Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Michael Best
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Modern, Folio)

2430Enter Gloucester and Edgar [dressed like a peasant].
Gloucester
When shall I come to th'top of that same hill?
Edgar
You do climb up it now. Look how we labor.
Gloucester
Methinks the ground is even.
Edgar
Horrible steep.
2435Hark, 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.
2440Methinks thy voice is altered, and thou speakest
In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
Y'are much deceived. In nothing am I changed
But in my garments.
Gloucester
Methinks y'are better spoken.
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 midway air
Show scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down
2450Hangs one that gathers samphire--dreadful trade.
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.
The fishermen that walk upon the beach
Appear like mice, and yond tall anchoring bark
Diminished to her cock, her cock a buoy
2455Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge,
That on th'unnumbered idle pebble chafes
Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
Topple down headlong.
2460Gloucester
Set me where you stand.
Give me your hand.
You are now within a foot of th'extreme verge.
For all beneath the moon would I not leap upright.
Gloucester
Let go my hand.
2465Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel
Well worth a poor man's taking. Fairies and gods
Prosper it with thee. Go thou further off.
Bid me farewell and let me hear thee going.
[Pretending to leave] Now fare ye well, good sir.
2470Gloucester
With all my heart.
[Aside] Why I do trifle thus with his despair
Is done to cure it.
Gloucester
O you mighty gods--
[He kneels.]
This world I do renounce, and in your sights
2475Shake patiently my great affliction off.
If I could bear it longer, and not fall
To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
My snuff and loathèd part of nature should
Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O bless him.
2480Now, fellow, fare thee well.
[He falls forward.]
Edgar
Gone, sir; farewell.
[Aside] And yet I know not how conceit may rob
The treasury of life, when life itself
Yields to the theft. Had he been where he thought,
2485By this had thought been past. Alive, or dead?
[Aloud] Ho, you sir! Friend, hear you sir? Speak.
[Aside] Thus might he pass indeed. Yet he revives.
[Aloud] What are you, sir?
Gloucester
Away, and let me die.
Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,
So many fathom down precipitating,
Thoudst shivered like an egg. But thou dost breathe,
Hast heavy substance, bleed'st not, speakest, art sound.
2495Ten masts at each make not the altitude
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell.
Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.
Gloucester
But have I fallen or no?
From the dread summit of this chalky bourn,
2500Look up a height. The shrill-gorged lark so far
Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up.
Gloucester
Alack, I have no eyes.
Is wretchedness deprived that benefit
To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort
2505When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage
And frustrate his proud will.
Edgar
Give me your arm.
Up, so. How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand.
Gloucester
Too well, too well.
2510Edgar
This is above all strangeness.
Upon the crown o'th'cliff, what thing was that
Which parted from you?
Gloucester
A poor unfortunate beggar.
As I stood here below, methought his eyes
2515Were two full moons. He had a thousand noses,
Horns whelked and waved like the enragèd sea.
It was some fiend. Therefore, thou happy father,
Think that the clearest gods, who make them honors
Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
2520Gloucester
I do remember now. Henceforth I'll bear
Affliction till it do cry out itself
"Enough, enough," and die. That thing you speak of,
I took it for a man. Often 'twould say
"The fiend, the fiend." He led me to that place.
Bear free and patient thoughts.
Enter Lear [crowned with weeds and flowers].
But who comes here?
The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
His master thus.
No, they cannot touch me for crying. I am the King himself.
Oh, thou side-piercing sight!
Nature's above art in that respect. There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a 2535crow-keeper. Draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace. This piece of toasted cheese will do't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. Oh, well flown, bird; i'th' clout, i'th'clout. Hewgh. Give the word.
Sweet marjoram.
Pass.
Gloucester
I know that voice.
Ha! Goneril with a white beard? They flattered me like a dog and told me I had the white hairs in 2545my beard ere the black ones were there. To say "ay" and "no" to everything that I said "Ay" and "no" to was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding--there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em 2550out. Go to, they are not men o'their words; they told me I was everything. 'Tis a lie. I am not ague-proof.
Gloucester
The trick of that voice I do well remember.
Is't not the King?
Ay, every inch a king.
2555When I do stare, see how the subject quakes?
I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause?
Adultery? Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery?
No, the wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive,
2560For Gloucester's bastard son was kinder to his father
Than my daughters got 'tween the lawful sheets.
To't luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.
Behold yond simp'ring dame,
Whose face between her forks presages snow,
That minces virtue, and does shake 2565the head
To hear of pleasure's name. The fitchew, nor
The soilèd horse goes to't with a more riotous
Appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs,
Though women all above. But to the girdle
Do the gods inherit; beneath is all the fiend's.
There's hell, there's 2570darkness, there is the sulphurous pit; burning, scalding, stench, consumption. Fie, fie, fie, pah, pah. Give me an ounce of civet; good apothecary, sweeten my imagination. There's money for thee.
Gloucester
Oh, let me kiss that hand.
Let me wipe it first. It smells of mortality.
Gloucester
O ruined piece of nature! This great world
Shall so wear out to naught. Dost thou know me?
I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squinny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid, I'll not love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.
Gloucester
Were all thy letters suns I could not see.
[Aside] I would not take this from report. It is,
And my heart breaks at it.
Read.
Gloucester
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 heavy case, your purse in a light, yet you see how this world goes.
Gloucester
I see it feelingly.
What, art mad? A man may see how this world 2595goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief? Hark in thine ear. Change places, and handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?
2600Gloucester
Ay, sir.
And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office.
2603.1Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand.
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thy own 2605back.
Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind
For which thou whip'st her.
The usurer hangs the cozener.
Through tattered clothes great vices do appear;
Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sins with gold
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;
Arm it in 2610rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say none. I'll able 'em.
Take that of me my friend, who have the power
To seal th'accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes,
And, like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now.
Pull off my 2615boots. Harder, harder, so.
[Aside] Oh, matter and impertinency mixed;
Reason in madness.
If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester.
2620Thou must be patient. We came crying hither;
Thou know'st the first time that we smell the air
We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee. Mark.
Gloucester
Alack, alack the day.
When we are born, we cry that we are come
2625To this great stage of fools.-- This' a good block.
It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
A troop of horse with felt. I'll put't in proof,
And when I have stolen upon these son-in-laws,
Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.
2630Enter a Gentleman.
Gentleman
Oh, here he is. Lay hand upon him. Sir,
Your most dear daughter--
No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool of fortune. Use me well.
2635You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
I am cut to th'brains.
Gentleman
You shall have anything.
No seconds? All myself?
Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,
2640To use his eyes for garden water-pots.
I will die bravely Like a smug bridegroom.
What? I will be jovial.
Come, come, I am a king, masters, know you that?
Gentleman
You are a royal one, and we obey you.
Then there's life in't. Come, an you get it,
2645You shall get it by running: Sa, sa, sa, sa.
Exit [King Lear, running, pursued by attendants].
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 curse
Which twain have brought her to.
2650Edgar
Hail, gentle sir.
Gentleman
Sir, speed you. What's your will?
Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
Gentleman
Most sure and vulgar.
Everyone hears that which can distinguish sound.
But, by your favor, how near's the other army?
Gentleman
Near and on speedy foot. The main descry
Stands on the hourly thought.
I thank you, sir. That's all.
2660Gentleman
Though that the queen on special cause is here
Her army is moved on.
Edgar
I thank you, sir.
Exit [Gentleman].
Gloucester
You ever gentle gods take my breath from me.
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
2665To die before you please.
Edgar
Well pray you, father.
Gloucester
Now, good sir, what are you?
A most poor man made tame to fortune's blows,
Who by the art of known and feeling sorrows
2670Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand.
I'll lead you to some biding.
Gloucester
Hearty thanks.
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot.
2675Enter [Oswald, the] steward.
Oswald
A proclaimed prize! Most happy.
That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh
To raise my fortunes. Thou old, unhappy traitor,
Briefly thyself remember. The sword is out
2680That must destroy thee.
Gloucester
Now let thy friendly hand
Put strength enough to't.
[Edgar steps between them.]
Oswald
Wherefore, bold peasant
Dar'st thou support a published traitor? Hence,
2685Lest that th'infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
Chill not let go zir, without vurther 'casion.
Let go, slave, or thou diest.
Good gentleman, go your gait and let poor volk pass. An 'chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis, by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th'old man. Keep out, che vor ye, or I'se try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder. 2695Chill be plain with you.
Out, dunghill!
[They fight.]
Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come, no matter vor your foins.
[Edgar knocks him down.]
Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.
2700If 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 party. Oh, untimely death! Death.
[He dies.]
I know thee well. A serviceable villain,
2705As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
Gloucester
What, is he dead?
Sit you down, father; rest you.--
[Gloucester sits.]
Let's see these pockets. The letters that he speaks of
2710May be my friends. He's dead. I am only sorry
He had no other deathsman. Let us see.
Leave, gentle wax; and manners blame us not.
To know our enemy's minds we rip their hearts;
Their papers is more lawful.
2715Reads the letter.
"Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off. If your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done if he return the conqueror, then am I the prisoner and his bed my 2720jail, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me and supply the place for your labor. Your--wife, so I would say--affectionate servant.
Goneril."
Oh, indistinguished space of woman's will!
2725A plot upon her virtuous husband's life,
And the exchange my brother. [To Oswald's body] Here in the sands
Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified
Of murderous lechers, and in the mature time
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
2730Of the death-practiced Duke. For him 'tis well
That of thy death and business I can tell.
Gloucester
The King is mad. How stiff is my vile sense
That I stand up and have ingenious feeling
2735Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract;
So should my thoughts be severed from my griefs,
Drum afar off.
And woes, by wrong imaginations lose
The knowledge of themselves.
2740Edgar
Give me your hand.
Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum.
Come father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
Exeunt, [dragging off the body].