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FOR __ COMPLETE SHAKESPEARE **** +["Small Print" V.12.08.93] + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + + + +1606 + + +THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR + +by William Shakespeare + + + + +Dramatis Personae + + Lear, King of Britain. + King of France. + Duke of Burgundy. + Duke of Cornwall. + Duke of Albany. + Earl of Kent. + Earl of Gloucester. + Edgar, son of Gloucester. + Edmund, bastard son to Gloucester. + Curan, a courtier. + Old Man, tenant to Gloucester. + Doctor. + Lear's Fool. + Oswald, steward to Goneril. + A Captain under Edmund's command. + Gentlemen. + A Herald. + Servants to Cornwall. + + Goneril, daughter to Lear. + Regan, daughter to Lear. + Cordelia, daughter to Lear. + + Knights attending on Lear, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, + Attendants. + + + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + +Scene: - Britain. + + +ACT I. Scene I. +[King Lear's Palace.] + +Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund. [Kent and Glouceste converse. +Edmund stands back.] + + Kent. I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany +than + Cornwall. + Glou. It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of +the + kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values most, +for + equalities are so weigh'd that curiosity in neither can make + choice of either's moiety. + Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? + Glou. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so +often + blush'd to acknowledge him that now I am braz'd to't. + Kent. I cannot conceive you. + Glou. Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon she grew + round-womb'd, and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere +she + had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? + Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so + proper. + Glou. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder +than + this, who yet is no dearer in my account. Though this knave +came + something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet +was + his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the + whoreson must be acknowledged.- Do you know this noble +gentleman, + Edmund? + Edm. [comes forward] No, my lord. + Glou. My Lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter as my honourable + friend. + Edm. My services to your lordship. + Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you better. + Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. + Glou. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. + Sound a sennet. + The King is coming. + + Enter one bearing a coronet; then Lear; then the Dukes of + Albany and Cornwall; next, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, with + Followers. + + Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester. + Glou. I shall, my liege. + Exeunt [Gloucester and Edmund]. + Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. + Give me the map there. Know we have divided + In three our kingdom; and 'tis our fast intent + To shake all cares and business from our age, + Conferring them on younger strengths while we + Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, + And you, our no less loving son of Albany, + We have this hour a constant will to publish + Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife + May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, + Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, + Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, + And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters + (Since now we will divest us both of rule, + Interest of territory, cares of state), + Which of you shall we say doth love us most? + That we our largest bounty may extend + Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, + Our eldest-born, speak first. + Gon. Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; + Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty; + Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; + No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour; + As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found; + A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable. + Beyond all manner of so much I love you. + Cor. [aside] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. + Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, + With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, + With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, + We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue + Be this perpetual.- What says our second daughter, + Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. + Reg. Sir, I am made + Of the selfsame metal that my sister is, + And prize me at her worth. In my true heart + I find she names my very deed of love; + Only she comes too short, that I profess + Myself an enemy to all other joys + Which the most precious square of sense possesses, + And find I am alone felicitate + In your dear Highness' love. + Cor. [aside] Then poor Cordelia! + And yet not so; since I am sure my love's + More richer than my tongue. + Lear. To thee and thine hereditary ever + Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, + No less in space, validity, and pleasure + Than that conferr'd on Goneril.- Now, our joy, + Although the last, not least; to whose young love + The vines of France and milk of Burgundy + Strive to be interest; what can you say to draw + A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. + Cor. Nothing, my lord. + Lear. Nothing? + Cor. Nothing. + Lear. Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again. + Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave + My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty + According to my bond; no more nor less. + Lear. How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, + Lest it may mar your fortunes. + Cor. Good my lord, + You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me; I + Return those duties back as are right fit, + Obey you, love you, and most honour you. + Why have my sisters husbands, if they say + They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, + That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry + Half my love with him, half my care and duty. + Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, + To love my father all. + Lear. But goes thy heart with this? + Cor. Ay, good my lord. + Lear. So young, and so untender? + Cor. So young, my lord, and true. + Lear. Let it be so! thy truth then be thy dower! + For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, + The mysteries of Hecate and the night; + By all the operation of the orbs + From whom we do exist and cease to be; + Here I disclaim all my paternal care, + Propinquity and property of blood, + And as a stranger to my heart and me + Hold thee from this for ever. The barbarous Scythian, + Or he that makes his generation messes + To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom + Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, + As thou my sometime daughter. + Kent. Good my liege- + Lear. Peace, Kent! + Come not between the dragon and his wrath. + I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest + On her kind nursery.- Hence and avoid my sight!- + So be my grave my peace as here I give + Her father's heart from her! Call France! Who stirs? + Call Burgundy! Cornwall and Albany, + With my two daughters' dowers digest this third; + Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. + I do invest you jointly in my power, + Preeminence, and all the large effects + That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course, + With reservation of an hundred knights, + By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode + Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain + The name, and all th' additions to a king. The sway, + Revenue, execution of the rest, + Beloved sons, be yours; which to confirm, + This coronet part betwixt you. + Kent. Royal Lear, + Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, + Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, + As my great patron thought on in my prayers- + Lear. The bow is bent and drawn; make from the shaft. + Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade + The region of my heart! Be Kent unmannerly + When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man? + Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak + When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound + When majesty falls to folly. Reverse thy doom; + And in thy best consideration check + This hideous rashness. Answer my life my judgment, + Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least, + Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound + Reverbs no hollowness. + Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more! + Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn + To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it, + Thy safety being the motive. + Lear. Out of my sight! + Kent. See better, Lear, and let me still remain + The true blank of thine eye. + Lear. Now by Apollo- + Kent. Now by Apollo, King, + Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. + Lear. O vassal! miscreant! + [Lays his hand on his sword.] + Alb., Corn. Dear sir, forbear! + Kent. Do! + Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow + Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift, + Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, + I'll tell thee thou dost evil. + Lear. Hear me, recreant! + On thine allegiance, hear me! + Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow- + Which we durst never yet- and with strain'd pride + To come between our sentence and our power,- + Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,- + Our potency made good, take thy reward. + Five days we do allot thee for provision + To shield thee from diseases of the world, + And on the sixth to turn thy hated back + Upon our kingdom. If, on the tenth day following, + Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, + The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter, + This shall not be revok'd. + Kent. Fare thee well, King. Since thus thou wilt appear, + Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. + [To Cordelia] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, +maid, + That justly think'st and hast most rightly said! + [To Regan and Goneril] And your large speeches may your +deeds + approve, + That good effects may spring from words of love. + Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; + He'll shape his old course in a country new. +Exit. + + Flourish. Enter Gloucester, with France and Burgundy; +Attendants. + + Glou. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. + Lear. My Lord of Burgundy, + We first address toward you, who with this king + Hath rivall'd for our daughter. What in the least + Will you require in present dower with her, + Or cease your quest of love? + Bur. Most royal Majesty, + I crave no more than hath your Highness offer'd, + Nor will you tender less. + Lear. Right noble Burgundy, + When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; + But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands. + If aught within that little seeming substance, + Or all of it, with our displeasure piec'd, + And nothing more, may fitly like your Grace, + She's there, and she is yours. + Bur. I know no answer. + Lear. Will you, with those infirmities she owes, + Unfriended, new adopted to our hate, + Dow'r'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, + Take her, or leave her? + Bur. Pardon me, royal sir. + Election makes not up on such conditions. + Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the pow'r that made me, + I tell you all her wealth. [To France] For you, great King, + I would not from your love make such a stray + To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you + T' avert your liking a more worthier way + Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd + Almost t' acknowledge hers. + France. This is most strange, + That she that even but now was your best object, + The argument of your praise, balm of your age, + Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time + Commit a thing so monstrous to dismantle + So many folds of favour. Sure her offence + Must be of such unnatural degree + That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection + Fall'n into taint; which to believe of her + Must be a faith that reason without miracle + Should never plant in me. + Cor. I yet beseech your Majesty, + If for I want that glib and oily art + To speak and purpose not, since what I well intend, + I'll do't before I speak- that you make known + It is no vicious blot, murther, or foulness, + No unchaste action or dishonoured step, + That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour; + But even for want of that for which I am richer- + A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue + As I am glad I have not, though not to have it + Hath lost me in your liking. + Lear. Better thou + Hadst not been born than not t' have pleas'd me better. + France. Is it but this- a tardiness in nature + Which often leaves the history unspoke + That it intends to do? My Lord of Burgundy, + What say you to the lady? Love's not love + When it is mingled with regards that stands + Aloof from th' entire point. Will you have her? + She is herself a dowry. + Bur. Royal Lear, + Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, + And here I take Cordelia by the hand, + Duchess of Burgundy. + Lear. Nothing! I have sworn; I am firm. + Bur. I am sorry then you have so lost a father + That you must lose a husband. + Cor. Peace be with Burgundy! + Since that respects of fortune are his love, + I shall not be his wife. + France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; + Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! + Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon. + Be it lawful I take up what's cast away. + Gods, gods! 'tis strange that from their cold'st neglect + My love should kindle to inflam'd respect. + Thy dow'rless daughter, King, thrown to my chance, + Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France. + Not all the dukes in wat'rish Burgundy + Can buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me. + Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind. + Thou losest here, a better where to find. + Lear. Thou hast her, France; let her be thine; for we + Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see + That face of hers again. Therefore be gone + Without our grace, our love, our benison. + Come, noble Burgundy. + Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, [Cornwall, Albany, + Gloucester, and Attendants]. + France. Bid farewell to your sisters. + Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes + Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are; + And, like a sister, am most loath to call + Your faults as they are nam'd. Use well our father. + To your professed bosoms I commit him; + But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, + I would prefer him to a better place! + So farewell to you both. + Gon. Prescribe not us our duties. + Reg. Let your study + Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you + At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, + And well are worth the want that you have wanted. + Cor. Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides. + Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. + Well may you prosper! + France. Come, my fair Cordelia. + Exeunt France and Cordelia. + Gon. Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly + appertains to us both. I think our father will hence +to-night. + Reg. That's most certain, and with you; next month with us. + Gon. You see how full of changes his age is. The observation we + have made of it hath not been little. He always lov'd our + sister most, and with what poor judgment he hath now cast +her + off appears too grossly. + Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but +slenderly + known himself. + Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then + must we look to receive from his age, not alone the + imperfections of long-ingraffed condition, but therewithal + the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring +with + them. + Reg. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as +this + of Kent's banishment. + Gon. There is further compliment of leave-taking between France +and + him. Pray you let's hit together. If our father carry +authority + with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of +his + will but offend us. + Reg. We shall further think on't. + Gon. We must do something, and i' th' heat. + Exeunt. + + + + +Scene II. +The Earl of Gloucester's Castle. + +Enter [Edmund the] Bastard solus, [with a letter]. + + Edm. Thou, Nature, art my goddess; to thy law + My services are bound. Wherefore should I + Stand in the plague of custom, and permit + The curiosity of nations to deprive me, + For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines + Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base? + When my dimensions are as well compact, + My mind as generous, and my shape as true, + As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us + With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base? + Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take + More composition and fierce quality + Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, + Go to th' creating a whole tribe of fops + Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well then, + Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land. + Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund + As to th' legitimate. Fine word- 'legitimate'! + Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, + And my invention thrive, Edmund the base + Shall top th' legitimate. I grow; I prosper. + Now, gods, stand up for bastards! + + Enter Gloucester. + + Glou. Kent banish'd thus? and France in choler parted? + And the King gone to-night? subscrib'd his pow'r? + Confin'd to exhibition? All this done + Upon the gad? Edmund, how now? What news? + Edm. So please your lordship, none. + [Puts up the letter.] + Glou. Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter? + Edm. I know no news, my lord. + Glou. What paper were you reading? + Edm. Nothing, my lord. + Glou. No? What needed then that terrible dispatch of it into +your + pocket? The quality of nothing hath not such need to hide + itself. Let's see. Come, if it be nothing, I shall not need + spectacles. + Edm. I beseech you, sir, pardon me. It is a letter from my +brother + that I have not all o'er-read; and for so much as I have + perus'd, I find it not fit for your o'erlooking. + Glou. Give me the letter, sir. + Edm. I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The contents, +as + in part I understand them, are to blame. + Glou. Let's see, let's see! + Edm. I hope, for my brother's justification, he wrote this but +as + an essay or taste of my virtue. + + Glou. (reads) 'This policy and reverence of age makes the world + bitter to the best of our times; keeps our fortunes from us + till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle + and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny, who +sways, + not as it hath power, but as it is suffer'd. Come to me, +that + of this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I + wak'd him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and +live + the beloved of your brother, + 'EDGAR.' + + Hum! Conspiracy? 'Sleep till I wak'd him, you should enjoy +half + his revenue.' My son Edgar! Had he a hand to write this? a +heart + and brain to breed it in? When came this to you? Who brought +it? + Edm. It was not brought me, my lord: there's the cunning of it. +I + found it thrown in at the casement of my closet. + Glou. You know the character to be your brother's? + Edm. If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear it were +his; + but in respect of that, I would fain think it were not. + Glou. It is his. + Edm. It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his heart is not in +the + contents. + Glou. Hath he never before sounded you in this business? + Edm. Never, my lord. But I have heard him oft maintain it to be +fit + that, sons at perfect age, and fathers declining, the father + should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his +revenue. + Glou. O villain, villain! His very opinion in the letter! +Abhorred + villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain! worse than + brutish! Go, sirrah, seek him. I'll apprehend him. +Abominable + villain! Where is he? + Edm. I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please you to +suspend + your indignation against my brother till you can derive from +him + better testimony of his intent, you should run a certain +course; + where, if you violently proceed against him, mistaking his + purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour and +shake + in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my +life + for him that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your + honour, and to no other pretence of danger. + Glou. Think you so? + Edm. If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you +shall + hear us confer of this and by an auricular assurance have +your + satisfaction, and that without any further delay than this +very + evening. + Glou. He cannot be such a monster. + Edm. Nor is not, sure. + Glou. To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him. + Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him out; wind me into him, I +pray + you; frame the business after your own wisdom. I would +unstate + myself to be in a due resolution. + Edm. I will seek him, sir, presently; convey the business as I + shall find means, and acquaint you withal. + Glou. These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good +to + us. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, +yet + nature finds itself scourg'd by the sequent effects. Love +cools, + friendship falls off, brothers divide. In cities, mutinies; +in + countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond +crack'd + 'twixt son and father. This villain of mine comes under the + prediction; there's son against father: the King falls from +bias + of nature; there's father against child. We have seen the +best + of our time. Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all + ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our graves. Find +out + this villain, Edmund; it shall lose thee nothing; do it + carefully. And the noble and true-hearted Kent banish'd! his + offence, honesty! 'Tis strange. Exit. + Edm. This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we +are + sick in fortune, often the surfeit of our own behaviour, we +make + guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars; as +if + we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; + knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical pre-dominance; + drunkards, liars, and adulterers by an enforc'd obedience of + planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a +divine + thrusting on. An admirable evasion of whore-master man, to +lay + his goatish disposition to the charge of a star! My father + compounded with my mother under the Dragon's Tail, and my + nativity was under Ursa Major, so that it follows I am rough +and + lecherous. Fut! I should have been that I am, had the + maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my +bastardizing. + Edgar- + + Enter Edgar. + + and pat! he comes, like the catastrophe of the old comedy. +My + cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o' +Bedlam. + O, these eclipses do portend these divisions! Fa, sol, la, +mi. + Edg. How now, brother Edmund? What serious contemplation are +you + in? + Edm. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read this other +day, + what should follow these eclipses. + Edg. Do you busy yourself with that? + Edm. I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed unhappily: +as + of unnaturalness between the child and the parent; death, + dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions in state, + menaces and maledictions against king and nobles; needless + diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, + nuptial breaches, and I know not what. + Edg. How long have you been a sectary astronomical? + Edm. Come, come! When saw you my father last? + Edg. The night gone by. + Edm. Spake you with him? + Edg. Ay, two hours together. + Edm. Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in him +by + word or countenance + Edg. None at all. + Edm. Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him; and at +my + entreaty forbear his presence until some little time hath + qualified the heat of his displeasure, which at this instant +so + rageth in him that with the mischief of your person it would + scarcely allay. + Edg. Some villain hath done me wrong. + Edm. That's my fear. I pray you have a continent forbearance +till + the speed of his rage goes slower; and, as I say, retire +with me + to my lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my + lord speak. Pray ye, go! There's my key. If you do stir +abroad, + go arm'd. + Edg. Arm'd, brother? + Edm. Brother, I advise you to the best. Go arm'd. I am no +honest man + if there be any good meaning toward you. I have told you +what I + have seen and heard; but faintly, nothing like the image and + horror of it. Pray you, away! + Edg. Shall I hear from you anon? + Edm. I do serve you in this business. + Exit Edgar. + A credulous father! and a brother noble, + Whose nature is so far from doing harms + That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty + My practices ride easy! I see the business. + Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit; + All with me's meet that I can fashion fit. +Exit. + + + + +Scene III. +The Duke of Albany's Palace. + +Enter Goneril and [her] Steward [Oswald]. + + Gon. Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool? + Osw. Ay, madam. + Gon. By day and night, he wrongs me! Every hour + He flashes into one gross crime or other + That sets us all at odds. I'll not endure it. + His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us + On every trifle. When he returns from hunting, + I will not speak with him. Say I am sick. + If you come slack of former services, + You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer. + [Horns within.] + Osw. He's coming, madam; I hear him. + Gon. Put on what weary negligence you please, + You and your fellows. I'd have it come to question. + If he distaste it, let him to our sister, + Whose mind and mine I know in that are one, + Not to be overrul'd. Idle old man, + That still would manage those authorities + That he hath given away! Now, by my life, + Old fools are babes again, and must be us'd + With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abus'd. + Remember what I have said. + Osw. Very well, madam. + Gon. And let his knights have colder looks among you. + What grows of it, no matter. Advise your fellows so. + I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, + That I may speak. I'll write straight to my sister + To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. + Exeunt. + + + + +Scene IV. +The Duke of Albany's Palace. + +Enter Kent, [disguised]. + + Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow, + That can my speech defuse, my good intent + May carry through itself to that full issue + For which I raz'd my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent, + If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd, + So may it come, thy master, whom thou lov'st, + Shall find thee full of labours. + + Horns within. Enter Lear, [Knights,] and Attendants. + + Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready. [Exit + an Attendant.] How now? What art thou? + Kent. A man, sir. + Lear. What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us? + Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem, to serve him +truly + that will put me in trust, to love him that is honest, to + converse with him that is wise and says little, to fear + judgment, to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish. + Lear. What art thou? + Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the King. + Lear. If thou be'st as poor for a subject as he's for a king, +thou + art poor enough. What wouldst thou? + Kent. Service. + Lear. Who wouldst thou serve? + Kent. You. + Lear. Dost thou know me, fellow? + Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your countenance which I +would + fain call master. + Lear. What's that? + Kent. Authority. + Lear. What services canst thou do? + Kent. I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale +in + telling it and deliver a plain message bluntly. That which + ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of +me + is diligence. + Lear. How old art thou? + Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor so +old to + dote on her for anything. I have years on my back +forty-eight. + Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me. If I like thee no worse +after + dinner, I will not part from thee yet. Dinner, ho, dinner! + Where's my knave? my fool? Go you and call my fool hither. + + [Exit an attendant.] + + Enter [Oswald the] Steward. + + You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter? + Osw. So please you- Exit. + Lear. What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back. + [Exit a Knight.] Where's my fool, ho? I think the world's + asleep. + + [Enter Knight] + + How now? Where's that mongrel? + Knight. He says, my lord, your daughter is not well. + Lear. Why came not the slave back to me when I call'd him? + Knight. Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, he would +not. + Lear. He would not? + Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is; but to my +judgment + your Highness is not entertain'd with that ceremonious +affection + as you were wont. There's a great abatement of kindness +appears + as well in the general dependants as in the Duke himself +also + and your daughter. + Lear. Ha! say'st thou so? + Knight. I beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken; for + my duty cannot be silent when I think your Highness wrong'd. + Lear. Thou but rememb'rest me of mine own conception. I have + perceived a most faint neglect of late, which I have rather + blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence + and purpose of unkindness. I will look further into't. But + where's my fool? I have not seen him this two days. + Knight. Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the fool + hath much pined away. + Lear. No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you and tell my + daughter I would speak with her. [Exit Knight.] Go you, call + hither my fool. + [Exit an Attendant.] + + Enter [Oswald the] Steward. + + O, you, sir, you! Come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir? + Osw. My lady's father. + Lear. 'My lady's father'? My lord's knave! You whoreson dog! +you + slave! you cur! + Osw. I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your pardon. + Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? + [Strikes him.] + Osw. I'll not be strucken, my lord. + Kent. Nor tripp'd neither, you base football player? + [Trips up his heels. + Lear. I thank thee, fellow. Thou serv'st me, and I'll love +thee. + Kent. Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences. Away, + away! If you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry; +but + away! Go to! Have you wisdom? So. + [Pushes him out.] + Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee. There's earnest of +thy + service. [Gives money.] + + Enter Fool. + + Fool. Let me hire him too. Here's my coxcomb. + [Offers Kent his cap.] + Lear. How now, my pretty knave? How dost thou? + Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. + Kent. Why, fool? + Fool. Why? For taking one's part that's out of favour. Nay, an +thou + canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold +shortly. + There, take my coxcomb! Why, this fellow hath banish'd two +on's + daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will. If + thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.- How now, + nuncle? Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters! + Lear. Why, my boy? + Fool. If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs +myself. + There's mine! beg another of thy daughters. + Lear. Take heed, sirrah- the whip. + Fool. Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipp'd out, +when + Lady the brach may stand by th' fire and stink. + Lear. A pestilent gall to me! + Fool. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech. + Lear. Do. + Fool. Mark it, nuncle. + Have more than thou showest, + Speak less than thou knowest, + Lend less than thou owest, + Ride more than thou goest, + Learn more than thou trowest, + Set less than thou throwest; + Leave thy drink and thy whore, + And keep in-a-door, + And thou shalt have more + Than two tens to a score. + Kent. This is nothing, fool. + Fool. Then 'tis like the breath of an unfeed lawyer- you gave +me + nothing for't. Can you make no use of nothing, nuncle? + Lear. Why, no, boy. Nothing can be made out of nothing. + Fool. [to Kent] Prithee tell him, so much the rent of his land + comes to. He will not believe a fool. + Lear. A bitter fool! + Fool. Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter + fool and a sweet fool? + Lear. No, lad; teach me. + Fool. That lord that counsell'd thee + To give away thy land, + Come place him here by me- + Do thou for him stand. + The sweet and bitter fool + Will presently appear; + The one in motley here, + The other found out there. + Lear. Dost thou call me fool, boy? + Fool. All thy other titles thou hast given away; that thou wast + born with. + Kent. This is not altogether fool, my lord. + Fool. No, faith; lords and great men will not let me. If I had +a + monopoly out, they would have part on't. And ladies too, +they + will not let me have all the fool to myself; they'll be + snatching. Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give thee two + crowns. + Lear. What two crowns shall they be? + Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg i' th' middle and eat up +the + meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou clovest thy crown +i' + th' middle and gav'st away both parts, thou bor'st thine ass +on + thy back o'er the dirt. Thou hadst little wit in thy bald +crown + when thou gav'st thy golden one away. If I speak like myself +in + this, let him be whipp'd that first finds it so. + + [Sings] Fools had ne'er less grace in a year, + For wise men are grown foppish; + They know not how their wits to wear, + Their manners are so apish. + + Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? + Fool. I have us'd it, nuncle, ever since thou mad'st thy +daughters + thy mother; for when thou gav'st them the rod, and put'st +down + thine own breeches, + + [Sings] Then they for sudden joy did weep, + And I for sorrow sung, + That such a king should play bo-peep + And go the fools among. + + Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool +to + lie. I would fain learn to lie. + Lear. An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipp'd. + Fool. I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are. They'll +have me + whipp'd for speaking true; thou'lt have me whipp'd for +lying; + and sometimes I am whipp'd for holding my peace. I had +rather be + any kind o' thing than a fool! And yet I would not be thee, + nuncle. Thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides and left +nothing + i' th' middle. Here comes one o' the parings. + + Enter Goneril. + + Lear. How now, daughter? What makes that frontlet on? Methinks +you + are too much o' late i' th' frown. + Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to care +for + her frowning. Now thou art an O without a figure. I am +better + than thou art now: I am a fool, thou art nothing. + [To Goneril] Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue. So your +face + bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum! + + He that keeps nor crust nor crum, + Weary of all, shall want some.- + + [Points at Lear] That's a sheal'd peascod. + Gon. Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool, + But other of your insolent retinue + Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth + In rank and not-to-be-endured riots. Sir, + I had thought, by making this well known unto you, + To have found a safe redress, but now grow fearful, + By what yourself, too, late have spoke and done, + That you protect this course, and put it on + By your allowance; which if you should, the fault + Would not scape censure, nor the redresses sleep, + Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal, + Might in their working do you that offence + Which else were shame, that then necessity + Must call discreet proceeding. + Fool. For you know, nuncle, + + The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long + That it had it head bit off by it young. + + So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. + Lear. Are you our daughter? + Gon. Come, sir, + I would you would make use of that good wisdom + Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away + These dispositions that of late transform you + From what you rightly are. + Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse? + Whoop, Jug, I love thee! + Lear. Doth any here know me? This is not Lear. + Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes? + Either his notion weakens, his discernings + Are lethargied- Ha! waking? 'Tis not so! + Who is it that can tell me who I am? + Fool. Lear's shadow. + Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks of sovereignty, + Knowledge, and reason, I should be false persuaded + I had daughters. + Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. + Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman? + Gon. This admiration, sir, is much o' th' savour + Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you + To understand my purposes aright. + As you are old and reverend, you should be wise. + Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires; + Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd, and bold + That this our court, infected with their manners, + Shows like a riotous inn. Epicurism and lust + Make it more like a tavern or a brothel + Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak + For instant remedy. Be then desir'd + By her that else will take the thing she begs + A little to disquantity your train, + And the remainder that shall still depend + To be such men as may besort your age, + Which know themselves, and you. + Lear. Darkness and devils! + Saddle my horses! Call my train together! + Degenerate bastard, I'll not trouble thee; + Yet have I left a daughter. + Gon. You strike my people, and your disorder'd rabble + Make servants of their betters. + + Enter Albany. + + Lear. Woe that too late repents!- O, sir, are you come? + Is it your will? Speak, sir!- Prepare my horses. + Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, + More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child + Than the sea-monster! + Alb. Pray, sir, be patient. + Lear. [to Goneril] Detested kite, thou liest! + My train are men of choice and rarest parts, + That all particulars of duty know + And in the most exact regard support + The worships of their name.- O most small fault, + How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! + Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature + From the fix'd place; drew from my heart all love + And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! + Beat at this gate that let thy folly in [Strikes his head.] + And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people. + Alb. My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant + Of what hath mov'd you. + Lear. It may be so, my lord. + Hear, Nature, hear! dear goddess, hear! + Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend + To make this creature fruitful. + Into her womb convey sterility; + Dry up in her the organs of increase; + And from her derogate body never spring + A babe to honour her! If she must teem, + Create her child of spleen, that it may live + And be a thwart disnatur'd torment to her. + Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth, + With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks, + Turn all her mother's pains and benefits + To laughter and contempt, that she may feel + How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is + To have a thankless child! Away, away! Exit. + Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? + Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause; + But let his disposition have that scope + That dotage gives it. + + Enter Lear. + + Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap? + Within a fortnight? + Alb. What's the matter, sir? + Lear. I'll tell thee. [To Goneril] Life and death! I am asham'd + That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; + That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, + Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee! + Th' untented woundings of a father's curse + Pierce every sense about thee!- Old fond eyes, + Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out, + And cast you, with the waters that you lose, + To temper clay. Yea, is it come to this? + Let it be so. Yet have I left a daughter, + Who I am sure is kind and comfortable. + When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails + She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find + That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think + I have cast off for ever; thou shalt, I warrant thee. + Exeunt [Lear, Kent, and Attendants]. + Gon. Do you mark that, my lord? + Alb. I cannot be so partial, Goneril, + To the great love I bear you - + Gon. Pray you, content.- What, Oswald, ho! + [To the Fool] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your +master! + Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry! Take the fool with thee. + + + A fox when one has caught her, + And such a daughter, + Should sure to the slaughter, + If my cap would buy a halter. + So the fool follows after. Exit. + Gon. This man hath had good counsel! A hundred knights? + 'Tis politic and safe to let him keep + At point a hundred knights; yes, that on every dream, + Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, + He may enguard his dotage with their pow'rs + And hold our lives in mercy.- Oswald, I say! + Alb. Well, you may fear too far. + Gon. Safer than trust too far. + Let me still take away the harms I fear, + Not fear still to be taken. I know his heart. + What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister. + If she sustain him and his hundred knights, + When I have show'd th' unfitness- + + Enter [Oswald the] Steward. + + How now, Oswald? + What, have you writ that letter to my sister? + Osw. Yes, madam. + Gon. Take you some company, and away to horse! + Inform her full of my particular fear, + And thereto add such reasons of your own + As may compact it more. Get you gone, + And hasten your return. [Exit Oswald.] No, no, my lord! + This milky gentleness and course of yours, + Though I condemn it not, yet, under pardon, + You are much more at task for want of wisdom + Than prais'd for harmful mildness. + Alb. How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell. + Striving to better, oft we mar what's well. + Gon. Nay then- + Alb. Well, well; th' event. Exeunt. + + + + +Scene V. +Court before the Duke of Albany's Palace. + +Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool. + + Lear. Go you before to Gloucester with these letters. Acquaint +my + daughter no further with anything you know than comes from +her + demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I + shall be there afore you. + Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your +letter. +Exit. + Fool. If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in danger +of + kibes? + Lear. Ay, boy. + Fool. Then I prithee be merry. Thy wit shall ne'er go +slip-shod. + Lear. Ha, ha, ha! + Fool. Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for +though + she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet I can tell + what I can tell. + Lear. What canst tell, boy? + Fool. She'll taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. Thou + canst tell why one's nose stands i' th' middle on's face? + Lear. No. + Fool. Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose, that what +a + man cannot smell out, 'a may spy into. + Lear. I did her wrong. + Fool. Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell? + Lear. No. + Fool. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house. + Lear. Why? + Fool. Why, to put's head in; not to give it away to his +daughters, + and leave his horns without a case. + Lear. I will forget my nature. So kind a father!- Be my horses + ready? + Fool. Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the seven +stars + are no moe than seven is a pretty reason. + Lear. Because they are not eight? + Fool. Yes indeed. Thou wouldst make a good fool. + Lear. To tak't again perforce! Monster ingratitude! + Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'ld have thee beaten for +being + old before thy time. + Lear. How's that? + Fool. Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been +wise. + Lear. O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! + Keep me in temper; I would not be mad! + + [Enter a Gentleman.] + + How now? Are the horses ready? + Gent. Ready, my lord. + Lear. Come, boy. + Fool. She that's a maid now, and laughs at my departure, + Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter + Exeunt. + + + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + +ACT II. Scene I. +A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester. + +Enter [Edmund the] Bastard and Curan, meeting. + + Edm. Save thee, Curan. + Cur. And you, sir. I have been with your father, and given him + notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his Duchess will +be + here with him this night. + Edm. How comes that? + Cur. Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad- I mean +the + whisper'd ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments? + Edm. Not I. Pray you, what are they? + Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward 'twixt the two +Dukes + of Cornwall and Albany? + Edm. Not a word. + Cur. You may do, then, in time. Fare you well, sir. Exit. + Edm. The Duke be here to-night? The better! best! + This weaves itself perforce into my business. + My father hath set guard to take my brother; + And I have one thing, of a queasy question, + Which I must act. Briefness and fortune, work! + Brother, a word! Descend! Brother, I say! + + Enter Edgar. + + My father watches. O sir, fly this place! + Intelligence is given where you are hid. + You have now the good advantage of the night. + Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall? + He's coming hither; now, i' th' night, i' th' haste, + And Regan with him. Have you nothing said + Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany? + Advise yourself. + Edg. I am sure on't, not a word. + Edm. I hear my father coming. Pardon me! + In cunning I must draw my sword upon you. + Draw, seem to defend yourself; now quit you well.- + Yield! Come before my father. Light, ho, here! + Fly, brother.- Torches, torches!- So farewell. + Exit Edgar. + Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion + Of my more fierce endeavour. [Stabs his arm.] I have seen + drunkards + Do more than this in sport.- Father, father!- + Stop, stop! No help? + + Enter Gloucester, and Servants with torches. + + Glou. Now, Edmund, where's the villain? + Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, + Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon + To stand 's auspicious mistress. + Glou. But where is he? + Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. + Glou. Where is the villain, Edmund? + Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could- + Glou. Pursue him, ho! Go after. [Exeunt some Servants]. + By no means what? + Edm. Persuade me to the murther of your lordship; + But that I told him the revenging gods + 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; + Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond + The child was bound to th' father- sir, in fine, + Seeing how loathly opposite I stood + To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion + With his prepared sword he charges home + My unprovided body, lanch'd mine arm; + But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits, + Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to th' encounter, + Or whether gasted by the noise I made, + Full suddenly he fled. + Glou. Let him fly far. + Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; + And found- dispatch. The noble Duke my master, + My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night. + By his authority I will proclaim it + That he which find, him shall deserve our thanks, + Bringing the murderous caitiff to the stake; + He that conceals him, death. + Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent + And found him pight to do it, with curst speech + I threaten'd to discover him. He replied, + 'Thou unpossessing bastard, dost thou think, + If I would stand against thee, would the reposal + Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee + Make thy words faith'd? No. What I should deny + (As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce + My very character), I'ld turn it all + To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice; + And thou must make a dullard of the world, + If they not thought the profits of my death + Were very pregnant and potential spurs + To make thee seek it.' + Glou. Strong and fast'ned villain! + Would he deny his letter? I never got him. + Tucket within. + Hark, the Duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes. + All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not scape; + The Duke must grant me that. Besides, his picture + I will send far and near, that all the kingdom + May have due note of him, and of my land, + Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means + To make thee capable. + + Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants. + + Corn. How now, my noble friend? Since I came hither + (Which I can call but now) I have heard strange news. + Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short + Which can pursue th' offender. How dost, my lord? + Glou. O madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd! + Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life? + He whom my father nam'd? Your Edgar? + Glou. O lady, lady, shame would have it hid! + Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous knights + That tend upon my father? + Glou. I know not, madam. 'Tis too bad, too bad! + Edm. Yes, madam, he was of that consort. + Reg. No marvel then though he were ill affected. + 'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, + To have th' expense and waste of his revenues. + I have this present evening from my sister + Been well inform'd of them, and with such cautions + That, if they come to sojourn at my house, + I'll not be there. + Corn. Nor I, assure thee, Regan. + Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father + A childlike office. + Edm. 'Twas my duty, sir. + Glou. He did bewray his practice, and receiv'd + This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. + Corn. Is he pursued? + Glou. Ay, my good lord. + Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more + Be fear'd of doing harm. Make your own purpose, + How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund, + Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant + So much commend itself, you shall be ours. + Natures of such deep trust we shall much need; + You we first seize on. + Edm. I shall serve you, sir, + Truly, however else. + Glou. For him I thank your Grace. + Corn. You know not why we came to visit you- + Reg. Thus out of season, threading dark-ey'd night. + Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise, + Wherein we must have use of your advice. + Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, + Of differences, which I best thought it fit + To answer from our home. The several messengers + From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend, + Lay comforts to your bosom, and bestow + Your needful counsel to our business, + Which craves the instant use. + Glou. I serve you, madam. + Your Graces are right welcome. + Exeunt. Flourish. + + + + +Scene II. +Before Gloucester's Castle. + +Enter Kent and [Oswald the] Steward, severally. + + Osw. Good dawning to thee, friend. Art of this house? + Kent. Ay. + Osw. Where may we set our horses? + Kent. I' th' mire. + Osw. Prithee, if thou lov'st me, tell me. + Kent. I love thee not. + Osw. Why then, I care not for thee. + Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury Pinfold, I would make thee care +for + me. + Osw. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. + Kent. Fellow, I know thee. + Osw. What dost thou know me for? + Kent. A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, +proud, + shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, + worsted-stocking knave; a lily-liver'd, action-taking, +whoreson, + glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; + one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in +way of + good service, and art nothing but the composition of a +knave, + beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel +bitch; + one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny +the + least syllable of thy addition. + Osw. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one + that's neither known of thee nor knows thee! + Kent. What a brazen-fac'd varlet art thou, to deny thou knowest +me! + Is it two days ago since I beat thee and tripp'd up thy +heels + before the King? [Draws his sword.] Draw, you rogue! for, +though + it be night, yet the moon shines. I'll make a sop o' th' + moonshine o' you. Draw, you whoreson cullionly barbermonger! + draw! + Osw. Away! I have nothing to do with thee. + Kent. Draw, you rascal! You come with letters against the King, +and + take Vanity the puppet's part against the royalty of her +father. + Draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbonado your shanks! Draw, you + rascal! Come your ways! + Osw. Help, ho! murther! help! + Kent. Strike, you slave! Stand, rogue! Stand, you neat slave! + Strike! [Beats him.] + Osw. Help, ho! murther! murther! + + Enter Edmund, with his rapier drawn, Gloucester, Cornwall, + Regan, Servants. + + Edm. How now? What's the matter? Parts [them]. + Kent. With you, goodman boy, an you please! Come, I'll flesh +ye! + Come on, young master! + Glou. Weapons? arms? What's the matter here? + Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives! + He dies that strikes again. What is the matter? + Reg. The messengers from our sister and the King + Corn. What is your difference? Speak. + Osw. I am scarce in breath, my lord. + Kent. No marvel, you have so bestirr'd your valour. You +cowardly + rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee. + Corn. Thou art a strange fellow. A tailor make a man? + Kent. Ay, a tailor, sir. A stonecutter or a painter could not +have + made him so ill, though he had been but two hours at the +trade. + Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? + Osw. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spar'd + At suit of his grey beard- + Kent. Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter! My lord, if + you'll give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain +into + mortar and daub the walls of a jakes with him. 'Spare my +grey + beard,' you wagtail? + Corn. Peace, sirrah! + You beastly knave, know you no reverence? + Kent. Yes, sir, but anger hath a privilege. + Corn. Why art thou angry? + Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a sword, + Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these, + Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain + Which are too intrinse t' unloose; smooth every passion + That in the natures of their lords rebel, + Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods; + Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks + With every gale and vary of their masters, + Knowing naught (like dogs) but following. + A plague upon your epileptic visage! + Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool? + Goose, an I had you upon Sarum Plain, + I'ld drive ye cackling home to Camelot. + Corn. What, art thou mad, old fellow? + Glou. How fell you out? Say that. + Kent. No contraries hold more antipathy + Than I and such a knave. + Corn. Why dost thou call him knave? What is his fault? + Kent. His countenance likes me not. + Corn. No more perchance does mine, or his, or hers. + Kent. Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain. + I have seen better faces in my time + Than stands on any shoulder that I see + Before me at this instant. + Corn. This is some fellow + Who, having been prais'd for bluntness, doth affect + A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb + Quite from his nature. He cannot flatter, he! + An honest mind and plain- he must speak truth! + An they will take it, so; if not, he's plain. + These kind of knaves I know which in this plainness + Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends + Than twenty silly-ducking observants + That stretch their duties nicely. + Kent. Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity, + Under th' allowance of your great aspect, + Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire + On flickering Phoebus' front- + Corn. What mean'st by this? + Kent. To go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much. I + know, sir, I am no flatterer. He that beguil'd you in a +plain + accent was a plain knave, which, for my part, I will not be, + though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to't. + Corn. What was th' offence you gave him? + Osw. I never gave him any. + It pleas'd the King his master very late + To strike at me, upon his misconstruction; + When he, conjunct, and flattering his displeasure, + Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd + And put upon him such a deal of man + That worthied him, got praises of the King + For him attempting who was self-subdu'd; + And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit, + Drew on me here again. + Kent. None of these rogues and cowards + But Ajax is their fool. + Corn. Fetch forth the stocks! + You stubborn ancient knave, you reverent braggart, + We'll teach you- + Kent. Sir, I am too old to learn. + Call not your stocks for me. I serve the King; + On whose employment I was sent to you. + You shall do small respect, show too bold malice + Against the grace and person of my master, + Stocking his messenger. + Corn. Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour, + There shall he sit till noon. + Reg. Till noon? Till night, my lord, and all night too! + Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's dog, + You should not use me so. + Reg. Sir, being his knave, I will. + Corn. This is a fellow of the selfsame colour + Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks! + Stocks brought out. + Glou. Let me beseech your Grace not to do so. + His fault is much, and the good King his master + Will check him for't. Your purpos'd low correction + Is such as basest and contemn'dest wretches + For pilf'rings and most common trespasses + Are punish'd with. The King must take it ill + That he, so slightly valued in his messenger, + Should have him thus restrain'd. + Corn. I'll answer that. + Reg. My sister may receive it much more worse, + To have her gentleman abus'd, assaulted, + For following her affairs. Put in his legs.- + [Kent is put in the stocks.] + Come, my good lord, away. + Exeunt [all but Gloucester and Kent]. + Glou. I am sorry for thee, friend. 'Tis the Duke's pleasure, + Whose disposition, all the world well knows, + Will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd. I'll entreat for thee. + Kent. Pray do not, sir. I have watch'd and travell'd hard. + Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle. + A good man's fortune may grow out at heels. + Give you good morrow! + Glou. The Duke 's to blame in this; 'twill be ill taken. +Exit. + Kent. Good King, that must approve the common saw, + Thou out of heaven's benediction com'st + To the warm sun! + Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, + That by thy comfortable beams I may + Peruse this letter. Nothing almost sees miracles + But misery. I know 'tis from Cordelia, + Who hath most fortunately been inform'd + Of my obscured course- and [reads] 'shall find time + From this enormous state, seeking to give + Losses their remedies'- All weary and o'erwatch'd, + Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold + This shameful lodging. + Fortune, good night; smile once more, turn thy wheel. + Sleeps. + + + + +Scene III. +The open country. + +Enter Edgar. + + Edg. I heard myself proclaim'd, + And by the happy hollow of a tree + Escap'd the hunt. No port is free, no place + That guard and most unusual vigilance + Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may scape, + I will preserve myself; and am bethought + To take the basest and most poorest shape + That ever penury, in contempt of man, + Brought near to beast. My face I'll grime with filth, + Blanket my loins, elf all my hair in knots, + And with presented nakedness outface + The winds and persecutions of the sky. + The country gives me proof and precedent + Of Bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices, + Strike in their numb'd and mortified bare arms + Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary; + And with this horrible object, from low farms, + Poor pelting villages, sheepcotes, and mills, + Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers, + Enforce their charity. 'Poor Turlygod! poor Tom!' + That's something yet! Edgar I nothing am. Exit. + + + + +Scene IV. +Before Gloucester's Castle; Kent in the stocks. + +Enter Lear, Fool, and Gentleman. + + Lear. 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home, + And not send back my messenger. + Gent. As I learn'd, + The night before there was no purpose in them + Of this remove. + Kent. Hail to thee, noble master! + Lear. Ha! + Mak'st thou this shame thy pastime? + Kent. No, my lord. + Fool. Ha, ha! look! he wears cruel garters. Horses are tied by +the + head, dogs and bears by th' neck, monkeys by th' loins, and +men + by th' legs. When a man's over-lusty at legs, then he wears + wooden nether-stocks. + Lear. What's he that hath so much thy place mistook + To set thee here? + Kent. It is both he and she- + Your son and daughter. + Lear. No. + Kent. Yes. + Lear. No, I say. + Kent. I say yea. + Lear. No, no, they would not! + Kent. Yes, they have. + Lear. By Jupiter, I swear no! + Kent. By Juno, I swear ay! + Lear. They durst not do't; + They would not, could not do't. 'Tis worse than murther + To do upon respect such violent outrage. + Resolve me with all modest haste which way + Thou mightst deserve or they impose this usage, + Coming from us. + Kent. My lord, when at their home + I did commend your Highness' letters to them, + Ere I was risen from the place that show'd + My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post, + Stew'd in his haste, half breathless, panting forth + From Goneril his mistress salutations; + Deliver'd letters, spite of intermission, + Which presently they read; on whose contents, + They summon'd up their meiny, straight took horse, + Commanded me to follow and attend + The leisure of their answer, gave me cold looks, + And meeting here the other messenger, + Whose welcome I perceiv'd had poison'd mine- + Being the very fellow which of late + Display'd so saucily against your Highness- + Having more man than wit about me, drew. + He rais'd the house with loud and coward cries. + Your son and daughter found this trespass worth + The shame which here it suffers. + Fool. Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that way. + + Fathers that wear rags + Do make their children blind; + But fathers that bear bags + Shall see their children kind. + Fortune, that arrant whore, + Ne'er turns the key to th' poor. + + But for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours for thy + daughters as thou canst tell in a year. + Lear. O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! + Hysterica passio! Down, thou climbing sorrow! + Thy element's below! Where is this daughter? + Kent. With the Earl, sir, here within. + Lear. Follow me not; + Stay here. Exit. + Gent. Made you no more offence but what you speak of? + Kent. None. + How chance the King comes with so small a number? + Fool. An thou hadst been set i' th' stocks for that question, + thou'dst well deserv'd it. + Kent. Why, fool? + Fool. We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there's +no + labouring i' th' winter. All that follow their noses are led +by + their eyes but blind men, and there's not a nose among +twenty + but can smell him that's stinking. Let go thy hold when a +great + wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with +following + it; but the great one that goes upward, let him draw thee +after. + When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine +again. I + would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. + That sir which serves and seeks for gain, + And follows but for form, + Will pack when it begins to rain + And leave thee in the storm. + But I will tarry; the fool will stay, + And let the wise man fly. + The knave turns fool that runs away; + The fool no knave, perdy. + Kent. Where learn'd you this, fool? + Fool. Not i' th' stocks, fool. + + Enter Lear and Gloucester + + Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary? + They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches- + The images of revolt and flying off! + Fetch me a better answer. + Glou. My dear lord, + You know the fiery quality of the Duke, + How unremovable and fix'd he is + In his own course. + Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion! + Fiery? What quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester, + I'ld speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. + Glou. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so. + Lear. Inform'd them? Dost thou understand me, man? + Glou. Ay, my good lord. + Lear. The King would speak with Cornwall; the dear father + Would with his daughter speak, commands her service. + Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood! + Fiery? the fiery Duke? Tell the hot Duke that- + No, but not yet! May be he is not well. + Infirmity doth still neglect all office + Whereto our health is bound. We are not ourselves + When nature, being oppress'd, commands the mind + To suffer with the body. I'll forbear; + And am fallen out with my more headier will, + To take the indispos'd and sickly fit + For the sound man.- Death on my state! Wherefore + Should he sit here? This act persuades me + That this remotion of the Duke and her + Is practice only. Give me my servant forth. + Go tell the Duke and 's wife I'ld speak with them- + Now, presently. Bid them come forth and hear me, + Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum + Till it cry sleep to death. + Glou. I would have all well betwixt you. Exit. + Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart! But down! + Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels when +she + put 'em i' th' paste alive. She knapp'd 'em o' th' coxcombs +with + a stick and cried 'Down, wantons, down!' 'Twas her brother +that, + in pure kindness to his horse, buttered his hay. + + Enter Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, Servants. + + Lear. Good morrow to you both. + Corn. Hail to your Grace! + Kent here set at liberty. + Reg. I am glad to see your Highness. + Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason + I have to think so. If thou shouldst not be glad, + I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, + Sepulchring an adultress. [To Kent] O, are you free? + Some other time for that.- Beloved Regan, + Thy sister's naught. O Regan, she hath tied + Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here! + [Lays his hand on his heart.] + I can scarce speak to thee. Thou'lt not believe + With how deprav'd a quality- O Regan! + Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience. I have hope + You less know how to value her desert + Than she to scant her duty. + Lear. Say, how is that? + Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least + Would fail her obligation. If, sir, perchance + She have restrain'd the riots of your followers, + 'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end, + As clears her from all blame. + Lear. My curses on her! + Reg. O, sir, you are old! + Nature in you stands on the very verge + Of her confine. You should be rul'd, and led + By some discretion that discerns your state + Better than you yourself. Therefore I pray you + That to our sister you do make return; + Say you have wrong'd her, sir. + Lear. Ask her forgiveness? + Do you but mark how this becomes the house: + 'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old. [Kneels.] + Age is unnecessary. On my knees I beg + That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.' + Reg. Good sir, no more! These are unsightly tricks. + Return you to my sister. + Lear. [rises] Never, Regan! + She hath abated me of half my train; + Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue, + Most serpent-like, upon the very heart. + All the stor'd vengeances of heaven fall + On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones, + You taking airs, with lameness! + Corn. Fie, sir, fie! + Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames + Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty, + You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the pow'rful sun, + To fall and blast her pride! + Reg. O the blest gods! so will you wish on me + When the rash mood is on. + Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse. + Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give + Thee o'er to harshness. Her eyes are fierce; but thine + Do comfort, and not burn. 'Tis not in thee + To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, + To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, + And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt + Against my coming in. Thou better know'st + The offices of nature, bond of childhood, + Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude. + Thy half o' th' kingdom hast thou not forgot, + Wherein I thee endow'd. + Reg. Good sir, to th' purpose. + Tucket within. + Lear. Who put my man i' th' stocks? + Corn. What trumpet's that? + Reg. I know't- my sister's. This approves her letter, + That she would soon be here. + + Enter [Oswald the] Steward. + + Is your lady come? + Lear. This is a slave, whose easy-borrowed pride + Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. + Out, varlet, from my sight! + Corn. What means your Grace? + + Enter Goneril. + + Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope + Thou didst not know on't.- Who comes here? O heavens! + If you do love old men, if your sweet sway + Allow obedience- if yourselves are old, + Make it your cause! Send down, and take my part! + [To Goneril] Art not asham'd to look upon this beard?- + O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand? + Gon. Why not by th' hand, sir? How have I offended? + All's not offence that indiscretion finds + And dotage terms so. + Lear. O sides, you are too tough! + Will you yet hold? How came my man i' th' stocks? + Corn. I set him there, sir; but his own disorders + Deserv'd much less advancement. + Lear. You? Did you? + Reg. I pray you, father, being weak, seem so. + If, till the expiration of your month, + You will return and sojourn with my sister, + Dismissing half your train, come then to me. + I am now from home, and out of that provision + Which shall be needful for your entertainment. + Lear. Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd? + No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose + To wage against the enmity o' th' air, + To be a comrade with the wolf and owl- + Necessity's sharp pinch! Return with her? + Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took + Our youngest born, I could as well be brought + To knee his throne, and, squire-like, pension beg + To keep base life afoot. Return with her? + Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter + To this detested groom. [Points at Oswald.] + Gon. At your choice, sir. + Lear. I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad. + I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell. + We'll no more meet, no more see one another. + But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter; + Or rather a disease that's in my flesh, + Which I must needs call mine. Thou art a boil, + A plague sore, an embossed carbuncle + In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee. + Let shame come when it will, I do not call it. + I do not bid the Thunder-bearer shoot + Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove. + Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure; + I can be patient, I can stay with Regan, + I and my hundred knights. + Reg. Not altogether so. + I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided + For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister; + For those that mingle reason with your passion + Must be content to think you old, and so- + But she knows what she does. + Lear. Is this well spoken? + Reg. I dare avouch it, sir. What, fifty followers? + Is it not well? What should you need of more? + Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger + Speak 'gainst so great a number? How in one house + Should many people, under two commands, + Hold amity? 'Tis hard; almost impossible. + Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance + From those that she calls servants, or from mine? + Reg. Why not, my lord? If then they chanc'd to slack ye, + We could control them. If you will come to me + (For now I spy a danger), I entreat you + To bring but five-and-twenty. To no more + Will I give place or notice. + Lear. I gave you all- + Reg. And in good time you gave it! + Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaries; + But kept a reservation to be followed + With such a number. What, must I come to you + With five-and-twenty, Regan? Said you so? + Reg. And speak't again my lord. No more with me. + Lear. Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd + When others are more wicked; not being the worst + Stands in some rank of praise. [To Goneril] I'll go with +thee. + Thy fifty yet doth double five-and-twenty, + And thou art twice her love. + Gon. Hear, me, my lord. + What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five, + To follow in a house where twice so many + Have a command to tend you? + Reg. What need one? + Lear. O, reason not the need! Our basest beggars + Are in the poorest thing superfluous. + Allow not nature more than nature needs, + Man's life is cheap as beast's. Thou art a lady: + If only to go warm were gorgeous, + Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st + Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need- + You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need! + You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, + As full of grief as age; wretched in both. + If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts + Against their father, fool me not so much + To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger, + And let not women's weapons, water drops, + Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags! + I will have such revenges on you both + That all the world shall- I will do such things- + What they are yet, I know not; but they shall be + The terrors of the earth! You think I'll weep. + No, I'll not weep. + I have full cause of weeping, but this heart + Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws + Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad! + Exeunt Lear, Gloucester, Kent, and Fool. Storm and + tempest. + Corn. Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm. + Reg. This house is little; the old man and 's people + Cannot be well bestow'd. + Gon. 'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest + And must needs taste his folly. + Reg. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly, + But not one follower. + Gon. So am I purpos'd. + Where is my Lord of Gloucester? + Corn. Followed the old man forth. + + Enter Gloucester. + + He is return'd. + Glou. The King is in high rage. + Corn. Whither is he going? + Glou. He calls to horse, but will I know not whither. + Corn. 'Tis best to give him way; he leads himself. + Gon. My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. + Glou. Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds + Do sorely ruffle. For many miles about + There's scarce a bush. + Reg. O, sir, to wilful men + The injuries that they themselves procure + Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors. + He is attended with a desperate train, + And what they may incense him to, being apt + To have his ear abus'd, wisdom bids fear. + Corn. Shut up your doors, my lord: 'tis a wild night. + My Regan counsels well. Come out o' th' storm. +[Exeunt.] + + + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + +ACT III. Scene I. +A heath. + +Storm still. Enter Kent and a Gentleman at several doors. + + Kent. Who's there, besides foul weather? + Gent. One minded like the weather, most unquietly. + Kent. I know you. Where's the King? + Gent. Contending with the fretful elements; + Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea, + Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main, + That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, + Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, + Catch in their fury and make nothing of; + Strives in his little world of man to outscorn + The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. + This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, + The lion and the belly-pinched wolf + Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, + And bids what will take all. + Kent. But who is with him? + Gent. None but the fool, who labours to outjest + His heart-struck injuries. + Kent. Sir, I do know you, + And dare upon the warrant of my note + Commend a dear thing to you. There is division + (Although as yet the face of it be cover'd + With mutual cunning) 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; + Who have (as who have not, that their great stars + Thron'd and set high?) servants, who seem no less, + Which are to France the spies and speculations + Intelligent of our state. What hath been seen, + Either in snuffs and packings of the Dukes, + Or the hard rein which both of them have borne + Against the old kind King, or something deeper, + Whereof, perchance, these are but furnishings- + But, true it is, from France there comes a power + Into this scattered kingdom, who already, + Wise in our negligence, have secret feet + In some of our best ports and are at point + To show their open banner. Now to you: + If on my credit you dare build so far + To make your speed to Dover, you shall find + Some that will thank you, making just report + Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow + The King hath cause to plain. + I am a gentleman of blood and breeding, + And from some knowledge and assurance offer + This office to you. + Gent. I will talk further with you. + Kent. No, do not. + For confirmation that I am much more + Than my out-wall, open this purse and take + What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia + (As fear not but you shall), show her this ring, + And she will tell you who your fellow is + That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! + I will go seek the King. + Gent. Give me your hand. Have you no more to say? + Kent. Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet: + That, when we have found the King (in which your pain + That way, I'll this), he that first lights on him + Holla the other. + Exeunt [severally]. + + + + +Scene II. +Another part of the heath. + +Storm still. Enter Lear and Fool. + + Lear. Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! + You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout + Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! + You sulph'rous and thought-executing fires, + Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, + Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, + Strike flat the thick rotundity o' th' world, + Crack Nature's moulds, all germains spill at once, + That makes ingrateful man! + Fool. O nuncle, court holy water in a dry house is better than +this + rain water out o' door. Good nuncle, in, and ask thy +daughters + blessing! Here's a night pities nether wise men nor fools. + Lear. Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain! + Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters. + I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness. + I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children, + You owe me no subscription. Then let fall + Your horrible pleasure. Here I stand your slave, + A poor, infirm, weak, and despis'd old man. + But yet I call you servile ministers, + That will with two pernicious daughters join + Your high-engender'd battles 'gainst a head + So old and white as this! O! O! 'tis foul! + Fool. He that has a house to put 's head in has a good +head-piece. + The codpiece that will house + Before the head has any, + The head and he shall louse: + So beggars marry many. + The man that makes his toe + What he his heart should make + Shall of a corn cry woe, + And turn his sleep to wake. + For there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths in a + glass. + + Enter Kent. + + Lear. No, I will be the pattern of all patience; + I will say nothing. + Kent. Who's there? + Fool. Marry, here's grace and a codpiece; that's a wise man and +a + fool. + Kent. Alas, sir, are you here? Things that love night + Love not such nights as these. The wrathful skies + Gallow the very wanderers of the dark + And make them keep their caves. Since I was man, + Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, + Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never + Remember to have heard. Man's nature cannot carry + Th' affliction nor the fear. + Lear. Let the great gods, + That keep this dreadful pudder o'er our heads, + Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, + That hast within thee undivulged crimes + Unwhipp'd of justice. Hide thee, thou bloody hand; + Thou perjur'd, and thou simular man of virtue + That art incestuous. Caitiff, in pieces shake + That under covert and convenient seeming + Hast practis'd on man's life. Close pent-up guilts, + Rive your concealing continents, and cry + These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man + More sinn'd against than sinning. + Kent. Alack, bareheaded? + Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel; + Some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest. + Repose you there, whilst I to this hard house + (More harder than the stones whereof 'tis rais'd, + Which even but now, demanding after you, + Denied me to come in) return, and force + Their scanted courtesy. + Lear. My wits begin to turn. + Come on, my boy. How dost, my boy? Art cold? + I am cold myself. Where is this straw, my fellow? + The art of our necessities is strange, + That can make vile things precious. Come, your hovel. + Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart + That's sorry yet for thee. + Fool. [sings] + + He that has and a little tiny wit- + With hey, ho, the wind and the rain- + Must make content with his fortunes fit, + For the rain it raineth every day. + + Lear. True, my good boy. Come, bring us to this hovel. + Exeunt [Lear and Kent]. + Fool. This is a brave night to cool a courtesan. I'll speak a + prophecy ere I go: + When priests are more in word than matter; + When brewers mar their malt with water; + When nobles are their tailors' tutors, + No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors; + When every case in law is right, + No squire in debt nor no poor knight; + When slanders do not live in tongues, + Nor cutpurses come not to throngs; + When usurers tell their gold i' th' field, + And bawds and whores do churches build: + Then shall the realm of Albion + Come to great confusion. + Then comes the time, who lives to see't, + That going shall be us'd with feet. + This prophecy Merlin shall make, for I live before his time. +Exit. + + + + +Scene III. +Gloucester's Castle. + +Enter Gloucester and Edmund. + + Glou. Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing! +When + I desir'd their leave that I might pity him, they took from +me + the use of mine own house, charg'd me on pain of perpetual + displeasure neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor +any + way sustain him. + Edm. Most savage and unnatural! + Glou. Go to; say you nothing. There is division betwixt the +Dukes, + and a worse matter than that. I have received a letter this + night- 'tis dangerous to be spoken- I have lock'd the letter +in + my closet. These injuries the King now bears will be +revenged + home; there's part of a power already footed; we must +incline to + the King. I will seek him and privily relieve him. Go you +and + maintain talk with the Duke, that my charity be not of him + perceived. If he ask for me, I am ill and gone to bed. +Though I + die for't, as no less is threat'ned me, the King my old +master + must be relieved. There is some strange thing toward, +Edmund. + Pray you be careful. Exit. + Edm. This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the Duke + Instantly know, and of that letter too. + This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me + That which my father loses- no less than all. + The younger rises when the old doth fall. Exit. + + + + +Scene IV. +The heath. Before a hovel. + +Storm still. Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool. + + Kent. Here is the place, my lord. Good my lord, enter. + The tyranny of the open night 's too rough + For nature to endure. + Lear. Let me alone. + Kent. Good my lord, enter here. + Lear. Wilt break my heart? + Kent. I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter. + Lear. Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm + Invades us to the skin. So 'tis to thee; + But where the greater malady is fix'd, + The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'dst shun a bear; + But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea, + Thou'dst meet the bear i' th' mouth. When the mind's free, + The body's delicate. The tempest in my mind + Doth from my senses take all feeling else + Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude! + Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand + For lifting food to't? But I will punish home! + No, I will weep no more. In such a night + To shut me out! Pour on; I will endure. + In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril! + Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all! + O, that way madness lies; let me shun that! + No more of that. + Kent. Good my lord, enter here. + Lear. Prithee go in thyself; seek thine own ease. + This tempest will not give me leave to ponder + On things would hurt me more. But I'll go in. + [To the Fool] In, boy; go first.- You houseless poverty- + Nay, get thee in. I'll pray, and then I'll sleep. + Exit [Fool]. + Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are, + That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, + How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, + Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you + From seasons such as these? O, I have ta'en + Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp; + Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, + That thou mayst shake the superflux to them + And show the heavens more just. + Edg. [within] Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom! + + Enter Fool [from the hovel]. + + Fool. Come not in here, nuncle, here's a spirit. Help me, help +me! + Kent. Give me thy hand. Who's there? + Fool. A spirit, a spirit! He says his name's poor Tom. + Kent. What art thou that dost grumble there i' th' straw? + Come forth. + + Enter Edgar [disguised as a madman]. + + Edg. Away! the foul fiend follows me! Through the sharp +hawthorn + blows the cold wind. Humh! go to thy cold bed, and warm +thee. + Lear. Hast thou given all to thy two daughters, and art thou +come + to this? + Edg. Who gives anything to poor Tom? whom the foul fiend hath +led + through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlpool, +o'er + bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and + halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, made him +proud + of heart, to ride on a bay trotting horse over four-inch'd + bridges, to course his own shadow for a traitor. Bless thy +five + wits! Tom 's acold. O, do de, do de, do de. Bless thee from + whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do poor Tom some +charity, + whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have him now- and +there- + and there again- and there! + Storm still. + Lear. What, have his daughters brought him to this pass? + Couldst thou save nothing? Didst thou give 'em all? + Fool. Nay, he reserv'd a blanket, else we had been all sham'd. + Lear. Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air + Hang fated o'er men's faults light on thy daughters! + Kent. He hath no daughters, sir. + Lear. Death, traitor! nothing could have subdu'd nature + To such a lowness but his unkind daughters. + Is it the fashion that discarded fathers + Should have thus little mercy on their flesh? + Judicious punishment! 'Twas this flesh begot + Those pelican daughters. + Edg. Pillicock sat on Pillicock's Hill. 'Allow, 'allow, loo, +loo! + Fool. This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen. + Edg. Take heed o' th' foul fiend; obey thy parents: keep thy +word + justly; swear not; commit not with man's sworn spouse; set +not + thy sweet heart on proud array. Tom 's acold. + Lear. What hast thou been? + Edg. A servingman, proud in heart and mind; that curl'd my +hair, + wore gloves in my cap; serv'd the lust of my mistress' heart +and + did the act of darkness with her; swore as many oaths as I +spake + words, and broke them in the sweet face of heaven; one that + slept in the contriving of lust, and wak'd to do it. Wine +lov'd + I deeply, dice dearly; and in woman out-paramour'd the Turk. + False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand; hog in sloth, +fox + in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in +prey. + Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks +betray + thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy foot out of brothel, thy +hand + out of placket, thy pen from lender's book, and defy the +foul + fiend. Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind; says + suum, mun, hey, no, nonny. Dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa! +let + him trot by. + Storm still. + Lear. Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with +thy + uncover'd body this extremity of the skies. Is man no more +than + this? Consider him well. Thou ow'st the worm no silk, the +beast + no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! Here's +three + on's are sophisticated! Thou art the thing itself; + unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked + animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! Come, unbutton + here. + [Tears at his clothes.] + Fool. Prithee, nuncle, be contented! 'Tis a naughty night to +swim + in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old +lecher's + heart- a small spark, all the rest on's body cold. Look, +here + comes a walking fire. + + Enter Gloucester with a torch. + + Edg. This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet. He begins at +curfew, + and walks till the first cock. He gives the web and the pin, + squints the eye, and makes the harelip; mildews the white +wheat, + and hurts the poor creature of earth. + + Saint Withold footed thrice the 'old; + He met the nightmare, and her nine fold; + Bid her alight + And her troth plight, + And aroint thee, witch, aroint thee! + + Kent. How fares your Grace? + Lear. What's he? + Kent. Who's there? What is't you seek? + Glou. What are you there? Your names? + Edg. Poor Tom, that eats the swimming frog, the toad, the +todpole, + the wall-newt and the water; that in the fury of his heart, +when + the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for sallets, swallows +the + old rat and the ditch-dog, drinks the green mantle of the + standing pool; who is whipp'd from tithing to tithing, and + stock-punish'd and imprison'd; who hath had three suits to +his + back, six shirts to his body, horse to ride, and weapons to + wear; + + But mice and rats, and such small deer, + Have been Tom's food for seven long year. + + Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin! peace, thou fiend! + Glou. What, hath your Grace no better company? + Edg. The prince of darkness is a gentleman! + Modo he's call'd, and Mahu. + Glou. Our flesh and blood is grown so vile, my lord, + That it doth hate what gets it. + Edg. Poor Tom 's acold. + Glou. Go in with me. My duty cannot suffer + T' obey in all your daughters' hard commands. + Though their injunction be to bar my doors + And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you, + Yet have I ventur'd to come seek you out + And bring you where both fire and food is ready. + Lear. First let me talk with this philosopher. + What is the cause of thunder? + Kent. Good my lord, take his offer; go into th' house. + Lear. I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban. + What is your study? + Edg. How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin. + Lear. Let me ask you one word in private. + Kent. Importune him once more to go, my lord. + His wits begin t' unsettle. + Glou. Canst thou blame him? + Storm still. + His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent! + He said it would be thus- poor banish'd man! + Thou say'st the King grows mad: I'll tell thee, friend, + I am almost mad myself. I had a son, + Now outlaw'd from my blood. He sought my life + But lately, very late. I lov'd him, friend- + No father his son dearer. True to tell thee, + The grief hath craz'd my wits. What a night 's this! + I do beseech your Grace- + Lear. O, cry you mercy, sir. + Noble philosopher, your company. + Edg. Tom's acold. + Glou. In, fellow, there, into th' hovel; keep thee warm. + Lear. Come, let's in all. + Kent. This way, my lord. + Lear. With him! + I will keep still with my philosopher. + Kent. Good my lord, soothe him; let him take the fellow. + Glou. Take him you on. + Kent. Sirrah, come on; go along with us. + Lear. Come, good Athenian. + Glou. No words, no words! hush. + Edg. Child Rowland to the dark tower came; + His word was still + + Fie, foh, and fum! + I smell the blood of a British man. + Exeunt. + +Scene V. +Gloucester's Castle. + +Enter Cornwall and Edmund. + + Corn. I will have my revenge ere I depart his house. + Edm. How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus gives +way to + loyalty, something fears me to think of. + Corn. I now perceive it was not altogether your brother's evil + disposition made him seek his death; but a provoking merit, +set + awork by a reproveable badness in himself. + Edm. How malicious is my fortune that I must repent to be just! + This is the letter he spoke of, which approves him an + intelligent party to the advantages of France. O heavens! +that + this treason were not- or not I the detector! + Corn. Go with me to the Duchess. + Edm. If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty + business in hand. + Corn. True or false, it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester. + Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our + apprehension. + Edm. [aside] If I find him comforting the King, it will stuff +his + suspicion more fully.- I will persever in my course of +loyalty, + though the conflict be sore between that and my blood. + Corn. I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt find a dearer + father in my love. + Exeunt. + + + + +Scene VI. +A farmhouse near Gloucester's Castle. + +Enter Gloucester, Lear, Kent, Fool, and Edgar. + + Glou. Here is better than the open air; take it thankfully. I +will + piece out the comfort with what addition I can. I will not +be + long from you. + Kent. All the power of his wits have given way to his +impatience. + The gods reward your kindness! + Exit [Gloucester]. + Edg. Frateretto calls me, and tells me Nero is an angler in the + lake of darkness. Pray, innocent, and beware the foul fiend. + Fool. Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a gentleman +or a + yeoman. + Lear. A king, a king! + Fool. No, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son; for +he's a + mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him. + Lear. To have a thousand with red burning spits + Come hizzing in upon 'em- + Edg. The foul fiend bites my back. + Fool. He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a horse's + health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath. + Lear. It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. + [To Edgar] Come, sit thou here, most learned justicer. + [To the Fool] Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, you +she-foxes! + Edg. Look, where he stands and glares! Want'st thou eyes at +trial, + madam? + + Come o'er the bourn, Bessy, to me. + + Fool. Her boat hath a leak, + And she must not speak + Why she dares not come over to thee. + + Edg. The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a +nightingale. + Hoppedance cries in Tom's belly for two white herring. Croak + not, black angel; I have no food for thee. + Kent. How do you, sir? Stand you not so amaz'd. + Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions? + Lear. I'll see their trial first. Bring in their evidence. + [To Edgar] Thou, robed man of justice, take thy place. + [To the Fool] And thou, his yokefellow of equity, + Bench by his side. [To Kent] You are o' th' commission, + Sit you too. + Edg. Let us deal justly. + + Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd? + Thy sheep be in the corn; + And for one blast of thy minikin mouth + Thy sheep shall take no harm. + + Purr! the cat is gray. + Lear. Arraign her first. 'Tis Goneril. I here take my oath +before + this honourable assembly, she kicked the poor King her +father. + Fool. Come hither, mistress. Is your name Goneril? + Lear. She cannot deny it. + Fool. Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool. + Lear. And here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim + What store her heart is made on. Stop her there! + Arms, arms! sword! fire! Corruption in the place! + False justicer, why hast thou let her scape? + Edg. Bless thy five wits! + Kent. O pity! Sir, where is the patience now + That you so oft have boasted to retain? + Edg. [aside] My tears begin to take his part so much + They'll mar my counterfeiting. + Lear. The little dogs and all, + Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart, see, they bark at me. + Edg. Tom will throw his head at them. Avaunt, you curs! + Be thy mouth or black or white, + Tooth that poisons if it bite; + Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim, + Hound or spaniel, brach or lym, + Bobtail tyke or trundle-tail- + Tom will make them weep and wail; + For, with throwing thus my head, + Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. + Do de, de, de. Sessa! Come, march to wakes and fairs and +market + towns. Poor Tom, thy horn is dry. + Lear. Then let them anatomize Regan. See what breeds about her + heart. Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard + hearts? [To Edgar] You, sir- I entertain you for one of my + hundred; only I do not like the fashion of your garments. +You'll + say they are Persian attire; but let them be chang'd. + Kent. Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile. + Lear. Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains. + So, so, so. We'll go to supper i' th' morning. So, so, so. + Fool. And I'll go to bed at noon. + + Enter Gloucester. + + Glou. Come hither, friend. Where is the King my master? + Kent. Here, sir; but trouble him not; his wits are gone. + Glou. Good friend, I prithee take him in thy arms. + I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him. + There is a litter ready; lay him in't + And drive towards Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet + Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master. + If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, + With thine, and all that offer to defend him, + Stand in assured loss. Take up, take up! + And follow me, that will to some provision + Give thee quick conduct. + Kent. Oppressed nature sleeps. + This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken senses, + Which, if convenience will not allow, + Stand in hard cure. [To the Fool] Come, help to bear thy +master. + Thou must not stay behind. + Glou. Come, come, away! + Exeunt [all but Edgar]. + Edg. When we our betters see bearing our woes, + We scarcely think our miseries our foes. + Who alone suffers suffers most i' th' mind, + Leaving free things and happy shows behind; + But then the mind much sufferance doth o'erskip + When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship. + How light and portable my pain seems now, + When that which makes me bend makes the King bow, + He childed as I fathered! Tom, away! + Mark the high noises, and thyself bewray + When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee, + In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee. + What will hap more to-night, safe scape the King! + Lurk, lurk. [Exit.] + + + + +Scene VII. +Gloucester's Castle. + +Enter Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, [Edmund the] Bastard, and +Servants. + + Corn. [to Goneril] Post speedily to my lord your husband, show +him + this letter. The army of France is landed.- Seek out the +traitor + Gloucester. + [Exeunt some of the Servants.] + Reg. Hang him instantly. + Gon. Pluck out his eyes. + Corn. Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our sister + company. The revenges we are bound to take upon your +traitorous + father are not fit for your beholding. Advise the Duke where +you + are going, to a most festinate preparation. We are bound to +the + like. Our posts shall be swift and intelligent betwixt us. + Farewell, dear sister; farewell, my Lord of Gloucester. + + Enter [Oswald the] Steward. + + How now? Where's the King? + Osw. My Lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence. + Some five or six and thirty of his knights, + Hot questrists after him, met him at gate; + Who, with some other of the lord's dependants, + Are gone with him towards Dover, where they boast + To have well-armed friends. + Corn. Get horses for your mistress. + Gon. Farewell, sweet lord, and sister. + Corn. Edmund, farewell. + Exeunt Goneril, [Edmund, and Oswald]. + Go seek the traitor Gloucester, + Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. + [Exeunt other Servants.] + Though well we may not pass upon his life + Without the form of justice, yet our power + Shall do a court'sy to our wrath, which men + May blame, but not control. + + Enter Gloucester, brought in by two or three. + + Who's there? the traitor? + Reg. Ingrateful fox! 'tis he. + Corn. Bind fast his corky arms. + Glou. What mean, your Graces? Good my friends, consider + You are my guests. Do me no foul play, friends. + Corn. Bind him, I say. + [Servants bind him.] + Reg. Hard, hard. O filthy traitor! + Glou. Unmerciful lady as you are, I am none. + Corn. To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find- + [Regan plucks his beard.] + Glou. By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done + To pluck me by the beard. + Reg. So white, and such a traitor! + Glou. Naughty lady, + These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin + Will quicken, and accuse thee. I am your host. + With robber's hands my hospitable favours + You should not ruffle thus. What will you do? + Corn. Come, sir, what letters had you late from France? + Reg. Be simple-answer'd, for we know the truth. + Corn. And what confederacy have you with the traitors + Late footed in the kingdom? + Reg. To whose hands have you sent the lunatic King? + Speak. + Glou. I have a letter guessingly set down, + Which came from one that's of a neutral heart, + And not from one oppos'd. + Corn. Cunning. + Reg. And false. + Corn. Where hast thou sent the King? + Glou. To Dover. + Reg. Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charg'd at peril- + Corn. Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that. + Glou. I am tied to th' stake, and I must stand the course. + Reg. Wherefore to Dover, sir? + Glou. Because I would not see thy cruel nails + Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister + In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. + The sea, with such a storm as his bare head + In hell-black night endur'd, would have buoy'd up + And quench'd the steeled fires. + Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain. + If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time, + Thou shouldst have said, 'Good porter, turn the key.' + All cruels else subscrib'd. But I shall see + The winged vengeance overtake such children. + Corn. See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. + Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot. + Glou. He that will think to live till he be old, + Give me some help!- O cruel! O ye gods! + Reg. One side will mock another. Th' other too! + Corn. If you see vengeance- + 1. Serv. Hold your hand, my lord! + I have serv'd you ever since I was a child; + But better service have I never done you + Than now to bid you hold. + Reg. How now, you dog? + 1. Serv. If you did wear a beard upon your chin, + I'ld shake it on this quarrel. + Reg. What do you mean? + Corn. My villain! Draw and fight. + 1. Serv. Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. + Reg. Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus? + She takes a sword and runs at him behind. + 1. Serv. O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left + To see some mischief on him. O! He dies. + Corn. Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! + Where is thy lustre now? + Glou. All dark and comfortless! Where's my son Edmund? + Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature + To quit this horrid act. + Reg. Out, treacherous villain! + Thou call'st on him that hates thee. It was he + That made the overture of thy treasons to us; + Who is too good to pity thee. + Glou. O my follies! Then Edgar was abus'd. + Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him! + Reg. Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell + His way to Dover. + Exit [one] with Gloucester. + How is't, my lord? How look you? + Corn. I have receiv'd a hurt. Follow me, lady. + Turn out that eyeless villain. Throw this slave + Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace. + Untimely comes this hurt. Give me your arm. + Exit [Cornwall, led by Regan]. + 2. Serv. I'll never care what wickedness I do, + If this man come to good. + 3. Serv. If she live long, + And in the end meet the old course of death, + Women will all turn monsters. + 2. Serv. Let's follow the old Earl, and get the bedlam + To lead him where he would. His roguish madness + Allows itself to anything. + 3. Serv. Go thou. I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs + To apply to his bleeding face. Now heaven help him! + Exeunt. + + + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + +ACT IV. Scene I. +The heath. + +Enter Edgar. + + Edg. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd, + Than still contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worst, + The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, + Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear. + The lamentable change is from the best; + The worst returns to laughter. Welcome then, + Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace! + The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst + Owes nothing to thy blasts. + + Enter Gloucester, led by an Old Man. + + But who comes here? + My father, poorly led? World, world, O world! + But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, + Life would not yield to age. + Old Man. O my good lord, + I have been your tenant, and your father's tenant, + These fourscore years. + Glou. Away, get thee away! Good friend, be gone. + Thy comforts can do me no good at all; + Thee they may hurt. + Old Man. You cannot see your way. + Glou. I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; + I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seen + Our means secure us, and our mere defects + Prove our commodities. Ah dear son Edgar, + The food of thy abused father's wrath! + Might I but live to see thee in my touch, + I'ld say I had eyes again! + Old Man. How now? Who's there? + Edg. [aside] O gods! Who is't can say 'I am at the worst'? + I am worse than e'er I was. + Old Man. 'Tis poor mad Tom. + Edg. [aside] And worse I may be yet. The worst is not + So long as we can say 'This is the worst.' + Old Man. Fellow, where goest? + Glou. Is it a beggarman? + Old Man. Madman and beggar too. + Glou. He has some reason, else he could not beg. + I' th' last night's storm I such a fellow saw, + Which made me think a man a worm. My son + Came then into my mind, and yet my mind + Was then scarce friends with him. I have heard more since. + As flies to wanton boys are we to th' gods. + They kill us for their sport. + Edg. [aside] How should this be? + Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, + Ang'ring itself and others.- Bless thee, master! + Glou. Is that the naked fellow? + Old Man. Ay, my lord. + Glou. Then prithee get thee gone. If for my sake + Thou wilt o'ertake us hence a mile or twain + I' th' way toward Dover, do it for ancient love; + And bring some covering for this naked soul, + Who I'll entreat to lead me. + Old Man. Alack, sir, he is mad! + Glou. 'Tis the time's plague when madmen lead the blind. + Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure. + Above the rest, be gone. + Old Man. I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have, + Come on't what will. Exit. + Glou. Sirrah naked fellow- + Edg. Poor Tom's acold. [Aside] I cannot daub it further. + Glou. Come hither, fellow. + Edg. [aside] And yet I must.- Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed. + Glou. Know'st thou the way to Dover? + Edg. Both stile and gate, horseway and footpath. Poor Tom hath +been + scar'd out of his good wits. Bless thee, good man's son, +from + the foul fiend! Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once: +of + lust, as Obidicut; Hobbididence, prince of dumbness; Mahu, +of + stealing; Modo, of murder; Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and + mowing, who since possesses chambermaids and waiting women. +So, + bless thee, master! + Glou. Here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens' plagues + Have humbled to all strokes. That I am wretched + Makes thee the happier. Heavens, deal so still! + Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man, + That slaves your ordinance, that will not see + Because he does not feel, feel your pow'r quickly; + So distribution should undo excess, + And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover? + Edg. Ay, master. + Glou. There is a cliff, whose high and bending head + Looks fearfully in the confined deep. + Bring me but to the very brim of it, + And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear + With something rich about me. From that place + I shall no leading need. + Edg. Give me thy arm. + Poor Tom shall lead thee. + Exeunt. + + + + +Scene II. +Before the Duke of Albany's Palace. + +Enter Goneril and [Edmund the] Bastard. + + Gon. Welcome, my lord. I marvel our mild husband + Not met us on the way. + + Enter [Oswald the] Steward. + + Now, where's your master? + Osw. Madam, within, but never man so chang'd. + I told him of the army that was landed: + He smil'd at it. I told him you were coming: + His answer was, 'The worse.' Of Gloucester's treachery + And of the loyal service of his son + When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot + And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out. + What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him; + What like, offensive. + Gon. [to Edmund] Then shall you go no further. + It is the cowish terror of his spirit, + That dares not undertake. He'll not feel wrongs + Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way + May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother. + Hasten his musters and conduct his pow'rs. + I must change arms at home and give the distaff + Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant + Shall pass between us. Ere long you are like to hear + (If you dare venture in your own behalf) + A mistress's command. Wear this. [Gives a favour.] + Spare speech. + Decline your head. This kiss, if it durst speak, + Would stretch thy spirits up into the air. + Conceive, and fare thee well. + Edm. Yours in the ranks of death! Exit. + Gon. My most dear Gloucester! + O, the difference of man and man! + To thee a woman's services are due; + My fool usurps my body. + Osw. Madam, here comes my lord. Exit. + + Enter Albany. + + Gon. I have been worth the whistle. + Alb. O Goneril, + You are not worth the dust which the rude wind + Blows in your face! I fear your disposition. + That nature which contemns it origin + Cannot be bordered certain in itself. + She that herself will sliver and disbranch + From her material sap, perforce must wither + And come to deadly use. + Gon. No more! The text is foolish. + Alb. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile; + Filths savour but themselves. What have you done? + Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd? + A father, and a gracious aged man, + Whose reverence even the head-lugg'd bear would lick, + Most barbarous, most degenerate, have you madded. + Could my good brother suffer you to do it? + A man, a prince, by him so benefited! + If that the heavens do not their visible spirits + Send quickly down to tame these vile offences, + It will come, + Humanity must perforce prey on itself, + Like monsters of the deep. + Gon. Milk-liver'd man! + That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; + Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning + Thine honour from thy suffering; that not know'st + Fools do those villains pity who are punish'd + Ere they have done their mischief. Where's thy drum? + France spreads his banners in our noiseless land, + With plumed helm thy state begins to threat, + Whiles thou, a moral fool, sit'st still, and criest + 'Alack, why does he so?' + Alb. See thyself, devil! + Proper deformity seems not in the fiend + So horrid as in woman. + Gon. O vain fool! + Alb. Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for shame! + Bemonster not thy feature! Were't my fitness + To let these hands obey my blood, + They are apt enough to dislocate and tear + Thy flesh and bones. Howe'er thou art a fiend, + A woman's shape doth shield thee. + Gon. Marry, your manhood mew! + + Enter a Gentleman. + + Alb. What news? + Gent. O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall 's dead, + Slain by his servant, going to put out + The other eye of Gloucester. + Alb. Gloucester's eyes? + Gent. A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse, + Oppos'd against the act, bending his sword + To his great master; who, thereat enrag'd, + Flew on him, and amongst them fell'd him dead; + But not without that harmful stroke which since + Hath pluck'd him after. + Alb. This shows you are above, + You justicers, that these our nether crimes + So speedily can venge! But O poor Gloucester! + Lose he his other eye? + Gent. Both, both, my lord. + This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer. + 'Tis from your sister. + Gon. [aside] One way I like this well; + But being widow, and my Gloucester with her, + May all the building in my fancy pluck + Upon my hateful life. Another way + The news is not so tart.- I'll read, and answer. +Exit. + Alb. Where was his son when they did take his eyes? + Gent. Come with my lady hither. + Alb. He is not here. + Gent. No, my good lord; I met him back again. + Alb. Knows he the wickedness? + Gent. Ay, my good lord. 'Twas he inform'd against him, + And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment + Might have the freer course. + Alb. Gloucester, I live + To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the King, + And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend. + Tell me what more thou know'st. + Exeunt. + + + + +Scene III. +The French camp near Dover. + +Enter Kent and a Gentleman. + + Kent. Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back know you +the + reason? + Gent. Something he left imperfect in the state, which since his + coming forth is thought of, which imports to the kingdom so +much + fear and danger that his personal return was most required +and + necessary. + Kent. Who hath he left behind him general? + Gent. The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far. + Kent. Did your letters pierce the Queen to any demonstration of + grief? + Gent. Ay, sir. She took them, read them in my presence, + And now and then an ample tear trill'd down + Her delicate cheek. It seem'd she was a queen + Over her passion, who, most rebel-like, + Sought to be king o'er her. + Kent. O, then it mov'd her? + Gent. Not to a rage. Patience and sorrow strove + Who should express her goodliest. You have seen + Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears + Were like, a better way. Those happy smilets + That play'd on her ripe lip seem'd not to know + What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence + As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief, + Sorrow would be a rarity most belov'd, + If all could so become it. + Kent. Made she no verbal question? + Gent. Faith, once or twice she heav'd the name of father + Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart; + Cried 'Sisters, sisters! Shame of ladies! Sisters! + Kent! father! sisters! What, i' th' storm? i' th' night? + Let pity not be believ'd!' There she shook + The holy water from her heavenly eyes, + And clamour moisten'd. Then away she started + To deal with grief alone. + Kent. It is the stars, + The stars above us, govern our conditions; + Else one self mate and mate could not beget + Such different issues. You spoke not with her since? + Gent. No. + Kent. Was this before the King return'd? + Gent. No, since. + Kent. Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's i' th' town; + Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers + What we are come about, and by no means + Will yield to see his daughter. + Gent. Why, good sir? + Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him; his own unkindness, + That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her + To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights + To his dog-hearted daughters- these things sting + His mind so venomously that burning shame + Detains him from Cordelia. + Gent. Alack, poor gentleman! + Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not? + Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot. + Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear + And leave you to attend him. Some dear cause + Will in concealment wrap me up awhile. + When I am known aright, you shall not grieve + Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you go + Along with me. Exeunt. + + + + +Scene IV. +The French camp. + +Enter, with Drum and Colours, Cordelia, Doctor, and Soldiers. + + Cor. Alack, 'tis he! Why, he was met even now + As mad as the vex'd sea, singing aloud, + Crown'd with rank fumiter and furrow weeds, + With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo flow'rs, + Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow + In our sustaining corn. A century send forth. + Search every acre in the high-grown field + And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.] What can man's + wisdom + In the restoring his bereaved sense? + He that helps him take all my outward worth. + Doct. There is means, madam. + Our foster nurse of nature is repose, + The which he lacks. That to provoke in him + Are many simples operative, whose power + Will close the eye of anguish. + Cor. All blest secrets, + All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, + Spring with my tears! be aidant and remediate + In the good man's distress! Seek, seek for him! + Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life + That wants the means to lead it. + + Enter Messenger. + + Mess. News, madam. + The British pow'rs are marching hitherward. + Cor. 'Tis known before. Our preparation stands + In expectation of them. O dear father, + It is thy business that I go about. + Therefore great France + My mourning and important tears hath pitied. + No blown ambition doth our arms incite, + But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right. + Soon may I hear and see him! + Exeunt. + + + + +Scene V. +Gloucester's Castle. + +Enter Regan and [Oswald the] Steward. + + Reg. But are my brother's pow'rs set forth? + Osw. Ay, madam. + Reg. Himself in person there? + Osw. Madam, with much ado. + Your sister is the better soldier. + Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? + Osw. No, madam. + Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? + Osw. I know not, lady. + Reg. 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' th' enemy. + Osw. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. + Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow. Stay with us. + The ways are dangerous. + Osw. I may not, madam. + My lady charg'd my duty in this business. + Reg. 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. + Osw. Madam, I had rather- + Reg. I know your lady does not love her husband; + I am sure of that; and at her late being here + She gave strange eyeliads and most speaking looks + To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. + Osw. I, madam? + Reg. I speak in understanding. Y'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 farewell. + If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, + Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. + Osw. Would I could meet him, madam! I should show + What party I do follow. + Reg. Fare thee well. Exeunt. + + + + +Scene VI. +The country near Dover. + +Enter Gloucester, and Edgar [like a Peasant]. + + Glou. When shall I come to th' top of that same hill? + Edg. You do climb up it now. Look how we labour. + Glou. Methinks the ground is even. + Edg. Horrible steep. + Hark, do you hear the sea? + Glou. No, truly. + Edg. Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect + By your eyes' anguish. + Glou. So may it be indeed. + Methinks thy voice is alter'd, and thou speak'st + In better phrase and matter than thou didst. + Edg. Y'are much deceiv'd. In nothing am I chang'd + But in my garments. + Glou. Methinks y'are better spoken. + Edg. 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. Halfway down + Hangs one that gathers sampire- 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 th' unnumb'red idle pebble chafes + Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more, + Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight + Topple down headlong. + Glou. Set me where you stand. + Edg. Give me your hand. You are now within a foot + Of th' extreme verge. For all beneath the moon + Would I not leap upright. + Glou. Let go my hand. + Here, friend, is another purse; in it a jewel + Well worth a poor man's taking. Fairies and gods + Prosper it with thee! Go thou further off; + Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. + Edg. Now fare ye well, good sir. + Glou. With all my heart. + Edg. [aside]. Why I do trifle thus with his despair + Is done to cure it. + Glou. O you mighty gods! He kneels. + 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 and swoons]. + Edg. 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? + Glou. Away, and let me die. + Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, + So many fadom 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 is a miracle. Speak yet again. + Glou. But have I fall'n, or no? + Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn. + Look up a-height. The shrill-gorg'd lark so far + Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up. + Glou. 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. + Glou. Too well, too well. + Edg. This is above all strangeness. + Upon the crown o' th' cliff what thing was that + Which parted from you? + Glou. 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 impossibility, have preserv'd thee. + Glou. 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. + Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts. + + Enter Lear, mad, [fantastically dressed with weeds]. + + But who comes here? + The safer sense will ne'er accommodate + His master thus. + Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coming; + I am the King himself. + Edg. O thou side-piercing sight! + 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' + th' clout, i' th' clout! Hewgh! Give the word. + Edg. Sweet marjoram. + Lear. Pass. + Glou. I know that voice. + Lear. Ha! Goneril with a white beard? 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 everything 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 + everything. 'Tis a lie- I am not ague-proof. + Glou. 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 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 simp'ring dame, + Whose face between her forks presageth 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 fiend's. + 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. + Glou. O, let me kiss that hand! + Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. + Glou. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world + Shall so wear out to naught. 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. + Glou. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. + Edg. [aside] I would not take this from report. It is, + And my heart breaks at it. + Lear. Read. + Glou. 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. + Glou. I see it feelingly. + Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how the 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? + Glou. Ay, sir. + 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 lusts to use her in that kind + For which thou whip'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 pygmy'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 th' 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. + Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! + Reason, in madness! + 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. + Glou. 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'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]. + + 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 ransom. Let me have a surgeon; + I am cut to th' brains. + Gent. You shall have anything. + Lear. No seconds? All myself? + Why, this would make a man a man of salt, + To use his eyes for garden waterpots, + Ay, and laying autumn's dust. + Gent. Good sir- + Lear. I will die bravely, like a smug 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't. 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. But, by your favour, + How near's the other army? + 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 [Gentleman]. + Glou. 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. + Glou. Now, good sir, what are you? + Edg. 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. + Glou. Hearty thanks. + The bounty and the benison of heaven + To boot, and boot! + + Enter [Oswald the] Steward. + + Osw. 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. + Glou. Now let thy friendly hand + Put strength enough to't. + [Edgar interposes.] + Osw. Wherefore, bold peasant, + Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence! + Lest that th' infection of his fortune take + Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. + Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'cagion. + Osw. Let go, slave, or thou diest! + Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor voke pass. An +chud + ha' bin zwagger'd 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 vore ye, or Ise try whether your costard or my ballow be +the + harder. Chill be plain with you. + Osw. Out, dunghill! + They fight. + Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come! No matter vor your +foins. + [Oswald falls.] + Osw. 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! Death! + He dies. + Edg. I know thee well. A serviceable villain, + As duteous to the vices of thy mistress + As badness would desire. + Glou. 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 deathsman. 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 the letter. + + 'Let our reciprocal vows be rememb'red. You have many + opportunities to cut him off. If your will want not, time +and + place will be fruitfully offer'd. There is nothing done, if +he + return the conqueror. Then am I the prisoner, and his bed my + jail; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply +the + place for your labour. + 'Your (wife, so I would say) affectionate servant, + +'Goneril.' + + O indistinguish'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 murtherous 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. + Glou. 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. + A drum afar off. + Edg. Give me your hand. + Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum. + Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. Exeunt. + + + + +Scene VII. +A tent in the French camp. + +Enter Cordelia, Kent, Doctor, and Gentleman. + + 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'erpaid. + All my reports go with the modest truth; + Nor more nor clipp'd, but so. + Cor. Be better suited. + These weeds are memories of those worser hours. + I prithee put them off. + Kent. Pardon, 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't so, my good lord. [To the Doctor] How, does the +King? + Doct. Madam, sleeps still. + Cor. O you kind gods, + Cure this great breach in his abused nature! + Th' untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up + Of this child-changed father! + Doct. So please your Majesty + That we may wake the King? He hath slept long. + Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed + I' th' sway of your own will. Is he array'd? + + Enter Lear in a chair carried by Servants. + + Gent. Ay, madam. In the heaviness of sleep + We put fresh garments on him. + Doct. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him. + I doubt not of his temperance. + Cor. Very well. + Music. + Doct. Please you draw near. Louder the music 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! + Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes + Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face + To be oppos'd 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. + Doct. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. + Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your Majesty? + Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' th' 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! + Doct. He's scarce awake. Let him alone awhile. + Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight, + I am mightily abus'd. 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 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, 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. + 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. No cause, no cause. + Lear. Am I in France? + Kent. In your own kingdom, sir. + Lear. Do not abuse me. + Doct. 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. + Cor. Will't please your Highness walk? + Lear. You must bear with me. + Pray you now, forget and forgive. I am old and foolish. + Exeunt. Manent Kent and Gentleman. + 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 Gloucester. + 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 +of + the kingdom approach apace. + Gent. 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. + + + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTION INCLUDES BY ANY +SERVICE THAT CHARGES FOR DOWNLOAD TIME OR FOR MEMBERSHIP.>> + + + +ACT V. Scene I. +The British camp near Dover. + +Enter, with Drum and Colours, Edmund, Regan, Gentleman, and +Soldiers. + + 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. + [Exit an Officer.] + 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 forfended 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. + She and the Duke her husband! + + Enter, with Drum and Colours, Albany, Goneril, Soldiers. + + Gon. [aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister + Should loosen him and me. + Alb. Our very loving sister, well bemet. + 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 domestic and particular broils + Are not the question here. + Alb. Let's then determine + With th' 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. [aside] O, ho, I know the riddle.- 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 [all but Albany and Edgar]. + 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. + Alb. Why, fare thee well. I will o'erlook thy paper. + Exit [Edgar]. + + 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. Exit. + + + + +Scene II. +A field between the two camps. + +Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colours, the Powers of France +over the stage, Cordelia with her Father in her hand, and exeunt. + +Enter Edgar and Gloucester. + + 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. + Glou. Grace go with you, sir! + Exit [Edgar]. + + Alarum and retreat within. 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! + Glou. 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. + Glou. And that's true too. Exeunt. + + + + +Scene III. +The British camp, near Dover. + +Enter, in conquest, with Drum and Colours, Edmund; Lear and +Cordelia +as prisoners; Soldiers, Captain. + + 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 outfrown 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' th' 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 th' 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 goodyears shall devour 'em, flesh and fell, + Ere they shall make us weep! We'll see 'em starv'd first. + Come. Exeunt [Lear and Cordelia, guarded]. + Edm. Come hither, Captain; hark. + Take thou this note [gives 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'lt do't, + Or thrive by other means. + Capt. I'll do't, my lord. + Edm. About it! and write happy when th' hast done. + Mark- I say, instantly; and carry it so + As I have set it down. + Capt. 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, Soldiers. + + Alb. Sir, you have show'd 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 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 him I sent the Queen, + My reason all the same; and they are ready + To-morrow, or at further space, t' 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 curs'd + By those that feel their sharpness. + The question of Cordelia and her father + Requires a fitter place. + Alb. Sir, by your patience, + I hold you but a subject of this war, + Not as a brother. + Reg. 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. + Gon. Not so hot! + In his own grace he doth exalt himself + More than in your addition. + Reg. In my rights + By me invested, he compeers the best. + Gon. That were the most if he should husband you. + Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. + Gon. Holla, holla! + That eye that told you so look'd but asquint. + 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. [to Edmund] Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. + + Alb. Stay yet; hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee + On capital treason; and, in thine attaint, + This gilded serpent [points to Goneril]. For your claim, +fair + sister, + I bar it in the interest of my wife. + 'Tis she is subcontracted to this lord, + And I, her husband, contradict your banes. + If you will marry, make your loves to me; + My lady is bespoke. + Gon. An interlude! + Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloucester. Let the trumpet sound. + If none appear to prove upon thy person + Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, + There is my pledge [throws 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. + Reg. Sick, O, sick! + Gon. [aside] If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine. + Edm. There's my exchange [throws 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. + Alb. A herald, ho! + Edm. A herald, ho, a herald! + Alb. Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, + All levied in my name, have in my name + Took their discharge. + Reg. My sickness grows upon me. + Alb. 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. + Capt. Sound, trumpet! A trumpet sounds. + + Her. (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.' + + Edm. Sound! First trumpet. + Her. Again! Second trumpet. + Her. Again! Third trumpet. + Trumpet answers within. + + Enter Edgar, armed, at the third sound, a Trumpet before him. + + Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears + Upon this call o' th' trumpet. + Her. 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. + Alb. Which is that adversary? + Edg. What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester? + 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, + 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 th' extremest upward of thy head + To the descent and dust beneath 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. + 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 those 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. Fight. [Edmund falls.] + Alb. Save him, save him! + Gon. This is mere practice, Gloucester. + By th' law of arms thou wast not bound to answer + An unknown opposite. Thou art not vanquish'd, + But cozen'd and beguil'd. + Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, + Or with this paper shall I stop it. [Shows her her letter to + Edmund.]- [To Edmund]. Hold, sir. + [To Goneril] Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil. + No tearing, lady! I perceive you know it. + Gon. Say if I do- the laws are mine, not thine. + Who can arraign me for't? + Alb. Most monstrous! + Know'st thou this paper? + Gon. Ask me not what I know. Exit. + Alb. Go after her. She's desperate; govern her. + [Exit an Officer.] + Edm. What, you have charg'd 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. + Edg. Let's exchange charity. + I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; + If more, the more th' 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 scourge us. + The dark and vicious place where thee he got + Cost him his eyes. + Edm. Th' hast spoken right; 'tis true. + The wheel is come full circle; I am here. + Alb. 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! + Edg. Worthy prince, I know't. + Alb. Where have you hid yourself? + How have you known the miseries of your father? + Edg. 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 with the pain of death would hourly die + Rather than die at once!) taught me to shift + Into a madman's rags, t' 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, sav'd 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. + Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me, + And shall perchance do good; but speak you on; + You look as you had something more to say. + Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in; + For I am almost ready to dissolve, + Hearing of this. + Edg. 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 a man, + Who, having seen me in my worst estate, + Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding + Who 'twas that so endur'd, with his strong arms + He fastened on my neck, and bellowed out + As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father; + Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him + That ever ear receiv'd; 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 tranc'd. + Alb. But who was this? + Edg. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise + Followed his enemy king and did him service + Improper for a slave. + + Enter a Gentleman with a bloody knife. + + Gent. Help, help! O, help! + Edg. What kind of help? + Alb. Speak, man. + Edg. What means that bloody knife? + Gent. 'Tis hot, it smokes. + It came even from the heart of- O! she's dead! + Alb. Who dead? Speak, man. + Gent. Your lady, sir, your lady! and her sister + By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it. + Edm. I was contracted to them both. All three + Now marry in an instant. + + Enter Kent. + + Edg. Here comes Kent. + Alb. Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead. + [Exit Gentleman.] + This judgement of the heavens, that makes us tremble + Touches us not with pity. O, is this he? + The time will not allow the compliment + That very manners urges. + Kent. I am come + To bid my king and master aye good night. + Is he not here? + Alb. Great thing of us forgot! + Speak, Edmund, where's the King? and where's Cordelia? + The bodies of Goneril and Regan are brought in. + Seest thou this object, Kent? + Kent. Alack, why thus? + Edm. Yet Edmund was belov'd. + The one the other poisoned for my sake, + And after slew herself. + Alb. Even so. Cover their faces. + Edm. I pant for life. Some good I mean to do, + Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send + (Be brief in't) to the castle; for my writ + Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia. + Nay, send in time. + Alb. Run, run, O, run! + Edg. To who, my lord? Who has the office? Send + Thy token of reprieve. + Edm. Well thought on. Take my sword; + Give it the Captain. + Alb. Haste thee for thy life. [Exit Edgar.] + Edm. 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. + Alb. The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile. + [Edmund is borne off.] + + Enter Lear, with Cordelia [dead] in his arms, [Edgar, +Captain, + and others following]. + + Lear. Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stone. + 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 promis'd end? + Edg. Or image of that horror? + Alb. Fall and cease! + 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. O my good master! + Lear. Prithee away! + Edg. 'Tis noble Kent, your friend. + Lear. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all! + I might have sav'd 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. + Capt. 'Tis true, my lords, he did. + 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' th' best. I'll tell you straight. + Kent. If fortune brag of two she lov'd and hated, + One of them we behold. + Lear. This' a dull sight. Are you not Kent? + Kent. The same- + Your servant Kent. Where is your servant Caius? + 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- + Lear. I'll see that straight. + Kent. That from your first of difference and decay + Have followed your sad steps. + Lear. You're welcome hither. + Kent. Nor no man else! All's cheerless, dark, and deadly. + Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves, + And desperately are dead. + Lear. Ay, so I think. + Alb. He knows not what he says; and vain is it + That we present us to him. + Edg. Very bootless. + + Enter a Captain. + + Capt. Edmund is dead, my lord. + Alb. 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! + 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! He dies. + Edg. He faints! My lord, my lord! + Kent. Break, heart; I prithee break! + Edg. Look up, my lord. + Kent. Vex not his ghost. O, let him pass! He hates him + That would upon the rack of this tough world + Stretch him out longer. + Edg. He is gone indeed. + Kent. The wonder is, he hath endur'd so long. + He but usurp'd his life. + Alb. 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 gor'd state sustain. + Kent. I have a journey, sir, shortly to go. + My master calls me; I must not say no. + Alb. The weight of this sad time we must obey, + Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. + The oldest have borne most; we that are young + Shall never see so much, nor live so long. + Exeunt with a dead march. + + +THE END + + + + + +<<THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM +SHAKESPEARE IS COPYRIGHT 1990-1993 BY WORLD LIBRARY, INC., AND IS +PROVIDED BY PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY +WITH PERMISSION. ELECTRONIC AND MACHINE READABLE COPIES MAY BE +DISTRIBUTED SO LONG AS SUCH COPIES (1) ARE FOR YOUR OR OTHERS +PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND (2) ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED OR USED +COMMERCIALLY. 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