d

it

e

in my fight. Let copulation thrive: for Glo'ster's
bastard-fon was kinder to his father, than my daugh-
ters got 'tween the lawful sheets. To't, luxury, pell-
mell; for I lack foldiers. Behold yond simpering
Dame, whose face 'tween her forks presages snow;
that minces virtue, and does shake the head to hear
of pleasure's name. The fitchew, nor the stalled
horse, goes to't with a more riotous appetite: down
from the waste they are centaurs, though women all
above: but to the girdle do the Gods inherit, be-
neath it is all the fiends. There's hell, there's dark-
ness, there is the fulphurous pit, burning, scalding,
stench, consumption: fie, fie, fie; pah, pah; give
me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten
my imagination! there's money for thee.
Glo. O, let me kiss that hand.

Lear. Let me wipe it first, it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! this great world Shall fo wear out to nought. Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough: dost thou squiny at me? no, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love. Read thou this challenge, mark but the penning of it.

Glo. Were all the letters suns, 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 money in your purse? your eyes are in a heavy cafe, your purse 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 justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark in thine ear: change Places, and handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar.

Glo.

Glo. Ay, Sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? there

thou might'st behold the great image of authority; a dog's obey'd in office

Thou rafcal beadle, hold thy bloody hand:
Why dost thou lash that whore? strip thy own back;
Thou hotly luft'st to use her in that kind,

For which thou whip'st her. Th' usurer hangs the

cozener.

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;
Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks:
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em;
Take that of me, my friend, who have the pow'r
To feal th' accuser's lips, Get thee glass eyes,
And, like a scurvy politician, feem
To fee the things thou dost not.

Now, now, now, now. Pull off my boots: harder,

harder, fo.

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 Glo'ster;
Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:
Thou know'ft, the first time that we fmell the air,
We wawle and cry. I will preach to thee: mark-
Glo. Alack, alack, the day!

20Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are

come

To this great ftage of fools. This a good block!-
It were a delicate stratagem to shoe

A troop of horse with Felt; I'll put't in proof;
And when I've stoll'n upon these sons-in-law,
Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

SCENE

Gent.

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants.

Here he is, lay hand upon him; Sir,

Ο, Your most dear daughter

Lear. No rescue? what, a prisoner ? I am even The natural fool of fortune. Use me well, You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons, I am cut to th' brains.

Gent. You shall have any thing. Lear. No feconds? all myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of falt; To use his eyes for garden-water-pots, And laying autumn's dust. I will die bravely, Like a smug bridegroom. What? I will be jovial: Come, come, I am a King. My Masters, know you

that?

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Lear. Then there's life in't. Come, an you get it, You shall get it by running: sa, sa, sa, sa. [Exit.

Gent. A fight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, Past speaking of in a King. Thou hast one daughter, Who redeems nature from the general curse

Which twain have brought her to.

Edg. Hail, gentle Sir.

Gent. Sir, speed you: what's your Will?

Edg. Do you hear aught, Sir, of a battle toward? Gent. Most sure, and vulgar; every one hears that,

Which can diftinguish found.

Edg. But by your favour,

How near's the other army?

Gent. Near, and on speedy foot: the main descry

Stands on the hourly thought.

Edg. I thank you, Sir: That's all.

Gent. Though that the Queen on special cause is

heres

Her army is mov'd on. καί το

[Exit. Edg.

Edg. I thank you, Sir.

Glo. You ever gentle Gods, take my breath from

me;

Let not my worser spirit tempt me again

To die before you please!

Edg. 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 forrows, 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 heav'n

To boot, and boot!

To raise my fortunes. Old unhappy traitor,
Briefly thyself remember: the fword is out,
That must destroy thee.

Glo. Let thy friendly hand

Put strength enough to't.

Stew. Wherefore, bold peafant,

Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? hence,
Lest that th' infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Edg. Chill not let go, Zir, without vurther 'cafion.
Stew. Let go, flave, or thou dy'st.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass: 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 costard or my bat be the harder; chill be plain with you.

Stew.

Stew. Out, dung-hill! Edg. Chill pick your teeth, Zir: come, no matter vor your foyns. [Edgar knocks him down.

Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me: villain, take my

purse;

If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body,
And give the letters, which thou find'st about me,
To Edmund Earl of Glo'ster: seek him out

Upon the English party: Oh, untimely death!

Edg. I know thee well, a serviceable villain;
As duteous to the vices of thy Mistress,
As badness would defire.

Glo. What, is he dead?

Edg. Sit you down, father: rest you.

[Dies.

Let's fee these pockets; the letters, that he speaks of,
May be my friends: he's dead; I'm only forry,
He had no other death's-man. Let us fee

By your leave, gentle wax - and manners blame

us not:

To know our enemies' minds, we rip their hearts;
Their papers are more lawful.

Reads the Letter.

JET 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 I the prisoner, and his bed my goal; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour.

Your (wife, so I would fay) affectionate Servant,

Gonerill.

Oh, undiftinguish'd space of woman's Will!
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life,
And the exchange my brother. Here, i'th' sands
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified