Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman?
Gon. Come, Sir;

This admiration is much o'the favour*
Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you
To understand my purposes aright: [wise:
As you are old and reverend, you should be
Here do you keep a hundred knights and
squires;

Men so disorder'd, so debauch'd, and bold,
That this our court, infected with their manners,
Shows like a riotous inn; epicurism and lust
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel,
Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth
For instant remedy: Be then desir'd [speak
By her, that else will take the thing she begs,
A little to disquantity your train;
And the remainder, that shall still depend,t
To be such men as may besort your age,
And know themselves and you.

Lear. Darkness and devils!-
Saddle my horses; call my train together.-
Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee;
Yet have I left a daughter.

Gon. You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble

Make servants of their betters.

Enter ALBANY.

Lear. Woe, that too late repents,-O, Sir,

are you come?

Re-enter LEAK.

Lear. What, fifty of my followers, at a clap! Within a fortnight?

Alb. What's the matter, Sir?

Lear. I'll tell thee;-Life and death! I am ashara'd

thus:

That thou hast power to shake my manhood [To GONERIL That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,

Should make thee worth them.-Blasts and
The untented woundings of a father's curse
fogs upon thee!
Pierce every sense about thee!-Old fond eyes,
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck you out;
And cast you, with the waters that you lose,
To temper clay.-Ha! is it come to this?
Let it be so:-Yet have I left a daughter,
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable;
When she shall hear this of thee, with her naïs
She'll flay thy wolfish visage. Thou shalt bird.
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost
think
[thee.

I have cast off for ever; thou shalt, I warrant [Exeunt LEAR, KENT, and Attendants.

Gon. Do you mark that, my lord? Alb. I cannot be so partial, Goneril, To the great love I bear you,—

Gon. Pray you, content-What, Oswald,

ho!

[master.

pare my horses.

Ingratitude! thou marble-hearted fiend,

More hideous, when thou show'st thee in a Than the sea-monster!

[child,

Alb. Pray, Sir, be patient.

Lear. Detested kite! thou liest: [To GONERIL. My train are men of choice and rarest parts, That all particulars of duty know : And in the most exact regard support [fault, The worships of their name.-O most small How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! Which, like an engine,‡ wrench'd my frame of [love, From the fix'd place; drew from my heart all And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! Beat at this gate that let thy folly in, [Striking his Head. And thy dear judgement out!-Go, go, my people.

nature

Alb. My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignoOf what hath mov'd you. [rant Lear. It may be so, my lord.-Hear, nature, hear;

Dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if
Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful!
Into her womb convey sterility!

Dry up in her the organs of increase;
And from her derogates body never spring
A babe to honour her! If she must teem,
Create her child of spleen; that it may live,
And be a thwart disnatur'd torment to her!
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth!
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;
Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits,
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child!-Away, away!
All. Now, gods, that we adore, whereof
comes this?

[Exit.

Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the But let his disposition have that scope [cause; That dotage gives it.

hundred knights!

At point, a hundred knights. Yes, that on
"Tis politic, and safe, to let him keep
Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike,
every dream,
He may enguard his dotage with their powers,
And hold our lives in mercy.-Oswald, I say!-
Alb. Well, you may fear too far.
Gon. Safer than trust:

Not fear still to be taken. I know his heart:
Let me still take away the harms I fear,
What he hath utter'd, I have writ my sister;
If she sustain him and his hundred knights,
When I have show'd the unfitness-How
now, Oswald?

Enter STEWARD.

What, have you writ that letter to my sister! Stew. Ay, madam.

Gon. Take you some company, and away to Inform her full of my particular fear; [horse. And thereto add such reasons of your own, As may compact it more. Get you gone; And hasten your return. [Exit STEW.] No, no, my lord,

This milky gentleness, and course of yours, Though I condemn it not, yet, under pardon, You are much more attask'd; for want of wisThan prais'd for harmful mildness. [dom, Alb. How far your eyes may pierce, I can

not tell;

Striving to better, oft we mar what's well. Gon. Nay, then

Alb. Well, well; the event.

[Exeunt.

Falling.

SCENE V.-Court before the same.

Enter LEAR, KENT, and Fool. Leur. Go you before to Gloster with these letters: acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know, than comes from her demand out of the letter: If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there before you. Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter.

[Exit. Fool. If a man's brains were in his heels, were't not in danger of kibes?

Lear. Ay, boy.

Cur. You may then, in time. Fare you well, [Exit. Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better! Best!

This weaves itself perforce into my business!

Lear. Ha, ha, ha!

Fool. Shalt see, thy other daughter will use thee kindly for though she's as like this as a crab is like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell.

Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? Fool. She will taste as like this, as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell, why one's nose stands i'the middle of his face?

Leur. No.

Fool. Why, to keep his eyes on either side his nose; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into.

Lear. I did her wrong:

And I have one thing, of a queazy* question, Which I must act:-Briefness, and fortune, work!

Brother, a word; descend:-Brother, I say; Enter EDGAR.

My father watches:-O Sir, fiy this place; Intelligence is given where you are hid; You have now the good advantage of the night :[wall? Have you not spoken 'gainst the duke of CornHe's coming hither; now, i'the night, i'the haste,

And Regan with him; Have you nothing said Upon his party'gainst the duke of Albany?

Lear. No.

Fool. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house.

Lear. Why?

Fool. Why, to put his head in; not to give it away to his daughters, and leave his horns without a case.

Lear. I will forget my nature. So kind a father!-Be my horses ready?

Fool. Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven, is a pretty reason.

Lear. Because they are not eight? Fool. Yes, indeed: Thou wouldest make a good fool.

Leur. To take it again perforce!-Monster ingratitude!

Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time. Lear. How's that?

Fool. Thou shouldst not have been old, before thou hadst been wise.

Lear. O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven!

Keep me in temper; I would not be mad!

Edg. I am sure on't, not a word.

Edm. I hear my father coming,-Pardon

me:

[you:

In cunning, I must draw my sword upon Draw: Seem to defend yourself: Now quit you well. [here!Yield:-come before my father;-Light, ho, Fly, brother;-Torches! torches!-So, farewell.1 [Exit EDGAR.

Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion [Wounds his Arm. Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen

drunkards

Do more than this in sport.-Father! father! Stop, stop! No help?

Enter GLOSTER, and Servants with Torches.

Glo. Now, Edmund, where's the villain? .
Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp
sword out,
[moon

Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the
To stand his auspicious mistress:-
Glo. But where is he?

Edm. Look, Sir, I bleed.

Glo. Where is the villain, Edmund?
Edm. Fled this way, Sir. When by no means
he could-

Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after.-[Exit
Servant.] By no means,-what?
Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your
lordship;

[fine,

But that I told him, the revenging gods
Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend;
Spoke, with how manifold and strong a bond
The child was bound to the father;-Sir, in
Seeing how loathly opposite I stood
To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion,
With his prepared sword, he charges home
My unprovided body, lanc'd mine arm :
But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits,
Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to the en-
counter,

Or whether gasted by the noise I made,
Full suddenly he fled.

Glo. Let him fly far: Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; And found-Despatch.-The noble duke my

master,

My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night: By his authority I will proclaim it, [thanks, That he, which finds him, shall deserve our Bringing the murd'rous coward to the stake; He, that conceals him, death.

Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent, And found him pightt to do it, with curst; speech

I threaten'd to discover him: He replied,
Thou unpossessing bustard! dost thou think,
If I would stand against thee, would the reposal
Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee
Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny,
(As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce
My very characters) I'd turn it all

To thy suggestion, plot, und damned practice:
And thou must make a dullard of the world,
If they not thought the profits of my death
Were very pregnant and potential spurs
To make thee seek it.

Glo. Strong and fasten'd villain! Would he deny his letter?-I never got him. [Trumpets within. Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes:

All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture

I will send far and near, that all the kingdom
May have due note of him; and of my land,
Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means
To make thee capable.||

Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, and Attendants. Corn. How now, my noble friend? since I came hither,

(Which I can call but now,) I have heard strange news.

Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short,

Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord?

Glo. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd!

Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life?

This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. Corn. Is he pursued?

Glo. Ay, my good lord, he is.

pose,

Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own par (mand, How in my strength you please.-For you, EdWhose virtue and obedience doth this instant So much commend itself, you shall be ours; Natures of such deep trust we shall much You we first seize on. [need;

Edm. I shall serve you, Sir,
Truly, however else.

Glo. For him I thank your grace.
Corn. You know not why we came to visit

you,

Reg. Thus out of season; threading dark

ey'd night.

Occasions noble Gloster, of some poize,
Wherein we must have use of your advice:-
Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
Of differences, which I best thought it fit
To answer from our home; the several mes
sengers
[friend,
From hence attend despatch. Our good old
Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow
Your needful counsel to our business,
Which craves the instant use.

Glo. I serve you, madam :
Your graces are right welcome.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Before GLOSTER's Castle. Enter KENT and STEWARD, severally. Stew. Good dawning to thee, friend: Art of the house?

Kent. Ay.

Stew. Where may we set our horses?
Kent. I'the mire.

Stew. Pr'ythee, if thou love me, tell me.
Kent. I love thee not.

Stew. Why, then I care not for thee. Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me.

Stew. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not.

Kent. Fellow, I know thee.

Stew. What dost thou know me for? Kent. A knave ; a rascal, an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted stocking knave; a lily-liver'd, action-taking

ous knights

That tend upon my father?
Glo. I know not, madam:

It is too bad, too bad.

Edm. Yes, madam, he was.

Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected;

Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
To have the waste and spoil of his revenues.
I have this present evening from my sister
Been well inform'd of them; and with such
cautions,

That, if they come to sojourn at my house,
I'll not be there.

Corn. Nor I, assure thee, Regan.Edmund, I hear that you have shown your [father

A child-like office.

Edm. "Twas my duty, Sir. Glo. He did bewray his practice ;** and receiv'd

viceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd, in way of good-service, and art nothing but the com position of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny'st the least syllable of thy addition.t

Stew. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one, that is neither known of thee, nor knows thee!

Kent. What a brazen-fac'd varlet art thou, to deny thou know'st me! Is it two days ago, since I tripp'd up thy heels, and beat thee, be fore the king? Draw, you rogue; for, though it be night, the moon shines; I'll make a sup o'the moonshine of you: Draw, you whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw.

[Drawing his Sword. Stew. Away; I have nothing to do with

thee.

Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come with

Edm. How now? What's the matter? Part. Kent. With you, goodman boy, if you please; come, I'll flesh you; come on, young master. Glo. Weapons! arms! What's the matter here?

Corn. What is your difference? speak. Stew. I am scarce in breath, my lord. Kent. No marvel, you have so bestirr'd your valour. You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee.

Corn. Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor

make a man?

Kent. Ay, a tailor, Sir; a stone-cutter, or a painter, could not have made him so ill, though they had been but two hours at the trade.

Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? Stew. This ancient ruffian, Sir, whose life I have spar'd,

At suit of his grey beard,

Kent. Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter!--My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unbolted+ villain into mortar, and daub the wall of a jakest with him.-Spare my grey beard, you wagtail?

Corn. Peace, Sirrah!

You beastly knave, know you no reverence? Kent. Yes, Sir; but anger has a privilege. Corn. Why art thou angry?

Kent. That such a slave as this should wear

a sword,

Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these,

Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain Which are too intrinse t'unloose: smooth every passion

That in the natures of their lords rebels;
Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods;
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon¶ beaks
With every gale and vary of their masters,
As knowing nought, like dogs, but follow-
A plague upon your epileptic visage! [ing.-
Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool?
Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain,
I'd drive ye cackling home to Camelot.**
Corn. What, art thou mad, old fellow?
Glo. How fell you out?

Say that.

Kent. No contraries hold more antipathy, Than I and such a knave.

Corn. Why dost thou call him knave? What's

his offence?

Kent. His countenance likes me not.tt

Corn. What mean'st by this?

[fire

Kent. To go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much. I know, Sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent, was a plain knave; which, for my part, I will not be, though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to it.

Corn. What was the offence you gave him?
Stew. Never any:

It pleas'd the king his master, very late,
To strike at me, upon his misconstruction;
When he, conjunct, and flattering his displea-
sure,
Tripp'd me 'behind; being down, insulted,
[rail'd,
And put upon him such a deal of man,
For him attempting who was self-subdu'd;
That worthy'd him, got praises of the king
And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit,
Drew on me here.

Kent. None of these rogues, and cowards, But Ajax is their fool.t

Corn. Fetch forth the stocks, ho! [braggart, You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend We'll teach you

Call not your stocks for me: I serve the kings
Kent. Sir, I am too old to learn:
On whose employment I was sent to you:
You shall do small respect, show too bold

malice

Against the grace and person of my master, Stocking his messenger.

Corn. Fetch forth the stocks: [noon. As I've life and honour, there shall he sit till Reg. Till noon! till night, my lord; and all

night too.

You should not use me so.

Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's

Reg. Sir, being his knave, I will.

[dog,

[Stocks brought out. Corn. This is a fellow of the self-same [stocks.

colour

Our sister speaks of:-Come, bring away the Glo. Let me beseech your grace not to do so: His fault is much, and the good king his mas[rection

ter