2854You know the goodnesse I intend vpon you:

2855Tell me but truly, but then speake the truth,

2856Do you not loue my Sister?

2857Bast. In honour'd Loue.

2858Reg. But haue you neuer found my Brothers way,

2859To the fore-fended place?

2860Bast. No by mine honour, Madam.

2861Reg. I neuer shall endure her, deere my Lord

2862Be not familiar with her.

2863Bast. Feare not, she and the Duke her husband.

2865Alb. Our very louing Sister, well be-met:

2866Sir, this I heard, the King is come to his Daughter

2867With others, whom the rigour of our State

2868Forc'd to cry out.

2869Regan. Why is this reasond?

2870Gone. Combine together 'gainst the Enemie:

2871For these domesticke and particurlar broiles,

2872Are not the question heere.

2873Alb. Let's then determine with th'ancient of warre

2874On our proceeding.

2875Reg. Sister you'le go with vs?

2876Gon. No.

2877Reg. 'Tis most conuenient, pray go with vs.

2878Gon. Oh ho, I know the Riddle, I will goe.

2881Edg. If ere your Grace had speech with man so poore,

2882Heare me one word.

2883Alb. Ile ouertake you, speake.

2884Edg. Before you fight the Battaile, ope this Letter:

2885If you haue victory, let the Trumpet sound

2886For him that brought it: wretched though I seeme,

2887I can produce a Champion, that will proue

2888What is auouched there. If you miscarry,

2889Your businesse of the world hath so an end,

2890And machination ceases. Fortune loues you.

2891Alb. Stay till I haue read the Letter.

2892Edg. I was forbid it:

2893When time shall serue, let but the Herald cry,

2894And Ile appeare againe. Exit.

2895Alb. Why farethee well, I will o're-looke thy paper.

2897Bast. The Enemy's in view, draw vp your powers,

2898Heere is the guesse of their true strength and Forces,

2899By dilligent discouerie, but your hast

2900Is now vrg'd on you.

2901Alb. We will greet the time. Exit.

2902Bast. To both these Sisters haue I sworne my loue:

2903Each iealous of the other, as the stung

2904Are of the Adder. Which of them shall I take?

2905Both? One ? Or neither? Neither can be enioy'd

2906If both remaine aliue: To take the Widdow,

2907Exasperates, makes mad her Sister Gonerill,

2908And hardly shall I carry out my side,

2909Her husband being aliue. Now then, wee'l vse

2910His countenance for the Battaile, which being done,

2911Let her who would be rid of him, deuise

2912His speedy taking off. As for the mercie

2913Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,

2914The Battaile done, and they within our power,

2915Shall neuer see his pardon: for my state,

2916Stands on me to defend, not to debate. Exit.

2921Edg. Heere Father, take the shadow of this Tree

2922For your good hoast: pray that the right may thriue:

2923If euer I returne to you againe,

2924Ile bring you comfort.

2925Glo. Grace go with you Sir. Exit.

2928Egdar. Away old man, giue me thy hand, away:

2929King Lear hath lost, he and his Daughter tane,

2930Giue me thy hand: Come on.

2931Glo. No further Sir, a man may rot euen heere.

2932Edg. What in ill thoughts againe?

2933Men must endure

2934Their going hence, euen as their comming hither,

2935Ripenesse is all come on.

2936Glo. And that's true too. Exeunt.

2940Bast. Some Officers take them away: good guard,

2941Vntill their greater pleasures first be knowne

2942That are to censure them.

2943Cor. We are not the first,

2944Who with best meaning haue incurr'd the worst:

2945For thee oppressed King I am cast downe,

2946My selfe could else out-frowne false Fortunes frowne.

2947Shall we not see these Daughters, and these Sisters?

2948Lear. No, no, no, no: come let's away to prison,

2949We two alone will sing like Birds i'th'Cage:

2950When thou dost aske me blessing, Ile kneele downe

2951And aske of thee forgiuenesse: So wee'l liue,

2952And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh

2953At gilded Butterflies: and heere (poore Rogues)

2954Talke of Court newes, and wee'l talke with them too,

2955Who looses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;

2956And take vpon's the mystery of things,

2957As if we were Gods spies: And wee'l weare out

2958In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,

2959That ebbe and flow by th'Moone.

2960Bast. Take them away.

2961Lear. Vpon such sacrifices my Cordelia,

2962The Gods themselues throw Incense.

2963Haue I caught thee?

2964He that parts vs, shall bring a Brand from Heauen,

2965And fire vs hence, like Foxes: wipe thine eyes,

2966The good yeares shall deuoure them, flesh and fell,