Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands My mourning, and important tears, hath pitied. [Exeunt. En SCENE V-A room in Gloster's castle. ter Regan and Steward. Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth? Stew. Reg. In person there? Stea. Ay, madam. Himself Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier. Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? Stew. No, madam. Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady. Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out, To let him live; where he arrives, he moves All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone, In pity of his misery, to despatch His nighted life; moreover, to descry The strength o'the enemy. Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous. Stew. I may not, madam; My lady charg'd my duty in this business. Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you (1) Importunate. (2) Inflated, swelling. (3) i. e. His life made dark as night. Transport her purposes by word? Belike, Something I know not what :-I'll love thee much, Let me unseal the letter. Slew. Madam, I had ratherReg. I know your lady does not love her hus band; I am sure of that: and at her late being here, Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it: Therefore, I do advise you, take this note :2 If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam! I would show What party I do follow. Reg. Fare thee well. [Exe. SCENE VI.-The country near Dover. Enter Gloster, and Edgar, dressed like a peasant. Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill? Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how we labour. Glo. Methinks, the ground is even. Edg. Horrible steep: No, truly. (1) A cast, or significant glance of the eye. (2) Observe what I am saying. (3) Infer more. Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imper fect By your eyes' anguish. Glo. So may it be, indeed; Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst. Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in nothing am I chang'd, But in my garments. Glo. Methinks, you are better spoken. Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place :-Stand still. How fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! Glo. Set me where you stand. Edg. Give me your hand: You are now within a foot Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon Would I not leap upright. Glo. Let go my hand Here, friend, is another purse; in it, a jewel Well worth a poor man's taking: Faxes, and gods, Prosper it with thee! Go thou further off; Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. Edg. Now fare you well, good sir. [Seems to go. Glo. With all my heart. (1) Daws (2) A vegetable gathered for pickling. (3) Her cock-boat. (4) Tumble. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Glo. To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, Edg. [He leaps, and falls along. Gone, sir? Farewell. And yet I know not how conceit may rob Yields to the theft: Had he been where he thought, Glo. Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, So many fathom down precipitating, Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn :2 Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorg'd3 lark so far (1) Thus might he die in reality. (2) i. e. This chalky boundary of England. (3) Shrill-throated. Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit, To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort, ` Edg Give me your arm: Up: So-How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand. Glo. Too well, too well. Edg. This is above all strangeness. Upon the crown o'the cliff, what thing was that Which parted from you? Glo. A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, and wav'd, like the enridged sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy father, Think that the clearest2 gods, who make them honours Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee. Glo. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear Affliction, till it do cry out itself, Enough, enough, and, die. That thing you speak of, I took it for a man; often 'twould say, The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place. Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But who comes here? Enter Lear, fantastically dressed up with flowers. Lear No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the king himself. Edg. O thou side-piercing sight! Lear Nature's above art in that respect.-There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard.3Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace ;—this piece of (1) Twisted, convolved. (2) The purest. (3) An arrow of a cloth-yard long. |