King Lear by William Shakespeare: Act 4

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Act four of King Lear. This is a LibriVox recording.
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information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. King
Lear by William Shakespeare, Act four, Scene one. The heath enter.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Edgar, Yet better thus and known to be contemned, than
still contemned and flattered to be worst. The lowest and
most dejected thing of fortune stands still in esperance, lives
not in fear. The lamentable change is from the best
the worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then, thou, unsubstantial air,

(00:50):
that I embrace the wretch that thou hast blown unto
the worst, owes nothing to thy blasts.

Speaker 1 (00:56):
Enter Gloucester, led by an old man who comes here.

Speaker 2 (01:02):
My father poorly lad world, World, O world, But that
thy strange mutations make us hate thee. Life would not
yield to age.

Speaker 3 (01:16):
Oh, my good lord, I have been your tenant and
your father's tenant these four score years away.

Speaker 4 (01:26):
Get thee away, good friend, be gone. Thy comforts can
do me no good at all. Thee they may hurt.

Speaker 3 (01:35):
You cannot see your way.

Speaker 4 (01:37):
I have no way, and therefore want no eyes. I
stumbled when I saw full oft, tis seen our means
secure us, and our mere defects prove our commodities. Oh,
dear son Edgar, the food of thy abused father's wrath.
Might I but live to see THEE in my touch?

(02:00):
I'd say I had eyes again?

Speaker 3 (02:03):
Oh no, who's there?

Speaker 2 (02:05):
Oh God? Whost can say? I am at the worst?
I am worse than heir? I was?

Speaker 3 (02:13):
Tis poor, mad tom.

Speaker 2 (02:17):
And worse I may be. Yet the worst is not
so long as we can say this is the worst fellow?

Speaker 3 (02:25):
Where goest?

Speaker 4 (02:26):
Is it? A beggar man?

Speaker 3 (02:28):
Madman? And beggar too?

Speaker 4 (02:30):
He has some reason else he could not beg In
the last night's storm, I such a fellow saw, which
made me think a man a worm. My son came
then into my mind, and yet my mind was then scarce.
Friends with him, I have heard more since. As flies
to wanton boys, are we to the gods? They kill

(02:54):
us for their sport?

Speaker 2 (02:56):
How should this be?

Speaker 5 (02:58):
Bad?

Speaker 2 (02:58):
Is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, angering
itself and others?

Speaker 4 (03:04):
Bless THEE must is that the naked fellow? Ay, my lord,
then prithee get THEE gone, If for my sake thou
wilt o'ertake us hence a mile or twain in the
way toward Dover. Do it for ancient love, and bring
some covering for this naked soul, which I'll entreat.

Speaker 3 (03:22):
To lead me alack, sir, he is mad.

Speaker 4 (03:25):
Tis the times plague when mad men lead the blind.
Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure
above the rest be gone.

Speaker 3 (03:35):
I bring him the best peril that I have come.

Speaker 1 (03:39):
What will exit?

Speaker 4 (03:42):
Surrah, naked fellow, Poor Tom's a cold I cannot daub,
but further come hither, fellow, And yet.

Speaker 2 (03:50):
I must bless thy sweet eyes.

Speaker 3 (03:54):
They plead.

Speaker 4 (03:56):
Knowest thou the way to Dover.

Speaker 2 (03:58):
Both style and gate, a way and footpath. Poor toarm
hath been scared out of his good wit. Bless thee
good Man's son from the foul fiend. Five fiends have
been in poor Tom at once of lust, as Obedicut, obedidence,
Prince of dumbness, Mahu of stealing, Moldo of murder, Flippitygibbit

(04:21):
of mopping and mowing, who since possesses chambermaids and waiting women.
So bless thee master.

Speaker 4 (04:28):
Here take this purse, thou whom the Heaven's plagues have
humbled to all strokes. That I am wretched makes thee
the happier heavens deal. So still, let the superfluous and
lust dieted man that slaves your ordinance, that will not
see because he does not feel, feel your power quickly.

(04:49):
So distribution should undo excess, and each man have enough.
Dost thou know dover I master, there is a cliff
whose high and bending head looks fearfully in the confined deep.
Bring me but to the very brim of it, and
I'll repair the misery. Thou dost bear with something rich

(05:09):
about me? From that place I shall know leading need
give me thy arm.

Speaker 2 (05:16):
Poor Tom shall lead.

Speaker 1 (05:17):
Thee exiant scene too. Before the Duke of Albany's palace
enter Goneril and Edmund Oswald, meeting.

Speaker 6 (05:32):
Them, Welcome, my lord, I marvel our mild husband not
met us on the way.

Speaker 7 (05:37):
Now, where's your master, madam within? But never a man
so changed. I told him of the army that was landed.
He smiled at it. I told him you were coming.
His answer was the worse of Gloucester's treachery and the
loyal service of his son. When I informed him, Then

(05:58):
he called me sot and told me I had turned
the wrong side out. What most he should dislike seems
pleasant to him? What like offensive to Edmund?

Speaker 6 (06:10):
Then shall you go no further. It is the cowish
terror of his spirit that dares not undertake. He'll not
feel wrongs which tie him to an answer. Our wishes
on the way may prove effects back Edmund to my brother,
hasten his musters and conduct his powers. I must change
arms at home and give the distaff into my husband's hands.

(06:32):
This trusty servant shall pass between us ere long you
are like to hear. If you dare venture in your
own behalf a mistress's.

Speaker 1 (06:40):
Command, giving a favor.

Speaker 6 (06:42):
Wear this spare speech, Decline your head this kiss. If
it durst speak, would stretch thy spirits up into the air.
Conceive and fare.

Speaker 8 (06:52):
Thee well yours in the ranks of death, my.

Speaker 6 (06:56):
Most dear Gloucester.

Speaker 1 (06:59):
Exit Edmund, and oh.

Speaker 6 (07:01):
The difference of man and man to thee A woman's
services are due. My fool usurps my body, Madam.

Speaker 7 (07:09):
Here comes my lord Exit.

Speaker 1 (07:13):
And to Albany.

Speaker 6 (07:15):
I have been worth the whistle.

Speaker 9 (07:16):
Oh goneril, you are not worth the dust which the
rude wind blows in your face. I fear your disposition,
that nature which condemns it origin cannot be bordered. Certain
in itself, she that herself will sliver and disbranch from
her material sap must perforce whither and come to deadly.

Speaker 6 (07:38):
Use no more. The text is foolish.

Speaker 9 (07:41):
Wisdom and goodness to the vile, seem vile filths, savor
but themselves. What have you done? Tigers, not daughters? What
have you performed? A father and a gracious aged man,
whose reverence even the head low bear would lick, most barbarous,

(08:04):
most degenerate? Have you madded? Could my good brother suffer
you to do it? A man? A prince by him
so benefited? If that the heavens do not their visible
spirits send quickly down to tame these vile offenses, it
will come. Humanity must perforce prey on itself like monsters

(08:26):
of the deep.

Speaker 6 (08:27):
Milk livered man, the bearest a cheek for blows, I
head for wrongs, who hast not in thy brows and
eye discerning thine honor from thy suffering that not knowest fools?
Do those villains pity who are punished ere they have
done their mischief? Where's thy drum France spreads his banners
in our noiseless land with plumed helm. Thy slayer begins threats,

(08:49):
whilst thou, a mortal fool, sits still and criest alack.
Why does he so.

Speaker 9 (08:56):
See thyself devil? Proper deformity seems not to and the
fiend so horrid as in woman, Oh vain fool, Thou
changed and self covered thing for shame, a monster, not
thy feature. Wert my fitness to let these hands obey
my blood? They are apt enough to dislocate and tear

(09:17):
thy flesh and bones. Howe'er thou art a fiend, a
woman's shape doth shield.

Speaker 6 (09:24):
Thee marry your manhood.

Speaker 1 (09:26):
Now enter a messenger.

Speaker 10 (09:29):
What news, oh, my good lord? The Duke of Cornwall's dead,
slain by his servant going to put out the other.

Speaker 9 (09:35):
Eye of gloucester Loster's eyes.

Speaker 10 (09:39):
A servant that he bred, thrilled with remorse, opposed against
the act, bending his sword to his great master, who
thereat and rage flew on him, and amongst them felt
him dead, but not without that harmful stroke which, since
hath plucked him after.

Speaker 9 (09:55):
This shows you are above you justice ers, that these
are nether crime so speedily avenge, Oh poor Gloucester lost
he is other.

Speaker 10 (10:04):
I both both, my lord. This letter, Madam craves A
speedy answer tis from your sister.

Speaker 6 (10:11):
One way I like this well, but being widow and
my Gloucester with her may all the building in my
fancy pluck upon my hateful life. Another way, the news
is not so tart. I'll read an answer.

Speaker 1 (10:25):
Exit.

Speaker 9 (10:27):
Where was his son when they did take his eyes?

Speaker 10 (10:29):
Come with my lady hither?

Speaker 9 (10:31):
He is not here.

Speaker 10 (10:32):
No, my good lord, I met him back again. Knows
he the wickedness I, my good lord, twas he informed
against him and quit the house on purpose that their
punishment might have the freer course.

Speaker 9 (10:45):
Gloucester. I live to thank THEE for the love thou
ShoWest the king, and to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend,
tell me what more thou.

Speaker 1 (10:55):
Know'st exitant Scene three the French camp near Dover and
to Kent and a gentleman.

Speaker 8 (11:09):
Why the King of France has so suddenly gone back?
Know you the reason?

Speaker 11 (11:14):
Something he left imperfect in the state which, since his
coming forth is thought of, which imports to the kingdom
so much fear and danger that his personal return was
most required and necessary?

Speaker 8 (11:27):
Who hath he left behind him?

Speaker 11 (11:29):
General, the Marshal of France, Monsieur Lefarre.

Speaker 8 (11:33):
Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?

Speaker 11 (11:38):
Ay, sir? She took them, read them in my presence,
and now and then an ample tear trilled down her
delicate cheek. It seemed she was a queen over her passion,
who most rebel like sought to be king.

Speaker 8 (11:54):
Or her Oh, then it moved her.

Speaker 11 (11:59):
Not to age patience and sorrow strove who should express
her goodliest? You have seen sunshine and rain at once?
Her smiles and tears were like a better day, Those
happy smilets that played on her ripe lip. Seemed not
to know what guests were in her eyes, which parted

(12:20):
thence as pearls from diamonds dropped in brief sorrow would
be a rarity most beloved, if all could so become.

Speaker 8 (12:29):
It made she no verbal question faith.

Speaker 11 (12:34):
Once or twice she heaved the name of Father, pantingly
forth as if it pressed her heart. Cried sisters, sisters,
shame of ladies, sisters, kent father, sisters, what if the
storm I the night, let pity not be believed? There she

(12:55):
shook the holy water from her heavenly eyes and clamor moistened.
Then away she started to deal with grief alone.

Speaker 8 (13:04):
It is the stars, the stars above us, govern our conditions.
Else oneself. Mate and mate could not beget such different issues.
You spoke not with her sense? No was this before
the king returned?

Speaker 3 (13:22):
No?

Speaker 8 (13:23):
Since, well, sir, the poor distressed leers in the town,
who sometime in his better tune, remembers what we are
come about, and by no means will yield to see
his daughter.

Speaker 11 (13:38):
Why, good, sir, A sovereign.

Speaker 8 (13:40):
Shame so elbows him. His own unkindness that stripped her
from his benediction, turned her to foreign casualties, gave her
dear rights to his dog hearted daughters, These things sting
his mind so venomously that burning shame detains him from Cordelia.

Speaker 11 (14:03):
A lack poor gentleman.

Speaker 8 (14:06):
Of Albanize and Cornwall's powers.

Speaker 11 (14:10):
You heard not tis so they are afoot.

Speaker 8 (14:13):
Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master lear and
leave you to attend him. Some dear cause will in
concealment wrap me up. Awhile, when I am known aright,
you shall not grieve lending me this acquaintance, I pray
you go along with.

Speaker 1 (14:32):
Me Exeant Scene four, the French camp a tent, and
to Cordelia, physician and soldiers a lac.

Speaker 12 (14:45):
Tis he why he was met even now as mad
as the vexed sea, singing aloud, crowned with rank fumature
and furrough weeds, with Harlock's hemlock, nettles, cucko flowers, darnal
and all the idle weeds that grow in our sustaining corn.

(15:06):
To soldiers a century, send forth, search every acre in
the high grown field, and bring him.

Speaker 1 (15:12):
To our eye, exellent soldiers to physician, What.

Speaker 12 (15:17):
Can man's wisdom in the restoring his bereathed sense? He
that helps him take all my outward worth?

Speaker 5 (15:25):
There is means, madam our fast and nurse of nature
is repose the which he lacks, that to provoke in
him are many simple as operative whose power will close
the eye of.

Speaker 12 (15:35):
Anguish all blessed secrets, All you unpublished virtues of the
earth spring with my tears. Be aident and remediate in
the good man's distress. Seek seek for him, lest his
ungoverned rage dissolve the life that wants the means to
lead it enter a messenger.

Speaker 10 (15:57):
News, Madam, the British powers are marching hitherward.

Speaker 12 (16:00):
Tis known before our preparation stands in expectation of them. Oh,
dear father, it is thy business that I go about. Therefore,
great France, my mourning and important tears hath pitied. No
blown ambition doth our arms in sight. But love, dear love,

(16:22):
and our aged father's right. Soon may I hear and
see him?

Speaker 1 (16:29):
Exient Scene five. A room in Gloucester's castle. Enter Reagan
and Oswald.

Speaker 13 (16:40):
But are my brother's powers set forth? I madam himself
in Burson.

Speaker 7 (16:45):
There, Madam, with much ado, your sister is the better soldier.

Speaker 13 (16:50):
Lord Edmunds bake not with your lord at home? No, Madam,
what might import my sister's letter to him? I know not, Lady,
faith he is posted ends un serious matter. It was
great ignorance Gloucester's eyes being out to let him live.
Where he arrives, he moves all hearts against us. Edmund

(17:14):
I think is gone, in pity of his misery, to
despatch his knighted life. Moreover, to descry the strength of
the enemy.

Speaker 7 (17:25):
I must needs after him, Madam, with my letter.

Speaker 13 (17:28):
Our troops set forth to morrow stay with us. The
ways are dangerous.

Speaker 7 (17:34):
I may not, Madam. My lady charged my duty in
this business.

Speaker 13 (17:39):
Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you transport
her purposes by word? But like something I know not what,
I'll love thee much.

Speaker 7 (17:49):
Let me unseal the letter, Madam, I had rather.

Speaker 13 (17:52):
I know your lady does not love her husband. I
am sure of that, And at her late being here,
she gave strange aliads and most speaking looks to noble Edmund.
I know you are of a bosom I, madam, I
speak an understanding you are. I know it. Therefore, I

(18:13):
do advise you take this note. My lord is dead
em and I have talked. And more convenient is he
for my hand than for your ladies. You may gather
more if you do find him. Pray you give him this.
And when your mistress is thus much from you, I
pray desire her call her wisdom to her. So fare

(18:35):
you well. And if you do chance to hear of
that blind traitor, preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

Speaker 7 (18:43):
Would I could meet him, Madam? I should show what
party I do follow fairly well.

Speaker 1 (18:51):
Exiant Scene six the country near Dover, enter Gloss and
Edgar dressed as a peasant.

Speaker 4 (19:04):
When shall I come to the top of that same hell?

Speaker 10 (19:07):
You do?

Speaker 1 (19:07):
Climb up it?

Speaker 2 (19:08):
Now? Look how we labor.

Speaker 4 (19:10):
Methinks the ground is even.

Speaker 2 (19:12):
Horrible steep hark, do you hear the see?

Speaker 9 (19:16):
No?

Speaker 4 (19:17):
Truly?

Speaker 2 (19:18):
Why then your other senses grow imperfect by your eyes anguish?

Speaker 4 (19:22):
So may it be? Indeed, methinks thy voice is altered,
and thou speakest in better phrase and matter than thou didst.

Speaker 2 (19:30):
You're much deceived in nothing am I changed? But in my.

Speaker 4 (19:34):
Garments methinks you're better spoken.

Speaker 2 (19:37):
Come on, sir, here's the place. Stand still. How fearful
and dizzy tis to cast one's eyes so low? The
crows and chuffs that wing the midway air show scarce,
so gross as beetles. Half way down hangs one that
gathers sam fire a dreadful trade. Methinks he seems bigger

(20:00):
than his head. The fishermen that walk upon the beach
appear like mice, and yond tall anchoring bark diminished to
her cock, her cock a boy almost too small for sight.
The murmuring surge that on the unnumbered idle pebble chafes
cannot be heard so high I'll look no more lest
my brain turn and the deficient sight topple down.

Speaker 4 (20:22):
Headlong, Set me where you stand, Give me your hand.

Speaker 2 (20:28):
You are now within a foot of the extreme verge,
for all beneath the moon. Would I not leap upright?

Speaker 4 (20:36):
Let go my hand? Here, friends, another purse in it,
a jewel well worth a poor man's taking. Fairies and
gods prosper it with thee go thou further off, Bid
me farewell, and let me hear thee going.

Speaker 2 (20:51):
Now, fare you well, good sir, with all my heart.
Why I do trifle thus with his despair is done
to cure it?

Speaker 4 (21:00):
Kneeling, O, you, mighty gods, this world I do renounce,
and in your sights shake patiently my great affliction off.
If I could bear it longer and not fall to
quarrel with your great opposeless wills, my snuff and loathed

(21:20):
part of nature should burn itself out. If edgar live,
Oh bless him now, fellow, fare thee well.

Speaker 2 (21:31):
Gone, sir, farewell.

Speaker 1 (21:35):
Gloucester throws himself forward.

Speaker 2 (21:38):
And yet I know not how conceit may rob the
treasury of life when life itself yields to the theft.
Had he been where he thought by this had thought
been pasted alive or dead? O you, sir friend? Here
you sir speak thus mighty pass Indeed, yet he revives,

(22:02):
what are you, sir?

Speaker 4 (22:04):
Away? And let me die?

Speaker 2 (22:06):
Hadst thou been aught? But gossamer feathers air so many
fathom down precipitating, thou'dst shiver like an egg. But thou
dost breathe hast heavy substance, bleedst not speaks art sound,
ten mass at each make not the altitude which thou

(22:27):
hast perpendicularly fell Thy life is a miracle. Speak yet again?

Speaker 4 (22:33):
But have I fallen? Or no?

Speaker 2 (22:35):
From the dread summit of this chalky born Look up
a height The shrill gorged larks so far cannot be
seen or heard.

Speaker 1 (22:43):
But do but look up.

Speaker 4 (22:45):
A lack I have no eyes? Is wretchedness deprived, that
benefit to end itself by death? Twas yet some comfort
when misery could beguile the tyrant's rage and frustrate his proud,
will give.

Speaker 2 (22:59):
Me your arm yep, So howest fill you your legs?

Speaker 4 (23:05):
You stand too well, too well, this.

Speaker 2 (23:09):
Is supoole strangeness upon the crown of the cliff. What
thing was that which parted from.

Speaker 4 (23:14):
You, a poor, unfortunate beggar.

Speaker 2 (23:17):
As I stood here below, he thought his eyes were
two full moons. He had a thousand noses, horned, welked,
and waved like the enriched sea. It was some fiend. Therefore,
thou happy father, think that the clearest gods, who make
them honors of men's impossibility, have reserved thee.

Speaker 4 (23:34):
I do remember now. Henceforth I'll bear affliction till it
do cry out itself enough enough and die. That thing
you speak of, I took it for a man. Often
twould say the fiend, the fiend he led me to
that place.

Speaker 2 (23:51):
Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes.

Speaker 1 (23:54):
Here into lear fantastically dressed with wild flowers?

Speaker 2 (24:00):
The safest sense will ne'er accommodate his master.

Speaker 14 (24:03):
Thus, no, they cannot touch me for coining. I am
the king himself.

Speaker 2 (24:09):
Oh thou sighed, piercing sight.

Speaker 14 (24:13):
Nature's above art in that respect. There's your press money.
That fellow handles his bow like a crow keeper. Draw
me a clothier's yard. Look, look a mouse, peace, peace.
This piece of toasted cheese will do it. There's my gauntlet,

(24:34):
I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills.
Oh well, flown bird is the cloud in the cloud
who give the word sweet margyr pass.

Speaker 4 (24:47):
I know that voice.

Speaker 1 (24:49):
He falls to his knees.

Speaker 14 (24:51):
Ha gone ail with a white beard. They flattered me
like a dog and told me I had white hairs
in my beard. There and black ones were there to
say aye and no to everything I said ay and
no too. Was no good divinity. When the rain came
to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter,

(25:12):
when the thunder would not peace at my bidding. There
I found em there, I smelt em out, go to
They are not men of their words. They told me
I was everything tis a lie.

Speaker 4 (25:25):
I'm not eg you proof the trick of that voice.
I do well. Remember it's not the king.

Speaker 14 (25:32):
I every inch a king. When I do stare see
how the subject quakes, I pardon that man's life. What
was I cause adultery? Thou shalt not die di for adultery. No,
the wren goes to it, and the small gilded flight
a letter in my sight, let copulation thrive. For Gloucester's

(25:56):
bastard son was kinder to his father than my daughter's
got between the lawful sheets to it. Luxury pell mell
for I lack soldiers. Behold yon simpering dame, whose face
between her forks prestige is snow that means his virtue
and does shake the head to hear of pleasure's name.

(26:17):
The fitu nor the soiled horse goes to it with
a more riotous appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs.
They're women all above, But to the girdle do the
gods inherit? Beneath is all the fiends as hell. There's darkness.
There is the sulfurous pit, burning, scalding stench, consumption of

(26:40):
high fie pie pah wah. Give me an ounce of
sifet good apothecary to sweeten my imagination.

Speaker 1 (26:49):
There's money for thee he gives flowers.

Speaker 4 (26:52):
Oh let me chess that hand, Let me.

Speaker 1 (26:55):
Wipe it first.

Speaker 14 (26:56):
It smells of mortality.

Speaker 4 (26:58):
Oh ruined piece of nature. This great world shall so
wear out to not dost thou know me?

Speaker 14 (27:07):
I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squinny at me?
No did I have worst blind cupid while not love
read thou this challenge mark, But the penning.

Speaker 4 (27:20):
Of it were all the letter's sons. I could not
see one.

Speaker 2 (27:26):
I would not take this from report it is, and
my heart breaks at it.

Speaker 4 (27:31):
Read what with the case of eyes?

Speaker 5 (27:34):
Oh ho, are you there with me?

Speaker 14 (27:37):
No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse.
Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in
the light. Yet you see how this world goes?

Speaker 4 (27:49):
I see it feelingly?

Speaker 14 (27:51):
What ard mad a man may see how the world
goes with no eyes? Look with thine ears, see how
yon justice fails upon yon, simple thief, hark in thine ear,
change places and handy andy? Which is the justice? Which
is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark

(28:12):
at a beggar, Ay sir, and the creature run from
the cur There Thou might'st behold the great image of
authority a dog's obeyed in office? Thou rascal beadle, hold
thy bloody hand. Why dost thou lash that hoar? Strike
thine own back? Thou hotly lustedt to use her in

(28:33):
that kind for which thou whipped her. The usurer hangs
a cousiner through tattered clothes, small vices do appear. Robes
and furred gowns hide all plaits sin with gold, and
the strong lance of justice, hurtless breaks arm it in
rags are Pigmy straw does pierce it. None, doth offend none,

(28:57):
I say none.

Speaker 1 (28:58):
I label them flowers.

Speaker 14 (29:01):
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
to seal the accuser's 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.

Speaker 2 (29:22):
Oh, matter and impersonency mixed reason in madness.

Speaker 14 (29:27):
If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. I
know THEE well enough. Thy name is Gloucester. Thou must
be patient. We came crying hither thou knowst the first
time we smelt the air, we wall and cry. I
will preach to thee.

Speaker 8 (29:43):
Mark.

Speaker 1 (29:44):
He takes off his coronet of flowers.

Speaker 4 (29:47):
Alack, alack.

Speaker 1 (29:49):
The day when we are born.

Speaker 14 (29:52):
We cry that we are come to this great stage
of fools. This a good block, It were a delicate
stratagem to sure troop of horse with felt I'll put
in proof. And when I have stolen upon these sons
in law, then kill kill, kill, kill kill.

Speaker 1 (30:11):
He throws down his flowers and stamps on them. Enter
a gentleman and two attendants, Gloucester and Edgar. Draw back.

Speaker 11 (30:21):
Oh here he is, Lay hand upon him, Sir, your
most dear daughter.

Speaker 14 (30:27):
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.
You shall have anything, No seconds or myself. Why this

(30:49):
would make a man of salt to use his eyes
for garden water pots aye, and for laying autumn's dust.
I will die bravely like a smug bridegroom, what I
will be jovial? Come come, I am a king.

Speaker 1 (31:06):
My masters know you.

Speaker 11 (31:07):
That you are a royal one. And we obey you.

Speaker 14 (31:11):
Then there's life in't nay and you get it. You
shall get it by running Satha tatha.

Speaker 1 (31:19):
Exit, running, followed by attendants.

Speaker 11 (31:22):
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.

Speaker 7 (31:33):
Have brought her to hail.

Speaker 2 (31:35):
Gentle sir, sir, speed you.

Speaker 11 (31:37):
What's your will?

Speaker 10 (31:38):
Do you?

Speaker 2 (31:39):
Hear aught serve a battle toward.

Speaker 11 (31:41):
Most sure and vulgar. Everyone hears that which can distinguish sound.

Speaker 2 (31:46):
But by your favor, how near is the other army near?

Speaker 11 (31:49):
And on speedy foot? The main descry stands on the
hourly thought, I thank you, sir. That's all though, that
the Queen on special cause is here, her army is
moved on.

Speaker 1 (32:00):
I thank you, sir.

Speaker 4 (32:02):
Exit gentlemen, you, ever gentle gods, take my breath from me.
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again to die
before you please?

Speaker 2 (32:13):
Well pray you father?

Speaker 4 (32:15):
Now, good sir, what are you.

Speaker 2 (32:17):
A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows, who,
by the art of known and feeling sorrows and pregnant
to good pity, give me your hand.

Speaker 4 (32:27):
I'll lead you to some biding hearty thanks the bounty
and the beniscen of heaven to boot and boot.

Speaker 7 (32:35):
Enter oswald a proclaimed prize, most happy that eyeless head
of thine was first framed flesh to raise my fortunes.
Thou old, unhappy traitor, briefly thyself. Remember the sword is
out that must destroy thee.

Speaker 4 (32:51):
Now let thy friendly hand put strength enough to it.

Speaker 7 (32:56):
Edgar intervenes, wherefore will the peasant die? Thou support a
published traitor? Hence, lest that the infection of his fortune.
Take le like hold on thee.

Speaker 2 (33:08):
Let go his arm shall not lack go sir without
for occasion.

Speaker 7 (33:12):
Let go slave, or thou diest good.

Speaker 2 (33:16):
Gentleman, go your gate and let poor vote pass, and
chadapin swaggered out of my life. Two not been so
long as tis way of wortnight. Nay, come not near
the old man. Keep out to whurry your eyes. Try
whether you're cast out or my baty the ardor shall
be playing with you out dunghill jall pit your teeth, sir,
come no matter for your veines they fight.

Speaker 7 (33:40):
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.
Seek him out upon the British party. Oh, untimely death.

Speaker 2 (34:04):
Ugh, I know thee well a serviceable villain, as duty
as to the vices of thy mistress's badness, would desire.

Speaker 4 (34:13):
What is he dead?

Speaker 2 (34:15):
Sit you down, father, rest you. Let's see these pockets,
the letters that he speaks of. May be my friends,
he's dead. I'm only sorry he had no other death's man.
Let us see leave gentle wax and manners. Blame us
not to know our enemies minds. We'd rip their hearts
their papers. Is more lawful he reads the letter. Let

(34:40):
our reciprocal vowers be remembered. You have many opportunities to
cut him off. If your will want not, time and
place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done. If
he returned the conqueror, then am I the prisoner and
his bed my jail from the loathed warmth? Whereof deliver
me and supply the place for your labor? Your wife,

(35:01):
so I would say, affectionate servant goneril oh, in distinguished
space of woman's will, a plot upon her virtuous husband's
life in the exchange my brother here in the sands,
thee a'll rake up the post, unsanctified of murderous letchers,
And in the mature time, with this ungracious paper strike

(35:23):
the sight of the death practiced duke for him tis
well that of thy death and business. I can tell.

Speaker 4 (35:31):
The king is mad. How stiff is my vile sense?
That I stand up and hav ingenious feeling of my
huge sorrows. Better I were distract so should my thoughts
be severed from my griefs and woes by wrong imaginations,
lose the knowledge of themselves.

Speaker 2 (35:53):
Give me your hand, far off, methinks I hear the
beaten drum. Come father, I'll bestow you with a friend.

Speaker 1 (36:04):
Exellant Scene seven, A tent in the French camp lea
on a bed asleep, soft music playing, Enter Cordelia and Kent, physician,
gentlemen and others attending, O.

Speaker 12 (36:26):
Thou good Kent. How shall I live and work to
match thy goodness? My life will be too short, and
every measure will fail me.

Speaker 8 (36:35):
Two be acknowledged, madam, is or paid. All my reports
go with thee modest truth, nor more nor clipped, but so.

Speaker 12 (36:47):
Be better suited. These weeds are memories of those worser hours.
I prithee put them off.

Speaker 8 (36:54):
Pardon dear Madam, yet to be known shortens my maide, intent,
my boon. I make it that you know me, not
till time and I think meet.

Speaker 12 (37:09):
Then be it so, my good lord to the physician,
how does the king madam sleep still cure this great
breach in his abused nature? The untuned and jarring senses, Oh,
wind up of this child changed father.

Speaker 5 (37:28):
So please your majesty, that we may wake the king
he hath slept.

Speaker 12 (37:31):
Long, be governed by your knowledge, and proceed in the
sway of your own will. Is he arrayed?

Speaker 11 (37:39):
Ay, Madam, in the heaviness of sleep, we put fresh
garments on him.

Speaker 5 (37:44):
Be by good, Madam, when we do awake him. I
doubt not of his temperance very.

Speaker 1 (37:49):
Well, music sounds of stage.

Speaker 5 (37:53):
Please you, d'Or near louder the music there.

Speaker 1 (37:56):
Kneeling by the chair and.

Speaker 12 (37:58):
Kissing his hand, O, my dear father, restoration, Hang thy
medicine on my lips, and let this kiss repair those
violent harms that my two sisters have in thy reverence.

Speaker 8 (38:12):
Made kind and dear princess.

Speaker 12 (38:17):
Had you not been their father, these white flakes had
challenged pity of them? Was this a face to be
opposed against the warring winds? To stand against the deep
dread bolted thunder in the most terrible and nimble stroke
of quick cross lightning. To watch poor Perdieu with this

(38:39):
thin helm, mine enemy's dog, though he had bit me,
should have stood that night against my fire and wast
thou fain, poor father, to hovel thee with swine and
rogues forlorn in short and musty straw a lack a
lack tis wonder the thy life in wits at once

(39:01):
had not concluded all he wakes.

Speaker 5 (39:06):
Speak to him, Madam, do you tis fittest?

Speaker 12 (39:10):
How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?

Speaker 14 (39:15):
You do me wrong to take me out the grave?
Thou art a soul in bliss? But I am bound
upon a wheel of fire that mine own tears do
scold like molten lead.

Speaker 3 (39:28):
Sir?

Speaker 13 (39:29):
Do you know me?

Speaker 14 (39:30):
You are a spirit?

Speaker 2 (39:32):
I know?

Speaker 14 (39:34):
When did you die?

Speaker 3 (39:36):
Still?

Speaker 12 (39:37):
Still far wide?

Speaker 5 (39:39):
He is scarce awake, Let him alone, awhile where have
I been?

Speaker 14 (39:44):
Where am i?

Speaker 4 (39:46):
Fair?

Speaker 14 (39:46):
Daylight? I am mightily abused? I should e'n die with
pity to see another. Thus, I know not what to say.
I will not swear. These are my hands. Let see
I feel this pin prick? Would I were assured of
my condition?

Speaker 12 (40:05):
Oh look upon me, sir, and hold your hands in benediction.

Speaker 1 (40:10):
Or me Lea falls to his knees.

Speaker 12 (40:13):
No, sir, you must not kneel, pray, Do.

Speaker 5 (40:16):
Not mock me.

Speaker 14 (40:17):
I am a very foolish, fond old man. Forescore and upward,
not an hour more nor less. And to deal plainly,
I fear I am not in my perfect mind, and
methinks I should.

Speaker 5 (40:32):
Know you and know this man.

Speaker 14 (40:36):
Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant what
place this is, and all the skill I have remembers
not these garments, nor I know not where I did
lodge last night. Do not laugh at me, for as
I am a man, I think this lady to be
my child, Cordelia, and so I am I am. Be

(41:01):
your tears wet, yes, faith, I pray weep not. 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. You have some cause,
they have not no cause?

Speaker 3 (41:22):
No cause?

Speaker 14 (41:23):
Am I in France, in.

Speaker 8 (41:26):
Your own kingdom, Sir, do not abuse me.

Speaker 5 (41:30):
Be comforted, good Madam. The great rage you see is
killed in him. And yet it is danger to make
him even or the time he has lost, desire him
to go in trouble him no more till further settling.

Speaker 12 (41:41):
Will it please your highness?

Speaker 14 (41:42):
Walk you must bear with me. Pray you now forget
and forgive. I am old and.

Speaker 1 (41:50):
Foolish, exillnt all but kent and gentleman.

Speaker 11 (41:56):
Holds it true, Sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was
so slain.

Speaker 8 (42:01):
Most certain, Sir.

Speaker 11 (42:03):
Who is conductor of his people?

Speaker 8 (42:05):
As tis said the Bestard son of Gloucester, They.

Speaker 11 (42:09):
Say, Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl of
Kent in Germany.

Speaker 8 (42:14):
Report is changeable. Tis time to look about the powers
of the kingdom. Approach apace.

Speaker 11 (42:23):
The arbitrament is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir.

Speaker 1 (42:27):
Exit.

Speaker 8 (42:29):
My point and period will be thoroughly wrought, or well
or ill as this day's battle's fought.

Speaker 1 (42:40):
Exit end of Act four