Glou. I see it feelingly.

Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a

beggar?

Glou. Ay, sir.

133

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office.

The usurer hangs the cozener.

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;

Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, 140
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;

Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
And, like a scurvy politician, seem

To see the things thou dost not.

Now, now, now, now: pull off my boots: harder, harder: so.

Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd!

Reason in madness!

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:
Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:
Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air,
We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.
Glou. Alack, alack the day!

Lear. When we are born,
To this great stage of fools.

we cry that we are come This' a good block;

It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe

A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof;
And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,
Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

150

160

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants.

Gent. O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir, Your most dear daughter

Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;

You shall have ransom.

I am cut to the brains.

Gent.

Let me have surgeons;

You shall have any thing.

Lear. No seconds? all myself?

Why, this would make a man a man of salt,

To use his eyes for garden water-pots,

Ay, and laying autumn's dust.

Gent. Good sir,—

170

Lear. I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What! I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,

My masters, know you that.

and we obey you.

Gent. You are a royal one,

Lear. Then there 's life in 't. get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.

Nay, if you get it, you shall

[Exit running; Attendants follow.

Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter, Who redeems nature from the general curse

Which twain have brought her to.

Edg. Hail, gentle sir.

Gent.

180

Sir, speed you: what's your will?

Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? Gent. Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that, Which can distinguish sound.

Edg.

How near's the other army?

But, by your favour,

Gent. Near and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.

Edg.

I thank you, sir: that's all.

Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, Her army is moved on.

Edg.

I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent. 191

Glou. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me; Let not my worser spirit tempt me again

To die before you please!

Edg.

Well pray you, father.

Glou. Now, good sir, what are you?

Edg. A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows; Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,

Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I'll lead you to some biding.

Glou.

Hearty thanks:

The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot!

Osa.

Enter OSWALD.

A proclaim'd prize! Most happy!
That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh
To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,
Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out

That must destroy thee.

Glou.

Put strength enough to't.

Osa.

200

Now let thy friendly hand

[Edgar interposes.

Wherefore, bold peasant,

Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence!
Lest that the infection of his fortune take

Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.

Os. Let go, slave, or thou diest!

210

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th'

old man; keep out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder: chill be plain with

you.

Os. Out, dunghill!

[They fight.

Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor your foins.

[Oswald falls. 221 Villain, take my purse:

Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me.
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!

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.

[Dies.

Let's see these pockets: the 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.

230

[Reads] 'Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. 'Your-wife, so I would say—affectionate servant,

O indistinguish'd space of woman's will!
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;

'GONERIL.'

And the exchange my brother! Here, in the sands,
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified

Of murderous lechers: and in the mature time

With this ungracious paper strike the sight

250

Of the death-practised 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.

Edg.

[Drum afar off.

Give me your hand:

Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum :
Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend.

260

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII. A tent in the French camp. LEAR on a bed asleep, soft music playing; Gentleman, and others attending.

Enter CORDELIA, KENT, and Doctor.

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 acknowledged, madam, is o'er-paid. 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 me, 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.

10

Cor. Then be 't so, my good lord. [To the Doctor] How

does the king?

Doct. Madam, sleeps still.

Cor. O you kind gods,

Cure this great breach in his abused nature!