From 928264b42cad035b172465b417b46180cf362e78 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Scott Hudson Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 17:05:41 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] New poetry sample, latest spec draft --- .../publishers/samples/auld_lang_syne.xml | 87 + docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/lear.xml | 18811 +++++++++------- docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/fo.xsl | 8 +- docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/html.xsl | 13 +- 4 files changed, 10631 insertions(+), 8288 deletions(-) create mode 100644 docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/auld_lang_syne.xml diff --git a/docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/auld_lang_syne.xml b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/auld_lang_syne.xml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..24872ce04 --- /dev/null +++ b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/auld_lang_syne.xml @@ -0,0 +1,87 @@ + + + + Poems And Songs Of Robert Burns + + + + Robert + Burns + + + + + 1788 + + Auld Lang Syne + + + + Robert + Burns + + + + + Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And never brought to mind? + Should auld acquaintance be forgot, + And auld lang syne? + + + For auld lang syne, my dear, + For auld lang syne, + We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, + For auld lang syne. + + + And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, + And surely I'll be mine! + And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, + For auld lang syne. + + + For auld lang syne, my dear, + For auld lang syne, + We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, + For auld lang syne. + + + We twa hae run about the braes, + And pu'd the gowans fine; + But we've wandered mony a weary fit + Sin' auld lang syne. + + + For auld lang syne, my dear, + For auld lang syne, + We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, + For auld lang syne. + + + We twa hae paidled i' the burn, + Frae morning sun till dine; + But seas between us braid hae roared + Sin' auld lang syne. + + + For auld lang syne, my dear, + For auld lang syne, + We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, + For auld lang syne. + + + And there's a hand, my trusty fiere, + And gie's a hand o' thine! + And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught + + For auld lang syne. + + For auld lang syne, my dear, + For auld lang syne, + We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, + For auld lang syne. + + + + diff --git a/docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/lear.xml b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/lear.xml index c76b2003b..64faf6f12 100644 --- a/docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/lear.xml +++ b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/samples/lear.xml @@ -1,8279 +1,10532 @@ - -The Tragedy of King Lear - -The Tragedy of King LearWilliam ShakespeareASCII text placed in the public domain by Moby Lexical Tools, 1992.SGML markup by Jon Bosak, 1992-1994.XML version by Jon Bosak, 1996-1999.DocBook version by Scott Hudson, 2008.Bosak and Hudson license this work for worldwide use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. - (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode).http://metalab.unc.edu/bosak/xml/eg/shaks200.zip - - -Dramatis Personae - -LEAR, king of Britain -KING OF FRANCE -DUKE OF BURGUNDY -DUKE OF CORNWALL -DUKE OF ALBANY -EARL OF KENT -EARL OF GLOUCESTER -EDGAR, son to Gloucester. -EDMUND, bastard son to Gloucester. -CURAN, a courtier. -Old Man, tenant to Gloucester. -Doctor -Fool -OSWALD, steward to Goneril. -A Captain employed by Edmund. -Gentleman attendant on Cordelia. -A Herald. -Servants to Cornwall. - -GONERILREGANCORDELIAdaughters to Lear. - -Knights of Lear's train, Captains, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants - SCENE Britain. - - - - - -ACT I - -
SCENE I. King Lear's palace. -Enter KENT, GLOUCESTER, and EDMUND - - -KENT -I thought the king had more affected the Duke of -Albany than Cornwall. - - - -GLOUCESTER -It did always seem so to us: but now, in the -division of the kingdom, it appears not which of -the dukes he values most; for equalities are so -weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice -of either's moiety. - - - -KENT -Is not this your son, my lord? - - - -GLOUCESTER -His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have -so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now I am -brazed to it. - - - -KENT -I cannot conceive you. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon -she grew round-wombed, and had, indeed, sir, a son -for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. -Do you smell a fault? - - - -KENT -I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it -being so proper. - - - -GLOUCESTER -But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year -elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: -though this knave came something saucily into the -world before he was sent for, yet was his mother -fair; there was good sport at his making, and the -whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this -noble gentleman, Edmund? - - - -EDMUND -No, my lord. - - - -GLOUCESTER -My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my -honourable friend. - - - -EDMUND -My services to your lordship. - - - -KENT -I must love you, and sue to know you better. - - - -EDMUND -Sir, I shall study deserving. - - - -GLOUCESTER -He hath been out nine years, and away he shall -again. The king is coming. - - -Sennet. Enter KING LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, -GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants - - -KING LEAR -Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I shall, my liege. - - -Exeunt GLOUCESTER and EDMUND - - -KING LEAR -Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. -Give me the map there. Know that we have divided -In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent -To shake all cares and business from our age; -Conferring them on younger strengths, while we -Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, -And you, our no less loving son of Albany, -We have this hour a constant will to publish -Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife -May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, -Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, -Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, -And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters,-- -Since now we will divest us both of rule, -Interest of territory, cares of state,-- -Which of you shall we say doth love us most? -That we our largest bounty may extend -Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, -Our eldest-born, speak first. - - - -GONERIL -Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; -Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; -Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; -No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour; -As much as child e'er loved, or father found; -A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; -Beyond all manner of so much I love you. - - - -CORDELIA -Aside What shall Cordelia do? -Love, and be silent. - - - -LEAR -Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, -With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, -With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, -We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue -Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, -Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. - - - -REGAN -Sir, I am made -Of the self-same metal that my sister is, -And prize me at her worth. In my true heart -I find she names my very deed of love; -Only she comes too short: that I profess -Myself an enemy to all other joys, -Which the most precious square of sense possesses; -And find I am alone felicitate -In your dear highness' love. - - - -CORDELIA -Aside Then poor Cordelia! -And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's -More richer than my tongue. - - - -KING LEAR -To thee and thine hereditary ever -Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; -No less in space, validity, and pleasure, -Than that conferr'd on Goneril. Now, our joy, -Although the last, not least; to whose young love -The vines of France and milk of Burgundy -Strive to be interess'd; what can you say to draw -A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. - - - -CORDELIA -Nothing, my lord. - - - -KING LEAR -Nothing! - - - -CORDELIA -Nothing. - - - -KING LEAR -Nothing will come of nothing: speak again. - - - -CORDELIA -Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave -My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty -According to my bond; nor more nor less. - - - -KING LEAR -How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little, -Lest it may mar your fortunes. - - - -CORDELIA -Good my lord, -You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I -Return those duties back as are right fit, -Obey you, love you, and most honour you. -Why have my sisters husbands, if they say -They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, -That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry -Half my love with him, half my care and duty: -Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, -To love my father all. - - - -KING LEAR -But goes thy heart with this? - - - -CORDELIA -Ay, good my lord. - - - -KING LEAR -So young, and so untender? - - - -CORDELIA -So young, my lord, and true. - - - -KING LEAR -Let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower: -For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, -The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; -By all the operation of the orbs -From whom we do exist, and cease to be; -Here I disclaim all my paternal care, -Propinquity and property of blood, -And as a stranger to my heart and me -Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Scythian, -Or he that makes his generation messes -To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom -Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved, -As thou my sometime daughter. - - - -KENT -Good my liege,-- - - - -KING LEAR -Peace, Kent! -Come not between the dragon and his wrath. -I loved her most, and thought to set my rest -On her kind nursery. Hence, and avoid my sight! -So be my grave my peace, as here I give -Her father's heart from her! Call France; who stirs? -Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany, -With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: -Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. -I do invest you jointly with my power, -Pre-eminence, and all the large effects -That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course, -With reservation of an hundred knights, -By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode -Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain -The name, and all the additions to a king; -The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, -Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, -This coronet part betwixt you. - - -Giving the crown - - -KENT -Royal Lear, -Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, -Loved as my father, as my master follow'd, -As my great patron thought on in my prayers,-- - - - -KING LEAR -The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft. - - - -KENT -Let it fall rather, though the fork invade -The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, -When Lear is mad. What wilt thou do, old man? -Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak, -When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, -When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom; -And, in thy best consideration, cheque -This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, -Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; -Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound -Reverbs no hollowness. - - - -KING LEAR -Kent, on thy life, no more. - - - -KENT -My life I never held but as a pawn -To wage against thy enemies; nor fear to lose it, -Thy safety being the motive. - - - -KING LEAR -Out of my sight! - - - -KENT -See better, Lear; and let me still remain -The true blank of thine eye. - - - -KING LEAR -Now, by Apollo,-- - - - -KENT -Now, by Apollo, king, -Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. - - - -KING LEAR -O, vassal! miscreant! - - -Laying his hand on his sword - - -ALBANY -CORNWALL -Dear sir, forbear. - - - -KENT -Do: -Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow -Upon thy foul disease. Revoke thy doom; -Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, -I'll tell thee thou dost evil. - - - -KING LEAR -Hear me, recreant! -On thine allegiance, hear me! -Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, -Which we durst never yet, and with strain'd pride -To come between our sentence and our power, -Which nor our nature nor our place can bear, -Our potency made good, take thy reward. -Five days we do allot thee, for provision -To shield thee from diseases of the world; -And on the sixth to turn thy hated back -Upon our kingdom: if, on the tenth day following, -Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, -The moment is thy death. Away! by Jupiter, -This shall not be revoked. - - - -KENT -Fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt appear, -Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. -To CORDELIA -The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, -That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said! -To REGAN and GONERIL -And your large speeches may your deeds approve, -That good effects may spring from words of love. -Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; -He'll shape his old course in a country new. - - -Exit -Flourish. Re-enter GLOUCESTER, with KING OF FRANCE, -BURGUNDY, and Attendants - - -GLOUCESTER -Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. - - - -KING LEAR -My lord of Burgundy. -We first address towards you, who with this king -Hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least, -Will you require in present dower with her, -Or cease your quest of love? - - - -BURGUNDY -Most royal majesty, -I crave no more than what your highness offer'd, -Nor will you tender less. - - - -KING LEAR -Right noble Burgundy, -When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; -But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands: -If aught within that little seeming substance, -Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced, -And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, -She's there, and she is yours. - - - -BURGUNDY -I know no answer. - - - -KING LEAR -Will you, with those infirmities she owes, -Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, -Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, -Take her, or leave her? - - - -BURGUNDY -Pardon me, royal sir; -Election makes not up on such conditions. - - - -KING LEAR -Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me, -I tell you all her wealth. -To KING OF FRANCE -For you, great king, -I would not from your love make such a stray, -To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you -To avert your liking a more worthier way -Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed -Almost to acknowledge hers. - - - -KING OF FRANCE -This is most strange, -That she, that even but now was your best object, -The argument of your praise, balm of your age, -Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time -Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle -So many folds of favour. Sure, her offence -Must be of such unnatural degree, -That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection -Fall'n into taint: which to believe of her, -Must be a faith that reason without miracle -Could never plant in me. - - - -CORDELIA -I yet beseech your majesty,-- -If for I want that glib and oily art, -To speak and purpose not; since what I well intend, -I'll do't before I speak,--that you make known -It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, -No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step, -That hath deprived me of your grace and favour; -But even for want of that for which I am richer, -A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue -As I am glad I have not, though not to have it -Hath lost me in your liking. - - - -KING LEAR -Better thou -Hadst not been born than not to have pleased me better. - - - -KING OF FRANCE -Is it but this,--a tardiness in nature -Which often leaves the history unspoke -That it intends to do? My lord of Burgundy, -What say you to the lady? Love's not love -When it is mingled with regards that stand -Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her? -She is herself a dowry. - - - -BURGUNDY -Royal Lear, -Give but that portion which yourself proposed, -And here I take Cordelia by the hand, -Duchess of Burgundy. - - - -KING LEAR -Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. - - - -BURGUNDY -I am sorry, then, you have so lost a father -That you must lose a husband. - - - -CORDELIA -Peace be with Burgundy! -Since that respects of fortune are his love, -I shall not be his wife. - - - -KING OF FRANCE -Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; -Most choice, forsaken; and most loved, despised! -Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon: -Be it lawful I take up what's cast away. -Gods, gods! 'tis strange that from their cold'st neglect -My love should kindle to inflamed respect. -Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, -Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France: -Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy -Can buy this unprized precious maid of me. -Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind: -Thou losest here, a better where to find. - - - -KING LEAR -Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we -Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see -That face of hers again. Therefore be gone -Without our grace, our love, our benison. -Come, noble Burgundy. - - -Flourish. Exeunt all but KING OF FRANCE, GONERIL, -REGAN, and CORDELIA - - -KING OF FRANCE -Bid farewell to your sisters. - - - -CORDELIA -The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes -Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; -And like a sister am most loath to call -Your faults as they are named. Use well our father: -To your professed bosoms I commit him -But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, -I would prefer him to a better place. -So, farewell to you both. - - - -REGAN -Prescribe not us our duties. - - - -GONERIL -Let your study -Be to content your lord, who hath received you -At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, -And well are worth the want that you have wanted. - - - -CORDELIA -Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides: -Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. -Well may you prosper! - - - -KING OF FRANCE -Come, my fair Cordelia. - - -Exeunt KING OF FRANCE and CORDELIA - - -GONERIL -Sister, it is not a little I have to say of what -most nearly appertains to us both. I think our -father will hence to-night. - - - -REGAN -That's most certain, and with you; next month with us. - - - -GONERIL -You see how full of changes his age is; the -observation we have made of it hath not been -little: he always loved our sister most; and -with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off -appears too grossly. - - - -REGAN -'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever -but slenderly known himself. - - - -GONERIL -The best and soundest of his time hath been but -rash; then must we look to receive from his age, -not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed -condition, but therewithal the unruly waywardness -that infirm and choleric years bring with them. - - - -REGAN -Such unconstant starts are we like to have from -him as this of Kent's banishment. - - - -GONERIL -There is further compliment of leavetaking -between France and him. Pray you, let's hit -together: if our father carry authority with -such dispositions as he bears, this last -surrender of his will but offend us. - - - -REGAN -We shall further think on't. - - - -GONERIL -We must do something, and i' the heat. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE II. The Earl of Gloucester's castle. -Enter EDMUND, with a letter - - -EDMUND -Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law -My services are bound. Wherefore should I -Stand in the plague of custom, and permit -The curiosity of nations to deprive me, -For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines -Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base? -When my dimensions are as well compact, -My mind as generous, and my shape as true, -As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us -With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base? -Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take -More composition and fierce quality -Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, -Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops, -Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well, then, -Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land: -Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund -As to the legitimate: fine word,--legitimate! -Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, -And my invention thrive, Edmund the base -Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper: -Now, gods, stand up for bastards! - - -Enter GLOUCESTER - - -GLOUCESTER -Kent banish'd thus! and France in choler parted! -And the king gone to-night! subscribed his power! -Confined to exhibition! All this done -Upon the gad! Edmund, how now! what news? - - - -EDMUND -So please your lordship, none. - - -Putting up the letter - - -GLOUCESTER -Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter? - - - -EDMUND -I know no news, my lord. - - - -GLOUCESTER -What paper were you reading? - - - -EDMUND -Nothing, my lord. - - - -GLOUCESTER -No? What needed, then, that terrible dispatch of -it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath -not such need to hide itself. Let's see: come, -if it be nothing, I shall not need spectacles. - - - -EDMUND -I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter -from my brother, that I have not all o'er-read; -and for so much as I have perused, I find it not -fit for your o'er-looking. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Give me the letter, sir. - - - -EDMUND -I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The -contents, as in part I understand them, are to blame. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Let's see, let's see. - - - -EDMUND -I hope, for my brother's justification, he wrote -this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Reads 'This policy and reverence of age makes -the world bitter to the best of our times; keeps -our fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish -them. I begin to find an idle and fond bondage -in the oppression of aged tyranny; who sways, not -as it hath power, but as it is suffered. Come to -me, that of this I may speak more. If our father -would sleep till I waked him, you should half his -revenue for ever, and live the beloved of your -brother, EDGAR.' -Hum--conspiracy!--'Sleep till I waked him,--you -should enjoy half his revenue,'--My son Edgar! -Had he a hand to write this? a heart and brain -to breed it in?--When came this to you? who -brought it? - - - -EDMUND -It was not brought me, my lord; there's the -cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the -casement of my closet. - - - -GLOUCESTER -You know the character to be your brother's? - - - -EDMUND -If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear -it were his; but, in respect of that, I would -fain think it were not. - - - -GLOUCESTER -It is his. - - - -EDMUND -It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his heart is -not in the contents. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Hath he never heretofore sounded you in this business? - - - -EDMUND -Never, my lord: but I have heard him oft -maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, -and fathers declining, the father should be as -ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue. - - - -GLOUCESTER -O villain, villain! His very opinion in the -letter! Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, -brutish villain! worse than brutish! Go, sirrah, -seek him; I'll apprehend him: abominable villain! -Where is he? - - - -EDMUND -I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please -you to suspend your indignation against my -brother till you can derive from him better -testimony of his intent, you shall run a certain -course; where, if you violently proceed against -him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a great -gap in your own honour, and shake in pieces the -heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life -for him, that he hath wrote this to feel my -affection to your honour, and to no further -pretence of danger. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Think you so? - - - -EDMUND -If your honour judge it meet, I will place you -where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an -auricular assurance have your satisfaction; and -that without any further delay than this very evening. - - - -GLOUCESTER -He cannot be such a monster-- - - - -EDMUND -Nor is not, sure. - - - -GLOUCESTER -To his father, that so tenderly and entirely -loves him. Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him -out: wind me into him, I pray you: frame the -business after your own wisdom. I would unstate -myself, to be in a due resolution. - - - -EDMUND -I will seek him, sir, presently: convey the -business as I shall find means and acquaint you withal. - - - -GLOUCESTER -These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend -no good to us: though the wisdom of nature can -reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself -scourged by the sequent effects: love cools, -friendship falls off, brothers divide: in -cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in -palaces, treason; and the bond cracked 'twixt son -and father. This villain of mine comes under the -prediction; there's son against father: the king -falls from bias of nature; there's father against -child. We have seen the best of our time: -machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all -ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our -graves. Find out this villain, Edmund; it shall -lose thee nothing; do it carefully. And the -noble and true-hearted Kent banished! his -offence, honesty! 'Tis strange. - - -Exit - - -EDMUND -This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, -when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit -of our own behavior,--we make guilty of our -disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as -if we were villains by necessity; fools by -heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and -treachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, -liars, and adulterers, by an enforced obedience of -planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, -by a divine thrusting on: an admirable evasion -of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish -disposition to the charge of a star! My -father compounded with my mother under the -dragon's tail; and my nativity was under Ursa -major; so that it follows, I am rough and -lecherous. Tut, I should have been that I am, -had the maidenliest star in the firmament -twinkled on my bastardizing. Edgar-- -Enter EDGAR -And pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old -comedy: my cue is villanous melancholy, with a -sigh like Tom o' Bedlam. O, these eclipses do -portend these divisions! fa, sol, la, mi. - - - -EDGAR -How now, brother Edmund! what serious -contemplation are you in? - - - -EDMUND -I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read -this other day, what should follow these eclipses. - - - -EDGAR -Do you busy yourself about that? - - - -EDMUND -I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed -unhappily; as of unnaturalness between the child -and the parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of -ancient amities; divisions in state, menaces and -maledictions against king and nobles; needless -diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation -of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what. - - - -EDGAR -How long have you been a sectary astronomical? - - - -EDMUND -Come, come; when saw you my father last? - - - -EDGAR -Why, the night gone by. - - - -EDMUND -Spake you with him? - - - -EDGAR -Ay, two hours together. - - - -EDMUND -Parted you in good terms? Found you no -displeasure in him by word or countenance? - - - -EDGAR -None at all. - - - -EDMUND -Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended -him: and at my entreaty forbear his presence -till some little time hath qualified the heat of -his displeasure; which at this instant so rageth -in him, that with the mischief of your person it -would scarcely allay. - - - -EDGAR -Some villain hath done me wrong. - - - -EDMUND -That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent -forbearance till the spied of his rage goes -slower; and, as I say, retire with me to my -lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to -hear my lord speak: pray ye, go; there's my key: -if you do stir abroad, go armed. - - - -EDGAR -Armed, brother! - - - -EDMUND -Brother, I advise you to the best; go armed: I -am no honest man if there be any good meaning -towards you: I have told you what I have seen -and heard; but faintly, nothing like the image -and horror of it: pray you, away. - - - -EDGAR -Shall I hear from you anon? - - - -EDMUND -I do serve you in this business. -Exit EDGAR -A credulous father! and a brother noble, -Whose nature is so far from doing harms, -That he suspects none: on whose foolish honesty -My practises ride easy! I see the business. -Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit: -All with me's meet that I can fashion fit. - - -Exit -
- -
SCENE III. The Duke of Albany's palace. -Enter GONERIL, and OSWALD, her steward - - -GONERIL -Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool? - - - -OSWALD -Yes, madam. - - - -GONERIL -By day and night he wrongs me; every hour -He flashes into one gross crime or other, -That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it: -His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us -On every trifle. When he returns from hunting, -I will not speak with him; say I am sick: -If you come slack of former services, -You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer. - - - -OSWALD -He's coming, madam; I hear him. - - -Horns within - - -GONERIL -Put on what weary negligence you please, -You and your fellows; I'll have it come to question: -If he dislike it, let him to our sister, -Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, -Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man, -That still would manage those authorities -That he hath given away! Now, by my life, -Old fools are babes again; and must be used -With cheques as flatteries,--when they are seen abused. -Remember what I tell you. - - - -OSWALD -Well, madam. - - - -GONERIL -And let his knights have colder looks among you; -What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so: -I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, -That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister, -To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE IV. A hall in the same. -Enter KENT, disguised - - -KENT -If but as well I other accents borrow, -That can my speech defuse, my good intent -May carry through itself to that full issue -For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent, -If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd, -So may it come, thy master, whom thou lovest, -Shall find thee full of labours. - - -Horns within. Enter KING LEAR, Knights, and -Attendants - - -KING LEAR -Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready. -Exit an Attendant -How now! what art thou? - - - -KENT -A man, sir. - - - -KING LEAR -What dost thou profess? what wouldst thou with us? - - - -KENT -I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve -him truly that will put me in trust: to love him -that is honest; to converse with him that is wise, -and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when I -cannot choose; and to eat no fish. - - - -KING LEAR -What art thou? - - - -KENT -A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. - - - -KING LEAR -If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a -king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? - - - -KENT -Service. - - - -KING LEAR -Who wouldst thou serve? - - - -KENT -You. - - - -KING LEAR -Dost thou know me, fellow? - - - -KENT -No, sir; but you have that in your countenance -which I would fain call master. - - - -KING LEAR -What's that? - - - -KENT -Authority. - - - -KING LEAR -What services canst thou do? - - - -KENT -I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious -tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message -bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am -qualified in; and the best of me is diligence. - - - -KING LEAR -How old art thou? - - - -KENT -Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor -so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years -on my back forty eight. - - - -KING LEAR -Follow me; thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no -worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. -Dinner, ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool? -Go you, and call my fool hither. -Exit an Attendant -Enter OSWALD -You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter? - - - -OSWALD -So please you,-- - - -Exit - - -KING LEAR -What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back. -Exit a Knight -Where's my fool, ho? I think the world's asleep. -Re-enter Knight -How now! where's that mongrel? - - - -Knight -He says, my lord, your daughter is not well. - - - -KING LEAR -Why came not the slave back to me when I called him. - - - -Knight -Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, he would -not. - - - -KING LEAR -He would not! - - - -Knight -My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my -judgment, your highness is not entertained with that -ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a -great abatement of kindness appears as well in the -general dependants as in the duke himself also and -your daughter. - - - -KING LEAR -Ha! sayest thou so? - - - -Knight -I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken; -for my duty cannot be silent when I think your -highness wronged. - - - -KING LEAR -Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception: I -have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I -have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity -than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: -I will look further into't. But where's my fool? I -have not seen him this two days. - - - -Knight -Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the -fool hath much pined away. - - - -KING LEAR -No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you, and -tell my daughter I would speak with her. -Exit an Attendant -Go you, call hither my fool. -Exit an Attendant -Re-enter OSWALD -O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am I, -sir? - - - -OSWALD -My lady's father. - - - -KING LEAR -'My lady's father'! my lord's knave: your -whoreson dog! you slave! you cur! - - - -OSWALD -I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your pardon. - - - -KING LEAR -Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? - - -Striking him - - -OSWALD -I'll not be struck, my lord. - - - -KENT -Nor tripped neither, you base football player. - - -Tripping up his heels - - -KING LEAR -I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll -love thee. - - - -KENT -Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences: -away, away! if you will measure your lubber's -length again, tarry: but away! go to; have you -wisdom? so. - - -Pushes OSWALD out - - -KING LEAR -Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's -earnest of thy service. - - -Giving KENT money -Enter Fool - - -Fool -Let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb. - - -Offering KENT his cap - - -KING LEAR -How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou? - - - -Fool -Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. - - - -KENT -Why, fool? - - - -Fool -Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour: -nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, -thou'lt catch cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb: -why, this fellow has banished two on's daughters, -and did the third a blessing against his will; if -thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb. -How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters! - - - -KING LEAR -Why, my boy? - - - -Fool -If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs -myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters. - - - -KING LEAR -Take heed, sirrah; the whip. - - - -Fool -Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped -out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and stink. - - - -KING LEAR -A pestilent gall to me! - - - -Fool -Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech. - - - -KING LEAR -Do. - - - -Fool -Mark it, nuncle: -Have more than thou showest, -Speak less than thou knowest, -Lend less than thou owest, -Ride more than thou goest, -Learn more than thou trowest, -Set less than thou throwest; -Leave thy drink and thy whore, -And keep in-a-door, -And thou shalt have more -Than two tens to a score. - - - -KENT -This is nothing, fool. - - - -Fool -Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer; you -gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of -nothing, nuncle? - - - -KING LEAR -Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing. - - - -Fool -To KENT Prithee, tell him, so much the rent of -his land comes to: he will not believe a fool. - - - -KING LEAR -A bitter fool! - - - -Fool -Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a -bitter fool and a sweet fool? - - - -KING LEAR -No, lad; teach me. - - - -Fool -That lord that counsell'd thee -To give away thy land, -Come place him here by me, -Do thou for him stand: -The sweet and bitter fool -Will presently appear; -The one in motley here, -The other found out there. - - - -KING LEAR -Dost thou call me fool, boy? - - - -Fool -All thy other titles thou hast given away; that -thou wast born with. - - - -KENT -This is not altogether fool, my lord. - - - -Fool -No, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if -I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't: -and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool -to myself; they'll be snatching. Give me an egg, -nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns. - - - -KING LEAR -What two crowns shall they be? - - - -Fool -Why, after I have cut the egg i' the middle, and eat -up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou -clovest thy crown i' the middle, and gavest away -both parts, thou borest thy ass on thy back o'er -the dirt: thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown, -when thou gavest thy golden one away. If I speak -like myself in this, let him be whipped that first -finds it so. -Singing -Fools had ne'er less wit in a year; -For wise men are grown foppish, -They know not how their wits to wear, -Their manners are so apish. - - - -KING LEAR -When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? - - - -Fool -I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy -daughters thy mothers: for when thou gavest them -the rod, and put'st down thine own breeches, -Singing -Then they for sudden joy did weep, -And I for sorrow sung, -That such a king should play bo-peep, -And go the fools among. -Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach -thy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie. - - - -KING LEAR -An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped. - - - -Fool -I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are: -they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt -have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am -whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any -kind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be -thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, -and left nothing i' the middle: here comes one o' -the parings. - - -Enter GONERIL - - -KING LEAR -How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on? -Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown. - - - -Fool -Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to -care for her frowning; now thou art an O without a -figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, -thou art nothing. -To GONERIL -Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue; so your face -bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum, -He that keeps nor crust nor crum, -Weary of all, shall want some. -Pointing to KING LEAR -That's a shealed peascod. - - - -GONERIL -Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool, -But other of your insolent retinue -Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth -In rank and not-to-be endured riots. Sir, -I had thought, by making this well known unto you, -To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful, -By what yourself too late have spoke and done. -That you protect this course, and put it on -By your allowance; which if you should, the fault -Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep, -Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal, -Might in their working do you that offence, -Which else were shame, that then necessity -Will call discreet proceeding. - - - -Fool -For, you trow, nuncle, -The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, -That it's had it head bit off by it young. -So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling. - - - -KING LEAR -Are you our daughter? - - - -GONERIL -Come, sir, -I would you would make use of that good wisdom, -Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away -These dispositions, that of late transform you -From what you rightly are. - - - -Fool -May not an ass know when the cart -draws the horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee. - - - -KING LEAR -Doth any here know me? This is not Lear: -Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes? -Either his notion weakens, his discernings -Are lethargied--Ha! waking? 'tis not so. -Who is it that can tell me who I am? - - - -Fool -Lear's shadow. - - - -KING LEAR -I would learn that; for, by the -marks of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, -I should be false persuaded I had daughters. - - - -Fool -Which they will make an obedient father. - - - -KING LEAR -Your name, fair gentlewoman? - - - -GONERIL -This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour -Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you -To understand my purposes aright: -As you are old and reverend, you should be wise. -Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires; -Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold, -That this our court, infected with their manners, -Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust -Make it more like a tavern or a brothel -Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak -For instant remedy: be then desired -By her, that else will take the thing she begs, -A little to disquantity your train; -And the remainder, that shall still depend, -To be such men as may besort your age, -And know themselves and you. - - - -KING LEAR -Darkness and devils! -Saddle my horses; call my train together: -Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee. -Yet have I left a daughter. - - - -GONERIL -You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble -Make servants of their betters. - - -Enter ALBANY - - -KING LEAR -Woe, that too late repents,-- -To ALBANY -O, sir, are you come? -Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses. -Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, -More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child -Than the sea-monster! - - - -ALBANY -Pray, sir, be patient. - - - -KING LEAR -To GONERIL Detested kite! thou liest. -My train are men of choice and rarest parts, -That all particulars of duty know, -And in the most exact regard support -The worships of their name. O most small fault, -How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! -That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature -From the fix'd place; drew from heart all love, -And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! -Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, -Striking his head -And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people. - - - -ALBANY -My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant -Of what hath moved you. - - - -KING LEAR -It may be so, my lord. -Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear! -Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend -To make this creature fruitful! -Into her womb convey sterility! -Dry up in her the organs of increase; -And from her derogate body never spring -A babe to honour her! If she must teem, -Create her child of spleen; that it may live, -And be a thwart disnatured torment to her! -Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth; -With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks; -Turn all her mother's pains and benefits -To laughter and contempt; that she may feel -How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is -To have a thankless child! Away, away! - - -Exit - - -ALBANY -Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? - - - -GONERIL -Never afflict yourself to know the cause; -But let his disposition have that scope -That dotage gives it. - - -Re-enter KING LEAR - - -KING LEAR -What, fifty of my followers at a clap! -Within a fortnight! - - - -ALBANY -What's the matter, sir? - - - -KING LEAR -I'll tell thee: -To GONERIL -Life and death! I am ashamed -That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; -That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, -Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee! -The untented woundings of a father's curse -Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes, -Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out, -And cast you, with the waters that you lose, -To temper clay. Yea, it is come to this? -Let is be so: yet have I left a daughter, -Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable: -When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails -She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find -That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think -I have cast off for ever: thou shalt, -I warrant thee. - - -Exeunt KING LEAR, KENT, and Attendants - - -GONERIL -Do you mark that, my lord? - - - -ALBANY -I cannot be so partial, Goneril, -To the great love I bear you,-- - - - -GONERIL -Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho! -To the Fool -You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. - - - -Fool -Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry and take the fool -with thee. -A fox, when one has caught her, -And such a daughter, -Should sure to the slaughter, -If my cap would buy a halter: -So the fool follows after. - - -Exit - - -GONERIL -This man hath had good counsel:--a hundred knights! -'Tis politic and safe to let him keep -At point a hundred knights: yes, that, on every dream, -Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, -He may enguard his dotage with their powers, -And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say! - - - -ALBANY -Well, you may fear too far. - - - -GONERIL -Safer than trust too far: -Let me still take away the harms I fear, -Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart. -What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister -If she sustain him and his hundred knights -When I have show'd the unfitness,-- -Re-enter OSWALD -How now, Oswald! -What, have you writ that letter to my sister? - - - -OSWALD -Yes, madam. - - - -GONERIL -Take you some company, and away to horse: -Inform her full of my particular fear; -And thereto add such reasons of your own -As may compact it more. Get you gone; -And hasten your return. -Exit OSWALD -No, no, my lord, -This milky gentleness and course of yours -Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon, -You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom -Than praised for harmful mildness. - - - -ALBANY -How far your eyes may pierce I can not tell: -Striving to better, oft we mar what's well. - - - -GONERIL -Nay, then-- - - - -ALBANY -Well, well; the event. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE V. Court before the same. -Enter KING LEAR, KENT, and Fool - - -KING LEAR -Go you before to Gloucester with these letters. -Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you -know than comes from her demand out of the letter. -If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore you. - - - -KENT -I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered -your letter. - - -Exit - - -Fool -If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in -danger of kibes? - - - -KING LEAR -Ay, boy. - - - -Fool -Then, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall ne'er go -slip-shod. - - - -KING LEAR -Ha, ha, ha! - - - -Fool -Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly; -for though she's as like this as a crab's like an -apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. - - - -KING LEAR -Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? - - - -Fool -She will taste as like this as a crab does to a -crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' -the middle on's face? - - - -KING LEAR -No. - - - -Fool -Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose; that -what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. - - - -KING LEAR -I did her wrong-- - - - -Fool -Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell? - - - -KING LEAR -No. - - - -Fool -Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house. - - - -KING LEAR -Why? - - - -Fool -Why, to put his head in; not to give it away to his -daughters, and leave his horns without a case. - - - -KING LEAR -I will forget my nature. So kind a father! Be my -horses ready? - - - -Fool -Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the -seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason. - - - -KING LEAR -Because they are not eight? - - - -Fool -Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool. - - - -KING LEAR -To take 't again perforce! Monster ingratitude! - - - -Fool -If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'ld have thee beaten -for being old before thy time. - - - -KING LEAR -How's that? - - - -Fool -Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst -been wise. - - - -KING LEAR -O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven -Keep me in temper: I would not be mad! -Enter Gentleman -How now! are the horses ready? - - - -Gentleman -Ready, my lord. - - - -KING LEAR -Come, boy. - - - -Fool -She that's a maid now, and laughs at my departure, -Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter. - - -Exeunt -
- - - -ACT II - -
SCENE I. GLOUCESTER's castle. -Enter EDMUND, and CURAN meets him - - -EDMUND -Save thee, Curan. - - - -CURAN -And you, sir. I have been with your father, and -given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan -his duchess will be here with him this night. - - - -EDMUND -How comes that? - - - -CURAN -Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad; -I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but -ear-kissing arguments? - - - -EDMUND -Not I pray you, what are they? - - - -CURAN -Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the -Dukes of Cornwall and Albany? - - - -EDMUND -Not a word. - - - -CURAN -You may do, then, in time. Fare you well, sir. - - -Exit - - -EDMUND -The duke be here to-night? The better! best! -This weaves itself perforce into my business. -My father hath set guard to take my brother; -And I have one thing, of a queasy question, -Which I must act: briefness and fortune, work! -Brother, a word; descend: brother, I say! -Enter EDGAR -My father watches: O sir, fly this place; -Intelligence is given where you are hid; -You have now the good advantage of the night: -Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall? -He's coming hither: now, i' the night, i' the haste, -And Regan with him: have you nothing said -Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany? -Advise yourself. - - - -EDGAR -I am sure on't, not a word. - - - -EDMUND -I hear my father coming: pardon me: -In cunning I must draw my sword upon you -Draw; seem to defend yourself; now quit you well. -Yield: come before my father. Light, ho, here! -Fly, brother. Torches, torches! So, farewell. -Exit EDGAR -Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion. -Wounds his arm -Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards -Do more than this in sport. Father, father! -Stop, stop! No help? - - -Enter GLOUCESTER, and Servants with torches - - -GLOUCESTER -Now, Edmund, where's the villain? - - - -EDMUND -Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, -Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon -To stand auspicious mistress,-- - - - -GLOUCESTER -But where is he? - - - -EDMUND -Look, sir, I bleed. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Where is the villain, Edmund? - - - -EDMUND -Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could-- - - - -GLOUCESTER -Pursue him, ho! Go after. -Exeunt some Servants -By no means what? - - - -EDMUND -Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; -But that I told him, the revenging gods -'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; -Spoke, with how manifold and strong a bond -The child was bound to the father; sir, in fine, -Seeing how loathly opposite I stood -To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion, -With his prepared sword, he charges home -My unprovided body, lanced mine arm: -But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits, -Bold in the quarrel's right, roused to the encounter, -Or whether gasted by the noise I made, -Full suddenly he fled. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Let him fly far: -Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; -And found--dispatch. The noble duke my master, -My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night: -By his authority I will proclaim it, -That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, -Bringing the murderous coward to the stake; -He that conceals him, death. - - - -EDMUND -When I dissuaded him from his intent, -And found him pight to do it, with curst speech -I threaten'd to discover him: he replied, -'Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think, -If I would stand against thee, would the reposal -Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee -Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny,-- -As this I would: ay, though thou didst produce -My very character,--I'ld turn it all -To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practise: -And thou must make a dullard of the world, -If they not thought the profits of my death -Were very pregnant and potential spurs -To make thee seek it.' - - - -GLOUCESTER -Strong and fasten'd villain -Would he deny his letter? I never got him. -Tucket within -Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes. -All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; -The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture -I will send far and near, that all the kingdom -May have the due note of him; and of my land, -Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means -To make thee capable. - - -Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, and Attendants - - -CORNWALL -How now, my noble friend! since I came hither, -Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news. - - - -REGAN -If it be true, all vengeance comes too short -Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord? - - - -GLOUCESTER -O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd! - - - -REGAN -What, did my father's godson seek your life? -He whom my father named? your Edgar? - - - -GLOUCESTER -O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid! - - - -REGAN -Was he not companion with the riotous knights -That tend upon my father? - - - -GLOUCESTER -I know not, madam: 'tis too bad, too bad. - - - -EDMUND -Yes, madam, he was of that consort. - - - -REGAN -No marvel, then, though he were ill affected: -'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, -To have the expense and waste of his revenues. -I have this present evening from my sister -Been well inform'd of them; and with such cautions, -That if they come to sojourn at my house, -I'll not be there. - - - -CORNWALL -Nor I, assure thee, Regan. -Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father -A child-like office. - - - -EDMUND -'Twas my duty, sir. - - - -GLOUCESTER -He did bewray his practise; and received -This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. - - - -CORNWALL -Is he pursued? - - - -GLOUCESTER -Ay, my good lord. - - - -CORNWALL -If he be taken, he shall never more -Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, -How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund, -Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant -So much commend itself, you shall be ours: -Natures of such deep trust we shall much need; -You we first seize on. - - - -EDMUND -I shall serve you, sir, -Truly, however else. - - - -GLOUCESTER -For him I thank your grace. - - - -CORNWALL -You know not why we came to visit you,-- - - - -REGAN -Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed night: -Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise, -Wherein we must have use of your advice: -Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, -Of differences, which I least thought it fit -To answer from our home; the several messengers -From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend, -Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow -Your needful counsel to our business, -Which craves the instant use. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I serve you, madam: -Your graces are right welcome. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE II. Before Gloucester's castle. -Enter KENT and OSWALD, severally - - -OSWALD -Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house? - - - -KENT -Ay. - - - -OSWALD -Where may we set our horses? - - - -KENT -I' the mire. - - - -OSWALD -Prithee, if thou lovest me, tell me. - - - -KENT -I love thee not. - - - -OSWALD -Why, then, I care not for thee. - - - -KENT -If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee -care for me. - - - -OSWALD -Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. - - - -KENT -Fellow, I know thee. - - - -OSWALD -What dost thou know me for? - - - -KENT -A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a -base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, -hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a -lily-livered, action-taking knave, a whoreson, -glass-gazing, super-serviceable finical rogue; -one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a -bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but -the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, -and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I -will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest -the least syllable of thy addition. - - - -OSWALD -Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail -on one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee! - - - -KENT -What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou -knowest me! Is it two days ago since I tripped up -thy heels, and beat thee before the king? Draw, you -rogue: for, though it be night, yet the moon -shines; I'll make a sop o' the moonshine of you: -draw, you whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw. - - -Drawing his sword - - -OSWALD -Away! I have nothing to do with thee. - - - -KENT -Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the -king; and take vanity the puppet's part against the -royalty of her father: draw, you rogue, or I'll so -carbonado your shanks: draw, you rascal; come your ways. - - - -OSWALD -Help, ho! murder! help! - - - -KENT -Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat -slave, strike. - - -Beating him - - -OSWALD -Help, ho! murder! murder! - - -Enter EDMUND, with his rapier drawn, CORNWALL, -REGAN, GLOUCESTER, and Servants - - -EDMUND -How now! What's the matter? - - - -KENT -With you, goodman boy, an you please: come, I'll -flesh ye; come on, young master. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Weapons! arms! What 's the matter here? - - - -CORNWALL -Keep peace, upon your lives: -He dies that strikes again. What is the matter? - - - -REGAN -The messengers from our sister and the king. - - - -CORNWALL -What is your difference? speak. - - - -OSWALD -I am scarce in breath, my lord. - - - -KENT -No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour. You -cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee: a -tailor made thee. - - - -CORNWALL -Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man? - - - -KENT -Ay, a tailor, sir: a stone-cutter or painter could -not have made him so ill, though he had been but two -hours at the trade. - - - -CORNWALL -Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? - - - -OSWALD -This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared -at suit of his gray beard,-- - - - -KENT -Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter! My -lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this -unbolted villain into mortar, and daub the wall of -a jakes with him. Spare my gray beard, you wagtail? - - - -CORNWALL -Peace, sirrah! -You beastly knave, know you no reverence? - - - -KENT -Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege. - - - -CORNWALL -Why art thou angry? - - - -KENT -That such a slave as this should wear a sword, -Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these, -Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain -Which are too intrinse t' unloose; smooth every passion -That in the natures of their lords rebel; -Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods; -Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks -With every gale and vary of their masters, -Knowing nought, like dogs, but following. -A plague upon your epileptic visage! -Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool? -Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain, -I'ld drive ye cackling home to Camelot. - - - -CORNWALL -Why, art thou mad, old fellow? - - - -GLOUCESTER -How fell you out? say that. - - - -KENT -No contraries hold more antipathy -Than I and such a knave. - - - -CORNWALL -Why dost thou call him a knave? What's his offence? - - - -KENT -His countenance likes me not. - - - -CORNWALL -No more, perchance, does mine, nor his, nor hers. - - - -KENT -Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain: -I have seen better faces in my time -Than stands on any shoulder that I see -Before me at this instant. - - - -CORNWALL -This is some fellow, -Who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect -A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb -Quite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he, -An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth! -An they will take it, so; if not, he's plain. -These kind of knaves I know, which in this plainness -Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends -Than twenty silly ducking observants -That stretch their duties nicely. - - - -KENT -Sir, in good sooth, in sincere verity, -Under the allowance of your great aspect, -Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire -On flickering Phoebus' front,-- - - - -CORNWALL -What mean'st by this? - - - -KENT -To go out of my dialect, which you -discommend so much. I know, sir, I am no -flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain -accent was a plain knave; which for my part -I will not be, though I should win your displeasure -to entreat me to 't. - - - -CORNWALL -What was the offence you gave him? - - - -OSWALD -I never gave him any: -It pleased the king his master very late -To strike at me, upon his misconstruction; -When he, conjunct and flattering his displeasure, -Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd, -And put upon him such a deal of man, -That worthied him, got praises of the king -For him attempting who was self-subdued; -And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit, -Drew on me here again. - - - -KENT -None of these rogues and cowards -But Ajax is their fool. - - - -CORNWALL -Fetch forth the stocks! -You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend braggart, -We'll teach you-- - - - -KENT -Sir, I am too old to learn: -Call not your stocks for me: I serve the king; -On whose employment I was sent to you: -You shall do small respect, show too bold malice -Against the grace and person of my master, -Stocking his messenger. - - - -CORNWALL -Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour, -There shall he sit till noon. - - - -REGAN -Till noon! till night, my lord; and all night too. - - - -KENT -Why, madam, if I were your father's dog, -You should not use me so. - - - -REGAN -Sir, being his knave, I will. - - - -CORNWALL -This is a fellow of the self-same colour -Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks! - - -Stocks brought out - - -GLOUCESTER -Let me beseech your grace not to do so: -His fault is much, and the good king his master -Will cheque him for 't: your purposed low correction -Is such as basest and contemned'st wretches -For pilferings and most common trespasses -Are punish'd with: the king must take it ill, -That he's so slightly valued in his messenger, -Should have him thus restrain'd. - - - -CORNWALL -I'll answer that. - - - -REGAN -My sister may receive it much more worse, -To have her gentleman abused, assaulted, -For following her affairs. Put in his legs. -KENT is put in the stocks -Come, my good lord, away. - - -Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER and KENT - - -GLOUCESTER -I am sorry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's pleasure, -Whose disposition, all the world well knows, -Will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd: I'll entreat for thee. - - - -KENT -Pray, do not, sir: I have watched and travell'd hard; -Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle. -A good man's fortune may grow out at heels: -Give you good morrow! - - - -GLOUCESTER -The duke's to blame in this; 'twill be ill taken. - - -Exit - - -KENT -Good king, that must approve the common saw, -Thou out of heaven's benediction comest -To the warm sun! -Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, -That by thy comfortable beams I may -Peruse this letter! Nothing almost sees miracles -But misery: I know 'tis from Cordelia, -Who hath most fortunately been inform'd -Of my obscured course; and shall find time -From this enormous state, seeking to give -Losses their remedies. All weary and o'erwatch'd, -Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold -This shameful lodging. -Fortune, good night: smile once more: turn thy wheel! - - -Sleeps -
- -
SCENE III. A wood. -Enter EDGAR - - -EDGAR -I heard myself proclaim'd; -And by the happy hollow of a tree -Escaped the hunt. No port is free; no place, -That guard, and most unusual vigilance, -Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may 'scape, -I will preserve myself: and am bethought -To take the basest and most poorest shape -That ever penury, in contempt of man, -Brought near to beast: my face I'll grime with filth; -Blanket my loins: elf all my hair in knots; -And with presented nakedness out-face -The winds and persecutions of the sky. -The country gives me proof and precedent -Of Bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices, -Strike in their numb'd and mortified bare arms -Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary; -And with this horrible object, from low farms, -Poor pelting villages, sheep-cotes, and mills, -Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers, -Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygod! poor Tom! -That's something yet: Edgar I nothing am. - - -Exit -
- -
SCENE IV. Before GLOUCESTER's castle. KENT in the stocks. -Enter KING LEAR, Fool, and Gentleman - - -KING LEAR -'Tis strange that they should so depart from home, -And not send back my messenger. - - - -Gentleman -As I learn'd, -The night before there was no purpose in them -Of this remove. - - - -KENT -Hail to thee, noble master! - - - -KING LEAR -Ha! -Makest thou this shame thy pastime? - - - -KENT -No, my lord. - - - -Fool -Ha, ha! he wears cruel garters. Horses are tied -by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by -the loins, and men by the legs: when a man's -over-lusty at legs, then he wears wooden -nether-stocks. - - - -KING LEAR -What's he that hath so much thy place mistook -To set thee here? - - - -KENT -It is both he and she; -Your son and daughter. - - - -KING LEAR -No. - - - -KENT -Yes. - - - -KING LEAR -No, I say. - - - -KENT -I say, yea. - - - -KING LEAR -No, no, they would not. - - - -KENT -Yes, they have. - - - -KING LEAR -By Jupiter, I swear, no. - - - -KENT -By Juno, I swear, ay. - - - -KING LEAR -They durst not do 't; -They could not, would not do 't; 'tis worse than murder, -To do upon respect such violent outrage: -Resolve me, with all modest haste, which way -Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage, -Coming from us. - - - -KENT -My lord, when at their home -I did commend your highness' letters to them, -Ere I was risen from the place that show'd -My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post, -Stew'd in his haste, half breathless, panting forth -From Goneril his mistress salutations; -Deliver'd letters, spite of intermission, -Which presently they read: on whose contents, -They summon'd up their meiny, straight took horse; -Commanded me to follow, and attend -The leisure of their answer; gave me cold looks: -And meeting here the other messenger, -Whose welcome, I perceived, had poison'd mine,-- -Being the very fellow that of late -Display'd so saucily against your highness,-- -Having more man than wit about me, drew: -He raised the house with loud and coward cries. -Your son and daughter found this trespass worth -The shame which here it suffers. - - - -Fool -Winter's not gone yet, if the wild-geese fly that way. -Fathers that wear rags -Do make their children blind; -But fathers that bear bags -Shall see their children kind. -Fortune, that arrant whore, -Ne'er turns the key to the poor. -But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours -for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year. - - - -KING LEAR -O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! -Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow, -Thy element's below! Where is this daughter? - - - -KENT -With the earl, sir, here within. - - - -KING LEAR -Follow me not; -Stay here. - - -Exit - - -Gentleman -Made you no more offence but what you speak of? - - - -KENT -None. -How chance the king comes with so small a train? - - - -Fool -And thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that -question, thou hadst well deserved it. - - - -KENT -Why, fool? - - - -Fool -We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee -there's no labouring i' the winter. All that follow -their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and -there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him -that's stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel -runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with -following it: but the great one that goes up the -hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man -gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I -would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. -That sir which serves and seeks for gain, -And follows but for form, -Will pack when it begins to rain, -And leave thee in the storm, -But I will tarry; the fool will stay, -And let the wise man fly: -The knave turns fool that runs away; -The fool no knave, perdy. - - - -KENT -Where learned you this, fool? - - - -Fool -Not i' the stocks, fool. - - -Re-enter KING LEAR with GLOUCESTER - - -KING LEAR -Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary? -They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches; -The images of revolt and flying off. -Fetch me a better answer. - - - -GLOUCESTER -My dear lord, -You know the fiery quality of the duke; -How unremoveable and fix'd he is -In his own course. - - - -KING LEAR -Vengeance! plague! death! confusion! -Fiery? what quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester, -I'ld speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so. - - - -KING LEAR -Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man? - - - -GLOUCESTER -Ay, my good lord. - - - -KING LEAR -The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father -Would with his daughter speak, commands her service: -Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood! -Fiery? the fiery duke? Tell the hot duke that-- -No, but not yet: may be he is not well: -Infirmity doth still neglect all office -Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves -When nature, being oppress'd, commands the mind -To suffer with the body: I'll forbear; -And am fall'n out with my more headier will, -To take the indisposed and sickly fit -For the sound man. Death on my state! wherefore -Looking on KENT -Should he sit here? This act persuades me -That this remotion of the duke and her -Is practise only. Give me my servant forth. -Go tell the duke and 's wife I'ld speak with them, -Now, presently: bid them come forth and hear me, -Or at their chamber-door I'll beat the drum -Till it cry sleep to death. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I would have all well betwixt you. - - -Exit - - -KING LEAR -O me, my heart, my rising heart! but, down! - - - -Fool -Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels -when she put 'em i' the paste alive; she knapped 'em -o' the coxcombs with a stick, and cried 'Down, -wantons, down!' 'Twas her brother that, in pure -kindness to his horse, buttered his hay. - - -Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOUCESTER, and Servants - - -KING LEAR -Good morrow to you both. - - - -CORNWALL -Hail to your grace! - - -KENT is set at liberty - - -REGAN -I am glad to see your highness. - - - -KING LEAR -Regan, I think you are; I know what reason -I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad, -I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, -Sepulchring an adultress. -To KENT -O, are you free? -Some other time for that. Beloved Regan, -Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath tied -Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here: -Points to his heart -I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe -With how depraved a quality--O Regan! - - - -REGAN -I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope. -You less know how to value her desert -Than she to scant her duty. - - - -KING LEAR -Say, how is that? - - - -REGAN -I cannot think my sister in the least -Would fail her obligation: if, sir, perchance -She have restrain'd the riots of your followers, -'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end, -As clears her from all blame. - - - -KING LEAR -My curses on her! - - - -REGAN -O, sir, you are old. -Nature in you stands on the very verge -Of her confine: you should be ruled and led -By some discretion, that discerns your state -Better than you yourself. Therefore, I pray you, -That to our sister you do make return; -Say you have wrong'd her, sir. - - - -KING LEAR -Ask her forgiveness? -Do you but mark how this becomes the house: -'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old; -Kneeling -Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg -That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.' - - - -REGAN -Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks: -Return you to my sister. - - - -KING LEAR -Rising Never, Regan: -She hath abated me of half my train; -Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue, -Most serpent-like, upon the very heart: -All the stored vengeances of heaven fall -On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones, -You taking airs, with lameness! - - - -CORNWALL -Fie, sir, fie! - - - -KING LEAR -You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames -Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty, -You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun, -To fall and blast her pride! - - - -REGAN -O the blest gods! so will you wish on me, -When the rash mood is on. - - - -KING LEAR -No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse: -Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give -Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce; but thine -Do comfort and not burn. 'Tis not in thee -To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, -To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, -And in conclusion to oppose the bolt -Against my coming in: thou better know'st -The offices of nature, bond of childhood, -Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude; -Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot, -Wherein I thee endow'd. - - - -REGAN -Good sir, to the purpose. - - - -KING LEAR -Who put my man i' the stocks? - - -Tucket within - - -CORNWALL -What trumpet's that? - - - -REGAN -I know't, my sister's: this approves her letter, -That she would soon be here. -Enter OSWALD -Is your lady come? - - - -KING LEAR -This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride -Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. -Out, varlet, from my sight! - - - -CORNWALL -What means your grace? - - - -KING LEAR -Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope -Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here? O heavens, -Enter GONERIL -If you do love old men, if your sweet sway -Allow obedience, if yourselves are old, -Make it your cause; send down, and take my part! -To GONERIL -Art not ashamed to look upon this beard? -O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand? - - - -GONERIL -Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended? -All's not offence that indiscretion finds -And dotage terms so. - - - -KING LEAR -O sides, you are too tough; -Will you yet hold? How came my man i' the stocks? - - - -CORNWALL -I set him there, sir: but his own disorders -Deserved much less advancement. - - - -KING LEAR -You! did you? - - - -REGAN -I pray you, father, being weak, seem so. -If, till the expiration of your month, -You will return and sojourn with my sister, -Dismissing half your train, come then to me: -I am now from home, and out of that provision -Which shall be needful for your entertainment. - - - -KING LEAR -Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd? -No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose -To wage against the enmity o' the air; -To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,-- -Necessity's sharp pinch! Return with her? -Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took -Our youngest born, I could as well be brought -To knee his throne, and, squire-like; pension beg -To keep base life afoot. Return with her? -Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter -To this detested groom. - - -Pointing at OSWALD - - -GONERIL -At your choice, sir. - - - -KING LEAR -I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad: -I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell: -We'll no more meet, no more see one another: -But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter; -Or rather a disease that's in my flesh, -Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil, -A plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle, -In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee; -Let shame come when it will, I do not call it: -I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, -Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove: -Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure: -I can be patient; I can stay with Regan, -I and my hundred knights. - - - -REGAN -Not altogether so: -I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided -For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister; -For those that mingle reason with your passion -Must be content to think you old, and so-- -But she knows what she does. - - - -KING LEAR -Is this well spoken? - - - -REGAN -I dare avouch it, sir: what, fifty followers? -Is it not well? What should you need of more? -Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger -Speak 'gainst so great a number? How, in one house, -Should many people, under two commands, -Hold amity? 'Tis hard; almost impossible. - - - -GONERIL -Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance -From those that she calls servants or from mine? - - - -REGAN -Why not, my lord? If then they chanced to slack you, -We could control them. If you will come to me,-- -For now I spy a danger,--I entreat you -To bring but five and twenty: to no more -Will I give place or notice. - - - -KING LEAR -I gave you all-- - - - -REGAN -And in good time you gave it. - - - -KING LEAR -Made you my guardians, my depositaries; -But kept a reservation to be follow'd -With such a number. What, must I come to you -With five and twenty, Regan? said you so? - - - -REGAN -And speak't again, my lord; no more with me. - - - -KING LEAR -Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd, -When others are more wicked: not being the worst -Stands in some rank of praise. -To GONERIL -I'll go with thee: -Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, -And thou art twice her love. - - - -GONERIL -Hear me, my lord; -What need you five and twenty, ten, or five, -To follow in a house where twice so many -Have a command to tend you? - - - -REGAN -What need one? - - - -KING LEAR -O, reason not the need: our basest beggars -Are in the poorest thing superfluous: -Allow not nature more than nature needs, -Man's life's as cheap as beast's: thou art a lady; -If only to go warm were gorgeous, -Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st, -Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need,-- -You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need! -You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, -As full of grief as age; wretched in both! -If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts -Against their father, fool me not so much -To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger, -And let not women's weapons, water-drops, -Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags, -I will have such revenges on you both, -That all the world shall--I will do such things,-- -What they are, yet I know not: but they shall be -The terrors of the earth. You think I'll weep -No, I'll not weep: -I have full cause of weeping; but this heart -Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, -Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad! - - -Exeunt KING LEAR, GLOUCESTER, KENT, and Fool -Storm and tempest - - -CORNWALL -Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm. - - - -REGAN -This house is little: the old man and his people -Cannot be well bestow'd. - - - -GONERIL -'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest, -And must needs taste his folly. - - - -REGAN -For his particular, I'll receive him gladly, -But not one follower. - - - -GONERIL -So am I purposed. -Where is my lord of Gloucester? - - - -CORNWALL -Follow'd the old man forth: he is return'd. - - -Re-enter GLOUCESTER - - -GLOUCESTER -The king is in high rage. - - - -CORNWALL -Whither is he going? - - - -GLOUCESTER -He calls to horse; but will I know not whither. - - - -CORNWALL -'Tis best to give him way; he leads himself. - - - -GONERIL -My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds -Do sorely ruffle; for many miles about -There's scarce a bush. - - - -REGAN -O, sir, to wilful men, -The injuries that they themselves procure -Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors: -He is attended with a desperate train; -And what they may incense him to, being apt -To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. - - - -CORNWALL -Shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night: -My Regan counsels well; come out o' the storm. - - -Exeunt -
- - - -ACT III - -
SCENE I. A heath. -Storm still. Enter KENT and a Gentleman, meeting - - -KENT -Who's there, besides foul weather? - - - -Gentleman -One minded like the weather, most unquietly. - - - -KENT -I know you. Where's the king? - - - -Gentleman -Contending with the fretful element: -Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, -Or swell the curled water 'bove the main, -That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, -Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, -Catch in their fury, and make nothing of; -Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn -The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. -This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, -The lion and the belly-pinched wolf -Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, -And bids what will take all. - - - -KENT -But who is with him? - - - -Gentleman -None but the fool; who labours to out-jest -His heart-struck injuries. - - - -KENT -Sir, I do know you; -And dare, upon the warrant of my note, -Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, -Although as yet the face of it be cover'd -With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; -Who have--as who have not, that their great stars -Throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less, -Which are to France the spies and speculations -Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen, -Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, -Or the hard rein which both of them have borne -Against the old kind king; or something deeper, -Whereof perchance these are but furnishings; -But, true it is, from France there comes a power -Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already, -Wise in our negligence, have secret feet -In some of our best ports, and are at point -To show their open banner. Now to you: -If on my credit you dare build so far -To make your speed to Dover, you shall find -Some that will thank you, making just report -Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow -The king hath cause to plain. -I am a gentleman of blood and breeding; -And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer -This office to you. - - - -Gentleman -I will talk further with you. - - - -KENT -No, do not. -For confirmation that I am much more -Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take -What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,-- -As fear not but you shall,--show her this ring; -And she will tell you who your fellow is -That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! -I will go seek the king. - - - -Gentleman -Give me your hand: have you no more to say? - - - -KENT -Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; -That, when we have found the king,--in which your pain -That way, I'll this,--he that first lights on him -Holla the other. - - -Exeunt severally -
- -
SCENE II. Another part of the heath. Storm still. -Enter KING LEAR and Fool - - -KING LEAR -Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! -You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout -Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! -You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, -Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, -Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, -Smite flat the thick rotundity o' the world! -Crack nature's moulds, an germens spill at once, -That make ingrateful man! - - - -Fool -O nuncle, court holy-water in a dry -house is better than this rain-water out o' door. -Good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters' blessing: -here's a night pities neither wise man nor fool. - - - -KING LEAR -Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain! -Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: -I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness; -I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children, -You owe me no subscription: then let fall -Your horrible pleasure: here I stand, your slave, -A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man: -But yet I call you servile ministers, -That have with two pernicious daughters join'd -Your high engender'd battles 'gainst a head -So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul! - - - -Fool -He that has a house to put's head in has a good -head-piece. -The cod-piece that will house -Before the head has any, -The head and he shall louse; -So beggars marry many. -The man that makes his toe -What he his heart should make -Shall of a corn cry woe, -And turn his sleep to wake. -For there was never yet fair woman but she made -mouths in a glass. - - - -KING LEAR -No, I will be the pattern of all patience; -I will say nothing. - - -Enter KENT - - -KENT -Who's there? - - - -Fool -Marry, here's grace and a cod-piece; that's a wise -man and a fool. - - - -KENT -Alas, sir, are you here? things that love night -Love not such nights as these; the wrathful skies -Gallow the very wanderers of the dark, -And make them keep their caves: since I was man, -Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, -Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never -Remember to have heard: man's nature cannot carry -The affliction nor the fear. - - - -KING LEAR -Let the great gods, -That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, -Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, -That hast within thee undivulged crimes, -Unwhipp'd of justice: hide thee, thou bloody hand; -Thou perjured, and thou simular man of virtue -That art incestuous: caitiff, to pieces shake, -That under covert and convenient seeming -Hast practised on man's life: close pent-up guilts, -Rive your concealing continents, and cry -These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man -More sinn'd against than sinning. - - - -KENT -Alack, bare-headed! -Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel; -Some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest: -Repose you there; while I to this hard house-- -More harder than the stones whereof 'tis raised; -Which even but now, demanding after you, -Denied me to come in--return, and force -Their scanted courtesy. - - - -KING LEAR -My wits begin to turn. -Come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? art cold? -I am cold myself. Where is this straw, my fellow? -The art of our necessities is strange, -That can make vile things precious. Come, -your hovel. -Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart -That's sorry yet for thee. - - - -Fool -Singing -He that has and a little tiny wit-- -With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,-- -Must make content with his fortunes fit, -For the rain it raineth every day. - - - -KING LEAR -True, my good boy. Come, bring us to this hovel. - - -Exeunt KING LEAR and KENT - - -Fool -This is a brave night to cool a courtezan. -I'll speak a prophecy ere I go: -When priests are more in word than matter; -When brewers mar their malt with water; -When nobles are their tailors' tutors; -No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors; -When every case in law is right; -No squire in debt, nor no poor knight; -When slanders do not live in tongues; -Nor cutpurses come not to throngs; -When usurers tell their gold i' the field; -And bawds and whores do churches build; -Then shall the realm of Albion -Come to great confusion: -Then comes the time, who lives to see't, -That going shall be used with feet. -This prophecy Merlin shall make; for I live before his time. - - -Exit -
- -
SCENE III. Gloucester's castle. -Enter GLOUCESTER and EDMUND - - -GLOUCESTER -Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural -dealing. When I desire their leave that I might -pity him, they took from me the use of mine own -house; charged me, on pain of their perpetual -displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for -him, nor any way sustain him. - - - -EDMUND -Most savage and unnatural! - - - -GLOUCESTER -Go to; say you nothing. There's a division betwixt -the dukes; and a worse matter than that: I have -received a letter this night; 'tis dangerous to be -spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet: -these injuries the king now bears will be revenged -home; there's part of a power already footed: we -must incline to the king. I will seek him, and -privily relieve him: go you and maintain talk with -the duke, that my charity be not of him perceived: -if he ask for me. I am ill, and gone to bed. -Though I die for it, as no less is threatened me, -the king my old master must be relieved. There is -some strange thing toward, Edmund; pray you, be careful. - - -Exit - - -EDMUND -This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke -Instantly know; and of that letter too: -This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me -That which my father loses; no less than all: -The younger rises when the old doth fall. - - -Exit -
- -
SCENE IV. The heath. Before a hovel. -Enter KING LEAR, KENT, and Fool - - -KENT -Here is the place, my lord; good my lord, enter: -The tyranny of the open night's too rough -For nature to endure. - - -Storm still - - -KING LEAR -Let me alone. - - - -KENT -Good my lord, enter here. - - - -KING LEAR -Wilt break my heart? - - - -KENT -I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter. - - - -KING LEAR -Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm -Invades us to the skin: so 'tis to thee; -But where the greater malady is fix'd, -The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'ldst shun a bear; -But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea, -Thou'ldst meet the bear i' the mouth. When the -mind's free, -The body's delicate: the tempest in my mind -Doth from my senses take all feeling else -Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude! -Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand -For lifting food to't? But I will punish home: -No, I will weep no more. In such a night -To shut me out! Pour on; I will endure. -In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril! -Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all,-- -O, that way madness lies; let me shun that; -No more of that. - - - -KENT -Good my lord, enter here. - - - -KING LEAR -Prithee, go in thyself: seek thine own ease: -This tempest will not give me leave to ponder -On things would hurt me more. But I'll go in. -To the Fool -In, boy; go first. You houseless poverty,-- -Nay, get thee in. I'll pray, and then I'll sleep. -Fool goes in -Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are, -That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, -How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, -Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you -From seasons such as these? O, I have ta'en -Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp; -Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, -That thou mayst shake the superflux to them, -And show the heavens more just. - - - -EDGAR -Within Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom! - - -The Fool runs out from the hovel - - -Fool -Come not in here, nuncle, here's a spirit -Help me, help me! - - - -KENT -Give me thy hand. Who's there? - - - -Fool -A spirit, a spirit: he says his name's poor Tom. - - - -KENT -What art thou that dost grumble there i' the straw? -Come forth. - - -Enter EDGAR disguised as a mad man - - -EDGAR -Away! the foul fiend follows me! -Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. -Hum! go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. - - - -KING LEAR -Hast thou given all to thy two daughters? -And art thou come to this? - - - -EDGAR -Who gives any thing to poor Tom? whom the foul -fiend hath led through fire and through flame, and -through ford and whirlipool e'er bog and quagmire; -that hath laid knives under his pillow, and halters -in his pew; set ratsbane by his porridge; made film -proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting-horse over -four-inched bridges, to course his own shadow for a -traitor. Bless thy five wits! Tom's a-cold,--O, do -de, do de, do de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, -star-blasting, and taking! Do poor Tom some -charity, whom the foul fiend vexes: there could I -have him now,--and there,--and there again, and there. - - -Storm still - - -KING LEAR -What, have his daughters brought him to this pass? -Couldst thou save nothing? Didst thou give them all? - - - -Fool -Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed. - - - -KING LEAR -Now, all the plagues that in the pendulous air -Hang fated o'er men's faults light on thy daughters! - - - -KENT -He hath no daughters, sir. - - - -KING LEAR -Death, traitor! nothing could have subdued nature -To such a lowness but his unkind daughters. -Is it the fashion, that discarded fathers -Should have thus little mercy on their flesh? -Judicious punishment! 'twas this flesh begot -Those pelican daughters. - - - -EDGAR -Pillicock sat on Pillicock-hill: -Halloo, halloo, loo, loo! - - - -Fool -This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen. - - - -EDGAR -Take heed o' the foul fiend: obey thy parents; -keep thy word justly; swear not; commit not with -man's sworn spouse; set not thy sweet heart on proud -array. Tom's a-cold. - - - -KING LEAR -What hast thou been? - - - -EDGAR -A serving-man, proud in heart and mind; that curled -my hair; wore gloves in my cap; served the lust of -my mistress' heart, and did the act of darkness with -her; swore as many oaths as I spake words, and -broke them in the sweet face of heaven: one that -slept in the contriving of lust, and waked to do it: -wine loved I deeply, dice dearly: and in woman -out-paramoured the Turk: false of heart, light of -ear, bloody of hand; hog in sloth, fox in stealth, -wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. -Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of -silks betray thy poor heart to woman: keep thy foot -out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen -from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. -Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind: -Says suum, mun, ha, no, nonny. -Dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa! let him trot by. - - -Storm still - - -KING LEAR -Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer -with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies. -Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou -owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep -no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! here's three on -'s are sophisticated! Thou art the thing itself: -unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare, -forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! -come unbutton here. - - -Tearing off his clothes - - -Fool -Prithee, nuncle, be contented; 'tis a naughty night -to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were -like an old lecher's heart; a small spark, all the -rest on's body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire. - - -Enter GLOUCESTER, with a torch - - -EDGAR -This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet: he begins -at curfew, and walks till the first cock; he gives -the web and the pin, squints the eye, and makes the -hare-lip; mildews the white wheat, and hurts the -poor creature of earth. -S. Withold footed thrice the old; -He met the night-mare, and her nine-fold; -Bid her alight, -And her troth plight, -And, aroint thee, witch, aroint thee! - - - -KENT -How fares your grace? - - - -KING LEAR -What's he? - - - -KENT -Who's there? What is't you seek? - - - -GLOUCESTER -What are you there? Your names? - - - -EDGAR -Poor Tom; that eats the swimming frog, the toad, -the tadpole, the wall-newt and the water; that in -the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages, -eats cow-dung for sallets; swallows the old rat and -the ditch-dog; drinks the green mantle of the -standing pool; who is whipped from tithing to -tithing, and stock- punished, and imprisoned; who -hath had three suits to his back, six shirts to his -body, horse to ride, and weapon to wear; -But mice and rats, and such small deer, -Have been Tom's food for seven long year. -Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin; peace, thou fiend! - - - -GLOUCESTER -What, hath your grace no better company? - - - -EDGAR -The prince of darkness is a gentleman: -Modo he's call'd, and Mahu. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Our flesh and blood is grown so vile, my lord, -That it doth hate what gets it. - - - -EDGAR -Poor Tom's a-cold. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Go in with me: my duty cannot suffer -To obey in all your daughters' hard commands: -Though their injunction be to bar my doors, -And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you, -Yet have I ventured to come seek you out, -And bring you where both fire and food is ready. - - - -KING LEAR -First let me talk with this philosopher. -What is the cause of thunder? - - - -KENT -Good my lord, take his offer; go into the house. - - - -KING LEAR -I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban. -What is your study? - - - -EDGAR -How to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermin. - - - -KING LEAR -Let me ask you one word in private. - - - -KENT -Importune him once more to go, my lord; -His wits begin to unsettle. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Canst thou blame him? -Storm still -His daughters seek his death: ah, that good Kent! -He said it would be thus, poor banish'd man! -Thou say'st the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend, -I am almost mad myself: I had a son, -Now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life, -But lately, very late: I loved him, friend; -No father his son dearer: truth to tell thee, -The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night's this! -I do beseech your grace,-- - - - -KING LEAR -O, cry your mercy, sir. -Noble philosopher, your company. - - - -EDGAR -Tom's a-cold. - - - -GLOUCESTER -In, fellow, there, into the hovel: keep thee warm. - - - -KING LEAR -Come let's in all. - - - -KENT -This way, my lord. - - - -KING LEAR -With him; -I will keep still with my philosopher. - - - -KENT -Good my lord, soothe him; let him take the fellow. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Take him you on. - - - -KENT -Sirrah, come on; go along with us. - - - -KING LEAR -Come, good Athenian. - - - -GLOUCESTER -No words, no words: hush. - - - -EDGAR -Child Rowland to the dark tower came, -His word was still,--Fie, foh, and fum, -I smell the blood of a British man. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE V. Gloucester's castle. -Enter CORNWALL and EDMUND - - -CORNWALL -I will have my revenge ere I depart his house. - - - -EDMUND -How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus -gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think -of. - - - -CORNWALL -I now perceive, it was not altogether your -brother's evil disposition made him seek his death; -but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable -badness in himself. - - - -EDMUND -How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to -be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which -approves him an intelligent party to the advantages -of France: O heavens! that this treason were not, -or not I the detector! - - - -CORNWALL -o with me to the duchess. - - - -EDMUND -If the matter of this paper be certain, you have -mighty business in hand. - - - -CORNWALL -True or false, it hath made thee earl of -Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he -may be ready for our apprehension. - - - -EDMUND -Aside If I find him comforting the king, it will -stuff his suspicion more fully.--I will persevere in -my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore -between that and my blood. - - - -CORNWALL -I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a -dearer father in my love. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE VI. A chamber in a farmhouse adjoining the castle. -Enter GLOUCESTER, KING LEAR, KENT, Fool, and EDGAR - - -GLOUCESTER -Here is better than the open air; take it -thankfully. I will piece out the comfort with what -addition I can: I will not be long from you. - - - -KENT -All the power of his wits have given way to his -impatience: the gods reward your kindness! - - -Exit GLOUCESTER - - -EDGAR -Frateretto calls me; and tells me -Nero is an angler in the lake of darkness. -Pray, innocent, and beware the foul fiend. - - - -Fool -Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a -gentleman or a yeoman? - - - -KING LEAR -A king, a king! - - - -Fool -No, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son; -for he's a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman -before him. - - - -KING LEAR -To have a thousand with red burning spits -Come hissing in upon 'em,-- - - - -EDGAR -The foul fiend bites my back. - - - -Fool -He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a -horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath. - - - -KING LEAR -It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. -To EDGAR -Come, sit thou here, most learned justicer; -To the Fool -Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, you she foxes! - - - -EDGAR -Look, where he stands and glares! -Wantest thou eyes at trial, madam? -Come o'er the bourn, Bessy, to me,-- - - - -Fool -Her boat hath a leak, -And she must not speak -Why she dares not come over to thee. - - - -EDGAR -The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a -nightingale. Hopdance cries in Tom's belly for two -white herring. Croak not, black angel; I have no -food for thee. - - - -KENT -How do you, sir? Stand you not so amazed: -Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions? - - - -KING LEAR -I'll see their trial first. Bring in the evidence. -To EDGAR -Thou robed man of justice, take thy place; -To the Fool -And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, -Bench by his side: -To KENT -you are o' the commission, -Sit you too. - - - -EDGAR -Let us deal justly. -Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd? -Thy sheep be in the corn; -And for one blast of thy minikin mouth, -Thy sheep shall take no harm. -Pur! the cat is gray. - - - -KING LEAR -Arraign her first; 'tis Goneril. I here take my -oath before this honourable assembly, she kicked the -poor king her father. - - - -Fool -Come hither, mistress. Is your name Goneril? - - - -KING LEAR -She cannot deny it. - - - -Fool -Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool. - - - -KING LEAR -And here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim -What store her heart is made on. Stop her there! -Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place! -False justicer, why hast thou let her 'scape? - - - -EDGAR -Bless thy five wits! - - - -KENT -O pity! Sir, where is the patience now, -That thou so oft have boasted to retain? - - - -EDGAR -Aside My tears begin to take his part so much, -They'll mar my counterfeiting. - - - -KING LEAR -The little dogs and all, Tray, Blanch, and -Sweet-heart, see, they bark at me. - - - -EDGAR -Tom will throw his head at them. Avaunt, you curs! -Be thy mouth or black or white, -Tooth that poisons if it bite; -Mastiff, grey-hound, mongrel grim, -Hound or spaniel, brach or lym, -Or bobtail tike or trundle-tail, -Tom will make them weep and wail: -For, with throwing thus my head, -Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. -Do de, de, de. Sessa! Come, march to wakes and -fairs and market-towns. Poor Tom, thy horn is dry. - - - -KING LEAR -Then let them anatomize Regan; see what breeds -about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that -makes these hard hearts? -To EDGAR -You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred; only I -do not like the fashion of your garments: you will -say they are Persian attire: but let them be changed. - - - -KENT -Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile. - - - -KING LEAR -Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains: -so, so, so. We'll go to supper i' he morning. So, so, so. - - - -Fool -And I'll go to bed at noon. - - -Re-enter GLOUCESTER - - -GLOUCESTER -Come hither, friend: where is the king my master? - - - -KENT -Here, sir; but trouble him not, his wits are gone. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Good friend, I prithee, take him in thy arms; -I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him: -There is a litter ready; lay him in 't, -And drive towards Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet -Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master: -If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, -With thine, and all that offer to defend him, -Stand in assured loss: take up, take up; -And follow me, that will to some provision -Give thee quick conduct. - - - -KENT -Oppressed nature sleeps: -This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken senses, -Which, if convenience will not allow, -Stand in hard cure. -To the Fool -Come, help to bear thy master; -Thou must not stay behind. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Come, come, away. - - -Exeunt all but EDGAR - - -EDGAR -When we our betters see bearing our woes, -We scarcely think our miseries our foes. -Who alone suffers suffers most i' the mind, -Leaving free things and happy shows behind: -But then the mind much sufferance doth o'er skip, -When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship. -How light and portable my pain seems now, -When that which makes me bend makes the king bow, -He childed as I father'd! Tom, away! -Mark the high noises; and thyself bewray, -When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee, -In thy just proof, repeals and reconciles thee. -What will hap more to-night, safe 'scape the king! -Lurk, lurk. - - -Exit -
- -
SCENE VII. Gloucester's castle. -Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GONERIL, EDMUND, and Servants - - -CORNWALL -Post speedily to my lord your husband; show him -this letter: the army of France is landed. Seek -out the villain Gloucester. - - -Exeunt some of the Servants - - -REGAN -Hang him instantly. - - - -GONERIL -Pluck out his eyes. - - - -CORNWALL -Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our -sister company: the revenges we are bound to take -upon your traitorous father are not fit for your -beholding. Advise the duke, where you are going, to -a most festinate preparation: we are bound to the -like. Our posts shall be swift and intelligent -betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister: farewell, my -lord of Gloucester. -Enter OSWALD -How now! where's the king? - - - -OSWALD -My lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence: -Some five or six and thirty of his knights, -Hot questrists after him, met him at gate; -Who, with some other of the lords dependants, -Are gone with him towards Dover; where they boast -To have well-armed friends. - - - -CORNWALL -Get horses for your mistress. - - - -GONERIL -Farewell, sweet lord, and sister. - - - -CORNWALL -Edmund, farewell. -Exeunt GONERIL, EDMUND, and OSWALD -Go seek the traitor Gloucester, -Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. -Exeunt other Servants -Though well we may not pass upon his life -Without the form of justice, yet our power -Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men -May blame, but not control. Who's there? the traitor? - - -Enter GLOUCESTER, brought in by two or three - - -REGAN -Ingrateful fox! 'tis he. - - - -CORNWALL -Bind fast his corky arms. - - - -GLOUCESTER -What mean your graces? Good my friends, consider -You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends. - - - -CORNWALL -Bind him, I say. - - -Servants bind him - - -REGAN -Hard, hard. O filthy traitor! - - - -GLOUCESTER -Unmerciful lady as you are, I'm none. - - - -CORNWALL -To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find-- - - -REGAN plucks his beard - - -GLOUCESTER -By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done -To pluck me by the beard. - - - -REGAN -So white, and such a traitor! - - - -GLOUCESTER -Naughty lady, -These hairs, which thou dost ravish from my chin, -Will quicken, and accuse thee: I am your host: -With robbers' hands my hospitable favours -You should not ruffle thus. What will you do? - - - -CORNWALL -Come, sir, what letters had you late from France? - - - -REGAN -Be simple answerer, for we know the truth. - - - -CORNWALL -And what confederacy have you with the traitors -Late footed in the kingdom? - - - -REGAN -To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king? Speak. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I have a letter guessingly set down, -Which came from one that's of a neutral heart, -And not from one opposed. - - - -CORNWALL -Cunning. - - - -REGAN -And false. - - - -CORNWALL -Where hast thou sent the king? - - - -GLOUCESTER -To Dover. - - - -REGAN -Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at peril-- - - - -CORNWALL -Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course. - - - -REGAN -Wherefore to Dover, sir? - - - -GLOUCESTER -Because I would not see thy cruel nails -Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister -In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. -The sea, with such a storm as his bare head -In hell-black night endured, would have buoy'd up, -And quench'd the stelled fires: -Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain. -If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time, -Thou shouldst have said 'Good porter, turn the key,' -All cruels else subscribed: but I shall see -The winged vengeance overtake such children. - - - -CORNWALL -See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. -Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot. - - - -GLOUCESTER -He that will think to live till he be old, -Give me some help! O cruel! O you gods! - - - -REGAN -One side will mock another; the other too. - - - -CORNWALL -If you see vengeance,-- - - - -First Servant -Hold your hand, my lord: -I have served you ever since I was a child; -But better service have I never done you -Than now to bid you hold. - - - -REGAN -How now, you dog! - - - -First Servant -If you did wear a beard upon your chin, -I'd shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean? - - - -CORNWALL -My villain! - - -They draw and fight - - -First Servant -Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. - - - -REGAN -Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus! - - -Takes a sword, and runs at him behind - - -First Servant -O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left -To see some mischief on him. O! - - -Dies - - -CORNWALL -Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! -Where is thy lustre now? - - - -GLOUCESTER -All dark and comfortless. Where's my son Edmund? -Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature, -To quit this horrid act. - - - -REGAN -Out, treacherous villain! -Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he -That made the overture of thy treasons to us; -Who is too good to pity thee. - - - -GLOUCESTER -O my follies! then Edgar was abused. -Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him! - - - -REGAN -Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell -His way to Dover. -Exit one with GLOUCESTER -How is't, my lord? how look you? - - - -CORNWALL -I have received a hurt: follow me, lady. -Turn out that eyeless villain; throw this slave -Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace: -Untimely comes this hurt: give me your arm. - - -Exit CORNWALL, led by REGAN - - -Second Servant -I'll never care what wickedness I do, -If this man come to good. - - - -Third Servant -If she live long, -And in the end meet the old course of death, -Women will all turn monsters. - - - -Second Servant -Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam -To lead him where he would: his roguish madness -Allows itself to any thing. - - - -Third Servant -Go thou: I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs -To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him! - - -Exeunt severally -
- - - -ACT IV - -
SCENE I. The heath. -Enter EDGAR - - -EDGAR -Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd, -Than still contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worst, -The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, -Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: -The lamentable change is from the best; -The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then, -Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace! -The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst -Owes nothing to thy blasts. But who comes here? -Enter GLOUCESTER, led by an Old Man -My father, poorly led? World, world, O world! -But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, -Lie would not yield to age. - - - -Old Man -O, my good lord, I have been your tenant, and -your father's tenant, these fourscore years. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Away, get thee away; good friend, be gone: -Thy comforts can do me no good at all; -Thee they may hurt. - - - -Old Man -Alack, sir, you cannot see your way. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; -I stumbled when I saw: full oft 'tis seen, -Our means secure us, and our mere defects -Prove our commodities. O dear son Edgar, -The food of thy abused father's wrath! -Might I but live to see thee in my touch, -I'ld say I had eyes again! - - - -Old Man -How now! Who's there? - - - -EDGAR -Aside O gods! Who is't can say 'I am at -the worst'? -I am worse than e'er I was. - - - -Old Man -'Tis poor mad Tom. - - - -EDGAR -Aside And worse I may be yet: the worst is not -So long as we can say 'This is the worst.' - - - -Old Man -Fellow, where goest? - - - -GLOUCESTER -Is it a beggar-man? - - - -Old Man -Madman and beggar too. - - - -GLOUCESTER -He has some reason, else he could not beg. -I' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw; -Which made me think a man a worm: my son -Came then into my mind; and yet my mind -Was then scarce friends with him: I have heard -more since. -As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. -They kill us for their sport. - - - -EDGAR -Aside How should this be? -Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, -Angering itself and others.--Bless thee, master! - - - -GLOUCESTER -Is that the naked fellow? - - - -Old Man -Ay, my lord. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Then, prithee, get thee gone: if, for my sake, -Thou wilt o'ertake us, hence a mile or twain, -I' the way toward Dover, do it for ancient love; -And bring some covering for this naked soul, -Who I'll entreat to lead me. - - - -Old Man -Alack, sir, he is mad. - - - -GLOUCESTER -'Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind. -Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure; -Above the rest, be gone. - - - -Old Man -I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have, -Come on't what will. - - -Exit - - -GLOUCESTER -Sirrah, naked fellow,-- - - - -EDGAR -Poor Tom's a-cold. -Aside -I cannot daub it further. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Come hither, fellow. - - - -EDGAR -Aside And yet I must.--Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Know'st thou the way to Dover? - - - -EDGAR -Both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. Poor -Tom hath been scared out of his good wits: bless -thee, good man's son, from the foul fiend! five -fiends have been in poor Tom at once; of lust, as -Obidicut; Hobbididence, prince of dumbness; Mahu, of -stealing; Modo, of murder; Flibbertigibbet, of -mopping and mowing, who since possesses chambermaids -and waiting-women. So, bless thee, master! - - - -GLOUCESTER -Here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens' plagues -Have humbled to all strokes: that I am wretched -Makes thee the happier: heavens, deal so still! -Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man, -That slaves your ordinance, that will not see -Because he doth not feel, feel your power quickly; -So distribution should undo excess, -And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover? - - - -EDGAR -Ay, master. - - - -GLOUCESTER -There is a cliff, whose high and bending head -Looks fearfully in the confined deep: -Bring me but to the very brim of it, -And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear -With something rich about me: from that place -I shall no leading need. - - - -EDGAR -Give me thy arm: -Poor Tom shall lead thee. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE II. Before ALBANY's palace. -Enter GONERIL and EDMUND - - -GONERIL -Welcome, my lord: I marvel our mild husband -Not met us on the way. -Enter OSWALD -Now, where's your master'? - - - -OSWALD -Madam, within; but never man so changed. -I told him of the army that was landed; -He smiled at it: I told him you were coming: -His answer was 'The worse:' of Gloucester's treachery, -And of the loyal service of his son, -When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot, -And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out: -What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him; -What like, offensive. - - - -GONERIL -To EDMUND Then shall you go no further. -It is the cowish terror of his spirit, -That dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs -Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way -May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother; -Hasten his musters and conduct his powers: -I must change arms at home, and give the distaff -Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant -Shall pass between us: ere long you are like to hear, -If you dare venture in your own behalf, -A mistress's command. Wear this; spare speech; -Giving a favour -Decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak, -Would stretch thy spirits up into the air: -Conceive, and fare thee well. - - - -EDMUND -Yours in the ranks of death. - - - -GONERIL -My most dear Gloucester! -Exit EDMUND -O, the difference of man and man! -To thee a woman's services are due: -My fool usurps my body. - - - -OSWALD -Madam, here comes my lord. - - -Exit -Enter ALBANY - - -GONERIL -I have been worth the whistle. - - - -ALBANY -O Goneril! -You are not worth the dust which the rude wind -Blows in your face. I fear your disposition: -That nature, which contemns its origin, -Cannot be border'd certain in itself; -She that herself will sliver and disbranch -From her material sap, perforce must wither -And come to deadly use. - - - -GONERIL -No more; the text is foolish. - - - -ALBANY -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 even 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 benefited! -If that the heavens do not their visible spirits -Send quickly down to tame these vile offences, -It will come, -Humanity must perforce prey on itself, -Like monsters of the deep. - - - -GONERIL -Milk-liver'd man! -That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; -Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning -Thine honour from thy suffering; that not know'st -Fools do those villains pity who are punish'd -Ere they have done their mischief. Where's thy drum? -France spreads his banners in our noiseless land; -With plumed helm thy slayer begins threats; -Whiles thou, a moral fool, sit'st still, and criest -'Alack, why does he so?' - - - -ALBANY -See thyself, devil! -Proper deformity seems not in the fiend -So horrid as in woman. - - - -GONERIL -O vain fool! - - - -ALBANY -Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for shame, -Be-monster not thy feature. Were't my fitness -To let these hands obey my blood, -They are apt enough to dislocate and tear -Thy flesh and bones: howe'er thou art a fiend, -A woman's shape doth shield thee. - - - -GONERIL -Marry, your manhood now-- - - -Enter a Messenger - - -ALBANY -What news? - - - -Messenger -O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead: -Slain by his servant, going to put out -The other eye of Gloucester. - - - -ALBANY -Gloucester's eye! - - - -Messenger -A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse, -Opposed against the act, bending his sword -To his great master; who, thereat enraged, -Flew on him, and amongst them fell'd him dead; -But not without that harmful stroke, which since -Hath pluck'd him after. - - - -ALBANY -This shows you are above, -You justicers, that these our nether crimes -So speedily can venge! But, O poor Gloucester! -Lost he his other eye? - - - -Messenger -Both, both, my lord. -This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer; -'Tis from your sister. - - - -GONERIL -Aside One way I like this well; -But being widow, and my Gloucester with her, -May all the building in my fancy pluck -Upon my hateful life: another way, -The news is not so tart.--I'll read, and answer. - - -Exit - - -ALBANY -Where was his son when they did take his eyes? - - - -Messenger -Come with my lady hither. - - - -ALBANY -He is not here. - - - -Messenger -No, my good lord; I met him back again. - - - -ALBANY -Knows he the wickedness? - - - -Messenger -Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him; -And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment -Might have the freer course. - - - -ALBANY -Gloucester, I live -To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king, -And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend: -Tell me what more thou know'st. - - -Exeunt -
- -
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? - - - -Gentleman -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 required and necessary. - - - -KENT -Who hath he left behind him general? - - - -Gentleman -The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far. - - - -KENT -Did your letters pierce the queen to any -demonstration of grief? - - - -Gentleman -Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence; -And 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 -O, then it moved her. - - - -Gentleman -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 way: those happy smilets, -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 would be a rarity most beloved, -If all could so become it. - - - -KENT -Made she no verbal question? - - - -Gentleman -'Faith, once or twice she heaved 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 believed!' There she shook -The holy water from her heavenly eyes, -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; -Else one self mate and mate could not beget -Such different issues. You spoke not with her since? - - - -Gentleman -No. - - - -KENT -Was this before the king return'd? - - - -Gentleman -No, since. - - - -KENT -Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's 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. - - - -Gentleman -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. - - - -Gentleman -Alack, poor gentleman! - - - -KENT -Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not? - - - -Gentleman -'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 awhile; -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, with drum and colours, CORDELIA, Doctor, and Soldiers - - -CORDELIA -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 bur-docks, 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 -In the restoring his bereaved sense? -He that helps him take all my outward worth. - - - -Doctor -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. - - - -CORDELIA -All blest 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; -Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life -That wants the means to lead it. - - -Enter a Messenger - - -Messenger -News, madam; -The British powers are marching hitherward. - - - -CORDELIA -'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 aged father's right: -Soon may I hear and see him! - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE V. Gloucester's castle. -Enter REGAN and OSWALD - - -REGAN -But are my brother's powers set forth? - - - -OSWALD -Ay, madam. - - - -REGAN -Himself in person there? - - - -OSWALD -Madam, with much ado: -Your sister is the better soldier. - - - -REGAN -Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? - - - -OSWALD -No, madam. - - - -REGAN -What might import my sister's letter to him? - - - -OSWALD -I know not, lady. - - - -REGAN -'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. -It was great ignorance, Gloucester'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 dispatch -His nighted life: moreover, to descry -The strength o' the enemy. - - - -OSWALD -I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. - - - -REGAN -Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us; -The ways are dangerous. - - - -OSWALD -I may not, madam: -My lady charged my duty in this business. - - - -REGAN -Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you -Transport her purposes by word? Belike, -Something--I know not what: I'll love thee much, -Let me unseal the letter. - - - -OSWALD -Madam, I had rather-- - - - -REGAN -I know your lady does not love her husband; -I am sure of that: and at her late being here -She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks -To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. - - - -OSWALD -I, madam? - - - -REGAN -I speak in understanding; you are; I know't: -Therefore I do advise you, take this note: -My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; -And more convenient is he for my hand -Than for your lady's: you may gather more. -If you do find him, pray you, give him this; -And when your mistress hears thus much from you, -I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. -So, fare you well. -If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, -Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. - - - -OSWALD -Would I could meet him, madam! I should show -What party I do follow. - - - -REGAN -Fare thee well. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE VI. Fields near Dover. -Enter GLOUCESTER, and EDGAR dressed like a peasant - - -GLOUCESTER -When shall we come to the top of that same hill? - - - -EDGAR -You do climb up it now: look, how we labour. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Methinks the ground is even. - - - -EDGAR -Horrible steep. -Hark, do you hear the sea? - - - -GLOUCESTER -No, truly. - - - -EDGAR -Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect -By your eyes' anguish. - - - -GLOUCESTER -So may it be, indeed: -Methinks thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st -In better phrase and matter than thou didst. - - - -EDGAR -You're much deceived: in nothing am I changed -But in my garments. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Methinks you're better spoken. - - - -EDGAR -Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful -And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! -The crows and choughs that wing the midway air -Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down -Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade! -Methinks he seems no bigger than his head: -The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, -Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark, -Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy -Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge, -That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes, -Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more; -Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight -Topple down headlong. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Set me where you stand. - - - -EDGAR -Give me your hand: you are now within a foot -Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon -Would I not leap upright. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Let go my hand. -Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel -Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods -Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off; -Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. - - - -EDGAR -Now fare you well, good sir. - - - -GLOUCESTER -With all my heart. - - - -EDGAR -Why I do trifle thus with his despair -Is done to cure it. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Kneeling O you mighty gods! -This world I do renounce, and, in your sights, -Shake patiently my great affliction off: -If I could bear it longer, and not fall -To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, -My snuff and loathed part of nature should -Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him! -Now, fellow, fare thee well. - - -He falls forward - - -EDGAR -Gone, sir: farewell. -And yet I know not how conceit may rob -The treasury of life, when life itself -Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought, -By this, had thought been past. Alive or dead? -Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak! -Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives. -What are you, sir? - - - -GLOUCESTER -Away, and let me die. - - - -EDGAR -Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, -So many fathom down precipitating, -Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; -Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. -Ten masts at each make not the altitude -Which thou hast perpendicularly fell: -Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again. - - - -GLOUCESTER -But have I fall'n, or no? - - - -EDGAR -From the dread summit of this chalky bourn. -Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far -Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Alack, I have no eyes. -Is wretchedness deprived that benefit, -To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort, -When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage, -And frustrate his proud will. - - - -EDGAR -Give me your arm: -Up: so. How is 't? Feel you your legs? You stand. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Too well, too well. - - - -EDGAR -This is above all strangeness. -Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that -Which parted from you? - - - -GLOUCESTER -A poor unfortunate beggar. - - - -EDGAR -As I stood here below, methought his eyes -Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, -Horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea: -It was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father, -Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours -Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear -Affliction till it do cry out itself -'Enough, enough,' and die. That thing you speak of, -I took it for a man; often 'twould say -'The fiend, the fiend:' he led me to that place. - - - -EDGAR -Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here? -Enter KING LEAR, fantastically dressed with wild flowers -The safer sense will ne'er accommodate -His master thus. - - - -KING LEAR -No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the -king himself. - - - -EDGAR -O thou side-piercing sight! - - - -KING 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 will 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. - - - -EDGAR -Sweet marjoram. - - - -KING LEAR -Pass. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I know that voice. - - - -KING LEAR -Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered -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 that 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 'em, there I smelt 'em 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. - - - -GLOUCESTER -The trick of that voice I do well remember: -Is 't not the king? - - - -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? 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 Gloucester'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 yond simpering dame, -Whose face between her forks presages 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's 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. - - - -GLOUCESTER -O, let me kiss that hand! - - - -KING LEAR -Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. - - - -GLOUCESTER -O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world -Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me? - - - -KING 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. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. - - - -EDGAR -I would not take this from report; it is, -And my heart breaks at it. - - - -KING LEAR -Read. - - - -GLOUCESTER -What, with the case of eyes? - - - -KING LEAR -O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your -head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in -a heavy case, your purse in a light; yet you see how -this world goes. - - - -GLOUCESTER -I see it feelingly. - - - -KING LEAR -What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes -with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond -justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in -thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which -is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen -a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? - - - -GLOUCESTER -Ay, sir. - - - -KING LEAR -And the creature run from the cur? There thou -mightst 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 does pierce 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. - - - -EDGAR -O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness! - - - -KING LEAR -If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. -I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester: -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. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Alack, alack the day! - - - -KING 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 't in proof; -And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law, -Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill! - - -Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants - - -Gentleman -O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir, -Your most dear daughter-- - - - -KING LEAR -No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even -The natural fool of fortune. Use me well; -You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons; -I am cut to the brains. - - - -Gentleman -You shall have any thing. - - - -KING 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 laying autumn's dust. - - - -Gentleman -Good sir,-- - - - -KING LEAR -I will die bravely, like a bridegroom. What! -I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king, -My masters, know you that. - - - -Gentleman -You are a royal one, and we obey you. - - - -KING LEAR -Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you -shall get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. - - -Exit running; Attendants follow - - -Gentleman -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. - - - -EDGAR -Hail, gentle sir. - - - -Gentleman -Sir, speed you: what's your will? - - - -EDGAR -Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? - - - -Gentleman -Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that, -Which can distinguish sound. - - - -EDGAR -But, by your favour, -How near's the other army? - - - -Gentleman -Near and on speedy foot; the main descry -Stands on the hourly thought. - - - -EDGAR -I thank you, sir: that's all. - - - -Gentleman -Though that the queen on special cause is here, -Her army is moved on. - - - -EDGAR -I thank you, sir. - - -Exit Gentleman - - -GLOUCESTER -You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me: -Let not my worser spirit tempt me again -To die before you please! - - - -EDGAR -Well pray you, father. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Now, good sir, what are you? - - - -EDGAR -A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows; -Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, -Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, -I'll lead you to some biding. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Hearty thanks: -The bounty and the benison of heaven -To boot, and boot! - - -Enter OSWALD - - -OSWALD -A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! -That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh -To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, -Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out -That must destroy thee. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Now let thy friendly hand -Put strength enough to't. - - -EDGAR interposes - - -OSWALD -Wherefore, bold peasant, -Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; -Lest that the infection of his fortune take -Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. - - - -EDGAR -Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. - - - -OSWALD -Let go, slave, or thou diest! - - - -EDGAR -Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk -pass. An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, -'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. -Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor -ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be -the harder: ch'ill be plain with you. - - - -OSWALD -Out, dunghill! - - - -EDGAR -Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor -your foins. - - -They fight, and EDGAR knocks him down - - -OSWALD -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 Gloucester; seek him out -Upon the British party: O, untimely death! - - -Dies - - -EDGAR -I know thee well: a serviceable villain; -As duteous to the vices of thy mistress -As badness would desire. - - - -GLOUCESTER -What, is he dead? - - - -EDGAR -Sit you down, father; rest you -Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of -May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry -He had no other death's-man. Let us see: -Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: -To know our enemies' minds, we'ld 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 goal; from -the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply -the place for your labour. -'Your--wife, so I would say-- -'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 murderous lechers: and in the mature time -With this ungracious paper strike the sight -Of the death practised duke: for him 'tis well -That of thy death and business I can tell. - - - -GLOUCESTER -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. - - - -EDGAR -Give me your hand: -Drum afar off -Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum: -Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE VII. A tent in the French camp. LEAR on a bed asleep, soft music playing; Gentleman, and others attending. - -Enter CORDELIA, KENT, and Doctor - - -CORDELIA -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 acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid. -All my reports go with the modest truth; -Nor more nor clipp'd, but so. - - - -CORDELIA -Be better suited: -These weeds are memories of those worser hours: -I prithee, 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. - - - -CORDELIA -Then be't so, my good lord. -To the Doctor -How does the king? - - - -Doctor -Madam, sleeps still. - - - -CORDELIA -O you kind gods, -Cure this great breach in his abused nature! -The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up -Of this child-changed father! - - - -Doctor -So please your majesty -That we may wake the king: he hath slept long. - - - -CORDELIA -Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed -I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? - - - -Gentleman -Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep -We put fresh garments on him. - - - -Doctor -Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; -I doubt not of his temperance. - - - -CORDELIA -Very well. - - - -Doctor -Please you, draw near. Louder the music there! - - - -CORDELIA -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 princess! - - - -CORDELIA -Had you not been their father, these white flakes -Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face -To be opposed 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 helm? 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 -Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him. - - - -Doctor -Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. - - - -CORDELIA -How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? - - - -KING 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 moulten lead. - - - -CORDELIA -Sir, do you know me? - - - -KING LEAR -You are a spirit, I know: when did you die? - - - -CORDELIA -Still, still, far wide! - - - -Doctor -He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile. - - - -KING LEAR -Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? -I am mightily abused. I should e'en 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 assured -Of my condition! - - - -CORDELIA -O, look upon me, sir, -And hold your hands in benediction o'er me: -No, sir, you must not kneel. - - - -KING LEAR -Pray, do not mock me: -I am a very foolish fond old man, -Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; -And, to deal plainly, -I fear I am not in my perfect mind. -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. - - - -CORDELIA -And so I am, I am. - - - -KING 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. - - - -CORDELIA -No cause, no cause. - - - -KING LEAR -Am I in France? - - - -KENT -In your own kingdom, sir. - - - -KING LEAR -Do not abuse me. - - - -Doctor -Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, -You see, is kill'd in him: and yet it is danger -To make him even o'er the time he has lost. -Desire him to go in; trouble him no more -Till further settling. - - - -CORDELIA -Will't please your highness walk? - - - -KING LEAR -You must bear with me: -Pray you now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish. - - -Exeunt all but KENT and Gentleman - - -Gentleman -Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain? - - - -KENT -Most certain, sir. - - - -Gentleman -Who is conductor of his people? - - - -KENT -As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester. - - - -Gentleman -They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl -of Kent in Germany. - - - -KENT -Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the -powers of the kingdom approach apace. - - - -Gentleman -The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you -well, sir. - - -Exit - - -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 British camp, near Dover. -Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, -Gentlemen, and Soldiers. - -EDMUND Know of the duke if his last purpose hold, -Or whether since he is advised by aught -To change the course: he's full of alteration -And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure. - -[To a Gentleman, who goes out - - -REGAN -Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. - - - -EDMUND -'Tis to be doubted, madam. - - - -REGAN -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? - - - -EDMUND -In honour'd love. - - - -REGAN -But have you never found my brother's way -To the forfended place? - - - -EDMUND -That thought abuses you. - - - -REGAN -I am doubtful that you have been conjunct -And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. - - - -EDMUND -No, by mine honour, madam. - - - -REGAN -I never shall endure her: dear my lord, -Be not familiar with her. - - - -EDMUND -Fear me not: -She and the duke her husband! - - -Enter, with drum and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers - - -GONERIL -Aside I had rather lose the battle than that sister -Should loosen him and me. - - - -ALBANY -Our very loving sister, well be-met. -Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter, -With others whom the rigor of our state -Forced 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. - - - -EDMUND -Sir, you speak nobly. - - - -REGAN -Why is this reason'd? - - - -GONERIL -Combine together 'gainst the enemy; -For these domestic and particular broils -Are not the question here. - - - -ALBANY -Let's then determine -With the ancient of war on our proceedings. - - - -EDMUND -I shall attend you presently at your tent. - - - -REGAN -Sister, you'll go with us? - - - -GONERIL -No. - - - -REGAN -'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. - - - -GONERIL -Aside O, ho, I know the riddle.--I will go. - - -As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised - - -EDGAR -If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, -Hear me one word. - - - -ALBANY -I'll overtake you. Speak. - - -Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR - - -EDGAR -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. - - - -ALBANY -Stay till I have read the letter. - - - -EDGAR -I was forbid it. -When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, -And I'll appear again. - - - -ALBANY -Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper. - - -Exit EDGAR -Re-enter EDMUND - - -EDMUND -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 urged on you. - - - -ALBANY -We will greet the time. - - -Exit - - -EDMUND -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, -Shall never see his pardon; for my state -Stands on me to defend, not to debate. - - -Exit -
- -
SCENE II. A field between the two camps. -Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, -KING LEAR, CORDELIA, and Soldiers, over the stage; -and exeunt -Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER - - -EDGAR -Here, father, take the shadow of this tree -For your good host; pray that the right may thrive: -If ever I return to you again, -I'll bring you comfort. - - - -GLOUCESTER -Grace go with you, sir! - - -Exit EDGAR -Alarum and retreat within. Re-enter EDGAR - - -EDGAR -Away, old man; give me thy hand; away! -King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en: -Give me thy hand; come on. - - - -GLOUCESTER -No farther, sir; a man may rot even here. - - - -EDGAR -What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure -Their going hence, even as their coming hither; -Ripeness is all: come on. - - - -GLOUCESTER -And that's true too. - - -Exeunt -
- -
SCENE III. The British camp near Dover. -Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND, -KING LEAR and CORDELIA, prisoners; Captain, -Soldiers, &c - - -EDMUND -Some officers take them away: good guard, -Until their greater pleasures first be known -That are to censure them. - - - -CORDELIA -We are not the first -Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. -For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down; -Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. -Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters? - - - -KING LEAR -No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: -We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: -When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, -And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live, -And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh -At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues -Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, -Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out; -And take upon's the mystery of things, -As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out, -In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, -That ebb and flow by the moon. - - - -EDMUND -Take them away. - - - -KING LEAR -Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, -The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? -He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, -And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; -The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell, -Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve -first. Come. - - -Exeunt KING LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded - - -EDMUND -Come hither, captain; hark. -Take thou this note; -Giving a paper -go follow them to prison: -One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost -As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way -To noble fortunes: know thou this, that men -Are as the time is: to be tender-minded -Does not become a sword: thy great employment -Will not bear question; either say thou'lt do 't, -Or thrive by other means. - - - -Captain -I'll do 't, my lord. - - - -EDMUND -About it; and write happy when thou hast done. -Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so -As I have set it down. - - - -Captain -I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; -If it be man's work, I'll do 't. - - -Exit -Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, another -Captain, and Soldiers - - -ALBANY -Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, -And fortune led you well: you have the captives -That were the opposites of this day's strife: -We do require them of you, so to use them -As we shall find their merits and our safety -May equally determine. - - - -EDMUND -Sir, I thought it fit -To send the old and miserable king -To some retention and appointed guard; -Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, -To pluck the common bosom on his side, -An turn our impress'd lances in our eyes -Which do command them. With him I sent the queen; -My reason all the same; and they are ready -To-morrow, or at further space, to appear -Where you shall hold your session. At this time -We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend; -And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed -By those that feel their sharpness: -The question of Cordelia and her father -Requires a fitter place. - - - -ALBANY -Sir, by your patience, -I hold you but a subject of this war, -Not as a brother. - - - -REGAN -That's as we list to grace him. -Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded, -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. - - - -GONERIL -Not so hot: -In his own grace he doth exalt himself, -More than in your addition. - - - -REGAN -In my rights, -By me invested, he compeers the best. - - - -GONERIL -That were the most, if he should husband you. - - - -REGAN -Jesters do oft prove prophets. - - - -GONERIL -Holla, holla! -That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint. - - - -REGAN -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. - - - -GONERIL -Mean you to enjoy him? - - - -ALBANY -The let-alone lies not in your good will. - - - -EDMUND -Nor in thine, lord. - - - -ALBANY -Half-blooded fellow, yes. - - - -REGAN -To EDMUND Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. - - - -ALBANY -Stay yet; hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee -On capital treason; and, in thine attaint, -This gilded serpent -Pointing to Goneril -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 bans. -If you will marry, make your loves to me, -My lady is bespoke. - - - -GONERIL -An interlude! - - - -ALBANY -Thou art arm'd, Gloucester: let the trumpet sound: -If none appear to prove upon thy head -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. - - - -REGAN -Sick, O, sick! - - - -GONERIL -Aside If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine. - - - -EDMUND -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. - - - -ALBANY -A herald, ho! - - - -EDMUND -A herald, ho, a herald! - - - -ALBANY -Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, -All levied in my name, have in my name -Took their discharge. - - - -REGAN -My sickness grows upon me. - - - -ALBANY -She is not well; convey her to my tent. -Exit Regan, led -Enter a Herald -Come hither, herald,--Let the trumpet sound, -And read out this. - - - -Captain -Sound, trumpet! - - -A trumpet sounds - - -Herald -Reads 'If any man of quality or degree within -the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, -supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he is a manifold -traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the -trumpet: he is bold in his defence.' - - - -EDMUND -Sound! - - -First trumpet - - -Herald -Again! - - -Second trumpet - - -Herald -Again! -Third trumpet - - -Trumpet answers within -Enter EDGAR, at the third sound, armed, with a -trumpet before him - - -ALBANY -Ask him his purposes, why he appears -Upon this call o' the trumpet. - - - -Herald -What are you? -Your name, your quality? and why you answer -This present summons? - - - -EDGAR -Know, my name is lost; -By treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit: -Yet am I noble as the adversary -I come to cope. - - - -ALBANY -Which is that adversary? - - - -EDGAR -What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester? - - - -EDMUND -Himself: what say'st thou to him? - - - -EDGAR -Draw thy sword, -That, if my speech offend a noble heart, -Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. -Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, -My oath, and my profession: I protest, -Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence, -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; -And, from the extremest upward of thy head -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. - - - -EDMUND -In wisdom I should ask thy name; -But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, -And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes, -What safe and nicely I might well delay -By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn: -Back do I toss these treasons to thy head; -With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart; -Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise, -This sword of mine shall give them instant way, -Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak! - - -Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls - - -ALBANY -Save him, save him! - - - -GONERIL -This is practise, Gloucester: -By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer -An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd, -But cozen'd and beguiled. - - - -ALBANY -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 - - -GONERIL -Say, if I do, the laws are mine, not thine: -Who can arraign me for't. - - - -ALBANY -Most monstrous! oh! -Know'st thou this paper? - - - -GONERIL -Ask me not what I know. - - -Exit - - -ALBANY -Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. - - - -EDMUND -What you have charged me with, that have I done; -And more, much more; the time will bring it out: -'Tis past, and so am I. But what art thou -That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble, -I do forgive thee. - - - -EDGAR -Let's exchange charity. -I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; -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. - - - -EDMUND -Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; -The wheel is come full circle: I am here. - - - -ALBANY -Methought thy very gait did prophesy -A royal nobleness: I must embrace thee: -Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I -Did hate thee or thy father! - - - -EDGAR -Worthy prince, I know't. - - - -ALBANY -Where have you hid yourself? -How have you known the miseries of your father? - - - -EDGAR -By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale; -And when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst! -The bloody proclamation to escape, -That follow'd me so near,--O, our lives' sweetness! -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, -Led him, begg'd for him, saved him from despair; -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 -Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart, -Alack, too weak the conflict to support! -'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, -Burst smilingly. - - - -EDMUND -This speech of yours hath moved me, -And shall perchance do good: but speak you on; -You look as you had something more to say. - - - -ALBANY -If there be more, more woeful, hold it in; -For I am almost ready to dissolve, -Hearing of this. - - - -EDGAR -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 in a man, -Who, having seen me in my worst estate, -Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding -Who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms -He fastened on my neck, and bellow'd out -As he'ld burst heaven; threw him on my father; -Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him -That ever ear received: which in recounting -His grief grew puissant and the strings of life -Began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded, -And there I left him tranced. - - - -ALBANY -But who was this? - - - -EDGAR -Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise -Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service -Improper for a slave. - - -Enter a Gentleman, with a bloody knife - - -Gentleman -Help, help, O, help! - - - -EDGAR -What kind of help? - - - -ALBANY -Speak, man. - - - -EDGAR -What means that bloody knife? - - - -Gentleman -'Tis hot, it smokes; -It came even from the heart of--O, she's dead! - - - -ALBANY -Who dead? speak, man. - - - -Gentleman -Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister -By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it. - - - -EDMUND -I was contracted to them both: all three -Now marry in an instant. - - - -EDGAR -Here comes Kent. - - - -ALBANY -Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead: -This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble, -Touches us not with pity. -Exit Gentleman -Enter KENT -O, is this he? -The time will not allow the compliment -Which very manners urges. - - - -KENT -I am come -To bid my king and master aye good night: -Is he not here? - - - -ALBANY -Great thing of us forgot! -Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's Cordelia? -See'st thou this object, Kent? - - -The bodies of GONERIL and REGAN are brought in - - -KENT -Alack, why thus? - - - -EDMUND -Yet Edmund was beloved: -The one the other poison'd for my sake, -And after slew herself. - - - -ALBANY -Even so. Cover their faces. - - - -EDMUND -I pant for life: some good I mean to do, -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. - - - -ALBANY -Run, run, O, run! - - - -EDGAR -To who, my lord? Who hath the office? send -Thy token of reprieve. - - - -EDMUND -Well thought on: take my sword, -Give it the captain. - - - -ALBANY -Haste thee, for thy life. - - -Exit EDGAR - - -EDMUND -He hath commission from thy wife and me -To hang Cordelia in the prison, and -To lay the blame upon her own despair, -That she fordid herself. - - - -ALBANY -The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile. - - -EDMUND is borne off -Re-enter KING LEAR, with CORDELIA dead in his arms; -EDGAR, Captain, and others following - - -KING LEAR -Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones: -Had I your tongues and eyes, I'ld 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 will mist or stain the stone, -Why, then she lives. - - - -KENT -Is this the promised end - - - -EDGAR -Or image of that horror? - - - -ALBANY -Fall, and cease! - - - -KING 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! - - - -KING LEAR -Prithee, away. - - - -EDGAR -'Tis noble Kent, your friend. - - - -KING LEAR -A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all! -I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever! -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. - - - -Captain -'Tis true, my lords, he did. - - - -KING LEAR -Did I not, fellow? -I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion -I would have made them skip: I am old now, -And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you? -Mine eyes are not o' the best: I'll tell you straight. - - - -KENT -If fortune brag of two she loved and hated, -One of them we behold. - - - -KING LEAR -This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent? - - - -KENT -The same, -Your servant Kent: Where is your servant Caius? - - - -KING LEAR -He's a good fellow, I can tell you that; -He'll strike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten. - - - -KENT -No, my good lord; I am the very man,-- - - - -KING LEAR -I'll see that straight. - - - -KENT -That, from your first of difference and decay, -Have follow'd your sad steps. - - - -KING LEAR -You are welcome hither. - - - -KENT -Nor no man else: all's cheerless, dark, and deadly. -Your eldest daughters have fordone them selves, -And desperately are dead. - - - -KING LEAR -Ay, so I think. - - - -ALBANY -He knows not what he says: and vain it is -That we present us to him. - - - -EDGAR -Very bootless. - - -Enter a Captain - - -Captain -Edmund is dead, my lord. - - - -ALBANY -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 taste -The wages of their virtue, and all foes -The cup of their deservings. O, see, see! - - - -KING LEAR -And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life! -Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, -And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more, -Never, never, never, never, never! -Pray you, undo this button: thank you, sir. -Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips, -Look there, look there! - - -Dies - - -EDGAR -He faints! My lord, my lord! - - - -KENT -Break, heart; I prithee, break! - - - -EDGAR -Look up, my lord. - - - -KENT -Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates him much -That would upon the rack of this tough world -Stretch him out longer. - - - -EDGAR -He is gone, indeed. - - - -KENT -The wonder is, he hath endured so long: -He but usurp'd his life. - - - -ALBANY -Bear them from hence. Our present business -Is general woe. -To KENT and EDGAR -Friends of my soul, you twain -Rule in this realm, and the gored state sustain. - - - -KENT -I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; -My master calls me, I must not say no. - - - -ALBANY -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 -Shall never see so much, nor live so long. - - -Exeunt, with a dead march -
- - \ No newline at end of file + + + The Tragedy of King Lear + + + The Tragedy of King Lear + William Shakespeare + ASCII text placed in the public + domain by Moby Lexical Tools, 1992. + SGML markup by Jon Bosak, + 1992-1994. + XML version by Jon Bosak, + 1996-1999. + DocBook version by Scott Hudson, + 2008. + Bosak and Hudson license this + work for worldwide use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike + 3.0 Unported License. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode). + http://metalab.unc.edu/bosak/xml/eg/shaks200.zip + + + + Dramatis Personae + + + LEAR, king of Britain + + + KING OF FRANCE + + + DUKE OF BURGUNDY + + + DUKE OF CORNWALL + + + DUKE OF ALBANY + + + EARL OF KENT + + + EARL OF GLOUCESTER + + + EDGAR, son to Gloucester. + + + EDMUND, bastard son to Gloucester. + + + CURAN, a courtier. + + + Old Man, tenant to Gloucester. + + + Doctor + + + Fool + + + OSWALD, steward to Goneril. + + + A Captain employed by Edmund. + + + Gentleman attendant on Cordelia. + + + A Herald. + + + Servants to Cornwall. + + + + + GONERIL + REGAN + CORDELIA + + daughters to Lear. + + + + Knights of Lear's train, Captains, Messengers, Soldiers, and + Attendants + + SCENE Britain. + + + + + + + ACT I + +
+ SCENE I. King Lear's palace. + Enter KENT, GLOUCESTER, and EDMUND + + + + KENT + I thought the king had more affected the Duke of + Albany than Cornwall. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + It did always seem so to us: but now, in the + division of the kingdom, it appears not which of + the dukes he values most; for equalities are so + weighed, that curiosity in neither can make choice + of either's moiety. + + + + + + KENT + Is not this your son, my lord? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have + so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now I am + brazed to it. + + + + + + KENT + I cannot conceive you. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon + she grew round-wombed, and had, indeed, sir, a son + for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. + Do you smell a fault? + + + + + + KENT + I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it + being so proper. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year + elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: + though this knave came something saucily into the + world before he was sent for, yet was his mother + fair; there was good sport at his making, and the + whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this + noble gentleman, Edmund? + + + + + + EDMUND + No, my lord. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my + honourable friend. + + + + + + EDMUND + My services to your lordship. + + + + + + KENT + I must love you, and sue to know you better. + + + + + + EDMUND + Sir, I shall study deserving. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + He hath been out nine years, and away he shall + again. The king is coming. + + + + Sennet. Enter KING LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, + CORDELIA, and Attendants + + + + KING LEAR + Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I shall, my liege. + + + + Exeunt GLOUCESTER and EDMUND + + + + KING LEAR + Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. + Give me the map there. Know that we have divided + In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent + To shake all cares and business from our age; + Conferring them on younger strengths, while we + Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, + And you, our no less loving son of Albany, + We have this hour a constant will to publish + Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife + May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, + Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, + Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, + And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters,-- + Since now we will divest us both of rule, + Interest of territory, cares of state,-- + Which of you shall we say doth love us most? + That we our largest bounty may extend + Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, + Our eldest-born, speak first. + + + + + + GONERIL + Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; + Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; + Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; + No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour; + As much as child e'er loved, or father found; + A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; + Beyond all manner of so much I love you. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Aside What shall Cordelia + do? + Love, and be silent. + + + + + + LEAR + Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, + With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, + With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, + We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue + Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, + Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. + + + + + + REGAN + Sir, I am made + Of the self-same metal that my sister is, + And prize me at her worth. In my true heart + I find she names my very deed of love; + Only she comes too short: that I profess + Myself an enemy to all other joys, + Which the most precious square of sense possesses; + And find I am alone felicitate + In your dear highness' love. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Aside Then poor Cordelia! + And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's + More richer than my tongue. + + + + + + KING LEAR + To thee and thine hereditary ever + Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; + No less in space, validity, and pleasure, + Than that conferr'd on Goneril. Now, our joy, + Although the last, not least; to whose young love + The vines of France and milk of Burgundy + Strive to be interess'd; what can you say to draw + A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Nothing, my lord. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Nothing! + + + + + + CORDELIA + Nothing. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Nothing will come of nothing: speak again. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave + My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty + According to my bond; nor more nor less. + + + + + + KING LEAR + How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little, + Lest it may mar your fortunes. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Good my lord, + You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I + Return those duties back as are right fit, + Obey you, love you, and most honour you. + Why have my sisters husbands, if they say + They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, + That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry + Half my love with him, half my care and duty: + Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, + To love my father all. + + + + + + KING LEAR + But goes thy heart with this? + + + + + + CORDELIA + Ay, good my lord. + + + + + + KING LEAR + So young, and so untender? + + + + + + CORDELIA + So young, my lord, and true. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower: + For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, + The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; + By all the operation of the orbs + From whom we do exist, and cease to be; + Here I disclaim all my paternal care, + Propinquity and property of blood, + And as a stranger to my heart and me + Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Scythian, + Or he that makes his generation messes + To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom + Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved, + As thou my sometime daughter. + + + + + + KENT + Good my liege,-- + + + + + + KING LEAR + Peace, Kent! + Come not between the dragon and his wrath. + I loved her most, and thought to set my rest + On her kind nursery. Hence, and avoid my sight! + So be my grave my peace, as here I give + Her father's heart from her! Call France; who stirs? + Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany, + With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: + Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. + I do invest you jointly with my power, + Pre-eminence, and all the large effects + That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course, + With reservation of an hundred knights, + By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode + Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain + The name, and all the additions to a king; + The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, + Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, + This coronet part betwixt you. + + + + Giving the crown + + + + KENT + Royal Lear, + Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, + Loved as my father, as my master follow'd, + As my great patron thought on in my prayers,-- + + + + + + KING LEAR + The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft. + + + + + + KENT + Let it fall rather, though the fork invade + The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, + When Lear is mad. What wilt thou do, old man? + Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak, + When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound, + When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom; + And, in thy best consideration, cheque + This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, + Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; + Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound + Reverbs no hollowness. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Kent, on thy life, no more. + + + + + + KENT + My life I never held but as a pawn + To wage against thy enemies; nor fear to lose it, + Thy safety being the motive. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Out of my sight! + + + + + + KENT + See better, Lear; and let me still remain + The true blank of thine eye. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Now, by Apollo,-- + + + + + + KENT + Now, by Apollo, king, + Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. + + + + + + KING LEAR + O, vassal! miscreant! + + + + Laying his hand on his sword + + + + ALBANY + CORNWALL + Dear sir, forbear. + + + + + + KENT + Do: + Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow + Upon thy foul disease. Revoke thy doom; + Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, + I'll tell thee thou dost evil. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Hear me, recreant! + On thine allegiance, hear me! + Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, + Which we durst never yet, and with strain'd pride + To come between our sentence and our power, + Which nor our nature nor our place can bear, + Our potency made good, take thy reward. + Five days we do allot thee, for provision + To shield thee from diseases of the world; + And on the sixth to turn thy hated back + Upon our kingdom: if, on the tenth day following, + Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, + The moment is thy death. Away! by Jupiter, + This shall not be revoked. + + + + + + KENT + Fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt appear, + Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. + To CORDELIA + The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, + That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said! + To REGAN and GONERIL + And your large speeches may your deeds approve, + That good effects may spring from words of love. + Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; + He'll shape his old course in a country new. + + + + Exit + Flourish. Re-enter GLOUCESTER, with KING OF FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and + Attendants + + + + GLOUCESTER + Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. + + + + + + KING LEAR + My lord of Burgundy. + We first address towards you, who with this king + Hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least, + Will you require in present dower with her, + Or cease your quest of love? + + + + + + BURGUNDY + Most royal majesty, + I crave no more than what your highness offer'd, + Nor will you tender less. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Right noble Burgundy, + When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; + But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands: + If aught within that little seeming substance, + Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced, + And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, + She's there, and she is yours. + + + + + + BURGUNDY + I know no answer. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Will you, with those infirmities she owes, + Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, + Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, + Take her, or leave her? + + + + + + BURGUNDY + Pardon me, royal sir; + Election makes not up on such conditions. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me, + I tell you all her wealth. + To KING OF FRANCE + For you, great king, + I would not from your love make such a stray, + To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you + To avert your liking a more worthier way + Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed + Almost to acknowledge hers. + + + + + + KING OF FRANCE + This is most strange, + That she, that even but now was your best object, + The argument of your praise, balm of your age, + Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time + Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle + So many folds of favour. Sure, her offence + Must be of such unnatural degree, + That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection + Fall'n into taint: which to believe of her, + Must be a faith that reason without miracle + Could never plant in me. + + + + + + CORDELIA + I yet beseech your majesty,-- + If for I want that glib and oily art, + To speak and purpose not; since what I well intend, + I'll do't before I speak,--that you make known + It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, + No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step, + That hath deprived me of your grace and favour; + But even for want of that for which I am richer, + A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue + As I am glad I have not, though not to have it + Hath lost me in your liking. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Better thou + Hadst not been born than not to have pleased me + better. + + + + + + KING OF FRANCE + Is it but this,--a tardiness in nature + Which often leaves the history unspoke + That it intends to do? My lord of Burgundy, + What say you to the lady? Love's not love + When it is mingled with regards that stand + Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her? + She is herself a dowry. + + + + + + BURGUNDY + Royal Lear, + Give but that portion which yourself proposed, + And here I take Cordelia by the hand, + Duchess of Burgundy. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. + + + + + + BURGUNDY + I am sorry, then, you have so lost a father + That you must lose a husband. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Peace be with Burgundy! + Since that respects of fortune are his love, + I shall not be his wife. + + + + + + KING OF FRANCE + Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor; + Most choice, forsaken; and most loved, despised! + Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon: + Be it lawful I take up what's cast away. + Gods, gods! 'tis strange that from their cold'st neglect + My love should kindle to inflamed respect. + Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, + Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France: + Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy + Can buy this unprized precious maid of me. + Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind: + Thou losest here, a better where to find. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we + Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see + That face of hers again. Therefore be gone + Without our grace, our love, our benison. + Come, noble Burgundy. + + + + Flourish. Exeunt all but KING OF FRANCE, GONERIL, REGAN, and + CORDELIA + + + + KING OF FRANCE + Bid farewell to your sisters. + + + + + + CORDELIA + The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes + Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are; + And like a sister am most loath to call + Your faults as they are named. Use well our father: + To your professed bosoms I commit him + But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, + I would prefer him to a better place. + So, farewell to you both. + + + + + + REGAN + Prescribe not us our duties. + + + + + + GONERIL + Let your study + Be to content your lord, who hath received you + At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, + And well are worth the want that you have wanted. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides: + Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. + Well may you prosper! + + + + + + KING OF FRANCE + Come, my fair Cordelia. + + + + Exeunt KING OF FRANCE and CORDELIA + + + + GONERIL + Sister, it is not a little I have to say of what + most nearly appertains to us both. I think our + father will hence to-night. + + + + + + REGAN + That's most certain, and with you; next month with us. + + + + + + GONERIL + You see how full of changes his age is; the + observation we have made of it hath not been + little: he always loved our sister most; and + with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off + appears too grossly. + + + + + + REGAN + 'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever + but slenderly known himself. + + + + + + GONERIL + The best and soundest of his time hath been but + rash; then must we look to receive from his age, + not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed + condition, but therewithal the unruly waywardness + that infirm and choleric years bring with them. + + + + + + REGAN + Such unconstant starts are we like to have from + him as this of Kent's banishment. + + + + + + GONERIL + There is further compliment of leavetaking + between France and him. Pray you, let's hit + together: if our father carry authority with + such dispositions as he bears, this last + surrender of his will but offend us. + + + + + + REGAN + We shall further think on't. + + + + + + GONERIL + We must do something, and i' the heat. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE II. The Earl of Gloucester's castle. + Enter EDMUND, with a letter + + + + EDMUND + Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law + My services are bound. Wherefore should I + Stand in the plague of custom, and permit + The curiosity of nations to deprive me, + For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines + Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base? + When my dimensions are as well compact, + My mind as generous, and my shape as true, + As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us + With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base? + Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take + More composition and fierce quality + Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, + Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops, + Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well, then, + Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land: + Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund + As to the legitimate: fine word,--legitimate! + Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, + And my invention thrive, Edmund the base + Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper: + Now, gods, stand up for bastards! + + + + Enter GLOUCESTER + + + + GLOUCESTER + Kent banish'd thus! and France in choler parted! + And the king gone to-night! subscribed his power! + Confined to exhibition! All this done + Upon the gad! Edmund, how now! what news? + + + + + + EDMUND + So please your lordship, none. + + + + Putting up the letter + + + + GLOUCESTER + Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter? + + + + + + EDMUND + I know no news, my lord. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + What paper were you reading? + + + + + + EDMUND + Nothing, my lord. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + No? What needed, then, that terrible dispatch of + it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath + not such need to hide itself. Let's see: come, + if it be nothing, I shall not need spectacles. + + + + + + EDMUND + I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter + from my brother, that I have not all o'er-read; + and for so much as I have perused, I find it not + fit for your o'er-looking. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Give me the letter, sir. + + + + + + EDMUND + I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The + contents, as in part I understand them, are to blame. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Let's see, let's see. + + + + + + EDMUND + I hope, for my brother's justification, he wrote + this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Reads 'This policy and + reverence of age makes + the world bitter to the best of our times; keeps + our fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish + them. I begin to find an idle and fond bondage + in the oppression of aged tyranny; who sways, not + as it hath power, but as it is suffered. Come to + me, that of this I may speak more. If our father + would sleep till I waked him, you should half his + revenue for ever, and live the beloved of your + brother, EDGAR.' + Hum--conspiracy!--'Sleep till I waked him,--you + should enjoy half his revenue,'--My son Edgar! + Had he a hand to write this? a heart and brain + to breed it in?--When came this to you? who + brought it? + + + + + + EDMUND + It was not brought me, my lord; there's the + cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the + casement of my closet. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + You know the character to be your brother's? + + + + + + EDMUND + If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear + it were his; but, in respect of that, I would + fain think it were not. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + It is his. + + + + + + EDMUND + It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his heart is + not in the contents. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Hath he never heretofore sounded you in this business? + + + + + + EDMUND + Never, my lord: but I have heard him oft + maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, + and fathers declining, the father should be as + ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + O villain, villain! His very opinion in the + letter! Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, + brutish villain! worse than brutish! Go, sirrah, + seek him; I'll apprehend him: abominable villain! + Where is he? + + + + + + EDMUND + I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please + you to suspend your indignation against my + brother till you can derive from him better + testimony of his intent, you shall run a certain + course; where, if you violently proceed against + him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a great + gap in your own honour, and shake in pieces the + heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life + for him, that he hath wrote this to feel my + affection to your honour, and to no further + pretence of danger. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Think you so? + + + + + + EDMUND + If your honour judge it meet, I will place you + where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an + auricular assurance have your satisfaction; and + that without any further delay than this very evening. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + He cannot be such a monster-- + + + + + + EDMUND + Nor is not, sure. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + To his father, that so tenderly and entirely + loves him. Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him + out: wind me into him, I pray you: frame the + business after your own wisdom. I would unstate + myself, to be in a due resolution. + + + + + + EDMUND + I will seek him, sir, presently: convey the + business as I shall find means and acquaint you + withal. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend + no good to us: though the wisdom of nature can + reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself + scourged by the sequent effects: love cools, + friendship falls off, brothers divide: in + cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in + palaces, treason; and the bond cracked 'twixt son + and father. This villain of mine comes under the + prediction; there's son against father: the king + falls from bias of nature; there's father against + child. We have seen the best of our time: + machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all + ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our + graves. Find out this villain, Edmund; it shall + lose thee nothing; do it carefully. And the + noble and true-hearted Kent banished! his + offence, honesty! 'Tis strange. + + + + Exit + + + + EDMUND + This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, + when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit + of our own behavior,--we make guilty of our + disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as + if we were villains by necessity; fools by + heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and + treachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, + liars, and adulterers, by an enforced obedience of + planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, + by a divine thrusting on: an admirable evasion + of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish + disposition to the charge of a star! My + father compounded with my mother under the + dragon's tail; and my nativity was under Ursa + major; so that it follows, I am rough and + lecherous. Tut, I should have been that I am, + had the maidenliest star in the firmament + twinkled on my bastardizing. Edgar-- + Enter EDGAR + And pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old + comedy: my cue is villanous melancholy, with a + sigh like Tom o' Bedlam. O, these eclipses do + portend these divisions! fa, sol, la, mi. + + + + + + EDGAR + How now, brother Edmund! what serious + contemplation are you in? + + + + + + EDMUND + I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read + this other day, what should follow these eclipses. + + + + + + EDGAR + Do you busy yourself about that? + + + + + + EDMUND + I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed + unhappily; as of unnaturalness between the child + and the parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of + ancient amities; divisions in state, menaces and + maledictions against king and nobles; needless + diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation + of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what. + + + + + + EDGAR + How long have you been a sectary astronomical? + + + + + + EDMUND + Come, come; when saw you my father last? + + + + + + EDGAR + Why, the night gone by. + + + + + + EDMUND + Spake you with him? + + + + + + EDGAR + Ay, two hours together. + + + + + + EDMUND + Parted you in good terms? Found you no + displeasure in him by word or countenance? + + + + + + EDGAR + None at all. + + + + + + EDMUND + Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended + him: and at my entreaty forbear his presence + till some little time hath qualified the heat of + his displeasure; which at this instant so rageth + in him, that with the mischief of your person it + would scarcely allay. + + + + + + EDGAR + Some villain hath done me wrong. + + + + + + EDMUND + That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent + forbearance till the spied of his rage goes + slower; and, as I say, retire with me to my + lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to + hear my lord speak: pray ye, go; there's my key: + if you do stir abroad, go armed. + + + + + + EDGAR + Armed, brother! + + + + + + EDMUND + Brother, I advise you to the best; go armed: I + am no honest man if there be any good meaning + towards you: I have told you what I have seen + and heard; but faintly, nothing like the image + and horror of it: pray you, away. + + + + + + EDGAR + Shall I hear from you anon? + + + + + + EDMUND + I do serve you in this business. + Exit EDGAR + A credulous father! and a brother noble, + Whose nature is so far from doing harms, + That he suspects none: on whose foolish honesty + My practises ride easy! I see the business. + Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit: + All with me's meet that I can fashion fit. + + + + Exit +
+ +
+ SCENE III. The Duke of Albany's palace. + Enter GONERIL, and OSWALD, her steward + + + + GONERIL + Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his + fool? + + + + + + OSWALD + Yes, madam. + + + + + + GONERIL + By day and night he wrongs me; every hour + He flashes into one gross crime or other, + That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it: + His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us + On every trifle. When he returns from hunting, + I will not speak with him; say I am sick: + If you come slack of former services, + You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer. + + + + + + OSWALD + He's coming, madam; I hear him. + + + + Horns within + + + + GONERIL + Put on what weary negligence you please, + You and your fellows; I'll have it come to question: + If he dislike it, let him to our sister, + Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, + Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man, + That still would manage those authorities + That he hath given away! Now, by my life, + Old fools are babes again; and must be used + With cheques as flatteries,--when they are seen abused. + Remember what I tell you. + + + + + + OSWALD + Well, madam. + + + + + + GONERIL + And let his knights have colder looks among you; + What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so: + I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, + That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister, + To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE IV. A hall in the same. + Enter KENT, disguised + + + + KENT + If but as well I other accents borrow, + That can my speech defuse, my good intent + May carry through itself to that full issue + For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent, + If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd, + So may it come, thy master, whom thou lovest, + Shall find thee full of labours. + + + + Horns within. Enter KING LEAR, Knights, and Attendants + + + + KING LEAR + Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready. + Exit an Attendant + How now! what art thou? + + + + + + KENT + A man, sir. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What dost thou profess? what wouldst thou with us? + + + + + + KENT + I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve + him truly that will put me in trust: to love him + that is honest; to converse with him that is wise, + and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when I + cannot choose; and to eat no fish. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What art thou? + + + + + + KENT + A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. + + + + + + KING LEAR + If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a + king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? + + + + + + KENT + Service. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Who wouldst thou serve? + + + + + + KENT + You. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Dost thou know me, fellow? + + + + + + KENT + No, sir; but you have that in your countenance + which I would fain call master. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What's that? + + + + + + KENT + Authority. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What services canst thou do? + + + + + + KENT + I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious + tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message + bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am + qualified in; and the best of me is diligence. + + + + + + KING LEAR + How old art thou? + + + + + + KENT + Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor + so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years + on my back forty eight. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Follow me; thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no + worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. + Dinner, ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool? + Go you, and call my fool hither. + Exit an Attendant + Enter OSWALD + You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter? + + + + + + OSWALD + So please you,-- + + + + Exit + + + + KING LEAR + What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back. + Exit a Knight + Where's my fool, ho? I think the world's asleep. + Re-enter Knight + How now! where's that mongrel? + + + + + + Knight + He says, my lord, your daughter is not well. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Why came not the slave back to me when I called him. + + + + + + Knight + Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, he would + not. + + + + + + KING LEAR + He would not! + + + + + + Knight + My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my + judgment, your highness is not entertained with that + ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a + great abatement of kindness appears as well in the + general dependants as in the duke himself also and + your daughter. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Ha! sayest thou so? + + + + + + Knight + I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken; + for my duty cannot be silent when I think your + highness wronged. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception: I + have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I + have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity + than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: + I will look further into't. But where's my fool? I + have not seen him this two days. + + + + + + Knight + Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the + fool hath much pined away. + + + + + + KING LEAR + No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you, and + tell my daughter I would speak with her. + Exit an Attendant + Go you, call hither my fool. + Exit an Attendant + Re-enter OSWALD + O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am I, + sir? + + + + + + OSWALD + My lady's father. + + + + + + KING LEAR + 'My lady's father'! my lord's knave: your + whoreson dog! you slave! you cur! + + + + + + OSWALD + I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your pardon. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? + + + + Striking him + + + + OSWALD + I'll not be struck, my lord. + + + + + + KENT + Nor tripped neither, you base football player. + + + + Tripping up his heels + + + + KING LEAR + I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll + love thee. + + + + + + KENT + Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences: + away, away! if you will measure your lubber's + length again, tarry: but away! go to; have you + wisdom? so. + + + + Pushes OSWALD out + + + + KING LEAR + Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's + earnest of thy service. + + + + Giving KENT money + Enter Fool + + + + Fool + Let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb. + + + + Offering KENT his cap + + + + KING LEAR + How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou? + + + + + + Fool + Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. + + + + + + KENT + Why, fool? + + + + + + Fool + Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour: + nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, + thou'lt catch cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb: + why, this fellow has banished two on's daughters, + and did the third a blessing against his will; if + thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb. + How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs and two + daughters! + + + + + + KING LEAR + Why, my boy? + + + + + + Fool + If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs + myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Take heed, sirrah; the whip. + + + + + + Fool + Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped + out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and + stink. + + + + + + KING LEAR + A pestilent gall to me! + + + + + + Fool + Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Do. + + + + + + Fool + Mark it, nuncle: + Have more than thou showest, + Speak less than thou knowest, + Lend less than thou owest, + Ride more than thou goest, + Learn more than thou trowest, + Set less than thou throwest; + Leave thy drink and thy whore, + And keep in-a-door, + And thou shalt have more + Than two tens to a score. + + + + + + KENT + This is nothing, fool. + + + + + + Fool + Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer; you + gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of + nothing, nuncle? + + + + + + KING LEAR + Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing. + + + + + + Fool + To KENT Prithee, tell him, + so much the rent of + his land comes to: he will not believe a fool. + + + + + + KING LEAR + A bitter fool! + + + + + + Fool + Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a + bitter fool and a sweet fool? + + + + + + KING LEAR + No, lad; teach me. + + + + + + Fool + That lord that counsell'd thee + To give away thy land, + Come place him here by me, + Do thou for him stand: + The sweet and bitter fool + Will presently appear; + The one in motley here, + The other found out there. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Dost thou call me fool, boy? + + + + + + Fool + All thy other titles thou hast given away; that + thou wast born with. + + + + + + KENT + This is not altogether fool, my lord. + + + + + + Fool + No, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if + I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't: + and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool + to myself; they'll be snatching. Give me an egg, + nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What two crowns shall they be? + + + + + + Fool + Why, after I have cut the egg i' the middle, and eat + up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou + clovest thy crown i' the middle, and gavest away + both parts, thou borest thy ass on thy back o'er + the dirt: thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown, + when thou gavest thy golden one away. If I speak + like myself in this, let him be whipped that first + finds it so. + Singing + Fools had ne'er less wit in a year; + For wise men are grown foppish, + They know not how their wits to wear, + Their manners are so apish. + + + + + + KING LEAR + When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? + + + + + + Fool + I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy + daughters thy mothers: for when thou gavest them + the rod, and put'st down thine own breeches, + Singing + Then they for sudden joy did weep, + And I for sorrow sung, + That such a king should play bo-peep, + And go the fools among. + Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach + thy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie. + + + + + + KING LEAR + An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped. + + + + + + Fool + I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are: + they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt + have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am + whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any + kind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be + thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, + and left nothing i' the middle: here comes one o' + the parings. + + + + Enter GONERIL + + + + KING LEAR + How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on? + Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown. + + + + + + Fool + Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to + care for her frowning; now thou art an O without a + figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, + thou art nothing. + To GONERIL + Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue; so your face + bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum, + He that keeps nor crust nor crum, + Weary of all, shall want some. + Pointing to KING LEAR + That's a shealed peascod. + + + + + + GONERIL + Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool, + But other of your insolent retinue + Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth + In rank and not-to-be endured riots. Sir, + I had thought, by making this well known unto you, + To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful, + By what yourself too late have spoke and done. + That you protect this course, and put it on + By your allowance; which if you should, the fault + Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep, + Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal, + Might in their working do you that offence, + Which else were shame, that then necessity + Will call discreet proceeding. + + + + + + Fool + For, you trow, nuncle, + The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, + That it's had it head bit off by it young. + So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Are you our daughter? + + + + + + GONERIL + Come, sir, + I would you would make use of that good wisdom, + Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away + These dispositions, that of late transform you + From what you rightly are. + + + + + + Fool + May not an ass know when the cart + draws the horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Doth any here know me? This is not Lear: + Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes? + Either his notion weakens, his discernings + Are lethargied--Ha! waking? 'tis not so. + Who is it that can tell me who I am? + + + + + + Fool + Lear's shadow. + + + + + + KING LEAR + I would learn that; for, by the + marks of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, + I should be false persuaded I had daughters. + + + + + + Fool + Which they will make an obedient father. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Your name, fair gentlewoman? + + + + + + GONERIL + This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour + Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you + To understand my purposes aright: + As you are old and reverend, you should be wise. + Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires; + Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold, + That this our court, infected with their manners, + Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust + Make it more like a tavern or a brothel + Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak + For instant remedy: be then desired + By her, that else will take the thing she begs, + A little to disquantity your train; + And the remainder, that shall still depend, + To be such men as may besort your age, + And know themselves and you. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Darkness and devils! + Saddle my horses; call my train together: + Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee. + Yet have I left a daughter. + + + + + + GONERIL + You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble + Make servants of their betters. + + + + Enter ALBANY + + + + KING LEAR + Woe, that too late repents,-- + To ALBANY + O, sir, are you come? + Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses. + Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, + More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child + Than the sea-monster! + + + + + + ALBANY + Pray, sir, be patient. + + + + + + KING LEAR + To GONERIL Detested kite! + thou liest. + My train are men of choice and rarest parts, + That all particulars of duty know, + And in the most exact regard support + The worships of their name. O most small fault, + How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! + That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature + From the fix'd place; drew from heart all love, + And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! + Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, + Striking his head + And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people. + + + + + + ALBANY + My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant + Of what hath moved you. + + + + + + KING LEAR + It may be so, my lord. + Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear! + Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend + To make this creature fruitful! + Into her womb convey sterility! + Dry up in her the organs of increase; + And from her derogate body never spring + A babe to honour her! If she must teem, + Create her child of spleen; that it may live, + And be a thwart disnatured torment to her! + Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth; + With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks; + Turn all her mother's pains and benefits + To laughter and contempt; that she may feel + How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is + To have a thankless child! Away, away! + + + + Exit + + + + ALBANY + Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? + + + + + + GONERIL + Never afflict yourself to know the cause; + But let his disposition have that scope + That dotage gives it. + + + + Re-enter KING LEAR + + + + KING LEAR + What, fifty of my followers at a clap! + Within a fortnight! + + + + + + ALBANY + What's the matter, sir? + + + + + + KING LEAR + I'll tell thee: + To GONERIL + Life and death! I am ashamed + That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; + That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, + Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee! + The untented woundings of a father's curse + Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes, + Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out, + And cast you, with the waters that you lose, + To temper clay. Yea, it is come to this? + Let is be so: yet have I left a daughter, + Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable: + When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails + She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find + That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think + I have cast off for ever: thou shalt, + I warrant thee. + + + + Exeunt KING LEAR, KENT, and Attendants + + + + GONERIL + Do you mark that, my lord? + + + + + + ALBANY + I cannot be so partial, Goneril, + To the great love I bear you,-- + + + + + + GONERIL + Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho! + To the Fool + You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. + + + + + + Fool + Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry and take the fool + with thee. + A fox, when one has caught her, + And such a daughter, + Should sure to the slaughter, + If my cap would buy a halter: + So the fool follows after. + + + + Exit + + + + GONERIL + This man hath had good counsel:--a hundred knights! + 'Tis politic and safe to let him keep + At point a hundred knights: yes, that, on every dream, + Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, + He may enguard his dotage with their powers, + And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say! + + + + + + ALBANY + Well, you may fear too far. + + + + + + GONERIL + Safer than trust too far: + Let me still take away the harms I fear, + Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart. + What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister + If she sustain him and his hundred knights + When I have show'd the unfitness,-- + Re-enter OSWALD + How now, Oswald! + What, have you writ that letter to my sister? + + + + + + OSWALD + Yes, madam. + + + + + + GONERIL + Take you some company, and away to horse: + Inform her full of my particular fear; + And thereto add such reasons of your own + As may compact it more. Get you gone; + And hasten your return. + Exit OSWALD + No, no, my lord, + This milky gentleness and course of yours + Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon, + You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom + Than praised for harmful mildness. + + + + + + ALBANY + How far your eyes may pierce I can not tell: + Striving to better, oft we mar what's well. + + + + + + GONERIL + Nay, then-- + + + + + + ALBANY + Well, well; the event. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE V. Court before the same. + Enter KING LEAR, KENT, and Fool + + + + KING LEAR + Go you before to Gloucester with these letters. + Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you + know than comes from her demand out of the letter. + If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore + you. + + + + + + KENT + I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered + your letter. + + + + Exit + + + + Fool + If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in + danger of kibes? + + + + + + KING LEAR + Ay, boy. + + + + + + Fool + Then, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall ne'er go + slip-shod. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Ha, ha, ha! + + + + + + Fool + Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly; + for though she's as like this as a crab's like an + apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? + + + + + + Fool + She will taste as like this as a crab does to a + crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' + the middle on's face? + + + + + + KING LEAR + No. + + + + + + Fool + Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose; that + what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. + + + + + + KING LEAR + I did her wrong-- + + + + + + Fool + Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell? + + + + + + KING LEAR + No. + + + + + + Fool + Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Why? + + + + + + Fool + Why, to put his head in; not to give it away to his + daughters, and leave his horns without a case. + + + + + + KING LEAR + I will forget my nature. So kind a father! Be my + horses ready? + + + + + + Fool + Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the + seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Because they are not eight? + + + + + + Fool + Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool. + + + + + + KING LEAR + To take 't again perforce! Monster ingratitude! + + + + + + Fool + If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'ld have thee beaten + for being old before thy time. + + + + + + KING LEAR + How's that? + + + + + + Fool + Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst + been wise. + + + + + + KING LEAR + O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven + Keep me in temper: I would not be mad! + Enter Gentleman + How now! are the horses ready? + + + + + + Gentleman + Ready, my lord. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Come, boy. + + + + + + Fool + She that's a maid now, and laughs at my departure, + Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut + shorter. + + + + Exeunt +
+ + + + + ACT II + +
+ SCENE I. GLOUCESTER's castle. + Enter EDMUND, and CURAN meets him + + + + EDMUND + Save thee, Curan. + + + + + + CURAN + And you, sir. I have been with your father, and + given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan + his duchess will be here with him this night. + + + + + + EDMUND + How comes that? + + + + + + CURAN + Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad; + I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but + ear-kissing arguments? + + + + + + EDMUND + Not I pray you, what are they? + + + + + + CURAN + Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the + Dukes of Cornwall and Albany? + + + + + + EDMUND + Not a word. + + + + + + CURAN + You may do, then, in time. Fare you well, sir. + + + + Exit + + + + EDMUND + The duke be here to-night? The better! best! + This weaves itself perforce into my business. + My father hath set guard to take my brother; + And I have one thing, of a queasy question, + Which I must act: briefness and fortune, work! + Brother, a word; descend: brother, I say! + Enter EDGAR + My father watches: O sir, fly this place; + Intelligence is given where you are hid; + You have now the good advantage of the night: + Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall? + He's coming hither: now, i' the night, i' the haste, + And Regan with him: have you nothing said + Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany? + Advise yourself. + + + + + + EDGAR + I am sure on't, not a word. + + + + + + EDMUND + I hear my father coming: pardon me: + In cunning I must draw my sword upon you + Draw; seem to defend yourself; now quit you well. + Yield: come before my father. Light, ho, here! + Fly, brother. Torches, torches! So, farewell. + Exit EDGAR + Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion. + Wounds his arm + Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards + Do more than this in sport. Father, father! + Stop, stop! No help? + + + + Enter GLOUCESTER, and Servants with torches + + + + GLOUCESTER + Now, Edmund, where's the villain? + + + + + + EDMUND + Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, + Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon + To stand auspicious mistress,-- + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + But where is he? + + + + + + EDMUND + Look, sir, I bleed. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Where is the villain, Edmund? + + + + + + EDMUND + Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could-- + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Pursue him, ho! Go after. + Exeunt some Servants + By no means what? + + + + + + EDMUND + Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; + But that I told him, the revenging gods + 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; + Spoke, with how manifold and strong a bond + The child was bound to the father; sir, in fine, + Seeing how loathly opposite I stood + To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion, + With his prepared sword, he charges home + My unprovided body, lanced mine arm: + But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits, + Bold in the quarrel's right, roused to the encounter, + Or whether gasted by the noise I made, + Full suddenly he fled. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Let him fly far: + Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; + And found--dispatch. The noble duke my master, + My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night: + By his authority I will proclaim it, + That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, + Bringing the murderous coward to the stake; + He that conceals him, death. + + + + + + EDMUND + When I dissuaded him from his intent, + And found him pight to do it, with curst speech + I threaten'd to discover him: he replied, + 'Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think, + If I would stand against thee, would the reposal + Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee + Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny,-- + As this I would: ay, though thou didst produce + My very character,--I'ld turn it all + To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practise: + And thou must make a dullard of the world, + If they not thought the profits of my death + Were very pregnant and potential spurs + To make thee seek it.' + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Strong and fasten'd villain + Would he deny his letter? I never got him. + Tucket within + Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes. + All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; + The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture + I will send far and near, that all the kingdom + May have the due note of him; and of my land, + Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means + To make thee capable. + + + + Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, and Attendants + + + + CORNWALL + How now, my noble friend! since I came hither, + Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news. + + + + + + REGAN + If it be true, all vengeance comes too short + Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd! + + + + + + REGAN + What, did my father's godson seek your life? + He whom my father named? your Edgar? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid! + + + + + + REGAN + Was he not companion with the riotous knights + That tend upon my father? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I know not, madam: 'tis too bad, too bad. + + + + + + EDMUND + Yes, madam, he was of that consort. + + + + + + REGAN + No marvel, then, though he were ill affected: + 'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, + To have the expense and waste of his revenues. + I have this present evening from my sister + Been well inform'd of them; and with such cautions, + That if they come to sojourn at my house, + I'll not be there. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Nor I, assure thee, Regan. + Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father + A child-like office. + + + + + + EDMUND + 'Twas my duty, sir. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + He did bewray his practise; and received + This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Is he pursued? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Ay, my good lord. + + + + + + CORNWALL + If he be taken, he shall never more + Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, + How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund, + Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant + So much commend itself, you shall be ours: + Natures of such deep trust we shall much need; + You we first seize on. + + + + + + EDMUND + I shall serve you, sir, + Truly, however else. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + For him I thank your grace. + + + + + + CORNWALL + You know not why we came to visit you,-- + + + + + + REGAN + Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed night: + Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise, + Wherein we must have use of your advice: + Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, + Of differences, which I least thought it fit + To answer from our home; the several messengers + From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend, + Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow + Your needful counsel to our business, + Which craves the instant use. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I serve you, madam: + Your graces are right welcome. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE II. Before Gloucester's castle. + Enter KENT and OSWALD, severally + + + + OSWALD + Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house? + + + + + + KENT + Ay. + + + + + + OSWALD + Where may we set our horses? + + + + + + KENT + I' the mire. + + + + + + OSWALD + Prithee, if thou lovest me, tell me. + + + + + + KENT + I love thee not. + + + + + + OSWALD + Why, then, I care not for thee. + + + + + + KENT + If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee + care for me. + + + + + + OSWALD + Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. + + + + + + KENT + Fellow, I know thee. + + + + + + OSWALD + What dost thou know me for? + + + + + + KENT + A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a + base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, + hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a + lily-livered, action-taking knave, a whoreson, + glass-gazing, super-serviceable finical rogue; + one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a + bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but + the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, + and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I + will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest + the least syllable of thy addition. + + + + + + OSWALD + Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail + on one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee! + + + + + + KENT + What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou + knowest me! Is it two days ago since I tripped up + thy heels, and beat thee before the king? Draw, you + rogue: for, though it be night, yet the moon + shines; I'll make a sop o' the moonshine of you: + draw, you whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw. + + + + Drawing his sword + + + + OSWALD + Away! I have nothing to do with thee. + + + + + + KENT + Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the + king; and take vanity the puppet's part against the + royalty of her father: draw, you rogue, or I'll so + carbonado your shanks: draw, you rascal; come your + ways. + + + + + + OSWALD + Help, ho! murder! help! + + + + + + KENT + Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat + slave, strike. + + + + Beating him + + + + OSWALD + Help, ho! murder! murder! + + + + Enter EDMUND, with his rapier drawn, CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOUCESTER, + and Servants + + + + EDMUND + How now! What's the matter? + + + + + + KENT + With you, goodman boy, an you please: come, I'll + flesh ye; come on, young master. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Weapons! arms! What 's the matter here? + + + + + + CORNWALL + Keep peace, upon your lives: + He dies that strikes again. What is the matter? + + + + + + REGAN + The messengers from our sister and the king. + + + + + + CORNWALL + What is your difference? speak. + + + + + + OSWALD + I am scarce in breath, my lord. + + + + + + KENT + No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour. You + cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee: a + tailor made thee. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man? + + + + + + KENT + Ay, a tailor, sir: a stone-cutter or painter could + not have made him so ill, though he had been but two + hours at the trade. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? + + + + + + OSWALD + This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared + at suit of his gray beard,-- + + + + + + KENT + Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter! My + lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this + unbolted villain into mortar, and daub the wall of + a jakes with him. Spare my gray beard, you wagtail? + + + + + + CORNWALL + Peace, sirrah! + You beastly knave, know you no reverence? + + + + + + KENT + Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Why art thou angry? + + + + + + KENT + That such a slave as this should wear a sword, + Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these, + Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain + Which are too intrinse t' unloose; smooth every passion + That in the natures of their lords rebel; + Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods; + Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks + With every gale and vary of their masters, + Knowing nought, like dogs, but following. + A plague upon your epileptic visage! + Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool? + Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain, + I'ld drive ye cackling home to Camelot. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Why, art thou mad, old fellow? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + How fell you out? say that. + + + + + + KENT + No contraries hold more antipathy + Than I and such a knave. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Why dost thou call him a knave? What's his offence? + + + + + + KENT + His countenance likes me not. + + + + + + CORNWALL + No more, perchance, does mine, nor his, nor hers. + + + + + + KENT + Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain: + I have seen better faces in my time + Than stands on any shoulder that I see + Before me at this instant. + + + + + + CORNWALL + This is some fellow, + Who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect + A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb + Quite from his nature: he cannot flatter, he, + An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth! + An they will take it, so; if not, he's plain. + These kind of knaves I know, which in this plainness + Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends + Than twenty silly ducking observants + That stretch their duties nicely. + + + + + + KENT + Sir, in good sooth, in sincere verity, + Under the allowance of your great aspect, + Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire + On flickering Phoebus' front,-- + + + + + + CORNWALL + What mean'st by this? + + + + + + KENT + To go out of my dialect, which you + discommend so much. I know, sir, I am no + flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain + accent was a plain knave; which for my part + I will not be, though I should win your displeasure + to entreat me to 't. + + + + + + CORNWALL + What was the offence you gave him? + + + + + + OSWALD + I never gave him any: + It pleased the king his master very late + To strike at me, upon his misconstruction; + When he, conjunct and flattering his displeasure, + Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd, + And put upon him such a deal of man, + That worthied him, got praises of the king + For him attempting who was self-subdued; + And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit, + Drew on me here again. + + + + + + KENT + None of these rogues and cowards + But Ajax is their fool. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Fetch forth the stocks! + You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend braggart, + We'll teach you-- + + + + + + KENT + Sir, I am too old to learn: + Call not your stocks for me: I serve the king; + On whose employment I was sent to you: + You shall do small respect, show too bold malice + Against the grace and person of my master, + Stocking his messenger. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour, + There shall he sit till noon. + + + + + + REGAN + Till noon! till night, my lord; and all night too. + + + + + + KENT + Why, madam, if I were your father's dog, + You should not use me so. + + + + + + REGAN + Sir, being his knave, I will. + + + + + + CORNWALL + This is a fellow of the self-same colour + Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks! + + + + Stocks brought out + + + + GLOUCESTER + Let me beseech your grace not to do so: + His fault is much, and the good king his master + Will cheque him for 't: your purposed low correction + Is such as basest and contemned'st wretches + For pilferings and most common trespasses + Are punish'd with: the king must take it ill, + That he's so slightly valued in his messenger, + Should have him thus restrain'd. + + + + + + CORNWALL + I'll answer that. + + + + + + REGAN + My sister may receive it much more worse, + To have her gentleman abused, assaulted, + For following her affairs. Put in his legs. + KENT is put in the stocks + Come, my good lord, away. + + + + Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER and KENT + + + + GLOUCESTER + I am sorry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's pleasure, + Whose disposition, all the world well knows, + Will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd: I'll entreat for thee. + + + + + + KENT + Pray, do not, sir: I have watched and travell'd hard; + Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle. + A good man's fortune may grow out at heels: + Give you good morrow! + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + The duke's to blame in this; 'twill be ill taken. + + + + Exit + + + + KENT + Good king, that must approve the common saw, + Thou out of heaven's benediction comest + To the warm sun! + Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, + That by thy comfortable beams I may + Peruse this letter! Nothing almost sees miracles + But misery: I know 'tis from Cordelia, + Who hath most fortunately been inform'd + Of my obscured course; and shall find time + From this enormous state, seeking to give + Losses their remedies. All weary and o'erwatch'd, + Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold + This shameful lodging. + Fortune, good night: smile once more: turn thy wheel! + + + + Sleeps +
+ +
+ SCENE III. A wood. + Enter EDGAR + + + + EDGAR + I heard myself proclaim'd; + And by the happy hollow of a tree + Escaped the hunt. No port is free; no place, + That guard, and most unusual vigilance, + Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may 'scape, + I will preserve myself: and am bethought + To take the basest and most poorest shape + That ever penury, in contempt of man, + Brought near to beast: my face I'll grime with filth; + Blanket my loins: elf all my hair in knots; + And with presented nakedness out-face + The winds and persecutions of the sky. + The country gives me proof and precedent + Of Bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices, + Strike in their numb'd and mortified bare arms + Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary; + And with this horrible object, from low farms, + Poor pelting villages, sheep-cotes, and mills, + Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers, + Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygod! poor Tom! + That's something yet: Edgar I nothing am. + + + + Exit +
+ +
+ SCENE IV. Before GLOUCESTER's castle. KENT in the stocks. + Enter KING LEAR, Fool, and Gentleman + + + + KING LEAR + 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home, + And not send back my messenger. + + + + + + Gentleman + As I learn'd, + The night before there was no purpose in them + Of this remove. + + + + + + KENT + Hail to thee, noble master! + + + + + + KING LEAR + Ha! + Makest thou this shame thy pastime? + + + + + + KENT + No, my lord. + + + + + + Fool + Ha, ha! he wears cruel garters. Horses are tied + by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by + the loins, and men by the legs: when a man's + over-lusty at legs, then he wears wooden + nether-stocks. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What's he that hath so much thy place mistook + To set thee here? + + + + + + KENT + It is both he and she; + Your son and daughter. + + + + + + KING LEAR + No. + + + + + + KENT + Yes. + + + + + + KING LEAR + No, I say. + + + + + + KENT + I say, yea. + + + + + + KING LEAR + No, no, they would not. + + + + + + KENT + Yes, they have. + + + + + + KING LEAR + By Jupiter, I swear, no. + + + + + + KENT + By Juno, I swear, ay. + + + + + + KING LEAR + They durst not do 't; + They could not, would not do 't; 'tis worse than murder, + To do upon respect such violent outrage: + Resolve me, with all modest haste, which way + Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage, + Coming from us. + + + + + + KENT + My lord, when at their home + I did commend your highness' letters to them, + Ere I was risen from the place that show'd + My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post, + Stew'd in his haste, half breathless, panting forth + From Goneril his mistress salutations; + Deliver'd letters, spite of intermission, + Which presently they read: on whose contents, + They summon'd up their meiny, straight took horse; + Commanded me to follow, and attend + The leisure of their answer; gave me cold looks: + And meeting here the other messenger, + Whose welcome, I perceived, had poison'd mine,-- + Being the very fellow that of late + Display'd so saucily against your highness,-- + Having more man than wit about me, drew: + He raised the house with loud and coward cries. + Your son and daughter found this trespass worth + The shame which here it suffers. + + + + + + Fool + Winter's not gone yet, if the wild-geese fly that way. + Fathers that wear rags + Do make their children blind; + But fathers that bear bags + Shall see their children kind. + Fortune, that arrant whore, + Ne'er turns the key to the poor. + But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours + for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year. + + + + + + KING LEAR + O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! + Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow, + Thy element's below! Where is this daughter? + + + + + + KENT + With the earl, sir, here within. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Follow me not; + Stay here. + + + + Exit + + + + Gentleman + Made you no more offence but what you speak of? + + + + + + KENT + None. + How chance the king comes with so small a train? + + + + + + Fool + And thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that + question, thou hadst well deserved it. + + + + + + KENT + Why, fool? + + + + + + Fool + We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee + there's no labouring i' the winter. All that follow + their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and + there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him + that's stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel + runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with + following it: but the great one that goes up the + hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man + gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I + would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. + That sir which serves and seeks for gain, + And follows but for form, + Will pack when it begins to rain, + And leave thee in the storm, + But I will tarry; the fool will stay, + And let the wise man fly: + The knave turns fool that runs away; + The fool no knave, perdy. + + + + + + KENT + Where learned you this, fool? + + + + + + Fool + Not i' the stocks, fool. + + + + Re-enter KING LEAR with GLOUCESTER + + + + KING LEAR + Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary? + They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches; + The images of revolt and flying off. + Fetch me a better answer. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + My dear lord, + You know the fiery quality of the duke; + How unremoveable and fix'd he is + In his own course. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Vengeance! plague! death! confusion! + Fiery? what quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester, + I'ld speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Ay, my good lord. + + + + + + KING LEAR + The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father + Would with his daughter speak, commands her service: + Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood! + Fiery? the fiery duke? Tell the hot duke that-- + No, but not yet: may be he is not well: + Infirmity doth still neglect all office + Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves + When nature, being oppress'd, commands the mind + To suffer with the body: I'll forbear; + And am fall'n out with my more headier will, + To take the indisposed and sickly fit + For the sound man. Death on my state! wherefore + Looking on KENT + Should he sit here? This act persuades me + That this remotion of the duke and her + Is practise only. Give me my servant forth. + Go tell the duke and 's wife I'ld speak with them, + Now, presently: bid them come forth and hear me, + Or at their chamber-door I'll beat the drum + Till it cry sleep to death. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I would have all well betwixt you. + + + + Exit + + + + KING LEAR + O me, my heart, my rising heart! but, down! + + + + + + Fool + Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels + when she put 'em i' the paste alive; she knapped 'em + o' the coxcombs with a stick, and cried 'Down, + wantons, down!' 'Twas her brother that, in pure + kindness to his horse, buttered his hay. + + + + Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOUCESTER, and Servants + + + + KING LEAR + Good morrow to you both. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Hail to your grace! + + + + KENT is set at liberty + + + + REGAN + I am glad to see your highness. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Regan, I think you are; I know what reason + I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad, + I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, + Sepulchring an adultress. + To KENT + O, are you free? + Some other time for that. Beloved Regan, + Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath tied + Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here: + Points to his heart + I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe + With how depraved a quality--O Regan! + + + + + + REGAN + I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope. + You less know how to value her desert + Than she to scant her duty. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Say, how is that? + + + + + + REGAN + I cannot think my sister in the least + Would fail her obligation: if, sir, perchance + She have restrain'd the riots of your followers, + 'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end, + As clears her from all blame. + + + + + + KING LEAR + My curses on her! + + + + + + REGAN + O, sir, you are old. + Nature in you stands on the very verge + Of her confine: you should be ruled and led + By some discretion, that discerns your state + Better than you yourself. Therefore, I pray you, + That to our sister you do make return; + Say you have wrong'd her, sir. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Ask her forgiveness? + Do you but mark how this becomes the house: + 'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old; + Kneeling + Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg + That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.' + + + + + + REGAN + Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks: + Return you to my sister. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Rising Never, Regan: + She hath abated me of half my train; + Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue, + Most serpent-like, upon the very heart: + All the stored vengeances of heaven fall + On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones, + You taking airs, with lameness! + + + + + + CORNWALL + Fie, sir, fie! + + + + + + KING LEAR + You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames + Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty, + You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun, + To fall and blast her pride! + + + + + + REGAN + O the blest gods! so will you wish on me, + When the rash mood is on. + + + + + + KING LEAR + No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse: + Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give + Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce; but thine + Do comfort and not burn. 'Tis not in thee + To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, + To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, + And in conclusion to oppose the bolt + Against my coming in: thou better know'st + The offices of nature, bond of childhood, + Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude; + Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot, + Wherein I thee endow'd. + + + + + + REGAN + Good sir, to the purpose. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Who put my man i' the stocks? + + + + Tucket within + + + + CORNWALL + What trumpet's that? + + + + + + REGAN + I know't, my sister's: this approves her letter, + That she would soon be here. + Enter OSWALD + Is your lady come? + + + + + + KING LEAR + This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride + Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. + Out, varlet, from my sight! + + + + + + CORNWALL + What means your grace? + + + + + + KING LEAR + Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope + Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here? O heavens, + Enter GONERIL + If you do love old men, if your sweet sway + Allow obedience, if yourselves are old, + Make it your cause; send down, and take my part! + To GONERIL + Art not ashamed to look upon this beard? + O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand? + + + + + + GONERIL + Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended? + All's not offence that indiscretion finds + And dotage terms so. + + + + + + KING LEAR + O sides, you are too tough; + Will you yet hold? How came my man i' the stocks? + + + + + + CORNWALL + I set him there, sir: but his own disorders + Deserved much less advancement. + + + + + + KING LEAR + You! did you? + + + + + + REGAN + I pray you, father, being weak, seem so. + If, till the expiration of your month, + You will return and sojourn with my sister, + Dismissing half your train, come then to me: + I am now from home, and out of that provision + Which shall be needful for your entertainment. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd? + No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose + To wage against the enmity o' the air; + To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,-- + Necessity's sharp pinch! Return with her? + Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took + Our youngest born, I could as well be brought + To knee his throne, and, squire-like; pension beg + To keep base life afoot. Return with her? + Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter + To this detested groom. + + + + Pointing at OSWALD + + + + GONERIL + At your choice, sir. + + + + + + KING LEAR + I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad: + I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell: + We'll no more meet, no more see one another: + But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter; + Or rather a disease that's in my flesh, + Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil, + A plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle, + In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee; + Let shame come when it will, I do not call it: + I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, + Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove: + Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure: + I can be patient; I can stay with Regan, + I and my hundred knights. + + + + + + REGAN + Not altogether so: + I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided + For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister; + For those that mingle reason with your passion + Must be content to think you old, and so-- + But she knows what she does. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Is this well spoken? + + + + + + REGAN + I dare avouch it, sir: what, fifty followers? + Is it not well? What should you need of more? + Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger + Speak 'gainst so great a number? How, in one house, + Should many people, under two commands, + Hold amity? 'Tis hard; almost impossible. + + + + + + GONERIL + Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance + From those that she calls servants or from mine? + + + + + + REGAN + Why not, my lord? If then they chanced to slack you, + We could control them. If you will come to me,-- + For now I spy a danger,--I entreat you + To bring but five and twenty: to no more + Will I give place or notice. + + + + + + KING LEAR + I gave you all-- + + + + + + REGAN + And in good time you gave it. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Made you my guardians, my depositaries; + But kept a reservation to be follow'd + With such a number. What, must I come to you + With five and twenty, Regan? said you so? + + + + + + REGAN + And speak't again, my lord; no more with me. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd, + When others are more wicked: not being the worst + Stands in some rank of praise. + To GONERIL + I'll go with thee: + Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, + And thou art twice her love. + + + + + + GONERIL + Hear me, my lord; + What need you five and twenty, ten, or five, + To follow in a house where twice so many + Have a command to tend you? + + + + + + REGAN + What need one? + + + + + + KING LEAR + O, reason not the need: our basest beggars + Are in the poorest thing superfluous: + Allow not nature more than nature needs, + Man's life's as cheap as beast's: thou art a lady; + If only to go warm were gorgeous, + Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st, + Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need,-- + You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need! + You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, + As full of grief as age; wretched in both! + If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts + Against their father, fool me not so much + To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger, + And let not women's weapons, water-drops, + Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags, + I will have such revenges on you both, + That all the world shall--I will do such things,-- + What they are, yet I know not: but they shall be + The terrors of the earth. You think I'll weep + No, I'll not weep: + I have full cause of weeping; but this heart + Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, + Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad! + + + + Exeunt KING LEAR, GLOUCESTER, KENT, and Fool + Storm and tempest + + + + CORNWALL + Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm. + + + + + + REGAN + This house is little: the old man and his people + Cannot be well bestow'd. + + + + + + GONERIL + 'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest, + And must needs taste his folly. + + + + + + REGAN + For his particular, I'll receive him gladly, + But not one follower. + + + + + + GONERIL + So am I purposed. + Where is my lord of Gloucester? + + + + + + CORNWALL + Follow'd the old man forth: he is return'd. + + + + Re-enter GLOUCESTER + + + + GLOUCESTER + The king is in high rage. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Whither is he going? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + He calls to horse; but will I know not whither. + + + + + + CORNWALL + 'Tis best to give him way; he leads himself. + + + + + + GONERIL + My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds + Do sorely ruffle; for many miles about + There's scarce a bush. + + + + + + REGAN + O, sir, to wilful men, + The injuries that they themselves procure + Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors: + He is attended with a desperate train; + And what they may incense him to, being apt + To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night: + My Regan counsels well; come out o' the storm. + + + + Exeunt +
+ + + + + ACT III + +
+ SCENE I. A heath. + Storm still. Enter KENT and a Gentleman, meeting + + + + KENT + Who's there, besides foul weather? + + + + + + Gentleman + One minded like the weather, most unquietly. + + + + + + KENT + I know you. Where's the king? + + + + + + Gentleman + Contending with the fretful element: + Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, + Or swell the curled water 'bove the main, + That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, + Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, + Catch in their fury, and make nothing of; + Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn + The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. + This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, + The lion and the belly-pinched wolf + Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, + And bids what will take all. + + + + + + KENT + But who is with him? + + + + + + Gentleman + None but the fool; who labours to out-jest + His heart-struck injuries. + + + + + + KENT + Sir, I do know you; + And dare, upon the warrant of my note, + Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, + Although as yet the face of it be cover'd + With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; + Who have--as who have not, that their great stars + Throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less, + Which are to France the spies and speculations + Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen, + Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, + Or the hard rein which both of them have borne + Against the old kind king; or something deeper, + Whereof perchance these are but furnishings; + But, true it is, from France there comes a power + Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already, + Wise in our negligence, have secret feet + In some of our best ports, and are at point + To show their open banner. Now to you: + If on my credit you dare build so far + To make your speed to Dover, you shall find + Some that will thank you, making just report + Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow + The king hath cause to plain. + I am a gentleman of blood and breeding; + And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer + This office to you. + + + + + + Gentleman + I will talk further with you. + + + + + + KENT + No, do not. + For confirmation that I am much more + Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take + What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,-- + As fear not but you shall,--show her this ring; + And she will tell you who your fellow is + That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! + I will go seek the king. + + + + + + Gentleman + Give me your hand: have you no more to say? + + + + + + KENT + Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; + That, when we have found the king,--in which your pain + That way, I'll this,--he that first lights on him + Holla the other. + + + + Exeunt severally +
+ +
+ SCENE II. Another part of the heath. Storm still. + Enter KING LEAR and Fool + + + + KING LEAR + Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! + You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout + Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! + You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, + Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, + Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, + Smite flat the thick rotundity o' the world! + Crack nature's moulds, an germens spill at once, + That make ingrateful man! + + + + + + Fool + O nuncle, court holy-water in a dry + house is better than this rain-water out o' door. + Good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters' blessing: + here's a night pities neither wise man nor fool. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain! + Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: + I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness; + I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children, + You owe me no subscription: then let fall + Your horrible pleasure: here I stand, your slave, + A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man: + But yet I call you servile ministers, + That have with two pernicious daughters join'd + Your high engender'd battles 'gainst a head + So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul! + + + + + + Fool + He that has a house to put's head in has a good + head-piece. + The cod-piece that will house + Before the head has any, + The head and he shall louse; + So beggars marry many. + The man that makes his toe + What he his heart should make + Shall of a corn cry woe, + And turn his sleep to wake. + For there was never yet fair woman but she made + mouths in a glass. + + + + + + KING LEAR + No, I will be the pattern of all patience; + I will say nothing. + + + + Enter KENT + + + + KENT + Who's there? + + + + + + Fool + Marry, here's grace and a cod-piece; that's a wise + man and a fool. + + + + + + KENT + Alas, sir, are you here? things that love night + Love not such nights as these; the wrathful skies + Gallow the very wanderers of the dark, + And make them keep their caves: since I was man, + Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, + Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never + Remember to have heard: man's nature cannot carry + The affliction nor the fear. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Let the great gods, + That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, + Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, + That hast within thee undivulged crimes, + Unwhipp'd of justice: hide thee, thou bloody hand; + Thou perjured, and thou simular man of virtue + That art incestuous: caitiff, to pieces shake, + That under covert and convenient seeming + Hast practised on man's life: close pent-up guilts, + Rive your concealing continents, and cry + These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man + More sinn'd against than sinning. + + + + + + KENT + Alack, bare-headed! + Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel; + Some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest: + Repose you there; while I to this hard house-- + More harder than the stones whereof 'tis raised; + Which even but now, demanding after you, + Denied me to come in--return, and force + Their scanted courtesy. + + + + + + KING LEAR + My wits begin to turn. + Come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? art cold? + I am cold myself. Where is this straw, my fellow? + The art of our necessities is strange, + That can make vile things precious. Come, + your hovel. + Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart + That's sorry yet for thee. + + + + + + Fool + + Singing + + He that has and a little tiny wit-- + With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,-- + Must make content with his fortunes fit, + For the rain it raineth every day. + + + + + + KING LEAR + True, my good boy. Come, bring us to this hovel. + + + + Exeunt KING LEAR and KENT + + + + Fool + This is a brave night to cool a courtezan. + I'll speak a prophecy ere I go: + When priests are more in word than matter; + When brewers mar their malt with water; + When nobles are their tailors' tutors; + No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors; + When every case in law is right; + No squire in debt, nor no poor knight; + When slanders do not live in tongues; + Nor cutpurses come not to throngs; + When usurers tell their gold i' the field; + And bawds and whores do churches build; + Then shall the realm of Albion + Come to great confusion: + Then comes the time, who lives to see't, + That going shall be used with feet. + This prophecy Merlin shall make; for I live before his + time. + + + + Exit +
+ +
+ SCENE III. Gloucester's castle. + Enter GLOUCESTER and EDMUND + + + + GLOUCESTER + Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural + dealing. When I desire their leave that I might + pity him, they took from me the use of mine own + house; charged me, on pain of their perpetual + displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for + him, nor any way sustain him. + + + + + + EDMUND + Most savage and unnatural! + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Go to; say you nothing. There's a division betwixt + the dukes; and a worse matter than that: I have + received a letter this night; 'tis dangerous to be + spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet: + these injuries the king now bears will be revenged + home; there's part of a power already footed: we + must incline to the king. I will seek him, and + privily relieve him: go you and maintain talk with + the duke, that my charity be not of him perceived: + if he ask for me. I am ill, and gone to bed. + Though I die for it, as no less is threatened me, + the king my old master must be relieved. There is + some strange thing toward, Edmund; pray you, be + careful. + + + + Exit + + + + EDMUND + This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke + Instantly know; and of that letter too: + This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me + That which my father loses; no less than all: + The younger rises when the old doth fall. + + + + Exit +
+ +
+ SCENE IV. The heath. Before a hovel. + Enter KING LEAR, KENT, and Fool + + + + KENT + Here is the place, my lord; good my lord, enter: + The tyranny of the open night's too rough + For nature to endure. + + + + Storm still + + + + KING LEAR + Let me alone. + + + + + + KENT + Good my lord, enter here. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Wilt break my heart? + + + + + + KENT + I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm + Invades us to the skin: so 'tis to thee; + But where the greater malady is fix'd, + The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'ldst shun a bear; + But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea, + Thou'ldst meet the bear i' the mouth. When the + mind's free, + The body's delicate: the tempest in my mind + Doth from my senses take all feeling else + Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude! + Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand + For lifting food to't? But I will punish home: + No, I will weep no more. In such a night + To shut me out! Pour on; I will endure. + In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril! + Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all,-- + O, that way madness lies; let me shun that; + No more of that. + + + + + + KENT + Good my lord, enter here. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Prithee, go in thyself: seek thine own ease: + This tempest will not give me leave to ponder + On things would hurt me more. But I'll go in. + To the Fool + In, boy; go first. You houseless poverty,-- + Nay, get thee in. I'll pray, and then I'll sleep. + Fool goes in + Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are, + That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, + How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, + Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you + From seasons such as these? O, I have ta'en + Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp; + Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, + That thou mayst shake the superflux to them, + And show the heavens more just. + + + + + + EDGAR + Within Fathom and half, + fathom and half! Poor Tom! + + + + The Fool runs out from the hovel + + + + Fool + Come not in here, nuncle, here's a spirit + Help me, help me! + + + + + + KENT + Give me thy hand. Who's there? + + + + + + Fool + A spirit, a spirit: he says his name's poor Tom. + + + + + + KENT + What art thou that dost grumble there i' the straw? + Come forth. + + + + Enter EDGAR disguised as a mad man + + + + EDGAR + Away! the foul fiend follows me! + Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. + Hum! go to thy cold bed, and warm thee. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Hast thou given all to thy two daughters? + And art thou come to this? + + + + + + EDGAR + Who gives any thing to poor Tom? whom the foul + fiend hath led through fire and through flame, and + through ford and whirlipool e'er bog and quagmire; + that hath laid knives under his pillow, and halters + in his pew; set ratsbane by his porridge; made film + proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting-horse over + four-inched bridges, to course his own shadow for a + traitor. Bless thy five wits! Tom's a-cold,--O, do + de, do de, do de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, + star-blasting, and taking! Do poor Tom some + charity, whom the foul fiend vexes: there could I + have him now,--and there,--and there again, and there. + + + + Storm still + + + + KING LEAR + What, have his daughters brought him to this pass? + Couldst thou save nothing? Didst thou give them all? + + + + + + Fool + Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all + shamed. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Now, all the plagues that in the pendulous air + Hang fated o'er men's faults light on thy daughters! + + + + + + KENT + He hath no daughters, sir. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Death, traitor! nothing could have subdued nature + To such a lowness but his unkind daughters. + Is it the fashion, that discarded fathers + Should have thus little mercy on their flesh? + Judicious punishment! 'twas this flesh begot + Those pelican daughters. + + + + + + EDGAR + Pillicock sat on Pillicock-hill: + Halloo, halloo, loo, loo! + + + + + + Fool + This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen. + + + + + + EDGAR + Take heed o' the foul fiend: obey thy parents; + keep thy word justly; swear not; commit not with + man's sworn spouse; set not thy sweet heart on proud + array. Tom's a-cold. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What hast thou been? + + + + + + EDGAR + A serving-man, proud in heart and mind; that curled + my hair; wore gloves in my cap; served the lust of + my mistress' heart, and did the act of darkness with + her; swore as many oaths as I spake words, and + broke them in the sweet face of heaven: one that + slept in the contriving of lust, and waked to do it: + wine loved I deeply, dice dearly: and in woman + out-paramoured the Turk: false of heart, light of + ear, bloody of hand; hog in sloth, fox in stealth, + wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. + Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of + silks betray thy poor heart to woman: keep thy foot + out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen + from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. + Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind: + Says suum, mun, ha, no, nonny. + Dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa! let him trot by. + + + + Storm still + + + + KING LEAR + Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer + with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies. + Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou + owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep + no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! here's three on + 's are sophisticated! Thou art the thing itself: + unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare, + forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! + come unbutton here. + + + + Tearing off his clothes + + + + Fool + Prithee, nuncle, be contented; 'tis a naughty night + to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were + like an old lecher's heart; a small spark, all the + rest on's body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire. + + + + Enter GLOUCESTER, with a torch + + + + EDGAR + This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet: he begins + at curfew, and walks till the first cock; he gives + the web and the pin, squints the eye, and makes the + hare-lip; mildews the white wheat, and hurts the + poor creature of earth. + S. Withold footed thrice the old; + He met the night-mare, and her nine-fold; + Bid her alight, + And her troth plight, + And, aroint thee, witch, aroint thee! + + + + + + KENT + How fares your grace? + + + + + + KING LEAR + What's he? + + + + + + KENT + Who's there? What is't you seek? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + What are you there? Your names? + + + + + + EDGAR + Poor Tom; that eats the swimming frog, the toad, + the tadpole, the wall-newt and the water; that in + the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages, + eats cow-dung for sallets; swallows the old rat and + the ditch-dog; drinks the green mantle of the + standing pool; who is whipped from tithing to + tithing, and stock- punished, and imprisoned; who + hath had three suits to his back, six shirts to his + body, horse to ride, and weapon to wear; + But mice and rats, and such small deer, + Have been Tom's food for seven long year. + Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin; peace, thou fiend! + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + What, hath your grace no better company? + + + + + + EDGAR + The prince of darkness is a gentleman: + Modo he's call'd, and Mahu. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Our flesh and blood is grown so vile, my lord, + That it doth hate what gets it. + + + + + + EDGAR + Poor Tom's a-cold. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Go in with me: my duty cannot suffer + To obey in all your daughters' hard commands: + Though their injunction be to bar my doors, + And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you, + Yet have I ventured to come seek you out, + And bring you where both fire and food is ready. + + + + + + KING LEAR + First let me talk with this philosopher. + What is the cause of thunder? + + + + + + KENT + Good my lord, take his offer; go into the house. + + + + + + KING LEAR + I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban. + What is your study? + + + + + + EDGAR + How to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermin. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Let me ask you one word in private. + + + + + + KENT + Importune him once more to go, my lord; + His wits begin to unsettle. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Canst thou blame him? + Storm still + His daughters seek his death: ah, that good Kent! + He said it would be thus, poor banish'd man! + Thou say'st the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend, + I am almost mad myself: I had a son, + Now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life, + But lately, very late: I loved him, friend; + No father his son dearer: truth to tell thee, + The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night's this! + I do beseech your grace,-- + + + + + + KING LEAR + O, cry your mercy, sir. + Noble philosopher, your company. + + + + + + EDGAR + Tom's a-cold. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + In, fellow, there, into the hovel: keep thee warm. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Come let's in all. + + + + + + KENT + This way, my lord. + + + + + + KING LEAR + With him; + I will keep still with my philosopher. + + + + + + KENT + Good my lord, soothe him; let him take the fellow. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Take him you on. + + + + + + KENT + Sirrah, come on; go along with us. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Come, good Athenian. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + No words, no words: hush. + + + + + + EDGAR + Child Rowland to the dark tower came, + His word was still,--Fie, foh, and fum, + I smell the blood of a British man. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE V. Gloucester's castle. + Enter CORNWALL and EDMUND + + + + CORNWALL + I will have my revenge ere I depart his house. + + + + + + EDMUND + How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus + gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think + of. + + + + + + CORNWALL + I now perceive, it was not altogether your + brother's evil disposition made him seek his death; + but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable + badness in himself. + + + + + + EDMUND + How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to + be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which + approves him an intelligent party to the advantages + of France: O heavens! that this treason were not, + or not I the detector! + + + + + + CORNWALL + o with me to the duchess. + + + + + + EDMUND + If the matter of this paper be certain, you have + mighty business in hand. + + + + + + CORNWALL + True or false, it hath made thee earl of + Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he + may be ready for our apprehension. + + + + + + EDMUND + Aside If I find him + comforting the king, it will + stuff his suspicion more fully.--I will persevere in + my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore + between that and my blood. + + + + + + CORNWALL + I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a + dearer father in my love. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE VI. A chamber in a farmhouse adjoining the castle. + Enter GLOUCESTER, KING LEAR, KENT, Fool, and EDGAR + + + + GLOUCESTER + Here is better than the open air; take it + thankfully. I will piece out the comfort with what + addition I can: I will not be long from you. + + + + + + KENT + All the power of his wits have given way to his + impatience: the gods reward your kindness! + + + + Exit GLOUCESTER + + + + EDGAR + Frateretto calls me; and tells me + Nero is an angler in the lake of darkness. + Pray, innocent, and beware the foul fiend. + + + + + + Fool + Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a + gentleman or a yeoman? + + + + + + KING LEAR + A king, a king! + + + + + + Fool + No, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son; + for he's a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman + before him. + + + + + + KING LEAR + To have a thousand with red burning spits + Come hissing in upon 'em,-- + + + + + + EDGAR + The foul fiend bites my back. + + + + + + Fool + He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a + horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath. + + + + + + KING LEAR + It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. + To EDGAR + Come, sit thou here, most learned justicer; + To the Fool + Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, you she foxes! + + + + + + EDGAR + Look, where he stands and glares! + Wantest thou eyes at trial, madam? + Come o'er the bourn, Bessy, to me,-- + + + + + + Fool + Her boat hath a leak, + And she must not speak + Why she dares not come over to thee. + + + + + + EDGAR + The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a + nightingale. Hopdance cries in Tom's belly for two + white herring. Croak not, black angel; I have no + food for thee. + + + + + + KENT + How do you, sir? Stand you not so amazed: + Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions? + + + + + + KING LEAR + I'll see their trial first. Bring in the evidence. + To EDGAR + Thou robed man of justice, take thy place; + To the Fool + And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, + Bench by his side: + To KENT + you are o' the commission, + Sit you too. + + + + + + EDGAR + Let us deal justly. + Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd? + Thy sheep be in the corn; + And for one blast of thy minikin mouth, + Thy sheep shall take no harm. + Pur! the cat is gray. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Arraign her first; 'tis Goneril. I here take my + oath before this honourable assembly, she kicked the + poor king her father. + + + + + + Fool + Come hither, mistress. Is your name Goneril? + + + + + + KING LEAR + She cannot deny it. + + + + + + Fool + Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool. + + + + + + KING LEAR + And here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim + What store her heart is made on. Stop her there! + Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place! + False justicer, why hast thou let her 'scape? + + + + + + EDGAR + Bless thy five wits! + + + + + + KENT + O pity! Sir, where is the patience now, + That thou so oft have boasted to retain? + + + + + + EDGAR + Aside My tears begin to + take his part so much, + They'll mar my counterfeiting. + + + + + + KING LEAR + The little dogs and all, Tray, Blanch, and + Sweet-heart, see, they bark at me. + + + + + + EDGAR + Tom will throw his head at them. Avaunt, you curs! + Be thy mouth or black or white, + Tooth that poisons if it bite; + Mastiff, grey-hound, mongrel grim, + Hound or spaniel, brach or lym, + Or bobtail tike or trundle-tail, + Tom will make them weep and wail: + For, with throwing thus my head, + Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. + Do de, de, de. Sessa! Come, march to wakes and + fairs and market-towns. Poor Tom, thy horn is dry. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Then let them anatomize Regan; see what breeds + about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that + makes these hard hearts? + To EDGAR + You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred; only I + do not like the fashion of your garments: you will + say they are Persian attire: but let them be changed. + + + + + + KENT + Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains: + so, so, so. We'll go to supper i' he morning. So, so, + so. + + + + + + Fool + And I'll go to bed at noon. + + + + Re-enter GLOUCESTER + + + + GLOUCESTER + Come hither, friend: where is the king my master? + + + + + + KENT + Here, sir; but trouble him not, his wits are gone. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Good friend, I prithee, take him in thy arms; + I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him: + There is a litter ready; lay him in 't, + And drive towards Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet + Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master: + If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, + With thine, and all that offer to defend him, + Stand in assured loss: take up, take up; + And follow me, that will to some provision + Give thee quick conduct. + + + + + + KENT + Oppressed nature sleeps: + This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken senses, + Which, if convenience will not allow, + Stand in hard cure. + To the Fool + Come, help to bear thy master; + Thou must not stay behind. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Come, come, away. + + + + Exeunt all but EDGAR + + + + EDGAR + When we our betters see bearing our woes, + We scarcely think our miseries our foes. + Who alone suffers suffers most i' the mind, + Leaving free things and happy shows behind: + But then the mind much sufferance doth o'er skip, + When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship. + How light and portable my pain seems now, + When that which makes me bend makes the king bow, + He childed as I father'd! Tom, away! + Mark the high noises; and thyself bewray, + When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee, + In thy just proof, repeals and reconciles thee. + What will hap more to-night, safe 'scape the king! + Lurk, lurk. + + + + Exit +
+ +
+ SCENE VII. Gloucester's castle. + Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GONERIL, EDMUND, and Servants + + + + CORNWALL + Post speedily to my lord your husband; show him + this letter: the army of France is landed. Seek + out the villain Gloucester. + + + + Exeunt some of the Servants + + + + REGAN + Hang him instantly. + + + + + + GONERIL + Pluck out his eyes. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our + sister company: the revenges we are bound to take + upon your traitorous father are not fit for your + beholding. Advise the duke, where you are going, to + a most festinate preparation: we are bound to the + like. Our posts shall be swift and intelligent + betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister: farewell, my + lord of Gloucester. + Enter OSWALD + How now! where's the king? + + + + + + OSWALD + My lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence: + Some five or six and thirty of his knights, + Hot questrists after him, met him at gate; + Who, with some other of the lords dependants, + Are gone with him towards Dover; where they boast + To have well-armed friends. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Get horses for your mistress. + + + + + + GONERIL + Farewell, sweet lord, and sister. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Edmund, farewell. + Exeunt GONERIL, EDMUND, and OSWALD + Go seek the traitor Gloucester, + Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. + Exeunt other Servants + Though well we may not pass upon his life + Without the form of justice, yet our power + Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men + May blame, but not control. Who's there? the traitor? + + + + Enter GLOUCESTER, brought in by two or three + + + + REGAN + Ingrateful fox! 'tis he. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Bind fast his corky arms. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + What mean your graces? Good my friends, consider + You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Bind him, I say. + + + + Servants bind him + + + + REGAN + Hard, hard. O filthy traitor! + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Unmerciful lady as you are, I'm none. + + + + + + CORNWALL + To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find-- + + + + REGAN plucks his beard + + + + GLOUCESTER + By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done + To pluck me by the beard. + + + + + + REGAN + So white, and such a traitor! + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Naughty lady, + These hairs, which thou dost ravish from my chin, + Will quicken, and accuse thee: I am your host: + With robbers' hands my hospitable favours + You should not ruffle thus. What will you do? + + + + + + CORNWALL + Come, sir, what letters had you late from France? + + + + + + REGAN + Be simple answerer, for we know the truth. + + + + + + CORNWALL + And what confederacy have you with the traitors + Late footed in the kingdom? + + + + + + REGAN + To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king? Speak. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I have a letter guessingly set down, + Which came from one that's of a neutral heart, + And not from one opposed. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Cunning. + + + + + + REGAN + And false. + + + + + + CORNWALL + Where hast thou sent the king? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + To Dover. + + + + + + REGAN + Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at peril-- + + + + + + CORNWALL + Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course. + + + + + + REGAN + Wherefore to Dover, sir? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Because I would not see thy cruel nails + Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister + In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. + The sea, with such a storm as his bare head + In hell-black night endured, would have buoy'd up, + And quench'd the stelled fires: + Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain. + If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time, + Thou shouldst have said 'Good porter, turn the key,' + All cruels else subscribed: but I shall see + The winged vengeance overtake such children. + + + + + + CORNWALL + See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. + Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + He that will think to live till he be old, + Give me some help! O cruel! O you gods! + + + + + + REGAN + One side will mock another; the other too. + + + + + + CORNWALL + If you see vengeance,-- + + + + + + First Servant + Hold your hand, my lord: + I have served you ever since I was a child; + But better service have I never done you + Than now to bid you hold. + + + + + + REGAN + How now, you dog! + + + + + + First Servant + If you did wear a beard upon your chin, + I'd shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean? + + + + + + CORNWALL + My villain! + + + + They draw and fight + + + + First Servant + Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. + + + + + + REGAN + Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus! + + + + Takes a sword, and runs at him behind + + + + First Servant + O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left + To see some mischief on him. O! + + + + Dies + + + + CORNWALL + Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! + Where is thy lustre now? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + All dark and comfortless. Where's my son Edmund? + Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature, + To quit this horrid act. + + + + + + REGAN + Out, treacherous villain! + Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he + That made the overture of thy treasons to us; + Who is too good to pity thee. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + O my follies! then Edgar was abused. + Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him! + + + + + + REGAN + Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell + His way to Dover. + Exit one with GLOUCESTER + How is't, my lord? how look you? + + + + + + CORNWALL + I have received a hurt: follow me, lady. + Turn out that eyeless villain; throw this slave + Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace: + Untimely comes this hurt: give me your arm. + + + + Exit CORNWALL, led by REGAN + + + + Second Servant + I'll never care what wickedness I do, + If this man come to good. + + + + + + Third Servant + If she live long, + And in the end meet the old course of death, + Women will all turn monsters. + + + + + + Second Servant + Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam + To lead him where he would: his roguish madness + Allows itself to any thing. + + + + + + Third Servant + Go thou: I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs + To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him! + + + + Exeunt severally +
+ + + + + ACT IV + +
+ SCENE I. The heath. + Enter EDGAR + + + + EDGAR + Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd, + Than still contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worst, + The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, + Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: + The lamentable change is from the best; + The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then, + Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace! + The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst + Owes nothing to thy blasts. But who comes here? + Enter GLOUCESTER, led by an Old Man + My father, poorly led? World, world, O world! + But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, + Lie would not yield to age. + + + + + + Old Man + O, my good lord, I have been your tenant, and + your father's tenant, these fourscore years. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Away, get thee away; good friend, be gone: + Thy comforts can do me no good at all; + Thee they may hurt. + + + + + + Old Man + Alack, sir, you cannot see your way. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; + I stumbled when I saw: full oft 'tis seen, + Our means secure us, and our mere defects + Prove our commodities. O dear son Edgar, + The food of thy abused father's wrath! + Might I but live to see thee in my touch, + I'ld say I had eyes again! + + + + + + Old Man + How now! Who's there? + + + + + + EDGAR + Aside O gods! Who is't can + say 'I am at + the worst'? + I am worse than e'er I was. + + + + + + Old Man + 'Tis poor mad Tom. + + + + + + EDGAR + Aside And worse I may be + yet: the worst is not + So long as we can say 'This is the worst.' + + + + + + Old Man + Fellow, where goest? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Is it a beggar-man? + + + + + + Old Man + Madman and beggar too. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + He has some reason, else he could not beg. + I' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw; + Which made me think a man a worm: my son + Came then into my mind; and yet my mind + Was then scarce friends with him: I have heard + more since. + As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. + They kill us for their sport. + + + + + + EDGAR + Aside How should this be? + Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, + Angering itself and others.--Bless thee, master! + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Is that the naked fellow? + + + + + + Old Man + Ay, my lord. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Then, prithee, get thee gone: if, for my sake, + Thou wilt o'ertake us, hence a mile or twain, + I' the way toward Dover, do it for ancient love; + And bring some covering for this naked soul, + Who I'll entreat to lead me. + + + + + + Old Man + Alack, sir, he is mad. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + 'Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind. + Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure; + Above the rest, be gone. + + + + + + Old Man + I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have, + Come on't what will. + + + + Exit + + + + GLOUCESTER + Sirrah, naked fellow,-- + + + + + + EDGAR + Poor Tom's a-cold. + Aside + I cannot daub it further. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Come hither, fellow. + + + + + + EDGAR + Aside And yet I + must.--Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Know'st thou the way to Dover? + + + + + + EDGAR + Both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. Poor + Tom hath been scared out of his good wits: bless + thee, good man's son, from the foul fiend! five + fiends have been in poor Tom at once; of lust, as + Obidicut; Hobbididence, prince of dumbness; Mahu, of + stealing; Modo, of murder; Flibbertigibbet, of + mopping and mowing, who since possesses chambermaids + and waiting-women. So, bless thee, master! + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens' plagues + Have humbled to all strokes: that I am wretched + Makes thee the happier: heavens, deal so still! + Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man, + That slaves your ordinance, that will not see + Because he doth not feel, feel your power quickly; + So distribution should undo excess, + And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover? + + + + + + EDGAR + Ay, master. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + There is a cliff, whose high and bending head + Looks fearfully in the confined deep: + Bring me but to the very brim of it, + And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear + With something rich about me: from that place + I shall no leading need. + + + + + + EDGAR + Give me thy arm: + Poor Tom shall lead thee. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE II. Before ALBANY's palace. + Enter GONERIL and EDMUND + + + + GONERIL + Welcome, my lord: I marvel our mild husband + Not met us on the way. + Enter OSWALD + Now, where's your master'? + + + + + + OSWALD + Madam, within; but never man so changed. + I told him of the army that was landed; + He smiled at it: I told him you were coming: + His answer was 'The worse:' of Gloucester's treachery, + And of the loyal service of his son, + When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot, + And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out: + What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him; + What like, offensive. + + + + + + GONERIL + To EDMUND Then shall you go + no further. + It is the cowish terror of his spirit, + That dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs + Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way + May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother; + Hasten his musters and conduct his powers: + I must change arms at home, and give the distaff + Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant + Shall pass between us: ere long you are like to hear, + If you dare venture in your own behalf, + A mistress's command. Wear this; spare speech; + Giving a favour + Decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak, + Would stretch thy spirits up into the air: + Conceive, and fare thee well. + + + + + + EDMUND + Yours in the ranks of death. + + + + + + GONERIL + My most dear Gloucester! + Exit EDMUND + O, the difference of man and man! + To thee a woman's services are due: + My fool usurps my body. + + + + + + OSWALD + Madam, here comes my lord. + + + + Exit + Enter ALBANY + + + + GONERIL + I have been worth the whistle. + + + + + + ALBANY + O Goneril! + You are not worth the dust which the rude wind + Blows in your face. I fear your disposition: + That nature, which contemns its origin, + Cannot be border'd certain in itself; + She that herself will sliver and disbranch + From her material sap, perforce must wither + And come to deadly use. + + + + + + GONERIL + No more; the text is foolish. + + + + + + ALBANY + 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 even 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 benefited! + If that the heavens do not their visible spirits + Send quickly down to tame these vile offences, + It will come, + Humanity must perforce prey on itself, + Like monsters of the deep. + + + + + + GONERIL + Milk-liver'd man! + That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; + Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning + Thine honour from thy suffering; that not know'st + Fools do those villains pity who are punish'd + Ere they have done their mischief. Where's thy drum? + France spreads his banners in our noiseless land; + With plumed helm thy slayer begins threats; + Whiles thou, a moral fool, sit'st still, and criest + 'Alack, why does he so?' + + + + + + ALBANY + See thyself, devil! + Proper deformity seems not in the fiend + So horrid as in woman. + + + + + + GONERIL + O vain fool! + + + + + + ALBANY + Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for shame, + Be-monster not thy feature. Were't my fitness + To let these hands obey my blood, + They are apt enough to dislocate and tear + Thy flesh and bones: howe'er thou art a fiend, + A woman's shape doth shield thee. + + + + + + GONERIL + Marry, your manhood now-- + + + + Enter a Messenger + + + + ALBANY + What news? + + + + + + Messenger + O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead: + Slain by his servant, going to put out + The other eye of Gloucester. + + + + + + ALBANY + Gloucester's eye! + + + + + + Messenger + A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse, + Opposed against the act, bending his sword + To his great master; who, thereat enraged, + Flew on him, and amongst them fell'd him dead; + But not without that harmful stroke, which since + Hath pluck'd him after. + + + + + + ALBANY + This shows you are above, + You justicers, that these our nether crimes + So speedily can venge! But, O poor Gloucester! + Lost he his other eye? + + + + + + Messenger + Both, both, my lord. + This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer; + 'Tis from your sister. + + + + + + GONERIL + Aside One way I like this + well; + But being widow, and my Gloucester with her, + May all the building in my fancy pluck + Upon my hateful life: another way, + The news is not so tart.--I'll read, and answer. + + + + Exit + + + + ALBANY + Where was his son when they did take his eyes? + + + + + + Messenger + Come with my lady hither. + + + + + + ALBANY + He is not here. + + + + + + Messenger + No, my good lord; I met him back again. + + + + + + ALBANY + Knows he the wickedness? + + + + + + Messenger + Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him; + And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment + Might have the freer course. + + + + + + ALBANY + Gloucester, I live + To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king, + And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend: + Tell me what more thou know'st. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ 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? + + + + + + Gentleman + 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 required and necessary. + + + + + + KENT + Who hath he left behind him general? + + + + + + Gentleman + The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far. + + + + + + KENT + Did your letters pierce the queen to any + demonstration of grief? + + + + + + Gentleman + Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence; + And 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 + O, then it moved her. + + + + + + Gentleman + 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 way: those happy smilets, + 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 would be a rarity most beloved, + If all could so become it. + + + + + + KENT + Made she no verbal question? + + + + + + Gentleman + 'Faith, once or twice she heaved 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 believed!' There she shook + The holy water from her heavenly eyes, + 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; + Else one self mate and mate could not beget + Such different issues. You spoke not with her since? + + + + + + Gentleman + No. + + + + + + KENT + Was this before the king return'd? + + + + + + Gentleman + No, since. + + + + + + KENT + Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's 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. + + + + + + Gentleman + 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. + + + + + + Gentleman + Alack, poor gentleman! + + + + + + KENT + Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not? + + + + + + Gentleman + '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 awhile; + 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, with drum and colours, CORDELIA, Doctor, and Soldiers + + + + CORDELIA + 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 bur-docks, 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 + In the restoring his bereaved sense? + He that helps him take all my outward worth. + + + + + + Doctor + 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. + + + + + + CORDELIA + All blest 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; + Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life + That wants the means to lead it. + + + + Enter a Messenger + + + + Messenger + News, madam; + The British powers are marching hitherward. + + + + + + CORDELIA + '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 aged father's right: + Soon may I hear and see him! + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE V. Gloucester's castle. + Enter REGAN and OSWALD + + + + REGAN + But are my brother's powers set forth? + + + + + + OSWALD + Ay, madam. + + + + + + REGAN + Himself in person there? + + + + + + OSWALD + Madam, with much ado: + Your sister is the better soldier. + + + + + + REGAN + Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? + + + + + + OSWALD + No, madam. + + + + + + REGAN + What might import my sister's letter to him? + + + + + + OSWALD + I know not, lady. + + + + + + REGAN + 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. + It was great ignorance, Gloucester'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 dispatch + His nighted life: moreover, to descry + The strength o' the enemy. + + + + + + OSWALD + I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. + + + + + + REGAN + Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us; + The ways are dangerous. + + + + + + OSWALD + I may not, madam: + My lady charged my duty in this business. + + + + + + REGAN + Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you + Transport her purposes by word? Belike, + Something--I know not what: I'll love thee much, + Let me unseal the letter. + + + + + + OSWALD + Madam, I had rather-- + + + + + + REGAN + I know your lady does not love her husband; + I am sure of that: and at her late being here + She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks + To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. + + + + + + OSWALD + I, madam? + + + + + + REGAN + I speak in understanding; you are; I know't: + Therefore I do advise you, take this note: + My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; + And more convenient is he for my hand + Than for your lady's: you may gather more. + If you do find him, pray you, give him this; + And when your mistress hears thus much from you, + I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. + So, fare you well. + If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, + Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. + + + + + + OSWALD + Would I could meet him, madam! I should show + What party I do follow. + + + + + + REGAN + Fare thee well. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE VI. Fields near Dover. + Enter GLOUCESTER, and EDGAR dressed like a peasant + + + + GLOUCESTER + When shall we come to the top of that same hill? + + + + + + EDGAR + You do climb up it now: look, how we labour. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Methinks the ground is even. + + + + + + EDGAR + Horrible steep. + Hark, do you hear the sea? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + No, truly. + + + + + + EDGAR + Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect + By your eyes' anguish. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + So may it be, indeed: + Methinks thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st + In better phrase and matter than thou didst. + + + + + + EDGAR + You're much deceived: in nothing am I changed + But in my garments. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Methinks you're better spoken. + + + + + + EDGAR + Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful + And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! + The crows and choughs that wing the midway air + Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down + Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade! + Methinks he seems no bigger than his head: + The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, + Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark, + Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy + Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge, + That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes, + Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more; + Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight + Topple down headlong. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Set me where you stand. + + + + + + EDGAR + Give me your hand: you are now within a foot + Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon + Would I not leap upright. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Let go my hand. + Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel + Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods + Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off; + Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. + + + + + + EDGAR + Now fare you well, good sir. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + With all my heart. + + + + + + EDGAR + Why I do trifle thus with his despair + Is done to cure it. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Kneeling O you mighty gods! + This world I do renounce, and, in your sights, + Shake patiently my great affliction off: + If I could bear it longer, and not fall + To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, + My snuff and loathed part of nature should + Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him! + Now, fellow, fare thee well. + + + + He falls forward + + + + EDGAR + Gone, sir: farewell. + And yet I know not how conceit may rob + The treasury of life, when life itself + Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought, + By this, had thought been past. Alive or dead? + Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak! + Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives. + What are you, sir? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Away, and let me die. + + + + + + EDGAR + Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, + So many fathom down precipitating, + Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; + Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. + Ten masts at each make not the altitude + Which thou hast perpendicularly fell: + Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + But have I fall'n, or no? + + + + + + EDGAR + From the dread summit of this chalky bourn. + Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far + Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Alack, I have no eyes. + Is wretchedness deprived that benefit, + To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort, + When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage, + And frustrate his proud will. + + + + + + EDGAR + Give me your arm: + Up: so. How is 't? Feel you your legs? You stand. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Too well, too well. + + + + + + EDGAR + This is above all strangeness. + Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that + Which parted from you? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + A poor unfortunate beggar. + + + + + + EDGAR + As I stood here below, methought his eyes + Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, + Horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea: + It was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father, + Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours + Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear + Affliction till it do cry out itself + 'Enough, enough,' and die. That thing you speak of, + I took it for a man; often 'twould say + 'The fiend, the fiend:' he led me to that place. + + + + + + EDGAR + Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here? + Enter KING LEAR, fantastically dressed with wild flowers + The safer sense will ne'er accommodate + His master thus. + + + + + + KING LEAR + No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the + king himself. + + + + + + EDGAR + O thou side-piercing sight! + + + + + + KING 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 will 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. + + + + + + EDGAR + Sweet marjoram. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Pass. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I know that voice. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered + 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 that 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 'em, there I smelt 'em 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. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + The trick of that voice I do well remember: + Is 't not the king? + + + + + + 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? 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 Gloucester'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 yond simpering dame, + Whose face between her forks presages 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's 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. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + O, let me kiss that hand! + + + + + + KING LEAR + Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world + Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me? + + + + + + KING 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. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. + + + + + + EDGAR + I would not take this from report; it is, + And my heart breaks at it. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Read. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + What, with the case of eyes? + + + + + + KING LEAR + O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your + head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in + a heavy case, your purse in a light; yet you see how + this world goes. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + I see it feelingly. + + + + + + KING LEAR + What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes + with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond + justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in + thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which + is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen + a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Ay, sir. + + + + + + KING LEAR + And the creature run from the cur? There thou + mightst 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 does pierce 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. + + + + + + EDGAR + O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness! + + + + + + KING LEAR + If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. + I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester: + 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. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Alack, alack the day! + + + + + + KING 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 't in proof; + And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law, + Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill! + + + + Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants + + + + Gentleman + O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir, + Your most dear daughter-- + + + + + + KING LEAR + No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even + The natural fool of fortune. Use me well; + You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons; + I am cut to the brains. + + + + + + Gentleman + You shall have any thing. + + + + + + KING 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 laying autumn's dust. + + + + + + Gentleman + Good sir,-- + + + + + + KING LEAR + I will die bravely, like a bridegroom. What! + I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king, + My masters, know you that. + + + + + + Gentleman + You are a royal one, and we obey you. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you + shall get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. + + + + Exit running; Attendants follow + + + + Gentleman + 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. + + + + + + EDGAR + Hail, gentle sir. + + + + + + Gentleman + Sir, speed you: what's your will? + + + + + + EDGAR + Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? + + + + + + Gentleman + Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that, + Which can distinguish sound. + + + + + + EDGAR + But, by your favour, + How near's the other army? + + + + + + Gentleman + Near and on speedy foot; the main descry + Stands on the hourly thought. + + + + + + EDGAR + I thank you, sir: that's all. + + + + + + Gentleman + Though that the queen on special cause is here, + Her army is moved on. + + + + + + EDGAR + I thank you, sir. + + + + Exit Gentleman + + + + GLOUCESTER + You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me: + Let not my worser spirit tempt me again + To die before you please! + + + + + + EDGAR + Well pray you, father. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Now, good sir, what are you? + + + + + + EDGAR + A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows; + Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, + Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, + I'll lead you to some biding. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Hearty thanks: + The bounty and the benison of heaven + To boot, and boot! + + + + Enter OSWALD + + + + OSWALD + A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! + That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh + To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, + Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out + That must destroy thee. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Now let thy friendly hand + Put strength enough to't. + + + + EDGAR interposes + + + + OSWALD + Wherefore, bold peasant, + Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; + Lest that the infection of his fortune take + Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. + + + + + + EDGAR + Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. + + + + + + OSWALD + Let go, slave, or thou diest! + + + + + + EDGAR + Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk + pass. An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, + 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. + Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor + ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be + the harder: ch'ill be plain with you. + + + + + + OSWALD + Out, dunghill! + + + + + + EDGAR + Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor + your foins. + + + + They fight, and EDGAR knocks him down + + + + OSWALD + 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 Gloucester; seek him out + Upon the British party: O, untimely death! + + + + Dies + + + + EDGAR + I know thee well: a serviceable villain; + As duteous to the vices of thy mistress + As badness would desire. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + What, is he dead? + + + + + + EDGAR + Sit you down, father; rest you + Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of + May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry + He had no other death's-man. Let us see: + Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: + To know our enemies' minds, we'ld 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 goal; from + the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply + the place for your labour. + 'Your--wife, so I would say-- + '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 murderous lechers: and in the mature time + With this ungracious paper strike the sight + Of the death practised duke: for him 'tis well + That of thy death and business I can tell. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + 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. + + + + + + EDGAR + Give me your hand: + Drum afar off + Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum: + Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE VII. A tent in the French camp. LEAR on a bed asleep, soft + music playing; Gentleman, and others attending. + + Enter CORDELIA, KENT, and Doctor + + + + CORDELIA + 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 acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid. + All my reports go with the modest truth; + Nor more nor clipp'd, but so. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Be better suited: + These weeds are memories of those worser hours: + I prithee, 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. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Then be't so, my good lord. + To the Doctor + How does the king? + + + + + + Doctor + Madam, sleeps still. + + + + + + CORDELIA + O you kind gods, + Cure this great breach in his abused nature! + The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up + Of this child-changed father! + + + + + + Doctor + So please your majesty + That we may wake the king: he hath slept long. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed + I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? + + + + + + Gentleman + Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep + We put fresh garments on him. + + + + + + Doctor + Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; + I doubt not of his temperance. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Very well. + + + + + + Doctor + Please you, draw near. Louder the music there! + + + + + + CORDELIA + 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 princess! + + + + + + CORDELIA + Had you not been their father, these white flakes + Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face + To be opposed 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 helm? 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 + Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him. + + + + + + Doctor + Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. + + + + + + CORDELIA + How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? + + + + + + KING 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 moulten lead. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Sir, do you know me? + + + + + + KING LEAR + You are a spirit, I know: when did you die? + + + + + + CORDELIA + Still, still, far wide! + + + + + + Doctor + He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? + I am mightily abused. I should e'en 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 assured + Of my condition! + + + + + + CORDELIA + O, look upon me, sir, + And hold your hands in benediction o'er me: + No, sir, you must not kneel. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Pray, do not mock me: + I am a very foolish fond old man, + Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; + And, to deal plainly, + I fear I am not in my perfect mind. + 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. + + + + + + CORDELIA + And so I am, I am. + + + + + + KING 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. + + + + + + CORDELIA + No cause, no cause. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Am I in France? + + + + + + KENT + In your own kingdom, sir. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Do not abuse me. + + + + + + Doctor + Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, + You see, is kill'd in him: and yet it is danger + To make him even o'er the time he has lost. + Desire him to go in; trouble him no more + Till further settling. + + + + + + CORDELIA + Will't please your highness walk? + + + + + + KING LEAR + You must bear with me: + Pray you now, forget and forgive: I am old and + foolish. + + + + Exeunt all but KENT and Gentleman + + + + Gentleman + Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so + slain? + + + + + + KENT + Most certain, sir. + + + + + + Gentleman + Who is conductor of his people? + + + + + + KENT + As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester. + + + + + + Gentleman + They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl + of Kent in Germany. + + + + + + KENT + Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the + powers of the kingdom approach apace. + + + + + + Gentleman + The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you + well, sir. + + + + Exit + + + + 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 British camp, near Dover. + Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Gentlemen, and + Soldiers. EDMUND Know of the duke if his last purpose hold, Or whether since he is + advised by aught To change the course: he's full of alteration And self-reproving: + bring his constant pleasure. [To a Gentleman, who goes out + + + + REGAN + Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. + + + + + + EDMUND + 'Tis to be doubted, madam. + + + + + + REGAN + 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? + + + + + + EDMUND + In honour'd love. + + + + + + REGAN + But have you never found my brother's way + To the forfended place? + + + + + + EDMUND + That thought abuses you. + + + + + + REGAN + I am doubtful that you have been conjunct + And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. + + + + + + EDMUND + No, by mine honour, madam. + + + + + + REGAN + I never shall endure her: dear my lord, + Be not familiar with her. + + + + + + EDMUND + Fear me not: + She and the duke her husband! + + + + Enter, with drum and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers + + + + GONERIL + Aside I had rather lose the + battle than that sister + Should loosen him and me. + + + + + + ALBANY + Our very loving sister, well be-met. + Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter, + With others whom the rigor of our state + Forced 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. + + + + + + EDMUND + Sir, you speak nobly. + + + + + + REGAN + Why is this reason'd? + + + + + + GONERIL + Combine together 'gainst the enemy; + For these domestic and particular broils + Are not the question here. + + + + + + ALBANY + Let's then determine + With the ancient of war on our proceedings. + + + + + + EDMUND + I shall attend you presently at your tent. + + + + + + REGAN + Sister, you'll go with us? + + + + + + GONERIL + No. + + + + + + REGAN + 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. + + + + + + GONERIL + Aside O, ho, I know the + riddle.--I will go. + + + + As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised + + + + EDGAR + If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, + Hear me one word. + + + + + + ALBANY + I'll overtake you. Speak. + + + + Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR + + + + EDGAR + 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. + + + + + + ALBANY + Stay till I have read the letter. + + + + + + EDGAR + I was forbid it. + When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, + And I'll appear again. + + + + + + ALBANY + Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper. + + + + Exit EDGAR + Re-enter EDMUND + + + + EDMUND + 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 urged on you. + + + + + + ALBANY + We will greet the time. + + + + Exit + + + + EDMUND + 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, + Shall never see his pardon; for my state + Stands on me to defend, not to debate. + + + + Exit +
+ +
+ SCENE II. A field between the two camps. + Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, KING LEAR, CORDELIA, + and Soldiers, over the stage; and exeunt + Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER + + + + EDGAR + Here, father, take the shadow of this tree + For your good host; pray that the right may thrive: + If ever I return to you again, + I'll bring you comfort. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + Grace go with you, sir! + + + + Exit EDGAR + Alarum and retreat within. Re-enter EDGAR + + + + EDGAR + Away, old man; give me thy hand; away! + King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en: + Give me thy hand; come on. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + No farther, sir; a man may rot even here. + + + + + + EDGAR + What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure + Their going hence, even as their coming hither; + Ripeness is all: come on. + + + + + + GLOUCESTER + And that's true too. + + + + Exeunt +
+ +
+ SCENE III. The British camp near Dover. + Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND, KING LEAR and + CORDELIA, prisoners; Captain, Soldiers, &c + + + + EDMUND + Some officers take them away: good guard, + Until their greater pleasures first be known + That are to censure them. + + + + + + CORDELIA + We are not the first + Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. + For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down; + Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. + Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters? + + + + + + KING LEAR + No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: + We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: + When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, + And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live, + And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh + At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues + Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, + Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out; + And take upon's the mystery of things, + As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out, + In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, + That ebb and flow by the moon. + + + + + + EDMUND + Take them away. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, + The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? + He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, + And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; + The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell, + Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve + first. Come. + + + + Exeunt KING LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded + + + + EDMUND + Come hither, captain; hark. + Take thou this note; + Giving a paper + go follow them to prison: + One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost + As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way + To noble fortunes: know thou this, that men + Are as the time is: to be tender-minded + Does not become a sword: thy great employment + Will not bear question; either say thou'lt do 't, + Or thrive by other means. + + + + + + Captain + I'll do 't, my lord. + + + + + + EDMUND + About it; and write happy when thou hast done. + Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so + As I have set it down. + + + + + + Captain + I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; + If it be man's work, I'll do 't. + + + + Exit + Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, another Captain, and + Soldiers + + + + ALBANY + Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, + And fortune led you well: you have the captives + That were the opposites of this day's strife: + We do require them of you, so to use them + As we shall find their merits and our safety + May equally determine. + + + + + + EDMUND + Sir, I thought it fit + To send the old and miserable king + To some retention and appointed guard; + Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, + To pluck the common bosom on his side, + An turn our impress'd lances in our eyes + Which do command them. With him I sent the queen; + My reason all the same; and they are ready + To-morrow, or at further space, to appear + Where you shall hold your session. At this time + We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend; + And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed + By those that feel their sharpness: + The question of Cordelia and her father + Requires a fitter place. + + + + + + ALBANY + Sir, by your patience, + I hold you but a subject of this war, + Not as a brother. + + + + + + REGAN + That's as we list to grace him. + Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded, + 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. + + + + + + GONERIL + Not so hot: + In his own grace he doth exalt himself, + More than in your addition. + + + + + + REGAN + In my rights, + By me invested, he compeers the best. + + + + + + GONERIL + That were the most, if he should husband you. + + + + + + REGAN + Jesters do oft prove prophets. + + + + + + GONERIL + Holla, holla! + That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint. + + + + + + REGAN + 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. + + + + + + GONERIL + Mean you to enjoy him? + + + + + + ALBANY + The let-alone lies not in your good will. + + + + + + EDMUND + Nor in thine, lord. + + + + + + ALBANY + Half-blooded fellow, yes. + + + + + + REGAN + To EDMUND Let the drum + strike, and prove my title thine. + + + + + + ALBANY + Stay yet; hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee + On capital treason; and, in thine attaint, + This gilded serpent + Pointing to Goneril + 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 bans. + If you will marry, make your loves to me, + My lady is bespoke. + + + + + + GONERIL + An interlude! + + + + + + ALBANY + Thou art arm'd, Gloucester: let the trumpet sound: + If none appear to prove upon thy head + 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. + + + + + + REGAN + Sick, O, sick! + + + + + + GONERIL + Aside If not, I'll ne'er + trust medicine. + + + + + + EDMUND + 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. + + + + + + ALBANY + A herald, ho! + + + + + + EDMUND + A herald, ho, a herald! + + + + + + ALBANY + Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, + All levied in my name, have in my name + Took their discharge. + + + + + + REGAN + My sickness grows upon me. + + + + + + ALBANY + She is not well; convey her to my tent. + Exit Regan, led + Enter a Herald + Come hither, herald,--Let the trumpet sound, + And read out this. + + + + + + Captain + Sound, trumpet! + + + + A trumpet sounds + + + + Herald + Reads 'If any man of + quality or degree within + the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, + supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he is a manifold + traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the + trumpet: he is bold in his defence.' + + + + + + EDMUND + Sound! + + + + First trumpet + + + + Herald + Again! + + + + Second trumpet + + + + Herald + Again! + Third trumpet + + + + Trumpet answers within + Enter EDGAR, at the third sound, armed, with a trumpet before him + + + + ALBANY + Ask him his purposes, why he appears + Upon this call o' the trumpet. + + + + + + Herald + What are you? + Your name, your quality? and why you answer + This present summons? + + + + + + EDGAR + Know, my name is lost; + By treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit: + Yet am I noble as the adversary + I come to cope. + + + + + + ALBANY + Which is that adversary? + + + + + + EDGAR + What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester? + + + + + + EDMUND + Himself: what say'st thou to him? + + + + + + EDGAR + Draw thy sword, + That, if my speech offend a noble heart, + Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. + Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, + My oath, and my profession: I protest, + Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence, + 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; + And, from the extremest upward of thy head + 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. + + + + + + EDMUND + In wisdom I should ask thy name; + But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, + And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes, + What safe and nicely I might well delay + By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn: + Back do I toss these treasons to thy head; + With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart; + Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise, + This sword of mine shall give them instant way, + Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak! + + + + Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls + + + + ALBANY + Save him, save him! + + + + + + GONERIL + This is practise, Gloucester: + By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer + An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd, + But cozen'd and beguiled. + + + + + + ALBANY + 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 + + + + GONERIL + Say, if I do, the laws are mine, not thine: + Who can arraign me for't. + + + + + + ALBANY + Most monstrous! oh! + Know'st thou this paper? + + + + + + GONERIL + Ask me not what I know. + + + + Exit + + + + ALBANY + Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. + + + + + + EDMUND + What you have charged me with, that have I done; + And more, much more; the time will bring it out: + 'Tis past, and so am I. But what art thou + That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble, + I do forgive thee. + + + + + + EDGAR + Let's exchange charity. + I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; + 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. + + + + + + EDMUND + Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; + The wheel is come full circle: I am here. + + + + + + ALBANY + Methought thy very gait did prophesy + A royal nobleness: I must embrace thee: + Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I + Did hate thee or thy father! + + + + + + EDGAR + Worthy prince, I know't. + + + + + + ALBANY + Where have you hid yourself? + How have you known the miseries of your father? + + + + + + EDGAR + By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale; + And when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst! + The bloody proclamation to escape, + That follow'd me so near,--O, our lives' sweetness! + 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, + Led him, begg'd for him, saved him from despair; + 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 + Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart, + Alack, too weak the conflict to support! + 'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, + Burst smilingly. + + + + + + EDMUND + This speech of yours hath moved me, + And shall perchance do good: but speak you on; + You look as you had something more to say. + + + + + + ALBANY + If there be more, more woeful, hold it in; + For I am almost ready to dissolve, + Hearing of this. + + + + + + EDGAR + 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 in a man, + Who, having seen me in my worst estate, + Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding + Who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms + He fastened on my neck, and bellow'd out + As he'ld burst heaven; threw him on my father; + Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him + That ever ear received: which in recounting + His grief grew puissant and the strings of life + Began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded, + And there I left him tranced. + + + + + + ALBANY + But who was this? + + + + + + EDGAR + Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise + Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service + Improper for a slave. + + + + Enter a Gentleman, with a bloody knife + + + + Gentleman + Help, help, O, help! + + + + + + EDGAR + What kind of help? + + + + + + ALBANY + Speak, man. + + + + + + EDGAR + What means that bloody knife? + + + + + + Gentleman + 'Tis hot, it smokes; + It came even from the heart of--O, she's dead! + + + + + + ALBANY + Who dead? speak, man. + + + + + + Gentleman + Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister + By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it. + + + + + + EDMUND + I was contracted to them both: all three + Now marry in an instant. + + + + + + EDGAR + Here comes Kent. + + + + + + ALBANY + Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead: + This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble, + Touches us not with pity. + Exit Gentleman + Enter KENT + O, is this he? + The time will not allow the compliment + Which very manners urges. + + + + + + KENT + I am come + To bid my king and master aye good night: + Is he not here? + + + + + + ALBANY + Great thing of us forgot! + Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's Cordelia? + See'st thou this object, Kent? + + + + The bodies of GONERIL and REGAN are brought in + + + + KENT + Alack, why thus? + + + + + + EDMUND + Yet Edmund was beloved: + The one the other poison'd for my sake, + And after slew herself. + + + + + + ALBANY + Even so. Cover their faces. + + + + + + EDMUND + I pant for life: some good I mean to do, + 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. + + + + + + ALBANY + Run, run, O, run! + + + + + + EDGAR + To who, my lord? Who hath the office? send + Thy token of reprieve. + + + + + + EDMUND + Well thought on: take my sword, + Give it the captain. + + + + + + ALBANY + Haste thee, for thy life. + + + + Exit EDGAR + + + + EDMUND + He hath commission from thy wife and me + To hang Cordelia in the prison, and + To lay the blame upon her own despair, + That she fordid herself. + + + + + + ALBANY + The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile. + + + + EDMUND is borne off + Re-enter KING LEAR, with CORDELIA dead in his arms; EDGAR, + Captain, and others following + + + + KING LEAR + Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones: + Had I your tongues and eyes, I'ld 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 will mist or stain the stone, + Why, then she lives. + + + + + + KENT + Is this the promised end + + + + + + EDGAR + Or image of that horror? + + + + + + ALBANY + Fall, and cease! + + + + + + KING 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! + + + + + + KING LEAR + Prithee, away. + + + + + + EDGAR + 'Tis noble Kent, your friend. + + + + + + KING LEAR + A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all! + I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever! + 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. + + + + + + Captain + 'Tis true, my lords, he did. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Did I not, fellow? + I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion + I would have made them skip: I am old now, + And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you? + Mine eyes are not o' the best: I'll tell you straight. + + + + + + KENT + If fortune brag of two she loved and hated, + One of them we behold. + + + + + + KING LEAR + This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent? + + + + + + KENT + The same, + Your servant Kent: Where is your servant Caius? + + + + + + KING LEAR + He's a good fellow, I can tell you that; + He'll strike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten. + + + + + + KENT + No, my good lord; I am the very man,-- + + + + + + KING LEAR + I'll see that straight. + + + + + + KENT + That, from your first of difference and decay, + Have follow'd your sad steps. + + + + + + KING LEAR + You are welcome hither. + + + + + + KENT + Nor no man else: all's cheerless, dark, and deadly. + Your eldest daughters have fordone them selves, + And desperately are dead. + + + + + + KING LEAR + Ay, so I think. + + + + + + ALBANY + He knows not what he says: and vain it is + That we present us to him. + + + + + + EDGAR + Very bootless. + + + + Enter a Captain + + + + Captain + Edmund is dead, my lord. + + + + + + ALBANY + 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 taste + The wages of their virtue, and all foes + The cup of their deservings. O, see, see! + + + + + + KING LEAR + And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life! + Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, + And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more, + Never, never, never, never, never! + Pray you, undo this button: thank you, sir. + Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips, + Look there, look there! + + + + Dies + + + + EDGAR + He faints! My lord, my lord! + + + + + + KENT + Break, heart; I prithee, break! + + + + + + EDGAR + Look up, my lord. + + + + + + KENT + Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates him much + That would upon the rack of this tough world + Stretch him out longer. + + + + + + EDGAR + He is gone, indeed. + + + + + + KENT + The wonder is, he hath endured so long: + He but usurp'd his life. + + + + + + ALBANY + Bear them from hence. Our present business + Is general woe. + To KENT and EDGAR + Friends of my soul, you twain + Rule in this realm, and the gored state sustain. + + + + + + KENT + I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; + My master calls me, I must not say no. + + + + + + ALBANY + 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 + Shall never see so much, nor live so long. + + + + Exeunt, with a dead march +
+ + diff --git a/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/fo.xsl b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/fo.xsl index 25d55c4f0..8756bf2da 100644 --- a/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/fo.xsl +++ b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/fo.xsl @@ -9,17 +9,19 @@ exclude-result-prefixes="db m t xlink xs" version="2.0"> - + + select="'../../../sourceforge/docbook/xsl/images/draft.png'"/> - + + + diff --git a/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/html.xsl b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/html.xsl index fd68c1683..9bcc78d92 100644 --- a/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/html.xsl +++ b/docbook/relaxng/publishers/spec/html.xsl @@ -11,14 +11,15 @@ exclude-result-prefixes="db f h m t xlink xs" version="2.0"> - + - + + @@ -56,8 +57,8 @@ div.toc p b { - +

- + -- 2.40.0