1

Cor.

And so I am, I am.

Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray,

weep not;

If you have poison for me, I will drink it.

I know you do not love me; for your sisters
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.

You have some cause; they have not.

Cor.

Lear. Am I in France?
Kent.

Lear. Do not abuse me.

No cause, no cause.

In your own kingdom, sir.

Phys. Be comforted, good madam. The great rage,

You see, is killed in him; [and yet it is danger
To make him even1 o'er the time he has lost.]

Desire him to go in; trouble him no more,

Till further settling.

Cor. Will't please your highness walk?
Lear.

You must bear with me;

'Pray you 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.

Gent. Who is conductor of his people?
Kent.

The bastard son of Gloster.

Gent.

Most certain, sir.

As 'tis said,

They say, Edgar,

His banished son, is with the earl of Kent

In Germany.

Kent.

Report is changeable.

'Tis time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom

Approach apace.

Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody.

Fare you well, sir.

[Exit.

Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly

wrought,

Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought.1) [Exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I. The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover.

Enter, with drums and colors, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others.

Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; Or, whether since he is advised by aught To change the course. He's full of alteration,

And self-reproving;-bring his constant pleasure.2

[To an Officer, who goes out.

Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.

Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam.

Reg.

Now, sweet lord,

You know the goodness I intend upon you.
Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth,

Do you not love my sister?

Edm.

In honored love.

[Reg. But have you never found my brother's way

To the forefended place?

Edm.

That thought abuses 4 you.

Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct

And bosomed with her, as far as we call hers.
Edm. No, by mine honor, madam.]

Reg. I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,

Be not familiar with her.

Edm.

Fear me not;

She, and the duke her husband,—

Enter ALBANY, Goneril, and Soldier.

Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister

Should loosen him and me.

[Aside.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear,-The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigor of our state Forced to cry out. [Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant. For this business, It toucheth us as France invades our land, Not bolds1 the king; with others, whom, I fear, More just and heavy causes make oppose.

Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.]

Reg.

Why is this reasoned?

Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy:

For these domestic and particular broils 2

Are not to question here.

Alb.

Let us then determine

With the ancient of war on our proceedings.

Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent.3
Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?

Gon. No.

Reg. 'Tis most convenient; 'pray you, go with us. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle. [Aside.] I will go.

As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised.

Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word.

Alb.

I'll overtake you.-Speak.
[Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers,
Soldiers, and Attendants.

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it; wretched though I seem,
I can produce a champion, that will prove
What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases.1 Fortune love you!
Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.

Edg.

I was forbid it.

When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again.

[Exit.

Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper.

Re-enter EDMUND.

Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your powers:

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces

By diligent discovery; but your haste

Is now urged on you.

Alb.

We will greet the time.3 [Exit.

Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love;
Each jealous of the other, as the stung

Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
Both! one? or neither? Neither can be enjoyed,
If both remain alive. To take the widow,
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being alive. Now, then, we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her, who would be rid of him, devise

His speedy taking off. As for the mercy

1 i. e. all designs against your life will have an end. These words are not in the quartos. 2 i. e. the conjecture, or what we can gather by diligent espial, of their strength.

3 i. e. be ready to meet the occasion.

4 Hardly shall I be able to make my side (i. e. my party) good; to maintain the game. It was a phrase commonly used at cards.

Pa

eto

Which he intends to Lear, and to Cordelia, —
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit.

SCENE II. A Field between the two Camps.

Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colors, LEAR, Cordelia, and their Forces ; and exeunt.

Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER.1

Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host; pray that the right may thrive. If ever I return to you again,

I'll bring you comfort.
Glo.

Grace go with you, sir!

[Exit EDGAR.

Alarums; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter EDGAR.

Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away; King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en. Give me thy hand; come on.

Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must en

dure

Their going hence, even as their coming hither;
Ripeness is all. Come on.
Glo.

And that's true too.

[Exeunt.