King Lear: Act 5, Scene 1 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 1 of King Lear from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter, with Drum and Colors, Edmund, Regan, Gentlemen, and Soldiers. EDMUND, to a Gentleman Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold, Or whether since he is advised by aught To change the course. He’s full of alteration And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure. A Gentleman exits. REGAN Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried. 5 EDMUND ’Tis to be doubted, madam. REGAN 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? 10 EDMUND In honored love. REGAN But have you never found my brother’s way To the forfended place? EDMUND That thought abuses you. REGAN I am doubtful that you have been conjunct 15 And bosomed with her as far as we call hers. EDMUND No, by mine honor, madam. REGAN I never shall endure her. Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. EDMUND Fear me not. She and the Duke, her husband. 20	At the British battle camp near Dover, Edmund and Regan are engaged in what seems to be a heated conversation. Regan keeps asking Edmund if he's done "it" with Goneril. Edmund swears on his honor that he has never done anything with Goneril. (Which is interesting considering that the man has no honor. Just as Regan orders Edmund to stay out of Goneril's bed, Goneril and her husband, Albany, abruptly enter.
Enter, with Drum and Colors, Albany, Goneril, Soldiers. GONERIL, asideI had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me. ALBANY Our very loving sister, well bemet.— Sir, this I heard: the King is come to his daughter, With others whom the rigor of our state 25 Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant. For this business, It touches us as France invades our land, Not bolds the King, with others whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose. 30	The showdown between Cordelia's French troops and the British troops led by Albany, Regan, and Goneril is about to begin. Albany notes that while the French troops are joined by Lear and many others with justifiable grievances against the state, Albany must still keep his country as a priority. As France is invading his land, he has to fight for it, even if he doesn't like his allies and he believes in the cause of his enemies.
EDMUND Sir, you speak nobly. REGAN Why is this reasoned? GONERIL Combine together ’gainst the enemy, For these domestic and particular broils Are not the question here. 35 ALBANY Let’s then determine With th’ ancient of war on our proceeding. EDMUND I shall attend you presently at your tent. REGAN Sister, you’ll go with us? GONERIL No. 40 REGAN ’Tis most convenient. Pray, go with us. GONERIL, aside Oho, I know the riddle.—I will go. They begin to exit.	Edmund says that Albany is speaking nobly, but Regan and Goneril disagree. Goneril tells him to get over their little domestic squabbles for some greater good. She then continues her own personal domestic squabble with Regan over Edmund. Quietly fighting over the louse, the two sisters start to exit with him, neither trusting the other to be alone with Edmund.
Enter Edgar dressed as a peasant. EDGAR, to Albany If e’er your Grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. ALBANY, to those exiting I’ll overtake you.—Speak. 45 Both the armies exit. EDGAR, giving him a paper 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 avouchèd there. If you miscarry, 50 Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune love you. ALBANY Stay till I have read the letter. EDGAR I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry 55 And I’ll appear again. He exits. ALBANY Why, fare thee well. I will o’erlook thy paper.	As the others start to go, the disguised Edgar approaches Albany, who tells his frenemies he'll catch up to them. Edgar gives Albany the letter he took from Oswald, demands Albany read it before the battle, and runs off without ever revealing his true identity.
EDMUND The enemy’s in view. Draw up your powers. Giving him a paper. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery. But your haste 60 Is now urged on you. ALBANY We will greet the time. He exits.	Edmund comes back to give Albany an update about the battle preparations.
EDMUND 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? 65 Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed 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 70 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, 75 Shall never see his pardon, for my state Stands on me to defend, not to debate. He exits.	When Albany leaves, Edmund is left alone to gloat over his successes. He's got Regan and Goneril wrapped around his finger. He's told them both he loves them, and they've both totally bought it. He'll decide which one he's going to choose when the battle is over—or after Goneril kills her husband so she can be with him. Edmund also says that if they manage to capture Lear and Cordelia, he'll have to make sure that Albany doesn't pardon them and restore them to power. Edmund wants them out of the way so that he can take control of the kingdom.