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King Lear (Modern, Folio)
When shall I come to th'top of that same hill?
You do climb up it now. Look how we labor.
Methinks the ground is even.
2434Edgar
Horrible steep.
No, truly.
Why, then your other senses grow imperfect
2439Gloucester
So may it be, indeed.
Y'are much deceived. In nothing am I changed
2444Gloucester
Methinks y'are better spoken.
2460Gloucester
Set me where you stand.
Give me your hand.
Let go my hand.
[Pretending to leave] Now fare ye well, good sir.
2470Gloucester
With all my heart.
[Aside] Why I do trifle thus with his despair
2473Gloucester
O you mighty gods--
4.5.36.1[He kneels.]
4.5.43.1[He falls forward.]
2481Edgar
Gone, sir; farewell.
2489Gloucester
Away, and let me die.
Hadst thou been aught 2491but gossamer, feathers, air,
But have I fallen or no?
From the dread summit of this chalky bourn,
Alack, I have no eyes.
2507Edgar
Give me your arm.
Too well, too well.
2510Edgar
This is above all strangeness.
2513Gloucester
A poor unfortunate beggar.
As I stood here below, methought his eyes
I do remember now. Henceforth I'll bear
Bear free and patient thoughts.
2527But who comes here?
No, they cannot touch me for crying. I am the 2531King himself.
Oh, thou side-piercing sight!
Nature's above art in that respect. There's your 2534press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a 2535crow-keeper. Draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a 2536mouse! Peace, peace. This piece of toasted cheese will 2537do't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. 2538Bring up the brown bills. Oh, well flown, bird; i'th' 2539clout, i'th'clout. Hewgh. Give the word.
Sweet marjoram.
Pass.
I know that voice.
Ha! Goneril with a white beard? They flattered 2544me like a dog and told me I had the white hairs in 2545my beard ere the black ones were there. To say "ay" and 2546"no" to everything that I said "Ay" and "no" to was no good 2547divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the 2548wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not 2549peace at my bidding--there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em 2550out. Go to, they are not men o'their words; they told 2551me I was everything. 'Tis a lie. I am not ague-proof.
The trick of that voice I do well remember.
Ay, every inch a king.
There's hell, there's 2570darkness, 18there is the sulphurous pit; burning, scalding, stench, 2571consumption. Fie, fie, fie, pah, pah. 19Give me an ounce 2572of civet; good apothecary, 20sweeten my imagination. 2573There's money for thee.
Oh, let me kiss that hand.
Let me wipe it first. 2576It smells of mortality.
O ruined piece of nature! This great world
I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou 2581squinny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid, I'll not 2582love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning 2583of it.
Were all thy letters suns I could not see.
[Aside] I would not take this from report. 2586It is,
4.5.118And my heart breaks at it.
Read.
What? With the case of eyes?
Oh ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your 2590head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a 2591heavy case, your purse in a light, yet you see how this world 2592goes.
I see it feelingly.
What, art mad? A man may see how this world 2595goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See how 2596yond justice rails upon yond simple thief? Hark in 2597thine ear. Change places, and handy-dandy, which is 2598the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a 2599farmer's dog bark at a beggar?
Ay, sir.
And the creature run from the cur? There thou 2602mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's 2603obeyed in office.
4.5.130The usurer hangs the cozener.
[Aside] Oh, matter and impertinency mixed;
If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
Alack, alack the day.
When we are born, we cry that we are come
Oh, here he is. Lay hand upon him. Sir,
No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
2637Gentleman
You shall have anything.
No seconds? All myself?
What? I will be jovial.
You are a royal one, and we obey you.
Then there's life in't. Come, an you get it,
A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
2650Edgar
Hail, gentle sir.
Sir, speed you. What's your will?
Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
Most sure and vulgar.
But, by your favor, 2656how near's the other army?
Near and on speedy foot. The main descry
I thank you, sir. That's all.
Though that the queen on special cause is here
2662Edgar
I thank you, sir.
4.5.184.1Exit [Gentleman].
You ever gentle gods take my breath from me.
2666Edgar
Well pray you, father.
Now, good sir, what are you?
A most poor man made tame to fortune's blows,
2672Gloucester
Hearty thanks.
2676Oswald
A proclaimed prize! Most happy.
2681Gloucester
Now let thy friendly hand
4.5.200.1[Edgar steps between them.]
2683Oswald
Wherefore, bold peasant
Chill not let go zir, 2688without vurther 'casion.
Let go, slave, or thou diest.
Good gentleman, go your gait and let poor 2691volk pass. An 'chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 2692'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis, by a vortnight. Nay, 2693come not near th'old man. Keep out, che vor ye, or I'se 2694try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder. 2695Chill be plain with you.
Out, dunghill!
4.5.240.1[They fight.]
Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come, no matter vor 2698your foins.
4.5.210.1[Edgar knocks him down.]
Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.
4.5.212.1[He dies.]
I know thee well. A serviceable villain,
2707Gloucester
What, is he dead?
Sit you down, father; rest you.--
4.5.216.1[Gloucester sits.]
2715Reads the letter.
4.5.2232716"Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many 2717opportunities to cut him off. If your will want not, time and 2718place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done if he 2719return the conqueror, then am I the prisoner and his bed my 2720jail, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me and 2721supply the place for your labor. 2722Your--wife, so I would say--2723affectionate servant47.1.
The King is mad. 2733How stiff is my vile sense
2740Edgar
Give me your hand.