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<title>SCENE VI. Fields near Dover.
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<tr><td class="play" align="center">King Lear
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| Act 4, Scene 6
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<H3>SCENE VI. Fields near Dover.</h3>
<p><blockquote>
<i>Enter GLOUCESTER, and EDGAR dressed like a peasant</i>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech1><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>When shall we come to the top of that same hill?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech2><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=2>You do climb up it now: look, how we labour.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech3><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=3>Methinks the ground is even.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech4><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=4>Horrible steep.</A><br>
<A NAME=5>Hark, do you hear the sea?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech5><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=6>No, truly.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech6><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=7>Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect</A><br>
<A NAME=8>By your eyes' anguish.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech7><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=9>So may it be, indeed:</A><br>
<A NAME=10>Methinks thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st</A><br>
<A NAME=11>In better phrase and matter than thou didst.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech8><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=12>You're much deceived: in nothing am I changed</A><br>
<A NAME=13>But in my garments.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech9><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=14>Methinks you're better spoken.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech10><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=15>Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful</A><br>
<A NAME=16>And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low!</A><br>
<A NAME=17>The crows and choughs that wing the midway air</A><br>
<A NAME=18>Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down</A><br>
<A NAME=19>Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade!</A><br>
<A NAME=20>Methinks he seems no bigger than his head:</A><br>
<A NAME=21>The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,</A><br>
<A NAME=22>Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark,</A><br>
<A NAME=23>Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy</A><br>
<A NAME=24>Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge,</A><br>
<A NAME=25>That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,</A><br>
<A NAME=26>Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more;</A><br>
<A NAME=27>Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight</A><br>
<A NAME=28>Topple down headlong.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech11><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=29>Set me where you stand.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech12><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=30>Give me your hand: you are now within a foot</A><br>
<A NAME=31>Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon</A><br>
<A NAME=32>Would I not leap upright.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech13><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=33>Let go my hand.</A><br>
<A NAME=34>Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel</A><br>
<A NAME=35>Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods</A><br>
<A NAME=36>Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off;</A><br>
<A NAME=37>Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech14><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=38>Now fare you well, good sir.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech15><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=39>With all my heart.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech16><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=40>Why I do trifle thus with his despair</A><br>
<A NAME=41>Is done to cure it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech17><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=42>[Kneeling] O you mighty gods!</A><br>
<A NAME=43>This world I do renounce, and, in your sights,</A><br>
<A NAME=44>Shake patiently my great affliction off:</A><br>
<A NAME=45>If I could bear it longer, and not fall</A><br>
<A NAME=46>To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,</A><br>
<A NAME=47>My snuff and loathed part of nature should</A><br>
<A NAME=48>Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!</A><br>
<A NAME=49>Now, fellow, fare thee well.</A><br>
<p><i>He falls forward</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech18><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=50>Gone, sir: farewell.</A><br>
<A NAME=51>And yet I know not how conceit may rob</A><br>
<A NAME=52>The treasury of life, when life itself</A><br>
<A NAME=53>Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought,</A><br>
<A NAME=54>By this, had thought been past. Alive or dead?</A><br>
<A NAME=55>Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak!</A><br>
<A NAME=56>Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.</A><br>
<A NAME=57>What are you, sir?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech19><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=58> Away, and let me die.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech20><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=59>Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,</A><br>
<A NAME=60>So many fathom down precipitating,</A><br>
<A NAME=61>Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe;</A><br>
<A NAME=62>Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound.</A><br>
<A NAME=63>Ten masts at each make not the altitude</A><br>
<A NAME=64>Which thou hast perpendicularly fell:</A><br>
<A NAME=65>Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech21><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=66>But have I fall'n, or no?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech22><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=67>From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.</A><br>
<A NAME=68>Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far</A><br>
<A NAME=69>Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech23><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=70>Alack, I have no eyes.</A><br>
<A NAME=71>Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,</A><br>
<A NAME=72>To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,</A><br>
<A NAME=73>When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage,</A><br>
<A NAME=74>And frustrate his proud will.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech24><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=75>Give me your arm:</A><br>
<A NAME=76>Up: so. How is 't? Feel you your legs? You stand.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech25><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=77>Too well, too well.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech26><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=78>This is above all strangeness.</A><br>
<A NAME=79>Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that</A><br>
<A NAME=80>Which parted from you?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech27><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=81>A poor unfortunate beggar.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech28><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=82>As I stood here below, methought his eyes</A><br>
<A NAME=83>Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,</A><br>
<A NAME=84>Horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea:</A><br>
<A NAME=85>It was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father,</A><br>
<A NAME=86>Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours</A><br>
<A NAME=87>Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech29><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=88>I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear</A><br>
<A NAME=89>Affliction till it do cry out itself</A><br>
<A NAME=90>'Enough, enough,' and die. That thing you speak of,</A><br>
<A NAME=91>I took it for a man; often 'twould say</A><br>
<A NAME=92>'The fiend, the fiend:' he led me to that place.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech30><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=93>Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here?</A><br>
<p><i>Enter KING LEAR, fantastically dressed with wild flowers</i></p>
<A NAME=94>The safer sense will ne'er accommodate</A><br>
<A NAME=95>His master thus.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech31><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=96>No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the</A><br>
<A NAME=97>king himself.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech32><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=98>O thou side-piercing sight!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech33><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=99>Nature's above art in that respect. There's your</A><br>
<A NAME=100>press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a</A><br>
<A NAME=101>crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard. Look,</A><br>
<A NAME=102>look, a mouse! Peace, peace; this piece of toasted</A><br>
<A NAME=103>cheese will do 't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove</A><br>
<A NAME=104>it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. O, well</A><br>
<A NAME=105>flown, bird! i' the clout, i' the clout: hewgh!</A><br>
<A NAME=106>Give the word.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech34><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=107>Sweet marjoram.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech35><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=108>Pass.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech36><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=109>I know that voice.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech37><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=110>Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered</A><br>
<A NAME=111>me like a dog; and told me I had white hairs in my</A><br>
<A NAME=112>beard ere the black ones were there. To say 'ay'</A><br>
<A NAME=113>and 'no' to every thing that I said!--'Ay' and 'no'</A><br>
<A NAME=114>too was no good divinity. When the rain came to</A><br>
<A NAME=115>wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when</A><br>
<A NAME=116>the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I</A><br>
<A NAME=117>found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go to, they are</A><br>
<A NAME=118>not men o' their words: they told me I was every</A><br>
<A NAME=119>thing; 'tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech38><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=120>The trick of that voice I do well remember:</A><br>
<A NAME=121>Is 't not the king?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech39><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=122>Ay, every inch a king:</A><br>
<A NAME=123>When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.</A><br>
<A NAME=124>I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause? Adultery?</A><br>
<A NAME=125>Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No:</A><br>
<A NAME=126>The wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly</A><br>
<A NAME=127>Does lecher in my sight.</A><br>
<A NAME=128>Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's bastard son</A><br>
<A NAME=129>Was kinder to his father than my daughters</A><br>
<A NAME=130>Got 'tween the lawful sheets.</A><br>
<A NAME=131>To 't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.</A><br>
<A NAME=132>Behold yond simpering dame,</A><br>
<A NAME=133>Whose face between her forks presages snow;</A><br>
<A NAME=134>That minces virtue, and does shake the head</A><br>
<A NAME=135>To hear of pleasure's name;</A><br>
<A NAME=136>The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't</A><br>
<A NAME=137>With a more riotous appetite.</A><br>
<A NAME=138>Down from the waist they are Centaurs,</A><br>
<A NAME=139>Though women all above:</A><br>
<A NAME=140>But to the girdle do the gods inherit,</A><br>
<A NAME=141>Beneath is all the fiends';</A><br>
<A NAME=142>There's hell, there's darkness, there's the</A><br>
<A NAME=143>sulphurous pit,</A><br>
<A NAME=144>Burning, scalding, stench, consumption; fie,</A><br>
<A NAME=145>fie, fie! pah, pah! Give me an ounce of civet,</A><br>
<A NAME=146>good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination:</A><br>
<A NAME=147>there's money for thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech40><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=148>O, let me kiss that hand!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech41><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=149>Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech42><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=150>O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world</A><br>
<A NAME=151>Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech43><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=152>I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny</A><br>
<A NAME=153>at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid! I'll not</A><br>
<A NAME=154>love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the</A><br>
<A NAME=155>penning of it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech44><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=156>Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech45><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=157>I would not take this from report; it is,</A><br>
<A NAME=158>And my heart breaks at it.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech46><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=159>Read.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech47><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=160>What, with the case of eyes?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech48><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=161>O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your</A><br>
<A NAME=162>head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in</A><br>
<A NAME=163>a heavy case, your purse in a light; yet you see how</A><br>
<A NAME=164>this world goes.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech49><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=165>I see it feelingly.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech50><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=166>What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes</A><br>
<A NAME=167>with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond</A><br>
<A NAME=168>justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in</A><br>
<A NAME=169>thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which</A><br>
<A NAME=170>is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen</A><br>
<A NAME=171>a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech51><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=172>Ay, sir.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech52><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=173>And the creature run from the cur? There thou</A><br>
<A NAME=174>mightst behold the great image of authority: a</A><br>
<A NAME=175>dog's obeyed in office.</A><br>
<A NAME=176>Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!</A><br>
<A NAME=177>Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;</A><br>
<A NAME=178>Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind</A><br>
<A NAME=179>For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.</A><br>
<A NAME=180>Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;</A><br>
<A NAME=181>Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,</A><br>
<A NAME=182>And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks:</A><br>
<A NAME=183>Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.</A><br>
<A NAME=184>None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:</A><br>
<A NAME=185>Take that of me, my friend, who have the power</A><br>
<A NAME=186>To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;</A><br>
<A NAME=187>And like a scurvy politician, seem</A><br>
<A NAME=188>To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now:</A><br>
<A NAME=189>Pull off my boots: harder, harder: so.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech53><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=190>O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech54><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=191>If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.</A><br>
<A NAME=192>I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:</A><br>
<A NAME=193>Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:</A><br>
<A NAME=194>Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air,</A><br>
<A NAME=195>We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech55><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=196>Alack, alack the day!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech56><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=197>When we are born, we cry that we are come</A><br>
<A NAME=198>To this great stage of fools: this a good block;</A><br>
<A NAME=199>It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe</A><br>
<A NAME=200>A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof;</A><br>
<A NAME=201>And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,</A><br>
<A NAME=202>Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!</A><br>
<p><i>Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech57><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=203>O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir,</A><br>
<A NAME=204>Your most dear daughter--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech58><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=205>No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even</A><br>
<A NAME=206>The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;</A><br>
<A NAME=207>You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;</A><br>
<A NAME=208>I am cut to the brains.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech59><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=209>You shall have any thing.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech60><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=210>No seconds? all myself?</A><br>
<A NAME=211>Why, this would make a man a man of salt,</A><br>
<A NAME=212>To use his eyes for garden water-pots,</A><br>
<A NAME=213>Ay, and laying autumn's dust.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech61><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=214>Good sir,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech62><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=215>I will die bravely, like a bridegroom. What!</A><br>
<A NAME=216>I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,</A><br>
<A NAME=217>My masters, know you that.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech63><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=218>You are a royal one, and we obey you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech64><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=219>Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you</A><br>
<A NAME=220>shall get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit running; Attendants follow</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech65><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=221>A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,</A><br>
<A NAME=222>Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter,</A><br>
<A NAME=223>Who redeems nature from the general curse</A><br>
<A NAME=224>Which twain have brought her to.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech66><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=225>Hail, gentle sir.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech67><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=226> Sir, speed you: what's your will?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech68><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=227>Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech69><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=228>Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that,</A><br>
<A NAME=229>Which can distinguish sound.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech70><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=230>But, by your favour,</A><br>
<A NAME=231>How near's the other army?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech71><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=232>Near and on speedy foot; the main descry</A><br>
<A NAME=233>Stands on the hourly thought.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech72><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=234>I thank you, sir: that's all.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech73><b>Gentleman</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=235>Though that the queen on special cause is here,</A><br>
<A NAME=236>Her army is moved on.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech74><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=237>I thank you, sir.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit Gentleman</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech75><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=238>You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me:</A><br>
<A NAME=239>Let not my worser spirit tempt me again</A><br>
<A NAME=240>To die before you please!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech76><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=241>Well pray you, father.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech77><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=242>Now, good sir, what are you?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech78><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=243>A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows;</A><br>
<A NAME=244>Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,</A><br>
<A NAME=245>Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,</A><br>
<A NAME=246>I'll lead you to some biding.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech79><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=247>Hearty thanks:</A><br>
<A NAME=248>The bounty and the benison of heaven</A><br>
<A NAME=249>To boot, and boot!</A><br>
<p><i>Enter OSWALD</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech80><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=250>A proclaim'd prize! Most happy!</A><br>
<A NAME=251>That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh</A><br>
<A NAME=252>To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,</A><br>
<A NAME=253>Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out</A><br>
<A NAME=254>That must destroy thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech81><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=255>Now let thy friendly hand</A><br>
<A NAME=256>Put strength enough to't.</A><br>
<p><i>EDGAR interposes</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech82><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=257>Wherefore, bold peasant,</A><br>
<A NAME=258>Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence;</A><br>
<A NAME=259>Lest that the infection of his fortune take</A><br>
<A NAME=260>Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech83><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=261>Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech84><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=262>Let go, slave, or thou diest!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech85><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=263>Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk</A><br>
<A NAME=264>pass. An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life,</A><br>
<A NAME=265>'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight.</A><br>
<A NAME=266>Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor</A><br>
<A NAME=267>ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be</A><br>
<A NAME=268>the harder: ch'ill be plain with you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech86><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=269>Out, dunghill!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech87><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=270>Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor</A><br>
<A NAME=271>your foins.</A><br>
<p><i>They fight, and EDGAR knocks him down</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech88><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=272>Slave, thou hast slain me: villain, take my purse:</A><br>
<A NAME=273>If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;</A><br>
<A NAME=274>And give the letters which thou find'st about me</A><br>
<A NAME=275>To Edmund earl of Gloucester; seek him out</A><br>
<A NAME=276>Upon the British party: O, untimely death!</A><br>
<p><i>Dies</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech89><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=277>I know thee well: a serviceable villain;</A><br>
<A NAME=278>As duteous to the vices of thy mistress</A><br>
<A NAME=279>As badness would desire.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech90><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=280>What, is he dead?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech91><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=281>Sit you down, father; rest you</A><br>
<A NAME=282>Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of</A><br>
<A NAME=283>May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry</A><br>
<A NAME=284>He had no other death's-man. Let us see:</A><br>
<A NAME=285>Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not:</A><br>
<A NAME=286>To know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts;</A><br>
<A NAME=287>Their papers, is more lawful.</A><br>
<p><i>Reads</i></p>
<A NAME=288>'Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have</A><br>
<A NAME=289>many opportunities to cut him off: if your will</A><br>
<A NAME=290>want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered.</A><br>
<A NAME=291>There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror:</A><br>
<A NAME=292>then am I the prisoner, and his bed my goal; from</A><br>
<A NAME=293>the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply</A><br>
<A NAME=294>the place for your labour.</A><br>
<A NAME=295>'Your--wife, so I would say--</A><br>
<A NAME=296>'Affectionate servant,</A><br>
<A NAME=297>'GONERIL.'</A><br>
<A NAME=298>O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!</A><br>
<A NAME=299>A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;</A><br>
<A NAME=300>And the exchange my brother! Here, in the sands,</A><br>
<A NAME=301>Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified</A><br>
<A NAME=302>Of murderous lechers: and in the mature time</A><br>
<A NAME=303>With this ungracious paper strike the sight</A><br>
<A NAME=304>Of the death practised duke: for him 'tis well</A><br>
<A NAME=305>That of thy death and business I can tell.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech92><b>GLOUCESTER</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=306>The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,</A><br>
<A NAME=307>That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling</A><br>
<A NAME=308>Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:</A><br>
<A NAME=309>So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,</A><br>
<A NAME=310>And woes by wrong imaginations lose</A><br>
<A NAME=311>The knowledge of themselves.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech93><b>EDGAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=312>Give me your hand:</A><br>
<p><i>Drum afar off</i></p>
<A NAME=313>Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum:</A><br>
<A NAME=314>Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt</i></p>
</blockquote>
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