SCENE 111-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

Gent.

Alack, poor gentleman! Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?

Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot.

Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, And leave you to attend him: some dear cause Will in concealment wrap me up a while; When I am known aright, you shall not grieve Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go Along with me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-The same. A Tent. Enter Cordelia,
Physician, and Soldiers.

Cor. Alack, 'tis he; why, he was met even now
As mad as the vex'd sea: singing aloud;
Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow-weeds,
With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow

In our sustaining corn.-A century send forth;
Search every acre in the high-grown field,

And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.]-What can man's wisdom do,

In the restoring his bereaved sense?

He, that helps him, take all my outward worth.
Phy. There is means, madam :
Our foster-nurse of nature is repose,

The which he lacks; that to provoke in him,
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.

The British powers are marching hitherward.
Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands
In expectation of them.-O dear father,
It is thy business that I go about;
Therefore great France

My mourning, and important tears, hath pitied.
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,

But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right:
Soon may I hear, and see him!

[Exeunt.

SCENE V-A Room in Gloster's Castle. Enter Re gan and Steward.

Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth?

Stew.

Reg.

In person there?

Ay, madam.

Himself

Stew. Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier.

No, since.

Kent. Well, sir; The poor distress'd Lear is i'the

town:

Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers

What we are come about, and by no means

Will yield to see his daughter.

Gent.

Why, good sir?

Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness,

That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights

To his dog-hearted daughters,-these things sting
His mind so venomously, that burning shame
Detains him from Cordelia.

Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?

Stew. No, madam.

Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady.

Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out, To let him live; where he arrives, he moves All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone, In pity of his misery, to despatch

His nighted life; moreover, to descry

The strength o'the enemy.

Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my let

ter.

Edg. O thou side-piercing sight!

Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.-There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: Draw me a clothier's yard.-Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace ;-this piece of toasted cheese wil! do't-There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant.-Bring up the brown bills. O, well flown, bird! i'the clout, i'the clout: hewgh!-Give the word. Edg. Sweet marjoram. Lear. Pass.

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?

Ay, every inch a king!

Lear.
When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes.-
I pardon that man's life: What was thy cause?
Adultery.-

Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No:
The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight.

Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son
Was kinder to his father, than my daughters
Got 'tween the lawful sheets.

To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.-
Behold yon' simpering dame,

Whose face between her forks presageth snow;
That minces virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure's name ;

The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't
With a more riotous appetite.

Down from the waist they are centaurs,
Though women all above :

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 ;-Fie, fie, fie! pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to 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.

is the justice, which is the thief?-Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?

Glo. Ay, sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office.———

Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand:

Why dost thou lash that whore? strip thine own back} Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind,

For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the

cozener.

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;
Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with gold,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks:
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pieree it.
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
And, like a scurvy politician, seem

To see the things thou dost not.-Now, now, now, now;
Pull off my boots :-harder, harder; so.

Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness!

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster: Thou must be patient; we came crying hither. Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, We wawl, and cry :-I will preach to thee; mark me. Glo. Alack, alack the day!

Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are come To this great stage of fools ;-This a good block?→→ It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe

A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof;
And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law,
Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants.
Gent. O, here he is; lay hand upon him.-Sir,
Your most dear daughter-

Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well;
You shall have ransome.-Let me have a surgeon,
I am cut to the brains.

Gent.

You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds? All myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt, To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust. Gent. Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: What? I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king,

My masters, know you that?

Good sir,

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you.

Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it,

you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.

[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 Which twain have brought her to. Edg. Hail, gentle sir.

Gent. Sir, speed you: What's your will 2 Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears that, Which can distinguish sound. Edg.

How near's the other army?

But, by your favour,

Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.

Edg.

I thank you, sir: that's all

Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence;
Lest that the infection of his fortune take

Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat be the harder: Chi'll be plain with you.

Stew. Out, dunghill!

Edg. Chi'll 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;

And give the letters, which thou find'st about me,
To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out
Upon the British party :-0, untimely death! [Dies.
Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villain;
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress,

Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.

Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of,
May be my friends.-He's dead: I am only sorry
He had no other deaths-man.-Let us see :-
Leave, gentle wax ; and, manners, blame us not:
To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts;
Their papers, is more lawful.

[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 fruitfully 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,

Goneril.

O undistinguish'd space of woman's will !—
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the sands,

Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified

Of murd'rous lechers: and, in the mature tire,
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death-practis'd duke: For him 'tis well,
That of thy death and business I can tell.

[Exit Edgar, dragging out the body,
Glo. The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,
That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs;
And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose
The knowledge of themselves.

Edg.

Re-enter Edgar.

Give me your hand: Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Ercant. SCENE VII-A Tent in the French Camp. Lear on a bed, asleep; Physician, Gentleman, and others, attending: Enter Cordelia and Kent.

Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live, and work, To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, And every measure fail me.

Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'erpaid. All my reports go with the modest truth;

Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so.

Cor.
Be better suited:
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,
Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How does the king? [To the Physician.

Phys. Madam, sleeps still.

Cor. O you kind gods,

Cure this great breach in his abused nature! 'The untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up Of this child-changed father!

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 not 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 those violent harms, that my two sisters
Have in thy reverence made!

Kent.
Kind and dear princes!
Cor. Had you not been their father, these white
flakes

Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face
To be expos'd against the warring winds?
To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?
In the most terrible and nimble stroke
Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu !)
With this thin belm? Mine enemy's dog,
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night
Against my fire; And wast thou fain, poor father,
To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn,
In short and musty straw? Alack, alack!
'Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once

ACT V.

SCENE I-The Camp of the British Forces, near Do ver. Enter, with drums and colours, Edmund, Re gan, Officers, Soldiers, and others.

Edmund.

hold;

KNOW of the duke, if his last purpose Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught To change the course: He's full of alteration, And self-reproving:-bring his constant pleasure. [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Reg.

Now, sweet lord,

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
To the forefended place?

Edm.
That thought abuses you.
Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.
Edm. No, by mine honour, madam.
Reg. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord,
Be not familiar with her.
Edm.

Fear me not:She, and the duke her hushand,—

Enter Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me.

[Aside.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear,-The king has come to bis daughter, With others, whom the rigour of our state Fore'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It toucheth us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose. Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.

Reg.
Why is this reason'd?"
Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy:
For these domestic and particular broils
Are not o question here.

Alb.
Let us then determine
With the ancient of war on our proceedings.
Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent.
Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?
Gon. No.

Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.
Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] I will go.
As they are going out, enter Edgar, disguised.
Edg. Ife'er your grace had speech with man so poor,
Hear me one word.

Alb.

I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt Edm. Reg. Gon. Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it: Wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion, that will prove What is arouched there: If you miscarry, Your business of the world bath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune love you! Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. Edg. I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again.

[Exit. Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper.