a king, thou art poor enough.-Dost thou know me, fellow?

Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your countenance, which I would fain call master.

Lear. What's that?

Kent. Authority.

Lear. What services can'st thou do?.

Kent. I can keep honest counsel, mar a curious tale in the telling, deliver a plain message bluntly; that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in; and the best of me, is diligence.

Lear. How old art thou?

Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing; nor so old, to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my back forty-eight.

Lear. Thy name?

Kent. Caius.

Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me.

[KENT goes to R. of 2d Knight. ́

Enter OSWALD, L. singing, and passing King Lear carelessly.

Now, sir?

Osw. Sir!-Tol de rol, &c. [Exit, singing, R. Lear. What says the fellow? call the clodpole back. [Exeunt KENT and 2d Knight, R. Physic. (L.) My lord, I know not: but, methinks, your highness is entertain'd with slender ceremony. Lear. Say'st thou so? Thou but remember'st me of mine own conception.

Re-enter 2d Knight, R.

Why came not that slave back when I call'd him?

2d Knight. (R.) My lord, he answer'd i' th' surliest manner that he would not. [Goes to his former place. Lear. (L. c.) I hope our daughter did not so instruct him.

OSWALD brought in by KENT.-KENT puts OSWALD next the King.

Now, who am I, sir?

Osw. (c.) My lady's father.

Lear. My lady's father! My lord's knave

Osw. I'll not be struck, my lord.

3

[Strikes him.

Kent. Nortript, neither, you vile civet-box.

[Trips up his heels. Lear. I thank thee, fellow: thou serv'st me.. Kent. Come, sir, arise, away; I'll teach you differ

ences.

[Exit OSWALD, crying out, R. U. E.-KENT pursues him with his staff till he is off the Stage, then returns to the Knights, L.

Gon. [Without, R.] By day and night! this is insufferable; I will not bear it.

Enter GONERIL, R. U. E. attended by a Page and two Ladies.

Lear. (c.) Now, daughter, why that frontlet on? Speak, does that frown become our presence? Gon. (R.) Sir, this licentious insolence of your ser

vants

Is most unseemly: hourly they break out

In quarrels. bred by their unbounded riots;
I had fair hope, by making this known to you,
To have had a quick redress; but find too late
That you protect and countenance their outrage;
And therefore, sir, I take this freedom, which
Necessity makes discreet.

Lear. Are you our daughter?

Gon. Come, sir, let me intreat you to make use Of your discretion, and put off betimes

This disposition that of late transforms you

From what you rightly are.

Lear. Does any here know me? Why, this is not Lear!

Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes?

Who is it that can tell me who I am?

Your name, fair gentlewoman?

Gon. Come, sir, this admiration's much o'th' savour Of other your new humours; 1 beseech you

To understand my purposes aright;

As you are old, you should be staid and wise:

Here do you keep an hundred knights and 'squires,
Men so debauch'd and bold, that this our palace
Shews like a riotous inn, a tavern, brothel :
Be then advis'd by her, that else will take
That which she begs, to lessen your attendants;
Take half away, and see that the remainder

B

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-Serpent! Monster !-
Lessen my train, and call 'em riotous !
All men approv'd, of choice and rarest parts,
That each particular of duty know.

-

How small, Cordelia, was thy fault?-O, Lear, Beat at this gate-[Strikes his head]—that let thy folly in,

And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people.

Enter ALBANY, R. U.E.

Ingrateful Duke!-Prepare my horses.-Was this your

will?

Who stirs ?

Alb. What, sir?

[Exit 3d Knight, L.

Lear. Death! fifty of my followers at a clap!
Alb. The matter, madam?

[To GONERIL.

Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause,

But give his dotage way.

Lear. Blasts upon thee!

Th' untented woundings of a father's curse
Pierce every sense about thee!-Old fond eyes,
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out,
And cast ye, with the waters that ye lose,
To temper clay.-No, Gorgon; thou shalt find
That I'll resume the shape, which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever.

Gon. (R.) Mark ye that?

Alb. (R. C.) I'm ignorant

Lear. (L.) It may be so, my lord.-[LEAR throws away his hat and staff as he falls on his knees.] -Hear, Nature, hear;

Dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if
Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful!
Into her womb convey sterility!

Dry up in her the organs of increase;
That from her derogate body never spring
A babe to honour her-If she must teem,
Create her child of spleen; that it may live,
And be athwart disnatur'd torment to her !
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks:

Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits,

To laughter and contempt; that she may feel,
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is,

To have a thankless child! [KENT and the Physician raise the King; the 1st Knight takes up his hat and staff] Away! away!

[Exeunt KING LEAR and his Attendants, L.ALBANY, GONERIL, and their Attendants, R.

END OF ACT I.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-The Earl of Gloster's Castle.

Enter EDMUnd, L.

Edm. (L.) The duke comes here to night; I'll take advantage

Of this arrival to complete my project. [Knocks, M. D. Brother, a word; come forth; it's I, your friend!

Enter EDGAR. M. D. (Comes forward.)

My father watches for you, fly this place;
Intelligence is giv'n where you are hid!

Take the advantage of the night.-Bethink,

Have you not spoke against the Duke of Cornwall.
Something might shew you a favourer of

Duke Albany's party?

Edg. (R.) Nothing; why ask you?

Edm. (L.) Because he's coming here to-night in

haste,

And Regan with him.

Edg. Let him come on; I'll stay and clear myself. Edm. Your innocence at leisure may be heard,

But Gloster's storming rage as yet is deaf,

And you may perish ere allow'd the hearing.

[GLOSTER without, L.

This way, this way.

I hear our father coming-Pardon me.:

In cunning I must draw my sword upon you:Draw: seem to defend yourself; [They draw and fight. now quit you well.

Yield: come before my father; help, ho, here!—

Fly, brother;-help, here, help!-Farewell, fare[Exit EDGAR, R.

well.

Some blood drawn on me wou'd beget opinion
Of our more fierce encounter. I have seen
Drunkards do more than this in sport.

[Stabs himself in the arm.

Enter GLOSTER and two Servants, L. with torches. Glost. Now, Edmund, where's the traitor?

Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword

[Wraps his arm up.

Glost. Where is the villain, Edmund?

Edm. Sir, he is fled. When by no means he couldGlost. By no means, what?

Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; But that I told him the revenging Gods

'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend;
Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond
The child was bound to the father;-sir, in fine,
Seeing how loathly opposite I stood

To this unnatural purpose, in fell motion,
With his prepared sword, he charges home
My unprovided body, lanc'd mine arm:
But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits,

Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to the encounter,
Or whether gasted by the noise I made,

Full suddenly he 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, L.