KING LEAR 5.1

The British camp, near Dover.

[Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN,

Gentlemen, and Soldiers.

EDMUND 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 alteration

And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure.

[To a Gentleman, who goes out]

REGAN Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. 5

EDMUND '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? 10

EDMUND In honour'd love.

REGAN But have you never found my brother's way

To the forfended place?

EDMUND That thought abuses you.

REGAN I am doubtful that you have been conjunct 15

And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.

EDMUND No, by mine honour, madam.

REGAN I never shall endure her: dear my lord,

Be not familiar with her.

EDMUND Fear me not: 20

She and the duke her husband!

[Enter, with drum and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers]

GONERIL [Aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister

Should loosen him and me.

ALBANY Our very loving sister, well be-met.

Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter, 25

With others whom the rigor of our state

Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,

I never yet was valiant: for this business,

It toucheth us, as France invades our land,

Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear, 30

Most just and heavy causes make oppose.

EDMUND Sir, you speak nobly.

REGAN Why is this reason'd?

GONERIL Combine together 'gainst the enemy;

For these domestic and particular broils 35

Are not the question here.

ALBANY Let's then determine

With the ancient of war on our proceedings.

EDMUND I shall attend you presently at your tent.

REGAN Sister, you'll go with us? 40

GONERIL No.

REGAN 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.

GONERIL [Aside] O, ho, I know the riddle.--I will go.

[As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised]

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

Hear me one word. 45

ALBANY I'll overtake you. Speak.

[Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR]

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 avouched there. If you miscarry, 50

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, 55

And I'll appear again.

ALBANY Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper.

[Exit EDGAR]

[Re-enter EDMUND]

EDMUND The enemy's in view; draw up your powers.

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces

By diligent discovery; but your haste 60

Is now urged on you.

ALBANY We will greet the time.

[Exit]

EDMUND 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? 65

Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,

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 70

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, 75

Shall never see his pardon; for my state

Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit]


		[Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN,
		Gentlemen, and Soldiers.

EDMUND		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 alteration
		And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure.
		[To a Gentleman, who goes out]

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?	10

REGAN		But have you never found my brother's way
		To the forfended place?

REGAN		I am doubtful that you have been conjunct	15
		And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.

REGAN		I never shall endure her: dear my lord,
		Be not familiar with her.

EDMUND	Fear me not:	20
	She and the duke her husband!
	[Enter, with drum and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers]

GONERIL		[Aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister
		Should loosen him and me.

ALBANY	Our very loving sister, well be-met.
	Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter,	25
	With others whom the rigor of our state
	Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
	I never yet was valiant: for this business,
	It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
	Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear,	30
	Most just and heavy causes make oppose.

GONERIL	Combine together 'gainst the enemy;
	For these domestic and particular broils	35
	Are not the question here.

ALBANY		Let's then determine
		With the ancient of war on our proceedings.

GONERIL		[Aside] O, ho, I know the riddle.--I will go.
		[As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised]

EDGAR		If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor,
		Hear me one word.	45

ALBANY		I'll overtake you. Speak.
		[Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR]

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 avouched there. If you miscarry,	50
	Your business of the world hath so an end,
	And machination ceases. Fortune love you.

EDGAR	I was forbid it.
	When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,	55
	And I'll appear again.

ALBANY		Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper.
		[Exit EDGAR]
		[Re-enter EDMUND]

EDMUND	The enemy's in view; draw up your powers.
	Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
	By diligent discovery; but your haste	60
	Is now urged on you.

EDMUND	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?	65
	Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,
	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	70
	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,	75
	Shall never see his pardon; for my state
	Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
	[Exit]