To see another thus. I know not what to say.

I will not swear these are my hands. Let’s see:

I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured

Of my condition.

CORDELIA (kneeling) O look upon me, sir,

And hold your hands in benediction o’er me.

You must not kneel.

LEAR

Pray do not mock.

I am a very foolish, fond old man,

Fourscore and upward,

Not an hour more nor less; and to deal plainly,

I fear I am not in my perfect mind.

Methinks I should know you, and know this man;

Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant

What place this is; and all the skill I have

Remembers not these garments; nor I know not

Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me,

For as I am a man, I think this lady

To be my child, Cordelia.

CORDELIA

And so I am, I am.

LEAR

Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray, weep not.

If you have poison for me, I will drink it.

I know you do not love me; for your sisters

Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.

You have some cause; they have not.

CORDELIA

No cause, no cause.

LEAR Am I in France?

KENT In your own kingdom, sir.

LEAR Do not abuse me.

⌈FIRST⌉GENTLEMAN

Be comforted, good madam. The great rage

You see is killed in him. Desire him to go in.

Trouble him no more till further settling.

CORDELIA (to Lear) Will’t please your highness walk?

LEAR

You must bear with me. Pray you now, forget

And forgive. I am old and foolish.

Exeunt

5.1 Enter with a drummer and colours Edmond, Regan, Gentlemen, and soldiers

EDMOND

Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold,

Or whether since he is advised by aught

To change the course. He’s full of abdication

And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure.

Exit one or more

REGAN

Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried.

EDMOND

’Tis to be doubted, madam.

REGAN

Now, sweet lord,

You know the goodness I intend upon you.

Tell me but truly—but then speak the truth-

Do you not love my sister?

EDMOND

In honoured love.

REGAN

But have you never found my brother’s way

To the forfended place?

EDMOND

No, by mine honour, madam.

REGAN

I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,

Be not familiar with her.

EDMOND Fear me not.

She and the Duke her husband—

Enter with a drummer and colours the Duke of Albany, Goneril, and soldiers

ALBANY (to Regan)

Our very loving sister, well bemet.

(To Edmond) Sir, this I heard: the King is come to his

daughter,

With others whom the rigour of our state

Forced to cry out.

REGAN

Why is this reasoned?

GONERIL

Combine together ’gainst the enemy;

For these domestic and particular broils

Are not the question here.

ALBANY

Let’s then determine with th’ensign of war

On our proceeding.

REGAN

Sister, you’ll go with us?

GONERIL No.

REGAN

’Tis most convenient. Pray go with us.

GONERIL (aside)

O ho, I know the riddle! (To Regan) I will go.

Enter Edgar disguised as a peasant

EDGAR (to Albany)

If e’er your grace had speech with man so poor,

Hear me one word.

ALBANY (to the others) I’ll overtake you.

Exeunt both the armies

Speak.

EDGAR

Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.

If you have victory, let the trumpet sound

For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,

I can produce a champion that will prove

What is avouchèd there. If you miscarry,

Your business of the world hath so an end,

And machination ceases. Fortune love you.

ALBANY

Stay till I have read the letter.

EDGAR

I was forbid it.

When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,

And I’ll appear again.

ALBANY Why, fare thee well.

I will o’erlook thy paper.

Exit Edgar

Enter Edmond

EDMOND

The enemy’s in view; draw up your powers.

He ⌈offers⌉Albany a paper

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces

By diligent discovery; but your haste

Is now urged on you.

ALBANY

We will greet the time.

Exit

EDMOND

To both these sisters have I sworn my love,

Each jealous of the other as the stung

Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?—

Both?—one?—or neither? Neither can be enjoyed

If both remain alive. To take the widow

Exasperates, makes mad, her sister Goneril,

And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being alive. Now then, we’ll use

His countenance for the battle, which being done,

Let her who would be rid of him devise

His speedy taking off. As for the mercy

Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,

The battle done, and they within our power,

Shall never see his pardon; for my state

Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

Exit

5.2 Alarum within. Enter with a drummer and colours King Lear, Queen Cordelia, and soldiers over the stage; and exeunt. Enter Edgar disguised as a peasant, guiding the blind Duke of Gloucester

EDGAR

Here, father, take the shadow of this tree

For your good host; pray that the right may thrive.

If ever I return to you again

I’ll bring you comfort.

GLOUCESTER

Grace go with you, sir.

Exit Edgar

Alarum and retreat within. Enter Edgar