Act 4 — Scene II. Before the Duke of Albany's palace.
Reading edition
Enter Goneril and Edmund.[4059]
Gon. Welcome, my lord: I marvel our mild husband Not met us on the way.
Enter Oswald.[4060]
Now, where's your master? Osw. Madam, within; but never man so changed.[4061] I told him of the army that was landed;[4061] He smiled at it: I told him you were coming;[4061] 5 His answer was, 'The worse:' of Gloucester's treachery[4061] And of the loyal service of his son[4061] When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot[4061] And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out:[4061] What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him;[4061][4062] 10 What like, offensive.[4061][4063] Gon. [To Edm.] Then shall you go no further. It is the cowish terror of his spirit,[4064] That dares not undertake: he'll not feel wrongs, Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way[4065] May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother;[4065][4066] 15 Hasten his musters and conduct his powers: I must change arms at home and give the distaff[4067] Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant Shall pass between us: ere long you are like to hear,[4068] If you dare venture in your own behalf,[4069] 20 A mistress's command. Wear this; spare speech;
[Giving a favour.[4070]
Decline your head: this kiss, if it durst speak, Would stretch thy spirits up into the air: Conceive, and fare thee well.[4071] Edm. Yours in the ranks of death. Gon. My most dear Gloucester![4072] 25
[Exit Edmund.[4073]
O, the difference of man and man![4072][4074][4075] To thee a woman's services are due:[4075][4076] My fool usurps my body.[4075] Osw. Madam, here comes my lord. [Exit.
Enter Albany.[4077]
Gon. I have been worth the whistle.[4078] Alb. O Goneril![4079] You are not worth the dust which the rude wind[4079][4080] 30 Blows in your face. I fear your disposition:[4081] That nature which contemns its origin[4081][4082] Cannot be border'd certain in itself;[4081][4083] She that herself will sliver and disbranch[4081][4084] From her material sap, perforce must wither[4081][4085] 35 And come to deadly use.[4081] Gon. No more; the text is foolish.[4081][4086] Alb. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile:[4081] Filths savour but themselves. What have you done?[4081][4087] Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd?[4081] 40 A father, and a gracious aged man,[4081] Whose reverence even the head-lugg'd bear would lick,[4081][4088] Most barbarous, most degenerate! have you madded.[4081] Could my good brother suffer you to do it?[4081] A man, a prince, by him so benefited![4081][4089] 45 If that the heavens do not their visible spirits[4081] Send quickly down to tame these vile offences,[4081][4090][4091] It will come,[4081][4090][4092] Humanity must perforce prey on itself,[4081][4093][4094] Like monsters of the deep.[4081][4093] Gon. Milk-liver'd man! 50 That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs;[4095] Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning[4096][4097] Thine honour from thy suffering; that not know'st[4096][4098][4099] Fools do those villains pity who are punish'd[4098][4099][4100] Ere they have done their mischief. Where's thy drum?[4098] 55 France spreads his banners in our noiseless land,[4098][4101] With plumed helm thy state begins to threat,[4098][4102] Whiles thou, a moral fool, sit'st still and criest[4098][4103] 'Alack, why does he so?'[4098] Alb. See thyself, devil![4104] Proper deformity seems not in the fiend[4104][4105] 60 So horrid as in woman.[4104] Gon. O vain fool! Alb. Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for shame,[4106][4107] Be-monster not thy feature. Were 't my fitness[4106][4108][4109] To let these hands obey my blood,[4106][4109][4110] They are apt enough to dislocate and tear[4106][4109][4111] 65 Thy flesh and bones: howe'er thou art a fiend,[4106][4112] A woman's shape doth shield thee.[4106] Gon. Marry, your manhood mew.[4106][4113]
Enter a Messenger.
Alb. What news?[4114] Mess. O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead,[4115][4116] 70 Slain by his servant, going to put out[4116] The other eye of Gloucester.[4116] Alb. Gloucester's eyes! Mess. A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse,[4117] Opposed against the act, bending his sword[4118] To his great master; who thereat enraged[4118][4119] 75 Flew on him and amongst them fell'd him dead,[4120] But not without that harmful stroke which since[4121][4122] Hath pluck'd him after.[4122] Alb. This shows you are above,[4123][4124] You justicers, that these our nether crimes[4123][4124][4125] So speedily can venge. But, O poor Gloucester![4123] 80 Lost he his other eye?[4123] Mess. Both, both, my lord.[4126] This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer;[4126] 'Tis from your sister.[4126] Gon. [Aside] One way I like this well;[4127] But being widow, and my Gloucester with her,[4128] May all the building in my fancy pluck[4129] 85 Upon my hateful life: another way,[4130] The news is not so tart. I'll read, and answer. [Exit.[4130][4131] Alb. Where was his son when they did take his eyes?[4132] Mess. Come with my lady hither. Alb. He is not here.[4133] Mess. No, my good lord; I met him back again. 90 Alb. Knows he the wickedness? Mess. Ay, my good lord; 'twas he inform'd against him, And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment[4134] Might have the freer course. Alb. Gloucester, I live[4135][4136] To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king,[4135][4136][4137] 95 And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend:[4135][4136][4138] Tell me what more thou know'st. [Exeunt.[4136][4139]