out, che vor'ye, or ise try whether your costard1 or my bat2 be the harder: Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill! Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; no matter vor your foins.3 [They fight and Edgar knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me :-Villain, take my purse; If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; And give the letters, which thou find'st about me, [Dies. Edg. I know thee well: A serviceable villaia ; As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, As badness would desire. Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, May be my friends.-He's dead; I am only sorry He had no other death's-man.-Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts; Their papers, is more lawful.4 [Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows be remem bered. 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 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 undistinguish'd space of woman's will! (1) Head. (2) Club. (3) Thrusts. (4) To rip their papers is more lawful. A plot upon her virtuous husband's life: sands; Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified [Exit Edgar, dragging out the body. Re-enter Edgar. Edg. Give me your hand. Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Exe. SCENE VII-A tent in the French camp. Lear on a bed asleep; Physician, Gentleman, and others, attending: Enter Cordelia and Kent. Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live, and work, To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, And every measure fail me. Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er-paid. All my reports go with the modest truth; Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. Be better-suited :2 These weeds are memories of those worser hours; I pr'ythee, put them off. (1) I'll cover thee (the dead steward) in the sands. (2) Dressed. (3) Memorials. (4) Intent formed E VOL. VIII. Till time and I think meet. Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How does the king? Phys. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O you kind gods, [To the Physician. Cure this great breach in his abused nature! Phys. I'the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well. Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the music there. Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss 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 white flakes Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu !!) (1) French, enfans perdus. In short and musty straw? Alack, alack! Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'the Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound Cor. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit, I know; When did you die? Cor. Still, still, far wide! Phys. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been?-Where am I?-Fair day-light? I am mightily abus'd.—I should even die with pity, Cor. O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me : Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should know you, and know this man: Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant What place this is; and all the skill I have Remembers not these garments; nor I know not Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at me; For, as I am a man, I think this lady To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: 790214 A I will drink it. If you have poison for me, Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Kent. No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, sir. Lear. Do not abuse me. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, You see, is cur'd in him: and yet it is danger Cor. Will't please your highness walk? You must bear with me: Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old, and foolish. [Exeunt Lear, Cordelia, Physician, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, sir, That the duke of Cornwall was so slain? Kent. Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. The bastard son of Gloster. Gent. Most certain, sir. As 'tis said, They say, Edgar, His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent In Germany. Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers2 o'the kingdom Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement3 is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit. (1) To reconcile it to his apprehension. (2) Forces. |