Edm. Never, my lord: But I have often heard him maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, and fathers declining, the father should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue. Glo. O villain, villain!-His very opinion in the letter!-Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain! worse than brutish!-Go, sirrah, seek him; I'll apprehend him :Abominable villain!-Where is he? Edm. I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother, till you can derive from him better testimony of his intent, you shall run a certain course; where, if you violently proceed against him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour, and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life for him, that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your honour, and to no other Glo. Think you so? [pretence of danger. Edm. If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction; and that without any further delay than this very evening. Glo. He cannot be such a monster. Glo. To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him.--Heaven and earth!-Edmund, seek him out; wind me into him, I pray you: frame the business after your own wisdom: I would unstate myself, to be in a due resolution. Edm. I will seek him, sir, presently; convey + the business as I shall find means, and acquaint you withal. Glo. These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us: Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects: love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked between son and father. This villain of mine comes under the prediction; there's son against father: the king falls from bias of nature; there's father against child. We have seen the best of our time: Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our graves!-Find out this villain, Edmund; it shall lose thee nothing; do it carefully :-And the noble and true-hearted Kent banished! his offence, honesty!-Strange! strange! [Exit. Edm. This is the excellent foppery of the world! that, when we are sick in fortune, (often the surfeit of our own behaviour,) we make guilty of our disasters, the sun, the moon, and the stars as if we were villains by necessity; fools, by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers,d by spherical predominance ; drunkards, liars, and adulterers, by an enforced obedience of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on: An admirable evasion of man, to lay his disposition to the charge of a star ! Edgar- Edg. How now, brother Edmund? What serious contemplation are you in? Edm. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read this other day, what should follow these eclipses. Edg. Do you busy yourself with that? Edm. I promise you, the effects he writes of, succeed unhappily; as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent; death, dearth, dissointions of ancient amities; divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what. Edg. How long have you been a sectary astronomical? [ last ? Edm. Come, come; when saw you my father Edg. Why, the night gone by. Edm. Spake you with him? Edg. Ay, two hours together. Edm. Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in him, by word or countenance? Edg. None at all. Edm. Bethink yourself, wherein you may have offended him and at my entreaty, forbear his presence, till some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure; which at this instant so rageth in him, that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely allay. Edg. Some villain hath done me wrong. Edm. That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent forbearance, till the speed of his rage goes slower; and, as I say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord speak: Pray you, go; there's my key:-If you do stir abroad, go armed. Edg. Armed, brother? Edm. Brother, I advise you to the best; go armed; I am no honest man, if there be any good meaning towards you: I have told you what I have seen and heard, but faintly; nothing like the image and horror of it: Pray you, Edg. Shall I hear from you anon? [away. Edm. I do serve you in this business. [Exit EDG. A Room in the DUKE OF ALBANY'S Palace. Gon. Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool ? Stew. Ay, madam. [hour Gon. By day and night! he wrongs me; every He flashes into one gross crime or other, That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it: His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us On every trifle :-- When he returns from hunting, I will not speak with him; say, I am sick :If you come slack of former services, You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer. Stew. He's coming, madam; I hear him. [Horns within. Gon. Put on what weary negligence you please, [tion: You and your fellows; I'd have it come to ques - That he hath given away!-Now, by my life, Old fools are babes again; and must be us'd With checks, as flatteries,-when they are seen Remember what I have said. [abus'd. Stew. Very well, madam. Gon. And let his knights have colder looks among you; [so: What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, That I may speak:-I'll write straight to my sister, To hold my very course: Prepare for dinner. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A Hall in the same. Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow, Horns within. Enter LEAR, Knights, and Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go, get it ready. [Exit an Attend.] How now, what Kent. A man, sir. [art thou? Lear. What dost thou profess? What would'st thou with us? Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve him truly, that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest; to converse with him that is wise, and says little; to fear judgment; to fight, when I cannot choose; and to eat no fish. Lear. What art thou? [as the king. Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject, as he is for a king, thou art poor enough. What would'st Kent. Service. Lear. Who would'st thou serve? " [thou? Lear. Dost thou know me, fellow? Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your countenance, which I would fain call master. Lear. What's that? Kent. Authority. Lear. What services canst thou do? Kent. I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message bluntly that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in; and the best of me is Lear. How old art thou? [diligence. Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing; nor so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my back forty-eight. Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me; if I like thee no worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.-Dinner, ho, dinner!-Where's my knave? my fool? Go you, and call my fool hither. Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my judgment, your highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a great abatement of kindness appears, as well in the general dependants, as in the duke himself also, and your daughLear. Ha! say'st thou so? [ter. Knight. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken; for my duty cannot be silent, when I think your highness is wronged. Lear. Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception; I have perceived a most faint neglect of late, which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity,‡ than as a very pretence? and purpose of unkindness: I will look further into 't. -But where's my fool? I have not seen him this two days. Knight. Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the fool hath much pined away. Lear. No more of that; I have noted it well.-Go you, and tell my daughter I would speak with her.-Go you, call hither my fool. Re-enter Steward. O, you sir, you sir, come you hither: Who am I, sir. Stew. My lady's father. Lear. My lady's father! my lord's knave: you slave! you cur! [you, pardon me. Stew. I am none of this, my lord; I beseech Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? [Striking him. Stew. I'll not be struck, my lord. Kent. Nor tripped neither; you base foot-ball player. [Tripping up his heels. Lear. I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll love thee. Kent. Come, sir, arise, away; I'll teach you differences; away, away: If you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry: but away: go to; Have you wisdom? so. [Pushes the Stew. out. Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's earnest of thy service. comb. [Giving KENT money. Enter Fool. Fool. Let me hire him too;-Here's my cox[Giving KENT his Cap. Lear. How now, my pretty knave? how dost thou? Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. Kent. Why, fool? Fool. Why? For taking one's part that is out of favour: Nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly: There, take my coxcomb: Why, this fellow has banished two of his daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.-How now, nuncle? 'Would I had two coxcombs, and two daughters! Lear. Why, my boy? Fool. If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my coxcombs myself: There's mine; beg another of thy daughters. Lear. Take heed, sirrah; the whip. Fool. Truth's a dog that must to kennel; he must be whipped out, when Lady, the brach, may stand by the fire. Lear. A pestilent gall to me! Fool. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech. Lear. Do. Fool. Mark it, nuncle : Have more than thou showest, Than two tens to a score. Lear. This is nothing, fool. Fool. Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer; you gave me nothing for 't: Can you make no use of nothing, nuncle? [of nothing. Lear. Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out Fool. Pr'ythee, tell him, so much the rent of his land comes to; he will not believe a fool. [To KENT. Fool. Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter fool and a sweet fool? Lear. No, lad; teach me. Lear. A bitter fool! Fool. That lord, that counsell'd thee Come place him here by me,- Will presently appear; The other found out there. Kent. This is not altogether fool, my lord. Fool. No, 'faith, lords and great men will not let me; If I had a monopoly out, they would have part on 't and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool to myself; they'll be snatching.— Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns. Lear. What two crowns shall they be? Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg i' the middle, and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou clovest thy crown i' the middle, and gavest away both parts, thou borest thine ass on thy back over the dirt: Thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown, when thou gavest thy golden one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipped that first finds it so. Fools had ne'er less grace in a year; [Singing. For wise men are grown foppish; And know not how their wits to wear, Their manners are so apish, and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, and left nothing in the middle. Here comes one o' the parings. Enter GONERIL. Lear. How now, daughter? what makes that frontlet on? Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown. Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow, when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning; now thou art an O|| without a figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, thou art nothing. -Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue; so your face [To GoN.] bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum. He that keeps nor crust nor crum, Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth I had thought, by making this well known unto To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful, By what yourself too late have spoke and done, Fool. For you trow, nuncle, The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, That it had its head bit off by its young. [ling. So, out went the candle, and we were left darkLear. Are you our daughter? Gon. Come, sir, I would you would make use of that good wisdom whereof I know you are fraught; ‡‡ and put away these dispositions, which of late transform you from what you rightly are. Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse. Lear. Does any here know me?-Why this is not Lear: does Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, or his discernings are lethargied.-Sleeping or waking?-Ha! sure 'tis not so.-Who is it that can tell me who I am?-Lear's shadow? I would learn that; for by the marks of sovereignty, Lear. When were you wont to be so full of knowledge, and reason, I should be false per songs, sirrah? Fool. I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy daughters thy mother. Then they for sudden joy did weep, [Singing. That such a king should play bo-peep, Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can suaded I had daughters. Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. This admiration is much o' the favour?? A mere husk which contains nothing. ++ Well-governed state. Alb. Pray, sir, be patient. Lear. Detested kite! thou liest: [To GON. My train are men of choice and rarest parts, That all particulars of duty know; And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name.-O most small fault, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! [nature Which, like an engine,* wrenched my frame of From the fix'd place; drew from my heart all love, And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, [Striking his head. And thy dear judgment out!—Go, go, my people. Alb. My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant Of what hath mov'd you. [hear; Lear. It may be so, my lord.-Hear, nature, Dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful! Into her womb convey sterility! Dry up in her the organs of increase; Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause; Re-enter LEAR. Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! Within a fortnight? Alb. What's the matter, sir? Lear. I'll tell thee;-Life and death! I am asham'd That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus: That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think Gon. Pray you, content.-What, Oswald, ho! You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. [To the Fool. Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, and take the fool with thee. A fox, when one has caught her, Should sure to the slaughter, If my cap would buy a halter; So the fool follows after. [Exit. 'Tis politic, and safe, to let him keep [dream, Enter Steward. What, have you writ that letter to my sister? Gon. Take you some company, and away to This milky gentleness, and course of yours, Though I condemn it not, yet, under pardon, You are much more attask'd ¶ for want of wisdom, Than prais'd for harmful mildness. [tell; Alb. How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot Striving to better, oft we mar what's well. Gon. Nay, then Alb. Well, well; the event. [Exeunt SCENE V.-Court before the same. Enter LEAR, KENT, and Fool. Lear. Go you before to Gloster with thes letters: acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know, than comes from her demand out of the letter: If your diligence be no speedy, I shall be there before you. Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter. [Exit. Fool. If a man's brains were in his heels, were 't not in danger of kibes? Lear. Ay, boy. Fool. Then, I pr'ythee, be merry; thy wit shall not go slip-shod. Lear. Ha, ha, ha! Fool. Shalt see, thy other daughter will use thee kindly for though she's as like this as a crab is like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? Fool. She will taste as like this, as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle of his face? Lear. No. Fool. Why, to keep his eyes on either side his nose; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. Lear. I will forget my nature.-So kind a father!-Be my horses ready? Fool. Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven, is a pretty reason. Lear. Because they are not eight? Fool. Yes, indeed: Thou would'st make a good fool. [gratitude! Lear. To take it again perforce.-Monster inFool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time. Edm. How comes that? Cur. Nay, I know not: You have heard of the news abroad; I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments? Edm. Not i; 'Pray you, what are they? Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the dukes of Cornwall and Albany? Edm. Not a word. Cur. You may then, in time. Fare you well, sir. [Exit. Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better! Best! This weaves itself perforce into my business! My father hath set guard to take my brother; And I have one thing, of a queasy question, Which I must act:-Briefness and fortune, work! Brother, a word;-descend:-Brother, I say; My father watches :-O sir, fly this place; • Delicate. + Consider, recollect yourself. + Frighted. Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. But where is he? Glo. Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after.-[Exit Serv.] [ship; Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordBut that I told him, the revenging gods 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; Spoke, with how manifold and strong a bond The child was bound to the father;-Sir, in fine, Seeing how loathly opposite I stood To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion Glo. Let him fly far: Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; [ter, And found-Despatch.-The noble duke my masMy worthy arch and patron, comes to-night: By his authority I will proclaim it, That he, which finds him, shall deserve our thanks, Bringing the murderous coward to the stake; He, that conceals him, death. Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent, And found him pight|| to do it, with curst ¶ speech I threaten'd to discover him: He replied, To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: |