In short and musty straw? Alack, alack!
'Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once
Had not concluded all.-He wakes; speak to him,
Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.

Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?

Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the

grave:

Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
Do scald like molten lead.

Cor.

Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit, I know; When did you

die?

Cor. Still, still, far wide!

Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I?-Fair day-light?

I am mightily abus'd.—I should even die with pity,
To see another thus.-I know not what to say.-
I will not swear, these are my hands:-let's see;
I feel this pin prick. 'Would I were assur'd
Of my condition.

Cor.
O, look upon me, sir,
And hold your hands 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; 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.

And so I am, I am.

Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray

weep not:

If you have poison for me, I will drink it.
I know, you do not love me; for your sisters
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong:
You have some cause, they have not.

Cor.

Lear. Am I in France?
Kent.

No cause, no cause.

In your own kingdom, sir.

Lear. Do not abuse me.

Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great

rage,

You see, is cur'd in him and yet it is danger
To make him even1 o'er the time he has lost.
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more,
Till further settling.

Cor. Will't please your highness walk?
Lear.

You must bear with me:

Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old, and foolish.

[Exeunt Lear, Cordelia, Physician, and

Attendants.

Gent. Holds it true, sir,

That the duke of Cornwall was so slain?

Kent.

Gent. Who is conductor of his people?

Kent.

The bastard son of Gloster.

Gent.

Most certain, sir.

As 'tis said,

They say, Edgar,

His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent

In Germany.

Kent.

Report is changeable.

'Tis time to look about; the powers2 o'the kingdom Approach apace.

Gent. The arbitrement3 is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir.

[Exit.

Kent. My point and period will be throughly

wrought,

Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit.

(1) To reconcile it to his apprehension. (3) Decision.

(2) Forces.

ACT V.

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. 'Tis 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?

Edm. In honour'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended2 place?

Edm. That thought abuses3 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.

Edm.

Fear me not:

She, and the duke her husband,

Enter Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers.

Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me.

[Aside.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear,-The king is come to his daughter With others, whom the rigour of our state

Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest,

(1) His settled resolution.

(2) Forbidden.

(3) Imposes on you.

I never yet was valiant: for this business,
It touches us as Erance invades our land,
Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.2

Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.

Reg.

Why is this reason'd Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestic and particular broils

Are not to question here.

Alb.

Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?

Gon. No.

Reg. 'Tis 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 For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion, that will prove What is avouched there: If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases.3 Fortune love you! Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. Edg.

I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again.

(1) i. e. Emboldens him.

[Exit.

(2) Opposition.

(3) i. e. All designs against your life will have

an end.

Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy

paper.

Re-enter Edmund.

Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery-but your haste

Is now urg'd on you.

Alb.

We will greet the time. [Exit. 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,2

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.

[Exil.

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 Edgar.

Alarums; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter Edgar.

Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away;

(1) Be ready to meet the occasion.

(2) i. e. Make my party good.