What can man's wisdom do, Her delicate cheek: it seem'd, she was a queen | And bring him to our eye. [Exit an OFFICER. Gent. Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove [seen Who should express her goodliest. You have Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears Were like a better day: Those happy smiles, Kent. Made she no verbal question ?* Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart; 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? Gent. Why, good Sir? Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness, [her That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd 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. Gent. Alack, poor gentleman! In the restoring his bereaved sense? ate, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Stew. I know not, lady. Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. [out, It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being To let him live; where he arrives, he moves All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is [gone, Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers In pity of his misery, to despatch you heard not? Gent. Tis so; they are afoot. Kent. Well, Sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, His nighted life; moreover, to descry Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous. Stew. I may not, madam; My lady charg'd my duty in this business. Transport her purposes by word? Belike, Stew. Madam, I had rather- husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange ceiliads, and most speaking looks [som. To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her bo * 1. c. The reason which should guide it. +Importunate. Inflated, swelling. 1. c. His life made dark as night. A cast, or significant glance of the eye. Stew. I, madam? Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it: Therefore, I do advise you, take this note:* If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam! would show What party I do follow. Reg. Fare thee well. I [Exeunt. This world I do renounce; and, in your sigio [He leaps, and falls on; Edg. Gone, Sir? farewell.And yet I know not how conceit may rob The treasury of life, when life itself [though Yields to the theft: Had he been where he By this, had thought been past.-Alive, dead? [speak Ho, you Sir! friend!-Hear you, SirThus might he pass indeed:*-Yet he revive What are you, Sir? Glo. Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossoner. feathers, air, So many fathom down precipitating, Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but tha dost breathe; Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st art sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn t [far Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorg'd; lark Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up. Glo. Alack, I have no eyes.— Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit, [fort, Up :-So-How is't? Feel you your legs? Glo. Too well, too well. Edg. This is above all strangeness. (that Which parted from you? Upon the crown o'the cliff, what thing was Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes [noses. Horns whelk'd,§ and wav'd like the enridged Were two full moons; he had a thousand [father, sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy Think that the clearest|| gods, who make them honours Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee. The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place. Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But who comes here? Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with Flowers. Leur. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the king himself. Edg. O thou side-piercing sight! There's your press-money. That fellow har Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.dles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a 1 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 down, bird!-i'the clout, i'the clout: hewgh!-Give the word. Edg. Sweet marjoram. Glo. I know that voice. Lear. Ha! Goneril!-with a white beard!— They flatter'd 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 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 them, there I smelt them.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. Glo. The trick|| of that voice I do well reIs't not the king? [member: Lear. Ay, every inch a king: Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No: Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.Behold yon' simpering dame, Whose face between her forks presageth snow; The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't Down from the waist they are centaurs, But to the girdle do the gods inherit,** Beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's darkness, There is 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. Glo. O, let me kiss that hand! Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world [me? Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squinytt at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.-Read thou this challenge, mark but the penning of it. Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not thine ears: see how yon' justice rails upon yon' 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? Glo. Ay, sir. Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st 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, 'em: And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: To this great stage of fools;--This a good block? It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe Enter a GENTLEMAN, with Attendants. Leur. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am Past speaking of in a king!-Thou hast one | daughter, Who redeems nature from the general curse Edg. Hail, gentle Sir. Gent. Sir, speed you: What's your will? Edg. Do you hear aught, Sir, of a battle toward? Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one hears that, Which can distinguish sound. Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main Stands on the hourly thought.* [descry Edg. I thank you, Sir: that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, Her army is mov'd on. Edg. I thank you, Sir. [Exit GENT Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me; Let not my worser spirit+ tempt me again Edg. Well pray you, father. Glo. Now, good Sir, what are you? Edg. A most poor man, made tame by fortune's blows; Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Glo. Hearty thanks: The bounty and the benison of heaven To boot, and boot!§ Enter STEWARD. Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh [traitor, To raise my fortunes.-Thou old unhappy Briefly thyself remember:-The sword is out That must destroy thee. Glo. Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. [EDGAR opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take Edg. Ch'ill not let go, Zir, without vurther 'casion. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard** or my battt be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill! Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, Zir: Come; no matter vor your foins.‡‡ [They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me :-Villain, take my purse; If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; [me, And give the letters, which thou find'st about To Edmund earl of Gloster; seek him out Upon the British party :- -O, untimely death! Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable vil[Dies. As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, [lain; As badness would desire. Glo. What, is he dead? The main body is expected to be descried every hour. + Evil genius. 1 Blessing. 6 Reward, recompense. Quickly recollect the offences of thy life. ** Head. tf Club. It Thrusts. Go your way. Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters, that be speaks of, May be my friends.-He's dead; I am only He had no other death's-man.-Let us see:— Leave, gentle wax; and, mauners, blame u {bearts To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their Their papers, is more lawful.* not: [Reads.] Let our reciprocal rows be remenbered. You have many opportunities to cut in off: if your will want not, time and place w fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, Vie return the conqueror: Then am I the prisme. and his bed my jail; from the loathed werd whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. Your wife, (so I would say,) and yo affectionate servant, GONERIL Thee I'll rake up,t the post unsanctified [Exit EDGAR, dragging out the Body. Glo. The king is mad: How stiff is my vile sense, ་ That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose Re-enter EDGAR. Edg. Give me your hand: Far off, methinks I hear the beaten drum. Enter CORDELIA and KENT. Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live, To match thy goodness? My life will be too and work, [short, And every measure fail me. Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'erAll my reports go with the modest truth; paid. Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. [hours; Cor. Be better-suited:‡ Yet to be known, shortens my made intent: Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How Phys. So please your majesty, [long. That we may wake the king? he hath slept Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed I'the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his We put fresh garments on him. [sleep, Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well. Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the music there. Cor. 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! Cor. Had you not been their father, these Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog, awhile. Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I? Fair day-light? [pity, I am mightily abus'd.-I should even die with To see another thus.-I know not what to say.[see; I will not swear, these are my hands:-let's I feel this pin prick. 'Would I were assur'd Of my condition. Cor. O look upon me, Sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:No, Sir, you must not kneel.' Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. [man: Methinks, I should know you, and know this 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 [me; not Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at For, as I am a man, I think this lady To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: If you have poison for me, I will drink it. The allusion is to the forlorn-hope in an army, called in French enfans perdua. + Thin covering of hair. I know, you do not love me; for your sisters Kent. In your own kingdom, Sir. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, You see is cur'd in him: and yet it is danger To make him even o'er the time he has lost. Desire him to go in; trouble him no more, Till further settling. Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Lear. You must bear with me: [foolish. Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old, and [Exeunt LEAR, CORDELIA, PHYSICIAN, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, Sir, That the duke of Cornwall was so slain? Gent. Who is conductor of his people? The bastard son of Gloster. Gent. They say, Edgar, His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent Kent. Report is changeable. [kingdom 'Tis time to look about; the powerst o'the Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, Sir. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, neur Dover. Enter, with Drums, and Colours, EDMUND, or, whether since he is advis'd by aught Tell me, but truly,-but then speak the truth, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Do you not love my sister? Edm. In honour'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's To the forefended|| place? [way Edm. That thought abuses¶ you. |