King Lear Page #12

---

That fellow handles his bow

like a crow-keeper.

Draw me a clothier's yard!

No... no... A mouse!

Peace...

peace.

This piece of toasted cheese will do't.

There's my gauntlet.

I'll prove it on a giant.

O, well flown, bird!

In the clout, in the clout!

- Hewgh! Give the word.

- Sweet marjoram?

- Pass.

- I know that voice.

Goneril, with a white beard!

They flattered me like a dog.

To say "ay" and "no" to every thing I said!

When the rain came to wet me once,

and the wind to make me chatter,

and the thunder

would not peace at my bidding,

there I found 'em,

there I smelt them out.

Go to, they are not men of their words.

They told me I was everything.

'Tis a lie.

I am not ague-proof.

The trick of that voice

I well remember. Is't not the King?

Ay, every inch a king.

When I do stare,

see how the subject quakes.

I pardon that man's life.

What was thy cause? Adultery?

Thou shalt not die.

Die for adultery? No.

The wren goes to't, the small gilded fly

does lecher in my sight.

Let copulation thrive,

for Gloucester's bastard son

was kinder to his father than my daughters

got between the lawful sheets.

To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.

Behold yond simpering dame...

that minces virtue,

shakes the head

to hear of pleasure's name.

The fitchew, nor the soiled horse

goes to't with a more riotous appetite.

But to the girdle do the gods inherit,

beneath... is all the fiends'.

There's hell, there's darkness,

there's the sulphurous pit,

there's burning, scalding...

consummation!

Fie, fie, fie!

Pah... Pah!

Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary.

Sweeten my imagination.

There's money for ye.

- O, let me kiss that hand!

- Let me wipe it first.

It smells of mortality.

O ruined piece of nature!

This great world will so wear out to naught.

- Dost thou know me?

- I remember thine eyes well enough.

Dost thou squiny at me? Read thou this

challenge you. Mark but the penning of it.

Were all the letters suns, I could not see.

- Read.

- What, with the case of eyes?

O, ho, are you there with me now? 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.

- I see it feelingly.

What, art mad?

A man may see

how this world goes with no eyes.

Look with your ears,

see how yond justice

rails upon yond 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?

- Ay, sir.

- And the creature run from the cur?

There thou mightst behold

the great image of authority,

a dog's obeyed in office.

Through tattered clothes

small vices do appear.

Robes and furred gowns hide all.

None does offend.

None, I said, none!

Take that of me, my friend,

that have the power to

seal the accusers' 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.

I know thee well enough.

Thy name is Gloucester.

Thou must be patient.

We came crying hither.

Thou knowest the first time

we smell the air, we wawl and cry.

I will preach to thee. Mark!

Alack, alack the day!

When we are born...

we cry...

that we are come

to this great stage of fools.

This is a good block.

It were a delicate stratagem to shoe

a troop of horse with felt. I'll put't in proof.

When I have stolen upon

these sons-in-laws, then...

Kill! Kill!

Kill! Kill!

- Kill!

- Ah, here he is. Lay hand upon him.

Sir, your most dear daughter...

No rescue? Am I a prisoner?

Use me well. You shall have ransom.

Let me have surgeons.

I am cut to the brains.

- You shall have any thing.

- No seconds? All myself?

I will die bravely.

Like a smug bridegroom.

I will be jovial.

I am a king, my masters, know you that?

You are a royal one.

We obey you.

Then there's life in't.

And you get it,

you shall get it by running!

- Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?

- Most sure and certain.

But, by your favour,

how near's the other army?

- Near and on speedy foot.

- I thank you, sir. That's all.

You ever-gentle gods,

take my breath from me.

Let not my worser spirit tempt me again

to die before you please!

Well pray you, father.

I'll lead you to some biding.

Oh, hearty thanks!

The bounty and the benison of heaven!

A proclaimed prize!

Most happy!

Thou old, unhappy traitor,

briefly thyself remember.

The weapon is out

that must destroy thee.

Now let thy friendly hand

put strength enough to't.

Wherefore, bold peasant,

darest thou support a published traitor?

- Away! Let go his arm.

- 'Chill not let go without further 'cagion.

Let go, slave...

or thou diest!

Nay! You come not near the old man.

Keep out, che vor ye, or I 'ce try whether

your costard or my ballow be the harder.

- 'Chill be plain with you.

- Out, dunghill!

'Chill pick your teeth, sir,

no matter for your foins!

Slave, thou hast slain me.

Villain...

Take my purse.

If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body

and give the letters which thou find'st

about me to Edmund, Earl of Gloucester.

O, untimely death! Death...

- A serviceable villain.

- What, is he dead?

He's dead. I am only sorry he had

no other deathsman.

Let us see.

"Edmund,

"Let our reciprocal vows be remembered.

You have many opportunities to cut him off.

"There is nothing done, if he return

the conqueror. Then am I the prisoner,

"and his bed my gaol,

"from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me

and supply the place for your labour.

"Your wife, so I would say, Goneril."

A plot upon her virtuous husband's life...

and the exchange... my brother!

The King is mad.

How stiff is my vile sense

that I stand up

and have ingenious feelings

of my huge sorrows!

Better I were distract.

So should my thoughts

be severed from my griefs.

Give me thy hand.

Come, father.

O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work

to match thy goodness?

My life will be too short

and every measure fail me.

To be acknowledged, madam, is o'er-paid.

- These weeds are memories of worser hours.

- Yet to be known shortens my made intent.

My boon I make it, that you know me not

till time and I think meet.

Then be't so, my good lord.

So please your majesty, that we may wake

the King? He hath slept long.

Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed.

Is he array'd?

Ay, madam. In the heaviness of sleep

we put fresh garments on him.

Be by, good madam,

when we do awake him.

Please you, draw near.

Come the music there!

O my dear father!

Let this kiss repair those violent harms

that my two sisters

have in thy reverence made!

Kind and dear princess!

Had you not been their father,

these white flakes did challenge pity of them.

Was this a face to be opposed

against the jarring winds?

Mine enemy's dog, though he hath bit me,

should have stood that night against my fire.

He wakes! Speak to him.

Madam, do you. 'Tis fittest.

How does my royal lord?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes