King Lear reached Dover safely, and Cordelia was prepared with the
most tender affection to welcome her old father. But remorse for the
injustice with which he had treated this daughter, and robbed her of
her rights, to bestow them on her worthless sisters, so stung King
Lear’s mind that shame kept him from seeing Cordelia, and he contrived
to make his escape from the French camp. Cordelia sent out in search
of him, and he was presently found wandering about on the cliffs, all
decked out with wild flowers, but still in his madness assuming the
majesty of a King. He was taken back to the camp, and placed in the
care of a skilful doctor, who said that the chief thing needed to
cure his shattered senses was complete repose. The poor old King was
put to bed, and everything was done to aid his recovery; in the tent
where he lay attendants watched so that nothing should disturb him,
and soft music was played. He had a long, refreshing sleep, and when
the moment of awakening came, to the great joy of Cordelia and those
who had followed him so faithfully, it was evident that his reason was
restored.
The first sight on which his eyes opened was the loving face of
Cordelia. For a moment the King thought it must be some spirit
from heaven, and could scarcely believe that it was indeed his own
daughter, in flesh and blood. He thought that his wits must still be
wandering.
“Where have I been? Where am I?” he murmured, looking round with dazed
eyes, while the spectators watched with mute anxiety, to see what turn
his malady would take. “I should die with pity to see another thus. I
know not what to say. I will not swear these are my hands; let’s see.
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured of my condition!”
“Oh, look upon me, sir!” entreated Cordelia, with her soft voice. “And
hold your hands in benediction over me. No, sir, you must not kneel.”
“Pray do not mock me,” said Lear in trembling accents. “I am a very
foolish, fond old man, fourscore and upward, not an hour more or less;
and, to deal plainly, I fear I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks
I should know you, and know this man”--he looked round in piteous
appeal--“yet I am doubtful, for I am ignorant what place this is....
Pray do not mock me, for, as I am a man, I think this lady to be my
child Cordelia.”
“And so I am, I am,” cried Cordelia, the tears raining from her tender
eyes.
“Are your tears wet?” said Lear, touching her cheeks softly, like a
child. “Yes, faith! I pray, weep not. If you have poison for me, I
will drink it. I know you do not love me, for your sisters have, as I
do remember, done me wrong. You have some cause; they have not.”
“No cause, no cause,” said Cordelia.
“Am I in France?” asked Lear.
“In your own kingdom, sir,” said Kent respectfully.
“Do not abuse me,” pleaded the once haughty King.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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