ACT V. SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with drums and colours, Edmund, Regan, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold; Or whether, since, he is advis'd by aught To change the course: He's full of alteration, And self-reproving :-bring his constant pleasure. [To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'T is to be doubted, madam. Reg. Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Tell me, but truly,-but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister? Edm. In honour'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended place? Edm. That thought abuses you Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. Edm. No, by mine honour, madam. Reg. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Edm. Fear me not :She, and the duke her husband, Enter Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me. [Aside. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I heard,-The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigour of our state Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It toucheth us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose. Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestic, and particular broils Are not the question here. Alb. Let's then determine with the ancient of On our proceeding. [war 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. O, ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] I will go. As they are going out, enter Edgar, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so Hear me one word. [poor, I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. Alb. 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 avouched 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. [Exit. Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy 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 urg'd on you. Alb. Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? [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 thrive: If ever I return to you again I'll bring you comfort. Glo. Grace go with you, sir! [Exit Edgar. Alarums; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter Edgar. 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 SCENE III.-The British Camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, Edmund; Lear and Cordelia, as prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; As if we were God's spies: and we 'll wear out, Edm. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, [thee? The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; The good years shall devour them, flesh and fell, Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them starve first. Come. [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 advanc'd thee: if thou dost Off. I'll do 't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so [done. As I have set it down. Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work I will do it. [Exit Officer. Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Officers, and Attendants. Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, By me invested, he compeers the best. Gon. That were the most if he should husband Gon. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason:-Edmund, I arrest On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, [thee This gilded serpent: [pointing to Gon.]-for your claim, fair sister, I bar it in the interest of my wife; Gon. An interlude ! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster :-Let the trumpet Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Sick, O, sick! Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine. [Aside. Edm. There's my exchange: [Throwing down a glove] what in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies: Alb. A herald, hoa! Took their discharge. Reg. Which is that adversary? Edg. What 's he that speaks for Edmund earl of Edm. Himself;-What say'st thou to him? That, if my speech offend a noble heart, The privilege of mine honours, My oath, and my profession; I protest,— A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, 'No,' Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes, What safe and nicely I might well delay, By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn : Back do I toss these treasons to thy head; With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart; Which, (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,) This sword of mine shall give them instant way, Where they shall rest for ever.-Trumpets, speak. [Alarums. They fight. Edmund falls. Alb. Save him, save him! Gon. This is practice, Gloster : By the law of war, thou wast not bound to answer An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd, But cozen'd and beguil'd. Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it :-Hold, sir :— Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil :No tearing, lady; I perceive you know it. [Gives the letter to Edmund. Gon. Say, if I do : the laws are mine, not thine: [Exit Goneril. My sickness grows upon me. Who can arraign me for 't? Their precious stones new lost; became his guide, Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me, And shall, perchance, do good: but speak you on; You look as you had something more to say. Alb. If there be more, more woeful, hold it in; For I am almost ready to dissolve, Hearing of this. Edg. This would have seem'd a period To such as love not sorrow; but another, To amplify too much, would make much more, VOL. II. And top extremity. Whilst I was big in clamour, came there in a man As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father; Alb. Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody knife. Gent. Help! help! O help! N |