In short and musty straw? Alack, alack! Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him. 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 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 day-light? I am mightily abus'd. I should even die with pity,' Of my condition. Cor. O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me: Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should know you, and know this man; To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And so I am, I am. 1 Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: If you have poison for me, I will drink it. Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Lear. Do not abuse me. No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, You see, is cur'd in him: and yet it is danger To make him even o'er the time he has lost. 5 Desire him to go in; trouble him no more, Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Lear. You must bear with me: 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? His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent 'Tis time to look about; the powers o'the kingdom Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir. [Exit. 5 To make him even o'er the time he has lost. i. e. to reconcile it to his apprehension. VOL. VIII. Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I. The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with Drums and Colours, Edmund, Regan, Officers, Soldiers, and Others. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; To change the course: He's full of alteration, [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.7 Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct Reg. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord, Edm. Fear me not: She, and the duke her husband, 5 his constant pleasure.] His settled resolution. 6 forefended place?] i. e. prohibited, forbidden. 7 That thought abuses you.] That thought imposes on you. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me. [Aside. Sir, this I hear, The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigour of our state Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met. — Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, It toucheth us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.1 Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestick and particular broils Are not to question here. Alb. Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. * Not bolds the king;] i. e. emboldens him to assert his former title. 9 make oppose.] Compel to oppose us. 1 Sir, you speak nobly.] This reply must be understood ironically. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. Edg. 2 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. Re-enter EDMUND. Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery; but your haste Is now urg'd on you. Alb. We will greet the time." [Exit. Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love; Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use His speedy taking off. As for the 2 And machination ceases.] i. e. All designs against your life will have an end. 3 greet the time.] i. e. Be ready to meet the occasion. 4 carry out my side.] Edmund means, hardly shall I be able to make my party good; to maintain my cause. |