Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor ? hence, Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without 'vurther 'casion. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gate, and let poor volk pass; and chu'd ha' bin' zwagger'd out of my life, it would not have been so long as tis by a vortnight.. Nay, an' thou com'st near th' old man, l'st try whether your costard or my ballow be th' harder. Ows. Out, dunghill ! Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir: come, no matter vor your foines. (Edgar knocks him down) Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me; oh! untimely death? (dies) Edg. I know thee well, a serviceable villain, As duteous to the vices of his mistress, As lust could wish. Glost. What? is he dead ? Edg. This is a letter carrier, and may have Some papers of intelligence, that may stand Our party in good stead to know. What's here ? (takes a letter out of his pocket and reads it) To Edmund, earl of Gloster. Let our mutual loves be remembered: you have many opportunities to cut Albany off. If he returns the conqueror, then I am still a prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth of which deliver me, and supply the place for your labor. A plot upon the duke her husband's life, GONERIL. In time and place convenient I'll produce (a march at a distance) Come, your hand; END OF THE FOURTH ACT: [exeunt ACT V. SCENE I-a chamber-king LEAR asleep on a couchCORDELIA, PHYSICIAN, and two knights standing by him. Cord. His sleep is sound, and may have good effect To cure his jarring senses, and repair This breach of nature. Phys. We have employ'd the utmost power of art, And this deep rest will perfect our design. Cord. O Regan! Goneril! inhuman sisters ! Had he not been your father, these white hairs Had challenged sure some pity! was this a face To be exposed against the jarring winds? My enemy's dog, though he had bit me, should Have stood that night against my fire.-He wakes; speak to him. Phys. Madam, do you: tis fittest. Cord. How does my royal lord? how fares your majesty ? Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o'th' grave. Cord. Speak to me, sir; who am I? Lear. You are a soul in bliss; but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire, which my own tears Do scald like molten lead. Cord. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit, I know; when did you die? Cord. Still, still, far wide! Phys. Madam, he's scarce awake; he'll soon grow more composed. Lear. Where have I been? where am I? fair day. I am mightily abused; I should even die with pity These are my hands. Cord. O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hand in blessing o'er me. Nay, Lear. Pray, do not mock me; I am a very foolish, fond, old man, Cord. Nay, then farewell to patience? witness for me, Ye mighty pow'rs, I ne'er complain'd till now! man; Yet I am doubtful; for I'm mainly ignorant To be my child Cordelia. Cord. O, my dear, dear father! Lear. Be your tears wet? yes, faith; pray, do not weep. I know I have given thee cause, and am so humbled With crosses since, that I could ask Forgiveness of thee, were it possible That thou could'st grant it; If thou hast poison for me, I will drink it, Cord. O, pity, sir, a bleeding heart, and cease This killing language. Lear. Tell me, friends, where am I? Phys. In your own kingdom, sir. Lear. Do not abuse me. Phys. Be comforted, good madam; for the violence Of his distemper's past; we'll lead him in, Nor trouble him till he is better settled. Will it please you, sir, walk into freer air? Lear. You must bear with me, I am old and foolish. Forget and forgive. (the physician leads off king Lear, followed by the two knights) Cord. The gods restore you!--(a distant march) Hark, I hear afar The beaten drum, Old Kent's a man of's word. Oh! for an arm Like the fierce thunderer's, when the earth-born sons [exit Cordelia SCENE II—a valley near the field of battles Edg. Here, sir, take you 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. Glost. Thanks, friendly sir; [exit Edgar The fortune, your good cause deserves, betide you! (un alarum within) The fight grows hot; the whole war's now at work, And the gored battle bleeds in every vein, Whilst drums and trumpets drown loud slaughter's roar. Where's Gloster now, that used to head the onset, No more of shelter, thou blind worm, but forth O, dark despair! when, Edgar, wilt thou come (a retreat sounded Hark! a retreat; the king, I fear, has lost. enter EDGAR. Edg. Away, old man; give me your hand; away! King Lear has lost; he and his daughter ta'en: And this, ye gods, is all that I can save Of this most precious wreck. Give me your hand. Glost. No farther, sir; a man may rot even here. Edg. What! in ill thoughts again? men must en dure Their going hence, even as their coming hither. SCENE III—the field of battle. [exeunt enter the duke of ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, EDMUND, CAPTAIN of the guards, and soldiers-with king LEAR, KENT, and CORDELIA, prisoners. Alb. It is enough to have conquer'd; cruelty But as you hold your life, despatch your pris'ners. Capt. I shall obey your orders. Edm. Sir, I approve it safest to pronounce Sentence of death upon this wretched king, Whose age has charms in it, his title more, To draw the commons once more to his side; Twere best prevent Alb. Sir, by your favor, I hold you but a subject of this war, Reg. That's as we list to grace him. |