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

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 molten lead.

Cor.

Sir, do you know me?

Lear. You are a spirit, I know; When did you die? Cor. Still, still, far wide!

1

Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile... Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? - Fair

I am mightily abus'd. - I should even die with pity, 1
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 assur'd

ラウ

Of my condition.

:

Cor.

O, look upon me, sir,

Lear.

Pray, do not mock me:

sk

And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:

No, sir, you must not kneel.

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

4

1

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.

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. 5
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. Holds it true, sir,

That the duke of Cornwall was so slain?

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 a bloody.

Fare you well, sir.

[Exit.

5 To make him even o'er the time he has lost. i. e. to reconcile it to his apprehension.

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

[Exit.

ACT V.

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.5

A

[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? 6

Edm.

7

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:

She, and the duke her husband,

his constant pleasure.] His settled resolution.

forefended place?] i. e. prohibited, forbidden.

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.9

Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.1

Why is this reason'd?

Reg.

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.

I'll overtake you. - Speak. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

* Not bolds the king;] i. e. emboldens him to assert his former

title.

9

- make oppose.] Compel to oppose us.

1 Sir, you speak nobly.] This reply must be understood ironically.

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. 2 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, 4

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,

2 And machination ceases.] i. e. All designs against your life will have an end.

greet the time.] i. e. Be ready to meet the occasion.

carry out my side.] Edmund means, hardly shall I be able