums and colours, 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-reproving : — bring his constant pleasure.
[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 honour'd love.
Reg. But have you never found my brother's way
To the forefended place?

Edm. That thought abuses you. Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct 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.

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 Forc'd 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. Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestick 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. 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.

Speak.

I'll overtake you. [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,
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!
Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.
Edg.
I was forbid it.
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again.
[Exit.
Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy

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 urg'd on you.

Alb.

We will greet the time. [Exit. Edm. 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.

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and 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 thrive :

If ever I return to you again,
I'll bring you comfort.
Glo.

Grace go with you, sir! [Exit EDGAR. 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.
Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must

endure

[blocks in formation]

SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover.

Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.

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

[ocr errors]

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

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,
Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them start i
first.

Come. [Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded-
Edm. Come hither, captain; hark.
Take thou this note; [giving a paper.] go,

them to prison;

"follow

One step I have advanc'd 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.

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 osts; If it be man's work, I will do it.

[Exit Office.

[blocks in formation]

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 hi

queen;

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

you.

Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Gon.
Holla, holla!
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 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.

Gon
Mean you to enjoy him?
Alb. 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,

[blocks in formation]

What are you? 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 say'st 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,
Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune,

[ocr errors]

This gilded serpent: [Pointing to Gox.]-for your Thy valour, and thy heart, - thou art a traitor :

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!

[blocks in formation]

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 sword, 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;
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.

Alb. O save him, save him!

[blocks in formation]
« ÎnapoiContinuă »