ACT Y. SCENE I. The camp of the British forces near Dover. Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others. EDM. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold, To change the course: he's full of alteration [To an Officer, who goes out. REG. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. REG. Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: In honoured love. EDM. EDM. Fear me not : She and the duke her husband! Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. GON. [Aside.] I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me. ALB. Our very loving sister, well be-met. Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter, With others whom the rigour of our state 5 10 15 Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, Why is this reason'd? Are not the question here. ALB. Let's then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. EDM. I shall attend you presently at your tent. GON. No. REG. 'Tis most convenient: pray you, go with us. GON. [Aside.] O, ho, I know the riddle :-I will go. As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. EDG. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. ALB. I'll overtake you. Speak. [Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR. EDG. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again. ALB. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper. 20 25 30 35 40 45 [Exit EDGAR. Re-enter EDMUND. EDM. The enemy's in view: draw up your powers. Is now urged on you. ALB. We will greet the time. EDM. To both these sisters have I sworn my love; Each jealous of the other, as the stung [Exit. 50 Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd 55 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 Stands on me to defend, not to debate. SCENE II. A field between the two camps. [Exit. Alarum without. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER. EDG. 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. GLO. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit EDGAR. 60 4 Re-enter EDGAR. 5 Alarums; afterwards a retreat. EDG. Away, old man; give me thy hand; away! GLO. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. GLO. 10 SCENE III. The British camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA as prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, etc. EDM. Some officers take them away: good guard, Until their greater pleasures first be known That are to censure them. COR. We are not the first Who with best meaning have incurred the worst. 5 LEAR. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison; We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: 10 And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, Who loses and who wins, who's in, who's out; 15 And take upon us the mystery of things, As if we were God's spies and we'll wear out, In a walled prison, packs and sects of great ones, EDM. Take them away. LEAR. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve first. EDM. 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 Does not become a sword: thy great employment OFF. I'll do't, my lord. EDM. About it; and write happy when thou hast done. Mark; I say, instantly; and carry it so As I have set it down. OFF. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work, I'll do't. 20 25 30 35° [Exit. 40 Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Officers, and Attendants. ALB. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, And fortune led you well: you have the captives Who were the opposites of this day's strife: As we shall find their merits and our safety EDM. 45 Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king |