You are not worth the dust, which the rude wind Gon. No more; the text is foolish. Alb. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile: Filths savour but themselves. What have you done? Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd? A father, and a gracious aged man, Whose reverence the head-lugg'd bear would lick, Most barbarous, most degenerate! have you madded. Could my good brother suffer you to do it? A man, a prince, by him so beuefited? If that the heavens do not their visible spirits Ilumauity must perforce prey on itself, Gon. Milk-liver'd man! That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; Alb. See thyself, devil! Proper deformity seems not in the fiend So horrid, as in woman. Gon. O vain fool! SCENE III.- The French camp near Dover. Enter KENT, and a Gentleman. Kent. Why the king of France is so suddenly gone back, know you the reason? Gent. Something he left imperfect in the state, Which, since his coming forth, is thought of; which Imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger, That his personal return was most requir'd, And necessary. Kent. Who hath he left behind him general? Gent. The Mareschal of France, Monsieur le Fer. Kent. Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief? Gent. Ay,sir; she took them,read them in my presence; Aud now and then an ample tear trill'd down Her delicate cheek: it seem'd she was a queen Over her passion; who, most rebel-like, Sought to be king o'er her. Kent. 0, then it mov'd her. Gent. Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove Who should express her goodliest. You have seen Sunshine and rain at once; her smiles and tears Were like a better day: those happy smiles, That play'd on her ripe lip, seem'd not to know What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence, As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. — In brief, sorrow Alb. Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for Would be a rarity most belov'd, if all Could so become it. Kent. Made she no verbal question? Gent. 'Faith, once, or twice, she heav'd the name of father Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart; Cried, Sisters! sisters!- Shame of ladies! sisters! Kent! father! sisters! What? i'the storm? i'the night? Let pity not be believ'd! There she shook Mess. O, my good lord, the duke of Cornwall's dead: The holy water from her heavenly eyes, Slain by his servant, going to put out The other eye of Gloster. Alb. Gloster's eyes! Mess. A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse All. This shows you are above, And clamour moisten'd: then away she started To deal with grief alone. Kent. It is the stars, The stars above us, govern our conditions; Such different issues. You spoke not with her since? Kent. Was this before the king return'd? Gent. No, since. Kent. Well, sir; the poor distress'd Lear is i'the town; Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers Gent. Why, good sir? To let him live; where he arrives, he moves Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting Gent. Alack, poor gentleman! Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous. Stew. I may not, madam! My lady charg'd my duty in this business. Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard Transport her purposes by word? Belike, not? In our sustaining corn. A century send forth; Something-I know not what: - I'll love theemuch, Reg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, Iknowit If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.] What Preferment falls on him, that cuts him off! can man's wisdom do, In the restoring his bereaved sense? He, that helps him, take all my outward worth. Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, The which he lacks; that to provoke in him, Are many simples operative, whose power Cor. All bless'd secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate, In the good man's distress!-Seek, seek for him; Enter a Messenger. Mess. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherward! My mourning, and important tears, hath pitied. [Exeunt. SCENE V.- A room in GLOSTER's castle. Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth? Reg. Himself In person there? Stew. Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier. [Exeunt. The country near Dover. Hark, do you hear the sea? Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imperfect Glo. So may it be, indeed. Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at Topple down headlong. Here, friend, is another purse; in it, a jewel Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Glo. O you mighty gods! This world I do renounce; and, in your sights, -- 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.go.0, well flown, bird! i'the clout, i'the clout! hewgh!-Give the word! To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, And yet I know not how conceit may rob Glo. Away, and let me die! Edg. Had'st thou been aught but gossamer, thers, air, So many fathom down precipitating, Edg. Sweet marjoram. 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 remember: Is't not the king? 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? fea-Adultery. Thou had'st shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; Ilast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, art Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn; Is wretchedness deprived that benefit, To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort, Edg. Give me your arm! Up!- So! stand. Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No! Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son Got 'tween the lawful sheets. To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.- Whose face between her forks presageth snow; The fitchew, nor the soil'd horse, goes to't Down from the waist they are centaurs, 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. Fye, fye, fye! pah; pah! How is't? Feel you your legs? You Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to Glo. Too well, too well! Edg. This is above all strangeness. Upon the crown o'the cliff, what thing was that Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Enough, enough, and die. That thing you speak of But who sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee! Glo. O let me kiss that hand! Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know me? 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. - Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Edg. I would not take this from report; - it is, And my heart breaks at it. Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with flowers. Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this thou might st behold the great image of authority: Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand! For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now! Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are come -- A troop of horse with felt! I'll put it in proof, Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even Gent. You shall have any thing. Why, this would make a man, a man of salt, Gent. Good sir, Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: what? Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. [Exit, running; Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch; Past speaking of in a king!-Thou hast one daughter Who redeems nature from the general curse 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 hearsthat, Which can distinguish sound. Edg. But, by your favour, How near's the other army? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought. Edg. I thank you, sir! that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, Her army is mov'd on. Edg. I thank you, sir! [Exit Gent. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me! Let not my worser spirit tempt me again, Edg. Well pray you, father! Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Glo. Hearty thanks! The bounty and the benizon of heaven Enter Steward. Glo. Now let thy friendly hand [Edgar opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poet life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by vortnight. volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwaggered out of my Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghili! Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor your foins. [They fight; and Edgar knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me!- Villain take my purse! If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body! Edg. Sit you down, father! rest you!- [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 fruit fully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: then am I the prisoner, 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 affectionate servant, GOXERIL. O undistinguish'd space of woman's will! [Exit Edgar, dragging out the body. These weeds are memories of those worser hours; 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, Cor. Then be it so, my good lord! Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O you kind gods, How does [To the Physician. Gure this great breach in his abused nature! The untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up 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? Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep, We put fresh garments on him. Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt net of his temperance. Cor. Very well. Phys. Please you, draw near!—Louder the music there. Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss Repair these 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 Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu!) Cor. 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? Cor. Still, still, far wide! Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? - Fair daylight? I am mightily abus'd.—I should even die with pity, Of Cor. O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me!- To be my child Cordelia, Cor. 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, Cor. No cause, 'no cause! Lear. Am I in France? Kent. In your own kingdom, sir! Phys. Be comforted, good madam! the great rage, Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Pray now, forget and forgive! I am old and foolish! [Exeunt Lear, Cordelia, Physician, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, sir, That the duke of Cornwall was so slain? Gent. Who is conductor of his people? The bastard son of Gloster. Gent. They say, Edgar, His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers o'the kingdom Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. ACT V. SCENE I. The camp of the British forces, near Dover. Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Of- Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; |