The Tragedie of King Lear.You should not ruffle thus. What will you do?Corn.Come Sir.What Letters had you late from France?Reg.
[2030]
Be simple answer'd, for we know the truth.
Corn.
And what confederacie haue you with the Traitors,
late footed in the Kingdome?
Reg.To whose handsYou haue sent the Lunaticke King: Speake.Glou.
[2035]
I haue a Letter guessingly set downeWhich came from one that's of a newtrall heart,And not from one oppos'd.Corn.
Cunning.
Reg.
And false.
Corn.
[2040]
Where hast thou sent the King?
Glou.
To Douer.
Reg.Wherefore to Douer?Was't thou not charg'd at perill.Corn.
Wherefore to Douer? Let him answer that.
Glou.
[2045]
I am tyed to'th' Stake,And I must stand the Course.Reg.
Wherefore to Douer?
Glou.Because I would not see thy cruell NailesPlucke out his poore old eyes: nor thy fierce
Sister,
[2050]
In his Annointed flesh, sticke boarish phangs.The Sea, with such a storme as his bare head,In Hell‐blacke‐night indur'd, would haue
buoy'd vp
And quench'd the Stelled fires:Yet poore old heart, he holpe the Heauens to raine.
[2055]
If Wolues had at thy Gate howl'd that sterne
time,
Thou should'st haue said, good Porter turne the
Key:
All Cruels else subscribe: but I shall seeThe winged Vengeance ouertake such Children.Corn.See't shalt thou neuer. Fellowes hold y Chaire,
[2060]
Vpon these eyes of thine, Ile set my foote.Glou.He that will thinke to liue, till he be old,Giue me some helpe. ——— O cruell! O you Gods.Reg.
One side will mocke another: Th' other too.
Corn.
If you see vengeance.
Seru.
[2065]
Hold your hand, my Lord:I haue seru'd you euer since I was a Childe:But better seruice haue I neuer done you,Then now to bid you hold.Reg.
How now, you dogge?
Ser.
[2070]
If you did weare a beard vpon your chin,
I'ld shake
it on this quarrell. What do you meane?
Corn.
My Villaine?
Seru.
Nay then come on, and take the chance of anger.
Reg.
Giue me thy Sword. A pezant stand vp thus?
Killes him.Ser.Oh I am slaine: my Lord, you haue one eye left
[2075]
To see some mischefe on him. Oh.Corn.Lest it see more, preuent it; Out vilde gelly:Where is thy luster now?Glou.All darke and comfortlesse?Where's my Sonne
Edmund?
[2080]
Edmund, enkindle all the sparkes of
Nature
To quit this horrid acte.Reg.Out treacherous Villaine,Thou call'st on him, that hates thee. It was heThat made the ouerture of thy Treasons to vs:
[2085]
Who is too good to pitty thee.Glou.O my Follies! then
Edgar was
abus'd,
Kinde Gods, forgiue me that, and prosper him.Reg.Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smellHis way to Douer.Exit with
Glouster.
I haue receiu'd a hurt: Follow me Lady;Turne out that eyelesse Villaine: throw this SlaueVpon the Dunghill:
Regan, I bleed
apace,
Vntimely comes this hurt. Giue me your arme.Exeunt.
Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.
[Act 4, Scene 1]
Enter Edgar.Edg.Yet better thus, and knowne to be contemn'd,
[2095]
Then still contemn'd and flatter'd, to
be worst:
The lowest, and most deiected thing of
Fortune,
Stands still in esperance, liues not in feare:The lamentable change is from the best,The worst returnes to laughter. Welcome then,
[2100]
Thou vnsubstantiall ayre that I embrace:The Wretch that thou hast blowne vnto the worst,Owes nothing to thy blasts.Enter Glouster,
and an Oldman.
But who comes heere? My Father poorely led?World, World, O world!
[2105]
But that thy strange mutations make vs hate thee,Life would not yeelde to age.Oldm.O my good Lord, I haue bene your Tenant,And your Fathers Tenant, these fourescore yeares.Glou.Away, get thee away: good Friend be gone,
[2110]
Thy comforts can do me no good at all,Thee, they may hurt.Oldm.
You cannot see your way.
Glou.I haue no way, and therefore want no eyes:I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seene,
[2115]
Our meanes secure vs, and our meere defectsProue our Commodities. Oh deere Sonne
Edgar,
The food of thy abused Fathers wrath:Might I but liue to see thee in my touch,
I'ld say I
had eyes againe.
Oldm.
How now? who's there?
Edg.
[2120]
O Gods! Who is't can say I am at the worst?I am worse then ere I was.Old.
'Tis poore mad Tom.
Edg.And worse I may be yet: the worst is not,So long as we can say this is the worst.Oldm.
[2125]
Fellow, where goest?
Glou.
Is it a Beggar‐man?
Oldm.
Madman, and beggar too.
Glou.He has some reason, else he could not beg.
I'th' last nights storme, I such
a fellow saw;
Which made me thinke a Man, a Worme. My Sonne
[2130]
Came then into my minde, and yet my mindeWas then scarse Friends with him.I haue heard more since:As Flies to wanton Boyes, are we to th'Gods,They kill vs for their sport.Edg.
[2135]
How should this be?Bad is the Trade that must play Foole to sorrow,Ang'ring it selfe, and others. Blesse thee
Master.
Glou.
Is that the naked Fellow?
Oldm.
I, my Lord.
Glou.
[2140]
Get thee away: If for my sakeThou wilt ore‐take vs hence a mile or twaineI'th' way toward Douer, do it for ancient loue,And bring some couering for this naked Soule,Which Ile intreate to leade me.Old.
Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.
[Act 4, Scene 1]
Enter Edgar.Edg.Yet better thus, and knowne to be contemn'd,
[2095]
Then still contemn'd and flatter'd, to
be worst:
The lowest, and most deiected thing of
Fortune,
Stands still in esperance, liues not in feare:The lamentable change is from the best,The worst returnes to laughter. Welcome then,
[2100]
Thou vnsubstantiall ayre that I embrace:The Wretch that thou hast blowne vnto the worst,Owes nothing to thy blasts.Enter Glouster,
and an Oldman.
But who comes heere? My Father poorely led?World, World, O world!
[2105]
But that thy strange mutations make vs hate thee,Life would not yeelde to age.Oldm.O my good Lord, I haue bene your Tenant,And your Fathers Tenant, these fourescore yeares.Glou.Away, get thee away: good Friend be gone,
[2110]
Thy comforts can do me no good at all,Thee, they may hurt.Oldm.
You cannot see your way.
Glou.I haue no way, and therefore want no eyes:I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seene,
[2115]
Our meanes secure vs, and our meere defectsProue our Commodities. Oh deere Sonne
Edgar,
The food of thy abused Fathers wrath:Might I but liue to see thee in my touch,
I'ld say I
had eyes againe.
Oldm.
How now? who's there?
Edg.
[2120]
O Gods! Who is't can say I am at the worst?I am worse then ere I was.Old.
'Tis poore mad Tom.
Edg.And worse I may be yet: the worst is not,So long as we can say this is the worst.Oldm.
[2125]
Fellow, where goest?
Glou.
Is it a Beggar‐man?
Oldm.
Madman, and beggar too.
Glou.He has some reason, else he could not beg.
I'th' last nights storme, I such
a fellow saw;
Which made me thinke a Man, a Worme. My Sonne
[2130]
Came then into my minde, and yet my mindeWas then scarse Friends with him.I haue heard more since:As Flies to wanton Boyes, are we to th'Gods,They kill vs for their sport.Edg.
[2135]
How should this be?Bad is the Trade that must play Foole to sorrow,Ang'ring it selfe, and others. Blesse thee
Master.
Glou.
Is that the naked Fellow?
Oldm.
I, my Lord.
Glou.
[2140]
Get thee away: If for my sakeThou wilt ore‐take vs hence a mile or twaineI'th' way toward Douer, do it for ancient loue,And bring some couering for this naked Soule,Which Ile intreate to leade me.Old.
[2145]
Alacke sir, he is mad.
Glou.'Tis the times plague,When Madmen leade the blinde:Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure:Aboue the rest, be gone.Oldm.
[2150]
Ile bring him the best Parrell that I haueCome on't what will.ExitGlou.
Sirrah, naked fellow.
Edg.
Poore Tom's a cold. I cannot daub it further.
Glou.
Come hither fellow.
Edg.
[2155]
And yet I must:Blesse thy sweete eyes, they bleede.Glou.
Know'st thou the way to Douer?
Edg.
Both style, and gate; Horseway, and foot‐path:
poore Tom hath bin scar'd out of his good wits.
Blesse
[2160]
thee good mans sonne, from the foule Fiend.
Glou.Here take this purse, y whom the heau'ns plaguesHaue humbled to all strokes: that I am wretchedMakes thee the happier: Heauens deale so still:Let the superfluous, and Lust‐dieted man,
[2165]
That slaues your ordinance, that will not seeBecause he do's not feele, feele your powre quickly:So distribution should vndoo excesse,And each man haue enough. Dost thou know Douer?Edg.
I Master.
Glou.
[2170]
There is a Cliffe, whose high and bending headLookes fearfully in the confined Deepe:Bring me but to the very brimme of it,And Ile repayre the misery thou do'st beareWith something rich about me: from that place,
[2175]
I shall no leading neede.Edg.Giue me thy arme;Poore Tom shall leade thee.Exeunt.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1">
<head rend="italic center">Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 4, Scene 1]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Edgar.</stage>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<l n="2094">Yet better thus, and knowne to be contemn'd,</l>
<l n="2095">Then still contemn'd and flatter'd, to be worst:</l>
<l n="2096">The lowest, and most deiected thing of Fortune,</l>
<l n="2097">Stands still in esperance, liues not in feare:</l>
<l n="2098">The lamentable change is from the best,</l>
<l n="2099">The worst returnes to laughter. Welcome then,</l>
<l n="2100">Thou vnsubstantiall ayre that I embrace:</l>
<l n="2101">The Wretch that thou hast blowne vnto the worst,</l>
<l n="2102">Owes nothing to thy blasts.</l>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Glouster, and an Oldman.</stage>
<l n="2103">But who comes heere? My Father poorely led?</l>
<l n="2104">World, World, O world!</l>
<l n="2105">But that thy strange mutations make vs hate thee,</l>
<l n="2106">Life would not yeelde to age.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Oldm.</speaker>
<l n="2107">O my good Lord, I haue bene your Tenant,</l>
<l n="2108">And your Fathers Tenant, these fourescore yeares.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<l n="2109">Away, get thee away: good Friend be gone,</l>
<l n="2110">Thy comforts can do me no good at all,</l>
<l n="2111">Thee, they may hurt.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Oldm.</speaker>
<p n="2112">You cannot see your way.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<l n="2113">I haue no way, and therefore want no eyes:</l>
<l n="2114">I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seene,</l>
<l n="2115">Our meanes secure vs, and our meere defects</l>
<l n="2116">Proue our Commodities. Oh deere Sonne<hi rend="italic">Edgar</hi>,</l>
<l n="2117">The food of thy abused Fathers wrath:</l>
<l n="2118">Might I but liue to see thee in my touch,
<lb/>I'ld say I had eyes againe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Oldm.</speaker>
<p n="2119">How now? who's there?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<l n="2120">O Gods! Who is't can say I am at the worst?</l>
<l n="2121">I am worse then ere I was.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Old.</speaker>
<p n="2122">'Tis poore mad Tom.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<l n="2123">And worse I may be yet: the worst is not,</l>
<l n="2124">So long as we can say this is the worst.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Oldm.</speaker>
<p n="2125">Fellow, where goest?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<p n="2126">Is it a Beggar‐man?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Oldm.</speaker>
<p n="2127">Madman, and beggar too.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<l n="2128">He has some reason, else he could not beg.
<lb/>I'th' last nights storme, I such a fellow saw;</l>
<l n="2129">Which made me thinke a Man, a Worme. My Sonne</l>
<l n="2130">Came then into my minde, and yet my minde</l>
<l n="2131">Was then scarse Friends with him.</l>
<l n="2132">I haue heard more since:</l>
<l n="2133">As Flies to wanton Boyes, are we to th'Gods,</l>
<l n="2134">They kill vs for their sport.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<l n="2135">How should this be?</l>
<l n="2136">Bad is the Trade that must play Foole to sorrow,</l>
<l n="2137">Ang'ring it selfe, and others. Blesse thee Master.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<p n="2138">Is that the naked Fellow?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Oldm.</speaker>
<p n="2139">I, my Lord.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<l n="2140">Get thee away: If for my sake</l>
<l n="2141">Thou wilt ore‐take vs hence a mile or twaine</l>
<l n="2142">I'th' way toward Douer, do it for ancient loue,</l>
<l n="2143">And bring some couering for this naked Soule,</l>
<l n="2144">Which Ile intreate to leade me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Old.</speaker>
<p n="2145">Alacke sir, he is mad.</p>
</sp>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0811-0.jpg" n="301"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<l n="2146">'Tis the times plague,</l>
<l n="2147">When Madmen leade the blinde:</l>
<l n="2148">Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure:</l>
<l n="2149">Aboue the rest, be gone.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-old">
<speaker rend="italic">Oldm.</speaker>
<l n="2150">Ile bring him the best Parrell that I haue</l>
<l n="2151">Come on't what will.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit</stage>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<p n="2152">Sirrah, naked fellow.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<p n="2153">Poore Tom's a cold. I cannot daub it further.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<p n="2154">Come hither fellow.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<l n="2155">And yet I must:</l>
<l n="2156">Blesse thy sweete eyes, they bleede.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<p n="2157">Know'st thou the way to Douer?</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<p n="2158">Both style, and gate; Horseway, and foot‐path:
<lb n="2159"/>poore Tom hath bin scar'd out of his good wits. Blesse
<lb n="2160"/>thee good mans sonne, from the foule Fiend.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<l n="2161">Here take this purse, y whom the heau'ns plagues</l>
<l n="2162">Haue humbled to all strokes: that I am wretched</l>
<l n="2163">Makes thee the happier: Heauens deale so still:</l>
<l n="2164">Let the superfluous, and Lust‐dieted man,</l>
<l n="2165">That slaues your ordinance, that will not see</l>
<l n="2166">Because he do's not feele, feele your powre quickly:</l>
<l n="2167">So distribution should vndoo excesse,</l>
<l n="2168">And each man haue enough. Dost thou know Douer?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<p n="2169">I Master.</p>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-glo">
<speaker rend="italic">Glou.</speaker>
<l n="2170">There is a Cliffe, whose high and bending head</l>
<l n="2171">Lookes fearfully in the confined Deepe:</l>
<l n="2172">Bring me but to the very brimme of it,</l>
<l n="2173">And Ile repayre the misery thou do'st beare</l>
<l n="2174">With something rich about me: from that place,</l>
<l n="2175">I shall no leading neede.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-lr-edg">
<speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
<l n="2176">Giue me thy arme;</l>
<l n="2177">Poore Tom shall leade thee.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
</div>
