with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond justice159 rails
upon yond simple160 thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places,
and handy-dandy161, which is the justice, which is the thief?
Thou hast seen a farmer’s dog bark at a beggar?
GLOUCESTER Ay, sir.
LEAR And the creature run from the cur? There thou
mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog’s obeyed165
in office.
Thou rascal beadle167, hold thy bloody hand!
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thy own back:
Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind169
For which thou whip’st her. The usurer hangs the cozener170.
Through tattered clothes great vices do appear:
Robes and furred gowns hide all. Place sins with gold172,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless173 breaks:
Arm it174 in rags, a pigmy’s straw does pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say, none: I’ll able ’em175.
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal th’accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes,
And like a scurvy politician178 seem
To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now179.
Pull off my boots: harder, harder: so.
Aside
EDGAR O, matter and impertinency181 mixed! Reason in madness!
LEAR If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough: thy name is Gloucester.
Thou must be patient; we came crying hither184.
Thou know’st the first time that we smell the air
We wail and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.
GLOUCESTER Alack, alack the day!
LEAR When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools. This a good block189:
It were a delicate190 stratagem to shoe
A troop of horse with felt: I’ll put’t in proof191,
And when I have stol’n upon these son-in-laws,
Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
Enter a Gentleman [with Attendants]
GENTLEMAN O, here he is: lay hand upon him.— Sir,
Your most dear daughter—
LEAR No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool197 of fortune. Use me well,
You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons:
I am cut to th’brains.
GENTLEMAN You shall have anything.
LEAR No seconds201? All myself?
Why, this would make a man a man of salt202
To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
I will die bravely204, like a smug bridegroom. What?
I will be jovial205. Come, come, I am a king,
Masters206, know you that?
GENTLEMAN You are a royal one, and we obey you.
LEAR Then there’s life in’t. Come, an you get it, you shall
get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa209.
Exit
Running, Attendants follow
GENTLEMAN A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast a daughter
Who redeems nature from the general curse212
Which twain213 have brought her to.
EDGAR Hail, gentle214 sir.
GENTLEMAN Sir, speed you215: what’s your will?
EDGAR Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward216?
GENTLEMAN Most sure and vulgar217: everyone hears that
Which can distinguish sound.
EDGAR But, by your favour219,
How near’s the other army?
GENTLEMAN Near and on speedy foot: the main descry221
Stands on the hourly thought.
EDGAR I thank you, sir: that’s all.
GENTLEMAN Though that the queen on special cause224 is here,
Her army is moved on.
Exit
EDGAR I thank you, sir.
GLOUCESTER You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from
me:
Let not my worser spirit229 tempt me again
To die before you please!
EDGAR Well pray you, father.
GLOUCESTER Now, good sir, what are you?
EDGAR A most poor man, made tame to fortune’s blows,
Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows234,
Am pregnant to good pity235. Give me your hand:
Takes his arm
I’ll lead you to some biding236.
GLOUCESTER Hearty thanks:
The bounty and the benison238 of heaven
To boot, and boot239.
Enter Steward [Oswald]
OSWALD A proclaimed prize! Most happy240!
That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh241
To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,
Draws
Briefly thyself remember243: the sword is out
That must destroy thee.
GLOUCESTER Now let thy friendly hand
Edgar interposes
Put strength enough to’t.
OSWALD Wherefore, bold peasant,
Darest thou support a published248 traitor? Hence,
Lest that th’infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
EDGAR ‘Chill not let go, zir, without vurther ’casion251.
OSWALD Let go, slave, or thou diest!
EDGAR Good gentleman, go your gait253, and let poor volk
pass. An ’chud ha’ bin zwaggered out of my life, ’twould not254
ha’ bin zo long as ’tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near
th’old man: keep out, che vor ye, or I’se256 try whether your
costard or my ballow257 be the harder. ’Chill be plain with you.
OSWALD Out, dunghill!
They fight
EDGAR ’Chill pick your teeth, zir: come, no matter vor your foins259.
OSWALD Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse:
If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body
And give the letters which thou find’st about me
To Edmund, Earl of Gloucester: seek him out
Upon the English party264. O, untimely death! Death!
He dies
EDGAR I know thee welclass="underline" a serviceable265 villain,
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
GLOUCESTER What, is he dead?
EDGAR Sit you down, father: rest you.
Let’s see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of
May be my friends. He’s dead: I am only sorry
He had no other deathsman272. Let us see.
Opens the letter
Leave273, gentle wax, and manners, blame us not:
To know our enemies’ minds we rip their hearts:
Their papers is more lawful.
Reads the letter
‘Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many
opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not277, time and
place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done278 if he
return the conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my
jail, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and
supply the place for your labour281. Your — wife, so I would say
— affectionate servant282, Goneril.’
O, undistinguished space of woman’s will283!
A plot upon her virtuous husband’s life,
And the exchange my brother! Here in the sands
Thee I’ll rake up, the post unsanctified286
Of murderous lechers: and in the mature time287