Your sister is the better soldier. Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? Stew. No, madam. Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady. Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious mat ter. It was great ignorance, Glo'ster's eyes being out, His nighted life; moreover, to descry The strength o' the enemy. Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous. Stew. I may not, madam; My lady charg'd my duty in this business. Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you Transport her purposes by word? Belike, Something I know not what:-I'll love thee - much, Let me unseal the letter. Stew. Madam, I had rather Reg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it: Therefore, I do advise you, take this note: I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. So, fare you well. If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam! I would show What party I do follow. Reg. Fare thee well. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. THE COUNTRY NEAR DOVER. Enter Glo'ster, and Edgar dress'd like a Peasant. Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill? Edg. You do climb up it now: look, how we Edg. Why, then your other senses gròw imper fect By your eyes' anguish. Glo. So may it be, indeed: Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st But in my garments. Glo. Methinks, you are better spoken. Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place:-stand still.-How fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low! The crows and choughs, that wing the midway air, Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down Glo. Set me where you stand. Edg. Give me your hand: You are now within a foot Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon Would I not leap upright. Glo. Let go my hand. Here, friend, is 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 farewel, and let me hear thee going. Edg. Now fare you well, good sir. [Seems to go. Glo. With all my heart. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Is done to cure it. Glo. O you mighty gods! This world I do renounce; and, in your sights, If I could bear it longer, and not fall To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, Edg. And yet [He leaps, and falls along. Gone, sir? farewel. 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 past.-Alive, or dead? Ho, you sir! friend!-Hear you, sir?-speak! Thus might he pass indeed:-Yet he revives: What are you, sir? Glo. Away, and let me die. So Edg. Had'st thou been aught but gossomer, feathers, air, many fathom down precipitating, Thou had'st shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe; Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude, Thy life's a miracle: Speak yet again. Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn: Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorg'd lark so far Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit, To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort, When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage, And frustrate his proud will. Edg. Give me your arm: Up: So;-How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand. Glo. Too well, too well. Edg. This is above all strangeness. Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that Which parted from you? A poor unfortunate beggar. Glo. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, and wav'd like the enridged sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy father, |