William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT III. 6. Scene VI. A Chamber in a Farmhouse adjoining the Castle. (continued)

Lear.
Then let them anatomize Regan; see what breeds about her
heart. Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard
hearts?--[To Edgar.] You, sir, I entertain you for one of my
hundred; only I do not like the fashion of your garments: you'll
say they are Persian; but let them be changed.

Kent.
Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile.

Lear.
Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains:
So, so. We'll go to supper i' the morning.

Fool.
And I'll go to bed at noon.

[Re-enter Gloster.]

Glou.
Come hither, friend: where is the king my master?

Kent.
Here, sir; but trouble him not,--his wits are gone.

Glou.
Good friend, I pr'ythee, take him in thy arms;
I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him;
There is a litter ready; lay him in't
And drive towards Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet
Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master;
If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life,
With thine, and all that offer to defend him,
Stand in assured loss: take up, take up;
And follow me, that will to some provision
Give thee quick conduct.

Kent.
Oppressed nature sleeps:--
This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken sinews,
Which, if convenience will not allow,
Stand in hard cure.--Come, help to bear thy master;
[To the Fool.] Thou must not stay behind.

Glou.
Come, come, away!

[Exeunt Kent, Gloster, and the Fool, bearing off Lear.]

Edg.
When we our betters see bearing our woes,
We scarcely think our miseries our foes.
Who alone suffers suffers most i' the mind,
Leaving free things and happy shows behind:
But then the mind much sufferance doth o'erskip
When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship.
How light and portable my pain seems now,
When that which makes me bend makes the king bow;
He childed as I fathered!--Tom, away!
Mark the high noises; and thyself bewray,
When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee,
In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee.
What will hap more to-night, safe 'scape the king!
Lurk, lurk.

[Exit.]