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Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, and wav'd like the enridged sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy father, Think, that the clearest gods, who make them honours

Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee.

Glo. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear Affliction, till it do cry out itself, Enough enough, and die. That thing you speak I took it for a man; often 'twould say, [of, The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place.

Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But

who comes here?

Enter Lear, fantastically dressed up with flowers.

The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
His master thus.

Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; 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'the clout, 'the clout: hewgh!-Give the word. Edg. Sweet marjoram.

Lear. Pass.

Glo. 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 every thing 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 them, there I smelt them out. Go to, they are not men

o'their words: they told me I was every thing; 'tis a lie; I am not ague-proof.

Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remem Is't not the king? [ber:

Lear. Ay, every inch a king:
When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes.
I pardon that man's life: What was thy cause?
Adultery.-

Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery? No:
The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight.

Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son
Was kinder to his father, than my daughters
Got 'tween the lawful sheets.

To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.-
Behold yon' simpering dame,

Whose face between her forks presageth snow;
That minces virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure's name;

The fitchew, nor the soil'd horse, goes to't
With a more riotous appetite.

Down from the waist they are centaurs,
Though women all above:

But to the girdle do the gods inherit,
Beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's
darkness, there is the sulphurous pit, burning,
scalding, stench, consumption;-Fie, fie, fie; pah,
pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary,
to sweeten my imagination: there's money for
thee.

Glo. O, let me kiss that hand!
Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mor-
Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature!

[tality This great [me?

world Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know 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.

[one.

Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see Edg. I would not take this from report ;—it is, And my heart breaks at it.

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Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin

with gold,

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And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth 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 the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes; And, like a scurvy politician, seem [now, now: To see the things thou dost not.-Now, now, Pull off my boots :-harder, harder; so.

Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness!

[eyes. Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my 1 know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster: 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 Glo. Alack, alack the day!

[me. Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are [block? To this great stage of fools;-This a good It were a delicate stratagem to shoe

come

A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Gent. O, here he is; lay hand upon him.-Sir, Your most dear daughter[even Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well; You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon,

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Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king, My masters, know you that?

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. [exit, running. Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch; [daughter Past speaking of in a king!-Thou hast one 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 Which can distinguish sound. [that,

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Stew. A proclaimed 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 thec.

Glo. Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it.

[Edgar opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

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

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And chu'd ha' been zwaggered out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder; Chi'll be plain with you.

Stew. Out, dunghill!

Edg. Chi'll pick your teeth, zir; Come; no matter vor your foins.

[they fight; and Edgar knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:- -Villain

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If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;
And give the letters, which thou find'st about
To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out
Upon the British party;-O, untimely death!

[dies.

Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, As badness would desire.

[of,

Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters that he speaks May be my friends.—He's dead; I'm only sorry He had no other death's-man.-Let us see:— Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip up their Their papers, is more lawful. [hearts;

[reads] Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: then am I the pri. soner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. Your wife (so I would say), and your affec tionate servant, GONERIL

O, undistinguished space of woman's will!-
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life:
And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified [sands,
Of murderous lechers; and, in the mature time,
With this ungracious paper strike the sight

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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,

These weeds are memories of those worser hours; Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly, I pr'ythee, put them off.

Kent. Pardon me, dear madam;

Yet to be known, shortens my made intent:
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then be it so, my good lord. How does
the king?
[to the Physician.

Phys. Madam, sleeps still.
Cor. O you kind gods,

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

Phys. So please your majesty,

That we may wake the king? he hath slept long. Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed

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

[him; Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well.

[music there.

Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the 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! [white flakes Cor. Had you not been their father, these Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face To be expos'd against the warring winds? To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder? In the most terrible and nimble stroke

Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu!) With this thin helm ?-Mine enemy's dog, [night Though he had bit me, should have stood that Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father, To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn, In short and musty straw? Alack, aluck!

|

I fear, I am not in my perfect mind.
Methinks, I should know you, and know this

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rage,

You see is cur'd in him; and yet it is danger To make him even o'er the time he has lost. Desire him to go in ; trouble him no more, Till further settling.

Cor. Will't please your highness walk?

Lear. You must bear with me: [foolish. Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old, and [exeunt Lear, Cordelia, Physician, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, sir,

That the duke of Cornwall was so slain?
Kent. Most certain, sir.

Gent. Who is the conductor of his people?
Kent. As 'tis said,

The bastard son of Gloster.

Gent. They say, Edgar,
His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent,
In Germany.

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DOVER.

Enter, with drums and colours, Edmund, Regan, Officers, Soldiers, and others.

Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught [hold; To change the course: he's full of alteration, And self-reproving:-bring his constant pleasure. [to an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Reg. Now, sweet lord,

You know the goodness I intend upon you: Tell me, but truly,--but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister?

Edm. In honour'd love.

Reg. But have you never found my brother's To the forefended place?

[way

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 Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me.

[aside.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear,-The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigour of our state Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It toucheth us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose. Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.

Reg. Why is this reason'd?

Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy:
For these domestic and particular broils
Are not to question here.

Alb. Let us then determine

With the antient of war on our proceedings.
Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent.
Reg. Sister; you'll go with us?

Gon. No.

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

Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak.

[exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it; wretched though I seem, I can produse a champion, that will prove What is avouched there. If you miscarry,

Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.
Edg. I was forbid it.

When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again.
[exit.

Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper. Re-enter Edmund.

Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your

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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 enjoyed,
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
Stauds on me to defend, not to debate.

[exit.

SCENE II. A FIELD BETWEEN THE TWO CAMP'S.

Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, Lear, Cordelia, and their forces; and exeunt. Enter Edgar and Gloster.

Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host; pray that the right may thrive. If ever I return to you again, I'll bring you comfort.

Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [exit Edgar. Alarums; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter Edaar. Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away; King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'ea: Give me thy hand, come on.

Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men inst

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Myself could else out-frown false fortune's Alb. Sir, by your patience,
I hold you but a subject of this war,
Not as a brother.

frown.-
[sisters?
Shall we not see these daughters, and these
Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison;
We two alone will sing like birds i'the cage:
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues [too,-
Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them
Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;-
And take upon us the mystery of things,

As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,
That ebb and flow by the moon.

Edm. Take them away.

Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense.

caught thee?

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 advancement.

Reg. In my rights,

By me invested, he compeers the best.

Gon. That were the most, if he should husband
Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Gon. Holla, holla!

[you.

Have I That eye, that told you so, look'd but a-squint
Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
From a full flowing stomach.-General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine:
Witness the world, that I create thee here
My lord and master.

He, that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven,
And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;
The goujeers shall devour them, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them starve
first.

Come.

[exeunt Lear and Cordelia, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. Take thou this note; [giving a paper] go, follow

them to prison:

One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes: know thou this,-that men
Are as the time is: to be tender-minded [ment
Does not become a sword:-Thy great employ-
Will not bear question; either say, thoul't do't,
Or thrive by other means.

Off. I'll do't, my lord.
[hast done.
Edm. About it, and write happy, when thou
Mark-I say, instantly;
and carry it So,
As I have set it down.

and Attendants.

Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work, I will do it. [exit Officer.
Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Officers,
[strain,
Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant
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 farther space, to 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.

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.

thine.

Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title [to Edmuna. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason :-Edmund, I arrest On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, [thee This gilded serpent: [pointing to Gon.]—for your claim, fair sister,

I bar it in the interest of my wife;
'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your love to me,
My lady is bespoke.

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