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 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 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 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 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,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 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 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 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,'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 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 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 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:
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 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.
'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;
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 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,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
SCENE VII.A tent in the French camp
LEAR on a bed asleep,soft music playing;Gentleman,and others attending.
