King Lear
Act V, Scene 1
The British camp near Dover.
- Enter, with Drum and Colors, Edmund, Regan, Gentlemen, and
- Soldiers.
Edmund
1 - 4- Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold,
- Or whether since he is advis’d by aught
- To change the course. He’s full of alteration
- And self-reproving—bring his constant pleasure.
- To Second Gentleman, who goes out.
Regan
5- Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried.
Edmund
6- ’Tis to be doubted, madam.
Regan
7 - 10- Now, sweet lord,
- You know the goodness I intend upon you:
- Tell me but truly, but then speak the truth,
- Do you not love my sister?
Edmund
11- In honor’d love.
Regan
12 - 13- But have you never found my brother’s way
- To the forfended place?
Edmund
14- That thought abuses you.
Regan
15 - 16- I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
- And bosom’d with her—as far as we call hers.
Edmund
17- No, by mine honor, madam.
Regan
18 - 19- I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,
- Be not familiar with her.
Edmund
20 - 21- Fear me not.
- She and the Duke her husband!
- Enter, with Drum and Colors, Albany, Goneril, Soldiers.
Goneril
22 - 23- Aside.
- I had rather lose the battle than that sister
- Should loosen him and me.
Albany
24 - 31- Our very loving sister, well bemet.
- Sir, this I heard: the King is come to his daughter,
- With others whom the rigor of our state
- Forc’d to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
- I never yet was valiant. For this business,
- It touches us as France invades our land,
- Not bolds the King, with others whom, I fear,
- Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
Edmund
32- Sir, you speak nobly.
Regan
33- Why is this reason’d?
Goneril
34 - 36- Combine together ’gainst the enemy;
- For these domestic and particular broils
- Are not the question here.
Albany
37 - 38- Let’s then determine
- With th’ ancient of war on our proceeding.
Edmund
39- I shall attend you presently at your tent.
Regan
40- Sister, you’ll go with us?
Goneril
41- No.
Regan
42- ’Tis most convenient, pray go with us.
Goneril
43- Aside.
- O ho, I know the riddle.—I will go.
- Exeunt both the armies.
- As they are going out, enter Edgar disguised. Albany
- remains.
Edgar
44 - 45- If e’er your Grace had speech with man so poor,
- Hear me one word.
Costume design for Edgar in the fight scene
19th century
Albany
46- I’ll overtake you.—Speak.
Edgar
47 - 53- Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
- If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
- For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,
- I can produce a champion that will prove
- What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
- Your business of the world hath so an end,
- And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Albany
54- Stay till I have read the letter.
Edgar
55 - 57- I was forbid it.
- When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
- And I’ll appear again.
Albany
58- Why, fare thee well, I will o’erlook thy paper.
- Exit Edgar.
- Enter Edmund.
Edmund
59 - 62- The enemy’s in view, draw up your powers.
- Here is the guess of their true strength and forces,
- By diligent discovery, but your haste
- Is now urg’d on you.
Albany
63- We will greet the time.
- Exit.
Edmund
64 - 78- To both these sisters have I sworn my love;
- Each jealous of the other, as the stung
- Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
- Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoy’d
- If both remain alive: to take the widow
- Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril,
- And hardly shall I carry out my side,
- Her husband being alive. Now then, we’ll use
- His countenance for the battle, which being done,
- Let her who would be rid of him devise
- His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
- Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
- The battle done, and they within our power,
- Shall never see his pardon; for my state
- Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
- Exit.