 | King Lear |  |
67
ACT V.
SCENE, a Chamber. Lear asleep on a Couch; Cordelia and Attendants standing by him.Cord.
His sleep is sound, and may have good effect
To cure his jarring senses, and repair
This breach of nature.
Phys.
We have employ'd the utmost pow'r of art,
And this deep rest will perfect our design.
Cord.
O Regan! Goneril! inhuman sisters!
Had he not been your father, these white hairs
Had challeng'd sure some pity! Was this a face
To be expos'd against the jarring winds?
My enemy's dog, tho' he had bit me, shou'd
Have stood that night against my fire.—He wakes; speak to him.
Phys.
Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.
Cord.
How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?
Lear.
You do me wrong, to take me out o'th' grave.
Ha! is this too a world of cruelty?
I know my privilege; think not that I will
Be us'd still like a wretched mortal: no,
No more of that.
Cord.
Speak to me, sir; who am I?
Lear.
You are a soul in bliss; but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire, that my own tears
Do scald like molten lead.
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Sir, do you know me?
Lear.
You are a spirit, I know; when did you die?
Cord.
Still, still, far wide—
Phys.
Madam, he's scarce awake; he'll soon grow more compos'd.
Lear.
Where have I been? Where am I? fair day-light?
I am mightily abus'd, I should even die with pity
To see another thus. I will not swear
These are my hands.
Cord.
O look upon me, sir,
And hold your hand in blessing o'er me; nay,
You must not kneel.
Lear.
Pray, do not mock me;
I am a very foolish, fond old man,
Fourscore and upward; and to deal plainly,
I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
Cord.
Nay, then farewel to patience: witness for me,
Ye mighty pow'rs, I ne'er complain'd till now!
Lear.
Methinks I shou'd know you, and know this man:
Yet, I am doubtful; for I'm mainly ignorant
What place this is; and all the skill I have,
Remembers not these garments; nor do I know
Where I did sleep last night.—Pray do not mock me,
For, as I am a man, I think that lady
To be my child Cordelia.
Cord.
O my dear, dear father!
Lear.
Be your tears wet? Yes faith; pray do not weep.
I know I have giv'n thee cause, and am so humbled
With crosses since, that I cou'd ask
Forgiveness of thee, were it possible
That thou cou'dst grant it; but I'm well assur'd
Thou can'st not; therefore, I do stand thy justice;
If thou hast poison for me I will drink it,
Bless thee, and die
Cord.
O pity, sir, a bleeding heart, and cease
This killing language.
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Tell me, friends, where am I?
Phys.
In your own kingdom, sir.
Lear.
do not abuse me.
Phys.
Be comforted, good madam, for the violence
Of his distemper's past; we'll lead him in,
Nor trouble him, 'till he is better settled.
Will't please you, sir, walk into freer air?
Lear.
You must bear with me, I am old and foolish.
[They lead him off.
Cord.
The Gods restore you.
[A distant march.
Hark, I hear afar
The beaten drum. Old Kent's a man of's word.
Oh! for an arm
Like the fierce thunderer's, when the earth-born sons
Storm'd Heav'n, to fight this injur'd father's battle!
That I cou'd shift my sex, and dye me deep
In his opposer's blood! But, as I may,
With women's weapons, piety, and prayers,
I'll aid his cause.—You never erring Gods,
Fight on his side, and thunder on his foes
Such tempests as his poor ag'd head sustain'd:
Your image suffers, when a monarch bleeds.
'Tis your own cause, for that your succours bring;
Revenge yourselves, and right an injur'd king.
[Exit.
The Fifth Act begins with much greater propriety here, than in the original: and in this short scene, where Lear appears so much enfeebled, both in mind and body, that mind and limbs scarce appear of any use, there are some as fine strokes for a good actor to lay hold of a feeling audience by, as any in the play; particularly, where he awakes, as it were from a trance, and discovers Cordelia.
Edm.
To both these sisters have I sworn my love;
Each jealous of the other, as the stung
Are of the adder;—neither can be held,
If both remain alive.—Where shall I fix?
Cornwall is dead, and Regan's empty bed
Seems cast by fortune for me—But already
I have enjoy'd her; and bright Goneril,
With equal charms, brings dear variety,
And yet untasted beauty; I will use
Her husband's count'nance for the battle, then
Usurp at once his bed and throne.
[Enter Officers.
My trusty scouts, you're well return'd. Have ye descried
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Off.
We have, and were surpriz'd to find
The banish'd Kent return'd, and at their head;
That with
Th' approaching dawn we must expect a battle.
Edm.
You bring a welcome hearing. Each to his charge;
Line well your ranks, and stand on your award.
To-night repose you; and i'th' morn we'll give
The sun a sight that shall be worth his rising.
[Exeunt.
SCENE, a Valley near the Camp.
Enter Edgar and Gloster.
Edg.
Here, sir, take you 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.
[Exit.
Glost.
Thanks, friendly sir;
The fortune your good cause deserves, betide you.
An Alarm; after which Gloster speaks.
The fight grows hot; the whole war's now at work,
And the gor'd battle bleeds in every vein,
Whilst drums and trumpets drown loud slaughter's roar.
Where's Gloster now, that us'd to head the fray,
And scour the ranks where deadliest danger lay?
Here, like a shepherd, in a lonely shade,
Idle, unarm'd, and list'ning to the fight.
Yet the disabled courser, main'd and blind,
When in his stall he hears the rattling war,
Foaming with rage, tears up the batter'd ground,
And tugs for liberty.
No more of shelter, thou blind worm, but forth
To th' open field; the war may come this way,
And crush thee into rest.—Here lay thee down,
And tear the earth; that work befits a mole.
O dark despair! When, Edgar, wilt thou come
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[A Retreat sounded.
Hark! a retreat; the king I fear has lost.
Re-enter Edgar.
Edg.
Away, old man, give me your hand, away!
King Lear has lost; he and his daughter ta'en:
And this, ye Gods, is all that I can save
Of this most precious wreck. Give me your hand.
Glost.
No farther, sir; a man may rot, even here.
Edg.
What! in ill thoughts again? Men must endure
Their going hence, ev'n as their coming hither.
Glost.
And that's true too.
[Exeunt.
Flourish. Enter in Conquest, Albany, Goneril, Regan, Edmund, Capt. of the Guards, &c.—Lear, Kent, Cordelia, Prisoners.
Alb.
It is enough to have conquer'd, cruelty
Shou'd ne'er survive the fight. Captain o'th' guards,
Treat well your royal prisoners, 'till you have
Our farther orders, as you hold our pleasure.
Gon.
Hark, sir, not as you hold our husband's
Pleasure,
[To the Captain, aside.
But as you hold your life, dispatch your pris'ners.
Our empire can have no sure settlement,
But in their death; the earth that covers them
Binds fast our throne. Let me hear they are dead.
Capt.
I shall obey your orders.
Edm.
Sir, I approve it safest to pronounce
Sentence of death upon this wretched king,
Whose age has charms in it, his title more,
To draw the commons once more to his side;
'Twere best prevent—
Alb.
Sir, by your favour,
I hold you but a subject of this war,
Not as a brother.
Reg.
That's as we list to grace him.
Have you forgot that he did lead our pow'rs?
Bore the commission of our place and person?
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And call itself your brother.
Gon.
Not so hot,
In his own merits, he exalts himself,
More than in your addition.
Enter Edgar, disguis'd.
Alb.
What art thou?
Edg.
Pardon me, sir, that I presume to stop
A prince, and conqu'ror; yet, ere you triumph,
Give ear to what a stranger can deliver,
Of what concerns you, more than triumph can.
I do impeach your general there, of treason,
Lord Edmund, that usurps the name of Gloster,
Of foulest practice 'gainst your life and honour;
This charge is true: and wretched though I seem,
I can produce a champion, that will prove,
In single combat, what I do avouch,
If Edmund dares but trust his cause, and sword.
Edm.
What will not Edmund dare? My lord, I beg
The favour that you'd instantly appoint
The place, where I may meet this challenger,
Whom I will sacrifice to my wrong'd fame:
Remember, sir, that injur'd honour's nice,
And cannot brook delay.
Alb.
Anon, before our tent, i'th' army's view,
There, let the herald cry.
Edg.
I thank your highness, in my champion's name:
He'll wait your trumpet's call.
Alb.
Lead.
[A flourish. Exeunt.
Manent Lear, Kent, Cordelia, guarded.
Lear.
O Kent! Cordelia!
You are the only pair that I e'er wrong'd,
And the just Gods have made you witnesses,
Of my disgrace; the very shame of fortune;
To see me chain'd and shackled, at these years!
Yet, were you but spectators of my woes,
Not fellow-sufferers, all were well.
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This language, sir, adds yet to our affliction.
Lear.
Thou, Kent, didst head the troops that fought my battles;
Expos'd thy life and fortunes for a master,
That had (as I remember) banish'd thee.
Kent.
Pardon me, sir, that once I broke your orders.
Banish'd by you, I kept me here, disguis'd,
To watch your fortunes, and protect your person:
You know you entertain'd a rough, blunt fellow,
One Caius, and you thought he did you service.
Lear.
My trusty Caius, I have lost him too!
[Weeps.
'Twas a rough honesty.
Kent.
I was that Caius,
Disguis'd in that coarse dress, to follow you.
Lear.
My Caius, too! Wer't thou my trusty Caius?
Enough, enough.—
Cord.
Ah me, he faints! his blood forsakes his cheek.
Help, Kent!—
Lear.
No, no, they shall not see us weep,
We'll see them rot first.—Guards, lead away to prison.
Come Kent, Cordelia, come;
We two will sit alone, like birds i'th' cage.
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down
And ask of thee forgiveness; thus we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies; hear sycophants
Talk of court news, and we'll talk with them too,
Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;
And, take upon us the mystery of things,
As if we were Heaven's spies.
Cord.
Upon such sacrifices
The Gods themselves throw incense.
Lear.
Have I caught ye?
He that parts us, must bring a brand from Heav'n:
Together, we'll out-toil the spite of hell,
And die, the wonders of the world. Away.
[Exeunt, guarded.
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Alb.
Now, Gloster, trust to thy single virtue: for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge. Now let our trumpets speak,
And herald, read out this.
[Herald reads.
If any man of quality, within the lists of the
army, will maintain, upon Edmund, suppos'd
Earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor,
let him appear, by the third sound of the
trumpet: He is bold in his defence—Again,
again.
[Trumpet answers from within.
Enter Edgar, arm'd.
Alb.
Lord Edgar!
Edm.
Ha! my brother!
This is the only combatant I could fear,
For in my breast guilt duels on his side.
But, conscience, what have I to do with thee?
Awe thou thy dull legitimate slaves: but I
Was born a libertine, and so I keep me.
Edg.
My noble prince, a word;—ere we engage,
Into your highness' hands I give this paper;
It will the truth of my impeachment prove,
Whatever be my fortune in the fight.
Alb.
We shall peruse it.
Edg.
Now, Edmund, draw thy sword,
That if my speech has wrong'd a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice: here, i'th' presence
Of this high prince,
I brand thee with the spotted name of traitor;
False to thy Gods, thy father, and thy brother;
And what is more, thy friend; false to this prince:
If then thou shar'st a spark of Gloster's virtue,
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Meet this defiance bravely.
Edm.
I have a daring soul, and so have at thy heart.
[They fight, Edmund falls.
What you have charg'd me with, that I have done,
And more, much more; the time will bring it out:
'Tis past, and so am I.
Edg.
As thou art my father's son,
Exchange we charity on thy repentance.
The Gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us.
The dark and vicious place where he begot thee
Lost him his eyes.
Edm.
Thou'st spoken right, 'tis true.
The wheel is come, full circle—I am here,
Yet e're life leaves me, let me do some good,
Despight of my own nature. Quickly send
(Be brief) unto the castle, for my order
Is on the life of Lear, and Cordelia;
Nay, send in time.
Edg.
Run, run, O run.
Alb.
The Gods defend them; bear him hence awhile.
Edg.
O let us fly, my lord, to save their lives.
[Exeunt.
Bringing the two brothers in opposition, is, regarding what has preceded, strict and poetical justice; save that Edmund by no means deserves so fair, so honourable a chance.
Ending the scene thus, prevents the laughable situation of Goneril and Regan, after their galant is defeated.
Lear asleep, with his head on Cordelia's Lap.
Cord.
What toils, thou wretched king, hast thou endur'd,
To make thee draw, in chains, a sleep so sound?
Thy better angel charm thy ravish'd mind
With fancy'd freedom; peace is us'd to lodge
On cottage straw. Thou hast the beggar's bed,
Therefore, should'st have the beggar's careless thought,
And now, my Edgar, I remember thee:
What fate has seiz'd thee, in this general wreck,
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Because Cordelia holds thee dear.
O Gods! a sudden gloom o'erwhelms me, and the image
Of death o'erspreads the place.—Ha! Who are these?
Enter Captain and Soldiers, with Cords.
Capt.
Now, sirs, dispatch; already you are paid
In part, the best of your reward's to come.
Lear.
Charge, charge upon their flank, their left wing halts.
Push, push the battle, and the day's our own.
Their ranks are broken; down, down with Albany.
Who holds my hands?—O thou, deceiving sleep,
I was this very minute on the chace,
And now, a pris'ner here!—What mean the slaves?
You will not murder me?
Cord.
Help, earth and Heaven!
For your souls sake, dear sirs, and for the Gods.
Offi.
No tears, good lady; no pleading against gold, and preferment.
Come, sirs, make ready your cords.
Cord.
You, sir, I'll seize;
You have a human form, and if no prayers
Can touch your soul, to spare a poor king's life,
If there be any thing that you hold dear,
By that I beg you to dispatch me first.
Capt.
Comply with her request; dispatch her first.
Lear.
Off, hell-hounds; by the Gods I charge you spare her;
'Tis my Cordelia, my true pious daughter.
No pity?—Nay, then take an old man's vengeance.
Snatches a Sword, and kills two of them; the rest quit Cordelia, and Exeunt.
Enter, Edgar, Albany, and Attendants.
Edg.
Death! hell! ye vultures, hold your impious hands,
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Capt.
By whose command?
Edg.
Behold the duke, your lord.
Alb.
Guards, seize those instruments of cruelty.
Cord.
Oh, my Edgar!
Edg.
My dear Cordelia! Lucky was the minute
Of our approach; the Gods have weigh'd our suff'rings;
W' have pass'd the fire, and now must shine to ages.
Gent.
Look here, my lord, see where the generous king
Has slain two of 'em.
Lear.
Did I not, fellow?
I've seen the day, with my good biting faulchion
I cou'd have made 'em skip: I am old now,
And these vile crosses spoil me; out of breath!
Fie, oh! quite out of breath, and spent.
Alb.
Bring in old Kent; and, Edgar, guide you hither
Your father, whom you said was near;
[Exit Edgar.
He may be an ear-witness, at the least,
Of our proceedings.
[Kent brought in here.
Lear.
Who are you?
My eyes are none o'th' best, I'll tell you straight:
Oh, Albany! Well, sir, we are your captives,
And you are come to see death pass upon us.
Why this delay?—Or, is't your highness' pleasure
To give us first the torture? Say ye so?
Why here's old Kent and I, as tough a pair
As e'er bore tyrant's stroke.—But, my Cordelia,
My poor Cordelia here, O pity—
Alb.
Thou injur'd majesty,
The wheel of fortune now has made her circle,
And blessings yet stand 'twixt thy grave and thee.
Lear.
Com'st thou, inhuman lord, to sooth us back
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Our doom more wretched? Go to, we are too well
Acquainted with misfortune, to be gull'd
With lying hope; no, we will hope no more.
Alb.
I have a tale t'unfold, so full of wonder,
As cannot meet an easy faith;
But by that royal injur'd head, 'tis true.
Kent.
What wou'd your highness?
Alb.
Know, the noble Edgar
Impeach'd lord Edmund, since the fight, of treason,
And dar'd him, for the proof, to single combat,
In which the Gods confirm'd his charge by conquest;
I left ev'n now the traitor wounded mortally.
Lear.
And whither tends this story?
Alb.
Ere they fought,
Lord Edgar gave into my hands this paper;
A blacker scroll of treason and of lust,
Than can be found in the records of hell.
There, sacred sir, behold the character
Of Goneril, the worst of daughters, but
More vicious wife.
Cord.
Cou'd there be yet addition to their guilt!
What would not they who wrong a father do?
Alb.
Since then my injuries, Lear, fall in with thine,
I have resolv'd the same redress for both.
Kent.
What says my lord?
Cord.
Speak, for methought I heard
The charming voice of a descending God.
Alb.
The troops, by Edmund rais'd, I have disbanded;
Those that remain, are under my command.
What comfort may be brought to chear your age,
And heal your savage wrongs, shall be apply'd;
For to your majesty we do resign
Your kingdom, save what part yourself confer'd,
On us in marriage.
Kent.
Hear you that, my liege?
Cord.
Then there are Gods, and virtue is their care.
Lear.
Is't possible?
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The winds be hush'd, the seas and fountains rest;
All nature pause, and listen to the change.
Where is my Kent, my Caius?
Kent.
Here, my liege.
Lear.
Why I have news that will recall thy youth.
Ha! didst thou hear't, or did th' inspiring Gods
Whisper to me alone? Old Lear shall be
A king again.
Kent.
The prince, that like a God has pow'r, has said it.
Lear.
Cordelia then shall be a queen, mark that:
Cordelia, shall be queen. Winds, catch the sound,
And bear it on your rosy wings to heav'n—
Cordelia is a queen.
Re-enter Edgar with Gloster.
Alb.
Look, sir, where pious Edgar comes,
Leading his eyeless father. O my liege!
His wond'rous story well deserves your leisure;
What he has done and suffer'd for your sake,
What for the fair Cordelia's.
Glo.
Where's my liege? Conduct me to his knees, to hail
His second birth of empire: my dear Edgar
Has with himself reveal'd the king's blest restauration.
Lear.
My poor dark Gloster!
Glo.
O let me kiss that once more scepter'd hand!
Lear.
Hold, thou mistak'st the majesty: kneel here;
Cordelia has our pow'r, Cordelia's queen.
Speak, is not that the noble suff'ring Edgar?
Glo.
My pious son, more dear than my lost eyes.
Lear.
I wrong'd him too, but here's the fair amends.
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Your leave, my liege, for an unwelcome message.
Edmund (but that's a trifle) is expir'd.
What more will touch you, your imperious daughters,
Goneril, and haughty Regan, both are dead,
Each by the other poison'd at a banquet:
This, dying, they confess'd.
Cord.
O fatal period of ill-govern'd life!
Lear.
Ingrateful as they were, my heart feels yet
A pang of nature for their wretched fall.—
But, Edgar, I defer thy joys too long:
Thou serv'dst distress'd Cordelia; take her, crown'd,
Th' imperial grace fresh blooming on her brow:
Nay, Gloster, thou hast here a father's right,
Thy helping hand t'heap blessings on their heads
Kent.
Old Kent throws in his hearty wishes too.
Edg.
The Gods and you too largely recompense
What I have done; the gift strikes merit dumb.
Cord.
Nor do I blush to own myself o'er paid,
For all my suff'rings past.
Glo.
Now, gentle Gods, give Gloster his discharge.
Lear.
No, Gloster, thou hast business yet for life;
Thou, Kent, and I, retir'd from noise and strife,
Will calmly pass our short reserves of time,
In cool reflections on our fortunes past,
Cheer'd with relation of the prosp'rous reign,
Of this celestial pair; thus our remains
Shall in an even course of thoughts be past,
Enjoy the present hour, nor fear the last.
[Ex. Omnes.
The tender feelings of apprehension, are here tremulated :. the timely rescue, is most agreeably thrown in.
This speech affords a transition, which often furnishes, as audiences have experienced, an admirable stroke for acting merit.
Though the king's restauration is a pleasing circumstance, and Tate piqued himself upon it, the true tragic feelings, and poetical justice, would, in our view, have been better maintained, by making him fall a sacrifice to his obstinate pride and frantic rashness.
This is a very delicate stroke of parental forgiveness, by making the tender father bury those gross injuries the suffering man endured.
This last Act rises far above the fourth; equals the third; falls below the second; but comes near the first. This play, in its present state, will, we doubt not, while any taste for the drama remains, continue to gain advantage and applause in public, while in private it must give very considerable pleasure.
End of the Fifth Act.
| King Lear | |