Alb. We will greet the time.1 [Exit. Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn iny love; Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Both, one, or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, If both remain alive: to take the widow, Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; Her husband being alive. Now then, we 'll use [Exit. SCENE II. A field between the two camps. Alarums within. Enter, with drum and colors, Lear, CORDELIA, and their forces; and exeunt. Enter EDGAR and GLOSTER. Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host; pray that the right may thrive: 1 Be ready to meet the occasion. Edg. Away, old man; give me thy hand; away: King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en: Give me thy hand; come on. Glos. No farther, sir; a man may rot even here. Edg. What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Glos. 1 Come on. And that's true too. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The British camp, near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colors, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA as prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known 1 i. e. to be ready, prepared. • Pass judgment on them. We are not the first, Cor. Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down; Myself could else outfrown false Fortune's frown.Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters? Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison. We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage. Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who 's out;And take upon us the mystery of things, : As if we were God's spies and we'll wear out, Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? He, that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven, first. 1 Skin. Come. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. Take thou this note; [giving a paper.] go, follow them to prison. One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost Does not become a sword: thy great employment Off. I'll do 't, my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast done. Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so, As I have set it down. Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats: If it be man's work, I will do it. [Exit Officer. Florish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Officers, and Attendants. Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, And Fortune led you well: you have the captives Edm. Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention, and appointed guard; Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes Which do command them: with him I sent the queen; My reason all the same: and they are ready, Where you shall hold your session. At this time friend; And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed By those that feel their sharpness. The question of Cordelia and her father Requires a fitter place. Alb. Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, Re. That's as we list to grace him. Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded, Not so hot: Gon. Re. In my rights, I Plenary delegation of authority. |