Lear. Pass. Glo. I know that voice. Lear. Ha! Goneril!-with a white beard!-They flattered me like a dog; and told me I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say, "Ay" and "No" to everything I said!" Ay" and " No," too, was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found them, there I smelt them out. Go to, they are not men o' their words: they told me I was everything: 't is a lie; I am not ague-proof. Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is 't not the King? Ay, every inch a king: Lear. Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery! No: Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.— Whose face between her forks presageth snow; The fitchew, nor the soiléd horse goes to 't But to the girdle do the gods inherit; Glo. O let me kiss that hand! Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruined piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.—Read thou this challenge: mark but the penning of it. Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Edg. I would not take this from report :—it is, And my heart breaks at it. Lear. Read. Glo. What, with the case of eyes? Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Through tattered clothes small vices do appear'; Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it. None does offend; none, I say, none: I'll able 'em : Take that of me, my friend, who have the power To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes; And, like a scurvy politician, seem To see the things thou dost not.-Now, now, now, now: Pull off my boots :-harder, harder: so. Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. I know thee well enough: thy name is Gloster. Thou must be patient: we came crying hither. Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, We wawl and cry.-I will preach to thee: mark me. Glo. Alack, alack the day! Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come To this great stage of fools.-This a good block?— It were a delicate stratagem to shoe A troop of horse with felt! I'll put it in proof; And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill. Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Gent. O, here he is: lay hand upon him.—Sir, Your most dear daughter Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well: You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon: I am cut to the brains. "Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done if he return the conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. "Your wife (so I would say) and your affectionate servant, "GONERIL." O undistinguished space of woman's will! sands, Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified Of murderous lechers: and, in the mature time, Repair those violent harms that my two sisters Have in thy reverence made! Kent. Kind and dear princess! Cor. Had you not been their father, these Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face Of quick cross-lightning? to watch (poor perdu!) Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' the SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold; Or whether, since, he is advised by aught To change the course. He's full of alteration And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure. [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Reg. Sister, you'll go with us? Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis most convenient: pray you, go with us. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle. [Aside.]-I will go. |