Who hath moft fortunately been inform'd Of my obscure courfe. All weary and o'er-watch'd, This fhameful lodging. Fortune, good night! fmile once more, turn thy "wheel! Scene changes to a part of a heath. Enter Edgar. [Sleeps. Edgar. I've heard myself proclaim'd; Brought near to beaft: My face I will befmear, The winds, and perfecutions of the sky. 1 The country gives me proof and precedent L And And thus from sheep-cotes, villages, and mills, Scene changes again, to the earl of Glocefter's caftle. And not fend back my meffenger. Kent. Hail to thee, noble master! Lear. Ha! mak'ft thou thy fhame thy pastime? Lear. What's he, that hath so much thy place To fet thee here? Kent. It is both he and she, Your fon and daughter. Lear. No. Kent. Yes. Lear. No, I fay. Kent. I fay, yea. Lear. By Jupiter, I fwear, no. Kent. By Juno, I swear, ay. Lear. They durft not do't. They could not, would not do't; 'tis worse than murder, To Tó do upon respect fuch violent outrage: Refolve me with all modeft hafte, which way Thou might'ft deserve, or they impose, this usage, Coming from us. Kent. My lord, while at their home I did commend your highness' letters to them, Stew'd in his hafte, half breathlefs, panting forth Deliver❜d letters, fpite of intermiffion, Which presently they read: On whose contents They fummon'd up their train, and straight took horfe, Commanding me to follow and attend The leifure of their anfwer; gave me cold looks: And meeting here the other meffenger, Whose welcome, I perceiv'd, had poison'd mine; (Being the very fellow, which of late Display'd fo faucily against your highness) Having more man than wit about me, I drew; He rais'd the houfe with loud and coward cries: Your fon and daughter found this trespass worth The fhame which here it fuffers. Lear. Oh, how this mother fwells up tow❜rd my heart! Down, down, thou climbing forrow! L 2 Thy Thy element's below. Where is this daughter? Kent. With the earl, Sir, here within. Enter Glocefter. Lear. Now, Glo'fter?-[Gloc. whispers Lear.]— Ha! how's this? Deny to speak with me? they're fick, they're weary, They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches, The images of revolt and flying off. Bring me a better anfwer! Gloc. My dear lord, You know the fiery quality of the duke Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confufion!Fiery? what quality? why, Glocester, Glocefter, I'd speak with the duke of Cornwall, and his wife. Gloc. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them fo. Lear. Inform'd them? doft thou understand me, man? Gloc. Ay, my good lord. Lear. The king would fpeak with Cornwall; the dear father Would with his daughter fpeak; commands her fervice: Are they inform'd of this?-My breath and blood!- Fiery? the fiery duke? tell the hot duke, that No, No, but not yet; may be, he is not well; Whereto our health is bound. I will forbear, As the found man.-Death on my state! but wherefore Should he fit here? This act perfuades me, Is practice only. Give me my fervant forth; Enter Cornwall, Regan, and fervants. Cornw. Hail to your grace! Lear. Good morrow both! [Kent is fet at liberty. Oh me, my heart! my rifing heart! but down! Regan. I am glad to see your highness. Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what caufe I have to think fo; if thou wert not glad, Sharp |