Where guards and most unusual vigilance And leave my griefs on my sword's reeking point; SCENE IV. Before the Earl of Gloster's Castle. KENT, discovered, in the stocks (Flourish of Drums and Trumpets, l.h.) Enter King Lear, his Knights and Physician, l.h. Lear. 'Tis strange, that they should so depart from home, And not send back our messenger. Kent. Hail, noble master! Lear. How! mak'st thou this shame thy pastime ? What's he that has so much mistook thy place, To set thee here? Kent. It is both he and she, sir; your son and daughter. Lear. No. (1) To ban, is to curse (2) We should read, Turlupin. In the fourteenth century there was a new species of gipsies called Turlupins, a fraternity of naked beggars, which ran up and down Europe. Kent. Yes. Lear. No, I say. Kent. I say, yea. Lear. They durst not do't; They could not, would not do't.— Resolve me with all modest haste, which way I did commend your highness' letters to them Stew'd in his haste, breathless and panting forth Had shewn such rudeness to your highness, I, Enter Gloster, from the Castle—he advances, l.h. Kent. Within, sir, at a masque. Lear. Now, Gloster?—Ha ! (Gloster whispers Lear.) Deny to speak with me? Th'are sick, th'are weary, They've travell'd hard to-night ?—Mere fetches, sir: Bring me a better answer. Glost. My dear lord, You know the fiery quality of the duke Lear. Vengeance! death plague confusion! Fiery? What quality ?—Why, Gloster, Gloster, I'd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. Glost. I have inform'd them so. Lear. Inform'd them? dost thou understand me, man? I tell thee, Gloster,--- Glost. Ay, my good lord. Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father Would with his daughter speak, commands her service. No, but not yet; may be, he is not well; I beg his pardon, and I'll chide my rashness That took the indispos'd and sickly fit For the sound man -But wherefore sits he there? Death on my state! This act convinces me (Pointing to the stocks.) That this retiredness of the duke and her Is plain contempt.—Give me my servant forth.— 'Till it cry, Sleep to death. Enter Cornwall, Regan, Page, two Soldiers, Captain of the Guard, and Guards, from the Castle, l.h. Oh! are you come? Corn. Health to the king! Reg. I am glad to see your highness. Lear. Regan, I think you are: I know what cause I have to think so. Should'st thou not be glad, I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, Sepulch'ring an adultress.— (Cornwall signs to Captain of Guard, Captain to the two Guards—they set Kent at liberty, who goes to r.h. of Physician, behind the King.) Beloved Regan, thou wilt shake to hear What I shall utter ;—thou cou'd'st ne'er ha' thought it ;— Thy sister's naught: O Regan she hath tied Ingratitude like a keen vulture, here; I scarce can speak to thee. Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience; I have hope That you know less to value her desert, Than she to slack her duty. Lear. Ha! How's that? Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least Lear. My curses on her ! And shou'd content you to be rul'd and led Return to our sister, and say you have wrong'd her. Do you but mark how this becomes the house: (1) Dear daughter, I confess that I am old : Age is unnecessary; (2) on my knees I beg, (Kneeling.) That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. Lear. Never, Regan; She hath abated me of half my train, Look'd black upon me, stabb'd me with her tongue : On her ingrateful head! Strike her young bones, Reg. O the blest gods! thus will you wish on me, Rises.) Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse; Thy tender nature cannot give thee o'er To such impiety: thou better know'st The offices of nature, bond of childhood, And dues of gratitude; thou bear'st in mind Reg. Good sir, to th' purpose. Lear. Who put my man i'th' stocks? (Trum et s unds, l.h ) Cor . What t umpet's that? (1) The order of families, duties of relation. (2) Old age has few wants. Reg. I know't, my sister's; (1) this confirms her letters Enter Oswald, l.h. Sir, is your lady come? Lear. More torture still! Out, varlet, from my sight! (Strikes Oswald, who runs off crying, r.h.u.E Corn. What means your grace? Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have hope Thou did'st not know it. (Trumpet sounds.) Enter Goneril, Page and two Ladies, l.h. Who comes here? Oh, heav'ns ! If you do love old men; if your sweet sway Allow obedience; if yourselves are old, Make it your cause; (To Goneril.) send down and take my part! (Crosses to r.h.) Why, Gorgon, dost thou come to haunt me here? (To Goneril.) Art not asham'd to look upon this beard ?—(Regan takes Goneril by the hand.) Darkness upon my eyes, they play me false !— O Regan! wilt thou take her by the hand? Gon. Why not by th' hand, sir? How have I offended? All's not offence that indiscretion finds, (2) And dotage terms so. Lear. Heart, thou art too tough! Reg. I pray you, sir, being old, confess you are so. You will return, and sojourn with our sister, Lear. Return with her, and fifty knights dismiss'd ? To be companion to the midnight wolf, (1) It seems from this passage, that the approach of great personages was announced by some distinguishing note or tune appropriately used by their own trumpeters. (2) Finds is here used in the same sense as when a jury is said to find a bill. |