The Tragedy of King Lear

  Osw. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy!     That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh     To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,     Briefly thyself remember. The sword is out     That must destroy thee.  Glou. Now let thy friendly hand     Put strength enough to't.                                             [Edgar interposes.]  Osw. Wherefore, bold peasant,     Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence!     Lest that th' infection of his fortune take     Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.  Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'cagion.  Osw. Let go, slave, or thou diest!  Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor voke pass. Anchud     ha' bin zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zolong as     'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th' old man. Keepout,     che vore ye, or Ise try whether your costard or my ballow bethe     harder. Chill be plain with you.  Osw. Out, dunghill!                                                     They fight.  Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come! No matter vor yourfoins.                                                 [Oswald falls.]  Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.     If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body,     And give the letters which thou find'st about me     To Edmund Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out     Upon the British party. O, untimely death! Death!                                                        He dies.  Edg. I know thee well. A serviceable villain,     As duteous to the vices of thy mistress     As badness would desire.  Glou. What, is he dead?  Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.     Let's see his pockets; these letters that he speaks of     May be my friends. He's dead. I am only sorry     He had no other deathsman. Let us see.     Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not.     To know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts;     Their papers, is more lawful. Reads the letter.       'Let our reciprocal vows be rememb'red. You have many     opportunities to cut him off. If your will want not, timeand     place will be fruitfully offer'd. There is nothing done, ifhe     return the conqueror. Then am I the prisoner, and his bed my     jail; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supplythe     place for your labour.           'Your (wife, so I would say) affectionate servant,'Goneril.'     O indistinguish'd space of woman's will!     A plot upon her virtuous husband's life,     And the exchange my brother! Here in the sands     Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified     Of murtherous lechers; and in the mature time     With this ungracious paper strike the sight     Of the death-practis'd Duke, For him 'tis well     That of thy death and business I can tell.  Glou. The King is mad. How stiff is my vile sense,     That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling     Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract.     So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,     And woes by wrong imaginations lose     The knowledge of themselves.                                                A drum afar off.  Edg. Give me your hand.     Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum.     Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. Exeunt.

Scene VII. A tent in the French camp

Enter Cordelia, Kent, Doctor, and Gentleman.

  Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work     To match thy goodness? My life will be too short     And every measure fail me.  Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'erpaid.     All my reports go with the modest truth;     Nor more nor clipp'd, but so.  Cor. Be better suited.     These weeds are memories of those worser hours.     I prithee put them off.  Kent. Pardon, dear madam.     Yet to be known shortens my made intent.     My boon I make it that you know me not     Till time and I think meet.  Cor. Then be't so, my good lord. [To the Doctor] How, does theKing?  Doct. Madam, sleeps still.  Cor. O you kind gods,     Cure this great breach in his abused nature!     Th' untun'd and jarring senses, O, wind up     Of this child-changed father!  Doct. So please your Majesty     That we may wake the King? He hath slept long.  Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed     I' th' sway of your own will. Is he array'd?

Enter Lear in a chair carried by Servants.

  Gent. Ay, madam. In the heaviness of sleep     We put fresh garments on him.  Doct. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him.     I doubt not of his temperance.  Cor. Very well.Music  Doct. Please you draw near. Louder the music there!  Cor. O my dear father, restoration hang     Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss     Repair those violent harms that my two sisters     Have in thy reverence made!  Kent. Kind and dear princess!  Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes     Had challeng'd pity of them. Was this a face     To be oppos'd against the warring winds?     To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?     In the most terrible and nimble stroke     Of quick cross lightning? to watch- poor perdu! -     With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog,     Though he had bit me, should have stood that night     Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father,     To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn,     In short and musty straw? Alack, alack!     'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once     Had not concluded all. – He wakes. Speak to him.  Doct. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.  Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your Majesty?  Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' th' grave.     Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound     Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears     Do scald like molten lead.  Cor. Sir, do you know me?  Lear. You are a spirit, I know. When did you die?  Cor. Still, still, far wide!  Doct. He's scarce awake. Let him alone awhile.  Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight,     I am mightily abus'd. I should e'en die with pity,     To see another thus. I know not what to say.     I will not swear these are my hands. Let's see.     I feel this pin prick. Would I were assur'd     Of my condition!  Cor. O, look upon me, sir,     And hold your hands in benediction o'er me.     No, sir, you must not kneel.  Lear. Pray, do not mock me.     I am a very foolish fond old man,     Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less;     And, to deal plainly,     I fear I am not in my perfect mind.     Methinks I should know you, and know this man;     Yet I am doubtful; for I am mainly ignorant     What place this is; and all the skill I have     Remembers not these garments; nor I know not     Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me;     For (as I am a man) I think this lady     To be my child Cordelia.  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.     I know you do not love me; for your sisters     Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.     You have some cause, they have not.  Cor. No cause, no cause.  Lear. Am I in France?  Kent. In your own kingdom, sir.  Lear. Do not abuse me.  Doct. Be comforted, good madam. The great rage     You see is kill'd in him; and yet it is danger     To make him even o'er the time he has lost.     Desire him to go in. Trouble him no more     Till further settling.  Cor. Will't please your Highness walk?  Lear. You must bear with me.     Pray you now, forget and forgive. I am old and foolish.                              Exeunt. Manent Kent and Gentleman.  Gent. Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was soslain?  Kent. Most certain, sir.  Gent. Who is conductor of his people?  Kent. As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester.  Gent. They say Edgar, his banish'd son, is with the Earl ofKent     in Germany.  Kent. Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powersof     the kingdom approach apace.  Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody.     Fare you well, sir. [Exit.]  Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought,     Or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought. Exit.

ACT V. Scene I. The British camp near Dover

Enter, with Drum and Colours, Edmund, Regan, Gentleman, and Soldiers.

  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.                                              [Exit an Officer.]  Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.  Edm. Tis to be doubted, madam.  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 forfended 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.  Edm. No, by mine honour, madam.  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, with Drum and Colours, Albany, Goneril, Soldiers.

  Gon. [aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister     Should loosen him and me.  Alb. Our very loving sister, well bemet.     Sir, this I hear: the King is come to his daughter,     With others whom the rigour of our state     Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest,     I never yet was valiant. For this business,     It toucheth us as France invades our land,     Not bolds the King, with others whom, I fear,     Most just and heavy causes make oppose.  Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.  Reg. Why is this reason'd?  Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy;     For these domestic and particular broils     Are not the question here.  Alb. Let's then determine     With th' ancient of war on our proceeding.  Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent.  Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?  Gon. No.  Reg. 'Tis most convenient. Pray you go with us.  Gon. [aside] O, ho, I know the riddle. – 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 [all but Albany and Edgar].  Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.     If you have victory, let the trumpet sound     For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,     I can produce a champion that will prove     What is avouched there. If you miscarry,     Your business of the world hath so an end,     And machination ceases. Fortune love you!  Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.  Edg. I was forbid it.     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.                                                   Exit [Edgar].

Enter Edmund.

  Edm. The enemy 's in view; draw up your powers.     Here is the guess of their true strength and forces     By diligent discovery; but your haste     Is now urg'd on you.  Alb. We will greet the time. 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?     Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,     If both remain alive. To take the widow     Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;     And hardly shall I carry out my side,     Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use     His countenance for the battle, which being done,     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-     The battle done, and they within our power,     Shall never see his pardon; for my state     Stands on me to defend, not to debate. Exit.

Scene II. A field between the two camps

Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colours, the Powers of France over the stage, Cordelia with her Father in her hand, 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. 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 further, 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. And that's true too. Exeunt.

Scene III. The British camp, near Dover

Enter, in conquest, with Drum and Colours, Edmund; Lear and Cordelia as prisoners; Soldiers, Captain.

  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.     For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down;     Myself could else outfrown false Fortune's frown.     Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?  Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison.     We two alone will sing like birds i' th' cage.     When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down     And ask of thee forgiveness. So we'll live,     And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh     At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues     Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too-     Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out-     And take upon 's the mystery of things,     As if we were God's spies; and we'll wear out,     In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones     That ebb and flow by th' moon.  Edm. Take them away.  Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,     The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee?     He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven     And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes.     The goodyears shall devour 'em, flesh and fell,     Ere they shall make us weep! We'll see 'em starv'd first.     Come. Exeunt [Lear and Cordelia, guarded].  Edm. Come hither, Captain; hark.     Take thou this note [gives a paper]. Go follow them toprison.     One step I have advanc'd thee. If thou dost     As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way     To noble fortunes. Know thou this, that men     Are as the time is. To be tender-minded     Does not become a sword. Thy great employment     Will not bear question. Either say thou'lt do't,     Or thrive by other means.  Capt. I'll do't, my lord.  Edm. About it! and write happy when th' 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, Soldiers.

  Alb. Sir, you have show'd to-day your valiant strain,     And fortune led you well. You have the captives     Who 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,     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,     My reason all the same; and they are ready     To-morrow, or at further space, t' appear     Where you shall hold your session. At this time     We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend;     And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd     By those 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 list to grace him.     Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded     Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers,     Bore the commission of my place and person,     The which immediacy may well stand up     And call itself your brother.  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.  Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.  Gon. Holla, holla!     That eye that told you so look'd but asquint.  Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer     From a full-flowing stomach. General,     Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;     Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine.     Witness the world that I create thee here     My lord and master.  Gon. Mean you to enjoy him?  Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will.  Edm. Nor in thine, lord.  Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes.  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 [points to Goneril]. For your claim,fair        sister,     I bar it in the interest of my wife.     'Tis she is subcontracted to this lord,     And I, her husband, contradict your banes.     If you will marry, make your loves to me;     My lady is bespoke.  Gon. An interlude!  Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloucester. Let the trumpet sound.     If none appear to prove upon thy person     Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,     There is my pledge [throws down a glove]! I'll prove it onthy        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. There's my exchange [throws down a glove]. What in theworld        he is     That names me traitor, villain-like he lies.     Call by thy trumpet. He that dares approach,     On him, on you, who not? I will maintain     My truth and honour firmly.  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. My sickness grows upon me.  Alb. She is not well. Convey her to my tent.                                              [Exit Regan, led.]

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 listsof     the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl ofGloucester,     that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the thirdsound     of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence.'  Edm. Sound! First trumpet.  Her. Again! Second trumpet.  Her. Again! Third trumpet.                                         Trumpet answers within.

Enter Edgar, armed, at the third sound, a Trumpet before him.

  Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears     Upon this call o' th' trumpet.  Her. What are you?     Your name, your quality? and why you answer     This present summons?  Edg. Know my name is lost;     By treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit.     Yet am I noble as the adversary     I come to cope.  Alb. Which is that adversary?  Edg. What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester?  Edm. Himself. What say'st thou to him?  Edg. Draw thy sword,     That, if my speech offend a noble heart,     Thy arm may do thee justice. Here is mine.     Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours,     My oath, and my profession. I protest-     Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,     Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,     Thy valour and thy heart- thou art a traitor;     False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;     Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince;     And from th' extremest upward of thy head     To the descent and dust beneath thy foot,     A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou 'no,'     This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent     To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,     Thou liest.  Edm. In wisdom I should ask thy name;     But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,     And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes,     What safe and nicely I might well delay     By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn.     Back do I toss those treasons to thy head;     With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;     Which- for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise-     This sword of mine shall give them instant way     Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak!                                 Alarums. Fight. [Edmund falls.]  Alb. Save him, save him!  Gon. This is mere practice, Gloucester.     By th' law of arms thou wast not bound to answer     An unknown opposite. Thou art not vanquish'd,     But cozen'd and beguil'd.  Alb. Shut your mouth, dame,     Or with this paper shall I stop it. [Shows her her letter to     Edmund.] – [To Edmund]. Hold, sir.     [To Goneril] Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil.     No tearing, lady! I perceive you know it.  Gon. Say if I do- the laws are mine, not thine.     Who can arraign me for't?  Alb. Most monstrous!     Know'st thou this paper?  Gon. Ask me not what I know. Exit.  Alb. Go after her. She's desperate; govern her.                                              [Exit an Officer.]  Edm. What, you have charg'd me with, that have I done,     And more, much more. The time will bring it out.     'Tis past, and so am I. – But what art thou     That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble,     I do forgive thee.  Edg. Let's exchange charity.     I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund;     If more, the more th' hast wrong'd me.     My name is Edgar and thy father's son.     The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices     Make instruments to scourge us.     The dark and vicious place where thee he got     Cost him his eyes.  Edm. Th' hast spoken right; 'tis true.     The wheel is come full circle; I am here.  Alb. Methought thy very gait did prophesy     A royal nobleness. I must embrace thee.     Let sorrow split my heart if ever I     Did hate thee, or thy father!  Edg. Worthy prince, I know't.  Alb. Where have you hid yourself?     How have you known the miseries of your father?  Edg. By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale;     And when 'tis told, O that my heart would burst!     The bloody proclamation to escape     That follow'd me so near (O, our lives' sweetness!     That with the pain of death would hourly die     Rather than die at once!) taught me to shift     Into a madman's rags, t' assume a semblance     That very dogs disdain'd; and in this habit     Met I my father with his bleeding rings,     Their precious stones new lost; became his guide,     Led him, begg'd for him, sav'd him from despair;     Never (O fault!) reveal'd myself unto him     Until some half hour past, when I was arm'd,     Not sure, though hoping of this good success,     I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last     Told him my pilgrimage. But his flaw'd heart     (Alack, too weak the conflict to support!)     'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,     Burst smilingly.  Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me,     And shall perchance do good; but speak you on;     You look as you had something more to say.  Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in;     For I am almost ready to dissolve,     Hearing of this.  Edg. This would have seem'd a period     To such as love not sorrow; but another,     To amplify too much, would make much more,     And top extremity.     Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man,     Who, having seen me in my worst estate,     Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding     Who 'twas that so endur'd, with his strong arms     He fastened on my neck, and bellowed out     As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father;     Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him     That ever ear receiv'd; which in recounting     His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life     Began to crack. Twice then the trumpets sounded,     And there I left him tranc'd.  Alb. But who was this?  Edg. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise     Followed his enemy king and did him service     Improper for a slave.

Enter a Gentleman with a bloody knife.

  Gent. Help, help! O, help!  Edg. What kind of help?  Alb. Speak, man.  Edg. What means that bloody knife?  Gent. 'Tis hot, it smokes.     It came even from the heart of- O! she's dead!  Alb. Who dead? Speak, man.  Gent. Your lady, sir, your lady! and her sister     By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it.  Edm. I was contracted to them both. All three     Now marry in an instant.

Enter Kent.

  Edg. Here comes Kent.  Alb. Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead.                                               [Exit Gentleman.]     This judgement of the heavens, that makes us tremble     Touches us not with pity. O, is this he?     The time will not allow the compliment     That very manners urges.  Kent. I am come     To bid my king and master aye good night.     Is he not here?  Alb. Great thing of us forgot!     Speak, Edmund, where's the King? and where's Cordelia?                 The bodies of Goneril and Regan are brought in.     Seest thou this object, Kent?  Kent. Alack, why thus?  Edm. Yet Edmund was belov'd.     The one the other poisoned for my sake,     And after slew herself.  Alb. Even so. Cover their faces.  Edm. I pant for life. Some good I mean to do,     Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send     (Be brief in't) to the castle; for my writ     Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia.     Nay, send in time.  Alb. Run, run, O, run!  Edg. To who, my lord? Who has the office? Send     Thy token of reprieve.  Edm. Well thought on. Take my sword;     Give it the Captain.  Alb. Haste thee for thy life. [Exit Edgar.]  Edm. He hath commission from thy wife and me     To hang Cordelia in the prison and     To lay the blame upon her own despair     That she fordid herself.  Alb. The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile.                                          [Edmund is borne off.]

Enter Lear, with Cordelia [dead] in his arms, [Edgar, Captain, and others following].