King Lear (version 2)-William Shakespeare

0:00The Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Earl of Kent, read by Ariel Lipshaw. Ah, love Gloucester, read by Martin Geeson. Edmund, read by Elizabeth Klaat. Lear, King of Britain. Read by Bob Gonzalez. Goneril, read by Bev Stevens. Regan, read by Liberty Stump. Cordelia, read by Miss Averis. Duke of Albany, read by Noel Patreon. The Duke of Cornwall, read by David Goldfarb. Duke of Bagundy, read by James Katas. The King of France, read by Elizabeth Klaat. Redgar, read by Dublin Goughic.

1:00Oswald, read by Christine G. The fool, read by Amy Graymore. A knight, read by Alchip Hugg. Gentlemen, read by Dan Reynum. Curent, read by Nathaniel W. C. Higgins. First servant to Cornwall, read by Tiffany Halla Colona. Second servant to Cornwall, read by Elizabeth Klaat. The third servant, read by Nathaniel W. C. Higgins. Methnager, read by Viking James. Old man, tenant to Gloucester, read by Alchip Hugg. Physician, read by Alchip Hugg. The captain, read by Nathaniel W. C. Higgins. Harold, read by Amy Graymore. An officer employed by Edmund, read by Tiffany Halla Colona. Nareirator, read by Danny Sayers. Act one, scene one. A room of state in King Ler's palace.

2:01Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund. I thought the king had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. I did always seem so to ask, but now in the division of the kingdom it appears not which of the dukes he values most. For equalities are so weighed that curiosity neither can make choice of either's moiety. Is not this your son, my lord? His breeding, sir, has been at my charge. I have so often blashed to acknowledge him, but now I am brazed to it. I cannot conceive you. Sir, this young fellow's mother, Cod, whereupon she grew round wound, and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, as she had a husband for her bed. Do smell a fault. I cannot wish the fault undone the issue of it being so proper.

3:03But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account. Though this nave came somewhat so silly into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the horse must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund? No, my lord. My lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter as my honorable friend. My services to your lordship. I must love you and suit, know you better. Sir, I shall study deserving. He has been out nine years, and away he shall again, the king is coming. Send it within. Enter Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Gonerol, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendance.

4:05Attend the lords of France and Burgundy Gloucester? I shall, my leege. Excient, cluster in Edmund. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there. Know that we have divided in three our kingdom, and is our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our age, conferring them on younger strengths, while we unburdened crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, and you are no less loving son of Albany, we have this hour a constant will to publish our daughters several dours that future strife may be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, great rivals in our youngest daughters love, long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, and here are to be answered. Give me my daughters, since now we will divest us both of rule, interest of territory,

5:10cares of state. Which of you shall we say, doth love us most, that we are largest bounty may extend, where nature doth with merit challenge? Gonerol, our eldest born, speak first. Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter. Better than eyesight, space and liberty, beyond what can be valued rich or rare, no less than life with grace, health, beauty, honor, as much as child heirloved or father found. A love that makes breath poor and speech unable, beyond all manner of so much I love you. Aside. What shall Cordelia speak, love and be silent? Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, with shadowy forests and with champagne's

6:11rich, with plentiest rivers and wide skirted meads we make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. Sir, I am made of the self-same metal that my sister is, and prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love. Only she comes too short. That I profess myself an enemy to all other joys, which the most precious square of sense possesses, and find I am alone, solicitate, in your dear Highness' love. Aside. Then poor Cordelia, and yet not so, since I am sure, my love's more richer than my tongue. To thee and thine hereditary ever remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, no less in space validity and pleasure than that conferred on Goneril.

7:16Now, our joy, although the last, not least, to whose young love the vines of France and milk of Burgundy strive to be interest, what can you say to draw a third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. Nothing, my Lord. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your majesty according to my bond. No more, no less. How, how Cordelia, mend your speech a little, lest you may mar your fortunes. Good my Lord, you have begot me, bred me, loved me. I return those duties back as our right fit.

8:16O be you, love you and most honor you. Why have my sisters' husbands if they say they love you all? Happily, when I shall wed, that Lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry half my love with him, half my care and duty. Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, to love my father all. But, goes thy heart with this? I, good my Lord. So young and so untender. So young my Lord, and true. Let it be so thy truth then shall be thy dower. For by the sacred radiance of the sun, the mysteries of hecket and the night, by all the operation of the orbs, from whom we do exist and cease to be, here I disclaim all my paternal care, propinquity and property of blood, and as a stranger to my heart and me, hold thee

9:18from this forever. The barbarous sithian, or he that makes his generation messes, to gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom be as well-nabored, pitted and relieved, as thou my sometime daughter. Good my leege. Peace can't come not between the dragon's and his wrath. I loved her most, and thought to set my rest on her kind nursery to Cordelia, hence and avoid my sight. So be my grave my peace, as here I give her father's heart from her, call France. Who sturs, call Burgundy? One wall and Albany? With my two daughters' dowers digest this third. Let pride which she calls plainness marry her. I do invest you jointly in my power, preeminence, and all the large effects that troop with

10:24majesty. Ourself by monthly course, with reservation of 100 nights, by you to be sustained, shall are a bow'd make with you in due turns. Today we shall retain the name, and all the additions to a king. The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, beloved sons be yours. Which to confirm? This coronet, part, bitwixed you. Giving the crown. Royal lear, whom I have ever honored as my king, loved as my father, as my master followed, as my great patron thought on in my prayers. The bow is bent and drawn. Make from the shaft. Let it fall, rather, though the fork invades the region of my heart. Beak hand unmannerly when lear is mad. What what's thou do old man? Things thou that duty shall have dread to speak when power to flattery bouse?

11:24To plainness honors bound when majesty falls to folly. Verse thy state, and in thy best consideration check this hideous rashness. Answer my life, my judgment. Thy youngest daughter does not love the least. Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound reverbs no hollowness. Can't, on thy life, no more. My life I never held but as a pawn to wage against thine enemies. Never fear to lose it thy safety being the motive. Out of my sight. See better, lear, and let me still remain the true blank of thine eye. No, by Apollo. Now by Apollo, king thou swest thy gods in vain. O vessel, miscreant. Laying his hand on his sword. Dear sir, for fair. You, kill thy physician and the feebe stow upon the foul disease.

12:26Revoke thy gift, or whilst I can vent clamor from my throat I'll tell thee thou dost evil. Hear me, recurrent, on thine allegiance. Hear me. This thou hast sought to make us break our vow, which we dursed never yet, and with strained pride to come between our sentence and our power, which nor our nature nor our place can bear. Our potency made good, take thy reward. Five days we do a lot thee for provision, to shield thee from diseases of the world, and on the sixth, to turn thy heated back upon our kingdom. If on the tenth day following thy banished trunk be found in our dominions, the moment

13:26is thy death. Away by Jupiter, this shall not be revoked. Fair thee well-king, sith thus thou wilt appear. Freedom lives hence and banishment is here. To Cordelia. The gods to their dear shelter take thee made, that justly thanksed, and hast most rightly said, to Regan and Goneril. And your large speeches may your deeds approve that good effects may spring from words of love. Thus Kent, O Prince's, bids you all a Jew, he'll shape his old course in a country new. Exit. Forish. Reenter Gloucester with France, Burgundy and Attendance. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble Lord. My Lord of Burgundy, we first address toward you, who with this king hath rivaled for our daughter. What in the least will you require in present dower with her, or cease your quest of love?

14:31Most royal majesty, I crave no more than have your highness offered. No will you, who, tender less? Right noble Burgundy. When she was dear to us we did hold her so. But now her price is fallen. Sir, there she stands. If ought within that little seaming substance, or all of it, with our displeasure pieced, and nothing more may fitly like your grace, she's there and she is yours. I know no answer. Will you with those infirmities she owes, unfriended, new adopted to our hate, dowered with our curse, and strangered with our oath, take her or leave her? Pardon me, Royal Sir, election makes no up on such conditions. Then leave her, sir, for by the power that made me, I tell you all her wealth. To France. For you great king, I would not from your love make such a stray to match you where I hate.

15:36Therefore beseech you to avert your liking a more worthyer way, than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed almost to acknowledge hers. This is most strange. That she, who even but now was your best object. The argument of your praise, balm of your age. Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time commit to things so monstrous to dismantle so many folds of favor. Sure her offence must be of such unnatural degree that monsters it, or your forevouched affection fallen into taint. Which to believe of her must be a faith that reason without miracle should never plant in me. I yet beseech your majesty, if for I want that glib and oily art to speak and purpose not, since what I well intend, I'll do it before I speak. But you make known it is no vicious blot, murder or foulness, no unchaste action or dishonored

16:38step, that hath deprived me of your grace and favor. But even for want of that for which I am richer, a still soliciting eye and such a tongue, as I am glad I have not, though not to have it, hath lost me in your liking. Better thou hast not been born, than not to have pleased me better. Is it but this? A tardiness in nature, which often leaves the history unspoked that it intends to do? My Lord of Burgundy, what say you to the lady? I have not loved when it is mingled with regards that stands a loof from the entire point. Will you have her? She is herself a dowry. Well King, give but that portion which yourself proposed and here I take codelia by the hand, Duchess of Burgundy. Nothing. I have sworn I am firm.

17:38I am sorry then. You have so lost a father that you must lose a husband. Please be with Burgundy. Since that respects the fortune are his love, I shall not be his wife. Ferest cordelia, that art most rich being poor, most choice for saken, and most loved despised. V and thy virtues hear I seize upon. Be it lawful I take up what's cast away. God's, his strange that from their cults neglect my love should kindle to inflamed respect. Thy dowerless daughter, King, thrown to my chance, is queen of us, of ours, and our fair france. Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy can buy this unpriced precious maid of me. Did them farewell Cordelia, though unkind.

18:41Thou loseest here a better where to find. Thou hast her france. Let her be thine, for we have no such daughter. Nor shall ever see that face of hers again. Therefore be gone, without our grace, our love, our benison. Come noble Burgundy. Lourish, exeant, lear, burgundy, cornwall, albony, glasster and attendants. bid farewell to your sisters. The jewels of our father, with washed eyes, Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are, and like a sister, and most loath to call your faults as they are named. Love will our father, to your professed bosoms I commit him. But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place.

19:42So farewell to you both. Prescribe not us our duties. Let your study be to content your lord, who hath received you at fortune's arms. Who have obedience scanted, and will our worth the want that you have wanted. Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides, who cover faults, at last shame them derides. Well may you prosper. Come, my fair Cordelia. Exeant, France and Cordelia. Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think our father will hence tonight. That's most certain, and with you, next month with us. You see how full of changes his age is. The observation we have made of it, have not been little. He always loved our sister most, and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off appears

20:46too grossly. To see infirmity of his age, yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash. Then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long and graft condition, but therewith all the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him, as this of Ken's banishment. There is further complement of leave-taking between France and him. Pray you let us hit together. If our father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us. We shall further think of it. We must do something and in the heat. Excient. Seen to. A hall in the Earl of Gloucester's castle.

21:46Enter Edmund with a letter. Thou, nature, art my goddess. To thy law my service is abound. Wherefore should I stand in the plague of custom, and permit the curiosity of nations to deprive me, for the time some twelve or fourteen moonshines lag of a brother? Why, bastard, wherefore base? When my dimensions are as well compact, my mind as generous and my shape is true as honest madams issue. Why brand they us with base? With baseness? Bastardy? Base? Base? Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take more composition and fierce quality than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed? Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops, got tween asleep and wake? Well, then.

22:47Legitimate Edgar. I must have your land. Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund as to the legitimate. Fine word, legitimate. Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, and my invention thrive, Edmund the base shall top the legitimate. I grow. I prosper. Now gods stand up for bastards. Enter cluster. Kent banished thus and France in colour parted, and the king gone to night, subscribed his power, confined to exhibition, all this done upon the gad. Edmund, how now, what news? So please your lordship none. Body up the letter. Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter?

23:50I know no news, my lord. What paper were you reading? Nothing, my lord. No. What needed there that terrible dispatch of it into your pocket? The quality of nothing has not such need to hide itself. Let's see. I come if it be nothing I shall not need spectacles. I beseech you sir pardon me. It is a letter from my brother that I have not all read, and for so much as I have perused I find it not fit for your all looking. Give me the letter sir. I shall offend either to detain or give it. The contents as in part I understand them are to blame. Let's see, let's see. I hope for my brother's justification he wrote this but as an essay or test of my virtue.

24:50This policy and reverence of age makes the world bitter to the best of our times. Keeps our fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppressor of aged tyranny who sways not as it has power but as it is suffer it. Come to me that of this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I weak till you should enjoy half his revenue forever and live the beloved of your brother Edgar. Oh, conspiracy! Sleep till I waked him. You should enjoy half his revenue. My son Edgar had here hand to write this, a heart and brain to breathe it in.

25:52When came this to you who brought it. It was not brought me my Lord, there's the cunning of it. I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet. You know the character to be your brothers. If the matter were good my Lord I dussed swear it for his. But in respect of that I would fame think it were not. It is his. It is his hand my Lord but I hope his heart is not in the contents. Have he never before sounded you in this business? Never my Lord. But I have heard him often maintain it to be fit that sons at perfect age and fathers declined. The father should be as ward to the son and the son manage his revenue. Oh villain villain, his very opinion in the letter abhorrent villain, a natural, detested,

26:52brutish villain. Less than brutish, go see our sick him. I lap where hand him a bummin' abhor villain. Where is he? I do not well know my Lord. If it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother to you can derive from him better testimony he has in hand, you should run a certain course. Where if you violently proceed against him mistaking his purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour. And shake in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life for him that he has writhed this to feel my affection to your honour and to know other potents of danger. Think you so. If your honour judges me, I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction. And that without any further delay then this very evening. He cannot be such a monster. Or is not, sure. To his father that so tenderly and entirely loves him.

27:57Heaven and earth, Edmund seek him out, wind me into him, I pray you. Frame the business after your own wisdom. I would unspate myself to be in a due resolution. I will seek him so presently. It can be the business as I shall find means and equate to you with all. As late eclipses in the sun and moon potent know good to us. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effect. Love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide. In cities, mutinies, in countries discord. In palaces treason. And the bond cracked, twixed sun and father. This villain of mine comes under the prediction, their sun against father. The king falls from bias of nature.

29:01Their father against child. We have seen the best of our time. In nations, holiness, treachery and all ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our graves. Find out this villain, Edmund. It shall lose thee nothing. Do it carefully. And the noble and true hearted Kent banishet. His offence honesty. Oh, Tis strange. This is the excellent foppery of the world. That when we are sick and fortune, often the surfeit of our own behaviour, we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon and the stars. As if we were villains on necessity, fools by heavenly compulsion, naves, thieves and treaches by spherical predominance, drunkards, liars and adulterers by an enforced obedience

30:06of planetary influence. And all that we are evil in by a divine thrusting on. An admirable evasion of whore master man to lay his gotish disposition to the charge of a star. My father compounded with my mother under the dragon's tail, and my nativity was under Ursa Major, so that it follows I am rough and letharous. Tutt, I should have been that I am, had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastard eyes, and enter Edgar. Pat, he comes, like the catastrophe of the old comedy. My cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Toma Bedlam. Oh, these eclipses do portend these divisions. Far so l'ami. Now, now, brother Edmund, what serious contemplation are you in? I am thinking, brother of a prediction I read this other day what should follow these eclipses.

31:09Do busy yourself with that. I promise you the effect he writes of succeed unhappily, as of unnaturiness between the child and the parent. Death, death, dissolutions of ancient amities, divisions in state, menaces and maladictions against king and nobles, needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipations of cohorts, nupcial breaches, and I know not what. How long have you been a sectarian astronomical? Come, come. When saw you my father last? The night gone by. Spake you with him? I, two hours together. Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in him by word or countenance? Not at all. But think yourself wherein you may have offended him. And at my entreaty forbear his presence until some little time hath qualified to the heat of his displeasure. Which at this instant so rageeth in him that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely elay. Some villain hath done me wrong.

32:11That's my fear. I pray you have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower, and as I say, retire with me to my lodging, from once I will fitfully bring you to hear my Lord speak. There you go. There's my key. If you do stir abroad, go armed. Armed brother. Brother I advise you to the best. I am no honest man if there be any good meaning toward you. I have told you what I have seen and heard but faintly, nothing like the image and horror of it. Pray you away. Shall I hear from you and on? I do serve you in this business. Exit Edgar. A gradualist father and a brother noble, whose nature is so far from doing harms that he suspects none, on whose foolish honesty my practices ride easy. I see the business. Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit. All with me's meat that I can fashion fit.

33:13Exit. Seen three. A room and the Duke of Albany's palace. Enter Gonerol and Oswald. Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool? I met him. By day and night he wrongs me. Every hour he flashes into one gross, crime or other that sets us all at odds. I'll not endure it. His nights grow riotous and himself abraides us on every trifle. When he returns from hunting I will not speak with him. Say I am sick. If you come slack of former services you shall do well. The fault that I'll answer. He's coming madam. I hear him. Horns within. Put on what weary negligence you please you and your fellows. I'd have it come to question. If he distaste it let him to our sister, whose mind and mind I know in that are one. Not to be overruled.

34:15I'd lulled men that still would manage those authorities that he have given away. Now by my life old fools are babes again and must be used with checks as flatteries when they are seen abused. Remember what I have said. Worry well madam. And let his nights have colder looks among you. What grows of it no matter. Advise your fellows so. I would breed from hence occasions and I shall let I may speak. I'll write straight to my sister to hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. Excient. Seen for. A hall in Albany's palace. Interquent. Disguised. If but as well I other accents borrow that can my speech diffuse. My good intent may carry through itself to that full issue for which I raised my likeness. Now banished Kent. If thou canst serve without us to stand condemned, so may it come thy master whom thou loftst,

35:21shall find thee full of labors. Horns within. Enter King Lear, Knights and Attendants. Let me not stay a jot for dinner. Go get it ready. Exit and attendant. How now? What art thou? A man, sir. Hought dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us? I do profess to be no less than I seam, to serve him truly that will put me in trust, to love him that is honest, to converse with him that is wise and says little, to fear judgment, to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish. What art thou? A very honest hearted fellow, and as pour as the King. If thou beest as poor for a subject as he is for a king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? Service. Who wouldst thou serve? You. dost thou know me, fellow? No, sir. But you have that in your countenance which I would fame call master. What's that?

36:21Authority. What services canst thou do? I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, more a curious tale in telling it and deliver a plain message bluntly. That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence. How old art thou? Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor so old to do it on her for anything. I have years on my back, forty-eight. Follow me. Thou shalt serve me. If I like thee no worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. Dinner. How dinner? Where's my naith, my fool? Go you and call my fool, hither. Exit and attendant. Enter us, Walt. You, you, Syrah. Where's my daughter? So please you. Exit. What says the fellow there? Call the clock, Paul back. Exit a knight. Where's my fool?

37:22Oh, I think the world's asleep. Reenter. Knight. How now where's that mongrel? He says, my lord, your daughter is not well. Why came not the slave back to me when I called him? Sir, he answered me in a roundest manner. He would not. He was not. My lord, I know not what the matter is. But my judgment, your highness, is not entertained with its ceremony's affection as you were won't. There's a great abitement of kindness appeared as well in a general dependence as an adjuk himself also and your daughter. Ha! She's that so. I besiege you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken, if my duty cannot be silent when I think your highness is wronged. Thou but rememberest me of my own conception. I have perceived a most faint neglect of late, which I have rather blamed as my own jealous

38:24curiosity than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness. I will look further into it. But where's my fool? I have not seen him this two days. Since my young ladies go into France, sir, the field has much find a way. No more of that, I have noted it well. Go you and tell my daughter I would speak with her. Exit attendant. Go you call here the my fool. Exit another attendant. I enter as well. Oh you sir, you, come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir? My ladies father. My ladies father. My lord's name you horse and dog, you slave you cur. I am none of these, my lord. I besiege your pardon. Do you bandy looks with me, your rascal? Striking him. I'll not be struck, my lord. Nor trips neither you base football player. Serving up his heels.

39:24I thank thee, fellow, thou servest me and I'll love thee. Come, sir, arise away. I'll teach you differences away, away. If you will measure your lover's length again, Terry, but away, go to, have you wisdom, so. Pushes us, Walt, out. Now my friendly name I thank thee. There's earnest of thy service. Giving Kent money. Enter full. Let me hire him too. He is my coxcom. Giving Kent his cap. How now my pretty name, how dust thou? Sir, are you a best, take my coxcom? Why fool? Why for taking one's part that's out of favor? Nay and thou cast not smile as the wind sits, thou chuck atch gold shortly. There take my coxcom. Why this fellow has banished two on's daughters, and did the third I blessing against his will. At thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcom. How now, Uncle, would I had two coxcoms and two daughters?

40:28Why, my boy? If I gave them all my living, I'll keep my coxcoms myself. There's mine, big another of thy daughters. Take heed, sir, out of whip. Truth's a dog must chekettle. He must be whipped out, when the lady-bruck may stand by the fire and stink. A pestilent gall to me. There are outage-lear speech. Do. Mark it, Uncle. Have more than thou shouest, speak less than thou knowest. Lend less than thou oest. Ride more than thou goest. Learn more than thou trowest, said less than thou trowest. Leave thy drink and thy whore, and keep in a door, and thou shalt have more than two tens to score. This is nothing, fool. It is like the breath of an unfiloyer. You gave me nothing for it. Can you make no use of nothing, Uncle? Why, no, boy. Nothing can be made out of nothing. To count. Prithit tell him so much the rent of his land comes to.

41:31He will not believe a fool. A bitter fool? Lost thou know the difference, my boy. But tween a bitter fool and a sweet one. No lad teach me. Lord, that counsel thee, to give away thy land, Come place him here by me. Do thou for him stand. The sweet and bitter fool will presently appear. The one in Motley here? The other found out there. Dast thou call me fool, boy. All thy other titles thou hast given away. That thou was born with. This is not altogether fool, my lord. No faith! Lords and great men will not let me. If I had a monopoly out, they would have part on it. And loads too? They will not let me have all the fool to myself. They'll be snatching. Uncle, give me an egg and I'll give thee two crowns. What two crowns shall they be? Why after I have cut the egg in the middle and eat up the meat? The two crowns of the egg.

42:32When thou clovest thy crown, either middle and gave us away both parts, thou boasts thine ass on thy back all the dirt. Thou hadest little wit in thy bald crown when thou gave us thy golden one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipped that first finds it so. Fools had near less witness here for wise men are groomed vauppish, and no not how they're wits to wear their men as arso apish. When were you want to be so full of songs, Sarah? I have used it in Uncle Ears since thou made us thy daughters thy mothers, for when thou gave us them the rod and put us down thy own riches. Then they for some joy did weep in eye for sorrow's song that such a king should play bow peep and go the fools among. Pretty Uncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie. I would feign learn to lie. And you lie, Sarah, I will have you whipped. I marvel what kin thou when thy daughters are. Thel have me whipped for speaking through.

43:33Thel tell me whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind of thing than a fool, and yet I would not be thee, Uncle, thou hast paired thy wit to both sides and of nothing in the middle. Here comes one of the pairings. And turd gone a rule. How now, daughter, what makes that frontlet on? Many things you are too much of late in the frown. Thou was the pretty fellow when thou hadest no need to care for her frowning. Now thou art an o without a figure. I am better than thou art. I am a fool. Thou art nothing. Yes, for sooth, I will hold my tongue, so your face bids me, though you say nothing, mum, mum. He that keeps no crust nor crumb, weary of all shall want some. Pointing to leer. It's a shield, bees, God. Not only sir this your old licensed fool, but other of your insulin retinue to hourly

44:34carp and quarrel, breaking forth in rank and not to be endured riots. Sir, I had thought by making this well known unto you to have found a safe redress, but now we're fearful by what yourself too late have spoken done, that you protect this corsant, put it on by your allowance. Which if you should, the fault would not scape-sensor nor the redress's sleep. Which in the tender of a wholesome wheel might in their working do you that offense which else were shame. That then necessity will call discreet proceeding. Oh, you know, knuckle, the head sparrow fed the cuckoo so long that it had its head be doved by its young, so out with the candle and we were left doggling. Are you a daughter? Come sir, I would you would make use of that good wisdom where I know you are fraught, and put away these dispositions that are late transform you from what you rightly are.

45:34May not an ass know when the cat draws those? Whop, jug I love thee. Duff any here know me? This is not lear. Duff lear walk thus, speak thus. Where are his eyes? Rather his notion weakens, his discernings are lethargyed. Ha, waking? It is not so. Who is it that can tell me who I am? Lear shadow. I would learn that. For by the marks of sovereignty, knowledge and reason I should be false persuaded I had daughters. Which they will make an obedient father. Your name, fair gentle woman. This admiration sir is much of the favor of other your new pranks. I do be siege you to understand my purposes a right. As you are old and reverend you should be wise. Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires. When so disordered, so deboshed and bold that this, our court infected with their manners,

46:39shows like a riot is in. Picarism and lust make it more like a tavern or a brothel than a graced palace. The shame itself to speak for instant remedy. Be then desired by her that else will take the thing she begs a little to discontity or train. And the remainder that shall still depend to be such men as maybe sort your age which know themselves. And you. Darkness and debos. Shuttle my horses, call my train together. The generate bastard. I'll not trouble thee. Yet have I left a daughter. You strike my people and your disordered rabble makes servants of their better. Enter Albany. Woe that too late repents. To Albany? Oh sir, are you come? Is it your will? Speak sir, prepare my horses. In gratitude thou marble-hearted fiend, more hideous when thou shost thee in a child

47:42than the sea-monster. Praise, sir, be patient. To God-e-roll. Detested kite thou liest. My train are men of choice and rarest parts that all particulars of duty know, and in the most exact regard support the worships of their name. Oh most small fault. How ugly didst thou in cordelia show, which like an engine wrenched my frame of nature from the fixed place, drew from my heart all love and added to the gall. Oh, lier, lier, lier. Beat at this gate that let thy folly in and thy dear judgment out. Striking his head. Go, go my people. My Lord I am guiltless as I am ignorant of what has moved here. It may be so, my Lord.

48:43Here nature, here, dear God has here, so spend thy purpose if thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful into her womb-convased erility. Dry up in her the organs of increase, and from her derogate body never spring a babe to honor her. If she must team, create her child of spleen, that it may live and be a thwart, disnatured torment to her. And it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth, with cadence tears, fret channels in her cheeks, turn all her mother's pains and benefits to laughter and contempt, that she may feel how sharper than a serpence tooth it is to have a thankless child. Away, away! Exit. Now, God's that we adore, whereof comes this? Whereof licked yourself to know more of it, but let his disposition have that scope that

49:48doteage gives it? Reenter, lear. What fifty of my followers at a clap within a fortnight? What's the matter, sir? I'll tell thee, life and death! Too gone, Aral. I am ashamed that thou hast power to shake my manhood thus, that these hot tears which break from me per force should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee! The untented woundings of a father's curse pierce every sense about thee. Old fond eyes, be weep this cause again, I'll pluck you out and cast you with the waters that you lose to temper clay. Let it be so. I have another daughter, who I am sure is kind and comfortable. When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails she'll flay thy woolfish visage.

50:51Thou shalt find that I'll resume the shape which thou dost think I have cast off forever. Exient, lear, Kent and attendance. Do you mark that? I cannot be so partial, Gunnaral, to the great love I bear you. Pray you content. What? Oswald? Ho! To the fool. You, sir, more naiveth than fool, after your master. No, gleee, no, gleee, tarry! Take the fool with thee. A fox when one has got her and such a daughter. Should sure to the slaughter, if my cap would buy a halter, so the fool follows after. Exit. This man have had good counsel. A hundred knights. To his politic and save to let him keep at point a hundred knights. Yes, that on every dream each buzz, each fancy, each complaint dislike. He may in guard his dotage with their powers and hold our lives in mercy.

51:55Oswald, I say. Well, you may fear too far. Safer than trust too far. Yet me still take away the harm's eye fear, not fear still to be taken. I know his heart. What he hath uttered I have writ my sister. If she sustain him in his hundred knights when I have showed the unfitness. Reenter, Oswald. How now, Oswald? What have you ridd that letter to my sister? I am Adam. Take you some company and away to horse. And for her full of my particular fear. And there to add such reasons of your own as may compact it more. Get you gone, and hasten your return. Exit, Oswald. No, no, my lord, this milky gentleness and course of yours, though I condemn it not yet under pardon, you are much more atasked for want of wisdom than praised for harmful mildness.

52:55How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot tell. Laving to better, often we mar what's well. Nay then. Well well, the event. Excient. Seen five. Court before the Duke of Albany's palace. Enter, lear, can't, and fool. Go you before to gloss there with these letters. Acquaint my daughter no further with anything you know than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there for you. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter. Exit. If our man's brains were in his heels, were not in danger of gaibe. I, boy. Then I pretty be merry. Thou which shall nago slip short? Ha ha. Shall see thy other daughter will use thee kindly, for though she's as like this as a crab like an apple. Yet I can tell what I can tell.

53:56That can'ts to tell, boy. She'll taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. Thou can'ts tell why one's nose stands in the middle, ones face. No. Why to keep one's eyes of either side's nose? That what a man cannot smell out. He may spy in too. I did her wrong. Can'ts tell how an oyster makes his shell? No. No, I neither. But I can tell why a snail has a house. Why? Why to put's head in? Not to give it away to his daughters and leave his homes without a case. I will forget my nature, so kind of father. Be my horse is ready. Thy asses are gone about him. The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason. Because they are not eight? Yes indeed. That woulds make a good fool. To take the gain per force. Monster in gratitude. If thou werent my fool, n' uncle, all'd have thee beaten for being old before thy

54:56time. How's that? Thou shou'd not have been old till thou hadst been wise. Oh, let me not be mad. Not mad sweet heaven. Keep me in temper. I would not be mad. Enter gentlemen. How now are the horses ready? Ready my lord. Come boy. She that's a maid now and that's at my departure shall not be a maid long unless things be cut shorter. Excient. End of Act 1. Act 2 of the Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org.

56:01Seen one. Accord within the castle of the Earl of Gloucester. Enter Edmund and Currin, meeting. Save thee, Currin. And you, sir, I have been with your father and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Reagan his touchers will be here with him this night. How comes that? No, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad. I mean the whispered ones for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments. Not I pray you what are they? Have you heard of no likely wars toward? Twix the two dukes of Cornwall and Albany. Not a word. You may do then in time. There you are, sir. Exit. The Duke be here tonight. The better. Best. This weaves itself for force into my business. My father hath set guard to take my brother. And I have one thing of a queasy question which I must act.

57:03Briefness and fortune work. Brother. A word. Descend. Brother I say. Enter Edgur. My father watches. Sir, fly this place. Intelligence is given where you are hid. You have now the good advantage of the night. Have you not spoken against the Duke of Cornwall? He's coming hither. Now, in the night, in the haste and Reagan with him. Have you nothing set upon his party against the Duke of Albany? Advise yourself. I am sure not. Not a word. I hear my father coming. Pardon me in cunning I must draw my sword upon you. Or seem to defend yourself. Now quit you well. Yield. Come before my father. Light. Hither. Fly, brother. Torches. Torches. So farewell. Exit. Edgur. Some blood drawn on me would be get a pinion of my more fierce endeavor. Wounds his arm.

58:03I have seen drunkards do more than this in sport. Father. Father. Stop. Stop. No help. Enter Gloucester and servants with torches. Now Edmund was the villain. Here stood he in the dark. His sharp sword out, mumbling of wicked charms conjuring the moon to stand or spicious mistress. But where is he? Look sir, I bleed. Where is the villain Edmund? Fled this way sir, went by no means he could. Assume him, ho. Go after. Exient servants. By no means what. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship. But that I told him the revenging gods against parasites did all their thunders bend. Spoke with how manifold and stronger bond the child was bound to the father. Sir, in fine, seeing how loathly opposite I stood to his unnatural purpose, in fell

59:04motion with his prepared sword he charges home my unprovided body, lanced my arm. That when he saw my best alarmed spirits, bold and the quarrels right, roused to the encounter. Or whether gusted by the noise I made, fall suddenly he fled. Let him fly far. Not in this land shall he remain uncourt, and found dispatched. The noble Duke, my master, my worthy arch and patron, comes to night. By his authority I will proclaim it, that he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, bringing the murderous coward to the stake. He that conceals him death. When I dissuaded him from his intent and found him polite to do it, with cursed speech I threatened to discover him. He replied. Thou unpossessing bastard! Does thou think, if I would stand against thee, would the reposal of any trust virtue or

1:00:06worth in thee make thy words fathed? No. What I should deny as this I would. I, though thou didst produce my very character, I turn at all to thy suggestion, plot and damned practice. And thou must make a dullard of the world, if they not thought the prophets of my death are very pregnant and potential spurs to make thee seek it. Scrawn and fast-nosed villain would he deny his letter. I never got him. Trumpets within. Hark the Duke's trumpets. I know not why he comes. All ports I'll bar the villain shall not escape. The Duke must grant me that. Besides his picture I will send far and near that all the kingdom may have due note of him. And of my land, loyal and natural boy, I will work the means to make thee capable.

1:01:08Enter Cornwall. Regan and attendants. How now my noble friend. Since I came hither, which I can call, but now. I have heard strange news. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short, which can pursue the offender. How dust my lord. Oh, madam, my old heart is cracked. It's cracked. What? Did my father's godson seek your life? He whom my father named? Your Edgar? Oh, lady, lady, shameer would have it hid. Was he not companion with the riotous kings that tend upon my father? I know not, madam. It is too bad, too bad. Yes, madam, he was of that consort. No marvel, then, though he were ill-affected. Does they have put him on the old man's death, to have the expense and waste of his revenues? I have this present evening from my sister, been well informed of them, and with such cautions

1:02:12that if they come to Sojourn at my house, I'll not be there. Nor I, a sure thee, Regan. Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father a child-like office. To us my duty, sir. He did be ray his practice, and received this heart you see, striving to apprehend him. Is he pursued? I, my good lord. If he be taken, he shall never more be feared of doing harm. Make your own purpose how in my strength you please. For you, Edmund, whose virtue and obedience doth this instant so much commend itself, you shall be ours. Nature's of such deep trust we shall much need. You we first seize on. I shall serve you, sir, truly, however else. For him I thank your grace. You know not why we came to visit you. Thus out of season threading dark-eyed knight, occasions noble Gloucester of some poise, wherein we must have use of your advice.

1:03:14Our father, he hath writ, so hath our sister, of differences which I best thought it fit to answer from our home. The several messengers from hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend lay comforts to your bosom and bestow your needful counsel to our business, which craves the instant use. I serve you, madam. Your grace is all right welcome. Excient. Seen too. Before Gloucester's castle. Your Kent and Aswald. Separately. You're dawning to the friend, art of this house. I. Where may we set our horses? I the mire. Preethy. If thou loves to me, tell me. I love thee not. Why then, I cannot for thee. If I had thee in lipsbree pinfold, I would make thee care for me. Why does thou use me thus? I know thee not. Fellow, I know thee. What does thou know me for? A nave. A rascal. An eater of broken meats.

1:04:15A bass, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy-wursted-stocking nave. A lily-livered action-taking, horse-and-glass-gazing, super-serviceable, thinnical rogue. One trunk-inheriting slave. One that would be a baud in way of good service. And art nothing but the composition of a nave, beggar, coward, pander, and the sun and air of a mongrel bitch. One whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniesth the least syllable of thy addition. Why, what a monstrous fellow, art thou. Thus to rail on one that's neither known of thee nor noes thee. What a brazen, faced, violet art thou, to deny thou knowest me. Is it two days ago since I beat thee and tripped up thy heels before the king? Draw you rogue, though it be knight, yet the moon shines. I'll make a stop of the moonshine of you.

1:05:15Draw you horse and cullianly barb-remonger, draw. Drawing in his sword. Away, I have nothing to do with thee. Draw you rascal. You come with letters against the king, and take vanity the puppets part against the royalty of her father. Draw you rogue girl, so carbonado your shanks. Draw you rascal. Come your ways. Help, ho, murder, help. Strike you slave. Stand, rogue, stand. You need slave's strike. Beating him. Help, ho, murder, murder. Enter Edmund, Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, and Serfans. How now? What's the matter? With you, Goodman boy, and you please. Come off, flesh you. Come on, young master. Weapons, arms. What's the matter here? Keep peace. Upon your lives, he dies that strikes again. What is the matter?

1:06:17The messengers from our sister and the king. What is your difference? Speak. I'm scarce in breath, my lord. No marvel you have so bestured your valor. You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee. A tailor made thee. Thou art a strange fellow. A tailor make a man. I, a tailor, sir. A stone-cutter or a painter could not have made him so ill, though he had been but two hours at the trade. Speak yet. How grew your quarrel? They say ancient rough inser. Whose life I have spared a suit of his grey bed. Thou horse and zed. Thou unnecessary letter. My lord, if you'll give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar and dobb the walls of a jakes with him. Spare my grey beard, you wagtail. Peace, sir. You beastly nave, no you no reverence. Yes, sir, but anger hath a privilege. Why art thou angry?

1:07:18That such a slave as this should wear a sword who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues is these, like rats, off to bite the holy cords of twain which are two entrins to unloose. Smooth every passion that in the natures of their lords rebel. Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods, reneg a firm and turn their housey on beaks with every gale and vary of their masters, knowing not, like dogs, but following. A plague upon your epileptic visage. Tell you my speeches as I were a fool. Goose and I had you upon serenplain, I drive ye cackling home to Kamalot. What art thou mad old fellow? How fell you out? Say that. No contrary's hold more antipathy than I and such a nave. Why dust thou call him nave? What is his fault? His countenance likes me not. No more perchance does mine, or his or hers.

1:08:19Sir, tis my occupation to be plain. I have seen better faces in my time than stands on any shoulder that I see before me at this instant. This is some fellow who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect a saucy roughness and constrains the garb quite from his nature. Oh, he cannot flatter. He, an honest mind and plain, he must speak truth. And they will take it so, if not, he's plain. These kinds of naves I know which in this plainness harbor more craft and more corruptor ends than twenty silly ducking observants that stretch their duties nicely. Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity, under the allowance of your great aspect, whose influence like the wreath of radiant fire on flickering Phoebus front? What means to buy this? To go out of my dialect which you discommend so much.

1:09:21I know, sir, I am no flatterer. He that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain nave, which for my part I will not be, though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to it. What was the offense you gave him? I never gave him any. It pleased the king his master very late to strike at me upon his misconstruction. When he compact and flattering his displeasure, tripped me behind, being down, insulted, railed, and put upon him such a deal of man that worded him, got praises of the king, for him attempting who was self-sudude. And in the fleshment of this dread exploit drew on me here again. None of these rogues and cowards but Ajax is their fool. Such forth the stocks! You stubborn ancient nave, you reverent braggart, we'll teach you! Sir, I am too old to learn. Call not your stocks for me. I served the king on whose employment I was sent to you.

1:10:23You shall do small respect, show too bold malice against the grace and person of my master stalking his messenger. Such forth the stocks! As I have life and honor, there shall he sit till noon. Till noon? Till night my lord, and all night too. Why madam? If I were your father's dog you should not use me so. Sir, being his nave I will. This is a fellow of the self-same color our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks! Stocks brought out. Let me be seat your grace not to do so. His fault is much and the good king is master, we'll check him for it. Your purposed low correction is such as bassist and contaminant's dretches for pilferings and most common trespasses are punished with. The king must take it ill that he, so slightly valued in his messenger, should have him thus

1:11:25restrained. I'll answer that. My sister may receive it much more worse to have her gentleman abused assaulted for following her affairs. Put in his legs. Kent is put in the stocks. Come my good lord, away. Excient all but cluster and Kent. I am sorry for the friend, to the dukes pleasure whose disposition all the world well knows will not be rubbed nor stopped. I'll entreat for thee. Pray do not, sir. I have watched and traveled hard. Sometime I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle. A good man's fortune may grow out at heels. Give you good morrow. Have a dukes to blame in this. To be ill taken. Exit. Good king. That must approve the common saw. Thou out of heaven's benediction commissed to the warm sun.

1:12:29Approach, thou beacon to this under-globe, that by thy comfortable beams I may peruse this letter. Nothing almost sees miracles but misery. I notice from Cordelia, who hath most fortunately been informed of my obscured course, and shall find time from this enormous state, seeking to give losses their remedies. All weary and or watched. Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold this shameful lodging. Fortune, good night. Smile once more. Turn thy wheel. He sleeps. Seen three. The open country. Enter Edgar. I heard myself proclaimed, and by the happy hollow of a tree escaped the hunt. No port is free, no place that guard and most unusual vigilance does not attend my taking. Well I may escape, I will preserve myself, and am be thought to take the bassist and

1:13:29the most porous to shape that ever pennery in contempt of man brought near to beast. My face I'll grind with filth, blanket my loins, else for all my hair and knots, and with presented nakedness out face the winds and persecutions of the sky. The country gives me proof and precedent of Bedlam beggars, who with roaring voices strike in their numb and mortified bare arms. Pins, wooden pricks, nails, springs of rosemary, and with this hollable object from low farms, poor pelting villages, sheepcoats and mills, sometime with lunatic bands, sometime with prayers and forced their charity. Poor Turkly God, poor Tom! That's something yet. Edgar I nothing am. Exit. Seen four. Before Gloucester's castle. Kent in the stocks. Enter. Layer, fool, and gentlemen.

1:14:30It is strange that they should so depart from home and not send back my messenger. As I learned, the night before there was no purpose in them of this remove. Hail to the noble master. Ah! Makes to thou this shame thy pastime. No my lord. Ha ha, he wears cruel goddess. Horses are tied by the head. Dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by the loins, and men by the legs. When a man is over lusty at legs, then he wears wooden other stocks. Perhaps he that hath so much thy place mistook to set thee here. It is both he and she, your son and daughter. No. Yes. No, I say. I say ye. No, no, they would not. Yes they have. By Jupiter I swear no. By Juneau I swear I. They thirst not doot. They would not. Could not doot. It is worse than murder to do upon respect such violent outrage.

1:15:32Disolve me with all modest haste, which way thou mightst deserve, or they impose this usage coming from us. My lord, when at their home I did commend your highness' letters to them, air I was risen from the place that showed my duty kneeling, came there a reeking post, stewed in his haste, half breathless, panting forth from gongerl his mistress' salutations. Delivered letters, spite of intermission which presently they read, on whose contents they summoned up their mainy, straight to course, commanded me to follow and attend the leisure of their answer. Gave me cold looks, and meeting here the other messenger, whose welcome I perceived had poisoned mine, being the very fellow which of late displayed so saucily against your highness, having more man than wit about me, drew. He raised the house with loud and coward cries. For son and daughter found this trespass worth the shame which here it suffers. Winters not gone yet if the wire of geese fly that way.

1:16:36Fathers that wear rags do make their children blind, but fathers that bear bags shall see their children kind. Fortune that arid whore, and their turns the key to the whore. But for all this thou shalt have as many dollars for thy daughters, as thou can'ts tell in a year. Oh, how this mother swells up toward my heart, hysterica passio, down thou climbing sorrow, thy elements below. Where is this daughter? With the url, sir, here within. Follow me not, stay here. Exit. Made you no more offense, but what you speak of. None. How chance the king comes with so small a number. And thou hadest been set in the stalks for that question? Thou hadest well deserved it. Why fool? Well, set thee to school to an aunt, to teach thee there's no laboring in the winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes, but blind men.

1:17:37And there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him that stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it. The great one that goes up the hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again. I would have none but naves follow it, since a fool gives it. That sir which serves and seeks for gain and follows but for form will pack when it begins to rain and leave thee in the storm. But I will tarry the fool will stay and let the wise man fly. The nave turns fool that runs away, the fool no nave per day. We'll learn you this fool, not in the stalks fool. Reintered lyr with Gloucester. Deny to speak with me? They are sick, they are weary. They have traveled all the night. Me of fetches, the image of revolt and flying off fetch me a better answer.

1:18:38My dear Lord, you know the fiery quality of the Duke, how unremovable and fixed he is in his own cause. Vengeance plague death confusion. Fiery? What quality? Why Gloucester? Gloucester? I'd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. Well, my good Lord, I have informed them so. And them? Does thou understand me, man? I, my good Lord. The King would speak with Cornwall. The dear father would with his daughter speak. Commands her service. Are they informed of this? My breath and blood. Fiery? The fiery Duke? Tell the hot Duke that—no, but not yet. Maybe he is not well. The remedy does still neglect all office where to our health is bound.

1:19:41We are not ourselves when nature being oppressed commands the mind to suffer with the body. I'll forbear. And I'm fallen out with my more headier will to take the indisposed and sickly fit for the soundman. Looking on Kent. Death on my state. Wherefore should he sit here? This act persuades me that this emotion of the Duke and her is practice only. Give me my servant forth. Go tell the Duke and his wife I'd speak with them. Now, presently, bid them come forth and hear me. Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum till it cries sleep to death. I would have all well be tweaked to you. Exit. Oh, me, my heart, my rising heart. But down. Cry to it, Uncle, as the cock needed to the eels when she put him in the paste alive. She snapped him on the cock's combs with a stick and cried down, wantons down.

1:20:45It was her brother that impure kindness to his horse, but it is hay. Enter Cornwall, Regan, Glaster, and Servants. Good morrow to you both. Halt your grace. Kent is set at liberty. I'm glad to see your highness. And I think you are. I know what reason I have to think so. If thou shudst not be glad, I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, sepulchring, and adulterous. To Kent. Oh, are you free? Some other time for that. Beloved Regan, thy sister's not. Oh, Regan, she have tied sharp toothed unkindness like a vulture here, points to his heart. I can scare speak to thee. Thou not believe with how depraved a quality, oh, Regan. I pray you, sir, take patience. I have hope you less know how to value her desert than she to scant her duty.

1:21:48Say how is that? I cannot think my sister in the least would fail her obligation. If, sir, perchance, she have restrained the riots of your followers, it is on such ground and to such wholesome end as clears her from all blame. My curse is on her. Oh, sir, you are old. Nature and you stands on the very verge of her confine. You should be ruled and led by some discretion that discerns your state better than you yourself. Therefore, I pray you that to our sister you do make return. Say you have wronged her, sir. Ask her forgiveness. Do you but mark how this becomes the house? Dear daughter, I confess that I am old. Nealing. Age is unnecessary. On my knees I beg that you all vouch safe me, raiment, bed and food. Good, sir. No war. These are unsightly tricks. Return you to my sister.

1:22:50Rising. Never, Regan, she hath abated me of half my train. Don't black upon me. Struck me with her tongue most serpent-like upon the very heart. All the stored vengeance of heaven fall on her in grateful top. Strike her young bones you taking ares with lameness. Fies, sir. Fies. You nimble lightening's dart, your blinding flames into her scornful eyes. Checked her beauty you fend sucked fogs, drawn by the powerful sun to fall and blast her pride. Oh, the blessed gods, so will you wish on me when the rash mood is on. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse. The tender hefted nature shall not give the ore to harshness. Her eyes are fierce, but dine to comfort and not burn.

1:23:50It is not in thee to grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, to bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes and in conclusion to oppose the bolt against my coming in. Thou better knows the offices of nature, bond of childhood, effects of courtesy, Jews of gratitude. I have for the kingdom hast thou not forgot wherein I thee endowed. Good, sir, to the purpose. Who put my man in the stocks? Tuck it within. What trumpets that? I know it, my sisters. This approves her letter that she would soon be here. Enter aswald. This is a slave whose easy borrowed pride dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows, out violet from my sight. What means your grace? Who stocked my servant?

1:24:52Regan, I have good hope, thou didst not know aunt. Who comes here? Enter God or will. Oh heavens, if you do love old men, if your sweet sway allow obedience, if yourselves are old, make it your cause, send down and take my part. You got her all. Art not ashamed to look upon this beard. Oh, Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand? Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended? All's not a fence that in discretion finds and dotage terms so. Oh, sides, you are too tough. Will you yet hold? How came my man in the stocks? I set him there, sir, but his own disorders deserved much less advancement. You did you. I pray you, Father, being weak seems so. If tell the expiration of your month you will return and sojourn with my sister, dismissing

1:25:56half your train, come then to me. I am now from home and out of that provision which shall be needful for your entertainment. Return to her and fifty men dismissed? No, rather I abdure all roots and choose to wage against the enmity of the air, to be a comrade with the wolf and owl, necessities sharp pinch. Return with her. Why, the hot blooded France, that dowaless took our youngest born I could as well be brought to knee his throne and squire like pension beg to keep base life afoot. Return with her? Nor swayed me rather to be slave and sumpter to this detested groom. Pointing to us, well. At your choice, sir. I pray thee, daughter, do not make me mad. I will not trouble thee my child, farewell, will no more meet, no more see one another.

1:26:57But yet thou art my flesh, my blood my daughter, for rather a disease that's in my flesh, which I must needs call mine, thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed car-buncle in my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee, let shame come when it will. I do not call it. I do not bid the thunderbearer shoot, nor tell tales of thee to high judging jove. Men, when thou canst, be better at thy leisure, I can be patient, I can stay with Reagan. I end my hundred nights. Not altogether so. I looked not for you yet, nor am provided for your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister. For those that mingle reason with your passion must be content to think you old, and so. But she knows what she does. Is this well spoken? I dare of outchit, sir. What, fifty followers?

1:27:57Is it not well? What should you need of more? Yay, or so many, sith at both charge, and danger speak against so great a number. How in one house should many people, under two commands, hold amity? It is hard, almost impossible. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance from those that she calls servants? Or from mine? Why not, my lord? If then they chance to slack you, we could control them. If you will come to me, for now I spy a danger, I entreat you to bring but five and twenty. To know more will I give place or notice. I gave you all. And in good time you gave it. Made you my guardians, my depositaries. But kept a reservation to be followed with such a number. What? Must I come to you with five and twenty Regan? Said you so. And speak it again, my lord. No more with me. Those wicked creatures yet do look well favored when others are more wicked.

1:29:01Not being the worst stands in some rank of praise. To God or all. I'll go with thee. Die fifty yet doth double five and twenty. And thou art twice her love. Hear me my lord. What need you five and twenty? Ten or five to follow in a house where twice so many have a command to tend you. What need one? Oh, we's not the need. Our bassist beggars are in the poorest thing superfluous. Allow not nature more than nature needs. Man's life is cheap as beasts. Thou art a lady. If only to go warm were gorgeous. Why nature needs not what thou gorgeous weirst, which scarcely keeps thee warm. But for true need you heavens give me that patience, patience I need. You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, as full of grief as age, wretched in both.

1:30:11If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts against their father, fool me not so much to bear it tamedly. Watch me with noble anger and let not women's weapons water drops, stain my man's cheeks. No, you unnatural hags. I will have such revenges on you both, but all the world shall. I will do such things. What they are yet I know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth. Who think I'll weep? No, I'll not weep. I have full cause of weeping, but this heart shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, or I'll weep. Oh fool, I shall go mad. O patient, lear, glass-ter, Kent and fool, storm, heard at a distance.

1:31:17Let us withdraw, it will be a storm. This house is little. The old man and his people cannot be well bestowed. Tis his own blame, have put himself from rest and must needs taste his folly. For his particular I'll receive him gladly, but not one follower. So am I purposed. Where is my lord of bloster? Well the old man forth, he is returned. Reenter, cluster. The king is in high rage. Where there is he going? He calls to horse, but will I know not with her? Tis best to give him way. He leads himself. My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. A knock the night comes on, and the high winds do sauny ruffle, for many miles about, there's scass a bush. Oh sir, to willful men the injuries that they themselves procure must be their schoolmasters.

1:32:19Shut up your doors. He is attended with a desperate train, and what they may incense him to, being apt to have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. Shut up your doors my lord. Is a wild night. My regan counsels well, come out of the storm. Excent. End of act two. Act three of the tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare. This is a Liebervot's recording. Liebervot's recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit libervot's.org. Act three, scene one. A heath. A storm with thunder and lightning. Interquant and a gentleman meeting.

1:33:21Who's there? Besides foul weather. One mind it like the weather. Most unquietly. I know you. What is the King? Contending with the fretful elements, bids the wind blow the earth into the sea, or swell the curl waters above the main. That things might change your cease, tears his white hair, which the impetuous blasts with eyeless rage, catch in their fury and make nothing of. Strives in his little world of man to outscorn, the two and throw conflicting wind and rain. This night wherein the cub drawn bear would couch, the lion and the belly-pinched wolf keep their fur dry, unbondited he runs, and bids what will take all. But who was with him? None but the fool, who labors to outgest his heart struck injuries. Sir, I do know you, and dare upon the warrant of my note commend a dear thing to you.

1:34:23There is division, although as yet the face of it be covered with mutual cunning, twist Albany and Cornwall, who have, as who have not, that their great stars throne and set high, servants, who seem no less, which are to France the spies and speculations intelligent of our state. What hath been seen, either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, or the hard rain which both of them have borne against the old king, or something deeper, whereof perchance these are but furnishings. But true it is, from France there comes a power into this scattered kingdom, who already, wise in our negligence, have secret feet in some of our best ports, and are at point to show their open banner. Now to you. If on my credit you dare build so far to make your speed to dover, you shall find some that will thank you, making just report of how unnatural and be madding sorrow the king hath caused to plain.

1:35:24I am a gentleman of blood and breeding, and from some knowledge and assurance offer this office to you. I will talk further with you. No, do not. For confirmation that I am much more than my out-wall, open this purse and take what it contains. If you shall seek Cordelia, as fear not but you shall, show her this ring, and she will tell you who your fellow is that yet you do not know. Fy on this storm. I will go seek the king. Give me your hand. Have you no more to say? Few words, but to affect more than all yet, that when we have found the king, in which your pain that way, I'll this, he that first lights on him halal the other. And severally, seen too, another part of the heath, storm continues, entered lyr and fool. Blow winds and crack your cheeks, rage, blow, you cataracts and hurricanes, spout till

1:36:32you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks, you sufferers and thought executing fires, vaunt couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, sing my white head, and thou all shaking thunder, strike, flat, the thick rotundity of the world, crack nature's molds, all Germans spill at once, that make in grateful man. Oh, Nunkal, court holy water, in a dry house is better than this rainwater outer door. But Nunkal, in, and asked thy daughter's blessing. Here's a night, pities neither wise, man nor fools. Rumble thy bellyfall, spit fire, spout rain, nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters. I tax not you, you elements with unkindness, I never gave you kingdom, called you children.

1:37:36You owe me no subscription, then let fall your horrible pleasure. Here I stand, your slave, a poor infirm weak and despised old man. But yet I call you, servile ministers, that will with two pernicious daughters join your high engendered battles, gains the head so old and white as this. Oh, old his power! He that has a house to put's head in has a good headpiece. The codpiece that will house, before the head has any. The head and he shall louse, so beggars marry many, the men that makes his toe, what he his heart should make, shall of a corn-cry-wo, and turn his sleep to wake. For there was never yet fair woman but she made moult's in a glass.

1:38:36No, I will be the pattern of all patience, I will say nothing. Enter Kent. Who's there? Mary, his grace and a codpiece. That's a wise man, dana fool. Alas, sir, are you here? Sons that love night love not such nights as these. The wrathful skies gallow the very wanderers of the dark and make them keep their caves. Since I was man, such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, such groans of roaring wind and rain I never remember to have heard. Man's nature cannot carry the affliction nor the fear. Let the great gods that keep this dreadful pothra or our heads find out their enemies now. Tramble thou wretch, that hast within the undi-volged crimes unwhipped of justice. Hide thee thou bloody hand, thou perjured and thou similar man of virtue that art incestuous.

1:39:38Keteth, to pieces shake that undercovert and convenient seaming, hast practiced on man's life. Those pent-up guilt, rive your concealing continents and cry these dreadful summoners' grace. I am a man more sinned against than sinning. Alac, bare-headed, gracious my lord, hard by here is a huffle. Some friendship will it lend you against the tempest. Repose you there whilst I, to this hard house. More harder than the stones were of his raised, which, even but now demanding after you denied me to come in, return and force their scant-ed courtesy. My wits begin to turn. Come on, my boy, how dust my boy art cold? I am cold myself. Where is this straw my fellow? The art of our necessities is strange that can make vile things precious.

1:40:42Come, your huffle. For fool and naive, I have one part in my heart that's sorry yet for thee. He that has in a little tiny wit, with haehold the wind and the rain, must make content with his fortunes fit, for the rain it reigneth every day. True boy. Come, bring us to this huffle. Excient, lear and kent. This is a brave knight to cool a cortison. I'll speak a prophecy ere I go. When priests are more in word than matter, when brewers mar their malt with water, when nobles are their tailors tutors. No heretics burned, but wenches suitors. When every case in law is right, no squire in debt, no no poor knight. When slanders do not live in tongues, nor cut purses come not to throngs. When users tell their goal to the field, and bards and whores do churches build, then shall the realm of albyen come to great confusion.

1:41:42Then comes the time who lives to see it, that going shall be used with feet. This prophecy merlin shall make, for I live before his time. Exit. Seen three. A room in Gloucester's castle. Enter Gloucester. And Edmund. A lack, a lack, Edmund. I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desire to their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of my own house. Charged me on pain of perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, and treat for him, nor any way sustain him. Most savage and unnatural. Go to, say you nothing. There is division between the dukes, and a worse matter than that. I have received a letter this night. It is dangerous to be spoken.

1:42:42I have locked the letter in my closet. These injuries that King now bears will be revenge at home. There is part of a power already footed. We must incline to the King. I will seek him and privily relieve him. Though you and maintain talk with the duke, that my charity be not of him perceived. If he asks for me, I am ill and gone to bed. If I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the King my old master must be relieved. Oh, there is some strange thing to what, Edmund. Pray you be careful. That's it. This courtesy forbid thee, shall the duke instantly know, and of that letter too. This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me that which my father loses.

1:43:45No less than all. The younger rises when the old, duff fall. Exit. Sainte four. A part of the heath with a hovel. Storm continues. Enter, lear, cat, and fool. Here is the place, my Lord. Good, my Lord, enter. The tyranny of the open nights too rough for nature to endure. Let me alone. Good, my Lord, enter here. Will it break my heart? I had rather break my own. Good, my Lord, enter. Thou thinkst is much that this contentious storm invades us to the skin, so it is to thee. But where the greater melody is fixed, the lesser is scarce felt. Thou st shun a bear. But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea, Thou st meet the bear the mouth. In the mines free, the body's delicate.

1:44:47The tempest in my mind, duff from my senses, take all feeling else. Save what beats there. Fill you in gratitude. Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand for lifting food toot? But I will punish home. No, I'll weep no more in such a night to shut me out. Poor Anne, I will endure. On such a night as this, O Regan, gone real. Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all. Oh, that way madness lies. Let me shun that no more of that. Lord, my lord, enter here. Prithi, go in thyself, seek thine ownies. This tempest will not give me leave to ponder on things would hurt me more.

1:45:47But I'll go in. To the fool. In boy, go first. You houseless poverty, nay, get the in. I'll pray, and then I'll sleep. Fool goes in. Poor naked wretched wretches, where so where you are, the divide the pelting of this pitiless storm. How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides? Your looped and windowed raggedness defend you from seasons such as these? Oh, I have tamed too little care of this. Take physics, pomp. Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, that thou mayst shake the superflux to them and show the heavens more just. Within. The manned half, further manned half, poor Tom. The fool runs out from the hovel. Come not in here, nunkle, he has a spirit. Help me, help me. Give me thy hand. Who's there?

1:46:48A spirit, a spirit. He says his name's poor Tom. What art thou that dust grumble there the straw? Come forth. Enter Edgar, disguised as a madman. Away, the foul-themed follows me. To the sharp, horthon blows the cold wind. Whom? Go to thy cold bed and warm thee. Didst thou give all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this? Who gives anything to poor Tom? Come the foul-themed half-lead through fire and through flame. Through Ford and Whirlpool over bog and quagmire, that half-lead knives under his pillow and halters in his pew. Set rat-spain by his porridge. Get him proud of heart to ride in a bay-trotting horse over four-inched bridges. The course is on shadow for a traitor. Blessed thy five wits, Tom's a cold, oh duty-duty-duty, blessed thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting and taking.

1:47:48Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul feigned of X's. There could I have him now, and there, and there again, and there. Storm continues. What have his daughters brought him to this pass? Couldst thou save nothing? Didst thou give them all? Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed. Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air hang faded or men's faults light on thy daughters. He hath no daughters, sir. Death traitor! Pilycock sat on Pilycock Hill. Hello, hello, lo, lo! This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.

1:48:53Take heed of the foul feigned. O be thy parents, keep thy word justly, swear not, commit not with man swan spouse, set not thy sweet heart on proud array. Tom's a cold, what has to thou been? A serving man proud in heart and mind that curled my hair, ward loves in my cap, served the lust of my mistress heart, and did the act of darkness with her. Swore as many oaths as I spake words and broke them in the sweet face of heaven, one that slept in the contriving of lust and wait to do it. Why in love die deeply, die stearly, and then woman out paramord the Turk. False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand, hog and sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. Yet not the creaking of shoes, nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman.

1:49:53Keep thy foot out of brothel thy hand out of placket thy pen from Lenders book, and if thy the foul feigned. Still through the hearth on blows the cold wind say some money. Dolphin my boy! Boy, Cece, let him trot by. Storm still continues. Why thou weret better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies? Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thouest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Here's three ons are sophisticated. Thou art the thing itself, unaccumidated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.

1:50:55Off, off you landings! Come unbutton here. Tears off his clothes. Pretty nunchle, be contented. Tis a naughty knight to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field we're like an old letter's heart. A small spark all the rest on his body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire. This is the foul feigned flimedy gibbet. He begins at curfew and walks till the first cock. He gives the web in the pin, squints the eye and makes the hair lip. Mildews the white weight and hurts to pour creature of earth. Thou art a thold, footed thrice the old. He met the nightmare and her ninefold, bid her a light and her troth plight and her right thee which arroyd thee. How fair is your grace? Enter Gloucester with a torch. What's he? Who's there? What is you seek? What are you there? Your names. Poor Tom that eats the swimming frog, the told the Toddpole, the Walnut and the water,

1:52:00and in the fury of his heart when the foul feigned rages its cow-dung for salads. Swallows the old rat and the ditch dog, drinks the green mantle of the standing pool, who was whipped from tithing to tithing and stocked, punished and imprisoned. Who hath had three suits to his back, six shirt to his body, horse to ride and weapons to wear. But mice and rats and such small deer have been Tom's food for seven long years. Beware my follower, peace, smolkin, peace, thou feigned. What hath your grace no better company? The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. Moldo is called, and Maho. Our flesh and blood my lord has grown so vile that it does hate what gets it. Poor Tom's a cold. Go in with me. My duty cannot suffer to obey in all your daughter's heart commands. To their injunction be to bar my doors and let this tyrannous knight take hold upon you.

1:53:03Yet have I ventured to come seek you out and bring you where both fire and food is ready. First, let me talk with this philosopher. What is the cause of thunder? Good my lord, take his offer. Go into the house. I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban. What is your study? How to prevent the feigned and to kill Brahman? Let me ask you one word in private. Importion him once more to go my lord. His wits begin to unsettle. Constell, blame him. His daughters seek his death. Oh, that good Kent. He said it would be thus poor banished man. Now sayst the king grows mad. I'll tell thee, friend, I am almost mad myself. I had a son now outlawed from my blood.

1:54:07He sought my life, but lately very late. I loved him, friend. No father his son, dearer. The son continues. True to tell thee, the grief path crazed by wits. What a night this, I do besiege your grace. Oh cry you mercies, sir. Noble philosopher, your company. Tom's are cold. In fellow there, into the hovel. Keep the warm. Come, let's in all. This way my lord. With him I will keep still with my philosopher. Good my lord sooth him, let him take the fellow. Take him you on. Cira come on, go along with us. Come, good Athenian. No words, no words. Hush, child rodent to the dark tower came.

1:55:09His word was still fai-e, foe and thumb. I smelled the blood of a British man. I have seen it. Seen five. A room in Gloucester's castle. Enter Cornwall and Edmund. I will have my revenge, air I depart his house. How my lord I may be censured that nature thus gives way to loyalty something fears me to think of. I now perceive it was not altogether your brother's evil disposition made him seek his death. But a provoking merit set a work by our provable badness in himself. How malicious is my fortune that I must repent to be just. This is the letter he spoke of which approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of France. Oh heavens, that this treason were not, or not I the detector. Go with me to the Duchess. If the matter of this paper be certain you have mighty business in hand.

1:56:13True or false. It have made the Earl of Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is that he may be ready for our apprehension. The side. If I find him comforting the king it will stuff his suspicion more fully. I will persevere in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be saw between that and my blood. I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love. Excient. Seen six. A chamber and a farmhouse adjoining the castle. Enter Gloucester, lear, Kent, fool and Edgar. Oh, here is better than the open air. Take it thankfully. I will peace out the comfort with what I disobey and I can. I will not be long from you. All the power of his wits have given way to his impatience. The gods reward your kindness.

1:57:15Exit Gloucester. Frateretto calls me and tells me Nero is an angler in the lake of darkness. Pray innocent and be where the foul feigned. Pretty knuckle, tell me whether a madman be a gentleman or a human. A king? A king? No, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son. For he's a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him. To have a thousand with red-burning spits come hissing in upon him. The foul feigned bites my back. How's mad that trusts in the tamedness of a wolf, a horse's health, a boy's lover, a horse of? It shall be done. I will arrange them straight. To Edgar. Come sit thou here most learned justice, sir. To the fool. Thou sapient sir sit here. Now you she-foxes. Look where he stands and lairs. Once thou eyes at trial-mad him.

1:58:17Come over the born, bessie to me. Her boat have a leak and she must not speak. Why she dares not come over to thee. The foul feigned haunts poor Tom in the voice of a nightingale. Hope dans cries and Tom's belly for two white herring. Crop not. Black angel. I have no food for thee. How do you, sir? Stand you not so amazed. Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions? I'll see their trial first. Bring in their evidence. To Edgar. Thou robed man of justice take thy place. To the fool. And thou his yoke fellow of equity bench by his side. Do you can't? You are the commission, situ, too. Let us deal, justly. Sleepest awake as thou, jolly shepherd, by sheep being the corn, and for one glass of thy minicum mouth thy sheep shall take no harm. Perr. The cat is gray. Arrain her first.

1:59:19It is gone, a rill. I hear take my oath before this honorable assembly. She kicked the poor king her father. Come here, the mistress. Is your name gone, a rill? She cannot deny it. Cry, you mercy. I took you for a joint stool. And here's another whose worped look proclaim what store her heart is made on. Stop her there. Arms. Arms. Sword. Fire. Corruption in the place. All justice, sir, why hast thou let her escape? Blessed I five wits. Oh pity. Sir, where is the patience now that you so oft have boasted to retain? A side. My tears begin to take his part so much, bell mar my counter-fitting. The little dogs and all. Tray, blanche and sweet art see. They bark at me. Tom will throw his head at them. Avaunt you cures. Be thy mouth or black or white.

2:00:19Tooth that poison's if it bite. Master of grey hound among will grim. Hound or spaniel, brach or limb. Or Bobtail, Tyke or Trondletail. Tom will make them weep and whale. For but throwing thus my head, dogs leap the hatch and all are fled. Doody, diddy, sessor. Come march to wakes and fairs and market towns. Poor Tom. Thy horn is dry. Then let them anatomize Regan. See what breeds about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that makes these heart-arts? To Edgar. You, sir, I entertain you for one of my hundred. Only I do not like the fashion of your garments. You'll say they are Persian. But let them be changed. Now good, my lord. Lie here and rest awhile. Make no noise. Make no noise. Draw the curtains. So, so, we'll go to supper in the morning.

2:01:22And I'll go to bed at noon. Reenter Gloucester. Come, he's a friend. Where is the king, my master? Here, sir. But trouble him not. His wits are gone. Good friend, I pretty take him in thy arms. I have heard a plot of death upon him. There is a litter ready. Lay him in and drive towards Dover friend, where thou shalt meet both welcome and protection. Take up thy master. If thou shalt stall thee half an hour, his life with thine, and all that offer to defend him, stand in a sure-ed loss. Take up, take up, and follow me, that will do some provision, give thee quick contact. Oppressive nature sleeps. This rest might yet have bombed thy broken sinews, which, if convenience, will not allow, stand in hard cure.

2:02:22Come, help to bear thy master. To the fool. Thou must not stay behind. Come, come away. Excient, can't, cluster, and the fool. Bearing, off, lear. When we are better see-bearing our woes. We scarcely think our miseries are foes. Who alone suffers most of the mind, leaving free things and happy shows behind. But then the mind much suffer and start overskip, when grief hath mates and bearing fellowship. How light and portable my pain seems now, when that which makes me bend makes the king bow. He childhood as I fathered. Tom away. Mark the high noises, and I sells beret, when false opinion whose wrong thought defies thee, in thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee. What will have more tonight? Safe escape the king. Lurk, lurk.

2:03:22Exit. Seen seven. A room in Glastor's castle. Enter Cornwall. Regan. Gonerot. Edmund. And servants. Post speedily to my lord, your husband, show him this letter, the army of France is landed. Seek out the traitor Glastor. Excient, some of the servants. Hang him instantly. Pluck out his eyes. Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our sister come. Company, the revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding. Advise the Duke where you are going to a most festinate preparation. We are bound to the like. Our posts shall be swift and intelligent be twixed us. Farewell dear sister. Farewell my lord of Glastor.

2:04:23Enter Oswald. How now? Where's the king? My lord of Glastor has conveyed him hence. Some five or six and thirty of his knights. Post questrists after him met him at a gate, who, with some other of the lord's dependents, are gone with him towards Dover, where they boast to have well-armed friends. Get horses for your mistress. Farewell sweet lord and sister. Edmund. Farewell. Excient, connoir, Edmund and Oswald. Go. Seek the traitor Glastor. Pinion him like a thief. Bring him before us. Excient other servants. The well we may not pass upon his life without the form of justice, yet our power shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men may blame but not control. Who's there? The traitor? The enter servants with Glastor.

2:05:25In grateful fox to see. Bind fast his quirky arms. What mean your grace is? Because my friends consider you are my guests. Do me no foul play, friends. Bind him I say. Servants bind him. Hard. Hard. Oh filthy traitor. Unmessive lady as you are. I'm none. To this chair bind him. Villain thou shalt find. Regan plucks his beard. Ah, by the kind gods, it is most ignobly bound to pluck me by the beard. So white and such a traitor. Not a lady. These haze which thou dost vanish from my chin will quicken and accuse thee. I am your host. With robbers hands my hospitable favours you should not ruffle thus.

2:06:29What will you do? Come, sir. What letters had you late from friends? Be simple answered for we know the truth. And what Confederacy have you with the traitor's late footed in the kingdom? To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king? Speak. I have a letter guessingly set down which came from one that's of a neutral heart and not from one opposed. Cunning. And false. Where hast thou sent the king? To Dover. Wherefore to Dover? Was thou not charged at peril? Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that. I am tied to the stake and I must stand the course. Wherefore to Dover, sir? Because I would not see thy cruel nails plug out his poor old eyes.

2:07:33Nor thy fierce sister in his anointed flesh stick bar-ish fangs. To see with such a storm as his bare head in hell-black night endured, would have buoyed up and quenched the stellared fires. Yet poor old heart, he hoped the heavens to reign. If wolves had at thy gate howled that stern time, thou shudst have said, good potter, done the key, all cruells else subscribed. But I shall see the winged vengeance overtake such children. See it, shout thou, never, fellows, hold the chair. Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot.

2:08:34Gloucester is held down in his chair. While cornwall plucks out one of his eyes and sets his foot on it. Ah! Ah! He that will think to live till he be old, give me some help. Oh, cruel, oh, oh, he gods! One side will mock another, the other too. If you see vengeance... Hold your hand, my lord. I have served you ever since I was a child, but better service have I never done you than now to bid you hold. How now you dog? If you did wear a beard upon your chin I'd shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean? My villain draws and runs at him. They then come on and take the chance of anger.

2:09:35Draws, they fight, cornwall is wounded. Give me thy sword. To another servant. A peasant stand up thus. Snatches a sword, comes behind and stabs him. Ah, I am slain. My lord, you have one eye left to see some mischief on them. Ah! Guys. Rest it see more prevented. Out, vile jelly. Where is thy lustre now? Tears out, clusters other eye and throws it on the ground. Oh, dark and comfortless. Where's my son, Edmund? Edmund and kindle all the sparks of nature to quit this horrid act. Out treacherous villain thou colest on him that hates thee.

2:10:35It was he that made the overture of thy treason to us, who was too good to pity thee. Oh, my folly's. When Edga was abused, kind gods forgive me that and prosper him. Go thrust him out at gates and let him smell his weight dover. How is it my lord, how look you? Ah, I have received a hurt. Follow me, lady. Turn out that eyeless villain throw this slave upon the Dung Hill. Regan, I bleed a pace untimely comes this hurt. Give me your arm. Exempt cornwall led by Regan. Servants unbind cluster and lead him out. I'll never care what wickedness I do if this man come to good. If she live long and in the end meet the old cause of death, women will all turn monsters.

2:11:37Let's follow the old Earl and get the Bedlam to lead him where he would. His rogish madness allows itself to anything. Go thou, I'll fetch some flacks and whites of eggs to apply to his bleeding face. Now heaven help him. Excent separately. End of act three. At four of the tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare. This is a Liebervox recording. All Liebervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer visit libervox.org. At four, scene one, the heath, enter Edgar. It better thus, unknown to be contemed, than still contemed and flattered. To be worst, the lowest and the most dejected thing of fortune, stand still in Esperance,

2:12:43lives not in fear. The lamentable change is from the best. The worst returns to laughter. Welcome then, though unsubstantial air that I embrace. The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst owes nothing to thy blasts. But who comes here? Edgar Glaster, led by an old man. My father. Paulie led. World, world, oh world. But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee. Life would not yield to age. Oh my good lord, I have been your tenant, and your father's tenant these four school years. Away, get the away. Good friend, be gone. My comforts can do me no good at all. These they may hurt. You cannot see your way. I have no way, and therefore want no eyes. I stumbled when I saw.

2:13:46Full oft, disseen, our means secure us, and our mere defects prove our commodities. Oh dear son, Edgar, the food of thy abusing father's wrath. My type had lived to see thee in my touch. I'd say I had eyes again. Oh no, who's there? The sight. Oh gods, who is to say I am at the worst? I am worse than ever I was. Dispronmad dumb. The sight. And worse I may be yet. The worst is not so long as we can say this is the worst. Fellow, we're good. Is it a beggar man? Madman, and beggar too. He has some reason else he could not beg. It the last night stole my such a fellow, sore, which made me think a man a worm.

2:14:48My 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 us for their sport. Exit. How shall this be? Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, angering itself and others. Bestie master? Is that the naked fellow? I may lord. Then Prithi gets the gone. If for my sake thou wilt or take us, hence a mile or twain, either way toward dover, do it for ancient love, and bring some covering for this naked soul, which I'll entreat to lead me. Oh like so, he is mad. It is the times plague when madmen lead the blind.

2:15:49Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure. Above the rest be gone. I'll bring him the best peril that I have. Come on to what will. Exit. Sira naked fellow. Poor Tom's a cold. Assight. I cannot do it further. Come hither fellow. Beside. And yet I must. Blessed thy sweet eyes, they bleed. Nostes thou the way to dover. Both style and gait, horseway and footpath. Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits. Blessed thee good man's son, from the foul fiend. Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once, of lust as obidicut, hobididense prince of Doneness, mahu of stealing, modo of murder, flibbidi jibbit of mopping and mowing, who since possesses chain-remains and waiting-women. So bless thee master. Here take this purse, thou whom the heavens' plagues have humbled to all strokes.

2:16:57That I am wretched makes thee the happier. Thou hast still 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. So distribution should undo excess, and each man have enough. Thus thou no dover. I, master. There is a cliff whose high and bending head looks fearfully in the confine-it deep. Bring me but to the very brim of it, and I'll repair the misery thou dost bear with something rich about me. From that place I shall no-leading need. Give me thy arm. Poor Tom shall lead thee. Accent. Seen too. More the duke of Albany's palace.

2:17:58Enter Gonerol and Edmund. As well, meeting them. Welcome, my lord. I marvel our mild husband not met us on the way. Now, where's your master? Madam within, but never 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 worst of Gloucesters' treachery, and of the loyal service of his son. When I informed him that he called me thought, and told me I had turned the wrong side out, what must he should dislike seems pleasant to him, what like offensive. To Edmund. 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 effect. Back Edmund to my brother. Hason his musters and conduct his powers.

2:18:59I must change arms at home and give the diss staff into my husband's hands. This trusty servant shall pass between us. Erlone, you are like to hear. If you dare venture in your own behalf, a mistress's command. Giving a favor. Where this? Fair speech. Decline your head. This kiss, if it dursed speak, would stretch thy spirit's up into the air. Conceive and fethy well. Yours in the ranks of death. Exit Edmund. My most dear Gloucester. All the difference of man and man. To the EO woman's services are due. My fool, you serp's my body. Madam, here comes my lord. Exit. Enter Albany. I have been worth the whistle.

2:20:00O Goneral, you are not worth the dust which the rude wind blows in your face. I fear your disposition. That nature which condemns its origin cannot be bordered certain in itself. She that herself will sliver and disbranche from her material sap, perforced must wither and come to deadly use. No more the text is foolish. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile. Filth's saver but themselves. What have you done? Tigers, not daughters. What have you performed? A father and a gracious aged man. Use reverence even the head-lugged bear would lick. Most barbarous. Most degenerate. Have you madded? Could my good brother suffer you to do it? A man, a prince, by him so benefitted. If that the heavens do not their visible spirits send quickly down to tame these vile offences,

2:21:07it will come. Humanity must perforce prey on itself, like monsters of the deep. Milk-livered man. That bearst a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs, who has to not in eyebrows and eye discerning the in honour from thy suffering. That not-nosed fools do those villains pity who are punished here they have done their mischief. Where's thy drum? France, spritz his banners in our noiseless land with plume at helm thy slayer begins threats, whilst thou, a moral fool, sitest still and Christ, a lack why does he so? See thy self-devil, proper deformity seems not in the fiend so horrid as in woman. Oh, vain fool! Thou changed and self-covered thing for shame, be monster not thy feature. Wirt my fitness to let these hands obey my blood, they are apt enough to dislocate and

2:22:07tear thy flesh and bones, how ear thou art a fiend, a woman shaped us shield thee. Mary, your manhood now. Enter a messenger. What news? Oh my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead, slain by his servant going to put out the other eye of Gloucester. Gloucester's eyes? A servant that he bred. Thrialed with remorse, opposed against the act bending his sword to his great master, who, there at enraged, floren him and amongst them felled him dead, but not without that humble stroke which since have plucked him after. This shows you are above, you justices, that these our nether crimes so speedily can venge. But oh poor Gloucester, lust he his other eye. Both, both my lord. This lesser madam craves a speedy answer, he's from your sister. A side. One way I like this well. But being widow and my Gloucester with her, may all the building in my fence he pluck

2:23:10upon my hateful life. Another way the news is not so tart. I'll read and answer. Exit. Where was his son when they did take his eyes? Come with my lady, hither. He is not here. No my good lord. I met him back again. Knows he the wickedness? I am my good lord. Was he informed against him and quit the house on purpose that their punishment might have the free course? Gloucester, I live to thank thee for the love thou shouts the king and to revenge thy eyes. Come hither friend, tell me what more thou nursed. Exit. Seen three. The French camp near Dover. Enter Kent and the gentleman. Why the king of France is so suddenly gone back? Know you the reason? 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

2:24:13and necessary. Who hath he left behind him general? The Maréchal of France, Montsuele de Fas. Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief? I, sir, she took them, read them in my presence, and now and then an ample tear chilled down her delicate cheek. It seemed she was a queen over her passion, who most rebel like sought to be king over her. Oh, then it moved her. Not to a rage. Patience and sorrow strove who should express her good least. You have seen sunshine and rain at once. Her smiles and tears were like a better day. Those happy smilits that played on her ripe lip seem not to know what guests were in her eyes, which parted thenses pearls from diamonds dropped. In brief, sorrow would be a rarity most beloved if all could so become it. Made she know verbal question. Faith?

2:25:14So twice she heaved the name of father, pantingly forth as if it pressed her heart. Cryed, sisters, sisters, shame of ladies, sisters, Kent, father, sisters, what, either storm, either night, let pity not be believed. As she shook the holy water from her heavenly eyes and clam a moistened, then a way she started to deal with grief alone. It is the stars. The stars above us govern our conditions. Else one self-mate and mate could not be get such different issues. You spoke not with her since. No. Was this before the king returned? No, since. Else, sir, the poor distressed liars of the town, who sometime in his better tune remembers what we are come about, and by no means will yield to see his daughter. Why, good, sir?

2:26:14A sovereign 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. A lack, poor gentleman. Of albony's and cornwall's powers you heard not. To so they are a foot. 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 a while. When I am known a right, you shall not grieve lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go along with me. Excient. Seen four, the French camp. Attempt. Enter Cordelia, physician, and soldiers. A lack, his he, why he was met even now. As mad as the vexed sea, singing aloud, crowned with rank fumider and furrow weeds, with

2:27:16harlocks, hemlock, nettles, kruppu flowers, d'Arnell, and all the idle weeds that grow, now sustaining corn. A century sent forth. Search every acre in the high-grown field, and bring him to our eye. Exit and officer. What can man's wisdom in the restoring his bereaved sense? He that helps him take all my outward worth? There is means, madam. A foster nurse of nature is repose the witchy lax, that to provoke him a many simple approach, operative, his power will close the eye of anguish. All blessed secrets, all you unpublished virtues of the earth, spring with my tears, be aidin' to enromete it, 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. Use, madam. The British powers are marching hitherward.

2:28:18It is known before. Our preparation stands in expectation of them. Oh dear father, it is thy business that I go about. Therefore great France, my morning and important tears hath pitted. No blown ambition doth our arms incite. But love, dear love, and our aged father's right. Soon may I hear and see him. Exit. Seen five. A room in Gloucester's castle. Later, Regan and Aswald. But are my brothers powers set forth? I, madam. Himself in person there. Madam, with much ado, your sister is the better soldier. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home. No, madam. What might import my sister's letter to him? I know not, lady. Faith, he has posted hens on 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, I think, has gone in pity of his misery to dispatch his knighted life.

2:29:23Moreover, to describe the strength of the enemy. I must need to offer him, madam, with my letter. Our troops at forth tomorrow, stay with us. The ways are dangerous. I may not, madam. My lady charged my duty in this business. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you transport her purposes by word? I like something. I know not what. I love thee much. Let me unseal the letter. Madam, I had rather. I know your lady does not love her husband. I am sure of that. And at her late being here she gave strange eyelids and most speaking looks to noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. I, madam. I speak in understanding. You are. I know it. Therefore I do advise you take this note. My Lord is dead. Edmund and I have talked and more convenient as he for my hand than for your ladies. You may gather more. If you do find him, pray you give him this.

2:30:25And when your mistress hears thus much from you, I pray desire her call her wisdom to her. So fair you well. If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, preferment falls on him that cuts him off. What I could meet him, madam, I should show what party I do follow. Fair thee well. That's it. Seen six. The country near Dover. Enter Glastor and Edgar dressed like a peasant. When shall I come to the top of that same hill? You do climb up it now. Look how we labour. Me thinks the ground is even. Hortibal steep. Hark, do you hear the sea? No, truly. By then your other senses grow imperfect by a rise anguish. So may it be indeed. Me thinks thy voice is altered. And thou speaks in better phrase and matter than thou dutched.

2:31:25You are much deceived. In nothing am I changed, but in my garments. Me thinks you're better spoken. Come on sir, here's the place. Stand still. So fearful and dizzy tins the cast one's eyes so low. The crows and coughs that wing the midway air shall scare so gross as beetles. Halfway down hangs one that gathers sandfire. Dreadful trade. Me thinks he seems no bigger 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 look no more, lest my brain turn. And the deficient sight topple down headlong. Set me where you stand. Give me your hand. You are now within a foot of the extreme verge.

2:32:27For all beneath the moon would I not leap upright. Let's go my hand. Dear friends and not a purse. In it a jewel well worth a poor man's taking. There is and God's prosper it with thee. Go thou further off. bid me farewell. And let me hear thee going. Now fair you well, good sir. Seems to go. With all my heart. A side. Why I do trifle thus with his despair has done to cure it. How you mighty guards this world I do renounce. And in your sights shake paciently my greater flixion of. If I could bear it longer and not fall to quarrel with your great upposeless wills. My snuff and loathed part of nature should burn itself out.

2:33:30With Edga live oh blessing. Now fellow, fairly well. Gon sir, farewell. Gloucester leaps and falls along. And yet I know not how conceit may rob the treasury of life when life itself yields to the theft. Had he been worthy thought by this had thought been passed. A life or dead? Oh you, sir, friend, hear you, sir, speak. Thus might he pass indeed. Yet he revives. What are you, sir? Away and let me die. Had still be not but Gossamer, feathers air. So many fathom down precipitating those shivered like an egg. The Thou dost, breathe. Hast heavy substance bleeds to not speak. Heart-sound. Ten masts at each make not the altitude which Thou hast perpendicularly fell.

2:34:33By life as a miracle. Speak yet again. But have I fallen or no? From the dreads summit of this chalky barn. Look up and height. The shrill gorge lurks so far. Cannot be seen or heard. Dubat look up. A lack I have no eyes. Whose wretched nest deprived that benefit to end itself by death. To as yet some comfort when misery could be dialed the tyrants rage and frustrate his proud will. Give me your arm. Up so, howist. Fear your legs. You stand too well. Too well. This is above all strangeness. On the crown of the cliff, what a thing was that which parted from you. A poor unfortunate beggar. As I stood here below me thought his eyes were two full moons. He had a thousand noses, horns worked and waived like the enriched sea.

2:35:38It was some fiend. Therefore thou happy father. Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours of men's impossibility, have preserved thee. I do remember now. Thine s forth I'll bear a flixion till it to cry out itself enough, enough, and die. That thing you speak of, I took it for a man, often to say the fiend, the fiend. He led me to that place. Bear free and patient's thoughts. But who comes here? Enter. Fantastically dressed up with flowers. The safer sense will narrow accommodate his master thus. No, they cannot touch me for coining. I am the king himself. Oh, thou side-piercing sight. Nature's above art in that respect. There's your press-money.

2:36:39That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper. Draw me a clothe as yard. Look, look, a mouse. Peace, peace. This piece of toasted cheese will doot. There's my gauntlet. I've proved it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. Oh, well, flown bird. Either clout, either clout. Shoo. Give the word. Sweet Mars, your un. Pass. I know that, boys. Ha, gonerow with a white beard. They flattered me like a dog, and told me I had white hairs in my beard, air the black ones were there. To say, I, and no, to everything I said. I, and no, too, was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter, when the thunder would

2:37:39not peace at my bidding, there I found them. There I smelt them out. Go to. They are not men of their words. They told me I was everything. It is a lie. I am not aegu proof. The trick of that voice I do well remember is not the king. I, every inch a king. When I do stare, see how the subject quakes. I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause, adultery? Now, shall not die. Dive for adultery? No. The rain goes to it, and the small, gilded fly does letcher in my sight. That copulation thrive. For Gloucester's bastard son was kinder to his father than my daughter's got between the lawful sheets.

2:38:41Toot, luxury, pale male, for I lack soldiers. Behold Yandh's simmering dame, whose face between her fork's presages snow, that jinxes virtue, and does shake the head to hear of pleasure's name. The fitchoon or the soiled horse goes toot with a more riotous appetite. Down from the waste they are centaurs, the women all above, but to the girdle to the gods inherit. Beneath is all the fiends. There's hell. There's darkness. There is the sulfurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption, fife, fife, fife, pah, pah. Give me an ounce of civet, go to Pothacary, to sweeten my imagination. There's money for thee.

2:39:41Oh, let me kiss that hand. Let me wipe it first. It smells of mortality. Oh, ruined piece of nature, this great world shall so wear out to naught. Must thou know me? I remember thine eyes well enough. Just thou squinny at me? No, do thy worst blind cupid, I'll not love. Read thou this challenge, Mark, but the penning of it. There are all the letters, sons, I could not see one. I would not take this from report. It is, and my heart breaks at it. Read. What? With the case of eyes. Oh, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, no no money in your purse. Your eyes are in a heavy case. Your purse in a light.

2:40:43Yet you see how this world goes. I see it feelingly. What art, mad? A man may see how the world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See how yawned justice rails upon yawned simple thief. Hark in thine ear. Change places, and handy dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief. Thou hast seen the farmer's dog bark at a beggar? I said. And the creature run from the ker? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority. A dog's abade in office. Thou rascal beetle, hold thy bloody hand. Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thy known back. Thou hotly lustest to use her in that kind, for which thou quipsed her. The usurer hangs the cousiner. Through tattered clothes, small vices do appear.

2:41:44Lobs and fird gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold. And the strong lance of justice hurtless brakes. Armoured in rags, a pigme straw does pierce it. None does offend. None. I say none. I'll abel them. Take that of me, my friend, who have the power to seal the accuser's lips. Get the glass eyes, and like a scurvy politician, seem to see the things thou dust not. Now, now, now, now, pull off my boots. Harder, harder. So. Oh, matter and impurtenancy, mixed. Reason in madness. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. I know thee well enough. My name is Gloucester. Thou must be patient.

2:42:45We came crying, hither. Thou knowsst. The first time that we smell the air, we wall and cry. I will preach to thee, Mark. A lack, a lack, the day. When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools. It's a good block. It were a delicate strategy to shoe a troop of horse with felt. I'll put it in proof. And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, then... Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill! Enter a gentleman with attendance. Oh, here he is. Lay hand upon him. Sir, your most dear daughter. No rescue? What a prisoner. I am even the natural fool of fortune. Use me well.

2:43:46You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons. I am cut to the brains. You shall have anything. No seconds. All myself. Why? This would make a man a man of salt to use his eyes for garden water pots. I, and for laying autumn's dust. Good, sir. I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What? I will be jovial. Come, come, I am a king, my master's know you that. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Then there's life in it. And you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa! Exit running. Attendance follow. 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.

2:44:49Hail, gentle sir. Sir, speed you. What's your will? Do you hear art, sir, of a battle toward? Most sure and vulgar. Everyone hears that which can distinguish sound. But by your favour, how near is the other army? Near, and on speedy foot, the main discreye stands on the hourly thought. I thank you, sir, that's all. Though that the Queen on special causes here, her army has moved on. I thank you, sir. Exit gentlemen. You ever, gentle gods, take my breath from me. Let not my worse, a spirit tempt me again to die before you, please. Well pray you, Father. Now good, sir. What are you? A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows. Who by the art of known and feeling sorrows am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand. I lead you to some biting.

2:45:50Horty thanks, the bounty and the benison of heaven to boot and boot. Let her as well. A proclaimed price, most happy, that I,less head of thine, was first framed flesh to raise my fortunes. Though all done happy traitor, briefly thy self-remember, the sword is out, that must destroy thee. Now let thy friendly hand put strength enough to it. Edgar interposes. Wherefore, bold peasant, dares thou support a published traitor, hence, less than the infection of his fortune take, like hold on thee. Let go his arm. Child, not let go, sir, without further occasion. Let go slave, or thy diced. Go, gentlemen, go your gate, and let poor folk pass. And should have been swaggered out of my life, could not have been so long as tith by a fortnight. Nay, come not near the old man, keep out, chau for ye, a roise-troy whether ye are

2:46:53custard or my back be the ardor. Shall be plain with you. Out, Daniel. Chau'll pick your teeth, sir. Come, no matter for your voins. They fight, and Edgar knocks him down. Slave thou hast slain me, villain, take my purse, if ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body. And give their letters which thou findst the belt me, to Edmund Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out upon the British party. Oh, untimely death. Dice. I know thee well, a serviceable villain, as deutious to the vices of thy mistress as badness would desire. What is he dead? 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 am only sorry he had no other debts, man. Let us see. Leave gentle wax, and manner is blamest not.

2:47:54To know our enemies' minds we'd rip their hearts. Their papers is more lawful. Reads. Let our reciprocal vows 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 down if he return 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 labour. Your wife, so I would say, affectionate servant, gone a rill. Our indistinguished space of woman's will. A plot upon our virtuous husband's life. And exchange my brother. He renders sands the eye-rake-up, the post unsanctified, of murderous leeches. And in the mature time, with this ungracious paper strike the sight of the death-practice

2:48:57duke, for him to as well that of thy death and business I can tell. Sats at Edgar, dragging out the body. The king is mad. How stiff is my vile sense that I stand up, and have 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. Give me your hand, a drum, a far off. For off me things I hear the beaten drum. Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend. Excient. Seen seven. Attempt in the French camp. Fist there on a bed, a sleep. Soft music playing.

2:49:57Physician, gentlemen, and others attending. Enter Cordelia and Kent. Oh, thou good Kent, how shall I live and work, to match thy goodness, my life will be too short, and every major fail me. To be acknowledged, madam, is or paid. All my reports go with the modest truth, nor more nor clipped, but so. Be better suited, these weeds are memories of those worser hours. I prithy put them off. Pardon, dear madam, yet to be known shortens my maid intent. My boon I make it that you know me not till time and I think meet. Then be it so, my good lord. To the physician. How? Does the king? Madam, sleep still. Oh, you kind gods, cure this great breach in his abused nature, the untuned and jarring senses. Oh, wind up of this child changed father.

2:50:58So please, your majesty, that we may wake the king. He hath slept long. Be governed by your knowledge and proceed, at the sway of your own will. Is he a raid? I am at him. In the heaviness of sleep we put fresh garments on him. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him, I doubt not to be temperance. Very well. Please you, draw near, louder the music there. Oh, 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 made. And dear princess. 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 bolt thunder in the most terrible and nimble stroke of quick cross-lightening to watch?

2:51:58Poor Purdue. With this thin helm, mine enemies' dog, though he had bit me, should have stood that night against my fire, and was thou fain, poor father, to Hubble thee with swine and rogues for lorn, and shorten musty straw? Alach, alach, his wonder that thy life and wits at once had not concluded all. He wakes, speak to him. Madam, do you, disfittest? How does my royal lord, how fair is your majesty? You do me wrong to take me out of the grave. Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound upon a wheel of fire that my own tears to scold like molten lid. Sir, do you know me? You are a spirit, I know. When did you die? Still, still far wide. He scarce awake.

2:53:00Let him alone a while. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight, I am mightily abused. I should even die with pity to see another thus. I know not what to say. I will not swear these are my hands. Let's see. Oh, I feel this pinprick. Would I were assured of my condition? Oh, look upon me, sir, and hold your hands in benediction over me. No. Sir, you must not kneel. Trade do not mock me. I am a very foolish, fond old man, for score and upward not an arm or no less, and to deal plainly. I fear I am not in my perfect mind. We think I should know you, and know this man, yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant

2:54:02what 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 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. No cause. Am I in France? In your own kingdom, sir. Do not abuse me. Be comfort at good madam.

2:55:03The great rage you see is killed in him, and yet it is danger to make him even over the time he has lost. Desire him to go in. Trouble him no more to further settling. Will to please your Highness walk? You must bear with me. Pray you now, forget and forgive. I am old. Foolish. Excient, lear, Cordelia, physician and attendants. Holds it trusser, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain. Most certain, sir. Who is conductor of his people? As he said, the bastard son of Gloucester. They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany. Report is changeable. It is time to look about the powers of the kingdom approach a pace. The arbitrament is like to be bloody. Fair you, Elsa. Exit.

2:56:04My point in period will be throughly wrought, or well or ill, as this day's battles fought. Exit. End of Act 4. Act 5. Of the Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare. This is a Libra Box recording. Paul Libra Box recordings are in the public domain. For more information, we're to volunteer, visit Libra Box dot four. Seeing one, the camp of the British forces near Dover. Enter with drum and colors. Edmund, Reagan. Professor's, soldiers and others. Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold, or whether since he is advised by ought to change the course. He's full of alteration and self-reproving.

2:57:08Bring his constant pleasure. To an officer who goes out. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Tis to be doubted, Madame. 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? In honoured love. But have you never found my brother's way to the forefended place? That thought abuses you. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct and busompt with her, as far as we call hers. No, by mine, honour, Madame. I never shall endure her, dear my lord. Be not familiar with her. Be me not. She and the Duke are husband. Enter with drum and colours, Albany, Gonerot and soldiers. Assie. I had rather lose the battle than that sister should loosen him and me.

2:58:09Our very loving sister, well be met. Sir this I heard, the king is come to his daughter, with others whom the rigor of our state forced 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 a pose. Sir you speak nobly. Why is this reasoned? Come bind together against the enemy, for these domestic and particular royals are not the question here. Let's then determine, with the ancient of war, on our proceeding. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Sister you'll go with us? No. Which is most convenient. Pray you go with us. Assie. Oh, I know the riddle. I will go. As they are going out, enter Edgar, disguised.

2:59:12If her your grace had speech with man so poor, hear me one word. I'll overtake you. Take, exeant, Edmund, Regan, Garnerl, officer, soldiers and attendants. Before you fight the battle, hope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound for him that brought it. Wretched though I see him. I can't produce a champion that will prove what is a vouch there. If you must carry your business of the world had so an end and imagination ceases. Fortune love you. State, till I have read the letter. I was forbidden. One time shall serve, let but the herald cry, and I'll appear again. Why, fairly well. I will or look thy paper. Exit, Edgar. Reenter, Edmund. The enemies in view draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces by diligent discovery. But your haste is now urged on you.

3:00:12We will greet the time. Exit. To both these sisters have I sworn my love. Each jealous of the other is the stung are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Both. One. Or neither. Neither can be enjoyed if both remain alive. To take the widow exasperates mix mad her sister-garnerl. 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. Seen to.

3:01:12A field between the two camps. A alarm within. Enter with drum and colors. Lear, cordelia, and their forces. And. Exient. Enter Edgar and Gloucester. Here Father, take the shadow of this tree if you are good host. Pray that the right may thrive. If ever I return to you again I'll bring you comfort. Grace go with you sir. Exit. Edgar. A alarm and retreat within. Reenter. Edgar. Away. Old man give me thy hand. Away. King Lear hath lost. He in his daughter tain. Give me thy hand. Come on. No Father sir. A man may lot even hear. But it is thoughts again. Men must endure their going hence, eithness their coming hither. Rightness is all. Come on.

3:02:12And that's true too. Exient. Seen three. The British camp near Dover. Enter in conquest with drum and colors. Edmund. Lear and cordelia. Prisoners. Officers. Etc. Some officers take them away. Good God until their greater pleasures first be known than art essential them. We are not the first, who with best meaning have incurred the worst. For thee oppressed king and my cast down, myself could else out frown false fortunes frown. Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters? No. No. No. Come. Let's away to prison. We too alone will sing like birds of the cage. When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down and ask of thee forgiveness.

3:03:16So we'll live and pray and sing and tell old tales and laugh at gilded butterflies and hear poor rogues talk of court-news. And we'll talk with them too, who loses and who wins, who's in, who's out, and take upon the mystery of things as if we were God's spies, and we'll wear out in a walled prison packs and sects of great ones that Edmund flow by the moon. Take them away. Upon such sacrifices my cordelia, the God's themselves throw incense. If I caught thee, he that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven and fire us hands like foxes, wipe thy eyes. The good years shall devour them flesh and fell. Here they shall make us weep, we'll see them starve first. Come.

3:04:16Excient, lear and cordelia. Guard it. Come here, the captain. Hawk. Take thou this note. Go. Follow them to prison. One step I have advanced thee. If thou dost as this instruct thee thou dost make thy weight in noble fortunes. Know thou this, that men are as the time is. To be tender-minded does not become a sword. Thy great employment will not bear question. I the say thou do it or thrive by other means. I'll do it, my lord. About it, and right happy when thou hast done. Mark, I say instantly and carry it so as I have set it down. I cannot draw a cart nor eat dried oats. If it be man's work, I'll do it. Exit. Flourish. Enter Albany, Garnerl. Regan. Officers and attendants. Sir, you have showed today your valiant strain, and fortune led you well.

3:05:18You have the captives who were the opposites of this day's strife. We do require them of you, so to use them, as we shall find their merits and our safety, may equally determine. Sir, I thought it fit to send the old and miserable king to some retention and appointed guard, whose age has charms in it, whose title more to pluck the common bosom on his side, and turn our impressed launches in our eyes which do command them. With him I sent the queen, my reason all the same, and they are ready tomorrow. For it far the space to appear where you shall hold your session. At this time we sweat and bleed, the friend have lost his friend, and the best quarrels and the heat are cursed by those that feel their shop-ness. The question of Cordelia and her father requires a fitter place. Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, not as a brother. That's as we list to grace him. We think our pleasure might have been demanded, ere you had spoke so far.

3:06:20He led our powers, bore the commission of my place and person, the which immediacy may well stand up and call itself your brother. Not so hot. In his own grace he death-exhauld himself, more than in your addition. In my rights, by me invested, he compares the best. That were the most if he should husband you. Gestors do oft prove prophets. O la holla, that I that told you so looked but as quint. Lady, I am not well else I should answer from a full-flowing stomach. General, take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony, dispose of them, of me. The walls are thine. Witness the world that I create thee here, my lord and master. Me new to enjoy him. The let alone lies not in your good will. Nor in thine, lord. Half-blooded fellow, yes. To Edmund.

3:07:21Let the drum strike and prove my title vine. Stay yet, here reason. Edmund I arrest thee on capital treason and in thine arrest this gilded serpent. Pointing to God-er-o. For your claim, fair sister, I bar it in the interest of my wife. Sister she is subcontracted to this lord and I, her husband, contradict your bans. If you will marry, make your loves to me. My lady is bespoke. Then interlude. Thou art armed, Glosser. Let the trumpet sound. If none appear to prove upon thy person thine heinous, manifest and many treasons, there is my pledge. Throwing down a glove. I'll prove it on thy heart, here I taste bread. Thou art in nothing less than I have here proclaimed thee. Sick? Sick? A sigh. If not all near-trust medicine.

3:08:24There's my exchange. Throwing down a glove. What in the world he is that names me traitor, villain like he lies? Call by thy trumpet. He that dares approach on him on you who not. I will maintain my truth and honor firmly. A herald, ho. A herald, ho, a herald. Trust to thy single virtue, for thy soldiers, all levied in my name, have in my name, took their discharge. My sickness grows upon me. She is not well. Come they her to my tent. Exit Regan, led. Enter a herald. Come here the herald. Let the trumpet sound and read out this. Sound trumpet. A trumpet sounds. Reads. If any man of quality or degree within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, suppose Earl of Gloucester, that he as a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third

3:09:28sound of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence. And first trumpet. Again. Second trumpet. Again. Third trumpet. Trumpet answers within. Enter Edgar, armed, preceded by a trumpet. Ask him his purpose, why he appears upon this call of the trumpet. What are you? Your name, your quality? And why you answer this present summons? No, my name is lost. My treason's tooth bare no one and canker bit. Yet am I noble as the adversary I come to cope. Which is that adversary? What sea that speaks for Edmund, Earl of Gloucester? Himself, what sayest thou to him? Draw thy sword. That if my speech offends a noble heart, thy arm may do the justice. Here is mine. Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours my oath and my profession.

3:10:29I protest, moregher thy strength, youth place in eminence, despite thy victor sword and fire new fortune, thy valor and thy heart, thou art a traitor. Fulf to thy gods, thy brother and thy father, Conspirant against his high illustrious prince, and from the extremest awkward of thy head, to the descent and dusk beneath thy foot, a most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou know, this sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent to prove upon thy heart, were to I speak thou lyest. In wisdom I should ask thy name. But since thy outside look so fair and warlike and that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes, what safe and nicely I might well delay by rule of knighthood I disdain and spurn. Back do I toss those treasons to thy head, with the hell-hated lie or well-my thy heart. Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise, this sword of mine shall give them instant

3:11:32way where they shall rest forever. Trumpets speak. Allorams, they fight, Edmund falls. Save him, save him. This is mere practice, Gloucester. By the law of arms thou was not bound to answer in unknown opposite. Thou art not vanquished but cousin and beguiled. Shut your mouth, Dame, or with this paper shall I stop it. Hold, sir, thou worse than any name, read thine own evil. No tearing, lady, I perceive you know it. Gives the letter to Edmund. Say if I do, the laws are mine not thine, who can arraign me for it. Most monstrous, no stout this paper. Ask me not what I know. Exit. Go after her, she's desperate, govern her. To an officer who goes out. What you have charged me with that have I done.

3:12:33And more. Much more. The time will bring it out. It is past, and so am I. But what art thou that hast this fortune on me? If thou art noble I do forgive thee. Let's exchange charity. I am no less than blood than thou art Edmund. If more the more thou hast wronged me. My name is Edgar, and thy father's son. The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices make instruments to play us. The dark and vicious place where thee he got cost him his eyes. Thou hast spoken right. Tis true. The wheel has come full circle. I am here. Me thought thy very gate did prophesy a royal nobleness. I must embrace thee. Let's sorrow split my heart if ever I did hate thee or thy father. Worthy prince I note. Where have you hid yourself?

3:13:35Now have you known the miseries of your father? By nursing them, my lord, list a brief tale, and one has told, oh that my heart would burst. The bloody proclamation to escape that followed me so near. O our lives, sweetness, that with the pain of death we'd hourly die rather than die at once. Tought me to shift into a madman's rags, to assume assemblance that very dogs disdained, and in this habit met I my father with his bleeding rings, their precious stones knew lost. Became his guide, led him, begged for him, saved him from despair. Never old fault revealed myself unto him, until some half hour passed when I was armed. Not sure though hoping of this good success. I asked his blessing, and from first to last told him my pilgrimage. What is flawed heart, a lack too weak, the conflict to support? Twix two extremes of passion, joy and grief, burst smilingly.

3:14:38This speech of yours have moved me, and shall perchance do good. But speak you on, you'll look as if you had something more to say. If there be more, more woeful, hold it in, for I am almost ready to dissolve, hearing of this. This would have seemed a period to such as love not sorrow, but another to amplify too much would make much more and top extremity. Whilst I was big in clamor came their amann who, having seen me in my worst estate, shunned my abored society. But then finding who twas that so endured, with his strong arms he fastened on my neck, and bellowed out as he burst heaven. Through him on my father, told the most pittiest tale of lear and hymn that ever eared received. Which in recounting his grief grew pussant, and the strings of life began to crack. Twice then the trumpet sounded, and there I left him trance, but who was this?

3:15:40Kent sir, the banished Kent, who in disguise followed his enemy king and did him service in proper for a slave. Enter a gentleman. Hastefully, with a bloody knife. Help! Help! Oh, help! What kind of help? Speak, man. What means that bloody knife? It is hot. It smokes. It came even from the heart of, oh, she's dead. Who dead? Speak, man. Your lady. So, your lady. And her sister by her is poisoned. She hath confessed it. I was contracted to them both. We'll three now marry in an instant. Here comes Kent. Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead. This judgment of the heavens that makes us tremble touches us not with pity. Exit, gentlemen. Enter Kent. Oh, is this he?

3:16:41The time will not allow the compliment that very man as urges. I am come to bid my king and master I good night. Is he not here? Great thing of us forgot. Speak, Edmund. Where's the king and where's Cordelia? The bodies of Goneroll and Regan are brought in. Seize thou this object, Kent? Alach, why thus? Yet Edmund was beloved. The one the other poisoned for my sake and after slew herself. Even so, cover their faces. I pant for life. Some good I mean to do despite of my own nature. Quickly send, be brief in it to the castle. For my writ is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia. They send in time. Run, run, oh run. To whom I lord? Who has the office? Send thy token of reprieve.

3:17:41Well thought on, take my sword, give it the captain. Haste thee for thy life. Exit, Edgur. He hath commissioned from thy wife and me to hang Cordelia in the prison and to lay the blame upon her own despair that she fordid herself. The gods defend her. Bay him hence a while. Edmund is born off. Reenter Lear with Cordelia dead in his arms. Edgur, officer and others following. Hull, hull, hull, hull. Hull, you are men of stone. Had I your tongues and eyes I'd used them so that heavens' vault should crack. She's gone. Forever, I know when one is dead and when one lives.

3:18:45She's dead as earth. Lend me looking glass, if that her breath will mist or stain the stone, why then she lives. Is this the promised end? Or image of that horror. Fall and cease. This feather's tears, she lives. It would be so. It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows that ever I have felt. Oh, my good master. Neal. Trithia, way, there's noble Kent, your friend. A plague upon you murderers, traitors all. I might have saved her. Now she's gone forever. Cordelia, Cordelia. Stay a little, huh? What is thou says? Her voice was ever soft, gentle and low, an excellent thing in woman.

3:19:49I killed the slave that was I hanging the— Tis true, my lord, he did. Did I not follow? I have seen the day with my good biting falch and I would have made them skip. I am old now, and these same crosses spoil me. Who are you? My eyes are not of the best, I'll tell you straight. If fortune brag of two she loved and hated, one of them we behold. This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent? The same. Your servant, Kent. Where is your servant, caes? He's a good fellow, I can tell you that. He'll strike and quickly too. He's dead and rotten. No, my good lord, I am the very man. I'll see that straight. That from your first of difference and decay have followed your sad steps. You are welcome, hither.

3:20:50Nor no man else. All cheerless, dark and deadly. Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves and desperately are dead. I so I think. He knows not what he says and vain is it that we present us to him. Very bootless. Enter an officer. Edmund is dead, my lord. That's better trifle here. You lords and noble friends, no our intent. What comfort to this great decay may come shall be applied. For us we will resign during the life of this old majesty to him our absolute power. To Edgar and Kent. You to your rights, with boot and such additions as your honors have more than merited. All friends shall taste the wages of their virtue and all foes the cup of their deserving. Oh, sea, sea, and my poor fool is hanged.

3:21:54No, no, no life. Why should a dog or horse or rats have life? And thou no breath at all, thou art come no more. Never, never, never, never, never. Pray you undo this button. Thank you, sir. Do you see this? Look on her. Look. Her lips. Look there. Look there. He dies. He faints, my lord, my lord. Break heart. I pray thee break. Look up, my lord. Vex not his ghost. Oh, let him pass. He hates him that would upon the rack of this rough world stretch him out longer. He is gone indeed. The wonder is he hath endured so long.

3:22:54He but you zirped his life. Bear them from hence. Our present business is general woe. To Kent and Edgar. Friends of my soul, you twain, rule in this realm and the god states sustain. I have a journey, sir, shortly to go. My master calls me. I must not say no. The weight of this sad time we must obey. Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. The oldest have borne most. We that a young shall never see so much nor live so long. Excient with a dead march. End of Act V. End of the tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare.