Were like a better day: Those happy smiles, Could so become it. Kent. Made she no verbal question? Gent. 'Faith, once, or twice, she heav'd the name of father Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart; Cried, Sisters! sisters!—Shame of ladies! sisters! Kent! father! sisters! What? i the storm? the night? Let pity not be believed!-There she shook The holy water from her heavenly eyes, And clamour moisten'd: then away she started, Kent. It is the stars, The stars above us, govern our conditions; Else one self mate and mate could not beget Such different issues. You spoke not with her since? Gent. No. Kent. Was this before the king return'd? Gent. No, since. Kent. Well, sir; The poor distress'd Lear is i' the town: Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers What we are come about, and by no means Will yield to see his daughter. Gent. Why, good sir? Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own un kindness, That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting Gent. Alack, poor gentleman! Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not? Gent. 'Tis so; they are afoot. Kent. Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master, Lear, When I am known aright, you shall not grieve SCENE IV. The same. A Tent. [Exeunt. Enter CORDELIA, Physician, and Soldiers. Cor. Alack, 'tis he; why, he was met even now As mad as the vext sea: singing aloud; Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow weeds, In our sustaining corn.-A century send forth; What can man's wisdom do, In the restoring his bereaved sense? [Exit an Officer. He, that helps him, take all my outward worth. Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, The which he lacks; that to provoke in him, Are many simples operative, whose power Cor. All bless'd secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate, Enter a Messenger. Mess. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherward. My mourning, and important tears, hath pitied. But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right: [Exeunt. SCENE V.-A Room in GLOSTER'S Castle, Enter REGAN and Steward. Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth? Reg. Himself In person there? Stew. Madam, with much ado: Your sister is the better soldier. Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? Stew. No, madam. Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. His nighted life; moreover, to descry The strength o'the enemy. Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous. Stew. I may not, madam; My lady charg'd my duty in this business. Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you Transport her purposes by word? Belike, Something-I know not what :-I'll love thee much, Let me unseal the letter. Stew. Madam, I had rather Reg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange ciliads, and most speaking looks, To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam? Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it: Therefore, I do advise you, take this note: My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; And more convenient is he for my hand, Than for your lady's: -You may gather more. If you do find him, pray you, give him this; And when your mistress hears thus much from you, So, fare you well. If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam! I would show What party I do follow. Reg. Fare thee well. SCENE VI.-The Country near Dover. [Exeunt. Enter GLOSTER, and EDGAR, dressed like a Peasant. Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill? Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how we labour, Glo. Methinks, the ground is even. Edg. Horrible steep: Hark, do you hear the sea? Glo. No, truly. Edg. Why, then your other senses grow imperfect By your eyes' anguish. Glo. So may it be, indeed: Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst. Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in nothing am I chang'd, But in my garments. Glo. Methinks, you are better spoken. Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place:-stand still.— How fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air, |