King Lear : Act 5, Scene 2



Alarum trumpet signal. within i.e., from offstage over the stage — Cordelia, King Lear, and the French army are on the march. They all come out of one stage door and exit at the other, without a pause. Edgar and Gloucester are in the vicinity, but they do not come in with the French army.
           Alarum within. Enter, with drum and
           colours, [the Powers of France] over the stage,
           CORDELIA [leading her father by the hand,]
           and exeunt.

           Enter EDGAR and GLOUCESTER.

      EDGAR
  1   Here, father, take the shadow of this tree
1. father: This is a term of respect for an elderly man. — Edgar has not revealed that he is Gloucester's son.

  2   For your good host; pray that the right may thrive:
2. that the right may thrive: i.e., that Cordelia and the French win the battle.

  3   If ever I return to you again,
  4   I'll bring you comfort.
4. comfort: food and supplies (?); good news (?).


      GLOUCESTER
                                              Grace go with you, sir!

           Exit [EDGAR].

           Alarum and retreat within. Enter EDGAR.
retreat: trumpet signal to withdraw.


      EDGAR
  6   Away, old man; give me thy hand; away!
6. Away: Let's go.

  7   King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en:
7. ta'en: taken captive.

  8   Give me thy hand; come on.

      GLOUCESTER
  9   No farther, sir; a man may rot even here.

      EDGAR
 10   What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure
 11   Their going hence, even as their coming hither;
 12   Ripeness is all: come on.
12. Ripeness is all: — Edgar counters Gloucester's "rot" by saying that it's all-important to await the proper time for death, as fruit falls from the tree only when ripe.


      GLOUCESTER
                                                And that's true too.

           Exeunt.