Osw. Why, then, I care not for thee. Kent. An' I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I'd make thee care for me. Osw. What dost thou mean? I know thee not. Osw. What dost thou know me for? Kent. For a base, proud, beggarly, white-livered, glass gazing, super serviceable, finical rogue; one that would be a pimp in way of good service, and art nothing but a composition of knave, beggar, coward, pander, Osw. What a monstrous fellow art thou, to rail at one that is neither known of thee, nor knows thee! Kent. Impudent slave! not know me. who but two days since tripped up thy heels before the king! draw, miscreant, or I'll make the moon shine through thee. (drawing his sword) Osw. What means the fellow? I tell thee, I have nothing to do with thee. Kent. Draw, you rascal. I know your rogueship's office; you come with letters against the king, taking my young lady vanity's part against her royal father: draw rascal. Osw. Murder! murder! help! [erit, Kent after him (flourish of trumpets) enter duke of CORNWALL, REGAN, captain of the guard, and attendants-GLOSTER Ana EDMUND. Glost. All welcome to your graces; you do me honor. Corn. Gloster, we have heard with sorrow, that your life Has been attempted by your impious son: But Edmund here has paid you strictest duty. Glost. He did bewray his practice, and received The hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. Corn. Is he pursued? Glost. He is, my lord. Reg. Use our authority to apprehend Your virtue, you from henceforth shall be ours; On, to the sports before us. (noise within) Who are these? enter OSWALD, pursued by KENT. Glost. Now, what's the matter? Corn. Keep peace upon your lives; he dies that strikes. ha Whence, and what are ye? shipt aking ther ND. his Reg. The messengers from our sister, and the king. Osw. I'm scarce in breath, my lord. Kent. No marvel, you have so bestir'd your valor. Nature disclaims the dastard! a tailor made him. Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? Osw. Sir, this old ruffian here, whose life I spared In pity to his beard, Kent. Thou essence bottle! In pity to my beard!--your leave, my lord, Kent. Yes, sir, but anger has a privilege. Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a swσti And have no courage; office, and no honesty ; Not frost and fire hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. Glost. Why dost thou call him knave ? Kent. His countenance likes me not. Corn. No more, perhaps, does mine, nor his, er hers. Kent. Plain dealing is my trade; and, to be plain, sir, I have seen better faces in my time, Than stand on any shoulders now before me. Reg. This is some fellow, that having once been praised For bluntness, since affects a saucy rudeness; It pleased the king, his master, lately To strike me on a slender misconstruction; Corn. Bring forth the stocks; we'll teach you. Call not the stocks for me; 1 serve the king, You'll show too small respect, and too bold malice Stocking his messenger (attendants bring forth the stocks) Corn. Bring forth the stocks; as I have life and honor, There shall he sit till noon. (attendants seize Kent) Reg. Till noon, my lord! till night, and all night. too. Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's dog, You would not use me so. Reg. Sir, being his knave, I will. (attendants put Kent into the stocks) Glost. Let me beseech your graces to forbear him; His fault is much, and the good king his master, Will check him for't; but needs must take it ill To be thus slighted in his messenger. Corn. We'll answer that; Our sister may receive it worse to have Her gentleman assaulted. To our business, lead. Whose disposition will not be controll'd ; Kent. Pray do not, sir. I have watch'd and travell'd hard; Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle. [exit Gloster into the castle Good king, that must approve the common saw! To the warm sun.-All weary and o'erwatch'd, Advantage, heavy eyes, of this kind slumber, Not to behold this vile and shameful lodging. (sleeps) SCENE III-a forest. enter EDGAR. Edg. I heard myself proclaim'd, And leave my griefs on my sword's reeking point; C My face I will besmear, and knit my locks; Lexit SCENE IV-before the earl of Gloster's castle-KENT discovered, in the stocks still. enter king LEAR and his knights. Lear. Tis strange, that they should so depart from home, And not send back our messenger. Kent. Hail, noble master! Lear. How, makest thou this shame thy pastime? What's he that has so much mistook thy place, To set thee here? Kent. It is both he and she, sir; your son and daughter. Lear No. Kent. Yes. Lear. No. I say. Kent. I say, yea. Lear They durst not do't: They could not, would not do't.- Resolve me with all modest haste, which way I did commend your highness' letters to them, Stew'd in his haste, breathless and panting forth |