Edm. So pleafe your lordship, none. [Putting up the letter. Glo. Why fo earneftly feek you to put up that letter? Edm. I know no news, my lord. -Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detefted, brutish villain! worfe than brutith!-Go, firrah, feek him; I'll apprehend him :-/ :-Abomin able villain !-Where is he? Edin. I do not well know, my lord. If it fhall pleafe you to fufpend your indignation against my brother, 'till you can derive from him better teitimony of his intent, you should run a certain courfe; where, if you violently proceed against Gls. No? What needed then that terrible dif- him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a patch of it into your pocket? the quality of no- great gap in your own honour, and fhake in pieces thing hath not fuch need to hide itfelf. Let's fee: the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down Come, if it be nothing, I fhall not need fpectacles. my life for him, that he hath writ this to feel my Edm. I befeech you, fir, pardon me: it is a affection to your honour, and to no other pretence 3 letter from my brother, that I have not all o'erread; and for fo much as I have perus'd, I find it not fit for your overlooking. Glo. Give me the letter, fir. Edm. I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The contents, as in part I understand them, are to blame. Gio. Let's fee, let's fee. Edm. I hope, for my brother's juftification, he wrote this but as an effay or tafte of my virtue. of danger. Glo. Think you fo? Edm. If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you fhall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular affurance have your fatisfaction; and that without any further delay than this very evening. Glo. He cannot be fuch a monster. Edin. Nor is not, fure. Glo. To his father, that fo tenderly and entirely loves him.-Heaven and earth!--Edmund, feek Glo. reads.]" This policy, and reverence of him out; wind me into him, I pray you: frame age, makes the world bitter to the beft of our the bufinefs after your own wifdom: I would un"times; keeps our fortunes from us, 'till our old-ftate myself, to be in a due refolution 4. * nefs cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle Edm. I will feek him, fir, prefently; convey 5 "and fond 2 bondage in the oppreffion of aged ty- the bufmefs as I fhall find means, and acquaint ❝ranny; who fways, not as it hath power, but you withal. " as it is fuffered. Come to me, that of this I Glo. Thefe late eclipfes in the fun and moon 46 may speak more. If our father would fleep 'till portend no good to us: Though the wisdom of "I wak'd him, you should enjoy half his revenue "for ever, and live the beloved of your brother, "Edgar-Hum-Conspiracy!—Sleep, 'till I wak'd him, you fhall enjoy half his revenue."My fon Edgar! Had he a hand to write this? a heart and brain to breed it in ?-When came this to you? Who brought it? Edm. It was not brought me, my lord, there's the cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the cafement of my closet. nature can reafon it thus and thus, yet nature finds itfelf fcourg'd by the fequent effects: love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, difcord; in palaces, treafon; and the bond crack'd 'twixt fon and father. This villain of mine comes under the prediction; there's fon againft father: the king falls from bias of nature; there's father against child. We have feen the best of our time: Machinations, hollowness,treach. ery, and all ruinous diforders, follow us difquietly to Glo. You know the character to be your bro-four graves !———Find out this villain, Edmund : it ther's? Edm. If the matter were good, my lord, I durft fwear it were his; but, in refpect of that, I would fain think it were not. Gio. It is his. Edm. It is his hand, my lord; but, I hope, his heart is not in the contents. [this bufinets Glo. Hath he never heretofore founded you in Edm. Never, my lord: But I have often heard him maintain it to be fit, that, fons at perfect age, and fathers declining, the father should be as ward to the fon, and the fon manage his revenue. fhall lofe thee nothing; do it carefully: And the noble and true-hearted Kent banifi'd! his of fence, honefty !--Strange! strange! [Exit. Edm. This is the excellent foppery of the world! that, when we are fick in fortune, (often the furfeit of our own behaviour) we make guilty of our difafters, the fun, the moon, and the ftars: as if we were villains, by neceffity; fools, by heavenly compulfion; knaves, thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, lyars, and adulterers, by an enforc'd obedience of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine Glo. O villain, villain!-His very opinion in thrusting on: An admirable evafion of whore To do upon the gad, is, to act by the fudden ftimulation of caprice, as cattle run madding when they are itung by the gad fly. 3 Pretence is defign, purpofe, 2 i. e. weak and foolish. The meaning is, according to Dr. Johnson, Do you frame the bufinefs, who can act with lefs emotion; I would unflate myself; it would in me be a departure from the paternal character, to be in a due refɔlution, to be fettled and compofed on fuch an occafion. Mr. Steevens comments on this paffage thus: Edgar has been reprefented as withing to poffefs his father's fortune, i. c. to unflate him; and therefore his father fays, he would unftate himself to be fufficiently refolved to punish him. To enflate is to confer a fortune. 5 To convey here means, to manage artfully. That is, though natural philofophy can give account of eclipfes, yet we feel their confequences. 0003 mafter and pat he comes, like the catastrophe of the old comedy. My cue is villainous melancholy, with a figh like Tom o' Bedlam.---O, thefe eclipfes do portend thefe divifions! fa, fol, la, mi Edg. How now, brother Edmund? What ferious contemplation are you in? Edm. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read this other day, what thould follow thefe eclipfes. That he fufpects none; on whofe foolish honefly The Duke of Albany's Palace. Gon. Did my father ftrike my gentleman for Stew. Ay, madam. [hour Gon. By day and night! he wrongs me; every He flashes into one grois crime or other, That fets us all at odds: I'll not endure it : His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us On every trifle: When he returns from hunting, Edg. Do you bufy yourself with that? I will not speak with him: fay, I am fick :Edm. I promife you, the effects he writes of, If you come flack of former services, fucceed unhappily; as of unnaturalness between You fhall do well; the fault of it I'll answer. the child and the parent; death, dearth, diffolutions Stew. He's coming, madam; I hear him. of ancient amities, divifions in ftate, menaces and [Horns within. maledictions against king and nobles; needlefs Gon. Put on what weary negligence you pleafe, diffidences, banishment of friends, diffipation of You and your fellows; I'd have it come to question: cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what. If he diflike it, let him to my fifter, Edg. How long have you been a fectary aftro-Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, nomical? Not to be over-rul'd. Idle old man, That ftill would manage those authorities, That he hath given away!-Now, by my life, Old fools are babes again; and must be us'd With checks as flatteries when they are seen abus’¿ 1. Remember what I have faid. Stew. Very well, madam. Edm. Come, come; when faw you my father laft? Edg. Why, the night gone by. Edg. Ay, two hours together. Edin. Parted you in good terms? Found you no difpleasure in him, by word, or countenance? Edg. None at all. Gen. And let his knights have colder looks Edm. Bethink yourself, wherein you may have What grows of it, no matter; advife your fellows offended him and at my entreaty, forbear his pre-I would breed from hence occafions, and I fhall, fence, until fome little time hath qualified the heat That I may speak :-I'll write ftraight to my of his difpleafure; which at this inftant fo rageth fifter, in him, that with the mifchief of your perfon it To hold my very course :-Prepare for dinner. would fcarcely allay. Edg. Some villain hath done me wrong. Edm. That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent forbearance, till the fpeed of his rage goes Rower; and, as I fay, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord speak: Pray you, go; there's my key:-If you do ftir abroad, go arm'd. Edg. Armid, brother! SCENE IV. An open Place before the Palace. Feter Kert, dig fed. Kent. If but as well I other accents bonos, Edm. Brother, I advife you to the beft; go arm'd; I am no honeft man, if there be any good If thou can it ferve where thou doft ftand conmeaning towards you: I have told you what I (So may it come !) thy mafter, whom thou lov`it, have feen and heard, ut faintly; nothing like the Shall find thee full of labours. image and hourer of it: Pray you, away. Horns within. Enter Lear, Knights, and Attend ants. Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go, get Kent. A man, fil. The fenfe, according to Dr. Johnson, is this: “Old men must be treated with checks, when as they are feen to be deceived with flatteries: or, when they are weak enough to be seen abuled by flatteries, they are then weak enough to be fed with checks. There is a play of the words ufed and abused. To st is, in our author. very frequently the fame as to decerve." 2 That is, It I can change my perch as well as I have changed my drefs. To diffuse (pecch, fignifies to diforder it, and so to differ. 1 Lear. What doft thou profefs? What would'ft thou with us? Kent. I do profefs to be no less than I feem; to ferve him truly, that will put me in truft; to love him that is honeft; to converse with him that is wife, and fays little; to fear judgment; to fight, when I cannot choose; and to eat no fish 2. Lear. What art thou? appears, as well in the general dependants, as in Knight. I befeech you, pardon me, my lord, if Lear. Thou but remember'ft me of mine own conception: I have perceived a most faint neglect Kent. A very honeft-hearted fellow, and as of late; which I have rather blamed as mine own poor as the king. Lear. If thou be as poor for a fubject, as he is for a king, thou art poor enough. What would't thou? Kent. Service. Lear. Whom would'ft thou ferve? Kent. You. Lear. Doft thou know me, fellow? jealous curiofity, than as a very pretence 3 and purpofe of unkindneis: I will look further into't.But where's my fool? I have not feen him these two days. Knight. Since my young lady's going into France, fir, the fool hath much pin'd away. Lear. No more of that; I have noted it well.Go you, and tell my daughter I would fpeak with Kent. No, fir; but you have that in your coun-her.-Go you, call hither my fool.— tenance, which I would fain call mafter. Lear. What's that? Kent. Authority. Lear. What fervices can't thou do? Kent, I can keep honeft counfel, ride, run, mar a curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain meffage bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualify'd in; and the belt of me is diligence. Lear. How old art thou? Kent. Not fo young, fir, to love a woman for finging; nor fo old, to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my back forty-eight. Lear. Follow me; thou fhalt ferve me; if 1 like thee no worfe after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.-Dinner, ho, dinner!-Where's my knave my fool? Go you, and call my fool hither: Enter Steward. Re-enter Steward. O, you fir, you fir, come you hither: Who am [I, fir Lear. My lady's father! my lord's knave: you whorefon dog! you flave! you cur ! Ster. I am none of thefe, my lord; I befeech you, pardon me. Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rafcal? [Striking Lim. Stew. I'll not be ftruck, my lord. Kent. Nor tript neither; you bafe foot-ball [Tripping up his heels. Lear. I thank thee, fellow; thou ferv'ft me, and I'll love thee. player. Kent. Come, fir, arife, away; I'll teach you differences; away, away: If you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry: but away: go to; Have you wildom? fo. [Pufhes the Steward out, Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: You, you, firrah, where's my daughter? Stew. So pleafe you,———; [Exit. there's earnest of thy fervice. [Giving Kent money. Enter Fool. Lear. What fays the fellow there Call the Fool. Let me hire him too;-Here's my coxclot pole back.-Where's my fool, ho I think [Giving Kent his cap. the world's afleep.How now? where's that Lear. How now, my pretty knave? how doft mungrel ? Knight. He fays, my lord, your daughter is not well. Lear. Why came not the flave back to me, when I call'd him? comb. thou? Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. Foot. Why, for taking one's part that is out of Knight. Sir, he answer'd me in the roundest favour: Nay, an thou can'ft not fmile as the wind manner, he would not. Lear. He would not! fits, thou'lt catch cold fhortly: There, take my coxcomb 4: Why, this fellow has banifh'd two of his daughters and did the third ableffing against his will; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.--How now, nuncle? 'Would I had two coxcombs 5, and two daughters! Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my judgment, your highness is not entertain'd with that ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a great abatement of kindness 1 To converfe fignifies immediately and properly to keep company, not to difcourfe or talk. His meaning is, that he chufes for his companions men of referve and caution; men who are no tattlers nor tale-bearers. 2 In Queen Elizabeth's time the Papifts were eftecmed, and with good reafon, enemies to the government. Hence the proverbial phrate of, He's an honeft man, and cats no fifh; to lig nify he's a friend to the government, and a Proteftant; the eating fish. cn a religious account, being then efteemed fuch a badge of popery, that when it was enjoin'd for a feafon by act of parliament, for the encouragement of the fifh-towns, it was thought neceffary to declare the reafon; hence it was 3 Fretence for defign. 4 Meaning his cap, called fo, becaufe on the top of called Cecil's faft. the fool or jelter's cap was fewed a piece of red cloth, refembling the comb of a cock. The word, 5 Two tools caps, intended, afterwards, was used to denote a vain, conceited, meddling fellow. as it fees, to mask double folly in the man that gives all to his daughters. Lear. Why, my boy? Fool. If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my coxcombs myself: There's mine; beg another of thy daughters. Lear. Take heed, firrah; the whip. I Lear. What two crowns fhall they be? Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg i the middle, and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou cloveft thy crown i' the middle, and gaveft away both parts, thou horeft Fool. Truth's a dog that must to kennel; he thine afs on thy back over the dirt: Thou haft must be whipp'd out, when the lady brach may little wit in thy bald crown, when thou gavest thy ftand by the fire and ftink. golden one away. If I fpeak like myfelf in this, let him be whipp'd that first finds it fo. Lear. A peftilent gall to me! Foni. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech. [To Kent. Fool. Mark it, nuncle: Have more than thou showest, And thou shalt have more [To Kent. Fool. Doft thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter fool and a fweet fool? Lear. No, lad, teach me. Fool. That lord, that counfel'd thee To give away thy land, Will presently appear: The one in motley here, The other found out there. Lear. Doft thou call me fool, boy? Fool. All thy other titles thou haft given away; that thou waft born with. 4 Kent. This is not altogether fool, my lord. Fool. No, 'faith, lords and great men will not let me; if I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't4 and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool to myfelf; they'll be fnatching.Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns. Fools ne'er had lefs grace in a year 5 ; [Singing. And know not how their wits to swear, Lear. When were you wont to be fo full of fongs, firrah ? Fool. I have ufed it, nuncle, ever fince thou mad'ft thy daughters thy mothers: for when thou gaveft them the rod, and putt'it down thine own breeches, Then they for fudden joy did weep, That fuch a king fhould play bo-peep, And go the fools among. [Singing, Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a fchool-mafter that can teach thy fool to lie; I would fain learn to lie. Lear. If you lie, firrah, we'll have you whipt. Fool. I marvel, what kin thou and thy daughters are: they'll have me whipt for speaking true, thou'lt have me whipt for lying; and, fometimes, I am whipt for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind of thing, than a fool: and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou haft pared thy wit o' both fides, and left nothing in the middle: Here comes one o' the parings. 1 Brach is a bitch of the hunting kind. 2 That is, do not lend all that thou haft. To ewe, in old English, is to poffefs. 3 To trow, is an old word which fignifies to believe. 4 A fatire on the grofs abules of monopolies at that time; and the corruption and avarice of the courtiers, who commonly went fhares with the patentee. Monopolies were in Shakspeare's time the common objects of fatire. 5 The meaning is, There never was a time when fools were lefs in favour; and the reafon is, that they were never fo little wanted, for wife men now fupply their place. Both the quarto editions read-lefs wit for less grace. 6 Lear alludes to the frontlet, which was anciently part of a woman's drefs. 71. c. now a mere hufk, which contains nothing. By By what yourself too late have spoke and done, Fool. For you trow, nuncle, The hedge-fparrow fed the cuckoo fo long, So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling. I would, you would make use of that good wisdom Fool. May not an afs know when the cart draws the horfe?-Whoop, Jug! I love thee 2. Lear. Does any here know me ?-Why this is not Lear: [eyes? Does Lear walk thus ? fpeak thus ?Where are his Either his notion weakens, or his difcernings Are lethargy'd-Ha! waking ?-'Tis not fo. Who is it that can tell me who I am?-Lear's fhadow? I would learn that; for by the marks Of fov'reignty, of knowledge, and of reafon, Gon. Come, fir: This admiration is much o' the favour Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you As you are old and reverend, you should be wife: By her, that elfe will take the thing the begs, And the remainder, that shall still depend 4, Lear. Darkness and devils! Saddle my horfes; call my train together.- [rabble Gon. You ftrike my people; and your diforder'd Make fervants of their betters. Enter Albany. Is it your will speak, fir.-Prepare my horfes.-[To Albany. Ingratitude! thou marble-hearted fiend, Alb. Pray, fir, be patient. [To Goneril. Lear. Detefted kite! thou lieft: My train are men of choice and rareft parts, That all particulars of duty know; And in the moft exact regard fupport The worships of their name.-O most small fault, How ugly didft thou in Cordelia fhew! [nature Which, like an engine 6, wrench'd my frame of From the fixt place; drew from my heart all love, And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear ! Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in,. Striking his bead. And thy dear judgment out!-Go, go, my people. Alb. My lord, I am guiltlefs, as I am ignorant Of what hath mov'd you. Lear. It may be fo, my lord. Hear, nature! hear; dear goddess, hear! Sufpend thy purpose, if thou didst intend To make this creature fruitful! Into her womb convey fterility; Dry up in her the organs of increase; And from her derogate 7 body never fpring A babe to honour her! If the must teem, Create her child of fpleen; that it may live, And be a thwart difnatur'd 8 torment to her! Let it ftamp wrinkles in her brow of youth; With cadent 9 tears fret channels in her cheeks; Turn all her mother's pains and benefits To laughter and contempt; that the may feel How fharper than a ferpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child!-Away, away! [Exit. Alb. Now, gods, that we adore, whereof comes this? Gon. Never afflict yourfelf to know the caufe; But let his difpofition have that scope That dotage gives it. Re-enter Leur. Lear. What, fifty of my followers, at a clap! Within a fortnight! Alb. What's the matter, fir? Lear. I'll tell thee;-Life and death! I am afham'd That thou haft power to shake my manhood thus: The untented 10 woundings of father's curfe Lear. Woe, that too late repents,-O, fir, are Beweep this caufe again, I'll pluck you out; you come? 1 i. e. promote, push it forward. And caft you, with the waters that you lose, 2 Mr. Steevens has been informed, that this is a quotation from the burthen of an old fong. 3 A palace grac'd by the prefence of a fovereign. 4 Depend, for continue in fervice. 5 Mr. Upton obferves, that the fea-monfter is the Hippopotamus, the hieroglyphical fymbol of impiety and ingratitude. Sandys, in his Travels, fays that he killeth his fire, By an engine is meant the rack. 7 Derogate here means degraded; blasted. 8 Difnatur'd is wanting in natural affection. 9 i. e. falling tears. 10 Untented wounds, means wounds in their worft ftate, not having a tent in them to digeft them. and ravifheth his own dam." Το |