The Tragedy Of King Lear

1 Enter Gloucester, and Edgar dressed like a peasant.
2 GLOUCESTER.
3 When shall I come to the top of that same hill?
4 EDGAR.
5 You do climb up it now. Look how we labour.
6 GLOUCESTER.
7 Methinks the ground is even.
8 EDGAR.
9 Horrible steep.
10 Hark, do you hear the sea?
11 GLOUCESTER.
12 No, truly.
13 EDGAR.
14 Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect
15 By your eyes’ anguish.
16 GLOUCESTER.
17 So may it be indeed.
18 Methinks thy voice is alter’d; and thou speak’st
19 In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
20 EDGAR.
21 Y’are much deceiv’d: in nothing am I chang’d
22 But in my garments.
23 GLOUCESTER.
24 Methinks you’re better spoken.
25 EDGAR.
26 Come on, sir; here’s the place. Stand still. How fearful
27 And dizzy ’tis to cast one’s eyes so low!
28 The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
29 Show scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down
30 Hangs one that gathers samphire—dreadful trade!
31 Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.
32 The fishermen that walk upon the beach
33 Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark,
34 Diminish’d to her cock; her cock a buoy
35 Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge
36 That on th’unnumber’d idle pebble chafes
37 Cannot be heard so high. I’ll look no more;
38 Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
39 Topple down headlong.
40 GLOUCESTER.
41 Set me where you stand.
42 EDGAR.
43 Give me your hand.
44 You are now within a foot of th’extreme verge.
45 For all beneath the moon would I not leap upright.
46 GLOUCESTER.
47 Let go my hand.
48 Here, friend, ’s another purse; in it a jewel
49 Well worth a poor man’s taking. Fairies and gods
50 Prosper it with thee! Go thou further off;
51 Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
52 EDGAR.
53 Now fare ye well, good sir.
54 [_Seems to go._]
55 GLOUCESTER.
56 With all my heart.
57 EDGAR.
58 [_Aside._] Why I do trifle thus with his despair
59 Is done to cure it.
60 GLOUCESTER.
61 O you mighty gods!
62 This world I do renounce, and in your sights,
63 Shake patiently my great affliction off:
64 If I could bear it longer, and not fall
65 To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
66 My snuff and loathed part of nature should
67 Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!
68 Now, fellow, fare thee well.
69 EDGAR.
70 Gone, sir, farewell.
71 [_Gloucester leaps, and falls along_]
72 And yet I know not how conceit may rob
73 The treasury of life when life itself
74 Yields to the theft. Had he been where he thought,
75 By this had thought been past. Alive or dead?
76 Ho you, sir! friend! Hear you, sir? speak!
77 Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.
78 What are you, sir?
79 GLOUCESTER.
80 Away, and let me die.
81 EDGAR.
82 Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,
83 So many fathom down precipitating,
84 Thou’dst shiver’d like an egg: but thou dost breathe;
85 Hast heavy substance; bleed’st not; speak’st; art sound.
86 Ten masts at each make not the altitude
87 Which thou hast perpendicularly fell.
88 Thy life is a miracle. Speak yet again.
89 GLOUCESTER.
90 But have I fall’n, or no?
91 EDGAR.
92 From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.
93 Look up a-height, the shrill-gorg’d lark so far
94 Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up.
95 GLOUCESTER.
96 Alack, I have no eyes.
97 Is wretchedness depriv’d that benefit
98 To end itself by death? ’Twas yet some comfort
99 When misery could beguile the tyrant’s rage
100 And frustrate his proud will.
101 EDGAR.
102 Give me your arm.
103 Up, so. How is’t? Feel you your legs? You stand.
104 GLOUCESTER.
105 Too well, too well.
106 EDGAR.
107 This is above all strangeness.
108 Upon the crown o’ the cliff what thing was that
109 Which parted from you?
110 GLOUCESTER.
111 A poor unfortunate beggar.
112 EDGAR.
113 As I stood here below, methought his eyes
114 Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,
115 Horns whelk’d and waved like the enraged sea.
116 It was some fiend. Therefore, thou happy father,
117 Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours
118 Of men’s impossibilities, have preserv’d thee.
119 GLOUCESTER.
120 I do remember now: henceforth I’ll bear
121 Affliction till it do cry out itself
122 ‘Enough, enough,’ and die. That thing you speak of,
123 I took it for a man; often ’twould say,
124 ‘The fiend, the fiend’; he led me to that place.
125 EDGAR.
126 Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here?
127 Enter Lear, fantastically
128 dressed up with flowers.
129 The safer sense will ne’er accommodate
130 His master thus.
131 LEAR.
132 No, they cannot touch me for coining. I am the King himself.
133 EDGAR.
134 O thou side-piercing sight!
135 LEAR.
136 Nature’s above art in that respect. There’s your press money.
137 That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier’s
138 yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace, this piece of toasted cheese
139 will do’t. There’s my gauntlet; I’ll prove it on a giant.
140 Bring up the brown bills. O, well flown, bird! i’ the clout, i’
141 the clout. Hewgh! Give the word.
142 EDGAR.
143 Sweet marjoram.
144 LEAR.
145 Pass.
146 GLOUCESTER.
147 I know that voice.
148 LEAR.
149 Ha! Goneril with a white beard! They flattered me like a dog; and told
150 me I had white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there. To say
151 ‘ay’ and ‘no’ to everything I said ‘ay’
152 and ‘no’ to was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet
153 me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not
154 peace at my bidding; there I found ’em, there I smelt ’em out.
155 Go to, they are not men o’ their words: they told me I was everything;
156 ’tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.
157 GLOUCESTER.
158 The trick of that voice I do well remember:
159 Is’t not the King?
160 LEAR.
161 Ay, every inch a king.
162 When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.
163 I pardon that man’s life. What was thy cause?
164 Adultery? Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No:
165 The wren goes to’t, and the small gilded fly
166 Does lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive;
167 For Gloucester’s bastard son was kinder to his father
168 Than my daughters got ’tween the lawful sheets.
169 To’t, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.
170 Behold yond simp’ring dame,
171 Whose face between her forks presages snow;
172 That minces virtue, and does shake the head
173 To hear of pleasure’s name.
174 The fitchew nor the soiled horse goes to’t with a more riotous
175 appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs, though women all
176 above. But to the girdle do the gods inherit, beneath is all the
177 fiend’s; there’s hell, there’s darkness, there is the sulphurous pit;
178 burning, scalding, stench,
179 consumption. Fie, fie, fie! pah, pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good
180 apothecary, to sweeten my imagination. There’s money for thee.
181 GLOUCESTER.
182 O, let me kiss that hand!
183 LEAR.
184 Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.
185 GLOUCESTER.
186 O ruin’d piece of nature, this great world
187 Shall so wear out to naught. Dost thou know me?
188 LEAR.
189 I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me?
190 No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I’ll not love.
191 Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.
192 GLOUCESTER.
193 Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.
194 EDGAR.
195 I would not take this from report,
196 It is, and my heart breaks at it.
197 LEAR.
198 Read.
199 GLOUCESTER.
200 What, with the case of eyes?
201 LEAR.
202 O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money
203 in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a
204 light, yet you see how this world goes.
205 GLOUCESTER.
206 I see it feelingly.
207 LEAR.
208 What, art mad? A man may see how the world goes with no eyes.
209 Look with thine ears. See how yon justice rails upon yon simple
210 thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which
211 is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer’s
212 dog bark at a beggar?
213 GLOUCESTER.
214 Ay, sir.
215 LEAR.
216 And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold
217 the great image of authority: a dog’s obeyed in office.
218 Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!
219 Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;
220 Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind
221 For which thou whipp’st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.
222 Through tatter’d clothes great vices do appear;
223 Robes and furr’d gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,
224 And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;
225 Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it.
226 None does offend, none, I say none; I’ll able ’em;
227 Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
228 To seal the accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes,
229 And like a scurvy politician, seem
230 To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now:
231 Pull off my boots: harder, harder, so.
232 EDGAR.
233 O, matter and impertinency mix’d!
234 Reason in madness!
235 LEAR.
236 If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
237 I know thee well enough, thy name is Gloucester.
238 Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:
239 Thou know’st the first time that we smell the air
240 We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.
241 GLOUCESTER.
242 Alack, alack the day!
243 LEAR.
244 When we are born, we cry that we are come
245 To this great stage of fools. This a good block:
246 It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
247 A troop of horse with felt. I’ll put’t in proof
248 And when I have stol’n upon these son-in-laws,
249 Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
250 Enter a Gentleman with
251 Attendants.
252 GENTLEMAN.
253 O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir,
254 Your most dear daughter—
255 LEAR.
256 No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
257 The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;
258 You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
259 I am cut to the brains.
260 GENTLEMAN.
261 You shall have anything.
262 LEAR.
263 No seconds? All myself?
264 Why, this would make a man a man of salt,
265 To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
266 Ay, and for laying autumn’s dust.
267 GENTLEMAN.
268 Good sir.
269 LEAR.
270 I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom.
271 What! I will be jovial. Come, come,
272 I am a king, my masters, know you that.
273 GENTLEMAN.
274 You are a royal one, and we obey you.
275 LEAR.
276 Then there’s life in’t. Come, and you get it,
277 You shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa!
278 [_Exit running. Attendants follow._]
279 GENTLEMAN.
280 A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
281 Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter
282 Who redeems nature from the general curse
283 Which twain have brought her to.
284 EDGAR.
285 Hail, gentle sir.
286 GENTLEMAN.
287 Sir, speed you. What’s your will?
288 EDGAR.
289 Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
290 GENTLEMAN.
291 Most sure and vulgar.
292 Everyone hears that, which can distinguish sound.
293 EDGAR.
294 But, by your favour,
295 How near’s the other army?
296 GENTLEMAN.
297 Near and on speedy foot; the main descry
298 Stands on the hourly thought.
299 EDGAR.
300 I thank you sir, that’s all.
301 GENTLEMAN.
302 Though that the queen on special cause is here,
303 Her army is mov’d on.
304 EDGAR.
305 I thank you, sir.
306 [_Exit Gentleman._]
307 GLOUCESTER.
308 You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me;
309 Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
310 To die before you please.
311 EDGAR.
312 Well pray you, father.
313 GLOUCESTER.
314 Now, good sir, what are you?
315 EDGAR.
316 A most poor man, made tame to fortune’s blows;
317 Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
318 Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
319 I’ll lead you to some biding.
320 GLOUCESTER.
321 Hearty thanks:
322 The bounty and the benison of heaven
323 To boot, and boot.
324 Enter Oswald.
325 OSWALD.
326 A proclaim’d prize! Most happy!
327 That eyeless head of thine was first fram’d flesh
328 To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,
329 Briefly thyself remember. The sword is out
330 That must destroy thee.
331 GLOUCESTER.
332 Now let thy friendly hand
333 Put strength enough to’t.
334 [_Edgar interposes._]
335 OSWALD.
336 Wherefore, bold peasant,
337 Dar’st thou support a publish’d traitor? Hence;
338 Lest that th’infection of his fortune take
339 Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
340 EDGAR.
341 Chill not let go, zir, without vurther ’casion.
342 OSWALD.
343 Let go, slave, or thou diest!
344 EDGAR.
345 Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volke pass. An chud ha’
346 bin zwaggered out of my life, ’twould not ha’ bin zo long
347 as ’tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th’old man; keep
348 out, che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the
349 harder: chill be plain with you.
350 OSWALD.
351 Out, dunghill!
352 EDGAR.
353 Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come! No matter vor your foins.
354 [_They fight, and Edgar knocks him down._]
355 OSWALD.
356 Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.
357 If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;
358 And give the letters which thou find’st about me
359 To Edmund, Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out
360 Upon the British party. O, untimely death!
361 [_Dies._]
362 EDGAR.
363 I know thee well. A serviceable villain,
364 As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
365 As badness would desire.
366 GLOUCESTER.
367 What, is he dead?
368 EDGAR.
369 Sit you down, father; rest you.
370 Let’s see these pockets; the letters that he speaks of
371 May be my friends. He’s dead; I am only sorry
372 He had no other deathsman. Let us see:
373 Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not.
374 To know our enemies’ minds, we rip their hearts,
375 Their papers is more lawful.
376 [_Reads._] ‘Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many
377 opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place
378 will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done if he return the
379 conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the
380 loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your
381 labour. ‘Your (wife, so I would say) affectionate servant, ‘Goneril.’
382 O indistinguish’d space of woman’s will!
383 A plot upon her virtuous husband’s life,
384 And the exchange my brother! Here in the sands
385 Thee I’ll rake up, the post unsanctified
386 Of murderous lechers: and in the mature time,
387 With this ungracious paper strike the sight
388 Of the death-practis’d Duke: for him ’tis well
389 That of thy death and business I can tell.
390 [_Exit Edgar, dragging out the body._]
391 GLOUCESTER.
392 The King is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,
393 That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
394 Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
395 So should my thoughts be sever’d from my griefs,
396 And woes by wrong imaginations lose
397 The knowledge of themselves.
398 [_A drum afar off._]
399 EDGAR.
400 Give me your hand.
401 Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum.
402 Come, father, I’ll bestow you with a friend.
403 [_Exeunt._]