Slain by his servant, going to put out
The other eye of Gloucester.
ALBANY Gloucester’s eyes?
MESSENGER A servant that he bred, thrilled with remorse48,
Opposed against the act, bending49 his sword
To his great master, who, threat-enraged50,
Flew on him and amongst them felled him dead,
But not without that harmful stroke which since
Hath plucked him after53.
ALBANY This shows you are above,
You justices, that these our nether55 crimes
So speedily can venge56. But, O, poor Gloucester!
Lost he his other eye?
MESSENGER Both, both, my lord.—
Gives a letter
This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer:
’Tis from your sister.
Aside
GONERIL One way I like this welclass="underline"
But being widow, and my Gloucester with her,
May all the building in my fancy pluck63
Upon my hateful life: another way,
The news is not so tart65.— I’ll read, and answer.
[Exit]
ALBANY Where was his son when they did take his eyes?
MESSENGER Come with my lady hither.
ALBANY He is not here.
MESSENGER No, my good lord, I met him back69 again.
ALBANY Knows he the wickedness?
MESSENGER Ay, my good lord: ’twas he informed against him,
And quit the house on purpose that their punishment
Might have the freer course.
ALBANY Gloucester, I live
To thank thee for the love thou showed’st the king
And to revenge thine eyes.— Come hither, friend:
Tell me what more thou know’st.
Exeunt
Act 4 Scene 3
running scene 14
Enter with Drum and Colours Cordelia, Gentleman and Soldiers
CORDELIA Alack, ’tis he: why, he was met even now
As mad as the vexed2 sea, singing aloud,
Crowned with rank fumiter and furrow weeds3,
With burdocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers4,
Darnel, and all the idle5 weeds that grow
In our sustaining corn. A sentry send forth;
Search every acre in the high-grown field
And bring him to our eye.—
[Exit a Soldier]
What can man’s wisdom8
In the restoring his bereavèd9 sense?
He that helps him take all my outward worth10.
GENTLEMAN There is means, madam:
Our foster-nurse of nature is repose12,
The which he lacks: that to provoke in him13
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.
CORDELIA All blest secrets,
All you unpublished virtues17 of the earth,
Spring with my tears! Be aidant and remediate18
In the good man’s distress! Seek, seek for him,
Lest his ungoverned rage20 dissolve the life
That wants the means21 to lead it.
Enter Messenger
MESSENGER News, madam:
The British powers are marching hitherward.
CORDELIA ’Tis known before: our preparation24 stands
In expectation of them. O dear father,
It is thy business that I go about:
Therefore great France27
My mourning and importuned28 tears hath pitied.
No blown29 ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our aged father’s right:
Soon may I hear and see him!
Exeunt
Act 4 Scene 4
running scene 15
Enter Regan and Steward [Oswald]
REGAN But are my brother’s powers set forth?
OSWALD Ay, madam.
REGAN Himself in person there?
OSWALD Madam, with much ado4:
Your sister is the better soldier.
REGAN Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?
OSWALD No, madam.
REGAN What might import8 my sister’s letter to him?
OSWALD I know not, lady.
REGAN Faith, he is posted10 hence on serious matter.
It was great ignorance11, Gloucester’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 dispatch
His nighted life: moreover, to descry15
The strength o’th’enemy.
OSWALD I must needs after17 him, madam, with my letter.
REGAN Our troops set forth tomorrow. Stay with us:
The ways19 are dangerous.
OSWALD I may not, madam:
My lady charged my duty21 in this business.
REGAN Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
Transport her purposes by word? Belike23,
Some things I know not what. I’ll love thee24 much,
Let me unseal the letter.
OSWALD Madam, I had rather—
REGAN I know your lady does not love her husband,
I am sure of that: and at her late being here
She gave strange oeillades and most speaking29 looks
To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom30.
OSWALD I, madam?
REGAN I speak in understanding. Y’are32, I know’t.
Therefore I do advise you, take this note33.
My lord is dead: Edmund and I have talked,
And more convenient35 is he for my hand
Than for your lady’s: you may gather more36.
If you do find him, pray you give him this,
Gives a token or a letter
And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
I pray desire her call her wisdom to her39.
So, fare you well.
If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
OSWALD Would I could meet43, madam, I should show
What party I do follow.
REGAN Fare thee well.
Exeunt
Act 4 Scene 5
running scene 16
Enter Gloucester and Edgar
Edgar dressed like a peasant
GLOUCESTER When shall I come to th’top of that same hill1?
EDGAR You do climb up it now: look how we labour.
GLOUCESTER Methinks the ground is even.
EDGAR Horrible steep.
Hark, do you hear the sea?
GLOUCESTER No, truly.
EDGAR Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect
By your eyes’ anguish.
GLOUCESTER So may it be, indeed:
Methinks thy voice is altered and thou speak’st
In better phrase and matter11 than thou didst.
EDGAR You’re much deceived: in nothing am I changed
But in my garments.
GLOUCESTER Methinks you’re better spoken.
EDGAR 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 midway17 air
Show scarce so gross18 as beetles: halfway down
Hangs one that gathers samphire19, dreadful trade!
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.
The fishermen that walk upon the beach
Appear like mice, and yond tall anchoring bark22
Diminished to her cock23, her cock, a buoy
Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge,