Have you forgot that he did lead our pow'rs? Gon. Not so hot; In his own merits he exalts himself More than in your addition. enter EDGAR, disguised. Alb. What art thou ? Edg. Pardon me, sir, that I presume to stop A prince and conq'ror; ere you triumph, Give ear to what a stranger can deliver Of what concerns you more than triumph car. I do impeach your general there of treason, Lord Edmund, that usurps the name of Gloster, Of foulest practice 'gainst your life and honor: This charge is true; and wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion that will prove, In single combat, what I do avouch, If Edmund dares but trust his cause and sword. The place where I may meet this challenger, Alb. Anon, before our tent, i' th' army's view, There let the herald cry. Edg. I thank your highness in my champion' name: He'll wait your trumpet's call. Alb Lead. [exit Edga [exeun manent king LEAR, KENT, CORDELIA, captain of the guard, and soldiers. Kent. O Kent! Cordelia ! You are the only pair that I e'er wrong'd, tor To see me chain'd and shackled at these years! Not fellow sufferers, all were well. Cord This language, sir, adds yet to our affliction. Exposed'st thy life and fortune for a master, Kent. Pardon me, sir, that once I broke your or- Banish'd by you, I kept me here disguised To watch your fortunes, and protect your person: Kent. I was that Caius, Disguised in that coarse dress to follow you. Lear. My Caius too! wer't thou my trusty Caius ? Enough, enough Kent. Ah me, he faints! his blood forsakes his cheek Help, Kent, Lear. No, no, they shall not see us weep, ! We'll see them rot first.-Guards, lead away to pris on. Come Kent; Cordelia, come.-Ha! have I caught you? He, that parts us, must bring a brand from heaven ; SCENE IV-the duke of Albany's tent. (flourish) [exeunt enter the duke of ALBANY, EDMUND, HERALD, attendants, and soldiers. Alb. Now, Gloster, trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, All levied in my name, have in ny name Ta'en their discharge. Now let our trumpets speak, And herald, read out this. (herald reads) If any man of quality within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the trumpet; he is bold in his defence. Sound;-again ;-again. (the trumpet sounds at each order-and is then answered from within) enter EDGAR, Alb. Lord Edgar! Edm. Ha! my brother! This is the only combatant I could fear; Edg. My noble prince, a word;-ere we engage, Alb. We shall peruse it. Edg. Now, Edmund, draw thy sword, I brand thee with the spotted name of traitor, Edm. And dares Edgar, The beaten, routed Edgar, brave his conqueror? This after game? Edg. Half blooded man, ets Thy father's sin first, then his punishment, Thou draw'st thy villany; but, for thy part (trumpet sounds—they fight-Edmund falls) Tis past, and so am I. Edg. As thou art my father's son, Edm. Thy sword has proved thy truth.-Forgive me, Oh! ere life leaves me, let me do some good, Is on the life of Lear, and of Cordelia. Edg. O, let us fly, my lord, to save their lives! Alb. The heavens defend them!-bear him hence a while. [exeunt the duke of Albany and Edgar, with a part of the soldiers, and the other part bear Edmund away. .SCENE V—a prison, king LEAR asleep, with his head on CORDELIA's lap. Cord. What toils, thou wretched king, hast thou endured, To make thee draw, in chains, a sleep so sound !. What fate has seized thee in this general wreck O gods! a sudden gloom o'erwhelms me, and the im age Of death o'erspreads the place.-Ha! who are these? enter CAPTAIN of the guards, another OFFICER, and soldiers with cords. Capt. Now, sirs, despatch; already you are paid In part, the best of your reward's to come. Lear. Charge, charge upon their flank; their left wing halts; Push, push the battle, and the day's our own; And now a pris'ner here!-what mean the slaves? Cord. Help, earth and heaven! For your soul's sake, dear sir, and for the gods',Off. No tears, good lady; no pleading against gold and preferment. Come, sirs, make ready your cords. Cord. You, sir, I'll seize, You have a human form; and, if no prayers By that I beg you to despatch me first. Capt. Comply with her request; despatch her first. Lear. Off, hell hounds! by the gods I charge you, spare her; Tis my Cordelia, my true pious daughter ;- |