Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is 't not the king? Lear. Ay, every inch a king: When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes. I pardon that man's life: what was thy cause? - Thou shalt not die: die for adultery? No: The wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly Let copulation thrive; for Gloster's bastard son - To 't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers. The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't With a more riotous appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs, But to the girdle do the gods inherit, Beneath is all the fiends: there 's hell, there's darkness, there is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption; -fie, fie, fie! pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee. Glo. O, let me kiss that hand! Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love. thou this challenge: mark but the penning of it. Read Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Lear. Read. 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 yond' justice rails upon yond' simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, 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; Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener. To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness! now: Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come To this great stage of fools. This a good block? It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; Enter a Gentleman with Attendants. Gent. O here he is: lay hand upon him. Your most dear daughter - Sir, Lear. No rescue? What! a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune. - Use me well; You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon, I am cut to the brains. Gent. You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds? All myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust. Gent. Lear I will die bravely, Good Sir, Like a smug bridegroom. What! I will be jovial. Come, come; I am a king, my masters, know you that? Lear. Then there's life in it. get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. Nay, an you get it, you shall [Exit: Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, Past speaking of in a king! - Thou hast one daughter, Who redeems nature from the general cursc Which twain have brought her to. Edg. Hail, gentle Sir! Sir, speed you: what's your will? Gent. Which can distinguish sound. Edg. How near's the other army? But, by your favour, 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 spirit 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 to 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 bilding. Briefly thyself remember: That must destroy thee. Glo. Put strength enough to it. Osw. Thou old unhappy traitor, the sword is out Now let thy friendly hand [EDGAR interposes. Wherefore, bold peasant, Hence; Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Lest that th' infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without varther 'casion. Osw. Let go, slave, or thou diest. Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 't would not ha' been zo long as 't is by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor'ye, or Ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder. Ch'ill be plain with you. 198 Osw. Out, dunghill! Edg. foins. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir. Come; no matter vor your [They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Villain, take my purse. Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me. If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; - And give the letters, which thou find'st about me, Upon the British party: - 0, untimely death! Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of thy mistress, As badness would desire. Glo. What! is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you. Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, He had no other death's-man. Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: [Dies. [Reads.] "Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror; then, am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour. "Your (wife, so I would say) O, undistinguish'd space of woman's will! GONERIL." Here, in the sands, Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified Glo. The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense, |