William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT IV. 6. Scene VI. The country near Dover. (continued)

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 have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
I am cut to the brains.

Gent.
You shall have anything.

Lear.
No seconds? all myself?
Why, this would make a man a man of salt,
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 smug 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't. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it
by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa!

[Exit running. Attendants follow.]

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.

Edg.
I thank you sir: that's all.

Gent.
Though that the queen on special cause is here,
Her army is mov'd on.