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Sir, this I heard,—the king is come to his daughter,
With others whom the rigour of our state
Forc’d to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
I never yet was valiant: for this business,
It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
Not bolds the king, with others whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
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’s, then, determine
With the ancient of war on our proceeding.
Edm.
I shall attend you presently at your tent.
Reg.
Sister, you’ll go with us?
Gon.
No.
Reg.
‘Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.
Gon.
[Aside.] O, ho, I know the riddle.—I will go.
[As they are going out, 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.
[Exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Officers, Soldiers, and
Attendants.]
Edg.
Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it: wretched though I seem,
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Alb.
Stay till I have read the letter.
Edg.
I was forbid it.
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I’ll appear again.
Alb.
Why, fare thee well: I will o’erlook thy paper.
[Exit Edgar.]
[Re-enter Edmund.]
Edm.
The enemy’s in view; draw up your powers.
Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
By diligent discovery;—but your haste
Is now urg’d on you.
Alb.
We will greet the time.
[Exit.]
Edm.
To both these sisters have I sworn my 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;
And hardly shall I carry out my side,
Her husband being alive. Now, then, we’ll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,—
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon: for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
[Exit.]
SCENE II. A field between the two Camps.
[Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, 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:
If ever I return to you again,
I’ll bring you comfort.
Glou.
Grace go with you, sir!
[Exit Edgar].
[Alarum and retreat within. R-enter Edgar.]
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!
Glou.
No further, sir; a man may rot even here.
Edg.
What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure
Their going hence, even as their coming hither;
Ripeness is all:—come on.
Glou.
And that’s true too.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. The British Camp near Dover.
[Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, Edmund; Lear and
Cordelia prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.]
Edm.
Some officers take them away: good guard
Until their greater pleasures first be known
That are to censure them.
Cor.
We are not the first
Who with best meaning have incurr’d the worst.
For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down;
Myself could else out-frown 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:
When thou dost ask me blessing I’ll kneel down
And ask of thee forgiveness: so we’ll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
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’s the mystery of things,
As if we were God’s spies: and we’ll wear out,
In a wall’d prison, packs and sects of great ones