Sir, this I hear,-The king is come to his daughter, I never yet was valiant: for this business, Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together, 'gainst the enemy : For these domestick and particular broils Are not to question here. Alb. Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Edm. I fhall attend you presently at your tent. Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis moft convenient; pray you, go with us. Gon. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Afide.] I will go. As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man fo poor, Hear me one word. Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt EDM. REG. GON. Officers, Soldiers, and Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. Edg. Edg. I was forbid it. [Exit. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again. Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper. Re-enter EDMUND. Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers. Is now urg'd on you. Alb. We will greet the time. Edm. To both these fifters have I fworn my love; Are of the adder. Which of them fhall I take? Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use SCENE II. A Field between the two Camps. [Exit. [Exit. 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 For your good hoft; pray that the right may thrive: If ever I return to you again, Grace go with you, fir! [Exit EDGAR. Alarums; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter EDGAR, Glo. No further, fir; a man may rot even here. Glo. And that's true too. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in conqueft, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as prifoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known That are to cenfure them. We are not the first, Cor. Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. For thee, oppreffed king, am I caft down; Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.Shall we not see these daughters, and these fisters ? Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison : We two alone will fing 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 fing, and tell old tales, and laugh At At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,- As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon fuch facrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incenfe. Have I caught thee? The goujeers fhall 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 prifon : One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou doft As this inftru&ts thee, thou doft make thy way To noble fortunes: Know thou this, that men Does not become a fword :-Thy great employment of. I'll do't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast done. Mark,-I fay, inftantly; and carry it fo, As I have fet it down. Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; 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 your valiant strain, And And fortune led you well: You have the captives Edm. Sir, I thought it fit To fend the old and miferable king To fome retention, and appointed guard; Whofe age has charms in it, whose title more, To pluck the common bofom on his fide, And turn our imprefs'd lances in our eyes Which do command them. With him I fent the queen; Where you shall hold your feffion. At this time, By thofe that feel their sharpness : 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 lift to grace him. Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded, And call itself your brother. Gon. Not fo hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, Reg. In my rights, Gon. |