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.

Lear. Do not abuse me.

No cause, no cause.

In your own kingdom, sir.

Phys. 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.

You must bear with me:

Cor. Will't please your highness walk?
Lear.
Pray you now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish.

[Exeunt LEAR, CORDELIA, Physician, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain? Kent. Most certain, sir.

Gent. Who is conductor of his people?

Kent. As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloster.

Gent. They say, Edgar, his banish'd son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany.

Kent. Report is changeable. "Tis time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom approach apace.

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

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

[Exit.

[Exit.

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

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.

out.

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.

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 heard 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.
Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy:
For these domestic and particular broils

Why is this reason'd?

Are not the question here.

Alb.

Let's then determine

With the ancient of war on our proceeding.
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.
had speech with man so poor,

Edg. If e'er

Hear me one word.
your grace

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,
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? To take the widow,
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side

Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done
Let her who would be rid of him devise

His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,

Shall never see his pardon: for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit.

SCENE II-A Field between the two Camps.

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

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 come on.

Glo.

And that's true too.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover.

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

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

That are to censure them.

Cor.

We are not the first,

Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst.