Gon. Farewell, sweet lord, and sister. [Exeunt Goneril, Edmund, and Oswald. Go seek the traitor Gloster, Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. [Exeunt other Servants. Though well we may not pass upon his life Re-enter Servants with GLOSTER. Reg. Ingrateful fox! 'tis he. Corn. Bind fast his corky arms. Good my friends, con Glo. What mean your graces? sider You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends. Reg. Hard, hard. -- [Servants bind him. O filthy traitor! Glo. Unmerciful lady as you are, I'm none. Corn. To this chair bind him. - Villain, thou shalt find Glo. By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done To pluck me by the beard. Reg. So white, and such a traitor! Glo. Corn. Come, sir, what letters had you late from France? Corn. And what confederacy have you with the traitors Late footed in the kingdom? Reg. To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king? Speak. Glo. I have a letter guessingly set down, Which came from one that's of a neutral heart, Reg. Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charg'd at Corn. Wherefore to Dover? Let him answer that. Glo. I'm tied to the stake, and I must stand the course. Reg. Wherefore to Dover? Glo. Because I would not see thy cruel nail Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. The sea, with such a storm as his bare head In hell-black night endur'd, would have buoy'd up Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain. The winged vengeance overtake such children. Corn. See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot. Glo. He that will think to live till he be old, First Serv. Hold your hand, my lord: I've served you ever since I was a child; Than now to bid you hold. Reg. How now, you dog! First Serv. If you did wear a beard upon your chin, I'd shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean? Corn. My villain! [Draws. First Serv. Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. [Draws. They fight. Cornwall is wounded. A peasant stand up thus! [Takes a sword from another Servant, and runs at First Servant behind. Reg. Give me thy sword. First Serv. O, I am slain! — My lord, To see some mischief on them. - O! you have one eye left [Dies. Corn. Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly! Where is thy lustre now? Glo. All dark and comfortless.-Where's my son Edmund? Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature To quit this horrid act. Reg. Out, treacherous villain! Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he Glo. Then Edgar was abus'd. O my follies! Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him! Reg. Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell [Exit Cornwall, led by Regan. vants unbind Gloster, and lead him out. Sec. Serv. I'll never care what wickedness I do, If this man come to good. Third Serv. If she live long, And in the end meet the old course of death, Women will all turn monsters. Sec. Serv. Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam To lead him where he would: his roguish madness Allows itself to any thing. Third Serv. Go thou: I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs T' apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him! [Exeunt severally. ACT IV. SCENE I. The heath. Enter EDGAR. Edg. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd, The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst Enter GLOSTER, led by an Old Man. My father, poorly led? World, world, O world! O, my good lord, But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, Old Man. I've been your tenant, and your father's tenant, These fourscore years. Glo. Away, get thee away; good friend, be Thy comforts can do me no good at all; Thee they may hurt. Old Man. You cannot see your way. gone: Glo. I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; The food of thy abused father's wrath! "Tis poor mad Tom. Edg. [aside] And worse I may be yet: the worst is not So long as we can say "This is the worst." Is it a beggar-man? Old Man. Madman and beggar too. Glo. He has some reason, else he could not beg. I' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw; Which made me think a man a worm: my son Came then into my mind; and yet my mind Was then scarce friends with him: I've heard more since. As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods, They kill us for their sport. Edg. [aside] Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, Glo. Is that the naked fellow? Old Man. master! Ay, my lord. Glo. Then, prithee, get thee gone: if, for my sake, I' the way toward Dover, do it for ancient love; Old Man. Alack, sir, he is mad. 'Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind. Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure; Above the rest, be gone. Old Man. I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have, Come on't what will. Glo. Sirrah, naked fellow, - [Exit. [Aside] I cannot daub it |