Excellent sybil! O my glowing blood! Here Gloster comes, With business on his brow; be hush'd, my joys. Enter GLOSTER. Glost. I come to seek thee, Edmund, to impart a business of importance, I know thy loyal heart is touched to see the cruelty of these ungrateful daughters against our royal master. Edm. Most savage and unnatural! Glost. This change in the state sits uneasy. The commons repine aloud at their female tyrants; already they cry out for the re-instalment of their good old king, whose injuries, I fear, will inflame them into mutiny. Edm. 'Tis to be hop'd, not fear'd. Glost. Thou hast it, boy; tis to be hop'd indeed. On me they cast their eyes, and hourly court me To lead them on; and, whilst this head is mine, I'm theirs. A little covert craft, my boy, And then for open action; 'twill be employment Worthy such honest daring souls as thine. Thou, Edmund, art my trusty emissary. Haste on the spur, at the first break of day, With these dispatches to the duke of Cambray. [Gives him Letters. You know what mortal feuds have always flam'd Between this Duke of Cornwall's family, and his; Full twenty thousand mountaineers Th' inveterate prince will send to our assistance. Despatch; commend us to his grace, and prosper. [Exit GLOSTER. Edm. Yes, credulous old man, His grace the Duke of Cornwall:-instantly, The chol'ric duke gives sentence on thy life; [Retires. GLOSTER returns, followed by CORDELIA and ARANTHE, poorly dressed ;-EDMUND observing at a distance. Cord. Turn, Gloster, turn; by all the sacred pow'rs, I do conjure you give my griefs a hearing: [Kneels. Glost. What wouldst thou, princess? Rise, and speak thy griefs. Cord. Nay, you shall promise to redress them too, Or here I'll kneel for ever. I entreat Thy succour for a father, and a king, An injur'd father, and an injur'd king. Edm. O charming sorrow! How her tears adorn her! Glost. Consider, princess, [Raises her. For whom thou begg'st, 'tis for the king that wrong'd thee. Cord. O name not that; he did not, could not, wrong me. Nay, muse not, Gloster; for it is too likely This injur'd king ere this is past your aid, gone Edm. I'll gaze no more ; charm'd. -and yet my eyes are Cord. Or, what if it be worse?-Can there be worse? Ah, 'tis too probable, this furious night Has pierc'd his tender body; the bleak winds And cold rain chill'd, or lightning struck, him dead; If it be so, your promise is discharg'd, And I have only one poor boon to beg; Glost. I have inform'd them so.. Lear. Inform'd them! dost thou understand me, man? I tell thee Gloster, Glost. Ay, my good lord. Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father Would with his daughter speak, commands her service. Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood! I beg his pardon, and I'll chide my rashness, For the sound man.-But wherefore sits he there? Is plain contempt.--Give me my servant forth.- Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, CAPTAIN of the GUARDS, and ATTENDANTS from the Castle. Oh! are you come? Corn. Health to the king! Reg. I am glad to see your highness. Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what cause I have to think so. Shouldst thou not be glad, I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, Sepulch'ring an adultress. Beloved Regan, thou wilt shake to hear What I shall utter;-thou coud'st ne'er ha' thought it; Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she has ty'd I scarce can speak to thee. [KENT is set at liberty by the ATTENDANTS. Reg. 1 pray you, sir, take patience; I have hope That you know less to value her desert, Than she to slack her duty. Lear. Ha! How's that? Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least Would fail in her respects; but if, perchance, She has restrain'd the riots of your followers, "Tis on such grounds, and to such wholesome ends, As clear her from all blame. Lear. My curses on her! And should content you to be rul'd and led Do you but mark how this becomes the house: Age is unnecessary; on my knees I beg, That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. Reg. Good sir, no more of these unsightly passions; Return back to our sister. Lear. Never, Regan; She hath abated me of half my train, Look'd black upon me, stabb'd me with her tongue: On her ingrateful head! Strike her young bones, Reg. Ŏ the blest gods! thus will you wish on me, When the rash mood Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse; Thy tender nature cannot give thee o'er To such impiety; thou better know'st The offices of nature, bond of childhood, And dues of gratitude; thou bear'st in mind Reg. Good sir, to th' purpose. Lear. Who put my man i̇'th' stocks? Corn. What trumpet's that? [Trumpet sounds. Reg. I know't, my sister's; this confirms her letters. Enter OSWALD. Sir, is your lady come! Lear. More torture still! Out, varlet, from my sight! Corn. What means your grace! [Strikes OSWALD. Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have hope Thou didst not know it. [Trumpet sounds. Enter GONERIL and ATTENDANTS. Who comes here? Oh, Heav'ns! If you do love old men; if your sweet sway Make it your cause; send down, and take my part! O, Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand? Gon. Why not by th' hand, sir? How have I offended? All's not offence that indiscretion finds, And dotage terms so. Lear. Heart, thou art too tough! Reg. I pray you, sir, being old, confess you are so. If, till the expiration of your month, You will return, and sojourn with our sister, |