M' 
 
 U5KAK.Y 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 Of ILLINOIS 
 
 Received "by bepuest 
 from . 
 
 Albert H. Lybyer 
 Professor of History 
 University of Illinois 
 ' A 'TRI.6-I9U9. 
 
 622.33 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/tragedyofkinglea00shak_2 
 


 ; 
 
 I 
 
 TEMPLE 
 
 I 
 
 
 THE 
 
 SHAKESPEARE 
 
By the kind permission of Messrs Macmillan ^ Co, 
 and IV . Aldis W r rights Esq . , the text here 
 used is that of the ie Cambridge ** Edition. 
 
 First Edition of this issue of “ King Lear ” printed October 1895. 
 Second Edition, December 1896. 
 
 Third Edition , November 2897. 
 
 Fourth Edition , August 1898. 
 
% 
 
 
 
When the grassy summit I had mounted, 
 
 A yellow cowslip crimson-dropt I found, 
 
 Marked with the same five spots Shake, speke once 
 counted : 
 
 Then thought I, as o'er Cliff and flower I linger, 
 
 All Nature foj. his head a garland wound, 
 
 Who touched things great and small with truth’s . 
 own finger. 
 
 Bichard Wilton : Dover Cliff . 
 
SHAKESPEARE^ 
 
 TRAGEDY* OF 
 KITiG \LEAR 
 
 ■WITH PREFACE 
 
 GLOSSARY* S£BY * 
 ISRAEL GOLlAN<R 
 
 3CCQKmi*FUBLiSHe.D * BY* t3*Ai*X>fiJHT 
 
 ' CO i AL&ii'lfi.* MOttSfcf* LOW&OW'S'C* 
 
The Lear of Shakespeare cannot be acted. The contemptible machinery 
 by which they mimic the storm which he goes out in, is not more in- 
 adequate to represent the horrors of the real elements, than any actor can 
 be to represent Lear: they might more easily propose to personate the 
 Satan of Milton upon a stage, or one of Michael Angelo’s terrible fibres. 
 The greatness of Lear is not in corporal dimension, but in intellectual : the 
 explosions of his passion are terrible as a volcano : they are storms turning 
 up and disclosing to the bottom that sea his mind, with all its vast riches. 
 It is his mind which is laid bare. This case of flesh and blood seems too 
 insignificant to be thought on; even as he himself neglects it. On the 
 stage we see nothing but corporal infirmities and weakness, the impotence 
 of rage; while we read it, we see not Lear, but we are Lear, -we are in his 
 mind, we are sustained by a grandeur which baffles the malice of daughters 
 and storms ; in the aberrations of his reason we discover a mighty irregular 
 power of reasoning, immethodised from the ordinary purposes of life, but 
 exerting its powers, as the wind blows where it listeth, at will upon the 
 corruptions and abuses of mankind. What have looks, or tones, to do with 
 that sublime identification of his age with that of the heavens themselves, 
 when in his reproaches to them for conniving at the injustice of his children, 
 he reminds them that “ they themselves are old ” ? What gestures shall we 
 appropriate to this? What has the voice or the eye to do with such things 1 
 But the play is beyond all art, as the tamperings with it show : it is too 
 hard and stony; it must have love scenes, and a happy ending. It is not 
 enough that Cordelia is a daughter, she must shine as a lover too. Tate 
 has put his hook in the nostrils of this Leviathan, for Gamck and his 
 followers, the showmen of scene, to draw the mighty beast about more 
 easily. A happy ending l~as if the living martyrdom that Lear had gone 
 through, -the flaying of his feelings alive, did not make a fair dismissal 
 from the stage of life the only decorous thing for him. If he is to live and 
 be happv after, if he could sustain this world’s burden after, why all this 
 pudder and preparation, -why torment us with all this unnecessary sym- 
 pathy? As if the childish pleasure of getting bis gilt robes and sceptre 
 again could tempt him to act over again his misused station,— as if at his 
 v^ars, and with his experience, anything was left but to die. 
 y ’ Charles Lamb. 
 
gai. 33 
 
 I t o 
 
 v. 1 7 
 
 The Early Editions. Two quarto editions of King Lear 
 appeared in the year 1608, with the following title-pages: — 
 (i.) “ M. William Shak-speare : | HIS | True Chronicle Historic 
 of the life and | death of King Lear and his three Daughters. | 
 With the unfortunate life of Edgar, fonne | and heire to the Earle of 
 Gloster, and his | sullen and assumed humor of | Tom of 
 Bedlam: | As io •was played before the Kings Maieftie at Whitehall 
 vpon j S. Stephans night in Chriftmas Holliday es. J By his Maiesties 
 Seruants playing vsually at the Gloabe | on the Bancke-fide. 
 [Device.] London, | Printed for Nathaniel Butter, and are to be 
 sold at his Ibop in Pauls | Church-yard at the figne of the Pide 
 Bull neere | St. Auftins Gate, 1608.” 
 
 (ii.) The title of the second quarto is almost identical with 
 that of (i.), but the device is different, and there is no allusion to 
 the shop ‘ at the signe of the Pide Bull.* 
 
 It is now generally accepted that the 4 Pide Bull ’ quarto is the 
 first edition of the play, but the question of priority depends on 
 the minutest of bibliographical criteria, and the Cambridge editors 
 were for a long time misled in their chronological order of the 
 quartos, (vide Cambridge Editors’ Preface, pp. v.-ix.) ; the problem 
 is complicated by the fact that no two of the extant six copies 
 of the first quarto are exactly alike ; * they differ in having one, 
 
 * Capell’s copy ; the Duke of Devonshire’s ; the British Museum’s two 
 copies ; the Bodieian two copies. 
 
Preface. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 two, three, or four, uncorrected sheets. The Second Quarto was 
 evidently printed from a copy of the First Quarto, having three 
 uncorrected sheets. A reprint of this edition, with many 
 additional errors, appeared in 1655. 
 
 The Folio Edition of the play was derived from an in- 
 dependent manuscript, and the text, from a typographical point 
 of view, is much better than that of the earlier editions ; but it 
 is noteworthy that some two hundred and twenty lines found in 
 the quartos are not found in the folio, while about fifty lines in 
 the folio are wanting in the quartos. * 
 
 Much has been written on the discrepancies between the two 
 versions; among modern investigations perhaps the most im- 
 portant are those of (i.) Delius and (ii.) Koppel ; according to 
 (i.), “in the quartos we have the play as it was originally 
 performed before King James, and before the audience of the 
 Globe, but sadly marred by misprints, printers’ sophistications, 
 and omissions, perhaps due to an imperfect and illegible MS. 
 In the Folio we have a later MS, belonging to the Theatre, and 
 more nearly identical with what Shakespeare wrote. The 
 omissions of the Quartos are the blunders of the printers ; the 
 omissions of the Folios are the abridgements of the actors ; ” 
 according to (ii.), “it was Shakespeare’s own hand that cut out 
 many of the passages both in the Quarto text and the Folio text. 
 . . . The original form was, essentially, that of the Quarto, then 
 followed a longer form, 'with the additions in the Folio , as substantially 
 
 * To the latter class belong I. ii. 119-124; I. iv. 345*356 J HI. i. 22-29 \ 
 III. ii. 79-95; to the former, I. iii. 17-23; I. iv. 154-169, 252-256; II. ii. 
 148-151; III. vi. 18*59, 109-122; III. vii. 98*107; IV. i. 60-66; IV. ii. 
 31-50, 53-59, 62-69 > IV. iii. ; IV. vii. 88-95 ; V. i. 23-28 ; V. iii. 54-59 ; 
 V. iii. 204-221. Vide Pnetorius’ facsimiles of Q. 1 and Q. 2; Victor’s 
 Parallel Text of Q. 1 and F. 1 (Marburg, 1886), Furness’ Variorum, etc . 
 vi 
 
King Lear ^ 
 
 Preface 
 
 )«r modern editions have again restored them; then the shortest form, 
 is it is preserved for us in the Folio.”* 
 
 It seems probable that the quarto represents a badly printed 
 evised version of the original form of the play, specially pre- 
 pared by the poet for performance at Court, whereas the folio 
 s the actors* abridged version. It seems hardly possible to 
 letermine the question more definitely. 
 
 ! Tate’s Version- For more than a century and a half, from the 
 rear 1680 until the restoration of Shakespeare’s tragedy at Covent 
 harden in 1838, Tate’s per-version of Lear held the stage, f delight- 
 ng audiences with “ the Circumstances of Lear’s Restoration, and 
 he virtuous Edgar’s Alliance with the amiable Cordelia.” It 
 vas to this acting-edition that Lamb referred in his famous 
 riticism, “ Tate has put his hook into the nostrils of this 
 eviathan for Garrick and his followers,” etc. Garrick, Kemble, 
 vean, and other great actors were quite content with this travesty, 
 •ut “ the Lear of Shakespeare cannot be acted.” 
 
 Date of Composition. The play of King Lear may 
 afely be assigned to the year 1605 (i.) According to an entry 
 
 n the Stationers’ Register, dated 26th November 1607, it was 
 played before the King’s Majesty at Whitehall upon S. Stephens’ 
 ight at Christmas last,” i.e., on the twenty-sixth of December 
 
 * Delius’ Essay appeared originally in the German Shakespeare Society 
 ear-book, X. ; and was subsequently translated into English, {New Shah, 
 oc. Trans. 1875-6). 
 
 Dr Koppel’s investigations are to be found in his Text-Kritische Studien 
 her Richard III. u. King Lear (Dresden, 1877). A resume of the various 
 leories is given in Furness’ edition, pp. 350-373. 
 t Vide Furness, PP . 467-478. 
 
 vii 
 
Preface. 
 
 <se The Tragedy of 
 
 1 606; (II.) the names of Edgar’s devils, and many of the allusions 
 in Act III. Sc. iv. were evidently derived from Harsnett’s Declara- 
 tion of egregrious Popish Impostures , which was first published in 
 1603 ; (iii.) the substitution of ‘ British man ’ for ‘ Englishman * in 
 the famous nursery-rhyme (Act III. Sc. iv. 189) seems to point 
 to a time subsequent to the Union of England and Scotland 
 under James I. ; the poet Daniel in a congratulate!/ address to 
 the King (printed in 1603) wrote thus : — 
 
 “ O thou mightie state, 
 
 Now thou art all Great Britain , and no more, 
 
 No Scot, no English now, nor no debate ; " * 
 
 (iv.) the allusions to the ‘ late eclipses ’ (I. ii. 1 148, 153) have 
 
 been most plausibly referred to the great eclipse of the sun, which 
 took place in October 1605, and this supposition is borne out by 
 the fact that John Harvey’s Discoursive Problems concerning Prophesies , 
 printed in 1588, actually contains a striking prediction thereof 
 (hence the point of Edmund’s comment, “I am thinking of a prediction 
 1 read this other dayf ; perhaps, too, there is a reference to the 
 Gunpowder Plot in Gloucester’s words, u machinations , hollowness, 
 treachery, and all ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our 
 graves.” 
 
 The Sources of the Plot. The story of ‘Leir, the son 
 of Balderd, ruler over the Britaynes, in the year of the world 3105, 
 at what time Joas reigned as yet in Juda,' was among the best- 
 known stories of British history. Its origin must be sought for 
 in the dim world of Celtic legend, or in the more remote realm of 
 
 * It is noteworthy that in IV. vi. 256 the Folio reads » English where the 
 Quartos have ‘ British 
 
 viii 
 
King Lear 
 
 Preface. 
 
 simple nature-myths,* but its place in literature dates from 
 Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Latin history of the Britons, Hhtoria 
 Britonum , composed about 1130, based in all probability on an 
 earlier work connected with the famous name of Nennius, though 
 Geoffrey alleges his chief authority was ‘an ancient British book.’ 
 To the Historia Britonum we owe the stories of Leir, Gorboduc, 
 Locrine ; there, too, we find rich treasures of Arthurian romance. 
 Welsh, French, and English histories of Britain were derived, 
 directly or indirectly, from this Latin history. The first to tell 
 these tales in English verse was Layamon, son of Leovenath, 
 priest of Arley Regis, in Worcestershire, on the right bank of 
 the Severn, who flourished at the beginning of the thirteenth 
 century, and whose English Brut was based on Wace’s French 
 Geste des Bretons — a versified translation of Geoffrey’s history. At the 
 end of the century the story figures again in Robert of Gloucester’s 
 Metrical Chronicle ; in the fourteenth century Robert of Brunne, in 
 the fifteenth John Hardyng, re-told in verse these ancient British 
 stories. In the sixteenth century we have Warner’s Albion s England 
 — the popular metrical history of the period ; we have also 
 the prose chronicles of Fabyan, Rastell, Grafton, and over and above 
 all, Holinshed’s famous Histone of England yf the story of Leir is to 
 be found in all these books. Three versions of the tale at the 
 end of the sixteenth century show that the poetical possibilites 
 of the subject were recognised before Shakespeare set thereon the 
 
 * According to some Celtic folk-lorists, 44 Lir” = Neptune; the two cruel 
 daughters = the rough Winds; Cordelia = the gentle Zephyr. I know no 
 better commentary on the tempestuous character of the play ; Shakespeare 
 has unconsciously divined the germ of the myth. 
 
 t In Camden's Remains the ‘Lear’ story is told of the West-Saxon King 
 Ina; in the Gesta Romano-rum Theodosias takes the place of King Lear, 
 ix 
 
Preface. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 stamp of his genius * (i.) in the Mirourfor Magistrates « Queene 
 
 Cordila * tells her life’s ‘tragedy,’ how ‘in dispaire’ she slew 
 herself ‘the year before Christ, 800’; (if.) Spenser, in Canto 
 X. of the Second Book of the Faery Queene, summarises, in half a 
 dozen stanzas, the story of ‘ Cordelia ’—this form of the name, 
 used as a variant of ‘ Cordeill ’ for metrical purposes, occurring 
 here for the first time ; the last stanza may be quoted to illustrate 
 the closing of the story in the pre-Shakespearian versions : 
 
 “ So to his crown she him restor’d again 
 In which he died , made ripe for death by eld , 
 
 And after will d it should to her remain ; 
 
 Who peacefully the same long time did weld , 
 
 And all men's hearts in due obedience held; 
 
 T til that her sister’s children woxen strong 
 Through proud ambition , against her rebel! d, 
 
 And overcommen kept in prison long, 
 
 Till weary of that wretched life herself she hong 
 
 (ill.) of special interest, however, is the pre-Shakespearian drama, 
 which was entered in the books of the Stationers’ Company as 
 early as 1594 under the title of < The moste famous Chronicle historye of 
 Leire, Kinge of England, and his Three Daughters' but evidently not 
 printed till the year 1605, when perhaps its publication was due 
 to the popularity of the newer Chronicle History on the same 
 subject; “The | True Chronicle Hi | story of King Lent | and 
 his three | daughters, Gonorill, Ragan, and Cordelia. | As it hath 
 bene divers and sundry | times lately acted. | London | printed | 
 by Simon Stafford for John | Wright, and are to bee sold at his 
 
 The ballad of King Leir , and his three Daughters ( vide Percy’s Re- 
 agues) is, in all probability, later than Shakespeare’s play. 
 
 x 
 
King Lear 
 
 Preface. 
 
 •hop at | Christes Church dore, next Newgate- I Market. 
 1605.”* 
 
 It is noteworthy that the play was entered in the Registers 
 on the 8th of May as ‘the tragicall historic of Kinge Leir,’ 
 though the play is anything but a ‘ tragedy ’—its ending is a 
 happy one* It looks, indeed, as though the original intention of 
 the publishers was to palm off their ‘ Leir ’ as identical with the 
 great tragedy of the day. 
 
 But however worthless it may seem when placed in juxta- 
 position with ‘the most perfect specimen of the dramatic art 
 existing in the world,’ + yet this less ambitious and humble pro- 
 duction is not wholly worthless, if only for ‘ a certain childlike 
 sweetness ’ in the portraiture of ‘ faire Cordelia,’ 
 
 “ Myrrour cfvertue , Phoenix of our age ! 
 
 Too kind a daughter for an unkind father ! ” 
 
 It may be pronounced a very favourable specimen of the popular 
 < comedies ’ of the period to which it belonged {circa 1592), with its 
 conventional classicism, its characteristic attempts at humour, 
 its rhyming couplets ; like so many of its class, it has caught 
 something of the tenderness of the Greenish drama, and some, 
 thing — rather less— of the aspiration of the Marlowan.J ‘ With 
 
 * Vide “ Six Old Plays on which Shakespeare founded his Measure for 
 Measure, etc. ; Hazlitt’s Shakespeare's Library , etc. ; an abstract of the 
 play is given by Furness, pp. 393-401. 
 
 t Shelley, Defence of Poetry, Essays, &c., 1840, p. 20. 
 
 X Here are a few lines— perhaps ‘ the salt of the old play’— by way o 
 specimen [the Gallian king is wooing Cordelia disguised as a Palmer]. 
 
 King. Your birth’s too high for any but a king. 
 
 Cordelia. My mind is low enough to love a palmer, 
 
 Ra jber than any king upon the earth. 
 
 King, O, but you never can endure their life, 
 xi 
 
Preface. 
 
 *s The Tragedy of 
 
 all its defects,* says Dr Ward, ‘ the play seems only to await the 
 touch of a powerful hand to be converted into a tragedy of 
 supreme effectiveness ; and while Shakespeare’s genius nowhere 
 exerted itself with more transcendent force and marvellous ver- 
 satility, it nowhere found more promising materials ready to its 
 command.’* 
 
 Yet Shakespeare’s debt to the old play was of the slightest, and 
 some have held that he may not even have read it, but in all 
 probability he derived therefrom at least a valuable hint for the 
 character of Kent, whose prototype Perillus is by no means un- 
 skilfully drawn ; perhaps, too, the original of the steward Oswald 
 is to be found in the courtier Scaliger ; again it is noteworthy 
 that messengers with incriminating letters play an important 
 part in the earlier as in the later drama ; and possibly the first 
 rumblings of the wild storm-scene of * Lear ’ may be heard in the 
 mimic thunder which in ‘ Lett ’ strikes terror in the heart of the 
 assassin hired to murder king and comrade — ‘ the parlosest old 
 men that ere he heard.’ 
 
 There is in the « Chronicle History ’ no hint of the underplot 
 of Lear, the almost parallel story of Gloster and Edmund, 
 whereby Shakespeare subtly emphasises the leading motif of the 
 
 Which is so straight and full of penury. 
 
 Cordelia. O yes, I can, and happy if I might : 
 
 I’ll hold thy palmer’s staff within my hand, 
 
 And think it is the sceptre of a queen. 
 
 Sometime I ’ll set thy bonnet on my head 
 And think I wear a rich imperial crown. 
 
 Sometime I ’ll help thee in thy holy prayers, 
 
 And think I am with thee in Paradise. 
 
 Thus 1 ’ll mock fortune, as she mocketh me, 
 
 And never will my lovely choice repent : 
 
 For having thee, I shall have all content.’ 
 
 * History of English Dramatic Literature , Vol. I., p. 126, 
 xii 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Preface. 
 
 play ; the vague original thereof is to be found in Sir Philip 
 Sidney’s Arcadia (Book II., pp. 133-158, ed. 1598), (“the pitifull 
 state and story of the Paphlagonian vnhitide king , and his kind sonne , frst 
 related by the son , then by the blind father ”). 
 
 Duration of Action. The time of the play, tccording 
 to Mr Daniel (vide Transactions of Neva Shakespere Soc . . 1877-79), 
 
 covers ten 
 
 days, 
 
 , distributed 
 
 as follows 
 
 
 
 Day 1. 
 
 Act 
 
 I. Sc. i. 
 
 
 
 
 Day ». 
 
 Act 
 
 I. Sc. ii. An interval of something less 
 
 than a fortnight. 
 
 Day 3. 
 
 Act 
 
 I. Sc. iii., iv 
 
 
 
 
 Day 4. 
 
 Act 
 
 II. Sc. i., ii. 
 
 
 
 
 Day 5. 
 
 Act 
 
 II. Sc. iii., iv. ; Act III. 
 
 Sc. i.-vi. 
 
 
 Day 6. 
 
 Act 
 
 III. Sc. vii. ; 
 
 Act IV. Sc 
 
 . i. 
 
 
 Day 7. 
 
 Act 
 
 IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 Perhaps an 
 
 interval of 
 
 a day or two. 
 
 Day 8, 
 
 Act 
 
 IV. Sc. iii. 
 
 
 
 
 Day 9. 
 
 Act 
 
 IV. Sc. iv., 
 
 v., vi. 
 
 
 
 Day IO. 
 
 Act 
 
 IV. Sc. vii. ; 
 
 Act V. Sc. 
 
 i.-iii. 
 
 
 < The longest period, including intervals, that can be allowed for 
 this play is one month ; though perhaps little more than three 
 weeks is sufficient.’ 
 
 
 

THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONAE. 
 
 Lrar, king of Britain . 
 
 King ok France. 
 
 Duke of Burgundy. 
 
 Duke of Cornwall, 
 
 Duke of Albany. 
 
 Earl of Kent. 
 
 Earl of Gloucester. 
 
 Edgar, son to Gloucester . 
 
 Edmund, bastard son to Gloucester 
 CuRAN, a courtier . 
 
 Old Man, tenant to Gloucester. 
 Doctor. 
 
 Fool. 
 
 Oswald, steward to Goneril. 
 
 A captain employed by Edmund. 
 Gentleman attendant on Cordelia. 
 Herald. 
 
 Servants to Cornwall. 
 
 Goneril, 
 
 Knights of Lear’s train, Captains, Messengers, Soldiers, 
 
 Regan, 
 
 Cordelia, 
 
 and Attendants. 
 
 Scene : Britain . 
 
The Tragedy of 
 Kin g Lear. 
 
 4 ’ 
 ij 
 
 [ 
 
 Act First* 
 
 Scene I 
 
 King Lear’s palace . 
 
 Enter Kent, Gloucester^ and Edmund . 
 
 Kent . I thought the king had more affected the 
 Duke of Albany than Cornwall. 
 
 Glou . It did always seem so to us : but now, in the 
 division of the kingdom, it appears not which 
 of the dukes he values most ;/ tor equalities are 
 so weighed that curiosity in neither can make 
 choice of cither’s moiety/ 
 
 Kent . Is not this your son, my lord ? 
 
 Glou . His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge : 
 I have so often blushed to acknowledge him 
 that now I am brazed to it. 
 
Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 « The Tragedy of 
 
 Kent . I cannot conceive you. 
 
 Glou . Sir, this young fellow’s mother could : where- 
 upon she grew round- wombed, and had indeed, 
 sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband 
 for her bed. Do you smell a fault ? 
 
 Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it 
 being so proper. 
 
 Glou. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some 
 
 year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my 20 
 accour ; : though this knave came something 
 saucily into the woild before he was sent for, yet 
 was his mother fair ; there was good sport at his 
 making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. 
 
 Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund ? 
 
 Edm. No, my lord. 
 
 Glou. My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter 
 as my honourable friend. 
 
 Edm . My services to your lordship. 
 
 Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you 30 
 better. 
 
 Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving. 
 
 Glou. He hath been out nine years, and away he 
 shall again. The king is coming. 
 
King Lear ss* 
 
 Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 Sennet . Enter one bearing a coronet , King Lear , Corn- 
 wall, Albany , Goneril, Regan , Cordelia, and Attendants . 
 Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Glou- 
 cester. 
 
 G/oi/. I shall, my liege. \_Exeunt Gloucester and Edmund. 
 Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. 
 Give me the map there. Know we have divided 
 In three our kingdom : and ’tis our fast intent 
 To shake all cares and business from our age, 40 
 Conferring them on younger strengths, while we 
 Unburthen’d crawl toward death. Our son of Corn- 
 wall, 
 
 And you, our no less loving son of Albany, 
 
 We have this hour a constant will to publish 
 Our daughters’ several dowers, that future strife 
 May be prevented now. The princes, France and 
 Burgundy, 
 
 Great rivals in our youngest daughter’s love, 
 
 Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, 
 And here are to be answer’d. Tell me, my daughters, 
 iSTnce now we will divest us both of rule, 50 
 
 Interest of territory, cares of statej 
 Which of you shall we say doth love us most ? 
 
 That we our largest bounty may extend 
 
 Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, 
 
 3 
 
Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 cgs The Tragedy of 
 
 Our eldest-born, speak first. 
 
 Goiu Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter, 
 Dearer than eye-sight, space and liberty, 
 
 Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare, 
 
 No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour, 
 As much as child e’er loved or father found ; 60 
 
 A love that makes breath poor and speech unable ; 
 Beyond all manner of so much I love you. 
 
 Cor . [Aside] What shall Cordelia do ? Love, and be 
 silent. 
 
 Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, 
 With shadowy forests and [with champains rich’d, 
 With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, 
 
 We make thee lady. To thine and Albany’s issue 
 Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, 
 Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall ? Speak. 
 
 Reg . I am made of that self metal as my sister, 70 
 
 And prize me at her worth. In my true heart 
 I find she names my very deed of love ; 
 
 Only she comes too short : that I profess 
 
 Myself an enemy to all other joys 
 
 Which the most precious square of sense possesses, 
 
 And find I am alone felicitate 
 
 In your dear highness’ love. 
 
 Cor. [Aside] Then poor Cordelia ! 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act L Sc. i. 
 
 And yet not so, since I am sure my love’s 
 More ponderous than my tongue. 80 
 
 I. ear. To thee and thine hereditary ever 
 
 Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, 
 
 No less in space, validity and pleasure. 
 
 Than that conferr’d on Goneril. Now, our joy, 
 AJthough the last, not least, to whose young love 
 The vines of France and milk of Burgundy 
 Strive to be interess’d, what can you say to draw 
 A third more opulent than your sisters ? Speak. 
 
 Cor . Nothing, my lord. 
 
 Lear . Nothing ! go 
 
 Cor . Nothing. 
 
 Lear . Nothing will come of nothing : speak again. 
 
 Cor . Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave 
 
 My heart into my mouth : I love your majesty 
 According to my bond ; nor more nor less. 
 
 Lear . How, how, Cordelia ! mend your speech a little, 
 Lest it may mar your fortunes. 
 
 C° n Good my lord, 
 
 You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I 
 Return those duties back as are right fit. 
 
 Obey you, love you, and most honour you. 
 
 Why have my sisters husbands, if they say 
 Ihey love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, 
 
 5 
 
 ioo 
 
Act I. Sc. i. *=£3 The Tragedy of 
 
 That lord whose hand must take my plight shall 
 carry 
 
 Half my love with him, half my care and duty : 
 Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, 
 
 To love my father all, 
 
 Lear. But goes thy heart with this ? 
 
 Cor . Ay, good my lord. 
 
 Lear. So young, and so untender ? 
 
 Cor. So young, my lord, and true. 
 
 Lear. Let it be so ; thy truth then be thy dower : no 
 
 For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, 
 
 The mysteries of Hecate, and the night ; 
 
 By all the operation of the orbs 
 
 From whom we do exist and cease to be ; 
 
 Here I disclaim all my paternal care, 
 
 Propinquity and property of blood, 
 
 And as a stranger to my heart and me^ 
 
 Hold thee from this for ever. /The barbarous 
 Scythian, 
 
 Or he that makes his generation messes 
 
 To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom 120 
 
 Be as well neighbour’d, pitied and relieved, 
 
 As thou my sometime daughtfi^l 
 
 Kent . 
 
 Lear. Peace, Kent! 
 
 6 
 
 Good my liege, — 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 Come not between the dragon and his wrath. 
 
 I loved her most, and thought to set my rest 
 Qfl her kind nursery. Hence, and avoid my sight ! 
 13 o be my grave my peace, as here I give 
 Her father’s heart from he£I 7 Call France. Who 
 stirs ? 
 
 Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany, 
 
 With my two daughter dowers digest this third : 
 Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. 1 3 1 
 I do invest you jointly with my power, 
 Pre-eminence and all the large effects 
 That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly 
 course, 
 
 With reservation of an hundred knights 
 By you to be sustain’d, shall our abode 
 Make with you by due turn^. Only we still retain 
 The name and all the additioi^ to a king ; 
 
 The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, 
 
 Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, 140 
 This coronet part fyetwixt you. 
 
 Kent, Royal Lear, 
 
 Whom I have ever honour’d as my king, 
 
 Loved as my father, as my master follow’d, 
 
 As my great patron thought on in my prayers, — 
 Lear . The bow is bent and drawn ; make from the shaft. 
 7 
 
Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade 
 
 The region of my heart : be Kent unmannerly, 
 When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old 
 man ? 
 
 Think’ st thou that duty shall have dread to speak, 
 When power to flattery bows ? To plainness 
 honour’s bouyg. 
 
 When majesty Ifcoops to folly. Reverse thy doom, 
 And in thy best consideration check 
 This hideous rashness : answer my life my judgement, 
 Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least ; 
 
 Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound 
 Reverbs no hollowness. 
 
 Lear . Kent, on thy life, no more. 
 
 Kent . My life I never held but as a pawn 
 
 To wage against thy enemies, nor fear to lose it, 
 Thy safety being the motive. 
 
 Lear. Out of my sight ! 
 
 Kent. See better, Lear, and let me still remain 160 
 The true blank of thine eye. 
 
 Lear. Now, by Apollo, — 
 
 Kent. Now, by Apollo, king, 
 
 Thou swear’st thy gods in vain. 
 
 Lear 
 
 [. Laying his hand on his sword. 
 
 8 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 _ * > Dear sir, forbear. 
 
 Lorn. J 
 
 Kent . Do ; 
 
 Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow . ^ 
 
 Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy dbom ; 
 
 Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, 
 
 I ’ll tell thee thou dost evil. 
 
 Lear . Hear me, [recreant !. 
 
 On thy allegiance, hear me ! 170 
 
 Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, 
 Which we durst never yet, and with strain’d pride 
 To come between our sentence and our power, 
 Srhich nor our nature nor our place can bear) 
 
 Our potency made good, take thy reward. 
 
 Five days we do allot thee, for provision 
 To shield thee from diseases of the world. 
 
 And on the sixth to turn thy hated back 
 Upon our kingdom : if on the tenth day following 
 Thy banish’d trunk be found in our dominions, 180 
 The moment is thy death. Away ! By Jupiter, 
 This shall not be revoked. 
 
 Kent . Fare thee well, king : sith thus thou wilt appear, 
 Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. 
 
 [To Cordelia ] The gods to their dear shelter take 
 
 thee, maid. 
 
 9 
 
Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 /That justly think’ st and hast most rightly sajdj J 
 [To Regan and Goneril~\ And your large speeches 
 may your deeds approve, 
 
 llbat good effects may spring from words of loy& 
 Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu ; 
 
 He ’ll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit, 
 
 Flourish . Re-enter Gloucester, with France , Burgundy , 
 and Attendants . 
 
 Glou . Here *8 France and Burgundy, my noble lord. 19 1 
 Lear . My lord of Burgundy, 
 
 We first address towards you, who with this king 
 Hath rivali’d for our daughter : what, in the least, 
 Will you require in present dower with her, 
 
 Or cease your quest of love ? 
 
 Fur. Most royal majesty, 
 
 I crave no more than what your highness offer’d, 
 Nor will you tender less. 
 
 Lear . Right noble Burgundy, 
 
 When she was dear to us, we did hold her so ; 
 
 But now her price is fall’n. Sir, there she stands : 
 If aught within that little seeming substance, 201 
 Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced, 
 
 And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, 
 
 She ’s there, and she is yours. 
 
 xo 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 Bur . I know no answer. 
 
 Lear. Will you, with those infirmities she owes, 
 Unfriended, new adopted to our hate, 
 
 Dower’d with our curse and stranger’d with our oath, 
 Take her, or leave her ? 
 
 Bur. Pardon me, royal sir ; 
 
 Election makes not up on such conditions. 
 
 Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that 
 made me, 
 
 I tell you all her wealth. [To France ] For you, 
 great king, 
 
 I would not from your love make such a stray, 
 
 To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you 
 To avert your liking a more worthier way 
 Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed 
 Almost to acknowledge hers. 
 
 France. This is most strange, 
 
 That she, that even but now was your best object, 
 The argument of your praise, balm of your age, 
 
 4 ^ Most best, nSost dearest, shoa d in this trice of time 
 Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle 220 
 So many folds of favour. /jSjire, her offence 
 Must be of such unnatural degree 
 That monsters it, or your fore-vouch’d affection 
 Fall’n into taint : which to believe of her, 
 
 XX 
 
Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 «^The Tragedy of 
 
 Must be a faith that reason without miracle 
 Could never plant in mej 
 
 • I yet beseech your majesty, — 
 
 If for I want that glib and oily art, 
 
 To speak and purpose not, since what I well intend, 
 I ’ll do ’t before I speak, — that you make known 
 It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness, 230 
 
 No unchaste action, or dishonour’d step, 
 
 That hath deprived me of your grace and favour ; 
 But even for want of that for which I am richer, 
 
 A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue 
 
 As I am glad I have not, though not to have it 
 
 Hath lost me in your liking. 
 
 Lear . Better thou 
 
 Hadst not been born than not to have pleased me 
 better. 
 
 France . Is it but this ? a tardiness in nature 
 Which often leaves the history unspoke 
 That it intends to do ? (My lord of Burgundy, 240 
 What say you to the lady ? Love ’s not love 
 When it is mingled with regards that stand 
 Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her ? 
 She is herself a dowry. 
 
 Bur . Royal Lear, 
 
 Give but that portion which yourself proposed, 
 
 ia 
 
King Lear »• 
 
 Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 And here I take Cordelia by the hand, 
 
 Duchess of Burgundy. 
 
 Lear . Nothing : I have sworn ; I am firm. 
 
 Bur . I am sorry then you have so lost a father 
 That you must lose a husband. 
 
 Cor . Peace be with Burgundy ! 250 
 
 Since that respects of fortune are his love, 
 
 France . Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being 
 poor, 
 
 Most choice forsaken, and most loved despised, 
 Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon : 
 
 Be it lawful I take up what *s cast away. 
 
 [Gods, gods ! ’tis strange that from their cold’st 
 neglect 
 
 My love should kindle to inflamed respect/ 
 
 Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, 
 Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France : 260 
 
 Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy 
 Can buy this unprized precious maid of me. 
 
 Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind : 
 
 Thou losest here, a better where to find. 
 
 Lear . Thou hast her, France: let her be thine, for we 
 Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see 
 That face of hers again. Therefore be gone 
 
Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Without our grace, our love, our benison. 
 
 Come, noble Burgundy. 
 
 [Flourish. Exeunt all hut France , 
 Goner'll, Regan , and Cordelia . 
 
 France . Bid farewell to your si3ters. 270 
 
 Cor . The jewels of our father, with wash’d eyes 
 
 Cordelia leaves you : I know you what you are ; 
 And, like a sister, am most loath to call 
 Your faults as they are named. Use well our 
 father ; 
 
 To your professed bosoms I commit him : 
 
 But yet, alas, stood I within his grace, 
 
 I would prefer him to a better place. 
 
 So farewell to you both. 
 
 Reg. Prescribe not us our duties. 
 
 Con. Let your study 
 
 Be to content your lord, who hath received you 280 
 At fortune’s aims. You have obedience scanted, 
 And well are worth the want that you have wanted. 
 Cor. Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides : 
 
 Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. 
 
 Well may you prosper ! 
 
 France. Come, my fair Cordelia. 
 
 [Exeunt France and Cordelia. 
 
 14 
 
King Lear ss 
 
 Act I. Sc. i. 
 
 Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say of what 
 most nearly appertains to us both. I think our 
 father will hence to-night. 
 
 Reg. That’s most certain, and with you; next 
 
 month with us. 290 
 
 Gon . You see how full of changes his age is ; jjtbe 
 observation we have made of it hath not been 
 little 17 he always loved our sister most ; and 
 with what poor judgement he hath now cast her 
 off appears too grossly. 
 
 Reg. ’Tis the infirmity of his age :fyet he hath ever 
 but slenderly known himself. 
 
 Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath been 
 but rash ; then must we look to receive from 
 his age, not alone the imperfections of long in- 300 
 grafted condi ion, but therewithal the unruly 
 waywardness that infirm and choleric years 
 bring with t hem] 
 
 Reg. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from 
 him as this of Kent’s banishment. 
 
 Gon. There is further compliment of leave-taking 
 between France and him^j Pray you, let’s hit 
 together:! if our father carry authority with such 
 dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of 
 his will but offend us ] 310 
 
 is 
 
Act I. Sc. ii. 
 
 s The Tragedy of 
 
 Reg. We shall further think on ’t. 
 
 Gon . We must do something, and i’ the heat. [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 The Earl of Gloucester' s castle. 
 
 Enter Edmund , with a letter. 
 
 Edm. Thou, nature, art my goddess ; to thy law 
 My services are bound. Wherefore should I 
 Stand in the plague of custom, and permit 
 The curiosity of nations to deprive me, 
 
 For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines 
 Lag of a brother \ Why bastard ? wherefore base ? 
 When my dimensions are as well compact, 
 
 My mind as generous and my shape as true, 
 
 As honest madam’s issue ? Why brand they us 
 With base ? with baseness ? bastardy ? base, base ? 
 W ho in the lusty stealth of nature take 1 1 
 
 More composition and fierce quality 
 Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, 
 
 Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops. 
 
 Got ’tween asleep and wake ? Well then, 
 Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land : 
 
 £Our father’s love is to the bastard Edmund 
 
King Lear ^ 
 
 Act I. Sc. ii. 
 
 As to the legitimate ^ fine word, < legitimate 9 ! 
 Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed 
 And my invention thrive, Edmund the base 20 
 Shall top the legitimate. I grow 5 I prosper : 
 
 Now, gods, stand up for bastards ! 
 
 Enter Gloucester • 
 
 Glou. Kent banish’d thus ! and France in choler parted ' 
 ^ ^ king gone to-night I subscribed his power ! 
 
 Confined to exhibition ! All this done 
 Upon the gad ! Edmund, how now ! what news ? 
 
 Edm. So please your lordship, none. 
 
 [Putting up the letter. 
 
 Glou. Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter ? 
 
 Edm. I know no news, my lord. 
 
 Glou. What paper were you reading ? j 0 
 
 Edm. Nothing, my lord. 
 
 Glou. No ? What needed then that terrible dispatch 
 of it into your pocket ?Jthe quality of nothing 
 hath not such need to hide itsqE/ Let ’s see : 
 come, if it be nothing, I shall not need 
 spectacles. 
 
 Edm. I beseech you, sir, pardon me : it is a letter 
 from my brother, that I have not all o’er-read ; 
 
 33 b 17 
 
Act i. Sc. ii. «= The Tragedy of 
 
 £jnd for so much as I have perused, I find it 
 not fit for your o’er4oo kin&) 4° 
 
 Glou. Give me the letter, sir. 
 
 Edm. I shall offend, either to detain or give it. 
 
 £Che contents, as in part I understand them, are 
 to blamej 
 
 Glou. Let ’s see, let ’s see. 
 
 Edm. I hope, for my brother’s justification, he 
 wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. 
 
 Glou. [Reads'] ‘ This /policy aadi reverence of age 
 makes the world bitter to the best of our times ; 
 keeps our fortunes from us till our oldness 50 
 # cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle and 
 fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny ; 
 who sways, not as it hath power, but as it is 
 suffered. Come to me, that of this I may speak 
 more. If our father would sleep till I waked 
 him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, 
 and live the beloved of your brother, Edgar.’ 
 
 Hum ! Conspiracy ! — 6 Sleep till I waked 
 him, you should enjoy half his revenue ! ’ — My 
 son Edgar ! Had he a hand to write this ? a 60 
 heart and brain to breed it in? When came 
 this to you ? who brought it ? 
 
 Edm . It was not brought me, my lord ; there ’s the 
 
 18 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. ii. 
 
 cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the 
 casement of my closet. 
 
 Glou . You know the character to be your 
 brother’s ? 
 
 Edm. If the matter were good, my lord, I durst 
 swear it were his ; but, in respect of that, I 
 would fain think it were not. 70 
 
 Glou, It is his. 
 
 Edm. It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his 
 heart is not in the contents. 
 
 Glou . Hath he never heretofore sounded you in this 
 business ? 
 
 Edm. Never, my lord: but I have heard him oft 
 maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, 
 and fathers declining, the father should be as 
 ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue. 
 
 Glou. O villain, villain ! His very opinion in the 80 
 letter ! /Abhorred villaiali) Unnatural, de- 
 tested, brutish villain ! worse than brutish ! 
 
 Go, sifrah, seek him ; ^ay, apprehend himuJ 
 abominable villain 1 Where is he ? 
 
 Edm. I do not well know, my lord. {Lf it shall 
 please you to suspend your indignation against 
 my brother till you can derive from him better 
 testimony of his intent, you should run a certain 
 19 
 
Act I. Sc. ii. 
 
 35 The Tragedy of 
 
 master man, to lay his goatish disposition to the 
 charge of a star ! My father compounded with 
 my mother under the dragon’s tail, and my na- 140 
 tivity was under Ursa major ; 50 that it follows 
 I am rough and lecherous. Tut, I should have 
 been that I am, had the maidenliest star in 
 the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing. 
 Edgar — 
 
 Enter Edgar . 
 
 And pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old 
 comedy : my cue is villanous melancholy, with 
 a sigh like Tom o’ Bedlam. O, these eclipses 
 do portend these divisions ! fa, sol, la, mi. 
 
 Edg . How now, brother Edmund! what serious 150 
 contemplation are you in \ 
 
 Edm , I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I 
 read this other day, what should follow these 
 eclipses. 
 
 Edg . Do you busy yourself about that ? 
 
 Edm . I promise you, the effects he writ of succeed 
 unhappily ; as of unnaturalness between the 
 child and the parent ; death, dearth, dissolu- 
 tions of ancient amities ; divisions in state, 
 menaces and maledictions against king and 160 
 nobles ; needless diffidences, banishment of 
 39 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. ii. 
 
 friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, 
 and I know not what. 
 
 Edg. How long have you been a sectary as- 
 tronomical ? 
 
 Edm . Come, come.; when saw you my father 
 last? 
 
 Edg . jyhy^ the night gone by. 
 
 Edm . Spake you with him ? 
 
 Edg . Ay, two hours together. jyo 
 
 Edm . Parted you in good terms ? Found you no 
 displeasure in him by word or countenance ? 
 
 Edg . None at all. 
 
 Edm . Bethink yourself wherein you may have 
 offended him : and at my entreaty forbear his 
 presence till some little time hath qualified the 
 heat of his displeasure, which at this instant so 
 rageth in him that with the mischief of your 
 person it would scarcely allay. 
 
 Edg . Some villain hath done me wrong. 180 
 
 Edm . That’s my fear. I pray you, have a con- 
 tinent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes 
 slower, and, as I say, retire with me to my 
 lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to 
 hear my lord speak : pray ye, go ; there ’s my 
 key : if you do stir abroad, go armed. 
 
 33 
 
Act I. Sc. iii. 
 
 cs The Tragedy of 
 
 Edg. Armed, brother ! 
 
 Edm. Brother, I advise you to the best : go armed : 
 
 I am no honest man if there be any good mean- 
 ing towards you : I have told you what I have 1 90 
 seen and heard; but faintly, nothing like the 
 image and horror of itjj pray you, away. 
 
 Edg. Shall I hear from you anon ? 
 
 Edm . I do serve you in this business. [Exit Edgar . 
 
 A credulous father, and a brother noble, 
 
 Whose nature is so far from doing harms 
 That he suspects none ; on whose foolish honesty 
 My practices ride easy. I see the business. 
 
 Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit: 
 
 All with me ’s meet that I can fashion fit. [Exit. 200 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 The Duke of Albany' s palace . 
 
 Enter Goneril and Oswald , her steward. 
 
 Gon. Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding 
 of his fool ? 
 
 Osw. Yes, madam. 
 
 Gon . By dny and night he wrongs me ; every hour 
 He flashes into one gross crime or other, 
 
 24 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. iii. 
 
 That sets us all at odds : I ’ll not endure it : 
 
 His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us 
 On every trifle. When he returns from hunting, 
 
 I will not speak with him ; say I am sick : 
 
 If you come slack of former services, 
 
 You shall do well ; the fault of it I ’ll answer. io 
 Osw. He ’s coming, madam ; I hear him. \_Horns within . 
 Gon. Put on what weary negligence you please, 
 
 You and your fellows ; I ’Id have it come to ques- 
 tion : 
 
 If he distaste it, let him to our sister, 
 
 Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, 
 
 Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man. 
 
 That still would manage those authorities 
 That he hath given away ! LNow, by my life. 
 
 Old fools are babes again, and must be used 
 With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abusgdJ 
 Remember what I tell you. 
 
 Osw . Very well, madam. 21 
 
 Gon. /And let his knights have colder looks among you ; 
 What grows of it, no matter ; advise your fellowa-saj 
 I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall. 
 That I may speak : I ’ll write straight to my sister, 
 To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. 
 
 [. Exeunt . 
 
 *5 
 
Act 1. Sc. iv. 
 
 cs The Tragedy of 
 
 Scene IV. tl 1 
 
 A hall in the same . 
 
 Enter Kent , disguised. 
 
 Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow, 
 
 That can my speech defuse, my good intent 
 May carry through itself to that full issue 
 For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish’d 
 Kent, 
 
 If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn’d, 
 So may it come, thy master whom thou lovest 
 Shall find thee full of labours. 
 
 Horns within. Enter Lear , Knights , and Attendants. 
 
 Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner ; go get it 
 ready. | 'Exit an Attendant How now ! 
 what art thou ? 10 
 
 Kent . A man, sir. 
 
 Lear. What dost thou profess? What wouldst 
 thou with us ?j 
 
 Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem ; to 
 serve him truly that will put me in trust ; to 
 love him that is honest ; to converse with him 
 that is wise and says little ; to fear judgement ; 
 to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish. 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 Lear. What art thou ? 
 
 Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as 20 
 the king. 
 
 Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject as he is 
 for a king, thou art poor enough. What 
 wouldst thou ? 
 
 Kent . Service. 
 
 Lear. Who wouldst thou serve ? 
 
 Kent . You. 
 
 Lear . Dost thou know me, fellow ? 
 
 Kent. No, sir ; but you have that in your coun- 
 tenance which I would fain call master. 30 
 
 Lear. What ’s that ? 
 
 Kent. Authority. 
 
 Lear. What services canst thou do ? 
 
 Kent. I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a 
 curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain 
 message bluntly : that which ordinary men are 
 fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me 
 is diligence. 
 
 I Le ar . How old art thguTj 
 
 Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, 40 
 nor so old to dote on her for any thing : j I have 
 years on my back forty eigKt^ 
 
 Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me; if I like 
 
 37 
 
Act I. Sc iv. 
 
 «2gs The Tragedy of 
 
 thee no worse after dinner, I will not part from 
 thee yet. Dinner, ho, dinner ! Where , s my 
 knave ? my fool ? Go you, and call my fool 
 hither. [Exit an Attendant . 
 
 Enter Oswald* 
 
 You, you, sirrah, where’s my daughter? 
 
 Osw. So please you, — [Exit. 
 
 Lear . What says the fellow there ? Call the clot- 50 
 poll back. [Exit a Knight. Where ’s my 
 fool, ho ? I think the world ? s asleep. 
 
 Re-enter Knight. 
 
 How now ! where ’s that mongrel ? 
 
 Knight . He says, my lord, your daughter is not 
 well. 
 
 Lear. Why came not the slave back to me when I 
 called him ? 
 
 Knight. Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, 
 he would not. 
 
 Lear. He would not ! 60 
 
 Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is ; 
 but, to my judgement, your highness is not 
 entertained with that ceremonious affection as 
 
 38 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 you were wont ; there ’ 8 a great abatement of 
 kindness appears £ s well in the general depend- 
 ants as in the duke himself also and your 
 
 Lear . Ha ! sayest thou so ? 
 
 Knight. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be 
 
 mistaken ; for my duty cannot be silent when I 70 
 think your highness wronged. 
 
 Lear. Thou but rememberest me of mine own con- 
 ception : I have perceived a most faint neglect 
 of late ; which I have rather blamed as mine 
 own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence and 
 purpose of unkindness : I will look further into t. 
 
 But where ’s my fool ? I have not seen him 
 this two days. 
 
 Knight. Since my young lady’s going into France, 
 
 sir, the fool hath much pined away. 80 
 
 Lear. No more of that ; I have noted it well. Go 
 you, and tell my daughter I would speak with 
 her. [Exit an Attendant .] Go you, call 
 
 O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir : who 
 am I, sir ? 
 
 hither my fool. 
 
 [Exit an Attendant . 
 
 Re-enter Oswald. 
 
 29 
 
Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 s The Tragedy of 
 
 Osw . My lady’s father. 
 
 Lear. My lady’s father! my lord’s knave: you 
 whoreson dog ! you slave ! you cur ! 
 
 Osw* I am none of these, my lord ; I beseech your 9c 
 pardon. 
 
 Lear* Do you bandy looks with me, you 
 
 rascal • [Striking him* 
 
 Osw* I ’ll not be struck, my lord. 
 
 Kent. Nor tripped neither, you base foot-ball 
 
 player. [Tripping up his heels. 
 
 Lear * I thank thee, fellow ; thou servest me, and 
 I ’ll love thee. 
 
 Kent. Come, sir, arise, away!_ I’ll teach you 
 
 differences: away, away ! ,If you will measure ioo 
 your lubber’s length again, tarry : but away ! 
 go to ; have you wisdom iJjjal [Pushes Oswald out. 
 
 Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: 
 
 there ’s earnest of thy service. [ Giving Kent money.. 
 
 Enter Fool* 
 
 Fool. Let me hire him too: here’s my cox- 
 
 com k- [ Offering Kent his cap. 
 
 Lear. How now, my pretty knave! how dost 
 thou l 
 
 Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. 
 
 30 
 
Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 King Lear 
 
 Kent. Why, fool ? 
 
 Fool. Why, for taking one’s part that’s out of 
 favour : nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind 
 sits, thou ’It catch cold shortly : there, take my 
 coxcomb : {why, this fellow hath banished two 
 on ’s daughters, and done the third a blessing 
 against his wif [3 if thou fallow him, thou must 
 needs wear my coxcomb. How now, nuncle ! 
 Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters! 
 
 Lear. Why, my boy ? 
 
 Fool. If I gave them all my living, I ’Id keep my 1 20 
 coxcombs myself. There ’s mine ; beg another 
 of thy daughters. 
 
 Lear. Take heed, sirrah ; the whip. 
 
 [fool. Truth ’ s a dog must to kennel ; he must be 
 whipped out, when Lady the brach may stand 
 by the fire and stink. 
 
 Lear. A pestilent gall to me] 
 
 Fool. Sirrah, I ’ll teach thee a speech. 
 
 Lear. Do. 
 
 Fool. Mark it, nuncle : . ^ 1 3 ° 
 
 Have more than thou showest, 
 
 Speak less than thou knowest, 
 
 Lend less than thou owest, 
 
 Ride more than thou goest, 
 
 3 1 
 
Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 «ss The Tragedy of 
 
 Learn more than thou trowest, 
 
 Set less than thou throwest ; 
 
 Leave thy drink and thy whore, 
 
 And keep in-a-door, 
 
 And thou shalt have more 
 
 Than two tens to a score. 140 
 
 Kent . This is nothing, fool. 
 
 Fool. Then ’tis like the breath of an unfee’d lawyer, 
 you gave me nothing for ’t. Can you make no 
 use of nothing, nuncle ? 
 
 Lear. Why, no, boy ; nothing can be made out of 
 nothing. 
 
 Fool. [To Kent ] Prithee, tell him, so much the 
 rent of his land comes to : he will not believe 
 a fool. 
 
 Lear . A bitter fool ! 150 
 
 Fool. Dost thou know the difference, my boy, 
 between a bitter fool and a sweet fool ? 
 
 \Lear. No, lad ; teach me. 
 
 Fool. That lord that counsell’d thee 
 
 To give away thy land, 
 
 Come place him here by me ; 
 
 Do thou for him stand : 
 
 The sweet and bitter fool 
 Will presently appear $ 
 
 3 « 
 
King Lear s* 
 
 Act I. Sc. jv. 
 
 The one in motley here, i6o 
 
 The other found out therew 
 
 Lear. Dost thou call me fool, boy? 
 
 Fool. All thy other titles thou hast given away; 
 that thou wast born with. 
 
 Kent. This is not altogether fool, my lord. 
 
 Fool. j^Io, faith, lords and great men will not let 
 me ; if i had a monopoly out, they would have 
 part on ’t : and ladies too, they will not let me 
 have ail the fool to myself; they ’ll be snatching 
 Give me an egg, nunclej and I 'll give thee two 1 70 
 crowns. 
 
 Lear. What two crowns shall they be ? 
 
 Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg in the middle 
 and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. 
 
 When thou clovest thy crown i’ the middle and 
 gavest away both parts, thou borest thine ass on 
 thy back o’er the dirt : thou hadst little wit in 
 thy bald crown when thou gavest thy golden 
 one away. If I speak like myself in this, let 
 him be whipped that first finds it so. !g 0 
 
 \_Singing~\ .Fools had ne’er less wit in a year; 
 
 For wise men are grown foppish, 
 
 And know not how their wits to wear. 
 
 Their manners are so apish. 
 
 33 c 33 
 
Act I. Sc. iv. The Tragedy of 
 
 Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs, 
 sirrah ? 
 
 Fool I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest 
 thy daughters thy mother: for when thou 
 
 gavest them the rod and puttest down thine own 
 breeches, 1 9 ° 
 
 [Singing] Then they for sudden joy did weep, 
 
 And I for sorrow sung, 
 
 That such a king should play bo-peep, 
 
 And go the fools among. 
 
 Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can 
 teach thy fool to lie : I would fain learn to lie. 
 
 Lear. An you lie, sirrah, we’ll have you 
 whipped. 
 
 Fool I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters 
 
 are: they’ll have me whipped for speaking 200 
 true, thou ’It have me whipped for lying, and 
 sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace. 
 
 I had rather be any kind o’ thing than a fool : 
 and yet I would not be thee, nuncle ; thou hast 
 pared thy wit o’ both sides and left nothing i’ 
 the middle. Here comes one o’ the parings. 
 
 Enter Goneril. 
 
 Lear. How now, daughter ! what makes that front- 
 34 
 
King Lear st *• 
 
 Act II, Sc. i. 
 
 Hark, the duke’s trumpets ! I know not why he 
 conies. 
 
 All ports I 11 bar 5 the villain shall not ’scape ; 
 
 The duke must grant me that :£besides, his picture 
 I will send far and near, that all the kingdom 
 May have due note of hirjO and of my land, 
 
 Loyal and natural boy, I ’ll work the means 
 To make thee capable. 
 
 Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants. 
 
 Corn. How now, my noble friend ! since I came hither, 
 ^ hich I can call but now, I have heard strange news. 
 Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short 90 
 Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord l 
 Glou. O, madam, my old heart is crack’d, ii crack’d! 
 
 Reg. What, did my father’s godson seek your life } 
 
 He whom my father named ? your Edgar ? 
 
 Glou. O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid 1 
 Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous knights 
 That tend upon my father ? 
 
 Glou. I know not, madam : ’tis too bad, too bad. 
 
 Edm. Yes, madam, he was of that consort. 
 
 Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected : too 
 Tis they have put him on the old man’s death. 
 
 To have the waste and spoil of his revenues. 
 
Act II. Sc. i. 
 
 The Trage dy of 
 
 I have this present evening from my sister 
 
 Been well inform’d of them, and with such cautions 
 
 That if they come to sojourn at my house, 
 
 I ’ll not be there. 
 
 Q orn Nor I, assure thee, Regan. 
 
 Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father 
 A child-like office. 
 
 ’Twas my duty, sir. 
 
 Glou. He did bewray his practice, and received 
 
 This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. i to 
 
 Corn. Is he pursued ? 
 
 Glou. Ay, my good lord. 
 
 Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more 
 
 Be fear’d of doing harm : Jmake your own purpose. 
 How in my strength you pleasip For you, Edmund, 
 Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant 
 So much commend itself, you shall be ours : 
 
 Natures of such deep trust we shall much need : 
 
 You we first seize on. 
 
 I shall serve you, sir, 
 
 Truly, however else. 
 
 Glou For him I thank your grace. 
 
 Corn. You know not why we came to visit you,— 120 
 Rev Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed mg t : 
 Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise, 
 
 50 I 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 let on ? Methinks you are too much of late i* 
 the frown. 
 
 Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst 2 1 o 
 no need to care for her frowning ;£now thou art 
 an O without a figure : I am better than thou 
 art now ; I am a fool, thou art nothing^ [To 
 Gon . ] Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue; 
 so your face bids me, though you say nothing. 
 
 Mum, mum : 
 
 He that keeps nor crust nor crumb, 
 
 Weary of all, shall want some. 
 
 [Pointing to Lear~\ That ’s a shealed peascod. 
 
 Gon . Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool, 220 
 But other of your insolent retinue 
 Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth 
 In rank and not to be endured riots. Sir, 
 
 I had thought, by making this well known unto you, 
 To have found a safe redress ; but now grow fearful, 
 By what yourself too late have spoke and done, 
 That you protect thisjpourse and put it on 
 By your allowance ; / which if you should, the fault 
 Would not ’scape censure, nor the redresses sleep, 
 Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal, 230 
 Might in their working do you that offence 
 Which else were shame, that then necessity 
 a 
 
Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 cs The Tra gedy of 
 
 Will call discreet proceeding] 
 
 Fool. For, you know, nuncle, 
 
 The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, 
 
 That it had it head bit off by it young. 
 
 So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. 
 Lear. Are you our daughter ? 
 
 Gon. {Come, s j r ^ 
 
 I would you would make use of that good wisdom 
 Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away 241 
 These dispositions that of late transform you 
 From what you rightly are. 
 
 Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws 
 the horse ? Whoop, Jug ! I love thee. 
 
 Lear. Doth any here know me ? This is not Lear : 
 
 Doth Lear walk thus ? speak thus ? Where are his 
 eyes ? 
 
 Either his notion weakens, his discernings 
 Are lethargied— Ha ! waking ? ’tis not so. 
 
 Who is it that can tell me who I am ? 250 
 
 Fool. Lear’s shadow. 
 
 Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks of 
 sovereignty, knowledge and reason, I should be 
 false persuaded I had daughters. 
 
 Fool. Which they will make an obedient 
 father. 
 
 36 
 
King Lear ^ Act n. Sc. i. 
 
 Act Second. 
 
 Scene I. 
 
 The Earl of Gloucester s castle. 
 
 Enter Edmund and Cur an, meeting . 
 
 Edm. Save thee, Curan. 
 
 Cur . And you, sir. I have been with your father, 
 and given him notice that the Duke of Corn- 
 wall and Regan his duchess will be here with 
 him this night. 
 
 Edm . How comes that ? 
 
 Cur. Nay, I know not. [Yo u have heard of the 
 news abroad, I mean the whispered ones, for 
 they are yet but ear- kissing arguments ? 
 
 Edm. Not I : pray you, what are they ? io 
 
 Cur . Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 
 *twixt the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany ? 
 
 Edm . Not a word. 
 
 Cur. You may do then in time} Fare you well, 
 
 sir. [Exit. 
 
 Edm . The duke be here to-night ? The better ! best ! 
 This weaves itself perforce into my business. 
 
 /JVly father hath set guard to take my brother ; 
 
 45 
 
The Tragedy of 
 
 Act II. Sc. i. **= 
 
 And I have one thing, of a queasy question, 
 
 Which I must act : briefness and fortune, woiED 
 Brother, a word ; descend : brother, I say . 
 
 Enter Edgar. 
 
 My father watches : O sir, fly this place ; 
 
 Intelligence is given where you are hid ; 
 
 You have now the good advantage of tne night : 
 
 Have you not spoken ’gainst the Duke of Cornwall . 
 He ’s coming hither, now, i’ the night, i the haste, 
 And Regan with him : have you nothing said 
 Upon his party ’gainst the Duke of Albany . 
 
 Advise yourself. 
 
 I am sure on ^ not a worc *‘ 
 
 Edm. I hear my father coming : pardon me : 
 
 In cunning I must draw my sword upon you : 
 
 Draw: seem to defend yourself: now quit you we . 
 Yield : come before my father. Light, ho, here . 
 Fly, brother. Torches torches ! 
 
 S„« blood dr»o « « 
 
 Of my more fierce endeavour : I have seen drunkards 
 Do more than this in sport. Father, father . 
 
 Stop, stop! No help ? ^ 
 
 3 C 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman ? 
 
 Gon. This admiration, -sir, is much o’ the savour 
 Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you 
 To understand my purposes aright : 260 
 
 As you are old and reverend, you should be 
 wise. 
 
 Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires ; 
 
 Men so disorder’d, so debosh’d and bold, 
 
 That this our court, infected with their manners, 
 
 Shows like a riotous inn : epicurism and lust 
 Make it more like a tavern or a brothel 
 Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth 
 speak 
 
 For instant remedy : be then desired t ^ 
 
 that else will take the thing she begs fff 
 
 A little to disquantity your train * * ^270 
 And the remainder that shall still depend, 
 
 To be such men as may besort your age, 
 
 Which know themselves and you. 
 
 L ear ' Darkness and devils ! 
 
 Saddle my horses ; call my train together. 
 
 ^Degenerate bastard ! I ’ll not trouble thee : 
 
 Yet have I left a daughter/ 
 
 Gon. You strike my people, and your disorder’d rabble 
 Make servants of their betters. 
 
 37 
 
Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 {Enter Albany. 
 
 Lear. Woe, that too late repents,— [To Alb.'] O, sir, 
 are you come ? 
 
 Is it your will ? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses. 
 Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, 281 
 
 More hideous when thou show’st thee in a child 
 Than the sea-monster ! 
 
 Alb. Pray, sir, be pa tient] 
 
 Lear. [To Gon .] Detested kite ! thou liest. 
 
 My train are men of choice and rarest parts, 
 
 That all particulars of duty know, 
 
 And in the most exact regard support 
 The worships of their name. O most small fault, 
 How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show ! 289 
 
 That, like an engine, wrench’d my frame of nature 
 From the fix’d place, drew from my heart all love 
 And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear ! 
 
 Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in 
 
 [Striking his head. 
 
 ^ 4 ; ^__And thy dear judgement out! Go, go, my people. 
 Vi '• ' Alb. My lord* I am guiltless, as I am ignorant 
 *"■ _ Of what hath aTo.od you. MW « * 
 
 l Lear . It may be so, my lord. 
 
 Hear, nature, hear ; dear goddess, hear ! 
 
 Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend 
 38 
 
 i>r] 
 
King Lear s# 
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 To make this creature fruitful : 
 
 Into her womb convey sterility : goo 
 
 Dry up in her the organs of increase, 
 
 And from her derogate body never spring 
 A babe to honour her ! If she must teem, 
 
 Create her child of spleen, that it may live 
 And be a thwart disnatured torment to her. 
 
 Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth ; 
 
 With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks ; 
 
 Turn all her mother’s pains and benefits 
 To laughter and contempt ; that she may feel 
 How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is gio 
 
 To have a thankless child ! Away, away ! [Exit. 
 Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this ? 
 
 Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause, 
 
 But let his disposition have that scope 
 That dotage gives it. 
 
 Re-enter Lear. 
 
 Lear . What, fifty of my followers at a clap ! 
 
 Within a fortnight ! 
 
 Alb. What’s the matter, 
 
 Lear. I’ll tell thee. [To Gon.~\ Life and death! I am 
 ashamed 
 
 That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus ; 
 
 39 
 
Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 <*= The Tragedy of 
 
 That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, 
 Should make thee worth them. /Blasts and fogs 
 upon thee ! S 21 
 
 The untented woundings of a father’s curse 
 Pierce every sense about theejj Old fond eyes, 
 Beweep this cause again, I ’ll pluck ye out 
 And cast you with the waters that you lose 
 To temper clay. Yea, is it come to this ? 
 
 Let it be so : yet have 1 left a daughter, 
 
 Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable : 
 
 When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails 
 She’ll Hay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find 330 
 That I ’ll resume the shape which thou dost think 
 I have cast off for ever : thou shalt, I warrant thee.*^ 
 [Exeunt Lear , Kent, and Attendants . 
 £&on. Do you mark that, my lord ? 4 
 
 Alb. I cannot be so partial, Goneril, ^4, * 
 
 To the great love I bear you,— 
 
 Gon. Pray you, content. 1 What, Oswald, ho ! 
 
 [To the Fool ] You, sir, more knave than fool, after 
 your master. 
 
 Fool Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry ; take the 
 fool with thee. 
 
 riff fox, when one has caught her, 340 
 
 (jind such a daughter, 
 
 40 
 
King Lear 5? 
 
 Act I. Sc. iv. 
 
 Should sure to the slaughter, 
 
 If my cap would buy a halter : 
 
 So the fool follows after. [Exit. 
 
 Gon. This man hath had good counsel : a hundred knights ! 
 ’Tis politic and safe to let him keep 
 At point a hundred knights : yes, that on every dream, 
 Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, 
 
 He may enguard his dotage with their powers 
 And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say ! 350 
 Alb. Well, you may fear too far. 
 
 Gon. Safer than trust too far : 
 
 Let me still take away the harms I fear, 
 
 Not fear still to be taken : I know his heart. 
 
 What he hath utter’d I have writ my sister : 
 
 If she sustain him and his hundred knights, 
 
 When I have show’d the unfitness, — 
 
 Re-enter 
 
 How now, Oswald ! 
 
 What, have you writ that letter to my sister ? 
 
 Osw. Yes, madam. 
 
 Gon. Take you some company, and away to horse : 
 
 Inform her full of my particular fear, 360 
 
 And thereto add such reasons of your own 
 As may compact it more. Get you gone ; 
 
 41 
 
Act I. Sc. v. 
 
 'ss The Tragedy of 
 
 And hasten your return. [Exit Oswald No, no, 
 my lord, 
 
 This milky gentleness and course of yours 
 Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon, 
 
 You are much more attask’d for want of wisdom 
 Than praised for harmful mildness. 
 
 Alb. How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell : 
 
 Striving to better, oft we mar what 9 a well. 
 
 Gon. Nay, then— * 70 
 
 Alb. Well, well ; the event [ Exeunt . 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 Court before the same. 
 
 Enter Lear , Kent, and Fool. 
 
 Lear. Go you before to Gloucester with these 
 letters. Acquaint mj daughter no further with 
 any thing you know than comes from her demand 
 out of the letter. If your diligence be not 
 speedy, I shall be there afore you. 
 
 Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered 
 your letter. 
 
 Fool. If a man’s brains were in 9 a heels, were ’t not 
 in danger of kibes ? 
 
 4 * 
 
King Lear ss* 
 
 Act I. Sc. v. 
 
 Lear . Ay, boy. 10 
 
 Fool. Then, I prithee, be merry 5 thy wit shall 
 ne’er go slip-shod. 
 
 Lear. Ha, ha. hal 
 
 Fool. Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee 
 kindly ; for though she ’s as like this as a crab s 
 like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. 
 
 Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, my boy ? 
 
 Fool. She will taste as like this as a crab does to a 
 crab. Thou canst tell why one’s nose stands i’ 
 the middle on ’s face ? 20 
 
 Lear. No. 
 
 Fool. Why, to keep one’s eyes of either side ’s nose, 
 that what a man cannot smell out he may spy 
 into. 
 
 Lear. I did her wrong — 
 
 Fool. Canst tell how an oyster makes his 
 shell ? 
 
 Lear. No. 
 
 Fool. Nor I neither ; but I can tell why a snail has 
 
 a house. 3° 
 
 Lear. Why? 
 
 Fool . Why, to put ’s head in ; not to give it away 
 to his daughters, and leave his horns without a 
 
 case. 
 
 43 
 
Act I. Sc. v. The Tragedy of 
 
 Lear. I will forget my nature. — So kind a father ! 
 
 — Be my horses ready ? 
 
 Fool. Thy asses are gone about ’em. The reason 
 why the seven stars are no more than seven is a 
 pretty reason. 
 
 Lear. Because they are not eight ? 4 0 
 
 Foal. Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good 
 
 fool. 
 
 Lear. To take ’t again perforce ! Monster ingrati- 
 tude ! 
 
 Fool If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I ’Id have thee 
 beaten for being old before thy time. 
 
 Lear. How ’s that ? 
 
 Fool. Thou shouldst not have been old till thou 
 hadst been wise. 
 
 Lear. O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven ! 50 
 Keep me in temper : I would not be mad 1 
 
 Enter Gentleman . 
 
 How now ! are the horses ready ? 
 
 Gent. Ready, my lord. 
 
 Lear. Come, boy. 
 
 I Fool . Sne that s a maid now and laughs at my departure 
 Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter^ 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 44 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act II. Sc i. 
 
 Enter Gloucester , and Servants with torches . 
 
 Glou . Now, Edmund, where ’s the villain ? 
 
 Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, 40 
 Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon 
 To stand s auspicious mistress. 
 
 Glou . But where is he ? 
 
 Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. 
 
 Glou . Where is the villain, Edmund ? 
 
 Edm . Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could — 
 
 Glou . Pursue him, ho ! — Go after. £. Exeunt some Ser- 
 vants .] * By no means ’ what ? 
 
 Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship ; 
 
 But that I told him the revenging gods 
 ’Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend, 
 
 Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond 
 The child was bound to the father ; sir, in fine, 50 
 Seeing how loathly opposite I stood 
 To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion 
 With his prepared sword he charges home 
 My unprovided body glanced mine arm : 
 
 But when he saw my best alarum’d spirits 
 
 Bold in the quarrel’s right, roused to the encounter, 
 
 Or whether gasted by the noise I made, 
 
 Full suddenly he fled. 
 
 Glou. Let him fly far : 
 
 47 
 
Act II. Sc. i 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Not in this land shall he remain uncaught ; 
 
 And found — dispatch. The noble duke my master, 
 My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night : 6 1 
 
 By his authority I will proclaim it, 
 
 That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, 
 Bringing the murderous caitiff to the stake ; 
 
 He that conceals him, death. 
 
 ! Edm , When I dissuaded him from his intent 
 
 And found him pight to do it, with curst speech 
 I threaten’d to discover him : he replied, 
 
 * Thou unpossessing bastard ! dost thou think, 
 
 If I would stand against thee, could the reposure 70 
 
 Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee 
 
 Make thy words faith’d ? No : what I should deny — 
 
 As this I would 5 ay, though thou didst produce 
 
 My very character — I ’Id turn it all 
 
 To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice : 
 
 And thou must make a duilard of the world, 
 
 If they not thought the profits of my death 
 Were very pregnant and potential spurs 
 To make thee seek it.’ 
 
 Glou. Strong and fasten’d villain ! 
 
 Would he deny his letter ? I never got hjm 1 80 
 
 [^Tucket within. 
 
 48 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 Wherein we must have use of your advice : 
 
 Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, 
 
 Of differences, which I least thought it fit 
 To answer from our home ; jEEe several messengers 
 From hence attend dispatclp Our good old friend, 
 Lay comforts to your bosom, and bestow 
 Your needful counsel to our business, 
 
 Which craves the instant use. 
 
 Glou. I serve you, madam : 130 
 
 Your graces are right welcome. [ Flourish . Exeunt. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 Before Gloucester* s castle . 
 
 Enter Kent and Oswald , severally . 
 
 Osw. Good dawning to thee, friend : art of this 
 house ? 
 
 Kent. Ay. 
 
 Osw. Where may we set our horses ? 
 
 Kent. I* the mire. 
 
 Osw. Prithee, if thou lovest me, tell me. 
 
 Kent. I love thee not. 
 
 Osw . Why then I care not for thee. 
 
 5* 
 
 U. Of JLL Li 3, 
 
Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 CS The Tragedy of 
 
 Kent . If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would 
 
 make thee care for me. 10 
 
 Osw . Why dost thou use me thus ? I know thee 
 not. 
 
 Kent . Fellow, I know thee. 
 
 Osw . What dost thou know me for ? 
 
 Kent. A knave ; a rascal ; an eater of broken meats; 
 a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, 
 hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave ; 
 a lily-livered, action-taking knave ; a whoreson, 
 glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue ;[one- 
 trunk-inheriting slave ; one that wouldst be a 20 
 bawd in way of good service, and art nothing 
 but the composition of a knave2 beggar, coward, 
 pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrel 
 bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous 
 whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of 
 thy addition. 
 
 Osw. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus 
 to rail on one that is neither known of thee nor 
 knows thee ! 
 
 Kent. What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny 30 
 thou knowest me ! Is it two days ago since I 
 tripped up thy heels and beat thee before the 
 king? Draw, you rogue: for, though it be 
 
 53 
 
King Lear »• 
 
 Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 night, yet the moon shines ; I ’ll make a sop o' 
 the moonshine of you : draw, you whoreson 
 cullionly barber-monger, draw. [Drawing his sword. 
 
 Osw. Away ! I have nothing to do with thee. 
 
 Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come with letters 
 against the king, and take vanity the puppet’s 
 part against the royalty of her father : draw, 40 
 you rogue, or I ’ll so carbonado your shanks : 
 draw, you rascal ; come your ways. 
 
 Osw. Help, ho ! murder 1 help ! 
 
 Kent. Strike, you slave ; stand, rogue ; stand, you 
 
 neat slave, strike. [Beating him. 
 
 Osw. Help, ho ! murder ! murder ! 
 
 Enter Edmund \ with his rapier drawn y Cornwall \ 
 Regan y Gloucester , and Servants. 
 
 Edm. How now! What ’s the matter ? [Parting them. 
 
 Kent. With you, goodman boy, an you please: 
 come, I ’ll flesh you ; come on, young master. 
 
 Glou. Weapons! arms! What ’s the matter co 
 here ? * 
 
 Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives ; 
 
 He dies that strikes again. What is the matter? 
 
 Reg. The messengers from our sister and the 
 king. 
 
 53 
 
Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Corn . What is your difference ? speak. 
 
 TS^rw. I am scarce in breath, my lord. 
 
 Kent . No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour. 
 
 You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee : 
 a tailor made thee. 60 
 
 Corn . Thou art a strange fellow : a tailor make a 
 man ? 
 
 Kent . Ay, a tailor, sir : a stone-cutter or a painter 
 could not have made him so ill, though he had 
 been but two hours at the trade. 
 
 Corn . Speak yet, how grew your quar rel j] 
 
 Osw. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have 
 spared at suit of his gray beard,— 
 
 Kent . Thou whoreson zed 1 thou unnecessary letter! 
 
 My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread 70 
 this unbolted villain into mortar, and daub the 
 walls of a jakes with him. Spare my gray 
 beard, you wagtail ? 
 
 Corn . Peace, sirrah ! 
 
 You beastly knave, know you no reverence 
 Kent. Yes, sir ; but anger hath a privilege. 
 
 Corn. Why art thou angry ? 
 
 Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a sword, 
 
 Who wears no honesty. ^Such smiling rogues as these, 
 Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain 80 
 
 54 
 
King Lear ^ 
 
 Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 Which are too intrinse to unloose ; smooth every 
 passion 
 
 That in the natures of their lords rebel ; 
 
 Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods ; 
 Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks 
 With every gale and vary of their masters, 
 
 Knowing nought, like dogs, but following. 
 
 A plague upon your epileptic visage ! 
 
 Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool ? 
 
 Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain, 
 
 I Md drive ye cackling home to Camelot. 90 
 
 Corn . What, art thou mad, old fellow ? 
 
 Glou . How fell you out ? say that. 
 
 Kent . No contraries hold more antipathy 
 Than I and such a knave. 
 
 Corn . Why dost thou call him knaj p What is his fault ? 
 Kent. His countenance likes me not. 
 
 Com. No more perchance does mine, nor his, nor hers. 
 Kent. Sir, *tis my occupation to be plain : 
 
 I have seen better faces in my time 
 
 Than stands on any shoulder that I see ico 
 
 Before me at this instant. 
 
 Corn. This is some fellow, 
 
 Who, having been praised for bluntness, doth affect 
 A saucy roughness, and constrains the garb 
 
 55 
 
Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 «The Tragedy of 
 
 Quite from his nature : he cannot flatter, he, — 
 
 An honest mind and plain,— he must speak truth ! 
 An they will take it, so ; if not, he ’s plain. 
 
 These kind of knaves I know, which in this plainness 
 Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends 
 Than twenty silly ducking observants 
 That stretch their duties nicely. no 
 
 Sir, in good faith, in sincere verity, 
 
 Under the allowance of your great aspect, 
 
 Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire 
 On flickering Phoebus’ front, — 
 
 Corn . What mean’st by this ? 
 
 Kent . To go out of my dialect, which you discom- 
 mend so much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer : 
 he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a 
 plain knave; which, for my part, I will not 
 be, though I should win your displeasure to 
 entreat me t o^t} 120 
 
 Corn . What was the offence you gave him ? 
 
 Osw. I never gave him any : 
 
 It pleased the king his master very late 
 To strike at me, upon his misconstruction ; 
 
 When he, conjunct, and flattering his displeasure, 
 Tripp’d me behind ; being down, insulted, rail’d, 
 And put upon him such a deal of man, 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 That worthied him, got praises of the king 
 For him attempting who was self-subdued, 
 
 And in the fleshment of this dread exploit 1 30 
 Drew on me here again. 
 
 None of these rogues and cowards 
 But Ajax is their fo^B 
 
 Corn . Fetch forth the stocks ! 
 
 You stubborn ancient knave, you reverend braggart, 
 We’ll teach you — 
 
 Kent . Sir, I am too old to learn : 
 
 Call not your stocks for me : I serve the king, 
 
 On whose employment I was sent to you : 
 
 You shall do small respect, show too bold malice 
 Against the grace and person of my master, 
 
 Stocking his messenger. 
 
 Corn . Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and 
 honour, 140 
 
 There shall he sit till noon. 
 
 Reg . Till noon ! till night, my lord, and all night too. 
 
 Kent . Why, madam, if I were your father’s dog, 
 
 You should not use me so. 
 
 Keg . Sir, being his knave, I will. 
 
 Corn . This is a fellow of the self-same colour 
 
 Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks! 
 
 [ Stocks brought out. 
 
 57 
 
Act II. Sc. ii. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Glou. Let me beseech your grace not to do so : 
 
 B s fault is much, and the good king his master 
 Wili check him for ’t : your purposed low correction 
 Is such as basest and contemned’st wretches 1 50 
 For pilferings and most common trespasses 
 Are punish’d withT]the king must take it ill, 
 
 That he, so slightly valued in his messenger, 
 
 Should have him thus restrain’d. 
 
 Corn. I ’ll answer that. 
 
 Reg . My sister may receive it much more worse, 
 
 To have her gentleman abused, assaulted, 
 
 For following her affairs. Put in his legs. 
 
 \_Kent is put in the stocks . 
 Come, my good lord, away. 
 
 \_Exeunt all hut Gloucester and Kent . 
 Glou . I am sorry for thee, friend ; ’tis the duke’s 
 pleasure, 
 
 Whose disposition, all the world well knows, 160 
 Will not be rubb’d nor stopp’d : I ’ll entreat for 
 thee. 
 
 Kent. Pray, do not, sir: I have watch’d and tra veil’d 
 hard ; 
 
 Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I ’ll whistle. 
 
 A good man’s fortune may grow out at heels : 
 
 Give you good morrow ! 
 
 58 
 
King Lear ^ Act n. Sc. iii. 
 
 Glou. The duke ’s to blame in this ; ’ twill be ill taken. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Kent . Good king, that must approve the common saw, 
 Thou out of heaven’s benediction comest 
 To the warm sun ! 
 
 Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, 170 
 That by thy comfortable beams I may 
 Peruse this letter ! Tfjothing almost sees miracles 
 But misery^} I know ’tis from Cordelia, 
 
 Who hath most fortunately been inform’d 
 Of my obscured course ; [and shall find time 
 From this enormous state, seeking to give 
 Losses their remedi es^? All weary and o’er- watch’d, 
 Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold 
 This shameful lodging. 
 
 Fortune, good night: smile once more; turn thy 
 wheel! [ Sleeps . 180 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 A wood. 
 
 Enter Edgar. 
 
 Edg. I heard myself proclaim’d ; 
 
 And by the happy hollow of a tree 
 Escaped the hunt. No port is free ; no place, 
 
 59 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 <es The Tragedy of 
 
 That guard and most unusual vigilance 
 
 Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may ’scape 
 
 I will preserve myself: and am bethought 
 
 To take the basest and most poorest shape 
 
 That ever penury in contempt of man 
 
 Brought near to beast : my face I ’ll grime with filth, 
 
 Blanket my loins, elf all my hair in knots, io 
 
 And with presented nakedness out-face 
 
 The winds and persecutions of the sky. 
 
 The country gives me proof and precedent 
 Of Bedlam beggars, who with roaring voices 
 Strike in their numb’d and mortified bare arms 
 Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary ; 
 
 And with this horrible object, from low farms, 
 
 Poor pelting villages, sheep-cotes and mills, 1 8 
 Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers, 
 Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygod ! poor Tom ! 
 That’s something yet: Edgar I nothing am. [ Exit, 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 Before Gloucester' s castle . Kent in the stocks . 
 
 Enter Lear , Fool, and Gentleman . 
 
 Lear. ’Tis strange that they should so depart from home, 
 And not send back my messenger. 
 
 60 
 
King Lear a* 
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 Gent. As I learn ’d, 
 
 The night before there was no purpose in them 
 Of this remove. 
 
 Kent. Hail to thee, noble master ! 
 
 Lear. Ha ! 
 
 Makest thou this shame thy pastime ? 
 
 Kent. No, my lord. 
 
 Fool. Ha, ha ! he wears cruel garters. Horses are 
 tied by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, 
 monkeys by the loins, and men by the legs: 
 when a man’s over-lusty at legs, then he wears io 
 wooden nether-stocks. 
 
 Lear. What ? s he that hath so much thy place mistook 
 To set thee here ? 
 
 Kent. It is both he and she ; 
 
 Your son and daughter. 
 
 Lear. No. 
 
 Kent. Yes. 
 
 Lear. No, I say. 
 
 Kent. I say , yea. 
 
 Lear. No, no, they would not. 
 
 Kent. Yes, they have. 20 
 
 Lear. By Jupiter, I swear, no. 
 
 Kent. By Juno, I swear, ay. 
 
 Lear . They durst not do ’t ; 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 They could not, would not do ’t ; ’tis worse than 
 murder, 
 
 I did commend your highness’ letters to them, 
 
 Ere I was risen from the place that show’d 
 My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post, 3* 
 Stew’d in his haste, half breathless, panting forth 
 From Goneril his mistress salutations ; 
 
 Deliver’d letters, spite of intermission, 
 
 Which presently they read : on whose contents 
 They summon’d up their meiny, straight took horse 
 Commanded me to follow and attend 
 The leisure of their answer ; gave me cold looks : 
 And meeting here the other messenger, 
 
 Whose welcome, I perceived, had poison’d mine 
 
 Being the very fellow that of late 4 c 
 
 Display’d so saucily against your highness — 
 
 Having more man than wit about me, drew : 
 
 He raised the house with loud and coward cries. 
 Your son and daughter found this trespass worth 
 The shame which here it suffers. 
 
 To do upon respect such violent outrage : 
 ^Resolve me with all modest haste which way/ 
 Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage, 
 Coming from us. 
 
 My lord, when at their home 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 Fool. Winter ’s not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that 
 way. 
 
 Fathers that wear rags 
 
 Do make their children blind ; 
 
 But fathers that bear bags 50 
 
 Shall see their children kind. 
 
 Fortune, that arrant whore, 
 
 Ne’er turns the key to the poor. 
 
 But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours 
 for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year. 
 
 Lear . O, how this mother swells up toward my heart ! 
 Hysterica pa ssTo J down, thou climbing sorrow, 
 f*Thy element ’s belo^tl Where is this daughter ? 
 
 Kent. With the earl, sir, here within. 
 
 Lear. F ollow me not ; stay here. £ Exit. 60 „ 
 
 Gent. Made you no more offence but what you speak of?" * 
 Kent . None. 
 
 How chance the king comes with so small a train? 
 Fool. An thou hadst been set i’ the stocks for that 
 question, thou hadst well deserved it. 
 
 Kent. W hy, fool ? 
 
 Fool. We’ll set thee to school to an ant, to teach 
 thee there ’s no labouring i’ the winter. £A 11 
 that follow their noses are led by their eyes but 70 
 blind men ; and there ’s not a nose among 
 
 63 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 ■fls The Tragedy of 
 
 twenty but can smell him that ’s stinking^ Let 
 go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a 
 hill, lest it break thy neck with following it ; 
 but the great one that goes up the hill, let him 
 draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee 
 better counsel, give me mine again : I would have 
 none but knaves follow it, since a fool givesjt* 
 
 That sir which serves and seeks for gain, 
 
 And follows but for form, 80 
 
 Will pack when it begins to rain, 
 
 And leave thee in the storm. 
 
 But I will tarry ; the fool will stay, 
 
 And let the wise man fly : 
 
 The knave turns tool that runs away ; 
 
 The fool no knave, perdy. 
 
 Kent. Where learned you this, fool ? 
 
 Fool. Not i’ the stocks, fool. 
 
 Re-enter Lear , <with Gloucester. 
 
 Lear. Deny to speak with me ? They are sick ? they 
 are weary ? 
 
 They have traveled all the night ? Mere fetches ; 
 The images of revolt and flying off. 91 
 
 Fetch me a better answer. 
 
 64 
 
King Lear »• 
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 Glou. My dear lord. 
 
 You know the fiery quality of the duke ; 
 How unremoveable and fix’d he is 
 In his own course. 
 
 Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion! 
 
 Fiery ? what quality ? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester, 
 I ’Id speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. 
 Glou. Well, my good lord, I have inform’d them so. 
 Lear . Inform’d them I Dost thou understand me, man ? 
 Glou. Ay, my good lord. IOI 
 
 Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall ; the dear 
 father 
 
 Would with his daughter speak, commands her 
 service : 
 
 Are they inform’d of this ? My breath and blood ! 
 ‘ Fier y ’ ? ‘ the fiery duke ’ ? Tell the hot duke that— 
 No, but not yet : may be he is not well : 
 
 Infirmity doth still neglect all office 
 Whereto our health is bound ; we are not ourselves 
 When nature being oppress’d commands the mind 
 To suffer with the body : I ’ll forbear ; j io 
 
 'And am fall’n out with my more headier will. 
 
 To take the indisposed and sickly fit 
 For the sound mamf [ Looking on Kcnf\ Death on 
 my state ! wherefore 
 65 
 
 33 e 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 <ss The Tragedy of 
 
 Should he sit here ? This act persuades me 
 That this remotion of the duke and her 
 Is practice only. Give me my servant forth. 
 
 Go tell the duke and ’s wife 1 ’Id speak with them, 
 Now, presently : bid them come forth and hear me, 
 Or at their chamber-door I ’ll beat the drum 
 Till it cry sleep to death. 120 
 
 Glou. I would have all well betwixt you. [Exit. 
 
 Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart ! But down ! 
 
 Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the 
 eels when she put ’em i’ the paste alive ; she 
 knapped ’em o’ the coxcombs with a stick, and 
 cried i Down, wantons, down!’ ’Twas her 
 brother that, in pure kindness to his horse, 
 buttered his hay. 
 
 Re-enter Gloucester , with Cornwall , Regan, and Servants. 
 
 Lear. Good morrow to you both. 
 
 Com. Hail t0 y° ur S race ! 
 
 [Kent is set at liberty. 
 
 Reg. I am glad to see your highness. 13° 
 
 Lear. Regan, I think you are ; I know what reason 
 I have to think so : If thou shouldst not be glad, 
 
 I would divorce me from thy mother’s tomb, 
 Sepulchring an adultress. [To Kenf\ O, are you free ? 
 
 66 
 
King Lear s** 
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 Some other time for that. Beloved Regan, 
 
 Thy sister’s naught : O Regan, she hath tied 
 Sharp-tooth’d unkindness, like a vulture, here : 
 
 L Points to his heart . 
 
 I can scarce speak to thee ; thou ’It not believe 
 With how depraved a quality — O Regan ! 
 
 Reg . I pray you, sir, take patience : I have hope 1 40 
 You less know how to value her desert 
 Than she to scant her duty. 
 
 Lear . Say, how is that ? 
 
 Reg . I cannot think my sister in the least 
 
 Would fail her obligation : if, sir, perchance 
 She have restrain’d the riots of your followers, 
 
 ’Tis on such ground and to such wholesome end 
 As clears her from all blame. 
 
 Lear . My curses on her ! 
 
 Reg . O, sir, you are old ; 
 
 Nature in you stands on the very verge 
 
 Of her confine :£you should be ruled and led 1 50 
 
 By some discretion that discerns your state 
 
 Better than you yourseJfc/ Therefore I pray you 
 
 That to our sister you do make return 5 
 
 Say you have wrong’d her, sir. 
 
 Lear. Ask her forgiveness ? 
 
 Do you but mark how this becomes the house : 
 
 67 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 cs The Tragedy of 
 
 {Kneeling] ‘ Dear daughter, I confess that I am old; 
 Age is unnecessary : on my knees I beg 
 That you ’ll vouchsafe me raiment, bed and food.’ 
 Keg. Good sir, no more ; these are unsightly tricks : 
 Return you to my sister. 
 
 Lear. V^Kiswg] Never, Regan: 160 
 
 She hath abated me of half my train ; 
 
 Look’d black upon me ; struck me with her tongue, 
 Most serpent-like, upon the very heart : 
 
 All the stored vengeances of heaven fall 
 On her ingrateful top ! [.Strike her young bones, 
 You taking airs, with lameness: 
 
 Corn. Fie > sir > fie ! 
 
 Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames 
 Into her scornful eyes. Infect her beauty, 
 
 You fen-suck’d fogs, drawn by the powerful sun 
 To fall and blast her pride. 17° 
 
 Reg. O the blest gods ! so will you wish on me, 
 
 When the rash mood is on. 
 
 Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse : 
 
 Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give 
 Thee o’er to harshness : her eyes are fierce, but thine 
 Do comfort and not burn. ’Tis not in thee 
 To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, 
 
 To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, 
 
 68 
 
King Lear ^ 
 
 Act II. 9c. iv. 
 
 And in conclusion to oppose the bolt 
 
 Against my coming in : *thou better know’st 1 80 
 
 The offices of nature, bond of childhood, 
 
 Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude j 
 Thy half o’ the kingdom hast thou not forgot, 
 
 Wherein I thee endow’d. 
 
 Reg. Good sir, to the purpose. 
 
 Lear. Who put my man i’ the stocks ? [Tucket within . 4 
 Corn. What trumpet ’s that ? 
 
 Reg. I know ’t ; my sister’s : this approves her letter, 
 
 That she would soon be here. 
 
 Enter Oswald. 
 
 Is your lady come ? 
 
 Lear. This is a slave whose easy-borrow’d pride 
 Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. 
 
 Out, varlet, from my sight ! 
 
 Corn. What means your grace ? 190 
 
 Lear. Who stock’d my servant ? Regan, I have good hope 
 Thou didst not know on ’t. Who comes here ? 
 
 Enter Goner'll. 
 
 O heavens, 
 
 If you do love old men, if your sweet sway 
 Allow obedience, if yourselves are old, 
 
 69 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 css The Tragedy of 
 
 Make It your cause ; send down, and take my part ! 
 [To Art not ashamed to look upon this beard? 
 
 0 Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand ? 
 
 Gon . Why not by the hand, sir ? How have I offended ? 
 All ’s not offence that indiscretion finds 
 And dotage terms so. 
 
 Lear. O sides, you are too tough ; 200 
 
 Will you yet hold ? How came my man i’ the stocks ? 
 Corn. I set him there, sir : but his own disorders 
 Deserved much less advancement. 
 
 Lear. You! did you? 
 
 Reg. I pray you, father, being weak, seem so. 
 
 If, till the expiration of your month, 
 
 You will return and sojourn with my sister, 
 Dismissing half your train, come then to me : 
 
 1 am now from home and out of that provision 
 Which shall be needful for your entertainment 
 
 Lear. Return to her, and fifty men dismiss’d ? 210 
 
 No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose 
 To wage against the enmity o’ the air, 
 
 To be a comrade with the wolf and owl, — 
 Necessity’s sharp pinch ! Return with her ? 
 
 Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took 
 Our youngest born, I could as well be brought 
 To knee his throne, and, squire-like, pension beg 
 70 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 To keep base life afoot. Return with her ? 
 Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter 
 To this detested groom. [Pointing at Oswald . 
 
 Gon. At your choice, sir. 220 
 
 Lear . I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad : 
 
 I will not trouble thee, my child ; farewell : 
 
 We’ll no more meet, no more see one another : 
 
 But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter ; 
 Or rather a disease that ’s in my flesh, 
 
 Which I must needs call mine : thou art a boil, 
 
 A plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle, 
 
 In my corrupted blood. But 1 ’ll not chide thee ; 
 Let shame come when it will, I do not call it : 
 [Ido not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, 230 
 
 Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging JovT? 
 
 Mend when thou canst ; be better at thy leisure : 
 
 I can be patient ; I can stay with Regan, 
 
 I and my hundred knights. 
 
 Reg . Not altogether so : 
 
 I look’d not for you yet, nor am provided 
 F or your lit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister ; 
 tfior those that mingle reason with your passion 
 Must be content to think you old, and so — 
 
 Buti she knows what she does. 
 
 Lean Is this well spoken ? 
 
 71 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Reg. I dare avouch it, sir : what, fifty followers ? 2 40 
 
 Is it not well ? What should you need of more ? 
 
 Sea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger 
 Speak ’gainst so great a number ? How in one house 
 Should many people under two commands 
 Hold amity ? ’Tis hard, almost impossi ble^ 
 
 Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance 
 From those that she calls servants or from mine ? 
 
 Reg. Why not, my lord ? If then they chanced to slack 
 you, 
 
 We could control them. If you will come to me, 
 For now I spy a danger, I entreat you 250 
 
 To bring but five and twenty : to no more 
 Will I give place or notice. 
 
 Lear. I gave you all— 
 
 Reg. And in good time you gave it. 
 
 Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaries, 
 
 But kept a reservation to be follow’d 
 
 With such a number. What, must I come to you 
 
 With five and twenty, Regan ? said you so ? 
 
 Reg. And speak ’t again, my lord ; no more with me. 
 
 Wear. Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour’d, 
 When others are more wicked ; not being the worst 
 Stands in some rank of praise. [To Gon.~\ I’ll go 
 with thee : 261 
 
 7* 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act II. Sc. iv. 
 
 Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, 
 
 And thou art twice her lo 2 
 
 Gon. Hear me, my lord : 
 
 What need you five and twenty, ten, or five, 
 
 To follow in a house where twice so many 
 Have a command to tend you ? 
 
 Reg. What need one ? 
 
 Lear . O, reason not the need : our basest beggars 
 Are in the poorest thing superfluous : 
 
 Allow not nature more than nature needs, 
 
 Man’s life ’s as cheap as beast’s : thou art a lady ; 
 
 If only to go warm were gorgeous, 271 
 
 Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear’st, 
 Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But fortrue need, — 
 You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need ! 
 You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, 
 
 As full of grief as age ; wretched in both : 
 
 If it be you that stirs these daughters’ hearts 
 Against their father, fool me not so much 
 To bear it tamely ; touch me with noble anger, 
 
 And let not women’s weapons, water-drops, 280 
 Stain my man’s cheeks ! No, you unnatural hags, 
 
 I will have such revenges on you both 
 That all the world shall — I will do such things,— 
 What they are, yet I know not, but they shall be 
 73 
 
Act II. Sc. iv. « The Tragedy of 
 
 The terrors of the earth. You think I *11 weep ; 
 No, I ’ll not weep : 
 
 I have full cause of weeping ; but this heart 
 Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, 
 
 Or ere I ’ll weep. O fool, I shall go mad ! 
 
 Q . Exeunt Lear, Gloucester , Kent, and Fool . 
 
 Corn. Let us withdraw ; ’twill be a storm. 290 
 
 [_Storm and tempest. 
 
 Reg. This house is little : the old man and his people 
 Cannot be well bestow’d. 
 
 Gon . ’Tis his own blame ; hath put himself from rest, 
 And must needs taste his folly. 
 
 Reg. For his particular, I ’ll receive him gladly, 
 
 But not one follower. 
 
 Gon. So am I purposed. 
 
 Where is my lord of Gloucester ? 
 
 Corn. Follow’d the old man forth : he is return’d. 
 
 Re-enter Gloucester. 
 
 Glou. The king is in high rage. 
 
 Corn. Whither is he going ? 
 
 Glou. He calls to horse ; but will I know not whither. 
 Corn. ’Tis best to give him way ; he leads himself. 30 1 
 Gon. My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. 
 
 74 
 
King Lear 5^ Act 11. Sc. iv. 
 
 Glou. Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds 
 Do sorely ruffle ; for many miles about 
 There ’s scarce a bush. 
 
 Reg. °> sir, to wilful men 
 
 The injuries that they themselves procure 
 Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors : 
 He is attended with a desperate train ; 
 
 And what they may incense him to, being apt 
 To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. 310 
 
 Corn. Shut up your doors, my lord ; ’tis a wild night : 
 My Regan counsels well : come out o the storm. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 
 75 
 
Act III. Sc. i. 
 
 «esThe Tragedy of 
 
 Act Third. 
 
 Scene I. 
 
 A heath . 
 
 Storm still. Enter Kent and a Gentleman , meeting . 
 
 Ken,, Who ’s there, besides foul weather ? 
 
 G«i/. One minded like the weather, most unquietly. 
 
 Kent . I know you. Where y s the king ? 
 
 Gent. Contending with the fretful elements ; 
 
 Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea. 
 
 Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main, 
 
 That things might change or cease ; tears his white 
 hair, 
 
 Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, 
 
 Catch in their fury, and make nothing of ; 
 
 Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn io 
 The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. 
 
 This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, 
 The lion and the belly-pinched wolf 
 Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, 
 
 And bids what will take all. 
 
 Kent. But who is with him ? 
 
 Gent . None but the fool ; who labours to out-jest 
 
 76 
 
Kin g Lear »■ 
 
 Act III. Sc. i 
 
 His heart-struck injuries. 
 
 lU Sir, I do know you } 
 
 ['And dare, upon the warrant of my note, 
 
 "Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, 
 Although as yet the face of it be cover d 2° 
 
 With mutual cunning, ’twixt Albany and Cornwall ; 
 Who have — as who have not, that their great stars 
 Throned and set high ?— servants, who seem no less, 
 Which are to France the spies and speculations 
 Intelligent of our state ; what hath been seen, 
 
 Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, 
 
 Or the hard rein which both of them have borne 
 Against the old kind king, or something deeper, 
 Whereof perchance these are but furnishings, 
 
 But true it is, from France there comes a power 30 
 Into this scatter’d kingdom ; who already, 
 
 Wise in our negligence, have secret feet 
 In some of our best ports, and are at point 
 To show their open banner. Now to jou y 
 If on. my credit you dare build so far 
 To make your speed to Dover, you shall find 
 Some that will thank you, making just report 
 Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow 
 The king hath cause to plain. 
 
 I am a gentleman of blood and breeding, 
 
 77 
 
 40 
 
Act in. sc. ii. «== The Tragedy of 
 
 And from some knowledge and assurance offer 
 This office to you. 
 
 Gent . I will talk further with you. 
 
 Kent. No, do not. 
 
 For confirmation that I am much more 
 Than my out-wall, open this purse and take 
 
 Whatsit contains. If you shall see Cordelia, 
 
 As fear not but you shall, — show her this ring, 
 
 And she will tell you who your fellow is 
 That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm ! 
 
 I will go seek the king. 
 
 Gent. Give me your hand : 
 
 Have you no more to say ? 
 
 Kent. Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; 
 
 That when we have found the king, — in which your 
 pain 
 
 That way, I ’ll this,— he that first lights on him 
 Holla the otherj [ Exeunt severally. 
 
 3cene II. 
 
 Another part of the heath. Storm still. 
 
 Enter Lear and Fool. 
 
 Lear . Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks ! rage ! blow ! 
 You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout 
 
 78 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act 111. Sc. ii. 
 
 Till you have drench’d our steeples, drown’d the cocks! 
 You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, 
 Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, 
 
 Singe my white head ! And thou, all-shaking 
 thunder, 
 
 Smite flat the thick rotundity o’ the world ! 
 
 Crack nature’s moulds, all germins spill at once 
 That make ingrateful man ! 
 
 Fool. O nuncle, court holy- water in a dry house is io 
 better than this rain-water out o’ door. Good 
 nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters’ blessing: 
 here ’s a night pities neither wise man nor fool. 
 
 Lear. Rumble thy bellyful ! Spit, fire! spout, rain ! 
 
 Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters : 
 
 I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness ; 
 
 I never gave you kingdom, call’d you children, 
 
 You owe me no subscription : then let fall 
 Your horrible pleasure ; here I stand, your slave, 
 
 A poor, infirm, weak and despised old man : 20 
 
 But yet I call you servile ministers, 
 
 That have with two pernicious daughters join’d 
 Your high-engender’d battles ’gainst a head 
 So old and white as this. O ! O ! ’tis foul ! 
 
 Fool. He that has a house to put’s head in has a 
 good head-piece. 
 
 79 
 
Act HI. Sc. u. 
 
 £fhe 
 
 ! The Tra gedy of 
 
 he cod-piece that will house 
 Before the head has any, 
 
 The head and he shall louse 
 So beggars marry many. 
 
 The man that makes his toe 
 What he his heart should make 
 Shall of a corn cry woe, 
 
 And turn his sleep to wake.j 
 
 For there was never yet fair woman but she 
 made mouths in a glass. 
 
 Lear. No, I will be the pattern of all patience ; 
 
 I will say nothing. 
 
 Enter Kent. 
 
 Kent . Who *s there ? 
 
 30 
 
 Fool. Marry, here ’s grace and a cod-piece ; that ’s 40 
 a wise man and a fool. 
 
 Kent. Alas, sir, are you here ? things that love night' 
 Love not such nights as these ; the wrathful skies 
 Gallow the very wanderers of the dark, 
 
 And make them keep their caves : since I was man, 
 Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder, 
 Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never 
 Remember to have heard : man’s nature cannot carry 
 The affliction nor the fear. 
 
 Lear. 
 
 8c 
 
 Let the great gods, 
 
King Lear & 
 
 Act III. Sc. ii. 
 
 That keep this dreadful pother o’er our heads, 50 
 Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, 
 That hast within thee undivulged crimes, 
 
 Unwhipp’d of justice : hide thee, thou bloody hand ; 
 Thou perjured, and thou simular man of virtue 
 That art incestuous : caitiff, to pieces shake, 
 
 That under covert and convenient seeming 
 Hast practised on man’s life : close pent-up guilts, 
 Rive your concealing continents and cry 
 These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man 
 More sinn’d against than sinning. 
 
 Kent . Alack, bare-headed! 60 
 
 Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel ; 
 
 Some friendship will it lend you ’gainst the tempest : 
 Repose you there ; while I to this hard house — 
 More harder than the stones whereof ’tis raised ; 
 Which even but now, demanding after you, 
 
 Denied me to come in — return, and force 
 Their scanted courtesy. 
 
 Lear . My wits begin to turn. 
 
 Come on, my boy : how dost, my boy ? art cold ? 
 
 I am cold myself. Where is this straw, my fellow ? 
 The art of our necessities is strange, 70 
 
 That can make vile things precious. Come, your 
 hovel. 
 
 33/ 
 
 81 
 
Act III. Sc. ii. 
 
 cs The Tragedy of 
 
 Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart 
 That’s sorry yet for fhee. 
 
 Fool. [Singing ] 
 
 He that has and a little tiny wit, — 
 
 With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, — 
 
 Must make content with his fortunes fit, 
 
 For the rain it raineth every day. 
 
 Lear . True, my good boy. Come, bring us to this hovel. 
 
 [Exeunt Lear and Kent . 
 
 Fool . This is a brave night to cool a courtezan. 
 
 I ’ll speak a prophecy ere I go : 80 
 
 When priests are more in word than matter ; 
 When brewers mar their malt with water ; 
 
 When nobles are their tailors’ tutors ; 
 
 No heretics burn’d, but wenches’ suitors ; 
 
 When every case in law is right ; 
 
 No squire in debt, nor no poor knight ; 
 
 When slanders do not live in tongues, 
 
 Nor cutpurses come not to throngs ; 
 
 When usurers tell their gold i’ the field, 
 
 And bawds and whores do churches build ; 90 
 
 Then shall the realm of Albion 
 Come to great confusion : 
 
 82 
 
King Lear ^ 
 
 Act III. Sc. iii. 
 
 Then comes the time, who lives to see 9 t , 
 
 That going shall be used with feet. 
 
 This prophecy Merlin shall make ; for I live before 
 
 Glou. Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this un- 
 natural dealing. When I desired their leave that 
 I might pity him, they took from me the use of 
 mine own house ; charged me, on pain of their 
 perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, 
 entreat for him, nor any way sustain him. 
 
 Edm . Most savage and unnatural ! 
 
 Glou , Go to ; say you nothing. There ’s a division 
 betwixt the dukes, and a worse matter than that: 
 
 I have received a letter this night; *tis dangerous io 
 to be spoken ; I have locked the letter in my 
 closet : these injuries the king now bears will 
 be revepged home ; there is part of a power 
 already looted : we must incline to the king. 
 
 I will seek him and privily relieve him : go you, 
 
 his time. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 Gloucester s castle . 
 
 Enter Gloucester and Edmund . 
 
Act III. Se. iv 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 and maintain talk with the duke, that my charity 
 be not of him perceived : if he ask for me, I am 
 ill and gone to bed. Though I die for it, as no 
 less is threatened me, the king my old master 
 must be relieved. There is some strange thing 20 
 toward, Edmund ; pray you, be careful. [Exit. 
 
 Edm. This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke 
 Instantly know, and of that letter too : 
 
 This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me 
 That which my father loses ; no less than all : 
 
 The younger rises when the old doth fall. [Exit 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 The heath . Before a hovel. 
 
 Enter Lear , Kent> and Fool. 
 
 Kent . Here is the place, my lord ; good my lord, enter : 
 The tyranny of the open night ’s too rough 
 For nature to endure. [Storm still. 
 
 Lear. Let me alone. 
 
 Kent . Good my lord, enter here. 
 
 Lear. Wilt break my heart ? 
 
 Kent. I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter. 
 
 Lear. Thou think’ st , tis much that this contentious storm 
 Invades us to the skin : so ’tis to thee ; 
 
 84 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Act III. Sc. iv 
 
 But where the greater malady is fix’d 
 The lesser is scarce felt. Thou ’ldst shun a bear, 
 But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea 10 
 
 Thou ’ldst meet the bear i’ the mouth. When the 
 mind’s free 
 
 The body’s delicate : the tempest in my mind 
 Doth from my senses take all feeling else 
 Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude ! 
 
 Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand 
 For lifting food to ’t ? But I will punish home. 
 
 No, I will weep no more. In such a night 
 To shut me out ! Pour on ; I will endure. 
 
 In such a night as this ! O Regan, Goneril ! 
 
 Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave you 
 all, — 20 
 
 O, that way madness lies ; let me shun that ; 
 
 No more of that. 
 
 Kent. Good my lord, enter here. 
 
 Lear . Prithee, go in thyself ; seek thine own ease : 
 
 This tempest will not give me leave to ponder 
 On things would hurt me more. But I ’ll go in. 
 [To the Fool{\ In, boy ; go first. You houseless 
 poverty, — 
 
 Nay, get thee in. I ’ll pray, and then I ’ll sleep. 
 
 {Fool goes in. 
 
 
Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 «The Tragedy of 
 
 Poor naked wretches, wheresoe’er you are, 
 
 That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, 
 
 How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, 30 
 Your loop’d and window’d raggedness, defend you 
 From seasons such as these ? O, I have ta’en 
 Too little care of this ! Take physic, pomp ; 
 Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, 
 
 That thou mayst shake the superflux to them 
 And show the heavens more just. 
 
 Edg. £ Within"] Fathom and half, fathom and half! 
 
 Poor Tom ! [The Fool runs out from the hovel . 
 Fool. Come not in here, nuncle, here’s a spirit. 
 
 Help me, help me 1 40 
 
 Kent . Give me thy hand. Who ’s there ? 
 
 Fool. A spirit, a spirit: he says his name’s poor 
 Tom. 
 
 Kent. What art thou that dost grumble there i’ the straw ? 
 Come forth. 
 
 Enter Edgar disguised as a madman. 
 
 Edg. Away ! the foul fiend follows me ! 
 
 « Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind.’ 
 Hum I go to thy cold bed and warm thee. 
 
 Lear. Hast thou giveh all to thy two daughters? 
 
 and art thou come to this ? 
 
 86 
 
 5 ° 
 
King Lear ^ 
 
 Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 Edg . Who gives any thing to poor Tom? whom 
 the foul fiend hath led through fire and through 
 flame, through ford and whirlpool, o’er bog 
 and quagmire ; that hath laid knives under his 
 pillow and halters in his pew; $et ratsbane by 
 his porridge :Trna de him proud of heart, to ride 
 on a bay trotting-horse over four-inched bridges, 
 to course his own shadow for a traitor^ 1 Bless 
 thy five wits ! Tom’s a-cold. O, do de, do 
 de, do de. fJEJess thee from whirlwinds, star- 60 
 blasting, and tak ing!) Do poor Tom some 
 charity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There 
 could I have him now, and there, and there 
 again, and there. [Storm still 1 
 
 Lear . What, have his daughters brought him to this 
 pass ? 
 
 Couldst thou save nothing ? Didst thou give them all ? 
 Fool. Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been 
 all shamed. 
 
 Lear . Nov, all the plagues that in the pendulous air 
 
 Hang fated o’er men’s faults light on thy daughters \ 
 Kent . He hath no daughters, sir. 71 
 
 Lear . Death, traitor ! nothing could have subdued nature 
 To such a lowness but his unkind daughters. 
 
 Is it the fashion that discarded fathers 
 87 
 
Act III. Sc- iv. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Should have thus little mercy on their flesh ? 
 Judicious punishment ! ’twas this flesh begot 
 Those pelica n daughters. 
 
 Edg . Pillicock sat on Pillicock-hill : 
 
 Halloo, halloo, loo, loo ! 
 
 Fool. This cold night will turn us all to fools and 80 
 madmen. 
 
 Edg. Take heed o’ the foul fiend : obey thy parents ; 
 keep thy word justly ; swear not ; commit not 
 with man’s sworn spouse ; set not thy sweet 
 heart on proud array. Tom ’s a-cold. 
 
 Lear. What hast thou been ? 
 
 Edg. A. serving-man, proud in heart and mind ; that 
 curled my hair ; wore gloves in my cap ; served 
 the lust of my mistress’ heart and did the act of 
 darkness with her ; {j^ore as many oaths as I 90 
 spake words and broke them in the sweet face 
 of heaven : one that slept in the contriving of 
 lust and waked to do it : wine loved I deeply, 
 dice dearly, and in woman out-paramoured the 
 Turk 1 false of heart, light of ear, bloody of 
 hand ; hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greedi- 
 ness, dog in madness, lion in prey. {X<et not the 
 creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray 
 thy poor heart to woman : keep thy foot out of 
 88 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from i oo 
 lenders’ books, and defy the foul fiqpdj 
 * Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind.’ 
 Says suum, mun, ha, no, nonny. 
 
 Dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa ! let him trot by. 
 
 [Storm still. 
 
 Lear. Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to 
 answer with thy uncovered body this extremity 
 of the skies. Is man no more than this ? Con- 
 sider him well. Thou owest the worm no silk, 
 the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no 
 perfume. Ha ! here ’s three on ’s are sophisti- no 
 cated. Thou art the thing itself : unaccom- 
 modated man is no more but such a poor, bare, 
 forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lend- 
 ings ! come, unbutton here. [Tearing off his clothes . 
 
 Fool. Prithee, nuncle, be contented ; ’tis a naughty 
 night to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild 
 field were like an old lecher’s heart, a small 
 spark, all the rest on ’s body cold. Look, here 
 comes a walking fire. 
 
 Enter Gloucester , with a torch . 
 
 Edg. This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet: he 120 
 begins at curfew and walks till the first cock ; 
 
 89 
 
Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 aThe Tragedy of 
 
 he gives the web and the pin, squints the eye 
 and makes the hare-lip ; mildews the white 
 wheat and hurts the poor creature of earth. 
 
 Saint Withold footed thrice the ’old ; 
 
 He met the night-mare and her nine -fold ; 
 
 Bid her alight, 
 
 And her troth plight, 
 
 And aroint thee, witch, aroint thee ! 
 
 Kent . How fares your grace ? 130 
 
 Lear . What ’s he ? 
 
 Kent. Who ’s there ? What is \ you seek ? 
 
 Glou. What are you there ? Your names ? 
 
 Edg . Poor Tom, that eats the swimming frog, the 
 toad, the tadpole, the wall-newt and the water ; 
 that in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend 
 rages, eats cow-dung for sallets ; swallows the 
 old rat and the ditch-dog ; drinks the green 
 mantle of the standing pool ;pwho is whipped 
 from tithing to tithing, and stock-punished, and 140 
 imprisoned ; who hath had three suits to his 
 back, six shirts to his body, horse to ride and 
 weapon to wear ; 
 
 But mice and rats and such small deer 
 
 Have been Tom’s food for seven long year. 
 
 90 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin ; peace, thou 
 fiend ! 
 
 Glou. What, hath your grace no better company ? 
 
 Edg. The prince of darkness is a gentleman : Modo 
 he ’s call’d, and Mahu. 
 
 Glou . Our flesh and blood is grown so vile, my lord, 150 
 That it doth hate what gets it. 
 
 Edg . Poor Tom’s a-cold. 
 
 Glou. Go in with me : my duty cannot suffer 
 
 To obey in all your daughters’ hard commands ; 
 tEhough their injunction be to bar my doors 
 And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you. 
 Yet have I ventured to come seek you out 
 And bring you where both fire and food is ready. 
 Lear. First let me talk with this philosopher. 
 
 What is the cause of thunder ? 
 
 Kent . Good my lord, take his offer ; go into the house. 
 Lear . I ’ll talk a word with this same learned Theban. 
 What is your study? 
 
 Edg. How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin. 
 
 Lear. Let me ask you one word in private. 
 
 Kent. Importune him once more to go, my lord ; 
 
 His wits begin to unsettle., 
 
 Ql ou% [ Canst thou blame him ? 
 
 \Storm still. 
 
 9 * 
 
Act III. Sc. iv. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 His daughters seek his death : ah, that good Kent ! 
 He said it would be thus, poor banish’d man ! 
 
 Thou say’ st the king grows mad ; I ’ll tell thee, friend, 
 I am almost mad myself : I had a son, 171 
 
 Now outlaw’d from my blood ; he sought my life, 
 But lately, very late : I loved him, friend, 
 
 No father his son dearer : truth to tell thee, 
 
 The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night ’s this!) 
 I do beseech your grace, — 
 
 L ear - O, cry you mercy, sir. 
 
 Noble philosopher, your company. 
 
 Edg. Tom ’s a-cold. 
 
 G/ou - In > fell°w, there, into the hovel : keep thee warm. 
 Lear . Come, let \ in all. 
 
 Kent. This way, my lord. 
 
 Lear - . With him; 180 
 
 I will keep still with my philosopher. 
 
 KenU Good lord, soothe him ; let him take the fellow. 
 Glou . Take him you on. 
 
 Kent . Sirrah, come on ; go along with us. 
 
 Lear . Come, good Athenian. 
 
 Glou. No words, no words ; hush. 
 
 Edg. Child Rowland to the dark tower came : 
 
 His word was still ‘ Fie, foh, and fum, 
 
 I smell the blood of a British man/ [ Exeunt . 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act III. Sc. v. 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 Gloucester s castle. 
 
 Enter Cornwall and Edmund. 
 
 Corn. I will have my revenge ere I depart his 
 house. 
 
 Edm. How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature 
 thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me 
 to think of. 
 
 Corn. I now perceive, it was not altogether your 
 brother’s evil disposition made him seek his 
 death, but a provoking merit, set a- work by a 
 reproveable badness in himself. 
 
 Edm. How malicious is my fortune, that I must io 
 repent to be just ! This is the letter he spoke 
 of, which approves him an intelligent party to 
 the advantages of F ranee. O heavens ! that 
 this treason were not, or not I the detector ! 
 
 Corn . Go with me to the duchess. 
 
 Edm. If the matter of this paper be certain, you 
 have mighty business in hand. 
 
 Corn. True or false, it hath made thee earl of Glou- 
 cester. Seek out where thy father is, that he 
 may be ready for our apprehension. 
 
 93 
 
 20 
 
Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 *sThe Tragedy of 
 
 Edm . [Aside ] If T find him comforting the king, 
 it will stuff his suspicion more fully. — I will 
 persever in my course of loyalty, though tK£ 
 conflict be sore between that and my blood. 
 
 Corn . I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt find 
 
 a dearer father in my love. [Exeunt 
 
 Scene VI. 
 
 A chamber in a farmhouse adjoining the castle . 
 
 Enter Gloucester, Lear , Kent, Fool , and Edgar . 
 
 Glou . Here is better than the open air ; take it 
 thankfully. I will piece out the comfort with 
 what addition I can : I will not be long from you. 
 
 Kent. All the power of his wits have given way 
 to his impatience : the gods reward your kind- 
 ness ! [Exit Gloucester . 
 
 Edg . Frateretto calls me, and tells me Nero is an 
 angler in the lake of darkness. Pray, innocent, 
 and beware the foul fiend. 
 
 Fool . Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be 10 
 a gentleman or a yeoman. 
 
 Lear. A king, a king ! 
 
 Fool. No, he’s a yeoman that has a gentleman to 
 
 94 
 
King Lear 5? 
 
 Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 his son, for he ’s a mad jreoman that sees his 
 son a gentleman before h imj 
 Lear. To have a thousand with red burning spits 
 Come hissing in upon ’em, — 
 
 Edg. The foul fiend bites my back. 
 
 r Fool. He ’8 mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, 
 
 a horse’s health, a boy’s love, or a whore’s 20 
 oath.’ 
 
 Lear. It shall be done ; I will arraign them straight. 
 
 [To Edgar"} Come, sit thou here, most learned 
 justicer ; 
 
 [To the Fool} Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, 
 you she foxes ! 
 
 Edg . Look, where he stands and glares ! Wantest 
 thou eyes at trial, madam ? 
 
 Come o’er the bourn, Bessy, to me. 
 
 Fool . Her boat hath a leak, 
 
 And she must not speak 
 Why she dares not come over to thee. 30 
 Edg . The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice 
 of a nightingale. Hopdance cries in Tom’s 
 belly for two white herring. Croak not, black 
 angel ; I have no food for thee. 
 
 Kent . How do you, sir ? Stand you not so amazed : 
 Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions ? 
 
 95 
 
Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Lear. I ’ll see their trial first. Bring in the^evidence. 
 [ 7 o Edgar~] Thou robed man of justice, take thy 
 place ; 
 
 [To the FooV\ And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, 
 Bench by his side. [To Kenf\ You are o’ the 
 commission ; 
 
 Sit you too. 
 
 Edg. Let us deal justly. 
 
 Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd ? 
 
 Thy sheep be in the corn ; 
 
 And for one blast of thy minikin mouth, 
 
 Thy sheep shall take no harffij 
 
 Pur ! the cat is gray. 
 
 Lear . Arraign her first ; , tis Goneril. ££ here take 
 my oath before this honourable assembly, she 
 kicked the poor king her father. 50 
 
 Fool. Come hither, mistress. Is your name 
 Goneril ? 
 
 Lear. She cannot deny it. 
 
 Fool. Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint- 
 stool. 
 
 Lear. And here ’s another, whose warp’d looks proclaim 
 What store her heart is made on. Stop her there ! 
 Arms, arms, sword, fire ! Corruption in the place ! 
 
 96 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 False justicer, why hast thou let her ’scape ? 
 
 Edg. Bless thy five wits ! 60 
 
 Kent . O pity ! Sir, where is the patience now, 
 
 That you so oft have boasted to retain ? 
 
 Edg. [Aside] My tears begin to take his part so much, 
 They ’ll mar my counterfeiting. 
 
 Lear . The little dogs and all, 
 
 Tray, Blanch, and Sweet-heart, see, they bark at me. 
 Edg. Tom will throw his head at them. Avaunt, 
 you curs ! 
 
 ■ Be thy mouth or black or white, 
 
 T ooth that poisons if it bite ; 
 
 Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim, 
 Hound or spaniel, brach or lym, 
 
 Or bobtail tike or trundle-tail, 
 
 Tom will make them weep and wail: 
 For, with throwing thus my head, 
 Dogs leap the hatch, and all are 4 * 3 ? 
 
 70 
 
 Do de, de, de. Sessa ! Come, march to 
 wakes and fairs and market-towns. Poor 
 Tom, thy horn is dry. 
 
 Lear. Then let them anatomize Regan ; see what 80 
 breeds about her heart. Is there any cause in 
 
 33 £ 
 
 97 
 
Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 csThe Tragedy of 
 
 nature that makes these hard hearts? [_To 
 Edgar ] You, sir, I entertain for one of my 
 hundred ; only I do not like the fashion of 
 your garments. You will say they are Persian 
 attire ; but let them be changed. 
 
 Kent . Now, good my lord, lie here and rest 
 awhile. 
 
 Lear . Make no noise, make no noise ; draw the 
 
 curtains: so, so, so. We’ll go to supper i* 90 
 the morning. So, so, so. 
 
 Fool . And I ’ll go to bed at noon. 
 
 Glou. Come hither, friend : where is the king my master ? 
 Kent . Here, sir ; but trouble him not : his wits are gone. 
 Glou . Good friend, I prithee, take him in thy arms ; 
 
 I have o’erheard a plot of death upon him : 
 
 There is a litter ready ; lay him in ’t, 
 
 And drive toward Dover, friend, where thou shalt 
 
 Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master : 
 If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life, 100 
 With thine and all that offer to defend him, 
 
 Stand in assured loss. Take up, take up, 
 
 Re-enter Gloucester . 
 
 meet 
 
King Lear a* 
 
 Act III. Sc. vi. 
 
 And follow me, [that will to some provision 
 Give thee quick conduct) 
 
 Kent . Oppressed nature sleeps. 
 
 This rest might yet have balm’d thy broken sinews, 
 Which, if convenience will not allow, 
 
 Stand in hard cure. [To the FooV\ Come, help to 
 bear thy master ; 
 
 Thou must not stay behind. 
 
 Glou. Come, come, away. 
 
 [Exeunt all but Edgar, 
 
 Edg . When we our betters see bearing our woes, 
 
 We scarcely think our miseries our foes. no 
 
 IJBfho alone suffers suffers most i’ the mind, 
 
 Leaving free things and happy shows behind : 
 
 But then the mind much sufferance doth o’erskip, 
 When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowships 
 How light and portable my pain seems now, 
 
 Wheii that which makes me bend makes the king bow, 
 He childed as I father’d ! Tom, away ! 
 
 /^Mark the high noises, and thyself bewray 
 When false opinion, whose wrong thought defiles thee, 
 In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee! 1 20 
 What will hap more to-night, safe ’scape the king ! 
 Lurk, lurk. [Exit. 
 
 99 
 
Act III. Sc. vik 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Scene VII. 
 
 Gloucester' s castle . 
 
 Enter Cornwall , Regan , Goneril , Edmund , and Servants . 
 
 Corn. Post speedily to my lord your husband ; show 
 him this letter : the army of France is landed. 
 
 Seek out the traitor Gloucester. 
 
 \_Exeunt some of the Servants . 
 
 Reg. Hang him instantly. 
 
 Gon. Pluck out his eyes. 
 
 Corn. Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep 
 you our sister company : the revenges we are 
 bound to take upon your traitorous father are not 
 fit for your beholding. Advise the duke, where 
 you are going, SJo a most festinate preparation : io 
 
 we are bound to the lilcej Our posts shall be 
 swift and intelligent betwixt us. Farewell, dear 
 sister : farewell, my lord of Gloucester. 
 
 f 
 
 Enter Oswald. 
 
 How now ! where ’s the king ? 
 
 Osw. My lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence : 
 
 IOO 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Act III. Sc. vii. 
 
 [Some five or six and thirty of his knights. 
 
 Hot questrists after him, met him at gat ej 
 Who, with some other of the lords dependants, 
 t Are gone wrth trim toward Dover ; where they boast 
 To have well-armed friends. 
 
 Corn. Get horses for your mistress. 20 
 
 Gon . Farewell, sweet lord, and sister. 
 
 Corn . Edmund, farewell. 
 
 [Exeunt Goneril, Edmund \ and Oswald. 
 Go seek the traitor Gloucester. 
 Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. 
 
 [ Exeunt other Servants. 
 Though well we may not pass upon his life 
 Without the form of justice, yet our power 
 Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men 
 May blame but not control. Who ’s there ? the 
 traitor ? 
 
 Enter Gloucester , brought in by two or three . 
 
 Reg. Ingrateful fox ! 9 tis he. 
 
 Corn. Bind fast his corky arms. 
 
 Glou. What mean your graces? Good my friends, 
 consider 3 ° 
 
 You are my guests : do me no foul play, friends. 
 
 xox 
 
Act III. Sc. vii. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Corn . Bind him, I say. ^Servants bind him . 
 
 ^§ p « Hard, hard. O filthy traitor ! 
 
 Glou . Unmerciful lady as you are, I ’m none. 
 
 Corn . To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find — 
 
 \_Regan plucks his beard , 
 
 Glou . By the kind gods, , tis most ignobly done 
 To pluck me by the beard. 
 
 Reg . So white, and such a traitor ! 
 
 Glou, (JN aughty lady, 
 
 These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin 
 Will quicken and accuse theej I am your host : 
 With robbers’ hands my hospitable favours 40 
 You should not ruffle thus. What will you do ? 
 
 Corn, Come, sir, what letters had you late from France ? 
 
 Reg, Be simple answered, for we know the truth. 
 
 Corn . And what confederacy have you with the traitors 
 Late footed in the kingdom ? 
 
 Reg, To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king ? 
 Speak. 
 
 Glou. I have a letter guessingly set down, 
 
 Which came from one that’s of a neutral heart, 
 And not from one opposed. 
 
 Corn. Cunning. 
 
 Reg . And false. 
 
 Corn . Where hast thou sent the king ? 
 
 102 
 
 s° 
 
King Lear s& 
 
 Act 111. Sc. vii. 
 
 Glou. r ^° ^ over * 
 
 Reg. Wherefore to Dover ? Wast thou not charged at 
 
 peril — 
 
 Corn. Wherefore to Dover ? Let him first answer that. 
 Glou. I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course. 
 Reg. Wherefore to Dover, sir ? 
 
 Glou. Because I would not see thy cruel nails 
 
 Pluck out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister 
 In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. 
 
 The sea, with such a storm as his bare head 
 In hell-black night endured, would have buoy d up, 
 And quench’d the stelled fires : & 1 
 
 Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain. 
 
 If wolves had at thy r gate howl’d that stern time, 
 Thou shouldst have said, ‘ Good porter, turn the key,’ 
 All cruel s else subscribed : but I shall see 
 The winged vengeance overtake such children. 
 
 Corn. See ’t shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. 
 
 Upon these eyes of thine I ’ll set my foot. 
 
 Glou. He. that will think to live till he be old, 
 
 Give me some help ! O cruel ! O you gods ! 70 
 Reg. One side will mock another ; the other too. 
 
 Corn. If you see vengeance — 
 
 First Seri >. Hold your hand, my lord : 
 
 I have served you ever since I was a child ; 
 
 103 
 
Act III. Sc. vii. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 But better service have I never done you 
 Than now to bid you hold. 
 
 Reg* How now, you dog ! 
 
 First Serv . If you did wear a beard upon your chin, 
 
 I ’Id shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean ? 
 Corn. My villain ! [ They draw and Jight. 
 
 First Serv. Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of 
 anger. 
 
 Reg. Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus ! 80 
 [Takes a sword and runs at him behind. 
 First Serv . O, I am slain ! My lord, you have one eye left 
 To see some mischief on him. O ! [Dies. 
 
 Corn . Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly ! 
 Where is thy lustre now ? 
 
 Clou. All dark and comfortless. Where ’s my son 
 Edmund ? 
 
 ^Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature, 
 
 To quit this horrid act. 
 
 Reg. Out, treacherous villainj 
 
 Thou call’st on him that hates thee : it was he 
 That made the overture of thy treasons to us ; 
 
 Who is too good to pity thee. 
 
 Glou. O my follies ! Then Edgar was abused. 
 
 Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper hirpjO 
 Reg. Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell 
 
 104 
 
 90 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Act III. Sc, vii. 
 
 His way to Dover. [Exit one with Gloucester. ] How 
 is ’t , my lord ? how look you ? 
 
 Corn . I have received a hurt : follow me, lady. 
 
 Turn out that eyeless villain : throw this slave 
 Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace : 
 Untimely comes this hurt : give me your arm. 
 
 [ Exit Cornwall , led by Regan . 
 Sec. Serv. I *11 never care what wickedness I do, 
 
 If this man come to good. 
 
 Third Serv. If she live long, IOO 
 
 And in the end meet the old course of death, 
 Women will all turn monsters. 
 
 Sec. Serv. Let’s follow the old earl,^md get the Bedlam 
 To lead him where he would : his roguish madness 
 Allows itself to any thinQ 
 
 Third Serv. Go thou : I ’ll fetch some flax and whites 
 of eggs 
 
 To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help 
 him ! [Exeunt severally. 
 
 
 *05 
 
Act IV. Sc. i. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Act Fourth. 
 
 Scene I. 
 
 The heath . 
 
 Enter Edgar . 
 
 Edg. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn’d, 
 
 Than still contemn’d and flatter’d. To be worst, 
 The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, 
 Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear : 
 
 The lamentable change is from the best ; 
 
 The worst returns to laughter. SVelcome then, 
 Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace ! 
 
 The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst 
 Owes nothing to thy blasts. J3>ut who comes here ? 
 
 Enter Gloucester , led by an Old Man. 
 
 My father, poorly led? World, world, O world! 
 But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, 1 1 
 Life would not yield to age. 
 
 d Man . O, my good lord, I have been your 
 
 tenant, and your father’s tenant, these four- 
 score years. 
 
King Lear ss* 
 
 Act IV. Sc. i. 
 
 Glou. Away, get thee a way jj good friend, be gone : 
 
 Thy comforts can do me no good at all ; 
 
 Thee they may hurt. 
 
 Old Man . /Slack, 5 il 3 y ou cannot see your way. 
 
 Glou . I have no way and therefore want no eyes ; 20 
 
 I stumbled when I saw : £|ull oft ’tis seen, 
 
 Our means secure us, and our mere defects 
 Prove our commodities*,/ Ah, dear son Edgar, 
 
 The food of thy abused father’s wrath ! 
 
 Might I but live to see thee in my touch, 
 
 I ’fd say I had eyes again ! 
 
 Old Man . How now ! Who ’s there ? 
 
 Edg . [_Aside~\ O gods ! Who is ’t can say ‘I am at 
 the worst’ ? 
 
 I am worse than e’er I was. 
 
 Old Man . ’Tis poor mad Tom. 
 
 Edg. [ Aside ] And worse I may be yet: the worst is 
 not 
 
 So long as we can say ‘This is the worst.’ 30 
 Old Man. Fellow, where goest? 
 
 Glou. Is it a beggar-man ? 
 
 Old Man. Madman and beggar too. 
 
 Glou. He has some reason, else he could not beg. 
 
 I’ the last night’s storm I such a fellow saw, 
 
 Which made me think a man a worm : my son 
 
 107 
 
Act IV. Sc. i. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Came then into my mind, and yet my mind 
 Was then scarce friends with him: I have heard 
 more since. 
 
 As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods ; 
 
 They kill us for their sport. 
 
 Edg. [Aside] How should this be ? 
 
 Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow, 40 
 Angering itself and others. Bless thee, master ! 
 GIou. Is that the naked fellow ? 
 
 Old Man. Ay, my lord. 
 
 Glou. Then, prithee, get thee gone :£if for my sake 
 Thou wilt o’ertake us hence a mile or twain 
 I* the way toward Dover, do it for ancient love ; 
 And bring some covering for this naked soul, 
 
 Who I ’ll entreat to lead mej 
 Old Man. Alack, sir, he is mad. 
 
 Glou. ’Tis the times’ plague, when madmen lead the blind. 
 Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure ; 
 
 Above the rest, be gone. 50 
 
 Old Man. I ’ll bring him the best ’parel that I have, 
 
 Come on ’t what will. [ Exit. 
 
 Glou. Sirrah, naked fellow, — 
 
 Edg. Poor Tom *8 a-cold. [Aside] I cannot daub it 
 further. 
 
 Glou. Come hither, fellow. 
 
 xo8 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act IV. Sc. i. 
 
 Edg. [4side~] And yet I must.— Bless thy sweet eyes, 
 they bleed. 
 
 Glou. Know’ st thou the way to Dover ? 
 
 Edg. Both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. 
 
 Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits. 
 
 Bless thee, good man’s son, from the foul fiend ! 60 
 
 ! Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once $ of 
 "lust, as Obidicut ; Hobbididence, prince of 
 dumbness ; Mahu, of stealing ; Modo, of mur- 
 der ; Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and mowing ; 
 who since possesses chambermaids and waiting- 
 women. §Oj bless thee, master ! 
 
 Glou. Here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens’ 
 plagues 
 
 Have humbled to all strokes : that I am wretched 
 Makes thee the happier. Heavens, deal so still ! 
 Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man, 7° 
 
 That slaves your ordinance, that will not see 
 Because he doth not feel, feel your power quickly ; 
 So distribution should undo excess 
 And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover ? 
 Edg. Ay, master. 
 
 Glou. There is a cliff whose high and bending head 
 Looks fearfully in the confined deep : 
 
 Bring me but to the very brim of it, 
 
 109 
 
Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 And I ’ll repair the misery thou dost bear 
 
 With something rich about me : from that place 80 
 
 I shall no leading need. 
 
 Ed$. Give me thy arm : 
 
 Poor Tom shall lead thee. [ Exeunt . 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 Before the Duke of Albany* s palace . 
 
 Enter Gonertl and Edmund. 
 
 Gon . Welcome, my lord: I marvel our mild husband 
 Not met us on the way. 
 
 Enter Oswald. 
 
 Now, where ’s your master ? 
 Osw . Madam, within ; but never man so changed. 
 
 1 told him of the army that was landed ; 
 
 He smiled at it : I told him you were coming ; 
 
 His answer was, ‘The worse:’ of Gloucester’s 
 treachery 
 
 And of the loyal service of his son 
 
 When I inform’d him, then he call’d me sot 
 
 And told me I had turn’d the wrong side out : 
 
 no 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him ; 
 What like, offensive. 1 1 
 
 Gon. [To Edm.~\ Then shall you go no further. 
 
 It is the cowish terror of his spirit, 
 
 That dares not undertake : he ’ll not feel wrongs, 
 Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way 
 May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother ; 
 Hasten his musters and conduct his powers : 
 
 I must change arms at home and give the distaff 
 Into my husband’s hands. This trusty servant 
 Shall pass between us : ere long you are like to hear, 
 If you dare venture in your own behalf, 20 
 
 A mistress’s command. Wear this; spare speech ; 
 
 [Giving a favour. 
 
 Decline your head : this kiss, if it durst speak, 
 Would stretch thy spirits up into the air : 
 
 Conceive, and fare thee well. 
 
 Edm . Yours in the ranks of death. 
 
 q oh # My most dear Gloucester ! 
 
 [Exit Edmund. 
 
 O, the difference of man and man ! 
 
 To thee a woman’s services are due : 
 
 My fool usurps my body. 
 
 Osw . * Madam, here comes my lord. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 ITT 
 
Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Enter Albany . 
 
 Gon. I have been worth the whistle. 
 
 Alb* O Goneril ! 
 
 You are not worth the dust which the rude wind 30 
 Blows in your face, [ l fear your disposition : 
 
 That nature which contemns it origin 
 Cannot be border’d certain in itself ; 
 
 She that herself will sliver and disbranch 
 From her material sap, perforce must wither 
 And come to deadly juje* 
 
 Gon . No more ; the text is foolish. 
 
 Alb . Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile : 
 
 Filths savour but themselves. What have you done? 
 Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform’d ? 40 
 A father, and a gracious aged man, 
 
 Whose reverence even the head-lugg’d bear would lick, 
 Most barbarous, most degenerate! have you madded. 
 Could my good brother suffer you to do it ? 
 
 A man, a prince, by him so benefited ! 
 
 If that the heavens do not their visible spirits 
 Send quickly down to tame these vile offences, 
 
 It will come, 
 
 Humanity must perforce prey on itself, 
 
 Like monsters of the deep. 
 
 Gon. Miik-liver’d man ! 
 
 112 
 
 5 ° 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 That bear’ et a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs ; 
 jl&tho hast not in thy brows an eye discerning 
 
 Thine honour from thy suffering?] that not know’st 
 Fools do those villains pity who are punish’d 
 Ere they have done thoir mischief. Where’s thy 
 drum ? 
 
 France spreads his banners in our noiseless land, 
 With plumed helm thy state begins to threat, 
 
 Whiles thou, a moral fool, sit’st still and criest 
 ‘ Alack, why does he so ? ’ 
 
 Alb , See thyself, devil ! 
 
 Proper deformity seems not in the fiend 60 
 
 So horrid as in woman. 
 
 Gon . O vain fool ! 
 
 ]Alb , Thou changed and self-cover’d thing, for shame, 
 Be-monster not thy feature. Were’t my fitness 
 To let these hands obey my blood, 
 
 They are apt enough to dislocate and tear 
 Thy flesh and bones : howe’er thou art a fiend, 
 
 A woman’s shape doth shield thee. 
 
 Gon . Marry, your manhood ! njeJKj/ 
 
 Enter a Messenger . 
 
 Alb, What news ? 
 
 Mess, O, my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall’s dead, 
 
 33 h XI 3 
 
Act IV. Sc. ii. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Slain by his servant, going to put out 71 
 
 The other eye of Gloucester. 
 
 Alb. Gloucester’s eyes ! 
 
 Mess. A servant that he bred, thrilPd with remorse, 
 Opposed against the act, bending his sword 
 To his great master ; who thereat enraged 
 Flew on him and amongst them fell’d him dead, 
 But not without that harmf il stroke which since 
 Hath pluck’d him after. 
 
 Alb. This shows you are above, 
 
 You justicers, that these our nether crimes 
 So speedily can venge. But, O poor Gloucester ! 
 U*ost he his other eye ? 
 
 Mess. Both, both, my lorcjjj. 81 
 
 This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer 5 
 ’Tis from your sister. 
 
 Gon. [Aside' ] One way I like this well 5 
 
 But being widow, and my Gloucester with her, 
 /jSlay all the building in my fancy pluck 
 Upon my hateful life : another wa$ 
 
 The news is not so tart. — I ’ll read, and answer. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Alb. Where was his son when they did take his eyes ? 
 
 Mess. Come with my lady hither. 
 
 Alb. He is not here. 
 
 114 
 
 90 
 
Act IV. Sc. iii. 
 
 King Lear 
 
 Mess. No, my good lord ; I met him back again. 
 
 Alb. Knows he the wickedness ? 
 
 Mess. Ay, my good lord; ’twas he inform'd against him, 
 And quit the house on purpose, that their punishment 
 Might have the freer course. 
 
 Gloucester, I live 
 
 To thank thee for the love thou show’dst the king, 
 And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend : 
 Tell me what more thou know’st. [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 The French camp near Dover. 
 Enter Kent and a Gentleman . 
 
 Kent. Why the King of France is so suddenly gone 
 back know you the reason ? 
 
 Gent. Something he left imperfect in the state which 
 since his coming forth is thought of, which im- 
 ports to the kingdom so much fear and danger 
 that his personal return was most required and 
 necessary. 
 
 Kent. Who hath he left behind him general? 
 
 Gent. The Marshal of France, Monsieur La 
 Far. 
 
 IO 
 
Act IV. Sc. iu. «*s The Tragedy of 
 
 Kent . Did your letters pierce the queen to any 
 demonstration of grief? 
 
 Gent . Ay, sir ; she took them, read them in my presence, 
 And now and then an ample tear trill’d down 
 Her delicate cheek : it seem’d she was a queen 
 Over her passion, who most rebel-like 
 Sought to be king o’er her. 
 
 Kent . O, then it moved her. 
 
 Gent, Not to a rage : patience and sorrow strove 
 
 Who should express her goodliest. . You have seen 
 Sunshine and rain at once : her smiles and tears 20 
 Were like a better way : those happy smilets 
 That play’d on her ripe lip seem’d not to know 
 What guests were in her eyes ; which parted thence 
 As pearls from diamonds dropp’d. In b riel\ 
 
 Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved, 
 
 If all could so become it. 
 
 Kent . Made she no verbal question ? 
 
 Gent, Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of i father’ 
 Pantingly forth, as if it press’d her heart ; 
 
 Cried * Sisters ! sisters ! Shame of ladies ! sisters ! 
 Kent ! father ! sisters ! What, i’ the storm ? i’ the 
 night ? _ 3 ° 
 
 Let pity not be believed ! ’ . There she shook 
 The holy water from her heavenly eyes, 
 
 116 
 
King Lear ss«* 
 
 Act IV. Sc. iii. 
 
 And clamour moisten’d^ then away she started 
 To deal with grief alone. 
 
 Kent. ft is the stars, 
 
 The stars above us, govern our conditions ; 
 
 Else one self mate and mate could not beget 
 Such different is sues]] You spoke not with her since ? 
 Gent . No. 
 
 jK ent. Was this before the king return’d? 
 
 G ent% No, si ngfij 
 
 Kent. Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear ’s i’ the town ; 
 Who sometime in his better tune remembers 41 
 What we are come about, and by no means 
 Will yield to see his daughter. 
 
 Gent* Why, good sir ? 
 
 Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him : his own un- 
 kindness 
 
 That stripp d her from his benediction, turn’d her 
 To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights 
 To his dog-hearted daughters : these things sting 
 His mind so venomously that burning shame 
 Detains him from Cordelia. 
 
 Gent. Alack, poor gentleman ! 
 
 Kent. Of Albany’s and Cornwall’s powers you heard not ? 
 Gent. ’Tisso; they are afoot. p 
 
 Kent. Well, sir, I ’ll bring you to our master Lear, 
 
 117 
 
Act IV. Sc. iv. 
 
 <sThe Tragedy of 
 
 And leave you to attend him : some dear cause 
 Will in concealment wrap me up awhile ; 
 
 When I am known aright, you shall not grieve 
 Lending me this acquaintan&p I pray you, go 
 Along with me. [ Exeunt . 
 
 Scene IV. 
 
 The same . A tent . 
 
 Enter , with drum and colours , Cor delta , Doctor , 
 and Soldiers . 
 
 Cor . Alack, ’tis he : why, he was met even now 
 As mad as the vex’d sea ; singing aloud ; 
 
 Crown’d with rank fumiter and furrow-weeds, 
 
 With bur-docks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers, 
 Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow 
 In our sustaining corn. A century send forth ; 
 Search every acre in the high-grown field, 
 
 And bring him to our eye. [j Exit an Officer. ~\ 
 
 What can man’s wisdom 
 In the restoring his bereaved sense ? 
 
 He that helps him take all my outward worth, io 
 
 sxS 
 
King Lear sss* 
 
 Act IV. Sc* iv. 
 
 Doct. There is means, madam : 
 
 Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, 
 
 The which he lacks : that to provoke in him, 
 
 Are many simples operative, whose power 
 Will close the eye of anguish. 
 
 Cor . All blest secrets, 
 
 All you unpublish’d virtues of the earth, 
 
 Spring with my tears ! be aidant and remediate 
 In the good man’s distress ! Seek, seek for him ; 
 Lest his ungovern’d rage dissolve the life 
 That wants the means to lead it. 
 
 The British powers are marching hitherward. 
 
 Cor . ’Tis known before ; our preparation stands 
 In expectation of them. O dear father, 
 
 It is thy business that I go about ; 
 
 Therefore great France 
 
 My mourning and important tears hath pitied. 
 
 No blown ambition doth our arms incite, 
 
 But love, dear love, and our aged father’s ri ght jj 
 
 Enter a Messenger . 
 
 Mess . 
 
 News, madam ; 20 
 
 Soon may I hear and see him ! 
 
 [Exeunt* 
 
 Hi) 
 
Act IV. Sc. v. 
 
 sss The Tragedy of 
 
 Scene V. 
 
 Gloucester* s castle . 
 
 Enter Regan and Oswald \ 
 
 Reg . But are my brother’s powers set forth ? 
 
 Osw. Ay, madam. 
 
 Reg. Himself in person there ? 
 
 Osw . Madam, with much ado : 
 
 Your sister is the better soldier. 
 
 Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home ? 
 Osw . No, madam. 
 
 Reg . What might import my sister’s letter to him ? 
 
 Osw. I know not, lady. 
 
 Reg. Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. 
 
 It was great ignorance, Gloucester’s eyes being out, 
 To let him live: where he arrives he moves io 
 All hearts against us : Edmund, I think, is gone, 
 
 In pity of his misery, to dispatch 
 His nighted life ; moreover, to descry 
 The strength o’ the enemy. 
 
 Osw. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. 
 Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow : stay with us ; 
 The ways are dangerous. 
 
 Osw. I may not, madam : 
 
 130 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act IV. Sc. v. 
 
 My lady charged my duty in this business. 
 
 Reg. Why should she write to Edmund ? Might not you 
 Transport her purposes by word ? Belike, 20 
 Something — I know not what : I *11 love thee much, 
 Let me unseal the letter. 
 
 Osw. Madam, I had rather — 
 
 Reg. I know your lady does not love her husband ; 
 
 I am sure of that : and at her late being here 
 She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks 
 T o noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. 
 Osw. I, madam ? 
 
 Reg. I speak in understanding : you are ; I know’t : 
 Therefore I do advise you, take this note : 
 
 My lord is dead ; Edmund and I have talk’d ; 30 
 
 And more convenient is he for my hand 
 Than for your lady’s : you may gather more. 
 
 If you do find him, pray you, give him this ; 
 
 And when your mistress hears thus much from you, 
 I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. 
 
 So, fare you well. 
 
 If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, 
 Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. 
 
 Osw. Would I could meet him, madam ! I should show 
 What party I do follow. 
 
 R*fr Fare thee well. [ Exeunt . 40 
 
 121 
 
Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Scene VI. 
 
 Fields near Dover. 
 
 Enter Gloucester , and Edgar dressed like a peasant . 
 
 Glou. When shall we come to the top of that same hill ? 
 Edg. Yon do climb up it now : look, how we labour. 
 Glou. Methinks the ground is even. 
 
 Edg. Horrible steep. 
 
 Hark, do you hear the sea ? 
 
 Glou. No, truly. 
 
 Edg. Why then your other senses grow imperfect 
 By your eyes’ anguish. 
 
 Glou. So may it be indeed : 
 
 Methinks thy voice is alter’d, and thou speak’st 
 In better phrase and matter than thou didst. 
 
 Edg. You’re much deceived: in nothing am I changed 
 But in my garments. 
 
 Glou. Methinks you ’re better spoken. 
 
 Edg. Come on, sir j here’s the place : stand still. How 
 fearful # 1 1 
 
 And dizzy ’tis to cast one’s eyes so low ! 
 
 The crows and choughs that wing the midway air 
 Show scarce so gross as beetles : half way down 
 
 X2S 
 
King Lear s* 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade ! 
 Methinks he seems no bigger than his head : 
 
 The fishermen that walk upon the beach 
 Appear like mice ; and yond tall anchoring bark 
 Diminish’d to her cock ; her cock, a buoy 
 Almost too small for sight : the murmuring surge 20 
 That on the unnumber’d idle pebbles chafes 
 Cannot be heard so high. I ’ll look no more, 
 
 Lest my brain turn and the deficient sight 
 Topple down headlong. 
 
 Glou. Set me where you stand. 
 
 Edg. Give me your hand : you are now within a foot 
 Of the extreme verge : for all beneath the moon 
 Would I not leap upright. 
 
 Glou . Let go my hand. 
 
 Here, friend, ’s another purse 5 in it a jewel 
 Well worth a poor man’s taking £iairies and gods 
 Prosper it with thejpl Go thou further off ; 30 
 
 Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. 
 
 Edg . Now fare you well, good sir. 
 
 Glou . With all my heart. 
 
 Edg . Why I do trifle thus with his despair 
 Is done to cure it. 
 
 Glou . [Kneeling"] O you mighty gods ! 
 
 This world I do renounce, and in your sights 
 
 X33 
 
Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Shake patiently my great affliction off : 
 
 If I could bear it longer and not fall 
 To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, 
 
 My snuff and loathed part of nature should 
 Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O bless him ! 40 
 
 Now, fellow, fare thee well. [He falls forward. 
 Edg . Gone, sir : farewell. 
 
 And yet I know not how conceit may rob 
 The treasury of life, when life itself 
 Yields to the theft : 0 jtad he been where he thought, 
 By this had thought been past. Alive or dead 2 
 Ho, you sir ! friend ! Hear you, sir ! speak ! 
 
 Thus might he pass indeed : yet he revives. 
 
 What are you, sir ? 
 
 Glou. Away, and let me die. 
 
 Edg . Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air, 
 So many fathom down precipitating, 50 
 
 Thou ’dst shiver’d like an egg : but thou dost breathe ; 
 Hast heavy substance ; bleed’ st not ; speak’ st ; art 
 sound. 
 
 Ten masts at each make not the altitude 
 Which thou hast perpendicularly fell : 
 
 Thy life ’s a miracle. (Speak yet again, " 
 
 Glou . But have I fall’n, or no ? 
 
 Edg . From the dread summit of this chalky bourn. 
 
 124 
 
King Lear s?* 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 Look up a-height ; the shrill-gorged lark so far 
 Cannot be seen or heard : do but look up. 
 
 Glou. Alack, I have no eyes. 60 
 
 Is wretchedness deprived that benefit, 
 
 To end itself by death ? ’Twas yet some comfort, 
 When misery could beguile the tyrant’s rage 
 And frustrate his proud will. 
 
 Edg . Give me your arm : 
 
 Up : so. How is ’t? Feel you your legs? You 
 stand. 
 
 Glou . Too well, too well. 
 
 (Edg. This is above all strangeness. 
 
 Upon the crown o’ the cliff, what thing was that 
 Which parted from you ? 
 
 Glou. A poor unfortunate beggar. 
 
 Edg. As I stood here below, methought his eyes 
 
 Were two full moons ; he had a thousand noses, 70 
 Horns whelk’d and waved like the enridged sea : 
 
 It was some fiepd ; therefore, thou happy father, 
 Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours 
 Of men’s impossibilities, have preserved thee. 
 
 Glou. I do remember now : henceforth I ’ll bear 
 Affliction till it do cry out itself 
 i Enough, enough,’ and die. That thing you speak 
 of, 
 
 125 
 
Act IV, Sc. vi. 
 
 •ss The Tragedy of 
 
 I took it for a man ; often ’twould say 
 * The fiend, the fiend : ’ he led me to that place. 
 
 Edg . Bear free and patient thoughts, j But who comes 
 here ? 80 
 
 Enter Lear, fantastically dressed with wild flowers. 
 
 The safer sense will ne’er accommodate 
 His master thus. 
 
 Lear . No, they cannot touch me for coining ; I am 
 the king himself. 
 
 Edg. O thou side-piercing sight ! 
 
 Lear. Nature ’s above art in that respect. There ’s 
 your press-money. That fellow handles his bow 
 like a crow-keeper ; draw me a clothier’s yard. 
 Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace ; this piece 
 of toasted cheese will do ’t. There ’s my 90 
 gauntlet ; I ’ll prove it on a giant. Bring up the 
 brown bills. O, well flown, bird ! i’ the clout, 
 i’ the clout : hewgh ! Give the word. 
 
 Edg. Sweet marjoram. 
 
 Lear . Pass. 
 
 Glou . I know that voice. 
 
 Lear. Ha ! Goner il, with a white beard l They 
 flattered me iike a dog, and told me I had white 
 hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there. 
 
King Lear ss> 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 To say ‘ay’ and ‘no’ to every thing that I 
 said ! ‘Ay’ and ‘no’ too was no good divinity. 
 When the rain came to wet me once and the 
 wind to make me chatter ; when the thunder 
 would not peace at my bidding ; there I found 
 ’em, there I smelt ’em out. Go to, they are 
 not men o’ their words : they told me I was 
 every thing ; ’tis a lie, I am not ague-proof. 
 Glou. The trick of that voice I do well remember : 
 Is ’t not the king ? 
 
 Lear . Ay, every inch a king : 
 
 When I do stare, see how the subject quakes. 
 
 I pardon that man’s life. What was thy cause 
 Adultery ? 
 
 Thou shalt not die : die for adultery ! No : 
 The wren goes to ’t, and the small gilded fly 
 Does lecher in my sight. 
 
 Let copulation thrive ; for Gloucester’s bastard 
 Was kinder to his father than my daughters 
 Got ’tween the lawful sheets. 
 
 To’t, luxury, pell-mell ! for I lack soldiers. 
 Behold yond simpering dame, 
 
 Whose face between her forks presages snow, 
 That minces virtue and does shake the head 
 To hear of pleasure’s name ; 
 
 127 
 
 100 
 
 no 
 
 > 
 
 son 
 
 120 
 
Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to ’t 
 With a more riotous appetite. 
 
 Down from the waist they are Centaurs, 
 
 Though women all above : 
 
 But to the girdle do the gods inherit, 
 
 Beneath is all the fiends’ ; 129 
 
 There’s hell, there’s darkness, there’s the sul- 
 phurous pit, 
 
 Burning, scalding, stench, consumption 5 fie, fie, 
 fie ! pah, pah ! Give me an ounce of civet, 
 good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination : 
 there ’s money for thee. 
 
 Glou. O, let me kiss that hand ! 
 
 Lear . Let me wipe it first ; it smells of mortality. 
 
 Glou . O ruin’d piece of nature ! This great world 
 
 Shall so wear out to nought. Dost thou know me ? 
 
 Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost 
 
 thou squiny at me? No, do thy worst, blind 140 
 Cupid ; I ’ll not love. Read thou this chal- 
 lenge ; mark but the penning on ’t. 
 
 Glou. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. 
 
 Edg. I would not take this from report : it is, 
 
 And my heart breaks at it. 
 
 Lear. Read. 
 
 Glou. What, with the case of eyes? 
 
 12S 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 Lear . O, ho, are you there with me ? No eyes in 
 your head, nor no money in your purse ? Your 
 eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light : 150 
 yet you see how this world goes. 
 
 Glou, I see it feelingly. 
 
 Lear . What, art mad ? A man may see how this 
 world goes with no eyes. Look with thine 
 ears : see how yond justice rails upon yond 
 simple thief. Hark, in thine ear : change 
 places, and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, 
 which is the thief ? Thou hast seen a farmer’s 
 dog bark at a beggar ? 
 
 Glou . Ay, sir. 160 
 
 Lear . And the creature run from the cur ? There 
 thou mightst behold the great image of author- 
 ity : a dog ’s obeyed in office. 
 
 Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand ! 
 
 Why dost thou lash that whore ? Strip thine own 
 back ; 
 
 Thou hotly lust’ st to use her in that kind 
 For which thou whip’st her. The usurer hangs the 
 cozener. 
 
 Through tatter’d clothes small vices do appear ; 
 Robes and furr’d gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, 
 And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks ; 170 
 
 33 i *29 
 
Act IV, Sc. vi 
 
 «ss The Tragedy of 
 
 Arm it in rags, a pigmy’s straw does pierce it. 
 
 None does offend, none, I say, none ; I ’ll able ’em : 
 Take that of me, my friend, who have the power 
 To seal the accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes, 
 And, like a scurvy politician, seem 
 To see the things thou dost not. 
 
 Now, now, now, now: pull off my boots: 
 harder, harder : so. 
 
 Edg. O, matter and impertinency mix’d ! 
 
 Reason in madness ! 
 
 Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. 180 
 I know thee well enough ; thy name is Gloucester : 
 Thou must be patient ; we came crying hither : 
 Thou know’ st, the first time that we smell the air, 
 We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee : mark. 
 Glou. Alack, alack the day ! 
 
 Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come 
 
 To this great stage of fools. This’s a good block. 
 It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe 
 A troop of horse with felt : I ’ll put ’t in proof; 
 And when I have stol’n upon these sons-in-law, 
 Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill ! 191 
 
 Enter a Gentleman , with Attendants. 
 
 Gent. O, here he is : lay hand upon him. Sir, 
 
 Your most dear daughter — 
 
 130 
 
Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 King Lear && 
 
 Lear . No rescue ? What, a prisoner ? I am even 
 The natural fool of fortune. Use me well 5 
 You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon ; 
 
 I am cut to the brains. 
 
 Gent . You shall have any thing. 
 
 Lear . No seconds? all myself? 
 
 Why, this would make a man a man of salt, 
 
 To use his eyes for garden water-pots, 200 
 
 Aye, and laying autumn’s dust. 
 
 Gent . Good sir, — 
 
 Lear . £| will die bravely, like a smug bridegroom. 
 
 WhaU? 
 
 I will be jovial : come, come ; I am a king, 
 
 My masters, know you that. 
 
 Gent . You are a royal one, and we obey you. 
 
 Lear . Then there ’s life in ’t. Nay, an you get it, 
 you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. 
 
 [j Exit running ; Attendants follow . 
 Gent . A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, 
 
 Past speaking of in a king ! Thou hast one daughter, 
 Who redeems nature from the general curse 210 
 Which twain have brought her to* 
 
 Edg. Hail, gentle sir. 
 
 Gent. Sir, speed you : what ’s your will ? 
 
 Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward ? 
 
 131 
 
Act IV, Sc* vi. 
 
 <e The Tragedy of 
 
 Gent. Most sure and vulgar : every one hears that. 
 
 Which can distinguish sound. 
 
 Edg. But, by your favour, 
 
 How near ’s the other army ? 
 
 Gent. Near and on speedy foot ; the main descry 
 Stands on the hourly thought. 
 
 Edg. I thank you, sir : that ’ s all. 
 
 Gent . Though that the queen on special cause is here, 
 Her army is moved on. 
 
 Edg . I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent . 220 
 
 Glow . You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me ; 
 Let not my worser spirit tempt me again 
 To die before you please l * r 
 
 Edg . Well pray you, father. 
 
 Glou. Now, good sir, what are you ? 
 
 Edg. |A most poor man, made tame to fortune’s blows ; 
 Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, 
 
 Am pregnant to good Give me your hand, 
 
 I ’ll lead you to some biding. 
 
 ^Slou. Hearty thanks ; 
 
 The bounty and the benison of heaven 
 To boot, and boa{T| 
 
 Enter Oswald. 
 
 Osw. A proclaim’d prize ! Most happy ! 
 
 That, eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh 231 
 13a 
 
King Lear ^ 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vi. 
 
 To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, 
 Briefly thyself remember : the sword is out 
 That must destroy thee. 
 
 tfilou. Now let thy friendly hand 
 
 Put strength enough tq £2 [Edgar interposes . 
 
 Osw. Wherefore, bold peasant, 
 
 Darest thou support a publish’d traitor ? Hence ! 
 Lest that the infection of his fortune take 
 Like hold on thee. Let go his arm. 
 
 Edg. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 
 
 ’casion. 240 
 
 Osw . Let go, slave, or thou diest ! 
 
 Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor 
 volk pass. ]2fn chud ha’ been zwaggered out of 
 my life, ’twould not ha’ been zo long as ’tis by 
 a vortnigKtu] Nay, come not near th’ old man ; 
 keep out, che vor ye, or I ’se try whether your 
 costard or my ballow be the harder : chill be 
 plain with you. 
 
 Osw. Out* dunghill ! [They fight. 
 
 Edg. Chill pick your teeth, zir: come; no matter 250 
 vor your foins. [Oswald falls. 
 
 Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse : 
 If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body ; 
 
 And give the letters which thou find’st about me 
 *33 
 
Act IV. Se, vi. 
 
 cs The Tragedy of 
 
 To Edmund earl of Gloucester ; seek him out 
 Upon the British party. O, untimely death ! 
 
 /BeathJ [Dies. 
 
 Edg . I know thee well : a serviceable villain, 
 
 As duteous to the vices of thy mistress 
 As badness would desire. 
 
 Glou. What, is he dead ? 
 
 Edg . Sit you down, father ; rest you. 260 
 
 Let 9 s see these pockets : the letters that he speaks of 
 May be my friends. He , 8 dead ; I am only sorry 
 He had no other deathsman. Let us see : 
 
 Leave, gentle wax ; {ipd, manners, blame us not : 
 To know our enemies’ minds, we ’Id rip their hearts ; 
 Their papers, is more lawfuLj 
 [ Reads ] ‘ Let our reciprocal vows be remem- 
 bered. You have many opportunities to cut 
 him off : if your will want not, time and place 
 will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing 270 
 done, if he return the conqueror : then am I 
 the prisoner, and his bed my gaol ; from the 
 loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply 
 the place for your labour. 
 
 ‘Your — wife, so I would say — 
 
 ‘ affectionate servant, 
 
 * Goneril.* 
 
 *34 
 
King Lear ss 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vii. 
 
 O undistinguish’d space of woman’s will ! 
 
 A plot upon her virtuous husband’s life ; 
 
 And the exchange my brother ! Here, in the sands, 
 Thee I ’ll rake up, the post unsanctified 281 
 
 Of murderous lechers ; and in the mature time 
 With this ungracious paper strike the sight 
 Of the death-practised duke : for him ’tis well 
 That of thy death and business I can tell. 
 
 Glou. The king is mad : how stiff is my vile sense. 
 
 That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling 
 Of my huge sorrows ! Better I were distract : 
 
 So should my thoughts be sever’d from my griefs, 
 And woes by wrong imaginations lose 290 
 
 The knowledge of themselves. [ Drum afar of 
 
 Edg . Give me your hand : 
 
 Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum : 
 
 Come, father, I ’ll bestow you with a friend. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene VII. 
 
 A tent in the French camp . Lear on a bed asleep , soft 
 music playing ; Gentleman , and others attending . 
 
 Enter Cordelia , Kent 9 and Doctor . 
 
 Cor . O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work, 
 
 To match thy goodness ? My life will be too short, 
 135 
 
Act IV. Sc. vii. 
 
 •ssThe Tragedy of 
 
 And every measure fail me. 
 
 Kent . To be acknowledged, madam, is o’erpaid. 
 
 All my reports go with the modest truth, 
 
 U 5 for more nor clipp’d, but so. 
 
 Cor. Be better suited : 
 
 These weeds are memories of those worser hours : 
 
 I prithee, put them off. 
 
 Kent . Pardon me, dear madam ; 
 
 Yet to be known shortens my made intent : 
 
 My boon I make it, that you know me not io 
 Till time and I think meet. 
 
 Cor . Then be’t so, my good l ord * [To the Doctor ] 
 How does the king \ 
 
 Doct. Madam, sleeps still. 
 
 Cor. O you kind gods, 
 
 Cure this great breach in his abused nature ! 
 
 The untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up 
 Of this child-changed father ! 
 
 Doct. So please your majesty 
 
 That we may wake the king : he hath slept long. 
 Cor. Be govern’d by your knowledge, and proceed 
 
 I’ the sway of your own will. Is he array’d ? 20 
 
 Gent. Ay, madam ; in the heaviness of his sleep 
 We put fresh garments on him. 
 
 Doct. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him 5 
 136 
 
King Lear sss* 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vii. 
 
 I doubt not of his temperance. 
 
 Cor . Very well. 
 
 Doct. Please you, draw near. Louder the music there ! 
 
 Cor. O my dear father ! Restoration hang 
 Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss 
 Repair those violent harms that my two sisters 
 Have in thy reverence made ! 
 
 Kent. Kind and dear princess ! 
 
 Cor. Had you not been their father, these white flakes 
 Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face 31 
 To be opposed against the warring winds ? 
 
 To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder ? 
 
 In the most terrible and nimble stroke 
 
 Of quick, cross lightning ? to watch — poor perdu ! — 
 
 With this thin helm ? Mine enemy’s dog, 
 
 Though he had bit me, should have stood that night 
 Against my fire ; and wast thou fain, poor father, 
 To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn, 
 
 In short and musty straw ? Alack, alack ! 40 
 
 *Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once 
 
 Had not concluded all. He wakes ; speak to him. 
 
 Doct. Madam, do you 5 , tis fittest. 
 
 Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your 
 majesty ? 
 
 Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o’ the grave : 
 
 *37 
 
Act IV. Sc. vii. 
 
 « The Tragedy of 
 
 Thou art a soul in bliss ; but I am bound 
 Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears 
 Do scald like molten lead. 
 
 Cor. Sir, do you know me ? 
 
 Lear. You are a spirit, I know : when did you die? 
 
 Cor. Still, still, far wide ! 50 
 
 Doct. He ’s scarce awake : let him alone awhile. 
 
 Lear . Where have I been? Where am I? Fair day- 
 light ? 
 
 I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity, 
 To see another thus. I know not what to say. 
 
 I will not swear these are my hands : let *8 see ; 
 
 I feel tliis pin prick. Would I were assured 
 Of my condition ! 
 
 Cor. O, look upon me, sir, 
 
 And hold your hands in benediction o'er me. 
 
 No, sir, you must not kneel. 
 
 Lear. Pray, do not mock me : 
 
 I am a very foolish fond old man, 60 
 
 Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less ; 
 And, to deal plainly, 
 
 I fear I am not in my perfect mind. 
 
 Methinks I should know you and know this man ; 
 Yeti am doubtful ; for I am mainly ignorant 
 What place this is, and all the skill I have 
 
King Lear s** 
 
 Act IV. Sc. vii. 
 
 Remembers not these garments, nor I know not 
 Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me ; 
 For, as I am a man, I think this lady 
 To be my child Cordelia. 
 
 Q or And so I am, I am. 70 
 
 Lear. Be your tears wet ? yes, faith. I pray, weep not . 
 If you have poison for me, I will drink it. 
 
 I know you do not love me ; for your sisters 
 Have, as I do remember, done me wrong : 
 
 You have some cause, they have not. 
 
 Q gr .' No cause, no cause. 
 
 Lear. Am I in France ? 
 
 Kent. In your own kingdom, sir. 
 
 Lear. Do not abuse me. 
 
 Doct. Be comforted, good madam : the great rage, 
 
 You see, is kill’d in him s and yet it is danger 
 To make him even o’er the time he has lost. 80 
 Desire him to go in ; trouble him no more 
 Till further settling. 
 
 Cor. Will ’t please your highness walk ? 
 
 Lear. You must bear with me. 
 
 Pray you now, forget and forgive : I am old and 
 foolish. {Exeunt all but Kent and Gentleman. 
 jGcnt. Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall 
 was so slain ? 
 
 *39 
 
Act IV. Sc. vii. 
 
 •ss The Tragedy of 
 
 Kent. Most certain, sir. 
 
 Gent. Who is conductor of his people ? 
 
 Kent. As ’tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester. 
 
 Gent. They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the 90 
 Earl of Kent in Germany. 
 
 Kent. Report is changeable. ’Tis time to look 
 about; the powers of the kingdom approach 
 apace. 
 
 Gent. The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Fare 
 
 you well, sir. {_Exh. 
 
 Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly wrought, 
 Or well or ill, as this day’s battle ’s fought, f Exitj 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act V. Sc. i. 
 
 Act Fifth. 
 
 Scene I. 
 
 The British camp near Dover . 
 
 Enter, with drum and colours, Edmund, Regan, 
 Gentlemen, and Soldiers . 
 
 Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold, 
 
 Or whether since he is advised by aught 
 To change the course : he ’s full of alteration 
 And self-reproving : bring his constant pleasure. 
 
 [To a Gentleman, who goes out. 
 Reg. Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried. 
 
 Edm. ’Tis to be doubted, madam. 
 
 Now, sweet lord, 
 
 You know the goodness I intend upon you : 
 
 Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth, 
 
 Do you not love my sister ? 
 
 In honour’d love. 
 
 Reg. But have you never found my brother’s way io 
 To the forfended place ? 
 
 That thought abuses you. 
 
 " Reg . I am doubtful that you have been conjunct 
 
 And bosom’d with her, as far as we call hgpj 
 Edm. No, by mine honour, madam. 
 
 141 
 
Act V. Sc. i. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 Reg. I never shall endure her : dear my lord, 
 
 Be not familiar with her. 
 
 Edm. Fear me not. — 
 
 She and the duke her husband ! 
 
 ^ %% Enter , with drum and colours , Albany, Goneril \ 
 
 and Soldiers. 
 
 Gon. [ Aside ] I had rather lose the battle than that 
 sister 
 
 Should loosen him and me. 
 
 AIL Our very loving sister, well be-met. 2c 
 
 Sir, this I hear ; the king is come to his daughter, 
 With others whom the rigour of our state 
 Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, 
 
 I never yet was valiant :£Hgr this business, 
 
 It toucheth us, as France invades our land, 
 
 Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear, 
 
 Most just and heavy causes make oppose. 
 
 Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. 
 
 Reg* Why is this reason’d ? 
 
 Gon. Combine together "gainst the enemy ; 
 
 For these domestic and particular broils 30 
 
 Are not the question here. 
 
 Let "s then determine 
 
 With the ancient of war on our proceedings. 
 
 142 
 
King Lear 5? 
 
 Act v. Sc. i. 
 
 Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. 
 
 Reg. Sister, you’ll go with us ? 
 
 Gon. No. 
 
 Reg. ’Tis most convenient ; pray you, go with us. 
 Gon. [ 'Aside'} O, ho, I know the riddle. — I will go. 
 
 As they are going out , enter Edgar disguised. 
 
 Edg. If e’er your grace had speech with man so poor, 
 Hear me one word. 
 
 4ft' I ’ll overtake you. Speak. 
 
 [Exeunt all but Albany and Edgar. 
 Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. 40 
 If you have victory, let the trumpet sound 
 For him that brought it: wretched though I 
 
 seem, 
 
 I can produce a champion that will prove 
 What is avouched there. you miscarry, 
 
 Your business of the world hath so an end, 
 
 And machination ceaseaj Fortune love you ! 
 
 Stay till I have read the letter. 
 
 I was forbid it. 
 
 When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, 
 
 And I ’ll appear again. 
 
 Why, fare thee well : I will o’erlook thy paper. 50 
 
 [Exit Edgar. 
 
 Alb. 
 
 Edg. 
 
 Alb. 
 
 143 
 
Act V. Sc. i. 
 
 ss The Tragedy of 
 
 Re-enter Edmund \ 
 
 Edm. The enemy ’s in view : draw up your powers. 
 Here is the guess of their true strength and forces 
 By diligent discovery ; but your haste 
 Is now urged on you. 
 
 We will greet the time. [Exit. 
 
 Edm. To both tiiese sisters have I sworn my love ; 
 
 Each jealous of the other, as the stung 
 Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take ? 
 Both ? one ? or neither ? Neither can be enjoy’d, 
 If both remain alive : to take the widow 
 Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril ; 60 
 
 And hardly shall I carry out my side, 
 
 Her husband being alive. Now then we ’ll use 
 His countenance for the battle ; which being done, 
 Let her who would be rid of him devise 
 His speedy taking off. As for the mercy 
 
 • Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, 
 
 The battle done, and they within our power, 
 
 Shall never see his pardon $ for my state 
 
 Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit. 69 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act V. Sc. ii. 
 
 Scene II. 
 
 A field between the two camps . 
 
 Alarum within. Enter , with drum and colours , Lear , 
 Cordelia , and Soldiers , otw //:>£ x/qgv ; a/**/ exeunt • 
 
 Enter Edgar and Gloucester . 
 
 Here, father, take the shadow of this tree 
 For your good host ; pray that the right may thrive : 
 If ever I return to you again, 
 
 I ’ll bring you comfort. 
 
 Glou. Grace go with you, sir ! 
 
 [Exit Edgar. 
 
 Alarum and retreat within. Re-enter Edgar. 
 
 Edg. Away, old man ; give me thy hand ; away ! 
 
 King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta’en: 
 Give me thy hand ; come on. 
 
 Glou. No further, sir ; a man may rot even here. 
 
 Edg. What, in ill thoughts again ? Men must endure 
 Their going hence, even as their coming hither: 10 
 Ripeness is all : come on. 
 
 Glou. And that ’s true too. 
 
 [ Exeunt . 
 
 33 k 
 
 145 
 
Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 Scene 111. 
 
 7 he British camp near Dover, 
 
 Enter , in conquest , *with drum and colours , Edmund ; 
 Lear and Cordelia , prisoners ; Captain , 
 
 Soldiers , 
 
 Edm, Some officers take them away : good guard, 
 
 Until their greater pleasures first be known 
 That are to censure them. 
 
 We are not the first 
 
 Who with best meaning have incur r’d the worst. 
 For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down ; 
 
 Myself could else out-frown false fortune’s frown. 
 Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters ? 
 Lear, No, no, no, no ! Come, let ’s away to prison : 
 We two alone wiii sing like birds i’ the cage: 
 When thou dost ask me blessing, I ’ll kneel down 
 And ask of thee forgiveness : so we ’ll live, 1 1 
 And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh 
 At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues 
 Talk of court news ; and we ’ll talk with them too, 
 Who loses and who wins, who ’s in, who ’s out ; 
 And take upon ’s the mystery of things, 
 
 As if we were God’s spies : and we ’ll wear out, 
 
 146 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones 
 That ebb and flow by the moon. 
 
 Edm. Take them away. 
 
 Lear . Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, 20 
 
 The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught 
 thee ? 
 
 He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, 
 And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes ; 
 The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell, 
 Ere they shall make us weep : we 'll see 'em starve 
 first. 
 
 Come. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia , guarded • 
 
 Edm . Come hither, captain ; hark. 
 
 Take thou this note : go follow them to prison : 
 
 One step I have advanced theejj if thou dost 
 As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way 
 To noble fortunes: know thou this, that men 30 
 Are as the time is : to be tender-minded 
 Does not become a sword : thy great employment 
 Will not bear question ; either say thou 'It do 't, 
 
 Or thrive by other means. 
 
 *Tlapt. I '11 do 't, my lord. 
 
 Edm . About it 5 and write happy when thou hast done. 
 Mark 5 I say, instantly, and carry it so 
 As I have set it down. 
 
Act V Sc. iii. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 Capt . I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oatTj 
 
 If it be man's work, I 'll do 't. [ 'Exit • 
 
 . Flourish . Enter Albany , Goneril , Regan , another Captain , 
 
 aW Soldiers . 
 
 Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, 40 
 And fortune led you well : you have the captives 
 That were the opposites of this day's strife : 
 
 We do require them of you, so to use them 
 As we shall find their merits and our safety 
 May equally determine. 
 
 Edm. Sir, I thought it fit 
 
 To send the old and miserable king 
 To some retention and appointed guard ; 
 
 /Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, 
 
 To pluck the common bosom on his side, 
 
 And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes 50 
 
 Which do command them. With him I sent the 
 queen : 
 
 /My reason all the same jj and they are ready 
 To-morrow or at further space to appear 
 Where you shall hold your session. At this time 
 We sweat and bleed : the friend hathTost his friend 5 
 And the best quarrels, in the heat, are cursed 
 By those that feel their sharpness. 
 
 148 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Act V. Sc. lit* 
 
 The question of Cordelia and her father 
 Requires a fitter place J 
 
 dlb. Sir, by your patience, 
 
 I hold you but a subject of this war, 60 
 
 Not as a brother. 
 
 R e g* That ’s as we list to grace him. 
 
 Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded, 
 Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers, 
 Bore the commission of my place and person ; 
 
 The which immediacy may well stand up 
 And call itself your brother. 
 
 Gon. Not so hot : 
 
 In his own grace he doth exalt himself 
 More than in your addition. 
 
 R e g* In my rights, 
 
 By me invested, he compeers the best. 
 
 Gon . That were the most, if he should husband you. 70 
 
 Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. 
 
 Gon. Holla, holla ! 
 
 That eye that told you so look’d but a-squint. 
 
 Reg. Lady, I am not well ; else I should answer 
 F rom a full-flowing stomach. General, 
 
 T ake thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony 5 
 Dispose of them, of me 5 the walls are thine : 
 Witness the world, that I create thee here 
 
 149 
 
Act V, Sc, iii. 
 
 ces The Tragedy of 
 
 My lord and master. 
 
 Gon . Mean you to enjoy him ? 
 
 Alb . The let-alone lies not in your good will. 
 
 Edm . Nor in thine, lord. 
 
 Alb . Half-blooded fellow, yes. 80 
 
 [Jh Edmund ] Let the drum strike, and prove my 
 title thine. 
 
 Alb . Stay yet ; hear reason. Edmund, I arrest thee 
 On capital treason ; and in thine attaint 
 This gilded serpent [ i pointing to GonJ]. For your 
 claim, fair sister, 
 
 I bar it in the interest of my wife ; 
 
 , Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord, 
 
 And I, her husband, contradict your bans. 
 
 If you will marry, make your loves to me ; 
 
 My lady is bespoke. 
 
 Gon. An interlude ! 
 
 Alb. Thou art arm’d, Gloucester : let the trumpet sound : 
 If none appear to prove upon thy person 9 * 
 
 Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, 
 
 There is my pledge [ throwing down a glove ] : I ’ll 
 prove it on thy heart, 
 
 Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less 
 Than I have here proclaim’d thee. 
 
 Reg, Sick, O, sick ! 
 
 750 
 
King Lear sss* 
 
 Act V, Sc. iii. 
 
 Gon. [Aside ] If not, I Ml ne’er trust medicine.— 
 
 Edm. [Throwing down a glove'} There 7 8 my exchange : 
 what in the world he is 
 That names me traitor, villain-like he lies : 
 
 Call by thy trumpet : he that dares approach, 
 
 On him, on you, — who not? — I will maintain ioo 
 My truth and honour firmly. 
 
 AIL A herald, ho ! 
 
 Edm . A herald, ho, a herald ! 
 
 Alb. Trust to thy single virtue ; for thy soldiers. 
 
 All levied in my name, have in my name 
 Took their discharge. 
 
 Reg. My sickness grows upon me. 
 
 Alb. She is not well ; convey her to my tent. 
 
 [Exit Regan , led. 
 
 Enter a Herald. 
 
 Come hither, herald, — Let the trumpet sound,— 
 And read out this. 
 
 Capt. Sound, trumpet ! [A trumpet sounds. 
 
 Her. [Reads} 4 If any man of quality or degree no 
 within the lists of the army will maintain upon 
 Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he 
 is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third 
 sound of the trumpet : he is bold in his defence. 7 
 
 * 5 * 
 
Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 Edm . Sound! 
 Her . Again ! 
 Her . Again ! 
 
 cs The Tragedy of 
 
 £F/ 7 \r/ trumpet . 
 [Second trumpet . 
 [ Third trumpet, 
 [ 'Trumpet answers within. 
 
 Enter Edgar, at the third sound , armed, with a trumpet 
 before him. 
 
 Alb, Ask him his purposes, why he appears 
 Upon this call o’ the trumpet. 
 
 Her. What are you ? 
 
 Your name, your quality ? and why you answer 120 
 This present summons ? 
 
 Edg - Know, my name is lost 5 
 
 By treason’s tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit : 
 
 Yet am I noble as the adversary 
 I come to cope. 
 
 Alb . Which is that adversary ? 
 
 Edg. What’s he that speaks for Edmund, Earl of 
 Gloucester ? 
 
 Edm. Himself : what say’st thou to him ? 
 
 Edg . Draw thy sword, 
 
 That if my speech offend a noble heart, 
 
 Thy arm may do thee justice : here is mine. 
 [Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, 
 
 My oath, and my profession: I protest, 130 
 
 152 
 
King Lear Actv.Sc.iii 
 
 Maugre thy strength, youth, place and eminence, 
 Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune, 
 
 Thy valour and thy h eartj thou art a traitor, 
 
 False to thy gods, thy brother and thy father, 
 Conspirant ’gainst this high illustrious prince, 
 
 And from the extremest upward of thy head 
 To the descent and dust below thy foot, 
 
 A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou ‘ No,’ 
 
 This sword, this arm and my best spirits are bent 
 To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak, 140 
 Thou liest. 
 
 Edm. wisdom I should ask thy name, 
 
 But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike 
 And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes, 
 What safe and nicely I might well delay 
 By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spu r n : / 
 
 Back do I toss these treasons to thy head ; 
 
 With the hell-hated lie o’erwhelm thy heart ; 
 
 Which for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise, 
 This sword of mine shall give them instant way, 
 Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak 1150 
 p 73 \_Alarums . They Jight. Edmund falls . 
 
 Alb. Save him, save him ! 
 
 IGon. This is practice, Gloucester : 
 
 By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer 
 153 
 
Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 «=s= The Tragedy of 
 
 An unknown opposite ; thou art not vanquish’d, 
 
 But cozen’d and beguiled] 
 
 Alb . Shut your mouth, dame, 
 
 Or with this paper shall I stop it. Hold, sir ; 
 Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil. 
 
 No tearing, lady ; I perceive you know it. 
 
 Gon. Say, if I do, the laws are mine, not thine : 
 
 Who can arraign me for ’t ? 
 
 Alb. Most monstrous ! 
 
 Know’ st thou this paper ? 
 
 Gon . Ask me not what I know. 160 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Alb . Go after her : she ’s desperate ; govern her. 
 
 Edm . What you have charged me with, that have I done ; 
 And more, much more ; the time wiil bring it out : 
 ’Tis past, and so am I. But what art thou * 
 ffn at hast this fortune on me ? If thou ’rt noble, 
 
 I do forgive th ee .l 
 
 Edg. Let ’s exchange charity. 
 
 I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund ; 
 
 If more, the more thou hast wrong’d njgJ 
 My name is Edgar, and thy father’s son. 
 
 The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices 1 70 
 
 Make instruments to plague us : 
 
 The dark and vicious place where thee he got 
 154 
 
King Lear a* 
 
 Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 Cost him his eyes. 
 
 Edm. Thou hast spoken right, ’tis true ; 
 
 The wheel is come full circle ; I am here. 
 
 Alb. Methought thy very gait did prophesy 
 A royal nobleness : I must embrace thee : 
 
 Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I 
 Did hate thee or thy father 1 
 
 gjg' W orthy prince, l know ’ t. 
 
 Alb . Where have you hid yourself? 
 
 How have you known the miseries of your father i 
 Edg . By nursing them, my lord. LList a brief tale , i < « i 
 And when His told, O, that my heart would burst ! 
 The bloody proclamation to escape 
 That follow’d me so near,— O, our lives’ sweetness ! 
 That we the pain of death would hourly die 
 Rather than die at once ! — taught me to shift 
 Into a madman’s rags, to assume a semblance 
 That very dogs disdain’d : and in this h^&ta 
 ,dS®e\jJmy father with his bleeding rings, 189 
 
 Their precious stones new lost ; became his guide, 
 Led him, begg’d for him, saved him from despair ; 
 Never — O fault! — reveal’d myself unto him, 
 
 Until some half-hour past, £when I was arm’d ; 
 
 Not sure, though hoping, of this good success* 
 
 I ask’d his blessing, and from first to last 
 155 
 
Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 Told him my pilgrimage : but his flaw’d heart, — 
 Alack, too weak the conflict to support! — 
 ’Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, 
 Burst smilingly. 
 
 And shall perchance do good : but speak you on ; 
 You look as you had something more to say. 201 
 Alb . If there be more, more woful, hold it in ; 
 
 For I am almost ready to dissolve, 
 
 Hearing of this. 
 
 gjg. This would have seem’d a period 
 
 To such as love not sorrow ; but another, 
 
 To amplify too much, would make much more, 
 And top extremity. 
 
 Whilst I was big in clamour, came there in a man, 
 Who, having seen me in my worst estate, 
 
 Shunn’d my abhorr’d society ; but then, finding 210 
 Who ’twas that so endured, with his strong arms 
 He fasten’d on my neck, and bellow’d out 
 As he ’Id burst heaven ; threw him on my father ; 
 Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him 
 That ever ear received : which in recounting 
 His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life 
 Began to crack : twice then the trumpet sounded, 
 And there I left him tranced. 
 
 This speech of yours hath moved me, 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 Alb . But who was this ? 
 
 Edg. Kent, sir, the banish’d Kent ; who in disguise 
 
 Follow’d his enemy king, and did him service 220 
 Improper for a sl ave, j 
 
 Enter a Gentleman , with a bloody knife . 
 
 Gent . Help, help, O, help ! 
 
 Edg. What kind of help ? 
 
 Alb. Speak, man. 
 
 Edg. What means this bloody knife ? 
 
 Gent. ’Tis hot, it smokes ; 
 
 It came even from the heart of — O, she ’s dead ! 
 
 Alb. Who dead ? speak, man. 
 
 Gent. Y our lady, sir, your lady : and her sister 
 By her is poisoned ; she hath confess’ d it._^ , 
 
 Edm. I was contracted to them both : all three 
 Now marry in an instant. 
 
 "fl&jg. Here comes Kent. 
 
 Alb. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead. 
 
 [Exit Gentleman. 
 
 This judgement of the heavens, that makes us tremble, v 
 Touches us not with pity. 
 
 Enter Kent . 
 
 O, is this he ? 
 
 The time will not allow the compliment 
 157 
 
 
 230 
 
Act V, Sc. iii, 
 
 esThe Tragedy of 
 
 Which very manners urges. 
 
 Kent. I am come 
 
 To bid my king and master aye good night; 
 
 Is he not here ? 
 
 Alb . Great thing of us forgot ! 
 
 Speak, Edmund, where ’& the king? and where’s 
 Cordelia ? 
 
 See’st thou this object, Kent ? 
 
 [The bodies of Goner il and Regan are brought in. 
 Kent . Alack, why thus ? 
 
 Ed?n. Yet Edmund was beloved : 
 
 The one the other poison’d for my sake, 240 
 
 And after slew herself. 
 
 Alb. Even so. Cover their facg§* 
 
 Edm. I pant for life : some good I mean to do, 
 
 Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send, 
 
 Be brief in it, to the castle ; for my writ 
 Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia : 
 
 Nay, send in time. 
 
 Alb. Run, run, O, run ! 
 
 Edg. To who, my lord ? Who hath the office ? send 
 Thy token of reprieve. 
 
 Edm. Well thought on : take my sword, 250 
 
 Give it the captain. 
 
King Lear 
 
 Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 Alb. Haste thee, for thy life. 
 
 [Exit Edgar . 
 
 Edm. He hath commission from thy wife and me 
 To hang Cordelia in the prison, and 
 To lay the blame upon her own despair, 
 
 That she fordid herself. 
 
 Alb. The gods defend her ! Bear him hence awhile. 
 
 [ Edmund is borne ojj . 
 
 Re-enter Lear , with Cordelia dead in his arms ; 
 Edgar , Captain , and others following . 
 
 Lear. Howl, howl, howl, howl ! O, you are men of 
 stones : 
 
 Had I your tongues and eyes, I ’Id use them so 
 That heaven’s vault should crack. She ’s gone for 
 ever 1 
 
 I know when one is dead and when one lives ; 260 
 She ’s dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass ; 
 
 If that her breath will mist or stain the stone, 
 
 Why, then she lives. 
 
 Kent . Is this the promised end ? 
 
 Edg. Or image of that horror ? 
 
 Alb. Fall and cease. 
 
 Lear . This feather stirs ; she lives. If it be so. 
 
 It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows 
 That ever I have felt. 
 
 159 
 
Act V. Sc. iii. 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 Kent. [ Kneeling ] 0 my good master ! 
 
 Lear . Prithee, away . 
 
 Ldg. *Tis noble Kent, your friend. 
 
 Lear. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all ! 
 
 I might have saved her ; now she ’s gone for ever ! 
 Cordelia, Cordelia ! stay a little. Ha! 271 
 
 What is ’t thou say’st ? Her voice was ever soft, 
 Gentle and low, an excellent thing in woman. 
 
 I kill’d the slave that was a-hanging thee. 
 
 Capt. ’Tis true, my lords, he did. 
 
 Lear. Did I not, fellow ? 
 
 I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion 
 I would have made them skip : I am old now, 
 
 And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you ? 
 Mine eyes are not o’ the best : I ’ll tell you straight. 
 Kent. If fortune brag of two she loved and hated, 280 
 One of them we behold. 
 
 Lear. This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent ? 
 
 Kent. The same, 
 
 Your servant Kent. Where is your servant Ca lusJ 
 Lear. He ’s a good fellow, I can tell you that ; 
 
 He ’ll strike, and quickly too : he ’s dead and rotten. 
 Kent. No, my good lord ; I am the very man — 
 
 Lear. I ’ll see that straight. 
 
 Kent. That from your first of difference and decay 
 
 160 
 
King Lear s*«» 
 
 Act V. Sc.!.iii. 
 
 Have follow’d your sad steps. 
 
 Lear. You are welcome hither. 
 
 Kent . Nor no man else : all ’s cheerless, dark and deadly. 
 Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves, 291 
 And desperately are dead. 
 
 Lear . Ay, so I think. 
 
 Alb . He knows not what he says, and vain is it 
 That we present us to him. 
 
 Very bootless. 
 
 Enter a Captain . 
 
 Capt . Edmund is dead, my lord. 
 
 jUL That ’s but a trifle hfil£*) 
 
 You lords and noble friends, know our intent. 
 
 What comfort to this great decay may come 
 Shall be applied : for us, we will resign, 
 
 During the life of this old majesty, 
 
 To him our absolute power : [To Edgar and Kent ] 
 "you, to your rights ; 300 
 
 With boot, and such addition as your honours 
 Have more than merited. All friends shall taste 
 The wages of their virtue, and all foes 
 The cup of their deservings., O, see, see ! 
 
 Lear . And my poor fool is hang’d 1 No, no, no life ! 
 Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, 
 
 And thou no breath at all ? Thou ’It come no more, 
 33 / 161 
 
Act v. Sc. iii. Th e Tragedy of King Lear 
 
 Never, never, never, never, never ! 
 
 Pray you, undo this button : thank you, sir. 
 
 Do you see this ? Look on her, look, her lips, 310 
 Look there, look there ! [Dies. 
 
 Edg . He faints. My lord, my lord ! 
 
 Kent. Break, heart ; I prithee, break ! 
 
 Edg . Look up, my lord. 
 
 Kent . Vex not his ghost: O, let him pass! he hates 
 him 
 
 That would upon the rack of this tough world 
 Stretch him out longer. 
 
 Edg . He is gone indeed. 
 
 Kent. The wonder is he hath endured so long : 
 
 He but usurp’d his life. 
 
 Alb. Bear them from hence. Our present business 
 
 Is general woe. [To Kent and Edgar ] Friends of 
 my soul, you twain 
 
 Rule in this realm and the gored state sustain. 320 
 Kent. I have a journey, sir, shortly to go ; 
 
 My master calls me, I must not say no. 
 
 Alb. The weight of this sad time we must obey, 
 
 Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. 
 
 The oldest hath borne most : we that are young 
 Shall never see so much, nor live so long. 
 
 [. Exeunt, •with a dead march . 
 
 162 
 
Glossary. 
 
 Abated, diminished, deprived ; II. 
 iv. 161. 
 
 Able, uphold, answer for; IV. vi. 172. 
 
 Abused, deceived ; IV. i. 24. 
 
 Action-taking, “resenting an injury 
 by a law-suit, instead of fighting it 
 out like a man of honour ” (Schmidt); 
 II. ii. 18. 
 
 Addition, distinction, title ; II. ii. 
 26 ; V. iii. 301. “ Your a.*’, the title 
 
 you have given him ; V. iii. 68. 
 
 Additions, outward honour, titles ; I. 
 i. 138. 
 
 Address, address ourselves ; I. i. 193. 
 
 Admiration, amazement, astonish- 
 ment ; I. iv. 258. 
 
 Advise yourself, consider; II. i. 29. 
 
 Affected ; “ had more a.”, had 
 better liked, been more partial to ; 
 I. i. 1. 
 
 After, afterwards ; V. iii. 241. 
 A-height, aloft, to the height ; IV. 
 vi. 58. 
 
 Aidant, helpful ; IV. iv. 17. 
 
 Ajax, taken as a typical boaster ; (ac- 
 cording to some, a plain, blunt, brave 
 fellow) ; II. ii. 13a. 
 
 Alarum’d; “best a. spirits,” spirits 
 thoroughly aroused to the combat ; 
 
 II. i. 55- 
 
 All, altogether ; I. i. 102. 
 
 Allay, be allayed ; I. ii. 179. 
 
 Allow, approve of ; II. iv. 194. 
 Allowance, countenance, permis- 
 sion ; I. iv. 228. 
 
 Alms ; “ at fortune’s a.”, as an alms 
 of Fortune ; I. i. 280. 
 
 Amity, friendship ; II. iv. 245. 
 
 An, if; I. iv. 197. 
 
 Ancient of war, experienced officers ; 
 V. i. 32. 
 
 Answer; “a. my life,” let my life 
 answer for ; I. i. 153. 
 
 Apollo ; “ by Apollo,” an oath ; I. i. 
 162. 
 
 Appear ; “ wilt a.”, dost wish to seem ; 
 I. i. 183. 
 
 Approve, prove ; II. 11. 167. 
 Approves, confirms ; II. iv. 186. 
 
 , proves ; III. v. 12. 
 
 Arbitrement, contest, decision ; IV. 
 vii. 95. 
 
 Arch, chief; II. 1. 61. 
 
 Argument, subject ; I. i. 218. 
 
 Aroint thee, make room, away with 
 thee; (Qq., “ arint thee") ; III. iv. 
 129. 
 
 As, as if; III. iv. 15. 
 
 Assured loss, certainty of loss ; III. 
 vi. 102. 
 
 Attaint, impeachment ; V. iii. 83. 
 Attask’d for, blamed for ; (Ff. 1, 2, 
 3, “ at task for ” ; some copies of Q. 
 1,“ attaskt for ” ; Qq. 2, 3, “ alapt ”); 
 I. iv. 3 66. 
 
 Attend, await ; II. i. 127. 
 
 , watch, wait ; II. iii. 5* 
 
 Auricular, got by^hearing ; (Qq., 
 j “ aurigular ”) ; I. ii. 99. 
 
 • Avert, turn ; I. i. 214. 
 j Avouch, own, acknowledge ; II. iv. 
 
 ' 240. 
 
 ; Avouched, asserted; V. i. 44. 
 
 i Back, on his way back ; IV. ii. 90. 
 
 | Ballow, cudgel; (Q. 2, “ bat'")\ IV. 
 i vi* 247. 
 
 I Balm’d, cured, healed; III. vi. 105. 
 163 
 
Glossary. 
 
 Bandy, beat to and firo (a term in 
 tennis) ; I. iv. 92. 
 
 Bans, curses; II. iii. 19. 
 
 Bar, shut ; II. i. 
 
 , debar, exclude ; V. iii. 85. 
 
 Barber-monger, frequenter of bar- 
 bers’ shops, fop; II. ii. 36. 
 
 Bearing, suffering ; III. vi. 114. 
 
 Becomes, suits, agrees with ; II. iv. 
 i55. 
 
 Bedlam, lunatic; III. vii. 103. 
 
 Bedlam beggars, mad beggars; II. 
 iii. 14. 
 
 Beguiled, deceived; II. ii. u 7 . 
 
 Belike, it may be, perhaps ; IV. v. 
 20. 
 
 Bemadding, maddening ; III. i. 38. 
 
 Be-met, met ; V. i. 20. 
 
 Bench, sit on the judgment-seat ; III. 
 vi. 40. 
 
 Bending, directing, raising ; IV. ii. 74 
 
 Benison^ blessing ; I. i. 268. 
 
 Besort, become ; I. iv. 272. 
 
 Best; “were b.”, had better; I. iv. 
 109. 
 
 Bethought ; “ am b.” have decided ; 
 II. iii. 6. 
 
 Bestow, place, lodge ; IV. vi. 293. 
 
 Bestow’d, housed, lodged ; II. iv. 
 292. 
 
 Betwixt, between ; I. i. 241. 
 
 Bewray, betray, reveal; (Qq., "be- 
 tray”) ; II. i. 109. 
 
 Bias of nature, natural direction, 
 tendency; I. ii. 121. 
 
 Bide, bear: III. iv. 29. 
 
 Biding, abiding place ; IV. vi. 228. 
 
 Big, loud ; V. iii. 208. 
 
 Blame, fault; II. iv. 293. 
 
 Blank, the white mark in the centre 
 of the butt at which the arrow is 
 aimed ; I. i. 161. 
 
 Block, fashion of a hat ; IV. vi. 187. 
 
 Blood, nature ; III. v. 24. 
 
 — , impulse, passion ; (Theobald, 
 “ boiling blood'") ; IV. ii. 64. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Blown, ambitious, inflated ; IV. iv. 
 *7- 
 
 Boil, inflamed tumour; (Qq., Ff., 
 “ bile" “ byle")\ II. iv. 226. 
 
 Bolds, encourages ; V. i. 26. 
 
 Bond, duty, obligation ; I. i. 95. 
 Bones; “young b.”, i.e unborn in- 
 fant ; II. iv. 165. 
 
 Boot ; “ to b., and b.”, for vour reward 
 (? 14 over and above my thanks”) ; 
 IV. vi. 230. 
 
 Bootless, useless; V. iii. 294. 
 Border’d, limited, confined; IV. ii. 
 „ 33- 
 
 Bosom ; “ of her b.”, in her confidence ; 
 IV. v. 26. 
 
 , “ common b.”, affection of the 
 
 people ; V. iii. 49. 
 
 Bosom’d, in her confidence ; V. i. 13. 
 Bound, ready; III. vii. n. 
 
 Bourn, brook, III. vi. 27. 
 
 , limit, boundary ; IV. vi. 57. 
 
 Brach, a female hound; (Ff., “ the 
 Lady Brach ” ; Qq., “ Lady oth'i 
 brack"', A. Smith, “ Lye the brach 
 I. iv. 125. 
 
 Brazed, brazened, hardened ; I. i. u. 
 Brief ; be b. in it”, be quick about 
 it ; V. iii. 245. 
 
 British, (Ff. “English”); IV. vi. 
 256. 
 
 Brow of youth, youthful brow; I 
 iv. 306. 
 
 Brown bills, browned halberds used 
 by foot-soldiers ; IV. vi. 92. 
 
 Buoy’d, lifted itself ; (Q. 1, Mus. per. 
 and Bodl. 2, “ bod ” ; Q. x, Cap. Dev. 
 Mus. imp. and Bodl. 1, “ layd" ; 
 Qq- 2, 3, “ laid") ; III. vii. 60. 
 Bur-docks, the plant Arctrum Lappa; 
 (Hanmer’s emendation; Qq., “ hor- 
 docks ” ; Ff. 1, 2, “ Hardokes ” ; Ff. 
 3, 4, u Har docks " ; Farmer coni. 
 1778, “ harlocks ” ; Collier, Steevens 
 conj. “ hoar- docks ”) ; IV. iv. 4. 
 
 But, only ; 2V. vi. 128. 
 
King Lear 
 
 Glossary. 
 
 Buzz, whisper ; I. iv. 348. I 
 
 Bv, from ; (Ff. “ on") ; I. ii. 132. 
 
 Cadent, falling ; (Qq. 1, 2, “ accent " ; ' 
 Q. 3, “ accient ”) ; I. iv. 307. 
 
 Caitiff, wretch; (Ff., “ coward ”) * 
 II. i. 64. 
 
 Camelot, “ I’d drive ye cackling 
 home to C.” ; probably a proverb 
 not yet satisfactorily explained ; it 
 is said that near Cadbury in Somer- 
 setshire, the supposed site of Came- 
 lot, there are large pools, upon 
 which many geese are bred ; II. 
 ii. 90. 
 
 Can, can do ; IV. iv. 8. 
 
 Canker-bit, canker-bitten ; V. Hi. 
 122. 
 
 Capable, capable of inheriting ; II. i. 
 87. 
 
 Carbonado, cut across like a piece of 
 meat for broiling or grilling; II. ii. 
 41 - 
 
 Carry, bear, III. ii. 48. 
 
 , carry out, contrive ; V. iii. 36. 
 
 Carry out my side, “ be a winner in 
 the game ” (Schmidt) ; V. i. 61. 
 
 Case, empty socket ; IV. vi. 147. 
 
 Cat, civet cat ; III. iv. 109. 
 
 Cataracts, water-scouts ; (Q. 2, 
 
 “ cater ickes ”) ; III. ii. 2. 
 
 Censure, judge, pass sentence upon; 
 V. iii. 3. 
 
 Centaurs, fabulous monsters, half 
 man, half horse ; IV. vi. 126. 
 
 Century, troop of a hundred men ; 
 IV. iv. 6. 
 
 Challenge, claim as due ; I. i. 54. ; 
 
 Challenged, claimed ; IV. vii. 31. ; 
 
 Champains, plains, open country; I. ! 
 i. 65. 
 
 Chance, chances it ; II. iv. 63. 
 
 Character, handwriting ; I. ii. 66 . j 
 
 Charge, expense, cost ; II. iv. 242. j 
 
 Check, censure, rebuke; II. ii. 149. I 
 
 Che vqr ye, I warn you ; IV. vi. 246. i 
 
 Child-changed, changed by children's 
 conduct ; IV. vii. 17. 
 
 Child Rowland, (z/. Note); III. iv. 187. 
 Chill, I will ; (Somerset or south- 
 country dialect); IV. vi. 239. 
 
 Chud, I should, or I would ( cf > . 
 
 “ chill ”) ; IV. vi. 243. 
 
 Clearest, most pure, most glorious ; 
 IV. vi. 73. 
 
 Clipp’d, curtailed ; IV. vii. 6. 
 
 Closet, room, chamber; I. ii. 65. 
 Clothier’s yard, cloth-yard-shaft, 
 arrow; IV. vi. 88. 
 
 Clotpoll, blockhead; (Ff., “ Clot- 
 pole ” ; Qq., clat-pole")\ I. iv. 50. 
 Clout, the white mark in the centre 
 of the target ; IV. vi. 92. 
 
 Cock, cockcrow* : III. iv. 121. 
 
 , cockboat ; IV. vi. 19. 
 
 Cockney, a cook's assistant ; (origin- 
 ally a person connected with the 
 Kitchen ; later, a pampered child) ; 
 
 II. iv. 123. 
 
 Cocks, weathercocks ; III. ii. 3. 
 Cod-piece, a part of the male attire; 
 
 III. ii. 27. 
 
 Cold ; “ catch c.”, be turned out of 
 doors ; 1. iv. 113. 
 
 Colour, kind; (Qq., “ nature ") ; II. 
 145 - 
 
 Comfortable, able to comfort; I. iv. 
 328. 
 
 , comforting ; II. ii. 171. 
 
 Comforting, 41 giving aid and comfort 
 to ” ; (used in a technical legal sense) ; 
 III. v. 21. 
 
 Commend, deliver ; II. iv. 28. 
 Commission, warrant to act as repre- 
 sentative ; V. iii. 64. 
 
 Commodities, advantages ; IV. i. 23. 
 Compact, put together ; I. ii. 7. 
 
 — — , give consistency to ; I. iv. 362. 
 Compeers, is equal -with ; V. iii. 69. 
 Conceit, imagination ; IV. vi. 42. 
 Conceive, understand ; IV. ii. 24. 
 Concluded ; ,4 had not c. all,” had 
 
 its 
 
Glossary. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 not come to an end altogether ; IV. 
 vii. 42. 
 
 Condition, character, habit; I. i.301. 
 Conditions, character, temper ; IV. 
 iii* 35- 
 
 Confine, limit, boundary ; II. iv. 150. 
 Confined, restricted, limited ; I. ii. 
 25- 
 
 Conjunct, in concert with; (Ff., 
 “ compact ”); II. ii. 125, 
 
 , closely united ; V. i. 12. 
 
 Conjuring, employing incantations ; 
 II. i. 41. 
 
 Consort, company ; II. i. 99. _ # 
 Conspirant, conspirator ; V. iii. 135. 
 Constant pleasure, fixed resolve ; 
 V. i. 4. 
 
 Constrains, forces ; II. ii. 103. 
 Contemned’st, most despised ; (Qq., 
 “ temnest"; Pope, “ the meanest ”} ; 
 
 11. ii. 150. 
 
 Continent, restraining; I. ii. i8x. 
 Continents, that which contains or 
 encloses ; III. ii. 58. 
 
 Convenient, proper ; V. L 36. 
 Converse, associate, have intercourse; 
 I. iv. 16. 
 
 Convey, manage with secrecy ; I. ii. 
 109. 
 
 Cope, cope with ; V. iii. 124. 
 
 Corky, withered, dry ; III. vii. 29. 
 Coronet, crown ; I. i. 141. 
 
 Costard, head ; IV. vi. 247. 
 
 Couch, lie close and hidden; III. i. 
 
 12. 
 
 Course, way of life ; II. ii. 175. 
 
 , “ my very c.’\ the same course as 
 
 I do ; (Ff., “ my course ”); I. iii. 26. 
 — *— * “gentleness and c. of yours,” 
 gentleness of your course ; I. iv. 364. 
 — , “ the old c. of death,” a natural 
 death ; III. vii. xoi. 
 
 Court holy-water, flattery ; (“ Ray, 
 among his proverbial phrases, men- 
 tions court holy-water tne&rilng/dir 
 words. The French have the same 
 
 phrase : Eau benite de Cour " 
 
 Steevens) ; III. ii. 10. 
 
 Courtesy ; ** do a c. to ” ; yield, give 
 way to ; III. vii. 26. 
 
 Cover, hide ; I. i. 284. 
 
 Cowish, “cowish terror”, cowardly 
 terror; [Q. 1 (some copies)/ 4 cowish 
 curre ” ; Wright conj. “ currish 
 terror’ 1 ]; IV. ii. 12. 
 
 Coxcomb, fool’s cap ; I. iv. 105. 
 
 Coxcombs, heads ; II. iv. 125. 
 
 Cozen’d, cheated, deceived ; V. iii. 
 X54- 
 
 Cozener, cheater ; IV. vi, 167. 
 
 Crab, crab-apple ; I.v. 15. 
 
 Craves, demands; II. i. 130. 
 
 Crow-keeper, one who scares crows 
 away from a field ; IV. vi. 88. 
 
 Cruel, a play upon crewel worsted, of 
 which garters were made; (Qq. 1, 2, 
 “ere well" ; Q. 3, “ crew ill" ; Ff. 
 3, 4, “ crewel ”) ; II. iv. 7. 
 
 Cruels; “all c. else,” “all their other 
 cruelties "(v. Note) *, III. vii. 65. 
 
 Cry ; “ till it c. sleep to death,” till its 
 clamour murders sleep ; II. iv. 120. 
 
 Cry grace, cry for pardon ; III. ii. 58. 
 
 Cub-drawn, sucked dry by cubs, 
 famished ; III. i. 12. 
 
 Cuckoo-flowers, cowslips; IV. iv. 
 4* 
 
 Cue, catch-word ; I. ii. 147. 
 
 Cullionly, wretched ; II. ii. 36. 
 
 Cunning, dissimulation; II. i. 31. 
 
 Curiosity, minute scrutiny ; 1. 1. 6. 
 
 , suspicious watchfulness, scrupul- 
 ousness ; I. iv. 75. 
 
 , over-nice scrupulousness; (Theo- 
 bald, Warburton conj. “ curtesie ”) ; 
 I. ii. 4. 
 
 Curious, nice, elegant ; I. iv. 35. 
 
 Curst, shrewish ; II. i. 67. 
 
 Darkling, in the dark ; I. iv. 237, 
 
 Daub it, keep up my disguise ; (Qq., 
 
 “ dance it"); IV. *. 54. 
 
King Lear ss«- 
 
 Glossary. 
 
 Dawning, morning ; (Qq. “ euen ” ; 
 Pope, "evening")', II. ii. i. ^ 
 
 Day and night, an oath ; I. iii. 4. 
 
 Dear, precious, valued ; I. iv. 294. 
 
 , important ; III. i. 19. 
 
 Death-practised ; “ the d. duke,”z>., 
 whose death is plotted; IV. vL 284. 
 
 Deathsman, executioner ; IV. vi. 263. 
 
 Debosh’d, debauched; (Qq., “ de- 
 boyst") ; I. iv. 263. ^ 
 
 Decline, bend ; IV. ii. 22. 
 
 Declining, becoming feeble ; (Ff., 
 “declin'd")', I. ii. 78. 
 
 Deed ; “ my very d. of love,” my love 
 in very deed ; I. i. 72. 
 
 Deer, game; III. iv. 144. 
 
 Deficient, defective ; IV. vi. 23. 
 
 Defuse, disorder, disguise; I. iv. 2. 
 
 Dejected ; “ d. thing of fortune,” 
 thing dejected by fortune ; IV. i. 3. 
 
 Demanding, asking, enquiring; III. 
 ii. 65. 
 
 Deny, refuse; II. iv. 88. 
 
 Depart, depart from ; III. v. i. 
 
 Depend, be dependent, remain; I. iv. 
 27 1 . 
 
 Deprive, “ disinherit”; I. ii. 4. 
 
 Derogate, degraded; I. iv. 302. 
 
 Descry; “mam d.”, full view of the 
 main body; IV. vi. 217. 
 
 Descry, spy out, discover ; IV. v. 13. 
 
 Deserving, desert; III. iii. 24. m 
 
 Desperately, in despair ; V. iii. 292. 
 
 Detested, detestable ; I. ii. 81. 
 
 Difference ; “ your first of d.”, the 
 first reverse of your fortune; V. iii. 
 288. ; 
 
 Differences, dissensions ; II. i. 125. 
 
 Diffidences, suspicions; I. ii. 161. _ 
 
 Digest, dispose of, use, enjoy; I. i. 
 130. 
 
 Dimensions, parts of the body ;I. ii. 7. 
 
 Disasters, (used perhaps in its ori- 
 ginal astrological sense); I. ii. 131. 
 
 Disbranch, _ slip, tear off from the 
 tree : IV. ii. 34 
 
 Disclaims in, disowns; II. ii. 59 - 
 
 Discommend, disapprove; II. ii. 115- 
 
 Discovery, reconnoitring ; V. i. 53. 
 
 Discretion, common sense, wisdom, = 
 discreet person; II. iv. 151. 
 
 Diseases, discomforts; (Ff., “ disas- 
 ters") \ I. i. 177* 
 
 Disnatured, unnatural ; I. iv. 305. 
 
 Display’d so saucily, made so saucy 
 a display ; II. iv. 41. 
 
 Dispositions, moods, humours ; I. iv. 
 242. 
 
 Disquantity, diminish; I. iv. 270. 
 
 Disquietly, causing disquiet ; I. ii. 
 
 Distaff, spinning wheel ; IV. 11. 17. 
 Distaste, dislike; (Qq., “dislike ’); 
 
 I. iii. 15. 
 
 Distract, distracted; IV. vi. 288. 
 Dolours, used with a play upon 
 u dollars”; (Ff. 1, 2, 3, “ Dolors ”) ; 
 
 II. iv. 54. 
 
 Dolphin my boy, probably a fragment 
 of an old song; II I. iv. 104. 
 
 Doom, sentence; (F. 1, i; guift ; Ff. 
 
 *. 3. 4. \ 
 
 Doubted, feared ; V. 1. o. 
 
 Doubtful, fearful ; V. i. 12 
 Drew, I drew my sword ; II. iv. 42. __ 
 Ducking, bowing, fawning ; II. ii. 
 109. 
 
 Dullard, idiot; II. i. 7 6 - 
 
 Each ; "at e.”, fastened each to each ; 
 
 IV. vi. S3- _ . . . 
 
 Ear-kissing, whispered in the ear , 
 (Qq., “ eare-bussing ”) ; II. i. 9. 
 Earnest, earnest money, money paid 
 beforehand as a pledge ; I. iv. 104. 
 Effects, outward show;. I, i. 133. 
 
 , actions, manifestations; II. iv. 
 
 182. 
 
 Effects ; “ prove e.”, be realised ; 
 
 IV. 11 *5- . ... 
 
 Elbows, stands at his elbow ; IV. 111. 
 
Glossary. 
 
 css The Tragedy of 
 
 Elements, air and sky; (Qq., “ ele- 
 ment ”) ; III. i. 4. 
 
 Elf all my hair, tangle, mat my hair, 
 (supposed to be the work of elves or 
 fairies) ; II. iii. 10. 
 
 Embossed, protuberant, swollen ; II. 
 iv. 227. 
 
 End, end of the world ; V. iii. 263. 
 
 Engine, rack ; I. iv. 290. 
 
 Enguard, guard; I. iv. 349^ 
 
 Enormous, abnormal ; II. ii. 176. 
 
 Enridged, formed into ridges ; IV 
 vi. 7X. 
 
 Entertain, engage ; III. vi. 83. 
 
 Entire, main ; T. i. 243. 
 
 Epileptic, ** distorted by grinning ” ; 
 II. ii. 87. 
 
 Equalities, equal conditions; (Ff , 
 “ qualities") ; I. i. 5. . 
 
 Esperance, hope ; IV. i. 4. 
 
 Essay, assay, trial ; I. ii. 47. 
 
 Estate, condition; V. iii. 209. 
 
 Even; “even o’er”, pass over in his 
 memory ; IV. vii. 80. 
 
 Event ; “ the e.”, i.e. , the result will 
 prove ; I. iv. 371. 
 
 Evidence, witnesses ; III. vi. 37. 
 
 Exhibition, allowance ; I. ii. 25. 
 
 Eyeless, blind ; III. i. 8. 
 
 Fain, gladly; I. iv. 196. 
 
 Faint, slight ; I. iv. 73. 
 
 Faith’d, believed ; II. i. 72. 
 
 Fall, cause to fall ; II. iv. 170. 
 
 Fast, firm, fixed; (Qq., “ Jirst n )\ I. 
 i. 39- 
 
 Fault, mistake ; V. 111. 192. 
 
 Favours; “my hospitable f.”, the 
 features of me your host ; III. vii. 
 
 4°. 
 
 Fear, am afraid of; IV. ii. 31. 
 
 Fears, frightens; III. v. 4. 
 
 Feature, outward form; IV. ii. 63. 
 
 Feeling, heartfelt ; IV. vi. 226. 
 
 Felicitate, made happy; I. i. 76. 
 
 Fellow, companion ; III. i. 48 
 
 Fellows, comrades; I. iii. 14. 
 
 Fetch, bring ; (Ff. 3, 4, “ fet ” ; Pope, 
 “ bring") ; II. iv. 92. 
 
 Fetches, pretexts, excuses ; II. iv. 90. 
 Fire ; *‘f. us like foxes”, alluding to 
 the practice of smoking foxes out of 
 their holes ; V. iii. 23. 
 
 Fire-new, brand new, fresh from the 
 mint ; V. iii. 132. 
 
 Fish ; “ eat no f. ”, be a Protestant ; 
 
 (alluding to the Papist custom of 
 eating fish on Fridays) ; I. iv. 18. 
 Fitchew, polecat ; IV. vi. 124. 
 Fitness ; “ my f.’\ a thing becoming 
 me ; IV. ii. 63. 
 
 Flaw’d, shattered, broken ; V. iii. 196. 
 Flaws, shivers, particles; II. iv. 288. 
 Flesh, “ feed with flesh for the first 
 time, initiate” ^ (Schmidt) ; (Qq., 
 
 ^Jleash ") ; II. ii. 49- 
 Flesh and fell, flesh and skin ; V. 
 iii. 24. 
 
 Fleshment; “in the f. of.” being 
 fleshed with ; (Qq. 1, 2, “ jtleckuent " ; 
 Q- 3- " flechuent ”) ; II. ii. 130. 
 Flibbertigibbet, the name of a 
 friend ; III. iv. 120. 
 
 Flying off, desertion; II. iv. 91. 
 Foins, thrusts in fencing; IV. vi. 251. 
 Fond, foolish ; I. ii. 52 ; I- iv. 323 ; 
 
 IV. vii. 60. 
 
 Fool ; “ poor fool,” used as a term of 
 endearment (addressed to Cordelia) ; 
 
 V. iii. 305. 
 
 Fool; “ their f.’\ a fool to them ; II. 
 ii. 132. 
 
 Footed, landed ; III. iii. 14. 
 
 Foppish, foolish ; I. iv. 182. 
 
 For, because ; I. i. 227. 
 
 , as for ; II. i. 114 ; V- i. 24. 
 
 Forbid, forbidden ; III. iii. 22. 
 Fordid, destroyed; V. iii. 255. 
 Fordone, destroyed ; V. iii. 291. 
 Forb-vouch’d, affirmed before ; I. i. 
 223. 
 
 Forfended, forbidden ; V. 1. n. 
 
 168 
 
Glossary 
 
 ICing Lear 
 
 Forgot, forgotten ; V. iii. 236. 
 
 Fork, barbed arrow head ; 1. 1. 146. 
 
 For that, because ; I. ii. S« 
 
 Fortune, success ; V. m. 165. 
 
 Frame, manage ; I. ii. xo 7- . 
 
 France, King of France ; II. iv. 215. 
 Frateretto, the name of one ol 
 Harsnet’s fiends ; III. vi. 7- 
 Fraught, filled ; I. iv. 241. . 
 
 Free, sound, not diseased ; IV. vi. 00. 
 Fret, wear ; I. iv. 307. 
 
 From, away from ; II.. 1. 126. 
 Frontlet, frown ; I. iv. 207. 
 Fruitfully, fully; IV. vi. 270. 
 
 Full, fully ; I. iv. 360. 
 
 Full-flowing, “freely venting its 
 passion” ; V. iii- 74; . 
 
 Fumiter, fumitory ; IV. iv. 3. 
 Furnishings, _ pretences, outward 
 shows; III. i. 29. 
 
 Furrow-weeds, weeds growing on 
 ploughed land ; IV. iv. 3. 
 
 Gad; “upon the g.’\ on the spur of 
 the moment, suddenly ; I. 11. 26. 
 Gait, way ; IV. vi. 242. 
 
 , bearing; V. iii. i7S* .. 
 
 Gallow, frighten, terrify J, III; ll * 44 * 
 Garb, manner of speech II. n* IQ 3 * 
 Gasted, frightened ; II. 1. 57 * .. 
 
 Gate ; “ at g.”, at the gate ; III. vn. 
 17. _ . 
 
 Generation, offspring ; I. 1. “9 - 
 Germins, germs, seeds; (Theobalds 
 emendation ; Qq., “ Germains \ h t. 
 1,2, “ germaines " ; Ff. 3, 4, £ er ~ 
 manes"; Capeli, u germens )\ III- 
 
 Give you good morrow, God give 
 you good morning ; II. ii. 165. 
 Glass-gazing, contemplating _himseii 
 in a mirror, vain, foppish ; II. 11. 19 - 
 Gloves ; “wore g. in my cap, t.e . , 
 as favours of my mistress ; UI-JV. bo. 
 Good; “made g.”, maintained, as- 
 serted ; I. i. 175 - 
 
 Goodman boy, a contemptuous mode 
 of address; II. ii. 4®- , . , 
 
 Good-years, supposed to be corrupted 
 
 r. • > i U r*n I 
 
 jcrs" 
 iii. 24. 
 
 Got, begot, II. 1 80. ... 
 
 Go to, an exclamation ; 111 * ul - 
 Govern, restrain ; V. iii- 161. 
 
 Graced, dignified; (Qq-» great ); 
 
 Greet the time, “be ready to greet 
 the occasion ” ; V. i. 54* 
 
 Gross, large; IV. vi. 14. „ . 
 
 Grossly, “ palpably, evidently , I. 1. 
 
 Grow out at heels, reduced to poor 
 condition (c>. “ out at eloows ) ; II. 
 
 Guardians; “my g", "the guardians 
 under me of my realm *, II. tv. 254. 
 
 Habit, dress, garb ; V. iii. 188. 
 Halcyon, kingfisher; ( ‘alytle oyrde 
 called the King’s Fysher, being 
 hanged up in the ayre by the neck, 
 his nebbe or byll wyll be alwayes 
 dyrect or strayght against ye winde 
 — Thomas Lupton, Notable Things , 
 j B. x.); II. ii- 84. 
 
 Half-blooded, partly of noble, partly 
 ' of mean birth ; V . iii. 80. 
 Handy-dandy, the children s game , 
 “which hand will you have 7 ; IV. 
 
 Hap; “what will h.”, let what will 
 happen ; III. vi. 121. 
 
 Haply, perhaps ; I. i. 102. 
 
 Happy, fortunate ; II. m. 2. 
 
 Hatch, half-door ; III. vi. 7 6 * 
 Headier; “more h. , .more head- 
 strong, impetuous ; II. 1V * “ x - T „ 
 Head-lugg’d, led by the head; IV 
 
 Heat 2 ; “ i’ the heat,” a referenceprob- 
 169 
 
Glossary. 
 
 •es The Tragedy of 
 
 ably to the proverb, “ Strike the 
 iron while it is hot”; I. i. 312. 
 
 Hecate (dissyllabic) ; (Qq. and F. 1, 
 
 “ Heccat"\ F. 2, “ Hecat ”) ; I. i. 
 112. 
 
 Hell-hated, “ abhorred like hell ” ; 
 V. iii. 147. 
 
 Helps, heals, cures ; IV. iv. 10. 
 
 Here (used substantively) ; I. i. 264. 
 
 High - engender’d, engendered on 
 high, in the heavens ; III. ii. 23. 
 
 Him, himself; V. iii. 213. 
 
 Hit, agree, be of one mind; (Ff., 
 “sit"); I. i. 307. 
 
 Hold, keep, maintain; II. iv. 245. 
 
 Holp, helped; III. vii. 62. 
 
 Home, thoroughly, vitally ; III. iii. 13. 
 
 Honour’d, honourable ; V. i. 9. 
 
 Hopdance, the name of a fiend, 
 (probably “ Hoberdidance ”) ; (Qq., 
 
 “ Hoppedance ” ; Capell, “ Hop- 
 dance" ) ; III. vi. 32. 
 
 Horse’s health, alluding to the be- 
 lief that “a horse is above all other 
 animals subject to disease ” (John- 
 son) ; III. vi. 20. 
 
 Hot-blooded, passionate ; II. iv. 215. 
 
 House; “the h.”, It r. “the order of 
 families, the duties of relation ; ” 
 (Theobold, “ the use ? n ; Collier MS., 
 
 “ the mouth ?") ; II. iv. 155. 
 
 Howe’er, although ; IV. ii. 66. 
 
 Hundred-pound, used as a term of 
 reproach for a person who had 
 saved just enough to pose as a 
 gentleman); II. ii. 17. 
 
 Hurricanoes, water-spouts ; (Ff. 2, 3, 
 
 4, “ Hurricano's" ; F. 1, “ Hyrri- 
 canos ” ; Qq. i, 2, “ Hircanios" ; 
 
 Q. 3, “ Hercantos”) ; III. ii. 2. 
 
 Hysterica pass jo, hysteria; (Qq. Ff. 
 
 I* 2, “ Historica passio" ; F. 3, 
 
 “ Hystorica passio ”) ; II. iv. 56. 
 
 Idle, foolish, silly; I. iii. 17. 
 
 , worthless; IV. iv. 5. 
 
 170 
 
 III affected, evilly disposed ; II. i. 
 
 100. 
 
 Images, signs; II. iv. 91. 
 
 Immediacy, being immediately next 
 in authority ; V. iii. 65. 
 Impertinency, that which is not to 
 the point; IV. vi. 179. 
 
 Important, importunate; IV. iv. 26. 
 Impossibilities; “men’s i.”, things 
 impossible to man ; IV. vi. 74. 
 Impress’d, pressed into our service ; 
 V. iii. 50. 
 
 In, at, I. iv. 350; into, IV. i, 77. 
 Incense, incite, instigate ; II. iv. 309. 
 Incite, impel ; IV. iv. 27. 
 
 Infect, pollute, poison; II. iv. 168. 
 Influence (used as astrological term) ; 
 I. ii. 136. 
 
 Ingenious, intelligent, conscious; IV. 
 vi. 287. 
 
 Ingrateful, ungrateful ; II. iv. 165. 
 Innocent, idiot, (addressed to the 
 fool) ; III. yi- 8. 
 
 Intelligent, bearing intelligence ; 
 
 (Qq. “ intelligence")'. III. vii. 12. 
 Intend upon, i,e. % intend to confer 
 upon; V. i. 7. 
 
 Intent, intention ; I. i. 39. 
 
 Intent ; “ made i.”, intention, plan I 
 had formed; (Collier MS., “ main 
 *.”); IV. vii. 9. 
 
 Interess’d, interested ; (Ff., “ in- 
 terest ”) ; I. i. 87. 
 
 Interlude ; properly, a short play 
 performed during a banquet ; used 
 loosely for a comedy or farce ; V. iii. 
 
 89. 
 
 Intrinse, tightly drawn; II. ii. 81. 
 Invade, pierce, penetrate into ; I. L 
 146. 
 
 Invades, penetrates; III. iv. 7. 
 
 It, its; I. iv. 236. 
 
 It is, it is true ; IV. vi. 144. 
 
 Jakes, privy ; II. ii. 72. 
 
 Jealous, suspicious ; V. i. 56. 
 
King Lear 
 
 Glossary. 
 
 Joint-stool, a folding-chair (used in 
 proverbial expression, “ I took you 
 for a joint-stool ”) ; III. vi. 54. 
 
 Judicious, judicial ; III- iv. 76. 
 
 Tustickr, justice ; (Theobald's emen- 
 dation ; Qq., “ iustice ”) ; III. vi. 23. 
 
 Knapped, cracked, tapped (Qq-» 
 “ rapt") ; II. iv. 125. . 
 
 Knee, kneel down before ; II. tv. 217. 
 
 Lag of, later than; I. ii- 6. 
 
 Lanced, cut ; (Theobald’s emenda- 
 tion; Qq. “ launckt ” and “ lancht ” ; 
 Ff., “latch'd”)\ II. i. 54 - 
 
 Lances, i.e. soldiers carrying lances, 
 lancers; V. iii. 5°* _ , 
 
 Late, lately ; I. iv. 226 ; III- iv. 173. 
 
 . “of 1 . \ lately ; II. iv. 40. 
 
 l the 1. , at t 
 
 the least ; I- i- 
 
 Least 
 194. 
 
 Leave, with your permission ; IV . vi. 
 264. 
 
 Light of ear, foolishly credulous; 
 III. iv. 95. 
 
 Lights on, comes across his path , 
 III. i. 54- . 
 
 Like, please ; I. 1. 203. 
 
 Like, likely; I. i. 304. 
 
 Likes, pleases; II. ii. 96. 
 Lily-livered, white-livered, cowardly; 
 
 II. ii. 18. . , 
 
 Lipsbury pinfold ; perhaps a coined 
 
 name = the teeth, as . being the 
 pinfold, or pound, within the lips 
 (Nares); II. ii. 9. 
 
 List, please ; V. iii. 61. 
 
 List, listen to; V. iii. 181. _ 
 
 Litter, couch for carrying sick 
 persons and ladies when travelling ; 
 
 III. vi. 97. 
 
 Living, possessions ; I. iv. 120. 
 Loathly, with abhorrence ; II- 1* 5 1, 
 Look’d for, expected ; II- iv. 235. 
 Loop’d, full of holes (loop-holes) ; III. 
 iv. 31 
 
 Luxury, lust ; IV. vi. 119. 
 
 Lym, bloodhound led in^ a line or 
 leash ; (Kanmer’s correction ; Qcp 1, 
 
 3, “him " ; Q. 2, “Him"', Ff., 
 
 “ Hym ” ; Collier MS„ “ Trim ); 
 III. vi. 72. 
 
 Madded, maddened ; IV. ii. 43. 
 
 Mahu, a name in Harsnet's category 
 of devils; III. iv. 149. . 
 
 Main, sea, ocean (? mainland) ; Ill.i. o 
 Mainly, mightily ; IV. vii. 65. 
 
 Make from, get out of the way of; l 
 
 i- 145 - , . , _ . 
 
 Makes up, decides ; I- 1. 209. 
 
 Mate ; “ one self m- and m. , the 
 same husband and wife, one and the 
 same pair ; IV. iii. 36. 
 
 Material , forming the substance; 
 (Theobald, “ maternal ’ ; Collier 
 conj. “ natural ”); IV. ii. 35. 
 Matter, cause of quarrel ; II. 11. 47. 
 
 , meaning, good sense; IV. vi. 179. 
 
 Matter; “no m.”, does not matter; 
 
 I. iii. 23. . ... 
 
 Maugre, in spite of ; V. ni. 131. 
 Means, resources ; IV. 1. 22. 
 
 Meet, good, fit ; I. ii. 97* 
 
 Meiny, household, retinue; (Ff. 1, 2, 
 “ meiney " ; Qq. “ men ”) ; II. tv. 35. 
 Memories, memorials; IV. vn. 7. 
 Merit, = desert, in a bad sense; 111 - 
 v* 8* 
 
 Merlin, the ancient magician of the. 
 
 Arthurian romance III. ii. 95 - 
 Mew, ( v . note) ; IV. ii. 68. .. 
 
 Milk-livered, faint-hearted; IV. a 
 50. 
 
 Minikin; “m. mouth”, i.e., pretty 
 little mouth; III. vh 45. 
 Miscarried, lost ; V. i. 5. 
 
 Miscarry, lose ; V . i. 44. 
 
 Mischief; “with the m. of your 
 person”, with harm to your life ; 
 (Hanmer, “without"', Johnson 
 1 conj. “ but with" \ I. ii« * 7 ^* 
 
 171 
 
Glossary. 
 
 <ss The Tragedy of 
 
 Misconstruction; “upon his m/\ 
 through his misunderstanding me ; 
 
 II. ii. 124. 
 
 Miscreant, vile wretch, (?) misbe- 
 liever, (Qq., u recreant ") ; I. i. 163. 
 Modest, becoming ; Ii. iv. 25. 
 
 , moderate, IV. vii. 5. 
 
 Modo, a name from Harsnet’s cate- 
 gory of devils ; III. iv. 148. 
 
 Moiety, share, portion ; I. i. 7. 
 Monsters, makes monstrous; I.i. 223. 
 Moonshines, months ; I. ii. 5. 
 Mopping and mowing, i.e., making 
 grimaces ; (Theobald’s emendation ; 
 Qq., “ Mobing, and mo king ”) ; IV. 
 i. 64. 
 
 Moral, moralizing; IV. ii. 58. 
 Mortified, insensible ; II. iii. 15. 
 Mother, i.e.. Hysterica passio, hys- 
 teria; II. iv. 56. 
 
 Motion, thrust, impulse ; II. i. 52. 
 Motley, the parti-coloured dress of 
 the fool or jester ; I. iv. 160. 
 
 Mouths ; “ made m.”. made grimaces ; 
 
 III. ii. 36. 
 
 Much, great ; II. ii. 148. 
 
 Mumbling of, mumbling; (Qq., 
 “ warbling ”) ; II. i. 41. 
 
 Natural, used in the two senses of 
 the word; II. i. 86. 
 
 Naught, naughty, wicked ; II. iv. 
 136. 
 
 Naughty, bad ; III. iv. 115. 
 
 Neat, finical, foppish, spruce ; II. 
 
 . ii. 45- 
 
 Need of, have need of, need ; II. iv. 
 241. 
 
 Nero, (Upton conj. “ Trajan" be- 
 cause, according to Rabelais, Nero 
 is a fiddler in hell, and Trajan a 
 fisher of frogs); III. vi. 7. 
 
 Nether, committed on earth; IV. ii. 
 79- 
 
 Nether-stocks, short stockings ; (Q. 
 
 2, “ neather-stcckes ”) ; Ii. iv. ix. 
 
 Nicely, with the greatest exactness ; 
 II. ii. no. 
 
 Nighted, darkened; IV. v. 13. 
 
 Nine-fold, “ nine imps ” (? =s nine 
 foals) ; III. iv. 126. 
 
 Noiseless, devoid of noise betokening 
 preparations for war ; IV. ii. 56. 
 
 Nor, neither; III. ii. 15. 
 
 Note; “take this n.’\ take note of 
 this, observe this ; IV. v. 29. 
 
 , notice ; II. i. 85. 
 
 Noted, noticed; I. iv. 81. 
 
 Nothing ; “ I n. am,” I cease to be ; 
 II. iii. 21. 
 
 “Nothing will come of nothing,” 
 an allusion to the old proverb, ' 4 Ex 
 nihilo nihil fit" ; I. i. 92. 
 
 Notice, attention, countenance ; II. 
 iv. 252. 
 
 Notion, intellectual power, mind; I. 
 iv. 248. 
 
 Nuncle, “the customary address of a 
 licensed fool to his superiors”; I. 
 iv. 1 1 7. 
 
 Nursery, nursing ; I. i. 126. 
 
 Object ; “ your best o.”, “ the delight 
 of your eye ” ; I. i. 217. 
 
 Obscured, disguised; II. ii. 175. 
 
 Observants, obsequious courtiers; 
 II. ii. 109. 
 
 Occasions, causes ; II. i. 122. 
 
 CEillades, glances of the eye; (Qq. 
 
 “ aliads" ; F. 1, “ Eliads " ; Ff. 2 
 3, 4, “ Iliads"} ; IV. v. 25. 
 
 Overlook, read over ; V. i. 30. 
 
 O’er-looking, looking over; I, ii, 40, 
 
 O’erpaid, to be overpaid ; IV. 
 vii. 4. 
 
 O'er-read, read over; I. ii. 38. 
 
 O’er-watch’d, worn out, exhausted 
 with watching; II. ii. 177. 
 
 Ok, from ; IV. vii. 31. 
 
 Offend, injure ; I. i. 310. 
 
 Office, duty, service ; II. iv. X07. 
 
 Old, wold ; III. iv. 125. 
 
Glossary. 
 
 King Lear a v> 
 
 Oldness, old age ; I. ii. 5?* „ ... 
 
 On, of, I. i. 144* HI* vl - 57» V. til. 
 
 250. 
 
 , at, II. ii.28. . 
 
 •* our wishes on the way, 
 
 expressed to each other on tne way 
 hither ; IV. ii. 14. 
 
 On’t, of it ; II. i. 29. 
 
 Ope, open; V. i. 40. . 
 
 Operative, effective ; lV. iv. 14. 
 
 Oppose ; “ make o.”, compel to fight 
 against us ; V. i. 27. 
 
 Opposeless, not to be opposed, irre- 
 sistible ; IV. vi. 38. . 
 
 Opposite, adverse, hostile ; II- i< 
 
 5 T - „ ... 
 
 Opposites, opponents ; V . 111. 42. 
 Ordinance, divine law; IV. i. 71. 
 
 Or ere, before ; II. iv. 289. 
 
 Other, others ; I. iv. 221. 
 
 Out, abroad ; I. i. 33- 
 
 Out-wall, outward appearance ; I1 a. 
 
 Overture, opening, disclosure ; III. 
 
 vii. 89. . 
 
 O, WELL flown, bird 1 a phrase taken 
 from falconry; here used figuratively 
 for an arrow ; IV. yi. 92. 
 
 Owes, possesses; I. i. 205. 
 
 Owest, dost own; I. iv. 133. 
 
 Pack, make off ; II. iv. 81.^ 
 
 Packings, plottings ; III- l 26- 
 Packs, confederacies ; V. in. 18. 
 
 Pain, pains, labour, lies ; III- 1- 53 - 
 'Parel, apparel ; IV. i. 51. 
 Particular ; “for his p.] , as regards 
 himself personally; II. iv. 295. 
 
 personal ; V. i. 30. 
 
 Party, side ; (Qq. “ Lady ); IV. v. 
 
 Party; “intelligent p.”, party intelli- 
 gent to; III. v. 12. 
 
 ... ; “ upon his p, , on his sine ; ll. 
 
 i. 28. 
 
 Pass, pass away, die ; IV. vi. 47. 
 
 Pass upon, pass sentence upon; III. 
 
 vii. 24. . , 
 
 Pat, just to the purpose, in the nick 
 of time *, I. ii. 146- 
 
 Pawn, a stake hazarded in a wager ; 
 I-i- 157- 
 
 Pawn down, pledge ; 1. 11. 92 - 
 Peace, hold its peace ; IV. vi. 104. 
 Pelican; the pelican is supposed to 
 feed her young with her own blood ; 
 III. iv. 77. 
 
 Pelting, paltry ; II. in. 18. 
 Pendulous, hanging, impending ; III- 
 iv. 69. 
 
 Perdu, lost one ; IV. vii. 35. 
 
 Perdy, a corruption of F r. par Dren ; 
 II. iv. 85. 
 
 Perfect, mature ; I. ii. 77 - 
 Perforce, of necessity; IV. iL . 49 - 
 Period, end, termination ; V. iii. 204. 
 Pers6ver, the older pronunciation 
 of the word persevere \ III. v. 23. 
 Persian attire, alluding to the gor- 
 geous robes of the East ; (used iron- 
 ically) ; (Ff., “Persian") ; III. vi. 
 85. 
 
 Piece, master-piece, model ; IV. v« 
 137. 
 
 Pieced, added ; I. 1. 202. 
 
 Pight, firmly resolved ; II. i. 67. 
 Pillicock, properly a term of endear- 
 ment used in old nursery rhymes; 
 suggested by “ pelican ” ; III. iv. 78. 
 Plackets, part of woman’s attire; 
 III. iv. 100. 
 
 Plague; “stand in the p. oi, per- 
 haps, be plagued by ; (Warburton, 
 “plage" = place; Simpson conj. 
 "place" etc.) ; I. ii- 3.- 
 Plain, complain ; HI. i- 39 - 
 Plaited, folded ; (Qq. 1, 2, pleated \ 
 ! Ff,. “ plighted ") ; I. i. 283. 
 
 I Plate, “clothe in plate armour”; 
 (Ff.. “ place ’, ; corrected by Theo- 
 bald) ; IV. vi. 169. 
 
 Plight, troth-plight ; I. 1. 103. 
 
 *n 
 
Glossary. 
 
 Point ; “ at p.”, ready for any emer- 
 gency ; I. iv. 347. 
 
 ' >*‘at p.”, on the point of, pre- 
 
 pared; III. i. 33. 
 
 Poise, moment ; (Qq. 2, 3, Ff. “prize 
 Hanmer “ peize")\ II. i. 122. 
 
 Policy and reverence, “ policy of 
 holding in reverence ” (Schmidt) ; I. 
 ii. 48. 
 
 Port, harbour ; II. ill. 3. 
 
 Portable, bearable; III. vi. 11*. 
 Ports, gates, (?) harbours; II. l 82. 
 Potency, power; I. i. 175. 
 
 Potential, powerful ; II. i. 78. 
 Pother, turmoil ; III. ii. 50. 
 
 Power, armed force ; III. i. 30. 
 Practice, plotting, stratagem; II. i. 
 75- 
 
 — — , stratagem, artifice ; II. iv. 116. 
 Practices, plots; I. ii. 198. 
 Practised on, plotted against ; III 
 «• 57- 
 
 Predominance, influence; I. ii. 134. 
 Prefer, recommend ; I, i. 277. 
 Pregnant, ready, easily moved; II. 
 i.78; IV.vi. 227. 
 
 Presently, immediately; I. ii. 109. 
 Press-money, money given to a 
 soldier when pressed into service; 
 IV. vi. 87. 
 
 Pretence, intention, purpose ; I. ii. 
 95- 
 
 — — , “very p.’\ deliberate intention ; 
 I. iv. 75. 
 
 Prevent, to anticipate and check- 
 mate; III. iv. 164. 
 
 Proceedings, course of action ; V. i. 
 3*- 
 
 Profess, pretend; ? with play upon 
 “ profess,” = * to set up for’ ; I. iv. 14. 
 Profess ; “ what dost thou p.”, what 
 is thy trade, profession ; I. iv. 12. 
 Professed, full of professions ; I. i. 
 275- 
 
 Proper, handsome ; I. i. 18. 
 
 ; “p. deformity”, moral depravity 
 
 ^ The Tragedy of 
 
 which is natural to him ( i . e ., the 
 fiend): IV. ii. 60. 
 
 Puissant, powerful, masterful ; V. iii. 
 216. 
 
 Puppet, used perhaps contemptuously 
 for a wanton ; II. ii. 35. 
 
 Pur, imitation of the noise made by a 
 cat!; (but “ Purre ” also the name of a 
 devil in Harsnet); III. vi. 47. 
 
 Put on, encourage ; I. iv. 227. 
 
 , incited to; II. i. 101. 
 
 Quality, nature, disposition; II. iv. 
 93 ; II. iv. I 3 £ 
 
 — , rank ; V. iii. no, 120. 
 ueasy, ticklish; II. i. 19. 
 uestion, matter, cause ; V. iii. 58. 
 
 “bear a.”, bear to be argued 
 about; V. iii. 33. 
 
 Questrists, searchers; III. vii. 17. 
 Quicken, come to life; III. vii. 39. 
 Quit, requite, revenge; III. vii. 87. 
 Quit you, acquit yourself; II. i. 32. 
 
 Raging, angry, furious; (Ff., “ roar- 
 ™g")\ III. iv. 10. 
 
 Rake up, cover with earth; IV. vi. 
 281. 
 
 Rank, gross, flagrant ; I. iv. 223. 
 Razed, erased ; I. iv. 4. 
 
 Reason, argue ; II. iv. 267. 
 
 Reason’d, argued, talked about ; V. 
 i. 28. 
 
 Regards, considerations; (Qq., “ re - 
 sheets”); I. i. 242. 
 
 Remediate, healing; IV. iv..x 7 . 
 Remember; *‘r. thyself,” confess thy 
 sms ; IV. vi. 233. 
 
 Rememberest, remindest; I. iv. 72. 
 Remorse, compassion, pity; IV. ii. 
 73- 
 
 Remotion, removal; II. iv. 115. 
 Remove, removal ; II. iv. 4. 
 
 Renege, deny; (F. x, “ Revenge ” 
 Schmidt, “ Renegue”)', II. ii. 84. 
 Repeals, recalls ; III. vi. 120. 
 
Glossary. 
 
 King Lear 
 
 Reposure, attributing ; the act of re- 
 posing; (Qq., 4 could the reposurc ; 
 (Ff., 44 would the reposal”); II. i. 70- 
 Reproveable, blameable; III. v. 9. 
 Resolution ; “ due r.”, freedom from 
 doubt ; I. ii. 108. 
 
 Resolve me, tell me, satisfy me; II. 
 iv. 25. 
 
 Respect; “do r”, show respect, 
 reverence; (Ff., respects ’); II. 11. 
 
 137. 
 
 , “upon r.*\ deliberately II. iv. 
 
 24 . 
 
 Respects, consideration, motive ; I. 
 i. 251. 
 
 Rest ; “ set my r.’\ repose myself (de- 
 rived probably from the game of 
 cards = to stand^ upon the cards in 
 one’s hand) ; I. i. 125* 
 
 Retention, custody ; V. in. 47. 
 Return; “make r.”, return; II. iv. 
 
 153* . , . 
 
 Revenging, avenging, taking venge- 
 ance; (Qq., 44 rcuengvut ” ) ; II. 1. 
 
 Reverbs, reverberates, re-echoes; I. 
 
 Reverend, old; (Q. 2, “ vnreuerent ”); 
 
 II. ii. 133-. , . _ . _ 
 
 Rich’d, enriched I. i. 05. 
 
 Rings, sockets ; V. iii. i8g. 
 
 Ripeness, readiness; V. ii. xi. 
 Rivall’d; “hath r.”, hath been a 
 rival ; I. i. 194* . . » 
 
 Roundest, most direct, plainest; 1. 
 
 iv. 58. . 
 
 Rubb’d, hindered (a term in the game 
 of bowls); II. ii. 161. 
 
 Ruffle; “do r.”, are boisterous; 
 (Qq., “ russel” “ russell ; ” Capell, 
 “ rustle ”); II. iv. 3<>4- 
 
 Safer, sounder, more sober ; IV . vi. 
 
 Saint withold, a corruption of Saint 
 Vitalis, who was supposed to protect 
 
 from nightmare ; (Qq., “ swithald" 
 Ff., tl swtthold ”) ; III. iv. 125. 
 Sallets, sallads ; III. iv. 137. 
 
 Salt ; “ a man of s.”, a man of tears ; 
 IV. vi. 199. 
 
 Samphire, sea-fennel ; IV. vi. 15. 
 Save thee, God save thee; II. 1. *. 
 Savour but, have only a relish for 
 
 IV. ii. 39. 
 
 Saw, saying, proverb ; II. ii. 167. 
 
 Say, assay, proof ; (Pope, “ 'say ); 
 
 V. iii. 143. 
 
 Scant, fall short in ; II. iv. 142. 
 
 , diminish; II. iv. 178. 
 
 Scanted, grudged ; I. i. 281. 
 
 Scatter’d, disunited; III. i. 3 1 * 
 
 Scythian, considered as a type of 
 cruelty; I. i. 118. 
 
 Sea-monster, perhaps an allusion ta 
 the hippopotamus or the whale ; I. 
 iv. 283. 
 
 Sectary, disciple; I. ii. 164.. 
 
 Secure, make careless ; IV. i. 22. 
 
 Seeming, hypocrisy ; III. ii. 56. 
 
 , “little seeming,” seemingly 
 
 small, little in appearance ; I. i. 201. 
 
 Self, self-same; I. i. 70. 
 
 Self-cover’d, “thou s. thing , thou 
 who a woman hast diguised thyself 
 in this diabolical shape ; (Theobald, 
 “ self-converted ”; Crosby, “ sex- 
 cover'd”); IV. ii. 62. 
 
 Sennet, a set of notes on the cornet 
 or trumpet; I. i. 34 " 35 » Stage Direc. 
 
 Sequent, consequent, following ; I. 11. 
 115. 
 
 Servant, lover ; IV. vi. 275. 
 
 Sessa, onward! (probably a hunting 
 term) ; III. vi. 77. 
 
 Set, stake, wager; I. iv. 136. 
 
 Settling ; “ till further s. ’, till his 
 mind is more composed; IV. vii. 
 
 q2> 
 
 Seven stars, the Pleiades ; I. v. 38, 
 Shadowy, shady ; (Qq., “ shady ); I. 
 L 65. 
 
 *75 
 
Glossary. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Shealed peascod, shelled pea-pod; 
 
 I. iv. 219. 
 
 Shows, seems, appears ; I, iv. 265. 
 Shrill-gorged, shrill-throated ; IV. 
 vi. 58. 
 
 Simple; “simple answerer”, simply 
 answerer; (Ff., ‘ ‘simple answer'd ”) ; 
 III. vii. 43. 
 
 Simples, medicinal herbs ; IV. iv. 14. 
 Simular; “s. man of virtue,” man 
 who counterfeit est virtue ; III. ii. 
 54 - 
 
 Sir, man; (“that sir which”, F. 4, 
 “ that, sir , •which ”); II. iv. 78. 
 Sith, since; (Qq., “since") ; I. i. 183 
 Sizes, allowance ; II. iv. 178. 
 
 Slack you, neglect their duty to you ; 
 
 II. iv. 248. 
 
 Slaves, treats as a slave (“by making 
 it subservient to his views of pleasure 
 or interest ”) ; IV. i. 71. 
 
 Sleep out, sleep away ; (Q. 1, “ sleep 
 ont") ; II. ii. 163. 
 
 Sliver, tear off like a branch from a 
 tree ; I V ; ii. 34. 
 
 Smile, smile at, laugh to scorn ; (Ff. 
 and Qq., “ smoile ” or “ stnoyle") \ 
 II. ii. '88. 
 
 Smilets, smiles ; IV. iii. 21. 
 
 Smooth, flatter, humour; II. ii. 81. 
 Smug, trim, spruce ; IV. vi. 202. 
 Smulking, a fiend’s name, borrowed 
 from Harsnet’s category of devils; 
 (Qq., “ snulbug" ; Theobald, “ Stnol - 
 kin")\ III. iv. 146. 
 
 Snuff, flickering old age ; IV. vi. 
 39 - 
 
 Snuffs, quarrels, “huffs”; III. i 
 
 26. 
 
 So, so be it ; II. ii. 106. 
 
 Soiled; “ s. horse”, said of “a 
 horse turned out in the spring to 
 take the first flush of grass”; IV. 
 vi. 124. 
 
 Something, somewhat; I. i. 21. 
 
 Some, someone ; III. i. 37. 
 
 Sometime, once, former ; I. i. 122. 
 
 , sometimes; (Ff., “ sometitnes”) ; 
 
 II. iii. 19, 
 
 Soothe, humour ; III. iv. 182. 
 Sophisticated, adulterated, not genu- 
 ine ; III. iv. no. 
 
 Sop o’ the Moonshine ; probably 
 alluding to the dish called eggs in 
 moonshine, i.e. “ eggs broken and 
 boiled in salad-oil till the yolks 
 became hard ; they were eaten with 
 slices of onion fried in oil, butter 
 verjuice, nutmeg, and salt”; II. ii. 34. 
 
 Sot, blockhead ; IV. ii. 8. 
 
 Space, i.e. “ space in general, the 
 world” 5 I. i. 57. 
 
 Speak for, call for; I. iv. 267. 
 
 Speculations, scouts ; (Johnson, 
 “ speculators " ; Collier MS., “ spec - 
 tators ”); III. i. 24. 
 
 Speed you, God speed you ; IV. vi 
 212. 
 
 Spherical, planetary; (Qq., "spirit* 
 
 ual") ; I. ii. 134. 
 
 Spill, destroy; III. ii. 8. 
 
 Spite of intermission, in spite of in- 
 terruption; It. iv. 33. 
 
 Spoil, wasting, ruining ; II. i. 102. 
 
 Spurs, incentives, incitements; (Ff., 
 “ spirits ”) ; II. i. 78. 
 
 Square; “the most precious s. oi 
 sense”, i.e. “the most delicately 
 sensitive part ” (Wright) ; I. i. 75. 
 
 Squints, makes to squint ; III. iv. 
 122. 
 
 Squire-like, like a squire, attendant; 
 II. iv. 217. 
 
 Squiny, squint; IV. vi. 140. 
 
 Stands ; “s. on the hourly thought ”, 
 is hourly expected ; IV. vi. 218. 
 
 Stand’s, stand his ; (Qq. 2, 3, “ stand 
 his " ; Ff., 11 stand") ; II. i. 42. 
 
 Stands on, it becomes, is incumbent 
 on ; V. i. 69. 
 
 Star-blasting, blighting by the in- 
 fluence of the stars ; III. iv. 60. 
 
 176 
 
Glossary. 
 
 King Lear ss. 
 
 Stelled, starry ; III. vii. 6x. 
 
 Still, continually, always; III. iv. 
 181. 
 
 Still-soliciting, ever begging ; I. i. 
 1 234- 
 
 Stirs ; “ who s. ? ”, does no one stir ? ; 
 
 I. i. 228. 
 
 Stock’d, put in the stocks; (Ff., 
 “ stockt" ; Q. 1, “ struck ” ; Qq. 2, 
 1 3, “ strucke”) ; II. iv. 191. 
 Stocking, putting in the stocks ; (Qq. 
 
 , “ Stopping ”) ; II. ii. 139. 
 Stock-punished, punished by being 
 set in the stocks ; (Ff. “ stockt, pun- 
 ish'd")\ III. iv. 140. 
 
 Stomach, anger, resentment; V. iii. 
 74- 
 
 Stone, crystal; V. iii. 262. 
 
 Straight, straightway, immediately; 
 
 II. iv. 35. 
 
 Strain, descent, race ; V. iii. 40. 
 ‘strain’d, excessive; (Qq. il straied n )\ 
 I. i. 172. 
 
 Str anger’d, estranged ; I. i. 207. 
 Stray; “make such a s.“, go so far 
 i astray; I. i. 212. 
 
 Strength; “in my s.’\ with power 
 from me, with my authority; II. i. 
 114. 
 
 Strings of life, heart-strings ; V. iii. 
 
 1 216. 
 
 Strong and fasten'd, determined 
 and hardened; (so Oq. ; Ff., “ 0 
 strange and fas fned")\ II. i. 79. 
 Subscribed, surrendered; (Ff., “ Pre- 
 scrib'd ”); I. ii. 24. 
 
 , forgiven; III. vii. 65. 
 
 Subscription, submission; III. it 
 
 Succeed, come true, follow; I. ii 156. 
 Success ; “ good s.", favourable re- 
 sult, issue ; V. iii. 194, 
 
 Sufferance, suffering; III. vi. 113. 
 Suggestion, prompting, tempting; 
 II. i. 75. 
 
 Suited, clad, dressed ; IV. vii. 6. 
 
 33 m 
 
 177 
 
 Sumpter, pack-horse, hence a drudge ; 
 II. iv. 219. 
 
 Superfluous, having too much; IV. 
 
 i. 70. 
 
 Suferflux, superfluity; III. iv. 35. 
 Superserviceable, one who is above 
 his work; (Ff., “ superset vice able, 
 finical" \ Qq., “superjinicall”) ; II. 
 
 ii. 19. 
 
 Supposed, pretended ; V. iii. 113. 
 Sustain, support ; V. iii. 320. 
 Sustaining, nourishing; IV. iv. 6- 
 Swear’st, swearest by ; I. i. 163. 
 
 Taint, disgrace ; I. i. 224. 
 
 Taken, overtaken ; I. iv. 353. 
 Taking, infection ; TII. iv. 61. 
 
 — — “my t.”, to capture me; II. iii. 5. 
 
 , bewitching, blasting; II. iv. 
 
 166. 
 
 Taking off, slaughter, death; V. i. 
 
 65- 
 
 Taste, test, trial ; I. ii. 47. 
 
 Tell, count, recount ; II. iv. 55. 
 Temperance, self-restraint, calm- 
 ness ; IV. vii. 24. 
 
 Tend, wait on ; II. iv. 266. 
 
 Tend upon, wait upon ; II. i. 97. 
 Tender, regard, care for ; I. iv. 
 230. 
 
 Tender-hefted, tenderly framed ; 
 
 II. iv. 174. 
 
 Terrible, terrified, affrighted ; I. ii. 
 32. 
 
 That, in that ; I. i. 73. 
 
 There; “are you there with me?”, 
 is that what you mean ? ; I V. vi. 148. 
 This, this time forth ; I. i. 118. 
 
 This’s = this is; (Qq. Ff. “ this ”); 
 IV. vi. 187. 
 
 Thought-executing, “ doing execu- 
 tion with rapidity equal to thought ” ; 
 
 III. ii.4- 
 
 Threading, passing through, (like a 
 thread through the eye of a needle) ; 
 (Ff. “ threading" ; Qq. “ threat - 
 
Glossary. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 ning" ; Theobald conj. “ treading ”); 
 II. 1. I2X. 
 
 Threk-suited, used contemptuously 
 for a beggarly person ; probably* 
 having three suits of apparel a 
 year ; or the allowance from a 
 master to his servant; II. ii. 16. 
 Throughly, thoroughly; IV. vii. 97. 
 Thwart, perverse (Qq., “ thourt") ; 
 I. iv. 305. 
 
 Tike, a small dog ; III. vi. 73. 
 
 Time, life ; I. i. 298. 
 
 Times ; “ best of our t ”, best part of 
 our lives ; I. ii. 49. 
 
 Ttthing; district, ward ; III. iv. 140. 
 To, as to ; III. i. 52. 
 
 , against ; IV. ii. 75. 
 
 — — , into *, II. iv. 120. 
 
 Toad-spotted, “tainted and polluted 
 with venom lil?^ the toad” ; V. iii. 
 138. 
 
 Tom o’ Bedlam, “ the common name 
 of vagabond beggars, either mad or 
 feigning to be so ” ; I. it 148. 
 
 Took, taken ; V. iii. 105. 
 
 Top, head, II. iv. 165. 
 
 , overtop, surpass ; V. iii. 207. 
 
 Toward, at hand ; IV, vi. 213. 
 Towards, to ; I. i. 193. 
 
 Train, retinue ; (Ff., “ number ”); II. 
 iv. 63. 
 
 Tranced, entranced; V. iii. 218. 
 Treachers, traitors; (Qq., “ Treck • 
 erers ”) ; I. ii. 133- 
 
 Trick, peculiarity, characteristic ; 
 IV. vi. 108. 
 
 Trifle; “on every tr.'\ on every 
 trifling opportunity ; I. iii. 8 . 
 Trill’d, trickled ; IV. iii. 14* 
 
 Troop with, accompany, follow in the 
 train of; I. i. 134- 
 Tkgwest, knowest ; I. iv. 135. 
 Trumpet, trumpeter ; (F. 1 “ Trum- 
 pet"} ; V. iii. 107. 
 
 Trundle-tail, a curly-tailed dog; 
 III. vi. 73 
 
 Trust, reliance ; II. i. 117. 
 
 Tucket, a set of notes played on the 
 trumpet or cornet ; II. i. 80-81. 
 
 Tune, humour ; IV. iii. 41. 
 
 Turlygod, a name given to mad 
 beggars; possibly a corruption of 
 “ Turlupin,” the name of a fraternity 
 of naked beggars in the 14th cen- 
 tury ; (Q. 1., “ Tuelygod " Theobald 
 “ Turly good" ; Warburton conj. 
 
 “ Turlupin ”) ; II. iii. 20). 
 
 Turns; “ by due t.”, in turn ; I. i. 137. 
 
 Unaccommodated, unsupplied with 
 necessaries; III. iv. in. 
 
 Unbolted, unsifted, coarse; II. ii. 
 
 7 x. 
 
 Un bonneted, with uncovered head; 
 III. i. 14 - 
 
 Unconstant, inconstant, fickle; I. i. 
 304. 
 
 Undistinguish’d, indistinguishable, 
 boundless ; IV. vi. 278. 
 
 Unkind, unnatural, I. i. 263; III. iv. 
 73. 
 
 Unnumber’d, innumerable; IV. vi. 
 
 21 
 
 Unpossessing, landless ; II. i. 69. 
 Unprized, not appreciated, or, per- 
 haps, priceless ; I. i. 262. 
 Unremoveable, immovable; II. iv. 
 94. 
 
 Unsanctified, wicked; IV. vi. 281. 
 Unspoke, unspoken ; I. i. 239. m 
 Unstate, deprive of estate ; I. ii. 108 
 Untented, incurable ; I. iv. 322. 
 Untimely, inopportunely; III. vii. 
 98. 
 
 Upon, against ; III. vi. 96. 
 
 Upward, top; V. Iii. 136. 
 
 Usage, treatment ; II. iv. 26. 
 
 Validity, value ; I. i. 83. ■ ] 
 
 Vanity the Pufpet’s Part, “allud- 
 ing to the old moralities or allegori- i 
 cal plays, in which Vanity, Iniquity, 1 
 
Glossary. 
 
 King Lear && 
 
 and other vices were personified ” 
 (Johnson); II. ii. 3$). 
 
 Varlet, rascal ; II. ii. 30. 
 
 Vary, change ; II. ii. 85. 
 Vaunt-couriers, forerunners; (Qq. 
 "vauni-currers” \ Ff. “ Vaunt-cur- 
 riors” ; Capell, “ Vani-couriers ”) ; 
 
 III. ii. S 
 
 Venge, avenge ; IV. ii. 80. 
 
 Villain, serf, servant ; III. vii. 78. 
 Virtue, valour; V. iii. 103. 
 
 Vulgar, commonly known ; IV. vi. 
 214. 
 
 Wage, wage war, struggle; II. iv. 
 
 212; stake, I. i. 158. 
 
 Wagtail, the name of a bird ; II. ii. 
 73 - 
 
 Wake, waking; III. ii. 34. 
 
 , Wall-newt, lizard ; III. iv. 135. 
 '.Wash'd; “ w. eyes”, eyes washed 
 with tears ; I. i. 271. 
 
 Waste, wasting, squandering ; II. i. 
 102. 
 
 : Water, water-newt ; III. iv. 135. 
 j Waterish, abounding with, rivers ; 
 
 (used contemptuously) ; I. i. 261. 
 Wawl, cry, wail ; IV. vi. 184. 
 
 Ways; 44 come your w.", come on ; II. 
 ii. 42. 
 
 Weal; 44 whole. ome w.”, healthy 
 commonwealth; I. iv. 230. 
 
 Web and the Pin, a disease of the 
 eye, cataract ; III. iv. 122. 
 
 Weeds, garments, dress ; IV. vii. 7. 
 Well-favour’d, handsome, good- 
 looking; II. iv.^259. 
 
 What, who; V. iii. 119. 
 
 Wheel, the wheel of fortune ; V. iii. 
 174. 
 
 Whelk’d, swollen, protruding like 
 whelks; IV. vi. 71. 
 
 Where; (used substantively): I. i. 
 
 ; 2 ^ 4 * 
 
 » whereas ; I, ii. 89 
 
 Which, who; IV. vi. 213. 
 
 White Herring, fresh herrings; 
 (? pickled herrin ••,, as in Northern 
 dialects); III. vi. 33. 
 
 Who, which ; I. ii. 53. 
 
 Whoop, Jug 1 I Love Thee, pro- 
 bably a line from an old song ; I. iv. 
 
 244. 
 
 Wield, manage, express; I. i. 56. 
 
 Wind; “ w. me into him,” i.c., worm 
 yourself into his confidence ; ( 44 nte" 
 used redundantly) ; I. ii. 106. 
 
 Window’d, holes forming windows ; 
 III. iv. 31. 
 
 Wisdom of nature, natural philo- 
 sophy; I. ii. 113. 
 
 With, by; II. iv. 256. 
 
 Wits ; 44 five w.”, the five intellectual 
 powers (common wit, imagination, 
 fantasy, estimation, and memory): 
 
 III. iv. 59. 
 
 Wont, accustomed to be ; I. iv. 64. 
 
 Wooden pricks, skewers ; II. iii. 16. 
 
 Word, pass-word; IV. vi. 93. 
 
 , word of mouth ; IV. v. 20. 
 
 Worships, dignity ; I. iv. 288. 
 
 Worsted-stocking, worn by the 
 lower classes and serving.- men in 
 distinction to silk ones which were 
 worn by the gentry; II. ii. 17. 
 
 Worth; “are w.”, deserve ; I. i. 282. 
 
 Worthied him, won him reputation ; 
 II. ii. 128. 
 
 Would, should ; II. i. 70. 
 
 Writ, warrant ; V. iii. 245. 
 
 Write happy, consider yourself 
 fortunate ; V. iii. 35. 
 
 Wrote, written; I. ii. 93. 
 
 Yeoman, a freeholder not advanced 
 to the rank of a gentleman; III. 
 vi. 11. 
 
 Yoke-fellow, companion ; III. vi. 
 
 173 
 
Notes 
 
 I. i. 40. ‘ from our age * ; so Ff. ; Qq. 1 of our state/ 
 
 I. i. 41-46. (‘ while we ...now 7 ) ; 50-51, 164; I. ii. I (fne word, 
 legitimate ’) ; 48 (‘ and reverence *) ; 1 1 9 - 1 24 ; I. iv. 6 ( 4 so may it come ’) ; 
 296; 345-356; omitted in Quartos. 
 
 I. i. 54. 44 Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goner il ” ; so Ff. ; 
 Qq, read 4 Where merit doth most challenge it . 7 
 I. i. 63. 4 do so Qq. ; Ff. read 4 speak . 7 
 i. i. 79, 4 Ponderous 7 ; so Ff. ; Qq., 4 richer. 7 
 I. L 85. Hhe last , *0* W’; so Qq. ; Ff. read 4 our last and 
 least 7 
 
 I. i. 106; 1. ii. 103-105; ii. 1 57- 166 (‘as of unnaturalness . . .come 7 ) ; 
 1$ 6 (‘go armed") -, 1 . 111 . 17-21 ; 24-25; I. iv. 154-169; 239; 252-256; 
 omitted in Folios. 
 
 I. i. 1 1 2. ‘ mysteries,’ the reading of Ff. 2, 3, 4; Qq. ‘ mistress. ’ ; 
 F. 1, 4 miseries . 7 
 
 1 . i. 148. 4 What wouldst thou do, old man ? ’ ; 44 This is spoken on 
 seeing his master put his hand to his sword” (Capell) ; Ff. i, 2. 
 3, 4 wouldest 7 ; Qq., 4 wilt 9 
 
 1. i. 1 5 1. 4 stoop* to folly 7 ; so Qq. ; Ff. 6 falls to folly 7 (F. 3, 'fall 
 to folly ’) : 4 Reverse thy doom 7 ; so Qq. ; Ff. read, 4 reserue thy state . 7 
 I. i. 169. 4 recreant 7 ; omitted in Qq. 
 
 I, i. 176 ; * Jive 7 ; so Ff. ; Qq., 4 Fourc 7 
 I. i, 178. 4 sixth 7 so Ff. ; Qq., 
 
 I. i. 191. This line is given to Cordelia in Ff. 
 
King Lear 
 
 Notes. 
 
 I. i. 236. 4 Better 7 ; so Ff. ; Qq., ‘go to, go to, better .* 
 
 I. i. 251. * respects of fortune ' ; so Qq. ; Ff., 4 respect and fortunes* 
 
 I. i. 282. ‘ want' ; Qq., 4 worth . 7 Theobald explains the Folio 
 reading, 44 You well deserve to meet with that want of love from 
 your husband, which you have professed to want for our 
 Father.” 
 
 I. i. 284. ‘ shame them derides 7 ; so Qq. ; Ff., 4 with shame derides ' ; 
 Warburton, 4 with shame abides ,' tS*. 
 
 I. L 292. 4 hath not been ' ; so Qq. ; Ff. 4 hath been 
 
 I. ii. 10. so Ff. ; Qq. read, 4 with base , base bastardie. ’ 
 
 I. ii. 2i. 4 top the* ; Edward’s conj. of Qq. 1, 2, ‘tooth” ; Q. 3, 
 'too k 7 ; Ff. 1, 2, 4 to'th 7 ; Ff. 3, 4, 4 to th ’, etc. 
 
 I. ii. 69. 4 that 7 i.e. the matter, contents. 
 
 I. ii. 1 12. 4 These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good 7 ; 
 v. Preface. 
 
 I. ii. 129. 4 surfeit 7 ; so Q. i; Qq. 2, 3, 4 surfet 7 ; Ff. 1, 2, 3; 
 4 surfets 3 ; F. 4, 4 surfeits 7 ; Collier conj. ‘forfeit . 7 
 
 I. ii. 181-188. ‘That's my fear . Brother , 3 SO Ff. ; Qq. read 
 4 That's my feare brother ,' omitting rest of speech. 
 
 I. iii. 2i. 4 With checks as flatteries , when the y are seen abused' ; 
 Tyrwhitt’s explanation seems the most plausible, 44 with checks, 
 as well as flatterers, when they (i.e. flatterers) are seen to be 
 abused.” The emendators have been busy with the line without 
 much success. 
 
 I. iv. no. ‘Kent. Why, fool ? 7 ; the reading of Qq. ; Ff. read 
 4 Lear . Why my Boy ? ' 
 
 I. iv. 168. ‘Ladies 7 ; CapelFs emendation; Qq. ‘lodes 7 ; 
 Collier, ‘loads.' 
 
 i. iv. 249. 4 Hal waking?' Qq. read 4 sleeping or waking ; ha! 
 
 sure! 
 
 i8x 
 
Notes. 
 
 ss The Tragedy of 
 
 II. i. 11-13. Omitted in Qq. 2, 3. 
 
 II. i. 48. 4 their thunders 9 ; so the Qq. ; Ff., ‘ the thunder 9 ; Johnson, 
 
 4 their thunder 9 
 
 II. i. 60. 4 dispatch 9 ; i.e. ‘dispatch him’; or perhaps, 
 
 ‘dispatch is the word.* 
 
 II. i. 72. ‘ what 1 should deny 9 ; so Qq. ; Ff., 4 What should I 
 
 deny 3 ; Rowe, 4 by what I should deny 9 ; Hanmer, 4 what Pd deny 9 ; 
 Warburton, 4 when I should deny 9 ; Schmidt, 4 what, should 1 deny . 9 
 
 II. \. 80. 4 / never got hint 9 : so Qq. ; Ff., 4 said he ? 9 
 
 II. i. 99. 4 of that consort 3 ; so Ff. ; omitted in Qq. 
 
 II. i. 102. 4 the waste and spoil of his 9 \ Q. i s 4 the wast and 
 spoyle of his 9 ; Qq. 2, 3, 4 these — and waste of this his 9 ; Q. S 
 (Dev. and Cap.) 4 these — and waste of this his 9 5 F. 1 f Cl th 9 expence 
 and wast of his 9 ; Ff. 2, 3, 4, 4 th 9 expence and wast of , 9 
 
 II. ii. 65. 4 hours 9 ; Ff., 4 years . 9 
 
 II. ii. 81. 4 Which are too intrinse to unloose 9 ; F. 1 , 4 are t 9 intrince * ; 
 Ff. 2, 3, 4, 4 art finirince 9 ; Qq.j 4 are to intrench 9 ; Pope, 4 Poo in- 
 tricate 3 ; Theobald, 4 7 "00 9 intrinsecate } ; Kanmer, 4 too intrinsic ^ 9 : 
 Ho unloose 9 ; Ff. 4 1 9 unloose ; Qq., 4 to inloose Seymour conj. 4 to 
 enloose . 9 
 
 II. ii. 148-152. 4 His fault . . • punish’d with 9 \ omitted in Ff. 
 
 II. ii. 152. 4 the king must take it ill 9 ; Ff. read 4 the King his 
 Master) needs must take it ill . 9 
 
 II. ii. 157. Omitted in Ff. 
 
 II. if. 168-169. 4 out of heaven’s benediction earnest Poihe warm sun 9 ; 
 
 cp. Hey wood’s 4 Dialogues on Proverbs 5 ; 4 In your rennyng from hym to 
 Tne^ ye runne out of God 9 s blessing into the warm sunne ' ; i.e, from good to 
 worse. Professor Skeat suggests to me that the proverb refers to 
 the haste of the congregation to leave the shelter of the church, 
 immediately after the priest’s benediction, running from God’s 
 
King Lear 
 
 Notes. 
 
 blessing into the warm sun. This explanation seems by far 
 the best that has been suggested. 
 
 II. ii. 172. 4 miracles' ; so Ff. ; Qq. i, 2, 3, 4 my -wracke ' ; 
 Q. 1 (Bodl.), 4 my rackles .' 
 
 II. ii. 175-177. 4 and shall . . . remedies'-, many emendations 
 have been proposed to remove the obscurity of the lines, but 
 none can be considered satisfactory. Kent, it must be re- 
 
 membered, is 4 all weary and o’er- watched.* Jennens suggested 
 that Kent is reading disjointed fragments of Cordelia’s letter. 
 * From this enormous state ' seems to mean 4 in this abnormal state 
 of affairs.’ 
 
 II. iv. 19-20. Omitted in Ff. 
 
 II. iv. 99-100; 142-147; Omitted in Qq. 
 
 II. iv. 1 03. 4 commands her service ' ; so Qq. ; Ff., 4 commands , tends, 
 service.' 
 
 II. iv. 170. 1 and blast her pride ’ ; so Qq. ; Ff., 4 and blister ;' 
 Collier MS. and S. Walker conj. 4 and blast her' ; Schmidt conj. 
 4 and blister pride . ’ 
 
 II. iv. 174. ‘ tender -hefted' ; SO Ff. ; Qq. 2, 4 tender hested ' ; Q. 1, 
 ‘ teder hested ’ ; Q. 3, 4 tender hasted'-, Rowe (Ed. 2) and Pope, 
 4 tender-hearted * ; &c. 
 
 II. iv. 303. 4 bleak ' ; so Qq. ; Ff., 4 high.' 
 
 III. i. 7-15; vi. 18-59; 104-108 ( 4 oppressed . . . . behind')’, 
 109-122; vii. 99-107; omitted in the Folios. 
 
 III. i. 22-29; ii. 79-96; iv. 17-18; 26-27; 37-38; vi. 13-16; 
 92; omitted in the Quartos. 
 
 III. ii. 7. 4 smite' so Qq. ; Ff., 4 strike 
 
 III. ii. 9. ‘make*) Ff., ‘makes.' 
 
 III. ii. 22. 4 have . . . join'd ' ; the reading of Qq. ; Ff. read 
 4 -will . , . join.' 
 
Notes. 
 
 The Tragedy of 
 
 Ilf. ii. 37. 4 No I will be the pattern of all patience ' ; cp. the descrip- 
 tion of Leir by Perillus in the old play : — 4 But he , the myrrour of 
 mild patience, Puts up all •wrongs , and never gives reply? 
 
 III. ii. 64. ‘More harder than the stones ’ ; so Ff. ; Qq. 4 More hard 
 then is the stone? 
 
 III. ii. 73. 4 That's sorry 9 ; so Ff. ; Qq. 4 Thai sorrowes? 
 
 III. ii. 74-77. Cp. Clown’s song in Twelfth Night, V. vi. 398. 
 
 III. ii. 93. 1 1 live before his time' ; according to the legend, 
 
 Lear was contemporary with Joash, King of Judah. The whole 
 prophecy, which does not occur in the Quartos, was probably an 
 interpolation, tacked on by the actor who played the fool. The 
 passage is an imitation of some lines formerly attributed to 
 Chaucer, called 4 Chaucer's Prophecy? 
 
 III. iv. 6. Contentious'*, so Ff. ; Q. I (some copies) 1 temp est ions'", 
 Qq. 2, 3, and Q. 1 (some copies) 4 crulentious? 
 
 Ill, iv. 29. ‘ storm' ; so Qq. ; Ff. 4 night? 
 
 III. iv. 47. 4 Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind? prob- 
 ably the burden of an old song. 
 
 III. iv. 54-35. 4 knives under his pillow and halters in his pew' (to 
 tempt him to suicide). Theobald pointed out that the allusion 
 is to an incident mentioned in Harsnet’s Declaration . 
 
 III. iv. 83. 4 thy word justly Pope’s emendation; Qq. read, 
 4 thy words justly ’ ; F. I, 4 thy words Iustice? 
 
 III. iv. 104. 4 sessa ’; Malone’s emendation; F. I, 4 Sesey' , 
 Q. 1, 4 caese' ; Q. 2, Cease'*, Capell, 4 sesse ’ ; &c. 
 
 III. iv. 1 44- 1 45. Cp. 4 The Romance of Sir Bevis of Hamptoun ; — 
 
 44 Rattes and tnyce and suche small dere % 
 
 Was his meate that seuen y ere." 
 
 III. iv. 1 87- 1 89. 4 Child Rowland to the dark tower came? &C. 
 Jamieson, in his Illustrations of Northern Antiquities (1814) has pre- 
 184 
 
King Lear && 
 
 Notes. 
 
 served the story as told him by a tailor in his youth ; this Scottish 
 Version has since been reprinted and studied (Cp. Childs’ 
 English and Scottish Ballads , and Jacob’s English Fairy Tales'), 
 
 III. iv. 1 88. ‘ His word was still ’ refers, of course, to the giant, 
 and not to Childe Rowland. The same story (with the refrain 
 Fee fofum , Here is the Englishman) is alluded to in Peele’s Old Wives 
 Tale , and it is just possible that it may be the ultimate original of 
 the plot of Milton’s Comas (y. Preface, on British for English ). 
 
 III. vi. 27. 1 Come o’er the bourn , Bessy , to me.’ Mr Chappell 
 (Popular Music of the Olden Time, p. 305, note) says, “The 
 allusion is to an English ballad by William Birch, entitled, * A 
 Songe betwene the Quene’s Majestie and England,’ a copy of 
 which is in the library of the Society of Antiquaries. England 
 commences the dialogue, inviting Queen Elizabeth in the follow- 
 ing words : — 
 
 Come over the born , Bessy , come over the born , Bessy , 
 
 Swete Bessy , come over to me." 
 
 The date of Birch’s song is 1558, and it is printed in full in the 
 Harleian Miscellany, X. 260. 
 
 III. vi. 43-46. Put into verse by Theobald. Steevens quotes a 
 line from an old song, 
 
 “ Sleepeyst thou , wakyst thou , Jejfrery Coke? 
 found in ‘ The Interlude of the Four Elements ’ (1319). 
 
 III. vi. 79. ‘ Thy horn is dry.’ “ A horn was usually carried 
 about by every Tom of Bedlam, to receive such drink as the charit- 
 able might afford him, with whatever scraps of food they might 
 give him ” (Malone), &c. 
 
 III. vi. 97-110. “Every editor from Theobald downwards,” as 
 the Cambridge Editors observe, “ except Hanmer, has reprinted 
 185 
 
Notes. 
 
 e^The Tragedy of 
 
 this speech from the Quartos. In deference to this consensus of 
 authority we have retained it, though, as it seems to us, internal 
 evidence is conclusive against the supposition that the lines were 
 written by Shakespeare. ” 
 
 III. vii. 58. 4 stick ,’ the reading of Ff. ; Qq., 4 rash. 1 
 
 III. vii. 63. 4 howl'd that stern ' ; Qq., 4 heard that dearne 9 ; Capell, 
 'howl'd that dearn ' ; ( 4 dearn ^obscure, dark, gloomy). 
 
 III, vii, 65. 4 All cruels else subscribed ' ; so Qq. ; Ff. 4 subscribe .* 
 The passage has been variously interpreted ; the weight of 
 authority favouring the Folio reading, Schmidt’s explanation 
 being perhaps the most plausible : — 4; Everything which is at other 
 times cruel, shows feeling or regard ; you alone have not done so.” 
 Furness makes the words part of the speech addressed to the 
 porter, 44 acknowledge the claims of all creatures, however cruel 
 they may be at other times,” or 44 give up all cruel things else ; i.e ., 
 forget that they are cruel.” This approximates to the interpreta- 
 tion given by Mr Wright to the reading in the text, (i all their 
 other cruelties being yielded or forgiven.” 
 
 IV. i. 6-9 4 Welcome . . . blasts ' ; vi. 169-174 {'Plate . . . lips ’) ; 
 vii. 61 ; omitted in the Quartos. 
 
 IV. i. is. 4 Life would not yield to age ' i.e. life would not gladly 
 lapse into old age and death. 
 
 IV. i. 39. *KiU'\ Q. 1. 4 biit ' ; Qq. 2, 3. ' bit' \ (probably an 
 error for 4 hit '). 
 
 IV. i. 61-66; ii. 31-50, 53-59, 62-68, 69; iii. (the whole 
 scene) ; vii. 24-25, 33-36, 79-80, 85-98, omitted in the Folios. 
 
 IV. ii, 28. 4 My fool usurps my body' \ so Ff. ; Q. 1 , 4 A foole 
 usurps my bed ' ; Q. 2, 4 My foote usurps my head' ; Malone, 4 My 
 
 fool usurps my bed' 
 
 IV. ii. 47. ‘ tame, the** vile offences ' ; Schmidt conj. 4 take the vild 
 
 1S6 
 
Notes 
 
 King Lear && 
 
 offenders ’ ; Heath conj. 4 these vile 9 ; Q. i, * this vild 9 ; Pope, 4 the 
 vile . 9 
 
 IV. ii. 57. 'thy state begins to threat 9 ; Jennens conj. ; Q. 1, 4 thy 
 state begins thereat 9 ; Qq. 2, 3, 4 My .r/tf/Vr threats 9 ; Theobald, 
 
 4 thy slayer begins his threats ,’ &C. 
 
 IV. ii. 68. 4 your manhood / mew/ 9 ; some copies of Q. 1 read 
 4 manhood mew 9 ; others 4 manhood now 9 ; so the later Qq. ; according 
 to the present reading 4 mew 9 is evidently a cat-like interjection of 
 contempt. 
 
 IV. iii. 21. 'like a better way 9 ; so Oq. ; the passage seems to 
 mean that her smiles and tears resembled sunshine and rain, 
 but in a more beautiful manner ; many emendations have been 
 proposed — 4 like a wetter May 9 (Warburton) ; 4 like a better May 9 
 (Malone) ; 4 like ; — a better way 9 (Boaden), &c. 
 
 IV. iii. 31. 4 Let pity not be believed 9 ; Pope, 4 Let pity ne 9 er be - 
 lieve it 9 ; Capeil, 4 Let it not be believed 9 (but 4 believed 9 = believed to 
 exist ’), 
 
 IV. iii. 33. 4 clamour moisten 9 d 9 ; Capell’s reading; Qq. 4 And 
 clamour moistened her 9 ; Theobald, 4 And, clamour -motion d 9 ; Grant 
 White, 4 And, clamour -moisten 9 df &c. 
 
 IV. v. 4. 4 lord 9 ; so Ff. ; Qq. read 4 lady . 9 
 
 IV. vi. 98-95. 'I had white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were 
 there i.e.. 44 1 had the wisdom of age before I had attained to that 
 of youth 99 (Capeil). 
 
 IV. vi. 225. 4 tame to , 9 so Ff. : Qq., 4 lame by \ 
 
 IV. vii. 32. 4 opposed against the warring winds 9 ; Qq., 4 Exposd 9 ; 
 Ff., 4 jarring . 9 
 
 IV. vii. 36. 'Mine enemy 9 s 9 ; Ff. 'Mine Enemies 9 ; Qq. I, 2, 
 4 Mine insurious 9 ; Q. 2, 'Mine injurious 9 ; Theobald, 4 My very 
 enemy's , J &c, 
 
 iS 7 
 
Notes. <sThe Tragedy of 
 
 IV. vii. 79. 'kilPd 9 ; so Ff. ; Qq. * cured * 5 Collier conj. 
 
 ' quell’d.’ 
 
 V. L 11-13, >8-'9> *3-22.33; >>>• 3 8 -39> 47. 54-59. «°*> >09, 
 204-221, omitted in the Folios. 
 
 V. i. 46. 1 and . ceases 1 ; iii. 76, 90, 144, 282, omitted in 
 the Quartos. 
 
 V. i. 25-26. Mason’s conj. 'Not the old king 1 for 1 not bolds the 
 king ’ is worthy of mention. Albany’s point is that the invading 
 enemy is France and not the wronged king, together with others 
 whom heavy causes compel to fight against them ; otherwise ‘ not 
 bolds the king’ — ' not as it emboldens the king’ ; an awkward and 
 harsh construction. 
 
 V. ii. 5. Mr Spedding (New Sh. Soc. Trans. , Part I.) plausibly 
 suggested that the Fifth Act really begins here, and that the 
 battle takes place between Edgar’s exit and re-entrance, the 
 imagination having leisure to fill with anxiety for the issue. 
 
 V. iii. 76. ‘ the walls are thine’ ; Theobald conj. ‘ they all are 
 thine 5 ; (but perhaps the castle- walls are referred to). 
 
 V. iii. 93. 'prove it’ ; so Qq. ; Ff., { make it’; Anon. conj. 
 'mark it’ ; Collier M.S., 'makegood’ 
 
 V, iii. 96. 'medicine? Ff. ; Qq., ' poy son? 
 
 V. iii. 1 29- 1 30. ' the privilege of mine honours ’ ; Pope’s reading; 
 Qq. read ' the priuiledge of my tongue ’ ; Ff., ‘ my priuiledge , The pr'tui - 
 ledge of mine Honours? Edgar refers to ‘ the right of bringing the 
 charge ’ as the privilege of his profession as knight. 
 
 V. iii. 146. Omitted in Q. 2 ; Q. 1 reads ' Heere ao I fosse 
 those treasons to thy head? 
 
 V. iii. 156. 'name’; Qq. read 'thing? 
 
 V. iii. 159. f Most monstrous l know’st ’ ; Steevens emendation ; 
 Q. I reads ‘ Most monstrous knows t ’ ; Qq. 2, 3, ' Monster , knoivst ’ ; 
 
 188 
 
King Lear 
 
 Notes. 
 
 Ff., J Most monstrous! 0 knonv'st ’ \ Capell, ‘ Most monstsrous / 
 know st ’ ; Edd. Globe Ed., * Most monstrous ! Oh! know' st.' 
 
 V. iii. 160. 4 Ask me not what 1 know ’ ; the Ff. give this line to 
 Edmund ; the Qq. to Goneril. 
 
 V. iii. i 70-171. 4 vices . . plague us * ; so Ff. ; Qq. read 
 
 ‘ vertues . . . scourge us * ; Hanmer, 4 vices . . . plague and punish us ’ ; 
 Keightley, 4 vices . . plague us in their time' \ Anon. conj. 4 vices 
 
 . . scourge us and to plague us ' ; cp. * Wherewith a man sinneth, 
 by the same also shall he be punished,’ IVisdom xi. 16. 
 
 V. iii. 205. 4 but another ,’ &c„ i.e. “one more such circumstance 
 only, by amplifying what is already too much, would add to it, 
 and so exceed what seemed to be the limit of sorrow ” (Wright). 
 
 V. iii. 281. 4 One of them we behold? i.e. each beholding the 
 other sees one of fortune’s two notable objects of love and hate ; 
 (? for ‘wf’ read 4 ye? as has been suggested). 
 
 V. iii. 310. 4 Look on her , /ooi, her lips ' \ Johnson’s emendation ] 
 F. I reads 4 Looke her lips ' ; Ff., 4 looke (or look) on her lips. 
 
 V, iii. 323. This speech is given in the Ff. to Edgar, and prob- 
 ably it was so intended by the poet. It has been suggested that 
 the first two lines should be given to Edgar, the last two to 
 Albany. 
 
 
 
 TUSHSUCL & SPEARS. PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. 
 


/