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
Topple down headlong.

Glo. Set me where you stand.

Edg. Give me your hand: You are now with

in 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;
Budine farewell, and let me hear thee going.
Edg. Now fare you well, good Sir.

Glo. With all my heart.

[Seems to go.

Big. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Is done to cure it.

Glo. O 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
Barn 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
Yields to the theft: Had he been where he
thought,

By this, had thought been past.-Alive, or

dead?

Ho, you Sir! friend!-Hear you, Sir ?-speak!
Thas might be pass indeed: -Yet he revives :
What are you, Sir?

Glo. Away, and let me die.

Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossomer,
feathers, air,

So many fathom down precipitating,
Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost
breathe;

Hast heavy substance: bleed'st not; speak'st;

art sound.

Ten masts at each make not the altitude,
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell;
I by life's a miracle: Speak yet again.
Glo. But have I fallen, or no?

Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorg'd⚫ lark so

far

Cannot be seen or beard: do but look up.
Glo. Alack, I have no eyes.-

Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit,

To end itself by death? "Twas yet some comfort,
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? You
stand.

Glo. Too well, too well.

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 and wav'd like the enridged

sea;

It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy fa-
ther,

Think that the clearest gods, who make them
honours

Glo. I do remember now: henceforth I'll
Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee.
bear

Affliction, till it do cry out itself,
Enough, enough, and, die.

speak of,

That thing you

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 LEAB, 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 banIdles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier'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. -O, well flown, bird -i'the clout, i'the clout: ¶ hewgb!-Give the word. *

Edg. Sweet marjoram.
Lear. Pass.

Glo. I know that voice.

Lear. Ha! Goneril!-with a white beard fThey flatter'd me like a dog; and told me I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say aye and no to every that I said aye and no to, 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 tt of that voice I do well re-
member:
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

Eg. From the dread summit of this chalky Got 'tween the lawful sheets.
bourn : ¶

Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom:
What?

[me? I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king,
My masters, know you that ?

Edg. Ch'ill not let go, Zir, without vurther | To match thy goodness? My life will be too

'casion.

Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your galt, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwag. ger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo Nay, come not long as 'tis by a vortnight, near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bath 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;
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.

short,

And every measure fall 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 made intent:
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How
does the king? [To the PHYSICIAN.
Phys. Madam, sleeps still.
Cor. O you kind gods,

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

Phys. So please your majesty,

Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable vil-That we may wake the king? he hath siept long.

lain;

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

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 labour.

Your wife, (so I would say,) and your
affectionate servant,

GONERIL.

O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!-
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
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,

[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 sever'd from my

We put fresh garments on him.

Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do
awake him;

I doubt not of his temperance.
Cor. Very well.

Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the
music there.

Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang Thy medicine on my lips; aud 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 staud against the deep dread-bolted thunder?

In the most terrible and nimble stroke

of quick, cross lightning? to watch, (poor perdu !) $

With this thin belin? 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.

Phys. Madam, do you: 'tis fittest.

Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?

Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the
grave:-

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 you die 1

Cor. Still, still, far wide!

Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone

SCENE VII-A Tent in the French Camp. I am mightily abus'd.-I should even die with
LEAR OR a Bed, asleep: PHYSICIAN, GEN-
TLEMAN, and others, attending.

t Intent formed. The allusion is to the forlorn-hope in an army, Thin covering of hair.

• Go your To rip their papers is more lawful. called in French enfans perdue.

Thrusts.

i'll cover thee (the dead steward) in the sands

2 S

Tell me,-but truly,-but then speak the truth,
Do you not love my sister?

Edm. In bonour'd love.

Reg. But have you never found my brother's

Hear me one word.

Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak.

[Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Of.

cers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.

If you have victory, let the trumpet sound [Exit. For him that brought it: wretched though I

Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly wrought,

Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought.

ACT V.

[Exit.

scem,

I can produce a champion, that will prove
What is avouched there: If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.
Edg. I was forbid it.

When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
[Exit.
And I'll appear again.

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

Let her, who would be rid of him, devise
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which be 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, 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.

Alarums; afterwards a Retreat.-Re-enter
EDGAR.

Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand,

away;

King Lear bath lost, he and his daughter ta'en:
Give me thy band, come on.

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

endure

Their going hence, even as their coming hither:
Ripeness is all: Come on.
[Exeunt.
Glo. And that's true too.
SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover.
Eater, in Conquest, with Drum and Colours,
EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as Pri-
soners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.
Edm. Some officers take them away:
guard;

Until their greater pleasures first be known

That are to censure them.

Cor. We are not the first,

worst.

good

Edm. Take them away.
Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,
The gods themselves throw incense. Have I

caught thee?

He that parts us shall bring a brand from
heaven,

And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;
The goujeers shall devour them, flesh, and

fell, t

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
ment
Does not become a sword :-Thy great employ-

Will not bear question; either say, thou❜lt
do't,

Off. I'll do't, my lord.
Or thrive by other means.

Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou
hast done.

Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so,
As I have set it down.

Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work, I will do it.

[Exit OFFICER. Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, OFFICERS, and Attendants.

Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your val iant strain,

And fortune led you well: You have the cap-
tives

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.

Edm. Sir, I thought it fit
To send the old and miserable king
To some retention, and appointed guard;
Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,
To pluck the common bosom on his side,
And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes
Which do command them. With him I sent the
queen;

My reason all the same; and they are ready
To-morrow, or at further space to appear
Where you shall hold your session.

time,

At this

Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the We sweat, and bleed: the friend hath lost his

For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down;
Myself could else out-frown

frown.

false fortune's

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 my 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,

Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's

out;

And take upon us 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.

1. e. Make my party good.

+1e. To be ready prepared, is all.

1 Pass judgment on them.

friend;

And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd
By those that feel their sharpness:-
The question of Cordelia, and her father,
Requires a fitter place. ý

Alb. Sir, by your patience,

I hold you but a subject of this war,
Not as a brother.

Reg. That's as we list to grace him.
have been de-
Methinks our pleasure might
manded,

Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers;
Bore the commission of my place and person;
The which immediacy | may well stand up,
And call itself your brother.