Cor. O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work,[4463]
To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,[4463][4464]
And every measure fail me.[4463]
Kent. To be acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid.[4465]
All my reports go with the modest truth, 5
Nor more nor clipp'd, but so.
Cor. Be better suited:[4466]
These weeds are memories of those worser hours:[4466]
I prithee, put them off.[4466]
Kent. Pardon me, dear madam;[4467]
Yet to be known shortens my made intent:[4468]
My boon I make it, that you know me not 10
Till time and I think meet.
Cor. Then be't so, my good lord. [To the Doctor]
How does the king?[4469]
Cor. O you kind gods,[4472][4473]
Cure this great breach in his abused nature![4473] 15
The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up[4474]
Of this child-changed father!
Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?[4478] 20
Gent. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of his sleep[4479]
We put fresh garments on him.
Doct. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him;[4480]
I doubt not of his temperance.[4481]
Doct. Please you, draw near. Louder the music there![4482] 25
Cor. O my dear father! Restoration hang[4483][4484]
Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss[4483][4485]
Repair those violent harms that my two sisters[4483]
Have in thy reverence made![4483]
Kent. Kind and dear princess![4486]
Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes[4487] 30
Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face[4488]
To be opposed against the warring winds?[4489]
To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?[4490][4491]
In the most terrible and nimble stroke[4490]
Of quick, cross lightning? to watch—poor perdu!—[4490][4492] 35
With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog,[4490][4493][4494][4495]
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night[4494]
Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father,[4494]
To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn,
In short and musty straw? Alack, alack![4496] 40
'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once[4497]
Had not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him.[4498]
Doct. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.[4499]
Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?[4500]
Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' the grave:[4501] 45
Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
Do scald like molten lead.
Cor. Sir, do you know me?[4502]
Lear. You are a spirit, I know: when did you die?[4503]
Cor. Still, still, far wide! 50
Doct. He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile.[4504]
Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?[4504]
I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity,[4505]
To see another thus. I know not what to say.[4506]
I will not swear these are my hands: let's see; 55
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured[4507]
Of my condition![4507]
Lear. Pray, do not mock me:[4511]
I am a very foolish fond old man, 60
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less;[4512]
And, to deal plainly,[4513]
I fear I am not in my perfect mind.[4514]
Methinks I should know you and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful; for I am mainly ignorant[4515] 65
What place this is, and all the skill I have
Remembers not these garments, nor I know not[4516]
Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me;[4517]
For, as I am a man, I think this lady
To be my child Cordelia.
Cor. And so I am, I am.[4518] 70
Lear. Be your tears wet? yes, faith. I pray, weep not:[4519]
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:[4520]
You have some cause, they have not.[4521]
Cor. No cause, no cause. 75
Lear. Am I in France?
Kent. In your own kingdom, sir.
Cor. Will't please your highness walk?[4529]
Lear. You must bear with me. Pray you now, forget[4530]
and forgive: I am old and foolish.[4530] 85