The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

look! a mouse. Peace, peace!-this piece of toast- |
ed cheese will do't.-There's my gauntlet; I'll
prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown a bills.-
O, well-flown, bird!-i' the clout, i' the clout:
hewgh!-Give the word.

Edg. Sweet marjoram.
Lear. Pass.

Glo. I know that voice.

Lear. Ha! Goneril!-with a white beard!-They flatter'd me like a dog; and told me, I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say "ay," and "no," to every thing I said!'Ay" and "no" too was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter, when the thunder would not peace at my bidding, there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go to, they are not men o' their words: they told me I was every thing; 'tis a lie, I am not agueproof.

Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is't not the king?

Lear.

Ay, every inch a king:

When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.
I pardon that man's life: what was thy cause?—
Adultery.-

Thou shalt not die: die for adultery? No:
The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight.

Let copulation thrive; for Gloster's bastard son
Was kinder to his father, than my daughters
Got 'tween the lawful sheets.

To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.—
Behold yond' simpering dame,

Whose face between her forks presageth snow;
That mimics virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure's name;

The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't
With a more riotous appetite.

Down from the waist they are centaurs,
Though women all above:

dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? 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 rascal beadle hold thy bloody hand! [back;
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own
Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind [cozener.
For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the
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 hable 'em:
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal th' accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
And, like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the things thou dost not.-Now, now, now,
Pull off my boots: harder, harder; so.

Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd;
Reason in madness!

[now!

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster:
Thou must be patient. We came crying hither:
Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air
We wawl, and cry. I will preach to thee: mark me.
Glo. Alack! alack the day!

Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools.-'Tis a good plot.
It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe

A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof;
And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law,
Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Enter a Gentleman with Attendants.
Gent. O here he is: lay hand upon him.-Sir,
Your most dear daughter-

Lear. No rescue? What! a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well;
Let me have a surgeon,
dark-You shall have ransom.
I am cut to the brains.

But to the girdle do the gods inherit,
Beneath is all the fiends: there's hell, there's
ness, there is the sulphurous 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 so 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 see one. Edg. I would not take this from report; it is, And my heart breaks at it.

Lear. Read.

Glo. What! with the case of eyes? Lear. O, ho! are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: yet you see how this world goes.

Glo. I see it feelingly.

Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond' justice rails upon yond' simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy

Gent.

You shall have any thing.
Lear. No seconds? All myself?
Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,
To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
Ay, and for laying autumn's dust.

Gent.

Good sir,

Lear. 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. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.

"The brown bills," i. e., the battle-axes.-b"The clout," i. e., the white mark for archers to aim at-"The word," "I'll able 'em," i. e., I'll support, uphold them.—i“ Im ie, the watchword.-d "The trick," i. e., the manner.- pertinency means here something not belonging to the subLuxury," i. e., incontinence. The fitchew is the polecat.ject. A man of salt' is a man of tears. That is, 'The To squiny is to look squint. main body is expected to be descried every hour.'

Edg.

I thank you, sir: that's all. | Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is Her army is mov'd on. [here, Edg. I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from Let not my worser a spirit tempt me again [me: To die before you please! Edg.

Well pray you, father.
Glo. Now, good sir, what are you? [blows;
Edg. A most poor man, made tame to fortune's
Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I'll lead you to some biding.
Glo.

Hearty thanks;
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot!

Put strength enough to it.
Osw.
Wherefore, bold peasant,
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. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without varther 'casion. Osw. Let go, slave, or thou diest. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or Ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder. Ch'ill be plain with you. Osw. Out, dunghill!

Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir. Come; no matter vor your ffoins.

[They fight; and EDGAR strikes him down. Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me.-Villain, take my If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; [purse. And give the letters, which thou find'st about me, To Edmund earl of Gloster: seek him out Upon the British party.-O, untimely death! [Dies. Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, As badness would desire.

Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, May be my friends.-He's dead; I am only sorry He had no other death's-man.-Let us see:Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds we rip their hearts, Their papers is more lawful.

[Reads.] "Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror; then, am I the prisoner, and his bed my jail, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labor.

"Your (wife, so I would say)

แ affectionate servant,
"GONERIL."

O, unextinguish'd blaze of woman's will!
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;

་ "My worser spirit," i. e., my evil genius.-b" Benison," 1. e. blessing."Your gait," i, e., your way.-"Che vor'ye," i. e., I warn you. Costard is head.- Foins are thrusts.-"Their papers," i. e., to rip their papers.

And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the sands,
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified
Of murderous lechers; and in the mature time,
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death-practis'd duke. For him 'tis well,
That of thy death and business I can tell.

Glo. The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,
That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract;
So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,
And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose
The knowledge of themselves. [Drum afar of
Edg.
Give me your hand:
Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum.
Come, father; I'll bestow you with a friend.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.-A Tent in the French Camp. LEAR on a Bed, asleep; Doctor, Gentleman, and others, attending: Enter CORDELIA and KENT.

Cor. O thou good Kent! how shall I live, and work, To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, And every measure fail me.

Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er-paid. All my reports go with the modest truth; Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so.

Cor. Be better suited: These weeds are memories of those worser hours. I pr'ythee, put them off.

Kent.
Pardon me, dear madam;
Yet to be known shortens my 3 main intent:
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
Till time and I think meet.
Cor. Then be't so, my good lord.-How does the
king?
[To the Physician.

Doct. Madam, sleeps still.
Cor. O, you kind gods,

Cure this great breach in his abused nature!
Th' untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up
Of this child-changed father!

Doct. So please your majesty, That we may wake the king? he hath slept long. Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?

Doct. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep, We put fresh garments on him.

Kent. Good madam, be by when we do awake him: I doubt not of his temperance,

Cor.
Very well. [Music.
Doct. Please you, draw near.-Louder the music

there.

Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang
Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss
Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters
Have in thy reverence made!

Kent.
Kind and dear princess!
Cor. Had you not been their father, these white
flakes

Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face
To be expos'd against the warring winds?
To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?
In the most terrible and nimble stroke
Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor * perdu !)
With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog,
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night
Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father,
To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn,

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.
Doct. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. [majesty?
Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your
Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o' the
Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound [grave.-
Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
Do scald like molten lead.

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, not an hour more nor less;
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.

Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloster. Gent. They say, Edgar, his banished son, is with the earl of Kent in Germany.

Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be 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.

■“ Abus'd,” i. e., imposed upon-b"To make him even o'er," i. e., to reconcile to his apprehension.-"The arbitrement," i. e., the decision,

ACT V.

SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover.

Enter, with Drums and Colors, 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 And self-reproving :-bring his constant pleasure. To change the course. He's full of alteration, [To an Officer, who exit. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. "Tis to be doubted, madam. You know the goodness I intend upon you: Reg. Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister? Edm.

Now, sweet lord,

In honor'd love. Reg. But have you never found To the forefended place?

way

my brother's That thought abuses you.

Edm. Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct, And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. Edm. No, by mine honor, madam.

Reg. I never shall endure her. Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met.— Sir, this I hear,-the king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigor of our state Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It toucheth us, as France invades our land, Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose. 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 the 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.

Enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so Hear me one word. [poor, Alb.

I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. 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, Fortune love you! And machination ceases. 1 [Going.

Alb. Stay, till I have read the letter.

"His constant pleasure," i. e., his settled resolution."Forefended," i. e., forbidden.-"Not bolds the king,' i. e., not as it emboldens the king.

Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your powers.
Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
By diligent discovery; [Showing a Paper.] but
Is now urg'd on you.
[your haste
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,

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.

[Exit.

SCENE II-A Field between the two Camps. Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colors, 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. Alarum; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter EDGAR. Edg. Away, old man! give me thy hand: away! King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en. Give me thy hand; come on.

Glo. No farther, sir: a man may rot even here. Edg. What! in ill thoughts again? Men must

endure

SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with Drum and Colors, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as Prisoners; Captain, Officers, Soldiers, &c.

Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard, Until their greater pleasures first be known, That are to censure them. d Cor. We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down; Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. Shall we not see these daughters, and these sisters? Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness. So we'll live, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,

"Will greet the time," i. e., will be ready to meet the occasion. Carry out my side," i. e., make my part good, "Ripeness," i. e., preparation.-"To censure them," Le., to pass judgment on them.

| Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;
And take upon's the mystery of things,
As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,
That ebb and flow by the moon.
Edm.
Take them away.

The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught
Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,
[Embracing her.

thee?

He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eves; The goujeers shall devour them, flesh and fell, Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them starve first.

Come. [Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark.

Take thou this note; [Giving a Paper.] go, follow them to prison.

One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes. Know thou this, that men
Are as the time is; to be tender-minded
Does not become a sword. Thy great employment
Will not bear & question: either say, thou'it do't,
Or thrive by other means.

Capt.
I'll do't, my lord.
Edm. About it; and write happy, when thon hast
Mark,-I say, instantly; and carry it so, [done.
As I have set it down.

Capt. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work, I will do it. [Exit Captain. Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Officers, and Attendants.

Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant h strain,

And fortune led you well. You have the captives,
Who were the opposites of this day's strife:
We do require them of you, so to use them,
As we shall find their merits, and our safety,
May equally determine.

By me invested, he compeers the best.

Enter EDGAR, armed, preceded by a Trumpet.
Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this call o' the trumpet.
Her.
What are you?

Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you. Your name? your quality? and why you answer
Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.
Gon.

Holla! holla!
That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint.
Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
From a full-flowing stomach.-General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony:
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine.
Witness the world, that I create thee here
My lord and master.

Gon.
Mean you to enjoy him?
Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will.
Edm. Nor in thine, lord.
Alb.

thine.

Half-blooded fellow, yes.

Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title
[To EDMUND.
Alb. Stay yet; hear reason.-Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason; and, in thy arrest,
This gilded serpent. [Pointing to GoN.]-For your

claim, fair sister,

Gon.
Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster.-Let the trumpet
If none appear to prove upon thy person,
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,

This present summons?
Edg.

Know, my name is lost;
By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit:
Yet am I noble, as the adversary
I come to cope withal.

Alb.

Which is that adversary?

Edg. What's he, that speaks for Edmund earl of

Gloster?

Edm. Himself: what say'st thou to him?
Edg.

Draw thy sword,

[Drawing.

That if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice; here is mine:
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honors,
Maugre thy strength, skill, youth, and eminence,
My oath, and my profession. I protest,
Thy valor, and thy heart, thou art a traitor:
Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune,
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince;
And, from th' extremest upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, "No,"
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent
prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,

There is my pledge. [Throwing down a Glove.] I'll But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,

And that thy tongue some 'say of breeding breathes,
What safe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn.
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head;
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;
Which, for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
Where they shall rest for ever.-Trumpets, speak!
[Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls.
Alb. O, save him! save him!

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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Comprising His Lays and Poems ...