ACT II
The duke comes here tonight, I'll take advantage
2.1.2478Of his arrival to complete my project.
2.1.3479Brother, a word. Come forth; 'tis I, your friend,
2.1.4481My father watches for you, fly this place.
2.1.5482Intelligence is given where you are hid.
2.1.6483Take the advantage of the night. Bethink ye,
2.1.7484Have you not spoke against the Duke of Cornwall
2.1.8485Something might show you a favorer of
Nothing, why ask you?
Because he's coming here tonight in haste
2.1.12489And Regan with him -- Hark! The guards, away.
Let 'em come on, I'll stay and clear myself.
Your innocence at leisure may be heard,
2.1.15492But Gloster's storming rage as yet is deaf,
2.1.16493And you may perish ere allowed the hearing.
2.1.17495Gloster comes yonder. Now to my feigned scuffle
2.1.19497Yield, come before my father! Lights here, lights!
2.1.20498Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
2.1.21500Of our more fierce encounter -- I have seen
2.1.22501Drunkards do more than this in sport.
Now, Edmund, where's the traitor?
That name, sir,
2.1.25505Strikes horror through me, but my brother, sir,
Thou bleed'st. Pursue the villain
Sir, he's fled.
Let him fly far, this kingdom shall not hide him.
2.1.31511The noble duke, my patron, comes tonight.
2.1.33513Rewards for him that brings him to the stake,
2.1.35515Then of my lands, loyal and natural boy,
2.1.36516I'll work the means to make thee capable.
2.1.36.2518Enter Kent (disguised still) and Gonerill's Gentleman, severally. Good morrow friend, belong'st thou to this house?
Ask them will answer thee.
Where may we set our horses?
In the mire.
I am in haste, prithee an thou lov'st me, tell me.
I love thee not.
Why then I care not for thee.
An I had thee in Lipsbury Pinfold, I'd make thee care for
What dost thou mean? I know thee not.
But, minion, I know thee.
What dost thou know me for?
For a base, proud, beggarly, white-livered, glass-gazing,
2.1.50532superserviceable finical rogue; one that would be a pimp in way
2.1.51533of good service, and art nothing but a composition of knave,
What a monstrous fellow art thou to rail at one that is neither
Impudent slave, not know me, who but two days since tripped up thy
2.1.56538heels before the king! Draw, miscreant, or I'll make the moon
What means the fellow? Why prithee, prithee; I tell thee
I know your rogueship's office. You come with letters against the
2.1.61543king, taking my young Lady Vanity's part against her royal
Murder, murder, help ho!
Dost thou scream, peacock? Strike, puppet. Stand, dapper slave.
Help here! Murder, help.
2.1.65.2549Flourish. Enter Duke of Cornwall, Regan, attended. To them, Gloster, Bastard. All welcome to your graces, you do me honor.
Gloster, we've heard with sorrow that your life
2.1.68552Has been attempted by your impious son,
2.1.69553But Edmund here has paid you strictest duty.
He did betray his practice, and received
2.1.71555The hurt you see, striving to apprehend him.
Is he pursued?
He is, my lord.
Use our authority to apprehend
2.1.75559The traitor and do justice on his head.
2.1.76560For you, Edmund, that have so signalized
2.1.77561Your virtue, you from henceforth shall be ours.
2.1.78562Natures of such firm trust we much shall need.
2.1.79563A charming youth and worth my further thought.
Lay comforts, noble Gloster, to your breast,
2.1.81566As we to ours. This night be spent in revels.
2.1.82567We choose you, Gloster, for our host tonight,
2.1.83568A troublesome expression of our love.
2.1.84569On, to the sports before us -- Who are these?
Now, what's the matter?
Keep peace upon your lives, he dies that strikes.
Sir, they are messengers, the one from your sister
Your difference? Speak.
I'm scarce in breath, my lord.
No marvel, you have so bestirred your valor.
2.1.93579Nature disclaims the dastard, a tailor made him.
Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?
Sir this old ruffian here, whose life I spared
Thou essence bottle!
2.1.98584In pity to my beard? Your leave, my lord,
2.1.99585And I will tread the muss-cat into mortar.
Know'st thou our presence?
Yes, sir, but anger has a privilege.
Why art thou angry?
That such a slave as this should wear a sword
2.1.104590And have no courage, office and no honesty.
Why dost thou call him knave?
His countenance likes me not.
No more perhaps does mine, nor his or hers.
Plain-dealing is my trade, and to be plain, sir,
2.1.112598Than stands on any shoulders now before me.
This is some fellow that having once been praised
2.1.114600For bluntness, since affects a saucy rudeness.
2.1.115601But I have known one of these surly knaves
2.1.116602That in his plainness harbored more design
2.1.117603Than twenty cringing complementing minions.
What's the offence you gave him?
Never any, sir.
2.1.121607To strike me on a slender misconstruction;
2.1.122608Whilst watching his advantage, this old lurcher
2.1.123609Tripped me behind, for which the king extolled him;
2.1.124610And, flushed with the honor of this bold exploit,
Bring forth the stocks. We'll teach you.
Sir, I'm too old to learn.
2.1.128614Call not the stocks for me, I serve the king,
2.1.130616You'll show too small respect, and too bold malice
Bring forth the stocks, as I have life and honor,
Till noon, my lord? Till night, and all night too.
Why, madam, if I were your father's dog
Sir, being his knave, I will.
Let me beseech your graces to forbear him.
2.1.140626His fault is much, and the good king his master
2.1.141627Will check him for it, but needs must take it ill
We'll answer that;
2.1.145631Her gentleman assaulted. To our business lead.
I am sorry for thee, friend. 'Tis the duke's pleasure
2.1.147634Whose disposition will not be controlled.
Pray do not, sir.
2.1.151638Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle.
2.1.154642I feel the drowsy guest steal on me. Take
2.1.155643Advantage, heavy eyes, of this kind slumber,
2.1.156644Not to behold this vile and shameful lodging.
I heard myself proclaimed,
2.1.159649Escaped the hunt. No port is free, no place
2.1.162652'Twere to defeat the malice of my trail,
2.1.163653And leave my griefs on my sword's reeking point.
2.1.164654But love detains me from death's peaceful cell,
2.1.165655Still whispering me Cordelia's in distress.
2.1.166656Unkind as she is I cannot see her wretched,
2.1.167657But must be near to wait upon her fortune.
2.1.168658Who knows but the white minute yet may come
2.1.170660That charming hope still ties me to the oar
2.1.171661Of painful life, and makes me, too, submit
2.1.172662To the humblest shifts to keep that life afoot.
2.1.173663My face I will besmear and knit my locks.
2.1.174664The country gives me proof and precedent
2.1.175665Of bedlam beggars, who with roaring voices
2.1.176666Strike in their numbed and mortified bare arms
2.1.177667Pins, iron spikes, thorns, sprigs of rosemary;
2.1.178668And thus from sheep-cotes, villages and mills,
2.1.179669Sometimes with prayers, sometimes with lunatic bans
2.1.180670Enforce their charity. Poor Tyrligod, poor Tom!
2.1.181671That's something yet; Edgar I am no more.
'Tis strange that they should so depart from home
Hail, noble master.
How? Mak'st thou this shame thy pastime?
2.1.187679What's he that has so much mistook thy place
It is both he and she, sir, your son and daughter.
No.
Yes.
No, I say.
I say, yea.
By Jupiter, I swear no.
By Juno I swear, I swear aye.
They durst not do it,
2.1.197689They could not, would not do it; 'tis worse then murder
2.1.198690To do upon respect such violent outrage.
2.1.199691Resolve me with all modest haste which way
2.1.200692Thou mayst deserve, or they impose this usage?
My Lord, when at their home
2.1.202694I did commend Your Highness' letters to them,
2.1.204696Steered in his haste, breathless and panting forth
2.1.205697From Gonerill, his mistress, salutations.
2.1.206698Whose message being delivered, they took horse,
2.1.208700The leisure of their answer, which I did.
2.1.210702Whose welcome I perceived had poisoned mine,
2.1.212704Had shown such rudeness to Your Highness, I
2.1.213705Having more man than wit about me, drew,
2.1.214706On which he raised the house with coward cries.
2.1.215707This was the trespass which your son and daughter
2.1.216708Thought worth the shame you see it suffer here.
Oh! How this spleen swells upward to my heart
2.1.218710And heaves for passage. Down thou climbing rage,
2.1.219711Thy element's below. Where is this daughter?
Within, sir, at a masque.
Now Gloster? -- Ha!
2.1.222715Deny to speak with me? They're sick, they're weary,
2.1.223716They have traveled hard tonight -- mere fetches!
My dear lord,
2.1.226719You know the fiery quality of the duke --
Vengeance! Death, plague, confusion!
2.1.228721Fiery? What quality? Why Gloster, Gloster,
2.1.229722I'd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife.
I have informed them so.
Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man?
Ay, my good lord.
The king would speak with Cornwall, the dear father
2.1.235728Would with his daughter speak, commands her service.
2.1.236729Are they informed of this? My breath and blood!
2.1.237730Fiery! The fiery duke! Tell the hot duke --
2.1.239732Infirmity does still neglect all office.
2.1.240733I beg his pardon, and I'll chide my rashness
2.1.242735For the sound man. But wherefore sits he there?
2.1.243736Death on my state, this act convinces me
2.1.244737That this retiredness of the duke and her
2.1.245738Is plain contempt. Give me my servant forth,
2.1.246739Go tell the duke and his wife I'd speak with them.
2.1.247740Now, instantly, bid them come forth and hear me,
2.1.248741Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum
Health to the king.
I am glad to see Your Highness.
Regan, I think you are, I know what cause
2.1.254748I have to think so; shouldst thou not be glad
2.1.255749I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb.
2.1.257751What I shall utter: thou couldst never have thought it.
2.1.258752Thy sister's naught, O Regan. She has tied
I pray you, sir, take patience. I have hope
Ha! How's that?
I cannot think my sister in the least
2.1.266761Would fail in her respects, but if perchance
2.1.267762She has restrained the riots of your followers
2.1.268763'Tis on such grounds and to such wholesome ends
My curses on her.
O sir, you are old
2.1.272767And should content you to be ruled and led
2.1.273768By some discretion that discerns your state
2.1.274769Better than you yourself. Therefore, sir,
2.1.275770Return to our sister, and say you have wronged her.
Ha! Ask her forgiveness?
2.1.277772No, no, 'twas my mistake; thou didst not mean so.
Good sir, no more of these unsightly passions,
Never, Regan.
2.1.285780Looked black upon me, stabbed me with her tongue.
2.1.286781All the stored vengeances of heaven fall
2.1.287782On her ingrateful head! Strike her young bones,
O the blest gods! Thus will you wish on me
No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse,
2.1.294789The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
2.1.295790And dues of gratitude. Thou bear'st in mind
2.1.296791The half of the kingdom which our love conferred
Good sir, to the purpose.
Who put my man in the stocks?
What trumpet's that?
I know it, my sister's, this confirms her letters.
More torture still?
2.1.304800This is a slave whose easy-borrowed pride
2.1.305801Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows;
2.1.306802A fashion-fop that spends the day in dressing,
2.1.307803And all to bear his lady's flattering message;
2.1.309805And with as bold a face bring back a greater.
What means your grace?
Who stocked my servant? Regan, I have hope
2.1.315812If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
2.1.317814Make it your cause, send down and take my part.
2.1.318815Why, gorgon, dost thou come to haunt me here?
2.1.319816Art not ashamed to look upon this beard?
2.1.320817Darkness upon my eyes, they play me false.
2.1.321818O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand?
Why not by the hand, sir, how have I offended?
2.1.323820All's not offence that indiscretion finds,
Heart thou art too tough.
I pray you, sir, being old, confess you are so.
2.1.328825You will return and sojourn with our sister,
2.1.329826Dismissing half your train, come then to me.
2.1.330827I am now from home, and out of that provision
2.1.331828That shall be needful for your entertainment.
Return with her and fifty knights dismissed?
2.1.333830No, rather I'll forswear all roofs, and choose
2.1.335832My naked head exposed to the merciless air,
2.1.336833Then have my smallest wants supplied by her.
At your choice, sir.
Now I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad.
2.1.339836I will not trouble thee, my child. Farewell.
2.1.340837We'll meet no more, no more see one another.
2.1.341838Let shame come when it will, I do not call it.
2.1.343840Nor tell tales of thee to avenging heaven.
2.1.344841Mend when thou canst, be better at thy leisure,
2.1.345842I can be patient, I can stay with Regan,
Your pardon, sir.
2.1.348845I looked not for you yet, nor am provided
Is this well spoken now?
My sister treats you fair; what, fifty followers!
2.1.352849Is it not well? What should you need of more?
Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance
2.1.354851From those whom she calls servants, or from mine?
Why not, my lord? If then they chance to slack you
2.1.356853We could control them. If you come to me,
2.1.358855To bring but five and twenty; to no more
Hold now my temper, stand this bolt unmoved
2.1.362859The wicked when compared with the more wicked
2.1.364861Stands in some rank of praise. Now, Gonerill,
2.1.365862Thou art innocent again, I'll go with thee.
2.1.366863Thy fifty yet does double five and twenty,
Hear me, my lord,
2.1.369866What need you five and twenty, ten, or five,
2.1.370867To follow in a house where twice so many
What need one?
Blood, fire! Hear -- leprosies and bluest plagues!
2.1.374871Room, room for hell to belch her horrors up
2.1.375872And drench the Circes in a stream of fire!
How lewd a thing is passion!
So old and stomachful.
Heavens, drop your patience down.
2.1.381879You see me here, ye gods, a poor old man
2.1.382880As full of griefs as age, wretched in both --
2.1.383881I'll bear no more! No, you unnatural hags,
2.1.385883That all the world shall -- I will do such things
2.1.386884What they are yet I know not, but they shall be
2.1.387885The terrors of the earth. You think I'll weep.
2.1.388887This heart shall break into a thousand pieces
2.1.389888Before I'll weep -- O gods! I shall go mad.
'Tis a wild night, come out of the storm.