:

That minces virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure's name ;
The fitchow, nor the soiled horse, goes to't
With a more riotous appetite.
Down from the waist they are centaurs,
Though women all above :
But 4 to the girdle do the gods inherit,5
Beneath is all the fiends'; there's hell, there's dark.

ness, There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption ;--Fye, fye, fye! pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee.

Glo. 0, let me kiss that hand!
Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.

Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to nought.-Dost thou know me?

Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squinyo at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.--Read thou this challenge ; mark but the penning of it.

Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.

Edg. I would not take this from report;--it is, And my heart breaks at it.

Lear. Read.
Glo. What, with the case of eyes ?
Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No

eyes

in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: Yet you see how this world goes.

Glo. I see it feelingly.

Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: Change places; and, handy.dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?-Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?

Glo. Ay, sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand : Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own

back;

Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind
For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the

cozener.

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;
Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with gold,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks :
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
And, like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the things thou dost not.-Now, now, now,

now:

Pull off my boots :-harder, harder ; so.

Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix'd ! Reason in madness! Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my

eyes. I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloster: Thou must be patient; we came crying hither.'

Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, We waw), and cry:- I will preach to thee; mark me.

Glo. Alack, alack the day!

Lear. When we are born, we cry, that we are come To this great stage of fools; -This a good block 27 It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

8

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants.
Gent. O, here he is, lay hand upon him,-Sir,
Your most dear daughter-

Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well;
You shall bave ransome. Let me have a surgeon,
I am cut to the brains.
Gent.

You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds ? All myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,8 To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust. Gent.

Good sir,Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom: What? I will be jovial; come, come; I am a king, My masters, know you that!

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you.

Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.

[Exit, running ; Attendants follow'.

8 Block anciently signified the bead part of a hat.

Si. e, A man of tears.

:

Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch;
Past speaking of in a king !-Thou hast one daughter,
Who redeems nature from the general curse
Which twain have brought her to.

Edg. Hail, gentle sir.
Gent.

Sir, speed you: What's your will ? Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?

, Gent. Most sure, and vulgar : every one hears that, Which can distinguish sound. Edg.

But, by your favour, How near's the other army?

Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.9 Edg.

I thank you, sir : that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is

here, Her army is mov'd on. Edg.

I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent.
Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from

me;
Let not my worser spirit' tempt me again
To die before you please!
Edg.

Well pray you, father.
Glo. Now, good sir, what are you?
Edy. A most poor man, made tame by fortune's

blows;
Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
I'll lead you to some biding.
Glo.

Hearty thanks :

9 The main body is expected to be descried every hour.

1 Evil genius.

2

The bounty and the benizon of heaven
To boot, and boot !3

Enter Steward.

4

Stew.

A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh To raise my fortunes.--Thou old unhappy traitor, Briefly 4 thyself remember :-The sword. is out That must destroy thee. Gla.

Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. [EDGAR opposes. Stew.

Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar’st thou support a publish'd traitor ? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee, Let go his arm.

Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without yurther 'casion. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait," and let poor volk pass.

And ch'ud ha' been zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man ; keep out, che vor’ye, or ise try whether

your costard

or my bat? be the harder : Ch'ill be plain with you.

Stew. Out, dunghill !
Edg. Ch’ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; no mat-

; ter vor your foins.8

[They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:-Villain, take my

purse ; If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;