Kent. Cordelia. Then be 't so, my good lord. How does the king? [To the Physician. Doctor. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O, you kind gods, Cure this great breach in his abused nature! Doct. Cor Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? Gent. Ay, Madam; in the heaviness of his sleep, e put fresh garments on him. We Doctor. Be by, good Madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Very well. Cor. 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?4 Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu!) Though he had bit me, should have stood that night 1. To be recognized already would frustrate the plan which I have formed. 2. 0, wind up the untuned and jarring senses thinking of the manner in which the strings of a musical instrument are wound up when out of tune and jarring. 3. i. e. Of this father, changed to a child by his years and wrongs; or, changed from what he was, by the conduct of his children. 4. i. e. the deep-toned thunder, armed with dreadful thunder-bolts. 5. The allusion is to the advanced posts of an army, or what are called the forlorn hope, the expression perdu being borrowed from the French. With this thin helm means, with his head covered with nothing but his scanty hair. Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father, 1 Cordelia. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o' the 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? Doct. He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile. light? I am mightily abus'd. I should even die with pity I will not swear, these O! look upon me, Sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me. Lear. Pray, do not mock me: 3 I am a very foolish fond old man, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should know you, and know this man; : Cordelia. 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 Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Lear. Do not abuse me. 1 No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, Sir. Doctor. Be comforted, good Madam: the great rage, You see, is kill'd in him; and yet it is danger Cor. Will 't please your highness walk? You must bear with me:4 Pray you now forget and forgive: I am old and foolish. [Exeunt LEAR, CORDELIA, Doctor, and Attendants. Gentleman. Holds it true, 5 Sir, that the duke of Cornwall was so slain? Kent. Most certain, Sir. Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. As 't is said, the bastard son of Gloster. Gent. They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the earl of, Kent in Germany. Kent. Report is changeable. "T is time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody. well, Sir. Kent. My point and period will be throughly Or well, or ill, as this day's battle 's fought. 6 Fare you 7 [Exit. wrought, [Exit. 1. i. e. Do not deceive me. 2. i. e. it would be dangerous to make clear to his apprehension the time he has lost. 3. i. e. Till his mind is more settled. 4. To bear with, to have patience with. 5. i. e. Is it confirmed. 6. Is like to be, is likely to be, will probably be. In this sense the word like is still popularly used, as, he had like to have been drowned, meaning, he was near being drowned. 7. Now commonly written thoroughly. ACT V. SCENE I. - The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover Enter, with Drums and Colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and Others.' Edmund. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; Or whether, since, he is advis'd by aught1 To change the course. He's full of alteration, And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure.2 Now, sweet lord, [To an Officer, who goes out. Regan. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. "T is to be doubted, Madam. Reg. 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 That thought abuses you.5 Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct," And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. 8 Edm. No, by mine honour, Madam. 9 Reg. I never shall endure her. Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Goneril. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me. Albany. 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 1. Or whether, since then, anything renders it advisable, in his opinion, &c. 2. i. e. his settled resolution. 3. To doubt, to fear; sometimes also to believe, to doubt not. 4. Forefended, prohibited, forbidden. 5. i. e. That thought imposes on King Lear. [Aside. you; that is a suspicion without foun- intimately connected. See note 7, page 37. 9. i. e. I never shall endure her being on terms of such intimacy with you, 7 Forc'd to cry out. 1 Where I could not be honest, 2 Regan. Why is this reason'd? Goneril. Combine together 'gainst the enemy; For these domestic and particular broils Are not the question here. 4 Albany. Gon. No. 5 Reg. "T is most convenient; pray you, go with us. Enter EDGAR, disguised. Edgar. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. Albany. I'll overtake you. - Speak.' Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter, 1. Gave cause of complaint. 2. As regards this business (i. e. the pending battle), it concerns me in one particular only, - that France invades our land; not in respect to the king being emboldened to re-assert his title, assisted by others, whom, I fear, most just and heavy causes have driven to oppose us. 4. i. e. experienced generals, men old in war. 5. Presently, immediately. 6. Meaning, she perceives her sister's intention to prevent her being together with Edmund. 7. This last word only is addressed to Edgar. 8. i. e. all designs against your life 3. This is to be understood ironi- will have an end. cally. |