Well pray you, father. Glo. Now, good sir, what are you?

Edg. A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows;

Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I'll lead you to some biding.

Glo.

Hearty thanks: The bounty and the benizon of heaven To boot, and boot!

Put strength enough to it.

[EDGAR opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And chud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 't would not ha' been zo long as 't is by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow" be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you.

Stew. Out, dunghill!

What, is he dead?

Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.-

Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of,
May be my friends. He is dead; I am only sorry
He had no other death's-man.-Let us see :-
Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not:
To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts;
Their papers, is more lawful.

[Reads.] "Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off; if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror; then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver

me, and supply the place for your labour.

"Your (wife, so I would say) affectionate servant,
"GONERIL."

O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!—
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
Aud the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the sands,
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified

Ballow. Grose, in his Provincial Glossary,' gives ballow as a north-country word for pole. Edgar is speaking the Somersetshire dialect.

[Exit EDGAR, dragging out the body Glo. The king is mad: How stiff is my vile sense, That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract: So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs; And woes, by wrong imaginations lose The knowledge of themselves.

Edg.

Re-enter EDGAR.

Give me your hand: Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Ezcunt, SCENE VII.-A Tent in the French Camp. LEAR on a Bed, asleep; Physician, Gentlemen, and others attending.

Enter CORDELIA and KENT.

Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work, To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, And every measure fail me.

Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'erpaid.
All my reports go with the modest truth;
Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so.

Cor.

Be better suited a These weeds are memories of those worser hours; I prithee put them off.

Kent.

Pardon, dear madam: Yet to be known shortens my made intent: My boon I make it that you know me not, Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.
King?

Phys. Madam, sleeps still.
Cor. O you kind gods,

How does the [To the Physician.

Cure this great breach in his abused nature!
The untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up,
Of this child-changed father!

Phys.
So please your majesty,
That we may wake the king? he hath slept long.
Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?

Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of sleep, We put fresh garments on him.

Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him;

I doubt not of his temperance.

Cor.

Very well.

Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the music

there.

Cor. O my dear father! Restoration hang Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters Have in thy reverence made!

Kent. Kind and dear princess! Cor. Had you not been their father, these white like Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face To be oppos'd against the jarring winds? To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder; In the most terrible and nimble stroke

Of quick, cross-lightning? to watch (poor perdu!')

With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog,
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night
Against my fire. And wast thou fain, poor father,
To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn,
In short and musty straw? Alack, alack!
'T is wonder, that thy life and wits at once
Had not concluded all.-He wakes; speak to hi
Phys. Madam, do you; 't is fittest.

a Suited-clothed.

And hold your hand in benediction o'er me :No, sir, you must not kneel.

Lear.

Pray, do not mock me:
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Fourscore and upward; not an hour more nor less: "
And, to deal plainly,

I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
Methinks I should know you, and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is: and all the skill I have
Remembers not these garments; nor I know not
Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at me;
For, as I am a man, I think this lady
To be my child Cordelia.
Cor.

Aud so I am, I am.

Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent.

The bastard son of Gloster.

Gent.

Most certain, sir.

As 't is said,

They say, Edgar,

His banish'd son, is with the Earl of Kent In Germany.

Edm.

Fear me not:

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

Dover.

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

Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold: Or whether, since, he is advis'd by aught To change the course: He 's full of alteration, And self-reproving:-bring his constant pleasure. [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. "T is to be doubted, madam. Reg. Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Tell me, but truly,-but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister?

Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended place?

Edm.
That thought abuses you.
Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.
Edm. No, by mine honour, madam.

Reg. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord,
Be not familiar with her.

"That most Shaksperian touch of nature

"Fourscore and upward; not an hour more nor less "— has been mutilated by the modern editors. Malone says, "The folio absurdly adds, 'not an hour more nor less,' i.e., not an hour more nor less than an indeterminate number, for such is fourscore and upwards." Why, who is speaking? One who speaks logically and collectedly? No! one who immediately after says, "I fear I am not in my perfect mind." It was the halfconsciousness of the foolish, fond old man" which Shakspere meant to express by the mixture of a determinate and an indeterminate idea.

Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy:

For these domestic and particular broils

Are not the question here.

Alb. Let's then determine with the ancient of war On our proceeding.

Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent.
Reg Sister, you'll go with us?
Gon. No.

Reg. "T is most convenient; pray you go with us.
Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] I will go.
As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised.
Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor
Hear me one word.
Alb.

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

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound

We will greet the time.

[Exit.

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

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

Her husband being alive. Now then, we 'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon: for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit.

SCENE II-A Field between the two Camps. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and their Forces; and exeunt.

Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER.

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

Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit EDG. Alarums; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter EDGAR. Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away; King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en : Give me thy hand, come on.

Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Ripeness is all: Come on.

Glo.

And that's true too. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.--The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.

Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known That are to censure them.

Cor.

We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. For thee, oppressed king, I am cast down; Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.-Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?

Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let 's away to prison; We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness: So we 'll live, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues

Come. [Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded, Edm. Come hither, captain; hark.

Take thou this note; [giving a paper] go, follow them to prison;

One step I have advanc'd thee: if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes: Know thou this,-that men
Are as the time is: to be tender-minded

Does not become a sword :-Thy great employment
Will not bear question;-either say, thou It do t,
Or thrive by other means.
off.

I'll do 't, my lord.

Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast

done.

Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so

As I have set it down.

Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work I will do it. [Exit Officer. Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Officers, and Attendants.

Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, And fortune led you well: You have the captives Who were the opposites of this day's strife:

I do require them of you, so to use them,
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.

Edm.

Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention and appointed guard; Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, To pluck the common bosom on his side, And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes Which do command them. With him I sent the queen; My reason all the same; and they are ready To-morrow, or at further space, to appear Where you

shall hold your session. At this time We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend; And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd By those that feel their sharpness:— The question of Cordelia and her father Requires a fitter place.

Alb.
Sir, by your patience,
I hold but a subject of this war,
you
Not as a brother.
Reg.
That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded,
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers;
Bore the commission of my place and person;
The which immediacy may well stand up,
And call itself your brother.

Gon.
Not so hot:
In his own grace he doth exalt himself,
More than in your addition.

Reg.

In my rights,

By me invested, he compeers the best.
Gon. That were the most if he should bushaid you
Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.

a Fell-skin.

That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint.

Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
From a full-flowing stomach-General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine:
Witness the world, that I create thee here
My lord and master.

Gon.
Mean you to enjoy him?
Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good-will.

Edm. Nor in thine, lord.
Alb.
Half-blooded fellow, yes.
Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.
[TO EDMUND.
Alb. Stay yet; hear reason: Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason; and, in thy arrest,
This gilded serpent: [Pointing to GoN.]-for your
claim, fair sister,

I bar it in the interest of my wife;

T is she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your banns.
If you will marry make your loves to me,
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.

An interlude!

That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine.
Behold, it is my privilege,

The privilege of mine honours,

My oath, and my profession; I protest,-
Maugre thy strength, place, youth, and eminence
Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour, and thy heart,-thou art a traitor:
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince,
And, from the extremest upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust below thy feet,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, "No,"
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.

Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name;
But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,
And that thy tongue some saya of breeding breathes
What safe and nicely I might well delay,
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn:
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head;
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;
Which, (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,)
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
Where they shall rest for ever.-Trumpets, speak.
[Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls
Alb. Save him, save him!

Gon.
This is practice, Gloster :
By the law of war,b thou wast not bound to answer
An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
But cozen'd and beguil'd.

Alb.
Shut your mouth, dame,
Or with this paper shall I stop it :-hold, sir :-
Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil :-
No tearing, lady; I perceive you know it.

[Gives the letter to EDMUND Gon. Say, if I do the laws are mine, not thine : Who can arraign me for 't? [Exit GONERIL

Alb.

Know'st thou this paper?

Edm.

Most monstrous!

Ask me not what I know. Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. [To an Officer, who goes out. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that have I done And more, much more: the time will bring it out; T is past, and so am I: But what art thou That hast this fortune on me? If thou art noble I do forgive thee.

Edg.

Let's exchange charity.

I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund :
If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us :

The dark and vicious place where thee he got
Cost him his eyes.

Eim.

Thou hast spoken right, 't is true; The wheel is come full circle; I am here. Alb. Methought thy very gait did prophesy A royal nobleness :-I must embrace thee; Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I Did hate thee, or thy father!

Edg. Worthy prince, I know 't. Alb. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? Edg. By nursing them, my lord.-List a brief tale. And when 't is told, O, that my heart would burst ! The bloody proclamation to escape

Say-assay.

War-the quartos, as.