Page images
PDF
EPUB

In short and musty straw? Alack, alack!
'Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once i

Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him.
Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.

Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty ?

Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the

grave:

[ocr errors]

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 day-light?

[ocr errors]

[ocr errors]

I am mightily abus'd. I should even die with pity,'
To see another thus. I know not what to say.
I will not swear, these are my hands: - let's see;
I feel this pin prick. 'Would I were assur'd t

Of my condition.

Cor.

O, look upon me, sir,

And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:
No, sir, you must not kneel.

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.

[ocr errors]

Methinks, I should know you, and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is; and all the skill I have
Remembers not these garments; nor I know not
Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at me;
For, as I am a man, I think this lady

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.
I know, you do not love me; for your sisters
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong:
You have some cause, they have not.

Cor.

Lear. Am I in France?
Kent.

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,
Till further settling.

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?

[blocks in formation]

His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent

[blocks in formation]

'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;
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.5

[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

[ocr errors]

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
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 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. —

[ocr errors]

Forc'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.9

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.
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. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

[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.
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 avouched there: If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Alb. Stay till I have read the 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.

[ocr errors]

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?
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,
If both remain alive: To take the widow,
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her, who would be rid of him, devise

His speedy taking off. As for the
mercy
Which he intends to Lear, and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,

[ocr errors]

2 And machination ceases.] i. e. All designs against your life will

have an end.

3

[ocr errors]

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.

« PreviousContinue »