KingLear

Shakespearehomepage|KingLear|Entireplay

ACTI

SCENEI.KingLear'spalace.

EnterKENT,GLOUCESTER,andEDMUND

KENT

IthoughtthekinghadmoreaffectedtheDukeof
AlbanythanCornwall.

GLOUCESTER

Itdidalwaysseemsotous:butnow,inthe
divisionofthekingdom,itappearsnotwhichof
thedukeshevaluesmostforequalitiesareso
weighed,thatcuriosityinneithercanmakechoice
ofeither'smoiety.

KENT

Isnotthisyourson,mylord?

GLOUCESTER

Hisbreeding,sir,hathbeenatmycharge:Ihave
sooftenblushedtoacknowledgehim,thatnowIam
brazedtoit.

KENT

Icannotconceiveyou.

GLOUCESTER

Sir,thisyoungfellow'smothercould:whereupon
shegrewroundwombed,andhad,indeed,sir,ason
forhercradleereshehadahusbandforherbed.
Doyousmellafault?

KENT

Icannotwishthefaultundone,theissueofit
beingsoproper.

GLOUCESTER

ButIhave,sir,asonbyorderoflaw,someyear
elderthanthis,whoyetisnodearerinmyaccount:
thoughthisknavecamesomethingsaucilyintothe
worldbeforehewassentfor,yetwashismother
 fairtherewasgoodsportathismaking,andthe
whoresonmustbeacknowledged.Doyouknowthis
noblegentleman,Edmund?

EDMUND

No,mylord.

GLOUCESTER

MylordofKent:rememberhimhereafterasmy
honourablefriend.

EDMUND

Myservicestoyourlordship.

KENT

Imustloveyou,andsuetoknowyoubetter.

EDMUND

Sir,Ishallstudydeserving.

GLOUCESTER

Hehathbeenoutnineyears,andawayheshall
again.Thekingiscoming.

Sennet.EnterKINGLEAR,CORNWALL,ALBANY,GONERIL,REGAN,CORDELIA,
andAttendants

KINGLEAR

AttendthelordsofFranceandBurgundy,Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER

Ishall,myliege.

ExeuntGLOUCESTERandEDMUND

KINGLEAR

Meantimeweshallexpressourdarkerpurpose.
Givemethemapthere.Knowthatwehavedivided
Inthreeourkingdom:and'tisourfastintent
Toshakeallcaresandbusinessfromourage
Conferringthemonyoungerstrengths,whilewe
Unburthen'dcrawltowarddeath.OursonofCornwall,
Andyou,ournolesslovingsonofAlbany,
Wehavethishouraconstantwilltopublish
Ourdaughters'severaldowers,thatfuturestrife
Maybepreventednow.Theprinces,FranceandBurgundy,
Greatrivalsinouryoungestdaughter'slove,
 Longinourcourthavemadetheiramoroussojourn,
Andherearetobeanswer'd.Tellme,mydaughters,
Sincenowwewilldivestusbothofrule,
Interestofterritory,caresofstate,
Whichofyoushallwesaydothloveusmost?
Thatweourlargestbountymayextend
Wherenaturedothwithmeritchallenge.Goneril,
Oureldestborn,speakfirst.

GONERIL

Sir,Iloveyoumorethanwordscanwieldthematter
Dearerthaneyesight,space,andliberty
Beyondwhatcanbevalued,richorrare
Nolessthanlife,withgrace,health,beauty,honour
Asmuchaschilde'erloved,orfatherfound
Alovethatmakesbreathpoor,andspeechunable
BeyondallmannerofsomuchIloveyou.

CORDELIA

[Aside]WhatshallCordeliado?
Love,andbesilent.

LEAR

Ofallthesebounds,evenfromthislinetothis,
Withshadowyforestsandwithchampainsrich'd,
Withplenteousriversandwideskirtedmeads,
Wemaketheelady:tothineandAlbany'sissue
Bethisperpetual.Whatsaysourseconddaughter,
OurdearestRegan,wifetoCornwall?Speak.

REGAN

Sir,Iammade
Oftheselfsamemetalthatmysisteris,
Andprizemeatherworth.Inmytrueheart
Ifindshenamesmyverydeedoflove
Onlyshecomestooshort:thatIprofess
Myselfanenemytoallotherjoys,
Whichthemostprecioussquareofsensepossesses
AndfindIamalonefelicitate
Inyourdearhighness'love.

CORDELIA

[Aside]ThenpoorCordelia!
Andyetnotsosince,Iamsure,mylove's
Morericherthanmytongue.

KINGLEAR

Totheeandthinehereditaryever
Remainthisamplethirdofourfairkingdom
 Nolessinspace,validity,andpleasure,
Thanthatconferr'donGoneril.Now,ourjoy,
Althoughthelast,notleasttowhoseyounglove
ThevinesofFranceandmilkofBurgundy
Strivetobeinteress'dwhatcanyousaytodraw
Athirdmoreopulentthanyoursisters?Speak.

CORDELIA

Nothing,mylord.

KINGLEAR

Nothing!

CORDELIA

Nothing.

KINGLEAR

Nothingwillcomeofnothing:speakagain.

CORDELIA

UnhappythatIam,Icannotheave
Myheartintomymouth:Iloveyourmajesty
Accordingtomybondnormorenorless.

KINGLEAR

How,how,Cordelia!mendyourspeechalittle,
Lestitmaymaryourfortunes.

CORDELIA

Goodmylord,
Youhavebegotme,bredme,lovedme:I
Returnthosedutiesbackasarerightfit,
Obeyyou,loveyou,andmosthonouryou.
Whyhavemysistershusbands,iftheysay
Theyloveyouall?Haply,whenIshallwed,
Thatlordwhosehandmusttakemyplightshallcarry
Halfmylovewithhim,halfmycareandduty:
Sure,Ishallnevermarrylikemysisters,
Tolovemyfatherall.

KINGLEAR

Butgoesthyheartwiththis?

CORDELIA

Ay,goodmylord.

KINGLEAR
 Soyoung,andsountender?

CORDELIA

Soyoung,mylord,andtrue.

KINGLEAR

Letitbesothytruth,then,bethydower:
For,bythesacredradianceofthesun,
ThemysteriesofHecate,andthenight
Byalltheoperationoftheorbs
Fromwhomwedoexist,andceasetobe
HereIdisclaimallmypaternalcare,
Propinquityandpropertyofblood,
Andasastrangertomyheartandme
Holdthee,fromthis,forever.ThebarbarousScythian,
Orhethatmakeshisgenerationmesses
Togorgehisappetite,shalltomybosom
Beaswellneighbour'd,pitied,andrelieved,
Asthoumysometimedaughter.

KENT

Goodmyliege,

KINGLEAR

Peace,Kent!
Comenotbetweenthedragonandhiswrath.
Ilovedhermost,andthoughttosetmyrest
Onherkindnursery.Hence,andavoidmysight!
Sobemygravemypeace,ashereIgive
Herfather'sheartfromher!CallFrancewhostirs?
CallBurgundy.CornwallandAlbany,
Withmytwodaughters'dowersdigestthisthird:
Letpride,whichshecallsplainness,marryher.
Idoinvestyoujointlywithmypower,
Preeminence,andallthelargeeffects
Thattroopwithmajesty.Ourself,bymonthlycourse,
Withreservationofanhundredknights,
Byyoutobesustain'd,shallourabode
Makewithyoubydueturns.Onlywestillretain
Thename,andalltheadditionstoaking
Thesway,revenue,executionoftherest,
Belovedsons,beyours:whichtoconfirm,
Thiscoronetpartbetwixtyou.

Givingthecrown

KENT

RoyalLear,
WhomIhaveeverhonour'dasmyking,
Lovedasmyfather,asmymasterfollow'd,
 Asmygreatpatronthoughtoninmyprayers,

KINGLEAR

Thebowisbentanddrawn,makefromtheshaft.

KENT

Letitfallrather,thoughtheforkinvade
Theregionofmyheart:beKentunmannerly,
WhenLearismad.Whatwiltthoudo,oldman?
Think'stthouthatdutyshallhavedreadtospeak,
Whenpowertoflatterybows?Toplainnesshonour'sbound,
Whenmajestystoopstofolly.Reversethydoom
And,inthybestconsideration,cheque
Thishideousrashness:answermylifemyjudgment,
Thyyoungestdaughterdoesnotlovetheeleast
Norarethoseemptyheartedwhoselowsound
Reverbsnohollowness.

KINGLEAR

Kent,onthylife,nomore.

KENT

MylifeIneverheldbutasapawn
Towageagainstthyenemiesnorfeartoloseit,
Thysafetybeingthemotive.

KINGLEAR

Outofmysight!

KENT

Seebetter,Learandletmestillremain
Thetrueblankofthineeye.

KINGLEAR

Now,byApollo,

KENT

Now,byApollo,king,
Thouswear'stthygodsinvain.

KINGLEAR

O,vassal!miscreant!

Layinghishandonhissword

ALBANYCORNWALL
 Dearsir,forbear.

KENT

Do:
Killthyphysician,andthefeebestow
Uponthyfouldisease.Revokethydoom
Or,whilstIcanventclamourfrommythroat,
I'lltelltheethoudostevil.

KINGLEAR

Hearme,recreant!
Onthineallegiance,hearme!
Sincethouhastsoughttomakeusbreakourvow,
Whichwedurstneveryet,andwithstrain'dpride
Tocomebetweenoursentenceandourpower,
Whichnorournaturenorourplacecanbear,
Ourpotencymadegood,takethyreward.
Fivedayswedoallotthee,forprovision
Toshieldtheefromdiseasesoftheworld
Andonthesixthtoturnthyhatedback
Uponourkingdom:if,onthetenthdayfollowing,
Thybanish'dtrunkbefoundinourdominions,
Themomentisthydeath.Away!byJupiter,
Thisshallnotberevoked.

KENT

Faretheewell,king:siththusthouwiltappear,
Freedomliveshence,andbanishmentishere.

ToCORDELIA

Thegodstotheirdearsheltertakethee,maid,
Thatjustlythink'st,andhastmostrightlysaid!

ToREGANandGONERIL

Andyourlargespeechesmayyourdeedsapprove,
Thatgoodeffectsmayspringfromwordsoflove.
ThusKent,Oprinces,bidsyoualladieu
He'llshapehisoldcourseinacountrynew.

Exit

Flourish.ReenterGLOUCESTER,withKINGOFFRANCE,BURGUNDY,and
Attendants

GLOUCESTER

Here'sFranceandBurgundy,mynoblelord.

KINGLEAR

MylordofBurgundy.
 Wefirstaddresstowardsyou,whowiththisking
Hathrivall'dforourdaughter:what,intheleast,
Willyourequireinpresentdowerwithher,
Orceaseyourquestoflove?

BURGUNDY

Mostroyalmajesty,
Icravenomorethanwhatyourhighnessoffer'd,
Norwillyoutenderless.

KINGLEAR

RightnobleBurgundy,
Whenshewasdeartous,wedidholdherso
Butnowherpriceisfall'n.Sir,thereshestands:
Ifaughtwithinthatlittleseemingsubstance,
Orallofit,withourdispleasurepieced,
Andnothingmore,mayfitlylikeyourgrace,
She'sthere,andsheisyours.

BURGUNDY

Iknownoanswer.

KINGLEAR

Willyou,withthoseinfirmitiessheowes,
Unfriended,newadoptedtoourhate,
Dower'dwithourcurse,andstranger'dwithouroath,
Takeher,orleaveher?

BURGUNDY

Pardonme,royalsir
Electionmakesnotuponsuchconditions.

KINGLEAR

Thenleaveher,sirfor,bythepowerthatmademe,
Itellyouallherwealth.

ToKINGOFFRANCE

Foryou,greatking,
Iwouldnotfromyourlovemakesuchastray,
TomatchyouwhereIhatethereforebeseechyou
Toavertyourlikingamoreworthierway
Thanonawretchwhomnatureisashamed
Almosttoacknowledgehers.

KINGOFFRANCE

Thisismoststrange,
Thatshe,thatevenbutnowwasyourbestobject,
Theargumentofyourpraise,balmofyourage,
 Mostbest,mostdearest,shouldinthistriceoftime
Commitathingsomonstrous,todismantle
Somanyfoldsoffavour.Sure,heroffence
Mustbeofsuchunnaturaldegree,
Thatmonstersit,oryourforevouch'daffection
Fall'nintotaint:whichtobelieveofher,
Mustbeafaiththatreasonwithoutmiracle
Couldneverplantinme.

CORDELIA

Iyetbeseechyourmajesty,
IfforIwantthatglibandoilyart,
TospeakandpurposenotsincewhatIwellintend,
I'lldo'tbeforeIspeak,thatyoumakeknown
Itisnoviciousblot,murder,orfoulness,
Nounchasteaction,ordishonour'dstep,
Thathathdeprivedmeofyourgraceandfavour
ButevenforwantofthatforwhichIamricher,
Astillsolicitingeye,andsuchatongue
AsIamgladIhavenot,thoughnottohaveit
Hathlostmeinyourliking.

KINGLEAR

Betterthou
Hadstnotbeenbornthannottohavepleasedmebetter.

KINGOFFRANCE

Isitbutthis,atardinessinnature
Whichoftenleavesthehistoryunspoke
Thatitintendstodo?MylordofBurgundy,
Whatsayyoutothelady?Love'snotlove
Whenitismingledwithregardsthatstand
Alooffromtheentirepoint.Willyouhaveher?
Sheisherselfadowry.

BURGUNDY

RoyalLear,
Givebutthatportionwhichyourselfproposed,
AndhereItakeCordeliabythehand,
DuchessofBurgundy.

KINGLEAR

Nothing:IhaveswornIamfirm.

BURGUNDY

Iamsorry,then,youhavesolostafather
Thatyoumustloseahusband.

CORDELIA
 PeacebewithBurgundy!
Sincethatrespectsoffortunearehislove,
Ishallnotbehiswife.

KINGOFFRANCE

FairestCordelia,thatartmostrich,beingpoor
Mostchoice,forsakenandmostloved,despised!
TheeandthyvirtueshereIseizeupon:
BeitlawfulItakeupwhat'scastaway.
Gods,gods!'tisstrangethatfromtheircold'stneglect
Myloveshouldkindletoinflamedrespect.
Thydowerlessdaughter,king,throwntomychance,
Isqueenofus,ofours,andourfairFrance:
NotallthedukesofwaterishBurgundy
Canbuythisunprizedpreciousmaidofme.
Bidthemfarewell,Cordelia,thoughunkind:
Thoulosesthere,abetterwheretofind.

KINGLEAR

Thouhasther,France:letherbethineforwe
Havenosuchdaughter,norshalleversee
Thatfaceofhersagain.Thereforebegone
Withoutourgrace,ourlove,ourbenison.
Come,nobleBurgundy.

Flourish.ExeuntallbutKINGOFFRANCE,GONERIL,REGAN,andCORDELIA

KINGOFFRANCE

Bidfarewelltoyoursisters.

CORDELIA

Thejewelsofourfather,withwash'deyes
Cordelialeavesyou:Iknowyouwhatyouare
Andlikeasisterammostloathtocall
Yourfaultsastheyarenamed.Usewellourfather:
ToyourprofessedbosomsIcommithim
Butyet,alas,stoodIwithinhisgrace,
Iwouldpreferhimtoabetterplace.
So,farewelltoyouboth.

REGAN

Prescribenotusourduties.

GONERIL

Letyourstudy
Betocontentyourlord,whohathreceivedyou
Atfortune'salms.Youhaveobediencescanted,
Andwellareworththewantthatyouhavewanted.

CORDELIA
 Timeshallunfoldwhatplaitedcunninghides:
Whocoverfaults,atlastshamethemderides.
Wellmayyouprosper!

KINGOFFRANCE

Come,myfairCordelia.

ExeuntKINGOFFRANCEandCORDELIA

GONERIL

Sister,itisnotalittleIhavetosayofwhat
mostnearlyappertainstousboth.Ithinkour
fatherwillhencetonight.

REGAN

That'smostcertain,andwithyounextmonthwithus.

GONERIL

Youseehowfullofchangeshisageisthe
observationwehavemadeofithathnotbeen
little:healwayslovedoursistermostand
withwhatpoorjudgmenthehathnowcastheroff
appearstoogrossly.

REGAN

'Tistheinfirmityofhisage:yethehathever
butslenderlyknownhimself.

GONERIL

Thebestandsoundestofhistimehathbeenbut
rashthenmustwelooktoreceivefromhisage,
notalonetheimperfectionsoflongengraffed
condition,buttherewithaltheunrulywaywardness
thatinfirmandcholericyearsbringwiththem.

REGAN

Suchunconstantstartsareweliketohavefrom
himasthisofKent'sbanishment.

GONERIL

Thereisfurthercomplimentofleavetaking
betweenFranceandhim.Prayyou,let'shit
together:ifourfathercarryauthoritywith
suchdispositionsashebears,thislast
surrenderofhiswillbutoffendus.

REGAN
 Weshallfurtherthinkon't.

GONERIL

Wemustdosomething,andi'theheat.

Exeunt

SCENEII.TheEarlofGloucester'scastle.
EnterEDMUND,withaletter

EDMUND

Thou,nature,artmygoddesstothylaw
Myservicesarebound.WhereforeshouldI
Standintheplagueofcustom,andpermit
Thecuriosityofnationstodepriveme,
ForthatIamsometwelveorfourteenmoonshines
Lagofabrother?Whybastard?whereforebase?
Whenmydimensionsareaswellcompact,
Mymindasgenerous,andmyshapeastrue,
Ashonestmadam'sissue?Whybrandtheyus
Withbase?withbaseness?bastardy?base,base?
Who,inthelustystealthofnature,take
Morecompositionandfiercequality
Thandoth,withinadull,stale,tiredbed,
Gotothecreatingawholetribeoffops,
Got'tweenasleepandwake?Well,then,
LegitimateEdgar,Imusthaveyourland:
Ourfather'sloveistothebastardEdmund
Astothelegitimate:fineword,legitimate!
Well,mylegitimate,ifthisletterspeed,
Andmyinventionthrive,Edmundthebase
Shalltopthelegitimate.IgrowIprosper:
Now,gods,standupforbastards!

EnterGLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER

Kentbanish'dthus!andFranceincholerparted!
Andthekinggonetonight!subscribedhispower!
Confinedtoexhibition!Allthisdone
Uponthegad!Edmund,hownow!whatnews?

EDMUND

Sopleaseyourlordship,none.

Puttinguptheletter

GLOUCESTER

Whysoearnestlyseekyoutoputupthatletter?
EDMUND

Iknownonews,mylord.

GLOUCESTER

Whatpaperwereyoureading?

EDMUND

Nothing,mylord.

GLOUCESTER

No?Whatneeded,then,thatterribledispatchof
itintoyourpocket?thequalityofnothinghath
notsuchneedtohideitself.Let'ssee:come,
ifitbenothing,Ishallnotneedspectacles.

EDMUND

Ibeseechyou,sir,pardonme:itisaletter
frommybrother,thatIhavenotallo'erread
andforsomuchasIhaveperused,Ifinditnot
fitforyouro'erlooking.

GLOUCESTER

Givemetheletter,sir.

EDMUND

Ishalloffend,eithertodetainorgiveit.The
contents,asinpartIunderstandthem,aretoblame.

GLOUCESTER

Let'ssee,let'ssee.

EDMUND

Ihope,formybrother'sjustification,hewrote
thisbutasanessayortasteofmyvirtue.

GLOUCESTER

[Reads]'Thispolicyandreverenceofagemakes
theworldbittertothebestofourtimeskeeps
ourfortunesfromustillouroldnesscannotrelish
them.Ibegintofindanidleandfondbondage
intheoppressionofagedtyrannywhosways,not
asithathpower,butasitissuffered.Cometo
me,thatofthisImayspeakmore.Ifourfather
wouldsleeptillIwakedhim,youshouldhalfhis
revenueforever,andlivethebelovedofyour
brother,EDGAR.'
 Humconspiracy!'SleeptillIwakedhim,you
shouldenjoyhalfhisrevenue,'MysonEdgar!
Hadheahandtowritethis?aheartandbrain
tobreeditin?Whencamethistoyou?who
broughtit?

EDMUND

Itwasnotbroughtme,mylordthere'sthe
cunningofitIfounditthrowninatthe
casementofmycloset.

GLOUCESTER

Youknowthecharactertobeyourbrother's?

EDMUND

Ifthematterweregood,mylord,Idurstswear
itwerehisbut,inrespectofthat,Iwould
fainthinkitwerenot.

GLOUCESTER

Itishis.

EDMUND

Itishishand,mylordbutIhopehisheartis
notinthecontents.

GLOUCESTER

Hathheneverheretoforesoundedyouinthisbusiness?

EDMUND

Never,mylord:butIhaveheardhimoft
maintainittobefit,that,sonsatperfectage,
andfathersdeclining,thefathershouldbeas
wardtotheson,andthesonmanagehisrevenue.

GLOUCESTER

Ovillain,villain!Hisveryopinioninthe
letter!Abhorredvillain!Unnatural,detested,
brutishvillain!worsethanbrutish!Go,sirrah,
seekhimI'llapprehendhim:abominablevillain!
Whereishe?

EDMUND

Idonotwellknow,mylord.Ifitshallplease
youtosuspendyourindignationagainstmy
brothertillyoucanderivefromhimbetter
testimonyofhisintent,youshallrunacertain
 coursewhere,ifyouviolentlyproceedagainst
him,mistakinghispurpose,itwouldmakeagreat
gapinyourownhonour,andshakeinpiecesthe
heartofhisobedience.Idarepawndownmylife
forhim,thathehathwrotethistofeelmy
affectiontoyourhonour,andtonofurther
pretenceofdanger.

GLOUCESTER

Thinkyouso?

EDMUND

Ifyourhonourjudgeitmeet,Iwillplaceyou
whereyoushallhearusconferofthis,andbyan
auricularassurancehaveyoursatisfactionand
thatwithoutanyfurtherdelaythanthisveryevening.

GLOUCESTER

Hecannotbesuchamonster

EDMUND

Norisnot,sure.

GLOUCESTER

Tohisfather,thatsotenderlyandentirely
loveshim.Heavenandearth!Edmund,seekhim
out:windmeintohim,Iprayyou:framethe
businessafteryourownwisdom.Iwouldunstate
myself,tobeinadueresolution.

EDMUND

Iwillseekhim,sir,presently:conveythe
businessasIshallfindmeansandacquaintyouwithal.

GLOUCESTER

Theselateeclipsesinthesunandmoonportend
nogoodtous:thoughthewisdomofnaturecan
reasonitthusandthus,yetnaturefindsitself
scourgedbythesequenteffects:lovecools,
friendshipfallsoff,brothersdivide:in
cities,mutiniesincountries,discordin
palaces,treasonandthebondcracked'twixtson
andfather.Thisvillainofminecomesunderthe
predictionthere'ssonagainstfather:theking
fallsfrombiasofnaturethere'sfatheragainst
child.Wehaveseenthebestofourtime:
machinations,hollowness,treachery,andall
ruinousdisorders,followusdisquietlytoour
graves.Findoutthisvillain,Edmunditshall
 losetheenothingdoitcarefully.Andthe
nobleandtrueheartedKentbanished!his
offence,honesty!'Tisstrange.

Exit

EDMUND

Thisistheexcellentfopperyoftheworld,that,
whenwearesickinfortune,oftenthesurfeit
ofourownbehavior,wemakeguiltyofour
disastersthesun,themoon,andthestars:as
ifwewerevillainsbynecessityfoolsby
heavenlycompulsionknaves,thieves,and
treachers,bysphericalpredominancedrunkards,
liars,andadulterers,byanenforcedobedienceof
planetaryinfluenceandallthatweareevilin,
byadivinethrustingon:anadmirableevasion
ofwhoremasterman,tolayhisgoatish
dispositiontothechargeofastar!My
fathercompoundedwithmymotherunderthe
dragon'stailandmynativitywasunderUrsa
majorsothatitfollows,Iamroughand
lecherous.Tut,IshouldhavebeenthatIam,
hadthemaidenlieststarinthefirmament
twinkledonmybastardizing.Edgar

EnterEDGAR

Andpathecomeslikethecatastropheoftheold
comedy:mycueisvillanousmelancholy,witha
sighlikeTomo'Bedlam.O,theseeclipsesdo
portendthesedivisions!fa,sol,la,mi.

EDGAR

Hownow,brotherEdmund!whatserious
contemplationareyouin?

EDMUND

Iamthinking,brother,ofapredictionIread
thisotherday,whatshouldfollowtheseeclipses.

EDGAR

Doyoubusyyourselfaboutthat?

EDMUND

Ipromiseyou,theeffectshewritesofsucceed
unhappilyasofunnaturalnessbetweenthechild
andtheparentdeath,dearth,dissolutionsof
ancientamitiesdivisionsinstate,menacesand
maledictionsagainstkingandnoblesneedless
 diffidences,banishmentoffriends,dissipation
ofcohorts,nuptialbreaches,andIknownotwhat.

EDGAR

Howlonghaveyoubeenasectaryastronomical?

EDMUND

Come,comewhensawyoumyfatherlast?

EDGAR

Why,thenightgoneby.

EDMUND

Spakeyouwithhim?

EDGAR

Ay,twohourstogether.

EDMUND

Partedyouingoodterms?Foundyouno
displeasureinhimbywordorcountenance?

EDGAR

Noneatall.

EDMUND

Bethinkyourselfwhereinyoumayhaveoffended
him:andatmyentreatyforbearhispresence
tillsomelittletimehathqualifiedtheheatof
hisdispleasurewhichatthisinstantsorageth
inhim,thatwiththemischiefofyourpersonit
wouldscarcelyallay.

EDGAR

Somevillainhathdonemewrong.

EDMUND

That'smyfear.Iprayyou,haveacontinent
forbearancetillthespiedofhisragegoes
slowerand,asIsay,retirewithmetomy
lodging,fromwhenceIwillfitlybringyouto
hearmylordspeak:prayye,gothere'smykey:
ifyoudostirabroad,goarmed.

EDGAR
 Armed,brother!

EDMUND

Brother,Iadviseyoutothebestgoarmed:I
amnohonestmaniftherebeanygoodmeaning
towardsyou:IhavetoldyouwhatIhaveseen
andheardbutfaintly,nothingliketheimage
andhorrorofit:prayyou,away.

EDGAR

ShallIhearfromyouanon?

EDMUND

Idoserveyouinthisbusiness.

ExitEDGAR

Acredulousfather!andabrothernoble,
Whosenatureissofarfromdoingharms,
Thathesuspectsnone:onwhosefoolishhonesty
Mypractisesrideeasy!Iseethebusiness.
Letme,ifnotbybirth,havelandsbywit:
Allwithme'smeetthatIcanfashionfit.

Exit

SCENEIII.TheDukeofAlbany'spalace.
EnterGONERIL,andOSWALD,hersteward

GONERIL

Didmyfatherstrikemygentlemanforchidingofhisfool?

OSWALD

Yes,madam.

GONERIL

Bydayandnighthewrongsmeeveryhour
Heflashesintoonegrosscrimeorother,
Thatsetsusallatodds:I'llnotendureit:
Hisknightsgrowriotous,andhimselfupbraidsus
Oneverytrifle.Whenhereturnsfromhunting,
IwillnotspeakwithhimsayIamsick:
Ifyoucomeslackofformerservices,
YoushalldowellthefaultofitI'llanswer.

OSWALD

He'scoming,madamIhearhim.
 Hornswithin

GONERIL

Putonwhatwearynegligenceyouplease,
YouandyourfellowsI'llhaveitcometoquestion:
Ifhedislikeit,lethimtooursister,
Whosemindandmine,Iknow,inthatareone,
Nottobeoverruled.Idleoldman,
Thatstillwouldmanagethoseauthorities
Thathehathgivenaway!Now,bymylife,
Oldfoolsarebabesagainandmustbeused
Withchequesasflatteries,whentheyareseenabused.
RememberwhatItellyou.

OSWALD

Well,madam.

GONERIL

Andlethisknightshavecolderlooksamongyou
Whatgrowsofit,nomatteradviseyourfellowsso:
Iwouldbreedfromhenceoccasions,andIshall,
ThatImayspeak:I'llwritestraighttomysister,
Toholdmyverycourse.Preparefordinner.

Exeunt

SCENEIV.Ahallinthesame.
EnterKENT,disguised

KENT

IfbutaswellIotheraccentsborrow,
Thatcanmyspeechdefuse,mygoodintent
Maycarrythroughitselftothatfullissue
ForwhichIrazedmylikeness.Now,banish'dKent,
Ifthoucanstservewherethoudoststandcondemn'd,
Somayitcome,thymaster,whomthoulovest,
Shallfindtheefulloflabours.

Hornswithin.EnterKINGLEAR,Knights,andAttendants

KINGLEAR

Letmenotstayajotfordinnergogetitready.

ExitanAttendant

Hownow!whatartthou?

KENT
 Aman,sir.

KINGLEAR

Whatdostthouprofess?whatwouldstthouwithus?

KENT

IdoprofesstobenolessthanIseemtoserve
himtrulythatwillputmeintrust:tolovehim
thatishonesttoconversewithhimthatiswise,
andsayslittletofearjudgmenttofightwhenI
cannotchooseandtoeatnofish.

KINGLEAR

Whatartthou?

KENT

Averyhonestheartedfellow,andaspoorastheking.

KINGLEAR

Ifthoubeaspoorforasubjectasheisfora
king,thouartpoorenough.Whatwouldstthou?

KENT

Service.

KINGLEAR

Whowouldstthouserve?

KENT

You.

KINGLEAR

Dostthouknowme,fellow?

KENT

No,sirbutyouhavethatinyourcountenance
whichIwouldfaincallmaster.

KINGLEAR

What'sthat?

KENT

Authority.

KINGLEAR
 Whatservicescanstthoudo?

KENT

Icankeephonestcounsel,ride,run,maracurious
taleintellingit,anddeliveraplainmessage
bluntly:thatwhichordinarymenarefitfor,Iam
qualifiedinandthebestofmeisdiligence.

KINGLEAR

Howoldartthou?

KENT

Notsoyoung,sir,toloveawomanforsinging,nor
sooldtodoteonherforanything:Ihaveyears
onmybackfortyeight.

KINGLEAR

Followmethoushaltserveme:ifIliketheeno
worseafterdinner,Iwillnotpartfromtheeyet.
Dinner,ho,dinner!Where'smyknave?myfool?
Goyou,andcallmyfoolhither.

ExitanAttendant

EnterOSWALD

You,you,sirrah,where'smydaughter?

OSWALD

Sopleaseyou,

Exit

KINGLEAR

Whatsaysthefellowthere?Calltheclotpollback.

ExitaKnight

Where'smyfool,ho?Ithinktheworld'sasleep.

ReenterKnight

Hownow!where'sthatmongrel?

Knight

Hesays,mylord,yourdaughterisnotwell.

KINGLEAR

WhycamenottheslavebacktomewhenIcalledhim.
Knight

Sir,heansweredmeintheroundestmanner,hewould
not.

KINGLEAR

Hewouldnot!

Knight

Mylord,Iknownotwhatthematterisbut,tomy
judgment,yourhighnessisnotentertainedwiththat
ceremoniousaffectionasyouwerewontthere'sa
greatabatementofkindnessappearsaswellinthe
generaldependantsasinthedukehimselfalsoand
yourdaughter.

KINGLEAR

Ha!sayestthouso?

Knight

Ibeseechyou,pardonme,mylord,ifIbemistaken
formydutycannotbesilentwhenIthinkyour
highnesswronged.

KINGLEAR

Thoubutrememberestmeofmineownconception:I
haveperceivedamostfaintneglectoflatewhichI
haveratherblamedasmineownjealouscuriosity
thanasaverypretenceandpurposeofunkindness:
Iwilllookfurtherinto't.Butwhere'smyfool?I
havenotseenhimthistwodays.

Knight

Sincemyyounglady'sgoingintoFrance,sir,the
foolhathmuchpinedaway.

KINGLEAR

NomoreofthatIhavenoteditwell.Goyou,and
tellmydaughterIwouldspeakwithher.

ExitanAttendant

Goyou,callhithermyfool.

ExitanAttendant

ReenterOSWALD

O,yousir,you,comeyouhither,sir:whoamI,
 sir?

OSWALD

Mylady'sfather.

KINGLEAR

'Mylady'sfather'!mylord'sknave:your
whoresondog!youslave!youcur!

OSWALD

Iamnoneofthese,mylordIbeseechyourpardon.

KINGLEAR

Doyoubandylookswithme,yourascal?

Strikinghim

OSWALD

I'llnotbestruck,mylord.

KENT

Nortrippedneither,youbasefootballplayer.

Trippinguphisheels

KINGLEAR

Ithankthee,fellowthouservestme,andI'll
lovethee.

KENT

Come,sir,arise,away!I'llteachyoudifferences:
away,away!ifyouwillmeasureyourlubber's
lengthagain,tarry:butaway!gotohaveyou
wisdom?so.

PushesOSWALDout

KINGLEAR

Now,myfriendlyknave,Ithankthee:there's
earnestofthyservice.

GivingKENTmoney

EnterFool

Fool

Letmehirehimtoo:here'smycoxcomb.
 OfferingKENThiscap

KINGLEAR

Hownow,myprettyknave!howdostthou?

Fool

Sirrah,youwerebesttakemycoxcomb.

KENT

Why,fool?

Fool

Why,fortakingone'spartthat'soutoffavour:
nay,anthoucanstnotsmileasthewindsits,
thou'ltcatchcoldshortly:there,takemycoxcomb:
why,thisfellowhasbanishedtwoon'sdaughters,
anddidthethirdablessingagainsthiswillif
thoufollowhim,thoumustneedswearmycoxcomb.
Hownow,nuncle!WouldIhadtwocoxcombsandtwodaughters!

KINGLEAR

Why,myboy?

Fool

IfIgavethemallmyliving,I'ldkeepmycoxcombs
myself.There'sminebeganotherofthydaughters.

KINGLEAR

Takeheed,sirrahthewhip.

Fool

Truth'sadogmusttokennelhemustbewhipped
out,whenLadythebrachmaystandbythefireandstink.

KINGLEAR

Apestilentgalltome!

Fool

Sirrah,I'llteachtheeaspeech.

KINGLEAR

Do.

Fool

Markit,nuncle:
 Havemorethanthoushowest,
Speaklessthanthouknowest,
Lendlessthanthouowest,
Ridemorethanthougoest,
Learnmorethanthoutrowest,
Setlessthanthouthrowest
Leavethydrinkandthywhore,
Andkeepinadoor,
Andthoushalthavemore
Thantwotenstoascore.

KENT

Thisisnothing,fool.

Fool

Then'tislikethebreathofanunfee'dlawyeryou
gavemenothingfor't.Canyoumakenouseof
nothing,nuncle?

KINGLEAR

Why,no,boynothingcanbemadeoutofnothing.

Fool

[ToKENT]Prithee,tellhim,somuchtherentof
hislandcomesto:hewillnotbelieveafool.

KINGLEAR

Abitterfool!

Fool

Dostthouknowthedifference,myboy,betweena
bitterfoolandasweetfool?

KINGLEAR

No,ladteachme.

Fool

Thatlordthatcounsell'dthee
Togiveawaythyland,
Comeplacehimherebyme,
Dothouforhimstand:
Thesweetandbitterfool
Willpresentlyappear
Theoneinmotleyhere,
Theotherfoundoutthere.

KINGLEAR
 Dostthoucallmefool,boy?

Fool

Allthyothertitlesthouhastgivenawaythat
thouwastbornwith.

KENT

Thisisnotaltogetherfool,mylord.

Fool

No,faith,lordsandgreatmenwillnotletmeif
Ihadamonopolyout,theywouldhaveparton't:
andladiestoo,theywillnotletmehaveallfool
tomyselfthey'llbesnatching.Givemeanegg,
nuncle,andI'llgivetheetwocrowns.

KINGLEAR

Whattwocrownsshalltheybe?

Fool

Why,afterIhavecuttheeggi'themiddle,andeat
upthemeat,thetwocrownsoftheegg.Whenthou
clovestthycrowni'themiddle,andgavestaway
bothparts,thouborestthyassonthybacko'er
thedirt:thouhadstlittlewitinthybaldcrown,
whenthougavestthygoldenoneaway.IfIspeak
likemyselfinthis,lethimbewhippedthatfirst
findsitso.

Singing

Foolshadne'erlesswitinayear
Forwisemenaregrownfoppish,
Theyknownothowtheirwitstowear,
Theirmannersaresoapish.

KINGLEAR

Whenwereyouwonttobesofullofsongs,sirrah?

Fool

Ihaveusedit,nuncle,eversincethoumadestthy
daughtersthymothers:forwhenthougavestthem
therod,andput'stdownthineownbreeches,

Singing

Thentheyforsuddenjoydidweep,
AndIforsorrowsung,
Thatsuchakingshouldplaybopeep,
 Andgothefoolsamong.
Prithee,nuncle,keepaschoolmasterthatcanteach
thyfooltolie:Iwouldfainlearntolie.

KINGLEAR

Anyoulie,sirrah,we'llhaveyouwhipped.

Fool

Imarvelwhatkinthouandthydaughtersare:
they'llhavemewhippedforspeakingtrue,thou'lt
havemewhippedforlyingandsometimesIam
whippedforholdingmypeace.Ihadratherbeany
kindo'thingthanafool:andyetIwouldnotbe
thee,nunclethouhastparedthywito'bothsides,
andleftnothingi'themiddle:herecomesoneo'
theparings.

EnterGONERIL

KINGLEAR

Hownow,daughter!whatmakesthatfrontleton?
Methinksyouaretoomuchoflatei'thefrown.

Fool

Thouwastaprettyfellowwhenthouhadstnoneedto
careforherfrowningnowthouartanOwithouta
figure:IambetterthanthouartnowIamafool,
thouartnothing.

ToGONERIL

Yes,forsooth,Iwillholdmytonguesoyourface
bidsme,thoughyousaynothing.Mum,mum,
Hethatkeepsnorcrustnorcrum,
Wearyofall,shallwantsome.

PointingtoKINGLEAR

That'sashealedpeascod.

GONERIL

Notonly,sir,thisyouralllicensedfool,
Butotherofyourinsolentretinue
Dohourlycarpandquarrelbreakingforth
Inrankandnottobeenduredriots.Sir,
Ihadthought,bymakingthiswellknownuntoyou,
Tohavefoundasaferedressbutnowgrowfearful,
Bywhatyourselftoolatehavespokeanddone.
Thatyouprotectthiscourse,andputiton
Byyourallowancewhichifyoushould,thefault
Wouldnot'scapecensure,northeredressessleep,
 Which,inthetenderofawholesomeweal,
Mightintheirworkingdoyouthatoffence,
Whichelsewereshame,thatthennecessity
Willcalldiscreetproceeding.

Fool

For,youtrow,nuncle,
Thehedgesparrowfedthecuckoosolong,
Thatit'shaditheadbitoffbyityoung.
So,outwentthecandle,andwewereleftdarkling.

KINGLEAR

Areyouourdaughter?

GONERIL

Come,sir,
Iwouldyouwouldmakeuseofthatgoodwisdom,
WhereofIknowyouarefraughtandputaway
Thesedispositions,thatoflatetransformyou
Fromwhatyourightlyare.

Fool

Maynotanassknowwhenthecart
drawsthehorse?Whoop,Jug!Ilovethee.

KINGLEAR

Dothanyhereknowme?ThisisnotLear:
DothLearwalkthus?speakthus?Wherearehiseyes?
Eitherhisnotionweakens,hisdiscernings
ArelethargiedHa!waking?'tisnotso.
WhoisitthatcantellmewhoIam?

Fool

Lear'sshadow.

KINGLEAR

Iwouldlearnthatfor,bythe
marksofsovereignty,knowledge,andreason,
IshouldbefalsepersuadedIhaddaughters.

Fool

Whichtheywillmakeanobedientfather.

KINGLEAR

Yourname,fairgentlewoman?

GONERIL
 Thisadmiration,sir,ismucho'thesavour
Ofotheryournewpranks.Idobeseechyou
Tounderstandmypurposesaright:
Asyouareoldandreverend,youshouldbewise.
Heredoyoukeepahundredknightsandsquires
Mensodisorder'd,sodebosh'dandbold,
Thatthisourcourt,infectedwiththeirmanners,
Showslikeariotousinn:epicurismandlust
Makeitmorelikeatavernorabrothel
Thanagracedpalace.Theshameitselfdothspeak
Forinstantremedy:bethendesired
Byher,thatelsewilltakethethingshebegs,
Alittletodisquantityyourtrain
Andtheremainder,thatshallstilldepend,
Tobesuchmenasmaybesortyourage,
Andknowthemselvesandyou.

KINGLEAR

Darknessanddevils!
Saddlemyhorsescallmytraintogether:
Degeneratebastard!I'llnottroublethee.
YethaveIleftadaughter.

GONERIL

Youstrikemypeopleandyourdisorder'drabble
Makeservantsoftheirbetters.

EnterALBANY

KINGLEAR

Woe,thattoolaterepents,

ToALBANY

O,sir,areyoucome?
Isityourwill?Speak,sir.Preparemyhorses.
Ingratitude,thoumarbleheartedfiend,
Morehideouswhenthoushow'sttheeinachild
Thantheseamonster!

ALBANY

Pray,sir,bepatient.

KINGLEAR

[ToGONERIL]Detestedkite!thouliest.
Mytrainaremenofchoiceandrarestparts,
Thatallparticularsofdutyknow,
Andinthemostexactregardsupport
Theworshipsoftheirname.Omostsmallfault,
HowuglydidstthouinCordeliashow!
 That,likeanengine,wrench'dmyframeofnature
Fromthefix'dplacedrewfromheartalllove,
Andaddedtothegall.OLear,Lear,Lear!
Beatatthisgate,thatletthyfollyin,

Strikinghishead

Andthydearjudgmentout!Go,go,mypeople.

ALBANY

Mylord,Iamguiltless,asIamignorant
Ofwhathathmovedyou.

KINGLEAR

Itmaybeso,mylord.
Hear,nature,heardeargoddess,hear!
Suspendthypurpose,ifthoudidstintend
Tomakethiscreaturefruitful!
Intoherwombconveysterility!
Dryupinhertheorgansofincrease
Andfromherderogatebodyneverspring
Ababetohonourher!Ifshemustteem,
Createherchildofspleenthatitmaylive,
Andbeathwartdisnaturedtormenttoher!
Letitstampwrinklesinherbrowofyouth
Withcadenttearsfretchannelsinhercheeks
Turnallhermother'spainsandbenefits
Tolaughterandcontemptthatshemayfeel
Howsharperthanaserpent'stoothitis
Tohaveathanklesschild!Away,away!

Exit

ALBANY

Now,godsthatweadore,whereofcomesthis?

GONERIL

Neverafflictyourselftoknowthecause
Butlethisdispositionhavethatscope
Thatdotagegivesit.

ReenterKINGLEAR

KINGLEAR

What,fiftyofmyfollowersataclap!
Withinafortnight!

ALBANY

What'sthematter,sir?
KINGLEAR

I'lltellthee:

ToGONERIL

Lifeanddeath!Iamashamed
Thatthouhastpowertoshakemymanhoodthus
Thatthesehottears,whichbreakfrommeperforce,
Shouldmaketheeworththem.Blastsandfogsuponthee!
Theuntentedwoundingsofafather'scurse
Pierceeverysenseaboutthee!Oldfondeyes,
Beweepthiscauseagain,I'llpluckyeout,
Andcastyou,withthewatersthatyoulose,
Totemperclay.Yea,itiscometothis?
Letisbeso:yethaveIleftadaughter,
Who,Iamsure,iskindandcomfortable:
Whensheshallhearthisofthee,withhernails
She'llflaythywolvishvisage.Thoushaltfind
ThatI'llresumetheshapewhichthoudostthink
Ihavecastoffforever:thoushalt,
Iwarrantthee.

ExeuntKINGLEAR,KENT,andAttendants

GONERIL

Doyoumarkthat,mylord?

ALBANY

Icannotbesopartial,Goneril,
TothegreatloveIbearyou,

GONERIL

Prayyou,content.What,Oswald,ho!

TotheFool

You,sir,moreknavethanfool,afteryourmaster.

Fool

NuncleLear,nuncleLear,tarryandtakethefool
withthee.
Afox,whenonehascaughther,
Andsuchadaughter,
Shouldsuretotheslaughter,
Ifmycapwouldbuyahalter:
Sothefoolfollowsafter.

Exit

GONERIL
 Thismanhathhadgoodcounsel:ahundredknights!
'Tispoliticandsafetolethimkeep
Atpointahundredknights:yes,that,oneverydream,
Eachbuzz,eachfancy,eachcomplaint,dislike,
Hemayenguardhisdotagewiththeirpowers,
Andholdourlivesinmercy.Oswald,Isay!

ALBANY

Well,youmayfeartoofar.

GONERIL

Saferthantrusttoofar:
LetmestilltakeawaytheharmsIfear,
Notfearstilltobetaken:Iknowhisheart.
Whathehathutter'dIhavewritmysister
Ifshesustainhimandhishundredknights
WhenIhaveshow'dtheunfitness,

ReenterOSWALD

Hownow,Oswald!
What,haveyouwritthatlettertomysister?

OSWALD

Yes,madam.

GONERIL

Takeyousomecompany,andawaytohorse:
Informherfullofmyparticularfear
Andtheretoaddsuchreasonsofyourown
Asmaycompactitmore.Getyougone
Andhastenyourreturn.

ExitOSWALD

No,no,mylord,
Thismilkygentlenessandcourseofyours
ThoughIcondemnnot,yet,underpardon,
Youaremuchmoreattask'dforwantofwisdom
Thanpraisedforharmfulmildness.

ALBANY

HowfaryoureyesmaypierceIcannottell:
Strivingtobetter,oftwemarwhat'swell.

GONERIL

Nay,then

ALBANY
 Well,welltheevent.

Exeunt

SCENEV.Courtbeforethesame.
EnterKINGLEAR,KENT,andFool

KINGLEAR

GoyoubeforetoGloucesterwiththeseletters.
Acquaintmydaughternofurtherwithanythingyou
knowthancomesfromherdemandoutoftheletter.
Ifyourdiligencebenotspeedy,Ishallbethereaforeyou.

KENT

Iwillnotsleep,mylord,tillIhavedelivered
yourletter.

Exit

Fool

Ifaman'sbrainswerein'sheels,were'tnotin
dangerofkibes?

KINGLEAR

Ay,boy.

Fool

Then,Iprithee,bemerrythywitshallne'ergo
slipshod.

KINGLEAR

Ha,ha,ha!

Fool

Shaltseethyotherdaughterwillusetheekindly
forthoughshe'saslikethisasacrab'slikean
apple,yetIcantellwhatIcantell.

KINGLEAR

Why,whatcanstthoutell,myboy?

Fool

Shewilltasteaslikethisasacrabdoestoa
crab.Thoucansttellwhyone'snosestandsi'
themiddleon'sface?
KINGLEAR

No.

Fool

Why,tokeepone'seyesofeitherside'snosethat
whatamancannotsmellout,hemayspyinto.

KINGLEAR

Ididherwrong

Fool

Cansttellhowanoystermakeshisshell?

KINGLEAR

No.

Fool

NorIneitherbutIcantellwhyasnailhasahouse.

KINGLEAR

Why?

Fool

Why,toputhisheadinnottogiveitawaytohis
daughters,andleavehishornswithoutacase.

KINGLEAR

Iwillforgetmynature.Sokindafather!Bemy
horsesready?

Fool

Thyassesaregoneabout'em.Thereasonwhythe
sevenstarsarenomorethansevenisaprettyreason.

KINGLEAR

Becausetheyarenoteight?

Fool

Yes,indeed:thouwouldstmakeagoodfool.

KINGLEAR

Totake'tagainperforce!Monsteringratitude!

Fool
 Ifthouwertmyfool,nuncle,I'ldhavetheebeaten
forbeingoldbeforethytime.

KINGLEAR

How'sthat?

Fool

Thoushouldstnothavebeenoldtillthouhadst
beenwise.

KINGLEAR

O,letmenotbemad,notmad,sweetheaven
Keepmeintemper:Iwouldnotbemad!

EnterGentleman

Hownow!arethehorsesready?

Gentleman

Ready,mylord.

KINGLEAR

Come,boy.

Fool

Shethat'samaidnow,andlaughsatmydeparture,
Shallnotbeamaidlong,unlessthingsbecutshorter.

Exeunt

ACTII

SCENEI.GLOUCESTER'scastle.

EnterEDMUND,andCURANmeetshim

EDMUND

Savethee,Curan.

CURAN

Andyou,sir.Ihavebeenwithyourfather,and
givenhimnoticethattheDukeofCornwallandRegan
hisduchesswillbeherewithhimthisnight.

EDMUND

Howcomesthat?
CURAN

Nay,Iknownot.Youhaveheardofthenewsabroad
Imeanthewhisperedones,fortheyareyetbut
earkissingarguments?

EDMUND

NotIprayyou,whatarethey?

CURAN

Haveyouheardofnolikelywarstoward,'twixtthe
DukesofCornwallandAlbany?

EDMUND

Notaword.

CURAN

Youmaydo,then,intime.Fareyouwell,sir.

Exit

EDMUND

Thedukebeheretonight?Thebetter!best!
Thisweavesitselfperforceintomybusiness.
Myfatherhathsetguardtotakemybrother
AndIhaveonething,ofaqueasyquestion,
WhichImustact:briefnessandfortune,work!
Brother,aworddescend:brother,Isay!

EnterEDGAR

Myfatherwatches:Osir,flythisplace
Intelligenceisgivenwhereyouarehid
Youhavenowthegoodadvantageofthenight:
Haveyounotspoken'gainsttheDukeofCornwall?
He'scominghither:now,i'thenight,i'thehaste,
AndReganwithhim:haveyounothingsaid
Uponhisparty'gainsttheDukeofAlbany?
Adviseyourself.

EDGAR

Iamsureon't,notaword.

EDMUND

Ihearmyfathercoming:pardonme:
IncunningImustdrawmysworduponyou
Drawseemtodefendyourselfnowquityouwell.
Yield:comebeforemyfather.Light,ho,here!
Fly,brother.Torches,torches!So,farewell.
 ExitEDGAR

Someblooddrawnonmewouldbegetopinion.

Woundshisarm

Ofmymorefierceendeavour:Ihaveseendrunkards
Domorethanthisinsport.Father,father!
Stop,stop!Nohelp?

EnterGLOUCESTER,andServantswithtorches

GLOUCESTER

Now,Edmund,where'sthevillain?

EDMUND

Herestoodheinthedark,hissharpswordout,
Mumblingofwickedcharms,conjuringthemoon
Tostandauspiciousmistress,

GLOUCESTER

Butwhereishe?

EDMUND

Look,sir,Ibleed.

GLOUCESTER

Whereisthevillain,Edmund?

EDMUND

Fledthisway,sir.Whenbynomeanshecould

GLOUCESTER

Pursuehim,ho!Goafter.

ExeuntsomeServants

Bynomeanswhat?

EDMUND

Persuademetothemurderofyourlordship
ButthatItoldhim,therevenginggods
'Gainstparricidesdidalltheirthundersbend
Spoke,withhowmanifoldandstrongabond
Thechildwasboundtothefathersir,infine,
SeeinghowloathlyoppositeIstood
Tohisunnaturalpurpose,infellmotion,
Withhispreparedsword,hechargeshome
 Myunprovidedbody,lancedminearm:
Butwhenhesawmybestalarum'dspirits,
Boldinthequarrel'sright,rousedtotheencounter,
OrwhethergastedbythenoiseImade,
Fullsuddenlyhefled.

GLOUCESTER

Lethimflyfar:
Notinthislandshallheremainuncaught
Andfounddispatch.Thenobledukemymaster,
Myworthyarchandpatron,comestonight:
ByhisauthorityIwillproclaimit,
Thathewhichfindshimshalldeserveourthanks,
Bringingthemurderouscowardtothestake
Hethatconcealshim,death.

EDMUND

WhenIdissuadedhimfromhisintent,
Andfoundhimpighttodoit,withcurstspeech
Ithreaten'dtodiscoverhim:hereplied,
'Thouunpossessingbastard!dostthouthink,
IfIwouldstandagainstthee,wouldthereposal
Ofanytrust,virtue,orworthinthee
Makethywordsfaith'd?No:whatIshoulddeny,
AsthisIwould:ay,thoughthoudidstproduce
Myverycharacter,I'ldturnitall
Tothysuggestion,plot,anddamnedpractise:
Andthoumustmakeadullardoftheworld,
Iftheynotthoughttheprofitsofmydeath
Wereverypregnantandpotentialspurs
Tomaketheeseekit.'

GLOUCESTER

Strongandfasten'dvillain
Wouldhedenyhisletter?Inevergothim.

Tucketwithin

Hark,theduke'strumpets!Iknownotwhyhecomes.
AllportsI'llbarthevillainshallnot'scape
Thedukemustgrantmethat:besides,hispicture
Iwillsendfarandnear,thatallthekingdom
Mayhavetheduenoteofhimandofmyland,
Loyalandnaturalboy,I'llworkthemeans
Tomaketheecapable.

EnterCORNWALL,REGAN,andAttendants

CORNWALL

Hownow,mynoblefriend!sinceIcamehither,
WhichIcancallbutnow,Ihaveheardstrangenews.
REGAN

Ifitbetrue,allvengeancecomestooshort
Whichcanpursuetheoffender.Howdost,mylord?

GLOUCESTER

O,madam,myoldheartiscrack'd,it'scrack'd!

REGAN

What,didmyfather'sgodsonseekyourlife?
Hewhommyfathernamed?yourEdgar?

GLOUCESTER

O,lady,lady,shamewouldhaveithid!

REGAN

Washenotcompanionwiththeriotousknights
Thattenduponmyfather?

GLOUCESTER

Iknownot,madam:'tistoobad,toobad.

EDMUND

Yes,madam,hewasofthatconsort.

REGAN

Nomarvel,then,thoughhewereillaffected:
'Tistheyhaveputhimontheoldman'sdeath,
Tohavetheexpenseandwasteofhisrevenues.
Ihavethispresenteveningfrommysister
Beenwellinform'dofthemandwithsuchcautions,
Thatiftheycometosojournatmyhouse,
I'llnotbethere.

CORNWALL

NorI,assurethee,Regan.
Edmund,Ihearthatyouhaveshownyourfather
Achildlikeoffice.

EDMUND

'Twasmyduty,sir.

GLOUCESTER

Hedidbewrayhispractiseandreceived
Thishurtyousee,strivingtoapprehendhim.
CORNWALL

Ishepursued?

GLOUCESTER

Ay,mygoodlord.

CORNWALL

Ifhebetaken,heshallnevermore
Befear'dofdoingharm:makeyourownpurpose,
Howinmystrengthyouplease.Foryou,Edmund,
Whosevirtueandobediencedoththisinstant
Somuchcommenditself,youshallbeours:
Naturesofsuchdeeptrustweshallmuchneed
Youwefirstseizeon.

EDMUND

Ishallserveyou,sir,
Truly,howeverelse.

GLOUCESTER

ForhimIthankyourgrace.

CORNWALL

Youknownotwhywecametovisityou,

REGAN

Thusoutofseason,threadingdarkeyednight:
Occasions,nobleGloucester,ofsomepoise,
Whereinwemusthaveuseofyouradvice:
Ourfatherhehathwrit,sohathoursister,
Ofdifferences,whichIleastthoughtitfit
Toanswerfromourhometheseveralmessengers
Fromhenceattenddispatch.Ourgoodoldfriend,
Laycomfortstoyourbosomandbestow
Yourneedfulcounseltoourbusiness,
Whichcravestheinstantuse.

GLOUCESTER

Iserveyou,madam:
Yourgracesarerightwelcome.

Exeunt

SCENEII.BeforeGloucester'scastle.
EnterKENTandOSWALD,severally

OSWALD
 Gooddawningtothee,friend:artofthishouse?

KENT

Ay.

OSWALD

Wheremaywesetourhorses?

KENT

I'themire.

OSWALD

Prithee,ifthoulovestme,tellme.

KENT

Ilovetheenot.

OSWALD

Why,then,Icarenotforthee.

KENT

IfIhadtheeinLipsburypinfold,Iwouldmakethee
careforme.

OSWALD

Whydostthouusemethus?Iknowtheenot.

KENT

Fellow,Iknowthee.

OSWALD

Whatdostthouknowmefor?

KENT

Aknavearascalaneaterofbrokenmeatsa
base,proud,shallow,beggarly,threesuited,
hundredpound,filthy,worstedstockingknavea
lilylivered,actiontakingknave,awhoreson,
glassgazing,superserviceablefinicalrogue
onetrunkinheritingslaveonethatwouldstbea
bawd,inwayofgoodservice,andartnothingbut
thecompositionofaknave,beggar,coward,pandar,
andthesonandheirofamongrelbitch:onewhomI
willbeatintoclamorouswhining,ifthoudeniest
theleastsyllableofthyaddition.
OSWALD

Why,whatamonstrousfellowartthou,thustorail
ononethatisneitherknownoftheenorknowsthee!

KENT

Whatabrazenfacedvarletartthou,todenythou
knowestme!IsittwodaysagosinceItrippedup
thyheels,andbeattheebeforetheking?Draw,you
rogue:for,thoughitbenight,yetthemoon
shinesI'llmakeasopo'themoonshineofyou:
draw,youwhoresoncullionlybarbermonger,draw.

Drawinghissword

OSWALD

Away!Ihavenothingtodowiththee.

KENT

Draw,yourascal:youcomewithlettersagainstthe
kingandtakevanitythepuppet'spartagainstthe
royaltyofherfather:draw,yourogue,orI'llso
carbonadoyourshanks:draw,yourascalcomeyourways.

OSWALD

Help,ho!murder!help!

KENT

Strike,youslavestand,rogue,standyouneat
slave,strike.

Beatinghim

OSWALD

Help,ho!murder!murder!

EnterEDMUND,withhisrapierdrawn,CORNWALL,REGAN,GLOUCESTER,and
Servants

EDMUND

Hownow!What'sthematter?

KENT

Withyou,goodmanboy,anyouplease:come,I'll
fleshyecomeon,youngmaster.

GLOUCESTER
 Weapons!arms!What'sthematterhere?

CORNWALL

Keeppeace,uponyourlives:
Hediesthatstrikesagain.Whatisthematter?

REGAN

Themessengersfromoursisterandtheking.

CORNWALL

Whatisyourdifference?speak.

OSWALD

Iamscarceinbreath,mylord.

KENT

Nomarvel,youhavesobestirredyourvalour.You
cowardlyrascal,naturedisclaimsinthee:a
tailormadethee.

CORNWALL

Thouartastrangefellow:atailormakeaman?

KENT

Ay,atailor,sir:astonecutterorpaintercould
nothavemadehimsoill,thoughhehadbeenbuttwo
hoursatthetrade.

CORNWALL

Speakyet,howgrewyourquarrel?

OSWALD

Thisancientruffian,sir,whoselifeIhavespared
atsuitofhisgraybeard,

KENT

Thouwhoresonzed!thouunnecessaryletter!My
lord,ifyouwillgivemeleave,Iwilltreadthis
unboltedvillainintomortar,anddaubthewallof
ajakeswithhim.Sparemygraybeard,youwagtail?

CORNWALL

Peace,sirrah!
Youbeastlyknave,knowyounoreverence?

KENT
 Yes,sirbutangerhathaprivilege.

CORNWALL

Whyartthouangry?

KENT

Thatsuchaslaveasthisshouldwearasword,
Whowearsnohonesty.Suchsmilingroguesasthese,
Likerats,oftbitetheholycordsatwain
Whicharetoointrinset'unloosesmootheverypassion
Thatinthenaturesoftheirlordsrebel
Bringoiltofire,snowtotheircoldermoods
Renege,affirm,andturntheirhalcyonbeaks
Witheverygaleandvaryoftheirmasters,
Knowingnought,likedogs,butfollowing.
Aplagueuponyourepilepticvisage!
Smileyoumyspeeches,asIwereafool?
Goose,ifIhadyouuponSarumplain,
I'lddriveyecacklinghometoCamelot.

CORNWALL

Why,artthoumad,oldfellow?

GLOUCESTER

Howfellyouout?saythat.

KENT

Nocontrariesholdmoreantipathy
ThanIandsuchaknave.

CORNWALL

Whydostthoucallhimaknave?What'shisoffence?

KENT

Hiscountenancelikesmenot.

CORNWALL

Nomore,perchance,doesmine,norhis,norhers.

KENT

Sir,'tismyoccupationtobeplain:
Ihaveseenbetterfacesinmytime
ThanstandsonanyshoulderthatIsee
Beforemeatthisinstant.

CORNWALL
 Thisissomefellow,
Who,havingbeenpraisedforbluntness,dothaffect
Asaucyroughness,andconstrainsthegarb
Quitefromhisnature:hecannotflatter,he,
Anhonestmindandplain,hemustspeaktruth!
Antheywilltakeit,soifnot,he'splain.
ThesekindofknavesIknow,whichinthisplainness
Harbourmorecraftandmorecorrupterends
Thantwentysillyduckingobservants
Thatstretchtheirdutiesnicely.

KENT

Sir,ingoodsooth,insincereverity,
Undertheallowanceofyourgreataspect,
Whoseinfluence,likethewreathofradiantfire
OnflickeringPhoebus'front,

CORNWALL

Whatmean'stbythis?

KENT

Togooutofmydialect,whichyou
discommendsomuch.Iknow,sir,Iamno
flatterer:hethatbeguiledyouinaplain
accentwasaplainknavewhichformypart
Iwillnotbe,thoughIshouldwinyourdispleasure
toentreatmeto't.

CORNWALL

Whatwastheoffenceyougavehim?

OSWALD

Inevergavehimany:
Itpleasedthekinghismasterverylate
Tostrikeatme,uponhismisconstruction
Whenhe,conjunctandflatteringhisdispleasure,
Tripp'dmebehindbeingdown,insulted,rail'd,
Andputuponhimsuchadealofman,
Thatworthiedhim,gotpraisesoftheking
Forhimattemptingwhowasselfsubdued
And,inthefleshmentofthisdreadexploit,
Drewonmehereagain.

KENT

Noneoftheseroguesandcowards
ButAjaxistheirfool.

CORNWALL

Fetchforththestocks!
 Youstubbornancientknave,youreverendbraggart,
We'llteachyou

KENT

Sir,Iamtoooldtolearn:
Callnotyourstocksforme:Iservetheking
OnwhoseemploymentIwassenttoyou:
Youshalldosmallrespect,showtooboldmalice
Againstthegraceandpersonofmymaster,
Stockinghismessenger.

CORNWALL

Fetchforththestocks!AsIhavelifeandhonour,
Thereshallhesittillnoon.

REGAN

Tillnoon!tillnight,mylordandallnighttoo.

KENT

Why,madam,ifIwereyourfather'sdog,
Youshouldnotusemeso.

REGAN

Sir,beinghisknave,Iwill.

CORNWALL

Thisisafellowoftheselfsamecolour
Oursisterspeaksof.Come,bringawaythestocks!

Stocksbroughtout

GLOUCESTER

Letmebeseechyourgracenottodoso:
Hisfaultismuch,andthegoodkinghismaster
Willchequehimfor't:yourpurposedlowcorrection
Issuchasbasestandcontemned'stwretches
Forpilferingsandmostcommontrespasses
Arepunish'dwith:thekingmusttakeitill,
Thathe'ssoslightlyvaluedinhismessenger,
Shouldhavehimthusrestrain'd.

CORNWALL

I'llanswerthat.

REGAN

Mysistermayreceiveitmuchmoreworse,
Tohavehergentlemanabused,assaulted,
 Forfollowingheraffairs.Putinhislegs.

KENTisputinthestocks

Come,mygoodlord,away.

ExeuntallbutGLOUCESTERandKENT

GLOUCESTER

Iamsorryforthee,friend'tistheduke'spleasure,
Whosedisposition,alltheworldwellknows,
Willnotberubb'dnorstopp'd:I'llentreatforthee.

KENT

Pray,donot,sir:Ihavewatchedandtravell'dhard
SometimeIshallsleepout,therestI'llwhistle.
Agoodman'sfortunemaygrowoutatheels:
Giveyougoodmorrow!

GLOUCESTER

Theduke'stoblameinthis'twillbeilltaken.

Exit

KENT

Goodking,thatmustapprovethecommonsaw,
Thououtofheaven'sbenedictioncomest
Tothewarmsun!
Approach,thoubeacontothisunderglobe,
ThatbythycomfortablebeamsImay
Perusethisletter!Nothingalmostseesmiracles
Butmisery:Iknow'tisfromCordelia,
Whohathmostfortunatelybeeninform'd
Ofmyobscuredcourseandshallfindtime
Fromthisenormousstate,seekingtogive
Lossestheirremedies.Allwearyando'erwatch'd,
Takevantage,heavyeyes,nottobehold
Thisshamefullodging.
Fortune,goodnight:smileoncemore:turnthywheel!

Sleeps

SCENEIII.Awood.
EnterEDGAR

EDGAR

Iheardmyselfproclaim'd
Andbythehappyhollowofatree
Escapedthehunt.Noportisfreenoplace,
 Thatguard,andmostunusualvigilance,
Doesnotattendmytaking.WhilesImay'scape,
Iwillpreservemyself:andambethought
Totakethebasestandmostpoorestshape
Thateverpenury,incontemptofman,
Broughtneartobeast:myfaceI'llgrimewithfilth
Blanketmyloins:elfallmyhairinknots
Andwithpresentednakednessoutface
Thewindsandpersecutionsofthesky.
Thecountrygivesmeproofandprecedent
OfBedlambeggars,who,withroaringvoices,
Strikeintheirnumb'dandmortifiedbarearms
Pins,woodenpricks,nails,sprigsofrosemary
Andwiththishorribleobject,fromlowfarms,
Poorpeltingvillages,sheepcotes,andmills,
Sometimewithlunaticbans,sometimewithprayers,
Enforcetheircharity.PoorTurlygod!poorTom!
That'ssomethingyet:EdgarInothingam.

Exit

SCENEIV.BeforeGLOUCESTER'scastle.KENTinthestocks.
EnterKINGLEAR,Fool,andGentleman

KINGLEAR

'Tisstrangethattheyshouldsodepartfromhome,
Andnotsendbackmymessenger.

Gentleman

AsIlearn'd,
Thenightbeforetherewasnopurposeinthem
Ofthisremove.

KENT

Hailtothee,noblemaster!

KINGLEAR

Ha!
Makestthouthisshamethypastime?

KENT

No,mylord.

Fool

Ha,ha!hewearscruelgarters.Horsesaretied
bytheheads,dogsandbearsbytheneck,monkeysby
theloins,andmenbythelegs:whenaman's
overlustyatlegs,thenhewearswooden
 netherstocks.

KINGLEAR

What'shethathathsomuchthyplacemistook
Tosettheehere?

KENT

Itisbothheandshe
Yoursonanddaughter.

KINGLEAR

No.

KENT

Yes.

KINGLEAR

No,Isay.

KENT

Isay,yea.

KINGLEAR

No,no,theywouldnot.

KENT

Yes,theyhave.

KINGLEAR

ByJupiter,Iswear,no.

KENT

ByJuno,Iswear,ay.

KINGLEAR

Theydurstnotdo't
Theycouldnot,wouldnotdo't'tisworsethanmurder,
Todouponrespectsuchviolentoutrage:
Resolveme,withallmodesthaste,whichway
Thoumightstdeserve,ortheyimpose,thisusage,
Comingfromus.

KENT

Mylord,whenattheirhome
Ididcommendyourhighness'letterstothem,
 EreIwasrisenfromtheplacethatshow'd
Mydutykneeling,camethereareekingpost,
Stew'dinhishaste,halfbreathless,pantingforth
FromGonerilhismistresssalutations
Deliver'dletters,spiteofintermission,
Whichpresentlytheyread:onwhosecontents,
Theysummon'duptheirmeiny,straighttookhorse
Commandedmetofollow,andattend
Theleisureoftheiranswergavemecoldlooks:
Andmeetingheretheothermessenger,
Whosewelcome,Iperceived,hadpoison'dmine,
Beingtheveryfellowthatoflate
Display'dsosaucilyagainstyourhighness,
Havingmoremanthanwitaboutme,drew:
Heraisedthehousewithloudandcowardcries.
Yoursonanddaughterfoundthistrespassworth
Theshamewhichhereitsuffers.

Fool

Winter'snotgoneyet,ifthewildgeeseflythatway.
Fathersthatwearrags
Domaketheirchildrenblind
Butfathersthatbearbags
Shallseetheirchildrenkind.
Fortune,thatarrantwhore,
Ne'erturnsthekeytothepoor.
But,forallthis,thoushalthaveasmanydolours
forthydaughtersasthoucansttellinayear.

KINGLEAR

O,howthismotherswellsuptowardmyheart!
Hystericapassio,down,thouclimbingsorrow,
Thyelement'sbelow!Whereisthisdaughter?

KENT

Withtheearl,sir,herewithin.

KINGLEAR

Followmenot
Stayhere.

Exit

Gentleman

Madeyounomoreoffencebutwhatyouspeakof?

KENT

None.
Howchancethekingcomeswithsosmallatrain?
Fool

Andthouhadstbeenseti'thestocksforthat
question,thouhadstwelldeservedit.

KENT

Why,fool?

Fool

We'llsettheetoschooltoanant,toteachthee
there'snolabouringi'thewinter.Allthatfollow
theirnosesareledbytheireyesbutblindmenand
there'snotanoseamongtwentybutcansmellhim
that'sstinking.Letgothyholdwhenagreatwheel
runsdownahill,lestitbreakthyneckwith
followingit:butthegreatonethatgoesupthe
hill,lethimdrawtheeafter.Whenawiseman
givestheebettercounsel,givememineagain:I
wouldhavenonebutknavesfollowit,sinceafoolgivesit.
Thatsirwhichservesandseeksforgain,
Andfollowsbutforform,
Willpackwhenitbeginstorain,
Andleavetheeinthestorm,
ButIwilltarrythefoolwillstay,
Andletthewisemanfly:
Theknaveturnsfoolthatrunsaway
Thefoolnoknave,perdy.

KENT

Wherelearnedyouthis,fool?

Fool

Noti'thestocks,fool.

ReenterKINGLEARwithGLOUCESTER

KINGLEAR

Denytospeakwithme?Theyaresick?theyareweary?
Theyhavetravell'dallthenight?Merefetches
Theimagesofrevoltandflyingoff.
Fetchmeabetteranswer.

GLOUCESTER

Mydearlord,
Youknowthefieryqualityoftheduke
Howunremoveableandfix'dheis
Inhisowncourse.

KINGLEAR
 Vengeance!plague!death!confusion!
Fiery?whatquality?Why,Gloucester,Gloucester,
I'ldspeakwiththeDukeofCornwallandhiswife.

GLOUCESTER

Well,mygoodlord,Ihaveinform'dthemso.

KINGLEAR

Inform'dthem!Dostthouunderstandme,man?

GLOUCESTER

Ay,mygoodlord.

KINGLEAR

ThekingwouldspeakwithCornwallthedearfather
Wouldwithhisdaughterspeak,commandsherservice:
Aretheyinform'dofthis?Mybreathandblood!
Fiery?thefieryduke?Tellthehotdukethat
No,butnotyet:maybeheisnotwell:
Infirmitydothstillneglectalloffice
Wheretoourhealthisboundwearenotourselves
Whennature,beingoppress'd,commandsthemind
Tosufferwiththebody:I'llforbear
Andamfall'noutwithmymoreheadierwill,
Totaketheindisposedandsicklyfit
Forthesoundman.Deathonmystate!wherefore

LookingonKENT

Shouldhesithere?Thisactpersuadesme
Thatthisremotionofthedukeandher
Ispractiseonly.Givememyservantforth.
Gotellthedukeand'swifeI'ldspeakwiththem,
Now,presently:bidthemcomeforthandhearme,
OrattheirchamberdoorI'llbeatthedrum
Tillitcrysleeptodeath.

GLOUCESTER

Iwouldhaveallwellbetwixtyou.

Exit

KINGLEAR

Ome,myheart,myrisingheart!but,down!

Fool

Crytoit,nuncle,asthecockneydidtotheeels
whensheput'emi'thepastealivesheknapped'em
o'thecoxcombswithastick,andcried'Down,
 wantons,down!''Twasherbrotherthat,inpure
kindnesstohishorse,butteredhishay.

EnterCORNWALL,REGAN,GLOUCESTER,andServants

KINGLEAR

Goodmorrowtoyouboth.

CORNWALL

Hailtoyourgrace!

KENTissetatliberty

REGAN

Iamgladtoseeyourhighness.

KINGLEAR

Regan,IthinkyouareIknowwhatreason
Ihavetothinkso:ifthoushouldstnotbeglad,
Iwoulddivorcemefromthymother'stomb,
Sepulchringanadultress.

ToKENT

O,areyoufree?
Someothertimeforthat.BelovedRegan,
Thysister'snaught:ORegan,shehathtied
Sharptooth'dunkindness,likeavulture,here:

Pointstohisheart

Icanscarcespeaktotheethou'ltnotbelieve
WithhowdepravedaqualityORegan!

REGAN

Iprayyou,sir,takepatience:Ihavehope.
Youlessknowhowtovalueherdesert
Thanshetoscantherduty.

KINGLEAR

Say,howisthat?

REGAN

Icannotthinkmysisterintheleast
Wouldfailherobligation:if,sir,perchance
Shehaverestrain'dtheriotsofyourfollowers,
'Tisonsuchground,andtosuchwholesomeend,
Asclearsherfromallblame.
KINGLEAR

Mycursesonher!

REGAN

O,sir,youareold.
Natureinyoustandsontheveryverge
Ofherconfine:youshouldberuledandled
Bysomediscretion,thatdiscernsyourstate
Betterthanyouyourself.Therefore,Iprayyou,
Thattooursisteryoudomakereturn
Sayyouhavewrong'dher,sir.

KINGLEAR

Askherforgiveness?
Doyoubutmarkhowthisbecomesthehouse:
'Deardaughter,IconfessthatIamold

Kneeling

Ageisunnecessary:onmykneesIbeg
Thatyou'llvouchsafemeraiment,bed,andfood.'

REGAN

Goodsir,nomoretheseareunsightlytricks:
Returnyoutomysister.

KINGLEAR

[Rising]Never,Regan:
Shehathabatedmeofhalfmytrain
Look'dblackuponmestruckmewithhertongue,
Mostserpentlike,upontheveryheart:
Allthestoredvengeancesofheavenfall
Onheringratefultop!Strikeheryoungbones,
Youtakingairs,withlameness!

CORNWALL

Fie,sir,fie!

KINGLEAR

Younimblelightnings,dartyourblindingflames
Intoherscornfuleyes!Infectherbeauty,
Youfensuck'dfogs,drawnbythepowerfulsun,
Tofallandblastherpride!

REGAN

Otheblestgods!sowillyouwishonme,
Whentherashmoodison.
KINGLEAR

No,Regan,thoushaltneverhavemycurse:
Thytenderheftednatureshallnotgive
Theeo'ertoharshness:hereyesarefiercebutthine
Docomfortandnotburn.'Tisnotinthee
Togrudgemypleasures,tocutoffmytrain,
Tobandyhastywords,toscantmysizes,
Andinconclusiontoopposethebolt
Againstmycomingin:thoubetterknow'st
Theofficesofnature,bondofchildhood,
Effectsofcourtesy,duesofgratitude
Thyhalfo'thekingdomhastthounotforgot,
WhereinItheeendow'd.

REGAN

Goodsir,tothepurpose.

KINGLEAR

Whoputmymani'thestocks?

Tucketwithin

CORNWALL

Whattrumpet'sthat?

REGAN

Iknow't,mysister's:thisapprovesherletter,
Thatshewouldsoonbehere.

EnterOSWALD

Isyourladycome?

KINGLEAR

Thisisaslave,whoseeasyborrow'dpride
Dwellsintheficklegraceofherhefollows.
Out,varlet,frommysight!

CORNWALL

Whatmeansyourgrace?

KINGLEAR

Whostock'dmyservant?Regan,Ihavegoodhope
Thoudidstnotknowon't.Whocomeshere?Oheavens,

EnterGONERIL

Ifyoudoloveoldmen,ifyoursweetsway
 Allowobedience,ifyourselvesareold,
Makeityourcausesenddown,andtakemypart!

ToGONERIL

Artnotashamedtolookuponthisbeard?
ORegan,wiltthoutakeherbythehand?

GONERIL

Whynotbythehand,sir?HowhaveIoffended?
All'snotoffencethatindiscretionfinds
Anddotagetermsso.

KINGLEAR

Osides,youaretootough
Willyouyethold?Howcamemymani'thestocks?

CORNWALL

Isethimthere,sir:buthisowndisorders
Deservedmuchlessadvancement.

KINGLEAR

You!didyou?

REGAN

Iprayyou,father,beingweak,seemso.
If,tilltheexpirationofyourmonth,
Youwillreturnandsojournwithmysister,
Dismissinghalfyourtrain,comethentome:
Iamnowfromhome,andoutofthatprovision
Whichshallbeneedfulforyourentertainment.

KINGLEAR

Returntoher,andfiftymendismiss'd?
No,ratherIabjureallroofs,andchoose
Towageagainsttheenmityo'theair
Tobeacomradewiththewolfandowl,
Necessity'ssharppinch!Returnwithher?
Why,thehotbloodedFrance,thatdowerlesstook
Ouryoungestborn,Icouldaswellbebrought
Tokneehisthrone,and,squirelikepensionbeg
Tokeepbaselifeafoot.Returnwithher?
Persuademerathertobeslaveandsumpter
Tothisdetestedgroom.

PointingatOSWALD

GONERIL

Atyourchoice,sir.
KINGLEAR

Iprithee,daughter,donotmakememad:
Iwillnottroublethee,mychildfarewell:
We'llnomoremeet,nomoreseeoneanother:
Butyetthouartmyflesh,myblood,mydaughter
Orratheradiseasethat'sinmyflesh,
WhichImustneedscallmine:thouartaboil,
Aplaguesore,anembossedcarbuncle,
Inmycorruptedblood.ButI'llnotchidethee
Letshamecomewhenitwill,Idonotcallit:
Idonotbidthethunderbearershoot,
NortelltalesoftheetohighjudgingJove:
Mendwhenthoucanstbebetteratthyleisure:
IcanbepatientIcanstaywithRegan,
Iandmyhundredknights.

REGAN

Notaltogetherso:
Ilook'dnotforyouyet,noramprovided
Foryourfitwelcome.Giveear,sir,tomysister
Forthosethatminglereasonwithyourpassion
Mustbecontenttothinkyouold,andso
Butsheknowswhatshedoes.

KINGLEAR

Isthiswellspoken?

REGAN

Idareavouchit,sir:what,fiftyfollowers?
Isitnotwell?Whatshouldyouneedofmore?
Yea,orsomany,siththatbothchargeanddanger
Speak'gainstsogreatanumber?How,inonehouse,
Shouldmanypeople,undertwocommands,
Holdamity?'Tishardalmostimpossible.

GONERIL

Whymightnotyou,mylord,receiveattendance
Fromthosethatshecallsservantsorfrommine?

REGAN

Whynot,mylord?Ifthentheychancedtoslackyou,
Wecouldcontrolthem.Ifyouwillcometome,
FornowIspyadanger,Ientreatyou
Tobringbutfiveandtwenty:tonomore
WillIgiveplaceornotice.

KINGLEAR

Igaveyouall
REGAN

Andingoodtimeyougaveit.

KINGLEAR

Madeyoumyguardians,mydepositaries
Butkeptareservationtobefollow'd
Withsuchanumber.What,mustIcometoyou
Withfiveandtwenty,Regan?saidyouso?

REGAN

Andspeak'tagain,mylordnomorewithme.

KINGLEAR

Thosewickedcreaturesyetdolookwellfavour'd,
Whenothersaremorewicked:notbeingtheworst
Standsinsomerankofpraise.

ToGONERIL

I'llgowiththee:
Thyfiftyyetdothdoublefiveandtwenty,
Andthouarttwiceherlove.

GONERIL

Hearme,mylord
Whatneedyoufiveandtwenty,ten,orfive,
Tofollowinahousewheretwicesomany
Haveacommandtotendyou?

REGAN

Whatneedone?

KINGLEAR

O,reasonnottheneed:ourbasestbeggars
Areinthepoorestthingsuperfluous:
Allownotnaturemorethannatureneeds,
Man'slife'sascheapasbeast's:thouartalady
Ifonlytogowarmweregorgeous,
Why,natureneedsnotwhatthougorgeouswear'st,
Whichscarcelykeepstheewarm.But,fortrueneed,
Youheavens,givemethatpatience,patienceIneed!
Youseemehere,yougods,apooroldman,
Asfullofgriefasagewretchedinboth!
Ifitbeyouthatstirthesedaughters'hearts
Againsttheirfather,foolmenotsomuch
Tobearittamelytouchmewithnobleanger,
Andletnotwomen'sweapons,waterdrops,
Stainmyman'scheeks!No,youunnaturalhags,
Iwillhavesuchrevengesonyouboth,
 ThatalltheworldshallIwilldosuchthings,
Whattheyare,yetIknownot:buttheyshallbe
Theterrorsoftheearth.YouthinkI'llweep
No,I'llnotweep:
Ihavefullcauseofweepingbutthisheart
Shallbreakintoahundredthousandflaws,
OrereI'llweep.Ofool,Ishallgomad!

ExeuntKINGLEAR,GLOUCESTER,KENT,andFool

Stormandtempest

CORNWALL

Letuswithdraw'twillbeastorm.

REGAN

Thishouseislittle:theoldmanandhispeople
Cannotbewellbestow'd.

GONERIL

'Tishisownblamehathputhimselffromrest,
Andmustneedstastehisfolly.

REGAN

Forhisparticular,I'llreceivehimgladly,
Butnotonefollower.

GONERIL

SoamIpurposed.
WhereismylordofGloucester?

CORNWALL

Follow'dtheoldmanforth:heisreturn'd.

ReenterGLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER

Thekingisinhighrage.

CORNWALL

Whitherishegoing?

GLOUCESTER

HecallstohorsebutwillIknownotwhither.

CORNWALL

'Tisbesttogivehimwayheleadshimself.
GONERIL

Mylord,entreathimbynomeanstostay.

GLOUCESTER

Alack,thenightcomeson,andthebleakwinds
Dosorelyruffleformanymilesabout
There'sscarceabush.

REGAN

O,sir,towilfulmen,
Theinjuriesthattheythemselvesprocure
Mustbetheirschoolmasters.Shutupyourdoors:
Heisattendedwithadesperatetrain
Andwhattheymayincensehimto,beingapt
Tohavehisearabused,wisdombidsfear.

CORNWALL

Shutupyourdoors,mylord'tisawildnight:
MyRegancounselswellcomeouto'thestorm.

Exeunt

ACTIII

SCENEI.Aheath.

Stormstill.EnterKENTandaGentleman,meeting

KENT

Who'sthere,besidesfoulweather?

Gentleman

Onemindedliketheweather,mostunquietly.

KENT

Iknowyou.Where'stheking?

Gentleman

Contendingwiththefretfulelement:
Bidsthewindsblowtheearthintothesea,
Orswellthecurledwater'bovethemain,
Thatthingsmightchangeorceasetearshiswhitehair,
Whichtheimpetuousblasts,witheyelessrage,
Catchintheirfury,andmakenothingof
Strivesinhislittleworldofmantooutscorn
Thetoandfroconflictingwindandrain.
 Thisnight,whereinthecubdrawnbearwouldcouch,
Thelionandthebellypinchedwolf
Keeptheirfurdry,unbonnetedheruns,
Andbidswhatwilltakeall.

KENT

Butwhoiswithhim?

Gentleman

Nonebutthefoolwholabourstooutjest
Hisheartstruckinjuries.

KENT

Sir,Idoknowyou
Anddare,uponthewarrantofmynote,
Commendadearthingtoyou.Thereisdivision,
Althoughasyetthefaceofitbecover'd
Withmutualcunning,'twixtAlbanyandCornwall
Whohaveaswhohavenot,thattheirgreatstars
Thronedandsethigh?servants,whoseemnoless,
WhicharetoFrancethespiesandspeculations
Intelligentofourstatewhathathbeenseen,
Eitherinsnuffsandpackingsofthedukes,
Orthehardreinwhichbothofthemhaveborne
Againsttheoldkindkingorsomethingdeeper,
Whereofperchancethesearebutfurnishings
But,trueitis,fromFrancetherecomesapower
Intothisscatter'dkingdomwhoalready,
Wiseinournegligence,havesecretfeet
Insomeofourbestports,andareatpoint
Toshowtheiropenbanner.Nowtoyou:
Ifonmycredityoudarebuildsofar
TomakeyourspeedtoDover,youshallfind
Somethatwillthankyou,makingjustreport
Ofhowunnaturalandbemaddingsorrow
Thekinghathcausetoplain.
Iamagentlemanofbloodandbreeding
And,fromsomeknowledgeandassurance,offer
Thisofficetoyou.

Gentleman

Iwilltalkfurtherwithyou.

KENT

No,donot.
ForconfirmationthatIammuchmore
Thanmyoutwall,openthispurse,andtake
Whatitcontains.IfyoushallseeCordelia,
Asfearnotbutyoushall,showherthisring
Andshewilltellyouwhoyourfellowis
 Thatyetyoudonotknow.Fieonthisstorm!
Iwillgoseektheking.

Gentleman

Givemeyourhand:haveyounomoretosay?

KENT

Fewwords,but,toeffect,morethanallyet
That,whenwehavefoundtheking,inwhichyourpain
Thatway,I'llthis,hethatfirstlightsonhim
Hollatheother.

Exeuntseverally

SCENEII.Anotherpartoftheheath.Stormstill.
EnterKINGLEARandFool

KINGLEAR

Blow,winds,andcrackyourcheeks!rage!blow!
Youcataractsandhurricanoes,spout
Tillyouhavedrench'doursteeples,drown'dthecocks!
Yousulphurousandthoughtexecutingfires,
Vauntcourierstooakcleavingthunderbolts,
Singemywhitehead!Andthou,allshakingthunder,
Smiteflatthethickrotundityo'theworld!
Cracknature'smoulds,angermensspillatonce,
Thatmakeingratefulman!

Fool

Onuncle,courtholywaterinadry
houseisbetterthanthisrainwaterouto'door.
Goodnuncle,in,andaskthydaughters'blessing:
here'sanightpitiesneitherwisemannorfool.

KINGLEAR

Rumblethybellyful!Spit,fire!spout,rain!
Norrain,wind,thunder,fire,aremydaughters:
Itaxnotyou,youelements,withunkindness
Inevergaveyoukingdom,call'dyouchildren,
Youowemenosubscription:thenletfall
Yourhorriblepleasure:hereIstand,yourslave,
Apoor,infirm,weak,anddespisedoldman:
ButyetIcallyouservileministers,
Thathavewithtwoperniciousdaughtersjoin'd
Yourhighengender'dbattles'gainstahead
Sooldandwhiteasthis.O!O!'tisfoul!

Fool
 Hethathasahousetoput'sheadinhasagood
headpiece.
Thecodpiecethatwillhouse
Beforetheheadhasany,
Theheadandheshalllouse
Sobeggarsmarrymany.
Themanthatmakeshistoe
Whathehisheartshouldmake
Shallofacorncrywoe,
Andturnhissleeptowake.
Fortherewasneveryetfairwomanbutshemade
mouthsinaglass.

KINGLEAR

No,Iwillbethepatternofallpatience
Iwillsaynothing.

EnterKENT

KENT

Who'sthere?

Fool

Marry,here'sgraceandacodpiecethat'sawise
manandafool.

KENT

Alas,sir,areyouhere?thingsthatlovenight
Lovenotsuchnightsasthesethewrathfulskies
Gallowtheverywanderersofthedark,
Andmakethemkeeptheircaves:sinceIwasman,
Suchsheetsoffire,suchburstsofhorridthunder,
Suchgroansofroaringwindandrain,Inever
Remembertohaveheard:man'snaturecannotcarry
Theafflictionnorthefear.

KINGLEAR

Letthegreatgods,
Thatkeepthisdreadfulpothero'erourheads,
Findouttheirenemiesnow.Tremble,thouwretch,
Thathastwithintheeundivulgedcrimes,
Unwhipp'dofjustice:hidethee,thoubloodyhand
Thouperjured,andthousimularmanofvirtue
Thatartincestuous:caitiff,topiecesshake,
Thatundercovertandconvenientseeming
Hastpractisedonman'slife:closepentupguilts,
Riveyourconcealingcontinents,andcry
Thesedreadfulsummonersgrace.Iamaman
Moresinn'dagainstthansinning.
KENT

Alack,bareheaded!
Graciousmylord,hardbyhereisahovel
Somefriendshipwillitlendyou'gainstthetempest:
ReposeyoutherewhileItothishardhouse
Moreharderthanthestoneswhereof'tisraised
Whichevenbutnow,demandingafteryou,
Deniedmetocomeinreturn,andforce
Theirscantedcourtesy.

KINGLEAR

Mywitsbegintoturn.
Comeon,myboy:howdost,myboy?artcold?
Iamcoldmyself.Whereisthisstraw,myfellow?
Theartofournecessitiesisstrange,
Thatcanmakevilethingsprecious.Come,
yourhovel.
Poorfoolandknave,Ihaveonepartinmyheart
That'ssorryyetforthee.

Fool

[Singing]
Hethathasandalittletinywit
Withhey,ho,thewindandtherain,
Mustmakecontentwithhisfortunesfit,
Fortherainitrainetheveryday.

KINGLEAR

True,mygoodboy.Come,bringustothishovel.

ExeuntKINGLEARandKENT

Fool

Thisisabravenighttocoolacourtezan.
I'llspeakaprophecyereIgo:
Whenpriestsaremoreinwordthanmatter
Whenbrewersmartheirmaltwithwater
Whennoblesaretheirtailors'tutors
Nohereticsburn'd,butwenches'suitors
Wheneverycaseinlawisright
Nosquireindebt,nornopoorknight
Whenslandersdonotliveintongues
Norcutpursescomenottothrongs
Whenusurerstelltheirgoldi'thefield
Andbawdsandwhoresdochurchesbuild
ThenshalltherealmofAlbion
Cometogreatconfusion:
Thencomesthetime,wholivestosee't,
Thatgoingshallbeusedwithfeet.
ThisprophecyMerlinshallmakeforIlivebeforehistime.
 Exit

SCENEIII.Gloucester'scastle.
EnterGLOUCESTERandEDMUND

GLOUCESTER

Alack,alack,Edmund,Ilikenotthisunnatural
dealing.WhenIdesiretheirleavethatImight
pityhim,theytookfrommetheuseofmineown
housechargedme,onpainoftheirperpetual
displeasure,neithertospeakofhim,entreatfor
him,noranywaysustainhim.

EDMUND

Mostsavageandunnatural!

GLOUCESTER

Gotosayyounothing.There'sadivisionbetwixt
thedukesandaworsematterthanthat:Ihave
receivedaletterthisnight'tisdangeroustobe
spokenIhavelockedtheletterinmycloset:
theseinjuriesthekingnowbearswillberevenged
homethere'spartofapoweralreadyfooted:we
mustinclinetotheking.Iwillseekhim,and
privilyrelievehim:goyouandmaintaintalkwith
theduke,thatmycharitybenotofhimperceived:
ifheaskforme.Iamill,andgonetobed.
ThoughIdieforit,asnolessisthreatenedme,
thekingmyoldmastermustberelieved.Thereis
somestrangethingtoward,Edmundprayyou,becareful.

Exit

EDMUND

Thiscourtesy,forbidthee,shalltheduke
Instantlyknowandofthatlettertoo:
Thisseemsafairdeserving,andmustdrawme
Thatwhichmyfatherlosesnolessthanall:
Theyoungerriseswhentheolddothfall.

Exit

SCENEIV.Theheath.Beforeahovel.

EnterKINGLEAR,KENT,andFool

KENT

Hereistheplace,mylordgoodmylord,enter:
Thetyrannyoftheopennight'stoorough
 Fornaturetoendure.

Stormstill

KINGLEAR

Letmealone.

KENT

Goodmylord,enterhere.

KINGLEAR

Wiltbreakmyheart?

KENT

Ihadratherbreakmineown.Goodmylord,enter.

KINGLEAR

Thouthink'st'tismuchthatthiscontentiousstorm
Invadesustotheskin:so'tistothee
Butwherethegreatermaladyisfix'd,
Thelesserisscarcefelt.Thou'ldstshunabear
Butifthyflightlaytowardtheragingsea,
Thou'ldstmeetthebeari'themouth.Whenthe
mind'sfree,
Thebody'sdelicate:thetempestinmymind
Dothfrommysensestakeallfeelingelse
Savewhatbeatsthere.Filialingratitude!
Isitnotasthismouthshouldtearthishand
Forliftingfoodto't?ButIwillpunishhome:
No,Iwillweepnomore.Insuchanight
Toshutmeout!PouronIwillendure.
Insuchanightasthis!ORegan,Goneril!
Youroldkindfather,whosefrankheartgaveall,
O,thatwaymadnessliesletmeshunthat
Nomoreofthat.

KENT

Goodmylord,enterhere.

KINGLEAR

Prithee,gointhyself:seekthineownease:
Thistempestwillnotgivemeleavetoponder
Onthingswouldhurtmemore.ButI'llgoin.

TotheFool

In,boygofirst.Youhouselesspoverty,
Nay,gettheein.I'llpray,andthenI'llsleep.
 Foolgoesin

Poornakedwretches,whereso'eryouare,
Thatbidethepeltingofthispitilessstorm,
Howshallyourhouselessheadsandunfedsides,
Yourloop'dandwindow'draggedness,defendyou
Fromseasonssuchasthese?O,Ihaveta'en
Toolittlecareofthis!Takephysic,pomp
Exposethyselftofeelwhatwretchesfeel,
Thatthoumaystshakethesuperfluxtothem,
Andshowtheheavensmorejust.

EDGAR

[Within]Fathomandhalf,fathomandhalf!PoorTom!

TheFoolrunsoutfromthehovel

Fool

Comenotinhere,nuncle,here'saspirit
Helpme,helpme!

KENT

Givemethyhand.Who'sthere?

Fool

Aspirit,aspirit:hesayshisname'spoorTom.

KENT

Whatartthouthatdostgrumbletherei'thestraw?
Comeforth.

EnterEDGARdisguisedasamadman

EDGAR

Away!thefoulfiendfollowsme!
Throughthesharphawthornblowsthecoldwind.
Hum!gotothycoldbed,andwarmthee.

KINGLEAR

Hastthougivenalltothytwodaughters?
Andartthoucometothis?

EDGAR

WhogivesanythingtopoorTom?whomthefoul
fiendhathledthroughfireandthroughflame,and
throughfordandwhirlipoole'erbogandquagmire
thathathlaidknivesunderhispillow,andhalters
inhispewsetratsbanebyhisporridgemadefilm
 proudofheart,torideonabaytrottinghorseover
fourinchedbridges,tocoursehisownshadowfora
traitor.Blessthyfivewits!Tom'sacold,O,do
de,dode,dode.Blesstheefromwhirlwinds,
starblasting,andtaking!DopoorTomsome
charity,whomthefoulfiendvexes:therecouldI
havehimnow,andthere,andthereagain,andthere.

Stormstill

KINGLEAR

What,havehisdaughtersbroughthimtothispass?
Couldstthousavenothing?Didstthougivethemall?

Fool

Nay,hereservedablanket,elsewehadbeenallshamed.

KINGLEAR

Now,alltheplaguesthatinthependulousair
Hangfatedo'ermen'sfaultslightonthydaughters!

KENT

Hehathnodaughters,sir.

KINGLEAR

Death,traitor!nothingcouldhavesubduednature
Tosuchalownessbuthisunkinddaughters.
Isitthefashion,thatdiscardedfathers
Shouldhavethuslittlemercyontheirflesh?
Judiciouspunishment!'twasthisfleshbegot
Thosepelicandaughters.

EDGAR

PillicocksatonPillicockhill:
Halloo,halloo,loo,loo!

Fool

Thiscoldnightwillturnusalltofoolsandmadmen.

EDGAR

Takeheedo'thefoulfiend:obeythyparents
keepthywordjustlyswearnotcommitnotwith
man'sswornspousesetnotthysweetheartonproud
array.Tom'sacold.

KINGLEAR

Whathastthoubeen?
EDGAR

Aservingman,proudinheartandmindthatcurled
myhairworeglovesinmycapservedthelustof
mymistress'heart,anddidtheactofdarknesswith
hersworeasmanyoathsasIspakewords,and
broketheminthesweetfaceofheaven:onethat
sleptinthecontrivingoflust,andwakedtodoit:
winelovedIdeeply,dicedearly:andinwoman
outparamouredtheTurk:falseofheart,lightof
ear,bloodyofhandhoginsloth,foxinstealth,
wolfingreediness,doginmadness,lioninprey.
Letnotthecreakingofshoesnortherustlingof
silksbetraythypoorhearttowoman:keepthyfoot
outofbrothels,thyhandoutofplackets,thypen
fromlenders'books,anddefythefoulfiend.
Stillthroughthehawthornblowsthecoldwind:
Sayssuum,mun,ha,no,nonny.
Dolphinmyboy,myboy,sessa!lethimtrotby.

Stormstill

KINGLEAR

Why,thouwertbetterinthygravethantoanswer
withthyuncoveredbodythisextremityoftheskies.
Ismannomorethanthis?Considerhimwell.Thou
owestthewormnosilk,thebeastnohide,thesheep
nowool,thecatnoperfume.Ha!here'sthreeon
'saresophisticated!Thouartthethingitself:
unaccommodatedmanisnomorebutsuchapoorbare,
forkedanimalasthouart.Off,off,youlendings!
comeunbuttonhere.

Tearingoffhisclothes

Fool

Prithee,nuncle,becontented'tisanaughtynight
toswimin.Nowalittlefireinawildfieldwere
likeanoldlecher'sheartasmallspark,allthe
reston'sbodycold.Look,herecomesawalkingfire.

EnterGLOUCESTER,withatorch

EDGAR

ThisisthefoulfiendFlibbertigibbet:hebegins
atcurfew,andwalkstillthefirstcockhegives
thewebandthepin,squintstheeye,andmakesthe
harelipmildewsthewhitewheat,andhurtsthe
poorcreatureofearth.
S.Witholdfootedthricetheold
Hemetthenightmare,andherninefold
Bidheralight,
 Andhertrothplight,
And,arointthee,witch,arointthee!

KENT

Howfaresyourgrace?

KINGLEAR

What'she?

KENT

Who'sthere?Whatis'tyouseek?

GLOUCESTER

Whatareyouthere?Yournames?

EDGAR

PoorTomthateatstheswimmingfrog,thetoad,
thetadpole,thewallnewtandthewaterthatin
thefuryofhisheart,whenthefoulfiendrages,
eatscowdungforsalletsswallowstheoldratand
theditchdogdrinksthegreenmantleofthe
standingpoolwhoiswhippedfromtithingto
tithing,andstockpunished,andimprisonedwho
hathhadthreesuitstohisback,sixshirtstohis
body,horsetoride,andweapontowear
Butmiceandrats,andsuchsmalldeer,
HavebeenTom'sfoodforsevenlongyear.
Bewaremyfollower.Peace,Smulkinpeace,thoufiend!

GLOUCESTER

What,hathyourgracenobettercompany?

EDGAR

Theprinceofdarknessisagentleman:
Modohe'scall'd,andMahu.

GLOUCESTER

Ourfleshandbloodisgrownsovile,mylord,
Thatitdothhatewhatgetsit.

EDGAR

PoorTom'sacold.

GLOUCESTER

Goinwithme:mydutycannotsuffer
Toobeyinallyourdaughters'hardcommands:
 Thoughtheirinjunctionbetobarmydoors,
Andletthistyrannousnighttakeholduponyou,
YethaveIventuredtocomeseekyouout,
Andbringyouwherebothfireandfoodisready.

KINGLEAR

Firstletmetalkwiththisphilosopher.
Whatisthecauseofthunder?

KENT

Goodmylord,takehisoffergointothehouse.

KINGLEAR

I'lltalkawordwiththissamelearnedTheban.
Whatisyourstudy?

EDGAR

Howtopreventthefiend,andtokillvermin.

KINGLEAR

Letmeaskyouonewordinprivate.

KENT

Importunehimoncemoretogo,mylord
Hiswitsbegintounsettle.

GLOUCESTER

Canstthoublamehim?

Stormstill

Hisdaughtersseekhisdeath:ah,thatgoodKent!
Hesaiditwouldbethus,poorbanish'dman!
Thousay'stthekinggrowsmadI'lltellthee,friend,
Iamalmostmadmyself:Ihadason,
Nowoutlaw'dfrommybloodhesoughtmylife,
Butlately,verylate:Ilovedhim,friend
Nofatherhissondearer:truthtotellthee,
Thegriefhathcrazedmywits.Whatanight'sthis!
Idobeseechyourgrace,

KINGLEAR

O,cryyourmercy,sir.
Noblephilosopher,yourcompany.

EDGAR

Tom'sacold.
GLOUCESTER

In,fellow,there,intothehovel:keeptheewarm.

KINGLEAR

Comelet'sinall.

KENT

Thisway,mylord.

KINGLEAR

Withhim
Iwillkeepstillwithmyphilosopher.

KENT

Goodmylord,soothehimlethimtakethefellow.

GLOUCESTER

Takehimyouon.

KENT

Sirrah,comeongoalongwithus.

KINGLEAR

Come,goodAthenian.

GLOUCESTER

Nowords,nowords:hush.

EDGAR

ChildRowlandtothedarktowercame,
Hiswordwasstill,Fie,foh,andfum,
IsmellthebloodofaBritishman.

Exeunt

SCENEV.Gloucester'scastle.
EnterCORNWALLandEDMUND

CORNWALL

IwillhavemyrevengeereIdeparthishouse.

EDMUND

How,mylord,Imaybecensured,thatnaturethus
 giveswaytoloyalty,somethingfearsmetothink
of.

CORNWALL

Inowperceive,itwasnotaltogetheryour
brother'sevildispositionmadehimseekhisdeath
butaprovokingmerit,setaworkbyareprovable
badnessinhimself.

EDMUND

Howmaliciousismyfortune,thatImustrepentto
bejust!Thisistheletterhespokeof,which
approveshimanintelligentpartytotheadvantages
ofFrance:Oheavens!thatthistreasonwerenot,
ornotIthedetector!

CORNWALL

owithmetotheduchess.

EDMUND

Ifthematterofthispaperbecertain,youhave
mightybusinessinhand.

CORNWALL

Trueorfalse,ithathmadetheeearlof
Gloucester.Seekoutwherethyfatheris,thathe
maybereadyforourapprehension.

EDMUND

[Aside]IfIfindhimcomfortingtheking,itwill
stuffhissuspicionmorefully.Iwillperseverein
mycourseofloyalty,thoughtheconflictbesore
betweenthatandmyblood.

CORNWALL

Iwilllaytrustupontheeandthoushaltfinda
dearerfatherinmylove.

Exeunt

SCENEVI.Achamberinafarmhouseadjoiningthecastle.
EnterGLOUCESTER,KINGLEAR,KENT,Fool,andEDGAR

GLOUCESTER

Hereisbetterthantheopenairtakeit
thankfully.Iwillpieceoutthecomfortwithwhat
additionIcan:Iwillnotbelongfromyou.
KENT

Allthepowerofhiswitshavegivenwaytohis
impatience:thegodsrewardyourkindness!

ExitGLOUCESTER

EDGAR

Fraterettocallsmeandtellsme
Neroisananglerinthelakeofdarkness.
Pray,innocent,andbewarethefoulfiend.

Fool

Prithee,nuncle,tellmewhetheramadmanbea
gentlemanorayeoman?

KINGLEAR

Aking,aking!

Fool

No,he'sayeomanthathasagentlemantohisson
forhe'samadyeomanthatseeshissonagentleman
beforehim.

KINGLEAR

Tohaveathousandwithredburningspits
Comehissinginupon'em,

EDGAR

Thefoulfiendbitesmyback.

Fool

He'smadthattrustsinthetamenessofawolf,a
horse'shealth,aboy'slove,orawhore'soath.

KINGLEAR

ItshallbedoneIwillarraignthemstraight.

ToEDGAR

Come,sitthouhere,mostlearnedjusticer

TotheFool

Thou,sapientsir,sithere.Now,youshefoxes!

EDGAR

Look,wherehestandsandglares!
 Wantestthoueyesattrial,madam?
Comeo'erthebourn,Bessy,tome,

Fool

Herboathathaleak,
Andshemustnotspeak
Whyshedaresnotcomeovertothee.

EDGAR

ThefoulfiendhauntspoorTominthevoiceofa
nightingale.HopdancecriesinTom'sbellyfortwo
whiteherring.Croaknot,blackangelIhaveno
foodforthee.

KENT

Howdoyou,sir?Standyounotsoamazed:
Willyouliedownandrestuponthecushions?

KINGLEAR

I'llseetheirtrialfirst.Bringintheevidence.

ToEDGAR

Thourobedmanofjustice,takethyplace

TotheFool

Andthou,hisyokefellowofequity,
Benchbyhisside:

ToKENT

youareo'thecommission,
Sityoutoo.

EDGAR

Letusdealjustly.
Sleepestorwakestthou,jollyshepherd?
Thysheepbeinthecorn
Andforoneblastofthyminikinmouth,
Thysheepshalltakenoharm.
Pur!thecatisgray.

KINGLEAR

Arraignherfirst'tisGoneril.Iheretakemy
oathbeforethishonourableassembly,shekickedthe
poorkingherfather.

Fool
 Comehither,mistress.IsyournameGoneril?

KINGLEAR

Shecannotdenyit.

Fool

Cryyoumercy,Itookyouforajointstool.

KINGLEAR

Andhere'sanother,whosewarp'dlooksproclaim
Whatstoreherheartismadeon.Stopherthere!
Arms,arms,sword,fire!Corruptionintheplace!
Falsejusticer,whyhastthoulether'scape?

EDGAR

Blessthyfivewits!

KENT

Opity!Sir,whereisthepatiencenow,
Thatthousoofthaveboastedtoretain?

EDGAR

[Aside]Mytearsbegintotakehispartsomuch,
They'llmarmycounterfeiting.

KINGLEAR

Thelittledogsandall,Tray,Blanch,and
Sweetheart,see,theybarkatme.

EDGAR

Tomwillthrowhisheadatthem.Avaunt,youcurs!
Bethymouthorblackorwhite,
Tooththatpoisonsifitbite
Mastiff,greyhound,mongrelgrim,
Houndorspaniel,brachorlym,
Orbobtailtikeortrundletail,
Tomwillmakethemweepandwail:
For,withthrowingthusmyhead,
Dogsleapthehatch,andallarefled.
Dode,de,de.Sessa!Come,marchtowakesand
fairsandmarkettowns.PoorTom,thyhornisdry.

KINGLEAR

ThenletthemanatomizeReganseewhatbreeds
aboutherheart.Isthereanycauseinnaturethat
makesthesehardhearts?
 ToEDGAR

You,sir,IentertainforoneofmyhundredonlyI
donotlikethefashionofyourgarments:youwill
saytheyarePersianattire:butletthembechanged.

KENT

Now,goodmylord,liehereandrestawhile.

KINGLEAR

Makenonoise,makenonoisedrawthecurtains:
so,so,so.We'llgotosupperi'hemorning.So,so,so.

Fool

AndI'llgotobedatnoon.

ReenterGLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER

Comehither,friend:whereisthekingmymaster?

KENT

Here,sirbuttroublehimnot,hiswitsaregone.

GLOUCESTER

Goodfriend,Iprithee,takehiminthyarms
Ihaveo'erheardaplotofdeathuponhim:
Thereisalitterreadylayhimin't,
AnddrivetowardsDover,friend,wherethoushaltmeet
Bothwelcomeandprotection.Takeupthymaster:
Ifthoushouldstdallyhalfanhour,hislife,
Withthine,andallthatoffertodefendhim,
Standinassuredloss:takeup,takeup
Andfollowme,thatwilltosomeprovision
Givetheequickconduct.

KENT

Oppressednaturesleeps:
Thisrestmightyethavebalm'dthybrokensenses,
Which,ifconveniencewillnotallow,
Standinhardcure.

TotheFool

Come,helptobearthymaster
Thoumustnotstaybehind.

GLOUCESTER
 Come,come,away.

ExeuntallbutEDGAR

EDGAR

Whenweourbettersseebearingourwoes,
Wescarcelythinkourmiseriesourfoes.
Whoalonesufferssuffersmosti'themind,
Leavingfreethingsandhappyshowsbehind:
Butthenthemindmuchsufferancedotho'erskip,
Whengriefhathmates,andbearingfellowship.
Howlightandportablemypainseemsnow,
Whenthatwhichmakesmebendmakesthekingbow,
HechildedasIfather'd!Tom,away!
Markthehighnoisesandthyselfbewray,
Whenfalseopinion,whosewrongthoughtdefilesthee,
Inthyjustproof,repealsandreconcilesthee.
Whatwillhapmoretonight,safe'scapetheking!
Lurk,lurk.

Exit

SCENEVII.Gloucester'scastle.
EnterCORNWALL,REGAN,GONERIL,EDMUND,andServants

CORNWALL

Postspeedilytomylordyourhusbandshowhim
thisletter:thearmyofFranceislanded.Seek
outthevillainGloucester.

ExeuntsomeoftheServants

REGAN

Hanghiminstantly.

GONERIL

Pluckouthiseyes.

CORNWALL

Leavehimtomydispleasure.Edmund,keepyouour
sistercompany:therevengesweareboundtotake
uponyourtraitorousfatherarenotfitforyour
beholding.Advisetheduke,whereyouaregoing,to
amostfestinatepreparation:weareboundtothe
like.Ourpostsshallbeswiftandintelligent
betwixtus.Farewell,dearsister:farewell,my
lordofGloucester.

EnterOSWALD
 Hownow!where'stheking?

OSWALD

MylordofGloucesterhathconvey'dhimhence:
Somefiveorsixandthirtyofhisknights,
Hotquestristsafterhim,methimatgate
Who,withsomeotherofthelordsdependants,
AregonewithhimtowardsDoverwheretheyboast
Tohavewellarmedfriends.

CORNWALL

Gethorsesforyourmistress.

GONERIL

Farewell,sweetlord,andsister.

CORNWALL

Edmund,farewell.

ExeuntGONERIL,EDMUND,andOSWALD

GoseekthetraitorGloucester,
Pinionhimlikeathief,bringhimbeforeus.

ExeuntotherServants

Thoughwellwemaynotpassuponhislife
Withouttheformofjustice,yetourpower
Shalldoacourtesytoourwrath,whichmen
Mayblame,butnotcontrol.Who'sthere?thetraitor?

EnterGLOUCESTER,broughtinbytwoorthree

REGAN

Ingratefulfox!'tishe.

CORNWALL

Bindfasthiscorkyarms.

GLOUCESTER

Whatmeanyourgraces?Goodmyfriends,consider
Youaremyguests:domenofoulplay,friends.

CORNWALL

Bindhim,Isay.

Servantsbindhim

REGAN
 Hard,hard.Ofilthytraitor!

GLOUCESTER

Unmercifulladyasyouare,I'mnone.

CORNWALL

Tothischairbindhim.Villain,thoushaltfind

REGANpluckshisbeard

GLOUCESTER

Bythekindgods,'tismostignoblydone
Topluckmebythebeard.

REGAN

Sowhite,andsuchatraitor!

GLOUCESTER

Naughtylady,
Thesehairs,whichthoudostravishfrommychin,
Willquicken,andaccusethee:Iamyourhost:
Withrobbers'handsmyhospitablefavours
Youshouldnotrufflethus.Whatwillyoudo?

CORNWALL

Come,sir,whatlettershadyoulatefromFrance?

REGAN

Besimpleanswerer,forweknowthetruth.

CORNWALL

Andwhatconfederacyhaveyouwiththetraitors
Latefootedinthekingdom?

REGAN

Towhosehandshaveyousentthelunaticking?Speak.

GLOUCESTER

Ihavealetterguessinglysetdown,
Whichcamefromonethat'sofaneutralheart,
Andnotfromoneopposed.

CORNWALL

Cunning.
REGAN

Andfalse.

CORNWALL

Wherehastthousenttheking?

GLOUCESTER

ToDover.

REGAN

WhereforetoDover?Wastthounotchargedatperil

CORNWALL

WhereforetoDover?Lethimfirstanswerthat.

GLOUCESTER

Iamtiedtothestake,andImuststandthecourse.

REGAN

WhereforetoDover,sir?

GLOUCESTER

BecauseIwouldnotseethycruelnails
Pluckouthispooroldeyesnorthyfiercesister
Inhisanointedfleshstickboarishfangs.
Thesea,withsuchastormashisbarehead
Inhellblacknightendured,wouldhavebuoy'dup,
Andquench'dthestelledfires:
Yet,pooroldheart,heholptheheavenstorain.
Ifwolveshadatthygatehowl'dthatsterntime,
Thoushouldsthavesaid'Goodporter,turnthekey,'
Allcruelselsesubscribed:butIshallsee
Thewingedvengeanceovertakesuchchildren.

CORNWALL

See'tshaltthounever.Fellows,holdthechair.
UpontheseeyesofthineI'llsetmyfoot.

GLOUCESTER

Hethatwillthinktolivetillhebeold,
Givemesomehelp!Ocruel!Oyougods!

REGAN

Onesidewillmockanothertheothertoo.
CORNWALL

Ifyouseevengeance,

FirstServant

Holdyourhand,mylord:
IhaveservedyoueversinceIwasachild
ButbetterservicehaveIneverdoneyou
Thannowtobidyouhold.

REGAN

Hownow,youdog!

FirstServant

Ifyoudidwearabearduponyourchin,
I'dshakeitonthisquarrel.Whatdoyoumean?

CORNWALL

Myvillain!

Theydrawandfight

FirstServant

Nay,then,comeon,andtakethechanceofanger.

REGAN

Givemethysword.Apeasantstandupthus!

Takesasword,andrunsathimbehind

FirstServant

O,Iamslain!Mylord,youhaveoneeyeleft
Toseesomemischiefonhim.O!

Dies

CORNWALL

Lestitseemore,preventit.Out,vilejelly!
Whereisthylustrenow?

GLOUCESTER

Alldarkandcomfortless.Where'smysonEdmund?
Edmund,enkindleallthesparksofnature,
Toquitthishorridact.

REGAN

Out,treacherousvillain!
 Thoucall'stonhimthathatesthee:itwashe
Thatmadetheovertureofthytreasonstous
Whoistoogoodtopitythee.

GLOUCESTER

Omyfollies!thenEdgarwasabused.
Kindgods,forgivemethat,andprosperhim!

REGAN

Gothrusthimoutatgates,andlethimsmell
HiswaytoDover.

ExitonewithGLOUCESTER

Howis't,mylord?howlookyou?

CORNWALL

Ihavereceivedahurt:followme,lady.
Turnoutthateyelessvillainthrowthisslave
Uponthedunghill.Regan,Ibleedapace:
Untimelycomesthishurt:givemeyourarm.

ExitCORNWALL,ledbyREGAN

SecondServant

I'llnevercarewhatwickednessIdo,
Ifthismancometogood.

ThirdServant

Ifshelivelong,
Andintheendmeettheoldcourseofdeath,
Womenwillallturnmonsters.

SecondServant

Let'sfollowtheoldearl,andgettheBedlam
Toleadhimwherehewould:hisroguishmadness
Allowsitselftoanything.

ThirdServant

Gothou:I'llfetchsomeflaxandwhitesofeggs
Toapplytohisbleedingface.Now,heavenhelphim!

Exeuntseverally

ACTIV

SCENEI.Theheath.
 EnterEDGAR

EDGAR

Yetbetterthus,andknowntobecontemn'd,
Thanstillcontemn'dandflatter'd.Tobeworst,
Thelowestandmostdejectedthingoffortune,
Standsstillinesperance,livesnotinfear:
Thelamentablechangeisfromthebest
Theworstreturnstolaughter.Welcome,then,
ThouunsubstantialairthatIembrace!
Thewretchthatthouhastblownuntotheworst
Owesnothingtothyblasts.Butwhocomeshere?

EnterGLOUCESTER,ledbyanOldMan

Myfather,poorlyled?World,world,Oworld!
Butthatthystrangemutationsmakeushatethee,
Liewouldnotyieldtoage.

OldMan

O,mygoodlord,Ihavebeenyourtenant,and
yourfather'stenant,thesefourscoreyears.

GLOUCESTER

Away,gettheeawaygoodfriend,begone:
Thycomfortscandomenogoodatall
Theetheymayhurt.

OldMan

Alack,sir,youcannotseeyourway.

GLOUCESTER

Ihavenoway,andthereforewantnoeyes
IstumbledwhenIsaw:fulloft'tisseen,
Ourmeanssecureus,andourmeredefects
Proveourcommodities.OdearsonEdgar,
Thefoodofthyabusedfather'swrath!
MightIbutlivetoseetheeinmytouch,
I'ldsayIhadeyesagain!

OldMan

Hownow!Who'sthere?

EDGAR

[Aside]Ogods!Whois'tcansay'Iamat
theworst'?
Iamworsethane'erIwas.

OldMan
 'TispoormadTom.

EDGAR

[Aside]AndworseImaybeyet:theworstisnot
Solongaswecansay'Thisistheworst.'

OldMan

Fellow,wheregoest?

GLOUCESTER

Isitabeggarman?

OldMan

Madmanandbeggartoo.

GLOUCESTER

Hehassomereason,elsehecouldnotbeg.
I'thelastnight'sstormIsuchafellowsaw
Whichmademethinkamanaworm:myson
Camethenintomymindandyetmymind
Wasthenscarcefriendswithhim:Ihaveheard
moresince.
Asfliestowantonboys,arewetothegods.
Theykillusfortheirsport.

EDGAR

[Aside]Howshouldthisbe?
Badisthetradethatmustplayfooltosorrow,
Angeringitselfandothers.Blessthee,master!

GLOUCESTER

Isthatthenakedfellow?

OldMan

Ay,mylord.

GLOUCESTER

Then,prithee,gettheegone:if,formysake,
Thouwilto'ertakeus,henceamileortwain,
I'thewaytowardDover,doitforancientlove
Andbringsomecoveringforthisnakedsoul,
WhoI'llentreattoleadme.

OldMan

Alack,sir,heismad.
GLOUCESTER

'Tisthetimes'plague,whenmadmenleadtheblind.
DoasIbidthee,orratherdothypleasure
Abovetherest,begone.

OldMan

I'llbringhimthebest'parelthatIhave,
Comeon'twhatwill.

Exit

GLOUCESTER

Sirrah,nakedfellow,

EDGAR

PoorTom'sacold.

Aside

Icannotdaubitfurther.

GLOUCESTER

Comehither,fellow.

EDGAR

[Aside]AndyetImust.Blessthysweeteyes,theybleed.

GLOUCESTER

Know'stthouthewaytoDover?

EDGAR

Bothstileandgate,horsewayandfootpath.Poor
Tomhathbeenscaredoutofhisgoodwits:bless
thee,goodman'sson,fromthefoulfiend!five
fiendshavebeeninpoorTomatonceoflust,as
ObidicutHobbididence,princeofdumbnessMahu,of
stealingModo,ofmurderFlibbertigibbet,of
moppingandmowing,whosincepossesseschambermaids
andwaitingwomen.So,blessthee,master!

GLOUCESTER

Here,takethispurse,thouwhomtheheavens'plagues
Havehumbledtoallstrokes:thatIamwretched
Makestheethehappier:heavens,dealsostill!
Letthesuperfluousandlustdietedman,
Thatslavesyourordinance,thatwillnotsee
Becausehedothnotfeel,feelyourpowerquickly
 Sodistributionshouldundoexcess,
Andeachmanhaveenough.DostthouknowDover?

EDGAR

Ay,master.

GLOUCESTER

Thereisacliff,whosehighandbendinghead
Looksfearfullyintheconfineddeep:
Bringmebuttotheverybrimofit,
AndI'llrepairthemiserythoudostbear
Withsomethingrichaboutme:fromthatplace
Ishallnoleadingneed.

EDGAR

Givemethyarm:
PoorTomshallleadthee.

Exeunt

SCENEII.BeforeALBANY'spalace.
EnterGONERILandEDMUND

GONERIL

Welcome,mylord:Imarvelourmildhusband
Notmetusontheway.

EnterOSWALD

Now,where'syourmaster'?

OSWALD

Madam,withinbutnevermansochanged.
Itoldhimofthearmythatwaslanded
Hesmiledatit:Itoldhimyouwerecoming:
Hisanswerwas'Theworse:'ofGloucester'streachery,
Andoftheloyalserviceofhisson,
WhenIinform'dhim,thenhecall'dmesot,
AndtoldmeIhadturn'dthewrongsideout:
Whatmostheshoulddislikeseemspleasanttohim
Whatlike,offensive.

GONERIL

[ToEDMUND]Thenshallyougonofurther.
Itisthecowishterrorofhisspirit,
Thatdaresnotundertake:he'llnotfeelwrongs
Whichtiehimtoananswer.Ourwishesontheway
Mayproveeffects.Back,Edmund,tomybrother
 Hastenhismustersandconducthispowers:
Imustchangearmsathome,andgivethedistaff
Intomyhusband'shands.Thistrustyservant
Shallpassbetweenus:erelongyouareliketohear,
Ifyoudareventureinyourownbehalf,
Amistress'scommand.Wearthissparespeech

Givingafavour

Declineyourhead:thiskiss,ifitdurstspeak,
Wouldstretchthyspiritsupintotheair:
Conceive,andfaretheewell.

EDMUND

Yoursintheranksofdeath.

GONERIL

MymostdearGloucester!

ExitEDMUND

O,thedifferenceofmanandman!
Totheeawoman'sservicesaredue:
Myfoolusurpsmybody.

OSWALD

Madam,herecomesmylord.

Exit

EnterALBANY

GONERIL

Ihavebeenworththewhistle.

ALBANY

OGoneril!
Youarenotworththedustwhichtherudewind
Blowsinyourface.Ifearyourdisposition:
Thatnature,whichcontemnsitsorigin,
Cannotbeborder'dcertaininitself
Shethatherselfwillsliveranddisbranch
Fromhermaterialsap,perforcemustwither
Andcometodeadlyuse.

GONERIL

Nomorethetextisfoolish.

ALBANY
 Wisdomandgoodnesstothevileseemvile:
Filthssavourbutthemselves.Whathaveyoudone?
Tigers,notdaughters,whathaveyouperform'd?
Afather,andagraciousagedman,
Whosereverenceeventheheadlugg'dbearwouldlick,
Mostbarbarous,mostdegenerate!haveyoumadded.
Couldmygoodbrothersufferyoutodoit?
Aman,aprince,byhimsobenefited!
Ifthattheheavensdonottheirvisiblespirits
Sendquicklydowntotamethesevileoffences,
Itwillcome,
Humanitymustperforcepreyonitself,
Likemonstersofthedeep.

GONERIL

Milkliver'dman!
Thatbear'stacheekforblows,aheadforwrongs
Whohastnotinthybrowsaneyediscerning
Thinehonourfromthysufferingthatnotknow'st
Foolsdothosevillainspitywhoarepunish'd
Eretheyhavedonetheirmischief.Where'sthydrum?
Francespreadshisbannersinournoiselessland
Withplumedhelmthyslayerbeginsthreats
Whilesthou,amoralfool,sit'ststill,andcriest
'Alack,whydoesheso?'

ALBANY

Seethyself,devil!
Properdeformityseemsnotinthefiend
Sohorridasinwoman.

GONERIL

Ovainfool!

ALBANY

Thouchangedandselfcover'dthing,forshame,
Bemonsternotthyfeature.Were'tmyfitness
Toletthesehandsobeymyblood,
Theyareaptenoughtodislocateandtear
Thyfleshandbones:howe'erthouartafiend,
Awoman'sshapedothshieldthee.

GONERIL

Marry,yourmanhoodnow

EnteraMessenger

ALBANY

Whatnews?
Messenger

O,mygoodlord,theDukeofCornwall'sdead:
Slainbyhisservant,goingtoputout
TheothereyeofGloucester.

ALBANY

Gloucester'seye!

Messenger

Aservantthathebred,thrill'dwithremorse,
Opposedagainsttheact,bendinghissword
Tohisgreatmasterwho,thereatenraged,
Flewonhim,andamongstthemfell'dhimdead
Butnotwithoutthatharmfulstroke,whichsince
Hathpluck'dhimafter.

ALBANY

Thisshowsyouareabove,
Youjusticers,thattheseournethercrimes
Sospeedilycanvenge!But,OpoorGloucester!
Losthehisothereye?

Messenger

Both,both,mylord.
Thisletter,madam,cravesaspeedyanswer
'Tisfromyoursister.

GONERIL

[Aside]OnewayIlikethiswell
Butbeingwidow,andmyGloucesterwithher,
Mayallthebuildinginmyfancypluck
Uponmyhatefullife:anotherway,
Thenewsisnotsotart.I'llread,andanswer.

Exit

ALBANY

Wherewashissonwhentheydidtakehiseyes?

Messenger

Comewithmyladyhither.

ALBANY

Heisnothere.

Messenger
 No,mygoodlordImethimbackagain.

ALBANY

Knowshethewickedness?

Messenger

Ay,mygoodlord'twasheinform'dagainsthim
Andquitthehouseonpurpose,thattheirpunishment
Mighthavethefreercourse.

ALBANY

Gloucester,Ilive
Tothanktheeforthelovethoushow'dsttheking,
Andtorevengethineeyes.Comehither,friend:
Tellmewhatmorethouknow'st.

Exeunt

SCENEIII.TheFrenchcampnearDover.
EnterKENTandaGentleman

KENT

WhytheKingofFranceissosuddenlygoneback
knowyouthereason?

Gentleman

Somethingheleftimperfectinthe
state,whichsincehiscomingforthisthought
ofwhichimportstothekingdomsomuch
fearanddanger,thathispersonalreturnwas
mostrequiredandnecessary.

KENT

Whohathheleftbehindhimgeneral?

Gentleman

TheMarshalofFrance,MonsieurLaFar.

KENT

Didyourletterspiercethequeentoany
demonstrationofgrief?

Gentleman

Ay,sirshetookthem,readtheminmypresence
Andnowandthenanampleteartrill'ddown
Herdelicatecheek:itseem'dshewasaqueen
 Overherpassionwho,mostrebellike,
Soughttobekingo'erher.

KENT

O,thenitmovedher.

Gentleman

Nottoarage:patienceandsorrowstrove
Whoshouldexpresshergoodliest.Youhaveseen
Sunshineandrainatonce:hersmilesandtears
Werelikeabetterway:thosehappysmilets,
Thatplay'donherripelip,seem'dnottoknow
Whatguestswereinhereyeswhichpartedthence,
Aspearlsfromdiamondsdropp'd.Inbrief,
Sorrowwouldbeararitymostbeloved,
Ifallcouldsobecomeit.

KENT

Madeshenoverbalquestion?

Gentleman

'Faith,onceortwicesheheavedthenameof'father'
Pantinglyforth,asifitpress'dherheart:
Cried'Sisters!sisters!Shameofladies!sisters!
Kent!father!sisters!What,i'thestorm?i'thenight?
Letpitynotbebelieved!'Theresheshook
Theholywaterfromherheavenlyeyes,
Andclamourmoisten'd:thenawayshestarted
Todealwithgriefalone.

KENT

Itisthestars,
Thestarsaboveus,governourconditions
Elseoneselfmateandmatecouldnotbeget
Suchdifferentissues.Youspokenotwithhersince?

Gentleman

No.

KENT

Wasthisbeforethekingreturn'd?

Gentleman

No,since.

KENT

Well,sir,thepoordistressedLear'si'thetown
 Whosometime,inhisbettertune,remembers
Whatwearecomeabout,andbynomeans
Willyieldtoseehisdaughter.

Gentleman

Why,goodsir?

KENT

Asovereignshamesoelbowshim:hisownunkindness,
Thatstripp'dherfromhisbenediction,turn'dher
Toforeigncasualties,gaveherdearrights
Tohisdoghearteddaughters,thesethingssting
Hismindsovenomously,thatburningshame
DetainshimfromCordelia.

Gentleman

Alack,poorgentleman!

KENT

OfAlbany'sandCornwall'spowersyouheardnot?

Gentleman

'Tisso,theyareafoot.

KENT

Well,sir,I'llbringyoutoourmasterLear,
Andleaveyoutoattendhim:somedearcause
Willinconcealmentwrapmeupawhile
WhenIamknownaright,youshallnotgrieve
Lendingmethisacquaintance.Iprayyou,go
Alongwithme.

Exeunt

SCENEIV.Thesame.Atent.
Enter,withdrumandcolours,CORDELIA,Doctor,andSoldiers

CORDELIA

Alack,'tishe:why,hewasmetevennow
Asmadasthevex'dseasingingaloud
Crown'dwithrankfumiterandfurrowweeds,
Withburdocks,hemlock,nettles,cuckooflowers,
Darnel,andalltheidleweedsthatgrow
Inoursustainingcorn.Acenturysendforth
Searcheveryacreinthehighgrownfield,
Andbringhimtooureye.
 ExitanOfficer

Whatcanman'swisdom
Intherestoringhisbereavedsense?
Hethathelpshimtakeallmyoutwardworth.

Doctor

Thereismeans,madam:
Ourfosternurseofnatureisrepose,
Thewhichhelacksthattoprovokeinhim,
Aremanysimplesoperative,whosepower
Willclosetheeyeofanguish.

CORDELIA

Allblestsecrets,
Allyouunpublish'dvirtuesoftheearth,
Springwithmytears!beaidantandremediate
Inthegoodman'sdistress!Seek,seekforhim
Lesthisungovern'dragedissolvethelife
Thatwantsthemeanstoleadit.

EnteraMessenger

Messenger

News,madam
TheBritishpowersaremarchinghitherward.

CORDELIA

'Tisknownbeforeourpreparationstands
Inexpectationofthem.Odearfather,
ItisthybusinessthatIgoabout
ThereforegreatFrance
Mymourningandimportanttearshathpitied.
Noblownambitiondothourarmsincite,
Butlove,dearlove,andouragedfather'sright:
SoonmayIhearandseehim!

Exeunt

SCENEV.Gloucester'scastle.
EnterREGANandOSWALD

REGAN

Butaremybrother'spowerssetforth?

OSWALD

Ay,madam.
REGAN

Himselfinpersonthere?

OSWALD

Madam,withmuchado:
Yoursisteristhebettersoldier.

REGAN

LordEdmundspakenotwithyourlordathome?

OSWALD

No,madam.

REGAN

Whatmightimportmysister'slettertohim?

OSWALD

Iknownot,lady.

REGAN

'Faith,heispostedhenceonseriousmatter.
Itwasgreatignorance,Gloucester'seyesbeingout,
Tolethimlive:wherehearriveshemoves
Allheartsagainstus:Edmund,Ithink,isgone,
Inpityofhismisery,todispatch
Hisnightedlife:moreover,todescry
Thestrengtho'theenemy.

OSWALD

Imustneedsafterhim,madam,withmyletter.

REGAN

Ourtroopssetforthtomorrow:staywithus
Thewaysaredangerous.

OSWALD

Imaynot,madam:
Myladychargedmydutyinthisbusiness.

REGAN

WhyshouldshewritetoEdmund?Mightnotyou
Transportherpurposesbyword?Belike,
SomethingIknownotwhat:I'lllovetheemuch,
Letmeunsealtheletter.
OSWALD

Madam,Ihadrather

REGAN

Iknowyourladydoesnotloveherhusband
Iamsureofthat:andatherlatebeinghere
Shegavestrangeoeilladesandmostspeakinglooks
TonobleEdmund.Iknowyouareofherbosom.

OSWALD

I,madam?

REGAN

IspeakinunderstandingyouareIknow't:
ThereforeIdoadviseyou,takethisnote:
MylordisdeadEdmundandIhavetalk'd
Andmoreconvenientisheformyhand
Thanforyourlady's:youmaygathermore.
Ifyoudofindhim,prayyou,givehimthis
Andwhenyourmistresshearsthusmuchfromyou,
Ipray,desirehercallherwisdomtoher.
So,fareyouwell.
Ifyoudochancetohearofthatblindtraitor,
Prefermentfallsonhimthatcutshimoff.

OSWALD

WouldIcouldmeethim,madam!Ishouldshow
WhatpartyIdofollow.

REGAN

Faretheewell.

Exeunt

SCENEVI.FieldsnearDover.
EnterGLOUCESTER,andEDGARdressedlikeapeasant

GLOUCESTER

Whenshallwecometothetopofthatsamehill?

EDGAR

Youdoclimbupitnow:look,howwelabour.

GLOUCESTER

Methinksthegroundiseven.
EDGAR

Horriblesteep.
Hark,doyouhearthesea?

GLOUCESTER

No,truly.

EDGAR

Why,then,yourothersensesgrowimperfect
Byyoureyes'anguish.

GLOUCESTER

Somayitbe,indeed:
Methinksthyvoiceisalter'dandthouspeak'st
Inbetterphraseandmatterthanthoudidst.

EDGAR

You'remuchdeceived:innothingamIchanged
Butinmygarments.

GLOUCESTER

Methinksyou'rebetterspoken.

EDGAR

Comeon,sirhere'stheplace:standstill.Howfearful
Anddizzy'tis,tocastone'seyessolow!
Thecrowsandchoughsthatwingthemidwayair
Showscarcesogrossasbeetles:halfwaydown
Hangsonethatgatherssamphire,dreadfultrade!
Methinksheseemsnobiggerthanhishead:
Thefishermen,thatwalkuponthebeach,
Appearlikemiceandyondtallanchoringbark,
Diminish'dtohercockhercock,abuoy
Almosttoosmallforsight:themurmuringsurge,
Thatontheunnumber'didlepebbleschafes,
Cannotbeheardsohigh.I'lllooknomore
Lestmybrainturn,andthedeficientsight
Toppledownheadlong.

GLOUCESTER

Setmewhereyoustand.

EDGAR

Givemeyourhand:youarenowwithinafoot
Oftheextremeverge:forallbeneaththemoon
WouldInotleapupright.
GLOUCESTER

Letgomyhand.
Here,friend,'sanotherpurseinitajewel
Wellworthapoorman'staking:fairiesandgods
Prosperitwiththee!Gothoufartheroff
Bidmefarewell,andletmeheartheegoing.

EDGAR

Nowfareyouwell,goodsir.

GLOUCESTER

Withallmyheart.

EDGAR

WhyIdotriflethuswithhisdespair
Isdonetocureit.

GLOUCESTER

[Kneeling]Oyoumightygods!
ThisworldIdorenounce,and,inyoursights,
Shakepatientlymygreatafflictionoff:
IfIcouldbearitlonger,andnotfall
Toquarrelwithyourgreatopposelesswills,
Mysnuffandloathedpartofnatureshould
Burnitselfout.IfEdgarlive,O,blesshim!
Now,fellow,faretheewell.

Hefallsforward

EDGAR

Gone,sir:farewell.
AndyetIknownothowconceitmayrob
Thetreasuryoflife,whenlifeitself
Yieldstothetheft:hadhebeenwherehethought,
Bythis,hadthoughtbeenpast.Aliveordead?
Ho,yousir!friend!Hearyou,sir!speak!
Thusmighthepassindeed:yetherevives.
Whatareyou,sir?

GLOUCESTER

Away,andletmedie.

EDGAR

Hadstthoubeenaughtbutgossamer,feathers,air,
Somanyfathomdownprecipitating,
Thou'dstshiver'dlikeanegg:butthoudostbreathe
Hastheavysubstancebleed'stnotspeak'startsound.
Tenmastsateachmakenotthealtitude
 Whichthouhastperpendicularlyfell:
Thylife'samiracle.Speakyetagain.

GLOUCESTER

ButhaveIfall'n,orno?

EDGAR

Fromthedreadsummitofthischalkybourn.
Lookupaheighttheshrillgorgedlarksofar
Cannotbeseenorheard:dobutlookup.

GLOUCESTER

Alack,Ihavenoeyes.
Iswretchednessdeprivedthatbenefit,
Toenditselfbydeath?'Twasyetsomecomfort,
Whenmiserycouldbeguilethetyrant'srage,
Andfrustratehisproudwill.

EDGAR

Givemeyourarm:
Up:so.Howis't?Feelyouyourlegs?Youstand.

GLOUCESTER

Toowell,toowell.

EDGAR

Thisisaboveallstrangeness.
Uponthecrowno'thecliff,whatthingwasthat
Whichpartedfromyou?

GLOUCESTER

Apoorunfortunatebeggar.

EDGAR

AsIstoodherebelow,methoughthiseyes
Weretwofullmoonshehadathousandnoses,
Hornswhelk'dandwavedliketheenridgedsea:
Itwassomefiendtherefore,thouhappyfather,
Thinkthattheclearestgods,whomakethemhonours
Ofmen'simpossibilities,havepreservedthee.

GLOUCESTER

Idoremembernow:henceforthI'llbear
Afflictiontillitdocryoutitself
'Enough,enough,'anddie.Thatthingyouspeakof,
Itookitforamanoften'twouldsay
'Thefiend,thefiend:'heledmetothatplace.
EDGAR

Bearfreeandpatientthoughts.Butwhocomeshere?

EnterKINGLEAR,fantasticallydressedwithwildflowers

Thesafersensewillne'eraccommodate
Hismasterthus.

KINGLEAR

No,theycannottouchmeforcoiningIamthe
kinghimself.

EDGAR

Othousidepiercingsight!

KINGLEAR

Nature'saboveartinthatrespect.There'syour
pressmoney.Thatfellowhandleshisbowlikea
crowkeeper:drawmeaclothier'syard.Look,
look,amouse!Peace,peacethispieceoftoasted
cheesewilldo't.There'smygauntletI'llprove
itonagiant.Bringupthebrownbills.O,well
flown,bird!i'theclout,i'theclout:hewgh!
Givetheword.

EDGAR

Sweetmarjoram.

KINGLEAR

Pass.

GLOUCESTER

Iknowthatvoice.

KINGLEAR

Ha!Goneril,withawhitebeard!Theyflattered
melikeadogandtoldmeIhadwhitehairsinmy
bearderetheblackoneswerethere.Tosay'ay'
and'no'toeverythingthatIsaid!'Ay'and'no'
toowasnogooddivinity.Whentheraincameto
wetmeonce,andthewindtomakemechatterwhen
thethunderwouldnotpeaceatmybiddingthereI
found'em,thereIsmelt'emout.Goto,theyare
notmeno'theirwords:theytoldmeIwasevery
thing'tisalie,Iamnotagueproof.

GLOUCESTER
 ThetrickofthatvoiceIdowellremember:
Is'tnottheking?

KINGLEAR

Ay,everyinchaking:
WhenIdostare,seehowthesubjectquakes.
Ipardonthatman'slife.Whatwasthycause?Adultery?
Thoushaltnotdie:dieforadultery!No:
Thewrengoesto't,andthesmallgildedfly
Doeslecherinmysight.
LetcopulationthriveforGloucester'sbastardson
Waskindertohisfatherthanmydaughters
Got'tweenthelawfulsheets.
To't,luxury,pellmell!forIlacksoldiers.
Beholdyondsimperingdame,
Whosefacebetweenherforkspresagessnow
Thatmincesvirtue,anddoesshakethehead
Tohearofpleasure'sname
Thefitchew,northesoiledhorse,goesto't
Withamoreriotousappetite.
DownfromthewaisttheyareCentaurs,
Thoughwomenallabove:
Buttothegirdledothegodsinherit,
Beneathisallthefiends'
There'shell,there'sdarkness,there'sthe
sulphurouspit,
Burning,scalding,stench,consumptionfie,
fie,fie!pah,pah!Givemeanounceofcivet,
goodapothecary,tosweetenmyimagination:
there'smoneyforthee.

GLOUCESTER

O,letmekissthathand!

KINGLEAR

Letmewipeitfirstitsmellsofmortality.

GLOUCESTER

Oruin'dpieceofnature!Thisgreatworld
Shallsowearouttonought.Dostthouknowme?

KINGLEAR

Irememberthineeyeswellenough.Dostthousquiny
atme?No,dothyworst,blindCupid!I'llnot
love.Readthouthischallengemarkbutthe
penningofit.

GLOUCESTER

Werealltheletterssuns,Icouldnotseeone.
EDGAR

Iwouldnottakethisfromreportitis,
Andmyheartbreaksatit.

KINGLEAR

Read.

GLOUCESTER

What,withthecaseofeyes?

KINGLEAR

O,ho,areyoutherewithme?Noeyesinyour
head,nornomoneyinyourpurse?Youreyesarein
aheavycase,yourpurseinalightyetyouseehow
thisworldgoes.

GLOUCESTER

Iseeitfeelingly.

KINGLEAR

What,artmad?Amanmayseehowthisworldgoes
withnoeyes.Lookwiththineears:seehowyond
justicerailsuponyondsimplethief.Hark,in
thineear:changeplacesand,handydandy,which
isthejustice,whichisthethief?Thouhastseen
afarmer'sdogbarkatabeggar?

GLOUCESTER

Ay,sir.

KINGLEAR

Andthecreaturerunfromthecur?Therethou
mightstbeholdthegreatimageofauthority:a
dog'sobeyedinoffice.
Thourascalbeadle,holdthybloodyhand!
Whydostthoulashthatwhore?Stripthineownback
Thouhotlylust'sttouseherinthatkind
Forwhichthouwhipp'sther.Theusurerhangsthecozener.
Throughtatter'dclothessmallvicesdoappear
Robesandfurr'dgownshideall.Platesinwithgold,
Andthestronglanceofjusticehurtlessbreaks:
Armitinrags,apigmy'sstrawdoespierceit.
Nonedoesoffend,none,Isay,noneI'llable'em:
Takethatofme,myfriend,whohavethepower
Tosealtheaccuser'slips.Gettheeglasseyes
Andlikeascurvypolitician,seem
Toseethethingsthoudostnot.Now,now,now,now:
Pulloffmyboots:harder,harder:so.
EDGAR

O,matterandimpertinencymix'd!Reasoninmadness!

KINGLEAR

Ifthouwiltweepmyfortunes,takemyeyes.
IknowtheewellenoughthynameisGloucester:
Thoumustbepatientwecamecryinghither:
Thouknow'st,thefirsttimethatwesmelltheair,
Wewawlandcry.Iwillpreachtothee:mark.

GLOUCESTER

Alack,alacktheday!

KINGLEAR

Whenweareborn,wecrythatwearecome
Tothisgreatstageoffools:thisagoodblock
Itwereadelicatestratagem,toshoe
Atroopofhorsewithfelt:I'llput'tinproof
AndwhenIhavestol'nuponthesesonsinlaw,
Then,kill,kill,kill,kill,kill,kill!

EnteraGentleman,withAttendants

Gentleman

O,hereheis:layhanduponhim.Sir,
Yourmostdeardaughter

KINGLEAR

Norescue?What,aprisoner?Iameven
Thenaturalfooloffortune.Usemewell
Youshallhaveransom.Letmehavesurgeons
Iamcuttothebrains.

Gentleman

Youshallhaveanything.

KINGLEAR

Noseconds?allmyself?
Why,thiswouldmakeamanamanofsalt,
Tousehiseyesforgardenwaterpots,
Ay,andlayingautumn'sdust.

Gentleman

Goodsir,

KINGLEAR
 Iwilldiebravely,likeabridegroom.What!
Iwillbejovial:come,comeIamaking,
Mymasters,knowyouthat.

Gentleman

Youarearoyalone,andweobeyyou.

KINGLEAR

Thenthere'slifein't.Nay,ifyougetit,you
shallgetitwithrunning.Sa,sa,sa,sa.

ExitrunningAttendantsfollow

Gentleman

Asightmostpitifulinthemeanestwretch,
Pastspeakingofinaking!Thouhastonedaughter,
Whoredeemsnaturefromthegeneralcurse
Whichtwainhavebroughtherto.

EDGAR

Hail,gentlesir.

Gentleman

Sir,speedyou:what'syourwill?

EDGAR

Doyouhearaught,sir,ofabattletoward?

Gentleman

Mostsureandvulgar:everyonehearsthat,
Whichcandistinguishsound.

EDGAR

But,byyourfavour,
Hownear'stheotherarmy?

Gentleman

Nearandonspeedyfootthemaindescry
Standsonthehourlythought.

EDGAR

Ithankyou,sir:that'sall.

Gentleman

Thoughthatthequeenonspecialcauseishere,
Herarmyismovedon.
EDGAR

Ithankyou,sir.

ExitGentleman

GLOUCESTER

Youevergentlegods,takemybreathfromme:
Letnotmyworserspirittemptmeagain
Todiebeforeyouplease!

EDGAR

Wellprayyou,father.

GLOUCESTER

Now,goodsir,whatareyou?

EDGAR

Amostpoorman,madetametofortune'sblows
Who,bytheartofknownandfeelingsorrows,
Ampregnanttogoodpity.Givemeyourhand,
I'llleadyoutosomebiding.

GLOUCESTER

Heartythanks:
Thebountyandthebenisonofheaven
Toboot,andboot!

EnterOSWALD

OSWALD

Aproclaim'dprize!Mosthappy!
Thateyelessheadofthinewasfirstframedflesh
Toraisemyfortunes.Thouoldunhappytraitor,
Brieflythyselfremember:theswordisout
Thatmustdestroythee.

GLOUCESTER

Nowletthyfriendlyhand
Putstrengthenoughto't.

EDGARinterposes

OSWALD

Wherefore,boldpeasant,
Darestthousupportapublish'dtraitor?Hence
Lestthattheinfectionofhisfortunetake
 Likeholdonthee.Letgohisarm.

EDGAR

Ch'illnotletgo,zir,withoutvurther'casion.

OSWALD

Letgo,slave,orthoudiest!

EDGAR

Goodgentleman,goyourgait,andletpoorvolk
pass.Anchudha'binzwaggeredoutofmylife,
'twouldnotha'binzolongas'tisbyavortnight.
Nay,comenotnearth'oldmankeepout,chevor
ye,orisetrywhetheryourcostardormyballowbe
theharder:ch'illbeplainwithyou.

OSWALD

Out,dunghill!

EDGAR

Ch'illpickyourteeth,zir:comenomattervor
yourfoins.

Theyfight,andEDGARknockshimdown

OSWALD

Slave,thouhastslainme:villain,takemypurse:
Ifeverthouwiltthrive,burymybody
Andgivetheletterswhichthoufind'staboutme
ToEdmundearlofGloucesterseekhimout
UpontheBritishparty:O,untimelydeath!

Dies

EDGAR

Iknowtheewell:aserviceablevillain
Asduteoustothevicesofthymistress
Asbadnesswoulddesire.

GLOUCESTER

What,ishedead?

EDGAR

Sityoudown,fatherrestyou
Let'sseethesepockets:thelettersthathespeaksof
Maybemyfriends.He'sdeadIamonlysorry
Hehadnootherdeath'sman.Letussee:
 Leave,gentlewaxand,manners,blameusnot:
Toknowourenemies'minds,we'ldriptheirhearts
Theirpapers,ismorelawful.

Reads

'Letourreciprocalvowsberemembered.Youhave
manyopportunitiestocuthimoff:ifyourwill
wantnot,timeandplacewillbefruitfullyoffered.
Thereisnothingdone,ifhereturntheconqueror:
thenamItheprisoner,andhisbedmygoalfrom
theloathedwarmthwhereofdeliverme,andsupply
theplaceforyourlabour.
'Yourwife,soIwouldsay
'Affectionateservant,
'GONERIL.'
Oundistinguish'dspaceofwoman'swill!
Aplotuponhervirtuoushusband'slife
Andtheexchangemybrother!Here,inthesands,
TheeI'llrakeup,thepostunsanctified
Ofmurderouslechers:andinthematuretime
Withthisungraciouspaperstrikethesight
Ofthedeathpractisedduke:forhim'tiswell
ThatofthydeathandbusinessIcantell.

GLOUCESTER

Thekingismad:howstiffismyvilesense,
ThatIstandup,andhaveingeniousfeeling
Ofmyhugesorrows!BetterIweredistract:
Soshouldmythoughtsbesever'dfrommygriefs,
Andwoesbywrongimaginationslose
Theknowledgeofthemselves.

EDGAR

Givemeyourhand:

Drumafaroff

Faroff,methinks,Ihearthebeatendrum:
Come,father,I'llbestowyouwithafriend.

Exeunt

SCENEVII.AtentintheFrenchcamp.LEARonabedasleep,
softmusicplayingGentleman,andothersattending.

EnterCORDELIA,KENT,andDoctor

CORDELIA

OthougoodKent,howshallIliveandwork,
Tomatchthygoodness?Mylifewillbetooshort,
 Andeverymeasurefailme.

KENT

Tobeacknowledged,madam,iso'erpaid.
Allmyreportsgowiththemodesttruth
Normorenorclipp'd,butso.

CORDELIA

Bebettersuited:
Theseweedsarememoriesofthoseworserhours:
Iprithee,putthemoff.

KENT

Pardonme,dearmadam
Yettobeknownshortensmymadeintent:
MyboonImakeit,thatyouknowmenot
TilltimeandIthinkmeet.

CORDELIA

Thenbe'tso,mygoodlord.

TotheDoctor

Howdoestheking?

Doctor

Madam,sleepsstill.

CORDELIA

Oyoukindgods,
Curethisgreatbreachinhisabusednature!
Theuntunedandjarringsenses,O,windup
Ofthischildchangedfather!

Doctor

Sopleaseyourmajesty
Thatwemaywaketheking:hehathsleptlong.

CORDELIA

Begovern'dbyyourknowledge,andproceed
I'theswayofyourownwill.Ishearray'd?

Gentleman

Ay,madamintheheavinessofhissleep
Weputfreshgarmentsonhim.

Doctor
 Beby,goodmadam,whenwedoawakehim
Idoubtnotofhistemperance.

CORDELIA

Verywell.

Doctor

Pleaseyou,drawnear.Louderthemusicthere!

CORDELIA

Omydearfather!Restorationhang
Thymedicineonmylipsandletthiskiss
Repairthoseviolentharmsthatmytwosisters
Haveinthyreverencemade!

KENT

Kindanddearprincess!

CORDELIA

Hadyounotbeentheirfather,thesewhiteflakes
Hadchallengedpityofthem.Wasthisaface
Tobeopposedagainstthewarringwinds?
Tostandagainstthedeepdreadboltedthunder?
Inthemostterribleandnimblestroke
Ofquick,crosslightning?towatchpoorperdu!
Withthisthinhelm?Mineenemy'sdog,
Thoughhehadbitme,shouldhavestoodthatnight
Againstmyfireandwastthoufain,poorfather,
Tohoveltheewithswine,androguesforlorn,
Inshortandmustystraw?Alack,alack!
'Tiswonderthatthylifeandwitsatonce
Hadnotconcludedall.Hewakesspeaktohim.

Doctor

Madam,doyou'tisfittest.

CORDELIA

Howdoesmyroyallord?Howfaresyourmajesty?

KINGLEAR

Youdomewrongtotakemeouto'thegrave:
ThouartasoulinblissbutIambound
Uponawheeloffire,thatmineowntears
Doscaldlikemoultenlead.

CORDELIA

Sir,doyouknowme?
KINGLEAR

Youareaspirit,Iknow:whendidyoudie?

CORDELIA

Still,still,farwide!

Doctor

He'sscarceawake:lethimaloneawhile.

KINGLEAR

WherehaveIbeen?WhereamI?Fairdaylight?
Iammightilyabused.Ishoulde'endiewithpity,
Toseeanotherthus.Iknownotwhattosay.
Iwillnotswearthesearemyhands:let'ssee
Ifeelthispinprick.WouldIwereassured
Ofmycondition!

CORDELIA

O,lookuponme,sir,
Andholdyourhandsinbenedictiono'erme:
No,sir,youmustnotkneel.

KINGLEAR

Pray,donotmockme:
Iamaveryfoolishfondoldman,
Fourscoreandupward,notanhourmorenorless
And,todealplainly,
IfearIamnotinmyperfectmind.
MethinksIshouldknowyou,andknowthisman
YetIamdoubtfulforIammainlyignorant
WhatplacethisisandalltheskillIhave
RemembersnotthesegarmentsnorIknownot
WhereIdidlodgelastnight.Donotlaughatme
For,asIamaman,Ithinkthislady
TobemychildCordelia.

CORDELIA

AndsoIam,Iam.

KINGLEAR

Beyourtearswet?yes,'faith.Ipray,weepnot:
Ifyouhavepoisonforme,Iwilldrinkit.
Iknowyoudonotlovemeforyoursisters
Have,asIdoremember,donemewrong:
Youhavesomecause,theyhavenot.

CORDELIA
 Nocause,nocause.

KINGLEAR

AmIinFrance?

KENT

Inyourownkingdom,sir.

KINGLEAR

Donotabuseme.

Doctor

Becomforted,goodmadam:thegreatrage,
Yousee,iskill'dinhim:andyetitisdanger
Tomakehimeveno'erthetimehehaslost.
Desirehimtogointroublehimnomore
Tillfurthersettling.

CORDELIA

Will'tpleaseyourhighnesswalk?

KINGLEAR

Youmustbearwithme:
Prayyounow,forgetandforgive:Iamoldandfoolish.

ExeuntallbutKENTandGentleman

Gentleman

Holdsittrue,sir,thattheDukeofCornwallwassoslain?

KENT

Mostcertain,sir.

Gentleman

Whoisconductorofhispeople?

KENT

As'tissaid,thebastardsonofGloucester.

Gentleman

TheysayEdgar,hisbanishedson,iswiththeEarl
ofKentinGermany.

KENT

Reportischangeable.'Tistimetolookaboutthe
 powersofthekingdomapproachapace.

Gentleman

Thearbitrementisliketobebloody.Fareyou
well,sir.

Exit

KENT

Mypointandperiodwillbethroughlywrought,
Orwellorill,asthisday'sbattle'sfought.

Exit

ACTV

SCENEI.TheBritishcamp,nearDover.

Enter,withdrumandcolours,EDMUND,REGAN,Gentlemen,andSoldiers.

EDMUND

Knowofthedukeifhislastpurposehold,
Orwhethersinceheisadvisedbyaught
Tochangethecourse:he'sfullofalteration
Andselfreproving:bringhisconstantpleasure.

ToaGentleman,whogoesout

REGAN

Oursister'smaniscertainlymiscarried.

EDMUND

'Tistobedoubted,madam.

REGAN

Now,sweetlord,
YouknowthegoodnessIintenduponyou:
Tellmebuttrulybutthenspeakthetruth,
Doyounotlovemysister?

EDMUND

Inhonour'dlove.

REGAN

Buthaveyouneverfoundmybrother'sway
Totheforfendedplace?

EDMUND
 Thatthoughtabusesyou.

REGAN

Iamdoubtfulthatyouhavebeenconjunct
Andbosom'dwithher,asfaraswecallhers.

EDMUND

No,byminehonour,madam.

REGAN

Inevershallendureher:dearmylord,
Benotfamiliarwithher.

EDMUND

Fearmenot:
Sheandthedukeherhusband!

Enter,withdrumandcolours,ALBANY,GONERIL,andSoldiers

GONERIL

[Aside]Ihadratherlosethebattlethanthatsister
Shouldloosenhimandme.

ALBANY

Ourverylovingsister,wellbemet.
Sir,thisIhearthekingiscometohisdaughter,
Withotherswhomtherigorofourstate
Forcedtocryout.WhereIcouldnotbehonest,
Ineveryetwasvaliant:forthisbusiness,
Ittouchethus,asFranceinvadesourland,
Notboldstheking,withothers,whom,Ifear,
Mostjustandheavycausesmakeoppose.

EDMUND

Sir,youspeaknobly.

REGAN

Whyisthisreason'd?

GONERIL

Combinetogether'gainsttheenemy
Forthesedomesticandparticularbroils
Arenotthequestionhere.

ALBANY

Let'sthendetermine
 Withtheancientofwaronourproceedings.

EDMUND

Ishallattendyoupresentlyatyourtent.

REGAN

Sister,you'llgowithus?

GONERIL

No.

REGAN

'Tismostconvenientprayyou,gowithus.

GONERIL

[Aside]O,ho,Iknowtheriddle.Iwillgo.

Astheyaregoingout,enterEDGARdisguised

EDGAR

Ife'eryourgracehadspeechwithmansopoor,
Hearmeoneword.

ALBANY

I'llovertakeyou.Speak.

ExeuntallbutALBANYandEDGAR

EDGAR

Beforeyoufightthebattle,opethisletter.
Ifyouhavevictory,letthetrumpetsound
Forhimthatbroughtit:wretchedthoughIseem,
Icanproduceachampionthatwillprove
Whatisavouchedthere.Ifyoumiscarry,
Yourbusinessoftheworldhathsoanend,
Andmachinationceases.Fortuneloveyou.

ALBANY

StaytillIhavereadtheletter.

EDGAR

Iwasforbidit.
Whentimeshallserve,letbuttheheraldcry,
AndI'llappearagain.

ALBANY
 Why,faretheewell:Iwillo'erlookthypaper.

ExitEDGAR

ReenterEDMUND

EDMUND

Theenemy'sinviewdrawupyourpowers.
Hereistheguessoftheirtruestrengthandforces
Bydiligentdiscoverybutyourhaste
Isnowurgedonyou.

ALBANY

Wewillgreetthetime.

Exit

EDMUND

ToboththesesistershaveIswornmylove
Eachjealousoftheother,asthestung
Areoftheadder.WhichofthemshallItake?
Both?one?orneither?Neithercanbeenjoy'd,
Ifbothremainalive:totakethewidow
Exasperates,makesmadhersisterGoneril
AndhardlyshallIcarryoutmyside,
Herhusbandbeingalive.Nowthenwe'lluse
Hiscountenanceforthebattlewhichbeingdone,
Letherwhowouldberidofhimdevise
Hisspeedytakingoff.Asforthemercy
WhichheintendstoLearandtoCordelia,
Thebattledone,andtheywithinourpower,
Shallneverseehispardonformystate
Standsonmetodefend,nottodebate.

Exit

SCENEII.Afieldbetweenthetwocamps.
Alarumwithin.Enter,withdrumandcolours,KINGLEAR,CORDELIA,andSoldiers,
overthestageandexeunt

EnterEDGARandGLOUCESTER

EDGAR

Here,father,taketheshadowofthistree
Foryourgoodhostpraythattherightmaythrive:
IfeverIreturntoyouagain,
I'llbringyoucomfort.

GLOUCESTER
 Gracegowithyou,sir!

ExitEDGAR

Alarumandretreatwithin.ReenterEDGAR

EDGAR

Away,oldmangivemethyhandaway!
KingLearhathlost,heandhisdaughterta'en:
Givemethyhandcomeon.

GLOUCESTER

Nofarther,siramanmayrotevenhere.

EDGAR

What,inillthoughtsagain?Menmustendure
Theirgoinghence,evenastheircominghither
Ripenessisall:comeon.

GLOUCESTER

Andthat'struetoo.

Exeunt

SCENEIII.TheBritishcampnearDover.
Enter,inconquest,withdrumandcolours,EDMUND,KINGLEARandCORDELIA,
prisonersCaptain,Soldiers,&c

EDMUND

Someofficerstakethemaway:goodguard,
Untiltheirgreaterpleasuresfirstbeknown
Thataretocensurethem.

CORDELIA

Wearenotthefirst
Who,withbestmeaning,haveincurr'dtheworst.
Forthee,oppressedking,amIcastdown
Myselfcouldelseoutfrownfalsefortune'sfrown.
Shallwenotseethesedaughtersandthesesisters?

KINGLEAR

No,no,no,no!Come,let'sawaytoprison:
Wetwoalonewillsinglikebirdsi'thecage:
Whenthoudostaskmeblessing,I'llkneeldown,
Andaskoftheeforgiveness:sowe'lllive,
Andpray,andsing,andtelloldtales,andlaugh
Atgildedbutterflies,andhearpoorrogues
Talkofcourtnewsandwe'lltalkwiththemtoo,
 Wholosesandwhowinswho'sin,who'sout
Andtakeupon'sthemysteryofthings,
AsifwewereGod'sspies:andwe'llwearout,
Inawall'dprison,packsandsectsofgreatones,
Thatebbandflowbythemoon.

EDMUND

Takethemaway.

KINGLEAR

Uponsuchsacrifices,myCordelia,
Thegodsthemselvesthrowincense.HaveIcaughtthee?
Hethatpartsusshallbringabrandfromheaven,
Andfireushencelikefoxes.Wipethineeyes
Thegoodyearsshalldevourthem,fleshandfell,
Eretheyshallmakeusweep:we'llsee'emstarve
first.Come.

ExeuntKINGLEARandCORDELIA,guarded

EDMUND

Comehither,captainhark.
Takethouthisnote

Givingapaper

gofollowthemtoprison:
OnestepIhaveadvancedtheeifthoudost
Asthisinstructsthee,thoudostmakethyway
Tonoblefortunes:knowthouthis,thatmen
Areasthetimeis:tobetenderminded
Doesnotbecomeasword:thygreatemployment
Willnotbearquestioneithersaythou'ltdo't,
Orthrivebyothermeans.

Captain

I'lldo't,mylord.

EDMUND

Aboutitandwritehappywhenthouhastdone.
Mark,Isay,instantlyandcarryitso
AsIhavesetitdown.

Captain

Icannotdrawacart,noreatdriedoats
Ifitbeman'swork,I'lldo't.

Exit

Flourish.EnterALBANY,GONERIL,REGAN,anotherCaptain,andSoldiers
ALBANY

Sir,youhaveshowntodayyourvaliantstrain,
Andfortuneledyouwell:youhavethecaptives
Thatweretheoppositesofthisday'sstrife:
Wedorequirethemofyou,sotousethem
Asweshallfindtheirmeritsandoursafety
Mayequallydetermine.

EDMUND

Sir,Ithoughtitfit
Tosendtheoldandmiserableking
Tosomeretentionandappointedguard
Whoseagehascharmsinit,whosetitlemore,
Topluckthecommonbosomonhisside,
Anturnourimpress'dlancesinoureyes
Whichdocommandthem.WithhimIsentthequeen
Myreasonallthesameandtheyareready
Tomorrow,oratfurtherspace,toappear
Whereyoushallholdyoursession.Atthistime
Wesweatandbleed:thefriendhathlosthisfriend
Andthebestquarrels,intheheat,arecursed
Bythosethatfeeltheirsharpness:
ThequestionofCordeliaandherfather
Requiresafitterplace.

ALBANY

Sir,byyourpatience,
Iholdyoubutasubjectofthiswar,
Notasabrother.

REGAN

That'saswelisttogracehim.
Methinksourpleasuremighthavebeendemanded,
Ereyouhadspokesofar.Heledourpowers
Borethecommissionofmyplaceandperson
Thewhichimmediacymaywellstandup,
Andcallitselfyourbrother.

GONERIL

Notsohot:
Inhisowngracehedothexalthimself,
Morethaninyouraddition.

REGAN

Inmyrights,
Bymeinvested,hecompeersthebest.

GONERIL
 Thatwerethemost,ifheshouldhusbandyou.

REGAN

Jestersdooftproveprophets.

GONERIL

Holla,holla!
Thateyethattoldyousolook'dbutasquint.

REGAN

Lady,IamnotwellelseIshouldanswer
Fromafullflowingstomach.General,
Takethoumysoldiers,prisoners,patrimony
Disposeofthem,ofmethewallsarethine:
Witnesstheworld,thatIcreatetheehere
Mylordandmaster.

GONERIL

Meanyoutoenjoyhim?

ALBANY

Theletaloneliesnotinyourgoodwill.

EDMUND

Norinthine,lord.

ALBANY

Halfbloodedfellow,yes.

REGAN

[ToEDMUND]Letthedrumstrike,andprovemytitlethine.

ALBANY

Stayyethearreason.Edmund,Iarrestthee
Oncapitaltreasonand,inthineattaint,
Thisgildedserpent

PointingtoGoneril

Foryourclaim,fairsister,
Ibaritintheinterestofmywife:
'Tissheissubcontractedtothislord,
AndI,herhusband,contradictyourbans.
Ifyouwillmarry,makeyourlovestome,
Myladyisbespoke.

GONERIL
 Aninterlude!

ALBANY

Thouartarm'd,Gloucester:letthetrumpetsound:
Ifnoneappeartoproveuponthyhead
Thyheinous,manifest,andmanytreasons,
Thereismypledge

Throwingdownaglove

I'llproveitonthyheart,
EreItastebread,thouartinnothingless
ThanIhavehereproclaim'dthee.

REGAN

Sick,O,sick!

GONERIL

[Aside]Ifnot,I'llne'ertrustmedicine.

EDMUND

There'smyexchange:

Throwingdownaglove

whatintheworldheis
Thatnamesmetraitor,villainlikehelies:
Callbythytrumpet:hethatdaresapproach,
Onhim,onyou,whonot?Iwillmaintain
Mytruthandhonourfirmly.

ALBANY

Aherald,ho!

EDMUND

Aherald,ho,aherald!

ALBANY

Trusttothysinglevirtueforthysoldiers,
Allleviedinmyname,haveinmyname
Tooktheirdischarge.

REGAN

Mysicknessgrowsuponme.

ALBANY

Sheisnotwellconveyhertomytent.
 ExitRegan,led

EnteraHerald

Comehither,herald,Letthetrumpetsound,
Andreadoutthis.

Captain

Sound,trumpet!

Atrumpetsounds

Herald

[Reads]'Ifanymanofqualityordegreewithin
thelistsofthearmywillmaintainuponEdmund,
supposedEarlofGloucester,thatheisamanifold
traitor,lethimappearbythethirdsoundofthe
trumpet:heisboldinhisdefence.'

EDMUND

Sound!

Firsttrumpet

Herald

Again!

Secondtrumpet

Herald

Again!

Thirdtrumpet

Trumpetanswerswithin

EnterEDGAR,atthethirdsound,armed,withatrumpetbeforehim

ALBANY

Askhimhispurposes,whyheappears
Uponthiscallo'thetrumpet.

Herald

Whatareyou?
Yourname,yourquality?andwhyyouanswer
Thispresentsummons?

EDGAR

Know,mynameislost
 Bytreason'stoothbaregnawnandcankerbit:
YetamInobleastheadversary
Icometocope.

ALBANY

Whichisthatadversary?

EDGAR

What'shethatspeaksforEdmundEarlofGloucester?

EDMUND

Himself:whatsay'stthoutohim?

EDGAR

Drawthysword,
That,ifmyspeechoffendanobleheart,
Thyarmmaydotheejustice:hereismine.
Behold,itistheprivilegeofminehonours,
Myoath,andmyprofession:Iprotest,
Maugrethystrength,youth,place,andeminence,
Despitethyvictorswordandfirenewfortune,
Thyvalourandthyheart,thouartatraitor
Falsetothygods,thybrother,andthyfather
Conspirant'gainstthishighillustriousprince
And,fromtheextremestupwardofthyhead
Tothedescentanddustbelowthyfoot,
Amosttoadspottedtraitor.Saythou'No,'
Thissword,thisarm,andmybestspirits,arebent
Toproveuponthyheart,wheretoIspeak,
Thouliest.

EDMUND

InwisdomIshouldaskthyname
But,sincethyoutsidelookssofairandwarlike,
Andthatthytonguesomesayofbreedingbreathes,
WhatsafeandnicelyImightwelldelay
Byruleofknighthood,Idisdainandspurn:
BackdoItossthesetreasonstothyhead
Withthehellhatedlieo'erwhelmthyheart
Which,fortheyyetglancebyandscarcelybruise,
Thisswordofmineshallgivetheminstantway,
Wheretheyshallrestforever.Trumpets,speak!

Alarums.Theyfight.EDMUNDfalls

ALBANY

Savehim,savehim!

GONERIL
 Thisispractise,Gloucester:
Bythelawofarmsthouwastnotboundtoanswer
Anunknownoppositethouartnotvanquish'd,
Butcozen'dandbeguiled.

ALBANY

Shutyourmouth,dame,
OrwiththispapershallIstopit:Hold,sir:
Thouworsethananyname,readthineownevil:
Notearing,lady:Iperceiveyouknowit.

GivesthelettertoEDMUND

GONERIL

Say,ifIdo,thelawsaremine,notthine:
Whocanarraignmefor't.

ALBANY

Mostmonstrous!oh!
Know'stthouthispaper?

GONERIL

AskmenotwhatIknow.

Exit

ALBANY

Goafterher:she'sdesperategovernher.

EDMUND

Whatyouhavechargedmewith,thathaveIdone
Andmore,muchmorethetimewillbringitout:
'Tispast,andsoamI.Butwhatartthou
Thathastthisfortuneonme?Ifthou'rtnoble,
Idoforgivethee.

EDGAR

Let'sexchangecharity.
Iamnolessinbloodthanthouart,Edmund
Ifmore,themorethouhastwrong'dme.
MynameisEdgar,andthyfather'sson.
Thegodsarejust,andofourpleasantvices
Makeinstrumentstoplagueus:
Thedarkandviciousplacewheretheehegot
Costhimhiseyes.

EDMUND

Thouhastspokenright,'tistrue
 Thewheeliscomefullcircle:Iamhere.

ALBANY

Methoughtthyverygaitdidprophesy
Aroyalnobleness:Imustembracethee:
Letsorrowsplitmyheart,ifeverI
Didhatetheeorthyfather!

EDGAR

Worthyprince,Iknow't.

ALBANY

Wherehaveyouhidyourself?
Howhaveyouknownthemiseriesofyourfather?

EDGAR

Bynursingthem,mylord.Listabrieftale
Andwhen'tistold,O,thatmyheartwouldburst!
Thebloodyproclamationtoescape,
Thatfollow'dmesonear,O,ourlives'sweetness!
Thatwethepainofdeathwouldhourlydie
Ratherthandieatonce!taughtmetoshift
Intoamadman'sragstoassumeasemblance
Thatverydogsdisdain'd:andinthishabit
MetImyfatherwithhisbleedingrings,
Theirpreciousstonesnewlost:becamehisguide,
Ledhim,begg'dforhim,savedhimfromdespair
Never,Ofault!reveal'dmyselfuntohim,
Untilsomehalfhourpast,whenIwasarm'd:
Notsure,thoughhoping,ofthisgoodsuccess,
Iask'dhisblessing,andfromfirsttolast
Toldhimmypilgrimage:buthisflaw'dheart,
Alack,tooweaktheconflicttosupport!
'Twixttwoextremesofpassion,joyandgrief,
Burstsmilingly.

EDMUND

Thisspeechofyourshathmovedme,
Andshallperchancedogood:butspeakyouon
Youlookasyouhadsomethingmoretosay.

ALBANY

Iftherebemore,morewoeful,holditin
ForIamalmostreadytodissolve,
Hearingofthis.

EDGAR

Thiswouldhaveseem'daperiod
Tosuchaslovenotsorrowbutanother,
 Toamplifytoomuch,wouldmakemuchmore,
Andtopextremity.
WhilstIwasbiginclamourcamethereinaman,
Who,havingseenmeinmyworstestate,
Shunn'dmyabhorr'dsocietybutthen,finding
Who'twasthatsoendured,withhisstrongarms
Hefastenedonmyneck,andbellow'dout
Ashe'ldburstheaventhrewhimonmyfather
ToldthemostpiteoustaleofLearandhim
Thateverearreceived:whichinrecounting
Hisgriefgrewpuissantandthestringsoflife
Begantocrack:twicethenthetrumpetssounded,
AndthereIlefthimtranced.

ALBANY

Butwhowasthis?

EDGAR

Kent,sir,thebanish'dKentwhoindisguise
Follow'dhisenemyking,anddidhimservice
Improperforaslave.

EnteraGentleman,withabloodyknife

Gentleman

Help,help,O,help!

EDGAR

Whatkindofhelp?

ALBANY

Speak,man.

EDGAR

Whatmeansthatbloodyknife?

Gentleman

'Tishot,itsmokes
ItcameevenfromtheheartofO,she'sdead!

ALBANY

Whodead?speak,man.

Gentleman

Yourlady,sir,yourlady:andhersister
Byherispoisonedshehathconfess'dit.
EDMUND

Iwascontractedtothemboth:allthree
Nowmarryinaninstant.

EDGAR

HerecomesKent.

ALBANY

Producetheirbodies,betheyaliveordead:
Thisjudgmentoftheheavens,thatmakesustremble,
Touchesusnotwithpity.

ExitGentleman

EnterKENT

O,isthishe?
Thetimewillnotallowthecompliment
Whichverymannersurges.

KENT

Iamcome
Tobidmykingandmasterayegoodnight:
Ishenothere?

ALBANY

Greatthingofusforgot!
Speak,Edmund,where'stheking?andwhere'sCordelia?
See'stthouthisobject,Kent?

ThebodiesofGONERILandREGANarebroughtin

KENT

Alack,whythus?

EDMUND

YetEdmundwasbeloved:
Theonetheotherpoison'dformysake,
Andafterslewherself.

ALBANY

Evenso.Covertheirfaces.

EDMUND

Ipantforlife:somegoodImeantodo,
Despiteofmineownnature.Quicklysend,
Bebriefinit,tothecastleformywrit
 IsonthelifeofLearandonCordelia:
Nay,sendintime.

ALBANY

Run,run,O,run!

EDGAR

Towho,mylord?Whohaththeoffice?send
Thytokenofreprieve.

EDMUND

Wellthoughton:takemysword,
Giveitthecaptain.

ALBANY

Hastethee,forthylife.

ExitEDGAR

EDMUND

Hehathcommissionfromthywifeandme
TohangCordeliaintheprison,and
Tolaytheblameuponherowndespair,
Thatshefordidherself.

ALBANY

Thegodsdefendher!Bearhimhenceawhile.

EDMUNDisborneoff

ReenterKINGLEAR,withCORDELIAdeadinhisarmsEDGAR,Captain,andothers
following

KINGLEAR

Howl,howl,howl,howl!O,youaremenofstones:
HadIyourtonguesandeyes,I'ldusethemso
Thatheaven'svaultshouldcrack.She'sgoneforever!
Iknowwhenoneisdead,andwhenonelives
She'sdeadasearth.Lendmealookingglass
Ifthatherbreathwillmistorstainthestone,
Why,thenshelives.

KENT

Isthisthepromisedend

EDGAR

Orimageofthathorror?
ALBANY

Fall,andcease!

KINGLEAR

Thisfeatherstirsshelives!ifitbeso,
Itisachancewhichdoesredeemallsorrows
ThateverIhavefelt.

KENT

[Kneeling]Omygoodmaster!

KINGLEAR

Prithee,away.

EDGAR

'TisnobleKent,yourfriend.

KINGLEAR

Aplagueuponyou,murderers,traitorsall!
Imighthavesavedhernowshe'sgoneforever!
Cordelia,Cordelia!stayalittle.Ha!
Whatis'tthousay'st?Hervoicewaseversoft,
Gentle,andlow,anexcellentthinginwoman.
Ikill'dtheslavethatwasahangingthee.

Captain

'Tistrue,mylords,hedid.

KINGLEAR

DidInot,fellow?
Ihaveseentheday,withmygoodbitingfalchion
Iwouldhavemadethemskip:Iamoldnow,
Andthesesamecrossesspoilme.Whoareyou?
Mineeyesarenoto'thebest:I'lltellyoustraight.

KENT

Iffortunebragoftwoshelovedandhated,
Oneofthemwebehold.

KINGLEAR

Thisisadullsight.AreyounotKent?

KENT

Thesame,
YourservantKent:WhereisyourservantCaius?
KINGLEAR

He'sagoodfellow,Icantellyouthat
He'llstrike,andquicklytoo:he'sdeadandrotten.

KENT

No,mygoodlordIamtheveryman,

KINGLEAR

I'llseethatstraight.

KENT

That,fromyourfirstofdifferenceanddecay,
Havefollow'dyoursadsteps.

KINGLEAR

Youarewelcomehither.

KENT

Nornomanelse:all'scheerless,dark,anddeadly.
Youreldestdaughtershavefordonethemselves,
Anddesperatelyaredead.

KINGLEAR

Ay,soIthink.

ALBANY

Heknowsnotwhathesays:andvainitis
Thatwepresentustohim.

EDGAR

Verybootless.

EnteraCaptain

Captain

Edmundisdead,mylord.

ALBANY

That'sbutatriflehere.
Youlordsandnoblefriends,knowourintent.
Whatcomforttothisgreatdecaymaycome
Shallbeapplied:foruswewillresign,
Duringthelifeofthisoldmajesty,
Tohimourabsolutepower:

ToEDGARandKENT
 you,toyourrights:
Withboot,andsuchadditionasyourhonours
Havemorethanmerited.Allfriendsshalltaste
Thewagesoftheirvirtue,andallfoes
Thecupoftheirdeservings.O,see,see!

KINGLEAR

Andmypoorfoolishang'd!No,no,nolife!
Whyshouldadog,ahorse,arat,havelife,
Andthounobreathatall?Thou'ltcomenomore,
Never,never,never,never,never!
Prayyou,undothisbutton:thankyou,sir.
Doyouseethis?Lookonher,look,herlips,
Lookthere,lookthere!

Dies

EDGAR

Hefaints!Mylord,mylord!

KENT

Break,heartIprithee,break!

EDGAR

Lookup,mylord.

KENT

Vexnothisghost:O,lethimpass!hehateshimmuch
Thatwouldupontherackofthistoughworld
Stretchhimoutlonger.

EDGAR

Heisgone,indeed.

KENT

Thewonderis,hehathenduredsolong:
Hebutusurp'dhislife.

ALBANY

Bearthemfromhence.Ourpresentbusiness
Isgeneralwoe.

ToKENTandEDGAR

Friendsofmysoul,youtwain
Ruleinthisrealm,andthegoredstatesustain.
KENT

Ihaveajourney,sir,shortlytogo
Mymastercallsme,Imustnotsayno.

ALBANY

Theweightofthissadtimewemustobey
Speakwhatwefeel,notwhatweoughttosay.
Theoldesthathbornemost:wethatareyoung
Shallneverseesomuch,norlivesolong.

Exeunt,withadeadmarch