Welcome to PhiloLogic  
   home |  the ARTFL project |  download |  documentation |  sample databases |   
George Colman [1768], The history of King Lear. As it is performed at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden (Printed for R. Baldwin... and T. Becket, and Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S34900].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.

Previous section

Next section

Scene 4 SCENE, a. Camp. Enter Cordelia, Physician, and Soldiers.

Cor.
Alack, 'tis he; why he was met ev'n now
As mad as the vext sea, singing aloud,
Crowned with flowers, and all the weeds that grow

-- 51 --


In our sustaining corn—Their poor old father!
Oh sisters, sisters! shame of ladies! sisters!
Ha, Regan, Gonerill! what! i'th'storm! i'th'night?
Let pity ne'er believe it! Oh my heart!

Phys.
Take comfort, madam; there are means to cure him.

Cor.
No; 'tis too probable the furious storm
Has pierc'd his tender body past all cure;
And the bleak winds, cold rain, and sulph'rous light'ning,
Unsettled his care-wearied mind for ever.
Send forth a cent'ry, bring him to our eye;
Try all the art of man, all med'cine's power,
For the restoring his bereaved sense!
He that helps him, take all!

Phys.
Be patient, madam:
Our foster nurse of Nature is Repose,
The which he lacks; that to provoke in him
Are many lenient simples, which have power
To close the eye of anguish.

Cord.
All blest secrets,
All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth,
Spring with my tears; be aidant and remediate
In the good man's distress! seek, seek for him;
Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve his life. [Exeunt Attendants.
If it be so, one only boon I beg;
That you'd convey me to his breathless trunk,
With my own hands to close a father's eyes,
With show'rs of tears to wash his clay-cold cheeks,
Then o'er his limbs, with one heart-rending sigh,
To breathe my spirit out, and die beside him.
Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
News, madam:
The British pow'rs are marching hitherward.

Cor.
'Tis known before. Our preparation stands
In expectation of them. O dear father,
It is thy business that I go about: therefore great France

-- 52 --


My mourning and important tears hath pitied.
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right. [Exeunt.
Previous section

Next section


George Colman [1768], The history of King Lear. As it is performed at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden (Printed for R. Baldwin... and T. Becket, and Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S34900].
Powered by PhiloLogic