Cor. And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: If you have poison for me, I will drink it: Cor. No cause, no cause. Kent. In your own kingdom, sir. Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great rage, Cor. Will't please your highness walk? 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. Most certain, sir. Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. As it is said, The bastard son of Gloster. Gent. 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 powers o'the kingdom Approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir. Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. (3) To reconcile it to his apprehension. WARBURTON. [Exit. [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.4 [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. 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. 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.- [4] His settled resolution. JOHNSON. [5] This business (says Albany,) touches us as France invades our land, not as it bolds the king, &c. i. e, emboldens his to assert his former title. STEEVENS. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy : For these domestic and particular broils Alb. Let us then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis 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 poor, Hear me one word. Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt EDM. REG. GON. Officers, Soldiers, Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, [Exit. Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy paper. Re-enter EDMUND. Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces Is now urg'd on you. Alb. We will greet the time.7 [Exit. 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? Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; STEEVENS. [6] All designs against your life will have an end. And hardly shall I carry out my side, 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,- Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [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 For your good host; pray that the right may thrive : If ever I return to you again, I'll bring you comfort. Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit EDGAR. Alarums; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter EDGAR. Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. Their going hence, even as Glo. And that's true too. their cor SCENE III. coming hither : [Exeunt. 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. Shall we not see these daughters, and these sisters? As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have Icaught thee? He that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven, And fire us hence, like foxes.2 Wipe thine eyes; The goujeers3 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 Does not become a sword:-Thy great employment Of. I'll do't, my lord. Edm.About it; and write happy, when thou hast done. Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so, As I have set it down. Offi. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work, I will do it. [Exit. [9] As if we were angels commissioned to survey and report the lives of men, and were consequently endowed with the power of prying into the original motives of action and the mysteries of conduct. JOHNSON. [1] The thought is extremely noble, and expressed in a sublime of imagery that Seneca fell short of on the like occasion. "Ecce spectaculum dig"num ad quod respiciat, intentus operi suo deus: ecce par deo dignum, vir "fortis cum mala fortuna compositus." WARBURTON. [2] It is usual to smoke foxes out of their holes. STEEVENS. [3] The goujeres is the morbus gallicus. Gouge, Fr. one of the common women attending a camp. HANMER. [4] Flesh and fell-flesh and skin. JOHNSON.. |