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Act 5, Scene 1

The Camp of the British Forces near Dover.

  1. [Enter, with drum and colours, Edmund, Regan, Officers, Soldiers, and others.]
  2. Edmund
  3. 2905 Know of the duke if his last purpose hold,
  4. 2906 Or whether since he is advis'd by aught
  5. 2907 To change the course: he's full of alteration
  6. 2908 And self-reproving:—bring his constant pleasure.
  7. [To an Officer, who goes out.]
  8. Regan
  9. 2909 Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.
  10. Edmund
  11. 2910 Tis to be doubted, madam.
  12. Regan
  13. 2911 Now, sweet lord,
  14. 2912 You know the goodness I intend upon you:
  15. 2913 Tell me,—but truly,—but then speak the truth,
  16. 2914 Do you not love my sister?
  17. Edmund
  18. 2915 In honour'd love.
  19. Regan
  20. 2916 But have you never found my brother's way
  21. 2917 To the forfended place?
  22. Edmund
  23. 2918 That thought abuses you.
  24. Regan
  25. 2919 I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
  26. 2920 And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.
  27. Edmund
  28. 2921 No, by mine honour, madam.
  29. Regan
  30. 2922 I never shall endure her: dear my lord,
  31. 2923 Be not familiar with her.
  32. Edmund
  33. 2924 Fear me not:—
  34. 2925 She and the duke her husband!
  35. [Enter, with drum and colours, Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers.]
  36. [Aside.]
  37. Goneril
  38. 2926 I had rather lose the battle than that sister
  39. 2927 Should loosen him and me.
  40. Albany
  41. 2928 Our very loving sister, well be-met.—
  42. 2929 Sir, this I heard,—the king is come to his daughter,
  43. 2930 With others whom the rigour of our state
  44. 2931 Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
  45. 2932 I never yet was valiant: for this business,
  46. 2933 It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
  47. 2934 Not bolds the king, with others whom, I fear,
  48. 2935 Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
  49. Edmund
  50. 2936 Sir, you speak nobly.
  51. Regan
  52. 2937 Why is this reason'd?
  53. Goneril
  54. 2938 Combine together 'gainst the enemy;
  55. 2939 For these domestic and particular broils
  56. 2940 Are not the question here.
  57. Albany
  58. 2941 Let's, then, determine
  59. 2942 With the ancient of war on our proceeding.
  60. Edmund
  61. 2943 I shall attend you presently at your tent.
  62. Regan
  63. 2944 Sister, you'll go with us?
  64. Goneril
  65. 2945 No.
  66. Regan
  67. 2946 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.
  68. [Aside.]
  69. Goneril
  70. 2947 O, ho, I know the riddle.—I will go.
  71. [As they are going out, enter Edgar disguised.]
  72. Edgar
  73. 2948 If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor,
  74. 2949 Hear me one word.
  75. Albany
  76. 2950 I'll overtake you.—Speak.
  77. [Exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants.]
  78. Edgar
  79. 2951 Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
  80. 2952 If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
  81. 2953 For him that brought it: wretched though I seem,
  82. 2954 I can produce a champion that will prove
  83. 2955 What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
  84. 2956 Your business of the world hath so an end,
  85. 2957 And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
  86. Albany
  87. 2958 Stay till I have read the letter.
  88. Edgar
  89. 2959 I was forbid it.
  90. 2960 When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
  91. 2961 And I'll appear again.
  92. Albany
  93. 2962 Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper.
  94. [Exit Edgar.]
  95. [Re-enter Edmund.]
  96. Edmund
  97. 2963 The enemy's in view; draw up your powers.
  98. 2964 Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
  99. 2965 By diligent discovery;—but your haste
  100. 2966 Is now urg'd on you.
  101. Albany
  102. 2967 We will greet the time.
  103. [Exit.]
  104. Edmund
  105. 2968 To both these sisters have I sworn my love;
  106. 2969 Each jealous of the other, as the stung
  107. 2970 Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
  108. 2971 Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,
  109. 2972 If both remain alive: to take the widow
  110. 2973 Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
  111. 2974 And hardly shall I carry out my side,
  112. 2975 Her husband being alive. Now, then, we'll use
  113. 2976 His countenance for the battle; which being done,
  114. 2977 Let her who would be rid of him devise
  115. 2978 His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
  116. 2979 Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,—
  117. 2980 The battle done, and they within our power,
  118. 2981 Shall never see his pardon: for my state
  119. 2982 Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
  120. [Exit.]