ACT IV.
Scene I. The heath.[3996]
Enter Edgar.
Edg. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd,[3997]
Than still contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worst,[3998]
The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune,[3999]
Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear:[4000]
The lamentable change is from the best; 5
The worst returns to laughter. Welcome then,[4001][4002]
Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace![4002]
The wretch that them hast blown unto the worst[4002]
Owes nothing to thy blasts. But who comes here?[4002][4003][4004]
Enter Gloucester, led by an Old Man.[4005]
My father, poorly led? World, world, O world![4005][4006] 10
But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee,[4007]
Life would not yield to age.[4008]
Old Man. O, my good lord, I have been your tenant,[4009]
and your father's tenant, these fourscore years.[4009][4010]
Glou. Away, get thee away; good friend, be gone: 15
Thy comforts can do me no good at all;
Thee they may hurt.
Old Man. Alack, sir, you cannot see your way.[4011]
Glou. I have no way and therefore want no eyes;
I stumbled when I saw: full oft 'tis seen, 20
Our means secure us, and our mere defects[4012]
Prove our commodities. Ah, dear son Edgar,[4013]
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?[4014] 25
Edg. [Aside] O gods! Who is't can say 'I am at the worst'?[4015][4016]
I am worse than e'er I was.[4017]
Old Man. 'Tis poor mad Tom.
Edg. [Aside] And worse I may be yet: the worst is not[4015]
So long as we can say 'This is the worst.'[4018]
Old Man. Fellow, where goest?
Glou. Is it a beggar-man? 30
Old Man. Madman and beggar too.
Glou. He has some reason, else he could not beg.[4019]
I' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw,[4020]
Which made me think a man a worm: my son
Came then into my mind, and yet my mind 35
Was then scarce friends with him: I have heard more since.[4021]
As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods;[4022]
They kill us for their sport.[4023]
Edg. [Aside] How should this be?[4015][4024][4025]
Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow,[4024][4026]
Angering itself and others. Bless thee, master![4024][4027] 40
Glou. Is that the naked fellow?
Old Man. Ay, my lord.
Glou. Then, prithee, get thee gone: if for my sake[4028]
Thou wilt o'ertake us hence a mile or twain[4029]
I' the way toward Dover, do it for ancient love;[4030]
And bring some covering for this naked soul,[4031] 45
Who I'll entreat to lead me.[4032]
Old Man. Alack, sir, he is mad.
Glou. 'Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind.[4033]
Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure;[4034]
Above the rest, be gone.
Old Man. I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have,[4035][4036] 50
Come on't what will. [Exit.
Glou. Sirrah, naked fellow,—[4037]
Edg. Poor Tom's a-cold. [Aside] I cannot daub it further.[4015][4038]
Glou. Come hither, fellow.
Edg. [Aside] And yet I must. Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed.[4015][4039]55
Glou. Know'st thou the way to Dover?
Edg. Both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. Poor[4040]
Tom hath been scared out of his good wits. Bless thee, good[4040][4041][4042]
man's son, from the foul fiend! Five fiends have been in poor[4040][4042][4043]
Tom at once; of lust, as Obidicut; Hobbididence, prince of[4043][4044] 60
dumbness; Mahu, of stealing; Modo, of murder; Flibbertigibbet,[4043][4045]
of mopping and mowing; who since possesses[4043][4046]
chambermaids and waiting-women. So, bless thee, master![4043][4047]
Glou. Here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens' plagues[4048]
Have humbled to all strokes: that I am wretched[4049] 65
Makes thee the happier. Heavens, deal so still![4049]
Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man,[4050]
That slaves your ordinance, that will not see[4051]
Because he doth not feel, feel your power quickly;[4052]
So distribution should undo excess[4053] 70
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:[4054]
Bring me but to the very brim of it, 75
And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear
With something rich about me: from that place[4055]
I shall no leading need.[4055][4056]
Edg. Give me thy arm:[4057]
Poor Tom shall lead thee. [Exeunt.[4057][4058]
Scene II. Before the Duke of Albany's palace.
Enter Goneril and Edmund.[4059]
Gon. Welcome, my lord: I marvel our mild husband
Not met us on the way.
Enter Oswald.[4060]
Now, where's your master?
Osw. Madam, within; but never man so changed.[4061]
I told him of the army that was landed;[4061]
He smiled at it: I told him you were coming;[4061] 5
His answer was, 'The worse:' of Gloucester's treachery[4061]
And of the loyal service of his son[4061]
When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot[4061]
And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out:[4061]
What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him;[4061][4062] 10
What like, offensive.[4061][4063]
Gon. [To Edm.] Then shall you go no further.
It is the cowish terror of his spirit,[4064]
That dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs,
Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way[4065]
May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother;[4065][4066] 15
Hasten his musters and conduct his powers:
I must change arms at home and give the distaff[4067]
Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant
Shall pass between us: ere long you are like to hear,[4068]
If you dare venture in your own behalf,[4069] 20
A mistress's command. Wear this; spare speech;
[Giving a favour.[4070]
Decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak,
Would stretch thy spirits up into the air:
Conceive, and fare thee well.[4071]
Edm. Yours in the ranks of death.
Gon. My most dear Gloucester![4072] 25
[Exit Edmund.[4073]
O, the difference of man and man![4072][4074][4075]
To thee a woman's services are due:[4075][4076]
My fool usurps my body.[4075]
Osw. Madam, here comes my lord. [Exit.
Enter Albany.[4077]
Gon. I have been worth the whistle.[4078]
Alb. O Goneril![4079]
You are not worth the dust which the rude wind[4079][4080] 30
Blows in your face. I fear your disposition:[4081]
That nature which contemns its origin[4081][4082]
Cannot be border'd certain in itself;[4081][4083]
She that herself will sliver and disbranch[4081][4084]
From her material sap, perforce must wither[4081][4085] 35
And come to deadly use.[4081]
Gon. No more; the text is foolish.[4081][4086]
Alb. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile:[4081]
Filths savour but themselves. What have you done?[4081][4087]
Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd?[4081] 40
A father, and a gracious aged man,[4081]
Whose reverence even the head-lugg'd bear would lick,[4081][4088]
Most barbarous, most degenerate! have you madded.[4081]
Could my good brother suffer you to do it?[4081]
A man, a prince, by him so benefited![4081][4089] 45
If that the heavens do not their visible spirits[4081]
Send quickly down to tame these vile offences,[4081][4090][4091]
It will come,[4081][4090][4092]
Humanity must perforce prey on itself,[4081][4093][4094]
Like monsters of the deep.[4081][4093]
Gon. Milk-liver'd man! 50
That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs;[4095]
Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning[4096][4097]
Thine honour from thy suffering; that not know'st[4096][4098][4099]
Fools do those villains pity who are punish'd[4098][4099][4100]
Ere they have done their mischief. Where's thy drum?[4098] 55
France spreads his banners in our noiseless land,[4098][4101]
With plumed helm thy state begins to threat,[4098][4102]
Whiles thou, a moral fool, sit'st still and criest[4098][4103]
'Alack, why does he so?'[4098]
Alb. See thyself, devil![4104]
Proper deformity seems not in the fiend[4104][4105] 60
So horrid as in woman.[4104]
Gon. O vain fool!
Alb. Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for shame,[4106][4107]
Be-monster not thy feature. Were 't my fitness[4106][4108][4109]
To let these hands obey my blood,[4106][4109][4110]
They are apt enough to dislocate and tear[4106][4109][4111] 65
Thy flesh and bones: howe'er thou art a fiend,[4106][4112]
A woman's shape doth shield thee.[4106]
Gon. Marry, your manhood mew.[4106][4113]
Enter a Messenger.
Alb. What news?[4114]
Mess. O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead,[4115][4116] 70
Slain by his servant, going to put out[4116]
The other eye of Gloucester.[4116]
Alb. Gloucester's eyes!
Mess. A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse,[4117]
Opposed against the act, bending his sword[4118]
To his great master; who thereat enraged[4118][4119] 75
Flew on him and amongst them fell'd him dead,[4120]
But not without that harmful stroke which since[4121][4122]
Hath pluck'd him after.[4122]
Alb. This shows you are above,[4123][4124]
You justicers, that these our nether crimes[4123][4124][4125]
So speedily can venge. But, O poor Gloucester![4123] 80
Lost he his other eye?[4123]
Mess. Both, both, my lord.[4126]
This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer;[4126]
'Tis from your sister.[4126]
Gon. [Aside] One way I like this well;[4127]
But being widow, and my Gloucester with her,[4128]
May all the building in my fancy pluck[4129] 85
Upon my hateful life: another way,[4130]
The news is not so tart. I'll read, and answer. [Exit.[4130][4131]
Alb. Where was his son when they did take his eyes?[4132]
Mess. Come with my lady hither.
Alb. He is not here.[4133]
Mess. No, my good lord; I met him back again. 90
Alb. Knows he the wickedness?
Mess. Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him,
And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment[4134]
Might have the freer course.
Alb. Gloucester, I live[4135][4136]
To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king,[4135][4136][4137] 95
And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend:[4135][4136][4138]
Tell me what more thou know'st. [Exeunt.[4136][4139]
Scene III. The French camp near Dover.[4140]
Enter Kent and a Gentleman.
Kent. Why the King of France is so suddenly gone[4141]
back know you the reason?[4141][4142]
Gent. Something he left imperfect in the state which[4143]
since his coming forth is thought of, which imports to the[4143][4144]
kingdom so much fear and danger that his personal return[4143][4145] 5
was most required and necessary.[4143]
Kent. Who hath he left behind him general?[4146]
Gent. The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.[4147]
Kent. Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration[4148]
of grief?[4148] 10
Gent. Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence,[4149]
And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
Her delicate cheek: it seem'd she was a queen[4150]
Over her passion, who most rebel-like[4150][4151]
Sought to be king o'er her.[4150]
Kent. O, then it moved her. 15
Gent. Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove[4152]
Who should express her goodliest. You have seen[4153]
Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears[4154]
Were like a better way: those happy smilets[4154][4155]
That play'd on her ripe lip seem'd not to know[4156] 20
What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence
As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief,[4157][4158]
Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved,[4157]
If all could so become it.[4157]
Kent. Made she no verbal question?[4159]
Gent. Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of 'father'[4160] 25
Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart;
Cried 'Sisters! sisters! Shame of ladies! sisters![4161]
Kent! father! sisters! What, i' the storm? i' the night?[4161][4162]
Let pity not be believed!' There she shook[4163]
The holy water from her heavenly eyes, 30
And clamour moisten'd: then away she started[4164]
To deal with grief alone.
Kent. It is the stars,[4165][4166]
The stars above us, govern our conditions;[4166]
Else one self mate and mate could not beget[4167]
Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?[4168] 35
Gent. No.
Kent. Was this before the king return'd?
Gent. No, since.
Kent. Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's i' the town;[4169]
Who sometime in his better tune remembers[4170]
What we are come about, and by no means[4171] 40
Will yield to see his daughter.[4171]
Gent. Why, good sir?
Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness[4172]
That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her[4173]
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights
To his dog-hearted daughters: these things sting[4174][4175] 45
His mind so venomously that burning shame[4174][4175]
Detains him from Cordelia.[4174][4176]
Gent. Alack, poor gentleman!
Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?[4177]
Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot.[4178]
Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, 50
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[4179]
Along with me. [Exeunt.[4179][4180] 55
Scene IV. The same. A tent.
Enter, with drum and colours, Cordelia, Doctor, and Soldiers.[4181]
Cor. Alack, 'tis he: why, he was met even now
As mad as the vex'd sea; singing aloud;[4182]
Crown'd with rank fumiter and furrow-weeds,[4183]
With bur-docks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,[4184]
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow 5
In our sustaining corn. A century send forth;[4185]
Search every acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.] What can man's wisdom[4186][4187][4188][4189]
In the restoring his bereaved sense?[4186][4188][4190]
He that helps him take all my outward worth.[4186][4191] 10
Doct. There is means, madam:[4192]
Our foster-nurse of nature is repose,
The which he lacks: that to provoke in him,[4193]
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.
Cor. All blest secrets,[4194] 15
All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth,[4194]
Spring with my tears! be aidant and remediate[4195]
In the good man's distress! Seek, seek for him;[4196]
Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life
That wants the means to lead it.
Enter a Messenger.[4197]
Mess. News, madam;[4198] 20
The British powers are marching hitherward.[4198]
Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands
In expectation of them. O dear father,
It is thy business that I go about;[4199]
Therefore great France[4199] 25
My mourning and important tears hath pitied.[4200]
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,[4201]
But love, dear love, and our aged father's right:[4202]
Soon may I hear and see him! [Exeunt.[4203]
Scene V. Gloucester's castle.
Enter Regan and Oswald.[4204]
Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth?[4205]
Osw. Ay, madam.[4205]
Reg. Himself in person there?[4205][4206]
Osw. Madam, with much ado:[4207]
Your sister is the better soldier.[4207][4208]
Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?[4209]
Osw. No, madam. 5
Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him?[4210]
Osw. I know not, lady.
Reg. Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.[4211]
It was great ignorance, Gloucester's eyes being out,
To let him live: where he arrives he moves 10
All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone,[4212]
In pity of his misery, to dispatch[4213]
His nighted life; moreover, to descry[4213]
The strength o' the enemy.[4213][4214]
Osw. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.[4215] 15
Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us;[4216]
The ways are dangerous.
Osw. I may not, madam:[4217]
My lady charged my duty in this business.[4217]
Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you[4218]
Transport her purposes by word? Belike,[4218][4219] 20
Something—I know not what: I'll love thee much,[4220]
Let me unseal the letter.
Osw. Madam, I had rather—[4221]
Reg. I know your lady does not love her husband;
I am sure of that: and at her late being here[4222]
She gave strange œillades and most speaking looks[4223] 25
To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.[4224]
Osw. I, madam?[4225]
Reg. I speak in understanding: you are; I know't:[4226]
Therefore I do advise you, take this note:[4227]
My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; 30
And more convenient is he for my hand
Than for your lady's: you may gather more.[4228]
If you do find him, pray you, give him this;[4229]
And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. 35
So, fare you well.[4230]
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[4231]
What party I do follow.
Reg. Fare thee well. [Exeunt.[4232] 40
Scene VI. Fields near Dover.
Enter Gloucester, and Edgar dressed like a peasant.[4233]
Glou. When shall we come to the top of that same hill?[4234]
Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how we labour.[4235]
Glou. Methinks the ground is even.
Edg. Horrible steep.[4236][4237]
Hark, do you hear the sea?[4237][4238]
Glou. No, truly.
Edg. Why then your other senses grow imperfect 5
By your eyes' anguish.
Glou. So may it be indeed:
Methinks thy voice is alter'd, and thou speak'st[4239]
In better phrase and matter than thou didst.[4240]
Edg. You're much deceived: in nothing am I changed[4241]
But in my garments.
Glou. Methinks you're better spoken.[4242] 10
Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful[4243]
And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low![4244]
The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade![4245] 15
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head:
The fishermen that walk upon the beach[4246]
Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark[4247]
Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy[4248]
Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge 20
That on the unnumber’d idle pebbles chafes[4249]
Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more,[4250]
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[4251][4252] 25
Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon[4251][4253]
Would I not leap upright.[4251][4254]
Glou. Let go my hand.
Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel
Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods[4255]
Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off;[4256] 30
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
Edg. Now fare you well good sir.[4257]
Glou. With all my heart.
Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair[4258]
Is done to cure it.[4258]
Glou. [Kneeling] O you mighty gods![4259]
This world I do renounce, and in your sights 35
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[4260]
Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O bless him![4261] 40
Now, fellow, fare thee well. [He falls forward.[4262]
Edg. Gone, sir: farewell.[4263][4264]
And yet I know not how conceit may rob[4263][4265][4266]
The treasury of life, when life itself[4263][4265][4267]
Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought[4263][4265]
By this had thought been past. Alive or dead?[4263][4265][4268] 45
Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak![4263][4269]
Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.[4263][4270]
What are you, sir?[4263]
Glou. Away, and let me die.
Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,[4271]
So many fathom down precipitating, 50
Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe;[4272]
Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound.[4273]
Ten masts at each make not the altitude[4274]
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell:[4275]
Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again. 55
Glou. But have I fall'n, or no?[4276]
Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.[4277]
Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far[4278]
Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.[4279]
Glou. Alack, I have no eyes. 60
Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,
To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,[4280]
When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage
And frustrate his proud will.
Edg. Give me your arm:[4281]
Up: so. How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand.[4282] 65
Glou. Too well, too well.
Edg. This is above all strangeness.
Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that[4283]
Which parted from you?
Glou. A poor unfortunate beggar.[4284]
Edg. As I stood here below, methought his eyes[4285]
Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,[4286] 70
Horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea:[4287]
It was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father,
Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours[4288]
Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
Glou. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear 75
Affliction till it do cry out itself
'Enough, enough,' and die. That thing you speak of,[4289]
I took it for a man; often 'twould say[4290]
'The fiend, the fiend:' he led me to that place.[4291]
Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes
here? 80
Enter Lear, fantastically dressed with wild flowers.[4292]
The safer sense will ne'er accommodate[4293][4294][4295]
His master thus.[4294]
Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the[4296]
king himself.
Edg. O thou side-piercing sight![4297] 85
Lear. Nature's above art in that respect. There's your[4298]
press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper:[4299]
draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a mouse![4299]
Peace, peace; this piece of toasted cheese will do 't.[4300]
There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up 90
the brown bills. O, well flown, bird! i' the clout, i' the[4301][4302]
clout: hewgh! Give the word.[4302][4303]
Edg. Sweet marjoram.
Lear. Pass.
Glou. I know that voice. 95
Lear. Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered[4304]
me like a dog, and told me I had white hairs in my[4305]
beard ere the black ones were there. To say 'ay' and 'no'
to every thing that I said! 'Ay' and 'no' too was no good[4306]
divinity. When the rain came to wet me once and the wind[4307] 100
to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at
my bidding; there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go[4308]
to, they are not men o' their words: they told me I was[4309]
every thing; 'tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.[4310]
Glou. The trick of that voice I do well remember:[4311] 105
Is't not the king?[4311]
Lear. Ay, every inch a king:[4312][4313]
When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.[4312][4314]
I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause?[4312][4315][4316]
Adultery?[4315][4317][4318]
Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No:[4318][4319] 110
The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly[4318]
Does lecher in my sight.[4318][4320]
Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's bastard son[4318]
Was kinder to his father than my daughters[4318][4321]
Got 'tween the lawful sheets.[4318][4322] 115
To't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.[4318]
Behold yond simpering dame,[4323][4324]
Whose face between her forks presages snow,[4323][4325]
That minces virtue and does shake the head[4323][4326]
To hear of pleasure's name;[4323][4327] 120
The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't[4323][4328]
With a more riotous appetite.[4323][4328][4329]
Down from the waist they are Centaurs,[4323][4330]
Though women all above:[4323]
But to the girdle do the gods inherit,[4323] 125
Beneath is all the fiends';[4331][4332]
There's hell, there's darkness, there's the sulphurous pit,[4331][4333]
Burning, scalding, stench, consumption; fie, fie, fie! pah,[4334]
pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to[4335]
sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee.[4335] 130
Glou. O, let me kiss that hand!
Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.[4336]
Glou. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world[4337]
Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me?[4337][4338]
Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou[4339] 135
squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.[4340]
Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning on't.[4341]
Glou. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.[4342]
Edg. I would not take this from report: it is,[4343]
And my heart breaks at it.[4343] 140
Lear. Read.
Glou. What, with the case of eyes?[4344]
Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your
head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a[4345][4346]
heavy case, your purse in a light: yet you see how this[4345][4347] 145
world goes.[4348]
Glou. I see it feelingly.
Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world[4349]
goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond[4350][4351]
justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in thine ear:[4351][4352] 150
change places, and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which[4353][4354]
is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a[4353]
beggar?
Glou. Ay, sir.[4355]
Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou 155
mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed[4356]
in office.
Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand![4357]
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;[4357][4358]
Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind[4357][4359] 160
For which thou whip'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.[4357][4360]
Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;[4361][4362]
Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,[4361][4363][4364]
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;[4361][4364]
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.[4361][4364][4365] 165
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:[4361][4364][4366]
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power[4361][4364]
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes,[4361][4364]
And, like a scurvy politician, seem[4361]
To see the things thou dost not.[4361] 170
Now, now, now, now: pull off my boots: harder, harder:[4367][4368]
so.[4368]
Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd![4369][4370]
Reason in madness![4369]
Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.[4371][4372] 175
I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:[4371]
Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:[4371]
Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air,[4371][4373]
We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.[4371][4374]
Glou. Alack, alack the day![4371] 180
Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come[4371]
To this great stage of fools. This 's a good block.[4371][4375]
It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe[4371][4376]
A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof;[4371][4377]
And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,[4371][4378] 185
Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill![4371]
Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants.[4379]
Gent. O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir,[4371][4380]
Your most dear daughter—[4371][4381]
Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even[4371][4382]
The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;[4371] 190
You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon;[4371][4383]
I am cut to the brains.[4371][4384]
Gent. You shall have any thing.[4371]
Lear. No seconds? all myself?[4371]
Why, this would make a man a man of salt,[4371][4385]
To use his eyes for garden water-pots,[4371][4386] 195
Ay, and laying autumn's dust.[4371][4387]
Lear. I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What![4371][4387][4388]
I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,[4371][4387]
My masters, know you that.[4371][4387] 200
Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you.[4371]
Lear. Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you[4371][4389][4390]
shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.[4371][4389]
[Exit running; Attendants follow.[4391]
Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,[4371]
Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter,[4371][4392] 205
Who redeems nature from the general curse[4371]
Which twain have brought her to.[4371][4393]
Edg. Hail, gentle sir.
Gent. Sir, speed you: what's your will?
Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?[4394]
Gent. Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that,[4395][4396] 210
Which can distinguish sound.[4395][4397]
Edg. But, by your favour,[4398]
How near's the other army?[4398][4399]
Gent. Near and on speedy foot; the main descry[4400]
Stands on the hourly thought.
Edg. I thank you, sir: that's all.[4401]
Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, 215
Her army is moved on.
Edg. I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent.[4402]
Glou. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me;[4403]
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
To die before you please!
Edg. Well pray you, father.[4404]
Glou. Now, good sir, what are you? 220
Edg. A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows;[4405]
Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,[4406]
Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I'll lead you to some biding.
Glou. Hearty thanks:[4407]
The bounty and the benison of heaven[4407][4408] 225
To boot, and boot![4407]
Enter Oswald.[4409]
Osw. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy![4410][4411]
That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh[4410][4412]
To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,[4410][4413]
Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out[4410]
That must destroy thee.[4410]
Glou. Now let thy friendly hand[4410][4414] 230
Put strength enough to't. [Edgar interposes.[4410][4415]
Osw. Wherefore, bold peasant,[4410]
Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence![4410][4416]
Lest that the infection of his fortune take[4410][4417]
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.[4410]
Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.[4418] 235
Osw. Let go, slave, or thou diest!
Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk[4419]
pass. An chud ha' been zwaggered out of my life, 'twould[4420]
not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not[4421]
near th' old man; keep out, che vor ye, or I'se try whether[4422] 240
your costard or my ballow be the harder: chill be plain[4423]
with you.
Osw. Out, dunghill! [They fight.[4424]
Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor[4425]
your foins. [Oswald falls.[4426] 245
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[4427]
To Edmund earl of Gloucester; seek him out[4428]
Upon the British party. O, untimely death![4428][4429][4430] 250
Death! [Dies.[4430][4431]
Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain,
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress[4432]
As badness would desire.
Glou. What, is he dead?
Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.[4433][4434][4435] 255
Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of[4433][4434][4436]
May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry[4433][4437][4438]
He had no other deathsman. Let us see:[4433][4437]
Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not:[4433][4439][4440]
To know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts;[4440][4441] 260
Their papers, is more lawful.[4442]
[Reads] 'Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You[4443][4444][4445]
have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want[4444]
not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is[4444]
nothing done, if he return the conqueror: then am I[4444][4446] 265
the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed[4444][4447]
warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your[4444][4448]
labour.
'Your—wife, so I would say—affectionate servant,[4449]
'Goneril.' 270
O undistinguish'd space of woman's will![4450]
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
And the exchange my brother! Here, in the sands,[4451]
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified[4452]
Of murderous lechers; and in the mature time[4453] 275
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death-practised duke: for him 'tis well[4454]
That of thy death and business I can tell.[4455]
Glou. The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,[4456]
That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling 280
Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,[4457]
And woes by wrong imaginations lose[4458]
The knowledge of themselves. [Drum afar off.[4459]
Edg. Give me your hand:[284, 285]
Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum:[4460] 285
Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Exeunt.[4461]
Scene VII. A tent in the French camp. Lear on a bed asleep, soft music playing; Gentleman, and others attending.
Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Doctor.[4462]
Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work,[4463]
To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,[4463][4464]
And every measure fail me.[4463]
Kent. To be acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid.[4465]
All my reports go with the modest truth, 5
Nor more nor clipp'd, but so.
Cor. Be better suited:[4466]
These weeds are memories of those worser hours:[4466]
I prithee, put them off.[4466]
Kent. Pardon me, dear madam;[4467]
Yet to be known shortens my made intent:[4468]
My boon I make it, that you know me not 10
Till time and I think meet.
Cor. Then be't so, my good lord. [To the Doctor]
How does the king?[4469]
Doct. Madam, sleeps still.[4470][4471]
Cor. O you kind gods,[4472][4473]
Cure this great breach in his abused nature![4473] 15
The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up[4474]
Of this child-changed father!
Doct. So please your majesty[4470][4475][4476]
That we may wake the king: he hath slept long.[4476][4477]
Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?[4478] 20
Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep[4479]
We put fresh garments on him.
Doct. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him;[4480]
I doubt not of his temperance.[4481]
Cor. Very well.[4482]
Doct. Please you, draw near. Louder the music there![4482] 25
Cor. O my dear father! Restoration hang[4483][4484]
Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss[4483][4485]
Repair those violent harms that my two sisters[4483]
Have in thy reverence made![4483]
Kent. Kind and dear princess![4486]
Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes[4487] 30
Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face[4488]
To be opposed against the warring winds?[4489]
To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?[4490][4491]
In the most terrible and nimble stroke[4490]
Of quick, cross lightning? to watch—poor perdu!—[4490][4492] 35
With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog,[4490][4493][4494][4495]
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night[4494]
Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father,[4494]
To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn,
In short and musty straw? Alack, alack![4496] 40
'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once[4497]
Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him.[4498]
Doct. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.[4499]
Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?[4500]
Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' the grave:[4501] 45
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?[4502]
Lear. You are a spirit, I know: when did you die?[4503]
Cor. Still, still, far wide! 50
Doct. He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile.[4504]
Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?[4504]
I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity,[4505]
To see another thus. I know not what to say.[4506]
I will not swear these are my hands: let's see; 55
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured[4507]
Of my condition![4507]
Cor. O, look upon me, sir,[4508][4509]
And hold your hands in benediction o'er me.[4508][4510]
No, sir, you must not kneel.[4508]
Lear. Pray, do not mock me:[4511]
I am a very foolish fond old man, 60
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less;[4512]
And, to deal plainly,[4513]
I fear I am not in my perfect mind.[4514]
Methinks I should know you and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful; for I am mainly ignorant[4515] 65
What place this is, and all the skill I have
Remembers not these garments, nor I know not[4516]
Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me;[4517]
For, as I am a man, I think this lady
To be my child Cordelia.
Cor. And so I am, I am.[4518] 70
Lear. Be your tears wet? yes, faith. I pray, weep not:[4519]
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:[4520]
You have some cause, they have not.[4521]
Cor. No cause, no cause. 75
Lear. Am I in France?
Kent. In your own kingdom, sir.
Lear. Do not abuse me.[4522]
Doct. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage,[4523]
You see, is kill'd in him: and yet it is danger[4523][4524][4525][4526]
To make him even o'er the time he has lost.[4523][4525][4527] 80
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more[4523][4528]
Till further settling.[4523]
Cor. Will't please your highness walk?[4529]
Lear. You must bear with me. Pray you now, forget[4530]
and forgive: I am old and foolish.[4530] 85
[Exeunt all but Kent and Gentleman.[4531]
Gent. Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall[4532][4533][4534]
was so slain?[4532][4533]
Kent. Most certain, sir.[4532][4533]
Gent. Who is conductor of his people?[4532][4533]
Kent. As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester.[4532][4533][4535] 90
Gent. They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the[4532][4533]
Earl of Kent in Germany.[4532][4533][4536]
Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about;[4532][4536][4537]
the powers of the kingdom approach apace.[4532][4536][4537]
Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you[4532][4536][4537][4538] 95
well, sir. [Exit.[4532][4536][4537][4539]
Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought,[4532]
Or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit.[4532][4540]