If you Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion, that will prove What is avouched there: If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune love you! Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. Edg. I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again. [Exit. Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper. Re-enter Edmund. Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery;-but your haste Is now urg'd on you. Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit. Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love; Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use The battle done, and they within our power, SCENE II. A FIELD BETWEEN THE TWO CAMPS. [Exit. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, Lear, Cordelia, and their forces; and exeunt. Enter Edgar and Glo'ster. Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host; pray that the right may thrive: If ever I return to you again, I'll bring you comfort. Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit Edgar. Re-enter Edgar. Alarums; afterwards a Retreat. Edg. Away, old man, give me thy hand, away; King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en: Give me thy hand, come on. Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here, Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Ripeness is all; Come on. Glo. And that's true too. SCENE III. THE BRITISH CAMP NEAR DOVER. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, Edmund; Lear and Cordelia, as prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known We are not the first, Cor. 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' the cage: As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, Edm. 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 heaven, Come. first. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. Take thou this note; [giving a paper.] go, follow them to prison: One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou dost To noble fortunes: Know thou this,-that men Does not become a sword:-Thy great employment Off. I'll do't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast done. Mark,-I say, instantly; and carry it so, Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Officers, and Attendants. Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, And fortune led you well: You have the captives Edm. Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention, and appointed guard; To pluck the common bosom on his side, And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes Which do command them. With him I sent the queen; My reason all the same; and they are ready Where you shall hold your session. session. At this time, We sweat, and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend; And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd The question of Cordelia, and her father, Requires a fitter place. Alb. Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, Not as a brother. Reg. That's as we list to grace him. Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded, Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers; Bore the commission of my place and person; The which immediacy may well stand up, And call itself your brother. Gon. Not so hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, |