2431Glou. When shall I come to th'top of that same hill?

2432Edg. You do climbe vp it now. Look how we labor.

2433Glou. Me thinkes the ground is eeuen.

2434Edg. Horrible steepe.

2435Hearke, do you heare the Sea?

2436Glou. No truly.

2437Edg. Why then your other Senses grow imperfect

2438By your eyes anguish.

2439Glou. So may it be indeed.

2440Me thinkes thy voyce is alter'd, and thou speak'st

2441In better phrase, and matter then thou did'st.

2442Edg. Y'are much deceiu'd: In nothing am I chang'd

2443But in my Garments.

2444Glou. Me thinkes y'are better spoken.

2445Edg. Come on Sir,

2446Heere's the place: stand still: how fearefull

2447And dizie 'tis, to cast ones eyes so low,

2448The Crowes and Choughes, that wing the midway ayre

2449Shew scarse so grosse as Beetles. Halfe way downe

2450Hangs one that gathers Sampire: dreadfull Trade:

2451Me thinkes he seemes no bigger then his head.

2452The Fishermen, that walk'd vpon the beach

2453Appeare like Mice: and yond tall Anchoring Barke,

2454Diminish'd to her Cocke: her Cocke, a Buoy

2455Almost too small for sight. The murmuring Surge,

2456That on th'vnnumbred idle Pebble chafes

2457Cannot be heard so high. Ile looke no more,

2458Least my braine turne, and the deficient sight

2459Topple downe headlong.

2460Glou. Set me where you stand.

2461Edg. Giue me your hand:

2462You are now within a foote of th'extreme Verge:

2463For all beneath the Moone would I not leape vpright.

2464Glou. Let go my hand:

2465Heere Friend's another purse: in it, a Iewell

2466Well worth a poore mans taking. Fayries, and Gods

2467Prosper it with thee. Go thou further off,

2468Bid me farewell, and let me heare thee going.

2469Edg. Now fare ye well, good Sir.

2470Glou. With all my heart.

2471Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his dispaire,

2472Is done to cure it.

2473Glou. O you mighty Gods!

2474This world I do renounce, and in your sights

2475Shake patiently my great affliction off:

2476If I could beare it longer, and not fall

2477To quarrell with your great opposelesse willes,

2478My snuffe, and loathed part of Nature should

2479Burne it selfe out. If Edgar liue, O blesse him:

2480Now Fellow, fare thee well.

2481Edg. Gone Sir, farewell:

2482And yet I know not how conceit may rob

2483The Treasury of life, when life it selfe

2484Yeelds to the Theft. Had he bin where he thought,

2485By this had thought bin past. Aliue, or dead?

2486Hoa, you Sir: Friend, heare you Sir, speake:

2487Thus might he passe indeed: yet he reuiues.

2488What are you Sir?

2489Glou. Away, and let me dye.

2490Edg. Had'st thou beene ought

2491But Gozemore, Feathers, Ayre,

2492(So many fathome downe precipitating)

2493Thou'dst shiuer'd like an Egge: but thou do'st breath:

2494Hast heauy substance, bleed'st not, speak'st, art sound,

2495Ten Masts at each, make not the altitude

2496Which thou hast perpendicularly fell,

2497Thy life's a Myracle. Speake yet againe.

2498Glou. But haue I falne, or no?

2499Edg. From the dread Somnet of this Chalkie Bourne

2500Looke vp a height, the shrill-gorg'd Larke so farre

2501Cannot be seene, or heard: Do but looke vp.

2502Glou. Alacke, I haue no eyes:

2503Is wretchednesse depriu'd that benefit

2504To end it selfe by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,

2505When misery could beguile the Tyranrs rage,

2506And frustrate his proud will.

2507Edg. Giue me your arme.

2508Vp, so: How is't? Feele you your Legges? You stand.

2509Glou. Too well, too well.

2510Edg. This is aboue all strangenesse,

2511Vpon the crowne o'th'Cliffe. What thing was that

2512Which parted from you?

2513Glou. A poore vnfortunate Beggar.

2514Edg. As I stood heere below, me thought his eyes

2515Were two full Moones: he had a thousand Noses,

2516Hornes wealk'd, and waued like the enraged Sea:

2517It was some Fiend: Therefore thou happy Father,

2518Thinke that the cleerest Gods, who make them Honors

2519Of mens Impossibilities, haue preserued thee.

2520Glou. I do remember now: henceforth Ile beare

2521Affliction, till it do cry out it selfe

2522Enough, enough, and dye. That thing you speake of,

2523I tooke it for a man: often 'twould say

2524The Fiend, the Fiend, he led me to that place.

2525Edgar. Beare free and patient thoughts.

2527But who comes heere?

2528The safer sense will ne're accommodate

2529His Master thus.

2530Lear. No, they cannot touch me for crying. I am the

2531King himselfe.

2532Edg. O thou side-piercing sight!

2533Lear. Nature's aboue Art, in that respect. Ther's your

2534Presse-money. That fellow handles his bow, like a Crow-

2535keeper: draw mee a Cloathiers yard. Looke, looke, a

2536Mouse: peace, peace, this peece of toasted Cheese will

2537doo't. There's my Gauntlet, Ile proue it on a Gyant.

2538Bring vp the browne Billes. O well flowne Bird: i'th'

2539clout, i'th'clout: Hewgh. Giue the word.

2540Edg. Sweet Mariorum.

2541Lear. Passe.

2542Glou. I know that voice.

2543Lear. Ha! Gonerill with a white beard? They flatter'd

2544me like a Dogge, and told mee I had the white hayres in

2545my Beard, ere the blacke ones were there. To say I, and

2546no, to euery thing that I said: I, and no too, was no good

2547Diuinity. When the raine came to wet me once, and the

2548winde to make me chatter: when the Thunder would not

2549peace at my bidding, there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em

2550out. Go too, they are not men o'their words; they told

2551me, I was euery thing: 'Tis a Lye, I am not Agu-proofe.

2552Glou. The tricke of that voyce, I do well remember:

2553Is't not the King?

2554Lear. I, euery inch a King.

2555When I do stare, see how the Subiect quakes.

2556I pardon that mans life. What was thy cause?

2557Adultery? thou shalt not dye: dye for Adultery?

2558No, the Wren goes too't, and the small gilded Fly

2559Do's letcher in my sight. Let Copulation thriue:

2560For Glousters bastard Son was kinder to his Father,

2561Then my Daughters got 'tweene the lawfull sheets.

2562Too't Luxury pell-mell, for I lacke Souldiers.

2563Behold yond simpring Dame, whose face betweene her

2564Forkes presages Snow; that minces Vertue, & do's shake

2565the head to heare of pleasures name. The Fitchew, nor

2566the soyled Horse goes too't with a more riotous appe-

2567tite: Downe from the waste they are Centaures, though

2568Women all aboue: but to the Girdle do the Gods inhe-

2569rit, beneath is all the Fiends. There's hell, there's darke-

2570nes, there is the sulphurous pit; burning, scalding, stench,

2571consumption: Fye, fie, fie; pah, pah: Giue me an Ounce

2572of Ciuet; good Apothecary sweeten my immagination:

2573There's money for thee.

2574Glou. O let me kisse that hand.

2575Lear. Let me wipe it first,

2576It smelles of Mortality.

2577Glou. O ruin'd peece of Nature, this great world

2578Shall so weare out to naught.

2579Do'st thou know me?

2580Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough: dost thou

2581squiny at me? No, doe thy worst blinde Cupid, Ile not

2582loue. Reade thou this challenge, marke but the penning

2583of it.

2584Glou. Were all thy Letters Sunnes, I could not see.

2585Edg. I would not take this from report,

2586It is, and my heart breakes at it.

2587Lear. Read.

2588Glou. What with the Case of eyes?

2589Lear. Oh ho, are you there with me? No eies in your

2590head, nor no mony in your purse? Your eyes are in a hea-

2591uy case, your purse in a light, yet you see how this world

2592goes.

2593Glou. I see it feelingly.

2594Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world

2595goes, with no eyes. Looke with thine eares: See how

2596yond Iustice railes vpon yond simple theefe. Hearke in

2597thine eare: Change places, and handy-dandy, which is

2598the Iustice, which is the theefe: Thou hast seene a Far-

2599mers dogge barke at a Beggar?

2600Glou. I Sir.

2601Lear. And the Creature run from the Cur: there thou

2602might'st behold the great image of Authoritie, a Dogg's

2603obey'd in Office. Thou, Rascall Beadle, hold thy bloody

2604hand: why dost thou lash that Whore? Strip thy owne

2605backe, thou hotly lusts to vse her in that kind, for which

2606thou whip'st her. The Vsurer hangs the Cozener. Tho-

2607rough tatter'd cloathes great Vices do appeare: Robes,

2608and Furr'd gownes hide all. Place sinnes with Gold, and

2609the strong Lance of Iustice, hurtlesse breakes: Arme it in

2610ragges, a Pigmies straw do's pierce it. None do's offend,

2611none, I say none, Ile able 'em; take that of me my Friend,

2612who haue the power to seale th'accusers lips. Get thee

2613glasse-eyes, and like a scuruy Politician, seeme to see the

2614things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now. Pull off my

2615Bootes: harder, harder, so.

2616Edg. O matter, and impertinency mixt,

2617Reason in Madnesse.

2618Lear. If thou wilt weepe my Fortunes, take my eyes.

2619I know thee well enough, thy name is Glouster:

2620Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:

2621Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the Ayre

2622We wawle, and cry. I will preach to thee: Marke.

2623Glou. Alacke, alacke the day.

2624Lear. When we are borne, we cry that we are come

2625To this great stage of Fooles. This a good blocke:

2626It were a delicate stratagem to shoo

2627A Troope of Horse with Felt: Ile put't in proofe,

2628And when I haue stolne vpon these Son in Lawes,

2629Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

2631Gent. Oh heere he is: lay hand vpon him, Sir.

2632Your most deere Daughter----

2633Lear. No rescue? What, a Prisoner? I am euen

2634The Naturall Foole of Fortune. Vse me well,

2635You shall haue ransome. Let me haue Surgeons,

2636I am cut to'th'Braines.

2637Gent. You shall haue any thing.

2638Lear. No Seconds? All my selfe?

2639Why, this would make a man, a man of Salt

2640To vse his eyes for Garden water-pots. I wil die brauely,

2641Like a smugge Bridegroome. What? I will be Iouiall:

2642Come, come, I am a King, Masters, know you that?

2643Gent. You are a Royall one, and we obey you.

2644Lear. Then there's life in't. Come, and you get it,

2645You shall get it by running: Sa, sa, sa, sa. Exit.

2646Gent. A sight most pittifull in the meanest wretch,

2647Past speaking of in a King. Thou hast a Daughter

2648Who redeemes Nature from the generall curse

2649Which twaine haue brought her to.

2650Edg. Haile gentle Sir.

2651Gent. Sir, speed you: what's your will?

2652Edg. Do you heare ought (Sir) of a Battell toward.

2653Gent. Most sure, and vulgar:

2654Euery one heares that, which can distinguish sound.

2655Edg. But by your fauour:

2656How neere's the other Army?

2657Gent. Neere, and on speedy foot: the maine descry

2658Stands on the hourely thought.

2659Edg. I thanke you Sir, that's all.

2660Gent. Though that the Queen on special cause is here

2661Her Army is mou'd on. Exit.

2662Edg. I thanke you Sir.

2663Glou. You euer gentle Gods, take my breath from me,

2664Let not my worser Spirit tempt me againe

2665To dye before you please.

2666Edg. Well pray you Father.

2667Glou. Now good sir, what are you?

2668Edg. A most poore man, made tame to Fortunes blows

2669Who, by the Art of knowne, and feeling sorrowes,

2670Am pregnant to good pitty. Giue me your hand,

2671Ile leade you to some biding.

2672Glou. Heartie thankes:

2673The bountie, and the benizon of Heauen

2674To boot, and boot.

2676Stew. A proclaim'd prize: most happie

2677That eyelesse head of thine, was first fram'd flesh

2678To raise my fortunes. Thou old, vnhappy Traitor,

2679Breefely thy selfe remember: the Sword is out

2680That must destroy thee.

2681Glou. Now let thy friendly hand

2682Put strength enough too't.

2683Stew. Wherefore, bold Pezant,

2684Dar'st thou support a publish'd Traitor? Hence,

2685Least that th'infection of his fortune take

2686Like hold on thee. Let go his arme.

2687Edg. Chill not let go Zir,

2688Without vurther 'casion.

2689Stew. Let go Slaue, or thou dy'st.

2690Edg. Good Gentleman goe your gate, and let poore

2691volke passe: and 'chud ha'bin zwaggerd out of my life,

2692'twould not ha'bin zo long as 'tis, by a vortnight. Nay,

2693come not neere th'old man: keepe out che vor'ye, or ice

2694try whither your Costard, or my Ballow be the harder;

2695chill be plaine with you.

2696Stew. Out Dunghill.

2697Edg. Chill picke your teeth Zir: come, no matter vor

2698your foynes.

2699Stew. Slaue thou hast slaine me: Villain, take my purse;

2700If euer thou wilt thriue, bury my bodie,

2701And giue the Letters which thou find'st about me,

2702To Edmund Earle of Glouster: seeke him out

2703Vpon the English party. Oh vntimely death, death.

2704Edg. I know thee well. A seruiceable Villaine,

2705As duteous to the vices of thy Mistris,

2706As badnesse would desire.

2707Glou. What, is he dead?

2708Edg. Sit you downe Father: rest you.

2709Let's see these Pockets; the Letters that he speakes of

2710May be my Friends: hee's dead; I am onely sorry

2711He had no other Deathsman. Let vs see:

2712Leaue gentle waxe, and manners: blame vs not

2713To know our enemies mindes, we rip their hearts,

2714Their Papers is more lawfull.

2716 LEt our reciprocall vowes be remembred. You haue manie

2717opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and

2718place will be fruitfully offer'd. There is nothing done. If hee

2719returne the Conqueror,then am I the Prisoner, and his bed, my

2720Gaole, from the loathed warmth whereof, deliuer me, and sup-

2721ply the place for your Labour.

2724Oh indinguish'd space of Womans will,

2725A plot vpon her vertuous Husbands life,

2726And the exchange my Brother: heere, in the sands

2727Thee Ile rake vp, the poste vnsanctified

2728Of murtherous Letchers: and in the mature time,

2729With this vngracious paper strike the sight

2730Of the death-practis'd Duke: for him 'tis well,

2731That of thy death, and businesse, I can tell.

2732Glou. The King is mad:

2733How stiffe is my vilde sense

2734That I stand vp, and haue ingenious feeling

2735Of my huge Sorrowes? Better I were distract,

2736So should my thoughts be seuer'd from my greefes,

2738And woes, by wrong imaginations loose

2739The knowledge of themselues.

2740Edg. Giue me your hand:

2741Farre off methinkes I heare the beaten Drumme.

2742Come Father, Ile bestow you with a Friend. Exeunt.