Will yield to see his daughter. Gen. Why, good sir? Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him;-his own unkindness, That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights To his dog-hearted daughters;-these things sting His mind so venomously, that burning shame Detains him from Cordelia. Gen. Alack, poor gentleman! Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not? Gen. 'Tis so; they are afoot. Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, 1 And leave you to attend him: some dear cause SCENE IV. The same. A tent. Enter CORDELIA, PHYSICIAN, and Soldiers. Cor. Alack, 'tis he: why, he was met even now As mad as the vex'd sea; singing aloud; Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow weeds, 1 Important business. 2 Fumitory. With harlocks,1 hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers, In our sustaining corn: a century send forth; In the restoring his bereaved sense? He, that helps him, take all my outward worth. Phy. There is means, madam : Our foster-nurse of Nature is repose, The which he lacks that to provoke in him, Cor. All bless'd secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate, In the good man's distress !-Seek, seek for him Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life That wants the means to lead it. ; Mes. Enter MESSENGER. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherward. Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands In expectation of them.-O dear father, It is thy business that I go about; Therefore great France My mourning and important? tears hath pitied. Charlocks. ? For importunate. No blown 1 ambition doth our arms incite, But love, dear love, and our aged father's right. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A room in Gloster's castle. Enter REGAN and STEWARD. Re. But are my brother's powers set forth? Stew. Re. In person there? Stew. Ay, madam. Himself Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier. Re. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? Stew. No, madam. Re. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady. Re. 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. 1 Inflated, swelling. Re. Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us: The ways are dangerous. Stew. I may not, madam ; My lady charged my duty in this business. Re. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you Transport her purposes by word? Belike, Something I know not what:- I'll love thee much, Let me unseal the letter. Stew. Madam, I had rather Re. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange œiliads,1 and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam ? Re. I speak in understanding; you are; I know it: Therefore, I do advise you, take this note.9 And when your mistress hears thus much from you, pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. I If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, 1 Significant glances. 2 Observe what I am saying. 3 i. e. you may infer more than I have told you. Stew. Would I could meet him, madam! I would Enter GLOSTER, and Edgar, dressed like a peasant. Glos. When shall we come to the top of that same hill? Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how we Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imper fect By your eyes' anguish. Glos. So may it be, indeed: Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st Edg. You are much deceived; in nothing am I changed But in my garments. Glos. 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! |