That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling Edg. [Drum afar off. Give me your hand: [Exeunt. Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum. SCENE VII. A Tent in the French Camp. LEAR on a Bed, asleep; Doctor, Gentleman, and Others, altending: Enter CORDelia and Kent. Cor, O thou good Kent! how shall I live, and work, To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, Kent. To be acknowledg'd, Madam, is o'er-paid. Nor more, nor clipp'd, but so. Cor. Be better suited: These weeds are memories of those worser hours. Kent. Pardon me, dear Madam; Yet to be known shortens my made intent: Cor. Then be 't so, my good lord. Doct. Madam, sleeps still. Cor. O, you kind gods, How does the king? [To the Physician. Cure this great breach in his abused nature! Doct. up So please your majesty, That we may wake the king? he hath slept long. Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd? Doct. Ay, Madam; in the heaviness of his sleep, We put fresh garments on him. Kent. Good Madam, be by when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance. Cor. Very well. [Music. Doct. Please you, draw near. Louder the music there. Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters Have in thy reverence made! Kent. Kind and dear princess! Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder? Of quick, cross lightning? to watch (poor perdu!) Though he had bit me, should have stood that night Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him. Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty? Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears Cor. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die? Cor. Still, still, far wide. Doct. He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? - Fair day-light?— I am mightily abus'd. I should even die with pity To see another thus. I know not what to say. let's see; I will not swear, these are my hands: - Cor. O! look upon me, Sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me. Lear. I am a very foolish fond old man, Pray, do not mock me: Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should know you, and know this man; To be my child Cordelia. Cor. And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: If you have poison for me, I will drink it. I know, you do not love me; for your sisters You have some cause, they have not. Cor. Lear. Am I in France? Lear. Do not abuse me. No cause, no cause. In your own kingdom, Sir. Doct. Be comforted, good Madam: the great rage, You see, is cur'd in him; and yet it is danger To make him even o'er the time he has lost. Desire him to go in: trouble him no more, You must bear with me: Cor. Will 't please your highness walk? Lear. Pray you now forget and forgive: I am old, and foolish. [Exeunt LEAR, CORDELIA, Doctor, and Attendants. Gent. Holds it true, Sir, that the duke of Cornwall was so Gent. Who is conductor of his people? Kent. As 't is said, the bastard son of Gloster. Gent. They say, Edgar, his banished son, is with the earl of Kent in Germany. Kent. Report is changeable. 'T is time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom approach apace. Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare you well, Sir. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be throughly wrought, Or well or ill, as this day's battle 's fought. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I. The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. Enter, with Drums and Colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and Others. Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold; Or whether since he is advis'd by aught To change the course. He's full of alteration, [To an Officer, who goes out. Now, sweet lord, Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. In honour'd love. Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended place? Edm. That thought abuses you. Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct, And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. Edm. No, by mine honour, Madam. Be not familiar with her. Enter ALBANY, Goneril, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met. Edm. Sir you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy; For these domestic and particular broils Are not the question here. Alb. Let us, then, determine With the ancient of war on our proceedings. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Enter EDGAR, disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. Alb. I'll overtake you. - Speak. [Aside [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter, If you have victory, let the trumpet sound Sol |