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Title: King Lear (published 1606) Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)
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An aged king divides his kingdom between two of his daughters, Regan and Goneril, and casts the youngest, Cordelia, out of his Kingdom for disloyalty. Eventually he comes to understand that it is Regan and Goneril who are disloyal, but he has already given them the kingdom. He wanders the countryside as a poor man until Cordelia comes with her husband, the King of France, to reclaim her father's lands. Regan and Goneril are defeated, but only after Cordelia has been captured and murdered. King Lear then dies of grief.
Knights in Lear’s train, Servants, Officers, Soldiers, Attendants, Gentlemen
ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund.
line 0001KENTI thought the King had more affected the Duke line 0002of Albany than Cornwall. line 0003GLOUCESTERIt did always seem so to us, but now in line 0004the division of the kingdom, it appears not which 5line 0005of the dukes he values most, for equalities are so line 0006weighed that curiosity in neither can make choice line 0007of either’s moiety. line 0008KENTIs not this your son, my lord? line 0009GLOUCESTERHis breeding, sir, hath been at my 10line 0010charge. I have so often blushed to acknowledge line 0011him that now I am brazed to ’t. line 0012KENTI cannot conceive you. line 0013GLOUCESTERSir, this young fellow’s mother could, line 0014whereupon she grew round-wombed and had indeed, 15line 0015sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband line 0016for her bed. Do you smell a fault? line 0017KENTI cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it line 0018being so proper. line 0019GLOUCESTERBut I have a son, sir, by order of law, 20line 0020some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in line 0021my account. Though this knave came something line 0022saucily to the world before he was sent for, yet was line 0023his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9line 0024and the whoreson must be acknowledged.—Do you 25line 0025know this noble gentleman, Edmund? line 0026EDMUNDNo, my lord. line 0027GLOUCESTERMy lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter line 0028as my honorable friend. line 0029EDMUNDMy services to your Lordship. 30line 0030KENTI must love you and sue to know you better. line 0031EDMUNDSir, I shall study deserving. line 0032GLOUCESTERHe hath been out nine years, and away he line 0033shall again. Sennet. The King is coming.
Enter King Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendants.
LEAR line 0034Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, 35line 0035Gloucester. line 0036GLOUCESTERI shall, my lord.He exits. LEAR line 0037Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.— line 0038Give me the map there.He is handed a map. line 0039Know that we have divided 40line 0040In three our kingdom, and ’tis our fast intent line 0041To shake all cares and business from our age, line 0042Conferring them on younger strengths, while we line 0043Unburdened crawl toward death. Our son of line 0044Cornwall 45line 0045And you, our no less loving son of Albany, line 0046We have this hour a constant will to publish line 0047Our daughters’ several dowers, that future strife line 0048May be prevented now. line 0049The two great princes, France and Burgundy, 50line 0050Great rivals in our youngest daughter’s love, line 0051Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn line 0052And here are to be answered. Tell me, my line 0053daughters— line 0054Since now we will divest us both of rule, Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 1155line 0055Interest of territory, cares of state— line 0056Which of you shall we say doth love us most, line 0057That we our largest bounty may extend line 0058Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, line 0059Our eldest born, speak first. GONERIL 60line 0060Sir, I love you more than word can wield the line 0061matter, line 0062Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty, line 0063Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare, line 0064No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor; 65line 0065As much as child e’er loved, or father found; line 0066A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable. line 0067Beyond all manner of so much I love you. CORDELIAaside line 0068What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. LEARpointing to the map line 0069Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, 70line 0070With shadowy forests and with champains riched, line 0071With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, line 0072We make thee lady. To thine and Albany’s issue line 0073Be this perpetual.—What says our second line 0074daughter, 75line 0075Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall? Speak. REGAN line 0076I am made of that self mettle as my sister line 0077And prize me at her worth. In my true heart line 0078I find she names my very deed of love; line 0079Only she comes too short, that I profess 80line 0080Myself an enemy to all other joys line 0081Which the most precious square of sense line 0082possesses, line 0083And find I am alone felicitate line 0084In your dear Highness’ love. 85line 0085CORDELIAasideThen poor Cordelia! line 0086And yet not so, since I am sure my love’s line 0087More ponderous than my tongue. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 13LEAR line 0088To thee and thine hereditary ever line 0089Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, 90line 0090No less in space, validity, and pleasure line 0091Than that conferred on Goneril.—Now, our joy, line 0092Although our last and least, to whose young love line 0093The vines of France and milk of Burgundy line 0094Strive to be interessed, what can you say to draw 95line 0095A third more opulent than your sisters’? Speak. line 0096CORDELIANothing, my lord. line 0097LEARNothing? line 0098CORDELIANothing. LEAR line 0099Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again. CORDELIA 100line 0100Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave line 0101My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty line 0102According to my bond, no more nor less. LEAR line 0103How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, line 0104Lest you may mar your fortunes. 105line 0105CORDELIAGood my lord, line 0106You have begot me, bred me, loved me. line 0107I return those duties back as are right fit: line 0108Obey you, love you, and most honor you. line 0109Why have my sisters husbands if they say 110line 0110They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, line 0111That lord whose hand must take my plight shall line 0112carry line 0113Half my love with him, half my care and duty. line 0114Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, 115line 0115To love my father all. line 0116LEARBut goes thy heart with this? line 0117CORDELIAAy, my good lord. line 0118LEARSo young and so untender? line 0119CORDELIASo young, my lord, and true. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 15LEAR 120line 0120Let it be so. Thy truth, then, be thy dower, line 0121For by the sacred radiance of the sun, line 0122The mysteries of Hecate and the night, line 0123By all the operation of the orbs line 0124From whom we do exist and cease to be, 125line 0125Here I disclaim all my paternal care, line 0126Propinquity, and property of blood, line 0127And as a stranger to my heart and me line 0128Hold thee from this forever. The barbarous line 0129Scythian, 130line 0130Or he that makes his generation messes line 0131To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom line 0132Be as well neighbored, pitied, and relieved line 0133As thou my sometime daughter. line 0134KENTGood my liege— 135line 0135LEARPeace, Kent. line 0136Come not between the dragon and his wrath. line 0137I loved her most and thought to set my rest line 0138On her kind nursery. To Cordelia. Hence and avoid line 0139my sight!— 140line 0140So be my grave my peace as here I give line 0141Her father’s heart from her.—Call France. Who stirs? line 0142Call Burgundy. An Attendant exits. Cornwall and line 0143Albany, line 0144With my two daughters’ dowers digest the third. 145line 0145Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. line 0146I do invest you jointly with my power, line 0147Preeminence, and all the large effects line 0148That troop with majesty. Ourself by monthly course, line 0149With reservation of an hundred knights 150line 0150By you to be sustained, shall our abode line 0151Make with you by due turn. Only we shall retain line 0152The name and all th’ addition to a king. line 0153The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 17line 0154Belovèd sons, be yours, which to confirm, 155line 0155This coronet part between you. line 0156KENTRoyal Lear, line 0157Whom I have ever honored as my king, line 0158Loved as my father, as my master followed, line 0159As my great patron thought on in my prayers— LEAR 160line 0160The bow is bent and drawn. Make from the shaft. KENT line 0161Let it fall rather, though the fork invade line 0162The region of my heart. Be Kent unmannerly line 0163When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man? line 0164Think’st thou that duty shall have dread to speak 165line 0165When power to flattery bows? To plainness honor’s line 0166bound line 0167When majesty falls to folly. Reserve thy state, line 0168And in thy best consideration check line 0169This hideous rashness. Answer my life my 170line 0170judgment, line 0171Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least, line 0172Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sounds line 0173Reverb no hollowness. line 0174LEARKent, on thy life, no more. KENT 175line 0175My life I never held but as a pawn line 0176To wage against thine enemies, nor fear to lose line 0177it, line 0178Thy safety being motive. line 0179LEAROut of my sight! KENT 180line 0180See better, Lear, and let me still remain line 0181The true blank of thine eye. line 0182LEARNow, by Apollo— line 0183KENTNow, by Apollo, king, line 0184Thou swear’st thy gods in vain. 185line 0185LEARO vassal! Miscreant! Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 19line 0186ALBANY/CORNWALLDear sir, forbear. KENT line 0187Kill thy physician, and thy fee bestow line 0188Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift, line 0189Or whilst I can vent clamor from my throat, 190line 0190I’ll tell thee thou dost evil. LEAR line 0191Hear me, recreant; on thine allegiance, hear me! line 0192That thou hast sought to make us break our vows— line 0193Which we durst never yet—and with strained pride line 0194To come betwixt our sentence and our power, 195line 0195Which nor our nature nor our place can bear, line 0196Our potency made good, take thy reward: line 0197Five days we do allot thee for provision line 0198To shield thee from disasters of the world, line 0199And on the sixth to turn thy hated back 200line 0200Upon our kingdom. If on the tenth day following line 0201Thy banished trunk be found in our dominions, line 0202The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter, line 0203This shall not be revoked. KENT line 0204Fare thee well, king. Sith thus thou wilt appear, 205line 0205Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. line 0206To Cordelia. The gods to their dear shelter take line 0207thee, maid, line 0208That justly think’st and hast most rightly said. line 0209To Goneril and Regan. And your large speeches 210line 0210may your deeds approve, line 0211That good effects may spring from words of love.— line 0212Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu. line 0213He’ll shape his old course in a country new.
He exits.
Flourish. Enter Gloucester with France, and Burgundy, and Attendants.
GLOUCESTER line 0214Here’s France and Burgundy, my noble lord. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 21215line 0215LEARMy lord of Burgundy, line 0216We first address toward you, who with this king line 0217Hath rivaled for our daughter. What in the least line 0218Will you require in present dower with her, line 0219Or cease your quest of love? 220line 0220BURGUNDYMost royal Majesty, line 0221I crave no more than hath your Highness offered, line 0222Nor will you tender less. line 0223LEARRight noble Burgundy, line 0224When she was dear to us, we did hold her so, 225line 0225But now her price is fallen. Sir, there she stands. line 0226If aught within that little seeming substance, line 0227Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced line 0228And nothing more, may fitly like your Grace, line 0229She’s there, and she is yours. 230line 0230BURGUNDYI know no answer. LEAR line 0231Will you, with those infirmities she owes, line 0232Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, line 0233Dowered with our curse and strangered with our line 0234oath, 235line 0235Take her or leave her? line 0236BURGUNDYPardon me, royal sir, line 0237Election makes not up in such conditions. LEAR line 0238Then leave her, sir, for by the power that made me line 0239I tell you all her wealth.—For you, great king, 240line 0240I would not from your love make such a stray line 0241To match you where I hate. Therefore beseech you line 0242T’ avert your liking a more worthier way line 0243Than on a wretch whom Nature is ashamed line 0244Almost t’ acknowledge hers. 245line 0245FRANCEThis is most strange, line 0246That she whom even but now was your best line 0247object, line 0248The argument of your praise, balm of your age, Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 23line 0249The best, the dearest, should in this trice of time 250line 0250Commit a thing so monstrous to dismantle line 0251So many folds of favor. Sure her offense line 0252Must be of such unnatural degree line 0253That monsters it, or your forevouched affection line 0254Fall into taint; which to believe of her 255line 0255Must be a faith that reason without miracle line 0256Should never plant in me. line 0257CORDELIAto LearI yet beseech your Majesty— line 0258If for I want that glib and oily art line 0259To speak and purpose not, since what I well 260line 0260intend line 0261I’ll do ’t before I speak—that you make known line 0262It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, line 0263No unchaste action or dishonored step line 0264That hath deprived me of your grace and favor, 265line 0265But even for want of that for which I am richer: line 0266A still-soliciting eye and such a tongue line 0267That I am glad I have not, though not to have it line 0268Hath lost me in your liking. line 0269LEARBetter thou 270line 0270Hadst not been born than not t’ have pleased me line 0271better. FRANCE line 0272Is it but this—a tardiness in nature line 0273Which often leaves the history unspoke line 0274That it intends to do?—My lord of Burgundy, 275line 0275What say you to the lady? Love’s not love line 0276When it is mingled with regards that stands line 0277Aloof from th’ entire point. Will you have her? line 0278She is herself a dowry. line 0279BURGUNDYto LearRoyal king, 280line 0280Give but that portion which yourself proposed, line 0281And here I take Cordelia by the hand, line 0282Duchess of Burgundy. LEAR line 0283Nothing. I have sworn. I am firm. Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 25BURGUNDYto Cordelia line 0284I am sorry, then, you have so lost a father 285line 0285That you must lose a husband. line 0286CORDELIAPeace be with line 0287Burgundy. line 0288Since that respect and fortunes are his love, line 0289I shall not be his wife. FRANCE 290line 0290Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poor; line 0291Most choice, forsaken; and most loved, despised, line 0292Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon, line 0293Be it lawful I take up what’s cast away. line 0294Gods, gods! ’Tis strange that from their cold’st 295line 0295neglect line 0296My love should kindle to enflamed respect.— line 0297Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my line 0298chance, line 0299Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France. 300line 0300Not all the dukes of wat’rish Burgundy line 0301Can buy this unprized precious maid of me.— line 0302Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind. line 0303Thou losest here a better where to find. LEAR line 0304Thou hast her, France. Let her be thine, for we 305line 0305Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see line 0306That face of hers again. To Cordelia. Therefore line 0307begone line 0308Without our grace, our love, our benison.— line 0309Come, noble Burgundy.
Flourish. All but France, Cordelia, Goneril, and Regan exit.
310line 0310FRANCEBid farewell to your sisters. CORDELIA line 0311The jewels of our father, with washed eyes line 0312Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are, line 0313And like a sister am most loath to call Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 27line 0314Your faults as they are named. Love well our 315line 0315father. line 0316To your professèd bosoms I commit him; line 0317But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, line 0318I would prefer him to a better place. line 0319So farewell to you both. REGAN 320line 0320Prescribe not us our duty. line 0321GONERILLet your study line 0322Be to content your lord, who hath received you line 0323At Fortune’s alms. You have obedience scanted line 0324And well are worth the want that you have wanted. CORDELIA 325line 0325Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides, line 0326Who covers faults at last with shame derides. line 0327Well may you prosper. line 0328FRANCECome, my fair Cordelia.
France and Cordelia exit.
line 0329GONERILSister, it is not little I have to say of what 330line 0330most nearly appertains to us both. I think our line 0331father will hence tonight. line 0332REGANThat’s most certain, and with you; next month line 0333with us. line 0334GONERILYou see how full of changes his age is; the 335line 0335observation we have made of it hath not been line 0336little. He always loved our sister most, and with line 0337what poor judgment he hath now cast her off line 0338appears too grossly. line 0339REGAN’Tis the infirmity of his age. Yet he hath ever 340line 0340but slenderly known himself. line 0341GONERILThe best and soundest of his time hath been line 0342but rash. Then must we look from his age to line 0343receive not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed line 0344condition, but therewithal the unruly waywardness 345line 0345that infirm and choleric years bring with line 0346them. Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 29line 0347REGANSuch unconstant starts are we like to have line 0348from him as this of Kent’s banishment. line 0349GONERILThere is further compliment of leave-taking 350line 0350between France and him. Pray you, let us sit line 0351together. If our father carry authority with such line 0352disposition as he bears, this last surrender of his will line 0353but offend us. line 0354REGANWe shall further think of it. 355line 0355GONERILWe must do something, and i’ th’ heat.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Edmund, the Bastard.
EDMUND line 0356Thou, Nature, art my goddess. To thy law line 0357My services are bound. Wherefore should I line 0358Stand in the plague of custom, and permit line 0359The curiosity of nations to deprive me 5line 0360For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines line 0361Lag of a brother? why “bastard”? Wherefore “base,” line 0362When my dimensions are as well compact, line 0363My mind as generous and my shape as true line 0364As honest madam’s issue? Why brand they us 10line 0365With “base,” with “baseness,” “bastardy,” “base,” line 0366“base,” line 0367Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take line 0368More composition and fierce quality line 0369Than doth within a dull, stale, tired bed 15line 0370Go to th’ creating a whole tribe of fops line 0371Got ’tween asleep and wake? Well then, line 0372Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land. line 0373Our father’s love is to the bastard Edmund line 0374As to th’ legitimate. Fine word, “legitimate.” 20line 0375Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 31line 0376And my invention thrive, Edmund the base line 0377Shall top th’ legitimate. I grow, I prosper. line 0378Now, gods, stand up for bastards!
Enter Gloucester.
GLOUCESTER line 0379Kent banished thus? And France in choler parted? 25line 0380And the King gone tonight, prescribed his power, line 0381Confined to exhibition? All this done line 0382Upon the gad?—Edmund, how now? What news? line 0383EDMUNDSo please your Lordship, none. He puts a paper in his pocket. line 0384GLOUCESTERWhy so earnestly seek you to put up that 30line 0385letter? line 0386EDMUNDI know no news, my lord. line 0387GLOUCESTERWhat paper were you reading? line 0388EDMUNDNothing, my lord. line 0389GLOUCESTERNo? What needed then that terrible dispatch 35line 0390of it into your pocket? The quality of nothing line 0391hath not such need to hide itself. Let’s see. Come, if line 0392it be nothing, I shall not need spectacles. line 0393EDMUNDI beseech you, sir, pardon me. It is a letter line 0394from my brother that I have not all o’erread; and 40line 0395for so much as I have perused, I find it not fit for line 0396your o’erlooking. line 0397GLOUCESTERGive me the letter, sir. line 0398EDMUNDI shall offend either to detain or give it. The line 0399contents, as in part I understand them, are to 45line 0400blame. line 0401GLOUCESTERLet’s see, let’s see.
Edmund gives him the paper.
line 0402EDMUNDI hope, for my brother’s justification, he line 0403wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. line 0404GLOUCESTERreadsThis policy and reverence of age 50line 0405makes the world bitter to the best of our times, keeps line 0406our fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 33line 0407them. I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the line 0408oppression of aged tyranny, who sways not as it hath line 0409power but as it is suffered. Come to me, that of this I 55line 0410may speak more. If our father would sleep till I waked line 0411him, you should enjoy half his revenue forever and line 0412live the beloved of your brother. Edgar. line 0413Hum? Conspiracy? “Sleep till I wake him, you line 0414should enjoy half his revenue.” My son Edgar! Had 60line 0415he a hand to write this? A heart and brain to breed it line 0416in?—When came you to this? Who brought it? line 0417EDMUNDIt was not brought me, my lord; there’s the line 0418cunning of it. I found it thrown in at the casement line 0419of my closet. 65line 0420GLOUCESTERYou know the character to be your line 0421brother’s? line 0422EDMUNDIf the matter were good, my lord, I durst line 0423swear it were his; but in respect of that, I would line 0424fain think it were not. 70line 0425GLOUCESTERIt is his. line 0426EDMUNDIt is his hand, my lord, but I hope his heart is line 0427not in the contents. line 0428GLOUCESTERHas he never before sounded you in this line 0429business? 75line 0430EDMUNDNever, my lord. But I have heard him oft line 0431maintain it to be fit that, sons at perfect age and line 0432fathers declined, the father should be as ward to the line 0433son, and the son manage his revenue. line 0434GLOUCESTERO villain, villain! His very opinion in the 80line 0435letter. Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish line 0436villain! Worse than brutish!—Go, sirrah, seek line 0437him. I’ll apprehend him.—Abominable villain!— line 0438Where is he? line 0439EDMUNDI do not well know, my lord. If it shall please 85line 0440you to suspend your indignation against my brother line 0441till you can derive from him better testimony of his line 0442intent, you should run a certain course; where, if Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 35line 0443you violently proceed against him, mistaking his line 0444purpose, it would make a great gap in your own 90line 0445honor and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience. line 0446I dare pawn down my life for him that he hath line 0447writ this to feel my affection to your Honor, and to line 0448no other pretense of danger. line 0449GLOUCESTERThink you so? 95line 0450EDMUNDIf your Honor judge it meet, I will place you line 0451where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an line 0452auricular assurance have your satisfaction, and that line 0453without any further delay than this very evening. line 0454GLOUCESTERHe cannot be such a monster. 100line 0455EDMUNDNor is not, sure. line 0456GLOUCESTERTo his father, that so tenderly and entirely line 0457loves him! Heaven and Earth! Edmund, seek him line 0458out; wind me into him, I pray you. Frame the line 0459business after your own wisdom. I would unstate 105line 0460myself to be in a due resolution. line 0461EDMUNDI will seek him, sir, presently, convey the line 0462business as I shall find means, and acquaint you line 0463withal. line 0464GLOUCESTERThese late eclipses in the sun and moon 110line 0465portend no good to us. Though the wisdom of line 0466nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds line 0467itself scourged by the sequent effects. Love cools, line 0468friendship falls off, brothers divide; in cities, mutinies; line 0469in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and 115line 0470the bond cracked ’twixt son and father. This villain line 0471of mine comes under the prediction: there’s son line 0472against father. The King falls from bias of nature: line 0473there’s father against child. We have seen the best of line 0474our time. Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and 120line 0475all ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our line 0476graves.—Find out this villain, Edmund. It shall line 0477lose thee nothing. Do it carefully.—And the noble line 0478and true-hearted Kent banished! His offense, honesty! line 0479’Tis strange.He exits. Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 37125line 0480EDMUNDThis is the excellent foppery of the world, that line 0481when we are sick in fortune (often the surfeits of line 0482our own behavior) we make guilty of our disasters line 0483the sun, the moon, and stars, as if we were villains line 0484on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, 130line 0485thieves, and treachers by spherical predominance; line 0486drunkards, liars, and adulterers by an enforced line 0487obedience of planetary influence; and all that we line 0488are evil in, by a divine thrusting on. An admirable line 0489evasion of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish 135line 0490disposition on the charge of a star! My father line 0491compounded with my mother under the Dragon’s line 0492tail, and my nativity was under Ursa Major, so that it line 0493follows I am rough and lecherous. Fut, I should line 0494have been that I am, had the maidenliest star in the 140line 0495firmament twinkled on my bastardizing. Edgar—
Enter Edgar.
line 0496and pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old line 0497comedy. My cue is villainous melancholy, with a line 0498sigh like Tom o’ Bedlam.—O, these eclipses do line 0499portend these divisions. Fa, sol, la, mi. 145line 0500EDGARHow now, brother Edmund, what serious contemplation line 0501are you in? line 0502EDMUNDI am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read line 0503this other day, what should follow these eclipses. line 0504EDGARDo you busy yourself with that? 150line 0505EDMUNDI promise you, the effects he writes of succeed line 0506unhappily, as of unnaturalness between the line 0507child and the parent, death, dearth, dissolutions of line 0508ancient amities, divisions in state, menaces and line 0509maledictions against king and nobles, needless diffidences, 155line 0510banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, line 0511nuptial breaches, and I know not what. line 0512EDGARHow long have you been a sectary line 0513astronomical? Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 39line 0514EDMUNDCome, come, when saw you my father last? 160line 0515EDGARThe night gone by. line 0516EDMUNDSpake you with him? line 0517EDGARAy, two hours together. line 0518EDMUNDParted you in good terms? Found you no line 0519displeasure in him by word nor countenance? 165line 0520EDGARNone at all. line 0521EDMUNDBethink yourself wherein you may have offended line 0522him, and at my entreaty forbear his presence line 0523until some little time hath qualified the heat line 0524of his displeasure, which at this instant so rageth in 170line 0525him that with the mischief of your person it would line 0526scarcely allay. line 0527EDGARSome villain hath done me wrong. line 0528EDMUNDThat’s my fear. I pray you have a continent line 0529forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower; 175line 0530and, as I say, retire with me to my lodging, from line 0531whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord speak. line 0532Pray you go. There’s my key. If you do stir abroad, line 0533go armed. line 0534EDGARArmed, brother? 180line 0535EDMUNDBrother, I advise you to the best. I am no line 0536honest man if there be any good meaning toward line 0537you. I have told you what I have seen and heard, but line 0538faintly, nothing like the image and horror of it. Pray line 0539you, away. 185line 0540EDGARShall I hear from you anon? line 0541EDMUNDI do serve you in this business.Edgar exits. line 0542A credulous father and a brother noble, line 0543Whose nature is so far from doing harms line 0544That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty 190line 0545My practices ride easy. I see the business. line 0546Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit. line 0547All with me’s meet that I can fashion fit.
He exits.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 41
Scene 3
Enter Goneril and Oswald, her Steward.
line 0548GONERILDid my father strike my gentleman for chiding line 0549of his Fool? line 0550OSWALDAy, madam. GONERIL line 0551By day and night he wrongs me. Every hour 5line 0552He flashes into one gross crime or other line 0553That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it. line 0554His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us line 0555On every trifle. When he returns from hunting, line 0556I will not speak with him. Say I am sick. 10line 0557If you come slack of former services, line 0558You shall do well. The fault of it I’ll answer. line 0559OSWALDHe’s coming, madam. I hear him. GONERIL line 0560Put on what weary negligence you please, line 0561You and your fellows. I’d have it come to question. 15line 0562If he distaste it, let him to my sister, line 0563Whose mind and mine I know in that are one, line 0564Not to be overruled. Idle old man line 0565That still would manage those authorities line 0566That he hath given away. Now, by my life, 20line 0567Old fools are babes again and must be used line 0568With checks as flatteries, when they are seen line 0569abused. line 0570Remember what I have said. line 0571OSWALDWell, madam. GONERIL 25line 0572And let his knights have colder looks among you. line 0573What grows of it, no matter. Advise your fellows so. line 0574I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, line 0575That I may speak. I’ll write straight to my sister line 0576To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner.
They exit in different directions.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 43
Scene 4
Enter Kent in disguise.
KENT line 0577If but as well I other accents borrow line 0578That can my speech diffuse, my good intent line 0579May carry through itself to that full issue line 0580For which I razed my likeness. Now, banished Kent, 5line 0581If thou canst serve where thou dost stand line 0582condemned, line 0583So may it come thy master, whom thou lov’st, line 0584Shall find thee full of labors.
Horns within. Enter Lear, Knights, and Attendants.
line 0585LEARLet me not stay a jot for dinner. Go get it ready.
An Attendant exits.
10line 0586How now, what art thou? line 0587KENTA man, sir. line 0588LEARWhat dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with line 0589us? line 0590KENTI do profess to be no less than I seem, to serve 15line 0591him truly that will put me in trust, to love him that line 0592is honest, to converse with him that is wise and says line 0593little, to fear judgment, to fight when I cannot line 0594choose, and to eat no fish. line 0595LEARWhat art thou? 20line 0596KENTA very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the line 0597King. line 0598LEARIf thou be’st as poor for a subject as he’s for a line 0599king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? line 0600KENTService. 25line 0601LEARWho wouldst thou serve? line 0602KENTYou. line 0603LEARDost thou know me, fellow? line 0604KENTNo, sir, but you have that in your countenance line 0605which I would fain call master. Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 4530line 0606LEARWhat’s that? line 0607KENTAuthority. line 0608LEARWhat services canst do? line 0609KENTI can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a line 0610curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message 35line 0611bluntly. That which ordinary men are fit for I line 0612am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence. line 0613LEARHow old art thou? line 0614KENTNot so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, line 0615nor so old to dote on her for anything. I have years 40line 0616on my back forty-eight. line 0617LEARFollow me. Thou shalt serve me—if I like thee line 0618no worse after dinner. I will not part from thee line 0619yet.—Dinner, ho, dinner!—Where’s my knave, my line 0620Fool? Go you and call my Fool hither.
An Attendant exits.
Enter Oswald, the Steward.
45line 0621You, you, sirrah, where’s my daughter? line 0622OSWALDSo please you—He exits. line 0623LEARWhat says the fellow there? Call the clotpole line 0624back. A Knight exits. Where’s my Fool? Ho! I think line 0625the world’s asleep.
Enter Knight again.
50line 0626How now? Where’s that mongrel? line 0627KNIGHTHe says, my lord, your daughter is not well. line 0628LEARWhy came not the slave back to me when I line 0629called him? line 0630KNIGHTSir, he answered me in the roundest manner, 55line 0631he would not. line 0632LEARHe would not? line 0633KNIGHTMy lord, I know not what the matter is, but to line 0634my judgment your Highness is not entertained line 0635with that ceremonious affection as you were wont. 60line 0636There’s a great abatement of kindness appears as Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 47line 0637well in the general dependents as in the Duke line 0638himself also, and your daughter. line 0639LEARHa? Sayst thou so? line 0640KNIGHTI beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be 65line 0641mistaken, for my duty cannot be silent when I think line 0642your Highness wronged. line 0643LEARThou but remembrest me of mine own conception. line 0644I have perceived a most faint neglect of late, line 0645which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous 70line 0646curiosity than as a very pretense and purpose of line 0647unkindness. I will look further into ’t. But where’s line 0648my Fool? I have not seen him this two days. line 0649KNIGHTSince my young lady’s going into France, sir, line 0650the Fool hath much pined away. 75line 0651LEARNo more of that. I have noted it well.—Go you line 0652and tell my daughter I would speak with her. line 0653An Attendant exits. Go you call hither my Fool.
Another exits.
Enter Oswald, the Steward.
line 0654O you, sir, you, come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir? line 0655OSWALDMy lady’s father. 80line 0656LEAR“My lady’s father”? My lord’s knave! You whoreson line 0657dog, you slave, you cur! line 0658OSWALDI am none of these, my lord, I beseech your line 0659pardon. line 0660LEARDo you bandy looks with me, you rascal?
Lear strikes him.
85line 0661OSWALDI’ll not be strucken, my lord. line 0662KENTtripping himNor tripped neither, you base line 0663football player? line 0664LEARI thank thee, fellow. Thou serv’st me, and I’ll line 0665love thee. 90line 0666KENTto OswaldCome, sir, arise. Away. I’ll teach you line 0667differences. Away, away. If you will measure your line 0668lubber’s length again, tarry. But away. Go to. Have line 0669you wisdom? So.Oswald exits. Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 49line 0670LEARNow, my friendly knave, I thank thee. There’s 95line 0671earnest of thy service.He gives Kent a purse.
Enter Fool.
line 0672FOOLLet me hire him too. To Kent. Here’s my line 0673coxcomb.He offers Kent his cap. line 0674LEARHow now, my pretty knave, how dost thou? line 0675FOOLto KentSirrah, you were best take my 100line 0676coxcomb. line 0677LEARWhy, my boy? line 0678FOOLWhy? For taking one’s part that’s out of favor. line 0679To Kent. Nay, an thou canst not smile as the line 0680wind sits, thou ’lt catch cold shortly. There, take my 105line 0681coxcomb. Why, this fellow has banished two on ’s line 0682daughters and did the third a blessing against his line 0683will. If thou follow him, thou must needs wear my line 0684coxcomb.—How now, nuncle? Would I had two line 0685coxcombs and two daughters. 110line 0686LEARWhy, my boy? line 0687FOOLIf I gave them all my living, I’d keep my coxcombs line 0688myself. There’s mine. Beg another of thy line 0689daughters. line 0690LEARTake heed, sirrah—the whip. 115line 0691FOOLTruth’s a dog must to kennel; he must be line 0692whipped out, when the Lady Brach may stand by th’ line 0693fire and stink. line 0694LEARA pestilent gall to me! line 0695FOOLSirrah, I’ll teach thee a speech. 120line 0696LEARDo. line 0697FOOLMark it, nuncle: line 0698Have more than thou showest. line 0699Speak less than thou knowest, line 0700Lend less than thou owest, 125line 0701Ride more than thou goest, line 0702Learn more than thou trowest, line 0703Set less than thou throwest; Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 51line 0704Leave thy drink and thy whore line 0705And keep in-a-door, 130line 0706And thou shalt have more line 0707Than two tens to a score. line 0708KENTThis is nothing, Fool. line 0709FOOLThen ’tis like the breath of an unfee’d lawyer. line 0710You gave me nothing for ’t.—Can you make no use 135line 0711of nothing, nuncle? line 0712LEARWhy no, boy. Nothing can be made out of line 0713nothing. line 0714FOOLto KentPrithee tell him, so much the rent of his line 0715land comes to. He will not believe a Fool. 140line 0716LEARA bitter Fool! line 0717FOOLDost know the difference, my boy, between a line 0718bitter fool and a sweet one? line 0719LEARNo, lad, teach me. line 0720FOOLThat lord that counseled thee 145line 0721To give away thy land, line 0722Come place him here by me; line 0723Do thou for him stand. line 0724The sweet and bitter fool line 0725Will presently appear: 150line 0726The one in motley here, line 0727The other found out there. line 0728LEARDost thou call me “fool,” boy? line 0729FOOLAll thy other titles thou hast given away. That line 0730thou wast born with. 155line 0731KENTThis is not altogether fool, my lord. line 0732FOOLNo, faith, lords and great men will not let me. If line 0733I had a monopoly out, they would have part on ’t. line 0734And ladies too, they will not let me have all the fool line 0735to myself; they’ll be snatching.—Nuncle, give me 160line 0736an egg, and I’ll give thee two crowns. line 0737LEARWhat two crowns shall they be? line 0738FOOLWhy, after I have cut the egg i’ th’ middle and eat line 0739up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 53line 0740clovest thy crown i’ th’ middle and gav’st away 165line 0741both parts, thou bor’st thine ass on thy back o’er line 0742the dirt. Thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown line 0743when thou gav’st thy golden one away. If I speak line 0744like myself in this, let him be whipped that first line 0745finds it so. Sings. 170line 0746Fools had ne’er less grace in a year, line 0747For wise men are grown foppish line 0748And know not how their wits to wear, line 0749Their manners are so apish. line 0750LEARWhen were you wont to be so full of songs, 175line 0751sirrah? line 0752FOOLI have used it, nuncle, e’er since thou mad’st thy line 0753daughters thy mothers. For when thou gav’st them line 0754the rod and put’st down thine own breeches, Sings. line 0755Then they for sudden joy did weep, 180line 0756And I for sorrow sung, line 0757That such a king should play bo-peep line 0758And go the fools among. line 0759Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach line 0760thy Fool to lie. I would fain learn to lie. 185line 0761LEARAn you lie, sirrah, we’ll have you whipped. line 0762FOOLI marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are. line 0763They’ll have me whipped for speaking true, thou ’lt line 0764have me whipped for lying, and sometimes I am line 0765whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any 190line 0766kind o’ thing than a Fool. And yet I would not be line 0767thee, nuncle. Thou hast pared thy wit o’ both sides line 0768and left nothing i’ th’ middle. Here comes one o’ the line 0769parings.
Enter Goneril.
LEAR line 0770How now, daughter? What makes that frontlet on? 195line 0771Methinks you are too much of late i’ th’ frown. Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 55line 0772FOOLThou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no line 0773need to care for her frowning. Now thou art an O line 0774without a figure. I am better than thou art now. I line 0775am a Fool. Thou art nothing. To Goneril. Yes, 200line 0776forsooth, I will hold my tongue. So your face bids line 0777me, though you say nothing. line 0778Mum, mum, line 0779He that keeps nor crust nor crumb, line 0780Weary of all, shall want some.
He points at Lear.
205line 0781That’s a shelled peascod. GONERIL line 0782Not only, sir, this your all-licensed Fool, line 0783But other of your insolent retinue line 0784Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth line 0785In rank and not-to-be-endurèd riots. Sir, 210line 0786I had thought by making this well known unto you line 0787To have found a safe redress, but now grow fearful, line 0788By what yourself too late have spoke and done, line 0789That you protect this course and put it on line 0790By your allowance; which if you should, the fault 215line 0791Would not ’scape censure, nor the redresses sleep line 0792Which in the tender of a wholesome weal line 0793Might in their working do you that offense, line 0794Which else were shame, that then necessity line 0795Will call discreet proceeding. 220line 0796FOOLFor you know, nuncle, line 0797The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, line 0798That it’s had it head bit off by it young. line 0799So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. line 0800LEARAre you our daughter? GONERIL 225line 0801I would you would make use of your good wisdom, line 0802Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away line 0803These dispositions which of late transport you line 0804From what you rightly are. Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 57line 0805FOOLMay not an ass know when the cart draws the 230line 0806horse? Whoop, Jug, I love thee! LEAR line 0807Does any here know me? This is not Lear. line 0808Does Lear walk thus, speak thus? Where are his line 0809eyes? line 0810Either his notion weakens, his discernings 235line 0811Are lethargied—Ha! Waking? ’Tis not so. line 0812Who is it that can tell me who I am? line 0813FOOLLear’s shadow. LEAR line 0814I would learn that, for, by the marks of line 0815sovereignty, 240line 0816Knowledge, and reason, I should be false persuaded line 0817I had daughters. line 0818FOOLWhich they will make an obedient father. line 0819LEARYour name, fair gentlewoman? GONERIL line 0820This admiration, sir, is much o’ th’ savor 245line 0821Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you line 0822To understand my purposes aright. line 0823As you are old and reverend, should be wise. line 0824Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires, line 0825Men so disordered, so debauched and bold, 250line 0826That this our court, infected with their manners, line 0827Shows like a riotous inn. Epicurism and lust line 0828Makes it more like a tavern or a brothel line 0829Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak line 0830For instant remedy. Be then desired, 255line 0831By her that else will take the thing she begs, line 0832A little to disquantity your train, line 0833And the remainders that shall still depend line 0834To be such men as may besort your age, line 0835Which know themselves and you. 260line 0836LEARDarkness and line 0837devils!— line 0838Saddle my horses. Call my train together.
Some exit.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 59line 0839Degenerate bastard, I’ll not trouble thee. line 0840Yet have I left a daughter. GONERIL 265line 0841You strike my people, and your disordered rabble line 0842Make servants of their betters.
Enter Albany.
LEAR line 0843Woe that too late repents!—O, sir, are you line 0844come? line 0845Is it your will? Speak, sir.—Prepare my horses.
Some exit.
270line 0846Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, line 0847More hideous when thou show’st thee in a child line 0848Than the sea monster! line 0849ALBANYPray, sir, be patient. line 0850LEARto GonerilDetested kite, thou liest. 275line 0851My train are men of choice and rarest parts, line 0852That all particulars of duty know line 0853And in the most exact regard support line 0854The worships of their name. O most small fault, line 0855How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show, 280line 0856Which, like an engine, wrenched my frame of line 0857nature line 0858From the fixed place, drew from my heart all love line 0859And added to the gall! O Lear, Lear, Lear!
He strikes his head.
line 0860Beat at this gate that let thy folly in 285line 0861And thy dear judgment out. Go, go, my people.
Some exit.
ALBANY line 0862My lord, I am guiltless as I am ignorant line 0863Of what hath moved you. line 0864LEARIt may be so, my lord.— line 0865Hear, Nature, hear, dear goddess, hear! 290line 0866Suspend thy purpose if thou didst intend Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 61line 0867To make this creature fruitful. line 0868Into her womb convey sterility. line 0869Dry up in her the organs of increase, line 0870And from her derogate body never spring 295line 0871A babe to honor her. If she must teem, line 0872Create her child of spleen, that it may live line 0873And be a thwart disnatured torment to her. line 0874Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth, line 0875With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks, 300line 0876Turn all her mother’s pains and benefits line 0877To laughter and contempt, that she may feel line 0878How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is line 0879To have a thankless child.—Away, away!
Lear and the rest of his train exit.
ALBANY line 0880Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? GONERIL 305line 0881Never afflict yourself to know more of it, line 0882But let his disposition have that scope line 0883As dotage gives it.
Enter Lear and the Fool.
LEAR line 0884What, fifty of my followers at a clap? line 0885Within a fortnight? 310line 0886ALBANYWhat’s the matter, sir? LEAR line 0887I’ll tell thee. To Goneril. Life and death! I am line 0888ashamed line 0889That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus, line 0890That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, 315line 0891Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon line 0892thee! line 0893Th’ untented woundings of a father’s curse line 0894Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes, line 0895Beweep this cause again, I’ll pluck you out Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 63320line 0896And cast you, with the waters that you loose, line 0897To temper clay. Yea, is ’t come to this? line 0898Ha! Let it be so. I have another daughter line 0899Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable. line 0900When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails 325line 0901She’ll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find line 0902That I’ll resume the shape which thou dost think line 0903I have cast off forever.He exits. line 0904GONERILDo you mark that? ALBANY line 0905I cannot be so partial, Goneril, 330line 0906To the great love I bear you— line 0907GONERILPray you, content.—What, Oswald, ho!— line 0908You, sir, more knave than Fool, after your master. line 0909FOOLNuncle Lear, Nuncle Lear, tarry. Take the Fool line 0910with thee. 335line 0911A fox, when one has caught her, line 0912And such a daughter, line 0913Should sure to the slaughter, line 0914If my cap would buy a halter. line 0915So the Fool follows after.He exits. GONERIL 340line 0916This man hath had good counsel. A hundred line 0917knights! line 0918’Tis politic and safe to let him keep line 0919At point a hundred knights! Yes, that on every line 0920dream, 345line 0921Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, line 0922He may enguard his dotage with their powers line 0923And hold our lives in mercy.—Oswald, I say! line 0924ALBANYWell, you may fear too far. line 0925GONERILSafer than trust too far. 350line 0926Let me still take away the harms I fear, line 0927Not fear still to be taken. I know his heart. line 0928What he hath uttered I have writ my sister. line 0929If she sustain him and his hundred knights line 0930When I have showed th’ unfitness— Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 65
Enter Oswald, the Steward.
355line 0931How now, Oswald? line 0932What, have you writ that letter to my sister? line 0933OSWALDAy, madam. GONERIL line 0934Take you some company and away to horse. line 0935Inform her full of my particular fear, 360line 0936And thereto add such reasons of your own line 0937As may compact it more. Get you gone, line 0938And hasten your return. Oswald exits. No, no, my line 0939lord, line 0940This milky gentleness and course of yours, 365line 0941Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon, line 0942You are much more at task for want of wisdom line 0943Than praised for harmful mildness. ALBANY line 0944How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell. line 0945Striving to better, oft we mar what’s well. 370line 0946GONERILNay, then— line 0947ALBANYWell, well, th’ event.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Lear, Kent in disguise, Gentleman, and Fool.
line 0948LEARto KentGo you before to Gloucester with these line 0949letters. Acquaint my daughter no further with anything line 0950you know than comes from her demand out of line 0951the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be 5line 0952there afore you. line 0953KENTI will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered line 0954your letter.He exits. line 0955FOOLIf a man’s brains were in ’s heels, were ’t not in line 0956danger of kibes? 10line 0957LEARAy, boy. Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 67line 0958FOOLThen, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall not go line 0959slipshod. line 0960LEARHa, ha, ha! line 0961FOOLShalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly, 15line 0962for, though she’s as like this as a crab’s like an line 0963apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. line 0964LEARWhat canst tell, boy? line 0965FOOLShe will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. line 0966Thou canst tell why one’s nose stands i’ th’ middle 20line 0967on ’s face? line 0968LEARNo. line 0969FOOLWhy, to keep one’s eyes of either side ’s nose, line 0970that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into. line 0971LEARI did her wrong. 25line 0972FOOLCanst tell how an oyster makes his shell? line 0973LEARNo. line 0974FOOLNor I neither. But I can tell why a snail has a line 0975house. line 0976LEARWhy? 30line 0977FOOLWhy, to put ’s head in, not to give it away to his line 0978daughters and leave his horns without a case. line 0979LEARI will forget my nature. So kind a father!—Be line 0980my horses ready?Gentleman exits. line 0981FOOLThy asses are gone about ’em. The reason why 35line 0982the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty line 0983reason. line 0984LEARBecause they are not eight. line 0985FOOLYes, indeed. Thou wouldst make a good Fool. line 0986LEARTo take ’t again perforce! Monster ingratitude! 40line 0987FOOLIf thou wert my Fool, nuncle, I’d have thee line 0988beaten for being old before thy time. line 0989LEARHow’s that? line 0990FOOLThou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst line 0991been wise. LEAR 45line 0992O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! line 0993Keep me in temper. I would not be mad! Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 69
Enter Gentleman.
line 0994How now, are the horses ready? line 0995GENTLEMANReady, my lord. line 0996LEARCome, boy. FOOL 50line 0997She that’s a maid now and laughs at my departure, line 0998Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut line 0999shorter.
They exit.
ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Edmund, the Bastard and Curan, severally.
line 1000EDMUNDSave thee, Curan. line 1001CURANAnd you, sir. I have been with your father and line 1002given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and line 1003Regan his duchess will be here with him this night. 5line 1004EDMUNDHow comes that? line 1005CURANNay, I know not. You have heard of the news line 1006abroad?—I mean the whispered ones, for they are line 1007yet but ear-kissing arguments. line 1008EDMUNDNot I. Pray you, what are they? 10line 1009CURANHave you heard of no likely wars toward ’twixt line 1010the dukes of Cornwall and Albany? line 1011EDMUNDNot a word. line 1012CURANYou may do, then, in time. Fare you well, sir.
He exits.
EDMUND line 1013The Duke be here tonight? The better, best. 15line 1014This weaves itself perforce into my business. line 1015My father hath set guard to take my brother, line 1016And I have one thing of a queasy question line 1017Which I must act. Briefness and fortune work!— line 1018Brother, a word. Descend. Brother, I say!
Enter Edgar.
20line 1019My father watches. O sir, fly this place! Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 75line 1020Intelligence is given where you are hid. line 1021You have now the good advantage of the night. line 1022Have you not spoken ’gainst the Duke of Cornwall? line 1023He’s coming hither, now, i’ th’ night, i’ th’ haste, 25line 1024And Regan with him. Have you nothing said line 1025Upon his party ’gainst the Duke of Albany? line 1026Advise yourself. line 1027EDGARI am sure on ’t, not a word. EDMUND line 1028I hear my father coming. Pardon me. 30line 1029In cunning I must draw my sword upon you. line 1030Draw. Seem to defend yourself. Now, quit you line 1031well.They draw. line 1032Yield! Come before my father! Light, hoa, here! line 1033Aside to Edgar. Fly, brother.—Torches, torches! 35line 1034—So, farewell.Edgar exits. line 1035Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion line 1036Of my more fierce endeavor. I have seen drunkards line 1037Do more than this in sport.He wounds his arm. line 1038Father, father! 40line 1039Stop, stop! No help?
Enter Gloucester, and Servants with torches.
line 1040GLOUCESTERNow, Edmund, where’s the line 1041villain? EDMUND line 1042Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, line 1043Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon 45line 1044To stand auspicious mistress. line 1045GLOUCESTERBut where is he? EDMUND line 1046Look, sir, I bleed. line 1047GLOUCESTERWhere is the villain, line 1048Edmund? EDMUND 50line 1049Fled this way, sir, when by no means he could— Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 77GLOUCESTER line 1050Pursue him, ho! Go after. Servants exit. By no line 1051means what? EDMUND line 1052Persuade me to the murder of your Lordship, line 1053But that I told him the revenging gods 55line 1054’Gainst parricides did all the thunder bend, line 1055Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond line 1056The child was bound to th’ father—sir, in fine, line 1057Seeing how loathly opposite I stood line 1058To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion 60line 1059With his preparèd sword he charges home line 1060My unprovided body, lanced mine arm; line 1061And when he saw my best alarumed spirits, line 1062Bold in the quarrel’s right, roused to th’ encounter, line 1063Or whether ghasted by the noise I made, 65line 1064Full suddenly he fled. line 1065GLOUCESTERLet him fly far! line 1066Not in this land shall he remain uncaught, line 1067And found—dispatch. The noble duke my master, line 1068My worthy arch and patron, comes tonight. 70line 1069By his authority I will proclaim it line 1070That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, line 1071Bringing the murderous coward to the stake; line 1072He that conceals him, death. EDMUND line 1073When I dissuaded him from his intent 75line 1074And found him pight to do it, with curst speech line 1075I threatened to discover him. He replied line 1076“Thou unpossessing bastard, dost thou think line 1077If I would stand against thee, would the reposal line 1078Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee 80line 1079Make thy words faithed? No. What I should line 1080deny— line 1081As this I would, though thou didst produce Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 79line 1082My very character—I’d turn it all line 1083To thy suggestion, plot, and damnèd practice. 85line 1084And thou must make a dullard of the world line 1085If they not thought the profits of my death line 1086Were very pregnant and potential spurs line 1087To make thee seek it.” line 1088GLOUCESTERO strange and fastened villain! 90line 1089Would he deny his letter, said he? line 1090I never got him.Tucket within. line 1091Hark, the Duke’s trumpets. I know not why he line 1092comes. line 1093All ports I’ll bar. The villain shall not ’scape. 95line 1094The Duke must grant me that. Besides, his picture line 1095I will send far and near, that all the kingdom line 1096May have due note of him. And of my land, line 1097Loyal and natural boy, I’ll work the means line 1098To make thee capable.
Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants.
CORNWALL 100line 1099How now, my noble friend? Since I came hither, line 1100Which I can call but now, I have heard strange line 1101news. REGAN line 1102If it be true, all vengeance comes too short line 1103Which can pursue th’ offender. How dost, my 105line 1104lord? GLOUCESTER line 1105O madam, my old heart is cracked; it’s cracked. REGAN line 1106What, did my father’s godson seek your life? line 1107He whom my father named, your Edgar? GLOUCESTER line 1108O lady, lady, shame would have it hid! REGAN 110line 1109Was he not companion with the riotous knights line 1110That tended upon my father? Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 81GLOUCESTER line 1111I know not, madam. ’Tis too bad, too bad. EDMUND line 1112Yes, madam, he was of that consort. REGAN line 1113No marvel, then, though he were ill affected. 115line 1114’Tis they have put him on the old man’s death, line 1115To have th’ expense and waste of his revenues. line 1116I have this present evening from my sister line 1117Been well informed of them, and with such cautions line 1118That if they come to sojourn at my house 120line 1119I’ll not be there. line 1120CORNWALLNor I, assure thee, Regan.— line 1121Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father line 1122A childlike office. line 1123EDMUNDIt was my duty, sir. GLOUCESTER 125line 1124He did bewray his practice, and received line 1125This hurt you see striving to apprehend him. line 1126CORNWALLIs he pursued? line 1127GLOUCESTERAy, my good lord. CORNWALL line 1128If he be taken, he shall never more 130line 1129Be feared of doing harm. Make your own purpose, line 1130How in my strength you please.—For you, Edmund, line 1131Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant line 1132So much commend itself, you shall be ours. line 1133Natures of such deep trust we shall much need. 135line 1134You we first seize on. line 1135EDMUNDI shall serve you, sir, line 1136Truly, however else. line 1137GLOUCESTERFor him I thank your Grace. CORNWALL line 1138You know not why we came to visit you— REGAN 140line 1139Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed night. Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 83line 1140Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise, line 1141Wherein we must have use of your advice. line 1142Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, line 1143Of differences, which I best thought it fit 145line 1144To answer from our home. The several messengers line 1145From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend, line 1146Lay comforts to your bosom and bestow line 1147Your needful counsel to our businesses, line 1148Which craves the instant use. 150line 1149GLOUCESTERI serve you, madam. line 1150Your Graces are right welcome.
Flourish. They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Kent in disguise and Oswald, the Steward, severally.
line 1151OSWALDGood dawning to thee, friend. Art of this line 1152house? line 1153KENTAy. line 1154OSWALDWhere may we set our horses? 5line 1155KENTI’ th’ mire. line 1156OSWALDPrithee, if thou lov’st me, tell me. line 1157KENTI love thee not. line 1158OSWALDWhy then, I care not for thee. line 1159KENTIf I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make 10line 1160thee care for me. line 1161OSWALDWhy dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. line 1162KENTFellow, I know thee. line 1163OSWALDWhat dost thou know me for? line 1164KENTA knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats; a 15line 1165base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, line 1166filthy worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, line 1167action-taking, whoreson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, line 1168finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 85line 1169slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good 20line 1170service, and art nothing but the composition of a line 1171knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir line 1172of a mongrel bitch; one whom I will beat into line 1173clamorous whining if thou deny’st the least syllable line 1174of thy addition. 25line 1175OSWALDWhy, what a monstrous fellow art thou thus line 1176to rail on one that is neither known of thee nor line 1177knows thee! line 1178KENTWhat a brazen-faced varlet art thou to deny thou line 1179knowest me! Is it two days ago since I tripped up 30line 1180thy heels and beat thee before the King? line 1181He draws his sword. Draw, you rogue, for though it be night, line 1182yet the moon shines. I’ll make a sop o’ th’ moonshine line 1183of you, you whoreson, cullionly barbermonger. line 1184Draw! 35line 1185OSWALDAway! I have nothing to do with thee. line 1186KENTDraw, you rascal! You come with letters against line 1187the King and take Vanity the puppet’s part against line 1188the royalty of her father. Draw, you rogue, or I’ll so line 1189carbonado your shanks! Draw, you rascal! Come 40line 1190your ways. line 1191OSWALDHelp, ho! Murder! Help! line 1192KENTStrike, you slave! Stand, rogue! Stand, you neat line 1193slave! Strike!He beats Oswald. line 1194OSWALDHelp, ho! Murder, murder!
Enter Bastard Edmund, with his rapier drawn, Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, Servants.
45line 1195EDMUNDHow now, what’s the matter? Part! line 1196KENTWith you, goodman boy, if you please. Come, I’ll line 1197flesh you. Come on, young master. GLOUCESTER line 1198Weapons? Arms? What’s the matter here? line 1199CORNWALLKeep peace, upon your lives! He dies that 50line 1200strikes again. What is the matter? Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 87REGAN line 1201The messengers from our sister and the King. line 1202CORNWALLWhat is your difference? Speak. line 1203OSWALDI am scarce in breath, my lord. line 1204KENTNo marvel, you have so bestirred your valor. 55line 1205You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a line 1206tailor made thee. line 1207CORNWALLThou art a strange fellow. A tailor make a line 1208man? line 1209KENTA tailor, sir. A stonecutter or a painter could not 60line 1210have made him so ill, though they had been but two line 1211years o’ th’ trade. line 1212CORNWALLSpeak yet, how grew your quarrel? line 1213OSWALDThis ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have line 1214spared at suit of his gray beard— 65line 1215KENTThou whoreson zed, thou unnecessary letter! line 1216—My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread line 1217this unbolted villain into mortar and daub the wall line 1218of a jakes with him.—Spare my gray beard, you line 1219wagtail? 70line 1220CORNWALLPeace, sirrah! line 1221You beastly knave, know you no reverence? KENT line 1222Yes, sir, but anger hath a privilege. line 1223CORNWALLWhy art thou angry? KENT line 1224That such a slave as this should wear a sword, 75line 1225Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as line 1226these, line 1227Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain line 1228Which are too intrinse t’ unloose; smooth every line 1229passion 80line 1230That in the natures of their lords rebel— line 1231Being oil to fire, snow to the colder moods— line 1232Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks line 1233With every gale and vary of their masters, Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 89line 1234Knowing naught, like dogs, but following.— 85line 1235A plague upon your epileptic visage! line 1236Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool? line 1237Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain, line 1238I’d drive you cackling home to Camelot. line 1239CORNWALLWhat, art thou mad, old fellow? 90line 1240GLOUCESTERHow fell you out? Say that. KENT line 1241No contraries hold more antipathy line 1242Than I and such a knave. CORNWALL line 1243Why dost thou call him “knave”? What is his fault? line 1244KENTHis countenance likes me not. CORNWALL 95line 1245No more, perchance, does mine, nor his, nor hers. KENT line 1246Sir, ’tis my occupation to be plain: line 1247I have seen better faces in my time line 1248Than stands on any shoulder that I see line 1249Before me at this instant. 100line 1250CORNWALLThis is some fellow line 1251Who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect line 1252A saucy roughness and constrains the garb line 1253Quite from his nature. He cannot flatter, he. line 1254An honest mind and plain, he must speak truth! 105line 1255An they will take it, so; if not, he’s plain. line 1256These kind of knaves I know, which in this line 1257plainness line 1258Harbor more craft and more corrupter ends line 1259Than twenty silly-ducking observants 110line 1260That stretch their duties nicely. KENT line 1261Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity, line 1262Under th’ allowance of your great aspect, line 1263Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire line 1264On flick’ring Phoebus’ front— Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 91115line 1265CORNWALLWhat mean’st by this? line 1266KENTTo go out of my dialect, which you discommend line 1267so much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer. He that line 1268beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave, line 1269which for my part I will not be, though I should 120line 1270win your displeasure to entreat me to ’t. line 1271CORNWALLto OswaldWhat was th’ offense you gave line 1272him? line 1273OSWALDI never gave him any. line 1274It pleased the King his master very late 125line 1275To strike at me, upon his misconstruction; line 1276When he, compact, and flattering his displeasure, line 1277Tripped me behind; being down, insulted, railed, line 1278And put upon him such a deal of man line 1279That worthied him, got praises of the King 130line 1280For him attempting who was self-subdued; line 1281And in the fleshment of this dread exploit, line 1282Drew on me here again. line 1283KENTNone of these rogues and cowards line 1284But Ajax is their fool. 135line 1285CORNWALLFetch forth the stocks.— line 1286You stubborn ancient knave, you reverent braggart, line 1287We’ll teach you. line 1288KENTSir, I am too old to learn. line 1289Call not your stocks for me. I serve the King, 140line 1290On whose employment I was sent to you. line 1291You shall do small respect, show too bold line 1292malice line 1293Against the grace and person of my master, line 1294Stocking his messenger. CORNWALL 145line 1295Fetch forth the stocks.—As I have life and honor, line 1296There shall he sit till noon. REGAN line 1297Till noon? Till night, my lord, and all night, too. Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 93KENT line 1298Why, madam, if I were your father’s dog, line 1299You should not use me so. 150line 1300REGANSir, being his knave, I will. CORNWALL line 1301This is a fellow of the selfsame color line 1302Our sister speaks of.—Come, bring away the stocks.
Stocks brought out.
GLOUCESTER line 1303Let me beseech your Grace not to do so. line 1304His fault is much, and the good king his master 155line 1305Will check him for ’t. Your purposed low correction line 1306Is such as basest and contemned’st wretches line 1307For pilf’rings and most common trespasses line 1308Are punished with. The King must take it ill line 1309That he, so slightly valued in his messenger, 160line 1310Should have him thus restrained. line 1311CORNWALLI’ll answer that. REGAN line 1312My sister may receive it much more worse line 1313To have her gentleman abused, assaulted line 1314For following her affairs.—Put in his legs.
Kent is put in the stocks.
165line 1315CORNWALLCome, my good lord, away.
All but Gloucester and Kent exit.
GLOUCESTER line 1316I am sorry for thee, friend. ’Tis the Duke’s line 1317pleasure, line 1318Whose disposition all the world well knows line 1319Will not be rubbed nor stopped. I’ll entreat for thee. KENT 170line 1320Pray, do not, sir. I have watched and traveled hard. line 1321Some time I shall sleep out; the rest I’ll whistle. line 1322A good man’s fortune may grow out at heels. line 1323Give you good morrow. Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 95GLOUCESTER line 1324The Duke’s to blame in this. ’Twill be ill taken.
He exits.
KENT 175line 1325Good king, that must approve the common saw, line 1326Thou out of heaven’s benediction com’st line 1327To the warm sun.He takes out a paper. line 1328Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, line 1329That by thy comfortable beams I may 180line 1330Peruse this letter. Nothing almost sees miracles line 1331But misery. I know ’tis from Cordelia, line 1332Who hath most fortunately been informed line 1333Of my obscurèd course, and shall find time line 1334From this enormous state, seeking to give 185line 1335Losses their remedies. All weary and o’erwatched, line 1336Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold line 1337This shameful lodging. line 1338Fortune, good night. Smile once more; turn thy line 1339wheel.
Sleeps.
Scene 3
Enter Edgar.
line 1340EDGARI heard myself proclaimed, line 1341And by the happy hollow of a tree line 1342Escaped the hunt. No port is free; no place line 1343That guard and most unusual vigilance 5line 1344Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may ’scape, line 1345I will preserve myself, and am bethought line 1346To take the basest and most poorest shape line 1347That ever penury in contempt of man line 1348Brought near to beast. My face I’ll grime with filth, 10line 1349Blanket my loins, elf all my hairs in knots, line 1350And with presented nakedness outface Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 97line 1351The winds and persecutions of the sky. line 1352The country gives me proof and precedent line 1353Of Bedlam beggars who with roaring voices 15line 1354Strike in their numbed and mortifièd arms line 1355Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary, line 1356And, with this horrible object, from low farms, line 1357Poor pelting villages, sheepcotes, and mills, line 1358Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers, 20line 1359Enforce their charity. “Poor Turlygod! Poor Tom!” line 1360That’s something yet. “Edgar” I nothing am.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Lear, Fool, and Gentleman.
LEAR line 1361’Tis strange that they should so depart from home line 1362And not send back my messenger. line 1363GENTLEMANAs I learned, line 1364The night before there was no purpose in them 5line 1365Of this remove. line 1366KENTwakingHail to thee, noble master. line 1367LEARHa? line 1368Mak’st thou this shame thy pastime? line 1369KENTNo, my lord. 10line 1370FOOLHa, ha, he wears cruel garters. Horses are tied line 1371by the heads, dogs and bears by th’ neck, monkeys line 1372by th’ loins, and men by th’ legs. When a man’s line 1373overlusty at legs, then he wears wooden line 1374netherstocks. LEAR 15line 1375What’s he that hath so much thy place mistook line 1376To set thee here? line 1377KENTIt is both he and she, line 1378Your son and daughter. Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 99line 1379LEARNo. 20line 1380KENTYes. line 1381LEARNo, I say. line 1382KENTI say yea. line 1383LEARBy Jupiter, I swear no. line 1384KENTBy Juno, I swear ay. 25line 1385LEARThey durst not do ’t. line 1386They could not, would not do ’t. ’Tis worse than line 1387murder line 1388To do upon respect such violent outrage. line 1389Resolve me with all modest haste which way 30line 1390Thou might’st deserve or they impose this usage, line 1391Coming from us. line 1392KENTMy lord, when at their home line 1393I did commend your Highness’ letters to them, line 1394Ere I was risen from the place that showed 35line 1395My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post, line 1396Stewed in his haste, half breathless, panting forth line 1397From Goneril his mistress salutations; line 1398Delivered letters, spite of intermission, line 1399Which presently they read; on whose contents 40line 1400They summoned up their meiny, straight took line 1401horse, line 1402Commanded me to follow and attend line 1403The leisure of their answer, gave me cold looks; line 1404And meeting here the other messenger, 45line 1405Whose welcome, I perceived, had poisoned mine, line 1406Being the very fellow which of late line 1407Displayed so saucily against your Highness, line 1408Having more man than wit about me, drew. line 1409He raised the house with loud and coward cries. 50line 1410Your son and daughter found this trespass worth line 1411The shame which here it suffers. line 1412FOOLWinter’s not gone yet if the wild geese fly that line 1413way. Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 101line 1414Fathers that wear rags 55line 1415Do make their children blind, line 1416But fathers that bear bags line 1417Shall see their children kind. line 1418Fortune, that arrant whore, line 1419Ne’er turns the key to th’ poor. 60line 1420But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolors for line 1421thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year. LEAR line 1422O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! line 1423Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow! line 1424Thy element’s below.—Where is this daughter? 65line 1425KENTWith the Earl, sir, here within. line 1426LEARto Fool and GentlemanFollow me not. Stay line 1427here.He exits. GENTLEMAN line 1428Made you no more offense but what you speak of? line 1429KENTNone. 70line 1430How chance the King comes with so small a number? line 1431FOOLAn thou hadst been set i’ th’ stocks for that line 1432question, thou ’dst well deserved it. line 1433KENTWhy, Fool? line 1434FOOLWe’ll set thee to school to an ant to teach thee 75line 1435there’s no laboring i’ th’ winter. All that follow line 1436their noses are led by their eyes but blind men, and line 1437there’s not a nose among twenty but can smell him line 1438that’s stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel line 1439runs down a hill lest it break thy neck with following; 80line 1440but the great one that goes upward, let him line 1441draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better line 1442counsel, give me mine again. I would have none but line 1443knaves follow it, since a Fool gives it. line 1444That sir which serves and seeks for gain, 85line 1445And follows but for form, line 1446Will pack when it begins to rain Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 103line 1447And leave thee in the storm. line 1448But I will tarry; the Fool will stay, line 1449And let the wise man fly. 90line 1450The knave turns fool that runs away; line 1451The Fool no knave, perdie. line 1452KENTWhere learned you this, Fool? line 1453FOOLNot i’ th’ stocks, fool.
Enter Lear and Gloucester.
LEAR line 1454Deny to speak with me? They are sick? They are 95line 1455weary? line 1456They have traveled all the night? Mere fetches, line 1457The images of revolt and flying off. line 1458Fetch me a better answer. line 1459GLOUCESTERMy dear lord, 100line 1460You know the fiery quality of the Duke, line 1461How unremovable and fixed he is line 1462In his own course. LEAR line 1463Vengeance, plague, death, confusion! line 1464“Fiery”? What “quality”? Why Gloucester, 105line 1465Gloucester, line 1466I’d speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. GLOUCESTER line 1467Well, my good lord, I have informed them so. LEAR line 1468“Informed them”? Dost thou understand me, line 1469man? 110line 1470GLOUCESTERAy, my good lord. LEAR line 1471The King would speak with Cornwall. The dear line 1472father line 1473Would with his daughter speak, commands, tends line 1474service. 115line 1475Are they “informed” of this? My breath and line 1476blood! Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 105line 1477“Fiery”? The “fiery” duke? Tell the hot duke that— line 1478No, but not yet. Maybe he is not well. line 1479Infirmity doth still neglect all office 120line 1480Whereto our health is bound. We are not ourselves line 1481When nature, being oppressed, commands the mind line 1482To suffer with the body. I’ll forbear, line 1483And am fallen out with my more headier will, line 1484To take the indisposed and sickly fit 125line 1485For the sound man. Noticing Kent again. Death on line 1486my state! Wherefore line 1487Should he sit here? This act persuades me line 1488That this remotion of the Duke and her line 1489Is practice only. Give me my servant forth. 130line 1490Go tell the Duke and ’s wife I’d speak with them. line 1491Now, presently, bid them come forth and hear me, line 1492Or at their chamber door I’ll beat the drum line 1493Till it cry sleep to death. line 1494GLOUCESTERI would have all well betwixt you.
He exits.
LEAR 135line 1495O me, my heart, my rising heart! But down! line 1496FOOLCry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels line 1497when she put ’em i’ th’ paste alive. She knapped line 1498’em o’ th’ coxcombs with a stick and cried “Down, line 1499wantons, down!” ’Twas her brother that in pure 140line 1500kindness to his horse buttered his hay.
Enter Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, Servants.
line 1501LEARGood morrow to you both. line 1502CORNWALLHail to your Grace.
Kent here set at liberty.
line 1503REGANI am glad to see your Highness. LEAR line 1504Regan, I think you are. I know what reason 145line 1505I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad, line 1506I would divorce me from thy mother’s tomb, Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 107line 1507Sepulch’ring an adult’ress. To Kent. O, are you line 1508free? line 1509Some other time for that.—Belovèd Regan, 150line 1510Thy sister’s naught. O Regan, she hath tied line 1511Sharp-toothed unkindness, like a vulture, here. line 1512I can scarce speak to thee. Thou ’lt not believe line 1513With how depraved a quality—O Regan! REGAN line 1514I pray you, sir, take patience. I have hope 155line 1515You less know how to value her desert line 1516Than she to scant her duty. line 1517LEARSay? How is that? REGAN line 1518I cannot think my sister in the least line 1519Would fail her obligation. If, sir, perchance 160line 1520She have restrained the riots of your followers, line 1521’Tis on such ground and to such wholesome end line 1522As clears her from all blame. line 1523LEARMy curses on her. line 1524REGANO sir, you are old. 165line 1525Nature in you stands on the very verge line 1526Of his confine. You should be ruled and led line 1527By some discretion that discerns your state line 1528Better than you yourself. Therefore, I pray you line 1529That to our sister you do make return. 170line 1530Say you have wronged her. line 1531LEARAsk her forgiveness? line 1532Do you but mark how this becomes the house:
He kneels.
line 1533“Dear daughter, I confess that I am old. line 1534Age is unnecessary. On my knees I beg 175line 1535That you’ll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.” REGAN line 1536Good sir, no more. These are unsightly tricks. line 1537Return you to my sister. Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 109line 1538LEARrisingNever, Regan. line 1539She hath abated me of half my train, 180line 1540Looked black upon me, struck me with her tongue line 1541Most serpentlike upon the very heart. line 1542All the stored vengeances of heaven fall line 1543On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones, line 1544You taking airs, with lameness! 185line 1545CORNWALLFie, sir, fie! LEAR line 1546You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames line 1547Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty, line 1548You fen-sucked fogs drawn by the powerful sun line 1549To fall and blister! REGAN 190line 1550O, the blest gods! So will you wish on me line 1551When the rash mood is on. LEAR line 1552No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse. line 1553Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give line 1554Thee o’er to harshness. Her eyes are fierce, but 195line 1555thine line 1556Do comfort and not burn. ’Tis not in thee line 1557To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, line 1558To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, line 1559And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt 200line 1560Against my coming in. Thou better know’st line 1561The offices of nature, bond of childhood, line 1562Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude. line 1563Thy half o’ th’ kingdom hast thou not forgot, line 1564Wherein I thee endowed. 205line 1565REGANGood sir, to th’ purpose.
Tucket within.
LEAR line 1566Who put my man i’ th’ stocks? line 1567CORNWALLWhat trumpet’s that? Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 111REGAN line 1568I know ’t—my sister’s. This approves her letter, line 1569That she would soon be here.
Enter Oswald, the Steward.
210line 1570Is your lady come? LEAR line 1571This is a slave whose easy-borrowed pride line 1572Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows.— line 1573Out, varlet, from my sight! line 1574CORNWALLWhat means your Grace? LEAR 215line 1575Who stocked my servant? Regan, I have good hope line 1576Thou didst not know on ’t.
Enter Goneril.
line 1577Who comes here? O heavens, line 1578If you do love old men, if your sweet sway line 1579Allow obedience, if you yourselves are old, 220line 1580Make it your cause. Send down and take my part. line 1581To Goneril. Art not ashamed to look upon this line 1582beard?Regan takes Goneril’s hand. line 1583O Regan, will you take her by the hand? GONERIL line 1584Why not by th’ hand, sir? How have I offended? 225line 1585All’s not offense that indiscretion finds line 1586And dotage terms so. line 1587LEARO sides, you are too tough! line 1588Will you yet hold?—How came my man i’ th’ line 1589stocks? CORNWALL 230line 1590I set him there, sir, but his own disorders line 1591Deserved much less advancement. line 1592LEARYou? Did you? REGAN line 1593I pray you, father, being weak, seem so. line 1594If till the expiration of your month Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 113235line 1595You will return and sojourn with my sister, line 1596Dismissing half your train, come then to me. line 1597I am now from home and out of that provision line 1598Which shall be needful for your entertainment. LEAR line 1599Return to her? And fifty men dismissed? 240line 1600No! Rather I abjure all roofs, and choose line 1601To wage against the enmity o’ th’ air, line 1602To be a comrade with the wolf and owl, line 1603Necessity’s sharp pinch. Return with her? line 1604Why the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took 245line 1605Our youngest born—I could as well be brought line 1606To knee his throne and, squire-like, pension beg line 1607To keep base life afoot. Return with her? line 1608Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter line 1609To this detested groom.He indicates Oswald. 250line 1610GONERILAt your choice, sir. LEAR line 1611I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad. line 1612I will not trouble thee, my child. Farewell. line 1613We’ll no more meet, no more see one another. line 1614But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter, 255line 1615Or, rather, a disease that’s in my flesh, line 1616Which I must needs call mine. Thou art a boil, line 1617A plague-sore or embossèd carbuncle line 1618In my corrupted blood. But I’ll not chide thee. line 1619Let shame come when it will; I do not call it. 260line 1620I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, line 1621Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove. line 1622Mend when thou canst. Be better at thy leisure. line 1623I can be patient. I can stay with Regan, line 1624I and my hundred knights. 265line 1625REGANNot altogether so. line 1626I looked not for you yet, nor am provided line 1627For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister, line 1628For those that mingle reason with your passion Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 115line 1629Must be content to think you old, and so— 270line 1630But she knows what she does. line 1631LEARIs this well spoken? REGAN line 1632I dare avouch it, sir. What, fifty followers? line 1633Is it not well? What should you need of more? line 1634Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger 275line 1635Speak ’gainst so great a number? How in one house line 1636Should many people under two commands line 1637Hold amity? ’Tis hard, almost impossible. GONERIL line 1638Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance line 1639From those that she calls servants, or from mine? REGAN 280line 1640Why not, my lord? If then they chanced to slack line 1641you, line 1642We could control them. If you will come to me line 1643(For now I spy a danger), I entreat you line 1644To bring but five-and-twenty. To no more 285line 1645Will I give place or notice. line 1646LEARI gave you all— line 1647REGANAnd in good time you gave it. LEAR line 1648Made you my guardians, my depositaries, line 1649But kept a reservation to be followed 290line 1650With such a number. What, must I come to you line 1651With five-and-twenty? Regan, said you so? REGAN line 1652And speak ’t again, my lord. No more with me. LEAR line 1653Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favored line 1654When others are more wicked. Not being the worst 295line 1655Stands in some rank of praise. To Goneril. I’ll go line 1656with thee. line 1657Thy fifty yet doth double five-and-twenty, line 1658And thou art twice her love. line 1659GONERILHear me, my lord. Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 117300line 1660What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five, line 1661To follow in a house where twice so many line 1662Have a command to tend you? line 1663REGANWhat need one? LEAR line 1664O, reason not the need! Our basest beggars 305line 1665Are in the poorest thing superfluous. line 1666Allow not nature more than nature needs, line 1667Man’s life is cheap as beast’s. Thou art a lady; line 1668If only to go warm were gorgeous, line 1669Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear’st, 310line 1670Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true line 1671need— line 1672You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need! line 1673You see me here, you gods, a poor old man line 1674As full of grief as age, wretched in both. 315line 1675If it be you that stirs these daughters’ hearts line 1676Against their father, fool me not so much line 1677To bear it tamely. Touch me with noble anger, line 1678And let not women’s weapons, water drops, line 1679Stain my man’s cheeks.—No, you unnatural hags, 320line 1680I will have such revenges on you both line 1681That all the world shall—I will do such things— line 1682What they are yet I know not, but they shall be line 1683The terrors of the Earth! You think I’ll weep. line 1684No, I’ll not weep. 325line 1685I have full cause of weeping, but this heart
Storm and tempest.
line 1686Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws line 1687Or ere I’ll weep.—O Fool, I shall go mad!
Lear, Kent, and Fool exit with Gloucester and the Gentleman.
line 1688CORNWALLLet us withdraw. ’Twill be a storm. REGAN line 1689This house is little. The old man and ’s people 330line 1690Cannot be well bestowed. Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 119GONERIL line 1691’Tis his own blame hath put himself from rest, line 1692And must needs taste his folly. REGAN line 1693For his particular, I’ll receive him gladly, line 1694But not one follower. GONERIL 335line 1695So am I purposed. Where is my lord of Gloucester? CORNWALL line 1696Followed the old man forth.
Enter Gloucester.
line 1697He is returned. line 1698GLOUCESTERThe King is in high rage. line 1699CORNWALLWhither is he going? GLOUCESTER 340line 1700He calls to horse, but will I know not whither. CORNWALL line 1701’Tis best to give him way. He leads himself. GONERILto Gloucester line 1702My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. GLOUCESTER line 1703Alack, the night comes on, and the high winds line 1704Do sorely ruffle. For many miles about 345line 1705There’s scarce a bush. line 1706REGANO sir, to willful men line 1707The injuries that they themselves procure line 1708Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors. line 1709He is attended with a desperate train, 350line 1710And what they may incense him to, being apt line 1711To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. CORNWALL line 1712Shut up your doors, my lord. ’Tis a wild night. line 1713My Regan counsels well. Come out o’ th’ storm.
They exit.
ACT 3
Scene 1
Storm still. Enter Kent in disguise, and a Gentleman, severally.
line 1714KENTWho’s there, besides foul weather? GENTLEMAN line 1715One minded like the weather, most unquietly. line 1716KENTI know you. Where’s the King? GENTLEMAN line 1717Contending with the fretful elements; 5line 1718Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea line 1719Or swell the curlèd waters ’bove the main, line 1720That things might change or cease; tears his white line 1721hair, line 1722Which the impetuous blasts with eyeless rage 10line 1723Catch in their fury and make nothing of; line 1724Strives in his little world of man to outscorn line 1725The to-and-fro conflicting wind and rain. line 1726This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would line 1727couch, 15line 1728The lion and the belly-pinchèd wolf line 1729Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs line 1730And bids what will take all. line 1731KENTBut who is with him? GENTLEMAN line 1732None but the Fool, who labors to outjest 20line 1733His heart-struck injuries. Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 125line 1734KENTSir, I do know you line 1735And dare upon the warrant of my note line 1736Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, line 1737Although as yet the face of it is covered 25line 1738With mutual cunning, ’twixt Albany and Cornwall, line 1739Who have—as who have not, that their great stars line 1740Throned and set high?—servants, who seem no less, line 1741Which are to France the spies and speculations line 1742Intelligent of our state. From France there comes 30line 1743a power line 1744Into this scattered kingdom, who already, line 1745Wise in our negligence, have secret feet line 1746In some of our best ports and are at point line 1747To show their open banner. Now to you: 35line 1748If on my credit you dare build so far line 1749To make your speed to Dover, you shall find line 1750Some that will thank you, making just report line 1751Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow line 1752The King hath cause to plain: what hath been seen, 40line 1753Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, line 1754Or the hard rein which both of them hath borne line 1755Against the old kind king, or something deeper, line 1756Whereof perchance these are but furnishings. line 1757I am a gentleman of blood and breeding, 45line 1758And from some knowledge and assurance offer line 1759This office to you. GENTLEMAN line 1760I will talk further with you. line 1761KENTNo, do not. line 1762For confirmation that I am much more 50line 1763Than my outwall, open this purse and take line 1764What it contains.
Kent hands him a purse and a ring.
line 1765If you shall see Cordelia line 1766(As fear not but you shall), show her this ring, line 1767And she will tell you who that fellow is Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 12755line 1768That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! line 1769I will go seek the King. GENTLEMAN line 1770Give me your hand. Have you no more to say? KENT line 1771Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet: line 1772That when we have found the King—in which your 60line 1773pain line 1774That way, I’ll this—he that first lights on him line 1775Holla the other.
They exit separately.
Scene 2
Storm still. Enter Lear and Fool.
LEAR line 1776Blow winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow! line 1777You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout line 1778Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the line 1779cocks. 5line 1780You sulph’rous and thought-executing fires, line 1781Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunderbolts, line 1782Singe my white head. And thou, all-shaking line 1783thunder, line 1784Strike flat the thick rotundity o’ th’ world. 10line 1785Crack nature’s molds, all germens spill at once line 1786That makes ingrateful man. line 1787FOOLO nuncle, court holy water in a dry house is line 1788better than this rainwater out o’ door. Good nuncle, line 1789in. Ask thy daughters’ blessing. Here’s a night 15line 1790pities neither wise men nor fools. LEAR line 1791Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! Spout, rain! line 1792Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters. line 1793I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness. Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 129line 1794I never gave you kingdom, called you children; 20line 1795You owe me no subscription. Then let fall line 1796Your horrible pleasure. Here I stand your slave, line 1797A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man. line 1798But yet I call you servile ministers, line 1799That will with two pernicious daughters join 25line 1800Your high-engendered battles ’gainst a head line 1801So old and white as this. O, ho, ’tis foul! line 1802FOOLHe that has a house to put ’s head in has a good line 1803headpiece. line 1804The codpiece that will house 30line 1805Before the head has any, line 1806The head and he shall louse; line 1807So beggars marry many. line 1808The man that makes his toe line 1809What he his heart should make, 35line 1810Shall of a corn cry woe, line 1811And turn his sleep to wake. line 1812For there was never yet fair woman but she made line 1813mouths in a glass. LEAR line 1814No, I will be the pattern of all patience. 40line 1815I will say nothing.
Enter Kent in disguise.
line 1816KENTWho’s there? line 1817FOOLMarry, here’s grace and a codpiece; that’s a line 1818wise man and a fool. KENT line 1819Alas, sir, are you here? Things that love night 45line 1820Love not such nights as these. The wrathful skies line 1821Gallow the very wanderers of the dark line 1822And make them keep their caves. Since I was man, line 1823Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, line 1824Such groans of roaring wind and rain I never 50line 1825Remember to have heard. Man’s nature cannot carry line 1826Th’ affliction nor the fear. Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 131line 1827LEARLet the great gods line 1828That keep this dreadful pudder o’er our heads line 1829Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, 55line 1830That hast within thee undivulgèd crimes line 1831Unwhipped of justice. Hide thee, thou bloody hand, line 1832Thou perjured, and thou simular of virtue line 1833That art incestuous. Caitiff, to pieces shake, line 1834That under covert and convenient seeming 60line 1835Has practiced on man’s life. Close pent-up guilts, line 1836Rive your concealing continents and cry line 1837These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man line 1838More sinned against than sinning. line 1839KENTAlack, 65line 1840bareheaded? line 1841Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel. line 1842Some friendship will it lend you ’gainst the tempest. line 1843Repose you there while I to this hard house— line 1844More harder than the stones whereof ’tis raised, 70line 1845Which even but now, demanding after you, line 1846Denied me to come in—return and force line 1847Their scanted courtesy. line 1848LEARMy wits begin to turn.— line 1849Come on, my boy. How dost, my boy? Art cold? 75line 1850I am cold myself.—Where is this straw, my fellow? line 1851The art of our necessities is strange line 1852And can make vile things precious. Come, your line 1853hovel.— line 1854Poor Fool and knave, I have one part in my heart 80line 1855That’s sorry yet for thee. FOOLsings line 1856He that has and a little tiny wit, line 1857With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, line 1858Must make content with his fortunes fit, line 1859Though the rain it raineth every day. LEAR 85line 1860True, my good boy.—Come, bring us to this hovel.
Lear and Kent exit.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 133line 1861FOOLThis is a brave night to cool a courtesan. I’ll line 1862speak a prophecy ere I go: line 1863When priests are more in word than matter, line 1864When brewers mar their malt with water, 90line 1865When nobles are their tailors’ tutors, line 1866No heretics burned but wenches’ suitors, line 1867When every case in law is right, line 1868No squire in debt, nor no poor knight; line 1869When slanders do not live in tongues, 95line 1870Nor cutpurses come not to throngs, line 1871When usurers tell their gold i’ th’ field, line 1872And bawds and whores do churches build, line 1873Then shall the realm of Albion line 1874Come to great confusion; 100line 1875Then comes the time, who lives to see ’t, line 1876That going shall be used with feet. line 1877This prophecy Merlin shall make, for I live before line 1878his time.
He exits.
Scene 3
Enter Gloucester and Edmund.
line 1879GLOUCESTERAlack, alack, Edmund, I like not this line 1880unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I line 1881might pity him, they took from me the use of mine line 1882own house, charged me on pain of perpetual 5line 1883displeasure neither to speak of him, entreat for line 1884him, or any way sustain him. line 1885EDMUNDMost savage and unnatural. line 1886GLOUCESTERGo to; say you nothing. There is division line 1887between the dukes, and a worse matter than that. I 10line 1888have received a letter this night; ’tis dangerous to line 1889be spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet. line 1890These injuries the King now bears will be revenged Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 135line 1891home; there is part of a power already footed. We line 1892must incline to the King. I will look him and privily 15line 1893relieve him. Go you and maintain talk with the line 1894Duke, that my charity be not of him perceived. If he line 1895ask for me, I am ill and gone to bed. If I die for it, as line 1896no less is threatened me, the King my old master line 1897must be relieved. There is strange things toward, 20line 1898Edmund. Pray you, be careful.He exits. EDMUND line 1899This courtesy forbid thee shall the Duke line 1900Instantly know, and of that letter too. line 1901This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me line 1902That which my father loses—no less than all. 25line 1903The younger rises when the old doth fall.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Lear, Kent in disguise, and Fool.
KENT line 1904Here is the place, my lord. Good my lord, enter. line 1905The tyranny of the open night ’s too rough line 1906For nature to endure.Storm still. line 1907LEARLet me alone. KENT 5line 1908Good my lord, enter here. line 1909LEARWilt break my heart? KENT line 1910I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter. LEAR line 1911Thou think’st ’tis much that this contentious storm line 1912Invades us to the skin. So ’tis to thee. 10line 1913But where the greater malady is fixed, line 1914The lesser is scarce felt. Thou ’dst shun a bear, line 1915But if thy flight lay toward the roaring sea, Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 137line 1916Thou ’dst meet the bear i’ th’ mouth. When the line 1917mind’s free, 15line 1918The body’s delicate. This tempest in my mind line 1919Doth from my senses take all feeling else line 1920Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude! line 1921Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand line 1922For lifting food to ’t? But I will punish home. 20line 1923No, I will weep no more. In such a night line 1924To shut me out? Pour on. I will endure. line 1925In such a night as this? O Regan, Goneril, line 1926Your old kind father whose frank heart gave all! line 1927O, that way madness lies. Let me shun that; 25line 1928No more of that. line 1929KENTGood my lord, enter here. LEAR line 1930Prithee, go in thyself. Seek thine own ease. line 1931This tempest will not give me leave to ponder line 1932On things would hurt me more. But I’ll go in.— 30line 1933In, boy; go first.—You houseless poverty— line 1934Nay, get thee in. I’ll pray, and then I’ll sleep.
Fool exits.
line 1935Poor naked wretches, wheresoe’er you are, line 1936That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, line 1937How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, 35line 1938Your looped and windowed raggedness defend line 1939you line 1940From seasons such as these? O, I have ta’en line 1941Too little care of this. Take physic, pomp. line 1942Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, 40line 1943That thou may’st shake the superflux to them line 1944And show the heavens more just. line 1945EDGARwithinFathom and half, fathom and half! line 1946Poor Tom!
Enter Fool.
line 1947FOOLCome not in here, nuncle; here’s a spirit. Help 45line 1948me, help me! Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 139line 1949KENTGive me thy hand. Who’s there? line 1950FOOLA spirit, a spirit! He says his name’s Poor Tom. line 1951KENTWhat art thou that dost grumble there i’ th’ line 1952straw? Come forth.
Enter Edgar in disguise.
50line 1953EDGARAway. The foul fiend follows me. Through the line 1954sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Hum! Go to line 1955thy cold bed and warm thee. line 1956LEARDidst thou give all to thy daughters? And art thou line 1957come to this? 55line 1958EDGARWho gives anything to Poor Tom, whom the line 1959foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, line 1960through ford and whirlpool, o’er bog and quagmire; line 1961that hath laid knives under his pillow and line 1962halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, 60line 1963made him proud of heart to ride on a bay trotting line 1964horse over four-inched bridges to course his own line 1965shadow for a traitor? Bless thy five wits! Tom’s line 1966a-cold. O, do de, do de, do de. Bless thee from line 1967whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do Poor Tom 65line 1968some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There line 1969could I have him now, and there—and there again line 1970—and there.Storm still. LEAR line 1971Has his daughters brought him to this pass?— line 1972Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give ’em 70line 1973all? line 1974FOOLNay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all line 1975shamed. LEAR line 1976Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air line 1977Hang fated o’er men’s faults light on thy daughters! 75line 1978KENTHe hath no daughters, sir. LEAR line 1979Death, traitor! Nothing could have subdued nature line 1980To such a lowness but his unkind daughters. Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 141line 1981Is it the fashion that discarded fathers line 1982Should have thus little mercy on their flesh? 80line 1983Judicious punishment! ’Twas this flesh begot line 1984Those pelican daughters. line 1985EDGARPillicock sat on Pillicock Hill. Alow, alow, loo, line 1986loo. line 1987FOOLThis cold night will turn us all to fools and 85line 1988madmen. line 1989EDGARTake heed o’ th’ foul fiend. Obey thy parents, line 1990keep thy word’s justice, swear not, commit not with line 1991man’s sworn spouse, set not thy sweet heart on line 1992proud array. Tom’s a-cold. 90line 1993LEARWhat hast thou been? line 1994EDGARA servingman, proud in heart and mind, that line 1995curled my hair, wore gloves in my cap, served the line 1996lust of my mistress’ heart and did the act of line 1997darkness with her, swore as many oaths as I spake 95line 1998words and broke them in the sweet face of heaven; line 1999one that slept in the contriving of lust and waked to line 2000do it. Wine loved I deeply, dice dearly, and in line 2001woman out-paramoured the Turk. False of heart, line 2002light of ear, bloody of hand; hog in sloth, fox in 100line 2003stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in line 2004prey. Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling line 2005of silks betray thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy line 2006foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy line 2007pen from lenders’ books, and defy the foul fiend. 105line 2008Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind; line 2009says suum, mun, nonny. Dolphin my boy, boy, sessa! line 2010Let him trot by.Storm still. line 2011LEARThou wert better in a grave than to answer with line 2012thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies.—Is 110line 2013man no more than this? Consider him well.—Thou line 2014ow’st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep line 2015no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha, here’s three on ’s line 2016are sophisticated. Thou art the thing itself; unaccommodated line 2017man is no more but such a poor, bare, Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 143115line 2018forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! line 2019Come, unbutton here.Tearing off his clothes. line 2020FOOLPrithee, nuncle, be contented. ’Tis a naughty line 2021night to swim in. Now, a little fire in a wild field line 2022were like an old lecher’s heart—a small spark, all 120line 2023the rest on ’s body cold.
Enter Gloucester, with a torch.
line 2024Look, here comes a walking fire. line 2025EDGARThis is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet. He begins line 2026at curfew and walks till the first cock. He line 2027gives the web and the pin, squints the eye, and 125line 2028makes the harelip, mildews the white wheat, and line 2029hurts the poor creature of earth. line 2030Swithold footed thrice the ’old, line 2031He met the nightmare and her ninefold, line 2032Bid her alight, 130line 2033And her troth plight, line 2034And aroint thee, witch, aroint thee. line 2035KENTHow fares your Grace? line 2036LEARWhat’s he? line 2037KENTWho’s there? What is ’t you seek? 135line 2038GLOUCESTERWhat are you there? Your names? line 2039EDGARPoor Tom, that eats the swimming frog, the line 2040toad, the tadpole, the wall newt, and the water; line 2041that, in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend line 2042rages, eats cow dung for sallets, swallows the old 140line 2043rat and the ditch-dog, drinks the green mantle of line 2044the standing pool; who is whipped from tithing to line 2045tithing, and stocked, punished, and imprisoned; line 2046who hath had three suits to his back, six shirts to line 2047his body, 145line 2048Horse to ride, and weapon to wear; line 2049But mice and rats and such small deer line 2050Have been Tom’s food for seven long year. Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 145line 2051Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin! Peace, thou line 2052fiend! GLOUCESTERto Lear 150line 2053What, hath your Grace no better company? line 2054EDGARThe Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. Modo line 2055he’s called, and Mahu. GLOUCESTERto Lear line 2056Our flesh and blood, my lord, is grown so vile line 2057That it doth hate what gets it. 155line 2058EDGARPoor Tom’s a-cold. GLOUCESTERto Lear line 2059Go in with me. My duty cannot suffer line 2060T’ obey in all your daughters’ hard commands. line 2061Though their injunction be to bar my doors line 2062And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you, 160line 2063Yet have I ventured to come seek you out line 2064And bring you where both fire and food is ready. LEAR line 2065First let me talk with this philosopher. line 2066To Edgar. What is the cause of thunder? KENT line 2067Good my lord, take his offer; go into th’ house. LEAR 165line 2068I’ll talk a word with this same learnèd Theban.— line 2069What is your study? line 2070EDGARHow to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin. line 2071LEARLet me ask you one word in private.
They talk aside.
KENTto Gloucester line 2072Importune him once more to go, my lord. 170line 2073His wits begin t’ unsettle. line 2074GLOUCESTERCanst thou blame him?
Storm still.
line 2075His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent! line 2076He said it would be thus, poor banished man. line 2077Thou sayest the King grows mad; I’ll tell thee, 175line 2078friend, Act 3 Scene 5 - Pg 147line 2079I am almost mad myself. I had a son, line 2080Now outlawed from my blood. He sought my life line 2081But lately, very late. I loved him, friend, line 2082No father his son dearer. True to tell thee, 180line 2083The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night’s this! line 2084—I do beseech your Grace— line 2085LEARO, cry you mercy, sir. line 2086To Edgar. Noble philosopher, your company. line 2087EDGARTom’s a-cold. GLOUCESTERto Edgar 185line 2088In fellow, there, into th’ hovel. Keep thee warm. line 2089LEARCome, let’s in all. line 2090KENTThis way, my lord. line 2091LEARindicating EdgarWith him. line 2092I will keep still with my philosopher. KENTto Gloucester 190line 2093Good my lord, soothe him. Let him take the fellow. line 2094GLOUCESTERto KentTake him you on. KENTto Edgar line 2095Sirrah, come on: go along with us. line 2096LEARCome, good Athenian. line 2097GLOUCESTERNo words, no words. Hush. EDGAR 195line 2098Child Rowland to the dark tower came. line 2099His word was still “Fie, foh, and fum, line 2100I smell the blood of a British man.”
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Cornwall, and Edmund with a paper.
line 2101CORNWALLI will have my revenge ere I depart his line 2102house. line 2103EDMUNDHow, my lord, I may be censured, that nature line 2104thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to 5line 2105think of. Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 149line 2106CORNWALLI now perceive it was not altogether your line 2107brother’s evil disposition made him seek his death, line 2108but a provoking merit set awork by a reprovable line 2109badness in himself. 10line 2110EDMUNDHow malicious is my fortune that I must line 2111repent to be just! This is the letter he spoke of, line 2112which approves him an intelligent party to the line 2113advantages of France. O heavens, that this treason line 2114were not, or not I the detector. 15line 2115CORNWALLGo with me to the Duchess. line 2116EDMUNDIf the matter of this paper be certain, you line 2117have mighty business in hand. line 2118CORNWALLTrue or false, it hath made thee Earl of line 2119Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he 20line 2120may be ready for our apprehension. line 2121EDMUNDasideIf I find him comforting the King, it line 2122will stuff his suspicion more fully.—I will persevere line 2123in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore line 2124between that and my blood. 25line 2125CORNWALLI will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt line 2126find a dearer father in my love.
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter Kent in disguise, and Gloucester.
line 2127GLOUCESTERHere is better than the open air. Take it line 2128thankfully. I will piece out the comfort with what line 2129addition I can. I will not be long from you. line 2130KENTAll the power of his wits have given way to his 5line 2131impatience. The gods reward your kindness!
Gloucester exits.
Enter Lear, Edgar in disguise, and Fool.
line 2132EDGARFrateretto calls me and tells me Nero is an Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 151line 2133angler in the lake of darkness. Pray, innocent, and line 2134beware the foul fiend. line 2135FOOLPrithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a 10line 2136gentleman or a yeoman. line 2137LEARA king, a king! line 2138FOOLNo, he’s a yeoman that has a gentleman to his line 2139son, for he’s a mad yeoman that sees his son a line 2140gentleman before him. LEAR 15line 2141To have a thousand with red burning spits line 2142Come hissing in upon ’em! line 2143EDGARThe foul fiend bites my back. line 2144FOOLHe’s mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a line 2145horse’s health, a boy’s love, or a whore’s oath. LEAR 20line 2146It shall be done. I will arraign them straight. line 2147To Edgar. Come, sit thou here, most learnèd line 2148justice. line 2149To Fool. Thou sapient sir, sit here. Now, you line 2150she-foxes— 25line 2151EDGARLook where he stands and glares!—Want’st line 2152thou eyes at trial, madam? line 2153Sings.Come o’er the burn, Bessy, to me— FOOLsings line 2154Her boat hath a leak, line 2155And she must not speak 30line 2156Why she dares not come over to thee. line 2157EDGARThe foul fiend haunts Poor Tom in the voice of line 2158a nightingale. Hoppedance cries in Tom’s belly for line 2159two white herring.—Croak not, black angel. I have line 2160no food for thee. KENTto Lear 35line 2161How do you, sir? Stand you not so amazed. line 2162Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions? LEAR line 2163I’ll see their trial first. Bring in their evidence. Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 153line 2164To Edgar. Thou robèd man of justice, take thy line 2165place, 40line 2166To Fool. And thou, his yokefellow of equity, line 2167Bench by his side. To Kent. You are o’ th’ line 2168commission; line 2169Sit you, too. line 2170EDGARLet us deal justly. 45line 2171Sings.Sleepest or wakest, thou jolly shepherd? line 2172Thy sheep be in the corn. line 2173And for one blast of thy minikin mouth, line 2174Thy sheep shall take no harm. line 2175Purr the cat is gray. 50line 2176LEARArraign her first; ’tis Goneril. I here take my oath line 2177before this honorable assembly, kicked the poor line 2178king her father. line 2179FOOLCome hither, mistress. Is your name Goneril? line 2180LEARShe cannot deny it. 55line 2181FOOLCry you mercy, I took you for a joint stool. LEAR line 2182And here’s another whose warped looks proclaim line 2183What store her heart is made on. Stop her there! line 2184Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place! line 2185False justicer, why hast thou let her ’scape? 60line 2186EDGARBless thy five wits! KENTto Lear line 2187O pity! Sir, where is the patience now line 2188That you so oft have boasted to retain? EDGARaside line 2189My tears begin to take his part so much line 2190They mar my counterfeiting. 65line 2191LEARThe little dogs and all, line 2192Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart, see, they bark at me. line 2193EDGARTom will throw his head at them.—Avaunt, you line 2194curs! line 2195Be thy mouth or black or white, 70line 2196Tooth that poisons if it bite, Act 3 Scene 6 - Pg 155line 2197Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim, line 2198Hound or spaniel, brach, or lym, line 2199Bobtail tike, or trundle-tail, line 2200Tom will make him weep and wail; 75line 2201For, with throwing thus my head, line 2202Dogs leapt the hatch, and all are fled. line 2203Do de, de, de. Sessa! Come, march to wakes line 2204and fairs and market towns. Poor Tom, thy horn line 2205is dry. 80line 2206LEARThen let them anatomize Regan; see what breeds line 2207about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that line 2208make these hard hearts? To Edgar. You, sir, I line 2209entertain for one of my hundred; only I do not like line 2210the fashion of your garments. You will say they are 85line 2211Persian, but let them be changed. KENT line 2212Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile. line 2213LEARlying downMake no noise, make no noise. line 2214Draw the curtains. So, so, we’ll go to supper i’ th’ line 2215morning. 90line 2216FOOLAnd I’ll go to bed at noon.
Enter Gloucester.
GLOUCESTERto Kent line 2217Come hither, friend. Where is the King my master? KENT line 2218Here, sir, but trouble him not; his wits are gone. GLOUCESTER line 2219Good friend, I prithee, take him in thy arms. line 2220I have o’erheard a plot of death upon him. 95line 2221There is a litter ready; lay him in ’t, line 2222And drive toward Dover, friend, where thou shalt line 2223meet line 2224Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master. line 2225If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, 100line 2226With thine and all that offer to defend him, line 2227Stand in assurèd loss. Take up, take up, Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 157line 2228And follow me, that will to some provision line 2229Give thee quick conduct. line 2230KENTOppressèd nature sleeps. 105line 2231This rest might yet have balmed thy broken sinews, line 2232Which, if convenience will not allow, line 2233Stand in hard cure. To the Fool. Come, help to line 2234bear thy master. line 2235Thou must not stay behind. 110line 2236GLOUCESTERCome, come away.
All but Edgar exit, carrying Lear.
EDGAR line 2237When we our betters see bearing our woes, line 2238We scarcely think our miseries our foes. line 2239Who alone suffers suffers most i’ th’ mind, line 2240Leaving free things and happy shows behind. 115line 2241But then the mind much sufferance doth o’erskip line 2242When grief hath mates and bearing fellowship. line 2243How light and portable my pain seems now line 2244When that which makes me bend makes the King line 2245bow! 120line 2246He childed as I fathered. Tom, away. line 2247Mark the high noises, and thyself bewray line 2248When false opinion, whose wrong thoughts defile line 2249thee, line 2250In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee. 125line 2251What will hap more tonight, safe ’scape the King! line 2252Lurk, lurk.
He exits.
Scene 7
Enter Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, Edmund, the Bastard, and Servants.
line 2253CORNWALLto GonerilPost speedily to my lord your line 2254husband. Show him this letter. He gives her a paper. line 2255The army of France is landed.—Seek out line 2256the traitor Gloucester.Some Servants exit. Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 1595line 2257REGANHang him instantly. line 2258GONERILPluck out his eyes. line 2259CORNWALLLeave him to my displeasure.—Edmund, line 2260keep you our sister company. The revenges we are line 2261bound to take upon your traitorous father are not 10line 2262fit for your beholding. Advise the Duke, where you line 2263are going, to a most festinate preparation; we are line 2264bound to the like. Our posts shall be swift and line 2265intelligent betwixt us.—Farewell, dear sister.— line 2266Farewell, my lord of Gloucester.
Enter Oswald, the Steward.
15line 2267How now? Where’s the King? OSWALD line 2268My lord of Gloucester hath conveyed him hence. line 2269Some five- or six-and-thirty of his knights, line 2270Hot questrists after him, met him at gate, line 2271Who, with some other of the lord’s dependents, 20line 2272Are gone with him toward Dover, where they boast line 2273To have well-armèd friends. line 2274CORNWALLGet horses for your mistress.
Oswald exits.
line 2275GONERILFarewell, sweet lord, and sister. CORNWALL line 2276Edmund, farewell.Goneril and Edmund exit. 25line 2277Go seek the traitor Gloucester. line 2278Pinion him like a thief; bring him before us.
Some Servants exit.
line 2279Though well we may not pass upon his life line 2280Without the form of justice, yet our power line 2281Shall do a court’sy to our wrath, which men 30line 2282May blame but not control.
Enter Gloucester and Servants.
line 2283Who’s there? The line 2284traitor? Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 161line 2285REGANIngrateful fox! ’Tis he. line 2286CORNWALLBind fast his corky arms. GLOUCESTER 35line 2287What means your Graces? Good my friends, line 2288consider line 2289You are my guests; do me no foul play, friends. CORNWALL line 2290Bind him, I say. line 2291REGANHard, hard. O filthy traitor! GLOUCESTER 40line 2292Unmerciful lady as you are, I’m none. CORNWALL line 2293To this chair bind him.Servants bind Gloucester. line 2294Villain, thou shalt find—
Regan plucks Gloucester’s beard.
GLOUCESTER line 2295By the kind gods, ’tis most ignobly done line 2296To pluck me by the beard. REGAN 45line 2297So white, and such a traitor? line 2298GLOUCESTERNaughty lady, line 2299These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin line 2300Will quicken and accuse thee. I am your host; line 2301With robber’s hands my hospitable favors 50line 2302You should not ruffle thus. What will you do? CORNWALL line 2303Come, sir, what letters had you late from France? REGAN line 2304Be simple-answered, for we know the truth. CORNWALL line 2305And what confederacy have you with the traitors line 2306Late footed in the kingdom? 55line 2307REGANTo whose hands line 2308You have sent the lunatic king. Speak. GLOUCESTER line 2309I have a letter guessingly set down Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 163line 2310Which came from one that’s of a neutral heart, line 2311And not from one opposed. 60line 2312CORNWALLCunning. line 2313REGANAnd false. line 2314CORNWALLWhere hast thou sent the King? line 2315GLOUCESTERTo Dover. REGAN line 2316Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at 65line 2317peril— CORNWALL line 2318Wherefore to Dover? Let him answer that. GLOUCESTER line 2319I am tied to th’ stake, and I must stand the course. line 2320REGANWherefore to Dover? GLOUCESTER line 2321Because I would not see thy cruel nails 70line 2322Pluck out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister line 2323In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. line 2324The sea, with such a storm as his bare head line 2325In hell-black night endured, would have buoyed up line 2326And quenched the stellèd fires; 75line 2327Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain. line 2328If wolves had at thy gate howled that stern time, line 2329Thou shouldst have said “Good porter, turn the line 2330key.” line 2331All cruels else subscribe. But I shall see 80line 2332The wingèd vengeance overtake such children. CORNWALL line 2333See ’t shalt thou never.—Fellows, hold the chair.— line 2334Upon these eyes of thine I’ll set my foot. GLOUCESTER line 2335He that will think to live till he be old, line 2336Give me some help!
As Servants hold the chair, Cornwall forces out one of Gloucester’s eyes.
85line 2337O cruel! O you gods! Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 165REGAN line 2338One side will mock another. Th’ other too. CORNWALL line 2339If you see vengeance— line 2340FIRST SERVANTHold your hand, line 2341my lord. 90line 2342I have served you ever since I was a child, line 2343But better service have I never done you line 2344Than now to bid you hold. line 2345REGANHow now, you dog? FIRST SERVANT line 2346If you did wear a beard upon your chin, 95line 2347I’d shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean? line 2348CORNWALLMy villain?Draw and fight. FIRST SERVANT line 2349Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. REGANto an Attendant line 2350Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus?
She takes a sword and runs at him behind; kills him.
FIRST SERVANT line 2351O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left 100line 2352To see some mischief on him. O!He dies. CORNWALL line 2353Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly!
Forcing out Gloucester’s other eye.
line 2354Where is thy luster now? GLOUCESTER line 2355All dark and comfortless! Where’s my son line 2356Edmund?— 105line 2357Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature line 2358To quit this horrid act. line 2359REGANOut, treacherous villain! line 2360Thou call’st on him that hates thee. It was he line 2361That made the overture of thy treasons to us, 110line 2362Who is too good to pity thee. Act 3 Scene 7 - Pg 167GLOUCESTER line 2363O my follies! Then Edgar was abused. line 2364Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him. REGAN line 2365Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell line 2366His way to Dover.
Some Servants exit with Gloucester.
115line 2367How is ’t, my lord? How look you? CORNWALL line 2368I have received a hurt. Follow me, lady.— line 2369Turn out that eyeless villain. Throw this slave line 2370Upon the dunghill.—Regan, I bleed apace. line 2371Untimely comes this hurt. Give me your arm.
Cornwall and Regan exit.
SECOND SERVANT 120line 2372I’ll never care what wickedness I do line 2373If this man come to good. line 2374THIRD SERVANTIf she live long line 2375And in the end meet the old course of death, line 2376Women will all turn monsters. SECOND SERVANT 125line 2377Let’s follow the old earl and get the Bedlam line 2378To lead him where he would. His roguish madness line 2379Allows itself to anything. THIRD SERVANT line 2380Go thou. I’ll fetch some flax and whites of eggs line 2381To apply to his bleeding face. Now heaven help him!
They exit.
ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter Edgar in disguise.
EDGAR line 2382Yet better thus, and known to be contemned, line 2383Than still contemned and flattered. To be worst, line 2384The lowest and most dejected thing of Fortune, line 2385Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear. 5line 2386The lamentable change is from the best; line 2387The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then, line 2388Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace. line 2389The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst line 2390Owes nothing to thy blasts. But who comes here?
Enter Gloucester and an old man.
10line 2391My father, poorly led? World, world, O world, line 2392But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, line 2393Life would not yield to age. OLD MAN line 2394O my good lord, I have been your tenant line 2395And your father’s tenant these fourscore years. GLOUCESTER 15line 2396Away, get thee away. Good friend, begone. line 2397Thy comforts can do me no good at all; line 2398Thee they may hurt. line 2399OLD MANYou cannot see your way. Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 173GLOUCESTER line 2400I have no way and therefore want no eyes. 20line 2401I stumbled when I saw. Full oft ’tis seen line 2402Our means secure us, and our mere defects line 2403Prove our commodities. O dear son Edgar, line 2404The food of thy abusèd father’s wrath, line 2405Might I but live to see thee in my touch, 25line 2406I’d say I had eyes again. line 2407OLD MANHow now? Who’s there? EDGARaside line 2408O gods, who is ’t can say “I am at the worst”? line 2409I am worse than e’er I was. line 2410OLD MAN’Tis poor mad Tom. EDGARaside 30line 2411And worse I may be yet. The worst is not line 2412So long as we can say “This is the worst.” OLD MAN line 2413Fellow, where goest? line 2414GLOUCESTERIs it a beggar-man? line 2415OLD MANMadman and beggar too. GLOUCESTER 35line 2416He has some reason, else he could not beg. line 2417I’ th’ last night’s storm, I such a fellow saw, line 2418Which made me think a man a worm. My son line 2419Came then into my mind, and yet my mind line 2420Was then scarce friends with him. I have heard 40line 2421more since. line 2422As flies to wanton boys are we to th’ gods; line 2423They kill us for their sport. line 2424EDGARasideHow should this be? line 2425Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, 45line 2426Ang’ring itself and others.—Bless thee, master. GLOUCESTER line 2427Is that the naked fellow? line 2428OLD MANAy, my lord. GLOUCESTER line 2429Then, prithee, get thee away. If for my sake Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 175line 2430Thou wilt o’ertake us hence a mile or twain 50line 2431I’ th’ way toward Dover, do it for ancient love, line 2432And bring some covering for this naked soul, line 2433Which I’ll entreat to lead me. line 2434OLD MANAlack, sir, he is mad. GLOUCESTER line 2435’Tis the time’s plague when madmen lead the blind. 55line 2436Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure. line 2437Above the rest, begone. OLD MAN line 2438I’ll bring him the best ’parel that I have, line 2439Come on ’t what will.He exits. line 2440GLOUCESTERSirrah, naked fellow— EDGAR 60line 2441Poor Tom’s a-cold. Aside. I cannot daub it further. line 2442GLOUCESTERCome hither, fellow. EDGARaside line 2443And yet I must.—Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed. line 2444GLOUCESTERKnow’st thou the way to Dover? line 2445EDGARBoth stile and gate, horseway and footpath. 65line 2446Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits. line 2447Bless thee, good man’s son, from the foul fiend. line 2448Five fiends have been in Poor Tom at once: of lust, line 2449as Obidicut; Hobbididance, prince of dumbness; line 2450Mahu, of stealing; Modo, of murder; Flibbertigibbet, 70line 2451of mopping and mowing, who since possesses line 2452chambermaids and waiting women. So, bless line 2453thee, master. GLOUCESTERgiving him money line 2454Here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens’ line 2455plagues 75line 2456Have humbled to all strokes. That I am wretched line 2457Makes thee the happier. Heavens, deal so still: line 2458Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man, line 2459That slaves your ordinance, that will not see line 2460Because he does not feel, feel your power quickly. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 17780line 2461So distribution should undo excess line 2462And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover? line 2463EDGARAy, master. GLOUCESTER line 2464There is a cliff, whose high and bending head line 2465Looks fearfully in the confinèd deep. 85line 2466Bring me but to the very brim of it, line 2467And I’ll repair the misery thou dost bear line 2468With something rich about me. From that place line 2469I shall no leading need. line 2470EDGARGive me thy arm. 90line 2471Poor Tom shall lead thee.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Goneril and Edmund, the Bastard.
GONERIL line 2472Welcome, my lord. I marvel our mild husband line 2473Not met us on the way.
Enter Oswald, the Steward.
line 2474Now, where’s your master? OSWALD line 2475Madam, within, but never man so changed. 5line 2476I told him of the army that was landed; line 2477He smiled at it. I told him you were coming; line 2478His answer was “The worse.” Of Gloucester’s line 2479treachery line 2480And of the loyal service of his son 10line 2481When I informed him, then he called me “sot” line 2482And told me I had turned the wrong side out. line 2483What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him; line 2484What like, offensive. line 2485GONERILto EdmundThen shall you go no further. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 17915line 2486It is the cowish terror of his spirit, line 2487That dares not undertake. He’ll not feel wrongs line 2488Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way line 2489May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother. line 2490Hasten his musters and conduct his powers. 20line 2491I must change names at home and give the distaff line 2492Into my husband’s hands. This trusty servant line 2493Shall pass between us. Ere long you are like to line 2494hear— line 2495If you dare venture in your own behalf— 25line 2496A mistress’s command. Wear this; spare speech.
She gives him a favor.
line 2497Decline your head. She kisses him. This kiss, if it line 2498durst speak, line 2499Would stretch thy spirits up into the air. line 2500Conceive, and fare thee well. EDMUND 30line 2501Yours in the ranks of death.He exits. line 2502GONERILMy most dear line 2503Gloucester! line 2504O, the difference of man and man! line 2505To thee a woman’s services are due; 35line 2506My fool usurps my body. line 2507OSWALDMadam, here comes my lord.He exits.
Enter Albany.
GONERIL line 2508I have been worth the whistle. line 2509ALBANYO Goneril, line 2510You are not worth the dust which the rude wind 40line 2511Blows in your face. I fear your disposition. line 2512That nature which contemns its origin line 2513Cannot be bordered certain in itself. line 2514She that herself will sliver and disbranch line 2515From her material sap perforce must wither 45line 2516And come to deadly use. line 2517GONERILNo more. The text is foolish. Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 181ALBANY line 2518Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile. line 2519Filths savor but themselves. What have you done? line 2520Tigers, not daughters, what have you performed? 50line 2521A father, and a gracious agèd man, line 2522Whose reverence even the head-lugged bear would line 2523lick, line 2524Most barbarous, most degenerate, have you line 2525madded. 55line 2526Could my good brother suffer you to do it? line 2527A man, a prince, by him so benefited! line 2528If that the heavens do not their visible spirits line 2529Send quickly down to tame these vile offenses, line 2530It will come: 60line 2531Humanity must perforce prey on itself, line 2532Like monsters of the deep. line 2533GONERILMilk-livered man, line 2534That bear’st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; line 2535Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning 65line 2536Thine honor from thy suffering; that not know’st line 2537Fools do those villains pity who are punished line 2538Ere they have done their mischief. Where’s thy line 2539drum? line 2540France spreads his banners in our noiseless land, 70line 2541With plumèd helm thy state begins to threat, line 2542Whilst thou, a moral fool, sits still and cries line 2543“Alack, why does he so?” line 2544ALBANYSee thyself, devil! line 2545Proper deformity shows not in the fiend 75line 2546So horrid as in woman. line 2547GONERILO vain fool! ALBANY line 2548Thou changèd and self-covered thing, for shame line 2549Bemonster not thy feature. Were ’t my fitness line 2550To let these hands obey my blood, 80line 2551They are apt enough to dislocate and tear Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 183line 2552Thy flesh and bones. Howe’er thou art a fiend, line 2553A woman’s shape doth shield thee. line 2554GONERILMarry, your manhood, mew—
Enter a Messenger.
line 2555ALBANYWhat news? MESSENGER 85line 2556O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall’s dead, line 2557Slain by his servant, going to put out line 2558The other eye of Gloucester. line 2559ALBANYGloucester’s eyes? MESSENGER line 2560A servant that he bred, thrilled with remorse, 90line 2561Opposed against the act, bending his sword line 2562To his great master, who, thereat enraged, line 2563Flew on him and amongst them felled him dead, line 2564But not without that harmful stroke which since line 2565Hath plucked him after. 95line 2566ALBANYThis shows you are above, line 2567You justicers, that these our nether crimes line 2568So speedily can venge. But, O poor Gloucester, line 2569Lost he his other eye? line 2570MESSENGERBoth, both, my lord.— 100line 2571This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer.
Giving her a paper.
line 2572’Tis from your sister. line 2573GONERILasideOne way I like this well. line 2574But being widow and my Gloucester with her line 2575May all the building in my fancy pluck 105line 2576Upon my hateful life. Another way line 2577The news is not so tart.—I’ll read, and answer.
She exits.
ALBANY line 2578Where was his son when they did take his eyes? MESSENGER line 2579Come with my lady hither. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 185line 2580ALBANYHe is not here. MESSENGER 110line 2581No, my good lord. I met him back again. line 2582ALBANYKnows he the wickedness? MESSENGER line 2583Ay, my good lord. ’Twas he informed against him line 2584And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment line 2585Might have the freer course. 115line 2586ALBANYGloucester, I live line 2587To thank thee for the love thou show’d’st the King, line 2588And to revenge thine eyes.—Come hither, friend. line 2589Tell me what more thou know’st.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Kent in disguise and a Gentleman.
line 2590KENTWhy the King of France is so suddenly gone line 2591back know you no reason? line 2592GENTLEMANSomething he left imperfect in the state, line 2593which since his coming forth is thought of, which 5line 2594imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger line 2595that his personal return was most required and line 2596necessary. line 2597KENTWho hath he left behind him general? line 2598GENTLEMANThe Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far. 10line 2599KENTDid your letters pierce the Queen to any demonstration line 2600of grief? GENTLEMAN line 2601Ay, sir, she took them, read them in my line 2602presence, line 2603And now and then an ample tear trilled down 15line 2604Her delicate cheek. It seemed she was a queen line 2605Over her passion, who, most rebel-like, line 2606Fought to be king o’er her. line 2607KENTO, then it moved her. Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 187GENTLEMAN line 2608Not to a rage. Patience and sorrow strove 20line 2609Who should express her goodliest. You have seen line 2610Sunshine and rain at once; her smiles and tears line 2611Were like a better way. Those happy smilets line 2612That played on her ripe lip seemed not to know line 2613What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence 25line 2614As pearls from diamonds dropped. In brief, line 2615Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved line 2616If all could so become it. line 2617KENTMade she no verbal question? GENTLEMAN line 2618Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of 30line 2619“father” line 2620Pantingly forth, as if it pressed her heart; line 2621Cried “Sisters, sisters, shame of ladies, sisters! line 2622Kent, father, sisters! What, i’ th’ storm, i’ th’ night? line 2623Let pity not be believed!” There she shook 35line 2624The holy water from her heavenly eyes, line 2625And clamor moistened. Then away she started, line 2626To deal with grief alone. line 2627KENTIt is the stars. line 2628The stars above us govern our conditions, 40line 2629Else one self mate and make could not beget line 2630Such different issues. You spoke not with her line 2631since? line 2632GENTLEMANNo. KENT line 2633Was this before the King returned? 45line 2634GENTLEMANNo, since. KENT line 2635Well, sir, the poor distressèd Lear’s i’ th’ town, line 2636Who sometime in his better tune remembers line 2637What we are come about, and by no means line 2638Will yield to see his daughter. 50line 2639GENTLEMANWhy, good sir? Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 189KENT line 2640A sovereign shame so elbows him—his own line 2641unkindness, line 2642That stripped her from his benediction, turned her line 2643To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights 55line 2644To his dog-hearted daughters—these things sting line 2645His mind so venomously that burning shame line 2646Detains him from Cordelia. line 2647GENTLEMANAlack, poor gentleman! KENT line 2648Of Albany’s and Cornwall’s powers you heard not? 60line 2649GENTLEMAN’Tis so. They are afoot. KENT line 2650Well, sir, I’ll bring you to our master Lear line 2651And leave you to attend him. Some dear cause line 2652Will in concealment wrap me up awhile. line 2653When I am known aright, you shall not grieve 65line 2654Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go line 2655Along with me.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter with Drum and Colors, Cordelia, Doctor, Gentlemen, and Soldiers.
CORDELIA line 2656Alack, ’tis he! Why, he was met even now line 2657As mad as the vexed sea, singing aloud, line 2658Crowned with rank fumiter and furrow-weeds, line 2659With hardocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckooflowers, 5line 2660Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow line 2661In our sustaining corn. A century send forth. line 2662Search every acre in the high-grown field line 2663And bring him to our eye.Soldiers exit. line 2664What can man’s wisdom Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 19110line 2665In the restoring his bereavèd sense? line 2666He that helps him take all my outward worth. line 2667DOCTORThere is means, madam. line 2668Our foster nurse of nature is repose, line 2669The which he lacks. That to provoke in him 15line 2670Are many simples operative, whose power line 2671Will close the eye of anguish. line 2672CORDELIAAll blest secrets, line 2673All you unpublished virtues of the earth, line 2674Spring with my tears. Be aidant and remediate 20line 2675In the good man’s distress. Seek, seek for him, line 2676Lest his ungoverned rage dissolve the life line 2677That wants the means to lead it.
Enter Messenger.
line 2678MESSENGERNews, madam. line 2679The British powers are marching hitherward. CORDELIA 25line 2680’Tis known before. Our preparation stands line 2681In expectation of them.—O dear father, line 2682It is thy business that I go about. line 2683Therefore great France line 2684My mourning and importuned tears hath pitied. 30line 2685No blown ambition doth our arms incite, line 2686But love, dear love, and our aged father’s right. line 2687Soon may I hear and see him.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Regan and Oswald, the Steward.
REGAN line 2688But are my brother’s powers set forth? line 2689OSWALDAy, madam. line 2690REGANHimself in person there? Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 193line 2691OSWALDMadam, with much ado. 5line 2692Your sister is the better soldier. REGAN line 2693Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? line 2694OSWALDNo, madam. REGAN line 2695What might import my sister’s letter to him? line 2696OSWALDI know not, lady. REGAN 10line 2697Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. line 2698It was great ignorance, Gloucester’s eyes being out, line 2699To let him live. Where he arrives he moves line 2700All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone, line 2701In pity of his misery, to dispatch 15line 2702His nighted life; moreover to descry line 2703The strength o’ th’ enemy. OSWALD line 2704I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. REGAN line 2705Our troops set forth tomorrow. Stay with us. line 2706The ways are dangerous. 20line 2707OSWALDI may not, madam. line 2708My lady charged my duty in this business. REGAN line 2709Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you line 2710Transport her purposes by word? Belike, line 2711Some things—I know not what. I’ll love thee much— 25line 2712Let me unseal the letter. line 2713OSWALDMadam, I had rather— REGAN line 2714I know your lady does not love her husband; line 2715I am sure of that; and at her late being here, line 2716She gave strange eliads and most speaking looks 30line 2717To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. line 2718OSWALDI, madam? REGAN line 2719I speak in understanding. Y’ are; I know ’t. Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 195line 2720Therefore I do advise you take this note: line 2721My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talked, 35line 2722And more convenient is he for my hand line 2723Than for your lady’s. You may gather more. line 2724If you do find him, pray you, give him this, line 2725And when your mistress hears thus much from you, line 2726I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. 40line 2727So, fare you well. line 2728If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, line 2729Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. OSWALD line 2730Would I could meet him, madam. I should show line 2731What party I do follow. 45line 2732REGANFare thee well.
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter Gloucester and Edgar dressed as a peasant.
GLOUCESTER line 2733When shall I come to th’ top of that same hill? EDGAR line 2734You do climb up it now. Look how we labor. GLOUCESTER line 2735Methinks the ground is even. line 2736EDGARHorrible steep. 5line 2737Hark, do you hear the sea? line 2738GLOUCESTERNo, truly. EDGAR line 2739Why then, your other senses grow imperfect line 2740By your eyes’ anguish. line 2741GLOUCESTERSo may it be indeed. 10line 2742Methinks thy voice is altered and thou speak’st line 2743In better phrase and matter than thou didst. Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 197EDGAR line 2744You’re much deceived; in nothing am I changed line 2745But in my garments. line 2746GLOUCESTERMethinks you’re better spoken. EDGAR 15line 2747Come on, sir. Here’s the place. Stand still. How line 2748fearful line 2749And dizzy ’tis to cast one’s eyes so low! line 2750The crows and choughs that wing the midway air line 2751Show scarce so gross as beetles. Halfway down 20line 2752Hangs one that gathers samphire—dreadful trade; line 2753Methinks he seems no bigger than his head. line 2754The fishermen that walk upon the beach line 2755Appear like mice, and yond tall anchoring bark line 2756Diminished to her cock, her cock a buoy 25line 2757Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge line 2758That on th’ unnumbered idle pebble chafes line 2759Cannot be heard so high. I’ll look no more line 2760Lest my brain turn and the deficient sight line 2761Topple down headlong. 30line 2762GLOUCESTERSet me where you stand. EDGAR line 2763Give me your hand. You are now within a foot line 2764Of th’ extreme verge. For all beneath the moon line 2765Would I not leap upright. line 2766GLOUCESTERLet go my hand. 35line 2767Here, friend, ’s another purse; in it a jewel line 2768Well worth a poor man’s taking. Fairies and gods line 2769Prosper it with thee.He gives Edgar a purse. line 2770Go thou further off. line 2771Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. EDGARwalking away 40line 2772Now fare you well, good sir. line 2773GLOUCESTERWith all my heart. EDGARaside line 2774Why I do trifle thus with his despair line 2775Is done to cure it. Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 199line 2776GLOUCESTERO you mighty gods!He kneels. 45line 2777This world I do renounce, and in your sights line 2778Shake patiently my great affliction off. line 2779If I could bear it longer, and not fall line 2780To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, line 2781My snuff and loathèd part of nature should 50line 2782Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!— line 2783Now, fellow, fare thee well.He falls. line 2784EDGARGone, sir. Farewell.— line 2785And yet I know not how conceit may rob line 2786The treasury of life, when life itself 55line 2787Yields to the theft. Had he been where he thought, line 2788By this had thought been past. Alive or dead?— line 2789Ho you, sir! Friend, hear you. Sir, speak.— line 2790Thus might he pass indeed. Yet he revives.— line 2791What are you, sir? 60line 2792GLOUCESTERAway, and let me die. EDGAR line 2793Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, line 2794So many fathom down precipitating, line 2795Thou ’dst shivered like an egg; but thou dost line 2796breathe, 65line 2797Hast heavy substance, bleed’st not, speak’st, art line 2798sound. line 2799Ten masts at each make not the altitude line 2800Which thou hast perpendicularly fell. line 2801Thy life’s a miracle. Speak yet again. 70line 2802GLOUCESTERBut have I fall’n or no? EDGAR line 2803From the dread summit of this chalky bourn. line 2804Look up a-height. The shrill-gorged lark so far line 2805Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up. line 2806GLOUCESTERAlack, I have no eyes. 75line 2807Is wretchedness deprived that benefit line 2808To end itself by death? ’Twas yet some comfort line 2809When misery could beguile the tyrant’s rage line 2810And frustrate his proud will. Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 201line 2811EDGARGive me your arm.
He raises Gloucester.
80line 2812Up. So, how is ’t? Feel you your legs? You stand. GLOUCESTER line 2813Too well, too well. line 2814EDGARThis is above all strangeness. line 2815Upon the crown o’ th’ cliff, what thing was that line 2816Which parted from you? 85line 2817GLOUCESTERA poor unfortunate beggar. EDGAR line 2818As I stood here below, methought his eyes line 2819Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, line 2820Horns whelked and waved like the enragèd sea. line 2821It was some fiend. Therefore, thou happy father, 90line 2822Think that the clearest gods, who make them line 2823honors line 2824Of men’s impossibilities, have preserved thee. GLOUCESTER line 2825I do remember now. Henceforth I’ll bear line 2826Affliction till it do cry out itself 95line 2827“Enough, enough!” and die. That thing you speak of, line 2828I took it for a man. Often ’twould say line 2829“The fiend, the fiend!” He led me to that place. EDGAR line 2830Bear free and patient thoughts.
Enter Lear.
line 2831But who comes here? 100line 2832The safer sense will ne’er accommodate line 2833His master thus. line 2834LEARNo, they cannot touch me for coining. I am the line 2835King himself. line 2836EDGARO, thou side-piercing sight! 105line 2837LEARNature’s above art in that respect. There’s your line 2838press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a line 2839crowkeeper. Draw me a clothier’s yard. Look, look, Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 203line 2840a mouse! Peace, peace! This piece of toasted cheese line 2841will do ’t. There’s my gauntlet; I’ll prove it on a 110line 2842giant. Bring up the brown bills. O, well flown, bird! line 2843I’ th’ clout, i’ th’ clout! Hewgh! Give the word. line 2844EDGARSweet marjoram. line 2845LEARPass. line 2846GLOUCESTERI know that voice. 115line 2847LEARHa! Goneril with a white beard? They flattered line 2848me like a dog and told me I had the white hairs in line 2849my beard ere the black ones were there. To say “ay” line 2850and “no” to everything that I said “ay” and “no” to line 2851was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me 120line 2852once and the wind to make me chatter, when the line 2853thunder would not peace at my bidding, there I line 2854found ’em, there I smelt ’em out. Go to. They are line 2855not men o’ their words; they told me I was everything. line 2856’Tis a lie. I am not ague-proof. GLOUCESTER 125line 2857The trick of that voice I do well remember. line 2858Is ’t not the King? line 2859LEARAy, every inch a king. line 2860When I do stare, see how the subject quakes. line 2861I pardon that man’s life. What was thy cause? 130line 2862Adultery? Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery? No. line 2863The wren goes to ’t, and the small gilded fly does line 2864lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive, for line 2865Gloucester’s bastard son was kinder to his father line 2866than my daughters got ’tween the lawful sheets. To 135line 2867’t, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers. Behold yond line 2868simp’ring dame, whose face between her forks line 2869presages snow, that minces virtue and does shake line 2870the head to hear of pleasure’s name. The fitchew line 2871nor the soiled horse goes to ’t with a more riotous 140line 2872appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs, line 2873though women all above. But to the girdle do the line 2874gods inherit; beneath is all the fiend’s. There’s hell, Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 205line 2875there’s darkness, there is the sulphurous pit; burning, line 2876scalding, stench, consumption! Fie, fie, fie, pah, 145line 2877pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary; line 2878sweeten my imagination. There’s money for thee. line 2879GLOUCESTERO, let me kiss that hand! line 2880LEARLet me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. GLOUCESTER line 2881O ruined piece of nature! This great world 150line 2882Shall so wear out to naught. Dost thou know me? line 2883LEARI remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou line 2884squinny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid, I’ll line 2885not love. Read thou this challenge. Mark but the line 2886penning of it. GLOUCESTER 155line 2887Were all thy letters suns, I could not see. EDGARaside line 2888I would not take this from report. It is, line 2889And my heart breaks at it. line 2890LEARRead. line 2891GLOUCESTERWhat, with the case of eyes? 160line 2892LEARO ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your line 2893head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in line 2894a heavy case, your purse in a light, yet you see how line 2895this world goes. line 2896GLOUCESTERI see it feelingly. 165line 2897LEARWhat, art mad? A man may see how this world line 2898goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See how line 2899yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark in line 2900thine ear. Change places and, handy-dandy, which line 2901is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a 170line 2902farmer’s dog bark at a beggar? line 2903GLOUCESTERAy, sir. line 2904LEARAnd the creature run from the cur? There thou line 2905might’st behold the great image of authority: a line 2906dog’s obeyed in office. Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 207175line 2907Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand! line 2908Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thy own back. line 2909Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind line 2910For which thou whipp’st her. The usurer hangs the line 2911cozener. 180line 2912Through tattered clothes small vices do appear. line 2913Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with line 2914gold, line 2915And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks. line 2916Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it. 185line 2917None does offend, none, I say, none; I’ll able ’em. line 2918Take that of me, my friend, who have the power line 2919To seal th’ accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes, line 2920And like a scurvy politician line 2921Seem to see the things thou dost not. Now, now, 190line 2922now, now. line 2923Pull off my boots. Harder, harder. So. EDGARaside line 2924O, matter and impertinency mixed, line 2925Reason in madness! LEAR line 2926If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. 195line 2927I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester. line 2928Thou must be patient. We came crying hither; line 2929Thou know’st the first time that we smell the air line 2930We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee. Mark. line 2931GLOUCESTERAlack, alack the day! LEAR 200line 2932When we are born, we cry that we are come line 2933To this great stage of fools.—This’ a good block. line 2934It were a delicate stratagem to shoe line 2935A troop of horse with felt. I’ll put ’t in proof, line 2936And when I have stol’n upon these son-in-laws, 205line 2937Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!
Enter a Gentleman and Attendants.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 209GENTLEMANnoticing Lear line 2938O, here he is. To an Attendant. Lay hand upon line 2939him.—Sir, line 2940Your most dear daughter— LEAR line 2941No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even 210line 2942The natural fool of Fortune. Use me well. line 2943You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons; line 2944I am cut to th’ brains. line 2945GENTLEMANYou shall have anything. line 2946LEARNo seconds? All myself? 215line 2947Why, this would make a man a man of salt, line 2948To use his eyes for garden waterpots, line 2949Ay, and laying autumn’s dust. line 2950I will die bravely like a smug bridegroom. What? line 2951I will be jovial. Come, come, I am a king, 220line 2952Masters, know you that? GENTLEMAN line 2953You are a royal one, and we obey you. line 2954LEARThen there’s life in ’t. Come, an you get it, you line 2955shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.
The King exits running pursued by Attendants.
GENTLEMAN line 2956A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, 225line 2957Past speaking of in a king. Thou hast a daughter line 2958Who redeems nature from the general curse line 2959Which twain have brought her to. line 2960EDGARHail, gentle sir. line 2961GENTLEMANSir, speed you. What’s your will? EDGAR 230line 2962Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? GENTLEMAN line 2963Most sure and vulgar. Everyone hears that, line 2964Which can distinguish sound. line 2965EDGARBut, by your favor, line 2966How near’s the other army? Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 211GENTLEMAN 235line 2967Near and on speedy foot. The main descry line 2968Stands on the hourly thought. line 2969EDGARI thank you, sir. That’s all. GENTLEMAN line 2970Though that the Queen on special cause is here, line 2971Her army is moved on. 240line 2972EDGARI thank you, sir.
Gentleman exits.
GLOUCESTER line 2973You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me; line 2974Let not my worser spirit tempt me again line 2975To die before you please. line 2976EDGARWell pray you, father. 245line 2977GLOUCESTERNow, good sir, what are you? EDGAR line 2978A most poor man, made tame to Fortune’s blows, line 2979Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, line 2980Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand; line 2981I’ll lead you to some biding.
He takes Gloucester’s hand.
250line 2982GLOUCESTERHearty thanks. line 2983The bounty and the benison of heaven line 2984To boot, and boot.
Enter Oswald, the Steward.
OSWALDdrawing his sword line 2985A proclaimed prize! Most happy! line 2986That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh 255line 2987To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, line 2988Briefly thyself remember; the sword is out line 2989That must destroy thee. line 2990GLOUCESTERNow let thy friendly hand line 2991Put strength enough to ’t.
Edgar steps between Gloucester and Oswald.
260line 2992OSWALDWherefore, bold peasant, Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 213line 2993Dar’st thou support a published traitor? Hence, line 2994Lest that th’ infection of his fortune take line 2995Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. line 2996EDGARChill not let go, zir, without vurther ’casion. 265line 2997OSWALDLet go, slave, or thou diest! line 2998EDGARGood gentleman, go your gait, and let poor line 2999volk pass. An ’chud ha’ bin zwaggered out of my line 3000life, ’twould not ha’ bin zo long as ’tis by a vortnight. line 3001Nay, come not near th’ old man. Keep out, 270line 3002che vor’ ye, or Ise try whether your costard or my line 3003ballow be the harder. Chill be plain with you. line 3004OSWALDOut, dunghill. line 3005EDGARChill pick your teeth, zir. Come, no matter vor line 3006your foins.They fight. OSWALDfalling 275line 3007Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse. line 3008If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body, line 3009And give the letters which thou find’st about me line 3010To Edmund, Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out line 3011Upon the English party. O, untimely death! Death!
He dies.
EDGAR 280line 3012I know thee well, a serviceable villain, line 3013As duteous to the vices of thy mistress line 3014As badness would desire. line 3015GLOUCESTERWhat, is he dead? line 3016EDGARSit you down, father; rest you. 285line 3017Let’s see these pockets. The letters that he speaks of line 3018May be my friends. He’s dead; I am only sorry line 3019He had no other deathsman. Let us see.
He opens a letter.
line 3020Leave, gentle wax, and, manners, blame us not. line 3021To know our enemies’ minds, we rip their hearts. 290line 3022Their papers is more lawful.Reads the letter. line 3023Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have line 3024many opportunities to cut him off. If your will want line 3025not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 215line 3026nothing done if he return the conqueror. Then am I 295line 3027the prisoner, and his bed my jail, from the loathed line 3028warmth whereof deliver me and supply the place for line 3029your labor. line 3030Your (wife, so I would say) affectionate servant, line 3031and, for you, her own for venture, Goneril. 300line 3032O indistinguished space of woman’s will! line 3033A plot upon her virtuous husband’s life, line 3034And the exchange my brother.—Here, in the sands line 3035Thee I’ll rake up, the post unsanctified line 3036Of murderous lechers; and in the mature time 305line 3037With this ungracious paper strike the sight line 3038Of the death-practiced duke. For him ’tis well line 3039That of thy death and business I can tell. GLOUCESTER line 3040The King is mad. How stiff is my vile sense line 3041That I stand up and have ingenious feeling 310line 3042Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract. line 3043So should my thoughts be severed from my griefs, line 3044And woes, by wrong imaginations, lose line 3045The knowledge of themselves.Drum afar off. line 3046EDGARGive me your hand. 315line 3047Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum. line 3048Come, father, I’ll bestow you with a friend.
They exit.
Scene 7
Enter Cordelia, Kent in disguise, Doctor, and Gentleman.
CORDELIA line 3049O, thou good Kent, how shall I live and work line 3050To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, line 3051And every measure fail me. KENT line 3052To be acknowledged, madam, is o’erpaid. Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 2175line 3053All my reports go with the modest truth, line 3054Nor more, nor clipped, but so. line 3055CORDELIABe better suited. line 3056These weeds are memories of those worser hours. line 3057I prithee put them off. 10line 3058KENTPardon, dear madam. line 3059Yet to be known shortens my made intent. line 3060My boon I make it that you know me not line 3061Till time and I think meet. CORDELIA line 3062Then be ’t so, my good lord.—How does the King? 15line 3063DOCTORMadam, sleeps still. line 3064CORDELIAO, you kind gods, line 3065Cure this great breach in his abusèd nature! line 3066Th’ untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up, line 3067Of this child-changèd father! 20line 3068DOCTORSo please your Majesty line 3069That we may wake the King? He hath slept line 3070long. CORDELIA line 3071Be governed by your knowledge, and proceed line 3072I’ th’ sway of your own will. Is he arrayed?
Enter Lear in a chair carried by Servants.
GENTLEMAN 25line 3073Ay, madam. In the heaviness of sleep, line 3074We put fresh garments on him. DOCTOR line 3075Be by, good madam, when we do awake him. line 3076I doubt not of his temperance. line 3077CORDELIAVery well.
Music.
DOCTOR 30line 3078Please you, draw near.—Louder the music there. CORDELIAkissing Lear line 3079O, my dear father, restoration hang Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 219line 3080Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss line 3081Repair those violent harms that my two sisters line 3082Have in thy reverence made. 35line 3083KENTKind and dear princess. CORDELIA line 3084Had you not been their father, these white flakes line 3085Did challenge pity of them. Was this a face line 3086To be opposed against the jarring winds? line 3087To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder, 40line 3088In the most terrible and nimble stroke line 3089Of quick cross-lightning? To watch, poor perdu, line 3090With this thin helm? Mine enemy’s dog, line 3091Though he had bit me, should have stood that night line 3092Against my fire. And wast thou fain, poor father, 45line 3093To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn line 3094In short and musty straw? Alack, alack, line 3095’Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once line 3096Had not concluded all.—He wakes. Speak to him. line 3097DOCTORMadam, do you; ’tis fittest. CORDELIA 50line 3098How does my royal lord? How fares your Majesty? LEAR line 3099You do me wrong to take me out o’ th’ grave. line 3100Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound line 3101Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears line 3102Do scald like molten lead. 55line 3103CORDELIASir, do you know me? LEAR line 3104You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die? line 3105CORDELIAStill, still, far wide. DOCTOR line 3106He’s scarce awake. Let him alone awhile. LEAR line 3107Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? 60line 3108I am mightily abused; I should e’en die with pity Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 221line 3109To see another thus. I know not what to say. line 3110I will not swear these are my hands. Let’s see. line 3111I feel this pinprick. Would I were assured line 3112Of my condition! 65line 3113CORDELIAO, look upon me, sir, line 3114And hold your hand in benediction o’er me. line 3115No, sir, you must not kneel. line 3116LEARPray do not mock: line 3117I am a very foolish fond old man, 70line 3118Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less, line 3119And to deal plainly, line 3120I fear I am not in my perfect mind. line 3121Methinks I should know you and know this man, line 3122Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant 75line 3123What place this is, and all the skill I have line 3124Remembers not these garments; nor I know not line 3125Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me, line 3126For, as I am a man, I think this lady line 3127To be my child Cordelia. 80line 3128CORDELIAweepingAnd so I am; I am. LEAR line 3129Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray, weep not. line 3130If you have poison for me, I will drink it. line 3131I know you do not love me, for your sisters line 3132Have, as I do remember, done me wrong. 85line 3133You have some cause; they have not. line 3134CORDELIANo cause, no line 3135cause. line 3136LEARAm I in France? line 3137KENTIn your own kingdom, sir. 90line 3138LEARDo not abuse me. DOCTOR line 3139Be comforted, good madam. The great rage, line 3140You see, is killed in him, and yet it is danger line 3141To make him even o’er the time he has lost. Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 223line 3142Desire him to go in. Trouble him no more 95line 3143Till further settling. line 3144CORDELIAWill ’t please your Highness walk? line 3145LEARYou must bear with me. line 3146Pray you now, forget, and forgive. I am old and line 3147foolish.They exit. Kent and Gentleman remain. 100line 3148GENTLEMANHolds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall line 3149was so slain? line 3150KENTMost certain, sir. line 3151GENTLEMANWho is conductor of his people? line 3152KENTAs ’tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester. 105line 3153GENTLEMANThey say Edgar, his banished son, is with line 3154the Earl of Kent in Germany. line 3155KENTReport is changeable. ’Tis time to look about. line 3156The powers of the kingdom approach apace. line 3157GENTLEMANThe arbitrament is like to be bloody. Fare 110line 3158you well, sir.He exits. KENT line 3159My point and period will be throughly wrought, line 3160Or well, or ill, as this day’s battle’s fought.
He exits.
ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter, with Drum and Colors, Edmund, Regan, Gentlemen, and Soldiers.
EDMUNDto a Gentleman line 3161Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold, line 3162Or whether since he is advised by aught line 3163To change the course. He’s full of alteration line 3164And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure.
A Gentleman exits.
REGAN 5line 3165Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried. EDMUND line 3166’Tis to be doubted, madam. line 3167REGANNow, sweet lord, line 3168You know the goodness I intend upon you; line 3169Tell me but truly, but then speak the truth, 10line 3170Do you not love my sister? line 3171EDMUNDIn honored love. REGAN line 3172But have you never found my brother’s way line 3173To the forfended place? line 3174EDMUNDThat thought abuses you. REGAN 15line 3175I am doubtful that you have been conjunct line 3176And bosomed with her as far as we call hers. line 3177EDMUNDNo, by mine honor, madam. Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 229REGAN line 3178I never shall endure her. Dear my lord, line 3179Be not familiar with her. EDMUND 20line 3180Fear me not. She and the Duke, her husband.
Enter, with Drum and Colors, Albany, Goneril, Soldiers.
GONERILaside line 3181I had rather lose the battle than that sister line 3182Should loosen him and me. ALBANY line 3183Our very loving sister, well bemet.— line 3184Sir, this I heard: the King is come to his daughter, 25line 3185With others whom the rigor of our state line 3186Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, line 3187I never yet was valiant. For this business, line 3188It touches us as France invades our land, line 3189Not bolds the King, with others whom, I fear, 30line 3190Most just and heavy causes make oppose. EDMUND line 3191Sir, you speak nobly. line 3192REGANWhy is this reasoned? GONERIL line 3193Combine together ’gainst the enemy, line 3194For these domestic and particular broils 35line 3195Are not the question here. line 3196ALBANYLet’s then determine line 3197With th’ ancient of war on our proceeding. EDMUND line 3198I shall attend you presently at your tent. line 3199REGANSister, you’ll go with us? 40line 3200GONERILNo. REGAN line 3201’Tis most convenient. Pray, go with us. GONERILaside line 3202Oho, I know the riddle.—I will go.
They begin to exit.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 231
Enter Edgar dressed as a peasant.
EDGARto Albany line 3203If e’er your Grace had speech with man so poor, line 3204Hear me one word. ALBANYto those exiting 45line 3205I’ll overtake you.—Speak.
Both the armies exit.
EDGARgiving him a paper line 3206Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. line 3207If you have victory, let the trumpet sound line 3208For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem, line 3209I can produce a champion that will prove 50line 3210What is avouchèd there. If you miscarry, line 3211Your business of the world hath so an end, line 3212And machination ceases. Fortune love you. line 3213ALBANYStay till I have read the letter. line 3214EDGARI was forbid it. 55line 3215When time shall serve, let but the herald cry line 3216And I’ll appear again.He exits. ALBANY line 3217Why, fare thee well. I will o’erlook thy paper.
Enter Edmund.
EDMUND line 3218The enemy’s in view. Draw up your powers.
Giving him a paper.
line 3219Here is the guess of their true strength and forces 60line 3220By diligent discovery. But your haste line 3221Is now urged on you. line 3222ALBANYWe will greet the time.
He exits.
EDMUND line 3223To both these sisters have I sworn my love, line 3224Each jealous of the other as the stung 65line 3225Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 233line 3226Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed line 3227If both remain alive. To take the widow line 3228Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril, line 3229And hardly shall I carry out my side, 70line 3230Her husband being alive. Now, then, we’ll use line 3231His countenance for the battle, which, being done, line 3232Let her who would be rid of him devise line 3233His speedy taking off. As for the mercy line 3234Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, 75line 3235The battle done and they within our power, line 3236Shall never see his pardon, for my state line 3237Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
He exits.
Scene 2
Alarum within. Enter, with Drum and Colors, Lear, Cordelia, and Soldiers, over the stage, and exit. Enter Edgar and Gloucester.
EDGAR line 3238Here, father, take the shadow of this tree line 3239For your good host. Pray that the right may thrive. line 3240If ever I return to you again, line 3241I’ll bring you comfort. 5line 3242GLOUCESTERGrace go with you, sir.
Edgar exits.
Alarum and Retreat within.
Enter Edgar.
EDGAR line 3243Away, old man. Give me thy hand. Away. line 3244King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en. line 3245Give me thy hand. Come on. GLOUCESTER line 3246No further, sir. A man may rot even here. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 235EDGAR 10line 3247What, in ill thoughts again? Men must endure line 3248Their going hence even as their coming hither. line 3249Ripeness is all. Come on. line 3250GLOUCESTERAnd that’s true too.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter in conquest, with Drum and Colors, Edmund; Lear and Cordelia as prisoners; Soldiers, Captain.
EDMUND line 3251Some officers take them away. Good guard line 3252Until their greater pleasures first be known line 3253That are to censure them. line 3254CORDELIAto LearWe are not the first 5line 3255Who with best meaning have incurred the worst. line 3256For thee, oppressèd king, I am cast down. line 3257Myself could else outfrown false Fortune’s frown. line 3258Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters? LEAR line 3259No, no, no, no. Come, let’s away to prison. 10line 3260We two alone will sing like birds i’ th’ cage. line 3261When thou dost ask me blessing, I’ll kneel down line 3262And ask of thee forgiveness. So we’ll live, line 3263And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh line 3264At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues 15line 3265Talk of court news, and we’ll talk with them too— line 3266Who loses and who wins; who’s in, who’s out— line 3267And take upon ’s the mystery of things, line 3268As if we were God’s spies. And we’ll wear out, line 3269In a walled prison, packs and sects of great ones 20line 3270That ebb and flow by th’ moon. line 3271EDMUNDTake them away. LEAR line 3272Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 237line 3273The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught line 3274thee? 25line 3275He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven line 3276And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes. line 3277The good years shall devour them, flesh and fell, line 3278Ere they shall make us weep. We’ll see ’em starved line 3279first. 30line 3280Come.
Lear and Cordelia exit, with Soldiers.
line 3281EDMUNDCome hither, captain. Hark.
Handing him a paper.
line 3282Take thou this note. Go follow them to prison. line 3283One step I have advanced thee. If thou dost line 3284As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way 35line 3285To noble fortunes. Know thou this: that men line 3286Are as the time is; to be tender-minded line 3287Does not become a sword. Thy great employment line 3288Will not bear question. Either say thou ’lt do ’t, line 3289Or thrive by other means. 40line 3290CAPTAINI’ll do ’t, my lord. EDMUND line 3291About it, and write “happy” when th’ hast done. line 3292Mark, I say, instantly, and carry it so line 3293As I have set it down. CAPTAIN line 3294I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats. 45line 3295If it be man’s work, I’ll do ’t.Captain exits.
Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Soldiers and a Captain.
ALBANYto Edmund line 3296Sir, you have showed today your valiant strain, line 3297And Fortune led you well. You have the captives line 3298Who were the opposites of this day’s strife. line 3299I do require them of you, so to use them 50line 3300As we shall find their merits and our safety line 3301May equally determine. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 239line 3302EDMUNDSir, I thought it fit line 3303To send the old and miserable king line 3304To some retention and appointed guard, 55line 3305Whose age had charms in it, whose title more, line 3306To pluck the common bosom on his side line 3307And turn our impressed lances in our eyes, line 3308Which do command them. With him I sent the line 3309Queen, 60line 3310My reason all the same, and they are ready line 3311Tomorrow, or at further space, t’ appear line 3312Where you shall hold your session. At this time line 3313We sweat and bleed. The friend hath lost his friend, line 3314And the best quarrels in the heat are cursed 65line 3315By those that feel their sharpness. line 3316The question of Cordelia and her father line 3317Requires a fitter place. line 3318ALBANYSir, by your patience, line 3319I hold you but a subject of this war, 70line 3320Not as a brother. line 3321REGANThat’s as we list to grace him. line 3322Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded line 3323Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers, line 3324Bore the commission of my place and person, 75line 3325The which immediacy may well stand up line 3326And call itself your brother. line 3327GONERILNot so hot. line 3328In his own grace he doth exalt himself line 3329More than in your addition. 80line 3330REGANIn my rights, line 3331By me invested, he compeers the best. GONERIL line 3332That were the most if he should husband you. REGAN line 3333Jesters do oft prove prophets. line 3334GONERILHolla, holla! 85line 3335That eye that told you so looked but asquint. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 241REGAN line 3336Lady, I am not well, else I should answer line 3337From a full-flowing stomach. To Edmund. line 3338General, line 3339Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony. 90line 3340Dispose of them, of me; the walls is thine. line 3341Witness the world that I create thee here line 3342My lord and master. line 3343GONERILMean you to enjoy him? ALBANY line 3344The let-alone lies not in your goodwill. EDMUND 95line 3345Nor in thine, lord. line 3346ALBANYHalf-blooded fellow, yes. REGANto Edmund line 3347Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. ALBANY line 3348Stay yet, hear reason.—Edmund, I arrest thee line 3349On capital treason; and, in thine attaint, 100line 3350This gilded serpent.—For your claim, fair line 3351sister, line 3352I bar it in the interest of my wife. line 3353’Tis she is subcontracted to this lord, line 3354And I, her husband, contradict your banns. 105line 3355If you will marry, make your loves to me. line 3356My lady is bespoke. line 3357GONERILAn interlude! ALBANY line 3358Thou art armed, Gloucester. Let the trumpet sound. line 3359If none appear to prove upon thy person 110line 3360Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, line 3361There is my pledge.He throws down a glove. line 3362I’ll make it on thy heart, line 3363Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less line 3364Than I have here proclaimed thee. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 243115line 3365REGANSick, O, sick! line 3366GONERILasideIf not, I’ll ne’er trust medicine. EDMUND line 3367There’s my exchange.He throws down a glove. line 3368What in the world he is line 3369That names me traitor, villain-like he lies. 120line 3370Call by the trumpet. He that dares approach, line 3371On him, on you, who not, I will maintain line 3372My truth and honor firmly. ALBANY line 3373A herald, ho! line 3374EDMUNDA herald, ho, a herald! ALBANY 125line 3375Trust to thy single virtue, for thy soldiers, line 3376All levied in my name, have in my name line 3377Took their discharge. line 3378REGANMy sickness grows upon me. ALBANY line 3379She is not well. Convey her to my tent.
Regan is helped to exit.
Enter a Herald.
130line 3380Come hither, herald. Let the trumpet sound, line 3381And read out this.He hands the Herald a paper. line 3382CAPTAINSound, trumpet!
A trumpet sounds.
HERALDreads. line 3383If any man of quality or degree, within the lists of the line 3384army, will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of 135line 3385Gloucester, that he is a manifold traitor, let him line 3386appear by the third sound of the trumpet. He is bold in line 3387his defense.First trumpet sounds. line 3388HERALDAgain!Second trumpet sounds. line 3389HERALDAgain!Third trumpet sounds.
Trumpet answers within.
Enter Edgar armed.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 245ALBANYto Herald 140line 3390Ask him his purposes, why he appears line 3391Upon this call o’ th’ trumpet. line 3392HERALDWhat are you? line 3393Your name, your quality, and why you answer line 3394This present summons? 145line 3395EDGARKnow my name is lost, line 3396By treason’s tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit. line 3397Yet am I noble as the adversary line 3398I come to cope. line 3399ALBANYWhich is that adversary? EDGAR 150line 3400What’s he that speaks for Edmund, Earl of line 3401Gloucester? EDMUND line 3402Himself. What sayest thou to him? line 3403EDGARDraw thy sword, line 3404That if my speech offend a noble heart, 155line 3405Thy arm may do thee justice. Here is mine.
He draws his sword.
line 3406Behold, it is my privilege, the privilege of mine line 3407honors, line 3408My oath, and my profession. I protest, line 3409Maugre thy strength, place, youth, and eminence, 160line 3410Despite thy victor-sword and fire-new fortune, line 3411Thy valor, and thy heart, thou art a traitor, line 3412False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father, line 3413Conspirant ’gainst this high illustrious prince, line 3414And from th’ extremest upward of thy head 165line 3415To the descent and dust below thy foot, line 3416A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou “no,” line 3417This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent line 3418To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak, line 3419Thou liest. 170line 3420EDMUNDIn wisdom I should ask thy name, line 3421But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 247line 3422And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes, line 3423What safe and nicely I might well delay line 3424By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. 175line 3425Back do I toss these treasons to thy head, line 3426With the hell-hated lie o’erwhelm thy heart, line 3427Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise, line 3428This sword of mine shall give them instant way, line 3429Where they shall rest forever. Trumpets, speak!
He draws his sword. Alarums. Fights.
Edmund falls, wounded.
ALBANYto Edgar 180line 3430Save him, save him! line 3431GONERILThis is practice, Gloucester. line 3432By th’ law of war, thou wast not bound to answer line 3433An unknown opposite. Thou art not vanquished, line 3434But cozened and beguiled. 185line 3435ALBANYShut your mouth, dame, line 3436Or with this paper shall I stopple it.—Hold, sir.— line 3437Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil. line 3438No tearing, lady. I perceive you know it. GONERIL line 3439Say if I do; the laws are mine, not thine. 190line 3440Who can arraign me for ’t? line 3441ALBANYMost monstrous! O! line 3442Know’st thou this paper? line 3443GONERILAsk me not what I know.
She exits.
ALBANY line 3444Go after her, she’s desperate. Govern her.
A Soldier exits.
EDMUNDto Edgar 195line 3445What you have charged me with, that have I done, line 3446And more, much more. The time will bring it out. line 3447’Tis past, and so am I. But what art thou line 3448That hast this fortune on me? If thou ’rt noble, line 3449I do forgive thee. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 249200line 3450EDGARLet’s exchange charity. line 3451I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; line 3452If more, the more th’ hast wronged me. line 3453My name is Edgar and thy father’s son. line 3454The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices 205line 3455Make instruments to plague us. line 3456The dark and vicious place where thee he got line 3457Cost him his eyes. line 3458EDMUNDTh’ hast spoken right. ’Tis true. line 3459The wheel is come full circle; I am here. ALBANYto Edgar 210line 3460Methought thy very gait did prophesy line 3461A royal nobleness. I must embrace thee. line 3462Let sorrow split my heart if ever I line 3463Did hate thee or thy father! line 3464EDGARWorthy prince, I know ’t. 215line 3465ALBANYWhere have you hid yourself? line 3466How have you known the miseries of your father? EDGAR line 3467By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale, line 3468And when ’tis told, O, that my heart would burst! line 3469The bloody proclamation to escape 220line 3470That followed me so near—O, our lives’ sweetness, line 3471That we the pain of death would hourly die line 3472Rather than die at once!—taught me to shift line 3473Into a madman’s rags, t’ assume a semblance line 3474That very dogs disdained, and in this habit 225line 3475Met I my father with his bleeding rings, line 3476Their precious stones new lost; became his guide, line 3477Led him, begged for him, saved him from despair. line 3478Never—O fault!—revealed myself unto him line 3479Until some half hour past, when I was armed. 230line 3480Not sure, though hoping of this good success, line 3481I asked his blessing, and from first to last line 3482Told him our pilgrimage. But his flawed heart line 3483(Alack, too weak the conflict to support) Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 251line 3484’Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, 235line 3485Burst smilingly. line 3486EDMUNDThis speech of yours hath moved me, line 3487And shall perchance do good. But speak you on. line 3488You look as you had something more to say. ALBANY line 3489If there be more, more woeful, hold it in, 240line 3490For I am almost ready to dissolve, line 3491Hearing of this. line 3492EDGARThis would have seemed a period line 3493To such as love not sorrow; but another, line 3494To amplify too much, would make much more 245line 3495And top extremity. Whilst I line 3496Was big in clamor, came there in a man line 3497Who, having seen me in my worst estate, line 3498Shunned my abhorred society; but then, finding line 3499Who ’twas that so endured, with his strong arms 250line 3500He fastened on my neck and bellowed out line 3501As he’d burst heaven, threw him on my father, line 3502Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him line 3503That ever ear received, which, in recounting, line 3504His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life 255line 3505Began to crack. Twice then the trumpets sounded, line 3506And there I left him tranced. line 3507ALBANYBut who was this? EDGAR line 3508Kent, sir, the banished Kent, who in disguise line 3509Followed his enemy king and did him service 260line 3510Improper for a slave.
Enter a Gentleman with a bloody knife.
GENTLEMAN line 3511Help, help, O, help! line 3512EDGARWhat kind of help? line 3513ALBANYto GentlemanSpeak, man! line 3514EDGARWhat means this bloody knife? Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 253GENTLEMAN 265line 3515’Tis hot, it smokes! It came even from the heart line 3516Of—O, she’s dead! line 3517ALBANYWho dead? Speak, man. GENTLEMAN line 3518Your lady, sir, your lady. And her sister line 3519By her is poisoned. She confesses it. EDMUND 270line 3520I was contracted to them both. All three line 3521Now marry in an instant. line 3522EDGARHere comes Kent.
Enter Kent.
ALBANYto the Gentleman line 3523Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead.
Gentleman exits.
line 3524This judgment of the heavens, that makes us 275line 3525tremble, line 3526Touches us not with pity. O, is this he? line 3527To Kent. The time will not allow the compliment line 3528Which very manners urges. line 3529KENTI am come 280line 3530To bid my king and master aye goodnight. line 3531Is he not here? line 3532ALBANYGreat thing of us forgot! line 3533Speak, Edmund, where’s the King? And where’s line 3534Cordelia?
Goneril and Regan’s bodies brought out.
285line 3535Seest thou this object, Kent? line 3536KENTAlack, why thus? line 3537EDMUNDYet Edmund was beloved. line 3538The one the other poisoned for my sake, line 3539And after slew herself. 290line 3540ALBANYEven so.—Cover their faces. EDMUND line 3541I pant for life. Some good I mean to do Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 255line 3542Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send— line 3543Be brief in it—to th’ castle, for my writ line 3544Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia. 295line 3545Nay, send in time. line 3546ALBANYRun, run, O, run! EDGAR line 3547To who, my lord? To Edmund. Who has the office? line 3548Send line 3549Thy token of reprieve. EDMUND 300line 3550Well thought on. Take my sword. Give it the line 3551Captain. line 3552EDGARto a SoldierHaste thee for thy life.
The Soldier exits with Edmund’s sword.
EDMUNDto Albany line 3553He hath commission from thy wife and me line 3554To hang Cordelia in the prison, and 305line 3555To lay the blame upon her own despair, line 3556That she fordid herself. ALBANY line 3557The gods defend her!—Bear him hence awhile.
Edmund is carried off.
Enter Lear with Cordelia in his arms, followed by a Gentleman.
LEAR line 3558Howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones! line 3559Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so 310line 3560That heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone line 3561forever. line 3562I know when one is dead and when one lives. line 3563She’s dead as earth.—Lend me a looking glass. line 3564If that her breath will mist or stain the stone, 315line 3565Why, then she lives. line 3566KENTIs this the promised end? EDGAR line 3567Or image of that horror? Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 257line 3568ALBANYFall and cease. LEAR line 3569This feather stirs. She lives. If it be so, 320line 3570It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows line 3571That ever I have felt. line 3572KENTO, my good master— LEAR line 3573Prithee, away. line 3574EDGAR’Tis noble Kent, your friend. LEAR 325line 3575A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all! line 3576I might have saved her. Now she’s gone forever.— line 3577Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little. Ha! line 3578What is ’t thou sayst?—Her voice was ever soft, line 3579Gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman. 330line 3580I killed the slave that was a-hanging thee. GENTLEMAN line 3581’Tis true, my lords, he did. line 3582LEARDid I not, fellow? line 3583I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion line 3584I would have made him skip. I am old now, 335line 3585And these same crosses spoil me. To Kent. Who line 3586are you? line 3587Mine eyes are not o’ th’ best. I’ll tell you straight. KENT line 3588If Fortune brag of two she loved and hated, line 3589One of them we behold. LEAR 340line 3590This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent? line 3591KENTThe same, line 3592Your servant Kent. Where is your servant Caius? LEAR line 3593He’s a good fellow, I can tell you that. line 3594He’ll strike and quickly too. He’s dead and rotten. KENT 345line 3595No, my good lord, I am the very man— Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 259line 3596LEARI’ll see that straight. KENT line 3597That from your first of difference and decay line 3598Have followed your sad steps. line 3599LEARYou are welcome 350line 3600hither. KENT line 3601Nor no man else. All’s cheerless, dark, and deadly. line 3602Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves, line 3603And desperately are dead. line 3604LEARAy, so I think. ALBANY 355line 3605He knows not what he says, and vain is it line 3606That we present us to him. line 3607EDGARVery bootless.
Enter a Messenger.
line 3608MESSENGEREdmund is dead, my lord. line 3609ALBANYThat’s but a trifle here.— 360line 3610You lords and noble friends, know our intent: line 3611What comfort to this great decay may come line 3612Shall be applied. For us, we will resign, line 3613During the life of this old Majesty, line 3614To him our absolute power; you to your rights, 365line 3615With boot and such addition as your Honors line 3616Have more than merited. All friends shall taste line 3617The wages of their virtue, and all foes line 3618The cup of their deservings. O, see, see! LEAR line 3619And my poor fool is hanged. No, no, no life? 370line 3620Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life, line 3621And thou no breath at all? Thou ’lt come no more, line 3622Never, never, never, never, never.— line 3623Pray you undo this button. Thank you, sir. line 3624Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips, 375line 3625Look there, look there!He dies. Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 261line 3626EDGARHe faints. To Lear. My lord, line 3627my lord! KENT line 3628Break, heart, I prithee, break! line 3629EDGARLook up, my lord. KENT 380line 3630Vex not his ghost. O, let him pass! He hates him line 3631That would upon the rack of this tough world line 3632Stretch him out longer. line 3633EDGARHe is gone indeed. KENT line 3634The wonder is he hath endured so long. 385line 3635He but usurped his life. ALBANY line 3636Bear them from hence. Our present business line 3637Is general woe. To Edgar and Kent. Friends of my line 3638soul, you twain line 3639Rule in this realm, and the gored state sustain. KENT 390line 3640I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; line 3641My master calls me. I must not say no. EDGAR line 3642The weight of this sad time we must obey, line 3643Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. line 3644The oldest hath borne most; we that are young 395line 3645Shall never see so much nor live so long.
