Bast.
Some officers take them away; good guard,
Until their greater pleasures first be known

That are to censure them.

Cor.
We're not the first,
Who with best meaning have incurr'd the worst:
For thee, oppressed King, I am cast down,
My self could else out-frown false fortune's frown.
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'th' cage:
When thou dost ask me 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's 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 th' moon.

Bast.
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 heav'n,
And fire us hence like foxes; wipe thine eye,
The good years shall devour them, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep; we'll see 'em starv'd first,
Come. Ex. Lear and Cordelia.

Bast.
Come hither captain, hark. [Whispering.
Take thou this note, 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
Do's not become a sword; thy great imployment

Will not bear question; either say thou'lt do't,
Or thrive by other means.

Capt.
I'll do't, my lord.

Bast.
About it, and write happy, when thou'st done.
Mark, I say,—instantly, and carry it so
As I have set it down. [Exit Captain.

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