Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.

Reg.

Why is this reasoned?

Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy:

For these domestic and particular broils

Are not the question here.

Alb.

Let us then determine

With the ancient of war on our proceeding.

Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?

Gon. No.

Reg. "Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.

Gon. [Aside.] O, ho! I know the riddle.—

I will go.

Enter EDGAR, disguised

Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so

poor,

Hear me one word.

Alb.

I'll overtake you.—Speak.

[Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers,

Soldiers, and Attendants.

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter,

If you have victory, let the trumpet sound

For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion, that will prove

What is avouchéd there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.

Edg.

I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again.

Alb. Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy [Exit EDGAR.

paper.

Re-enter EDMUND

Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your

powers.

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery;-but your haste

Is now urged on you.

Alb.

We will greet the time. [Exit.

Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my

love;

Each jealous of the other, as the stung

Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoyed,
If both remain alive to take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad, her sister Goneril:
And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use

His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking-off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,-
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit.

SCENE II.--A Field between the two Camps Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and their Forces; and exeunt

Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER

Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host; pray that the right may

Re-enter EDGAR

Alarum; afterwards a Retreat.

Edg. Away, old man! give me thy hand :

away!

King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en.
Give me thy hand; come on.

Glo. No further, sir; a man may rot even here. Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure

Their going hence, even as their coming hither:
Ripeness is all. Come on.

Glo.

And that's true too.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover

Enter in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR, and CORDELIA, as Prisoners; Captain, Officers, Soldiers, &c

Edm. Some officers take them away: good

guard,

Until their greater pleasures first be known,

That are to censure them.

Cor.

We are not the first,

Who, with best meaning, have incurred the worst.
For thee, oppresséd king, am I cast down;
Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.
Shall we not see these daughters, and these sisters?
Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to

prison;

We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live,

And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues

Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,

Who loses, and who wins; who 's in, who's out; And take upon's the mystery of things,

As if we were God's spies and we'll wear out, In a walled prison, packs and sects of great ones That ebb and flow by the moon.

Edm.

Take them away.

Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,

The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee?

He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven,
And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;
The goujeers shall devour them, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve

Come.

first.

[Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded.

Edm. Come hither, captain; hark.

Take thou this note [giving a paper]; go, follow them to prison.

One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost