第2章

Re—enterKINGLEARwithGLOUCESTERKINGLEARDenytospeakwithme?Theyaresick?

theyareweary?

Theyhavetravell’dallthenight?Merefetches;

Theimagesofrevoltandflyingoff。

Fetchmeabetteranswer。GLOUCESTERMydearlord,Youknowthefieryqualityoftheduke;

Howunremoveableandfix’dheisInhisowncourse。KINGLEARVengeance!plague!death!confusion!

Fiery?whatquality?Why,Gloucester,Gloucester,I’ldspeakwiththeDukeofCornwallandhiswife。GLOUCESTERWell,mygoodlord,Ihaveinform’dthemso。KINGLEARInform’dthem!Dostthouunderstandme,man?GLOUCESTERAy,mygoodlord。KINGLEARThekingwouldspeakwithCornwall;thedearfatherWouldwithhisdaughterspeak,commandsherservice:

Aretheyinform’dofthis?Mybreathandblood!

Fiery?thefieryduke?Tellthehotdukethat——

No,butnotyet:maybeheisnotwell:

InfirmitydothstillneglectallofficeWheretoourhealthisbound;wearenotourselvesWhennature,beingoppress’d,commandsthemindTosufferwiththebody:I’llforbear;

Andamfall’noutwithmymoreheadierwill,TotaketheindisposedandsicklyfitForthesoundman。Deathonmystate!whereforeLookingonKENT

Shouldhesithere?ThisactpersuadesmeThatthisremotionofthedukeandherIspractiseonly。Givememyservantforth。

Gotellthedukeand’swifeI’ldspeakwiththem,Now,presently:bidthemcomeforthandhearme,Orattheirchamber—doorI’llbeatthedrumTillitcrysleeptodeath。GLOUCESTERIwouldhaveallwellbetwixtyou。

ExitKINGLEAROme,myheart,myrisingheart!but,down!FoolCrytoit,nuncle,asthecockneydidtotheeelswhensheput’emi’thepastealive;sheknapped’emo’thecoxcombswithastick,andcried’Down,wantons,down!’’Twasherbrotherthat,inpurekindnesstohishorse,butteredhishay。

EnterCORNWALL,REGAN,GLOUCESTER,andServantsKINGLEARGoodmorrowtoyouboth。CORNWALLHailtoyourgrace!

KENTissetatlibertyREGANIamgladtoseeyourhighness。KINGLEARRegan,Ithinkyouare;IknowwhatreasonIhavetothinkso:ifthoushouldstnotbeglad,Iwoulddivorcemefromthymother’stomb,Sepulchringanadultress。

ToKENT

O,areyoufree?

Someothertimeforthat。BelovedRegan,Thysister’snaught:ORegan,shehathtiedSharp—tooth’dunkindness,likeavulture,here:

PointstohisheartIcanscarcespeaktothee;thou’ltnotbelieveWithhowdepravedaquality——ORegan!REGANIprayyou,sir,takepatience:Ihavehope。

YoulessknowhowtovalueherdesertThanshetoscantherduty。KINGLEARSay,howisthat?REGANIcannotthinkmysisterintheleastWouldfailherobligation:if,sir,perchanceShehaverestrain’dtheriotsofyourfollowers,’Tisonsuchground,andtosuchwholesomeend,Asclearsherfromallblame。KINGLEARMycursesonher!REGANO,sir,youareold。

NatureinyoustandsontheveryvergeOfherconfine:youshouldberuledandledBysomediscretion,thatdiscernsyourstateBetterthanyouyourself。Therefore,Iprayyou,Thattooursisteryoudomakereturn;

Sayyouhavewrong’dher,sir。KINGLEARAskherforgiveness?

Doyoubutmarkhowthisbecomesthehouse:

’Deardaughter,IconfessthatIamold;

KneelingAgeisunnecessary:onmykneesIbegThatyou’llvouchsafemeraiment,bed,andfood。’REGANGoodsir,nomore;theseareunsightlytricks:

Returnyoutomysister。KINGLEAR[Rising]Never,Regan:

Shehathabatedmeofhalfmytrain;

Look’dblackuponme;struckmewithhertongue,Mostserpent—like,upontheveryheart:

AllthestoredvengeancesofheavenfallOnheringratefultop!Strikeheryoungbones,Youtakingairs,withlameness!CORNWALLFie,sir,fie!KINGLEARYounimblelightnings,dartyourblindingflamesIntoherscornfuleyes!Infectherbeauty,Youfen—suck’dfogs,drawnbythepowerfulsun,Tofallandblastherpride!REGANOtheblestgods!sowillyouwishonme,Whentherashmoodison。KINGLEARNo,Regan,thoushaltneverhavemycurse:

Thytender—heftednatureshallnotgiveTheeo’ertoharshness:hereyesarefierce;

butthineDocomfortandnotburn。’TisnotintheeTogrudgemypleasures,tocutoffmytrain,Tobandyhastywords,toscantmysizes,AndinconclusiontoopposetheboltAgainstmycomingin:thoubetterknow’stTheofficesofnature,bondofchildhood,Effectsofcourtesy,duesofgratitude;

Thyhalfo’thekingdomhastthounotforgot,WhereinItheeendow’d。REGANGoodsir,tothepurpose。KINGLEARWhoputmymani’thestocks?

TucketwithinCORNWALLWhattrumpet’sthat?REGANIknow’t,mysister’s:thisapprovesherletter,Thatshewouldsoonbehere。

EnterOSWALD

Isyourladycome?KINGLEARThisisaslave,whoseeasy—borrow’dprideDwellsintheficklegraceofherhefollows。

Out,varlet,frommysight!CORNWALLWhatmeansyourgrace?KINGLEARWhostock’dmyservant?Regan,IhavegoodhopeThoudidstnotknowon’t。Whocomeshere?Oheavens,EnterGONERIL

Ifyoudoloveoldmen,ifyoursweetswayAllowobedience,ifyourselvesareold,Makeityourcause;senddown,andtakemypart!

ToGONERIL

Artnotashamedtolookuponthisbeard?

ORegan,wiltthoutakeherbythehand?GONERILWhynotbythehand,sir?HowhaveI

offended?

All’snotoffencethatindiscretionfindsAnddotagetermsso。KINGLEAROsides,youaretootough;

Willyouyethold?Howcamemymani’thestocks?CORNWALLIsethimthere,sir:buthisowndisordersDeservedmuchlessadvancement。KINGLEARYou!didyou?REGANIprayyou,father,beingweak,seemso。

If,tilltheexpirationofyourmonth,Youwillreturnandsojournwithmysister,Dismissinghalfyourtrain,comethentome:

Iamnowfromhome,andoutofthatprovisionWhichshallbeneedfulforyourentertainment。KINGLEARReturntoher,andfiftymendismiss’d?

No,ratherIabjureallroofs,andchooseTowageagainsttheenmityo’theair;

Tobeacomradewiththewolfandowl,——

Necessity’ssharppinch!Returnwithher?

Why,thehot—bloodedFrance,thatdowerlesstookOuryoungestborn,IcouldaswellbebroughtTokneehisthrone,and,squire—like;pensionbegTokeepbaselifeafoot。Returnwithher?

PersuademerathertobeslaveandsumpterTothisdetestedgroom。

PointingatOSWALDGONERILAtyourchoice,sir。KINGLEARIprithee,daughter,donotmakememad:

Iwillnottroublethee,mychild;farewell:

We’llnomoremeet,nomoreseeoneanother:

Butyetthouartmyflesh,myblood,mydaughter;

Orratheradiseasethat’sinmyflesh,WhichImustneedscallmine:thouartaboil,Aplague—sore,anembossedcarbuncle,Inmycorruptedblood。ButI’llnotchidethee;

Letshamecomewhenitwill,Idonotcallit:

Idonotbidthethunder—bearershoot,Nortelltalesoftheetohigh—judgingJove:

Mendwhenthoucanst;bebetteratthyleisure:

Icanbepatient;IcanstaywithRegan,Iandmyhundredknights。REGANNotaltogetherso:

Ilook’dnotforyouyet,noramprovidedForyourfitwelcome。Giveear,sir,tomysister;

ForthosethatminglereasonwithyourpassionMustbecontenttothinkyouold,andso——

Butsheknowswhatshedoes。KINGLEARIsthiswellspoken?REGANIdareavouchit,sir:what,fiftyfollowers?

Isitnotwell?Whatshouldyouneedofmore?

Yea,orsomany,siththatbothchargeanddangerSpeak’gainstsogreatanumber?How,inonehouse,Shouldmanypeople,undertwocommands,Holdamity?’Tishard;almostimpossible。GONERILWhymightnotyou,mylord,receiveattendanceFromthosethatshecallsservantsorfrommine?REGANWhynot,mylord?Ifthentheychancedtoslackyou,Wecouldcontrolthem。Ifyouwillcometome,——

FornowIspyadanger,——IentreatyouTobringbutfiveandtwenty:tonomoreWillIgiveplaceornotice。KINGLEARIgaveyouall——REGANAndingoodtimeyougaveit。KINGLEARMadeyoumyguardians,mydepositaries;

Butkeptareservationtobefollow’dWithsuchanumber。What,mustIcometoyouWithfiveandtwenty,Regan?saidyouso?REGANAndspeak’tagain,mylord;nomorewithme。KINGLEARThosewickedcreaturesyetdolookwell—favour’d,Whenothersaremorewicked:notbeingtheworstStandsinsomerankofpraise。

ToGONERIL

I’llgowiththee:

Thyfiftyyetdothdoublefiveandtwenty,Andthouarttwiceherlove。GONERILHearme,mylord;

Whatneedyoufiveandtwenty,ten,orfive,TofollowinahousewheretwicesomanyHaveacommandtotendyou?REGANWhatneedone?KINGLEARO,reasonnottheneed:ourbasestbeggarsAreinthepoorestthingsuperfluous:

Allownotnaturemorethannatureneeds,Man’slife’sascheapasbeast’s:thouartalady;

Ifonlytogowarmweregorgeous,Why,natureneedsnotwhatthougorgeouswear’st,Whichscarcelykeepstheewarm。But,fortrueneed,——

Youheavens,givemethatpatience,patienceIneed!

Youseemehere,yougods,apooroldman,Asfullofgriefasage;wretchedinboth!

Ifitbeyouthatstirthesedaughters’heartsAgainsttheirfather,foolmenotsomuchTobearittamely;touchmewithnobleanger,Andletnotwomen’sweapons,water—drops,Stainmyman’scheeks!No,youunnaturalhags,Iwillhavesuchrevengesonyouboth,Thatalltheworldshall——Iwilldosuchthings,——

Whattheyare,yetIknownot:buttheyshallbeTheterrorsoftheearth。YouthinkI’llweepNo,I’llnotweep:

Ihavefullcauseofweeping;butthisheartShallbreakintoahundredthousandflaws,OrereI’llweep。Ofool,Ishallgomad!

ExeuntKINGLEAR,GLOUCESTER,KENT,andFoolStormandtempestCORNWALLLetuswithdraw;’twillbeastorm。REGANThishouseislittle:theoldmanandhispeopleCannotbewellbestow’d。GONERIL’Tishisownblame;hathputhimselffromrest,Andmustneedstastehisfolly。REGANForhisparticular,I’llreceivehimgladly,Butnotonefollower。GONERILSoamIpurposed。

WhereismylordofGloucester?CORNWALLFollow’dtheoldmanforth:heisreturn’d。

Re—enterGLOUCESTERGLOUCESTERThekingisinhighrage。CORNWALLWhitherishegoing?GLOUCESTERHecallstohorse;butwillIknownotwhither。CORNWALL’Tisbesttogivehimway;heleadshimself。GONERILMylord,entreathimbynomeanstostay。GLOUCESTERAlack,thenightcomeson,andthebleakwindsDosorelyruffle;formanymilesaboutThere’sscarceabush。REGANO,sir,towilfulmen,TheinjuriesthattheythemselvesprocureMustbetheirschoolmasters。Shutupyourdoors:

Heisattendedwithadesperatetrain;

Andwhattheymayincensehimto,beingaptTohavehisearabused,wisdombidsfear。CORNWALLShutupyourdoors,mylord;’tisawildnight:

MyRegancounselswell;comeouto’thestorm。

ExeuntACTIIISCENEI。Aheath。Stormstill。EnterKENTandaGentleman,meetingKENTWho’sthere,besidesfoulweather?GentlemanOnemindedliketheweather,mostunquietly。KENTIknowyou。Where’stheking?GentlemanContendingwiththefretfulelement:

Bidsthewindsblowtheearthintothesea,Orswellthecurledwater’bovethemain,Thatthingsmightchangeorcease;tearshiswhitehair,Whichtheimpetuousblasts,witheyelessrage,Catchintheirfury,andmakenothingof;

Strivesinhislittleworldofmantoout—scornTheto—and—fro—conflictingwindandrain。

Thisnight,whereinthecub—drawnbearwouldcouch,Thelionandthebelly—pinchedwolfKeeptheirfurdry,unbonnetedheruns,Andbidswhatwilltakeall。KENTButwhoiswithhim?GentlemanNonebutthefool;wholabourstoout—jestHisheart—struckinjuries。KENTSir,Idoknowyou;

Anddare,uponthewarrantofmynote,Commendadearthingtoyou。Thereisdivision,Althoughasyetthefaceofitbecover’dWithmutualcunning,’twixtAlbanyandCornwall;

Whohave——aswhohavenot,thattheirgreatstarsThronedandsethigh?——servants,whoseemnoless,WhicharetoFrancethespiesandspeculationsIntelligentofourstate;whathathbeenseen,Eitherinsnuffsandpackingsofthedukes,OrthehardreinwhichbothofthemhaveborneAgainsttheoldkindking;orsomethingdeeper,Whereofperchancethesearebutfurnishings;

But,trueitis,fromFrancetherecomesapowerIntothisscatter’dkingdom;whoalready,Wiseinournegligence,havesecretfeetInsomeofourbestports,andareatpointToshowtheiropenbanner。Nowtoyou:

IfonmycredityoudarebuildsofarTomakeyourspeedtoDover,youshallfindSomethatwillthankyou,makingjustreportOfhowunnaturalandbemaddingsorrowThekinghathcausetoplain。

Iamagentlemanofbloodandbreeding;

And,fromsomeknowledgeandassurance,offerThisofficetoyou。GentlemanIwilltalkfurtherwithyou。KENTNo,donot。

ForconfirmationthatIammuchmoreThanmyout—wall,openthispurse,andtakeWhatitcontains。IfyoushallseeCordelia,——

Asfearnotbutyoushall,——showherthisring;

AndshewilltellyouwhoyourfellowisThatyetyoudonotknow。Fieonthisstorm!

Iwillgoseektheking。GentlemanGivemeyourhand:haveyounomoretosay?KENTFewwords,but,toeffect,morethanallyet;

That,whenwehavefoundtheking,——inwhichyourpainThatway,I’llthis,——hethatfirstlightsonhimHollatheother。

ExeuntseverallySCENEII。Anotherpartoftheheath。Stormstill。EnterKINGLEARandFoolKINGLEARBlow,winds,andcrackyourcheeks!rage!

blow!

Youcataractsandhurricanoes,spoutTillyouhavedrench’doursteeples,drown’dthecocks!

Yousulphurousandthought—executingfires,Vaunt—courierstooak—cleavingthunderbolts,Singemywhitehead!Andthou,all—shakingthunder,Smiteflatthethickrotundityo’theworld!

Cracknature’smoulds,angermensspillatonce,Thatmakeingratefulman!FoolOnuncle,courtholy—waterinadryhouseisbetterthanthisrain—waterouto’door。

Goodnuncle,in,andaskthydaughters’blessing:

here’sanightpitiesneitherwisemannorfool。KINGLEARRumblethybellyful!Spit,fire!spout,rain!

Norrain,wind,thunder,fire,aremydaughters:

Itaxnotyou,youelements,withunkindness;

Inevergaveyoukingdom,call’dyouchildren,Youowemenosubscription:thenletfallYourhorriblepleasure:hereIstand,yourslave,Apoor,infirm,weak,anddespisedoldman:

ButyetIcallyouservileministers,Thathavewithtwoperniciousdaughtersjoin’dYourhighengender’dbattles’gainstaheadSooldandwhiteasthis。O!O!’tisfoul!FoolHethathasahousetoput’sheadinhasagoodhead—piece。

Thecod—piecethatwillhouseBeforetheheadhasany,Theheadandheshalllouse;

Sobeggarsmarrymany。

ThemanthatmakeshistoeWhathehisheartshouldmakeShallofacorncrywoe,Andturnhissleeptowake。

Fortherewasneveryetfairwomanbutshemademouthsinaglass。KINGLEARNo,Iwillbethepatternofallpatience;

Iwillsaynothing。

EnterKENTKENTWho’sthere?FoolMarry,here’sgraceandacod—piece;that’sawisemanandafool。KENTAlas,sir,areyouhere?thingsthatlovenightLovenotsuchnightsasthese;thewrathfulskiesGallowtheverywanderersofthedark,Andmakethemkeeptheircaves:sinceIwasman,Suchsheetsoffire,suchburstsofhorridthunder,Suchgroansofroaringwindandrain,IneverRemembertohaveheard:man’snaturecannotcarryTheafflictionnorthefear。KINGLEARLetthegreatgods,Thatkeepthisdreadfulpothero’erourheads,Findouttheirenemiesnow。Tremble,thouwretch,Thathastwithintheeundivulgedcrimes,Unwhipp’dofjustice:hidethee,thoubloodyhand;

Thouperjured,andthousimularmanofvirtueThatartincestuous:caitiff,topiecesshake,ThatundercovertandconvenientseemingHastpractisedonman’slife:closepent—upguilts,Riveyourconcealingcontinents,andcryThesedreadfulsummonersgrace。IamamanMoresinn’dagainstthansinning。KENTAlack,bare—headed!

Graciousmylord,hardbyhereisahovel;

Somefriendshipwillitlendyou’gainstthetempest:

Reposeyouthere;whileItothishardhouse——

Moreharderthanthestoneswhereof’tisraised;

Whichevenbutnow,demandingafteryou,Deniedmetocomein——return,andforceTheirscantedcourtesy。KINGLEARMywitsbegintoturn。

Comeon,myboy:howdost,myboy?artcold?

Iamcoldmyself。Whereisthisstraw,myfellow?

Theartofournecessitiesisstrange,Thatcanmakevilethingsprecious。Come,yourhovel。

Poorfoolandknave,IhaveonepartinmyheartThat’ssorryyetforthee。Fool[Singing]

Hethathasandalittletinywit——

Withhey,ho,thewindandtherain,——

Mustmakecontentwithhisfortunesfit,Fortherainitrainetheveryday。KINGLEARTrue,mygoodboy。Come,bringustothishovel。

ExeuntKINGLEARandKENTFoolThisisabravenighttocoolacourtezan。

I’llspeakaprophecyereIgo:

Whenpriestsaremoreinwordthanmatter;

Whenbrewersmartheirmaltwithwater;

Whennoblesaretheirtailors’tutors;

Nohereticsburn’d,butwenches’suitors;

Wheneverycaseinlawisright;

Nosquireindebt,nornopoorknight;

Whenslandersdonotliveintongues;

Norcutpursescomenottothrongs;

Whenusurerstelltheirgoldi’thefield;

Andbawdsandwhoresdochurchesbuild;

ThenshalltherealmofAlbionCometogreatconfusion:

Thencomesthetime,wholivestosee’t,Thatgoingshallbeusedwithfeet。

ThisprophecyMerlinshallmake;forIlivebeforehistime。

ExitSCENEIII。Gloucester’scastle。EnterGLOUCESTERandEDMUNDGLOUCESTERAlack,alack,Edmund,Ilikenotthisunnaturaldealing。WhenIdesiretheirleavethatImightpityhim,theytookfrommetheuseofmineownhouse;chargedme,onpainoftheirperpetualdispleasure,neithertospeakofhim,entreatforhim,noranywaysustainhim。EDMUNDMostsavageandunnatural!GLOUCESTERGoto;sayyounothing。There’sadivisionbetwixtthedukes;andaworsematterthanthat:Ihavereceivedaletterthisnight;’tisdangeroustobespoken;Ihavelockedtheletterinmycloset:

theseinjuriesthekingnowbearswillberevengedhome;there’spartofapoweralreadyfooted:

wemustinclinetotheking。Iwillseekhim,andprivilyrelievehim:goyouandmaintaintalkwiththeduke,thatmycharitybenotofhimperceived:

ifheaskforme。Iamill,andgonetobed。

ThoughIdieforit,asnolessisthreatenedme,thekingmyoldmastermustberelieved。Thereissomestrangethingtoward,Edmund;prayyou,becareful。

ExitEDMUNDThiscourtesy,forbidthee,shallthedukeInstantlyknow;andofthatlettertoo:

Thisseemsafairdeserving,andmustdrawmeThatwhichmyfatherloses;nolessthanall:

Theyoungerriseswhentheolddothfall。

ExitSCENEIV。Theheath。Beforeahovel。EnterKINGLEAR,KENT,andFoolKENTHereistheplace,mylord;goodmylord,enter:

Thetyrannyoftheopennight’stooroughFornaturetoendure。

StormstillKINGLEARLetmealone。KENTGoodmylord,enterhere。KINGLEARWiltbreakmyheart?KENTIhadratherbreakmineown。Goodmylord,enter。KINGLEARThouthink’st’tismuchthatthiscontentiousstormInvadesustotheskin:so’tistothee;

Butwherethegreatermaladyisfix’d,Thelesserisscarcefelt。Thou’ldstshunabear;

Butifthyflightlaytowardtheragingsea,Thou’ldstmeetthebeari’themouth。Whenthemind’sfree,Thebody’sdelicate:thetempestinmymindDothfrommysensestakeallfeelingelseSavewhatbeatsthere。Filialingratitude!

IsitnotasthismouthshouldtearthishandForliftingfoodto’t?ButIwillpunishhome:

No,Iwillweepnomore。InsuchanightToshutmeout!Pouron;Iwillendure。

Insuchanightasthis!ORegan,Goneril!

Youroldkindfather,whosefrankheartgaveall,——

O,thatwaymadnesslies;letmeshunthat;

Nomoreofthat。KENTGoodmylord,enterhere。KINGLEARPrithee,gointhyself:seekthineownease:

ThistempestwillnotgivemeleavetoponderOnthingswouldhurtmemore。ButI’llgoin。

TotheFoolIn,boy;gofirst。Youhouselesspoverty,——

Nay,gettheein。I’llpray,andthenI’llsleep。

FoolgoesinPoornakedwretches,whereso’eryouare,Thatbidethepeltingofthispitilessstorm,Howshallyourhouselessheadsandunfedsides,Yourloop’dandwindow’draggedness,defendyouFromseasonssuchasthese?O,Ihaveta’enToolittlecareofthis!Takephysic,pomp;

Exposethyselftofeelwhatwretchesfeel,Thatthoumaystshakethesuperfluxtothem,Andshowtheheavensmorejust。EDGAR[Within]Fathomandhalf,fathomandhalf!

PoorTom!

TheFoolrunsoutfromthehovelFoolComenotinhere,nuncle,here’saspiritHelpme,helpme!KENTGivemethyhand。Who’sthere?FoolAspirit,aspirit:hesayshisname’spoorTom。KENTWhatartthouthatdostgrumbletherei’thestraw?

Comeforth。

EnterEDGARdisguisedasamadmanEDGARAway!thefoulfiendfollowsme!

Throughthesharphawthornblowsthecoldwind。

Hum!gotothycoldbed,andwarmthee。KINGLEARHastthougivenalltothytwodaughters?

Andartthoucometothis?EDGARWhogivesanythingtopoorTom?whomthefoulfiendhathledthroughfireandthroughflame,andthroughfordandwhirlipoole’erbogandquagmire;

thathathlaidknivesunderhispillow,andhaltersinhispew;setratsbanebyhisporridge;madefilmproudofheart,torideonabaytrotting—horseoverfour—inchedbridges,tocoursehisownshadowforatraitor。Blessthyfivewits!Tom’sa—cold,——O,dode,dode,dode。Blesstheefromwhirlwinds,star—blasting,andtaking!DopoorTomsomecharity,whomthefoulfiendvexes:therecouldI

havehimnow,——andthere,——andthereagain,andthere。

StormstillKINGLEARWhat,havehisdaughtersbroughthimtothispass?

Couldstthousavenothing?Didstthougivethemall?FoolNay,hereservedablanket,elsewehadbeenallshamed。KINGLEARNow,alltheplaguesthatinthependulousairHangfatedo’ermen’sfaultslightonthydaughters!KENTHehathnodaughters,sir。KINGLEARDeath,traitor!nothingcouldhavesubduednatureTosuchalownessbuthisunkinddaughters。

Isitthefashion,thatdiscardedfathersShouldhavethuslittlemercyontheirflesh?

Judiciouspunishment!’twasthisfleshbegotThosepelicandaughters。EDGARPillicocksatonPillicock—hill:

Halloo,halloo,loo,loo!FoolThiscoldnightwillturnusalltofoolsandmadmen。EDGARTakeheedo’thefoulfiend:obeythyparents;

keepthywordjustly;swearnot;commitnotwithman’sswornspouse;setnotthysweetheartonproudarray。Tom’sa—cold。KINGLEARWhathastthoubeen?EDGARAserving—man,proudinheartandmind;

thatcurledmyhair;woreglovesinmycap;servedthelustofmymistress’heart,anddidtheactofdarknesswithher;sworeasmanyoathsasIspakewords,andbroketheminthesweetfaceofheaven:onethatsleptinthecontrivingoflust,andwakedtodoit:

winelovedIdeeply,dicedearly:andinwomanout—paramouredtheTurk:falseofheart,lightofear,bloodyofhand;hoginsloth,foxinstealth,wolfingreediness,doginmadness,lioninprey。

Letnotthecreakingofshoesnortherustlingofsilksbetraythypoorhearttowoman:keepthyfootoutofbrothels,thyhandoutofplackets,thypenfromlenders’books,anddefythefoulfiend。

Stillthroughthehawthornblowsthecoldwind:

Sayssuum,mun,ha,no,nonny。

Dolphinmyboy,myboy,sessa!lethimtrotby。

StormstillKINGLEARWhy,thouwertbetterinthygravethantoanswerwiththyuncoveredbodythisextremityoftheskies。

Ismannomorethanthis?Considerhimwell。

Thouowestthewormnosilk,thebeastnohide,thesheepnowool,thecatnoperfume。Ha!here’sthreeon’saresophisticated!Thouartthethingitself:

unaccommodatedmanisnomorebutsuchapoorbare,forkedanimalasthouart。Off,off,youlendings!

comeunbuttonhere。

TearingoffhisclothesFoolPrithee,nuncle,becontented;’tisanaughtynighttoswimin。Nowalittlefireinawildfieldwerelikeanoldlecher’sheart;asmallspark,allthereston’sbodycold。Look,herecomesawalkingfire。

EnterGLOUCESTER,withatorchEDGARThisisthefoulfiendFlibbertigibbet:

hebeginsatcurfew,andwalkstillthefirstcock;hegivesthewebandthepin,squintstheeye,andmakesthehare—lip;mildewsthewhitewheat,andhurtsthepoorcreatureofearth。

S。Witholdfootedthricetheold;

Hemetthenight—mare,andhernine—fold;

Bidheralight,Andhertrothplight,And,arointthee,witch,arointthee!KENTHowfaresyourgrace?KINGLEARWhat’she?KENTWho’sthere?Whatis’tyouseek?GLOUCESTERWhatareyouthere?Yournames?EDGARPoorTom;thateatstheswimmingfrog,thetoad,thetadpole,thewall—newtandthewater;thatinthefuryofhisheart,whenthefoulfiendrages,eatscow—dungforsallets;swallowstheoldratandtheditch—dog;drinksthegreenmantleofthestandingpool;whoiswhippedfromtithingtotithing,andstock—punished,andimprisoned;

whohathhadthreesuitstohisback,sixshirtstohisbody,horsetoride,andweapontowear;

Butmiceandrats,andsuchsmalldeer,HavebeenTom’sfoodforsevenlongyear。

Bewaremyfollower。Peace,Smulkin;peace,thoufiend!GLOUCESTERWhat,hathyourgracenobettercompany?EDGARTheprinceofdarknessisagentleman:

Modohe’scall’d,andMahu。GLOUCESTEROurfleshandbloodisgrownsovile,mylord,Thatitdothhatewhatgetsit。EDGARPoorTom’sa—cold。GLOUCESTERGoinwithme:mydutycannotsufferToobeyinallyourdaughters’hardcommands:

Thoughtheirinjunctionbetobarmydoors,Andletthistyrannousnighttakeholduponyou,YethaveIventuredtocomeseekyouout,Andbringyouwherebothfireandfoodisready。KINGLEARFirstletmetalkwiththisphilosopher。

Whatisthecauseofthunder?KENTGoodmylord,takehisoffer;gointothehouse。KINGLEARI’lltalkawordwiththissamelearnedTheban。

Whatisyourstudy?EDGARHowtopreventthefiend,andtokillvermin。KINGLEARLetmeaskyouonewordinprivate。KENTImportunehimoncemoretogo,mylord;

Hiswitsbegintounsettle。GLOUCESTERCanstthoublamehim?

StormstillHisdaughtersseekhisdeath:ah,thatgoodKent!

Hesaiditwouldbethus,poorbanish’dman!

Thousay’stthekinggrowsmad;I’lltellthee,friend,Iamalmostmadmyself:Ihadason,Nowoutlaw’dfrommyblood;hesoughtmylife,Butlately,verylate:Ilovedhim,friend;

Nofatherhissondearer:truthtotellthee,Thegriefhathcrazedmywits。Whatanight’sthis!

Idobeseechyourgrace,——KINGLEARO,cryyourmercy,sir。

Noblephilosopher,yourcompany。EDGARTom’sa—cold。GLOUCESTERIn,fellow,there,intothehovel:keeptheewarm。KINGLEARComelet’sinall。KENTThisway,mylord。KINGLEARWithhim;

Iwillkeepstillwithmyphilosopher。KENTGoodmylord,soothehim;lethimtakethefellow。GLOUCESTERTakehimyouon。KENTSirrah,comeon;goalongwithus。KINGLEARCome,goodAthenian。GLOUCESTERNowords,nowords:hush。EDGARChildRowlandtothedarktowercame,Hiswordwasstill,——Fie,foh,andfum,IsmellthebloodofaBritishman。

ExeuntSCENEV。Gloucester’scastle。EnterCORNWALLandEDMUNDCORNWALLIwillhavemyrevengeereIdeparthishouse。EDMUNDHow,mylord,Imaybecensured,thatnaturethusgiveswaytoloyalty,somethingfearsmetothinkof。CORNWALLInowperceive,itwasnotaltogetheryourbrother’sevildispositionmadehimseekhisdeath;

butaprovokingmerit,seta—workbyareprovablebadnessinhimself。EDMUNDHowmaliciousismyfortune,thatImustrepenttobejust!Thisistheletterhespokeof,whichapproveshimanintelligentpartytotheadvantagesofFrance:Oheavens!thatthistreasonwerenot,ornotIthedetector!CORNWALLowithmetotheduchess。EDMUNDIfthematterofthispaperbecertain,youhavemightybusinessinhand。CORNWALLTrueorfalse,ithathmadetheeearlofGloucester。Seekoutwherethyfatheris,thathemaybereadyforourapprehension。EDMUND[Aside]IfIfindhimcomfortingtheking,itwillstuffhissuspicionmorefully。——Iwillpersevereinmycourseofloyalty,thoughtheconflictbesorebetweenthatandmyblood。CORNWALLIwilllaytrustuponthee;andthoushaltfindadearerfatherinmylove。

ExeuntSCENEVI。Achamberinafarmhouseadjoiningthecastle。EnterGLOUCESTER,KINGLEAR,KENT,Fool,andEDGARGLOUCESTERHereisbetterthantheopenair;takeitthankfully。IwillpieceoutthecomfortwithwhatadditionIcan:Iwillnotbelongfromyou。KENTAllthepowerofhiswitshavegivenwaytohisimpatience:thegodsrewardyourkindness!

ExitGLOUCESTEREDGARFraterettocallsme;andtellsmeNeroisananglerinthelakeofdarkness。

Pray,innocent,andbewarethefoulfiend。FoolPrithee,nuncle,tellmewhetheramadmanbeagentlemanorayeoman?KINGLEARAking,aking!FoolNo,he’sayeomanthathasagentlemantohisson;

forhe’samadyeomanthatseeshissonagentlemanbeforehim。KINGLEARTohaveathousandwithredburningspitsComehissinginupon’em,——EDGARThefoulfiendbitesmyback。FoolHe’smadthattrustsinthetamenessofawolf,ahorse’shealth,aboy’slove,orawhore’soath。KINGLEARItshallbedone;Iwillarraignthemstraight。

ToEDGAR

Come,sitthouhere,mostlearnedjusticer;

TotheFoolThou,sapientsir,sithere。Now,youshefoxes!EDGARLook,wherehestandsandglares!

Wantestthoueyesattrial,madam?

Comeo’erthebourn,Bessy,tome,——FoolHerboathathaleak,AndshemustnotspeakWhyshedaresnotcomeovertothee。EDGARThefoulfiendhauntspoorTominthevoiceofanightingale。HopdancecriesinTom’sbellyfortwowhiteherring。Croaknot,blackangel;Ihavenofoodforthee。KENTHowdoyou,sir?Standyounotsoamazed:

Willyouliedownandrestuponthecushions?KINGLEARI’llseetheirtrialfirst。Bringintheevidence。

ToEDGAR

Thourobedmanofjustice,takethyplace;

TotheFoolAndthou,hisyoke—fellowofequity,Benchbyhisside:

ToKENT

youareo’thecommission,Sityoutoo。EDGARLetusdealjustly。

Sleepestorwakestthou,jollyshepherd?

Thysheepbeinthecorn;

Andforoneblastofthyminikinmouth,Thysheepshalltakenoharm。

Pur!thecatisgray。KINGLEARArraignherfirst;’tisGoneril。Iheretakemyoathbeforethishonourableassembly,shekickedthepoorkingherfather。FoolComehither,mistress。IsyournameGoneril?KINGLEARShecannotdenyit。FoolCryyoumercy,Itookyouforajoint—stool。KINGLEARAndhere’sanother,whosewarp’dlooksproclaimWhatstoreherheartismadeon。Stopherthere!

Arms,arms,sword,fire!Corruptionintheplace!

Falsejusticer,whyhastthoulether’scape?EDGARBlessthyfivewits!KENTOpity!Sir,whereisthepatiencenow,Thatthousoofthaveboastedtoretain?EDGAR[Aside]Mytearsbegintotakehispartsomuch,They’llmarmycounterfeiting。KINGLEARThelittledogsandall,Tray,Blanch,andSweet—heart,see,theybarkatme。EDGARTomwillthrowhisheadatthem。Avaunt,youcurs!

Bethymouthorblackorwhite,Tooththatpoisonsifitbite;

Mastiff,grey—hound,mongrelgrim,Houndorspaniel,brachorlym,Orbobtailtikeortrundle—tail,Tomwillmakethemweepandwail:

For,withthrowingthusmyhead,Dogsleapthehatch,andallarefled。

Dode,de,de。Sessa!Come,marchtowakesandfairsandmarket—towns。PoorTom,thyhornisdry。KINGLEARThenletthemanatomizeRegan;seewhatbreedsaboutherheart。Isthereanycauseinnaturethatmakesthesehardhearts?

ToEDGAR

You,sir,Ientertainforoneofmyhundred;onlyI

donotlikethefashionofyourgarments:youwillsaytheyarePersianattire:butletthembechanged。KENTNow,goodmylord,liehereandrestawhile。KINGLEARMakenonoise,makenonoise;drawthecurtains:

so,so,so。We’llgotosupperi’hemorning。

So,so,so。FoolAndI’llgotobedatnoon。

Re—enterGLOUCESTERGLOUCESTERComehither,friend:whereisthekingmymaster?KENTHere,sir;buttroublehimnot,hiswitsaregone。GLOUCESTERGoodfriend,Iprithee,takehiminthyarms;

Ihaveo’erheardaplotofdeathuponhim:

Thereisalitterready;layhimin’t,AnddrivetowardsDover,friend,wherethoushaltmeetBothwelcomeandprotection。Takeupthymaster:

Ifthoushouldstdallyhalfanhour,hislife,Withthine,andallthatoffertodefendhim,Standinassuredloss:takeup,takeup;

Andfollowme,thatwilltosomeprovisionGivetheequickconduct。KENTOppressednaturesleeps:

Thisrestmightyethavebalm’dthybrokensenses,Which,ifconveniencewillnotallow,Standinhardcure。

TotheFoolCome,helptobearthymaster;

Thoumustnotstaybehind。GLOUCESTERCome,come,away。

ExeuntallbutEDGAREDGARWhenweourbettersseebearingourwoes,Wescarcelythinkourmiseriesourfoes。

Whoalonesufferssuffersmosti’themind,Leavingfreethingsandhappyshowsbehind:

Butthenthemindmuchsufferancedotho’erskip,Whengriefhathmates,andbearingfellowship。

Howlightandportablemypainseemsnow,Whenthatwhichmakesmebendmakesthekingbow,HechildedasIfather’d!Tom,away!

Markthehighnoises;andthyselfbewray,Whenfalseopinion,whosewrongthoughtdefilesthee,Inthyjustproof,repealsandreconcilesthee。

Whatwillhapmoreto—night,safe’scapetheking!

Lurk,lurk。

ExitSCENEVII。Gloucester’scastle。EnterCORNWALL,REGAN,GONERIL,EDMUND,andServantsCORNWALLPostspeedilytomylordyourhusband;

showhimthisletter:thearmyofFranceislanded。SeekoutthevillainGloucester。

ExeuntsomeoftheServantsREGANHanghiminstantly。GONERILPluckouthiseyes。CORNWALLLeavehimtomydispleasure。Edmund,keepyouoursistercompany:therevengesweareboundtotakeuponyourtraitorousfatherarenotfitforyourbeholding。Advisetheduke,whereyouaregoing,toamostfestinatepreparation:weareboundtothelike。Ourpostsshallbeswiftandintelligentbetwixtus。Farewell,dearsister:farewell,mylordofGloucester。

EnterOSWALD

Hownow!where’stheking?OSWALDMylordofGloucesterhathconvey’dhimhence:

Somefiveorsixandthirtyofhisknights,Hotquestristsafterhim,methimatgate;

Who,withsomeotherofthelordsdependants,AregonewithhimtowardsDover;wheretheyboastTohavewell—armedfriends。CORNWALLGethorsesforyourmistress。GONERILFarewell,sweetlord,andsister。CORNWALLEdmund,farewell。

ExeuntGONERIL,EDMUND,andOSWALD

GoseekthetraitorGloucester,Pinionhimlikeathief,bringhimbeforeus。

ExeuntotherServantsThoughwellwemaynotpassuponhislifeWithouttheformofjustice,yetourpowerShalldoacourtesytoourwrath,whichmenMayblame,butnotcontrol。Who’sthere?thetraitor?

EnterGLOUCESTER,broughtinbytwoorthreeREGANIngratefulfox!’tishe。CORNWALLBindfasthiscorkyarms。GLOUCESTERWhatmeanyourgraces?Goodmyfriends,considerYouaremyguests:domenofoulplay,friends。CORNWALLBindhim,Isay。

ServantsbindhimREGANHard,hard。Ofilthytraitor!GLOUCESTERUnmercifulladyasyouare,I’mnone。CORNWALLTothischairbindhim。Villain,thoushaltfind——

REGANpluckshisbeardGLOUCESTERBythekindgods,’tismostignoblydoneTopluckmebythebeard。REGANSowhite,andsuchatraitor!GLOUCESTERNaughtylady,Thesehairs,whichthoudostravishfrommychin,Willquicken,andaccusethee:Iamyourhost:

Withrobbers’handsmyhospitablefavoursYoushouldnotrufflethus。Whatwillyoudo?CORNWALLCome,sir,whatlettershadyoulatefromFrance?REGANBesimpleanswerer,forweknowthetruth。CORNWALLAndwhatconfederacyhaveyouwiththetraitorsLatefootedinthekingdom?REGANTowhosehandshaveyousentthelunaticking?Speak。GLOUCESTERIhavealetterguessinglysetdown,Whichcamefromonethat’sofaneutralheart,Andnotfromoneopposed。CORNWALLCunning。REGANAndfalse。CORNWALLWherehastthousenttheking?GLOUCESTERToDover。REGANWhereforetoDover?Wastthounotchargedatperil——CORNWALLWhereforetoDover?Lethimfirstanswerthat。GLOUCESTERIamtiedtothestake,andImuststandthecourse。REGANWhereforetoDover,sir?GLOUCESTERBecauseIwouldnotseethycruelnailsPluckouthispooroldeyes;northyfiercesisterInhisanointedfleshstickboarishfangs。

Thesea,withsuchastormashisbareheadInhell—blacknightendured,wouldhavebuoy’dup,Andquench’dthestelledfires:

Yet,pooroldheart,heholptheheavenstorain。

Ifwolveshadatthygatehowl’dthatsterntime,Thoushouldsthavesaid’Goodporter,turnthekey,’

Allcruelselsesubscribed:butIshallseeThewingedvengeanceovertakesuchchildren。CORNWALLSee’tshaltthounever。Fellows,holdthechair。

UpontheseeyesofthineI’llsetmyfoot。GLOUCESTERHethatwillthinktolivetillhebeold,Givemesomehelp!Ocruel!Oyougods!REGANOnesidewillmockanother;theothertoo。CORNWALLIfyouseevengeance,——FirstServantHoldyourhand,mylord:

IhaveservedyoueversinceIwasachild;

ButbetterservicehaveIneverdoneyouThannowtobidyouhold。REGANHownow,youdog!FirstServantIfyoudidwearabearduponyourchin,I’dshakeitonthisquarrel。Whatdoyoumean?CORNWALLMyvillain!

TheydrawandfightFirstServantNay,then,comeon,andtakethechanceofanger。REGANGivemethysword。Apeasantstandupthus!

Takesasword,andrunsathimbehindFirstServantO,Iamslain!Mylord,youhaveoneeyeleftToseesomemischiefonhim。O!

DiesCORNWALLLestitseemore,preventit。Out,vilejelly!

Whereisthylustrenow?GLOUCESTERAlldarkandcomfortless。Where’smysonEdmund?

Edmund,enkindleallthesparksofnature,Toquitthishorridact。REGANOut,treacherousvillain!

Thoucall’stonhimthathatesthee:itwasheThatmadetheovertureofthytreasonstous;

Whoistoogoodtopitythee。GLOUCESTEROmyfollies!thenEdgarwasabused。

Kindgods,forgivemethat,andprosperhim!REGANGothrusthimoutatgates,andlethimsmellHiswaytoDover。

ExitonewithGLOUCESTER

Howis’t,mylord?howlookyou?CORNWALLIhavereceivedahurt:followme,lady。

Turnoutthateyelessvillain;throwthisslaveUponthedunghill。Regan,Ibleedapace:

Untimelycomesthishurt:givemeyourarm。

ExitCORNWALL,ledbyREGANSecondServantI’llnevercarewhatwickednessIdo,Ifthismancometogood。ThirdServantIfshelivelong,Andintheendmeettheoldcourseofdeath,Womenwillallturnmonsters。SecondServantLet’sfollowtheoldearl,andgettheBedlamToleadhimwherehewould:hisroguishmadnessAllowsitselftoanything。ThirdServantGothou:I’llfetchsomeflaxandwhitesofeggsToapplytohisbleedingface。Now,heavenhelphim!

ExeuntseverallyACTIVSCENEI。Theheath。EnterEDGAREDGARYetbetterthus,andknowntobecontemn’d,Thanstillcontemn’dandflatter’d。Tobeworst,Thelowestandmostdejectedthingoffortune,Standsstillinesperance,livesnotinfear:

Thelamentablechangeisfromthebest;

Theworstreturnstolaughter。Welcome,then,ThouunsubstantialairthatIembrace!

ThewretchthatthouhastblownuntotheworstOwesnothingtothyblasts。Butwhocomeshere?

EnterGLOUCESTER,ledbyanOldManMyfather,poorlyled?World,world,Oworld!

Butthatthystrangemutationsmakeushatethee,Liewouldnotyieldtoage。OldManO,mygoodlord,Ihavebeenyourtenant,andyourfather’stenant,thesefourscoreyears。GLOUCESTERAway,gettheeaway;goodfriend,begone:

Thycomfortscandomenogoodatall;

Theetheymayhurt。OldManAlack,sir,youcannotseeyourway。GLOUCESTERIhavenoway,andthereforewantnoeyes;

IstumbledwhenIsaw:fulloft’tisseen,Ourmeanssecureus,andourmeredefectsProveourcommodities。OdearsonEdgar,Thefoodofthyabusedfather’swrath!

MightIbutlivetoseetheeinmytouch,I’ldsayIhadeyesagain!OldManHownow!Who’sthere?EDGAR[Aside]Ogods!Whois’tcansay’Iamattheworst’?

Iamworsethane’erIwas。OldMan’TispoormadTom。EDGAR[Aside]AndworseImaybeyet:theworstisnotSolongaswecansay’Thisistheworst。’OldManFellow,wheregoest?GLOUCESTERIsitabeggar—man?OldManMadmanandbeggartoo。GLOUCESTERHehassomereason,elsehecouldnotbeg。

I’thelastnight’sstormIsuchafellowsaw;

Whichmademethinkamanaworm:mysonCamethenintomymind;andyetmymindWasthenscarcefriendswithhim:Ihaveheardmoresince。

Asfliestowantonboys,arewetothegods。

Theykillusfortheirsport。EDGAR[Aside]Howshouldthisbe?

Badisthetradethatmustplayfooltosorrow,Angeringitselfandothers。——Blessthee,master!GLOUCESTERIsthatthenakedfellow?OldManAy,mylord。GLOUCESTERThen,prithee,gettheegone:if,formysake,Thouwilto’ertakeus,henceamileortwain,I’thewaytowardDover,doitforancientlove;

Andbringsomecoveringforthisnakedsoul,WhoI’llentreattoleadme。OldManAlack,sir,heismad。GLOUCESTER’Tisthetimes’plague,whenmadmenleadtheblind。

DoasIbidthee,orratherdothypleasure;

Abovetherest,begone。OldManI’llbringhimthebest’parelthatI

have,Comeon’twhatwill。

ExitGLOUCESTERSirrah,nakedfellow,——EDGARPoorTom’sa—cold。

AsideIcannotdaubitfurther。GLOUCESTERComehither,fellow。EDGAR[Aside]AndyetImust。——Blessthysweeteyes,theybleed。GLOUCESTERKnow’stthouthewaytoDover?EDGARBothstileandgate,horse—wayandfoot—path。

PoorTomhathbeenscaredoutofhisgoodwits:blessthee,goodman’sson,fromthefoulfiend!fivefiendshavebeeninpoorTomatonce;oflust,asObidicut;Hobbididence,princeofdumbness;Mahu,ofstealing;Modo,ofmurder;Flibbertigibbet,ofmoppingandmowing,whosincepossesseschambermaidsandwaiting—women。So,blessthee,master!GLOUCESTERHere,takethispurse,thouwhomtheheavens’

plaguesHavehumbledtoallstrokes:thatIamwretchedMakestheethehappier:heavens,dealsostill!

Letthesuperfluousandlust—dietedman,Thatslavesyourordinance,thatwillnotseeBecausehedothnotfeel,feelyourpowerquickly;

Sodistributionshouldundoexcess,Andeachmanhaveenough。DostthouknowDover?EDGARAy,master。GLOUCESTERThereisacliff,whosehighandbendingheadLooksfearfullyintheconfineddeep:

Bringmebuttotheverybrimofit,AndI’llrepairthemiserythoudostbearWithsomethingrichaboutme:fromthatplaceIshallnoleadingneed。EDGARGivemethyarm:

PoorTomshallleadthee。

ExeuntSCENEII。BeforeALBANY’spalace。EnterGONERILandEDMUNDGONERILWelcome,mylord:ImarvelourmildhusbandNotmetusontheway。

EnterOSWALD

Now,where’syourmaster’?OSWALDMadam,within;butnevermansochanged。

Itoldhimofthearmythatwaslanded;

Hesmiledatit:Itoldhimyouwerecoming:

Hisanswerwas’Theworse:’ofGloucester’streachery,Andoftheloyalserviceofhisson,WhenIinform’dhim,thenhecall’dmesot,AndtoldmeIhadturn’dthewrongsideout:

Whatmostheshoulddislikeseemspleasanttohim;

Whatlike,offensive。GONERIL[ToEDMUND]Thenshallyougonofurther。

Itisthecowishterrorofhisspirit,Thatdaresnotundertake:he’llnotfeelwrongsWhichtiehimtoananswer。OurwishesonthewayMayproveeffects。Back,Edmund,tomybrother;

Hastenhismustersandconducthispowers:

Imustchangearmsathome,andgivethedistaffIntomyhusband’shands。ThistrustyservantShallpassbetweenus:erelongyouareliketohear,Ifyoudareventureinyourownbehalf,Amistress’scommand。Wearthis;sparespeech;

GivingafavourDeclineyourhead:thiskiss,ifitdurstspeak,Wouldstretchthyspiritsupintotheair:

Conceive,andfaretheewell。EDMUNDYoursintheranksofdeath。GONERILMymostdearGloucester!

ExitEDMUND

O,thedifferenceofmanandman!

Totheeawoman’sservicesaredue:

Myfoolusurpsmybody。OSWALDMadam,herecomesmylord。

ExitEnterALBANYGONERILIhavebeenworththewhistle。ALBANYOGoneril!

YouarenotworththedustwhichtherudewindBlowsinyourface。Ifearyourdisposition:

Thatnature,whichcontemnsitsorigin,Cannotbeborder’dcertaininitself;

ShethatherselfwillsliveranddisbranchFromhermaterialsap,perforcemustwitherAndcometodeadlyuse。GONERILNomore;thetextisfoolish。ALBANYWisdomandgoodnesstothevileseemvile:

Filthssavourbutthemselves。Whathaveyoudone?

Tigers,notdaughters,whathaveyouperform’d?

Afather,andagraciousagedman,Whosereverenceeventhehead—lugg’dbearwouldlick,Mostbarbarous,mostdegenerate!haveyoumadded。

Couldmygoodbrothersufferyoutodoit?

Aman,aprince,byhimsobenefited!

IfthattheheavensdonottheirvisiblespiritsSendquicklydowntotamethesevileoffences,Itwillcome,Humanitymustperforcepreyonitself,Likemonstersofthedeep。GONERILMilk—liver’dman!

Thatbear’stacheekforblows,aheadforwrongs;

WhohastnotinthybrowsaneyediscerningThinehonourfromthysuffering;thatnotknow’stFoolsdothosevillainspitywhoarepunish’dEretheyhavedonetheirmischief。Where’sthydrum?

Francespreadshisbannersinournoiselessland;

Withplumedhelmthyslayerbeginsthreats;

Whilesthou,amoralfool,sit’ststill,andcriest’Alack,whydoesheso?’ALBANYSeethyself,devil!

ProperdeformityseemsnotinthefiendSohorridasinwoman。GONERILOvainfool!ALBANYThouchangedandself—cover’dthing,forshame,Be—monsternotthyfeature。Were’tmyfitnessToletthesehandsobeymyblood,TheyareaptenoughtodislocateandtearThyfleshandbones:howe’erthouartafiend,Awoman’sshapedothshieldthee。GONERILMarry,yourmanhoodnow——

EnteraMessengerALBANYWhatnews?MessengerO,mygoodlord,theDukeofCornwall’sdead:

Slainbyhisservant,goingtoputoutTheothereyeofGloucester。ALBANYGloucester’seye!MessengerAservantthathebred,thrill’dwithremorse,Opposedagainsttheact,bendinghisswordTohisgreatmaster;who,thereatenraged,Flewonhim,andamongstthemfell’dhimdead;

Butnotwithoutthatharmfulstroke,whichsinceHathpluck’dhimafter。ALBANYThisshowsyouareabove,Youjusticers,thattheseournethercrimesSospeedilycanvenge!But,OpoorGloucester!

Losthehisothereye?MessengerBoth,both,mylord。

Thisletter,madam,cravesaspeedyanswer;

’Tisfromyoursister。GONERIL[Aside]OnewayIlikethiswell;

Butbeingwidow,andmyGloucesterwithher,MayallthebuildinginmyfancypluckUponmyhatefullife:anotherway,Thenewsisnotsotart。——I’llread,andanswer。

ExitALBANYWherewashissonwhentheydidtakehiseyes?MessengerComewithmyladyhither。ALBANYHeisnothere。MessengerNo,mygoodlord;Imethimbackagain。ALBANYKnowshethewickedness?MessengerAy,mygoodlord;’twasheinform’dagainsthim;

Andquitthehouseonpurpose,thattheirpunishmentMighthavethefreercourse。ALBANYGloucester,IliveTothanktheeforthelovethoushow’dsttheking,Andtorevengethineeyes。Comehither,friend:

Tellmewhatmorethouknow’st。

ExeuntSCENEIII。TheFrenchcampnearDover。EnterKENTandaGentlemanKENTWhytheKingofFranceissosuddenlygonebackknowyouthereason?GentlemanSomethingheleftimperfectinthestate,whichsincehiscomingforthisthoughtof;whichimportstothekingdomsomuchfearanddanger,thathispersonalreturnwasmostrequiredandnecessary。KENTWhohathheleftbehindhimgeneral?GentlemanTheMarshalofFrance,MonsieurLaFar。KENTDidyourletterspiercethequeentoanydemonstrationofgrief?GentlemanAy,sir;shetookthem,readtheminmypresence;

Andnowandthenanampleteartrill’ddownHerdelicatecheek:itseem’dshewasaqueenOverherpassion;who,mostrebel—like,Soughttobekingo’erher。KENTO,thenitmovedher。GentlemanNottoarage:patienceandsorrowstroveWhoshouldexpresshergoodliest。YouhaveseenSunshineandrainatonce:hersmilesandtearsWerelikeabetterway:thosehappysmilets,Thatplay’donherripelip,seem’dnottoknowWhatguestswereinhereyes;whichpartedthence,Aspearlsfromdiamondsdropp’d。Inbrief,Sorrowwouldbeararitymostbeloved,Ifallcouldsobecomeit。KENTMadeshenoverbalquestion?Gentleman’Faith,onceortwicesheheavedthenameof’father’

Pantinglyforth,asifitpress’dherheart:

Cried’Sisters!sisters!Shameofladies!sisters!

Kent!father!sisters!What,i’thestorm?i’

thenight?

Letpitynotbebelieved!’TheresheshookTheholywaterfromherheavenlyeyes,Andclamourmoisten’d:thenawayshestartedTodealwithgriefalone。KENTItisthestars,Thestarsaboveus,governourconditions;

ElseoneselfmateandmatecouldnotbegetSuchdifferentissues。Youspokenotwithhersince?GentlemanNo。KENTWasthisbeforethekingreturn’d?GentlemanNo,since。KENTWell,sir,thepoordistressedLear’si’thetown;

Whosometime,inhisbettertune,remembersWhatwearecomeabout,andbynomeansWillyieldtoseehisdaughter。GentlemanWhy,goodsir?KENTAsovereignshamesoelbowshim:hisownunkindness,Thatstripp’dherfromhisbenediction,turn’dherToforeigncasualties,gaveherdearrightsTohisdog—hearteddaughters,thesethingsstingHismindsovenomously,thatburningshameDetainshimfromCordelia。GentlemanAlack,poorgentleman!KENTOfAlbany’sandCornwall’spowersyouheardnot?Gentleman’Tisso,theyareafoot。KENTWell,sir,I’llbringyoutoourmasterLear,Andleaveyoutoattendhim:somedearcauseWillinconcealmentwrapmeupawhile;

WhenIamknownaright,youshallnotgrieveLendingmethisacquaintance。Iprayyou,goAlongwithme。

ExeuntSCENEIV。Thesame。Atent。Enter,withdrumandcolours,CORDELIA,Doctor,andSoldiersCORDELIAAlack,’tishe:why,hewasmetevennowAsmadasthevex’dsea;singingaloud;

Crown’dwithrankfumiterandfurrow—weeds,Withbur—docks,hemlock,nettles,cuckoo—flowers,Darnel,andalltheidleweedsthatgrowInoursustainingcorn。Acenturysendforth;

Searcheveryacreinthehigh—grownfield,Andbringhimtooureye。

ExitanOfficerWhatcanman’swisdomIntherestoringhisbereavedsense?

Hethathelpshimtakeallmyoutwardworth。DoctorThereismeans,madam:

Ourfoster—nurseofnatureisrepose,Thewhichhelacks;thattoprovokeinhim,Aremanysimplesoperative,whosepowerWillclosetheeyeofanguish。CORDELIAAllblestsecrets,Allyouunpublish’dvirtuesoftheearth,Springwithmytears!beaidantandremediateInthegoodman’sdistress!Seek,seekforhim;

Lesthisungovern’dragedissolvethelifeThatwantsthemeanstoleadit。

EnteraMessengerMessengerNews,madam;

TheBritishpowersaremarchinghitherward。CORDELIA’Tisknownbefore;ourpreparationstandsInexpectationofthem。Odearfather,ItisthybusinessthatIgoabout;

ThereforegreatFranceMymourningandimportanttearshathpitied。