Welcome to PhiloLogic  
   home |  the ARTFL project |  download |  documentation |  sample databases |   
Nahum Tate [1681], The history of King Lear. Acted at the Duke's Theatre. Reviv'd with Alterations. By N. Tate (Printed for E. Flesher, and are to be sold by R. Bentley and M. Magnes [etc.], London) [word count] [S31000].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.

Next section

Scene 1 A Grotto. Edmund and Regan amorously Seated, Listning to Musick.

Bast.
Why were those Beauties made Another's Right
Which None can prize like Me? charming Queen
Take all my blooming Youth, for ever fold me
In those soft Arms, Lull me in endless Sleep
That I may dream of pleasures too transporting
For Life to bear.

Reg.
Live, live, my Gloster,
And feel no Death but that of swooning joy,
I yield thee Blisses on no harder Terms
Than that thou continue to be Happy.

Bast.
This Jealousie is yet more kind, is't possible
That I should wander from a Paradise
To feed on sickly Weeds? such Sweets live here
That Constancy will be no Vertue in me,
And yet must I forthwith go meet her Sister, [Aside.
To whom I must protest as much—
Suppose it be the same; why best of all,
And I have then my Lesson ready conn'd.

Reg.
Wear this Remembrance of me—I dare now [Gives him a Ring.
Absent my self no longer from the Duke
Whose Wound grows Dangerous—I hope Mortal.

Bast.
And let this happy Image of your Gloster, [Pulling out a Picture drops a Note.
Lodge in that Breast where all his Treasure lies.
[Exit.

Reg.
To this brave Youth a Womans blooming beauties
Are due: my Fool usurps my Bed—What's here?
Confusion on my Eyes. [Reads.

Where Merit is so Transparent, not to behold it were Blindness, and not to reward it, Ingratitude.

Gonerill.

-- 41 --


Vexatious Accident! yet Fortunate too,
My Jealousie's confirm'd, and I am taught
To cast for my Defence— [Enter an Officer.
Now, what mean those Shouts? and what thy hasty Entrance?

Off.
A most surprizing and a sudden Change,
The Peasants are all up in Mutiny,
And only want a Chief to lead 'em on
To Storm your Palace.

Reg.
On what Provocation?

Off.
At last day's publick Festival, to which
The Yeomen from all Quarters had repair'd,
Old Gloster, whom you late depriv'd of Sight,
(His Veins yet Streaming fresh) presents himself,
Proclaims your Cruelty, and their Oppression,
With the King's Injuries; which so enrag'd 'em,
That now that Mutiny which long had crept
Takes Wing, and threatens your Best Pow'rs.

Reg.
White-liver'd Slave!
Our Forces rais'd and led by Valiant Edmund,
Shall drive this Monster of Rebellion back
To her dark Cell; young Gloster's Arm allays
The Storm, his Father's feeble Breath did Raise.
[Exit.

Next section


Nahum Tate [1681], The history of King Lear. Acted at the Duke's Theatre. Reviv'd with Alterations. By N. Tate (Printed for E. Flesher, and are to be sold by R. Bentley and M. Magnes [etc.], London) [word count] [S31000].
Powered by PhiloLogic