SCENE I.The British camp,near Dover
Enter,with drum and colours,EDMUND,REGAN,Gentlemen,and Soldiers.
EDMUND Know of the duke if his last purpose hold,Or whether since he is advised by aught To change the course:he's full of alteration And self-reproving:bring his constant pleasure.
To a Gentleman,who goes out REGAN Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.EDMUND 'Tis to be doubted,madam.REGAN 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?EDMUND In honour'd love.REGAN But have you never found my brother's way To the forfended place?EDMUND That thought abuses you.REGAN I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosom'd with her,as far as we call hers.EDMUND No,by mine honour,madam.REGAN I never shall endure her:dear my lord,Be not familiar with her.EDMUND Fear me not:
She and the duke her husband!
Enter,with drum and colours,ALBANY,GONERIL,and Soldiers GONERIL [Aside]I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me.ALBANY Our very loving sister,well be-met.
Sir,this I hear;the king is come to his daughter,With others whom the rigor of our state Forced 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.EDMUND Sir,you speak nobly.REGAN Why is this reason'd?GONERIL Combine together 'gainst the enemy;For these domestic and particular broils Are not the question here.ALBANY Let's then determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings.EDMUND I shall attend you presently at your tent.REGAN Sister,you'll go with us?GONERIL No.REGAN 'Tis most convenient;pray you,go with us.GONERIL [Aside]O,ho,I know the riddle.--I will go.
As they are going out,enter EDGAR disguised EDGAR If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor,Hear me one word.ALBANY I'll overtake you.Speak.
Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR EDGAR 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.ALBANY Stay till I have read the letter.EDGAR I was forbid it.
When time shall serve,let but the herald cry,And I'll appear again.ALBANY Why,fare thee well:I will o'erlook thy paper.
Exit EDGAR
Re-enter EDMUND EDMUND 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 urged on you.ALBANY We will greet the time.
Exit EDMUND 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,KING LEAR,CORDELIA,and Soldiers,over the stage;and exeunt.
Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER EDGAR 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.GLOUCESTER Grace go with you,sir!
Exit EDGAR
Alarum and retreat within.Re-enter EDGAR EDGAR Away,old man;give me thy hand;away!
King Lear hath lost,he and his daughter ta'en:
Give me thy hand;come on.GLOUCESTER No farther,sir;a man may rot even here.EDGAR What,in ill thoughts again?Men must endure Their going hence,even as their coming hither;Ripeness is all:come on.GLOUCESTER 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.
EDMUND Some officers take them away:good guard,Until their greater pleasures first be known That are to censure them.CORDELIA 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 out-frown false fortune's frown.
Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?KING LEAR No,no,no,no!Come,let's away to prison:
We two alone will sing like birds i'the 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 the moon.EDMUND Take them away.KING 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 good-years shall devour them,flesh and fell,Ere they shall make us weep:we'll see 'em starve first.Come.
Exeunt KING LEAR and CORDELIA,guarded EDMUND Come hither,captain;hark.
Take thou this note;
Giving a paper go follow them to prison:
One step I have advanced 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.Captain I'll do 't,my lord.EDMUND About it;and write happy when thou hast done.
