And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes;
The good years shall devour them, flesh and fell, 24
Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve first,
Come. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia, guarded.]
Edm. Come hither, captain; hark,
Take thou this note; [Giving a paper.] go follow them to prison: 28
One step I have advanc'd 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 32
Does not become a sword; thy great employment
Will not bear question; either say thou'lt do 't,
Or thrive by other means.
Capt. I'll do 't, my lord.
Edm. About it; and write happy when thou hast done. 36
Mark,—I say, instantly, and carry it so
As I have set it down.
[Capt. I cannot draw a cart nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work I will do it.] Exit Captain.
Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Soldiers.
Alb. Sir, you have show'd to-day your valiant strain, 41
And fortune led you well; you have the captives
Who were the opposites of this day's strife;
We do require them of you, so to use them 44
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.
Edm. Sir, I thought it fit
To send the old and miserable king
24 good years; cf. n.
fell: skin
36 write happy: call yourself lucky
