SCENE III. The Field of Battle. Flourish. Enter the DUKE OF ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, EDMUND, CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS, and SOLDIERS; with KING LEAR, KENT, and CORDELIA, Prisoners. Alb. It is enough to have conquer'd ; cruelty Should ne'er survive the fight. Captain o' the guards, Treat well your royal prisoners, till you have Our farther orders, as you hold our pleasure. Gon. Hark, sir, not as you hold our husbands' [To the CAPTAIN, aside. But as you hold your life, despatch your pris'ners. Our empire can have no sure settlement But in their death. pleasure, Capt. I shall obey your orders. Edm. Sir, I approve it safest to pronounce Sentence of death upon this wretched king, Whose age has charms in it, his title more, To draw the commons once more to his side; 'Twere best prevent Alb. Sir, by your favour, I hold you but a subject of this war, Reg. That's as we list to grace him. Have you forgot that he did lead our pow'rs? Gon. Not so hot; In his own merits he exalts himself More than in your addition. Enter EDGAR, disguised. Alb. What art thou? Edg. Pardon me, sir, that I presume to stop Of what concerns you more than triumph can. If Edmund dares but trust his cause and sword. The favour that you'd instantly appoint The place where I may meet this challenger, Alb. Anon, before our tent, i' th' army's view, Edg. I thank your highness in my champion's name: He'll wait your trumpet's call. Alb. Lead. [Exit EDGAR. [Exeunt. Manent KING LEAR, KENT, CORDELIA, CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD, and SOLDIERS. Lear. O Kent! Cordelia! You are the only pair that I e'er wrong'd, Cord. This language, sir, adds yet to our affliction. Lear. Thou, Kent, didst head the troops that fought my battle, Exposed'st thy life and fortunes for a master, That had, as I remember, banish'd thee Kent. Pardon me, sir, that once I broke your orders: Banish'd by you, I kept me here disguis'd To watch your fortunes, and protect your person: Kent. I was that Caius, Disguis'd in that coarse dress to follow you. Lear. My Caius too! Wer't thou my trusty Caius ? Enough, enough Kent. Ah me, he faints! his blood forsakes his cheek! Help, Kent, Lear. No, no, they shall not see us weep, We'll see them rot first.-Guards, lead away to prison. Come, Kent; Cordelia, come.-Ha! have I caught you? He, that parts us, must bring a brand from heav'n: And die the wonders of the world.-Away. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The DUKE OF ALBANY's Tent. Flourish. Enter the DUKE OF ALBANY, EDMUND, HERALD, ATTENDANTS, and SOLDIERS. Alb. Now, Gloster, trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, All levied in my name, have in my name If any man of quality within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the trumpet; he is bold in his defence. Sound; again;-again. [The Trumpet sounds at each Order; and is then answered from within. Alb. Lord Edgar! Enter EDGAR. Edm. Ha! my brother! This is the only combatant I could fear; Edg. My noble prince, a word;-Ere we engage, Alb. We shall peruse it. Edg. Now, Edmund, draw thy sword, I brand thee with the spotted name of traitor, Edm. And dares Edgar, The beaten, routed Edgar, brave his conqueror? Edg. Half blooded man, Thy father's sin first, then his punishment, Thou draw'st thy villany; but, for thy part [Trumpet sounds;-they fight ;-EDMUND falls. "Tis past, and so am I. Edg. As thou art my father's son, Exchange we charity on thy repentance. Edm. Thy sword has prov'd thy truth.--Forgive me, Edgar. Oh! ere life leaves me, let me do some good, Is on the life of Lear, and of Cordelia. Edg. O, let us fly, my lord, to save their lives! Alb. The heav'ns defend them!-Bear him hence a while. [Exeunt the DUKE OF ALBANY and EDGar, with a Part of the SOLDIERS, and the other Part bear EDMUND away. |