TPTT The Tragedy of King Lear: ACT IV
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
SCENE I. The heath.
SCENE II. Before ALBANY's palace.
SCENE III. The French camp near Dover.
SCENE IV. The same. A tent.
SCENE V. Gloucester's castle.
SCENE VI. Fields near Dover.
SCENE VII. A tent in the French camp. LEAR on a bed asleep, soft music playing; Gentleman, and others attending.
ACT V
About the Play
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SCENE VI. Fields near Dover.
Enter GLOUCESTER, and EDGAR dressed like a peasant
GLOUCESTER
      When shall we come to the top of that same hill?
EDGAR
      You do climb up it now: look, how we labour.
GLOUCESTER
      Methinks the ground is even.
EDGAR
      Horrible steep.
5     Hark, do you hear the sea?
GLOUCESTER
      No, truly.
EDGAR
      Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect
      By your eyes' anguish.
GLOUCESTER
      So may it be, indeed:
10    Methinks thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st
      In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
EDGAR
      You're much deceived: in nothing am I changed
      But in my garments.
GLOUCESTER
      Methinks you're better spoken.
EDGAR
15    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
      Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down
      Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade!
20    Methinks he seems no bigger than his head:
      The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
      Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark,
      Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy
      Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge,
25    That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,
      Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more;
      Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
      Topple down headlong.
GLOUCESTER
      Set me where you stand.
EDGAR
30    Give me your hand: you are now within a foot
      Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon
      Would I not leap upright.
GLOUCESTER
      Let go my hand.
      Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel
35    Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods
      Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off;
      Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
EDGAR
      Now fare you well, good sir.
GLOUCESTER
      With all my heart.
EDGAR
40    Why I do trifle thus with his despair
      Is done to cure it.
GLOUCESTER
      (Kneeling) O you mighty gods!
      This world I do renounce, and, in your sights,
      Shake patiently my great affliction off:
45    If I could bear it longer, and not fall
      To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
      My snuff and loathed part of nature should
      Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!
      Now, fellow, fare thee well.
He falls forward
EDGAR
50    Gone, sir: farewell.
      And yet I know not how conceit may rob
      The treasury of life, when life itself
      Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought,
      By this, had thought been past. Alive or dead?
55    Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak!
      Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.
      What are you, sir?
GLOUCESTER
      Away, and let me die.
EDGAR
      Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,
60    So many fathom down precipitating,
      Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe;
      Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound.
      Ten masts at each make not the altitude
      Which thou hast perpendicularly fell:
65    Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.
GLOUCESTER
      But have I fall'n, or no?
EDGAR
      From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.
      Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far
      Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.
GLOUCESTER
70    Alack, I have no eyes.
      Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,
      To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,
      When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage,
      And frustrate his proud will.
EDGAR
75    Give me your arm:
      Up: so. How is 't? Feel you your legs? You stand.
GLOUCESTER
      Too well, too well.
EDGAR
      This is above all strangeness.
      Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that
80    Which parted from you?
GLOUCESTER
      A poor unfortunate beggar.
EDGAR
      As I stood here below, methought his eyes
      Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,
      Horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea:
85    It was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father,
      Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours
      Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
GLOUCESTER
      I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear
      Affliction till it do cry out itself
90    '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.
EDGAR
      Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here?

Enter KING LEAR, fantastically dressed with wild flowers

      The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
95    His master thus.
KING LEAR
      No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the
      king himself.
EDGAR
      O thou side-piercing sight!
KING LEAR
      Nature's above art in that respect. There's your
100   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
105   flown, bird! i' the clout, i' the clout: hewgh!
      Give the word.
EDGAR
      Sweet marjoram.
KING LEAR
      Pass.
GLOUCESTER
      I know that voice.
KING LEAR
110   Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered
      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 every thing that I said!--'Ay' and 'no'
      too was no good divinity. When the rain came to
115   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 every
      thing; 'tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.
GLOUCESTER
120   The trick of that voice I do well remember:
      Is 't not the king?
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?
125   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 bastard son
      Was kinder to his father than my daughters
130   Got 'tween the lawful sheets.
      To 't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.
      Behold yond simpering dame,
      Whose face between her forks presages snow;
      That minces virtue, and does shake the head
135   To hear of pleasure's name;
      The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't
      With a more riotous appetite.
      Down from the waist they are Centaurs,
      Though women all above:
140   But to the girdle do the gods inherit,
      Beneath is all the fiends';
      There's hell, there's darkness, there's the
      sulphurous pit,
      Burning, scalding, stench, consumption; fie,
145   fie, fie! pah, pah! Give me an ounce of civet,
      good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination:
      there's money for thee.
GLOUCESTER
      O, let me kiss that hand!
KING LEAR
      Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.
GLOUCESTER
150   O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world
      Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me?
KING 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
155   penning of it.
GLOUCESTER
      Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.
EDGAR
      I would not take this from report; it is,
      And my heart breaks at it.
KING LEAR
      Read.
GLOUCESTER
160   What, with the case of eyes?
KING 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.
GLOUCESTER
165   I see it feelingly.
KING LEAR
      What, art mad? A man may see how this 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
170   is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen
      a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?
GLOUCESTER
      Ay, sir.
KING LEAR
      And the creature run from the cur? There thou
      mightst behold the great image of authority: a
175   dog's obeyed in office.
      Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!
      Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;
      Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind
      For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.
180   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 pigmy's straw does pierce it.
      None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:
185   Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
      To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass 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.
EDGAR
190   O, matter and impertinency mix'd! Reason in madness!
KING 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,
195   We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.
GLOUCESTER
      Alack, alack the day!
KING 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
200   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
Gentleman
      O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir,
      Your most dear daughter--
KING LEAR
205   No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
      The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;
      You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
      I am cut to the brains.
Gentleman
      You shall have any thing.
KING LEAR
210   No seconds? all myself?
      Why, this would make a man a man of salt,
      To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
      Ay, and laying autumn's dust.
Gentleman
      Good sir,--
KING LEAR
215   I will die bravely, like a bridegroom. What!
      I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,
      My masters, know you that.
Gentleman
      You are a royal one, and we obey you.
KING LEAR
      Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you
220   shall get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.
Exit running; Attendants follow
Gentleman
      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.
EDGAR
225   Hail, gentle sir.
Gentleman
      Sir, speed you: what's your will?
EDGAR
      Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
Gentleman
      Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that,
      Which can distinguish sound.
EDGAR
230   But, by your favour,
      How near's the other army?
Gentleman
      Near and on speedy foot; the main descry
      Stands on the hourly thought.
EDGAR
      I thank you, sir: that's all.
Gentleman
235   Though that the queen on special cause is here,
      Her army is moved on.
EDGAR
      I thank you, sir.
Exit Gentleman
GLOUCESTER
      You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me:
      Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
240   To die before you please!
EDGAR
      Well pray you, father.
GLOUCESTER
      Now, good sir, what are you?
EDGAR
      A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows;
      Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
245   Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
      I'll lead you to some biding.
GLOUCESTER
      Hearty thanks:
      The bounty and the benison of heaven
      To boot, and boot!
Enter OSWALD
OSWALD
250   A proclaim'd prize! Most happy!
      That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh
      To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,
      Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out
      That must destroy thee.
GLOUCESTER
255   Now let thy friendly hand
      Put strength enough to't.
EDGAR interposes
OSWALD
      Wherefore, bold peasant,
      Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence;
      Lest that the infection of his fortune take
260   Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
EDGAR
      Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.
OSWALD
      Let go, slave, or thou diest!
EDGAR
      Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk
      pass. An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life,
265   'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight.
      Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor
      ye, or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be
      the harder: ch'ill be plain with you.
OSWALD
      Out, dunghill!
EDGAR
270   Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor
      your foins.
They fight, and EDGAR knocks him down
OSWALD
      Slave, thou hast slain me: villain, take my purse:
      If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;
      And give the letters which thou find'st about me
275   To Edmund earl of Gloucester; seek him out
      Upon the British party: O, untimely death!
Dies
EDGAR
      I know thee well: a serviceable villain;
      As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
      As badness would desire.
GLOUCESTER
280   What, is he dead?
EDGAR
      Sit you down, father; rest you
      Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of
      May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry
      He had no other death's-man. Let us see:
285   Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not:
      To know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts;
      Their papers, is more lawful.

Reads

      'Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have
      many opportunities to cut him off: if your will
290   want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered.
      There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror:
      then am I the prisoner, and his bed my goal; from
      the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply
      the place for your labour.
295   'Your--wife, so I would say--
      'Affectionate servant,
      'GONERIL.'
      O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!
      A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
300   And the exchange my brother! Here, in the sands,
      Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified
      Of murderous lechers: and in the mature time
      With this ungracious paper strike the sight
      Of the death practised duke: for him 'tis well
305   That of thy death and business I can tell.
GLOUCESTER
      The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,
      That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
      Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
      So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,
310   And woes by wrong imaginations lose
      The knowledge of themselves.
EDGAR
      Give me your hand:

Drum afar off

      Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum:
      Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
Exeunt
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