a king, thou art poor enough.-Dost thou know me, fellow? Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your countenance, which I would fain call master. Lear. What's that? Kent. Authority. Lear. What services can'st thou do?. Kent. I can keep honest counsel, mar a curious tale in the telling, deliver a plain message bluntly; that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in; and the best of me, is diligence. Lear. How old art thou? Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing; nor so old, to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my back forty-eight. Lear. Thy name? Kent. Caius. Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me. [KENT goes to R. of 2d Knight. ́ Enter OSWALD, L. singing, and passing King Lear carelessly. Now, sir? Osw. Sir!-Tol de rol, &c. [Exit, singing, R. Lear. What says the fellow? call the clodpole back. [Exeunt KENT and 2d Knight, R. Physic. (L.) My lord, I know not: but, methinks, your highness is entertain'd with slender ceremony. Lear. Say'st thou so? Thou but remember'st me of mine own conception. Re-enter 2d Knight, R. Why came not that slave back when I call'd him? 2d Knight. (R.) My lord, he answer'd i' th' surliest manner that he would not. [Goes to his former place. Lear. (L. c.) I hope our daughter did not so instruct him. OSWALD brought in by KENT.-KENT puts OSWALD next the King. Now, who am I, sir? Osw. (c.) My lady's father. Lear. My lady's father! My lord's knave Osw. I'll not be struck, my lord. 3 [Strikes him. Kent. Nortript, neither, you vile civet-box. [Trips up his heels. Lear. I thank thee, fellow: thou serv'st me.. Kent. Come, sir, arise, away; I'll teach you differ ences. [Exit OSWALD, crying out, R. U. E.-KENT pursues him with his staff till he is off the Stage, then returns to the Knights, L. Gon. [Without, R.] By day and night! this is insufferable; I will not bear it. Enter GONERIL, R. U. E. attended by a Page and two Ladies. Lear. (c.) Now, daughter, why that frontlet on? Speak, does that frown become our presence? Gon. (R.) Sir, this licentious insolence of your ser vants Is most unseemly: hourly they break out In quarrels. bred by their unbounded riots; Lear. Are you our daughter? Gon. Come, sir, let me intreat you to make use Of your discretion, and put off betimes This disposition that of late transforms you From what you rightly are. Lear. Does any here know me? Why, this is not Lear! Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes? Who is it that can tell me who I am? Your name, fair gentlewoman? Gon. Come, sir, this admiration's much o'th' savour Of other your new humours; 1 beseech you To understand my purposes aright; As you are old, you should be staid and wise: Here do you keep an hundred knights and 'squires, B Be such as may befit your age, and know Lear. Darkness and devils!- - How small, Cordelia, was thy fault?-O, Lear, Beat at this gate-[Strikes his head]—that let thy folly in, And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people. Enter ALBANY, R. U.E. Ingrateful Duke!-Prepare my horses.-Was this your will? Who stirs ? Alb. What, sir? [Exit 3d Knight, L. Lear. Death! fifty of my followers at a clap! [To GONERIL. Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause, But give his dotage way. Lear. Blasts upon thee! Th' untented woundings of a father's curse Gon. (R.) Mark ye that? Alb. (R. C.) I'm ignorant Lear. (L.) It may be so, my lord.-[LEAR throws away his hat and staff as he falls on his knees.] -Hear, Nature, hear; Dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if Dry up in her the organs of increase; Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits, To laughter and contempt; that she may feel, To have a thankless child! [KENT and the Physician raise the King; the 1st Knight takes up his hat and staff] Away! away! [Exeunt KING LEAR and his Attendants, L.ALBANY, GONERIL, and their Attendants, R. END OF ACT I. ACT II. SCENE I.-The Earl of Gloster's Castle. Enter EDMUnd, L. Edm. (L.) The duke comes here to night; I'll take advantage Of this arrival to complete my project. [Knocks, M. D. Brother, a word; come forth; it's I, your friend! Enter EDGAR. M. D. (Comes forward.) My father watches for you, fly this place; Take the advantage of the night.-Bethink, Have you not spoke against the Duke of Cornwall. Duke Albany's party? Edg. (R.) Nothing; why ask you? Edm. (L.) Because he's coming here to-night in haste, And Regan with him. Edg. Let him come on; I'll stay and clear myself. Edm. Your innocence at leisure may be heard, But Gloster's storming rage as yet is deaf, And you may perish ere allow'd the hearing. [GLOSTER without, L. This way, this way. I hear our father coming-Pardon me.: In cunning I must draw my sword upon you:Draw: seem to defend yourself; [They draw and fight. now quit you well. Yield: come before my father; help, ho, here!— Fly, brother;-help, here, help!-Farewell, fare[Exit EDGAR, R. well. Some blood drawn on me wou'd beget opinion [Stabs himself in the arm. Enter GLOSTER and two Servants, L. with torches. Glost. Now, Edmund, where's the traitor? Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword [Wraps his arm up. Glost. Where is the villain, Edmund? Edm. Sir, he is fled. When by no means he couldGlost. By no means, what? Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; But that I told him the revenging Gods 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; To this unnatural purpose, in fell motion, Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to the encounter, Full suddenly he fled. Glost. Let him fly far, this kingdom shall not hide him. The noble duke my patron comes to-night; By his authority I will proclaim Rewards for him that brings him to the stake, And death for the concealer ; Then of my lands, loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means to make thee capable. [Exeunt, L. |