No Fear Shakespeare
King Lear
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 4, Scene 6, Page 2
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Diminished to her cock, her cock a buoy
Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge
That on th' unnumbered idle pebbles chafes
Cannot be heard so high. I’ll look no more
Lest my brain turn and the deficient sight
Topple down headlong.
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than its lifeboat, and its lifeboat looks as small as a tiny buoy. Up here you can’t even hear the waves crashing against the rocks. I have to stop looking, or my head will start spinning and I’ll fall.
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GLOUCESTER
Set me where you stand.
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GLOUCESTER
Lead me to where you’re standing.
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EDGAR
Give me your hand. You are now within a foot
Of th' extreme verge. For all beneath the moon
Would I not leap upright.
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EDGAR
Give me your hand. You’re now within a foot of the cliff’s edge. I wouldn’t try to jump up and down here for anything on earth.
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GLOUCESTER
Let go my hand.
(gives EDGAR another purse)
Here, friend, ’s another purse, in it a jewel
Well worth a poor man’s taking. Fairies and gods
Prosper it with thee! Go thou farther off.
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
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GLOUCESTER
Let go of my hand. (he gives EDGAR another purse) Here’s another purse, my friend. Inside it there’s a jewel that any poor man would be happy to have. I hope it’s only the beginning of future prosperity for you. Now go further away. Say goodbye to me, and let me hear your footsteps as you walk away.
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EDGAR
Now fare you well, good sir.
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EDGAR
Goodbye, good sir.
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GLOUCESTER
With all my heart.
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GLOUCESTER
With all my heart.
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EDGAR moves aside |
EDGAR moves aside. |
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EDGAR
(aside) Why I do trifle thus with his despair
Is done to cure it.
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EDGAR
(to himself) I’m toying with his despair to cure him of it.
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GLOUCESTER
O you mighty gods, (kneels)
This world I do renounce, and in your sights
Shake patiently my great affliction off.
If I could bear it longer and not fall
To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
My snuff and loathèd part of nature should
Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!—
Now, fellow, fare thee well. (falls)
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GLOUCESTER
Oh, you mighty gods! (he kneels) I hereby renounce this world and all my troubles and torments. If I could bear them better, and not fight against your unstoppable decisions, then I would simply wait until I expired naturally. If Edgar’s alive, bless him, gods!—Now, man, goodbye. (he falls)
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