Act 4 — Scene VI. Fields near Dover.

Glou. When shall we come to the top of that same hill?[4234] Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how we labour.[4235] Glou. Methinks the ground is even. Edg. Horrible steep.[4236][4237] Hark, do you hear the sea?[4237][4238] Glou. No, truly. Edg. Why then your other senses grow imperfect 5 By your eyes' anguish. Glou. So may it be indeed: Methinks thy voice is alter'd, and thou speak'st[4239] In better phrase and matter than thou didst.[4240] Edg. You're much deceived: in nothing am I changed[4241] But in my garments. Glou. Methinks you're better spoken.[4242] 10 Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful[4243] And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low![4244] The crows and choughs that wing the midway air Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade![4245] 15 Methinks he seems no bigger than his head: The fishermen that walk upon the beach[4246] Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark[4247] Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy[4248] Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge 20 That on the unnumber’d idle pebbles chafes[4249] Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more,[4250] Lest my brain turn and the deficient sight Topple down headlong. Glou. Set me where you stand. Edg. Give me your hand: you are now within a foot[4251][4252] 25 Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon[4251][4253] Would I not leap upright.[4251][4254] Glou. Let go my hand. Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods[4255] Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off;[4256] 30 Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. Edg. Now fare you well good sir.[4257] Glou. With all my heart. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair[4258] Is done to cure it.[4258] Glou. [Kneeling] O you mighty gods![4259] This world I do renounce, and in your sights 35 Shake patiently my great affliction off: If I could bear it longer and not fall To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, My snuff and loathed part of nature should[4260] Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O bless him![4261] 40 Now, fellow, fare thee well. [He falls forward.[4262] Edg. Gone, sir: farewell.[4263][4264] And yet I know not how conceit may rob[4263][4265][4266] The treasury of life, when life itself[4263][4265][4267] Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought[4263][4265] By this had thought been past. Alive or dead?[4263][4265][4268] 45 Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak![4263][4269] Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.[4263][4270] What are you, sir?[4263] Glou. Away, and let me die. Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,[4271] So many fathom down precipitating, 50 Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe;[4272] Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound.[4273] Ten masts at each make not the altitude[4274] Which thou hast perpendicularly fell:[4275] Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again. 55 Glou. But have I fall'n, or no?[4276] Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.[4277] Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far[4278] Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.[4279] Glou. Alack, I have no eyes. 60 Is wretchedness deprived that benefit, To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,[4280] When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage And frustrate his proud will. Edg. Give me your arm:[4281] Up: so. How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand.[4282] 65 Glou. Too well, too well. Edg. This is above all strangeness. Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that[4283] Which parted from you? Glou. A poor unfortunate beggar.[4284] Edg. As I stood here below, methought his eyes[4285] Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,[4286] 70 Horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea:[4287] It was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father, Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours[4288] Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee. Glou. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear 75 Affliction till it do cry out itself 'Enough, enough,' and die. That thing you speak of,[4289] I took it for a man; often 'twould say[4290] 'The fiend, the fiend:' he led me to that place.[4291] Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here? 80

The safer sense will ne'er accommodate[4293][4294][4295] His master thus.[4294] Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the[4296] king himself. Edg. O thou side-piercing sight![4297] 85 Lear. Nature's above art in that respect. There's your[4298] press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper:[4299] draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a mouse![4299] Peace, peace; this piece of toasted cheese will do 't.[4300] There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up 90 the brown bills. O, well flown, bird! i' the clout, i' the[4301][4302] clout: hewgh! Give the word.[4302][4303] Edg. Sweet marjoram. Lear. Pass. Glou. I know that voice. 95 Lear. Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered[4304] me like a dog, and told me I had white hairs in my[4305] beard ere the black ones were there. To say 'ay' and 'no' to every thing that I said! 'Ay' and 'no' too was no good[4306] divinity. When the rain came to wet me once and the wind[4307] 100 to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go[4308] to, they are not men o' their words: they told me I was[4309] every thing; 'tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.[4310] Glou. The trick of that voice I do well remember:[4311] 105 Is't not the king?[4311] Lear. Ay, every inch a king:[4312][4313] When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.[4312][4314] I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause?[4312][4315][4316] Adultery?[4315][4317][4318] Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No:[4318][4319] 110 The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly[4318] Does lecher in my sight.[4318][4320] Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's bastard son[4318] Was kinder to his father than my daughters[4318][4321] Got 'tween the lawful sheets.[4318][4322] 115 To't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.[4318] Behold yond simpering dame,[4323][4324] Whose face between her forks presages snow,[4323][4325] That minces virtue and does shake the head[4323][4326] To hear of pleasure's name;[4323][4327] 120 The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't[4323][4328] With a more riotous appetite.[4323][4328][4329] Down from the waist they are Centaurs,[4323][4330] Though women all above:[4323] But to the girdle do the gods inherit,[4323] 125 Beneath is all the fiends';[4331][4332] There's hell, there's darkness, there's the sulphurous pit,[4331][4333] Burning, scalding, stench, consumption; fie, fie, fie! pah,[4334] pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to[4335] sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee.[4335] 130 Glou. O, let me kiss that hand! Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.[4336] Glou. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world[4337] Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me?[4337][4338] Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou[4339] 135 squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.[4340] Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning on't.[4341] Glou. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.[4342] Edg. I would not take this from report: it is,[4343] And my heart breaks at it.[4343] 140 Lear. Read. Glou. What, with the case of eyes?[4344] Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a[4345][4346] heavy case, your purse in a light: yet you see how this[4345][4347] 145 world goes.[4348] Glou. I see it feelingly. Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world[4349] goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond[4350][4351] justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in thine ear:[4351][4352] 150 change places, and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which[4353][4354] is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a[4353] beggar? Glou. Ay, sir.[4355] Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou 155 mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed[4356] in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand![4357] Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;[4357][4358] Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind[4357][4359] 160 For which thou whip'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.[4357][4360] Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;[4361][4362] Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,[4361][4363][4364] And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;[4361][4364] Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.[4361][4364][4365] 165 None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:[4361][4364][4366] Take that of me, my friend, who have the power[4361][4364] To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes,[4361][4364] And, like a scurvy politician, seem[4361] To see the things thou dost not.[4361] 170 Now, now, now, now: pull off my boots: harder, harder:[4367][4368] so.[4368] Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd![4369][4370] Reason in madness![4369] Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.[4371][4372] 175 I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:[4371] Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:[4371] Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air,[4371][4373] We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.[4371][4374] Glou. Alack, alack the day![4371] 180 Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come[4371] To this great stage of fools. This 's a good block.[4371][4375] It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe[4371][4376] A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof;[4371][4377] And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,[4371][4378] 185 Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill![4371]

Gent. O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir,[4371][4380] Your most dear daughter—[4371][4381] Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even[4371][4382] The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;[4371] 190 You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon;[4371][4383] I am cut to the brains.[4371][4384] Gent. You shall have any thing.[4371] Lear. No seconds? all myself?[4371] Why, this would make a man a man of salt,[4371][4385] To use his eyes for garden water-pots,[4371][4386] 195 Ay, and laying autumn's dust.[4371][4387] Gent. Good sir,—[4371][4387] Lear. I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What![4371][4387][4388] I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,[4371][4387] My masters, know you that.[4371][4387] 200 Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you.[4371] Lear. Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you[4371][4389][4390] shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.[4371][4389]

Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,[4371] Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter,[4371][4392] 205 Who redeems nature from the general curse[4371] Which twain have brought her to.[4371][4393] Edg. Hail, gentle sir. Gent. Sir, speed you: what's your will? Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?[4394] Gent. Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that,[4395][4396] 210 Which can distinguish sound.[4395][4397] Edg. But, by your favour,[4398] How near's the other army?[4398][4399] Gent. Near and on speedy foot; the main descry[4400] Stands on the hourly thought. Edg. I thank you, sir: that's all.[4401] Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, 215 Her army is moved on. Edg. I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent.[4402] Glou. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me;[4403] Let not my worser spirit tempt me again To die before you please! Edg. Well pray you, father.[4404] Glou. Now, good sir, what are you? 220 Edg. A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows;[4405] Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,[4406] Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, I'll lead you to some biding. Glou. Hearty thanks:[4407] The bounty and the benison of heaven[4407][4408] 225 To boot, and boot![4407]

Osw. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy![4410][4411] That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh[4410][4412] To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,[4410][4413] Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out[4410] That must destroy thee.[4410] Glou. Now let thy friendly hand[4410][4414] 230 Put strength enough to't. [Edgar interposes.[4410][4415] Osw. Wherefore, bold peasant,[4410] Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence![4410][4416] Lest that the infection of his fortune take[4410][4417] Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.[4410] Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.[4418] 235 Osw. Let go, slave, or thou diest! Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor volk[4419] pass. An chud ha' been zwaggered out of my life, 'twould[4420] not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not[4421] near th' old man; keep out, che vor ye, or I'se try whether[4422] 240 your costard or my ballow be the harder: chill be plain[4423] with you. Osw. Out, dunghill! [They fight.[4424] Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter vor[4425] your foins. [Oswald falls.[4426] 245 Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse: If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body; And give the letters which thou find'st about me[4427] To Edmund earl of Gloucester; seek him out[4428] Upon the British party. O, untimely death![4428][4429][4430] 250 Death! [Dies.[4430][4431] Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain, As duteous to the vices of thy mistress[4432] As badness would desire. Glou. What, is he dead? Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.[4433][4434][4435] 255 Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of[4433][4434][4436] May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry[4433][4437][4438] He had no other deathsman. Let us see:[4433][4437] Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not:[4433][4439][4440] To know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts;[4440][4441] 260 Their papers, is more lawful.[4442] [Reads] 'Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You[4443][4444][4445] have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want[4444] not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is[4444] nothing done, if he return the conqueror: then am I[4444][4446] 265 the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed[4444][4447] warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your[4444][4448] labour. 'Your—wife, so I would say—affectionate servant,[4449] 'Goneril.' 270 O undistinguish'd space of woman's will![4450] A plot upon her virtuous husband's life; And the exchange my brother! Here, in the sands,[4451] Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified[4452] Of murderous lechers; and in the mature time[4453] 275 With this ungracious paper strike the sight Of the death-practised duke: for him 'tis well[4454] That of thy death and business I can tell.[4455] Glou. The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,[4456] That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling 280 Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract: So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,[4457] And woes by wrong imaginations lose[4458] The knowledge of themselves. [Drum afar off.[4459] Edg. Give me your hand:[284, 285] Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum:[4460] 285 Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. [Exeunt.[4461]