King Lear, Act 5, Scene 1

Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold, Or whether since he is advis’d by aught To change the course, he’s full of alteration And self-reproving, bring his constant pleasure.

Find out from the Duke whether he still holds to his latest plan, or whether something has since persuaded him to change course. He is full of shifting and self-reproach. Bring back his settled decision.

Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried.

Our sister's servant has certainly come to harm.

’Tis to be doubted, madam.

That is to be feared, madam.

Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Tell me but truly, but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister?

Now, sweet lord, you know the kindness I mean to show you. Just tell me truly — but then speak the truth — do you not love my sister?

In honour’d love.

With honourable love.

But have you never found my brother’s way To the forfended place?

But have you never found your way where my brother-in-law belongs, into the place forbidden to you?

That thought abuses you.

That thought wrongs you.

I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosom’d with her, as far as we call hers.

I am afraid you have been joined with her and taken into her arms, as intimately as a man can be hers.

No, by mine honour, madam.

No, on my honour, madam.

I never shall endure her, dear my lord, Be not familiar with her.

I shall never be able to bear her. My dear lord, do not be intimate with her.

Fear not, She and the Duke her husband!

Have no fear of that. Here she comes, and the Duke her husband!

[Aside.] I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me.

[Aside.] I would rather lose the battle than have that sister of mine separate him from me.

Our very loving sister, well be-met. Sir, this I heard: the King is come to his daughter, With others whom the rigour of our state Forc’d to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant. For this business, It toucheth us as France invades our land, Not bolds the King, with others whom I fear Most just and heavy causes make oppose.

Our most loving sister, well met. Sir, I have heard this: the King has gone to his daughter, along with others whom the harshness of our rule drove to protest. Where I could not act honestly, I have never been brave. As for this campaign, it concerns us because France is invading our land, not because France encourages the King, along with others who, I fear, have entirely just and serious reasons for opposing us.

Sir, you speak nobly.

Sir, you speak nobly.

Why is this reason’d?

Why are we arguing about this?

Combine together ’gainst the enemy; For these domestic and particular broils Are not the question here.

Join forces against the enemy. These private quarrels at home are not the issue here.

Let’s, then, determine with the ancient of war On our proceeding.

Then let us settle our plan of action with the experienced officers.

I shall attend you presently at your tent.

I will join you at your tent at once.

Sister, you’ll go with us?

Sister, will you come with us?

No.

No.

’Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.

It would be far more suitable. Please, come with us.

[Aside.] O, ho, I know the riddle. I will go.

[Aside.] Oh, I see what she's getting at. I'll come.

If e’er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word.

If your grace has ever spoken with a man as poor as I am, hear one word from me.

I’ll overtake you. Speak.

I'll catch up with you. Speak.

Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion that will prove What is avouched there. If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune love you!

Before you fight the battle, open this letter. If you win, have the trumpet sound for the man who brought it. Wretched as I look, I can produce a champion who will prove what is claimed in it. If you are defeated, your dealings with this world are over, and all plotting stops. May Fortune love you!

Stay till I have read the letter.

Wait until I have read the letter.

I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I’ll appear again.

I was forbidden to. When the time comes, just let the herald call out, and I will appear again.

Why, fare thee well. I will o’erlook thy paper.

Well then, goodbye. I will look over your paper.

The enemy’s in view; draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery; but your haste Is now urg’d on you.

The enemy is in sight. Draw up your forces. Here is the estimate of their real strength and numbers, from careful scouting. But you are urged to hurry now.

We will greet the time.

We will meet the occasion as it demands.

To both these sisters have I sworn my love; Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoy’d, If both remain alive. To take the widow Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; And hardly shall I carry out my side, Her husband being alive. Now, then, we’ll use His countenance for the battle; which being done, Let her who would be rid of him devise His speedy taking off. As for the mercy Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, The battle done, and they within our power, Shall never see his pardon: for my state Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

I have sworn my love to both these sisters. Each is suspicious of the other, as a man who has been stung is of the snake. Which of them shall I take? Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed if both stay alive. Taking the widow infuriates her sister Goneril and drives her mad; and I shall hardly manage to play my part while her husband is alive. So for now we will use his authority for the battle; and once that is over, let the woman who wants to be rid of him arrange his quick removal. As for the mercy he means to show to Lear and to Cordelia, once the battle is over and they are in our hands, they shall never see his pardon, because my position demands that I defend it, not debate it.