King Lear : Act 4, Scene 6
Enter GLOUCESTER and
EDGAR [dressed like a peasant].
dressed like a peasant : —Edgar has dropped his pretense of being "poor Tom," and is now wearing the "best 'parel" provided by Gloucester's old tenant.
GLOUCESTER
1 When shall we come to th' top of that same hill?
1. that same hill: i.e., that hill you promised to take me to —See Act 4, Scene 6, line 73 ff.
EDGAR
2 You do climb up it now: look, how we labour.
2. labour: sweat and pant.
GLOUCESTER
3 Methinks the ground is even.
EDGAR
Horrible steep.
4 Hark, do you hear the sea?
GLOUCESTER
No, truly.
EDGAR
5 Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect
6 By your eyes' anguish.
GLOUCESTER
So may it be, indeed:
7 Methinks thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st
8 In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
8. better phrase and matter: — Edgar is no longer talking like "Poor Tom," or even like a commoner.
EDGAR
9 Y' are much deceived: in nothing am I changed
10 But in my garments.
GLOUCESTER
10 Methinks y' are better spoken.
EDGAR
11 Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful
12 And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low!
13 The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
13.choughs: jackdaws. gross: big.
14 Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down
15 Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade!
15. samphire: an edible coastal succulent that grows on seaside cliffs.
16 Methinks he seems no bigger than his head:
17 The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
18 Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark,
19 Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy
19. tall anchoring bark, / Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy : tall anchored ship, diminished to [the size of] her dinghy; her dinghy diminished to [the size of] a buoy.
20 Almost too small for sight: the murmuring surge,
21 That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,
22 Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more;
23 Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
23. the deficient sight: my deficient sight.
24 Topple down headlong.
24. Topple down headlong: Topple me down headlong.
GLOUCESTER
Set me where you stand.
EDGAR
25 Give me your hand: you are now within a foot
26 Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon
27 Would I not leap upright.
27. Would I not leap upright.: I would not jump up and down, much less forward.
GLOUCESTER
Let go my hand.
28 Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel
29 Well worth a poor man's taking: fairies and gods
30 Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off;
30. Prosper it : make it increase — Fairies were thought to guard and multiply hidden treasures.
31 Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
EDGAR
32 Now fare you well, good sir.
GLOUCESTER
With all my heart.
EDGAR [Aside.]
33 Why I do trifle thus with his despair
34 Is done to cure it.
GLOUCESTER
O you mighty gods!
35 This world I do renounce, and, in your sights,
36 Shake patiently my great affliction off:
37 If I could bear it longer, and not fall
38 To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
39 My snuff and loathed part of nature should
40 Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!
37-40.
If I could . . . Burn itself out: i.e., If I could bear my life any longer without rebelling against your irresistible wills, the useless residue of my life—like the smoking wick of a snuffed candle—would burn itself out.
If I could . . . Burn itself out: i.e., If I could bear my life any longer without rebelling against your irresistible wills, the useless residue of my life—like the smoking wick of a snuffed candle—would burn itself out. 41 Now, fellow, fare thee well.
[He jumps forward, and falls to
the ground.]
EDGAR
Gone, sir; farewell!
42 And yet I know not how conceit may rob
42. conceit: imagination.
43 The treasury of life, when life itself
44 Yields to the theft: had he been where he thought,
44. Yields: Consents. where he thought: i.e., where he thought he would be: at the bottom of a high cliff.
45 By this, had thought been past. Alive or dead?
[In a new accent.]
a new accent: — Edgar changes accents, and pretends to be someone who has just found Gloucester at the bottom of the cliff.
46 Ho, you sir! friend! Hear you, sir! speak!
47 Thus might he pass indeed: yet he revives.
47. pass: die.
48 What are you, sir?
GLOUCESTER
Away, and let me die.
EDGAR
49 Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,
49. aught: anything. gossamer: spider thread.
50 (So many fathom down precipitating),
50. fathom: about six feet. precipitating: plunging.
51 Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost breathe;
51. shiver'd : shattered.
52 Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound.
52. Hast: you have. heavy substance: i.e., a physical body. art sound: are unbroken.
53 Ten masts at each make not the altitude
53. at each : end to end.
54 Which thou hast perpendicularly fell:
55 Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.
GLOUCESTER
56 But have I fall'n, or no?
EDGAR
57 From the dread summit of this chalky bourn.
57. 
chalky bourn: i.e., chalky cliffs bounding a sea.
chalky bourn: i.e., chalky cliffs bounding a sea. 58 Look up a-height; the shrill-gorged lark so far
58. a-height: on high. shrill-gorged lark: shrill-throated lark.
59 Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.
GLOUCESTER
60 Alack, I have no eyes.
61 Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,
62 To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,
63 When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage,
63. beguile: cheat; outwit.
64 And frustrate his proud will.
EDGAR
Give me your arm:
65 Up: so. How is 't? Feel you your legs? You stand.
GLOUCESTER
66 Too well, too well.
EDGAR
This is above all strangeness.
66. This is above all strangeness: This is stranger than strange.
67 Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that
68 Which parted from you?
GLOUCESTER
A poor unfortunate beggar.
68. A poor unfortunate beggar: Gloucester is thinking of "poor Tom."
EDGAR
69 As I stood here below, methought his eyes
70 Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses,
71 Horns whelk'd and waved like the enridged sea:
71. whelk'd: twisted. enridged: furrowed.
72 It was some fiend; therefore, thou happy father,
72. happy father: fortunate old man.
73 Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours
73. clearest: purest.
74 Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
73-74. who make them honours / Of men's impossibilities : who win our reverence by doing deeds impossible for humans.
GLOUCESTER
75 I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear
76 Affliction till it do cry out itself
77 "Enough, enough," and die. That thing you speak of,
78 I took it for a man; often 'twould say
79 "The fiend, the fiend": he led me to that place.
EDGAR
80 Bear free and patient thoughts. But who comes here?
80. free: serene.
Enter LEAR [fantastically dressed with
weeds and wild flowers].
81 The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
82 His master thus.
81-82. The safer sense will ne'er accommodate / His master thus: i.e., A sane mind would never allow its possessor to dress up this way.
KING LEAR
83 No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the
83. they cannot touch me for coining: they cannot prosecute me for minting counterfeit coins.
84 king himself.
EDGAR
85 O thou side-piercing sight!
KING LEAR
86 Nature's above art in that respect. There's your
87 press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a
87. press-money: money paid to a man impressed [drafted] into the army.
88 crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard. Look,
88. crow-keeper: human scare-crow. draw . . . yard: i.e., show me that you can draw the bowstring back a full yard.
89 look, a mouse! Peace, peace; this piece of toasted
90 cheese will do 't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it
91 on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. O, well flown,
90-91. I'll . . . giant: i.e., I'll prove my case by fighting a giant. brown bills: i.e., soldiers carrying brown pikes.
92 bird! i' the clout, i' the clout—hewgh! Give the word.
92. bird: arrow. clout: bull's eye. word: password.
EDGAR
93 Sweet marjoram.
93. marjoram : herb used medicine for madness.
KING LEAR
Harry Groener and Robert Pine in a 2010 Antaeus production of "King Lear." Credit: Ed Krieger.
94 Pass.
GLOUCESTER
95 I know that voice.
KING LEAR
96 Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered
97 me like a dog; and told me I had white hairs in my
97. like a dog : i.e., like a dog would, fawningly.
98 beard ere the black ones were there. To say 'ay'
97-98. told . . . there: i.e., from the time I was a child, told me I had wisdom.
99 and 'no' to every thing that I said!—'Ay' and 'no'
100 too was no good divinity. When the rain came to
100. no good divinity : poor theology, [because insincere]; from James 5:12 "Let your yea be your yea; your nay nay."
101 wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when
102 the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I
103 found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go to, they are
103. found 'em: i.e, found out that they were flattering me.
104 not men o' their words: they told me I was every
105 thing; 'tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.
105. ague-proof: immune to illness.
GLOUCESTER
106 The trick of that voice I do well remember:
106. trick: individual quality.
107 Is 't not the king?
KING LEAR
Ay, every inch a king:
108 When I do stare, see how the subject quakes.
108. the subject: i.e., any one of my subjects.
109 I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause?
109. thy cause?: your crime?
110 Adultery?
111 Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No:
112 The wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly
112. goes to 't: i.e., copulates.
113 Does lecher in my sight.
114 Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's bastard son
115 Was kinder to his father than my daughters
116 Got 'tween the lawful sheets.
116. Got: begot. sheets: bed sheets.
117 To 't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers.
117. To 't, luxury, pell-mell!: i.e., go ahead lechery, rage on!
118 Behold yond simpering dame,
119 Whose face between her forks presages snow;
119. face . . . forks: >>> presages snow: i.e., implies cold chastity.
120 That minces virtue, and does shake the head
120. minces virtue: flirtatiously pretends to virtue.
121 To hear of pleasure's name;
121. pleasure's name: the very name of sexual pleasure.
122 The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't
122. The fitchew, nor the soiled horse: [Neither] the polecat nor a high-spirited horse full of fresh grass.
123 With a more riotous appetite.
124 Down from the waist they are Centaurs,
124. Centaurs: lecherous mythological creatures which have a human body to the waist, but the legs and torso of a horse.
125 Though women all above:
126 But to the girdle do the gods inherit,
126-127. But to the girdle: Only to the belt. hell: traditional slang for the female genitals.
127 Beneath is all the fiends': there's hell, there's darkness,
128 There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding,
129 Stench, consumption. Fie, fie, fie! pah, pah!
130 Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary,
130. civet: perfume derived from the sex glands of a civet cat.
131 Sweeten my imagination. There's money for thee.
GLOUCESTER
132 O, let me kiss that hand!
KING LEAR
133 Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.
GLOUCESTER
134. piece : masterpiece. >>>
134 O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world
135 Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me?
KING LEAR
136 I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou
137 squint at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid!
138 I'll not love. Read thou this challenge; mark but
139 the penning of it.
GLOUCESTER
140 Were all the letters suns, I could not see one.
EDGAR
141 I would not take this from report; it is,
141. I would not take this from report: i.e., I wouldn't believe this if I hadn't seen it myself.
142 And my heart breaks at it.
KING LEAR
143 Read.
GLOUCESTER
144 What, with the case of eyes?
144. case: sockets.
KING LEAR
145 O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your
145. are you there with me?: i.e., do you see things the same as I do?
146 head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in
147 a heavy case, your purse in a light; yet you see how
147. heavy case: sad condition.
148 this world goes.
GLOUCESTER
149 I see it feelingly.
149. feelingly: by touch; with emotion.
KING LEAR
150 What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes
151 with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond
152 justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in
153 thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which
152-153. in thine ear: i.e., I'll let you in on a little secret. handy-dandy: pick a hand [as in a child's game].
154 is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen
155 a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?
GLOUCESTER
156 Ay, sir.
KING LEAR
157 And the creature run from the cur? There thou
157. creature: human being.
158 mightst behold the great image of authority: a
159 dog's obeyed in office.
160 Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!
160. beadle: the parish officer responsible for whippings.
161 Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;
161. Strip: Lash.
162 Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind
162. that kind: that same way.
163 For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener.
163. The usurer hangs the cozener: i.e., The corrupt judge sentences the petty cheat to be hanged.
164 Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear;
165 Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,
166 And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks:
165-166. Plate sin . . . breaks: i.e., the lance of justice will harmlessly break against golden armor.
167 Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
168 None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:
168. able 'em: authorize them, i.e., exempt everyone from legal guilt.
169 Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
169. Take that of me: Perhaps Lear offers Gloucester money.
170 To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
171 And like a scurvy politician, seem
171. scurvy politician: vile schemer.
172 To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now:
173 Pull off my boots: harder, harder: so.
EDGAR [Aside.]
174 O, matter and impertinency mix'd!
174. matter and impertinency: sense and nonsense.
175 Reason in madness!
KING LEAR
176 If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
177 I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:
178 Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:
179 Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air,
180 We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee. Mark.
180. Mark: pay attention.
GLOUCESTER
181 Alack, alack the day!
KING LEAR
182 When we are born, we cry that we are come
183 To this great stage of fools. —This' a good block;
183.
block: a wooden hat mold. — Perhaps Lear is pointing to his own head.
block: a wooden hat mold. — Perhaps Lear is pointing to his own head. 184 It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe
184. delicate stratagem: subtle strategy.
185 A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof;
186 And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,
187 Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
Enter a Gentleman [with Attendants].
Gentleman
188 O, here he is: lay hand upon him. —Sir,
189 Your most dear daughter—
189. daughter: i.e., Cordelia. — Cordelia has sent the gentleman to bring Lear to safety, but Lear thinks that the gentleman has been sent by his evil daughters to take him prisoner.
KING LEAR
190 No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
191 The natural fool of fortune. Use me well;
190-191. I . . . fortune: I am the bastard plaything of fortune.
192 You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
193 I am cut to the brains.
193. cut: wounded.
Gentleman
193 You shall have any thing.
KING LEAR
194 No seconds? all myself?
194. No . . . myself?: No supporters? Am I all by myself?
195 Why, this would make a man a man of salt,
195. this . . . salt: i.e., being alone like this could reduce a man to nothing but salty tears.
196 To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
196. garden water-pots: watering cans.
197 Ay, and laying autumn's dust.
197. Ay, and laying autumn's dust: Yes, and [good for] keeping down the dust of autumn.
Gentleman
197 Good sir,—
KING LEAR
198 I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. What!
198. I will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom: — King Lear is punning: "Die" can also mean "have an orgasm," and "bravely" can mean "finely attired."
199 I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,
200 My masters, know you that.
Gentleman
201 You are a royal one, and we obey you.
KING LEAR
202 Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you
202. there's life in't: i.e., there's hope left.
203 shall get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.
203. Sa, sa, sa, sa: — This is a cry to encourage dogs in the hunt.
Exit [running; Attendants follow].
Gentleman
204 A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
205 Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter,
205. Thou: i.e., King Lear. one daughter: i.e., Cordelia.
206 Who redeems nature from the general curse
207 Which twain have brought her to.
207. twain: i.e., two daughters, Goneril and Regan.
EDGAR
208 Hail, gentle sir.
208. gentle: noble.
Gentleman
Sir, speed you: what's your will?
speed you: God speed you.
EDGAR
209 Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
209. toward: coming.
Gentleman
210 Most sure and vulgar: every one hears that,
210. vulgar: commonly known.
211 Which can distinguish sound.
211. Which can distinguish sound: Who is not deaf.
EDGAR
But, by your favour,
212 How near's the other army?
Gentleman
213 Near and on speedy foot; the main descry
214 Stands on the hourly thought.
213-214. the main descry / Stands on the hourly thought: the appearance of the main force is expected at any moment.
EDGAR
214 I thank you, sir: that's all.
Gentleman
215 Though that the queen on special cause is here,
215. the queen: Cordelia, queen of France. on special cause: for a special reason.
216 Her army is moved on.
EDGAR
216 I thank you, sir.
Exit [Gentleman].
GLOUCESTER
217 You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me:
218 Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
218. my worser spirit : wicked inclination; bad angel.
219 To die before you please!
EDGAR
Well pray you, father.
219. Well pray you, father: You are praying well, father — Edgar is not revealing his identity as Gloucester's son; "father" is a term of respect for an elderly man.
GLOUCESTER
220 Now, good sir, what are you?
EDGAR
221 A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows;
222 Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,
222. feeling: profound.
223 Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand,
223. pregnant to: disposed to feel.
224 I'll lead you to some biding.
224. biding: resting place.
GLOUCESTER
Hearty thanks:
225 The bounty and the benison of heaven
226 To boot, and boot!
225-226. The bounty . . . and boot!: i.e., in addition to my thanks, may heaven give you both a great blessing and a bountiful worldly reward.
Enter Steward [OSWALD].
OSWALD
A proclaim'd prize! Most happy!
226. A proclaim'd prize!: A man with a bounty on his life! happy: lucky.
227 That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh
227. framed : made of.
228 To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,
228. unhappy: unlucky.
229 Briefly thyself remember: the sword is out
229. Briefly thyself remember: i.e., say your prayers and prepare to die.
230 That must destroy thee.
GLOUCESTER
Now let thy friendly hand
231 Put strength enough to't.
230-231. Now . . . to't: i.e., Now let your friendly hand strike with enough force to kill me. — Gloucester considers Oswald's hand, which is about to kill him, to be "friendly" because Gloucester wants to die without committing suicide.
[EDGAR steps between Oswald and Gloucester,
and holds Gloucester's arm to keep him safe
from Oswald's sword.]
OSWALD
Wherefore, bold peasant,
232 Darest thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence;
233 Lest that the infection of his fortune take
234 Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
232-234. Hence . . . on thee: Go away, lest his bad luck infect you too.
EDGAR
235 Chill not let go, zir, without vurther cagion.
235. Chill: I will. — Edgar now pretends to be a peasant from England's West Country. vurther cagion: further occasion [i.e., more reason than just your say-so].
OSWALD
236 Let go, slave, or thou diest!
EDGAR
237 Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor voke
237. go your gait: walk away. voke: folk.
238 pass. An chud ha' bin zwagger'd out of my life,
238. An chud ha' bin: If I could have been. zwagger'd: swaggered, bullied.
239 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight.
239. 'twould . . . vortnight: would have been two weeks shorter; i.e., This isn't the first time I've had to deal with a bully.
240 Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor'
241 ye, or Ice try whether your costard or my ballow be
242 the harder. Chill be plain with you.
240-242. keep . . . harder: keep away, I warn you, or I'll test whether your little apple [i.e., head] or my cudgel is harder. Chill be plain with you: I'll be truthful with you; i.e., you'd better believe me.
OSWALD
243 Out, dunghill!
243. Out, dunghill!: Out of my way, you pile of shit!
EDGAR
244 Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come; no matter vor
244. Chill: I'll. pick your teeth: i.e., knock your teeth out.
245 your foins.
245. foins: sword thrusts.
[They fight, and Edgar gives Oswald
a deadly wound.]
OSWALD
246 Slave, thou hast slain me: villain, take my purse:
247 If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;
248 And give the letters which thou find'st about me
249 To Edmund Earl of Gloucester; seek him out
250 Upon the English party: O, untimely death!
250. Upon the English party: Within the ranks of the English army.
251 Death!
[Dies.]
EDGAR
252 I know thee well: a serviceable villain;
253 As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
254 As badness would desire.
GLOUCESTER
What, is he dead?
EDGAR
255 Sit you down, father; rest you
256 Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of
256. pockets: messenger bags.
257 May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry
258 He had no other deathsman. Let us see:
258. deathsman: executioner.
259 Leave, gentle wax;
[Edgar breaks the wax seal and opens
the letter.]
and, manners, blame us not:
259. Leave: By your leave. wax: the wax seal on the letter.
260 To know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts;
261 Their papers, is more lawful.
261. Their papers: i.e., To rip open their papers.
Reads.
262 'Let our reciprocal vows be rememb'red. You have
263 many opportunities to cut him off: if your will
263. him: Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany.
your will: i.e., your desire for me.
your will: i.e., your desire for me.
264 want not, time and place will be fruitfully offer'd.
264. want: lack. fruitfully: plentifully.
265 There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror:
265. done: accomplished.
266 then am I the prisoner, and his bed my jail; from
267 the loath'd warmth whereof deliver me, and supply
268 the place for your labour.
267-268. and supply . . . place: and take his place in my bed.
269 Your (wife, so I would say) affectionate servant,
270 Goneril.'
271 O indistinguish'd space of woman's will!
271. O . . . will: O limitless extent of woman's appetite.
272 A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
273 And the exchange my brother! Here, in the sands,
273. exchange: substitute.
274 Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified
274. Thee I'll rake up: i.e., I'll bury you in a shallow grave. post unsanctified: unholy messenger.
275 Of murderous lechers: and in the mature time
275. in the mature time: when the time is ripe.
276 With this ungracious paper strike the sight
276. ungracious: wicked. strike the sight: i.e., astound.
277 Of the death-practic'd Duke: for him 'tis well
277. death-practic'd Duke: Duke whose death is plotted.
278 That of thy death and business I can tell.
GLOUCESTER
279 The king is mad: how stiff is my vile sense,
280 That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
281 Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
279-281. how stiff . . . sorrows: how obstinate is my unwanted rationality, so that I remain sane and have a keen sense of my overwhelming sorrows! distract: mad.
282 So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,
283 And woes by wrong imaginations lose
283. wrong imaginations: delusions.
284 The knowledge of themselves.
EDGAR
Give me your hand:
Drum afar off.
285 Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum:
286 Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
286. bestow: lodge.
Exeunt.