To change the course: he 's full of alteration
And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure.
[To a Gentleman who goes out.
Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.
Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam.
Reg.

Now, sweet lord,

You know the goodness I intend upon you:
Tell me but truly-but then speak the truth,
Do you not love my sister?

Edm.

In honour'd love.

Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forfended place?

Edm.

That thought abuses you.

Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct

And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.

Edm. No, by mine honour, madam.

Reg. I never shall endure her: dear my lord, Be not familiar with her.

Edm.

Fear me not:

She and the duke her husband!

Enter, with drum and colours, Albany, GonERIL,

and Soldiers.

Gon. [Aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met.

Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter,
With others whom the rigour of our state

Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
I never yet was valiant: for this business,

It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.

Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.

Reg.

Why is this reason'd?

Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy;

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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. [Aside] O, ho, I know the riddle.-I will go.

As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised.

Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word.

Alb.

I'll overtake you. Speak.

[Exeunt all but Albany and Edgar.

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
If you 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.
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,

And I'll appear again.

I was forbid it.

40

Alb. Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper. 50

Re-enter EDMUND.

[Exit Edgar.

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 urged on you.

Alb.

We will greet the time.

Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love;

[Exit.

Each jealous of the other, as the stung

Are of the adder.

Which of them shall I take?

Both? one? or neither?

Neither can be enjoy'd,

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If both remain alive: to take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit. 69

SCENE II. A field between the two camps.

Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and Soldiers, over the stage; and exeunt. Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER.

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.

Glou.

Grace go with you, sir!

[Exit Edgar.

Alarum and retreat within. Re-enter EDGAR. 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.

Glou. No farther, 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.

Glou.

10

SCENE III. The British camp near Dover.

Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, prisoners; Captain, Soldiers, &c.

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

That are to censure them.

Cor.
We are 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' the 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 the moon.

Edm.

Take them away.

Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,

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The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee?
He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven,
And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;

The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell,

Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve first. Come.

[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 advanced 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
Does not become a sword: thy great employment
Will not bear question; either say thou 'lt do 't,
Or thrive by other means.

Capt.

I'll do 't, my lord.

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Edm. About it; and write happy when thou hast done. Mark; I say, instantly, and carry it so

As I have set it down.

Capt. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work, I'll do 't.

[Exit.

Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, another Captain, and Soldiers.

Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, 41 And fortune led you well: you have the captives That were the opposites of this day's strife: We do require them of you, so to use them As we shall find their merits and our safety May equally determine.

Edm.

Sir, I thought it fit

To send the old and miserable king

To some retention and appointed guard;

Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,

To pluck the common bosom on his side,

50

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
To-morrow, or at further space, to appear

Where you shall hold your session. At this time
We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend;
And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed

By those that feel their sharpness:

The question of Cordelia and her father

Requires a fitter place.

Alb.

Sir, by your patience,

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