ACT V. SCÈNE İ.

The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover.

Enter, with drums and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and Others.

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.

[To an Officer, who goes out.

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 forefended place 91?

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 ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers.

Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me.

[Aside.

Alh. Our very loving sister, well be met.— 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 domestick and particular broils

Are not to question here.

Alb.

Let us then determine

With the ancient of war on our proceedings.

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. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] 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 Edm. Reg. Gon. Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

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.

[Exit.

Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy

paper.

Re-enter EDMUND.

Edm. The enemy's in view, draw up your powers! Here is the guess of their true strength and forces but your haste

By diligent discovery;

Is now urg'd on you.

Alb.

Edm.

We will greet the time. [Exit. 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.

SCENE II.

A Field between the two Camps.

[Exit.

Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and their forces; and exeunt.

Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER.

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.

Glo.

Grace go with

you, sir!

[Exit Edgar.

Alarums; afterwards a Retreat. Re-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.

Glo. 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.

Glo.

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; Officers, Soldiers, &c.

Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known

That are to censure them.

We are not the first,

Cor. 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?

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 my 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

Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;And take upon us the mystery of things,

As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out,