Gon. [Aside.] I had rather lose the battle than

that sister

Should loosen him and me.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met.

Sir, this I heard; the king is come to his daughter,
With others whom the rigour of our state
Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
I never yet was valiant: for this business,
It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
Edm. Sir, you speak nobly.

Reg.

Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy; For these domestic and particular broils

Are not the question here.

Alb.

Let's then determine

With the ancient of war on our proceeding.

Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Reg. Sister, you

Gon. No.

'll go

with us?

Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with

us.

Gon. [Aside.] O, ho! I know the riddle. I will go.

Enter EDGAR, disguised.

Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so

Alb.

I'll overtake you. Speak.

Soldiers, and Attendants

[Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers,

If

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion that will prove What is avouched there. If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune love you! Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.

Edg. I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again.

Alb. Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper. [Exit EDGAR.

Re-enter EDMUND.

Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your

powers.

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery; but your haste

Is now urged on you.

Alb.

We will greet the time.

[Exit.

Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my

love;

Each jealous of the other, as the stung

Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd
If both remain alive: to take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who would be rid of him devise

His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit.

SCENE II. A Field between the two Camps. Alarum within. Enter, with drum and colours, LEAR, CORDELIA, and their Forces; and exeunt. Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER.

Edg. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host; pray that the right may thrive.

If ever I return to you again,

I'll bring you comfort.
Glou.

Grace go with you, sir!

[Exit EDGAR. Alarum; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter EDGAR.

Edg. Away, old man! give me thy hand; away!

King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en.
Give me thy hand; come on.

Glou. No further, sir; a man may rot even here.

Edg. What! in ill thoughts again? Men must endure

Their going hence, even as their coming hither: Ripeness is all. Come on.

Glou.

And that's true too.

[Exeunt,

SCENE III. The British Camp near Dover.

Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.

Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard,

Until their greater pleasures first be known,
That are to censure them.

Cor.
We are not the first
Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst
For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down;
Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.
Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?
Lear. No, no, no, no I Come, let's away to
prison;

We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage:
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,
Who loses and who wins: who's in, who's out;
And take upon's the mystery of things,
As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones
That ebb and flow by the moon.

Edm.

Take them away.

Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense.

caught thee?

Have I

He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;

The goujeres shall devour them, flesh and fell, Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve first.

Come.

[Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded.

Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. Take thou this note;

[Giving a paper. Go follow them to prison. One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way To noble fortunes; know thou this, that men Are as the time is; to be tender-minded Does not become a sword; thy great employment Will not bear question; either say thou 'It do 't, Or thrive by other means.

Offi.

I'll do 't, my lord.

Edm. About it; and write happy when thou hast done.

Mark, I say, instantly, and carry it so

As I have set it down.

Offi. I cannot draw a cart nor eat dried oats; If it be man's work I'll do it.

[Exit. Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Officers, and Attendants.

Alb. Sir, you have show'd to-day your valiant strain,

And fortune led you well; you have the captives
Who were the opposites of this day's strife;
We do require them of you, so to use them
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.

Edm.

Sir, I thought it fit

To send the old and miserable king