Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct, And bofom'd with her as far as we call her's.

Edm. No, by mine honour, & madam.

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

Edm. Fear h me not.

She and the duke her husband--

Enter Albany, Goneril!, and foldiers.

Gon. I had rather lofe the battle, than that fifter Should loofen him and me.

Alb. Our very loving fifter, 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 honeft,
I never yet was valiant: m for this business,

It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
Not holds the king, with others, whom, I fear,
Moft just and heavy causes make oppofe.

" Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.

Reg. Why is this reafon'd?

Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For thefe domeftick and particular broils Are not the queftion here,

P. and W. omit madam.

à All but the qu's omit me.

This fpeech is omitted in the fo's, R. P. and H.

[Afide.

The qu's read for for fir; the fo's, R. P. and H. fir, this I heard.

1 What is in italiç is omitted in the fo's and R.

m T. reads 'fore for for.

■ P. and H. omit this fpeech.

• The qu's read domeftick dore (ad q. doore) particulars are not to question

Alb. Let us then determine with the ancient of war on

our proceedings.

Edm. I shall attend you prefently at your tent.

Reg. Sifter, you'll go with us?

Gon. No.

Reg. 'Tis moft convenient. Pray you, go with us. Gon. [afide.] Oh, ho, I know the riddle. I will go.

As they are going out, enter Edgar disguised.

Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man fo poor, Hear me one word.

Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak.

[Exeunt Edm. Reg. Gon. and attendant's Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.

If you have victory, let the trumpet found

For him that brought it. Wretched though I feem,

I can produce a champion, that will prove
What is avouched there. If you mifcarry,
Your business of the world hath fo an end,
And machination ceafes. Fortune " love you!
Alb. Stay till I've read the letter.

So the qu's; the reft proceeding.

a The fo's, R. P. and H. omit this fpeech. T. and W. infert it buforë the last, contrary to the qu's.

The fo's, R. P. and H. omit you.

The three laft fo's read wretch for wretched.
These words in italic are omitted in the qu's,
The fo's and R. read loves.

Edg. I was forbid it.

When time fhall ferve, let but the herald cry,

And I'll appear again.

[Exit.

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

Enter Edmund.

a

Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your powers.
y Here is the guefs of their great ftrength and forces,
By diligent discovery; [giving a paper] but your haste
Is now urg'd on you.

Alb. We will greet the time.

SCENE III.

Edm. To both these fifters have I fworn my love:
Each jealous of the other, as the bftung
Are of the adder. Which of them fhall I take?
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,
If both remain alive. To take the widow,
Exafperates, makes mad her fifter Gonerill;
And hardly fhall I carry out my fide,

Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll ufe
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her, who would be rid of him, devise

w The ad q. reads looke ore.

The qu's read the for thy.

[Exit.

So the fo's and R. the rest read hard for here. But the words by diligent difcovery, feem to require the reading, here. I have therefore put in the direction giving a paper.]

The ift q. reads guesse for guess.

So the qu's; the rest true for great.
The qu's read fling for ftung.

His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he d intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they, within our power,
Shall never fee his pardon. For my ftate
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

f SCENE

IV. A Field.

Alarm within. Enter with drum and colours, Lear, Cordelia, and foldiers over the stage, and exeunt.

Enter Edgar and Glofter.

Edg. Here, father, take the fhadow of this bush For your good hoft; pray that the right may thrive.

If ever I return to you again,

I'll bring you comfort.

Glo. Grace h go with you, fir!

[Exit Edgar.

[Alarm, and retreat, within.

Re-enter Edgar.

Edg. Away, old man; give me thy hand, away.
King Lear hath loft, he and his daughter ta'en.
Give me thy hand; come on.

Glo. No further, fir; a man may rot even here.
Edg. What in ill thoughts again? men must endure

The qu's read his for the.

The 2d q. reads extends.

e H. reads they ne'er fall fee, &c.

f In the fo's and R. this is Scene II.

So the qu's; the rest tree for buse.

So the qu's, and ift and ad fo's; the reft be for go.

Their going hence, even as their coming hither.

Ripenefs is all. Come on.

i Glo. And that's true too.

[Exeunt.

* SCENE V.

Enter in conqueft, with drum and colours, Edmund: Lear and
Cordelia, as prisoners: foldiers, captain.

Edm. Some officers take them away. Good guard, Until their greater pleasures' first be known,

That are to cenfure them.

Cor. We're not the first,

Who with best meaning have incurr'd the worst.
For thee, oppreffed king, " am I caft down;
Myfelf could elfe out-frown falfe fortune's frown.-
Shall we not fee thefe daughters and these fifters?
Lear. "No, no, no, no! come, let's away to prifon;
We two alone will fing, like birds i'th' cage.
When thou doft afk me bleffing, I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee forgivenefs. So we'll live,
And pray, and fing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies; and hear poor rogues
Talk of court-news, and we'll talk with them too,
Who lofes and who wins; who's in, who's out;
And take upon's the mystery of things,

As if we were God's fpies. And we'll wear out,