out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costardi or my bat2 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.3 [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; Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villaia; Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, May be my friends.-He's dead; I am only sorry He had no other death's-man.-Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts; Their papers, is more lawful.4 [Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: Then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. Your wife (so I would say,) and your affectionate servant, GONERIL. O undistinguish'd space of woman's will ! (1) Head. (2) Club. (3) Thrusts. (4) To rip their papers is more lawful. A plot upon her virtuous husband's life: sands; Thee I'll rake up,1 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 Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract: So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs; And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose The knowledge of themselves. Edg. Re-enter Edgar. Give me your hand. Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. SCENE VII-A tent in the French camp. Lear on a bed asleep; Physician, Gentleman, and others, attending: Enter Cordelia and Kent. Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live, and work, To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, And every measure fail me. Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er-paid. All my reports go with the modest truth; Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. Be better-suited:2 These weeds are memories of those worser hours; I pr'ythee, put them off. Kent. Pardon me, dear madam; Yet to be known, shortens my made intent:4 (1) I'll cover thee (the dead steward) in the sands. (2) Dressed. (3) Memorials. (4) Intent formed VOL. VIII. E Till time and I think meet. the king? [To the Physician. Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cure this great breach in his abused nature! Phys. ceed I'the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep, We put fresh garments on him. 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 mu sic 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 white flakes Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu!!) (1) French, enfans perdus. In short and musty straw? Alack, alack! Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the grave : Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Cor. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit, I know; When did you die? Cor. Still, still, far wide! Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been? - Where am I?-Fair day-light? I am mightily abus'd.-I should even die with pity, To see another thus. -I know not what to say.I will not swear, these are my hands:-let's see; 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, To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: 2 790214 A If you have poison for me, I will drink it. Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Kent. No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. Lear. Do not abuse me. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, You see, is cur'd in him: and yet it is danger Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Lear. You must bear with me: Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old, and foolish. [Exeunt Lear, Cordelia, Physician, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, sir, That the duke of Cornwall was so slain? Kent. Most certain, sir. Gent. Who is conductor of his people? The bastard son of Gloster. Kent. As 'tis said, Gent. They say, Edgar, His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent In Germany. Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers2 o'the kingdom Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir. [Exil Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit (1) To reconcile it to his apprehension. (3) Decision. |