King Lear

Kent.
A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness,
That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd 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.

Gent.
Alack, poor gentleman!

Kent.
Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?

Gent.
'Tis so; they are a-foot.

Kent.
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 me.

[Exeunt.]



Scene IV. The French camp. A Tent.

[Enter Cordelia, Physician, and Soldiers.]

Cor.
Alack, 'tis he: why, he was met even now
As mad as the vex'd sea; singing aloud;
Crown'd with rank fumiter and furrow weeds,
With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow
In our sustaining corn.--A century send forth;
Search every acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.]
What can man's wisdom
In the restoring his bereaved sense?
He that helps him take all my outward worth.

Phys.
There is means, madam:
Our foster nurse of nature is repose,
The which he lacks; that to provoke in him
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.

Cor.
All bless'd secrets,
All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth,
Spring with my tears! be aidant and remediate
In the good man's distress!--Seek, seek for him;
Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life
That wants the means to lead it.

[Enter a Messenger.]

Mess.
News, madam;
The British powers are marching hitherward.

Cor.
'Tis known before; our preparation stands
In expectation of them.--O 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 incite,
But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right:
Soon may I hear and see him!

[Exeunt.]



Scene V. A Room in Gloster's Castle.

[Enter Regan and Oswald.]

Reg.
But are my brother's powers set forth?

Osw.
Ay, madam.

Reg.
Himself in person there?

Osw.
Madam, with much ado.
Your sister is the better soldier.

Reg.
Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?