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King Lear (Modern, Extended Folio)
27434.6
2744Enter Cordelia, Kent [disguised], and a gentleman.
O thou good Kent, 2746how shall I live and work
2749And every measure fail me.
To be acknowledged, madam, is o'er-paid.
Be better suited.
2755I prithee put them off.
Pardon, dear madam;
2757Yet to be known shortens my made intent.
2758My boon I make it that you know me not
2759Till time and I think meet.
2760Cordelia
Then be't so, my good lord. [To the Gentleman] 2761How does the King?
2762Gentleman
Madam, sleeps still.
2763Cordelia
O you kind gods,
2764Cure this great breach in his abusèd nature;
2765Th'untuned and jarring senses, O wind up,
2766Of this child-changed father.
2767Gentleman
So please your majesty
2768That we may wake the King. He hath slept long.
2769Cordelia
Be governed by your knowledge and proceed
2770I'th'sway of your own will. Is he arrayed?
2771Enter Lear in a chair carried by servants.
2772Gentleman
Ay, madam. In the heaviness of sleep
2773We put fresh garments on him.
2774Be by, good madam, when we do awake him.
2775I doubt of his temperance.
2776Cordelia
O my dear father, restoration hang
2777Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss
2778Repair those violent harms that my two sisters
2779Have in thy reverence made.
2780Kent
Kind and dear princess.
2781Cordelia
Had you not been their father, these white flakes
2782Did challenge pity of them. Was this a face
2783To be opposed against the jarring winds,
2786And wast thou fain, poor father,
2788In short and musty straw? Alack, alack,
2789'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once
2790Had not concluded all. He wakes. [To the Gentleman] Speak to him.
2791Gentleman
Madam do you. 'Tis fittest.
2792Cordelia
How does my royal lord? 2793How fares your majesty?
2794Lear
You do me wrong to take me out o'th'grave.
2795Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound
2796Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
2797Do scald like molten lead.
2798Cordelia
Sir, do you know me?
2799Lear
You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die?
2800Cordelia
Still, still, far wide.
2801Gentleman
He's scarce awake. 2802Let him alone a while.
2803Lear
Where have I been? 2804Where am I? Fair daylight?
2805I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity
2806To see another thus. I know not what to say.
2807I will not swear these are my hands. Let's see--
2808I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured
2809Of my condition.
2810Cordelia
[Kneeling] O look upon me, sir,
2811And hold your hand in benediction o'er me.
[Lear attempts to kneel.]
2812You must not kneel.
2813Lear
Pray do not mock me.
2814I am a very foolish, fond old man,
2817And, to deal plainly,
2818I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
2819Methinks I should know you, and know this man,
2820Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant
2821What place this is; and all the skill I have
2822Remembers not these garments, nor I know not
2823Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me,
2824For, as I am a man, I think this lady
2825To be my child, Cordelia.
2826Cordelia
And so I am, I am.
Be your tears wet? 2828Yes, faith. I pray weep not.
2830I know you do not love me, for your sisters
2831Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.
2832You have some cause; they have not.
2833Cordelia
No cause, no cause.
2834Lear
Am I in France?
2835Kent
In your own kingdom, sir.
2836Lear
Do not abuse me.
2837Gentleman
Be comforted, good madam. The great rage
54Desire him to go in.
2839Trouble him no more till further settling.
2840Cordelia
Will't please your highness walk?
2841Lear
You must bear with me.
2842Pray you now, forget and forgive.
2843I am old and foolish.
56Exeunt. Kent and [the] gentleman [remain].
Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain?
Most certain, sir.
Who is conductor of his people?
As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester.
Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about.
The arbitrament is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir.
[Exit.]
My point and period will be throughly wrought,