Unkind as she is, I cannot see her wretched, SCENE IV. Before the EARL OF GLOSTER'S Castle. KENT discovered, in the Stocks still. Enter KING LEAR and his KNIGHTS. 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. 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 shown such rudeness to your highness, I, Lear. Oh! this spleen swells upwards to my heart, And heaves for passage !-Down, thou climbing rage, Thy element's below. Where is this daughter? Enter GLOSTER, from the Castle. 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. Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood! I beg his pardon, and I'll chide my rashness, For the sound man.-But wherefore sits he there? Is plain contempt.--Give me my servant forth.- Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, CAPTAIN of the GUARDS, and ATTENDANTS from the Castle. 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. Shouldst thou not be glad, I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, Sepulch'ring an adultress. Beloved Regan, thou wilt shake to hear What I shall utter;-thou coud'st ne'er ha' thought it; Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she has ty'd I scarce can speak to thee. [KENT is set at liberty by the ATTENDANTS. Reg. 1 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 Would fail in her respects; but if, perchance, She has restrain'd the riots of your followers, 'Tis on such grounds, and to such wholesome ends, As clear her from all blame. Lear. My curses on her! And should content you to be rul❜d and led Do you but mark how this becomes the house: Age is unnecessary; on my knees I beg, That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. Reg. Good sir, no more of these unsightly passions; Return back to our sister. 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, When the rash mood 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? Corn. What trumpet's that? [Trumpet sounds. Reg. I know't, my sister's; this confirms her letters. Enter OSWALD. Sir, is your lady come! Lear. More torture still! Out, varlet, from my sight! Corn. What means your grace! [Strikes OSWALD. Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have hope Thou didst not know it. [Trumpet sounds. Enter GONERIL and ATTENDANTS. Who comes here? Oh, Heav'ns! If you do love old men; if your sweet sway Make it your cause; send down, and take my part! Gon. Why not by th' hand, sir? How have I offended? All's not offence that indiscretion finds, And dotage terms so. Lear. Heart, thou art too tough! Reg. I pray you, sir, being old, confess you are so. If, till the expiration of your month, You will return, and sojourn with our sister, |