[Exeunt Kent, Gloucester and the Fool bearing off Lear.]
EDGAR.
When we our betters see bearing our woes,
We scarcely think our miseries our foes.
Who alone suffers, suffers most i’ the 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 thoughts defile thee,
In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee.
What will hap more tonight, safe ’scape the King!
Lurk, lurk.
[Exit.]
SCENE VII. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle
Enter Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, Edmund and Servants.
CORNWALL.
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.]
REGAN.
Hang him instantly.
GONERIL.
Pluck out his eyes.
CORNWALL.
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.