Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage And frustrate his proud will.

Edg. Give me your arm.

Up- so. How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand.

Glou. Too well, too well.

Edg. This is above all strangeness.

Upon the crown o' th' cliff what thing was that Which parted from you?

Glou. A poor unfortunate beggar.

Edg. As I stood here below, methought his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd and wav'd like the enridged sea.

It was some fiend. Therefore, thou happy father, Think that the clearest G.o.ds, who make them honours Of men's impossibility, have preserv'd thee.

Glou. I do remember now. Henceforth I'll bear Affliction till it do cry out itself 'Enough, enough,' and die. That thing you speak of, I took it for a man. Often 'twould say 'The fiend, the fiend'- he led me to that place.

Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.

Enter Lear, mad, [fantastically dressed with weeds].

But who comes here?

The safer sense will ne'er accommodate His master thus.

Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coming; I am the King himself.

Edg. O thou side-piercing sight!

Lear. Nature 's above art in that respect. There's your press money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper. Draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace; this piece of toasted cheese will do't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. O, well flown, bird!

i'

th' clout, i' th' clout! Hewgh! Give the word.

Edg. Sweet marjoram.

Lear. Pa.s.s.

Glou. I know that voice.

Lear. Ha! Goneril with a white beard? They flatter'd me like a dog, and told me I had white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there. To say 'ay' and 'no' to everything I said! 'Ay'

and 'no' too was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go to, they are not men o' their words! They told me I was everything. 'Tis a lie- I am not ague-proof.

Glou. The trick of that voice I do well remember.

Is't not the King?

Lear. Ay, every inch a king!

When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.

I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause?

Adultery?

Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery? No.

The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly Does lecher in my sight.

Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's b.a.s.t.a.r.d son Was kinder to his father than my daughters Got 'tween the lawful sheets.

To't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.

Behold yond simp'ring dame, Whose face between her forks presageth snow, That minces virtue, and does shake the head To hear of pleasure's name.

The fitchew nor the soiled horse goes to't With a more riotous appet.i.te.

Down from the waist they are Centaurs, Though women all above.

But to the girdle do the G.o.ds inherit, Beneath is all the fiend's.

There's h.e.l.l, there's darkness, there's the sulphurous pit; burning, scalding, stench, consumption. Fie, fie, fie! pah, pah!

Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination. There's money for thee.

Glou. O, let me kiss that hand!

Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.

Glou. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to naught. Dost thou know me?

Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me?

No, do thy worst, blind Cupid! I'll not love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.

Glou. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.

Edg. [aside] I would not take this from report. It is, And my heart breaks at it.

Lear. Read.

Glou. What, with the case of eyes?

Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light. Yet you see how this world goes.

Glou. I see it feelingly.

Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how the world goes with no eyes.

Look with thine ears. See how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark in thine ear. Change places and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?

Glou. Ay, sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office.

Thou rascal beadle, hold thy b.l.o.o.d.y hand!

Why dost thou lash that wh.o.r.e? Strip thine own back.

Thou hotly l.u.s.ts to use her in that kind For which thou whip'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; Arm it in rags, a pygmy's straw does pierce it.

None does offend, none- I say none! I'll able 'em.

Take that of me, my friend, who have the power To seal th' accuser's lips. Get thee gla.s.s eyes And, like a scurvy politician, seem To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now!

Pull off my boots. Harder, harder! So.

Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd!

Reason, in madness!

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.

I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester.

Thou must be patient. We came crying hither; Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee. Mark.

Glou. Alack, alack the day!

Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come To this great stage of fools. This' a good block.

It were a delicate stratagem to shoe A troop of horse with felt. I'll put't in proof, And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law, Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

Enter a Gentleman [with Attendants].

Gent. O, here he is! Lay hand upon him.- Sir, Your most dear daughter- Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune. Use me well; You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon; I am cut to th' brains.

Gent. You shall have anything.

Lear. No seconds? All myself?

Why, this would make a man a man of salt, To use his eyes for garden waterpots, Ay, and laying autumn's dust.

Gent. Good sir- Lear. I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What!

I will be jovial. Come, come, I am a king; My masters, know you that?

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you.

Lear. Then there's life in't. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa!

Exit running. [Attendants follow.]

Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter Who redeems nature from the general curse Which twain have brought her to.

Edg. Hail, gentle sir.

Gent. Sir, speed you. What's your will?

Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?

Gent. Most sure and vulgar. Every one hears that Which can distinguish sound.

Edg. But, by your favour, How near's the other army?

Gent. Near and on speedy foot. The main descry Stands on the hourly thought.

Edg. I thank you sir. That's all.

Gent. Though that the Queen on special cause is here, Her army is mov'd on.

Edg. I thank you, sir Exit [Gentleman].

Glou. You ever-gentle G.o.ds, take my breath from me; Let not my worser spirit tempt me again To die before you please!

Edg. Well pray you, father.

Glou. Now, good sir, what are you?

Edg. A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows, Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand; I'll lead you to some biding.

Glou. Hearty thanks.

The bounty and the benison of heaven To boot, and boot!