The dramatic works of Shakspeare, from the text of Johnson and Stevens [sic. Wanting pp

Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how Thus might he pass indeed :-Yet he revives: we labour. What are you, sir?

Glo. Methinks, the ground is even.

Edg.

Hark, do you hear the sea?

Horrible steep:

No, truly.

Glo.
Edg. Why, then your other senses grow im-
By your eyes' anguish.
[perfect
Glo.
So may it be, indeed:
Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thon speakst
In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst.
Edg. You are much deceived; in nothing
But in my garments.
[am I changed,
Glo. Methinks, you are better spoken.
Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place:-stand
still.-How fearful

Glo.

Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,

So many fathom down precipitating,
Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost
breathe;
[art scund.
Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speakst;
Ten masts at each make not the altitude,
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell;
Thy life's a miracle: Speak yet again.
Glo. But have I fallen, or no? [bourn;
Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky
Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorged ** lark so
Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up. [far
Glo. Alack, I have no eyes.-

And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low!
The crows, and choughs*, that wing the mid-Is wretchedness deprived that benefit

way air,

Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphiret; dreadful
trade!

Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head:
The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark,
Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy
Almost too small for sight: The murmuring
surge,

That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,
Cannot be heard so high: I'll look no more;
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
Topples down headlong.

Glo.

Set me where you stand. Edg. Give me your hand: You are now within a foot

Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon
Would I not leap upright.

Glo.

Let go my hand.

Here, friend, is another purse; in it a jewel
Well worth a poor man's taking: Fairies, and
gods,

Prosper it with thee! Go thou further off;
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
Edg. Now, fare you well, good sir.
[Seems to go.
Glo.
With all my heart.
Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair,
Is done to cure it.

Glo.
0 you mighty gods!
This world I do renounce; and, in your sights,
Shake patiently my great affliction off:
If I could bear it longer, and not fall
To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
My snuff, and loathed part of nature, should
Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!-
Now, fellow, fare thee well.
[He leaps, and falls along.
Edg.
Gone, sir? farewell.
And yet I know not how conceit may rob
The treasury of life, when life itself [thought,
Yields to the theft: Had he been where he
By this, had thought been past.-Alive,or dead?
Ho, you sir! friend!-Hear you, sir?-speak!

* Daws.

[fort,

To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some com-
When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage,
And frustrate his proud will.
Edg.
Give me your arm:
Up: So;-How is't? Feel you your legs?
Glo. Too well, too well.
[You stand.
Edg.
This is above all strangeness.
Upon the crown o'the cliff,what thing was that
Which parted from you?
Glo.
A poor unfortunate beggar.
Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his

eyes

Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,
Horns whelk'd tt, and waved like the enridged

sea;

It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy
father,
[honours
Think that the clearest II gods, who make them
Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
Glo. I do remember now: henceforth l'il
Affliction, till it do cry out itself,
[bear
Enough, enough, and, die. That thing you
speak of,

I took it for a man; often 'twould say,
The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place.
Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But
who comes here?

Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with

Flowers.

The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
His master thus.

Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining;
I am the king himself.

Edg. O thou side-piercing sight!

Lear. Nature's above art in that respect. There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow keeper: draw me a clo. thier's yard.-Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace; this piece of toasted cheese will do't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. 0, well flown, bird!-i'the clout, i'the clout ¶¶: hewgh! Give the word ***.

Edg. Sweet marjoram.
Lear. Pass.

$ Tumble.

A vegetable gathered for pickling.
Thus might he die in reality.
**Shrill-throated. tt Twisted, convolved.
ard long. Battle-axes. ¶¶ The white mark for archers to aim at.

Her cock-boat.
Ti. e., This chalky boundary of England.
The purest.
An arrow of a cloth-
*** The watch word.

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 them, there I smelt them out. Go to, they are not men o'their words: they told me I was every thing; 'tis a lie; I am not ague-proof.

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

Whose face between her forks presageth snow;
That minces 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;

Butt to the girdle do the gods inherit‡,
Beneath is all the fiend's: there's hell, there's

darkness,

There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption;-Fie, fie, fic! 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 [me? Shall so wear out to naught.-Dost thou know 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

thine ears: see how yon' justice rails upon yon' 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. Ay, sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;

Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind For which thou whipp'st her. The 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 power
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
And, like a scurvy politician, seem [now, now:
To see the things thou dost not.-Now, now,
Pull off my boots:-harder, harder; so.
Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd!
Reason in madness!
[my eyes,

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

[are come

Glo. Alack, alack the day! Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we To this great stage of fools:-This a good block? 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; You shall have ransome. Let me have a surgeon, I am cut to the brains. 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, [What?. Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: 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 it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, [Exit. running; Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, [daughter, Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one

sa.

Look asquint.

i. e., A man of tears.

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 to--
ward?

Gent. Most sure, and vulgar: every one
Which can distinguish sound. [hears that,
Edg.
But, by your favour,
How near's the other army?
Gent. Near, and on speedy foot, the main
Stands on the hourly thought*. [descry
Edg.
I thank you, sir: that's all.
Gent. Though that the queen on special
Her army is moved on. [cause is here,
Edg.
I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent.
Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath
from me;

Let not my worsert 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 by for-
tune's blows;

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 boots!

Enter Steward.

Stew. A proclaim'd prize! most happy!
That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh
To raise my fortunes.-Thou old unhappy
traitor,

Briefly thyself remember:-The sword is out
That must destroy thee.
Glo.
Now let thy friendly hand
Put strength enough to it. [EDGAR opposes.
Stew.
Wherefore, bold peasant,
Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence;
Lest that the infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. ['casion.
Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther
Stew. 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 battt be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you.

Stew. Out, dunghill!

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

[They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:-Villain,

take my purse;

If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; [me,
And give the letters, which thou find'st about
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.

Glo.

What, is he dead?
Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.-
Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he
speaks of,
[sorry
May be my friends. He's dead: I am only
He had no other death's-man.-Let us see:
Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not:
To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their
Their papers, is more lawful §§. [hearts;
[Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows be re
membered. 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
gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deli
ver me, and supply the place for your labour.
Your wife, (so I would say,) and your
affectionate servant,

GUNERIL.
O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!-
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the
Thee I'llrake up, the post unsanctified [sands,
Of murderous fechers: and, in the mature time,
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death practised duke: For him 'tis well,
That of thy death and business I can tell.

[Exit EDGAR, dragging out the body. 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 severed from my
And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose [griefs;
The knowledge of themselves.
Re-enter EDGAR.

Edg
Give me your hand:
Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten druin.
Coine, father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
[Exeunt.

SCENE VII. A Tent in the French Camp.
LEAR, on a Bed, asleep: Physician, Gen-
tleman, and others, attending.

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

Kent. To be acknowledged, madam, is o'er-
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
1 pr'ythee, put them off.
[hours;
Kent.
Pardon me, de ir madam;
Yet to be known, shortens my made intent itt:
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
Till time and I think meet.

*The main body is expected to be descried every hour. + Evil genius.
6 Reward, recompense. Quickly recollect the offences of thy life.

**Head.

tt Club.

Thrusts.

To rip their papers is more lawful.

↑ Blessing. Go your way. I'll cover

thee (the dead steward) in the sands. TC Dressed. *** Memorials. ttt Intent formed.

Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How I will not swear, these are my hands:-let's see;
does the king? [To the Physician. I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured
Phys. Madam, sleeps still.
Of my condition.

Cor. O you kind gods, Cure this great breach in his abused nature! The untuned and jarring senses, O wind up, Of this child-change father!

Phys.

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?
Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his
We put fresh garments on him. [sleep,
Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do
I doubt not of his temperance. [awake him;
Cor.
Very well. [music there.
Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the
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 challenged pity of them. Was this a face,
To be exposed 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(poorperdu*!)
With this thin helmt? Mine enemy's dog,
Though he had bit me, should have stood that
night
[father,
Against my fire: And wast thou fain, poor
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
Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. [him.
Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares
your majesty?
[o'the grave:

Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out 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 Cor. Still, still, far wide! [you die? Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile.

Lear. Where have I been ?-Where am I?

Fair day light?

[pity,

1 am mightily abused.-I should even die with To see another thus.-I know not what to say.

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: [man: Methinks, I should know you, and know this 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 WhereIdid 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. [weep not;
Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray,
you have poison for me, 1 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. [great rage, Phys. Be comforted, good macam: the You see, is cured in him: and yet it is danger To make him event o'er the time he has lost. Desire him to go in; trouble him no more, Till further settling.

Cor. Wil't please your highness walk? Lear. You must bear with me: Pray now forget and forgive: I am old, and foolish. [Exeunt LEAR, CORD. Physician, & Attendants.

Gent. Holds it true, sir,

ACT V.

SCENE I. The Camp of the British Forecs | To change the course: He's full of alteration,

near Dover.

Enter, with Drums, and Colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose. Or, whether since he is advised by aught [hold;

* The allusion is to the forlorn hope in an army, called, in French, enfans perdus. To reconcile it to his apprehension. Forces.

+ Thin covering of hair.

His settled resolution.

Decision.

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
To the forefended* place?
[way
Edm.
That thought abuses + you.
Reg. I am doubtful that you have been con-
junct

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
Forced 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 opposes.
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, Ishall attend you presently at your tent.
Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?
Gon. No.

Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. [will go. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] I As they are going out, enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man Hear me one word. [so poor, Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Soldiers and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this

letter.

+Imposes on you.

Re-enter EDMUND.

powers.

Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your [forces, Here is the guess of their true strength and By diligent discovery:-but your haste Is now urged on you.

Alb. We will greet the time. [Erit.
Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my
Each jealous of the other, as the stung [love;
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
Colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, & 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
If ever I return to you again, [thrive:
I'll bring you comfort.

Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit EDG. Alarums; 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 further, sir; a man may rot even here. [endure Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Ripeness is all tt: Come on.

Glo.

And that's true too. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in Conquest, with Drum & Colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as Pri soners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.

Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard;

Until their greater pleasures first be known
That are to censure them.

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 [sisters? Shall we not see these daughters, and these

frown.

Forbidden. ti. e., Emboldens him. i. e., All designs against your life will have an end. ** Make my party good.

Opposition.

Be ready to meet the occasion. ++ ie., To be ready prepared, is all. Pass judgment on them,

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The dramatic works of Shakspeare, from the text of Johnson and Stevens [sic ...