Edm.
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, am I cast down;
Myself 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, &wlquo;and tell old tales, and laugh
&wlquo;At gilded butterflies; and hear poor rogues
&wlquo;Talk of Court-news, and we'll talk with them too,
&wlquo;Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out:
&wlquo;^{3 note}
And take upon's the mystery of things,
&wlquo;As if we were God's spies. And we'll wear out,
&wlquo;In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of Great ones,
&wlquo;That ebb and flow by th' moon.&wrquo;

Edm.
Take them away.

&wlquo;Lear.
&wlquo;^{4 note}
Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,

&wlquo;The Gods themselves throw incense.&wrquo; 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 (a) ^note goujeres shall devour them, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep; we'll see them starv'd first.
Come. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia guarded.

Edm.
Come hither, Captain, hark.
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; ^{5 note}

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

Edm.
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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