The history of King Lear acted at the Duke's theatre / reviv'd with alterations by N. Tate.

THE HISTORY OF KING LEAR . Acted at the Duke's Theatre .

Reviv'd with Alterations . By N. TATE .

LONDON , Printed for E. Flesher , and are to be sold by R. Bentley , and M. Magnes in Russel-street near Covent-Garden , 1681.

TO My Esteemed FRIEND Thomas Boteler , Esq SIR ,

YOU have a natural Right to this Piece , since , by your Advice , I attempted the Revival of it with Alterations . Nothing but the Power of your Perswasion , and my Zeal for all the Remains of Shakespear , cou'd have wrought me to so bold an Undertaking . I found that the New-modelling of this Story , wou'd force me sometimes on the difficult Task of making the chiefest Persons speak something like their Character , on Matter whereof I had no Ground in my Author . Lear's real , and Edgar's pretended Madness have so much of extravagant Nature ( I know not how else to express it ) as cou'd never have started but from our Shakespear's Creating Fancy . The Images and Language are so odd and surprizing , and yet so agreeable and proper , that whilst we grant that none but Shakespear cou'd have form'd such Conceptions , yet we are satisfied that they were the only Things in the World that ought to be said on those Occasions . I found the whole to answer your Account of it , a Heap of Jewels , unstrung and unpolisht ; yet so dazling in their Disorder , that I soon perceiv'd I had seiz'd a Treasure . 'T was my good Fortune to light on one Expedient to rectifie what was wanting in the Regularity and Probability of the Tale , which was to run through the whole A Love betwixt Edgar and Cordelia , that never chang'd word with each other in the Original . This renders Cordelia's Indifference and her Father's Passion in the first Scene probable . It likewise gives Countenance to Edgar's Disguise , making that a generous Design that was before a poor Shift to save his Life . The Distress of the Story is evidently heightned by it ; and it particularly gave Occasion of a New Scene or Two , of more Success ( perhaps ) than Merit . This Method necessarily threw me on making the Tale conclude in a Success to the innocent distrest Persons : Otherwise I must have incumbred the Stage with dead Bodies , which Conduct makes many Tragedies conclude with unseasonable Jests . Yet was I Rackt with no small Fears for so bold a Change , till I found it well receiv'd by my Audience ; and if this will not satisfie the Reader , I can produce an Authority that questionless will. Neither is it of so Trivial an Undertaking to make a Tragedy end happily , for 't is more difficult to Save than 't is to Kill : The Dagger and Cup of Poyson are alwaies in Readiness ; but to bring the Action to the last Extremity , and then by probable Means to recover All , will require the Art and Judgment of a Writer , and cost him many a Pang in the Performance .

I have one thing more to Apologize for , which is , that I have us'd less Quaintness of Expression even in the newest Parts of this Play. I confess 't was Design in me , partly to comply with my Author's Style to make the Scenes of a Piece , and partly to give it some Resemblance of the Time and Persons here Represented . This , Sir , I submit wholly to you , who are both a Judge and Master of Style . Nature had exempted you before you went Abroad from the Morose Saturnine Humour of our Country , and you brought home the Refinedness of Travel without the Affectation . Many Faults I see in the following Pages , and question not but you will discover more ; yet I will presume so far on your Friendship , as to make the Whole a Present to you , and Subscribe my self

Your obliged Friend and humble Servant , N. Tate .

PROLOGUE . SInce by Mistakes your best Delights are made , ( For ev'n your Wives can please in Masquerade ) 'T were worth our While t' have drawn you in this day By a new Name to our old honest Play ; But he that did this Evenings Treat prepare Bluntly resolv'd before-hand to declare Your Entertainment should be most old Fare . Yet hopes , since in rich Shakespear's soil it grew , 'T will relish yet with those whose Tasts are True , And his Ambition is to please a Few . If then this Heap of Flow'rs shall chance to wear Fresh Beauty in the Order they now bear , Ev'n this Shakespear's Praise ; each Rustick knows 'Mongst plenteous Flow'rs a Garland to Compose , Which strung by his course Hand may fairer Show , But 't was a Pow'r : Divine first made 'em Grow . Why shou'd these Scenes lie hid , in which we find What may at Once divert and teach the Mind ? Morals were alwaies proper for the Stage , But are ev'n necessary in this Age. Poets must take the Churches Teaching Trade , Since Priests their Province of Intrigue invade ; But We the worst in this Exchange have got , In vain our Poets Preach , whilst Church-men Plot.

The Persons . King Lear , Mr. Betterton . Gloster , Mr. Gillo . Kent , Mr. Wiltshire . Edgar , Mr. Smith . Bastard , Mr. Jo. Williams . Cornwall , Mr. Norris . Albany , Mr. Bowman . Gentleman-Usher , Mr. Jevon . Gonerill , Mrs. Shadwell . Regan , Lady Slingsby . Cordelia , Mrs. Barry . Guards , Officers , Messengers , Attendants .

KING LEAR . A TRAGEDY . ACT I. Enter Bastard solus . Bast. THOU Nature art my Goddess , to thy Law My Services are bound , why am I then Depriv'd of a Son 's Right because I came not In the dull Road that custom has prescrib'd ? Why Bastard , wherefore Base , when I can boast A Mind as gen'rous and a Shape as true As honest Madam's Issue ? why are we Held Base , who in the lusty stealth of Nature Take fiercer Qualities than what compound The scanted Births of the stale Marriage-bed ? Well then , legitimate Edgar , to thy right Of Law I will oppose a Bastard's Cunning. Our Father's Love is to the Bastard Edmund As to Legitimate Edgar : with success I 've practis'd yet on both their easie Natures : Here comes the old Man chaf't with th' Information Which last I forg'd against my Brother Edgar , A Tale so plausible , so boldly utter'd And heightned by such lucky Accidents , That now the slightest circumstance confirms him , And Base-born Edmund spight of Law inherits . Enter Kent and Gloster . Glost. Nay , good my Lord , your Charity O'reshoots it self to plead in his behalf ; You are your self a Father , and may feel The sting of disobedience from a Son First-born and best Belov'd : Oh Villain Edgar ! Kent . Be not too rash , all may be forgery , And time yet clear the Duty of your Son. Glost. Plead with the Seas , and reason down the Winds , Yet shalt thou ne're convince me , I have seen His foul Designs through all a Father's fondness : But be this Light and Thou my Witnesses That I discard him here from my Possessions , Divorce him from my Heart , my Blood and Name . Bast. It works as I cou'd wish ; I 'll shew my self . Glost. Ha Edmund ! welcome Boy ; O Kent see here Inverted Nature , Gloster's Shame and Glory , This By-born , the wild sally of my Youth , Pursues me with all filial Offices , Whilst Edgar , begg'd of Heaven and born in Honour , Draws plagues on my white head that urge me still To curse in Age the pleasure of my Youth . Nay weep not , Edmund , for thy Brother's crimes ; O gen'rous Boy , thou shar'st but half his blood , Yet lov'st beyond the kindness of a Brother . But I 'll reward thy Vertue . Follow me . My Lord , you wait the King who comes resolv'd To quit the Toils of Empire , and divide His Realms amongst his Daughters , Heaven succeed it , But much I fear the Change. Kent . I grieve to see him With such wild starts of passion hourly seiz'd , As renders Majesty beneath it self . Glost. Alas ! 't is the Infirmity of his Age , Yet has his Temper ever been unfixt , Chol'rick and suddain ; hark , They approach . [ Exeunt Gloster and Bast. Flourish . Enter Lear , Cornwall , Albany , Burgundy , Edgar , Goneril , Regan , Cordelia , Edgar speaking to Cordelia at Entrance . Edgar . Cordelia , royal Fair , turn yet once more , And e're successfull Burgundy receive The treasure of thy Beauties from the King , E're happy Burgundy for ever fold Thee , Cast back one pitying Look on wretched Edgar . Cord. Alas what wou'd the wretched Edgar with The more Unfortunate Cordelia ; Who in obedience to a Father's will Flys from her Edgar's Arms to Burgundy's ? Lear. Attend my Lords of Albany and Cornwall With Princely Burgundy . Alb. We do , my Liege . Lear. Give me the Mapp â�� know , Lords , We have divided In Three our Kingdom , having now resolved To disengage from Our long Toil of State , Conferring All upon your younger years ; You , Burgundy , Cornwall and Albany Long in Our Court have made your amorous sojourn And now are to be answer'd â�� tell me my Daughters Which of you Loves Us most , that We may place Our largest Bounty with the largest Merit . Gonerill , Our Eldest-born , speak first . Gon. Sir , I do love You more than words can utter , Beyond what can be valu'd , Rich or Rare , Nor Liberty , nor Sight , Health , Fame , or Beauty Are half so dear , my Life for you were vile , As much as Child can love the best of Fathers . Lear. Of all these Bounds , ev'n from this Line to this With shady Forests and wide-skirted Meads , We make Thee Lady , to thine and Albany's Issue Be this perpetual â�� What says Our Second Daughter ? Reg. My Sister , Sir , in part exprest my Love , For such as Hers , is mine , though more extended ; Sense has no other Joy that I can relish , I have my All in my dear Lieges Love ! Lear. Therefore to thee and thine Hereditary Remain this ample Third of our fair Kingdom . Cord. Now comes my Trial , how am I distrest , That must with cold speech tempt the chol'rick King Rather to leave me Dowerless , than condemn me To loath'd Embraces ! Lear. Speak now Our last , not least in Our dear Love , So ends my Task of State , â�� Cordelia speak , What canst Thou say to win a richer Third Than what thy Sisters gain'd ? Cord. Now must my Love in words fall short of theirs As much as it exceeds in Truth â�� Nothing my Lord. Lear. Nothing can come of Nothing , speak agen . Cord. Unhappy am I that I can't dissemble , Sir , as I ought , I love your Majesty , No more nor less . Lear. Take heed Cordelia , Thy Fortunes are at stake , think better on 't And mend thy Speech a little . Cord. O my Liege , You gave me Being , Bred me , dearly Love me , And I return my Duty as I ought , Obey you , Love you , and most Honour you ! Why have my Sisters Husbands , if they love you All ? Happ'ly when I shall Wed , the Lord whose Hand Shall take my Plight , will carry half my Love , For I shall never marry , like my Sisters , To Love my Father All. Lear. And goes thy Heart with this ? 'T is said that I am Chol'rick , judge me Gods , Is there not cause ? now Minion I perceive The Truth of what has been suggested to Us , Thy Fondness for the Rebel Son of Gloster , False to his Father , as Thou art to my Hopes : And oh take heed , rash Girl , lest We comply With thy fond wishes , which thou wilt too late Repent , for know Our nature cannot brook A Child so young and so Ungentle . Cord. So young my Lord and True. Lear. Thy Truth then be thy Dow'r , For by the sacred Sun and solemn Night I here disclaim all my paternal Care , And from this minute hold thee as a Stranger Both to my Blood and Favour . Kent . This is Frenzy . Consider , good my Liege â�� Lear. Peace Kent . Come not between a Dragon and his Rage . I lov'd her most , and in her tender Trust Design'd to have bestow'd my Age at Ease ! So be my Grave my Peace as here I give My Heart from her , and with it all my Wealth : My Lords of Cornwall and of Albany , I do invest you jointly with full Right In this fair Third , Cordelia's forfeit Dow'r . Mark me , My Lords , observe Our last Resolve , Our Self attended with an hundred Knights Will make Aboad with you in monthly Course , The Name alone of King remain with me , Yours be the Execution and Revenues , This is Our final Will , and to confirm it This Coronet part between you . Kent . Royal Lear , Whom I have ever honour'd as my King , Lov'd as my Father , as my Master follow'd , And as my Patron thought on in my Pray'rs â�� Lear. Away , the Bow is bent , make from the Shaft . Kent . No , let it fall and drench within my Heart , Be Kent unmannerly when Lear is mad : Thy youngest Daughter â�� Lear. On thy Life no more . Kent . What wilt thou doe , old Man ? Lear. Out of my sight ! Kent . See better first . Lear. Now by the gods â�� Kent . Now by the gods , rash King , thou swear'st in vain . Lear. Ha Traytour â�� Kent . Do , kill thy Physician , Lear , Strike through my Throat , yet with my latest Breath I 'll Thunder in thine Ear my just Complaint , And tell Thee to thy Face that Thou dost ill . Lear. Hear me rash Man , on thy Allegiance hear me ; Since thou hast striv'n to make Us break our Vow And prest between our Sentence and our Pow'r , Which nor our Nature nor our Place can bear , We banish thee for ever from our Sight And Kingdom ; if when Three days are expir'd Thy hated Trunk be found in our Dominions That moment is thy Death ; Away . Kent . Why fare thee well , King , since thou art resolv'd , I take thee at thy word , and will not stay To see thy Fall : the gods protect the Maid That truly thinks , and has most justly said . Thus to new Climates my old Truth I bear , Friendship lives Hence , and Banishment is Here. [ Exit . Lear. Now Burgundy , you see her Price is faln , Yet if the fondness of your Passion still Affects her as she stands , Dow'rless , and lost In our Esteem , she 's yours , take her or leave her . Burg. Pardon me , Royal Lear , I but demand The Dow'r your Self propos'd , and here I take Cordelia by the Hand Dutchess of Burgundy . Lear. Then leave her Sir , for by a Father's rage I tell you all her Wealth . Away . Burg. Then Sir be pleas'd to charge the breach Of our Alliance on your own Will Not my Inconstancy . [ Exeunt . Manent Edgar and Cordelia . Edg. Has Heaven then weigh'd the merit of my Love , Or is 't the raving of my sickly Thought ? Cou'd Burgundy forgoe so rich a Prize And leave her to despairing Edgar's Arms ? Have I thy Hand Cordelia , do I clasp it , The Hand that was this minute to have join'd My hated Rivals ? do I kneel before thee And offer at thy feet my panting Heart ? Smile , Princess , and convince me , for as yet I doubt , and dare not trust the dazling Joy. Cord. Some Comfort yet that 't was no vicious Blot That has depriv'd me of a Father's Grace , But meerly want of that that makes me rich In wanting it , a smooth professing Tongue : O Sisters , I am loth to call your fault As it deserves ; but use our Father well , And wrong'd Cordelia never shall repine . Edg. O heav'nly Maid that art thy self thy Dow'r , Richer in Vertue than the Stars in Light , If Edgar's humble fortunes may be grac't With thy Acceptance , at thy feet he lays ' em . Ha my Cordelia ! dost thou turn away ? What have I done t' offend Thee ? Cord. Talk't of Love. Edg. Then I 've offended oft , Cordelia too Has oft permitted me so to offend . Cord. When , Edgar , I permitted your Addresses , I was the darling Daughter of a King , Nor can I now forget my royal Birth , And live dependent on my Lover's Fortune . I cannot to so low a fate submit , And therefore study to forget your Passion , And trouble me upon this Theam no more . Edg. Thus Majesty takes most State in Distress ! How are we tost on Fortune's fickle flood ! The Wave that with surprising kindness brought The dear Wreck to my Arms , has snatcht it back , And left me mourning on the barren Shore . [ Aside . Cord. This Baseness of th' ignoble Burgundy Draws just suspicion on the Race of Men , His Love was Int'rest , so may Edgar's be And He but with more Complement dissemble ; If so , I shall oblige him by Denying : But if his Love be fixt , such Constant flame As warms our Breasts , if such I find his Passion , My Heart as gratefull to his Truth shall be , And Cold Cordelia prove as Kind as He. [ Exit . Enter Bastard hastily . Bast. Brother , I 've found you in a lucky minute , Fly and be safe , some Villain has incens'd Our Father against your Life . Edg. Distrest Cordelia ! but oh ! more Cruel ! Bast. Hear me Sir , your Life , your Life 's in Danger . Edg. A Resolve so sudden And of such black Importance ! Bast. 'T was not sudden , Some Villain has of long time laid the Train . Edg. And yet perhaps 't was but pretended Coldness , To try how far my passion would pursue . Bast. He hears me not ; wake , wake Sir. Edg. Say ye Brother ? â�� No Tears good Edmund , if thou bringst me tidings To strike me dead , for Charity delay not , That present will befit so kind a Hand . Bast. Your danger Sir comes on so fast That I want time t' inform you , but retire Whilst I take care to turn the pressing Stream . O gods ! for Heav'ns sake Sir. Edg. Pardon me Sir , a serious Thought Had seiz'd me , but I think you talkt of danger And wisht me to Retire ; must all our Vows End thus ! â�� Friend I obey you â�� O Cordelia ! [ Exit . Bast. Ha! ha ! fond Man , such credulous Honesty Lessens the Glory of my Artifice , His Nature is so far from doing wrongs That he suspects none : if this Letter speed And pass for Edgar's , as himself wou'd own The Counterfeit but for the foul Contents , Then my designs are perfect â�� here comes Gloster . [ Enter Gloster . Glost. Stay Edmund , turn , what paper were you reading ? Bast. A Trifle Sir. Glost. What needed then that terrible dispatch of it Into your Pocket , come produce it Sir. Bast. A Letter from my Brother Sir , I had Just broke the Seal but knew not the Contents , Yet fearing they might prove to blame Endeavour'd to conceal it from your sight . Glost. 'T is Edgar's Character . [ Reads .

This Policy of Fathers is intollerable that keeps our Fortunes from us till Age will not suffer us to enjoy 'em ; I am weary of the Tyranny : Come to me that of this I may speak more : if our Father would sleep till I wak't him , you shou'd enjoy half his Possessions , and live beloved of your Brother

Edgar . Slept till I wake him , you shou'd enjoy Half his possessions â�� Edgar to write this 'Gainst his indulgent Father ! Death and Hell ! Fly , Edmund , seek him out , wind me into him That I may bite the Traytor 's heart , and fold His bleeding Entrals on my vengefull Arm. Bast. Perhaps 't was writ , my Lord , to prove my Vertue . Glost. These late Eclipses of the Sun and Moon Can bode no less ; Love cools , and friendship fails , In Cities mutiny , in Countrys discord , The bond of Nature crack't 'twixt Son and Father : Find out the Villain , do it carefully And it shall lose thee nothing . [ Exit . Bast. So , now my project 's firm , but to make sure I 'll throw in one proof more and that a bold one ; I 'll place old Gloster where he shall o're-hear us Confer of this design , whilst to his thinking , Deluded Edgar shall accuse himself . Be Honesty my Int'rest and I can Be honest too , and what Saint so Divine That will successfull Villany decline ! [ Exit . Enter Kent disguis'd . Kent . Now banisht Kent , if thou canst pay thy duty In this disguise where thou dost stand condemn'd , Thy Master Lear shall find thee full of Labours . Enter Lear attended . Lear. In there , and tell our Daughter we are here Now ; What art Thou ? Kent . A Man , Sir. Lear. What dost thou profess , or wou'dst with us ? Kent .

I do profess to be no less then I seem , to serve him truly that puts me in Trust , to love him that 's Honest , to converse with him that 's wise and speaks little , to fight when I can't choose ; and to eat no Fish.

Lear. I say , what art Thou ? Kent . A very honest-hearted fellow , and as poor as the King. Lear. Then art thou poor indeed â�� What can'st thou do ? Kent .

I can keep honest Counsel , marr a curious Tale in the telling , deliver a plain Message bluntly , that which ordinary Men are fit for I am qualify'd in , and the best of me is Diligence .

Lear. Follow me , thou shalt serve me . Enter one of Gonerill's Gentlemen . Now Sir ? Gent. Sir â�� [ Exit ; Kent runs after him . Lear. What says the fellow ? Call the Clatpole back . Att.

My Lord , I know not , but methinks your Highness is entertain'd with slender Ceremony .

Servant . He says , my Lord , your Daughter is not well . Lear. Why came not the Slave back when I call'd him ? Serv. My Lord , he answer'd me i' th' surliest manner , That he wou'd not . Re-enter Gentleman brought in by Kent . Lear. I hope our Daughter did not so instruct him : Now , who am I Sir ? Gent. My Ladies Father . Lear. My Lord's Knave â�� [ Strikes him . [ Gonerill at the Entrance . Gent. I 'll not be struck my Lord. Kent . Nor tript neither , thou vile Civet-box . Strikes up his heels . Gon. By Day and Night this is insufferable , I will not bear it . Lear. Now , Daughter , why that frontlet on ? Speak , do's that Frown become our Presence ? Gon. Sir , this licentious Insolence of your Servants Is most unseemly , hourly they break out In quarrels bred by their unbounded Riots , I had fair hope by making this known to you T' have had a quick Redress , but find too late That you protect and countenance their out-rage ; And therefore , Sir , I take this freedom , which Necessity makes Discreet . Lear. Are you our Daughter ? Gon. Come , Sir , let me entreat you to make use Of your discretion , and put off betimes This Disposition that of late transforms you From what you rightly are . Lear. Do's any here know me ? why this is not Lear. Do's Lear walk thus ? speak thus ? where are his Eyes ? Who is it that can tell me who I am ? Gon. Come , Sir , this Admiration's much o' th' savour Of other your new humours , I beseech you To understand my purposes aright ; As you are old , you shou'd be staid and wise , Here do you keep an hundred Knights and Squires , Men so debaucht and bold that this our Palace Shews like a riotous Inn , a Tavern , Brothel ; Be then advised by her that else will take The she beggs , to lessen your Attendance , Take half a way , and see that the remainder Be such as may befit your Age , and know Themselves and you . Lear. Darkness and Devils ! Saddle my Horses , call my Train together , Degenerate Viper , I 'll not stay with Thee ; I yet have left a Daughter â�� Serpent , Monster , Lessen my Train , and call 'em riotous ? All men approv'd of choice and rarest Parts , That each particular of duty know â�� How small , Cordelia , was thy Fault ? O Lear , Beat at this Gate that let thy Folly in , And thy dear Judgment out ; Go , go , my People . [ Going off meets Albany entring . Ingratefull Duke , was this your will ? Alb. What Sir ? Lear. Death ! fifty of my Followers at a clap ! Alb. The matter Madam ? Gon. Never afflict your self to know the Cause , But give his Dotage way . Lear. Blasts upon thee , Th' untented woundings of a Father's Curse Pierce ev'ry Sense about Thee ; old fond Eyes Lament this Cause again , I 'll pluck ye out And cast ye with the Waters that ye lose To temper Clay â�� No , Gorgon , thou shalt find That I 'll resume the Shape which thou dost think I have cast off for ever . Gon. Mark ye that . Lear. Hear Nature ! Dear Goddess hear , and if thou dost intend To make that Creature fruitfull , change thy purpose ; Pronounce upon her Womb the barren Curse , That from her blasted Body never spring A Babe to honour her â�� but if she must bring forth , Defeat her Joy with some distorted Birth , Or monstrous Form , the Prodigy o' th' Time , And so perverse of spirit , that it may Live Her Torment as 't was Born , to fret her Cheeks With constant Tears , and wrinkle her young Brow. Turn all her Mother's Pains to Shame and Scorn , That she may curse her Crime too late , and feel How sharper than a Serpent's Tooth it is To have a Thankless Child ! Away , away . [ Exit cum suis. Gon. Presuming thus upon his numerous Train He thinks to play the Tyrant here , and hold Our Lives at will. Alb. Well , you may bear too far . [ Ex. End of the First Act.

ACT II. SCENE , Gloster's House . Enter Bastard . Bast. THE Duke comes here to night , I 'll take advantage Of his Arrival to compleat my project , Brother a Word , come forth , 't is I your Friend , [ Enter Edgar . My Father watches for you , fly this place , Intelligence is giv'n where you are hid , Take the advantage of the Night , bethink ye Have not spoke against the Duke of Cornwall Something might shew you a favourer of Duke Albany's Party ? Edg. Nothing , why ask you ? Bast. Because he 's coming here to Night in haste And Regan with him â�� heark ! the Guards , Away . Ed. Let 'em come on , I 'll stay and clear my self . Bast. Your Innocence at leisure may be heard , But Gloster's storming Rage as yet is deaf , And you may perish e're allow'd the hearing . [ Ex. Edgar . Gloster comes yonder : now to my feign'd scuffle â�� Yield , come before my Father ! Lights here , Lights ! Some Blood drawn on me wou'd beget opinion [ Stabs his Arm. Of our more fierce Encounter â�� I have seen Drunkards do more than this in sport . Glost. Now , Edmund , where 's the Traytour ? Enter Gloster and Servants . Bast. That Name , Sir , Strikes Horrour through me , but my Brother , Sir , Stood here i' th' Dark . Glost. Thou bleed'st , pursue the Villain And bring him piece-meal to me . Bast. Sir , he 's fled . Glost. Let him fly far , this Kingdom shall not hide him : The noble Duke , my Patron , comes to Night , By his Authority I will proclaim Rewards for him that brings him to the Stake , And Death for the Concealer . Then of my Lands , loyal and natural Boy , I 'll work the means to make thee capable . Exeunt . Enter Kent ( disguis'd still ) and Goneril's Gentleman , severally . Gent. Good morrow Friend , belong'st thou to this House ? Kent . Ask them will answer thee . Gent. Where may we set our Horses ? Kent . I' th' Mire . Gent. I am in haste , prethee an' thou lovâ��st me , tell me . Kent . I love thee not . Gent. Why then I care not for Thee . Kent . An' I had thee in Lipsbury Pinfold , I 'd make thee care for me . Gent. What dost thou mean ? I know thee not . Kent . But , Minion , I know Thee . Gent. What dost thou know me for ? Kent .

For a base , proud , beggarly , white-liver'd , Glass-gazing , superserviceable finical Rogue ; one that wou'd be a Pimp in way of good Service , and art nothing but a composition of Knave , Beggar , Coward , Pandar â��

Gent.

What a monstrous Fellow art thou to rail at one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee ?

Kent .

Impudent Slave , not know me , who but two days since tript up thy heels before the King : draw , Miscreant , or I 'll make the Moon shine through thee .

Gent. What means the Fellow ? â�� Why prethee , prethee ; I tell thee I have nothing to do with thee . Kent .

I know your Rogueship's Office , you come with Letters against the King , taking my young Lady Vanity's part against her royal Father ; draw Rascal .

Gent. Murther , murther , help Ho! Kent . Dost thou scream Peacock , strike Puppet , stand dappar Slave . Gent. Help Hea ' ! Murther , help . [ Exit . Kent after him . Flourish . Enter Duke of Cornwal , Regan , attended , Gloster , Bastard . Glost. All Welcome to your Graces , you do me honour . Duke . Gloster w 'ave heard with sorrow that your Life Has been attempted by your impious Son , But Edmund here has paid you strictest Duty . Glost. He did betray his Practice , and receiv'd The Hurt you see , striving to apprehend him . Duke . Is He pursu'd ? Glost. He is , my Lord. Reg. Use our Authority to apprehend The Traytour and do Justice on his Head ; For you , Edmund , that have so signaliz'd Your Vertue , you from henceforth shall be ours ; Natures of such firm Trust we much shall need . A charming Youth and worth my further Thought . Aside . Duke . Lay comforts , noble Gloster , to your Breast , As we to ours , This Night be spent in Revels , We choose you , Gloster , for our Host to Night , A troublesome expression of our Love. On , to the Sports before us â�� who are These ? Enter the Gentleman pursu'd by Kent . Glost. Now , what 's the matter ? Duke . Keep peace upon your Lives , he dies that strikes . Whence and what are ye ? Att. Sir , they are Messengers , the one from your Sister , The other from the King. Duke . Your Difference ? speak . Gent. I 'm scarce in breath , my Lord. Kent . No marvel , you have so bestirr'd your Valour , Nature disclaims the Dastard , a Taylor made him . Duke . Speak yet , how grew your Quarrel ? Gent. Sir this old Ruffian here , whose Life I spar'd In pity to his Beard â�� Kent . Thou Essence Bottle ! In pity to my Beard ? â�� Your leave , my Lord , And I will tread the Muss-cat into Mortar . Duke . Know'st thou our Presence ? Kent . Yes , Sir , but Anger has a Privilege . Duke . Why art thou angry ? Kent . That such a Slave as this shou'd wear a Sword And have no Courage , Office and no Honesty . Not Frost and Fire hold more Antipathy Than I and such a Knave . Glost. Why dost thou call him Knave ? Kent . His Countenance likes me not . Duke . No more perhaps does Mine , nor His or Hers. Kent . Plain-dealing is my Trade , and to be plain , Sir , I have seen better Faces in my time Than stands on any Shoulders now before me . Reg. This is some Fellow that having once been prais'd , For Bluntness , since affects a sawcy Rudeness , But I have known one of these surly Knaves That in his Plainness harbour'd more Design Than twenty cringing complementing Minions . Duke . What 's the offence you gave him ? Gent. Never any , Sir. It pleas'd the King his Master lately To strike me on a slender misconstruction , Whilst watching his Advantage this old Lurcher Tript me behind , for which the King extold him ; And , flusht with th' honour of this bold exploit , Drew on me here agen . Duke . Bring forth the Stocks , we 'll teach you . Kent . Sir I 'm too old to learn ; Call not the Stocks for me , I serve the King , On whose Employment I was sent to you , You 'll shew too small Respect , and too bold Malice Against the Person of my royal Master , Stocking his Messenger . Duke . Bring forth the Stocks , as I have Life and Honour , There shall he sit till Noon . Reg. Till Noon , my Lord ? till Night , and all Night too . Kent . Why , Madam , if I were your Father's Dog You wou'd not use me so . Reg. Sir , being his Knave I will. Glost. Let me beseech your Graces to forbear him , His fault is much , and the good King his Master Will check him for 't , but needs must take it ill To be thus slighted in his Messenger . Duke . Wee 'l answer that ; Our Sister may receive it worse to have Her Gentleman assaulted : to our business lead . [ Exit . Glost. I am sorry for thee , Friend , 't is the Duke's pleasure Whose Disposition will not be controll'd , But I 'll entreat for thee . Kent . Pray do not , Sir â�� I have watcht and travell'd hard , Some time I shall sleep out , the rest I 'll whistle : [ Ex. Glost. Fare-well t' ye , Sir. All weary and o're-watcht , I feel the drowzy Guest steal on me ; take Advantage heavy Eyes of this kind Slumber , Not to behold this vile and shamefull Lodging [ Sleeps . Enter Edgar . Edg. I heard my self proclaim'd , And by the friendly Hollow of a Tree Escapt the Hunt , no Port is free , no place Where Guards and most unusual Vigilance Do not attend to take me â�� how easie now 'T were to defeat the malice of my Trale , And leave my Griefs on my Sword 's reeking point ; But Love detains me from Death's peacefull Cell , Still whispering me Cordelia's in distress ; Unkinde as she is I cannot see her wretched , But must be neer to wait upon her Fortune . Who knows but the white minute yet may come When Edgar may do service to Cordelia , That charming Hope still ties me to the Oar Of painfull Life , and makes me too , submit To th' humblest shifts to keep that Life a foot ; My Face I will besmear and knit my Locks , The Country gives me proof and president Of Bedlam Beggars , who with roaring Voices Strike in their numm'd and mortify'd bare Arms Pins , Iron-spikes , Thorns , sprigs of Rosemary , And thus from Sheep-coats Villages and Mills , Sometimes with Prayers , sometimes with Lunatick Banns Enforce their Charity , poor Tyrligod , poor Tom That 's something yet , Edgar I am no more . [ Exit Kent in the Stocks still ; Enter Lear attended . Lear. 'T is strange that they shou'd 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. Kent : Yes : Lear : No I say . Kent : I say yea : Lear. By Jupiter I swear no. Kent . By Juno I swear , I swear I. Lear. They durst not do 't They cou'd not , wou'd not do 't , 't is worse then Murder To doe upon Respect such violent out-rage . Resolve me with all modest haste which way Thou mayst deserve , or they impose this usage ? Kent . My Lord , when at their Home I did commend your Highness Letters to them , E'er I was Ris'n , arriv'd another Post Steer'd in his haste , breathless and panting forth From Gonerill his Mistress Salutations , Whose Message being deliver'd , they took Horse , Commanding me to follow and attend The leisure of their Answer ; which I did , But meeting that other Messenger Whose welcome I perceiv'd had poison'd mine , Being the very Fellow that of late Had shew'n such rudeness to your Highness , I Having more Man than Wit about me , Drew , On which he rais'd the House with Coward cries : This was the Trespass which your Son and Daughter Thought worth the shame you see it suffer here . Lear. Oh! how this Spleen swells upward to my Heart And heaves for passage â�� down thou climing Rage Thy Element's below ; where is this Daughter ? Kent . Within , Sir , at a Masque . Enter Gloster . Lear. Now Gloster ? â�� ha ! Deny to speak with me ? th' are sick , th' are weary , They have travell'd hard to Night â�� meer fetches ; Bring me a better Answer . Glost. My dear Lord , You know the fiery Quality of the Duke â�� Lear. Vengeance ! Death , Plague , Confusion , Fiery ? what Quality â�� why Gloster , Gloster , I 'd speak with the Duke of Cornwal and his Wife . Glost. I have inform'd 'em so . Lear. Inform'd ' em ! dost thou understand me , Man , I tell thee Gloster â�� Glost. I , my good Lord. Lear. The King wou'd speak with Cornwal , the dear Father Wou'd with his Daughter speak , commands her Service . Are they inform'd of this ? my Breath and Blood ! Fiery ! the fiery Duke ! tell the hot Duke â�� No , but not yet , may be he is not well : Infirmity do's still neglect all Office ; I beg his Pardon , and I 'll chide my Rashness That took the indispos'd and sickly Fit For the sound Man â�� but wherefore sits he there ? Death on my State , this Act convinces me That this Retiredness of the Duke and her Is plain Contempt ; give me my Servant forth , Go tell the Duke and 's Wife I 'd speak with ' em . Now , instantly , bid 'em come forth and hear me , Or at their Chamber door I 'll beat the Drum Till it cry sleep to Death â�� Enter Cornwall and Regan . Oh! are ye come ? Duke . 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 ; shoud'st thou not be glad I wou'd divorce me from thy Mother's Tomb ? Beloved Regan , thou wilt shake to hear What I shall utter : Thou coud'st ne'r ha' thought it , Kent here set at liberty . Thy Sister 's naught , O Regan , she has ty'd Ingratitude like a keen Vulture here , I scarce can speak to thee . Reg. I pray you , Sir , take patience ; I have hope That you know less to value her Desert , Then 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 'T is on such Grounds , and to such wholsome Ends As clears her from all Blame . Lear. My Curses on her . Reg. O Sir , you are old And shou'd content you to be rul'd and led By some discretion that discerns your State Better than you yourself , therefore Sir , Return to our Sister , and say you have wrong'd her . Lear. Ha! ask her Forgiveness ? No , no , 't was my mistake thou didst not mean so , Dear Daughter , I confess that I am old ; Age is unnecessary , but thou art good , And wilt dispense with my Infirmity . Reg. Good Sir , no more of these unsightly passions , Return back to our Sister . Lear. Never , Regan , She has abated me of half of my Train , Lookt black upon me , stabb'd me with her Tongue ; All the stor'd Vengeances of Heav'n fall On her Ingratefull Head ; strike her young Bones Ye taking Ayrs with Lameness . Reg. O the blest Gods ! Thus will you wish on me When the rash mood â�� Lear. No , Regan , Thou shalt never have my Curse , Thy tender Nature cannot give thee o're To such Impiety ; Thou better know'st The Offices of Nature , bond of Child-hood , And dues of Gratitude : Thou bear'st in mind The halfo'th ' Kingdom which our love conferr'd On thee and thine . Reg. Good Sir , toth ' purpose . Lear. Who put my Man i' th' Stocks ? Duke . What Trumpet 's that ? Reg. I know 't , my Sister 's , this confirms her Letters . Sir , is your Lady come ? Enter Gonerill's Gentleman . Lear. More Torture still ? This is a Slave whose easie borrow'd pride Dwells in the fickle Grace of her he follows ; A Fashion-fop that spends the day in Dressing , And all to bear his Ladie 's flatt'ring Message , That can deliver with a Grace her Lie , And with as bold a face bring back a greater . Out Varlet from my sight . Duke . What means your Grace ? Lear. Who stockt my Servant ? Regan , I have hope Thou didst not know it . Enter Gonerill . Who comes here ! oh Heavens ! If you do love Old men , if your sweet sway Allow Obedience ; if your selves are Old , Make it your Cause , send down and take my part ; Why , Gorgon , dost thou come to haunt me here ? Art not asham'd to look upon this Beard ? Darkness upon my Eyes they play me false , O Regan , wilt thou take her by the Hand ? 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 confessyou are so , If till the expiration of your Month You will return and sojourn with your Sister , Dismissing half your Train , come then to me , I am now from Home , and out of that Provision That shall be needfull for your Entertainment . Lear. Return with her and fifty Knights dismist ? No , rather I 'll forswear all Roofs , and chuse To be Companion to the Midnight Wolf , My naked Head expos'd to th' merciless Air Then have my smallest wants suppli'd by her . Gon. At your choice , Sir. Lear. Now I prithee Daughter do not make me mad ; I will not trouble thee , my Child , farewell , Wee 'l meet no more , no more see one another ; Let shame come when it will , I do not call it , I do not bid the Thunder-bearer strike , Nor tell Tales of thee to avenging Heav'n ; Mend when thou canst , be better at thy leisure , I can be patient , I can stay with Regan , I , and my hundred Knights . Reg. Your Pardon , Sir. I lookt not for you yet , nor am provided For your fit welcome . Lear. Is this well spoken now ? Reg. My Sister treats you fair ; what fifty Followers Is it not well ? what shou'd you need of more ? Gon. Why might not you , my Lord , receive Attendance From those whom she calls Servants , or from mine ? Reg. Why not , my Lord ? if then they chance to slack you We cou'd controll'em â�� if you come to me , For now Isee the Danger , I entreat you To bring but Five and Twenty ; to no more Will I give place . Lear. Hold now my Temper , stand this bolt unmov'd And I am Thunder-proof ; The wicked when compar'd with the more wicked Seem beautifull , and not to be the worst , Stands in some rank of Praise ; now , Gonerill , Thou art innocent agen , I 'll go with thee ; Thy Fifty yet , do's double Five and Twenty , And thou art twice her Love. Gon. Hear me , my Lord , What need you Five and Twenty , Ten , or Five , To follow in a House where twice so many Have a Command t' attend you ? Reg. What need one ? Lear. Blood , Fire ! hear â�� Leaprosies and bluest Plague Room , room for Hell to belch her Horrors up And drench the Circes in a stream of Fire ; Heark how th' Infernals eccho to my Rage Their Whips and Snakes â�� Reg. How lewd a thing is Passion ! Gon. So old and stomachfull . Lightning and Thunder . Lear. Heav'ns drop your Patience down ; You see me here , ye Gods , a poor old Man As full of Griefs as Age , wretched in both â�� I 'll bear no more : no , you unnatural Haggs , I will have such Revenges on you both , That all the world shall â�� I will do such things What they are yet I know not , but they shall be The Terrors of the Earth ; you think I 'll weep , Thunder again . This Heart shall break into a thousand pieces Before I 'll weep â�� O Gods ! I shall go mad . [ Exit . Duke . 'T is a wild Night , come out o' th' Storm . [ Exeunt . End of the Second Act.

ACT III. SCENE , A Desert Heath . Enter Lear and Kent in the Storm . Lear. BLOW Winds and burst your Cheeks , rage louderyet , Fantastick Lightning singe , singe my white Head ; Spout Cataracts , and Hurricanos fall Till you have drown'd the Towns and Palaces Of proud ingratefull Man. Kent . Not all my best intreaties can perswade him Into some needfull shelter , or to bide This poor slight Cov'ring on his aged Head Expos'd to this wild war of Earth and Heav'n . Lear. Rumble thy fill , fight Whirlwind , Rain and Fire : Not Fire , Wind , Rain or Thunder are my Daughters : I tax not you ye Elements with unkindness ; I never gave you Kingdoms , call'd you Children , You owe me no Obedience , then let fall Your horrible pleasure , here I stand your Slave , A poor , infirm , weak and despis'd old man ; Yet I will call you servile Ministers , That have with two pernicious Daughters join'd Their high-engendred Battle against a Head So Old and White as mine , Oh! oh ! 't is Foul. Kent . Hard by , Sir , is a Hovel that will lend Some shelter from this Tempest . Lear. I will forget my Nature , what ? so kind a Father , I , there 's the point . Kent . Consider , good my Liege , Things that love Night Love not such Nights as this ; these wrathfull Skies Frighten the very wanderers o' th' Dark , And make 'em keep their Caves ; such drenching Rain , Such Sheets of Fire , such Claps of horrid Thunder , Such Groans of roaring Winds have ne're been known . Lear. Let the Great Gods , That keep this dreadfull pudder o're our Heads Find out their Enemies now , tremble thou Wretch That hast within thee undiscover'd Crimes . Hide , thou bloody Hand , Thou perjur'd Villain , holy , holy Hypocrite , That drinkst the Widows Tears , sigh now and cry These dreadfull Summoners Grace , I am a Man More sin'd against than sinning . Kent . Good Sir , to th' Hovell . Lear. My wit begins to burn , Come on my Boy , how dost my Boy ? art Cold ? I 'm cold my Self ; shew me this Straw , my Fellow , The Art of our Necessity is strange , And can make vile things precious ; my poor Knave , [ Lond. Storm . Cold as I am at Heart , I 've one place There [ Exit . That 's sorry yet for Thee . Gloster's Palace . Enter Bastard . Bast. The Storm is in our louder Rev'lings drown'd . Thus wou'd I Reign cou'd I but mount a Throne . The Riots of these proud imperial Sisters Already have impos'd the galling Yoke Of Taxes , and hard Impositions on The drudging Peasants Neck , who bellow out . Their loud Complaints in Vain â�� Triumphant Queens ! With what Assurance do they tread the Crowd . O for a Tast of such Majestick Beauty , Which none but my hot Veins are fit t' engage ; Nor are my Wishes desp'rate , for ev'n now During the Banquet I observed their Glances Shot thick at me , and as they left the Room Each cast by stealth a kind inviting Smile , The happy Earnest â�� ha ! Two Servants from several Entrances deliver him each a Letter , and Ex. Where merit is so Transparent , not to behold it [ Reads . Were Blindness , and not to reward it Ingratitude . Gonerill . Enough ! Blind , and Ingratefull should I be Not to Obey the Summons ofThis Oracle . Now for a Second Letter . [ Opens the other . If Modesty be not your Enemy , doubt not to Find me your Friend . Regan . Excellent Sybill ! O my glowing Blood ! I am already sick of expectation , And pant for the Possession â�� here Gloster comes With Bus'ness on his Brow ; be husht my Joys . Glost.

I come to seek thee , Edmund , to impart a business of Importance ; I knew thy loyal Heart is toucht to see the Cruelty of these ingratefull Daughters against our royal Master .

Bast. Most Savage and Unnatural . Glost.

This change in the State sits uneasie . The Commons repine aloud at their female Tyrants , already they Cry out for the re-installment of their good old King , whose Injuries I fear will inflame 'em into Mutiny .

Bast. 'T is to be hopt , not fear'd . Glost. Thou hast it Boy , 't is to be hopt indeed , On me they cast their Eyes , and hourly Court me To lead 'em on , and whilst this Head is Mine I am Theirs , a little covert Craft , my Boy , And then for open Action , 't will be Employment Worthy such honest daring Souls as Thine . Thou , Edmund , art my trusty Emissary , Haste on the Spur at the first break of day With these Dispatches to the Duke of Combray ; Gives him Letters . You know what mortal Feuds have alwaies flam'd Between this Duke of Cornwall's Family , and his Full Twenty thousand Mountaners Th invetrate Prince will send to our Assistance . Dispatch ; Commend us to his Grace , and Prosper . Bast. Yes , credulous old Man , [ Aside . I will commend you to his Grace , His Grace the Duke of Cornwall â�� instantly To shew him these Contents in thy own Character , And Seal'd with thy own Signet ; then forthwith The Chol'rick Duke gives Sentence on thy Life ; And to my hand thy vast Revenues fall To glut my Pleasure that till now has starv'd . Gloster going off is met by Cordelia entring , Bastard observing at a Distance . Cord. Turn , Gloster , Turn , by all the sacred Pow'rs I do conjure you give my Griefs a Hearing , You must , you shall , nay I am sure you will , For you were always stil'd the Just and Good. Glost. What wou'dst thou , Princess ? rise and speak thy Griefs . Cord. Nay , you shall promise to redress 'em too , Or here I 'll kneel for ever ; I intreat Thy succour for a Father and a King , An injur'd Father and an injur'd King. Bast. O charming Sorrow ! how her Tears adorn her Like Dew on Flow'rs , but she is Virtuous , And I must quench this hopeless Fire i' th' Kindling . Glost. Consider , Princess , For whom thou begg'st , 't is for the King that wrong'd Thee . Cord. O name not that ; he did not , cou'd not wrong me . Nay muse not , Gloster , for it is too likely This injur'd King e're this is past your Aid , And gone Distracted , with his savage Wrongs . Bast. I 'll gaze no more â�� and yet my Eyes are Charm'd . Cord. Or what if it be Worse ? can there be Worse ? As 't is too probable this furious Night Has pierc'd his tender Body , the bleak Winds And cold Rain chill'd , or Lightning struck him Dead ; If it be so your Promise is discharg'd , And I have only one poor Boon to beg , That you 'd Convey me to his breathless Trunk , With my torn Robes to wrap his hoary Head , With my torn Hair to bind his Hands and Feet , Then with a shew'r of Tears To wash his Clay-smear'd Cheeks , and Die beside him . Glost , Rise , fair Cordelia , thou hast Piety Enough t' attone for both thy Sisters Crimes . I have already plotted to restore My injur'd Master , and thy Vertue tells me We shall succeed , and suddenly . [ Exit . Cord. Dispatch , Arante , Provide me a Disguise , we 'll instantly Go seek the King , and bring him some Relief . Ar. How , Madam ? are you Ignorant Of what your impious Sisters have decreed ? Immediate Death for any that relieve him . Cord. I cannot dread the Furies in this case . Ar. In such a Night as This ? Consider , Madam , For many Miles about there 's scarce a Bush To shelter in . Cord. Therefore no shelter for the King , And more our Charity to find him out : What have not Women dar'd for vicious Love , And we 'll be shining Proofs that they can dare For Piety as much ; blow Winds , and Lightnings fall , Bold in my Virgin Innocence , I 'll flie My Royal Father to Relieve , or Die. [ Exit . Bast. Provide me a Disguise , we 'll instantly Go seek the King : â�� ha ! ha ! a lucky change , That Vertue which I fear'd would be my hindrance Has prov'd the Bond to my Design ; I 'll bribe two Ruffians that shall at a distance follow , And seise 'em in some desert Place , and there Whilst one retains her t' other shall return T' inform me where she 's Lodg'd ; I 'll be disguis'd too . Whilst they are poching for me I 'll to the Duke With these Dispatches , then to th'Field Where like the vig'rous Jove I will enjoy This Semele in a Storm , 't will deaf her Cries Like Drums in Battle , lest her Groans shou'd pierce My pittying Ear , and make the amorous Fight less fierce . [ Exit . Storm still . The Field Scene . Enter Lear and Kent . Kent . Here is the place , my Lord ; good my Lord enter ; The Tyranny of this open Night 's too rough For Nature to endure . Lear. Let me alone . Kent . Good my Lord , enter . Lear. Wilt break my Heart ? Kent . Beseech you , Sir. Lear. Thou think'st 't is much that this contentious Storm Invades us to the Skin so , 't is to thee But where the greater Malady is fixt The lesser is scarce felt : the Tempest in my Mind Do's from my Senses take all feeling else Save what beats there . Filial Ingratitude ! Is it not as this Mouth shou'd tear this Hand For lifting Food to 't ? â�� but I 'll punish home . No , I will weep no more ; in such a Night To shut me out â�� pour on , I will endure In such a Night as this : O Regan , Gonerill , Your old kind Father whose frank heart gave All , O that way madness lies , let me shun that , No more of that . Kent . See , my Lord , here 's the Entrance . Lear. Well , I 'll go in And pass it all , I 'll pray and then I 'll sleep : Poor naked Wretches wheresoe're you are , That ' bide the pelting of this pittiless Storm , How shall your houseless Heads and unfed Sides Sustain this Shock ? your raggedness defend you From Seasons such as These . O I have ta'ne too little Care of this , Take Physick , Pomp , Expose thy self to feel what Wretches feel , That thou may'st cast the superflux to them , And shew the Heav'ns more Just. Edgar in the Hovell . Five Fathom and a half , poor Tom. Kent . What art thou that dost grumble there i' th' Straw ? Come forth . Edg.

Away ! The foul Fiend follows me â�� through the sharp Haw-thorn blows the cold Wind â�� Mum , Go to thy Bed and warm Thee . â�� ha ! what do I see ? by all my Griefs the poor old King beheaded ,

[ Aside . And drencht in this fow Storm , professing Syren , Are all your Protestations come to this ? Lear.

Tell me , Fellow , dist thou give all to thy Daughters ?

Edg.

Who gives any thing to poor Tom , whom the foul Fiend has led through Fire and through Flame , through Bushes and Boggs , that has laid Knives under his Pillow , and Halters in his Pue , that has made him proud of Heart to ride on a Baytrotting Horse over four inch'd Bridges , to course his own Shadow for a Traytor . â�� bless thy five Wits , Tom's a cold [ Shivers . ] bless thee from Whirlwinds , Star-blasting and Taking : do poor Tom some Charity , whom the foul Fiend vexes â�� Sa , sa , there I could have him now , and there , and there agen .

Lear. Have his Daughters brought him to this pass ? Cou'dst thou save Nothing ? didst thou give 'em All ? Kent He has no Daughters , Sir. Lear. Death , Traytor , nothing cou'd have subdu'd Nature To such a Lowness but his unkind Daughters . Edg. Pillicock sat upon Pillicock Hill ; Hallo , hallo , hallo . Lear. Is it the fashion that discarded Fathers Should have such little Mercy on their Flesh ? Iudicious punishment , 't was this Flesh begot Those Pelican Daughters . Edg.

Take heed of the fow Fiend , obey thy Parents , keep thy Word justly , Swear not , commit not with Man's sworn Spouse , set not thy sweet Heart on proud Array : Tom's a Cold.

Lear. What hast thou been ? Edg.

A Serving-man proud of Heart , that curl'd my Hair , us'd Perfume and Washes , that serv'd the Lust of my Mistresses Heart , and did the Act of Darkness with her . Swore as many Oaths as I spoke Words , and broke 'em all in the sweet Face of Heaven : Let not the Paint , nor the Patch , nor the rushing of Silks betray thy poor Heart to Woman , keep thy Foot out of Brothels , thy Hand out of Plackets , thy Pen from Creditors Books , and defie the foul Fiend â�� still through the Hawthorn blows the cold Wind â�� Sess , Suum , Mun , Nonny , Dolphin my Boy â�� hist ! the Boy , Sesey ! soft let him Trot by .

Lear.

Death , thou wert better in thy Grave , than thus to answer with thy uncover'd Body this Extremity of the Sky . And yet consider him well , and Man's no more than This ; Thou art indebted to the Worm for no Silk , to the Beast for no Hide , to the Cat for no Perfume â�� ha ! here 's Two of us are Sophisticated ; Thou art the Thing it self , unaccommated Man is no more than such a poor bare forkt Animal as thou art .

Off , Off , ye vain Disguises , empty Lendings , I 'll be my Original Self , quick , quick , Uncase me . Kent . Defend his Wits , good Heaven ! Lear. One point I had forgot ; what 's your Name ? Edg.

Poor Tom that eats the swimming Frog , the Wall-nut , and the Water-nut ; that in the fury of his Heart when the foul Fiend rages eats Cow-dung for Sallets , swallows the old Rat and the Ditch-dog , that drinks the green Mantle of the standing Pool that 's whipt from Tithing to Tithing ; that has Three Suits to his Back , Six Shirts to his Body , Horse to Ride , and Weapon to wear , But Rats and Mice , and such small Deer Have been Tom's Food for Seven long Year . Beware , my Follower ; Peace , Smulkin ; Peace , thou foul Fiend .

Lear.

One word more , but be sure true Councel ; tell me , is a Madman a Gentleman , or a Yeoman ?

Kent . I fear'd 't wou'd come to This , his Wits are gone . Edg.

Fraterreto calls me , and tells me , Nero is an Angler in the Lake of Darkness . Pray , Innocent , and beware the foul Fiend .

Lear.

Right , ha ! ha ! was it not pleasant to have a Thousand with red hot Spits come hizzing in upon ' em ?

Edg. My Tears begin to take his part so much They marr my Counterfeiting . Lear.

The little Dogs and all , Trey , Blanch and Sweet-heart , see they Bark at me .

Edg. Tom will throw his Head at 'em ; Avaunt ye Curs . Be thy Mouth or black or white , Tooth that poysons if it bite , Mastiff , Grey-hound , Mungrill , Grim , Hound or Spanniel , Brach or Hym , Bob-tail , Tight , or Trundle-tail , Tom will make 'em weep and wail , For with throwing thus my Head Dogs leap the Hatch , and All are fled .

Ud , de , de , de . Se , se , se. Come march to Wakes , and Fairs , and Market-Towns , â�� Poor Tom , thy Horn is dry .

Lear.

You Sir , I entertain you for One of my Hundred , only I do not like the fashion of your Garments , you 'll say they 're Persian , but no matter , let 'em be chang'd .

Enter Gloster . Edg.

This is the foul Flibertigibet , he begins at Curfew and walks at first Cock , he gives the Web and the Pin , knits the Elflock , squints the Eye , and makes the Hair-lip , mildews the white Wheat , and hurts the poor Creature of the Earth ; Swithin footed Thrice the Cold , He met the Night-mare and her Nine-fold , 'T was there he did appoint her ; He bid her alight and her Troth plight , And arroynt the Witch arroynt her .

Glost. What , has your Grace no better Company ? Edg.

The Prince of Darkness is a Gentleman ; Modo he is call'd , and Mahu .

Glost. Go with me , Sir , hard by I have a Tenant .

My Duty cannot suffer me to obey in all your Daughters hard Commands , who have enjoyn'd me to make fast my Doors , and let this Tyrannous Night take hold upon you . Yet have I ventur'd to come seek you out , and bring you where both Fire and Food is ready .

Kent . Good my Lord , take his offer . Lear. First let me talk with this Philosopher , Say , Stagirite , what is the Cause of Thunder . Glost. Beseech you , Sir , go with me . Lear. I 'll talk a Word with this same Learned Theban . What is your Study ? Edg. How to prevent the Fiend , and to kill Vermin . Lear. Let me ask you a Word in private . Kent .

His Wits are quite unsetled ; Good Sir , let 's force him hence .

Glost.

Canst blame him ? his Daughters seek his Death ; This Bedlam but disturbs him the more . Fellow , be gone .

Edg. Child Rowland to the dark Tow'r came , His Word was still Fie , Fo , and Fum , I smell the Bloud of a British Man. â�� Oh Torture ! [ Exit . Glost.

Now , I prethee Friend , let 's take him in our Arms , and carry him where he shall meet both Welcome , and Protection .

Good Sir , along with us . Lear.

You say right , let 'em Anatomize Regan , see what breeds about her Heart ; is there any Cause in Nature for these hard Hearts ?

Kent . Beseech your Grace . Lear.

Hist ! â�� Make no Noise , make no Noise â�� so so ; we 'll to Supper i' th' Morning .

[ Exeunt . Enter Cordelia and Arante . Ar. Dear Madam , rest ye here , our search is Vain , Look here 's a shed , beseech ye , enter here . Cord. Prethee go in thy self , seek thy own Ease , Where the Mind 's free , the Body's Delicate : This Tempest but diverts me from the Thought Of what wou'd hurt me more . Enter Two Ruffians . 1 Ruff. We have dog'd 'em far enough , this Place is private , I 'll keep 'em Prisoners here within this Hovell , Whilst you return and bring Lord Edmund Hither ; But help me first to House ' em . 2 Ruff. Nothing but this dear Devil [ Shows Gold. Shou'd have drawn me through all this Tempest ; But to our Work. [ They seize Cordelia and Arante , who Shriek out . Soft , Madam , we are Friends , dispatch , I say . Cord. Help , Murder , help ! Gods ! some kind Thunderbolt To strike me Dead . Enter Edgar . Edg. What Cry was That ? â�� ha , Women seiz'd by Ruffians ? Is this a Place and Time for Villany ? Avaunt ye Bloud-hounds . [ Drives'em with his Quarter-staff . Both. The Devil , the Devil ! [ Run off . Edg. O speak , what are ye that appear to be O' th' tender Sex , and yet unguarded Wander Through the dead Mazes of this dreadfull Night , Where ( tho' at full ) the Clouded Moon scarce darts Imperfect Glimmerings . Cord. First say what art thou Our Guardian Angel , that wer 't pleas'd t' assume That horrid shape to fright the Ravishers ? We 'll kneel to Thee . Edg. O my tumultuous Bloud ! By all my trembling Veins Cordelia's Voice ! 'T is she her self ! â�� My Senses sure conform To my wild Garb , and I am Mad indeed . Cord. Whate're 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 Hedge-pig for his Pillow .

Whilst Smug ply'd the Bellows She truckt with her Fellows , The Freckle-fac't Mab Was a Blouze and a Drab , Yet Swithin made Oberon jealous â�� Oh! Torture . Ar. Alack , Madam , a poor wandring Lunatick . Cord. And yet his Language seem'd but now well temper'd . Speak , Friend , to one more wretched than thy self , And if thou hast one Interval of sense , Inform us if thou canst where we may find A poor old Man , who through this Heath has stray'd The tedious Night â�� Speak , sawest thou such a One ? Edg. The King , her Father , whom she's come to seek [ Aside . Through all the Terrors of this Night . O Gods ! That such amazing Piety , such Tenderness Shou'd yet to me be Cruel â�� Yes , Fair One , such a One was lately here , And is convey'd by some that came to seek him , T' a Neighb'ring Cottage ; but distinctly where , I know not . Cord. Blessings on 'em , Let 's find him out , Arante , for thou seest We are in Heavens Protection . [ Going off . Edg. O Cordelia ! Cord. Ha! â�� Thou knowst 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 , Arante ? Edg. My Father seeks my Life , which I preserv'd In hopes of some blest Minute to oblidge Distrest Cordelia , and the Gods have giv'n it ; That Thought alone prevail'd with me to take This Frantick Dress , to make the Earth my Bed , With these bare Limbs all change ofSeasons bide , Noons scorching Heat , and Midnights 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 . Ar. Was ever Tale so full ofMisery ! Edg. But such a Fall as this I grant was due To my aspiring Love , for 't was presumptuous , Though not presumptuously persu'd ; For well you know I wore my Flames conceal'd , And silent as the Lamps that Burn in Tombs , 'Till you perceiv'd my Grief , with modest Grace Drew forth the Secret , and then seal'd my Pardon . Cord. You had your Pardon , nor can you Challenge more . Edg. What do I. Challenge more ? Such Vanity agrees not with these Rags ; When in my prosp'rous State rich Gloster's Heir , You silenc'd my Pretences , and enjoyn'd me To trouble you upon that Theam no more ; Then what Reception must Love's Language find From these bare Limbs and Beggers humble Weeds ? Cord. Such as the Voice of Pardon to a Wretch Condemn'd ; Such as the Shouts Of succ'ring 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're were spoke By a protesting Maid . Edg. Is 't possible ? Cord. By the dear Vital Stream that baths my Heart , These hallow'd Rags ofThine , and naked Vertue , These abject Tassels , these fantastick Shreds , ( Ridiculous ev'n to the meanest Clown ) To me are dearer than the richest Pomp Of purple Monarchs . Edg. Generous charming Maid , The Gods alone that made , can rate thy Worth ! This most amazing Excellence shall be Fame's Triumph , in succeeding Ages , when Thy bright Example shall adorn the Scene , And teach the World Perfection . Cord. Cold and weary , We 'll rest a while , Arante , on that Straw , Then forward to find out the poor Old King. Edg. Look I have Flint and Steel , the Implements Of wandring Lunaticks , I 'll strike a Light , And make a Fire beneath this Shed , to dry Thy Storm-drencht Garments , e're thou Lie to rest thee ; Then Fierce and Wakefull as th' Hesperian Dragon , I 'll watch beside thee to protect thy Sleep ; Mean while , the Stars shall dart their kindest Beams , And Angels Visit my Cordelia's Dreams [ Exeunt . SCENE , The Palace . Enter Cornwall , Regan , Bastard , Servants . Cornwall with Gloster's Letters . Duke . I will have my Revenge e're I depart his house . Regan , see here , a Plot upon our State , 'T is Gloster's Character , that has betray'd His double Trust of Subject , and ofOst . Reg. Then double be our Vengeance , this confirms Th' Intelligence that we now now receiv'd , That he has been this Night to seek the King ; But who , Sir , was the kind Discoverer ? Duke . Our Eagle , quick to spy , and fierce to seize , Our trusty Edmund . Reg. 'T was a noble Service ; O Cornwall , take him to thy deepest Trust , And wear him as a Jewel at thy Heart . Bast. Think , Sir , how hard a Fortune I sustain , That makes me thus repent of serving you ! [ Weeps . O that this Treason had not been , or I Not the Discoverer . Duke . Edmund , Thou shalt find A Father in our Love , and from this Minute We call thee Earl of Gloster ; but there yet Remains another Justice to be done , And that 's to punish this discarded Traytor ; But least thy tender Nature shou'd relent At his just Sufferings , nor brooke the Sight , We wish thee to withdraw . Reg. The Grotto , Sir , within the lower Grove , To Edmund Aside . Has Privacy to suit a Mourner's Thought . Bast. And there I may expect a Comforter , Ha , Madam ? Reg. What may happen , Sir , I know not , But 't was a Friends Advice . [ Ex. Bastard . Duke . Bring in the Traytour . Gloster brought in . Bind fast his Arms. Glost. What mean your Graces ? You are my Guests , pray do me no foul Play. Duke . Bind him , I say , hard , harder yet . Reg. Now , Traytor , thou shalt find â�� Duke . Speak , Rebel , where hast thou sent the King ? Whom spight of our Decree thou saw'st last Night . Glost. I 'm tide to th'Stake , and I must stand the Course . Reg. Say where , and why thou hast conceeal'd him . Glost. Because I wou'd not see thy cruel Hands Tear out his poor old Eyes , nor thy fierce Sister Carve his anointed Flesh ; but I shall see The swift wing'd Vengeance overtake such Childrer . Duke . See 't shalt thou never , Slaves perform your Work , Out with those treacherous Eyes , dispatch , I say , If thou seest Vengeance â�� Glost. He that will think to live 'till he be old , Give me some help â�� O cruel ! oh ! ye Gods. They put out his Eyes . Serv. Hold , hold , my Lord , I bar your Cruelty , I cannot love your safety and give way To such a barbarous Practise . Duke . Ha , my Villain . Serv. I have been your Servant from my Infancy , But better Service have I never done you Then with this Boldness â�� Duke . Take thy Death , Slave . Serv. Nay , then Revenge whilst yet my Bloud is Warm . [ Fight . Reg. Help here â�� are you not hurt , my Lord ? Glost. 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 broacht thy Treason , shew'd us thy Dispatches ; There â�� read , and save the Cambrian Prince a Labour , If thy Eyes fail thee call for Spectacles . Glost. O my Folly ! Then Edgar was abus'd , kind Gods forgive me that . Reg. How is 't , my Lord ? Duke . Turn out that Eye-less Villain , let him smell His way to Cambray , throw this Slave upon a Dunghill . Regan , I Bleed apace , give me your Arm. [ Exeunt . Glost. All Dark and Comfortless ! Where are those various Objects that but now Employ'd my busie Eyes ? where those Eyes ? Dead are their piercing Rays that lately shot O're flowry Vales to distant Sunny Hills , And drew with Joy the vast Horizon in . These groping Hands are now my only Guids , And Feeling all my Sight . O Misery ! what words can sound my Grief ? Shut from the Living whilst among the Living ; Dark as the Grave amidst the bustling World. At once from Business and from Pleasure bar'd ; No more to view the Beauty of the Spring , Nor see the Face of Kindred , or of Friend . Yet still one way th' extreamest Fate affords , And ev'n the Blind can find the Way to Death . Must I then tamely Die , and unreveng'd ? So Lear may fall : No , with these bleeding Rings I will present me to the pittying Crowd , And with the Rhetorick of these dropping Veins Enflame 'em to Revenge their King and me ; Then when the Glorious Mischief is on Wing , This Lumber from some Precipice I 'll throw , And dash it on the ragged Flint below ; Whence my freed Soul to her bright Sphear shall fly , Through boundless Orbs , eternal Regions spy , And like the Sun , be All one glorious Eye . [ Ex. End of the Third Act.

ACT IV. A Grotto . Edmund and Regan amorously Seated , Listning to Musick . Bast. WHY were those Beauties made Another's Right Which None can prize like Me ? charming Queen Take all my blooming Youth , for ever fold me In those soft Arms , Lull me in endless Sleep That I may dream of pleasures too transporting For Life to bear . Reg. Live , live , my Gloster , And feel no Death but that of swooning joy , I yield thee Blisses on no harder Terms Than that thou continue to be Happy . Bast. This Jealousie is yet more kind , is 't possible That I should wander from a Paradise To feed on sickly Weeds ? such Sweets live here That Constancy will be no Vertue in me , And yet must I forth with go meet her Sister , [ Aside . To whom I must protest as much â�� Suppose it be the same ; why best of all , And I have then my Lesson ready conn'd . Reg. Wear this Remembrance of me â�� I dare now [ Gives him a Ring . Absent my self no longer from the Duke Whose Wound grows Dangerous â�� I hope Mortal . Bast. And let this happy Image of your Gloster , [ Pulling out a Picture drops a Note . Lodge in that Breast where all his Treasure lies . [ Exit . Reg. To this brave Youth a Womans blooming beauties Are due : my Fool usurps my Bed â�� What 's here ? Confusion on my Eyes . [ Reads .

Where Merit is so Transparent , not to behold it were Blindness , and not to reward it , Ingratitude .

Gonerill .

Vexatious Accident ! yet Fortunate too , My Jealousie 's confirm'd , and I am taught To cast for my Defence â�� [ Enter an Officer . Now , what mean those Shouts ? and what thy hasty Entrance ? Off. A most surprizing and a sudden Change , The Peasants are all up in Mutiny , And only want a Chief to lead 'em on To Storm your Palace . Reg. On what Provocation ? Off. At last day's publick Festival , to which The Yeomen from all Quarters had repair'd , Old Gloster , whom you late depriv'd of Sight , ( His Veins yet Streaming fresh ) presents himself , Proclaims your Cruelty , and their Oppression , With the King's Injuries ; which so errag'd 'em , That now that Mutiny which long had crept Takes Wing , and threatens your Best Pow'rs . Reg. White-liver'd Slave ! Our Forces rais'd and led by Valiant Edmund , Shall drive this Monster of Rebellion back To her dark Cell ; young Gloster's Arm allays The Storm , his Father 's feeble Breath did Raise . [ Exit . The Field SCENE , Enter Edgar . Edg. The lowest and most abject Thing of Fortune Stands still in Hope , and is secure from Fear , The lamentable Change is from the Best , The Worst returns to Better â�� who comes here [ Enter Gloster , led by an old Man. My Father poorly led ? depriv'd of Sight , The precious Stones torn from their bleeding Rings ! Some-thing I heard of this inhumane Deed But disbeliev'd it , as an Act too horrid For the hot Hell of a curst Woman's fury , When will the measure of my woes be full ? Glost. Revenge , thou art afoot , Success attend Thee . Well have I sold my Eyes , if the Event Prove happy for the injur'd King. Old M.

O , my good Lord , I have been your Tenant , and your Father's Tenant these Fourscore years .

Glost. Away , get thee Away , good Friend , be gone , Thy Comforts can do me no good at All , Thee they may hurt . Old M. You cannot see your Way . Glost. I have no Way , and therefore want no Eyes , I stumbled when I saw : O dear Son Edgar , The Food of thy abused Father's Wrath , Might I but live to see thee in my Touch I 'd say , I had Eyes agen . Edg. Alas , he 's sensible that I was wrong'd , And shou'd I own my Self , his tender Heart Would break betwixt th' extreams of Grief and Joy. Old M. How now , who 's There ? Edg.

A Charity for poor Tom. Play fair , and defie the foul Fiend .

O Gods ! and must I still persue this Trade , [ Aside . Trifling beneath such Loads ofMisery ? Old M. 'T is poor mad Tom. Glost. In the late Storm I such a Fellow saw , Which made me think a Man a Worm , Where is the Lunatick ? Old M. Here , my Lord. Glost. Get thee now away , if for my sake Thou wilt o're-take us hence a Mile or Two I' th' way tow'rd Dover , do 't for ancient Love , And bring some cov'ring for this naked Wretch Whom I 'll intreat to lead me . Old M. Alack , my Lord , He 's Mad. Glost. 'T is the Time's Plague when Mad-men lead the Blind . Do as I bid thee . Old M. I 'll bring him the best ' Parrel that I have Come on 't what will. [ Exit . Glost. Sirrah , naked Fellow . Edg. Poor Tom's a cold ; â�� I cannot fool it longer , And yet I must â�� bless thy sweet Eyes they Bleed , Believe 't poor Tom ev'n weeps his Blind to see ' em . Glost. Know'st thou the way to Dover ? Edg.

Both Stile and Gate , Horse-way and Foot-path , poor Tom has been scar'd out of his good Wits ; bless every true Man's Son from the foul Fiend .

Glost. Here , take this Purse , that I am wretched Makes thee the Happier , Heav'n deal so still . Thus let the griping Userers Hoard be Scatter'd , So Distribution shall undo Excess , And each Man have enough . Dost thou know Dover ? Edg. I , Master . Glost. There is a Cliff , whose high and bending Head Looks dreadfully down on the roaring Deep . Bring me but to the very Brink of it , And I 'll repair the Poverty thou bearst With something Rich about me , from that Place I shall no leading need . Edg. Give me thy Arm : poor Tom shall guid thee . Glost. Soft , for I hear the Tread ofPassengers . Enter Kent and Cordelia . Cord. Ah me ! your Fear 's too true , it was the King ; I spoke but now with some that met him As Mad as the vext Sea , Singing aloud , Crown'd with rank Femiter and furrow Weeds , With Berries , Burdocks , Violets , Dazies , Poppies , And all the idle Flow'rs that grow In our sustaining Corn , conduct me to him To prove my last Endeavours to restore him , And Heav'n so prosper thee . Kent . I will , good Lady . Ha , Gloster here ! â�� turn , poor dark Man , and hear A Friend's Condolement , who at Sight of thine Forgets his own Distress , thy old true Kent . Glost. How , Kent ? from whence return'd ? Kent . I have not since my Banishment been absent , But in Disguise follow'd the abandon'd King ; 'T was me thou saw'st with him in the late Storm . Glost. Let me embrace thee , had I Eyes I now Should weep for Joy , but let this trickling Blood Suffice instead of Tears . Cord. O misery ! To whom shall I complain , or in what Language ? Forgive , O wretched Man , the Piety That brought thee to this pass , 't was I that caus'd it , I cast me at thy Feet , and beg of thee To crush these weeping Eyes to equal Darkness , If that will give thee any Recompence . Edg. Was ever Season so distrest as This ? [ Aside . Glost. I think Cordelia's Voice ! rise , pious Princess , And take a dark Man's Blessing . Cord. O , my Edgar , My Vertue 's now grown Guilty , works the Bane Of those that do befriend me , Heav'n forsakes me , And when you look that Way , it is but Just That you shou'd hate me too . Edg. O wave this cutting Speech , and spare to wound A Heart that 's on the Rack . Glost. No longer cloud thee , Kent , in that Disguise , There 's business for thee and of noblest weight ; Our injur'd Country is at length in Arms , Urg'd by the King 's inhumane Wrongs and Mine , And only want a Chief to lead 'em on . That Task be Thine . Edg. Brave Britains then there 's Life in 't yet . [ Aside . Kent . Then have we one cast for our Fortune yet . Come , Princess , I 'll bestow you with the King , Then on the Spur to Head these Forces . Farewell , good Gloster , to our Conduct trust . Glost. And be your Cause as Prosp'rous as t is Just. [ Exeunt . Gonerill's Palace . Enter Gonerill , Attendants . Gon. It was great Ignorance Gloster's Eyes being out To let him live , where he arrives he moves All Hearts against us , Edmund I think is gone In pity to his Misery to dispatch him . Gent. No , Madam , he 's return'd on speedy Summons Back to your Sister . Gon. Ha! I like not That , Such speed must have the Wings of Love ; where 's Albany . Gent. Madam , within , but never Man so chang'd ; I told him of the uproar of the Peasants , He smil'd at it , when I inform'd him Of Gloster's Treason â�� Gon. Trouble him no further , It is his coward Spirit , back to our Sister , Hasten her Musters , and let her know I have giv'n the Distaff into my Husband's Hands . That done , with special Care deliver these Dispatches In private to young Gloster . Enter a Messenger . Mess. O Madam , most unseasonable News , The Duke of Cornwall's Dead of his late Wound , Whose loss your Sister has in part supply'd , Making brave Edmund General of her Forces . Gon. One way I like this well ; But being Widow and my Gloster with her May blast the promis'd Harvest of our Love. A word more , Sir , â�� add Speed to your Journey , And if you chance to meet with that blind Traytor , Preferment falls on him that cuts him off . [ Exeunt . Field SCENE . Gloster and Edgar . Glost. When shall we come to th' Top of that same Hill ? Edg. We climb it now , mark how we Labour . Glost. Methinks the Ground is even . Edg. Horrible Steep ; heark , do you hear the Sea ? Glost. No truly . Edg. Why then your other Senses grow imperfect , By your Eyes Anguish . Glost. So may it be indeed . Methinks thy Voice is alter'd , and thou speak'st In better Phrase and Matter than thou did'st . Edg. You are much deceiv'd , in nothing am I Alter'd But in my Garments . Glost. Methinks y' are better Spoken . Edg. Come on , Sir , here 's the Place , how fearfull And dizy 't is to cast one's Eyes so Low. The Crows and Choughs that wing the Mid-way Air Shew scarce so big as Beetles , half way down Hangs one that gathers Sampire , dreadfull Trade ! The Fisher-men that walk upon the Beach Appear like Mice , and yon tall Anch'ring Barque Seems lessen'd to her Cock , her Cock a Buoy Almost too small for Sight ; the murmuring Surge Cannot be heard so high , I 'll look no more Lest my Brain turn , and the disorder make me Tumble down head-long . Glost. Set me where you stand . Edg. You are now within a Foot of th' extream Verge . For all beneath the Moon I wou'd not now Leap forward . Glost. Let go my Hand , Here , Friend , is another Purse , in it a Jewel Well worth a poor Man's taking ; get thee further , Bid me Farewell , and let me hear thee going . Edg. Fare you well , Sir , â�� that I do Trifle thus With this his Despair is with Design to cure it . Glost. Thus , mighty Gods , this World I do renounce , And in your Sight shake my Afflictions off ; If I cou'd bear 'em longer and not fall To quarrel with your great opposeless Wills , My Snuff and feebler Part ofNature shou'd Burn it self out ; if Edgar Live , O Bless him . Now , Fellow , fare thee well . Edg. Gone , Sir ! Farewell . And yet I know not how Conceit may rob The Treasury ofLife , had he been where he thought , By this had Thought been past â�� Alive , or Dead ? Hoa Sir , Friend ; hear you , Sir , speak â�� Thus might he pass indeed â�� yet he revives . What are you , Sir ? Glost. Away , and let me Die. Edg. Hadst thou been ought but Gosmore , Feathers , Air , Falling so many Fathom down Thou hadst Shiver'd like an Egg ; but thou dost breath Hast heavy Substance , bleedst not , speak'st , art sound ; Thy Live's a Miracle . Glost. But have I faln or no ? Edg. From the dread Summet of this chalky Bourn : Look up an Height , the shrill-tun'd Lark so high Cannot be seen , or heard ; do but look up . Glost. Alack , I have no Eyes . Is wretchedness depriv'd that Benefit To End it self by Death ? Edg. Give me your Arm. Up , so , how is 't ? feel you your Legs ? you stand . Glost. Too well , too well . Edg. Upon the Crow o' th' Cliff , what Thing was that Which parted from you ? Glost. A poor unfortunate Begger . Edg. As I stood here below , me-thought his Eyes Were two Full Moons , wide Nostrils breathing Fire . It was some Fiend , therefore thou happy Father , Think that th'all-powerfull Gods who make them Honours Of Mens Impossibilities have preserv'd thee . Glost. 'T is wonderfull ; henceforth I 'll bear Affliction Till it expire ; the Goblin which you speak of , I took it for a Man : oft-times 't would say , The Fiend , the Fiend : He led me to that Place . Edg. Bear free and patient Thoughts : but who comes here ? Enter Lear , a Coronet of Flowers on his Head. Wreaths and Garlands about him . Lear.

No , no , they cannot touch me for Coyning , I am the King Himself .

Edg. O piercing Sight . Lear.

Nature's above Art in that Respect ; There 's your Press-money : that Fellow handles his Bow like a Cow-keeper , â�� draw me a Clothier's yard . A Mouse , a Mouse ; peace hoa : there 's my Gauntlet , I 'll prove it on a Giant : bring up the brown Bills : O well flown Bird ; i' th White , i' th' White â�� Hewgh ! give the Word .

Edg. Sweet Marjorum . Lear. Pass . Glost. I know that Voice . Lear.

Ha! Gonerill with a white Beard ! they flatter'd me like a Dog , and told me I had white Hairs on my Chin , before the Black ones were there ; to say I and No to every thing that I said , I and No too was no good Divinity . When the Rain came once to wet me , and the Winds to make me Chatter ; when the Thunder wou'd not Peace at my Bidding . There I found'em , there I smelt'em out ; go too , they are not men of their words , They told me I was a King , 't is a Lie , I am not Ague proof .

Glost. That Voice I well remember , is 't not the King's ? Lear. I , every Inch a King , when I do Stare See how the Subject quakes . I pardon that Man's Life , what was the Cause ? Adultery ? Thou shalt not Die. Die for Adultery ! The Wren goes to 't , and the small gilded Flie Engenders in my Sight : Let Copulation thrive , For Gloster's Bastard Son was kinder to his Father Than were my Daughters got i' th' lawfull Bed. To 't Luxury , pell mell , for I lack Souldiers . Glost. Not all my Sorrows past so deep have toucht me , As the sad Accents : Sight were now a Torment â�� Lear. Behold that simp'ring Lady , she that starts At Pleasure's Name , and thinks her Ear profan'd With the least wanton Word , wou'd you believe it , The Fitcher nor the pamper'd Steed goes to 't

With such a riotous Appetite : down from the Wast they are Centaurs , tho Women all Above ; but to the Girdle do the Gods inherit , beneath is all the Fiends ; There 's Hell , there 's Darkness , the Sulphurous unfathom'd â�� Fie ! fie ! pah ! â�� an Ounce of Civet , good Apothecary , to sweeten my Imagination â�� There 's Money for thee .

Glost. Let me kiss that Hand . Lear. Let we wipe it first ; it smells of Mortality . Glost. Speak , Sir ; do you know me ? Lear.

I remember thy Eyes well enough : Nay , do thy worst , blind Cupid , I 'll not Love â�� read me this Challenge , mark but the penning of it .

Glost. Were all the Letters Suns I cou'd not see . Edg. I wou'd not take this from Report : wretched Cordelia , What will thy Vertue do when thou shalt find This fresh Affliction added to the Tale Of thy unparrallel'd Griefs . Lear. Read. Glost. What with this Case of Eyes ? Lear.

O ho ! are you there with me ? no Eyes in your Head , and no money in your Purse ? yet you see how this World goes .

Glost. I see it Feelingly . Lear.

What ? art Mad ? a Man may see how this World goes with no Eyes . Look with thy Ears , see how yon Justice rails on that simple Thief ; shake'em together , and the first that drops , be it Thief or Justice , is a Villain . â�� Thou hast seen a Farmer 's Dog bark at a Beggar .

Glost. I , Sir. Lear.

And the Man ran from the Curr ; there thou mightst behold the great Image of Authority , a Dog 's obey'd in Office. Thou Rascal , Beadle , hold thy bloody Hand , why dost thou Lash that Strumpet ? thou hotly Lust'st to enjoy her in that kind for which thou whipst her , do , do , the Judge that sentenc'd herhas been before-hand with thee .

Glost. How stiff is my vile Sense that yields not yet ? Lear.

I tell thee the Usurer hangs the Couz'ner , through tatter'd Robes small Vices do appear , Robes and Fur-gowns hide All : Place Sins with Gold , why there 't is for thee , my Friend , make much of it , it has the Pow'r to seal the Accuser's Lips. Get thee glass Eyes , and like a scurvy Politician , seem to see the Things thou dost not . Pull , pull off my Boots , hard , harder , so , so .

Glost. O Matter and Impertinency mixt Reason in Madness . Lear. If thou wilt weep my Fortunes take my Eyes , I know thee well enough , thy Name is Gloster . Thou must be patient , we came Crying hither Thou knowst , the first time that We tast the Air We Wail and Cry â�� I 'll preach to thee , Mark. Edg. Break lab'ring Heart . Lear. When we are Born we Cry that we are come To this great Stage of Fools . â�� Enter Two or Three Gentlemen . Gent. O here he is , lay hand upon him , Sir , Your dearest Daughter sends â�� Lear.

No Rescue ? what , a Prisoner ? I am even the natural Fool of Fortune : Use me well , you shall have Ransome â�� let me have Surgeons , Oh I am cut to th' Brains .

Gent. You shall have any Thing . Lear.

No Second's ? all my Self ? I will Die bravely like a smug Bridegroom , flusht and pamper'd as a Priest's Whore. I am a King , my Masters , know ye that ?

Gent. You are a Royal one , and we Obey you . Lear.

It were an excellent Stratagem to Shoe a Troop of Horse with Felt , I 'll put in proof â�� no Noise , no Noise â�� now will we steal upon these Sons in Law , and then â�� Kill , kill , kill , kill !

[ Ex. Running . Glost. A Sight most moving in the meanest Wretch , Past speaking in a King. Now , good Sir , what are you ? Edg. A most poor Man made tame to Fortune's strokes , And prone to Pity by experienc'd Sorrows ; give me your Hand . Glost. You ever gentle Gods take my Breath from me , And let not my ill Genius tempt me more To Die before you please . Enter Gonerill's Gentleman Usher . Gent. A proclaim'd Prize , O most happily met , That Eye-less Head of thine was first fram'd Flesh To raise my Fortunes ; Thou old unhappy Traytor , The Sword is out that must Destroy thee . Glost. Now let thy friendly Hand put Strength enough to 't . Gent. Wherefore , bold Peasant , Darst thou support a publisht Traytor , hence , Lest I destroy Thee too . Let go his Arm. Edg. ' I hill not Let go Zir , without vurther ' Casion . Gent. Let go Slave , or thou Dyest . Edg.

Good Gentleman go your Gate , and let poor Volk pass , and'Chu'd ha' bin Zwagger'd out of my Life it wou'd not a bin zo long as 't is by a Vort-night â�� Nay , an' thou com'st near th' old Man , I'ce try whether your Costard or my Ballow be th' harder .

Gent. Out , Dunghill . Edg. ' I hill pick your Teeth , Zir ; Come , no matter vor your Voines . Gent. Slave , thou hast Slain me ; oh untimely Death . Edg. I know thee well , a serviceable Villain , As duteous to the Vices of thy Mistress As Lust cou'd wish . Glost. What , is he Dead ? Edg. Sit you , Sir , and rest you . This is a Letter Carrier , and may have Some Papers of Intelligence that may stand Our Party in good stead , to know â�� what 's here ? [ Takes a Letter out of his Pocket , opens , and reads . To Edmund Earl of Glester .

Let our Mutual Loves be remembred , you have many opportu nities to Cut him off , if he return the Conqueror then I am still a Prisoner , and his Bed my Goal , from the loath'd Warmth of which deliver me , and supply the Place for your Labour .

Gonerill .

A Plot upon her Husband's Life , And the Exchange my Brother â�� here i' th' Sands . I 'll rake thee up thou Messenger ofLust , Griev'd only that thou hadst no other Deaths-man . In Time and Place convenient I 'll produce These Letters to the Sight of th' injur'd Duke As best shall serve our Purpose ; Come , your Hand . Far off methinks I hear the beaten Drum , Come , Sir , I will bestow you with a Friend . [ Exeunt . A Chamber . Lear a Sleep on a Couch ; Cordelia , and Attendants standing by him . Cord. His Sleep is sound , and may have good Effect To Cure his jarring Senses , and repair This Breach of Nature . Phys. We have employ'd the utmost Pow'r of Art , And this deep Rest will perfect our Design . Cord. O Regan , Gonerill , inhumane Sisters , Had he not been your Father , these white Hairs Had challeng'd sure some pity , was this a Face To be expos'd against the jarring Winds ? My Enemy's Dog though he had bit me shou'd

Have stood that Night against my Fire â�� he wakes , speak to him .

Gent. Madam , do you , 't is fittest . Cord. How do's my royal Lord ? how fares your Majesty ? Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' th' Grave . Ha! is this too a World of Cruelty ? I know my Priviledge , think not that I will Be us'd still like a wretched Mortal , no , No more of That . Cord. Speak to me , Sir , who am I ? Lear. You are a Soul in Bliss , but I am bound Upon a wheel of Fire , which my own Tears Do scald like Molten Lead . Cord. Sir , do you know me ? Lear. You are a Spirit , I know , where did you Die ? Cord. Still , still , far wide . Phys.

Madam , he 's scarce awake ; he 'll soon grow more compos'd .

Lear. Where have I been ? where am I ? fair Day-light ! I am mightily abus'd , I shou'd ev'n Die with pity To see Another thus . I will not swear These are my Hands . Cord. O look upon me , Sir , And hold your Hands in Blessing o're me , nay , You must not kneel . Lear. Pray do not mock me . I am a very foolish fond Old Man , Fourscore and upward , and to deal plainly with you , I fear I am not in my perfect Mind . Cord. Nay , then farewell to patience ; witness for me Ye mighty Pow'rs , I ne're complain'd till now ! Lear. Methinks I shou'd know you , and know this Man , Yet I am Doubtfull , for I am mainly Ignorant What Place this is , and all the skill I have Remembers not these Garments , nor do I know Where I did Sleep last Night â�� pray do not mock me â�� For , as I am a Man , I think that Lady To be my Child Cordelia . Cord. O my dear , dear Father ! Lear. Be your Tears wet ? yes faith ; pray do not weep , I know I have giv'n thee Cause , and am so humbled With Crosses since , that I cou'd ask Forgiveness of thee were it possible That thou cou'dst grant it , but I 'm well assur'd Thou canst not ; therefore I do stand thy Justice , If thou hast Poyson for me I will Drink it , Bless thee and Die. Cord. O pity , Sir , a bleeding Heart , and cease This killing Language . Lear. Tell me , Friends , where am I ? Gent. In your own Kingdom , Sir. Lear. Do not Abuse me . Gent. Be comforted , good Madam , for the Violence Of his Distemper's past ; we 'll lead him in Nor trouble him , till he is better Setled . Wilt please you , Sir , walk into freer Air. Lear. You must bear with me , I am Old and Foolish . [ They lead him off : Cord. The Gods restore you â�� heark , I hear afar The beaten Drum , Old Kent's a Man of 's Word . O for an Arm Like the fierce Thunderer's , when th' earth-born Sons Storm'd Heav'n , to fight this injur'd Father's Battle . That I cou'd shift my Sex , and die me deep In his Opposer's Blood , but as I may With Womens Weapons , Piety and Pray'rs , I 'll aid his Cause â�� You never-erring Gods Fight on his side , and Thunder on his Foes Such Tempest as his poor ag'd Head sustain'd ; Your Image suffers when a Monarch bleeds . 'T is your own Cause , for that your Succours bring , Revenge your Selves , and right an injur'd King. End of the Fourth Act.

ACT V. SCENE , A Camp. Enter Gonerill and Attendants . Gon. OUR Sisters Pow'rs already are arriv'd , And She her self has promis'd to prevent The Night with her Approach : have you provided The Banquet I bespoke for her Reception At my Tent ? Att. So , please your Grace , we have . Gon. But thou , my Poysner , must prepare the Bowl That Crowns this Banquet , when our Mirth is high , The Trumpets sounding and the Flutes replying , Then is the Time to give this fatal Draught To this imperious Sister ; if then our Arms succeed , Edmund more dear than Victory is mine . But if Defeat or Death it self attend me , 'T will charm my Ghost to think I 've left behind me [ Trumpet . No happy Rival : heark , she comes . [ Exeunt . Enter Bastard in his Tent. Bast. To both these Sisters have I sworn my Love , Each jealous of the other , as the Stung Are of the Adder ; neither can be held If both remain Alive ; where shall I fix ? Cornwall is Dead , and Regan's empty Bed Seems cast by Fortune for me , but already I have enjoy'd her , and bright Gonerill With equal Charms brings dear variety , And yet untasted Beauty : I will use Her Husband's Countenance for the Battail , then Usurp at once his Bed and Throne . [ Enter Officers . My trusty Scouts y' are well return'd , have ye descry'd The Strength and Posture of the Enemy ? Off. We have , and were surpriz'd to find The banisht Kent return'd , and at their Head ; Your Brother Edgar on the Rear ; Old Gloster ( a moving Spectacle ) led through their Ranks , Whose pow'rfull Tongue , and more prevailing Wrongs , Have so enrag'd their rustick Spirits , that with Th' approaching Dawn we must expect their Battle . Bast. You bring a welcome Hearing ; Each to his Charge . Line well your Ranks and stand on your Award , To Night repose you , and i' th' Morn we 'll give The Sun a Sight that shall be worth his Rising . [ Exeunt . SCENE , A Valley near the Camp. Enter Edgar and Gloster . Edg. Here , Sir , take you 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 . [ Exit . Glost. Thanks ; friendly Sir ; The Fortune your good Cause deserves betide you . An Alarum , after which Gloster speaks . The Fight grows hot ; the whole War 's now at Work , And the goar'd Battle bleeds in every Vein , Whilst Drums and Trumpets drown loud Slaughter's Roar : Where 's Gloster now that us'd to head the Fray , And scour the Ranks where deadliest Danger lay ? Here like a Shepherd in a lonely Shade , Idle , unarm'd , and listning to the Fight . Yet the disabled Courser , Maim'd and Blind , When to his Stall he hears the ratling War , Foaming with Rage tears up the batter'd Ground , And tugs for Liberty . No more of Shelter , thou blind Worm , but forth To th' open Field ; the War may come this way And crush thee into Rest. â�� Here lay thee down And tear the Earth , that work befits a Mole . O dark Despair ! when , Edgar , wilt thou come To pardon and dismiss me to the Grave ! [ A Retreat sounded . Heark ! a Retreat , the King has Lost or Won . Re-enter Edgar , bloody . Edg. Away , old Man , give me your Hand , away ! King Lear has loft , He and his Daughter tane , And this , ye Gods , is all that I can save Of this most precious Wreck : give me your Hand . Glost. No farther , Sir , a Man may Rot even here . Edg. What ? in ill Thoughts again ? Men must endure Their going hence ev'n as their coming hither . Glost. And that 's true too . [ Exeunt . Flourish . Enter in Conquest , Albany , Gonerill , Regan , Bastard . â�� Lear , Kent , Cordelia Prisoners . Alb. It is enough to have Conquer'd , Cruelty Shou'd ne're survive the Fight , Captain o' th' Guards Treat well your royal Prisoners till you have Our further Orders , as you hold our Pleasure . Gon. Heark , Sir , not as you hold our Husbands pleasure [ To the Captain aside . But as you hold your Life , dispatch your Pris'ners . Our Empire can have no sure Settlement But in their Death , the Earth that covers them Binds fast our Throne . Let me hear they are Dead . Capt. I shall obey your Orders . Bast. 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 , 'T were best prevent â�� Alb. Sir , by your Favour , I hold you but a Subject of this War , Not as a Brother . Reg. That 's as we list to Grace him . Have you forgot that He did lead our Pow'rs ? Bore the Commission , of our Place and Person ? And that Authority may well stand up And call it self your Brother . 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 A Prince and Conquerour , yet e'er you Triumph , Give Ear to what a Stranger can deliver Of what concerns you more than Triumph can . I do impeach your General there of Treason , Lord Edmund , that usurps the Name of Gloster , Of fowlest Practice 'gainst your Life and Honour ; This Charge is True , and wretched though I seem I can produce a Champion that will prove In single Combat what I do avouch ; If Edmund dares but trust his Cause and Sword. Bast. What will not Edmund dare , my Lord , I beg The favour that you 'd instantly appoint The Place where I may meet this Challenger , Whom I will sacrifice to my wrong'd Fame , Remember , Sir , that injur'd Honour 's nice And cannot brook delay . Alb. Anon , before our Tent , i' th' Army's view , There let the Herald cry . Edg. I thank your Highness in my Champion's Name , He 'll wait your Trumpet 's call . Alb. Lead . [ Exeunt . Manent , Lear , Kent , Cordelia , guarded . Lear. O Kent , Cordelia ! You are the onely Pair that I e'er wrong'd , And the just Gods have made you Witnesses Of my Disgrace , the very shame of Fortune , To see me chain'd and shackled at these years ! Yet were you but Spectatours of my Woes , Not fellow-sufferers , all were well ! Cord. This language , Sir , adds yet to our Affliction . Lear. Thou , Kent , didst head the Troops that fought my Battel , Expos'd thy Life and Fortunes for a Master That had ( as I remember ) banisht Thee . Kent . Pardon me , Sir , that once I broke your Orders , Banisht by you , I kept me here disguis'd To watch your Fortunes , and protect your Person , You know you entertain'd a rough blunt Fellow , One Cajus , and you thought he did you Service . Lear. My trusty Cajus , I have lost him too ! [ Weeps . 'T was a rough Honesty . Kent . I was that Cajus , Disguis'd in that course Dress to follow you . Lear. My Cajus too ! wer 't thou my trusty Cajus , Enough , enough â�� Cord. Ah me , he faints ! his Blood forsakes his Cheek , Help , Kent â�� Lear. No , no , they shall not see us weep , We 'll see them rot first , â�� Guards lead away to Prison , Come , Kent , Cordelia come , We Two will sit alone , like Birds i' th' Cage , When Thou dost ask me Blessing , I 'll kneel down And ask of Thee Forgiveness ; Thus we 'll live , And Pray , and Sing , and tell old Tales , and Laugh At gilded Butter-flies , hear Sycophants . Talk of Court News , and we 'll talk with them too , Who loses , and who wins , who 's in , who 's out , And take upon us the Mystery of Things As if we were Heav'ns Spies . Cord. Upon such Sacrifices The Gods themselves throw Incense . Lear. Have I caught ye ? He that parts us must bring a Brand from Heav'n . Together we 'll out-toil the spight of Hell , And Die the Wonders of the World ; A way . [ Exeunt , guarded . Flourish : Enter before the Tents , Albany , Gonerill , Regan , Guards and Attendants ; Gonerill speaking apart to the Captain of the Guards entring . Gon. Here 's Gold for Thee , Thou knowst our late Command Upon your Pris'ners Lives , about it streight , and at Our Ev'ning Banquet let it raise our Mirth To hear that They are Dead . Capt. I shall not fail your Orders . [ Ex. Albany , Gon. Reg. take their Seats . Alb. Now , Gloster , trust to thy single Vertue , for thy Souldiers , All levied in my Name , have in my Name Took their Discharge ; now let our Trumpets speak , And Herald read out This. [ Herald Reads .

If any Man of Quality , within the Lists of the Army , will maintain upon Edmund , suppos'd Earl of Gloster , that he is a manifold Traytour , let him appear by the third sound of the Trumpet ; He is bold in his Defence . â�� Agen , Agen.

[ Trumpet Answers from within . Enter Edgar , Arm'd . Alb. Lord Edgar ! Bast. Ha! my Brother ! This is the onely Combatant that I cou'd fear ; For in my Breast Guilt Duels on his side , But , Conscience , what have I to do with Thee ? Awe Thou thy dull Legitimate Slaves , but I Was born a Libertine , and so I keep me . Edg. My noble Prince , a word â�� e'er we engage Into your Highness's Hands I give this Paper , It will the truth of my Impeachment prove Whatever be my fortune in the Fight . Alb. We shall peruse it . Edg. Now , Edmund , draw thy Sword , That if my Speech has wrong'd a noble Heart , Thy Arm may doe thee Justice : here i' th' presence Of this high Prince , these Queens , and this crown'd List , I brand thee with the spotted name of Traytour , False to thy Gods , thy Father and thy Brother , And what is more , thy Friend ; false to this Prince : If then Thou shar'st a spark of Gloster's Vertue , Acquit thy self , or if Thou shar'st his Courage , Meet this Defiance bravely . Bast. And dares Edgar , The beaten routed Edgar , brave his Conquerour ? From all thy Troops and Thee , I forc't the Field , Thou hast lost the gen'ral Stake , and art Thou now Come with thy petty single Stock to play This after-Game ? Edg. Half-blooded Man , Thy Father's Sin first , then his Punishment , The dark and vicious Place where he begot thee Cost him his Eyes : from thy licentious Mother Thou draw'st thy Villany ; but for thy part Of Gloster's Blood , I hold thee worth my Sword. Bast. Thou bear'st thee on thy Mother's Piety , Which I despise ; thy Mother being chaste Thou art assur'd Thou art but Gloster's Son , But mine , disdaining Constancy , leaves me To hope that I am sprung from nobler Blood , And possibly a King might be my Sire : But be my Birth 's uncertain Chance as 't will , Who 't was that had the hit to Father me I know not ; 't is enough that I am I : Of this one thing I 'm certain â�� that I have A daring Soul , and so have at thy Heart Sound Trumpet . [ Fight , Bastard falls . Gon. and Reg. Save him , save him . Gon. This was Practice , Gloster , Thou won'st the Field , and wast not bound to Fight A vanquisht Enemy , Thou art not Conquer'd But couz'ned and betray'd . Alb. Shut your Mouth , Lady , Or with this Paper I shall stop it â�� hold , Sir , Thou worse than any Name , reade thy own evil , No Tearing , Lady , I perceive you know it . Gon. Say if I do , who shall arraign me for 't ? The Laws are Mine , not Thine . Alb. Most monstrous ! ha , Thou know'st it too . Bast. Ask me not what I know , I have not Breath to Answer idle Questions . Alb. I have resolv'd â�� your Right , brave Sir , has conquer'd , [ To Edgar . Along with me , I must consult your Father . [ Ex. Albany and Edgar . Reg. Help every Hand to save a noble Life ; My half o' th' Kingdom for a Man of Skill To stop this precious stream . Bast. Away ye Empericks , Torment me not with your vain Offices : The Sword has pierc't too far ; Legitimacy At last has got it . Reg. The Pride of Nature Dies . Gon. Away , the minutes are too precious , Disturb us not with thy impertinent Sorrow . Reg. Art Thou my Rival then profest ? Gon. Why , was our Love a Secret ? cou'd there be Beauty like Mine , and Gallantry like His And not a mutual Love ? just Nature then Had err'd : behold that Copy of Perfection , That Youth whose Story will have no foul Page But where it says he stoopt to Regan's Arms : Which yet was but compliance , not Affection ; A Charity to begging , ruin'd Beauty ! Reg. Who begg'd when Gonerill writ That ? expose it [ Throws her a Letter . And let it be your Army's mirth , as 't was This charming Youth 's and mine , when in the Bow'r He breath'd the warmest ecstasies of Love , Then panting on my Breast , cry'd matchless Regan That Gonerill and Thou shou'd e'er be Kin ! Gon. Die , Circe , for thy Charms are at an End , Expire before my Face , and let me see How well that boasted Beauty will become Congealing Blood and Death's convulsive Pangs . Die and be husht , for at my Tent last Night Thou drank'st thy Bane , amidst thy rev'ling Bowls : Ha! dost thou Smile ? is then thy Death thy Sport Or has the trusty Potion made thee Mad ? Reg. Thou com'st as short of me in thy Revenge As in my Gloster's Love , my Jealousie Inspir'd me to prevent thy feeble Malice And Poison Thee at thy own Banquet . Gon. Ha! Bast. No more , my Queens , of this untimely Strife , You both deserv'd my Love and both possest it . Come , Souldiers , bear me in ; and let Your royal Presence grace my last minutes : Now , Edgar , thy proud Conquest I forgive ; Who wou'd not choose , like me , to yield his Breath T' have Rival Queens contend for him in Death ? [ Exeunt . SCENE , A Prison . Lear asleep , with his Head on Cordelia's Lap. Cord. What Toils , thou wretched King , hast Thou endur'd To make thee draw , in Chains , a Sleep so sound ? Thy better Angel charm thy ravisht Mind With fancy'd Freedom ; Peace is us'd to lodge On Cottage Straw , Thou hast the Begger 's Bed , Therefore shou'dst have the Begger 's careless Thought . And now , my Edgar , I remember Thee , What Fate has seiz'd Thee in this general Wreck I know not , but I know thou must be wretched Because Cordelia holds Thee Dear . O Gods ! a suddain Gloom o'er-whelms me , and the Image Of Death o'er-spreads the Place . â�� ha ! who are These ? Enter Captain and Officers with Cords . Capt. Now , Sirs , dispatch , already you are paid In part , the best of your Reward 's to come . Lear.

Charge , charge upon their Flank , their last Wing haults ;

Push , push the Battel , and the Day 's our own . Their Ranks are broke , down , down with Albany . Who holds my Hands ? â�� O thou deceiving Sleep , I was this very Minute on the Chace ; And now a Prisoner here â�� What mean the Slaves ? You will not Murder me ? Cord. Help Earth and Heaven ! For your Souls sake's , dear Sirs , and for the Gods. Offic.

No Tears , good Lady , no pleading against Gold and Preferment ;

Come , Sirs , make ready your Câ��â��ds . Cord. You , Sir , I 'll seize , You have a humane Form , and if no Pray'rs Can touch your Soul to spare a poor King's Life , If there be any Thing that you hold dear , By That I beg you to dispatch me First . Capt. Comply with her Request , dispatch her First . Lear. Off Hell-hounds , by the Gods I charge you spare her ; 'T is my Cordelia , my true pious Daughter : No Pity ? â�� Nay then take an old Man's Vengeance . Snatches a Partizan , and strikes down two of them ; the rest quit Cordelia , and turn upon him . Enter Edgar and Albany . Edg. Death ! Hell ! Ye Vultures hold your impious Hands , Or take a speedier Death than you wou'd give . Capt. By whose Command ? Edg. Behold the Duke your Lord. Alb. Guards , seize those Instruments of Cruelty . Cord. My Edgar , Oh! Edg. My dear Cordelia , Lucky was the Minute Of our Approach , the Gods have weigh'd our Suffrings ; W' are past the Fire , and now must shine to Ages . Gent. Look here , my Lord , see where the generous King Has slain Two of 'em . Lear. Did I not , Fellow ? I 've seen the Day , with my good biting Faulchion I cou'd have made 'em skip ; I am Old now , And these vile Crosses spoil me ; Out of Breath ! Fie , Oh! quite out of Breath and spent . Alb. Bring in old Kent , and , Edgar , guide you hither Your Father , whom you said was near , [ Ex. Edgar . He may be an Ear-witness at the least Of our Proceedings . [ Kent brought in here . Lear. Who are you ? My Eyes are none o'th'best , I 'll tell you streight ; Oh Albany ! . Well , Sir , we are your Captives , And you are come to see Death pass upon us . Why this Delay ? â�� or is't your Highness pleasure To give us first the Torture ? Say ye so ? Why here 's old Kent and I , as tough a Pair As e'er bore Tyrant's Stroke : â�� but my Cordelia , My poor Cordelia here , O pitty ! â�� Alb. Take off their Chains â�� Thou injur'd Majesty , The Wheel of Fortune now has made her Circle , And Blessings yet stand 'twixt thy Grave and Thee . Lear. Com'st Thou , inhumane Lord , to sooth us back To a Fool 's Paradise of Hope , to make Our Doom more wretched ? go too , we are too well Acquainted with Misfortune to be gull'd With Lying Hope ; No , we will hope no more . Alb. I have a Tale t' unfold so full of Wonder As cannot meet an easy Faith ; But by that Royal injur'd Head 't is True. Kent . What wou'd your Highness ? Alb. Know the noble Edgar Impeacht Lord Edmund since the Fight , of Treason , And dar'd him for the Proof to single Combat , In which the Gods confirm'd his Charge by Conquest ; I left ev'n now the Traytor wounded Mortally . Lear. And whither tends this Story ? Alb. E'er they fought Lord Edgar gave into my Hands this Paper , A blacker Scrowl of Treason , and of Lust Than can be found in the Records of Hell ; There , Sacred Sir , behold the Character Of Gonerill the worst of Daughters , but More Vicious Wife . Cord. Cou'd there be yet Addition to their Guilt ? What will not They that wrong a Father doe ? Alb. Since then my Injuries , Lear , fall in with Thine : I have resolv'd the same Redress for Both. Kent . What says my Lord ? Cord. Speak , for me thought I heard The charming Voice of a descending God. Alb. The Troops by Edmnnd rais'd , I have disbanded ; Those that remain are under my Command . What Comfort may be brought to cheer your Age And heal your savage Wrongs , shall be apply'd ; For to your Majesty we do Refign Your Kingdom , save what Part your Self conferr'd On Us in Marriage . Kent . Hear you that , my Liege ? Cord. Then there are Gods , and Vertue is their Care. Lear. Is 't Possible ? Let the Spheres stop their Course , the Sun make Hault , The Winds be husht , the Seas and Fountains Rest ; All Nature pause , and listen to the Change. Where is my Kent , my Cajus ? Kent . Here , my Liege . Lear. Why I have News that will recall thy Youth ; Ha! Didst Thou hear 't , or did th' inspiring Gods Whisper to me Alone ? Old Lear shall be A King again . Kent . The Prince , that like a God has Pow'r , has said it . Lear. Cordelia then shall be a Queen , mark that : Cordelia shall be Queen ; Winds catch the Sound And bear it on your rosie Wings to Heav'n . Cordelia is a Queen . Re-enter Edgar with Gloster . Alb. Look , Sir , where pious Edgar comes Leading his Eye-less Father : O my Liege ! His wondrous Story will deserve your Leisure : What He has done and suffer'd for your Sake , What for the Fair Cordelia's . Glost.

Where is my Liege ? Conduct me to his Knees to hail

His second Birth of Empire ; my dear Edgar Has , with himself , reveal'd the King's blest Restauration . Lear. My poor dark Gloster ; Glost. O let me kiss that once more sceptred Hand ! Lear. Hold , Thou mistak'st the Majesty , kneel here ; Cordelia has our Pow'r , Cordelia's Queen . Speak , is not that the noble Suffring Edgar ? Glost. My pious Son , more dear than my lost Eyes . Lear. I wrong'd Him too , but here 's the fair Amends . Edg. Your leave , my Liege , for an unwelcome Message . Edmund ( but that 's a Triflle ) is expir'd ; What more will touch you , your imperious Daughters Gonerill and haughty Regan , both are Dead , Each by the other poison'd at a Banquet ; This , Dying , they confest . Cord. O fatal Period of ill-govern'd Life ! Lear. Ingratefull as they were , my Heart feels yet A Pang of Nature for their wretched Fall ; â�� But , Edgar , I defer thy Joys too long : Thou serv'dst distrest Cordelia ; take her Crown'd : Th' imperial Grace fresh Blooming on her Brow ; Nay , Gloster , Thou hast here a Father's Right ; Thv helping Hand t'heap Blessings on their Head. Kent . Old Kent throws in his hearty Wishes too . Edg. The Gods and You too largely recompence What I have done ; the Gift strikes Merit Dumb. Cord. Nor do I blush to own my Self o'er paid For all my Suffrings past . Glost. Now , gentle Gods , give Gloster his Discharge . Lear. No , Gloster , Thou hast Business yet for Life ; Thou , Kent and I , retir'd to some cool Cell Will gently pass our short reserves of Time In calm Reflections on our Fortunes past , Cheer'd with relation of the prosperous Reign Of this celestial Pair ; Thus our Remains Shall in an even Course of Thought be past , Enjoy the present Hour , nor fear the Last . Edg. Our drooping Country now erects her Head , Peace spreads her balmy Wings , and Plenty Blooms . Divine Cordelia , all the Gods can witness How much thy Love to Empire I prefer ! Thy bright Example shall convince the World ( Whatever Storms of Fortune are decreed ) That Truth and Vertue shall at last succeed . [ Ex. Omnes . FINIS .

EPILOGUE , Spoken by Mrs. BARRY . INconstancy , the reigning Sin o' th' Age , Will scarce endure true Lovers on the Stage ; You hardly ev'n in Plays with such dispense , And PoÃ«ts kill 'em in their own Defence . Yet One bold Proof I was resolv'd to give , That I cou'd three Hours Constancy Out-live . You fear , perhaps , whilst on the Stage w' are made Such Saints , we shall indeed take up the Trade ; Sometimes we Threaten â�� but our Vertue may For Truth I fear with your Pit-Valour weigh : For ( not to flatter either ) I much doubt When We are off the Stage , and You are out , We are not quite so Coy , nor You so Stout . We talk of Nunn'ries â�� but to be sincere Whoever lives to see us Cloyster'd There , May hope to meet our Critiques at Tangier . For shame give over this inglorious Trade Of worrying PoÃ«ts , and go maule th' Alcade . Well â�� since y' are All for blustring in the Pit , This Play 's Reviver humbly do's admit Your abs'lute Pow'r to damn his Part of it ; But still so many Master-Touches shine Of that vast Hand that first laid this Design , That in great Shakespear's Right , He 's bold to say If you like nothing you have seen to Day The Play your Judgment damns , not you the Play.

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A59493-e110 Mr. Dryd . Pref. to the Span. Fryar .