Glo. Were all the letters funs, I could not fee one. Edg. I would not take this from report; it is, And my heart breaks at it. Lear. Read. Glo. What, with this cafe of eyes? Lear. Oh, ho, are you there with me? no eyes in your head, nor no mony in your purfe? your eyes are in a heavy cafe, your purfe in a light; yet you fee how this world goes. Glo. I fee it feelingly. Lear. What, art mad? a man may fee how this world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears: fee, how yond juftice rails upon yond fimple thief. Hark in thine ear: change Places, and handy-dandy, which is the juftice, which is the thief? Thou haft seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar. Glo. Ay, Sir. Lear. And the creature run from the cur? there thou might'ft behold the great image of authority; a dog's obey'd in office. Thou rafcal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: Why doft thou lash that whore? ftrip thy own back; For which thou whip'ft her. Th' ufurer hangs the cozener. To fee the things thou doft not. Now, now, now, now. Pull off my boots: harder, harder, Edg. 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 Glofter; Thou must be patient; we came crying hither: Thou know'ft, the first time that we fmell the air, We We wawle and cry. I will preach to thee: mark Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are come A troop of horse with Felt; I'll put't in proof; Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Gent. O, here he is, lay hand upon him; Sir, Your most dear daughter Lear. No refcue? what, a prifoner? I am even You fhall have ransom. Let me have furgeons, Gent. You fhall have any thing. Why, this would make a man, a man of falt ; And laying autumn's duft. I will die bravely, Like a fmug bridegroom. What? I will be jovial: [Exit. Gent. A fight moft pitiful in the meaneft wretch, Paft fpeaking of in a King. Thou haft one daughter, Edg. Hail, gentle Sir. . Gent. Sir, fpeed you: what's your Will? Edg. Do you hear aught, Sir, of a battle toward ? Which can distinguish found. Edg. But by your favour, How near's the other army? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot: the main defcry Stands on the hourly thought. Edg. I thank you, Sir: That's all. Gent, Gent. Though that the Queen on special caufe is here, is mov'd on. Her army Edg. I thank you, Sir. [Exit. Glo. You ever gentle Gods, take my breath from me; Let not my worfer fpirit tempt me again To die before you please! Edg. Well pray you, father. Glo. Now, good Sir, what are you? Edg. A moft poor man, made tame to fortune's blows, Who, by the art of known and feeling forrows, Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, Glo. Hearty thanks; The bounty and the benizon of heav'n Enter Steward. Stew. A proclaim'd prize! moft happy! That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd fiesh, To raife my fortunes. Old unhappy traitor, Briefly thy felf remember: the fword is out, That must destroy thee. Glo. Let thy friendly hand Put ftrength enough to't. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'ft thou fupport a publish'd traitor? hence, Edg. Chill not let go, Zir, without vurther 'cafion. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gate, and let poor volk pafs and chud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th' old man: keep out, che vor'ye, or ice try whether your coftard or my bat be the harder; chill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill! Edg. Chill pick your teeth, Zir: come, no matter vor your foyns. [Edgar knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou haft flain me: villain, take my purse; If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body, And give the letters, which thou find'ft about me, Upon the English party: Oh, untimely death!--[Dies. As badnefs would defire. Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father: reft you. By your leave, gentle wax- and manners blame us not: Reads the Letter. ET our reciprocal Vows be remembred. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your Will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offer'd. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror. Then am 1 the prifoner, and his bed my goal; from the loathed warmt! whereof deliver me, and fupply the place for your labour Your (wife, fo I would say) affectionate Servant, Oh, undiftinguish'd space of woman's Will! Of murth'rous letchers: and in the mature time, Glo. The King is mad; how ftiff is my vile sense, [Drum afar off. And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose The knowledge of themselves. Edg. Edg. Give me your hand: Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to a Chamber. Cor-, Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Phyfician. thou good Kent, how fhall I live and work To match thy Goodness? life will be too short, And ev'ry measure fail me. Kent. To be acknowledg'd, Madam, is o'erpaid; Cor. Be better suited; These weeds are memories of those worfer hours: Kent. Pardon, dear Madam, Yet to be known, fhortens my made intent; Cor. Then be it fo, My lord. How does the King? [To the Phyfician. Phyf. Madam, fleeps ftill. Cor. O you kind Gods! Cure this great breach in his abused nature s Phyf. Please your Majefty, That we may wake the king, he hath slept long? Enter Lear in a chair, carried by Servants, Cor. O my dear father! Reftauration, hang |