Gentleman, meeting.
Ken.
What's here,14Q1348 beside note foul weather?
Gen.
One minded like the weather, most unquietly.
Ken.
I know you; Where's the king?
Gen.
Contending with the fretful element: note
-- 56 --
Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea,
Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main,
That things might change, or cease: tears his white hair; note
Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,
Catch in their fury, and make nothing of:
Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn
The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain.
This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
And bids what will take all.
Ken.
But who is with him?
Gen.
None but the fool; who labours to out-jest
His heart-strook injuries.
Ken.
Sir, I do know you;
And dare, upon the warrant of my art note,
Commend a dear thing to you. There is division,
Although as yet the face of it is cover'd note
With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwal:
Who have (as who have not, that their great stars note
Throne note and set high?) servants, who seem no less;
Which are to France the spies and speculations
Intelligent of our state: what hath been seen,
Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes;
Or the hard rein which both of them have born note
Against the old kind king; or something deeper,
Whereof, perchance, these are but furnishings;—
But, true it is, from France there comes a power note
Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,
Wise in our negligence, have secret note foot note
In some of our best ports, and are at point
To shew their open banner. Now to you:
-- 57 --
If on my credit you dare build so far
To make your speed to Dover, you shall find
Some that will thank you, making just report
Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
The king hath cause to plain. I am a gentleman,
Of blood and breeding; and, from some knowledge and
Assurance of you, offer this office to you.
Gen.
I will talk further with you.
Ken.
No, do not.
For confirmation that I am much more
Than my out wall, open this &dagger2; purse, and take
What it contains: If you shall see Cordelia,
(As fear not note but you shall) shew her this † ring; note
And she will tell you who your fellow note is
That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!
I will go seek the king.
Gen.
Give me your hand.
Have you no more to say?
Ken.
Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet;
That, when we have found the king, note (in which, your pain
That † way; I'll † this) he that first lights on him,
Holla the other.
[Exeunt severally.
SCENE II.
Another Part of the Heath. Storm still.
Enter Lear, and Fool.
Lea.
Blow, winds note, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!
You note cataracts, and hurricanoes, spout
'Till you have drench'd note our steeples, drown'd the note cocks!
You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,
Vant-couriers of note oak-cleaving thunder-bolts,
Singe my note white head! And thou all-shaking thunder,
Strike flat note the thick rotundity of the world!
-- 58 --
Crack nature's molds; note all germens spill at once,
That make note ingrateful man!
Foo.
O nuncle, court holy-water in a dry house is
better than this rain-water out o'door. Good nuncle, in;
ask note thy daughters blessing; here's a night pitties note neither
wise men nor fools. note
Lea.
Rumble thy belly full! Spit, fire! Spout, rain!
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters:
I tax not note you, you elements, with unkindness,
I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children,
You owe me no subscription; then note let fall
Your horrible pleasure; here I stand, your slave,
A poor, infirm, weak, and despis'd old man:—
But yet I call you servile ministers,
That will with two pernicious daughters join note
Your high-engender'd battles note, 'gainst a head
So old and white as † this. O, o, 'tis foul!
Foo.
He that has a house to put's head in, has a good
head-piece.
[sings.
The cod-piece, that will house,
before the head as any: note
the head and he shall louse;—
so beggars marry many.
The man that makes his toe
what he his heart should make,
shall of a note corn cry, woe,
and turn his sleep to wake.
—for there was never yet fair woman but she made
mouths in a glass.
Enter Kent.
Lea.
No, I will be the pattern of all patience,
I will say nothing.
-- 59 --
Ken.
Who's there?
Foo.
Marry, here's grace, and a cod-piece; that's,
a wise man, and a fool.
Ken.
Alas, sir, are you note here? things that love night,
Love not such nights as these; the wrathful skies
Gallow the very wanderers note of the dark,
And make note them keep their caves: Since I was man,
Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder,
Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never
Remember to have heard: man's nature cannot carry
The affliction, nor the fear. note14Q1349
Lea.
Let the great gods,
That keep this dreadful thund'ring o'er note our heads,
Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch,
That hast within thee undivulged crimes,
Unwhipt of justice: Hide thee, thou bloody hand;
Thou perjur'd, note and thou simular man note of virtue
That art incestuous: Caitiff, to pieces note shake,
That under covert and convenient seeming
Hast practis'd note on man's life: Close-pent-up guilts,
Rive your concealing continents, note and cry
These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man,
More sin'd against, than sinning. note
Ken.
Alack, bare-headed!
Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel;
Some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest;
Repose you there: while I note to this hard house
(More hard than is the stone note whereof 'tis rais'd;
Which even but now, demanding after you, note
Deny'd me to come in) return, and force
Their scanted courtesy.
Lea.
My wits begin note to turn.—
-- 60 --
Come on, my boy: How dost, my boy? Art cold?
I am cold myself.—Where is this straw, my fellow?
The art of our necessities is strange,
That can note make vile things precious. Come, your hovel.—
Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my note heart
That's sorry yet note for thee.
Foo.
He that has a note little tiny wit,—
[sings.
with hey, ho, the wind and the rain—
must make content with his fortunes fit;
for the note rain it raineth every day.
Lea.
True, my good boy. note—Come, bring us to this hovel.
[Exeunt Lear, and Kent.
Foo.
This is a brave night to cool a courtezan. note
I'll speak a prophecy ere I go:14Q1350
When priests are more in word than matter;
When brewers mar their malt with water;
When nobles are their tailors' tutors;
No hereticks burn'd, but wenches' suitors:
When every case in law is right;
No squire in debt, nor no poor knight;
When slanders do not live in tongues;
Nor cut-purses come not to throngs;
When usurers tell their gold i'the field;
And bawds, and whores, do churches build;—
Then shall the realm of Albion
Come to great confusion:—
Then comes the time, who lives to see't,
That going shall be us'd with feet.
This prophecy Merlin shall make;
For I do live before his time.
[Exit.
SCENE III.
A Room in Gloster's Castle.
-- 61 --
Enter Gloster, and Edmund.
Glo.
Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural
dealing: When I desired their leave that I might pity
him, they took from me the use of mine own house;
charged me, on pain of perpetual displeasure, note neither
to speak of him, intreat for him, nor any note way sustain
him.
Edm.
Most savage, and unnatural!
Glo.
Go to; say you nothing: There is division between note
the dukes; and a worse matter than that: I have
received a letter this night; 'tis dangerous to be spoken;
I have lock'd the letter in my closet: these injuries the
king now bears will be revenged home; there is part
of a power already footed note: we must incline to the king;
I will seek him, note and privily relieve him: go you, and
maintain talk with the duke, that my charity be not of
him perceived; if he ask for me, I am ill, and gone to
bed: if I note dye for it note, as no less is threaten'd me, the king
my old master must be relieved. There is some strange
thing note toward Edmund; pray you, be careful.
[Exit.
Edm.
This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke
Instantly know; and of that letter too:—
This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me note
That which my father loses; no less than all:
The younger rises, when the old doth fall. note
[Exit.
SCENE IV.
Another Part of the Heath;
a Hovel upon it. Storm still. Enter Kent,
Lear, and Fool.
Ken.
Here is the place, my lord; good my lord, enter:
The tyranny of the open night's too rough
For nature to endure.
-- 62 --
Lea.
Let me alone.
Ken.
Good my lord, enter here. note
Lea.
Wilt break my heart?
Ken.
I had rather break mine own: Good my lord, enter.
Lea.
Thou think'st 'tis much, that this contentious note storm
Invades us to the skin: so 'tis to thee;
But where the greater malady is fixt,
The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'dst note shun a bear;
But if thy flight lay toward the raging note sea,
Thou'dst meet the bear i'the mouth. When the mind's free,
The body's delicate: the tempest note in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else,
Save what beats note there.—Filial ingratitude!
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand,
For lifting food to't note?—But I will punish home: note—
No, I will weep no more.—In such a night note
To shut me out!—Pour on; I will endure:—
In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril,
Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all, note—
O, that way madness lies; let me shun that;
No more of that, note
Ken.
Good my lord, enter here. note
Lea.
Pr'ythee, go in thyself; seek thine own note ease;
This tempest will not give me leave to ponder
On things would hurt me more. But I'll go in:—
In, boy; go first.—You houseless poverty,— note
Nay, get thee in. [Exit Fool.] I'll pray, and then I'll sleep.— note
Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you are,
That 'bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, note
How shall your houseless heads, and unfed sides,
Your loop'd note and window'd raggedness, defend you
-- 63 --
From seasons such as these? O, I have ta'en
Too little care of this! Take physick, pomp;
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel;
That thou may'st shake the superflux to them,
And shew the heavens more just.
[Poor Tom!
Edg. [within.]
Fathom and half, fathom and half: note
Fool runs out from the Hovel.
Foo.
Come not in here, nuncle, here's a spirit; help
me, help me!
Ken.
Give me thy hand.—Who's there?
Foo.
A spirit, a spirit; he note says, his name's note poor Tom.
Ken.
What art thou that dost grumble there i'the straw?
Come forth.
Enter Edgar, disguis'd like a Madman.
Edg.
Away! the foul fiend follows me!—
Through note the sharp hauthorn blows the cold wind. note—
Humph! note go to thy cold note bed,14Q1351 and warm thee.
Lea.
Did'st thou give all to thy daughters? note And art
thou come to this?
Edg.
Who gives any thing to poor Tom? whom the
foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, note
through ford and note whirl-pool note, over bog and quag-mire;
that hath lay'd note knives under his pillow, and halters in
his pue; set rats-bane by his porridge; note made him
proud of heart, to ride on a bay trotting horse over
four-inch'd bridges, note to course his own shadow for a
traitor:—Bless thy five wits! Tom's a cold: O, do, de, de,
do, do, do: Bless thee from whirl-winds, star-blasting note,
and taking! Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul
fiend vexes: There could I have him now, and there,
and there again, and there. note
Lea.
What, note have note his daughters brought him to this pass?—
-- 64 --
Could'st thou save nothing? Did'st thou give note them all?
Foo.
Nay, he reserv'd a blanket, else we had been
all shamed.
Lea.
Now, all the plagues, that in the pendulous air
Hang fated o'er men's faults, light on note thy daughters!
Ken.
He hath no daughters, sir.
Lea.
Death, traitor! nothing could have subdu'd nature
To such a lowness, but his unkind daughters.—
Is it the fashion, that discarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flesh?
Judicious punishment! 'twas this flesh begot
Those pelican daughters.
Edg.
Pilicock sat on Pilicock hill;—Haloo, loo, loo. note
Foo.
This cold night will turn us all to fools and
madmen.
Edg.
Take heed of the note foul fiend: Obey thy parents;
keep thy word note justly; note swear not; commit not with man's
sworn spouse; set not thy sweet heart on proud array:—
Tom's a-cold.
Lea.
What hast thou been?
Edg.
A serving-man, proud in heart and mind;
that curl'd my hair, wore gloves in my cap, serv'd
the lust of my mistress's heart, and did the act of darkness
with her: swore as many oaths as I spake words,
and broke them in the sweet face of heaven: one, that
slept on the note contriving of lust, and wak'd to do it:
Wine lov'd I deeply; note dice dearly; and in woman, out-paramour'd
the Turk: False of heart, light of ear, bloody
of hand; note Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness,
dog in madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking
of shoes, nor the rustling note of silks, betray thy poor
-- 65 --
heart to woman: note Keep thy foot out of brothels, thy
hand out of plackets, note thy pen from lenders' books, and
defy the foul fiend.—Still through the hauthorn blows
the cold wind.—Ha! nenni;14Q1352 dolphin, my boy, my boy,
sesse; let note him trot by.
Lea.
Thou note wert better in thy grave, note than to answer
with thy uncover'd body this extremity of the skies.—
Is man no more than this? note Consider him well: Thou
ow'st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep
no wool, the cat no pérfume:—Ha! note here's three on's note
are sophisticated!—Thou art the thing itself: unaccommodated
man is no more but such a poor, bare,
forked animal as thou art.—Off, off, you lendings note;—
come, unbutton here. note
[tearing off his Cloaths; Kent and the Fool strive to hinder him.
Foo.
Pr'ythee, nuncle, be contented; 'tis a note naughty
night to swim in.—Now a little fire in a wild field note
were like an old letcher's heart; a small spark, all the
rest of's body note cold.—Look, here comes a walking fire.
Enter Gloster, with a Torch.
Edg.
This is the foul fiend Fliberdegibbet note: he begins
at curfeu, and walks 'till the first note cock; he gives the
web and the pin note, squints the note eye, and makes the harelip;
mildews the white wheat, and hurts the poor creature
of earth.
St Withold note14Q1353 footed thrice the wold;
He met the night-mare, and her nine-fold;
Bid her alight,
And her troth plight,
And, Aroint thee, witch, aroint thee! note
Ken.
How fares your grace?
Lea.
What's he?
-- 66 --
Ken.
Who's there? note What is't you seek?
Glo.
What are you there? Your names?
Edg.
Poor Tom; that eats the swimming frog, the
toad, the tad-pole, the wall-newt, and note the water-newt;
that in the fury of note his heart, when the foul fiend rages,
eats cow-dung for sallets, note swallows the old rat and the
ditch-dog, drinks the green mantle of the standing
pool; who is whipt from tything to tything, and stock-punish'd, note
and imprison'd; who hath had note three suits to
his back, six shirts to his body, horse to ride, and weapon
to wear,—
But mice, and rats, and such small deer,
Have been note Tom's food for seven long year.
Beware my follower:—Peace, Smolkin; note peace, thou fiend.
Glo.
What, hath your grace no better company?
Edg.
The prince of darkness is a gentleman;
Modo he's note call'd, and Mahu.
Glo.
Our flesh and blood, my lord, is grown so vile, note
That it doth hate what gets it.
Edg.
Poor Tom's a-cold.
Glo.
Go in with me; my duty cannot suffer
To obey in all your daughters' hard commands:
Though their injunction be to bar my doors,
And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you;
Yet have I ventur'd to come seek you out,
And bring you where both fire and food note is ready.
Lea.
First let me talk with this philosopher:—
What is the cause of thunder?
Ken.
Good my lord note, take his offer;
Go into the house.
Lea.
I'll talk a word with this same learned note Theban:—
What is your study?
-- 67 --
Edg.
How to prevent the fiend, and to kill vermine.
Lea.
Let me ask you one word in private.
Ken.
Impórtune him once more note to go, my lord,
His wits begin to unsettle.
Glo.
Can'st thou blame him?
His daughters seek his death:—Ah, that note good Kent!
He said, it would be thus: Poor banish'd man!—
Thou say'st, the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend,
I am almost mad myself: I had a son,
Now out-law'd from my blood, he sought note my life,
But lately, very late; I lov'd him, friend,—
No father his son dearer: true to note tell thee,
The grief hath craz'd note my wits. What a night's this?—
I do beseech your grace,—
Lea.
O, cry you mercy: note—
Noble philosopher, your company.
Edg.
Tom's a-cold.
Glo.
In, fellow, there, to the note hovel note; keep thee warm.
Lea.
Come, let's in all.
Ken.
This way, my lord.
Lea.
With him;
I will keep still with my philosopher.
Ken.
Good my lord, sooth him; let him take the fellow.
Glo.
Take him you on.
Ken.
On, sirrah; go with note us.
Lea.
Come, good Athenian.
Glo.
No words, no words; hush.
Edg.
Child Rowland to the dark tower come, note
&dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3; &dagger3;
His word was still,—Fie, fo, and fum,
I smell the blood of a British man.14Q1354
[Exeunt.
-- 68 --
SCENE V.
A Room in Gloster's Castle.
Enter Cornwal, and Edmund.
Cor.
I will have my revenge, ere I depart his house. note
Edm.
How, my lord, I may be censur'd, that nature
thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think
of.
Cor.
I now perceive, it was not altogether your brother's
evil disposition made him seek his death; but a
provoking merit,14Q1355 set a'work by a reproveable badness
in himself.
Edm.
How malicious is my fortune, that I must re-repent note
to be just! This &dagger2; is the letter he note spoke of, which
approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of
France. O heavens! that this treason were not, or not note I
the detector!
Cor.
Go with me to the dutchess.
Edm.
If the matter of this paper be certain, you have
mighty business in hand.
Cor.
True, or false, it hath made thee earl of Gloster.
Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready
for our apprehension.
&clquo;Edm.
&clquo;If I find him comforting the king, it will
stuff his suspicion more fully.&crquo;—I will persevere in
my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore between
that and my blood.
Cor.
I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find
a dearer father note in my love.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
A Room in some
of the out-buildings of the Castle. Enter Gloster, Lear,
Kent, Fool, and Edgar.
-- 69 --
Glo.
Here is better than the open air; take it thankfully:
I will piece out the comfort with what addition
I can: I will not be long from you.
Ken.
All the power of his wits hath given way to
his note impatience: The gods reward your note kindness!
[Exit Gloster.
Edg.
Frateretto note calls me;14Q1356 and tells me, Nero is an
angler in the lake of darkness. Pray innocent, and note beware
the foul fiend.
Foo.
Pr'ythee, nuncle, tell me, whether a madman
be note a gentleman, note or a yeoman?
Lea.
A king, a king.
Foo.
No; he's a yeoman, that has a gentleman to his note
son: for he's a mad yeoman, that sees his son a gentleman
before him.
Lea.
To have a thousand with red burning spits
Come hizzing note in upon them:14Q1357
Edg.
The foul fiend bites my back. note
Foo.
He's mad, that trusts in the tameness of a wolf,
a horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath.
Lea.
It shall be done, I will arraign them straight:—
Come, sit thou here, most learned justicer; note—
[to Edgar.
Thou, sapient sir, [to the Fool.] sit here.—Now, you she foxes!
Edg.
Look, where he stands and glares!—Wantest
thou eyes note at trial, madam?—
Come o'er the boorne note, Bessy, to me:
[singing.
Foo.
Her boat hath a leak,
and she must not speak
why she dares not come over to thee.
Edg.
The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of
a nightingale. Hop-dance cries in Tom's belly for two white
-- 70 --
herring. Croak not, black angel; I have no food for thee.
Ken.
How do you, sir? Stand you not so amaz'd:
Will you lye down and rest upon the cushions?
Lea.
I'll see their trial first;—Bring in the evidence.—
Thou robed man of justice, [to Edg.] take thy place;—
And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity,
[to the Fool.
Bench by his side:—you are of the commission,
[to Kent.
Sit you too.
Edg.
Let us deal justly.
[sings.
Sleepest, or wakest thou, jolly shephérd?
thy sheep be in the corn;
and for one blast of thy minikin mouth,
thy sheep shall take no harm.
Pur! the cat is grey.
Lea.
Arraign her first; 'tis Goneril. I here take my
oath before this honourable assembly, she note kick'd the
poor king her father.
Foo.
Come hither, mistress; Is your name Goneril?
Lea.
She cannot deny it.
Foo.
Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint note-stool.
Lea.
And here's another, whose warpt looks proclaim
What store her heart is made on:—Stop her there!
Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place!—
False justicer, why hast thou let her 'scape?
Edg.
Bless thy five wits!
Ken.
O pity!—Sir, where is the patience now,
That you so oft have boasted to retain?
&clquo;Edg.
&clquo;My tears begin to take his part so much,&crquo;
&clquo;They'll mar note my counterfeiting.&crquo;
Lea.
The little dogs and all,
Tray, Blanch, and Sweet-heart, see, they bark at me.
Edg.
Tom will throw his head at them:—Avaunt,
-- 71 --
you curs!
Be thy mouth or black or white,
Tooth that poisons if it bite;
Mastiff, grey-hound, mungrel grim,
Hound, or spaniel, brach, or lym note,
Or bob-tail tight, or note trundle-tail;
Tom will make them weep note and wail:
For, with throwing thus my head,
Dogs leap the note hatch, and all are fled.
Do, do, de, de, &c. note
[singing.
Come, march to wakes and fairs, and market-towns:—
&clquo;Poor Tom, thy horn is dry.&crquo;
Lea.
Then let them anatomize Regan, see what
breeds about her heart: Is there any cause in nature,
that makes note these hard hearts?—You, sir, [to Edg.] I
entertain you note for one of my hundred; only, I do not
like the fashion of your garments: note you will say, they
are Persian; note but let them be chang'd.
Ken.
Now, good my lord, lye here, and rest note a while.
[pointing to a mean Couch.
Lea.
Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains;
so, so, so: We'll go to supper in the morning: note
So, so, so.
Foo.
And I'll go to bed at noon. note
Re-enter Gloster.
Glo.
Come hither, friend; Where is the king my master?
Ken.
Here, sir; but trouble him not, his wits are gone.
Glo.
Good friend, I pr'ythee take him in thy arms;
I have o'er-heard a plot of death upon him:
There is a litter ready; lay him in't note,
And drive toward note Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet
Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master:
-- 72 --
If thou should'st dally half an hour, his life,
With thine, and all that offer to defend him,
Stand in assured loss: note Take up, take up;
And follow me, that will to some provision
Give thee quick conduct. note
Ken.
Oppress'd nature sleeps:— note14Q1358
This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken senses note,
Which, if convenience will not allow,
Stand in hard cure.—Come, help to bear thy master;
Thou [to the Fool.] must not stay behind.
Glo.
Come, come, away.
[Exeunt Kent, Gloster, and the Fool, bearing off Lear.
Edg.
When we our betters see bearing our woes,
We scarcely think our miseries our foes.
Who alone suffers, suffers note most i'the mind;
Leaving free things, and happy shows, behind:
But then the mind much sufferance doth o'er-skip,
When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship.
How light and portable my pain seems now,
When that, which makes me bend, makes the king bow;
He childed, as I father'd!—Tom, away:
Mark the high noises; and thyself bewray,
When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles note thee,
In thy just proof, repeals, and reconciles thee.
What will hap more to-night?—Safe 'scape the king!—
Lurk, lurk.
[Exit.
SCENE VII.
A Room in the Castle.
Enter Cornwal, Regan, Goneril, Edmund, and Servants.
Cor.
Post speedily to my lord your husband; shew
him this &dagger2; letter: the army of France is landed:—Seek
-- 73 --
out the villain Gloster. note
[Exeunt some of the Servants.
Reg.
Hang him instantly.
Gon.
Pluck out his eyes.
Cor.
Leave him to my displeasure.—Edmund, keep
you our sister company; the revenges note we are bound to
take upon your traitorous father, are not fit for your beholding.
Advise note the duke, where you are going, to a
most festinate note preparation; we are bound to the like.
Our posts note shall be swift in intelligence note betwixt us.—
Farewel, dear sister;—farewel, my lord of Gloster.—
Enter Steward.
How now? Where's the king?
Ste.
My lord of Gloster hath convey'd him hence:
Some five or six and thirty of his knights,
Hot questrists note after him, met him at gate;
Who, with some other of the lord's dependants,
Are gone with him towards Dover; where they boast
To have well-armed friends.
Cor.
Get horses for your mistress.
Gon.
Farewel, sweet lord, and sister.
[Exeunt Goneril, Edmund, and Steward.
Cor.
Edmund, farewel.—Go, seek the traitor Gloster,
Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us:—
[Exeunt other Servants.
Though well note we may not pass upon his life
Without the form of justice; yet our power
Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men
May blame, but not controul.—Who's there? The traitor?
Re-enter Servants, with Gloster, Prisoner.
Reg.
Ingrateful fox! 'tis he.
Cor.
Bind fast his corky arms.
Glo.
What mean your graces?—Good my friends, consider
-- 74 --
You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends.
Cor.
Bind him, I say.
Reg.
Hard, hard:—O filthy traitor!
Glo.
Unmerciful lady as you are, I am none. note
Cor.
To this chair bind him:—Villain, thou shalt find—
Glo.
By the kind gods,14Q1359 'tis most ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.
Reg.
So white, and such a traitor!
Glo.
Naughty lady,
These hairs, which thou dost ravish from my chin,
Will quicken, and accuse thee: I am your host;
With robbers' hands, my hospitable favours
You should not ruffle thus. What will you do?
Cor.
Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?
Reg.
Be simple-answer'd, note for we know the truth.
Cor.
And what confederacy have you with the traitors
Late footed note in the kingdom?
Reg.
To whose hands have you note sent the lunatick king?
Speak.
Glo.
I have a letter guessingly set down,
Which came from one that's of a neutral heart,
And not from one oppos'd.
Cor.
Cunning.
Reg.
And false.
Cor.
Where hast thou sent the king?
Glo.
To Dover.
Reg.
Wherefore to Dover?
Wast thou not charg'd at peril?—
Cor.
Wherefore to Dover?—
Let him first note answer that.
Glo.
I am ty'd to the stake,
And I must stand the course.
-- 75 --
Reg.
Wherefore to Dover? note
Glo.
Because I would not see thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister
In his anointed flesh stick boarish note phangs.
The sea, with such a storm as his bare head note
In hell-black night endur'd, would have buoy'd up note,
And quench'd the stelled fires: note yet, poor old heart,
He holp note the heavens to rage.
If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that note dearn time, note
Thou should'st have said, Good porter, turn the key:
All cruels else subscrib'd: note—But I shall see
The winged vengeance overtake such children.
Cor.
See it shalt thou never:—Fellows, hold the chair:—
Upon these eyes note of thine I'll set my foot.
[Gloster is held down in his Chair, while Cornwal
plucks out one of his Eyes, and stamps on it.
Glo.
He, that will think to live 'till he be old,
Give me some help: O cruel! O ye gods! note
Reg.
One side will mock another; th' other too.
Cor.
If you see vengeance,—
1. S.
Hold your hand, my lord:
I have serv'd you ever since I was a child;
But better service have I never done you,
Than now to bid you hold.
Reg.
How now, you dog?
1. S.
If you did wear a beard upon your chin,
I'd shake it on this note quarrel: What do you mean?
Cor.
My villain!
[Draws, and runs at him.
1. S.
Nay, then note come on, and take the chance of anger.
[Draws too, and they fight.
Reg.
Give me thy sword;—A peasant stand up thus!
[snatches a Sword from an Att: and stabs him.
-- 76 --
1. S.
O, I am slain!—My lord, you have note one eye left
To see some mischief on him:—O!
[dies.
Cor.
Lest it see more, prevent it:—Out, vile jelly!
[dashing Gloster's other Eye to the Ground.
Where is thy lustre now?
Glo.
All dark and comfortless.—Where's my son Edmund?
Edmund, enkindle all note the sparks of nature,
To quit this horrid act.
Reg.
Out, treacherous note villain!
Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he
That made the overture of thy treasons to us;
Who is too good to pity thee.
Glo.
O my follies!
Then Edgar was abus'd.—
Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him!
Reg.
Go, thrust him out at gates, and let him smell
His way to Dover.—How is't, my lord? How look you?
Cor.
I have receiv'd a hurt: Follow me, lady.—
Turn out that eyeless villain; throw this slave
Upon the dunghill.—Regan, I bleed apace:
Untimely comes this hurt: Give me your arm.
[Exeunt Cornwal, and Regan. Servants
unbind Gloster, and lead him out.
2. S.
I'll never care what wickedness I do, note
If this man come to good.
3. S.
If she live long,
And, in the end, meet the old course of death,
Women will all turn monsters.
2. S.
Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam
To lead him where he would; his roguish madness
Allows itself to any thing.
3. S.
Go thou; I'll fetch some flax, and whites of eggs,
-- 77 --
To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him!
[Exeunt severally.
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
