which approves him an intelligent party9 to the advantages of
France. O heavens! That this treason were not, or not I the
detector!
CORNWALL Go with me to the duchess.
EDMUND If the matter of this paper be certain, you have
mighty business in hand.
CORNWALL True or false, it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester.
Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our
apprehension17.
EDMUND If I find him comforting the king, it will stuff
his suspicion19 more fully.— I will persevere in my course of
loyalty, though the conflict be sore between that and my
blood.
CORNWALL I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt find a dear
father in my love.
Act 3 Scene 6
GLOUCESTER Here is better than the open air, take it thankfully. I
will piece out2 the comfort with what addition I can: I will not
be long from you.
KENT All the power of his wits have given way to his
impatience5: the gods reward your kindness!
EDGAR Frateretto calls me, and tells me Nero is an angler6 in
the lake of darkness7. Pray, innocent, and beware the foul
fiend.
FOOL Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a
gentleman or a yeoman10?
LEAR A king, a king!
FOOL No, he’s a yeoman that has a gentleman to12 his son,
for he’s a mad13 yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before
him.
LEAR To have a thousand15 with red burning spits
Come hizzing in upon ’em16—
EDGAR Bless thy five wits!
KENT O pity! Sir, where is the patience now
That you so oft have boasted to retain?
EDGAR My tears begin to take his part so much
They mar my counterfeiting21.
LEAR The little dogs and all,
Trey, Blanch and Sweetheart23, see, they bark at me.
EDGAR Tom will throw his head at them. Avaunt24, you curs!
Be thy mouth or black or25 white,
Tooth that poisons26 if it bite,
Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim27,
Hound or spaniel, brach or him28,
Or bobtail tyke or trundle-tail29,
Tom will make him weep and wail:
For, with throwing thus my head,
Dogs leapt the hatch32, and all are fled.
Do de, de, de. Sessa! Come, march to wakes33 and fairs and
market towns. Poor Tom, thy horn34 is dry.
LEAR Then let them anatomize35 Regan: see what breeds
about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that make
these hard hearts?— You, sir, I entertain37 for one of
my hundred; only I do not like the fashion of your garments:
you will say they are Persian39; but let them be changed.
KENT Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile.
LEAR Make no noise, make no noise: draw the curtains41.
So, so, we’ll go to supper i’th’morning.
FOOL And I’ll go to bed at noon.
GLOUCESTER Come hither, friend: where is the king my master?
KENT Here, sir, but trouble him not: his wits are gone.
GLOUCESTER Good friend, I prithee take him in thy arms;
I have o’erheard a plot of death upon him:
There is a litter48 ready, lay him in’t
And drive toward Dover49, friend, where thou shalt meet
Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master:
If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life,
With thine and all that offer to defend him,
Stand in assurèd loss. Take up, take up,
And follow me, that will to some provision54
Give thee quick conduct. Come, come, away.
Act 3 Scene 7
CORNWALL Post1 speedily to my lord your husband;
show him this letter: the army of France is
landed.— Seek out the traitor Gloucester.
REGAN Hang him instantly.
GONERIL Pluck out his eyes.
CORNWALL Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our
sister7 company: the revenges we are bound to take upon
your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding. Advise8
the duke where you are going, to a most festinate9
preparation: we are bound to the like. Our posts10 shall be swift
and intelligent11 betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister: farewell, my
lord of Gloucester12.
How now? Where’s the king?
OSWALD My lord of Gloucester hath conveyed him hence:
Some five- or six-and-thirty of his knights,
Hot questrists17 after him, met him at gate,
Who, with some other of the lord’s18 dependants,
Are gone with him toward Dover, where they boast
To have well-armèd friends.
CORNWALL Get horses for your mistress.
GONERIL Farewell, sweet lord, and sister.
CORNWALL Edmund, farewell.—
Go seek the traitor Gloucester,
Pinion him25 like a thief, bring him before us.