"Tis she herself!-My senses, sure, conform Το my wild garb, and I am mad indeed. Cord. Whate'er thou art, befriend a wretched virgin, And, if thou canst, direct our weary search. Edg. Who relieves poor Tom, that sleeps on the nettle, with the hedgehog for his pillow? Whilst Smug ply'd the bellows, Was a blouze and a drab, Yet Swithin made Oberon jealous.-0, torture! Aran. Alack, madam! a poor wand'ring lunatic. Cord. And yet his language seem'd but now, well temper❜d. Speak, friend, to one more wretched than thyself; Inform us, if thou canst, where we may find A poor old man, who through this heath hath stray'd Yes, fair one, such a one was lately here, Cord. Blessings on them! Let's find him out, Aranthe; for thou seest We are in Heaven's protection. [Going off. Edg. O, Cordelia! Cord. Ha! -Thou know'st my name. Edg. As you did once know Edgar's. Cord. Edgar! Edg. The poor remains of Edgar, what Your scorn has left him. Cord. Do we wake, Aranthe? Edg. My father seeks my life: which I preserv'd, In hope of some blest minute to oblige Distrest Cordelia, and the gods have given it; That thought alone prevail'd with me to take This frantic dress, to make the earth my bed, With these bare limbs all change of seasons 'bide, Noon's scorching heat, and midnight's piercing cold, To feed on offals, and to drink with herds, To combat with the winds, and be the sport Of clowns, or what's more wretched yet, their pity. Cord. Was ever tale so full of misery! Edg. But such a fall as this, I grant, was due For, well you know, I wore my flame conceal'd, ⚫ more. Edg. What do I challenge more? Such vanity agrees not with these rags: When in my prosp❜rous state, rich Gloster's heir, Such as the shouts Of succouring forces to a town besieg'd. Edg. Ah! what new method now of cruelty? Cord. Come to my arms, thou dearest, best of men, And take the kindest vows, that e'er were spoke By a protesting maid. Edg. Is't possible? F Cord. By the dear vital stream, that bathes my heart, These hallow'd rags of thine, and naked virtue, To me are dearer than the richest pomp Edg. Generous, charming maid! The gods alone, that made, can rate thy worth! Cord. Cold and weary, We'll rest a while, Aranthe, on that straw, Edg. Look, I have flint and steel, the implements, Of wand'ring lunatics; I'll strike a light, And make a fire beneath this shed, to dry Thy storm-drench'd garments, ere thou lie to rest thee: Then, fierce and wakeful as th' Hesperian dragon, Meanwhile the stars shall dart their kindest beams, [Exeunt. ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. An Apartment in the EARL of GLOSTER'S Castle. Enter the DUKE of CORNWALL, REGAN, EDMUND, EDWARD, and SERVANTS. Corn. I will have my revenge ere I depart his house. Regan, see here, a plot upon our state; Reg. Then double be our vengeance; this confirms Th' intelligence that we but now receiv'd, That he has been this night to seek the king, Corn. Our eagle, quick to spy, and fierce to seize, Our trusty Edmund. Reg. 'Twas a noble service: O Cornwall, take him to thy deepest trust, Edm. Think, sir, how hard a fortune I sustain, Corn. Edmund, thou shalt find A father in our love, and from this minute Reg. The grotto, sir, within the lower grove Edm. And there I may expect a comforterHa, madam? Reg. What may happen, sir, I know not; But 'twas a friend's advice. Corn. Bring in the traitor. [Exit EDMUND, Enter GLOSTER, brought in by Two SERVANTS. Bind fast his arms. Glost. What mean your graces? You are my guests; pray, do me no foul play. Reg. Now, traitor, thou shalt find Corn. Speak, rebel, where hast thou sent the king? Whom, spite of our decree, thou saved'st last night. Glost. I'm tied to th' stake, and I must stand the course. Reg. Say where, and why, thou hast concealed him? Glost. Because I would not see thy cruel hands Give me some help.--O, cruel! oh, ye gods! Corn. Ah, my villain! Edw. I have been your servant from my infancy; But better service have I never done you, Than with this boldness. Corn. Take thy death, slave. [Stabs EDWARD. Edw. Nay, then revenge, whilst yet my blood is warm! [Draws his Sword, runs CORNWALL through the Body, and is carried off, dying, Reg. Help here, -are you not hurt, my lord? Glost. [Within.] Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature, To quit this horrid act. Reg. Out, treacherous villain, Thou call'st on him that hates thee; it was he That broach'd thy treason, show'd us thy despatches; There-read, and save the Cambrian prince the la[Throws the Letters out to him. bour. |