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SCENE III. The British camp near Dover.
Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND, KING LEAR and CORDELIA, prisoners; Captain, Soldiers, & c
EDMUND
Some officers take them away: good guard,
Until their greater pleasures first be known
That are to censure them.
CORDELIA
We are not the first
Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst.
For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down;
Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.
Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters?
KING LEAR
No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison:
We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage:
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee forgiveness: so 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's the mystery of things,
As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,
That ebb and flow by the moon.
EDMUND
Take them away.
KING LEAR
Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,
The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee?
He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven,
And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;
The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell,
Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve
first. Come.
Exeunt KING LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded
EDMUND
Come hither, captain; hark.
Take thou this note;
Giving a paper
go follow them to prison:
One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To 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; either say thou'lt do 't,
Or thrive by other means.
Captain
I'll do 't, my lord.
EDMUND
About it; and write happy when thou hast done.
Mark, I say, instantly; and carry it so
As I have set it down.
Captain
I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work, I'll do 't.
Exit
Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, another Captain, and Soldiers
ALBANY
Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain,
And fortune led you well: you have the captives
That 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.
EDMUND
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,
An turn our impress'd lances in our eyes
Which do command them. With him I sent the queen;
My reason all the same; and they are ready
To-morrow, or at further space, to appear
Where you shall hold your session. At this time
We sweat and bleed: the friend hath lost his friend;
And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed
By those that feel their sharpness:
The question of Cordelia and her father
Requires a fitter place.
ALBANY
Sir, by your patience,
I hold you but a subject of this war,
Not as a brother.
REGAN
That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded,
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers;
Bore the commission of my place and person;
The which immediacy may well stand up,
And call itself your brother.
GONERIL
Not so hot:
In his own grace he doth exalt himself,
More than in your addition.
REGAN
In my rights,
By me invested, he compeers the best.
GONERIL
That were the most, if he should husband you.
REGAN
Jesters do oft prove prophets.
GONERIL
Holla, holla!
That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint.
REGAN
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.
GONERIL
Mean you to enjoy him?
ALBANY
The let-alone lies not in your good will.
EDMUND
Nor in thine, lord.
ALBANY
Half-blooded fellow, yes.
REGAN
[To EDMUND] Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.
ALBANY
Stay yet; hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason; and, in thine attaint,
This gilded serpent
Pointing to Goneril
For your claim, fair sister,
I bar it in the interest of my wife:
'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your loves to me,
My lady is bespoke.
GONERIL
An interlude!
ALBANY
Thou art arm'd, Gloucester: let the trumpet sound:
If none appear to prove upon thy head
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge;
Throwing down a glove
I'll prove it on thy heart,
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.
REGAN
Sick, O, sick!
GONERIL
[Aside] If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine.
EDMUND
There'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 honour firmly.
ALBANY
A herald, ho!
EDMUND
A herald, ho, a herald!
ALBANY
Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.
REGAN
My sickness grows upon me.
ALBANY
She is not well; convey her to my tent.
Exit Regan, led
Enter a Herald
Come hither, herald,--Let the trumpet sound,
And read out this.
Captain
Sound, trumpet!
A trumpet sounds
Herald
[Reads] 'If any man of quality or degree within
the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund,
supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he is a manifold
traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the
trumpet: he is bold in his defence.'
EDMUND
Sound!
First trumpet
Herald
Again!
Second trumpet
Herald
Again!
Third trumpet
Trumpet answers within
Enter EDGAR, at the third sound, armed, with a trumpet before him
ALBANY
Ask him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this call o' the trumpet.
Herald
What are you?
Your name, your quality? and why you answer
This present summons?
EDGAR
Know, my name is lost;
By treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit:
Yet am I noble as the adversary
I come to cope.
ALBANY
Which is that adversary?
EDGAR
What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester?
EDMUND
Himself: what say'st thou to him?
EDGAR
Draw thy sword,
That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine.
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours,
My oath, and my profession: I protest,
Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour and thy heart, thou art a traitor;
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Conspirant 'gainst this high-illustrious prince;
And, from the extremest upward of thy head
To the descent and dust below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou 'No,'
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.
EDMUND
In wisdom I should ask thy name;
But, since thy outside looks 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 these treasons to thy head;
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;
Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak!
Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls
ALBANY
Save him, save him!
GONERIL
This is practise, Gloucester:
By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer
An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
But cozen'd and beguiled.
ALBANY
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
GONERIL
Say, if I do, the laws are mine, not thine:
Who can arraign me for't.
ALBANY
Most monstrous! oh!
Know'st thou this paper?
GONERIL
Ask me not what I know.
Exit
ALBANY
Go after her: she's desperate; govern her.
EDMUND
What you have charged me with, that have I done;
And more, much more; the time will bring it out:
'Tis past, and so am I. But what art thou
That hast this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble,
I do forgive thee.
EDGAR
Let's exchange charity.
I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund;
If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us:
The dark and vicious place where thee he got
Cost him his eyes.
EDMUND
Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true;
The wheel is come full circle: I am here.
ALBANY
Methought thy very gait did prophesy
A royal nobleness: I must embrace thee:
Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I
Did hate thee or thy father!
EDGAR
Worthy prince, I know't.
ALBANY
Where have you hid yourself?
How have you known the miseries of your father?
EDGAR
By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale;
And when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst!
The bloody proclamation to escape,
That follow'd me so near,--O, our lives' sweetness!
That we the pain of death would hourly die
Rather than die at once!--taught me to shift
Into a madman's rags; to assume a semblance
That very dogs disdain'd: and in this habit
Met I my father with his bleeding rings,
Their precious stones new lost: became his guide,
Led him, begg'd for him, saved him from despair;
Never,--O fault!--reveal'd myself unto him,
Until some half-hour past, when I was arm'd:
Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,
I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last
Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw'd heart,
Alack, too weak the conflict to support!
'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,
Burst smilingly.
EDMUND
This speech of yours hath moved me,
And shall perchance do good: but speak you on;
You look as you had something more to say.
ALBANY
If there be more, more woeful, hold it in;
For I am almost ready to dissolve,
Hearing of this.
EDGAR
This would have seem'd 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 clamour came there in a man,
Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding
Who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms
He fastened on my neck, and bellow'd out
As he'ld burst heaven; threw him on my father;
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
That ever ear received: which in recounting
His grief grew puissant and the strings of life
Began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded,
And there I left him tranced.
ALBANY
But who was this?
EDGAR
Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise
Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service
Improper for a slave.
Enter a Gentleman, with a bloody knife
Gentleman
Help, help, O, help!
EDGAR
What kind of help?
ALBANY
Speak, man.
EDGAR
What means that bloody knife?
Gentleman
'Tis hot, it smokes;
It came even from the heart of--O, she's dead!
ALBANY
Who dead? speak, man.
Gentleman
Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister
By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it.
EDMUND
I was contracted to them both: all three
Now marry in an instant.
EDGAR
Here comes Kent.
ALBANY
Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead:
This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble,
Touches us not with pity.
Exit Gentleman
Enter KENT
O, is this he?
The time will not allow the compliment
Which very manners urges.
KENT
I am come
To bid my king and master aye good night:
Is he not here?
ALBANY
Great thing of us forgot!
Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's Cordelia?
See'st thou this object, Kent?
The bodies of GONERIL and REGAN are brought in
KENT
Alack, why thus?
EDMUND
Yet Edmund was beloved:
The one the other poison'd for my sake,
And after slew herself.
ALBANY
Even so. Cover their faces.
EDMUND
I pant for life: some good I mean to do,
Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send,
Be brief in it, to the castle; for my writ
Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia:
Nay, send in time.
ALBANY
Run, run, O, run!
EDGAR
To who, my lord? Who hath the office? send
Thy token of reprieve.
EDMUND
Well thought on: take my sword,
Give it the captain.
ALBANY
Haste thee, for thy life.
Exit EDGAR
EDMUND
He hath commission from thy wife and me
To hang Cordelia in the prison, and
To lay the blame upon her own despair,
That she fordid herself.
ALBANY
The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile.
EDMUND is borne off
Re-enter KING LEAR, with CORDELIA dead in his arms; EDGAR, Captain, and others following
KING LEAR
Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones:
Had I your tongues and eyes, I'ld use them so
That heaven's vault should crack. She's gone for ever!
I know when one is dead, and when one lives;
She's dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass;
If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,
Why, then she lives.
KENT
Is this the promised end
EDGAR
Or image of that horror?
ALBANY
Fall, and cease!
KING LEAR
This feather stirs; she lives! if it be so,
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt.
KENT
[Kneeling] O my good master!
KING LEAR
Prithee, away.
EDGAR
'Tis noble Kent, your friend.
KING LEAR
A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all!
I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever!
Cordelia, Cordelia! stay a little. Ha!
What is't thou say'st? Her voice was ever soft,
Gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman.
I kill'd the slave that was a-hanging thee.
Captain
'Tis true, my lords, he did.
KING LEAR
Did I not, fellow?
I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion
I would have made them skip: I am old now,
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you?
Mine eyes are not o' the best: I'll tell you straight.
KENT
If fortune brag of two she loved and hated,
One of them we behold.
KING LEAR
This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent?
KENT
The same,
Your servant Kent: Where is your servant Caius?
KING LEAR
He's a good fellow, I can tell you that;
He'll strike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten.
KENT
No, my good lord; I am the very man,--
KING LEAR
I'll see that straight.
KENT
That, from your first of difference and decay,
Have follow'd your sad steps.
KING LEAR
You are welcome hither.
KENT
Nor no man else: all's cheerless, dark, and deadly.
Your eldest daughters have fordone them selves,
And desperately are dead.
KING LEAR
Ay, so I think.
ALBANY
He knows not what he says: and vain it is
That we present us to him.
EDGAR
Very bootless.
Enter a Captain
Captain
Edmund is dead, my lord.
ALBANY
That's but a trifle here.
You lords and noble friends, know 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 addition as your honours
Have more than merited. All friends shall taste
The wages of their virtue, and all foes
The cup of their deservings. O, see, see!
KING LEAR
And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life!
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life,
And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt 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!
Dies
EDGAR
He faints! My lord, my lord!
KENT
Break, heart; I prithee, break!
EDGAR
Look up, my lord.
KENT
Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates him much
That would upon the rack of this tough world
Stretch him out longer.
EDGAR
He is gone, indeed.
KENT
The wonder is, he hath endured so long:
He but usurp'd his life.
ALBANY
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 gored state sustain.
KENT
I have a journey, sir, shortly to go;
My master calls me, I must not say no.
ALBANY
The weight of this sad time we must obey;
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
The oldest hath borne most: we that are young
Shall never see so much, nor live so long.
Exeunt, with a dead march
第三场 多佛附近英军营地
旗鼓前导，爱德蒙凯旋上；李尔、考狄利娅被俘随上；军官、兵士等同上。
爱德蒙 来人，把他们押下去，好生看守，等上面发落下来，再作道理。
考狄利娅 存心良善的反而得到恶报， 这样的前例是很多的。我只是为了你，
被迫害的国王，才感到悲伤；否则尽管欺人的命运向我横眉怒目，我也不把她的凌
辱放在心上。我们要不要去见见这两个女儿和这两个姊姊？
李尔 不， 不，不，不！来，让我们到监牢里去。我们两人将要像笼中之鸟一
般唱歌；当你求我为你祝福的时候，我要跪下来求你饶恕；我们就这样生活着，祈
祷，唱歌，说些古老的故事，嘲笑那班像金翅蝴蝶般的廷臣，听听那些可怜的人们
讲些宫廷里的消息；我们也要跟他们在一起谈话，谁失败，谁胜利，谁在朝，谁在
野，用我们的意见解释各种事情的秘奥，就像我们是上帝的耳目一样；在囚牢的四
壁之内，我们将要冷眼看那些朋比为奸的党徒随着月亮的圆缺而升沉。
爱德蒙 把他们带下去。
李尔 对于这样的祭物， 我的考狄利娅，天神也要焚香致敬的。我果然把你捉
住了吗？谁要是想分开我们，必须从天上取下一把火炬来像驱逐狐狸一样把我们赶
散。揩干你的眼睛；让恶疮烂掉他们的全身，他们也不能使我们流泪，我们要看他
们活活饿死。来。（兵士押李尔、考狄利娅下。）
爱德蒙 过来， 队长。听着，把这一通密令拿去；（以一纸授军官）跟着他们
到监牢里去。我已经把你提升了一级，要是你能够照这密令上所说的执行，一定大
有好处。你要知道，识时务的才是好汉；心肠太软的人不配佩带刀剑。我吩咐你去
干这件重要的差使，你可不必多问，愿意就做，不愿意就另谋出路吧。
军官 我愿意，大人。
爱德蒙 那么去吧； 你立了这一个功劳，你就是一个幸运的人。听着，事不宜
迟，必须照我所写的办法赶快办好。
军官 我不会拖车子，也不会吃干麦；只要是男子汉干的事，我就会干。（下。）
喇叭奏花腔。奥本尼、高纳里尔、里根、军官及侍从等上。
奥本尼 伯爵， 你今天果然表明了你是一个将门之子；命运眷顾着你，使你克
奏肤功，跟我们敌对的人都已经束手就擒。请你把你的俘虏交给我们，让我们一方
面按照他们的身分，一方面顾到我们自身的安全，决定一个适当的处置。
爱德蒙 殿下， 我已经把那不幸的老王拘禁起来，并且派兵严密监视了；我认
为应该这样办；他的高龄和尊号都有一种莫大的魔力，可以吸引人心归附他，要是
不加防范，恐怕我们的部下都要受他的煽惑而对我们反戈相向。那王后我为了同样
的理由，也把她一起下了监；他们明天或者迟一两天就可以受你们的审判。现在弟
兄们刚刚流过血汗，丧折了不少的朋友亲人，他们感受战争的残酷，未免心中愤激，
这场争端无论理由怎样正大，在他们看来也就成为是可咒诅的了；所以审问考狄利
娅和她的父亲这一件事，必须在一个更适当的时候举行。
奥本尼 伯爵， 说一句不怕你见怪的话，你不过是一个随征的将领，我并没有
把你当作一个同等地位的人。
里根 假如我愿意，为什么他不能和你分庭抗礼呢？我想你在说这样的话以前，
应该先问问我的意思才是。他带领我们的军队，受到我的全权委任，凭着这一层亲
密的关系，也够资格和你称兄道弟了。
高纳里尔 少亲热点儿吧； 他的地位是他靠着自己的才能造成的，并不是你给
他的恩典。
里根 我把我的权力付托给他，他就能和最尊贵的人匹敌。
高纳里尔 要是他做了你的丈夫，至多也不过如此吧。
里根 笑话往往会变成预言。
高纳里尔 呵呵！看你挤眉弄眼的，果然有点儿邪气。
里根 太太， 我现在身子不大舒服，懒得跟你斗口了。将军，请你接受我的军
队、俘虏和财产；这一切连我自己都由你支配；我是你的献城降服的臣仆；让全世
界为我证明，我现在把你立为我的丈夫和君主。
高纳里尔 你想要受用他吗？
奥本尼 那不是你所能阻止的。
爱德蒙 也不是你所能阻止的。
奥本尼 杂种，我可以阻止你们。
里根（向爱德蒙）叫鼓手打起鼓来，和他决斗，证明我已经把尊位给了你。
奥本尼 等一等， 我还有话说。爱德蒙，你犯有叛逆重罪，我逮捕你；同时我
还要逮捕这一条金鳞的毒蛇。（指高纳里尔）贤妹，为了我的妻子的缘故，我必须
要求您放弃您的权利；她已经跟这位勋爵有约在先，所以我，她的丈夫，不得不对
你们的婚姻表示异议。要是您想结婚的话，还是把您的爱情用在我的身上吧，我的
妻子已经另有所属了。
高纳里尔 这一段穿插真有趣！
奥本尼 葛罗斯特， 你现在甲胄在身；让喇叭吹起来；要是没有人出来证明你
所犯的无数凶残罪恶，众目昭彰的叛逆重罪，这儿是我的信物；（掷下手套）在我
没有剖开你的胸口，证明我此刻所宣布的一切以前，我决不让一些食物接触我的嘴
唇。
里根 嗳哟！我病了！我病了！
高纳里尔（旁白）要是你不病，我也从此不相信毒药了。
爱德蒙 这儿是我给你的交换品； （掷下手套）谁骂我是叛徒的，他就是个说
谎的恶人。叫你的喇叭吹起来吧；谁有胆量，出来，我可以向他、向你、向每一个
人证明我的不可动摇的忠心和荣誉。
奥本尼 来，传令官！
爱德蒙 传令官！传令官！
奥本尼 信赖你个人的勇气吧； 因为你的军队都是用我的名义征集的，我已经
用我的名义把他们遣散了。
里根 我的病越来越厉害啦！
奥本尼 她身体不舒服； 把她扶到我的帐里去。（侍从扶里根下）过来，传令
官。
传令官上。
奥本尼 叫喇叭吹起来。宣读这一道命令。
军官 吹喇叭！（喇叭吹响。）
传令官（宣读）“在本军之中，如有身分高贵的将校官佐，愿意证明爱德蒙—
—名分未定的葛罗斯特伯爵，是一个罪恶多端的叛徒，让他在第三次喇叭声中出来。
该爱德蒙坚决自卫。”
爱德蒙 吹！（喇叭初响）
传令官 再吹！（喇叭再响。）
传令官 再吹！（喇叭三响。内喇叭声相应。）
喇叭手前导，爱德伽武装上。
奥本尼 问明他的来意，为什么他听了喇叭的呼召到这儿来。
传令官 你是什么人？ 你叫什么名字？在军中是什么官级？为什么你要应召而
来？
爱德伽 我的名字已经被阴谋的毒齿咬啮蛀蚀了； 可是我的出身正像我现在所
要来面对的敌手同样高贵。
奥本尼 谁是你的敌手？
爱德伽 代表葛罗斯特伯爵爱德蒙的是什么人？
爱德蒙 他自己；你对他有什么话说？
爱德伽 拔出你的剑来， 要是我的话激怒了一颗正直的心，你的兵器可以为你
辩护；这儿是我的剑。听着，虽然你有的是胆量、勇气、权位和尊荣，虽然你挥着
胜利的宝剑，夺到了新的幸运，可是凭着我的荣誉、我的誓言和我的骑士的身分所
给我的特权，我当众宣布你是一个叛徒，不忠于你的神明、你的兄长和你的父亲，
阴谋倾覆这一位崇高卓越的君王，从你的头顶直到你的足下的尘土，彻头彻尾是一
个最可憎的逆贼。要是你说一声“不”，这一柄剑、这一只胳臂和我的全身的勇气，
都要向你的心口证明你说谎。
爱德蒙 照理我应该问你的名字；可是你的外表既然这样英勇，你的出言吐语，
也可以表明你不是一个卑微的人，虽然按照骑士的规则，我可以拒绝你的挑战，我
却不惜唾弃这些规则，把你所说的那种罪名仍旧丢回到你的头上，让那像地狱一般
可憎的谎话吞没你的心；凭着这一柄剑，我要在你的心头挖破一个窟窿，把你的罪
恶一起塞进去。吹起来，喇叭！（号角声。二人决斗。爱德蒙倒地。）
奥本尼 留他活命，留他活命！
高纳里尔 这是诡计， 葛罗斯特；按照决斗的法律，你尽可以不接受一个不知
名的对手的挑战；你不是被人打败，你是中了人家的计了。
奥本尼 闭住你的嘴， 妇人，否则我要用这一张纸塞住它了。且慢，骑士。你
这比一切恶名更恶的恶人，读读你自己的罪恶吧。不要撕，太太；我看你也认识这
一封信的。（以信授爱德蒙。）
高纳里尔 即使我认识这一封信，又有什么关系！法律在我手中，不在你手中；
谁可以控诉我？（下。）
奥本尼 岂有此理！你知道这封信吗？
爱德蒙 不要问我知道不知道。
奥本尼 追上她去； 她现在情急了，什么事都干得出来；留心看着她。（一军
官下。）
爱德蒙 你所指斥我的罪状， 我全都承认；而且我所干的事，着实不止这一些
呢，总有一天会全部暴露的。现在这些事已成过去，我也要永辞人世了。——可是
你是什么人，我会失败在你的手里？假如你是一个贵族，我愿意对你不记仇恨。
爱德伽 让我们互相宽恕吧。 在血统上我并不比你低微，爱德蒙；要是我的出
身比你更高贵，你尤其不该那样陷害我。我的名字是爱德伽，你的父亲的儿子。公
正的天神使我们的风流罪过成为惩罚我们的工具；他在黑暗淫邪的地方生下了你，
结果使他丧失了他的眼睛。
爱德蒙 你说得不错；天道的车轮已经循环过来了。
奥本尼 我一看见你的举止行动，就觉得你不是一个凡俗之人。我必须拥抱你；
让悔恨碎裂了我的心，要是我曾经憎恨过你和你的父亲。
爱德伽 殿下，我一向知道您的仁慈。
奥本尼 你把自己藏匿在什么地方？你怎么知道你的父亲的灾难？
爱德伽 殿下， 我知道他的灾难，因为我就在他的身边照料他，听我讲一段简
短的故事；当我说完以后，啊，但愿我的心爆裂了吧！贪生怕死，是我们人类的常
情，我们宁愿每小时忍受着死亡的惨痛，也不愿一下子结束自己的生命；我为了逃
避那紧迫着我的、残酷的宣判，不得不披上一身疯人的褴褛衣服，改扮成一副连狗
儿们也要看不起的样子。在这样的乔装之中，我碰见了我的父亲，他的两个眼眶里
淋着血，那宝贵的眼珠已经失去了；我替他做向导，带着他走路，为他向人求乞，
把他从绝望之中拯救出来；啊！千不该、万不该，我不该向他瞒住我自己的真相！
直到约摸半小时以前，我已经披上甲胄，虽说希望天从人愿，却不知道此行究竟结
果如何，便请他为我祝福，才把我的全部经历从头到尾告诉他知道；可是唉！他的
破碎的心太脆弱了，载不起这样重大的喜悦和悲伤，在这两种极端的情绪猛烈的冲
突之下，他含着微笑死了。
爱德蒙 你这番话很使我感动， 说不定对我有好处；可是说下去吧，看上去你
还有一些话要说。
奥本尼 要是还有比这更伤心的事，请不要说下去了吧；因为我听了这样的话，
已经忍不住热泪盈眶了。
爱德伽 对于不喜欢悲哀的人， 这似乎已经是悲哀的顶点；可是在极度的悲哀
之上，却还有更大的悲哀。当我正在放声大哭的时候，来了一个人，他认识我就是
他所见过的那个疯丐，不敢接近我；可是后来他知道了我究竟是什么人，遭遇到什
么样不幸，他就抱住我的头颈，大放悲声，好像要把天空都震碎一般；他俯伏在我
的父亲的尸体上；讲出了关于李尔和他两个人的一段最凄惨的故事；他越讲越伤心，
他的生命之弦都要开始颤断了；那时候喇叭的声音已经响过二次，我只好抛下他一
个人在那如痴如醉的状态之中。
奥本尼 可是这是什么人？
爱德伽 肯特， 殿下，被放逐的肯特；他一路上乔装改貌，跟随那把他视同仇
敌的国王，替他躬操奴隶不如的贱役。
一侍臣持一流血之刀上。
侍臣 救命！救命！救命啊！
爱德伽 救什么命！
奥本尼 说呀，什么事？
爱德伽 那柄血淋淋的刀是什么意思？
侍臣 它还热腾腾地冒着气呢；它是从她的心窝里拔出来的，——啊！她死了！
奥本尼 谁死了？说呀。
侍臣 您的夫人，殿下，您的夫人；她的妹妹也给她毒死了，她自己承认的。
爱德蒙 我跟她们两人都有婚姻之约，现在我们三个人可以在一块儿做夫妻了。
爱德伽 肯特来了。
奥本尼 把她们的尸体抬出来， 不管她们有没有死。这一个上天的判决使我们
战栗，却不能引起我们的怜悯。（侍臣下。）
肯特上。
奥本尼 啊！这就是他吗？当前的变故使我不能对他尽我应尽的敬礼。
肯特 我要来向我的王上道一声永久的晚安，他不在这儿吗？
奥本尼 我们把一件重要的事情忘了！ 爱德蒙，王上呢？考狄利娅呢？肯特，
你看见这一种情景吗？（传从抬高纳里尔、里根二尸体上。）
肯特 嗳哟！这是为了什么？
爱德蒙 爱德蒙还是有人爱的； 这一个为了我的缘故毒死了那一个，跟着她也
自杀了。
奥本尼 正是这样。把她们的脸遮起来。
爱德蒙 我快要断气了， 倒想做一件违反我的本性的好事。赶快差人到城堡里
去，因为我已经下令，要把李尔和考狄利娅处死。不要多说废话，迟一点就来不及
啦。
奥本尼 跑！跑！跑呀！
爱德伽 跑去找谁呀，殿下？——谁奉命干这件事的？你得给我一件什么东西，
作为赦免的凭证。
爱德蒙 想得不错；把我的剑拿去给那队长。
奥本尼 快去，快去。（爱德伽下。）
爱德蒙 他从我的妻子跟我两人的手里得到密令， 要把考狄利娅在狱中缢死，
对外面说是她自己在绝望中自杀的。
奥本尼 神明保佑她！把他暂时抬出去。（侍从抬爱德蒙下。）
李尔抱考狄利娅尸体，爱德伽、军官及余人等同上。
李尔 哀号吧， 哀号吧，哀号吧，哀号吧！啊！你们都是些石头一样的人；要
是我有了你们的那些舌头和眼睛，我要用我的眼泪和哭声震撼穹苍。她是一去不回
的了。一个人死了还是活着，我是知道的；她已经像泥土一样死去。借一面镜子给
我；要是她的气息还能够在镜面上呵起一层薄雾，那么她还没有死。
肯特 这就是世界最后的结局吗？
爱德伽 还是末日恐怖的预兆？
奥本尼 天倒下来了，一切都要归于毁灭吗？
李尔 这一根羽毛在动； 她没有死！要是她还有活命，那么我的一切悲哀都可
以消释了。
肯特（跪）啊，我的好主人！
李尔 走开！
爱德伽 这是尊贵的肯特，您的朋友。
李尔 一场瘟疫降落在你们身上，全是些凶手，奸贼！我本来可以把她救活的；
现在她再也回不转来了！考狄利娅，考狄利娅！等一等。嘿！你说什么？她的声音
总是那么柔软温和，女儿家是应该这样的。我亲手杀死了那把你缢死的奴才。
军官 殿下，他真的把他杀死了。
李尔 我不是把他杀死了吗， 汉子？从前我一举起我的宝刀，就可以叫他们吓
得抱头鼠窜；现在年纪老啦，受到这许多磨难，一天比一天不中用啦。你是谁？等
会儿我就可以说出来了；我的眼睛可不大好。
肯特 要是命运女神向人夸口， 说起有两个曾经一度被她宠爱、后来却为她厌
弃的人，那么在我们的眼前就各站着其中的一个。
李尔 我的眼睛太糊涂啦。你不是肯特吗？
肯特 正是，您的仆人肯特。您的仆人卡厄斯呢？
李尔 他是一个好人， 我可以告诉你；他一动起火来就会打人。他现在已经死
得骨头都腐烂了。
肯特 不，陛下；我就是那个人——
李尔 我马上能认出来你是不是。
肯特 自从您开始遭遇变故以来，一直跟随着您的不幸的足迹。
李尔 欢迎，欢迎。
肯特 不， 一切都是凄惨的、黑暗的、阴郁的，您的两个大女儿已经在绝望中
自杀了。
李尔 嗯，我也想是这样的。
奥本尼 他不知道他自己在说些什么话，我们谒见他也是徒然的。
爱德伽 全然是徒劳。
一军官上。
军官 启禀殿下，爱德蒙死了。
奥本尼 他的死在现在不过是一件无足重轻的小事。 各位勋爵和尊贵的朋友，
听我向你们宣示我的意旨：对于这一位老病衰弱的君王，我们将要尽我们的力量给
他可能的安慰；当他在世的时候，我仍旧把最高的权力归还给他。（向爱德伽、肯
特）你们两位仍旧恢复原来的爵位，我还要加赉你们额外的尊荣，褒扬你们过人的
节行。一切朋友都要得到他们忠贞的报酬，一切仇敌都要尝到他们罪恶的苦杯。—
—啊！瞧，瞧！
李尔 我的可怜的傻瓜给他们缢死了！ 不，不，没有命了！为什么一条狗、一
匹马、一只耗子，都有它们的生命，你却没有一丝呼吸？你是永不回来的了，永不，
永不，永不，永不，永不！请你替我解开这个钮扣；谢谢你，先生。你看见吗？瞧
着她，瞧，她的嘴唇，瞧那边，瞧那边！（死。）
爱德伽 他晕过去了！——陛下，陛下！
肯特 碎吧，心啊！碎吧！
爱德伽 抬起头来，陛下。
肯特 不要烦扰他的灵魂。 啊！让他安然死去吧；他将要痛恨那想要使他在这
无情的人世多受一刻酷刑的人。
爱德伽 他真的去了。
肯特 他居然忍受了这么久的时候，才是一件奇事；他的生命不是他自己的。
奥本尼 把他们抬出去。我们现在要传令全国举哀。（向肯特、爱德伽）
两位朋友，帮我主持大政，
培养这已经斲伤的国本。
肯特 不日间我就要登程上道；
我已经听见主上的呼召。
奥本尼 不幸的重担不能不肩负；
感情是我们唯一的言语。
年老的人已经忍受一切，
后人只有抚陈迹而叹息。（同下。奏丧礼进行曲。）
注释
1.意即不是天主教徒。天主教徒逢星期五按例吃鱼。
2.踢皮球在当时只是下层市民的娱乐。
3.意即好出大言的埃阿斯也比不上他们善于吹牛。
4.流火，指花柳病而言。
5.梅林，是亚瑟王故事中的术士和预言家，时代后于传说中的李尔王许多年，
这里是作者故意说的笑话。
6.圣维都尔（St．Withold），传说中安眠的保护神。
7.据说魇魔作祟，骑在熟睡者的胸口。下文“发过誓儿”即要魇魔赌咒不再骑
在人身上。
8.李尔王把爱德伽比作古希腊哲学家。
9.罗兰骑士，欧洲中世纪骑士文学中的著名英雄。
10.弗拉特累多，小魔鬼的名字。
11.当时疯叫化子行乞，用挂于颈间的大牛角盛乞得的剩菜残羹。
12.意即具有老人的智慧。
13.李尔王在这里效仿军队冲锋时的呐喊声。
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