that, which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in; and the best of me is diligence. Lear. How old art thou? Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing; nor so old, to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my back, forty-eight. Lear. Thy name? Kent. Caius. Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve mc. Enter OSWALD singing, and passing KING LEAR carelessly. Now, sir? Osw. Sir.-Tol de rol, &c. [Exit singing. Lear. What says the fellow? call the clodpole back. [Exeunt KENT and Second KNIGHT. 3 Knight. My lord, I know not; but, methinks, your highness is entertained with slender ceremony. Lear. Say'st thou so? Thou but remember'st me of mine own conception. Enter First KNIGHT. Why came not that slave back when I call'd him? 1 Knight. My lord, he answered, i'th'surliest manner, that he would not. Lear. I hope our daughter did not so instruct him. OSWALD brought in by KENT and Second KNIGHT. Now, who am I, sir? Osw. My lady's father. Lear. My lady's father! My lord's knave. Osw. I'll not be struck, my lord. [Strikes him. Kent. Nor tripp'd neither, you vile civet-box. [Trips up his Heels. Lear. I thank thee, fellow, thou serv'st me. Kent. Come, sir, arise, away; I'll teach you dif[Exit OSWALD, ferences. Gon. [Within.] By day and night! this is insuffer able; I will not bear it. Enter GONERIL, attended. Lear. Now, daughter, why that frontlet on? Speak, does that frown become our presence? Gon. Sir, this licentious insolence of your servants Is most unseemly; hourly they break out In quarrels, bred by their unbounded riots; I had fair hope, by making this known to you, To have had a quick redress; but find, too late, That you protect and countenance their outrage; And therefore, I take this freedom, which Necessity makes discreet. Lear. Are you our daughter? Gon. Come, sir,et me entreat you to make use Of your discretion, and put off betimes This disposition that of late transforms you From what you rightly are. Lear. Does any here know me? Why, this is not Lear! Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes? Who is it that can tell me who I am? Your name, fair gentlewoman? Gon. Come, sir, this admiration's much o' th' sa vour Of other your new humours; I beseech you As you are old, you should be staid and wise: Be such as may befit your age, and know Lear. Darkness and devils! Saddle my horses, call my train together. How small, Cordelia, was thy fault!-O Lear, And thy dear judgment out!-Go, go, my people. Ingrateful duke!-Prepare my horses.-Was this your will? Who stirs? [Exit Fourth KNIGHT. Alb. What, sir? Lear. Death! fifty of my followers at a clap? Alb. The matter, madam? Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause, But give his dotage way. Lear. Blasts upon thee! Th' untented woundings of a father's curse Gon. Mark ye that? Alb. I'm ignorant Lear. It may be so, my lord.-Hear, nature, hear; Dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful! Into her womb convey sterility! Dry up in her the organs of increase; That from her derogate body never spring A babe to honour her!-If she must teem, [Exeunt KING LEAR and his ATTENDANTS— ALBANY, GONERIL, and their ATTENDANTS. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. The EARL OF GLOSTER'S Castle. Enter EDMUND. Edm. The duke comes here to-night; I'll take advantage Of his arrival to complete my project.- Enter EDGAR. My father watches for you, fly this place; Something might show you a favourer of Edg. Nothing; why ask you? Edm. Because he's coming here to-night in haste, And Regan with him. Edg. Let them come on; I'll stay and clear myself. Edm. Your innocence at leisure may be heard, But Gloster's storming rage as yet is deaf, And you may perish ere allow'd the hearing. I hear our father coming-Pardon me:— In cunning I must draw my sword upon you:Draw seem to defend yourself: now quit you well; Yield: come before my father;-help, ho, here!— Fly, brother;-help, here, help!-farewell, farewell.[Exit EDGAR. Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion Of our more fierce encounter-I have seen Drunkards do more than this in sport. [Stabs himself in the Arm. Enter GLOSTER and SERVANTS. Glost. Now, Edmund, where's the traitor? out, Mumbling of wicked charms, Glost. But where is he? Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. Glost. Where is the villain, Edmund? Edm. Sir, he is fled. When by no means he could— Glost. By no means, what? Edm. Persuade me to the murder of But that I told him the revenging gods your lordship; 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; |