ACT II.
Scene I. The Earl of Gloucester's castle.
Enter Edmund and Curan, meeting.[3061]
Edm. Save thee, Curan.[3062]
Cur. And you, sir. I have been with your father, and[3063][3064]
given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his[3063][3065]
duchess will be here with him this night.[3063][3066]
Edm. How comes that?[3062] 5
Cur. Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news
abroad, I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but[3067]
ear-kissing arguments?[3068]
Edm. Not I: pray you, what are they?[3069]
Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt[3070][3071][3072] 10
the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?[3070][3071][3073]
Edm. Not a word.[3070]
Cur. You may do then in time. Fare you well, sir. [Exit.[3074]
Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better! best![3075][3076][3077]
This weaves itself perforce into my business.[3076] 15
My father hath set guard to take my brother;[3076]
And I have one thing, of a queasy question,[3076][3078]
Which I must act: briefness and fortune, work![3076][3079]
Brother, a word; descend: brother, I say![3076]
Enter Edgar.[3080]
My father watches: O sir, fly this place;[3076][3081] 20
Intelligence is given where you are hid;[3076]
You have now the good advantage of the night:[3076][3082]
Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall?[3076][3083]
He's coming hither, now, i' the night, i' the haste,[3076][3084]
And Regan with him: have you nothing said[3076] 25
Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?[3076][3085]
Advise yourself.[3076][3086]
Edg. I am sure on't, not a word.[3076]
Edm. I hear my father coming: pardon me:[3076][3087]
In cunning I must draw my sword upon you:[3076][3087]
Draw: seem to defend yourself: now quit you well.[3076][3088] 30
Yield: come before my father. Light, ho, here![3076][3089]
Fly, brother. Torches, torches! So farewell.
Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards[3076][3092]
Do more than this in sport. Father, father![3076][3093] 35
Stop, stop! No help?[3076]
Enter Gloucester, and Servants with torches.[3094]
Glou. Now, Edmund, where's the villain?[3076][3095]
Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,[3076]
Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon[3076][3096]
To stand 's auspicious mistress.[3076]
Glou. But where is he?[3076] 40
Edm. Look, sir, I bleed.[3076]
Glou. Where is the villain, Edmund?[3076][3097]
Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could—[3076][3098]
Glou. Pursue him, ho!—Go after. [Exeunt some Servants.] 'By no means' what?[3076][3099]
Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship;[3076]
But that I told him the revenging gods[3076][3100] 45
'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend,[3076][3101]
Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond[3076]
The child was bound to the father; sir, in fine,[3076][3102]
Seeing how loathly opposite I stood[3076]
To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion[3076][3103] 50
With his prepared sword he charges home[3076]
My unprovided body, lanced mine arm:[3076][3104]
But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits[3076][3105]
Bold in the quarrel's right, roused to the encounter,[3076][3106]
Or whether gasted by the noise I made,[3076][3107] 55
Full suddenly he fled.[3076][3108]
Glou. Let him fly far:[3076]
Not in this land shall he remain uncaught;[3076]
And found—dispatch. The noble duke my master,[3076][3109]
My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night:[3076][3110]
By his authority I will proclaim it,[3076] 60
That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks,[3076][3111]
Bringing the murderous caitiff to the stake;[3076][3112]
He that conceals him, death.[3076][3113]
Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent[3076]
And found him pight to do it, with curst speech[3076] 65
I threaten'd to discover him: he replied,[3076]
'Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think,[3076]
If I would stand against thee, could the reposure[3076][3114][3115]
Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee[3076][3114]
Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny—[3076][3114][3116] 70
As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce[3076][3117]
My very character—I'ld turn it all[3076][3118]
To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice:[3076][3119]
And thou must make a dullard of the world,[3076][3120]
If they not thought the profits of my death[3076] 75
Were very pregnant and potential spurs[3076][3121]
To make thee seek it.'[3076]
Glou. Strong and fasten'd villain![3076][3122]
Would he deny his letter? I never got him.[3076][3123]
[Tucket within.
Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes.[3076][3124]
All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape;[3076] 80
The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture[3076]
I will send far and near, that all the kingdom[3076]
May have due note of him; and of my land,[3076][3125]
Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means[3076]
To make thee capable.[3076] 85
Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants.[3126]
Corn. How now, my noble friend! since I came hither,[3076][3127]
Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news.[3076][3128]
Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short[3076]
Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord?[3076][3129]
Glou. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd![3076][3130] 90
Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life?[3076]
He whom my father named? your Edgar?[3076][3131]
Glou. O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid![3076][3132]
Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous knights[3076][3133]
That tend upon my father?[3076][3134] 95
Glou. I know not, madam: 'tis too bad, too bad.[3076][3135]
Edm. Yes, madam, he was of that consort.[3076][3136]
Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected:
'Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
To have the waste and spoil of his revenues.[3137] 100
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,[3138]
I'll not be there.[3138]
Corn. Nor I, assure thee, Regan.[3139][3140]
Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father[3139][3141] 105
A child-like office.[3139]
Edm. 'Twas my duty, sir.[3142]
Glou. He did bewray his practice, and received[3143]
This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him.
Corn. Is he pursued?
Glou. Ay, my good lord.[3144]
Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more[3145] 110
Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose,[3145]
How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund,[3145][3146]
Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant[3145][3147]
So much commend itself, you shall be ours:[3145][3148]
Natures of such deep trust we shall much need:[3145][3149] 115
You we first seize on.[3145][3149]
Edm. I shall serve you, sir,[3150][3151]
Truly, however else.[3150]
Glou. For him I thank your grace.[3152]
Corn. You know not why we came to visit you,—[3153]
Reg. Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed night:[3154]
Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise,[3155] 120
Wherein we must have use of your advice:[3156]
Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
Of differences, which I least thought it fit[3157]
To answer from our home; the several messengers[3158]
From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend, 125
Lay comforts to your bosom and bestow[3159]
Your needful counsel to our business,[3159][3160]
Which craves the instant use.[3159][3161]
Glou. I serve you, madam:[3162]
Your graces are right welcome. [Flourish. Exeunt.[3162][3163]
Scene II. Before Gloucester's castle.
Enter Kent and Oswald, severally.[3164]
Osw. Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house?[3165][3166]
Kent. Ay.
Osw. Where may we set our horses?
Kent. I' the mire.[3167]
Osw. Prithee, if thou lovest me, tell me.[3168] 5
Kent. I love thee not.
Osw. Why then I care not for thee.
Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make[3169]
thee care for me.
Osw. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. 10
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,[3170]
filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking[3171] 15
knave; a whoreson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical[3172]
rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a[3173]
bawd in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition
of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son
and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into[3174] 20
clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy[3175]
addition.
Osw. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to[3176]
rail on one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee![3177]
Kent. What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny 25
thou knowest me! Is it two days ago since I tripped up[3178][3179]
thy heels and beat thee before the king? Draw, you rogue:[3179]
for, though it be night, yet the moon shines; I'll make a[3180]
sop o' the moonshine of you: draw, you whoreson cullionly[3181]
barber-monger, draw. [Drawing his sword.[3182] 30
Osw. Away! I have nothing to do with thee.
Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against[3183]
the king, and take vanity the puppet's part against the
royalty of her father: draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbonado[3184]
your shanks: draw, you rascal; come your ways.[3185] 35
Osw. Help, ho! murder! help!
Kent. Strike, you slave; stand, rogue; stand, you neat[3186]
slave, strike. [Beating him.[3187]
Osw. Help, ho! murder! murder!
Enter Edmund, with his rapier drawn, Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, and Servants.[3188]
Edm. How now! What's the matter? [Parting them.[3189][3190][3191] 40
Kent. With you, goodman boy, an you please: come,[3192]
I'll flesh you; come on, young master.[3193]
Glou. Weapons! arms! What's the matter here?[3194]
Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives;[3195]
He dies that strikes again. What is the matter?[3195][3196] 45
Reg. The messengers from our sister and the king.[3197]
Corn. What is your difference? speak.[3198]
Osw. I am scarce in breath, my lord.
Kent. No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour.[3199]
You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee: a tailor made[3199][3200] 50
thee.[3199]
Corn. Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man?[3199][3201]
Kent. Ay, a tailor, sir: a stone-cutter or a painter[3202]
could not have made him so ill, though he had been but[3203]
two hours at the trade.[3204] 55
Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?[3205]
Osw. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared[3206]
at suit of his gray beard,—[3207]
Kent. Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter![3208]
My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unbolted[3209] 60
villain into mortar, and daub the walls of a jakes[3210]
with him. Spare my gray beard, you wagtail?[3211]
Corn. Peace, sirrah![3212][3213]
You beastly knave, know you no reverence?[3212][3214]
Kent. Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.[3215] 65
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,[3216]
Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain[3217]
Which are too intrinse to unloose; smooth every passion[3218] 70
That in the natures of their lords rebel;[3219]
Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods;[3220]
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks[3221]
With every gale and vary of their masters,[3222]
Knowing nought, like dogs, but following.[3223][3224] 75
A plague upon your epileptic visage![3223]
Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool?[3223][3225]
Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain,[3226]
I'ld drive ye cackling home to Camelot.[3227]
Corn. What, art thou mad, old fellow?[3228] 80
Glou. How fell you out? say that.[3228][3229]
Kent. No contraries hold more antipathy
Than I and such a knave.
Corn. Why dost thou call him knave? What is his fault?[3230]
Kent. His countenance likes me not. 85
Corn. No more perchance does mine, nor his, nor hers.[3231]
Kent. Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain:
I have seen better faces in my time
Than stands on any shoulders that I see[3232]
Before me at this instant.
Corn. This is some fellow,[3233][3234] 90
Who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect[3233]
A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb[3233][3235]
Quite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he,—[3233][3236]
An honest mind and plain,—he must speak truth![3233][3237]
An they will take it, so; if not, he's plain.[3233][3238] 95
These kind of knaves I know, which in this plainness[3233][3239]
Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends[3233][3240]
Than twenty silly ducking observants[3233][3241]
That stretch their duties nicely.[3233]
Kent. Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity,[3242] 100
Under the allowance of your great aspect,[3243]
Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire
On flickering Phœbus' front,—
Corn. What mean'st by this?[3244]
Kent. To go out of my dialect, which you discommend[3245]
so much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled[3246] 105
you in a plain accent was a plain knave; which, for my
part, I will not be, though I should win your displeasure to[3247]
entreat me to't.[3247][3248]
Corn. What was the offence you gave him?[3249]
Osw. I never gave him any:[3250][3251] 110
It pleased the king his master very late[3251][3252]
To strike at me, upon his misconstruction;[3251][3253]
When he, conjunct, and flattering his displeasure,[3254]
Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd,
And put upon him such a deal of man,[3255] 115
That worthied him, got praises of the king[3255]
For him attempting who was self-subdued;
And in the fleshment of this dread exploit[3256]
Drew on me here again.[3257]
Kent. None of these rogues and cowards[3258]
But Ajax is their fool.[3258][3259]
Corn. Fetch forth the stocks! 120
You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend braggart,[3260]
We'll teach you—[3261]
Kent. Sir, I am too old to learn:[3262]
Call not your stocks for me: I serve the king,[3262]
On whose employment I was sent to you:[3262][3263]
You shall do small respect, show too bold malice[3264] 125
Against the grace and person of my master,
Stocking his messenger.[3265]
Corn. Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour,[3266][3267]
There shall he sit till noon.[3266]
Reg. Till noon! till night, my lord, and all night too.[3268] 130
Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's dog,[3269]
You should not use me so.[3269][3270]
Reg. Sir, being his knave, I will.
Corn. This is a fellow of the self-same colour[3271]
Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks!
[Stocks brought out.[3272]
Glou. Let me beseech your grace not to do so: 135
His fault is much, and the good king his master[3273]
Will check him for't: your purposed low correction[3273]
Is such as basest and contemned'st wretches[3273][3274]
For pilferings and most common trespasses[3273]
Are punish'd with: the king must take it ill,[3273] 140
That he, so slightly valued in his messenger,[3273][3275]
Should have him thus restrain'd.[3273][3275]
Corn. I'll answer that.
Reg. My sister may receive it much more worse,[3276]
To have her gentleman abused, assaulted,[3277]
For following her affairs. Put in his legs.[3278] 145
[Kent is put in the stocks.[3279]
Come, my good lord, away. [Exeunt all but Gloucester and Kent.[3280]
Glou. I am sorry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's pleasure,[3281]
Whose disposition, all the world well knows,
Will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd: I'll entreat for thee.[3282]
Kent. Pray, do not, sir: I have watch'd and travell'd hard;[3283] 150
Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle.[3284]
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.[3285]
Kent. Good king, that must approve the common saw, 155
Thou out of heaven's benediction comest[3286]
To the warm sun!
Approach, thou beacon to this under globe,[3287][3288]
That by thy comfortable beams I may[3287]
Peruse this letter! Nothing almost sees miracles[3287][3289] 160
But misery: I know 'tis from Cordelia,[3287][3290]
Who hath most fortunately been inform'd[3287][3291]
Of my obscured course; and shall find time[3287][3292][3293]
From this enormous state, seeking to give[3287][3293][3294]
Losses their remedies. All weary and o'er-watch'd,[3287][3295] 165
Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold[3296]
This shameful lodging.[3297]
Fortune, good night: smile once more; turn thy wheel![3297]
[Sleeps.[3298]
Scene III. A wood.
Enter Edgar.[3299]
Edg. I heard myself proclaim'd;[3300]
And by the happy hollow of a tree
Escaped the hunt. No port is free; no place,
That guard and most unusual vigilance[3301]
Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may 'scape[3302] 5
I will preserve myself: and am bethought
To take the basest and most poorest shape[3303]
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,[3304] 10
And with presented nakedness out-face
The winds and persecutions of the sky.[3305]
The country gives me proof and precedent[3306]
Of Bedlam beggars, who with roaring voices
Strike in their numb'd and mortified bare arms[3307] 15
Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary;[3308]
And with this horrible object, from low farms,[3309]
Poor pelting villages, sheep-cotes and mills,[3310]
Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers,[3311]
Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygod! poor Tom![3312] 20
That's something yet: Edgar I nothing am. [Exit.
Scene IV. Before Gloucester's castle. Kent in the stocks.
Enter Lear, Fool, and Gentleman.[3313]
Lear. 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home,[3314]
And not send back my messenger.[3315]
Gent. As I learn'd,[3316]
The night before there was no purpose in them[3316][3317]
Of this remove.[3316][3318]
Kent. Hail to thee, noble master!
Lear. Ha![3319][3320] 5
Makest thou this shame thy pastime?[3320]
Kent. No, my lord.[3321]
Fool. Ha, ha! he wears cruel garters. Horses are tied[3322][3323]
by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by the[3322][3324]
loins, and men by the legs: when a man's over-lusty at[3322][3325]
legs, then he wears wooden nether-stocks.[3322][3326] 10
Lear. What's he that hath so much thy place mistook[3327]
To set thee here?[3327]
Kent. It is both he and she;[3328]
Your son and daughter.[3328]
Lear. No.
Kent. Yes. 15
Lear. No, I say.
Kent. I say, yea.[3329]
Lear. No, no, they would not.[3330]
Kent. Yes, they have.[3330]
Lear. By Jupiter, I swear, no. 20
Kent. By Juno, I swear, ay.[3331]
Lear. They durst not do't;[3332]
They could not, would not do't; 'tis worse than murder,[3332][3333]
To do upon respect such violent outrage:
Resolve me with all modest haste which way
Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage,[3334] 25
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[3335]
My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post,[3336]
Stew'd in his haste, half breathless, panting forth[3337] 30
From Goneril his mistress salutations;[3338]
Deliver'd letters, spite of intermission,[3339]
Which presently they read: on whose contents[3340]
They summon'd up their meiny, straight took horse;[3341]
Commanded me to follow and attend 35
The leisure of their answer; gave me cold looks:
And meeting here the other messenger,[3342]
Whose welcome, I perceived, had poison'd mine—
Being the very fellow that of late[3343]
Display'd so saucily against your highness— 40
Having more man than wit about me, drew:[3344]
He raised the house with loud and coward cries.
Your son and daughter found this trespass worth
The shame which here it suffers.[3345]
Fool. Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that way.[3346][3347] 45
Fathers that wear rags[3346][3348]
Do make their children blind;[3346][3348]
But fathers that bear bags[3346][3348]
Shall see their children kind.[3346][3348]
Fortune, that arrant whore,[3346][3348] 50
Ne'er turns the key to the poor.[3346][3348]
But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours for thy[3346][3349][3350]
daughters as thou canst tell in a year.[3346][3349]
Lear. O, how this mother swells up toward my heart!
Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow,[3351] 55
Thy element's below! Where is this daughter?
Kent. With the earl, sir, here within.[3352][3353]
Lear. Follow me not; stay here. [Exit.[3352][3354]
Gent. Made you no more offence but what you speak of?[3355]
Kent. None.[3356][3357] 60
How chance the king comes with so small a train?[3357][3358]
Fool. An thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that[3359][3360]
question, thou hadst well deserved it.[3361]
Kent. Why, fool?
Fool. We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee 65
there's no labouring i' the winter. All that follow their[3360][3362]
noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and there's not[3362]
a nose among twenty but can smell him that's stinking. Let[3363]
go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it
break thy neck with following it; but the great one that[3364] 70
goes up the hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man[3365]
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,[3366][3367]
And follows but for form,[3367] 75
Will pack when it begins to rain,[3367][3368]
And leave thee in the storm.[3367][3369]
But I will tarry; the fool will stay,[3367][3370]
And let the wise man fly:[3367][3371]
The knave turns fool that runs away;[3367][3372] 80
The fool no knave, perdy.[3367][3372]
Kent. Where learned you this, fool?
Fool. Not i' the stocks, fool.[3360][3373]
Re-enter Lear, with Gloucester.[3374]
Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary?[3375]
They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches;[3376][3377] 85
The images of revolt and flying off.[3377][3378]
Fetch me a better answer.[3379]
Glou. My dear lord,[3380]
You know the fiery quality of the duke;[3380]
How unremoveable and fix'd he is[3380]
In his own course.[3380] 90
Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion![3380][3381]
Fiery? what quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester,[3380][3382]
I'ld speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife.[3380]
Glou. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so.[3383]
Lear. Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man?[3383] 95
Glou. Ay, my good lord.
Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father[3384]
Would with his daughter speak, commands her service:[3385]
Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood![3386]
'Fiery'? 'the fiery duke'? Tell the hot duke that—[3387] 100
No, but not yet: may be he is not well:[3388]
Infirmity doth still neglect all office[3389]
Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves[3389][3390]
When nature being oppress'd commands the mind[3389][3391]
To suffer with the body: I'll forbear;[3389] 105
And am fall'n out with my more headier will,[3392]
To take the indisposed and sickly fit[3393]
For the sound man. [Looking on Kent] Death on my state! wherefore[3393][3394]
Should he sit here? This act persuades me[3393][3395]
That this remotion of the duke and her[3393] 110
Is practice only. Give me my servant forth.[3396]
Go tell the duke and's wife I'ld speak with them,[3397]
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.[3398] 115
Glou. I would have all well betwixt you. [Exit.[3399]
Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart! But down![3400]
Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels[3401]
when she put 'em i' the paste alive; she knapped 'em o' the[3402]
coxcombs with a stick, and cried 'Down, wantons, down!' 120
'Twas her brother that, in pure kindness to his horse, buttered[3403]
his hay.
Re-enter Gloucester, with Cornwall, Regan, and Servants.[3404]
Lear. Good morrow to you both.
Corn. Hail to your grace!
[Kent is set at liberty.[3405]
Reg. I am glad to see your highness.
Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason[3406] 125
I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad,[3407]
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,[3408]
Sepulchring an adultress. [To Kent] O, are you free?[3409]
Some other time for that. Beloved Regan,
Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath tied[3410][3411] 130
Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here:[3410]
[Points to his heart.[3412]
I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe[3413]
With how depraved a quality—O Regan![3414]
Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope[3415]
You less know how to value her desert 135
Than she to scant her duty.[3416]
Lear. Say, how is that?[3417][3418]
Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least[3417]
Would fail her obligation: if, sir, perchance[3417][3419]
She have restrain'd the riots of your followers,[3417]
'Tis on such ground and to such wholesome end[3417] 140
As clears her from all blame.[3417]
Lear. My curses on her!
Reg. O, sir, you are old;
Nature in you stands on the very verge[3420][3421]
Of her confine: you should be ruled and led[3420][3422]
By some discretion that discerns your state[3420] 145
Better than you yourself. Therefore I pray you[3420][3423]
That to our sister you do make return;[3420]
Say you have wrong'd her, sir.
Lear. Ask her forgiveness?[3424]
Do you but mark how this becomes the house:[3425]
[Kneeling] 'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old;[3426] 150
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. [Rising] Never, Regan:[3427]
She hath abated me of half my train; 155
Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue,[3428]
Most serpent-like, upon the very heart:
All the stored vengeances of heaven fall[3429]
On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones,[3429][3430]
You taking airs, with lameness.[3429]
Corn. Fie, sir, fie![3431] 160
Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames[3432]
Into her scornful eyes. Infect her beauty,
You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun[3433]
To fall and blast her pride.[3433][3434]
Reg. O the blest gods! so will you wish on me,[3435] 165
When the rash mood is on.[3435][3436]
Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse:
Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give[3437][3438]
Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce, but thine[3438][3439]
Do comfort and not burn. 'Tis not in thee[3438] 170
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,[3438]
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes,
And in conclusion to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in: thou better know'st[3440]
The offices of nature, bond of childhood, 175
Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude;[3441]
Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot,[3442]
Wherein I thee endow'd.
Reg. Good sir, to the purpose.[3443]
Lear. Who put my man i' the stocks? [Tucket within.[3444]
Corn. What trumpet's that?
Reg. I know't; my sister's: this approves her letter,[3445] 180
That she would soon be here.
Enter Oswald.[3446]
Is your lady come?
Lear. This is a slave whose easy-borrow'd pride[3447]
Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows.[3448]
Out, varlet, from my sight!
Corn. What means your grace?
Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope[3449] 185
Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here?
Enter Goneril.[3450]
O heavens,
If you do love old men, if your sweet sway[3451][3452]
Allow obedience, if yourselves are old,[3451][3453]
Make it your cause; send down, and take my part![3451]
[To Gon.] Art not ashamed to look upon this beard?[3454] 190
O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand?[3455]
Gon. Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended?
All's not offence that indiscretion finds[3456]
And dotage terms so.
Lear. O sides, you are too tough;
Will you yet hold? How came my man i' the stocks?[3457] 195
Corn. I set him there, sir: but his own disorders[3458]
Deserved much less advancement.[3459]
Lear. You! did you?
Reg. I pray you, father, being weak, seem so.[3460]
If, till the expiration of your month,[3461]
You will return and sojourn with my sister, 200
Dismissing half your train, come then to me:
I am now from home and out of that provision[3462]
Which shall be needful for your entertainment.
Lear. Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd?
No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose 205
To wage against the enmity o' the air,[3463][3464]
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,—[3463][3465]
Necessity's sharp pinch! Return with her?
Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took[3466][3467]
Our youngest born, I could as well be brought[3467] 210
To knee his throne, and, squire-like, pension beg[3468]
To keep base life afoot. Return with her?
Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter
To this detested groom. [Pointing at Oswald.[3469]
Gon. At your choice, sir.
Lear. I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad:[3470] 215
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,[3471]
Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil,[3472] 220
A plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle,[3473][3474]
In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee;[3473]
Let shame come when it will, I do not call it:[3475]
I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot,[3476]
Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove:[3477] 225
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:[3478][3479]
I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided[3478][3480]
For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister;[3478][3481] 230
For those that mingle reason with your passion[3478][3482]
Must be content to think you old, and so—[3483]
But she knows what she does.
Lear. Is this well spoken?[3484]
Reg. I dare avouch it, sir: what, fifty followers?[3485]
Is it not well? What should you need of more? 235
Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger[3486]
Speak 'gainst so great a number? How in one house[3487]
Should many people under two commands
Hold amity? 'Tis hard, almost impossible.[3488]
Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance 240
From those that she calls servants or from mine?
Reg. Why not, my lord? If then they chanced to slack you,[3489]
We could control them. If you will come to me,[3490]
For now I spy a danger, I entreat you[3491]
To bring but five and twenty: to no more[3492] 245
Will I give place or notice.
Lear. I gave you all—[3493]
Reg. And in good time you gave it.
Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaries,
But kept a reservation to be follow'd[3494]
With such a number. What, must I come to you[3495] 250
With five and twenty, Regan? said you so?[3496]
Reg. And speak't again, my lord; no more with me.[3497]
Lear. Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd,[3498][3499]
When others are more wicked; not being the worst[3498][3500]
Stands in some rank of praise. [To Gon.] I'll go with thee:[3501] 255
Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty,
And thou art twice her love.[3502]
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?[3503] 260
Lear. O, reason not the need: our basest beggars[3504]
Are in the poorest thing superfluous:
Allow not nature more than nature needs,
Man's life's as cheap as beast's: thou art a lady;[3505]
If only to go warm were gorgeous, 265
Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st,[3506]
Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But for true need,—[3507]
You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need![3508]
You see me here, you gods, a poor old man,[3509]
As full of grief as age; wretched in both: 270
If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts[3510]
Against their father, fool me not so much[3511]
To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger,[3512]
And let not women's weapons, water-drops,[3513]
Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags, 275
I will have such revenges on you both[3514]
That all the world shall—I will do such things,—[3515]
What they are, yet I know not, but they shall be
The terrors of the earth. You think I'll weep;[3516]
No, I'll not weep:[3517] 280
I have full cause of weeping; but this heart[3517][3518]
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws,[3517][3519]
Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad!
[Exeunt Lear, Gloucester, Kent, and Fool.[3520]
Corn. Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm.
[Storm and tempest.[3521][3522]
Reg. This house is little: the old man and his people[3522][3523] 285
Cannot be well bestow'd.[3522][3524]
Gon. 'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest,[3522][3525]
And must needs taste his folly.[3522][3526]
Reg. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly,
But not one follower.
Gon. So am I purposed.[3527][3528] 290
Where is my lord of Gloucester?[3528]
Corn. Follow'd the old man forth: he is return'd.[3529]
Re-enter Gloucester.
Glou. The king is in high rage.
Corn. Whither is he going?[3530][3531]
Glou. He calls to horse; but will I know not whither.[3530][3532]
Corn. 'Tis best to give him way; he leads himself.[3533] 295
Gon. My lord, entreat him by no means to stay.
Glou. Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds[3534]
Do sorely ruffle; for many miles about[3535][3536]
There's scarce a bush.[3535][3537]
Reg. O, sir, to wilful men
The injuries that they themselves procure 300
Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors:
He is attended with a desperate train;
And what they may incense him to, being apt[3538]
To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear.
Corn. Shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night:[3539] 305
My Regan counsels well: come out o' the storm. [Exeunt.[3540]