KING LEAR.

837

Requires a fitter place.

Alb.
I hold you but a subject of this war,
Sir, by your patience,
Not as a brother.

Reg.
That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure might have been de-
manded,

Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers;
Bore the commission of my place and person;
The which immediacy may well stand up,
And call itself your brother.
Gon.

Not so hot :
In his own grace he doth exalt himself,
More than in your addition.

Reg.

Alb. Trust to thy single virtue; for thy
soldiers,

All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.

Reg.

My sickness grows upon me. Enter a Herald.

Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent.
Come hither, herald,-let the trumpet sound,-
[Exit Regan, led.
And read out this.

Offi. Sound, trumpet! [A trumpet sounds.
Herald reads.

"If any man of quality, or degree, within
the list of the army, will maintain upon Ed-
mund, supposed earl of Gloster, that he is a
hus-sound of the trumpet: he is bold in his defence."
manifold traitor, let him appear at the third
Edm. Sound!
Her. Again!
Her. Again!

By me invested, he compeers the best.
In my rights,
Gon. That were the most, if he should
band you.

Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.
Gon.
That eye, that told you so, look'd but asquint.
Holla, holla!
Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should

answer

From a full-flowing stomach.--General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine:
Witness the world, that I create thee here
My lord and master.

Gon.
Mean you to enjoy him?
Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good
will.

Edm. Nor in thine, lord.

Alb.
Half-blooded fellow, yes.
Reg. [To Edmund.] Let the drum strike,
and prove my title thine.

Alb. Stay yet; hear reason.-Edmund, I

arrest thee

On capital treason; and, in thy arrest,
[Pointing to Gon.] This gilded serpent.-For
your claim, fair sister,

I bar it in the interest of my wife;
'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your banns.
If you will marry, make your love to me,
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.

An interlude!

[I Trumpet.

2 Trumpet. [3 Trumpet.

Enter Edgar, armed, preceded by a trumpet.
[Trumpet answers within.
Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this call o' the trumpet.

Her.
Your name? your quality? and why you answer
What are you?
This present summons?
By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit:
Edg.
Yet am I noble as the adversary
Know, my name is lost;
I come to cope withal.
Alb.
Which is that adversary?
Edg. What's he that speaks for Edmund
earl of Gloster ?

Edm. Himself:—what say'st thou to him?
Edg.
That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
Draw thy sword,
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours,
Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine.
My oath, and my profession: I protest,-
Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and em-
inence,

Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour and thy heart,-thou art a traitor;
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince;

Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-let the And, from the extremest upward of thy head,

trumpet sound:

If none appear to prove, upon thy person,
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge; [Throwing down a glove.]
I'll prove it on thy heart,
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.
Reg.
Gon. [Aside.] If not, I'll ne'er trust poison.
Sick, O sick!
Edm. There's my exchange: [Throwing
down a glove.] what in the world he is
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies:
Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, (who not ?) I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.

Alb. A herald, ho!
Edm.

To the descent and dust below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou "No,"
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are
bent

To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.

Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name;
And that thy tongue some 'say of breeding
But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,
breathes,

What safe and nicely I might well delay
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head;
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn :
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;
Which,-for they yet glance by, and scarcely
bruise,-

A herald, ho! a herald !This sword of mine shall give them instant way,

Where they shall rest for ever.-Trumpets, Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart, speak! (Alack, too weak the conflict to support!) "Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, Burst smilingly.

[Alarums. They fight. Edmund falls. Alb. Save him, save him! Gon.

This is practice, Gloster: By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to

answer

An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
But cozen'd and beguil'd.

Alb.
Shut your mouth, dame;
Or with this paper shall I stop it :-hold, sir ;
Thou worse than any name, read thine own
evil :-

No tearing, lady; I perceive you know it.
[Gives the letter to Edmund.
Gon. Say, if I do,-the laws are mine, not
Who can arraign me for't?
[thine:
Most monstrous!

Alb.
Know'st thou this paper?
Gon.

Ask me not what I know.
[Exit.
Alb. Go after her she's desperate; govern
her. [To an Officer, who goes out.
Edm. What have you charg'd me with, that
have I done;
[it out:
And more, much more; the time will bring
'Tis past, and so am I.-But what art thou,
That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble,
I do forgive thee.
Edg.

Let's exchange charity.

Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me, And shall, perchance, do good: but speak you

on;

You look as you had something more to say.
Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in;
For I am almost ready to dissolve,
Hearing of this.

Edg. This would have seem'd a period
To such as love not sorrow; but another,
To amplify too much, would make much more,
And top extremity.

Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man,
Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding
Who 'twas that so endur'd, with his strong arms
He fasten'd on my neck, and bellow'd out
As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father;
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him,
That ever ear receiv'd: which in recounting,
His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life
Began to crack: twice then the trumpet sound-
And there I left him, tranc'd.
[ed,
Alb.
But who was this?
Edg. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in
disguise

Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service

Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody knife.
Gent. Help, help, O help!

I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund ; Improper for a slave.
If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us :

The dark and vicious place where thee he got,
Cost him his eyes.

Edm. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true;
The wheel has come full circle; I am here.

Alb. Methought the very gait did prophesy
A royal nobleness :-I must embrace thee:
Let sorrow spiit my heart, if ever I
Did hate thee, or thy father!

Edg.

Edg.
Alb.

What kind of help?
Speak, man.
Edg. What means that bloody knife?
Gent.
'Tis hot, it smokes ;

It came even from the heart of O, she's dead!
Alb. Who dead? speak, man.

Gent. Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sisBy her is poison'd; she hath confess'd it. [ter Edm. I was contracted to them both: all Now marry in an instant. [three Edg. Here comes Kent. Alb. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead![tremble, This judgment of the heavens, that makes us Edg. By nursing them, my lord.-List a Touches us not with pity. [Exit Gentleman. brief tale :

Worthy prince, I know't.
Alb. Where have you hid yourself?
How have you known the miseries of your

father?

[burst!

Enter Kent.

O, is this he?

And, when 'tis told, O that my heart would
The bloody proclamation to escape, [ness! The time will not allow the compliment,
That follow'd me so near, (O, our lives' sweet- Which very manners urges.
That we the pain of death would hourly die,
Rather than die at once!) taught me to shift
Into a madman's rags; to assume a semblance
That very dogs disdain'd: and in this habit
Met I my father with his bleeding rings,
Their precious stones new lost: became his
guide,
[despair;
Led him, begg'd for him, sav'd him from
Never (O fault!) reveal'd myself unto him,
Until some half-hour past, when I was arm'd;
Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,
I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last

Kent.
I am come
To bid my king and master aye good night:
Is he not here?

Alb.
Great thing of us forgot!
Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's
Seest thou this object, Kent? [Cordelia ?—
Kent. Alack, why thus?

[The bodies of Goneril and Regan are
brought in.

Edm.
Yet Edmund was belov'd:
The one the other poison'd for my sake,
And after slew herself.

Scene 3.

KING LEAR.

:

[to do,
Alb. Even so.-Cover their faces.
mean
Edm. I pant for life :-some good
Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send,-
Be brief in it,-to the castle; for my writ
Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia :-
Nay, send in time.
Run, run, O run!
Alb.
Edg. To whom, my lord ?-Who has the
[office? send
Edm. Well thought on: take my sword,
Give it the captain.
Alb.

Thy token of reprieve.

Kent. Nor no man else.-All's cheerless, dark, and deadly;

Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves, And desperately are dead. Haste thee, for thy life. Lear. [Exit Edgar. Edm. He hath commission from thy wife To hang Cordelia in the prison, and [and me To lay the blame upon her own despair, That she fordid herself.

Alb. The gods defend her!- Bear him [Edmund is borne off. hence a while. Enter Lear, with Cordelia dead in his arms; Edgar, Officer, and others.

Lear. Howl, howl, howl, howl!-O, you are men of stones!

Had I your tongues and eyes, I'd use them so
That heaven's vault should crack.-She's gone
for ever!-

I know when one is dead, and when one lives;
She's dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass;
If that her breath shall mist or stain the stone,
Why, then she lives.
Is this the promis'd end?
Kent.
Edg. Or image of that horror?
Fall, and cease!
Alb.
Lear. This feather stirs : she lives! if it be

So,

It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt.

Kent. [Kneeling.] O, my good master!
Lear. Pr'ythee, away.

Edg.

'Tis noble Kent, your friend. Lear. A plague upon you, murderers,

[ever!

traitors all!
I might have sav'd her; now, she's gone for
Cordelia, Cordelia! stay a little. Ha!
What is't thou say'st?-Her voice was ever soft,
Gentle, and low; an excellent thing in

woman.

I kill'd the slave that was a hanging thee.
Of. "Tis true, my lord, he did.
Lear.

Did I not, fellow?

I have seen the day, with my good biting
faulchion

I would have made them skip : I am old now,
And these same crosses spoil me.-Who are
[straight.
you?
Mine eyes are not o' the best :-I'll tell you
Kent. If fortune brag of two she lov'd and
[hated,
One of them we behold.
Lear. This is a dull sight:-are you not
Kent?

Kent.

The same,

Off. Edmund is dead, my lord.
Alb.
That's but a trifle here.-
You lords, and noble friends, know our intent.
What comfort to this great decay may come,
Shall be applied for us, we will resign,
During the life of this old majesty,
To him our absolute power :-[To Edgar and
Kent.] you, to your rights;

With boot, and such addition as your honours
Have more than merited. All friends shall

Do you see this? Look on her,-look,-her
Look there, look there!-

[Dies.
Edg. He faints!-My lord, my lord !—
Kent. Break, heart; I pr'ythee, break!
Look up, my lord.
Edg.
Kent. Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass!
he hates him,

That would upon the rack of this tough world
Stretch him out longer.
Edg.

He gone indeed.
Kent. The wonder is he hath endur'd so
[long :
He but usurp'd his life.
Alb. Bear them from hence.-Our present
business

Is general woe. [To Kent and Edgar.]
[tain.
Friends of my soul, you twain
Rule in this realm, and the gorg'd state sus-
Kent. I have a journey, sir, shortly to go;
My master calls me, I must not say no.

Alb. The weight of this sad time we must
obey,

Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. The oldest hath borne most: we, that are young,

Your servant Kent. Where is your servant Shall never see so much, nor live so long.

Caius ?

[Exeunt, with a dead march.

CYMBELINE.

Act 1.

CYMBELINE.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

Cymbeline, King of Britain.

A Roman Captain.

Cloten, Son to the Queen by a former Husband. Two British Captains.
Leonatus Posthumus, a gentleman, Husband Pisanio, Servant to Posthumus.
Cornelius, a Physician.

to Imogen.
Belarius, a banished Lord, disguised under the Two Lords of Cymbeline's Court.
name of Morgan.
Two Gentlemen of the same.

Guiderius,

[Queen.

Sons to Cymbeline, disguised Two Gaolers. under the names of Polydore Queen, Wife to Cymbeline. Arviragus, and Cadwal, supposed Sons to Imogen, Daughter to Cymbeline by a former

Belarius.

Philario, Friend to Posthumus, Italians.
Iachimo, Friend to Philario,

A French Gentleman, Friend to Philario.
Caius Lucius, General of the Roman Forces.

SCENE I.-Britain.

Helen, Woman to Imogen.

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, Apparitions, a Soothsayer, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Attendants.

SCENE,-Sometimes in Britain, sometimes in Italy.

ACT I.

2 Gen. The Garden of Cymbe- Crush him together, rather than unfold 1 Gen. I do extend him, sir, within himself; You speak him far.

line's Palace.

Enter two Gentlemen.

I Gen. You do not meet a man but frowns:
our bloods

His measure duly.

2 Gen.

What's his name, and birth? 1 Gen. I cannot delve him to the root: his father

No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers Was called Sicilius, who did join his honour, Still seem as does the king.

2 Gen.
1 Gen. His daughter, and the heir of's king-
But what's the matter?
dom, whom

He purpos'd to his wife's sole son, (a widow
That late he married,) hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's
wedded;

He serv'd with glory and admir'd success;
But had his titles by Tenantius, whom
Against the Romans, with Cassibelan;
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus :
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
Died with their swords in hand; for which
Two other sons, who, in the wars o' the time,
their father

(Then old and fond of issue) took such sorrow,

Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
Is outward sorrow; though, I think, the king That he quit being; and his gentle lady,
Be touch'd at very heart.
2 Gen.
I Gen. He that hath lost her, too: so is the To his protection; calls him Posthumus
None but the king? As he was born. The king he takes the babe
Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd

Leonatus ;

[chamber:

queen, That most desir'd the match: but not a Breeds him, and makes him of his bed[courtier, Although they wear their faces to the bent Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not Glad at the thing they scowl at. Puts to him all the learnings that his time Could make him the receiver of; which he 2 Gen. As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd; [took, 1 Gen. He that hath miss'd the princess is a And why so? And in his spring became a harvest: liv'd in thing

court

Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her,
(I mean that married her,―alack, good man!-A sample to the youngest; to the more
And therefore banish'd,) is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be something For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
A glass that feated them and to the graver,
A child that guided dotards: to his mistress,
failing
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read
What kind of man he is.
2 Gen.

(Which rare it is to do) most prais'd, most
lov'd:
[mature,

In him that should compare.
So fair an outward, and such stuff within,
I do not think
Endows a man but he.

I honour him,

Scene 2.

CYMBELINE.

[send, [me, Though ink be made of gall. Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you Re-enter Queen. Be brief, I pray you : Is she sole child to the king? His only child. 1 Gen. He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, Mark it,) the eldest of them at three years old, If the king come, I shall incur I know not I'll move him I' the swathing clothes the other, from their How much of his displeasure.-[Aside.] Yet nursery

Were stolen; and to this hour no guess in
[knowledge
Which way they went.
How long is this ago?
2 Gen.
1 Gen. Some twenty years.

2 Gen. That a king's children should be so
convey'd !

So slackly guarded! and the search so slow,
That could not trace them!

1 Gen.

Howsoe'er 'tis strange, Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at, Yet is it true, sir.

2 Gen. I do well believe you. [gentleman, I Gen. We must forbear: here comes the The queen, and princess.

SCENE II.-The Same.

[Exeunt.

Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen. Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, daughter,

Queen.

To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.

Post.

[Exit.
Should we be taking leave
The loathness to depart would grow: Adieu !
As long a term as yet we have to live,
Imo. Nay, stay a little :

Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;
But keep it till you woo another wife, [heart;
This diamond was my mother's take it,
When Imogen is dead.

Post.

How, how! another?-
You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death!-Remain, remain thou
[Putting on the ring.
here
While sense can keep it on! And, sweetest,

fairest,

As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your so infinite loss; so in our trifles
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
I still win of you: for my sake, wear this;
Post-Upon this fairest prisoner.

After the slander of most stepmothers,
Evil-ey'd unto you: you are my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys
That lock up your restraint. For you,
humus,

So soon as I can win the offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
The fire of rage is in him; and 'twere good,
[patience
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what
Your wisdom may inform you.
Please your highness,

Post.

I will from hence to-day.
You know the peril
Queen.
I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections; though the
king

Hath charg'd you should not speak together.
[Exit Queen.
O
Imo.
Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds !--My dearest
husband,

[thing

I something fear my father's wrath; but no-
(Always reserv'd my holy duty) what
His rage can do on me: you must be gone;
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes; not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world,
That I may see again.

My queen! my mistress
Post.
O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man! I will remain
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:
My residence in Rome at one Philario's ;
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,

Imo.

[Putting a bracelet on her arm.
O the gods!

When shall we see again?
Enter Cymbeline and Lords.
Alack, the king!
Post.
Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid! hence,
from my sight!

If after this command thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness, thou diest: away!
Thou'rt poison to my blood.

The gods protect you!
Post.
[Exit.
And bless the good remainders of the court!
Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death
I am gone.
More sharp than this is.
O disloyal thing,
Cym.
A year's age on me!
I beseech you, sir,
That shouldst repair my youth; thou heapest
Imo.
Harm not yourself with your vexation :
[rare
I am senseless of your wrath; a touch more
Subdues all pangs, all fears.
Past grace? obedience?
Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way,