Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Neither can be enjoy'd, 60 If both remain alive: to take the widow Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use His speedy taking off. As for the mercy [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. We are not the first Cor. 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 such sacrifices, my Cordelia, ΙΟ 20 The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? 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 Capt. I'll do 't, my lord. 30 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, 50 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; Where you shall hold your session. At this time By those that feel their sharpness: The question of Cordelia and her father Requires a fitter place. Alb. Sir, by your patience, 60 I hold you but a subject of this war, Not as a brother. Reg. That's as we list to grace him. Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers; Gon. Not so hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, More than in your addition. Reg. In my rights, By me invested, he compeers the best. Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you. Gon. Holla, holla! That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint. Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will. Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. 70 80 Reg. [To Edmund] Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee On capital treason; and, in thine attaint, This gilded serpent [pointing to Goneril]. For your claim, fair sister, I bar it in the interest of my wife; 'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord, And I, her husband, contradict your bans. H If you will marry, make your loves to me; My lady is bespoke. Gon. Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloucester: let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy head Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, There is my pledge [throwing down a glove]; I'll prove it on thy heart, Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Than I have here proclaim'd thee. Reg. Sick, O, sick! Gon. [Aside] If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine. Edm. [Throwing down a glove] There's my exchange: what in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies: Alb. A herald, ho! Edm. A herald, ho, a herald! Alb. Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, All levied in my name, have in my name Took their discharge. Reg. 100 My sickness grows upon me. [Exit Regan, led. Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent. Enter a Herald. Come hither, herald,-Let the trumpet sound, And read out this. Capt. Sound, trumpet! [A trumpet sounds. Her. [Reads] 'If any man of quality or degree within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear |