William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (424 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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EDMUND
Sir, you speak nobly.
REGAN Why is this reasoned? 30
GONORIL
Combine together ’gainst the enemy;
For these domestic poor particulars
Are not to question here.
Combine together ’gainst the enemy;
For these domestic poor particulars
Are not to question here.
ALBANY
Let us then determine with the ensign of war
On our proceedings.
On our proceedings.
EDMUND I shall attend you
Presently at your tent.
[Exit
with his
powers]
[Exit
with his
powers]
REGAN Sister, you’ll go with us?
GONORIL No.
REGAN
’Tis most convenient. Pray you go with us.
GONORIL
[aside]
[aside]
O ho, I know the riddle! (To Regan) I will go.
Enter Edgar disguised
as a
peasant
Enter Edgar disguised
as a
peasant
EDGAR (to
Albany)
Albany)
If e’er your grace had speech with man so poor, 40
Hear me one word.
Hear me one word.
ALBANY (to the others) I’ll overtake you.
Exeunt
all
but
Albany and
Edgar
Speak.
all
but
Albany and
Edgar
Speak.
EDGAR
Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouchèd there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end.
Fortune love you—
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouchèd there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end.
Fortune love you—
ALBANY Stay till I have read the letter.
EDGAR I was forbid it. 50
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I’ll appear again.
And I’ll appear again.
ALBANY Why, fare thee well.
I will o’erlook the paper. Exit Edgar
Enter Edmund
Enter Edmund
EDMUND
The enemy’s in view; draw up your powers. 55
He
[offers] Albany a
paper
Here is the guess of their great strength and forces
By diligent discovery; but your haste
Is now urged on you.
He
[offers] Albany a
paper
Here is the guess of their great strength and forces
By diligent discovery; but your haste
Is now urged on you.
ALBANY We will greet the time. Exit
EDMUND
To both these sisters have I sworn my love,
Each jealous of the other as the stung
Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?—
Both?—one?—or neither? Neither can be enjoyed
If both remain alive. To take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad, her sister Gonoril,
And hardly shall I carry out my side,
Her husband being alive. Now then, we’ll use
His countenance for the battle, which being done,
Let her that would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking off. As for his mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate. Exit
Sc. 23Each jealous of the other as the stung
Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?—
Both?—one?—or neither? Neither can be enjoyed
If both remain alive. To take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad, her sister Gonoril,
And hardly shall I carry out my side,
Her husband being alive. Now then, we’ll use
His countenance for the battle, which being done,
Let her that would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking off. As for his mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate. Exit
Alarum. The powers of France pass over the stage
⌈
led by
⌉
Queen Cordelia with her father in her hand. Then enter Edgar disguised as a peasant, guiding the blind Duke of Gloucester
EDGAR
Here, father, take the shadow of this bush
For your good host; pray that the right may thrive.
If ever I return to you again
I’ll bring you comfort. Exit
For your good host; pray that the right may thrive.
If ever I return to you again
I’ll bring you comfort. Exit
GLOUCESTER Grace go with you, sir.
Alarum and retreat. Enter Edgar
EDGAR
Away, old man. Give me thy hand. Away.
King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en.
Give me thy hand. Come on.
King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en.
Give me thy hand. Come on.
GLOUCESTER
No farther, sir. A man may rot even here.
EDGAR
What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure
Their going hence even as their coming hither.
Ripeness is all. Come on. Exit Edgar guiding Gloucester
Sc. 24Their going hence even as their coming hither.
Ripeness is all. Come on. Exit Edgar guiding Gloucester
Enter Edmund with King Lear and Queen Cordelia prisoners, a Captain, and soldiers
EDMUND
Some officers take them away. Good guard
Until their greater pleasures best be known
That are to censure them.
Until their greater pleasures best be known
That are to censure them.
CORDELIA (to Lear) We are not the first
Who with best meaning have incurred the worst.
For thee, oppressed King, am I cast down,
Myself could else outfrown false fortune’s frown.
Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?
For thee, oppressed King, am I cast down,
Myself could else outfrown false fortune’s frown.
Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?
LEAR
No, no. Come, let’s away to prison.
We two alone will sing like birds i’th’ cage.
When thou dost ask me blessing, I’ll kneel down
And ask of thee forgiveness; so we’ll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news, and we’ll talk with them too—
Who loses and who wins, who’s in, who’s out,
And take upon ’s the mystery of things
As if we were God’s spies; and we’ll wear out
In a walled prison packs and sects of great ones
That ebb and flow by th’ moon.
We two alone will sing like birds i’th’ cage.
When thou dost ask me blessing, I’ll kneel down
And ask of thee forgiveness; so we’ll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news, and we’ll talk with them too—
Who loses and who wins, who’s in, who’s out,
And take upon ’s the mystery of things
As if we were God’s spies; and we’ll wear out
In a walled prison packs and sects of great ones
That ebb and flow by th’ moon.
EDMUND (to soldiers) Take them away.
LEAR
(to Cordelia)
(to Cordelia)
Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,
The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught
thee?
He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven
And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes.
The goodyear shall devour ‘em, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep. We’ll see ’em starve
first. Come.
The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught
thee?
He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven
And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes.
The goodyear shall devour ‘em, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep. We’ll see ’em starve
first. Come.
Exeunt all but Edmund and the Captain
EDMUND Come hither, captain. Hark.
Take thou this note. Go follow them to prison.
One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes. Know thou this: that men
Are as the time is. To be tender-minded
Does not become a sword. Thy great employment
Will not bear question. Either say thou’lt do’t,
Or thrive by other means.
One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes. Know thou this: that men
Are as the time is. To be tender-minded
Does not become a sword. Thy great employment
Will not bear question. Either say thou’lt do’t,
Or thrive by other means.
CAPTAIN I’ll do’t, my lord.
EDMUND
About it, and write ‘happy’ when thou hast done.
Mark, I say, instantly, and carry it so
As I have set it down.
Mark, I say, instantly, and carry it so
As I have set it down.
CAPTAIN I cannot draw a cart,
Nor eat dried oats. If it be man’s work, I’ll do’t. Exit
Enter the Duke of Albany, the two ladies Gonoril and Regan, [another Captain,] and others
Enter the Duke of Albany, the two ladies Gonoril and Regan, [another Captain,] and others
ALBANY (
to Edmund)
to Edmund)
Sir, you have showed today your valiant strain,
And fortune led you well. You have the captives
That were the opposites of this day’s strife.
We do require then of you, so to use them
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.
And fortune led you well. You have the captives
That were the opposites of this day’s strife.
We do require then of you, so to use them
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.
EDMUND Sir, I thought it fit
To send the old and miserable King
To some retention and appointed guard,
Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,
To pluck the common bosom on his side
And turn our impressed lances in our eyes
Which do command them. With him I sent the Queen,
My reason all the same, and they are ready
Tomorrow, or at further space, to appear
Where you shall hold your session. At this time
We sweat and bleed. The friend hath lost his friend,
And the best quarrels in the heat are cursed
By those that feel their sharpness.
The question of Cordelia and her father
Requires a fitter place.
To some retention and appointed guard,
Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,
To pluck the common bosom on his side
And turn our impressed lances in our eyes
Which do command them. With him I sent the Queen,
My reason all the same, and they are ready
Tomorrow, or at further space, to appear
Where you shall hold your session. At this time
We sweat and bleed. The friend hath lost his friend,
And the best quarrels in the heat are cursed
By those that feel their sharpness.
The question of Cordelia and her father
Requires a fitter place.
ALBANY Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, Not as a brother.
REGAN That’s as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure should have been demanded
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers,
Bore the commission of my place and person,
The which immediate may well stand up
And call itself your brother.
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers,
Bore the commission of my place and person,
The which immediate may well stand up
And call itself your brother.
GONORIL Not so hot.
In his own grace he doth exalt himself
More than in your advancement.
More than in your advancement.
REGAN In my right
By me invested, he compeers the best.
GONORIL
That were the most if he should husband you.
REGAN
Jesters do oft prove prophets.
GONORIL Holla, holla—
That eye that told you so looked but asquint.
REGAN
Lady, I am not well, else I should answer From a full-flowing stomach. (To
Edmund)
General, Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony. Witness the world that I create thee here My lord and master.
Edmund)
General, Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony. Witness the world that I create thee here My lord and master.
GONORIL Mean you to enjoy him, then?
ALBANY
The let-alone lies not in your good will.
EDMUND
Nor in thine, lord.
ALBANY Half-blooded fellow, yes.
EDMUND
Let the drum strike and prove my title good.
ALBANY
Stay yet, hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason, and in thine attaint
This gilded serpent. (To Regan) For your claim, fair
sister,
I bar it in the interest of my wife.
’Tis she is subcontracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict the banns.
If you will marry, make your love to me.
My lady is bespoke.—Thou art armed, Gloucester.
If none appear to prove upon thy head
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
On capital treason, and in thine attaint
This gilded serpent. (To Regan) For your claim, fair
sister,
I bar it in the interest of my wife.
’Tis she is subcontracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict the banns.
If you will marry, make your love to me.
My lady is bespoke.—Thou art armed, Gloucester.
If none appear to prove upon thy head
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
[He throws down a glove]
There is my pledge. I’ll prove it on thy heart,
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaimed thee.
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaimed thee.
REGAN Sick, O sick!
GONORIL
(aside)
If not, I’ll ne’er trust poison.
(aside)
If not, I’ll ne’er trust poison.
EDMUND (
to Albany, [throwing down a glove])
to Albany, [throwing down a glove])
There’s my exchange. What in the world he is
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies.
Call by thy trumpet. He that dares, approach;
On him, on you—who not?—I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies.
Call by thy trumpet. He that dares, approach;
On him, on you—who not?—I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.
ALBANY A herald, ho!
EDMUND A herald, ho, a herald!
ALBANY
Trust to thy single virtue, for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.
REGAN This sickness grows upon me.
ALBANY
She is not well. Convey her to my tent.
Exit one or more with
Regan
Exit one or more with
Regan
[Enter a Herald and a trumpeter]
Come hither, herald. Let the trumpet sound,
And read out this.
And read out this.
SECOND CAPTAIN Sound, trumpet!
Trumpeter sounds
HERALD
(reads)
‘If any man of quality or degree in the host of the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he’s a manifold traitor, let him appear at the third sound of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence.’
(reads)
‘If any man of quality or degree in the host of the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he’s a manifold traitor, let him appear at the third sound of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence.’
EDMUND Sound! (Trumpeter sounds) Again!
Enter Edgar, armed, at the third sound, a trumpeter before him
ALBANY
(to the Herald)
(to the Herald)
Ask him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this call o’th’ trumpet.
Upon this call o’th’ trumpet.
HERALD (to Edgar) What are you?
Your name and quality, and why you answer
This present summons?
This present summons?
EDGAR O, know my name is lost,
By treason’s tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit.
Yet ere I move’t, where is the adversary
I come to cope withal?
Yet ere I move’t, where is the adversary
I come to cope withal?
ALBANY Which is that adversary?
EDGAR
What’s he that speaks for Edmund, Earl of Gloucester?
EDMUND
Himself. What sayst thou to him?
EDGAR Draw thy sword,
That if my speech offend a noble heart
Thy arm may do thee justice. Here is mine.
He draws his sword
Behold, it is the privilege of my tongue,
My oath, and my profession. I protest,
Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
Despite thy victor-sword and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour and thy heart, thou art a traitor,
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father,
Conspirant ‘gainst this high illustrious prince,
And from th’extremest upward of thy head
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou no,
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.
Thy arm may do thee justice. Here is mine.
He draws his sword
Behold, it is the privilege of my tongue,
My oath, and my profession. I protest,
Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
Despite thy victor-sword and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour and thy heart, thou art a traitor,
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father,
Conspirant ‘gainst this high illustrious prince,
And from th’extremest upward of thy head
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou no,
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.
EDMUND In wisdom I should ask thy name,
But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,
And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes,
My right of knighthood I disdain and spurn.
Here do I toss those treasons to thy head,
With the hell-hated lie o’erturn thy heart,
Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way
Where they shall rest
for ever
. Trumpets,
speak!
And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes,
My right of knighthood I disdain and spurn.
Here do I toss those treasons to thy head,
With the hell-hated lie o’erturn thy heart,
Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way
Where they shall rest
for ever
. Trumpets,
speak!
[Flourish.] They fight. Edmund is vanquished
[ALL]
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