SCENE I.-The Heath.

Enter EDGAR.

Edg. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd, Than still contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worst, The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: The lamentable change is from the best; The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then, Thou unsubstantial air, that I embrace! The wretch, that thou hast blown unto the worst, Owes nothing to thy blasts.-But who comes here? Enter GLOSTER, led by an Old Man. My father, poorly led?-World, world, O world! But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, Life would not yield to age.

Old Man. O my good lord, I have been your tenant and your father's tenant, these fourscore years. Glo. Away, get thee away; good friend, begone: Thy comforts can do me no good at all, Thee they may hurt.

So long as we can say, This is the worst.

Old Man. Fellow, where goest?

Old Man. Alack, sir, you cannot see your way. Glo. I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; I stumbled when I saw: Full oft 'tis seen, Our mean secures us; and our mere defects Prove our commodities.-Ah, dear son Edgar, The food of thy abused father's wrath! Might I but live to see thee in my touch, I'd say, I had my eyes again!

Old Man.

How now? Who's there? Edg. [Aside.] O gods! Who is't can say, I am at

the worst?

I am worse than e'er I was.
Old Man.

'Tis poor mad Tom. Edg. [Aside.] And worse I may be yet: The

worst is not,

Glo. Is it a beggar-man ? Old Man. Madman and beggar too. Glo. He has some reason, else he could not beg. I' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw; Which made me think a man a worm: My son Came then into my mind; and yet my mind Was then scarce friends with him: I have heard

more since:

As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods;
They kill us for their sport.
Edg.
How should this be?
Bad is the trade must play the fool to sorrow,
Ang'ring itself and others. [Aside.]-Bless thee,

master!

Glo. Is that the naked fellow?

Old Man.

Ay, my lord.

Glo. Then, pr'ythee, get thee gone: It, for my sake, Thou wilt o'ertake us, hence a mile or twain, I' the way to Dover, do it for ancient love; And bring some covering for this naked soul, Whom I'll entreat to lead me.

Old Man.

Alack sir, he's mad.

Glo. 'Tis the time's plague, when madmen lead the blind.

Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure;
Above the rest, be gone.

Old Man. I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have, Come on't what will.

[Exit.

Glo. Sirrah, naked fellow.

Edg. Poor Tom's a-cold: I cannot daub it further. [Aside.

Glo. Come hither, fellow. Edg Aside.] And yet I must.-Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed.

Glo. Know'st thou the way to Dover? Edg. Both stile and gate, horse-way and footpath. Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits: Bless the good man from the foul fiend! Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once; of lust, as, Obidicut; Hobbididance, prince of dumbness; Mahu, of stealing; Modo, of murder; and Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and mowing; who since possesses chamber-maids and waiting-women. So bless thee, master!

• In hope.

• Disguise.

It is the cowish terror of his spirit,
That dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs,
Which tie him to an answer: Our wishes, on the way,
May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother:
Hasten his musters, and conduct his powers:

must change arms at home, and give the distaff
Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant
Shall pass between us: ere long you are like to hear,
If you dare venture in your own behalf,
A mistress's command. Wear this: spare speech;
[Giving a Favor.
Decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak,
Would stretch thy spirits up into the air;—
Conceive, and fare thee well.

Edm. Yours in the ranks of death.
Gon.

My most dear Gloster!

[Exit EDMUND. O, the difference of man, and man! To thee A woman's services are due; my fool Usurps my bed. Stew.

Madam, here comes my lord. [Exit Steward.

Enter ALBANY. Gon. I have been worth the whistle.2 Alb.

O Goneril,

You are not worth the dust which the rude wind
Blows in your face.-I fear your disposition:
That nature, which contemns its origin,
Cannot be border'd certain in itself;
She that herself will slivers and disbranch
From her material sap, perforce must wither,
And come to deadly use.

Gon. No more; the text is foolish.

Alb. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile; Filths savor but themselves. What have you done! Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd! A father, and gracious aged man, Whose reverence the head-lugg'd bear would lick Most barbarous,most degenerate! have you madded Could my good brother suffer you to do it? A man, a prince, by him so benefited! If that the heavens do not their visible spirits 1i.e. Our wishes on the road may be completed. Worth calling for. Tear off.

Mess. Both, both, my lord.This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer; 'Tis from your sister.

Gon. [Aside.] One way I like this well; But being widow, and my Gloster with her, May all the building in my fancy pluck Upon my hateful life: Another way The news is not so tart.-I'll read, and answer.

[Exit.

Alb. Where was his son, when they did take his eyes?

Mess. Come with my lady hither.

Alb.
He is not here.
Mess. No, my good lord; I met him back again.
Alh. Knows he the wickedness?

Mess. Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him;

And quit the house on purpose, that their punish

ment Might have the freer course.

Alb.

Gloster, I live

To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king, And to revenge thine eyes.-Come hither, friend, Tell me what more thou knowest. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The French Camp near Dover. Enter KENT and a Gentleman.

Kent. Why the king of France is so suddenly gone back, know you the reason?

Gent. Something he left imperfect in the state, Which since his coming forth is thought of; which Imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger, That his personal return was most requir'd, And necessary.

Kent. Who hath he left behind him general? Gent. The Mareschal of France, Monsieur le Fer. Kent. Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief!

Gent. Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my

presence;

And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
Her delicate check: it seem'd, she was a queen
Over her passion; who, most rebel-like,
Sought to be king o'er her.

Kent.
Made she no verbal question ?4
Gent. 'Faith, once, or twice, she heav'd the name
of Father

Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart;

Cried, Sisters! sisters!-Shame of ladies! sisters! Kent! father! sisters! What? the storm? i the night?

Let pity not be believed 5-There she shook
The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
And clamor moisten'd: then away she started
To deal with grief alone.

Kent.

It is the stars, The stars above us, govern our conditions; Else one self mate and mate could not beget Such different issues. You spoke not with her since? Gent. No.

Kent. Was this before the king return'd?
Gent.

No, since. Kent. Well, sir; the poor distress'd Lear is i' the

town:

Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers What we are come about, and by no means Will yield to see his daughter.

Gent.

Why, good sir?

Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness,

That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights
To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting
His mind so venomously, that burning shame
Detains him from Cordelia.

Gent.

Alack, poor gentleman! Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not!

Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot.

Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, And leave you to attend him: some dear cause, Will in concealment wrap me up awhile; When I am known aright, you shall not grieve Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go Along with me. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-The same. A Tent.

Enter CORDELIA, Physician, and Soldiers.
Cor. Alack, 'tis he; why, he was met even now
As mad as the vex'd sea: singing aloud;
Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow weeds,
With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow

In our sustaining corn.-A century send forth;
Search every acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.]-
What can man's wisdom do,
In the restoring his bereaved sense?

He, that helps him, take all my outward worth
Phy. There is means, madam:
Our foster-nurse of nature is repose,

The which he lacks; that to provoke in him,
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.

Cor. All bless'd secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate, In the good man's distress!-Seek, seek for him; Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life That wants the means to lead it.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherwar 1. Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands In expectation of them.-O dear father, It is thy business that I go about; Therefore great France

My mourning, and important9 tears, hath pitied. No blown' ambition doth our arms incite,

Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous.

Stew. I may not, madam; My lady charged my duty in this business. Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might

not you

Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
Something-I know not what:-I'll love thee
much,.
Let me unseal the letter.

Stew.

Madam, I had ratherReg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange ciliads, and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam?

Reg. I speak in understanding; you are,
know it:

Therefore, I do advise you, take this note :3
My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd;
And more convenient is he for my hand,
Than for your lady's:-You may gather more.
If you do find him, pray you, give him this:
And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.
So, fare you well.

If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam; I would

show

What party I do follow. Reg.

Fare thee well. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-The Country near Dover. Enter GLOSTER, and EDGAR dressed like a Peasant. Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill?

Edg. You do climb up it now; look, how we
labor.
Glo. Methinks, the ground is even.
Edg.

Hark, do you hear the sea?

Glo. No, truly. Edg. Why,then your other senses grow imperfect By your eyes' anguish.

Glo. So may it be, indeed: Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst. Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in nothing am I changed, But in my garments. Glo.

Methinks, you are better spoken. Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place:-stand still.-How fearful

And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air,
Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphire dreadful trade!
Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head:
The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice; and yon' tall anchoring bark,

A cast, or significant glance of the eye. Observe what I am saying.

A vegetable gathered for pickling.

Glo.

Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossan feathers, air,

So many fathom down precipitating,

Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou do f

breathe;

Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; it to the

sound.

Ten masts at each make not the altitude,
Thy life's a miracle: Speak yet again.
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell;

Glo. But have I fallen, or no?

Edg. From the dread summit of this chaly bourn;

A poor unfortunate beggar Edg. As I stood here below, methought. his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, and waved like the enridged sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy father, Think that the clearest gods, who make them

honors

Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
Glo. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear
Affliction, till it do cry out itself,
Enough, enough, and die. That thing you speak of,
I took it for a man; often 'twould say,
The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place.
Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But who

comes here?

Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up Flowers.

The safer sense will ne'er accommodate His master thus.

Her cock-boat.

Thus might he die in reality. Twisted, convolved.

with

• Tumble.

• Sb ill-throated

The prest

t

cock, a buoy. No, they cannot touch me for coining; ht: The muhe king himself.

g. Sweet marjoram. Let go my tar. Pass.

initae. I know that voice.

ng: Fainesar. Ha! Goneril!-with a white beard!-They Du further star'd me like a dog; and told me, I had white hear thee in my beard, ere the black ones were there. od sir. ay ay, and no, to every thing I said!-Ay and 30 was no good divinity. When the rain came With all met me once, and the wind to make me chatter; with his den the thunder would not peace at my bidding; e I found them, there I smelt them out. Go to, hty gods are not men o' their words: they told me I was id, in your sy thing; 'tis a lie; I am not ague-proof. iction of: lo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: not fall not the king? pposeless ear.

Ay, every inch a king: nature, sen I do stare, see, how the subject quakes.

O, bless Lardon that man's life; what was thy cause?

1

ullery

aps, andou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No: one, sirve wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly eit may re es lecher in my sight.

itself

t copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son n whereas kinder to his father, than my daughters Alivetween the lawful sheets. ust, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.hold yon' simpering dame,

-Yet he re

hose face between her forks presageth snow;
bat minceth virtue, and does shake the head
o hear of pleasure's name;

The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't
ith a more riotous appetite.

own from the waist they are centaurs,
"hough women all above;

let med tht but

ating.

at to the girdle do the gods inherit, noeneath is all the fiend's; there's hell, there's dark

ness.

here is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding. tench, consumption;-Fie, fie, fie! pah; pah! live me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to weeten my imagination: there's money for thee. Go. O. let me kiss that hand!

red let

Leur. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world shall so wear out to naught.-Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost hou squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; Ill not love.-Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.

Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Edg. I would not take this from report;-it is, And my heart breaks at it.

Lear. Read.

it of th

Glo. What, with the case of eyes?

Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: Yet you see how this world goes.

Glo. I see it feelingly.

Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears; see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handydandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? Glo. Ay, sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of authority: a dog's obey'd in office.

Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand: Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;

An arrow of a cloth-yard long.

The white mark for archers to aim at. The watch-word. Likeness, manner.

Through tatter'd clothes small vices du appear; Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sir with gold,

Battle-axes.

• Look asquint.

And the strong lance of justice hurtless break Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it. None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em. Take that of me, my friend, who have the power To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes; And, like a scurvy politician, seem

see the things thou dost not.-Now, now, now,

now:

Pull off my boots:-harder, harder; so.
Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd!
Reason in madness!

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.

I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster Thou must be patient; we came crying hither. Thou know'st the first time that we smell the air, We wawl, and cry.-I will preach to thee; mark

Gent.

Good sir.

Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: What?

My masters, know you that?
I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you.
Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it,
you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.
[Exit, running; Attendants follow.
Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch;
Past speaking of in a king!-Thou hast one
Who redeems nature from the general curse
Which twain have brought her to.
Edg. Hail, gentle sir.

daughter,

Gent.
Sir, speed you: What's your will?
Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
Gent. Most sure, and vulgar; every one hears
that,

Which can distinguish sound.

Edg.

But by your favor,

How near's the other army?

Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.'

Edg.
I thank you, sir: that's all
Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is
here,

Her army is mov'd on.

Edg.
I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent.
Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from

me;

Let not my worser spirit2 tempt me again To die before you please!

Edg.

Well pray you, father. Glo. Now, good sir, what are you? Edg. A most poor man, made tame by fortune's blows;

Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, I'll lead you to some biding.

Glo.

Hearty thanks: The bounty and the benizon3 of heaven

Block anciently signified the head part of a hat i.e. A man of tears.

The main body is expected to be descried every hour.

2 Evil genius. ⚫ Blessing.

Reward, recompense.