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Ho, you sir! friend !-Hear you, sir?--speak!
Thus might he pass indeed:-Yet he revives:
What are you, sir?

Glo.
Away, and let me die.
Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer,
thers, air,

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 found them, there I smelt fea-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.

So many fathom down precipitating, Thou hadst 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.
Glo. But have I fallen, or no?

Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn:2

Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorg'd' lark so far Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.

Glo. Alack, I have no eyes.

Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit,

To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort, When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage, And frustrate his proud will.

Edg.

Give me your arm: Up: So;-How is't? Feel you your legs? You

stand.

Glo. Too well, too well. Edg.

This is above all strangeness. Upon the crown o'the cliff, what thing was that Which parted from you? Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, and wav'd, 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 preserv'd thee.

Glo. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear Affliction, till it do cry out itself,

Glo. The trick 10 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 prosageth 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, 12
Beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's dark

ness,

There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption;-Fie, fie, fie! pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee. Glo. O, let me kiss that hand!

Lear. Let me wipe it first: it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to nought-Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cu

Enough, enough, and, die. That thing you speak of, pid; I'll not love.-Read thou this challenge; mark

I took it for a man; often 'twould say,

The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place.

Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But who

comes here?

Enter Lear, fantastically dressed up with flowers. The safer sense will ne'er accommodate

His master thus.

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 Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: Yet am the king himself. you see how this world goes. Glo. I see it feelingly.

Edg. O thou side-piercing sight!

Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.-There's Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this your press-money. That fellow handles his bow world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears: like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard.-see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief Look, look, a mouse; Peace, peace ;-this piece of Hark, in thine ear: Change places; and, handy toasted cheese will do't.-There's my gauntlet: I'll dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?— prove it on a giant.-Bring up the brown bills."-Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at beggar? O, well flown, bird!-i'the clout, i'the clout: hewgh! -Give the word."

Edg. Sweet marjoram. Lear. Pass.

Glo. I know that voice.

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Lear. Ha! Goneril!-with a white beard! Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own They flatter'd me like a dog; and told me, I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say ay, and no, to every thing I said!-For

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Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind

which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the

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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 daugh ter,

:

Who redeems nature from the general curse
Which twain have brought her to.
Edg. Hail, gentle sir.
Gent.
Sir, speed you: What's your will?
Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears
that,
Which can distinguish sound.
Edg.
How near's the other army?
Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry
Stands on the hourly thought.
Edg.

But, by your favour,

I thank you, sir; that's all.

(1) Block anciently signified the head-part of a hat.

(2) i. e. A man of tears.

(3) The main body is expected to be descried every hour.

VOL. II.

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Stew. 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
[Edgar opposes.
Wherefore, bold peasant,

Put strength enough to it.
Stew.
Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence;
Lest that the infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.
Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, 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 bato 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, 11

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[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's dead; I am only sorry He had no other death's-man.-Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts; Their papers, is more lawful. 12

[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

(4) Evil genius. (5) Blessing. (6) Reward. (7) Quickly recollect the offences of thy life. (8) Go your way.

(9) Head. (10) Club. (11) Thrusts. (12) To rip their papers is more lawful.

SP

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:

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 7
In the most terrible and nimble stroke

Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu !')

And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the With this thin helm ? Mine enemy's dog,

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

Re-enter Edgar.

Edg. Give me your hand. Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Exe. 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,

To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,
And every measure fail me.

Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er-paid.
All my reports go with the modest truth;
Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so.
Cor.
Be better suited: 2
These weeds are memories of those worser hours;
I pr'ythee, 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.

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
ceed

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.
Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.

I

Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?

Lear. You do me wrong to take me out othe

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I am mightily abus'd.-I should even die with pity,
To see another thus.-I know not what to say.-

I will not swear, these are my hands:-let's rce,
feel this pin prick. 'Would I were assur'd
Of my condition.

Cor.

O, look upon me, sir,

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:
pro-You have some cause, they have not.
Cor.

Pthe sway of your own will. Is he array'd?
Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep,
We put fresh garments on him.

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

Very well.

Cor.
Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the mu-
sic there.

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!

(1) I'll cover thee (the dead steward) in the sands. (2) Dressed. (3) Memorials. (4) Intent formed. (5) French, enfuns perdus.

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.

Gent. Hold it true, sir,

(6) Thin covering of hair.

(7) To reconcile it to his apprehension.

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His banished son, is with the earl of Kent

In Germany.

Kent.

Report is changeable.

"Tis time to look about; the powers' o'the kingdom

Approach apace.

Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir.

(Erit.

Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with US.
Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle! (Aside.] I will go.
As they are going out, enter Edgar, disguised.
Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man
so poor,
Hear me one word.

Alb.

I'll overtake you.-Speak.
[Exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Officers
Soldiers, and Attendants.

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it: wretched though I seem,

Kent. My point and period will be throughly I can produce a champion, that will prove
wrought,

Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought.

ACT V.

What is avouched there: If you miscarry,

[Exit. 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

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.

Edm.

Fear me not:

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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
Fore'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
I never yet was valiant: for this business,
It touches us as France invades our land,
Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make oppose."
Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.
Reg.
Why is this reason'd?
Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy:
For these domestic and particular broils

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paper.

Re-enter Edmund.

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers,
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,10
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy.
Let her, who would be rid of him, devise
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.
SCENE II-A field between the two camps.
Alarum within. Enter, with drums and colours,
Lear, Cordelia, and their forces; and exeunt.
Enter Edgar and Gloster.

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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

Their going hence, even as their coming hither:
Ripeness is all:"1 Come on.
Glo.

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(3) His settled resolution.

(4) Forbidden.

(5) Imposes on vou.

(6) i. e. Emboldens him.

(7) Opposition.

(11) i. e. To be ready prepared, is all.

SCENE III-The British camp near Dover.
Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, Ed-
mund; Lear and Cordelia, as prisoners; Offi-
cers, 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.-
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 starve
first,

Come,

[Exe. 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 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'll do't,
Or thrive by other means.

Offi

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.

Ofi. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work, I will do it. [Erit Officer.

Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Ofi-
cers, and Attendants.

Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant
strain,

And fortune led you well: You have the captives
Who 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 apointed 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

(1) Pass judgment on them.

(2) The French disease.

(4) Admit of debate.

(3) Skin.

75) To be discoursed of in greater privacy.

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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 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,
This gilded serpent: [Pointing to Gon.]-For your
I bar it in the interest of my wife;
claim, fair sister,
'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!

Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet
sound:

If none appear to prove upon thy person,
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge; [Throwing down a glove.] I'l
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.

(6) Authority to act on his own judgment.
(7) Alluding to the proverb: 'Love being jeal
ous makes a good eye look a-squint.'

(8) The hindrance.

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