Let pity not be believ'd!-There she shook And clamour moisten'd: then away she started 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? Kent. Was this before the king return'd? 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 his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting 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, In our sustaining corn.-A century send forth; 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. Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, The which he lacks; that to provoke in him, Cor. All bless'd secrets, That wants the means to lead it. Mess. Enter a Messenger. Madam, news? The British powers are marching hitherward. Therefore great France My mourning, and important tears, bath pitied. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A Room in GLOSTER'S Castle. Enter REGAN and STEWARD. Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth? Stew. Ay, madam. Himself Stew. Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier. Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? Stew. No, madam. Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady. Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out, To let him live; where he arrives, he moves All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone, In pity of his misery, to despatch His nighted life; moreover, to descry The strength o'the enemy. Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous. Stew. I may not, madam; My lady charg'd 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 œiliads, and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam? Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it : Therefore, I do advise you, take this note: My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, 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 labour. Glo. Methinks, the ground is even. Glo. Horrible steep: No, truly. Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imperfect By your eyes' anguish. Glo. Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in nothing am I chang'd, 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, Glo. Set me where you stand. Edg. Give me your hand: You are now within a foot Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon Would I not leap upright. Glo. Let go my hand. Here, friend, is another purse; in it, a jewel, Glo. [Seems to go. With all my heart. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Is done to cure it. Glo. Yields to the theft: Had he been where he thought, Glo. Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, air, So many fathom down precipitating, feathers, Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Which thou hast perpendicularly fell; Thy life's a miracle: Speak yet again. Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn: Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorg'd lark so far Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up. Glo. Alack, I have no eyes. |