24312222Glost. When shall we come toth' top of that same hill?

24322223Edg. You do climbe it vp now, looke how we labour?

24332224Glost. Me thinks the ground is euen.

24342225Edg. Horrible steepe, 2435harke doe you heare the sea?

24362226Glost. No truly.

24372227Edg. Why then your other sences grow imperfect

24382228By your eyes anguish.

24392229Glost. So may it be indeed,

24402230Me thinks thy voyce is altered, and thou speakest

24412231With better phrase and matter then thou didst.

24422232Edg. Y'ar much deceaued, in nothing am I chang'd

24432233But in my garments.

24442234Glost. Me thinks y'ar better spoken.

24452235Edg. Come on sir, 2446her's the place, stand still, how (feareful

24472236And dizi tis to cast ones eyes so low

24482237The crowes and choghes that wing the midway ayre

24492238Shew scarce so grosse as beetles, halfe way downe

24502239Hangs one that gathers sampire, dreadfull trade,

24512240Me thinkes he seemes no bigger then his head,

24522241The fishermen that walke vpon the beach

24532242Appeare like mise, and yon tall anchoring barke

24542243Diminisht to her cock, her cock a boui

24552244Almost too small for sight, the murmuring surge

24562245That on the vnnumbred idle peeble chaffes

24572246Cannot be heard, its so hie ile looke no more,

24582247Least my braine turne, and the deficient sight

24592248Topple downe headlong.

24602249Glost. Set me where you stand?

24612250Edg. Giue me your hand, 2462you are now within a foot

2251Of th'extreame verge, 2463for all beneath the Moone

2252Would I not leape vpright.

24642253Glost. Let goe my hand,

24652254Here friend's another pursse, in it a iewell,

24662255Well worth a poore mans taking, Fairies and Gods

24672256Prosper it with thee, goe thou farther off,

24682257Bid me farewell, and let me heare thee going.

24692258Edg. Now fare you well good sir.

24702259Glost. With all my heart.

24712260Edg. Why I do trifell thus with his dispaire 2472is done(to cure it.

24732261Glost. O you mightie Gods, He kneeles.

24742262This world I doe renounce, and in your sights

24752263Shake patiently my great affliction off,

24762264If I could beare it longer and not fall

24772265To quarel with your great opposles wils

24782266My snurff and loathed part of nature should

24792267Burne it selfe out, if Edgar liue, O blesse,

24802268Now fellow fare thee well. He fals.

24812269Edg. Gon sir, farewell, 2482and yet I know not how conceit my

2270robbe 2483the treasurie of life, when life it selfe 2484yealds to the theft,

2271had he beene where he thought 2485by this had thought beene past,

2272aliue or dead, 2486ho you sir, heare you sir, speak, 2487thus might he passe

2273indeed, yet he reuiues, 2488what are you sir?

24892274Glost. Away and let me die.

24902275Edg. Hadst thou beene ought 2491but gosmore feathers ayre,

24922276So many fadome downe precipitating

24932277Thou hadst shiuerd like an egge, but thou dost breath

24942278Hast heauy substance, bleedst not, speakest, art sound,

24952279Ten masts at each, make not the altitude,

24962280Which thou hast perpendicularly fell,

24972281Thy lifes a miracle, speake yet againe.

24982282Glost. But haue I fallen or no l

24992283Edg. From the dread sommons of this chalkie borne,

25002284Looke vp a hight, the shrill gorg'd larke so farre

25012285Cannot bee seene or heard, doe but looke vp?

25022286Glost. Alack I haue no eyes

25032287Is wretchednes depriu'd, that benefit

25042288To end it selfe by death twas yet some comfort

25052289When misery could beguile the tyrants rage

25062290And frustrate his proud will.

25072291Edg. Giue me your arme?

25082292Vp, so, how feele you your legges, you stand.

25092293Glost. Too well, too well.

25102294Edg. This is aboue all strangenes

25112295Vpon the crowne of the cliffe what thing was that

25122296Which parted from you.

25132297Glost. A poore vnfortunate bagger.

25142298Edg. As I stood here below me thoughts his eyes

25152299Were two full Moones, a had a thousand noses

25162300Hornes, welk't and waued like the enridged sea,

25172301It was some fiend, therefore thou happy father

25182302Thinke that the cleerest Gods, who made their honours

25192303Of mens impossibilities, haue preserued thee.

25202304Glost. I doe remember now, henceforth ile beare

25212305Affliction till it doe crie out it selfe

25222306Enough, enough,and die that thing you speake of,

25232307I tooke it for a man, often would it say

25242308The fiend the fiend, he led me to that place

25252309Edg. Bare free & patient thoughts, but who comes here

25282310The safer sence will neare accõmodate 2529his maister thus.

25302312Lear. No they cannot touch mee for coyning, I am the 2531king (himselfe.

25322313Edg. O thou side pearcing sight.

25332314Lear. Nature is aboue Art in that respect, ther's your 2534presse

2315money, that fellow handles his bow like a crow-2535keeper, draw me

2316a clothiers yard, looke, looke a 2536mowse, peace, peace, this tosted

2317cheese will 2537do it, ther's my gauntlet, ile proue it on a gyant, 2538bring

2318vp the browne-billes, O well flowne bird 2539in the ayre, hagh, giue

2319the word ? 2540 Edg. Sweet Margerum.

25412320Lear. Passe. Glost. I know that voyce.

25432321Lear. Ha Gonorill, ha Regan, they flattered 2544mee like a dogge,

2322and tould me I had white haires in 2545my beard, ere the black ones

2323were there, to say I and 2546no, to euery thing I saide, I and no toe,

2324was no good 2547diuinitie, when the raine came to wet me once, and

2325the 2548winde to make mee chatter, when the thunder would not

25492326peace at my bidding, there I found them, there I smelt them 2550out,

2327goe toe, they are not men of their words, they told 2551mee I was

2328euery thing, tis a lye, I am not argue-proofe.

25522329Glost. The tricke of that voyce I doe well remember, 2553ist not

2330the King?

25542331Lear. I euer inch a King 2555when I do stare, see how the subiect

2332quakes, 2556I pardon that mans life, what was thy cause, 2557adultery?

2333thou shalt not die for adulterie, 2558no the wren goes toot, and the

2334smal guilded flie 2559doe letcher in my sight, let copulation thriue,

25602335for Glosters bastard son was kinder to his father 2561then my daugh-

2336ters got tweene the lawfull sheets, 2562toot luxurie, pell, mell, for I

2337lacke souldiers, 2563behold yon simpring dame whose face between

2338her 2564forkes presageth snow, that minces vertue, and do shake 2565the

2339head heare of pleasures name to fichew nor 2566the soyled horse

2340goes toot with a more riotous appe2567tite, down frõ the wast tha're

2341centaures, though 2568women all aboue, but to the girdle doe the

2342gods inhe2569rit, beneath is all the fiends, thers hell, thers dark2570nesse,

2343ther's the sulphury pit, burning, scalding, stench, 2571consumation,

2344fie, fie, fie, pah, pah, Giue mee an ounce of 2572Ciuet, good Apo-

2345thocarie,to sweeten my imagination, 2573ther's money for thee.

25742346Glost. O let me kisse that hand.

25752347Lear. Here wipe it first, 2576it smels of mortalitie.

25772348Glost. O ruind peece of nature, this great world 2578should so

2349weare out to naught, 2579do you know me?

25802350Lear. I remember thy eyes well inough, dost thou 2581squiny on

2351me, no do thy worst blind Cupid, ile not 2582loue, reade thou that

2352challenge, marke the penning 2583oft.

25842353Glost. Were all the letters sunnes I could not see one.

25852354Edg. I would not take this from report, 2586it is, and my heart

2355breakes at it.2587 Lear. Read. 2588Glost. What! with the case of eyes

25892356Lear. O ho, are you there with me, no eyes in your 2590head, nor2357no mony in your purse, your eyes are in a heau2591ie case, your purse

2358in a light, yet you see how this world 2592goes.

25932359Glost. I see it feelingly.

25942360Lear. What art mad, a man may see how the world 2595goes with

2361no eyes, looke with thy eares, see how 2596yon Iustice railes vpon

2362yon simple theefe, harke in 2597thy eare handy, dandy, which is the

2363theefe, which is 2598the Iustice, thou hast seene a far2599mers dogge barke

2364at a begger.2600 Glost. I sir.

26012365Lear. And the creature runne from the cur, there thou 2602mightst

2366behold the great image of authoritie, a dogge, 2603so bade in office,

2367thou rascall beadle hold thy bloudy 2604hand, why dost thou lash

2368that whore, strip thine owne 2605backe, thy bloud hotly lusts to vse

2369her in that kind for which 2606thou whipst her, the vsurer hangs the

2370cosioner, th2607rough tottered raggs, smal vices do appeare, robes 2608&

2371furd-gownes hides all, 2613get thee glasse eyes, and like a scuruy po-

2372lititian seeme to see the 2614things thou doest not, no now pull off

2373my 2615bootes, harder, harder, so.

26162374Edg. O matter and impertinencie mixt 2617reason in madnesse.

26182375Lear. If thou wilt weepe my fortune take my eyes, 2619I knowe

2376thee well inough thy name is Gloster, 2620thou must be patient, we

2377came crying hither, 2621thou knowest the first time that we smell the

2378aire, 2622we wayl and cry, I will preach to thee marke me.

26232379Gost. Alack alack the day.

26242380Lear. When we are borne, we crie that wee are come 2625to this

2381great stage of fooles, this a good blocke. 2626It were a delicate stra-

2382tagem to shoot 2627a troupe of horse with fell, 2628& when I haue stole

2383vpon these sonne in lawes, 2629then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

26312385Gent. O here he is, lay hands vpon him sirs, 2632your most deere

26332386Lear. No reskue, what a prisoner, I am eene 2634the naturall foole

2387of Fortune, vse me well 2635you shall haue ransome, let mee haue a

2388churgion 2636I am cut to the braines.

26372389Gent. You shall haue any thing.

26382390Lear. No seconds, all my selfe, 2639why this would make a man

2391of salt 2640to vse his eyes for garden waterpots, I and laying Autums2392dust.

2393Lear. I will die brauely 2641like a bridegroome, what? I will be

2394Iouiall, 2642come, come, I am a King my maisters, know you that.

26432395Gent. You are a royall one, and we obey you.

26442396Lear. Then theres life int, nay and 2645you get it you shall get it

2397with running. Exit King running.

26462398Gent. A sight most pitifull in the meanest wretch, 2647past spea-

2399king of in a king: thou hast one daughter 2648who redeemes nature

2400from the generall curse 2649which twaine hath brought her to.

26502401Edg. Haile gentle sir.

26512402Gent. Sir speed you, whats your will.

26522403Edg. Do you heare ought of a battell toward.

26532404Gent. Most sure and vulgar 2654euery one here's that

2405That can distinguish sence.

26552406Edg. But by your fauour 2656how neers the other army.

26572407 Gent. Neere and on speed fort the maine descryes,

26582408Standst on the howerly thoughts.

26592409Edg. I thanke you sir thats all.

26602410Gent. Though that the Queene on speciall cause is here,

26612411Hir army is moued on. 2662 Edg. I thanke you sir. Exit.

26632412Glost. You euer gentle gods take my breath from me,

26642413Let not my worser spirit tempt me againe,

26652414To dye before you please.2666 Edg. Well, pray you father.

26672415Glost. Now good sir what are you.

26682416Edg. A most poore man made lame by Fortunes blowes,

26692417Who by the Art of knowne and feeling sorrowes

26702418Am pregnant to good pitty, giue me your hand

26712419Ile leade you to some biding.

26722420Glost. Hartie thankes, 2673the bornet and beniz of heauen 2674to

2421saue thee. 2675 Enter Steward.

26762422Stew. A proclamed prize, most happy, 2677that eyles head of thine

2423was framed flesh 2678to rayse my fortunes, thou most vnhappy tray-

2424tor, 2679briefly thy selfe remember, the sword is out 2680that must de-

2425stroy thee.

26812426Glost. Now let thy friendly hand 2682put strength enough to't.

26832427Stew. Wherefore bould pesant 2684durst thou support a publisht

2428traytor, hence 2685least the infection of his fortune take 2686like hold on

2429thee, let goe his arme?

26872430Edg. Chill not let goe sir 2688without cagion.

26892431Stew. Let goe slaue, or thou diest.

26902432Edg. Good Gentleman goe your gate, let poore 2691voke passe,

2433and chud haue beene swaggar'd out of my life, 2692it would not haue

2434beene so long by a fortnight, nay 2693come not neare the old man,

2435keepe out, cheuore ye, or ile 2694trie whether your coster or my bat-

2436tero be the harder, 2695ile be plaine with you.

26962437Stew. Out dunghill.

26972438Edg.Possible blackletter period.--> Chill pick your teeth sir, come, no matter for 2698your foyns.

26992439Stew. Slaue thou hast slaine me, villaine take my pursse,

27002440If euer thou wilt thriue, burie my bodie,

27012441And giue the letters which thou find'st about me

27022442To Edmund Earle of Gloster, seeke him out 2703vpon

2443The British partie, ô vntimely death! death. He dies.

27042444Edg. I know thee well, a seruiceable villaine,

27052445As dutious to the vices of thy mistres, 2706as badnes would(desire.

27072446Glost. What is he dead?

27082447Edg. Sit you down father, rest you 2709lets see his pockets

2448These letters that he speakes of 2710may be my friends,

2449Hee's dead, I am only sorrow 2711he had no other deathsmã

2450Let vs see, 2712leaue gentle waxe, and manners blame vs not

27132451To know our enemies minds wee'd rip their hearts,

27142452Their papers is more lawfull.

27162453 Let your reciprocall vowes bee remembred, you haue many

27172454opportunities to cut him off, if your will want not, time and 2718place

2455will be fruitfully offered, there is nothing done, If he 2719returne the

2456conquerour, then am I the prisoner, and his bed my 2720gayle, from

2457the lothed warmth whereof deliuer me, and supply 2721the place for

2458your labour, 2722your wife (so I would say) your affectio2723nate seruant

2459and for you her owne for Venter, Gonorill.

27242460Edg. O Indistinguisht space of womans wit,

27252461A plot vpon her vertuous husbands life,

27262462And the exchange my brother heere in the sands,

27272463Thee ile rake vp, the post vnsanctified

27282464Of murtherous leachers, and in the mature time,

27292465With this vngratious paper strike the sight

27302466Of the death practis'd Duke, for him tis well,

27312467That of thy death and businesse I can tell.

27322468Glost. The King is mad, 2733how stiffe is my vild sence,

27342469That I stand vp and haue ingenious feeling

27352470Of my huge sorowes, better I were distract,

27362471So should my thoughts be fenced from my griefes,

27382472And woes by wrong imaginations loose

27392473The knowledge of themselues. 2737 A drum a farre off.

27402474Edg. Giue me your hand 2741far off me thinks I heare the beaten (drum,

27422475Come father ile bestow you with a friend.Exit.