If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body, And give the letters, which thou find'st about me, Upon the English party: Oh, untimely death! [Dies. As badness would defire. Glo. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father: reft you. Let's fee thefe pockets; the letters, that he speaks of, By your leave, gentle wax-and manners blame us not: LE Reads the Letter. You have ET our reciprocal Vows be remembred. many opportunities to cut him off: if your Will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offer'd. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror. Then am I the prifoner, and his bed my goal; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. Your (wife, fo I would fay) affectionate Servant, Oh, undistinguish'd fpace of woman's Will! And the exchange my brother. Here, i' th' fands Of murth'rous letchers: and in the mature time, Glo. The King is mad; how stiff is my vile fenfe, And woes, by wrong imaginations, lofe [Drum afar off. Edg. Edg. Give me your hand : Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. Cor. SCENE changes to a Chamber. O Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Phyfician. thou good Kent, how fhall I live and work To match thy Goodness? life will be too short, And ev'ry measure fail me. Kent. To be acknowledg'd, Madam, is o'erpaid; All my reports go with the modeft truth, Nor more, nor clipt, but fo. Cor. Be better fuited; Thefe weeds are memories of those worfer hours: I pr'ythee, put them off. Kent. Pardon, dear Madam, Yet to be known, fhortens my madè intent; My boon I make it, that you know me not, 'Till time and I think meet. Cor. Then be it fo, My lord. How does the King? [To the Phyfician. Phyf. Madam, fleeps ftill. Cor. O you kind Gods! Cure this great breach in his abufed nature; Phyf. Please your Majefty, That we may wake the king, he hath slept long? Enter Lear in a chair, carried by Servants. Phyf. Ay, Madam; in the heaviness of fleep, We Be by, good Madam, when we do awake him; Cor. O my dear father! Reftauration, hang Have Have in thy reverence made! Kent. Kind and dearest Princefs! Cor. Had you not been their Father, these white flakes To ftand against the deep, dread bolted Thunder? Of quick, crofs Lightning? To watch poor Perdue, Though he had bit me, fhou'd have flood That Night Cor. How does my royal lord? how fares your Majefty } Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o'th' grave; Thou art a foul in blifs, but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire; that mine own tears Do fcald like molten lead. Cor. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a fpirit, I know; when did you die? Phyf. He's scarce awake, let him alone a while. Lear. Where have I been? where am I? fair day-light? I'm mightily abus'd; I should even die with Pity To fee another thus. I know not what to say; I will not fwear, these are my hands: let's fee, I feel this pin prick: 'would I were assur'd Of my condition. Cor. O look upon me, Sir, And hold your hand in benediction o'er me. Lear. Pray, do not mock me; I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourfcore and upward; and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I fhould know you, and know this man ; What What place this is; and all the skill I have, For, as I am a man, I think, this lady To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And fo I am; I am. your I [weep not. pray you, fifters Lear. Be your tears wet? yes, faith; Lear. Am I in France? Kent, In your own kingdom, Sir. Lear. Do not abuse me. Phyf. Be comforted, good Madam; the great Rage, You fee, is cur'd in him:-and, yet, 'twere danger To make him even o'er the Time, h'as loft. Defire him to go in; trouble him no more, 'Till further fettling. Cor. Will't please your Highnefs walk? Pray you now, forget and forgive; I am old and foolish. [Exeunt Lear, Cord. Phyf. and Attendants., Manent Kent and Gentleman. Gent. Holds it true, Sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was fo flain? Kent. Moft certain, Sir. Gent. Who is Conductor of his people? Kent. As 'tis faid, the Baftard Son of Glofter. Gent. They fay, Edgar, his banifht Son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany. Kent. Report is changeable; 'Tis time to look about: the Powers of the Kingdom approach apace. Gent. The Arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare well, Sir. you [Exit Gent. Kent. My Point and Period will be throughly wrought, Or well, or ill, as this day's Battle's fought. Ex. Kent. ACT SCENE, a Camp. Enter Edmund, Regan, Gentlemen, and Soldiers. K EDMUND. NOW of the Duke, if his laft purpose hold; To change the courfe? he's full of Alteration, Reg. Now, fweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Edm. In honour'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's way Tothe fore-fended place? Edm. No, by mine honour, Madam. Reg. I never fhall endure her; dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Edm. Fear not; fhe, and the Duke her husband Enter Albany, Gonerill, and Soldiers. Gon. I'd rather lofe the Battle, than that Sifter Should loofen him and Me. [Afide. Alb. Our very loving fifter, well be met: Reg. |