The dramatic works of Shakspeare, from the text of Johnson and Stevens [sic. Wanting pp

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, & Attendants." Corn. How now, my noble friend? since I came hither, [strange news. (Which I can call but now,) I have heard Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short, [my lord? Which can pursue the offender. How dost, Glo. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd! [your life? Reg. What, did my father's godson seek He whom my father named? your Edgar? Glo. O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid! Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous That tend upon my father? [knights 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 A child-like office. [father Edm. 'Twas my duty, sir. [ceived Glo. He did bewray + his practice; and reThis hurt you see, striving to apprehend him, Corn. Is he pursued?

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

I shall serve you, sir,

Edm. Truly, however else.

Glo. For him I thank your grace. Corn. You know not why we came to visit you, [eyed night.

Reg. Thus out of season; threading dark-
Occasions, noble Gloster, of some poizes,*
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 [gers
To answer from our home; the several messen

i. e., Capable of succeeding to my land.
§ Weight,
Titles.

Kent. Ay.

Stew. Where may we set our horses?
Kent. ' 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, would make thee care for me.

Stew. Why dost thou use me tlmus? I kno thee not,

Kent. Fellow, I know thee."

Stew. What dost thou know me for? Kent. A knave; a rascal, an eater of broko meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, thre suited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted-stocki knave; a lily-livered, action-taking knave; whoreson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, fil, cal rogue; one-trunk inheriting slave; or that wouldst be a bawd, in way of good-s vice, and art nothing but the composition of knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the s and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom' will beat into clamorous whining, if thou niest the least syllable of thy addition.

Stew. Why, what a monstrous fellow; thou, thus to rail on one, that is neither knot of thee, nor knows thee?

Kent. What a brazen-faced varlet art the to deny thou knowest ne? Is it two da ago, since I tripped up thy heels, and be thee, before the king? Draw, you rogne: f though it be night, the moon shines; I'll ma a sop o' the moonshine of you: Draw, whoreson, cullionly barber-monger, draw, [Drawing his sw Stew, Away; I have nothing to do with the Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come wi letters against the king; and take vanity the puppet's part, against the royalty of father: Draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbona your shanks: draw, you rascal; come

ways.

Stew. Help, ho! murder! help! Kent. Strike, you slave; stand, rogu stand; you neat slave, strike. [Beating hi Stew. Help, ho! murder! murder! Enter EDMUND, CORNWALL, REGAN,

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

Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives; He dies, that strikes again : What is the matter ? Reg. The messengers from our sister and he king.

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

Corn. Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor take a man?

Kent. Ay, a tailor, sir; a stone-cntter, or a inter, could not have made him so ill, though ey had been but two hours at the trade. Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? Stew. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I : suit of his grey beard,- (have spared, Kent. Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecesry letter! My lord, if you will give me ive, I will tread this unbolted villain into ortar, and daub the wall of a jakest with m.-Spare my grey beard, you wagtail? Corn. Peace, sirrahl

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

a sword,

Lent. That such a slave as this should wear [as these, ho wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues ke rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain hich are too intrinset t' unloose: smooth every passion

at in the natures of their lords rebels; ing oil to fire, snow to their colder moods; nege j, affirm, and turn their halcyon || beaks th every gale and vary of their masters, knowing nought, like dogs, but following. plague upon your epileptic visage ! hile you my speeches, as I were a fool? ose, if I had you upon Sarum plain, drive ye cackling home to Camelot. Jorn. What, art thou mad, old fellow?" Glo. How fell you out?

, that. rent. No contraries hold more antipathy, n I and such a knave. [his offence? Corn. Why dost thou call him knave? What's Kent. His conntenance likes me not**.. Corn. No more, perchance, does mine, or his, or hers.

Kent. Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain; Lave seen better faces in my time, an stands on any shoulder that I see fore me at this instant. .

+ Privy.

Harbour inore craft, and more corrupter ends,
Than twenty silly th ducking observants,
That stretch their duties nicely.

Kent. Sir, in good sooth, in sincere verity,
Under the allowance of your grand aspéct,
Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant
On flickering Phœbus' front,-
[fire

Corn.

What mean'st by this? 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 pleased the king his master, very late,
To strike at me, upon his misconstruction;
When he, conjunct, and flattering his dis-
pleasure,
[rail'd,
Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted,
And put upon him such a deal of man,
That worthy'd him, got praises of the king
For him attempting who was self-subdued;
And, in the filesliment of this dread exploit,
Drew on me here.

.Kent. None of these rogues, and cowards,
But Ajax is their fool it
Corn.
Fetch forth the stocks, ho!
You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend
We'll teach you-
[braggart,
Kent. Sir, I am too old to learn:
Call not your stocks for me: I serve the king;
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.

noon.

Fetch forth the stocks: As I've life and honour, there shall he sit till [all night too. Reg. Till noon! till night, my lord; and Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's You should not use me so.

Reg.

[dog, Sir, being his knate, I will. [Stocks brought out. Corn. This is a fellow of the self-same colour Our sister speaks of:-Come, bring away the

t Perplexed.

6 Disowned.

The bird called the king-fisher, which, when dried and hung up by a thread, is supposed to turn his bill to the point from whence the wind blows.

In Somersetshire, where are bred great quantities of geese.

tt Simple or rustic.

** i. e., Pleases me not.

. e., Ajax is a fool to them.

For following her affairs.-Put in his legs.-
[KENT is put in the Stocks.

Come, my good lord; away.

[Exeunt REGAN and CORNWALL. Glo. I am sorry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubb'd, nor stopp'd: I'll entreat for thee. [and travell'd hard; Kent. Pray, do not, sir: I have watch'd, Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle. A good man's fortune may grow out at heels: Give you good morrow!

Glo. The duke's to blame in this; 'twill be ill taken.

[Exit. Kent. Good king, that must approve the

common saw *!

Thou out of heaven's benediction comest
To the warm sun!

Approach, thou beacon to this under globe,
That by thy comfortable beams I may [cles,
Peruse this letter!--Nothing almost sees mira-
But misery; I know 'tis from Cordelia;
Who hath most fortunately been inform'd
Of my obscured course; and shall find time
From this enormous state,-seeking to give
Losses their remedies:-All weary and o'er-
watch'd,

Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold
This shameful lodging.

Fortune, good night; smile once more; turn
thy wheel!
[He sleeps.
SCENE III. A part of the Heath.
Enter EDGAR.

Edg. I heard myself proclaim'd;
And, by the happy hollow of a tree,
Escaped the hunt. No port is free; no place,
That guard, and most unusual vigilance,
Does not attend my taking. While I may scape,
I will preserve myself: and am bethought
To take the basest and most poorest shape, "
That ever penury, in contempt of man, faith;
Brought near to beast: my face I'll grim with
Blanket my loins; elft all my hair in knots;
And with presented nakedness outface
The winds, and persecutions of the sky.
The country gives me proof and precedent
Of Bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices,
Strike in their numb'd and mortified bare arms
Pins, wooden pricks t, nails, sprigs of rosemary;
And with this horrible object, from low farms,
Poor pelting villages, sheep cotes and mills,
Sometime with lunatic bans §, sometime with
prayers,
[Tom!
Enforce their charity.-Poor Turlygood! poor
That's something yet;-Edgar I nothing am.
[Exit.

SCENE IV. Before Gloster's Castle.
Enter LEAR, Fool, and Gentleman.
Lear. 'Tis strange, that they should so de-
part from home,

Makest thou this shame thy pastime ?
Kent.
No, my lord.
Fool. Ha, ha; look! he wears cruel || gar-
ters! Horses are tied by the heads; dogs, and
bears, by the neck; monkeys by the loins,
and men by the legs: when a man is over-
| lusty at legs, then he wears wooden nether-
stocks T.

Leur. What's he, that hath so much thy
To set thee here?
[place mistook
Kent.

It is both he and she,
Your son and daughter.
Lear. No.
Kent. Yes.
Lear. No, I say.
Kent. I say, yea.

Lear. No, uo; they would not.
Kent. Yes, they have.

Lear. By Jupiter, I swear no.
Kent. By Juno, I swear, ay.

Lear. They durst not do't; [than murder
They could not, would not do't; 'tis worse
To do upon respect such violent outrage:
Resolve me, with all modest haste, which way
Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, thi
| Coming from us.
[usage

Kent.
My lord, when at their hom
I did commend your highness' letters to then
Ere I was risen from the place that show'd
My duty kneeling, came there a reeking pos
Stew'd in his haste, half breathless, pantir
From Goneril his mistress, salutations; [for
Deliver'd letters, spite of internission,
Which presently they read: on whose content
They summon'd up their meiny **, straig
took horse;

[min

Commanded me to follow, and attend
The leisure of their answer; gave me cold look
And meeting here the other messenger,
Whose welcome, I perceived, had poison
(Being the very fellow that of late
Display'd so saucily against your highness,
Having more man than wit about me, drey
He raised the house with loud and coward cri
Your son and daughter found this tresp
The sharme which here it suffers.

. Fool. Winter's not gone yet, if the w
geese fly that way.
Fathers, that wear rags,

Do make their children blind;
Bat fathers, that bear bags,

Shall see their children kind.
Fortune, that arrant whore,

Ne'er turns the key to the poor.

But, for all this, thou shalt have as mai dolours ++ for thy daughters as thou canst t in a year.

• Saying or proverb. + Hair thus knotted was supposed to be the work of elves and fairi in the night.

I Skewers.

f The old word for. stockings.

Carses.

|| A quibble on crewell, worste People, train or retinue.

A quibble between dolours and dollars.

Lear. O, how this mother*

swells up toward my heart! [row, Hysterica passio! down, thou climbing sorThy element's below!-Where is this daughter? Kent. With the earl, sir, here within. Lear. Follow me not; Stay here. [Exit. Gent. Made you no more offence than what Kent. None. [you speak of? How chance the king comes with so small a train?

Fool. An thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that question, thou hadst well deserved it. Kent. Why, fool?

To take the indisposed and sickly fit
For the sound man.-Death on my state!
wherefore. [Looking on Kent.
Should he sit here? This act persuades me,
That this renotiont of the duke and her
Is practice only. Give me my servant forth:
Go, tell the duke and his wife, I'd speak with
them,
[hear me,
Now, presently: bid them come forth and
Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum,
Till it cry-Sleep to death.

Glo. I'd have all well betwixt you. [Exit:
Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart!-
bat, down.

Fool. We'll set thee to school to an ant, to Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did each thee there's no labouring in the winter. to the eels, when she put them i' the paste All that follow their noses are led by their alive; she rapp'd 'em o'the coxcombs with a yes, but blind men; and there's not a nose stick, and cry'd, Down, wantons, down: mong twenty, but can smell him that's stink-'Twas her brother, that in pure kindness to his ng. Let go thy hold, when a great wheel horse, butter'd his hay. uns down a hill, lest it break thy neck with ollowing it; but the great one that goes p the hill, let him draw thee after. When wise man gives thee better counsel, give me ine again: I would have none but knaves ollow it, since a fool gives it.

That, sir, which serves and seeks for gain,
And follows but for form,
Will pack, when it begins to rain,
And leave thee in the storm.
But I will tarry, the fool will stay,
And let the wise man fly:

The knave turns fool, that runs away;
The fool no knave, perdy.
Kent. Where learn'd you this, fool?
Fool. Not i' the stocks, fool.

Re-enter LEAR, with GLOSTER.
Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are
sick? they are weary? [fetches;

ley have travell'd hard to-night? e images of revolt and flying off! tch me a better answer.

Glo.

Mere

[sion!

My dear lord,. u know the fiery quality of the duke; w unremoveable and fix'd he is his own course.) 1 Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confury? what quality? why Gloster, Gloster, speak with the duke of Cornwall, and his wife. [them so. Glo. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd Lear. Inform'd them! Dost thou underElo. Ay, my good lord. [stand me, man? Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father... [her service: Suld with his daughter speak, commands they inform'd of this ?- -My breath and [thatry? the fiery duke?-Tell the hot duke, 1, but not yet:-may be, he is not well; Firmity doth still neglect all office, [selves, hereto our health is bound; we are not ourhen nature, being oppress'd, commands the suffer with the body: I'll forbear; [mind id am fallen out with my more headier will,

blood!

Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER, and
Servants.-

Lear. Good morrow to you both.
Corn.

Hail to your grace!
[KENT is set at liberty.
Reg. I am glad to see your highness.
Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know
En [glad,

what reason

I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,
Sepúlchring an adultress. O, are you free?
[TO KENT.
Some other time for that. Beloved Regan,
Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath tied
Sharp-tooth'd unkindness,like a vulture here,-
[Points to his heart.
I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe,
Of how depraved a quality-O Regan!!
Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience; I have
You less know how to value her desert, [hope,
Than she to scant her: duty,

;

Lear.
Say, how is that?
Reg. I cannot think, my sister in the least
Would fail her obligation: If, sir, perchance,
She have restrain'd the riots of your followers,
'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome
As clears her from all blame, un abm [end,
Lear. My curses on her !er giline
Reg.
y0, sir, you are old
Nature in you stands on the very verge
Of her confine: you should be ruled, and led
By some discretion, that discerns your state
Better than you yourself: Therefore, I pray
That to our sister you do make return; [you,
Say, you have wrong'd her, sir.
" Lear.
Ask her forgiveness ?
Do you but mark how this becomes the house ¶:
Dear daughter, I confess that I am old;
Age is unnecessary: on my knees beg,

[Kneeling.

That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and
food.

Reg. Good sir, no more; these are unsightly
Return you to my sister.
[tricks:
Lear.

Never, Regan:

The disease called the mother. + Removing from their own house. 1 Artifice

§ Crust of a pie.

Be wanting in.

The order of families.

She hath abated me of half my train; [tongue,
Look'd black upon me; struck me with her
Most serpent-like, upou the very heart:-
All the stored vengeances of heaven fall
On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones,
You taking airs, with lameness!

Corn.

Fie, fie, fie! Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames

on.

21 Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty,
You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful
To fall and blast her pride!
[sun,
Reg. 0
O the blest gods!
So will you wish on me, when the rash mood's
[my curse;
Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have
Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give [thine
Thee o'er to harshness; her eyes are fierce, but
Do comfort, and not burn: Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes*,
And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in: thou better know'st
The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude;
Thy half o'the kingdom hast thou not forgot,
Wherein I thee endow'd.
Reg.

Good sir, to the purpose. [Trumpets within. Lear. Who put my man i'the stocks? Corn. What trumpet's that? Enter Steward. Reg. I know't, my sister's: this approves her letter, [come? That she would soon be here.-Is your lady Lear. This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride

Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows:-
Out, varlet, from my sight?
Corn.
What means your grace?
Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I
have good hope
[O heavens,
Thou didst not know of 't.-Who comes here?
Enter GONERIL.

If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
Allowt obedience, if yourselves are old,
Make it your cause; send down, and take my
part!

Art not ashamed to look upon this beard?-
[To GONERIL.
O, Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand?
Gon. Why not by the hand, sir? How have
I offended?

All's not offence, that indiscretion finds,
And dotage terms so.

I am now from home, and out of that provision Which shall be needful for your entertainment.

Lear. Return to her, and fifty men dismiss' No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose To waget against the enmity o' the air; To be a comrade with the wolf and owl, Necessity's sharp pinch -Return with her? Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took

Our youngest born, I could as well be brought To knee his throne, and, squire-like,pension beg To keep base life afoot:-Return with her? Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter § To this detested groom.

[ter;

Looking on the Steward. Gon. At your choice, sir. [mad; Lear. I pr'ythee, daughter, do not make me I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell: We'll no more meet,no more see one another:But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daugh Or, rather, a disease that's in my flesh, Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil, A plague-sore, an embossed || carbuncle, [thee; In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide Let shame come when it will, I do not call it : I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove: Mend, when thou canst; be better, at thy leiI can be patient; I can stay with Regan, [sure: I and my hundred knights. Not altogether so, sir; I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided For your fit welcome: Give ear, sir,to my sister; For those that mingle reason with your passion, Must be content to think you old, and soBut she knows what she does. Lear. Is this well spoken now? Reg. I dare avouch it, sir: What, fifty followers?

Reg.

chanced to slack you,

We could control them: If you will come to me,
(For now I spy a danger,) I entreat you
To bring but five and twenty; to no more
Will I give place or notice.
Lear. I gave you all.--

Reg. And in good time you gave it. Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaBut kept a reservation to be follow'd [ries; With such a number: What, must I come to you With five and twenty, Regan? said you so? Reg. And speak it again, my lord; no more [well-favour'd, Lear. Those wicked creatures yet do look When others are more wicked; not being the worst,

with me.

+ Approve.

A horse that carries necessaries on a journey,

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The dramatic works of Shakspeare, from the text of Johnson and Stevens [sic ...