Page:Shakespeare - First Folio Faithfully Reproduced, Methuen, 1910.djvu/822

306 You know the goodnesse I intend vpon you: Tell me but truly, but then speake the truth, Do you not loue my Sister?

Bast. In honour'd Loue.

Reg. But haue you neuer found my Brothers way, To the fore‐fended place?

Bast. No by mine honour, Madam.

Reg. I neuer shall endure her, deere my Lord Be not familiar with her.

Bast. Feare not, she and the Duke her husband.

Alb. Our very louing Sister, well be‐met: Sir, this I heard, the King is come to his Daughter With others, whom the rigour of our State Forc'd to cry out.

Regan. Why is this reasond?

Gone. Combine together 'gainst the Enemie: For these domesticke and particular broiles, Are not the question here.

Alb. Let's then determine with th'ancient of warre On our proceeding.

Reg. Sister you'le go with vs?

Gon. No.

Reg. 'Tis most conuenient, pray go with vs.

Gon. Oh ho, I know the Riddle, I will goe.

Edg. If ere your Grace had speech with man so poore, Heare me one word.

Alb. Ile ouertake you, speake.

Edg. Before you fight the Battaile, ope this Letter: If you haue victory, let the Trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seeme, I can produce a Champion, that will proue What is auouched there. If you miscarry, Your businesse of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune loues you.

Alb. Stay till I haue read the Letter.

Edg. I was forbid it: When time shall serue, let but the Herald cry, And Ile appeare againe.

Alb. Why farethee well, I will o're‐looke thy paper.

Bast. The Enemy's in view, draw vp your powers, Heere is the guesse of their true strength and Forces, By dilligent discouerie, but your hast Is now vrg'd on you.

Alb. We will greet the time.

Bast. To both these Sisters haue I sworne my loue: Each iealous of the other, as the stung Are of the Adder. Which of them shall I take? Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enioy'd If both remaine aliue: To take the Widdow, Exasperates, makes mad her Sister Gonerill, And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being aliue. Now then, wee'l vse His countenance for the Battaile, which being done, Let her who would be rid of him, deuise His speedy taking off. As for the mercie Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, The Battaile done, and they within our power, Shall neuer see his pardon: for my state, Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

Scena Secunda.

Edg. Heere Father, take the shadow of this Tree For your good hoast: pray that the right may thriue: If euer I returne to you againe, Ile bring you comfort.

Glo. Grace go with you Sir. Alarum and Retreat within.

Edgar. Away old man, giue me thy hand, away: King Lear hath lost, he and his Daughter tane, Giue me thy hand: Come on.

Glo. No further Sir, a man may rot euen heere.

Edg. What in ill thoughts againe? Men must endure Their going hence, euen as their comming hither, Ripenesse is all come on.

Glo. And that's true too.

Scena Tertia.

Bast. Some Oﬃcers take them away: good guard, Vntill their greater pleasures first be knowne That are to censure them.

Cor. We are not the first, Who with best meaning haue incur'd the worst: For thee oppressed King I am cast downe, My selfe could else out‐frowne false Fortunes frowne. Shall we not see these Daughters, and these Sisters?

Lear. No, no, no, no: come let's away to prison, We two alone will sing like Birds i'th' Cage: When thou dost aske me blessing, Ile kneele downe And aske of thee forgiuenesse: So wee'l liue, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded Butterflies: and heere (poore Rogues) Talke of Court newes, and wee'l talke with them too, Who looses, and who wins; who's in, who's out; And take vpon's the mystery of things, As if we were Gods spies: And wee'l weare out In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, That ebbe and flow by th'Moone.

Bast. Take them away.

Lear. Vpon such sacrifices my Cordelia, The Gods themselues throw Incense. Haue I caught thee? He that parts vs, shall bring a Brand from Heauen, And fire vs hence, like Foxes: wipe thine eyes, The good yeares shall deuoure them, flesh and fell,