Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir. If both remain alive: To take the widow, Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; [Exit. And hardly shall I carry out my side Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle 's fought. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with drums and colours, Edmund, Regan, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold; Or whether, since, he is advis'd 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. 'T is 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 forefended 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 Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me. [Aside. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I heard,-The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigour of our state Forc'd 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: For these domestic, and particular broils Are not the question here. Alb. Let's then determine with the ancient of war On our proceeding. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Reg. Sister, you 'll go with us? Gon. No. Reg. 'T is most convenient: pray you go with us. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: (Aside.] I will go. As they are going out, enter Edgar, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so Hear me one word. [poor, Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. 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. 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. 501 Her husband being alive. Now then, we 'll use [Exit. SCENE II.-A Field between the two Camps. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, Lear, Cordelia, and their Forces; and exeunt. Enter Edgar and Gloster. Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree Grace go with you, sir! Glo. 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. And that's true too. [Exeunt. 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 That are to censure them. Cor. We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. For thee, oppressed king, I am 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 us 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, [thee? The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught 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 them 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 advanc'd thee: if thou dost Off. [done. [Exit.ff. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats: We will greet the time. 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? Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, If it be man's work I will do it. [Exit Officer. Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Officers, and Attendants. Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day vour valiant strain, And fortune led you well: You have the captives Sir, I thought it fit Alb. Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, Reg. In my rights, By me invested, he compeers the best. Gon. That were the most if he should husband you. Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. Holla, holla! That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint. Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer From a full-flowing stomach.-General, Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine: Witness the world, that I create thee here My lord and master. Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good-will. Edm. Nor in thine, lord. Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. [To Edmund. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason:-Edmund, I arrest thee On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, This gilded serpent: [pointing to Gon.for your claim, fair sister, I bar it in the interest of my wife; 'T is she is sub-contracted to this lord, Gon. An interlude! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Reg. Sick, O, sick! Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine. [Aside. Edm. There's my exchange: [Throwing down a glove] what in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies: Alb. A herald, hoa! A herald, hoa, a herald! Edm. Took their discharge. Reg. I come to cope withal. Alb. Which is that adversary? Edg. What's he that speaks for Edmund earl of Gloster? Edm. Himself;-What say'st thou to him? That, if my speech offend a noble heart, The privilege of mine honours, My oath, and my profession; I protest,- A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, 'No,' Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; Gon. This is practice, Gloster: By the law of war, thou wast not bound to answer An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd, But cozen'd and beguil'd. Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it: -Hold, sir:Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil :No tearing, lady; I perceive you know it. [Gives the letter to Edmund. Gon. Say, if I do: the laws are mine, not thine: Who can arraign me for 't? [Exit Goneril. Alb. Most monstrous ! Know'st thou this paper? Edm. Ask me not what I know. Alb. Go after her: she 's desperate: govern her. [To an Officer, who goes out. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that have I done, And more, much more: the time will bring it out; Let's exchange charity. My name is Edgar, and thy father's son. The dark and vicious place where thee he got Edm. Alb. Methought thy very gait did prophesy Worthy prince, I know 't. And when 't is told, O, that my heart would burst!- Their precious stones new lost; became his guide, Told him our pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart, Alb. If there be more, more woeful, hold it in; This would have seem'd a period Whilst I was big in clamour, came there in a man, Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding Edg. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody knife. Gent. Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister Here comes Kent. Edm. I was contracted to them both; all three Now marry in an instant. Edg. Alb. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead This judgment of the heavens that makes us tremble, Touches us not with pity. [Exit Gentleman. Enter Kent. Kent. I am come The time will not allow the compliment, Which very manners urges. Alb. Even so.-Cover their faces. I know when one is dead, and when one lives; She 's dead as earth:-Lend me a looking-glass; If that her breath will mist or stain the stone, Why, then she lives. Kent. Is this the promis'd end? Edg. Or image of that horror? Alb. Fall, and cease! Lear. This feather stirs; she lives! if it be so, It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows That ever I have felt. Kent. O my good master! Kneeling. Lear. Prithee, away. Edg. 'T is noble Kent, your friend. [all! Lear. A plague upon you, murtherers, traitors I might have sav'd her; now she's gone for ever! Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little. Ha! What is 't thou say'st?-Her voice was ever soft, Gentle, and low; an excellent thing in woman:I kill'd the slave that was a hanging thee. Off. 'T is true, my lords, he did. Lear. Did I not, fellow? I have seen the day, with my good biting faulchion I would have made them skip: I am old now, And these same crosses spoil me.-Who are you? Mine eyes are not o' the best:-I'll tell you straight. Kent. If fortune brag of two she lov'd and hated, One of them we behold. Lear. This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent? Kent. The same; Your servant Kent: Where is your servant Caius? Lear. He's a good fellow, I can tell you that; He'll strike, and quickly too: He's dead and rotten. Kent. No, my good lord; I am the very man;--Lear. I'll see that straight. Kent. That, from your first of difference and de- Your eldest daughters have fore-done themselves, Ay, so I think. Very bootless. Enter an Officer. Off Edmund is dead, my lord. Alb. That 's but a trifle here.You lords, and noble friends, know our intent. What comfort to this great decay may come Shall be applied: For us, we will resign, During the life of this old majesty, To him our absolute power :-You, to your rights; [To Edgar and Kent. With boot, and such addition as your honours Have more than merited.-All friends shall taste The wages of their virtue, and all foes The cup of their deservings.-O, see, see! Lear. And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, [life: And thou no breath at all? Thou It come no more. Never, never, never, never, never! Pray you undo this button: Thank you, sir. 504 Do you see this? Look on her,-look,-her lips,- Alb. Bear them from hence.-Our present business Kent. The wonder is he hath endur'd so long: МАСВЕТН. DUNCAN, King of Scotland. PERSONS REPRESENTED. land, general of the English | HECATE, and three Witches. forces. Young SIWARD, his son. SEYTON, an officer attending on Macbeth. Son to Macduff. Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and Messengers. An English Doctor. A Scotch The Ghost of Banquo, and other Doctor. I Witch. I come, Graymalkin! All. Paddock calls:-Anon. Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. [Witches vanish. As thou didst leave it. Sold. Doubtful it stood; The multiplying villainies of nature Do swarm upon him,) from the western isles Like valour's minion, carved out his passage, Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Apparitions. SCENE.-In the end of the Fourth Who comes here? Dun. Whence cam'st thou, worthy thane? Norway himself, with terrible numbers, Dun. Rosse. That now Great happiness! Sweno, the Norways' king, craves composition; Dun. No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest:-Go, pronounce his present A prosperous gentleman; and, to be king, [death, Stands not within the prospect of belief, Dun. What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-A Heath. Thunder. Enter the three Witches. 1 Witch. Where hast thou been, sister? 2 Witch. Killing swine. 3 Witch. Sister, where thou? No more than to be Cawdor. Say, from whence you. melted I Witch. A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap, As breath into the wind.-'Would they had staid! 'Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed ronyon cries. 2 Witch. I'll give thee a wind. I Witch. Th' art kind. 3 Witch. And I another. I Witch. I myself have all the other; And the very ports they blow, All the quarters that they know I'll drain him dry as hay: Sleep shall neither night nor day Weary sev'n-nights, nine times nine, 2 Witch. Show me, show me. Ban. Were such things here as we do speak about? Enter Rosse and Angus. Rosse. The king hath happily receiv'd, Macbeth, I Witch. Here I have a pilot's thumb, Wrack'd, as homeward he did come. 3 Witch. A drum, a drum: Macbeth doth come. All. The weird sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land, Thus do go about, about; Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, And thrice again, to make up nine: Enter Macbeth and Banquo. (these, Mach. So foul and fair a day I have not seen. Glamis ! [me, Mach. Speak, if you can ;-What are you? hereafter. Ban. Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner That he seems rapt withal; to me you speak not: And say, which grain will grow, and which will not, I Witch. Hail! 3 Witch. Hail! 2 Witch. Hail! I Witch. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. [none: 1 Witch. Banquo, and Macbeth, all hail! What, can the devil speak true? Ang. Who was the thane, lives yet; But under heavy judginent bears that life Whether he was combin'd with those of Norway; And vantage; or that with both he labour'd Glamis, and thane of Cawdor: Ban. Two truths are told, Cannot be ill; cannot be good:-If ill, My thought, whose murther yet is but fantastical, |