King Lear: Act 5, Scene 2 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 2 of King Lear from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colors, Lear, Cordelia, and Soldiers, over the stage, and exit. Enter Edgar and Gloucester. EDGAR Here, father, take the shadow of this tree For your good host. Pray that the right may thrive. If ever I return to you again, I’ll bring you comfort. GLOUCESTER Grace go with you, sir. 5 Edgar exits. Alarum and Retreat within.	Edgar still hasn't told his father who he really is. But he has decided to fight in the battle on the side of Lear and Cordelia. He stashes Gloucester beside a tree and tells him to hang out until the battle is over. Then he runs offstage.
Enter Edgar. EDGAR Away, old man. Give me thy hand. Away. King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en. Give me thy hand. Come on.	Edgar runs back onstage and informs his father that Lear and Cordelia have lost the battle and have both been captured. (What? You were expecting something else from Shakespeare's greatest tragedy?)
GLOUCESTER No further, sir. A man may rot even here. EDGAR What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure 10 Their going hence even as their coming hither. Ripeness is all. Come on. GLOUCESTER And that’s true too. They exit.	Predictably enough, Gloucester starts talking about suicide once more. Edgar tells him to buck up and leads him offstage.