Shakespeare Portal

Act 5, Scene 3

The British Camp near Dover.

  1. [Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, Edmund; Lear and Cordelia prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.]
  2. Edmund
  3. 2997 Some officers take them away: good guard
  4. 2998 Until their greater pleasures first be known
  5. 2999 That are to censure them.
  6. Cordelia
  7. 3000 We are not the first
  8. 3001 Who with best meaning have incurr'd the worst.
  9. 3002 For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down;
  10. 3003 Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.—
  11. 3004 Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?
  12. King Lear
  13. 3005 No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison:
  14. 3006 We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage:
  15. 3007 When thou dost ask me blessing I'll kneel down
  16. 3008 And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live,
  17. 3009 And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
  18. 3010 At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
  19. 3011 Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,—
  20. 3012 Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out;—
  21. 3013 And take upon's the mystery of things,
  22. 3014 As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out,
  23. 3015 In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones
  24. 3016 That ebb and flow by the moon.
  25. Edmund
  26. 3017 Take them away.
  27. King Lear
  28. 3018 Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,
  29. 3019 The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee?
  30. 3020 He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven
  31. 3021 And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;
  32. 3022 The goodyears shall devour them, flesh and fell,
  33. 3023 Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve first.
  34. 3024 Come.
  35. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia, guarded.]
  36. Edmund
  37. 3025 Come hither, captain; hark.
  38. 3026 Take thou this note
  39. [giving a paper]
  40. Edmund
  41. 3027 ; go follow them to prison:
  42. 3028 One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou dost
  43. 3029 As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
  44. 3030 To noble fortunes: know thou this,—that men
  45. 3031 Are as the time is: to be tender-minded
  46. 3032 Does not become a sword:—thy great employment
  47. 3033 Will not bear question; either say thou'lt do't,
  48. 3034 Or thrive by other means.
  49. Captain
  50. 3035 I'll do't, my lord.
  51. Edmund
  52. 3036 About it; and write happy when thou hast done.
  53. 3037 Mark,—I say, instantly; and carry it so
  54. 3038 As I have set it down.
  55. Captain
  56. 3039 I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
  57. 3040 If it be man's work, I'll do't.
  58. [Exit.]
  59. [Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Officers, and Attendants.]
  60. Albany
  61. 3041 Sir, you have show'd to-day your valiant strain,
  62. 3042 And fortune led you well: you have the captives
  63. 3043 Who were the opposites of this day's strife:
  64. 3044 We do require them of you, so to use them
  65. 3045 As we shall find their merits and our safety
  66. 3046 May equally determine.
  67. Edmund
  68. 3047 Sir, I thought it fit
  69. 3048 To send the old and miserable king
  70. 3049 To some retention and appointed guard;
  71. 3050 Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,
  72. 3051 To pluck the common bosom on his side,
  73. 3052 And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes
  74. 3053 Which do command them. With him I sent the queen;
  75. 3054 My reason all the same; and they are ready
  76. 3055 To-morrow, or at further space, to appear
  77. 3056 Where you shall hold your session. At this time
  78. 3057 We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend;
  79. 3058 And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd
  80. 3059 By those that feel their sharpness:—
  81. 3060 The question of Cordelia and her father
  82. 3061 Requires a fitter place.
  83. Albany
  84. 3062 Sir, by your patience,
  85. 3063 I hold you but a subject of this war,
  86. 3064 Not as a brother.
  87. Regan
  88. 3065 That's as we list to grace him.
  89. 3066 Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded
  90. 3067 Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers;
  91. 3068 Bore the commission of my place and person;
  92. 3069 The which immediacy may well stand up
  93. 3070 And call itself your brother.
  94. Goneril
  95. 3071 Not so hot:
  96. 3072 In his own grace he doth exalt himself,
  97. 3073 More than in your addition.
  98. Regan
  99. 3074 In my rights
  100. 3075 By me invested, he compeers the best.
  101. Goneril
  102. 3076 That were the most if he should husband you.
  103. Regan
  104. 3077 Jesters do oft prove prophets.
  105. Goneril
  106. 3078 Holla, holla!
  107. 3079 That eye that told you so look'd but asquint.
  108. Regan
  109. 3080 Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
  110. 3081 From a full-flowing stomach.—General,
  111. 3082 Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
  112. 3083 Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine:
  113. 3084 Witness the world that I create thee here
  114. 3085 My lord and master.
  115. Goneril
  116. 3086 Mean you to enjoy him?
  117. Albany
  118. 3087 The let-alone lies not in your good will.
  119. Edmund
  120. 3088 Nor in thine, lord.
  121. Albany
  122. 3089 Half-blooded fellow, yes.
  123. [To Edmund.]
  124. Regan
  125. 3090 Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.
  126. Albany
  127. 3091 Stay yet; hear reason.—Edmund, I arrest thee
  128. 3092 On capital treason; and, in thine arrest,
  129. 3093 This gilded serpent
  130. [pointing to Goneril.]
  131. Albany
  132. 3094 ,—For your claim, fair
  133. 3095 sister,
  134. 3096 I bar it in the interest of my wife;
  135. 3097 'Tis she is subcontracted to this lord,
  136. 3098 And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
  137. 3099 If you will marry, make your loves to me,—
  138. 3100 My lady is bespoke.
  139. Goneril
  140. 3101 An interlude!
  141. Albany
  142. 3102 Thou art arm'd, Gloster:—let the trumpet sound:
  143. 3103 If none appear to prove upon thy person
  144. 3104 Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
  145. 3105 There is my pledge
  146. [throwing down a glove]
  147. Albany
  148. 3106 ; I'll prove it on thy
  149. 3107 heart,
  150. 3108 Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
  151. 3109 Than I have here proclaim'd thee.
  152. Regan
  153. 3110 Sick, O, sick!
  154. [Aside.]
  155. Goneril
  156. 3111 If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine.
  157. Edmund
  158. 3112 There's my exchange
  159. [throwing down a glove]
  160. Edmund
  161. 3113 : what in the world he
  162. 3114 is
  163. 3115 That names me traitor, villain-like he lies:
  164. 3116 Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
  165. 3117 On him, on you, who not? I will maintain
  166. 3118 My truth and honour firmly.
  167. Albany
  168. 3119 A herald, ho!
  169. Edmund
  170. 3120 A herald, ho, a herald!
  171. Albany
  172. 3121 Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers,
  173. 3122 All levied in my name, have in my name
  174. 3123 Took their discharge.
  175. Regan
  176. 3124 My sickness grows upon me.
  177. Albany
  178. 3125 She is not well. Convey her to my tent.
  179. [Exit Regan, led.]
  180. [Enter a Herald.]
  181. Albany
  182. 3126 Come hither, herald.—Let the trumpet sound,—
  183. 3127 And read out this.
  184. Officer
  185. 3128 Sound, trumpet!
  186. [A trumpet sounds.]
  187. Officer
  188. 3129 Her.
  189. [Reads.]
  190. Officer
  191. 3130 'If any man of quality or degree within the lists of
  192. 3131 the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloster,
  193. 3132 that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third sound
  194. 3133 of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence.'
  195. Edmund
  196. 3134 Sound!
  197. [First trumpet.]
  198. Edmund
  199. 3135 Her.
  200. 3136 Again!
  201. [Second trumpet.]
  202. Edmund
  203. 3137 Her.
  204. 3138 Again!
  205. [Third trumpet. Trumpet answers within. Enter Edgar, armed, preceded by a trumpet.]
  206. Albany
  207. 3139 Ask him his purposes, why he appears
  208. 3140 Upon this call o' the trumpet.
  209. Albany
  210. 3141 Her.
  211. 3142 What are you?
  212. 3143 Your name, your quality? and why you answer
  213. 3144 This present summons?
  214. Edgar
  215. 3145 Know, my name is lost;
  216. 3146 By treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit.
  217. 3147 Yet am I noble as the adversary
  218. 3148 I come to cope.
  219. Albany
  220. 3149 Which is that adversary?
  221. Edgar
  222. 3150 What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloster?
  223. Edmund
  224. 3151 Himself:—what say'st thou to him?
  225. Edgar
  226. 3152 Draw thy sword,
  227. 3153 That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
  228. 3154 Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine.
  229. 3155 Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours,
  230. 3156 My oath, and my profession: I protest,—
  231. 3157 Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
  232. 3158 Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,
  233. 3159 Thy valour and thy heart,—thou art a traitor;
  234. 3160 False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
  235. 3161 Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince;
  236. 3162 And, from the extremest upward of thy head
  237. 3163 To the descent and dust beneath thy foot,
  238. 3164 A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou 'No,'
  239. 3165 This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent
  240. 3166 To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
  241. 3167 Thou liest.
  242. Edmund
  243. 3168 In wisdom I should ask thy name;
  244. 3169 But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,
  245. 3170 And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes,
  246. 3171 What safe and nicely I might well delay
  247. 3172 By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn:
  248. 3173 Back do I toss those treasons to thy head;
  249. 3174 With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;
  250. 3175 Which,—for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise,—
  251. 3176 This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
  252. 3177 Where they shall rest for ever.—Trumpets, speak!
  253. [Alarums. They fight. Edmund falls.]
  254. Albany
  255. 3178 Save him, save him!
  256. Goneril
  257. 3179 This is mere practice, Gloster:
  258. 3180 By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer
  259. 3181 An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
  260. 3182 But cozen'd and beguil'd.
  261. Albany
  262. 3183 Shut your mouth, dame,
  263. 3184 Or with this paper shall I stop it:—Hold, sir;
  264. 3185 Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil:—
  265. 3186 No tearing, lady; I perceive you know it.
  266. [Gives the letter to Edmund.]
  267. Goneril
  268. 3187 Say if I do,—the laws are mine, not thine:
  269. 3188 Who can arraign me for't?
  270. Albany
  271. 3189 Most monstrous!
  272. 3190 Know'st thou this paper?
  273. Goneril
  274. 3191 Ask me not what I know.
  275. [Exit.]
  276. Albany
  277. 3192 Go after her: she's desperate; govern her.
  278. [To an Officer, who goes out.]
  279. Edmund
  280. 3193 What, you have charg'd me with, that have I done;
  281. 3194 And more, much more; the time will bring it out:
  282. 3195 'Tis past, and so am I.—But what art thou
  283. 3196 That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble,
  284. 3197 I do forgive thee.
  285. Edgar
  286. 3198 Let's exchange charity.
  287. 3199 I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund;
  288. 3200 If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
  289. 3201 My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.
  290. 3202 The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
  291. 3203 Make instruments to plague us:
  292. 3204 The dark and vicious place where thee he got
  293. 3205 Cost him his eyes.
  294. Edmund
  295. 3206 Thou hast spoken right; 'tis true;
  296. 3207 The wheel is come full circle; I am here.
  297. Albany
  298. 3208 Methought thy very gait did prophesy
  299. 3209 A royal nobleness:—I must embrace thee:
  300. 3210 Let sorrow split my heart if ever I
  301. 3211 Did hate thee or thy father!
  302. Edgar
  303. 3212 Worthy prince, I know't.
  304. Albany
  305. 3213 Where have you hid yourself?
  306. 3214 How have you known the miseries of your father?
  307. Edgar
  308. 3215 By nursing them, my lord.—List a brief tale;—
  309. 3216 And when 'tis told, O that my heart would burst!—
  310. 3217 The bloody proclamation to escape,
  311. 3218 That follow'd me so near,—O, our lives' sweetness!
  312. 3219 That with the pain of death we'd hourly die
  313. 3220 Rather than die at once!)—taught me to shift
  314. 3221 Into a madman's rags; to assume a semblance
  315. 3222 That very dogs disdain'd; and in this habit
  316. 3223 Met I my father with his bleeding rings,
  317. 3224 Their precious stones new lost; became his guide,
  318. 3225 Led him, begg'd for him, sav'd him from despair;
  319. 3226 Never,—O fault!—reveal'd myself unto him
  320. 3227 Until some half hour past, when I was arm'd;
  321. 3228 Not sure, though hoping of this good success,
  322. 3229 I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last
  323. 3230 Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart,—
  324. 3231 Alack, too weak the conflict to support!—
  325. 3232 'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,
  326. 3233 Burst smilingly.
  327. Edmund
  328. 3234 This speech of yours hath mov'd me,
  329. 3235 And shall perchance do good: but speak you on;
  330. 3236 You look as you had something more to say.
  331. Albany
  332. 3237 If there be more, more woeful, hold it in;
  333. 3238 For I am almost ready to dissolve,
  334. 3239 Hearing of this.
  335. Edgar
  336. 3240 This would have seem'd a period
  337. 3241 To such as love not sorrow; but another,
  338. 3242 To amplify too much, would make much more,
  339. 3243 And top extremity.
  340. 3244 Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man
  341. 3245 Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
  342. 3246 Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding
  343. 3247 Who 'twas that so endur'd, with his strong arms
  344. 3248 He fastened on my neck, and bellow'd out
  345. 3249 As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father;
  346. 3250 Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
  347. 3251 That ever ear receiv'd: which in recounting
  348. 3252 His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life
  349. 3253 Began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded,
  350. 3254 And there I left him tranc'd.
  351. Albany
  352. 3255 But who was this?
  353. Edgar
  354. 3256 Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise
  355. 3257 Follow'd his enemy king and did him service
  356. 3258 Improper for a slave.
  357. [Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody knife.]
  358. Gentleman
  359. 3259 Help, help! O, help!
  360. Edgar
  361. 3260 What kind of help?
  362. Albany
  363. 3261 Speak, man.
  364. Edgar
  365. 3262 What means that bloody knife?
  366. Gentleman
  367. 3263 'Tis hot, it smokes;
  368. 3264 It came even from the heart of—O! she's dead!
  369. Albany
  370. 3265 Who dead? speak, man.
  371. Gentleman
  372. 3266 Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister
  373. 3267 By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it.
  374. Edmund
  375. 3268 I was contracted to them both: all three
  376. 3269 Now marry in an instant.
  377. Edgar
  378. 3270 Here comes Kent.
  379. Albany
  380. 3271 Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead:—
  381. 3272 This judgement of the heavens, that makes us tremble
  382. 3273 Touches us not with pity.
  383. [Exit Gentleman.]
  384. [Enter Kent.]
  385. Albany
  386. 3274 O, is this he?
  387. 3275 The time will not allow the compliment
  388. 3276 That very manners urges.
  389. Kent
  390. 3277 I am come
  391. 3278 To bid my king and master aye good night:
  392. 3279 Is he not here?
  393. Albany
  394. 3280 Great thing of us forgot!
  395. 3281 Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's Cordelia?
  396. [The bodies of Goneril and Regan are brought in.]
  397. Albany
  398. 3282 Seest thou this object, Kent?
  399. Kent
  400. 3283 Alack, why thus?
  401. Edmund
  402. 3284 Yet Edmund was belov'd.
  403. 3285 The one the other poisoned for my sake,
  404. 3286 And after slew herself.
  405. Albany
  406. 3287 Even so.—Cover their faces.
  407. Edmund
  408. 3288 I pant for life:—some good I mean to do,
  409. 3289 Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send,—
  410. 3290 Be brief in it,—to the castle; for my writ
  411. 3291 Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia:—
  412. 3292 Nay, send in time.
  413. Albany
  414. 3293 Run, run, O, run!
  415. Edgar
  416. 3294 To who, my lord?—Who has the office? send
  417. 3295 Thy token of reprieve.
  418. Edmund
  419. 3296 Well thought on: take my sword,
  420. 3297 Give it the Captain.
  421. Albany
  422. 3298 Haste thee for thy life.
  423. [Exit Edgar.]
  424. Edmund
  425. 3299 He hath commission from thy wife and me
  426. 3300 To hang Cordelia in the prison, and
  427. 3301 To lay the blame upon her own despair,
  428. 3302 That she fordid herself.
  429. Albany
  430. 3303 The gods defend her!—Bear him hence awhile.
  431. [Edmund is borne off.]
  432. [Re-enter Lear, with Cordelia dead in his arms; Edgar, Officer, and others following.]
  433. King Lear
  434. 3304 Howl, howl, howl, howl!—O, you are men of stone.
  435. 3305 Had I your tongues and eyes, I'ld use them so
  436. 3306 That heaven's vault should crack.—She's gone for ever!—
  437. 3307 I know when one is dead, and when one lives;
  438. 3308 She's dead as earth.—Lend me a looking glass;
  439. 3309 If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,
  440. 3310 Why, then she lives.
  441. Kent
  442. 3311 Is this the promis'd end?
  443. Edgar
  444. 3312 Or image of that horror?
  445. Albany
  446. 3313 Fall, and cease!
  447. King Lear
  448. 3314 This feather stirs; she lives! If it be so,
  449. 3315 It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
  450. 3316 That ever I have felt.
  451. Kent
  452. 3317 O my good master!
  453. [Kneeling.]
  454. King Lear
  455. 3318 Pr'ythee, away!
  456. Edgar
  457. 3319 'Tis noble Kent, your friend.
  458. King Lear
  459. 3320 A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all!
  460. 3321 I might have sav'd her; now she's gone for ever!—
  461. 3322 Cordelia, Cordelia! stay a little. Ha!
  462. 3323 What is't thou say'st?—Her voice was ever soft,
  463. 3324 Gentle, and low,—an excellent thing in woman.—
  464. 3325 I kill'd the slave that was a-hanging thee.
  465. Officer
  466. 3326 'Tis true, my lords, he did.
  467. King Lear
  468. 3327 Did I not, fellow?
  469. 3328 I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion
  470. 3329 I would have made them skip: I am old now,
  471. 3330 And these same crosses spoil me.—Who are you?
  472. 3331 Mine eyes are not o' the best:—I'll tell you straight.
  473. Kent
  474. 3332 If fortune brag of two she lov'd and hated,
  475. 3333 One of them we behold.
  476. King Lear
  477. 3334 This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent?
  478. Kent
  479. 3335 The same,
  480. 3336 Your servant Kent.—Where is your servant Caius?
  481. King Lear
  482. 3337 He's a good fellow, I can tell you that;
  483. 3338 He'll strike, and quickly too:—he's dead and rotten.
  484. Kent
  485. 3339 No, my good lord; I am the very man,—
  486. King Lear
  487. 3340 I'll see that straight.
  488. Kent
  489. 3341 That from your first of difference and decay
  490. 3342 Have follow'd your sad steps.
  491. King Lear
  492. 3343 You are welcome hither.
  493. Kent
  494. 3344 Nor no man else:—All's cheerless, dark, and deadly.—
  495. 3345 Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves,
  496. 3346 And desperately are dead.
  497. King Lear
  498. 3347 Ay, so I think.
  499. Albany
  500. 3348 He knows not what he says; and vain is it
  501. 3349 That we present us to him.
  502. Edgar
  503. 3350 Very bootless.
  504. [Enter a Officer.]
  505. Officer
  506. 3351 Edmund is dead, my lord.
  507. Albany
  508. 3352 That's but a trifle here.—
  509. 3353 You lords and noble friends, know our intent.
  510. 3354 What comfort to this great decay may come
  511. 3355 Shall be applied: for us, we will resign,
  512. 3356 During the life of this old majesty,
  513. 3357 To him our absolute power:—
  514. [to Edgar and Kent]
  515. Albany
  516. 3358 you to your
  517. 3359 rights;
  518. 3360 With boot, and such addition as your honours
  519. 3361 Have more than merited.—All friends shall taste
  520. 3362 The wages of their virtue, and all foes
  521. 3363 The cup of their deservings.—O, see, see!
  522. King Lear
  523. 3364 And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life!
  524. 3365 Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life,
  525. 3366 And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more,
  526. 3367 Never, never, never, never, never!—
  527. 3368 Pray you undo this button:—thank you, sir.—
  528. 3369 Do you see this? Look on her!—look!—her lips!—
  529. 3370 Look there, look there!—
  530. [He dies.]
  531. Edgar
  532. 3371 He faints!—My lord, my lord!—
  533. Kent
  534. 3372 Break, heart; I pr'ythee break!
  535. Edgar
  536. 3373 Look up, my lord.
  537. Kent
  538. 3374 Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates him
  539. 3375 That would upon the rack of this rough world
  540. 3376 Stretch him out longer.
  541. Edgar
  542. 3377 He is gone indeed.
  543. Kent
  544. 3378 The wonder is, he hath endur'd so long:
  545. 3379 He but usurp'd his life.
  546. Albany
  547. 3380 Bear them from hence.—Our present business
  548. 3381 Is general woe.—
  549. [To Kent and Edgar.]
  550. Albany
  551. 3382 Friends of my soul, you
  552. 3383 twain
  553. 3384 Rule in this realm, and the gor'd state sustain.
  554. Kent
  555. 3385 I have a journey, sir, shortly to go;
  556. 3386 My master calls me,—I must not say no.
  557. Albany
  558. 3387 The weight of this sad time we must obey;
  559. 3388 Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
  560. 3389 The oldest have borne most: we that are young
  561. 3390 Shall never see so much, nor live so long.
  562. [Exeunt, with a dead march.]