Page 176 - King Lear: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

4.6.2^5 K I N G LEAR lot
That of thy death and business I can tell.
Gloucester. 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 280
The knowledge of themselves. ['Drum afar off 1
Edgar. Give me your hand:
Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum.
Come, father, I'll bestow you with a friend, [they go

[4.7.] A tent in the French camp
Enter CORDELIA, KENT, DOCTOR and Gentleman

Cordelia. O thou good Kent, how shall I live
and work
To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,
And every measure fail me.
Kent. To be acknowledged, madam, is o'er-paid.
All my reports go with the modest truth;
Nor more, nor clipped, but so.
Cordelia. Be better suited:
These weeds are memories of those worser hours;
I prithee put them off.
Kent. - Pardon, dear madam;
Yet to be known shortens my made intent.
My boon I make it that you know me not 10
Till time, and I, think meet.
Cordelia. Then be't so, my good lord. [To the
Doctor] How does the King?
Doctor. Madam, sleeps still.
Cordelia. O you kind gods,