M. William Shak-speare HIS True Chronicle Historie of the life and death of King LEAR and his three Daughters With the vnfortunate life of Edgar sonne and heire to the Earle of Gloster and his sullen and assumed humor of TOM of Bedlam As it was played before the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall vpon S. Stephans night in Christmas Hollidayes By his Maiesties seruants playing vsually at the Gloabe on the Bancke-side LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Butter and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Pide Bull neere S t. Austins Gate 1608. M. William Shak-speare HIS Historie of King Lear. Enter Kent Gloster and Bastard Kent I Thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany then Cornwell Glost. It did allwaies seeme so to vs but now in the diuision of the kingdomes it appeares not which of the Dukes he values most for equalities are so weighed that curiositie in neither can make choise of eithers moytie Kent Is not this your sonne my Lord Glost. His breeding sir hath beene at my charge I haue so often blusht to acknowledge him that now I am braz'd to it Kent I cannot conceiue you Glost. Sir this young fellowes mother Could wherupon shee grew round wombed and had indeed Sir a sonne for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed doe you smell a fault Kent I cannot wish the fault vndone the issue of it being so proper Glost. But I haue sir a sonne by order of Law some yeare elder then this who yet is no deerer in my account though this knaue came something sawcely into the world before hee was sent for yet was his mother faire there was good sport at his makeing the whoreson must be acknowledged do you know this noble gentleman Edmund Bast. No my Lord. Glost. My Lord of Kent remember him hereafter as my honorable friend .. Bast. My seruices to your Lordship Kent I must loue you and sue to know you better Bast. Sir I shall study deseruing Glost. Hee hath beene out nine yeares and away hee shall againe the King is comming Sound a Sennet Enter one bearing a Coronet then Lear then the Dukes of Albany and Cornwell next Gonorill Regan Cordelia with followers Lear. Attend my Lords of France and Burgundy Gloster Glost. I shall my Leige Lear. Meane time we will expresse our darker purposes The map there know we haue diuided In three our kingdome and t is our first intent To shake all cares and busines of our state Confirming them on yonger yeares The two great Princes France and Burgundy Great ryuals in our youngest daughters loue Long in our Court haue made their amorous soiourne And here are to be answerd tell me my daughters Which of you shall we say doth loue vs most That we our largest bountie may extend Where merit doth most challenge it Gonorill our eldest borne speake first Gon. Sir I do loue you more then words can weild the matter Dearer then eye-sight space or libertie Beyond what can be valued rich or rare No lesse then life with grace health beautie honour As much a child ere loued or father friend A loue that makes breath poore and speech vnable Beyond all manner of so much I loue you Cor. What shall Cordelia doe loue and be filent Lear. Of al these bounds euen from this sine to this With shady forrests and wide skirted meades We make thee Lady to thine and Albaines issue Be this perpetuall what saies our second daughter Our deerest Regan wife to Cornwell speake Reg. Sir I am made of the selfe same mettall that my sister is And prize me at her worth in my true heart I find she names my very deed of loue onely she came short That I professe my selfe an enemie to all other ioyes Which the most precious square of sence possesses And find I am alone felicitate in your deere highnes loue Cord. Then poore Cord. yet not so since I am sure My loues more richer then my tongue Lear. To thee and thine hereditarie euer Remaine this ample third of our faire kingdome No lesse in space validity and pleasure Then that confirm'd on Gonorill but now our ioy Although the last not least in our deere loue What can you say to win a third more opulent Then your sisters Cord. Nothing my Lord. Lear. How nothing can come of nothing speake againe Cord. Vnhappie that I am I cannot heaue my heart into my mouth I loue your Maiestie according to my bond nor more nor lesse Lear. Goe to goe to mend your speech a little Least it may mar your fortunes Cord. Good my Lord You haue begot me bred me loued me I returne those duties backe as are right fit Obey you loue you and most honour you Why haue my sisters husbands if they say they loue you all Happely when I shall wed that Lord whose hand Must take my plight shall cary halfe my loue with him Halfe my care and duty sure I shall neuer Mary like my sisters to loue my father all Lear. But goes this with thy heart Cord. I good my Lord. Lear. So yong and so vntender Cord. So yong my Lord and true Lear. Well let it be so thy truth then be thy dower For by the sacred radience of the Sunne The mistresse of Heccat and the might By all the operation of the orbs From whome we doe exsist and cease to be Hecre I disclaime all my paternall care Propinquitie and property of blood And as a stranger to my heart and me Hould thee from this for euer the barbarous Scythyan Or he that makes his generation Messes to gorge his appetite Shall bee as well neighbour'd pittyed and relieued As thou my sometime daughter Kent Good my Liege Lear. Peace Kent come not between the Dragon his wrath I lou'd her most and thought to set my rest On her kind nurcery hence and auoide my sight So be my graue my peace as here I giue Her fathers heart from her call France who stirres Call Burgundy Cornwell and Albany With my two daughters dower digest this third Let pride which she cals plainnes marrie her I doe inuest you iointly in my powre Preheminence and all the large effects That troope with Maiestie our selfe by monthly course With reseruation of an hundred knights By you to be sustayn'd shall our abode Make with you by due turnes onely we still retaine The name and all the additions to a King The sway reuenue execution of the rest Beloued sonnes be yours which to confirme This Coronet part betwixt you Kent Royall Lear Whom I haue euer honor'd as my King Loued as my Father as my maister followed As my great patron thought on in my prayers Lear. The bow is bēt drawen make from the shaft Kent Let it fall rather Though the forke inuade the region of my heart Be Kent vnmannerly when Lear is man What wilt thou doe ould man think'st thou that dutie Shall haue dread to speake when
ease This tempest will not giue me leaue to ponder On things would hurt me more but I le goe in Poore naked wretches where so ere you are That bide the pelting of this pittiles night How shall your house-lesse heads and vnfed sides Your loopt and windowed raggednes defend you From seasons such as these O I haue tane Too little care of this take physicke pompe Expose thy selfe to feele what wretches feele That thou mayst shake the superflux to them And shew the heauens more iust Foole. Come not in here Nunckle her 's a spirit helpe me helpe mee Kent Giue me thy hand whose there Foole. A spirit he sayes his nam 's poore Tom. Kent What art thou that dost grumble there in the straw come forth Edg. Away the fowle fiend followes me thorough the sharpe hathorne blowes the cold wind goe to thy cold bed and warme thee Lear. Hast thou giuen all to thy two daughters and art thou come to this Edg. Who giues any thing to poore Tom whome the foule Fiende hath led through fire and through foord and whirli-poole ore bog and quagmire that has layd kniues vnder his pillow and halters in his pue set ratsbane â—y his pottage made him proud of heart to ride on a bay trotting horse ouer foure incht bridges to course his owne shadow for a traytor blesse thy fiue wits Toms a cold blesse thee from whirle-winds starre-blusting and taking doe poore Tom some charitie whom the soule fiend vexes there could I haue him now and there and and there againe Lear. What his daughters brought him to this passe Couldst thou saue nothing didst thou giue them all Foole. Nay he reseru'd a blanket else we had beene all sham'd Lear. Now all the plagues that in the pendulous ayre Hang fated ore mens faults fall on thy daughters Kent He hath no daughters sir. Lear. Death traytor nothing could haue subdued nature To such a lownes but his vnkind daughters Is it the fashion that discarded fathers Should haue thus little mercy on their flesh Iudicious punishment t was this flesh Begot those Pelicane daughters Edg. Pilicock sate on pelicocks hill a lo lo lo. Foole. This cold night will turne vs all to fooles madmen Edg. Take heede at 'h foule fiend obay thy parents keep thy words iustly sweare not commit not with mans sworne spouse set not thy sweet heart on proud array Toms a cold Lear. What hast thou beene Edg. A Seruingman proud in heart and mind that curld my haire wore gloues in my cap serued the lust of my mistris heart and did the act of darkenes with her swore as many oaths as I spake words and broke them in the sweet face of heauen one that slept in the contriuing of lust and wakt to doe it wine loued I deeply dice deerely and in woman out paromord the Turke false of heart light of eare bloudie of hand Hog in sloth Fox in stealth VVoolfe in greedines Dog in madnes Lyon in pray let not the creeking of shooes nor the ruslngs of silkes betray thy poore heart to women keepe thy foote out of brothell thy hand out of placket thy pen from lenders booke and defie the soule fiend still through the hathorne blowes the cold wind hay no on ny Dolphin my boy my boy caese let him trot by Lear. Why thou wert better in thy graue then to answere with thy vncouered bodie this extremitie of the skies is man no more but this coÌ„sider him well thou owest the worme no silke the beast no hide the sheepe no wooll the cat no perfume her 's three on s are so phisticated thou art the thing it selfe vnaccomodated man is no more but such a poore bare forked Animall as thou art off off you lendings come on Foole. Prithe Nunckle be content this is a naughty night to swim in now a little fire in a wild field were like an old leachers heart a small sparke all the rest in bodie cold looke here comes a walking fire Enter Gloster Edg. This is the foule fiend fliber degibek hee begins at curphew and walks till the first cocke he giues the web the pin squemes the eye and makes the hare lip mildewes the white wheate and hurts the poore creature of earth swithald footed thrice the old he met the night mare and her nine fold bid her O light and her troth plight and arint thee witch arint thee Kent How fares your Grace Lear. What 's hee Kent Whose there what i' st you seeke Glost. What are you there your names Edg. Poore Tom that eats the swimming frog the tode the tod pole the wall-newt and the water that in the furie of his heart when the foule fiend rages eats cow-dung for sallets swallowes the old ratt and the ditch dogge drinkes the greene mantle of the standing poole who is whipt from tithing to tithing and stock-punisht and imprisoned who hath had three sutes to his backe sixe shirts to his bodie horse to ride and weapon to weare But mise and rats and such small Deere Hath beene Toms foode for seuen long yeare Beware my follower peace snulbug peace thou fiend Glost. What hath your Grace no better company Edg. The Prince of darkenes is a Gentleman modo he 's caled and ma hu Glost. Our flesh and bloud is growne so vild my Lord that it doth hate what gets it Edg. Poore Toms a cold Glost. Go in with me my dutie caÌ„not suffer to obay in all your daughters hard commaunds though their iniunction be to barre my doores and let this tyranous night take hold vpon you yet haue I venter'd to come seeke you out and bring you where both food and fire is readie Lear. First let me talke with this Philosopher What is the cause of thunder Kent My good Lord take his offer goe into the house Lear. I le talke a word with this most learned Theban what is your studie Edg. How to preuent the fiend and to kill vermine Lear. Let me aske you one word in priuate Kent Importune him to goe my Lord his wits begin to vnsettle Glost. Canst thou blame him His daughters seeke his death O that good Kent He said it would be thus poore banisht man Thou sayest the King growes mad I le tell thee friend I am almost mad my selfe I had a sonne Now out-lawed from my bloud a sought my life But lately very late I lou'd him friend No father his sonne deerer true to tell thee The greefe hath craz'd my wits What a nights this I doe be seech your Grace Lear. O crie you mercie noble Philosopher your com-pany Edg. Toms a cold Glost. In fellow there in 't houell keepe thee warme Lear. Come le ts in all Kent This way my Lord. Lear. With him I wil keep stil with my Philosopher Ken. Good my Lord sooth him let him take the fellow Glost. Take him you on Kent Sirah come on goe along with vs Lear. Come good Athenian Glost. No words no words hush Edg. Child Rowland
power to flatterie bowes To plainnes honours bound when Maiesty stoops to folly Reuerse thy doome and in thy best consideration Checke this hideous rashnes answere my life My iudgement thy yongest daughter does not loue thee least Nor are those empty harted whose low sound Reuerbs no hollownes Lear. Kent on thy life no more Kent My life I neuer held but as a pawne To wage against thy enemies nor feare to lose it Thy safty being the motiue Lear. Out of my sight Kent See better Lear and let me still remaine The true blanke of thine eye Lear. Now by Appollo Kent Now by Appollo King thou swearest thy Gods in vaine Lear. Vassall recreant Kent Doe kill thy Physicion And the fee bestow vpon the foule disease Reuoke thy doome or whilst I can vent clamour From my throat I le tell thee thou dost euill Lear. Heare me on thy allegeance heare me Since thou hast sought to make vs breake our vow Which we durst neuer yet and with straied pride To come betweene our sentence and our powre Which nor our nature nor our place can beare Our potency made good take thy reward Foure dayes we doe allot thee for prouision To shield thee from diseases of the world And on the fift to turne thy hated backe Vpon our kingdome if on the tenth day following Thy banisht truncke be found in our dominions The moment is thy death away by Iupiter This shall not be reuokt Kent Why fare thee well king since thus thou wilt appeare Friendship liues hence and banishment is here The Gods to their protection take the maide That rightly thinks and hast most iustly said And your large speeches may your deedes approue That good effects may spring from wordes of loue Thus Kent O Princes bids you all adew Hee le shape his old course in a countrie new Enter France and Burgundie with Gloster Glost. Heer 's France and Burgundie my noble Lord. Lear. My L. of Burgūdie we first addres towards you Who with a King hath riuald for our daughter What in the least will you require in present Dower with her or cease your quest of loue Burg. Royall maiesty I craue no more then what Your highnes offered nor will you tender lesse Lear. Right noble Burgundie when she was deere to vs We did hold her so but now her prise is fallen Sir there she stands if ought within that little Seeming substāce or al of it with our displeasure peec'st And nothing else may fitly like your grace Shee s there and she is yours Burg. I know no answer Lear. Sir will you with those infirmities she owes Vnfriended new adopted to our hate Couered with our curse and stranger'd with our oth Take her or leaue her Burg. Pardon me royall sir election makes not vp On such conditions Lear. Then leaue her sir for by the powre that made me I tell you all her wealth for you great King I would not from your loue make such a stray To match you where I hate therefore beseech you To auert your liking a more worthier way Then on a wretch whome nature is ashamed Almost to acknowledge hers Fra. This is most strange that she that euen but now Was your best obiect the argument of your praise Balme of your age most best most deerest Should in this trice of time commit a thing So monstrous to dismantell so many foulds of fauour Sure her offence must be of such vnnaturall degree That monsters it or you for voucht affections Falne into taint which to beleeue of her Must be a saith that reason without miracle Could neuer plant in me Cord. I yet beseech your Maiestie If for I want that glib and oyly Art To speake and purpose not since what I well entend I le do 't before I speake that you may know It is no vicious blot murder or foulnes No vncleane action or dishonord step That hath depriu'd me of your grace and fauour But euen for want of that for which I am rich A still soliciting eye and such a tongue As I am glad I haue not though not to haue it Hath lost me in your liking Leir Goe to goe to better thou hadst not bin borne Then not to haue pleas'd me better Fran. Is it no more but this a tardines in nature That often leaues the historie vnspoke that it intends to do My Lord of Burgundie what say you to the Lady Loue is not loue when it is mingled with respects that stāds Aloofe from the intire point wil you haue her She is her selfe and dowre Burg. Royall Leir giue but that portion Which your selfe proposd and here I take Cordelia By the hand Dutches of Burgundie Leir Nothing I haue sworne Burg. I am sory then you haue so lost a father That you must loose a husband Cord. Peace be with Burgundie since that respects Of fortune are his loue I shall not be his wife Fran. Fairest Cordelia that art most rich being poore Most choise forsaken and most loued despisd Thee and thy vertues here I ceaze vpon Be it lawfull I take vp what 's cast away Gods Gods t is strāge that from their couldst neglect My loue should kindle to inflam'd respect Thy dowreles daughter King throwne to thy chance Is Queene of vs of ours and our faire France Not all the Dukes in watrish Burgundie Shall buy this vnprizd precious maide of me Bid them farewell Cordelia though vnkind Thou loosest here a better where to find Lear. Thou hast her France let her be thine For we haue no such daughter nor shall euer see That face of hers againe therfore be gone Without our grace our loue our benizon come noble Burgūdy Exit Lear and Burgundie Fran. Bid farewell to your sisters Cord. The iewels of our father With washt eyes Cordelia leaues you I know you what you are And like a sister am most loath to call your faults As they are named vse well our Father To your professed bosoms I commit him But yet alas stood I within his grace I would preferre him to a better place So farewell to you both Gonorill Prescribe not vs our duties Regan Let your study be to content your Lord Who hath receaued you at Fortunes almes You haue obedience scanted And well are worth the worth that you haue wanted Cord. Time shal vnfould what pleated cūning hides Who couers faults at last shame them derides Well may you prosper Fran. Come faire Cordelia Exit France Cord. Gonor Sister it is not a little I haue to say Of what most neerely appertaines to vs both I thinke our father will hence to night Reg. That 's most certaine and with you next moneth with vs. Gon. You see how full of changes his age is the obseruation we haue made of it hath not bin little hee alwaies loued our sister most and with what poore iudgement hee hath now cast her off appeares too grosse Reg. T is the infirmitie of his age yet hee hath euer but slenderly knowne
a prediction I read this other day what should follow these Eclipses Edg. Doe you busie your selfe about that Bast. I promise you the effects he writ of succeed vnhappily as of vnnaturalnesse betweene the child and the parent death dearth dissolutions of ancient amities diuisions in state menaces and maledictions against King and nobles needles diffidences banishment of friēds dissipation of Cohorts nuptial breaches and I know not what Edg. How long haue you beene a sectary Astronomicall Bast. Come come when saw you my father last Edg. Why the night gon by Bast. Spake you with him Edg. Two houres together Bast. Parted you in good tearmes found you no displeasure in him by word or countenance Edg. None at all Bast. Bethinke your selfe wherein you may haue offended him and at my intreatie forbeare his presence till some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure which at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischiefe of your parson it would scarce allay Edg. Some villaine hath done me wrong Bast. That 's my feare brother I aduise you to the best goe arm'd I am no honest man if there bee any good meaning towards you I haue told you what I haue seene heard but faintly nothing like the image and horror of it pray you away Edg. Shall I heare from you anon Bast. I doe serue you in this busines Exit Edgar A credulous Father and a brother noble Whose nature is so farre from doing harmes That he suspects none on whose foolish honesty My practises ride easie I see the busines Let me if not by birth haue lands by wit All with me 's meete that I can fashion fit Exit Enter Gonorill and Gentleman Gon. Did my Father strike my gentleman for chiding of his foole Gent. Yes Madam Gon. By day and night he wrongs me Euery houre he flashes into one grosse crime or other That sets vs all at ods I le not indure it His Knights grow ryotous and him selfe obrayds vs On euery trifell when he returnes from hunting I will not speake with him say I am sicke If you come slacke of former seruices You shall doe well the fault of it I le answere Gent. Hee 's coming Madam I heare him Gon. Put on what wearie negligence you please you and your fellow seruants I 'de haue it come in question if he dislike it let him to our sister whose mind and mine I know in that are one not to be ouerruld idle old man that still would manage those authorities that hee hath giuen away now by my life old fooles are babes again must be vs'd with checkes as flatteries when they are seene abusd remember what I tell you Gent. Very well Madam Gon. And let his Knights haue colder looks among you what growes of it no matter aduise your fellowes so I would breed from hence occasions and I shall that I may speake I le write straight to my sister to hould my very course goe prepare for dinner Exit Enter Kent Kent If but as well I other accents borrow that can my speech defuse my good intent may carry through it selfe to that full issue for which I raz'd my likenes now banisht Kent if thou canst serue where thou dost stand condem'd thy maister whom thou louest shall find the full of labour Enter Lear. Lear. Let me not stay a iot for dinner goe get it readie how now what art thou Kent A man Sir Lear. What dost thou professe what would'st thou with vs Kent I doe professe to be no lesse then I seeme to serue him truly that will put me in trust to loue him that is honest to conuerse with him that is wise and sayes little to feare iudgement to fight when I cannot chuse and to eate no fishe Lear. What art thou Kent A very honest harted fellow and as poore as the king Lear. If thou be as poore for a subiect as he is for a King thar' t poore enough what would'st thou Kent Seruice Lear. Who would'st thou serue Kent You. Lear. Do'st thou know me fellow Kent No sir but you haue that in your countenance which I would faine call Maister Lear. What 's that Kent Authoritie Lear. What seruices canst doe Kent I can keepe honest counsaile ride run mar a curious tale in telling it and deliuer a plaine message bluntly that which ordinarie men are fit for I am qualified in and the best of me is diligence Lear How old art thou Kent Not so yong to loue a woman for singing nor so old to dote on her for any thing I haue yeares on my backe fortie eight Lear. Follow mee thou shalt serue mee if I like thee no worse after dinner I will not part from thee yet dinner ho dinner wher 's my knaue my foole goe you and call my foole hether you sirra wher 's my daughter Enter Steward Steward So please you Lear. What say's the fellow there call the clat-pole backe wher 's my foole ho I thinke the world's asleepe how now wher 's that mungrel Kent He say's my Lord your daughter is not well Lear. Why came not the slaue backe to mee when I cal'd him seruant Sir hee answered mee in the roundest maner hee would not Lear. A would not seruant My Lord I know not what the matter is but to my iudgemēt your highnes is not ētertained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont ther 's a great abatement apeer's as well in the generall dependants as in the Duke himselfe also and your daughter Lear. Ha say'st thou so seruant I beseech you pardon mee my Lord if I be mistaken for my dutie cannot bee silent when I thinke your highnesse wrong'd Lear. Thou but remember'st me of mine owne conception I haue perceiued a most faint neglect of late which I haue rather blamed as mine owne ielous curiositie then as a very pretence purport of vnkindnesse I will looke further into 't but wher 's this foole I haue not seene him this two dayes seruant Since my yong Ladies going into France sir the foole hath much pined away Lear. No more of that I haue noted it goe you and tell my daughter I would speake with her goe you cal hither my foole O you sir you sir come you hither who am I sir Steward My Ladies Father Lear. My Ladies father my Lords knaue you horeson dog you slaue you cur Stew. I am none of this my Lord I beseech you pardon me Lear. Doe you bandie lookes with me you rascall Stew. I le not be struck my Lord Kent Nor tript neither you base football player Lear. I thanke thee fellow thou seru'st me and I le loue thee Kent Come sir I le teach you differences away away if you will measure your lubbers length againe tarry but away you haue wisedome Lear. Now friendly knaue I thanke thee their 's earnest of thy seruice Enter Foole. Foole. Let me hire him too heer 's my coxcombe Lear. How now my prety knaue how
yea Lear. No no they would not Kent Yes they haue Lear. By Iupiter I sweare no they durst not do 't They would not could not do 't t is worse then murder To doe vpon respect such violent outrage Resolue me with all modest hast which way Thou may'st deserue or they purpose this vsage Coming from vs. Kent My Lord when at their home I did commend your highnes letters to them Ere I was risen from the place that shewed My dutie kneeling came there a reeking Post Stewd in his hast halfe breathles panting forth From Gonorill his mistris salutations Deliuered letters spite of intermission Which presently they read on whose contents They summond vp their men straight tooke horse Commanded me to follow and attend the leasure Of their answere gaue me cold lookes And meeting here the other messenger Whose welcome I perceau'd had poyson'd mine Being the very fellow that of late Display'd so sawcily against your Highnes Hauing more man then wit about me drew He raised the house with loud and coward cries Your sonne and daughter found this trespas worth This shame which here it suffers Lear. O how this mother swels vp toward my hart Historica passio downe thou climing sorrow Thy element's below where is this daughter Kent With the Earle sir within Lear. Follow me not stay there Knight Made you no more offēce then what you speake of Kent No how chance the King comes with so small a traine Foole. And thou hadst beene set in the stockes for that question thou ha'dst well deserued it Kent Why foole Foole. Wee le set thee to schoole to an Ant to teach thee ther 's no labouring in the winter all that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men and ther 's not a nose among a 100. but can smell him that 's stincking let goe thy hold when a great wheele runs downe a hill least it breake thy necke with following it but the great one that goes vp the hill let him draw thee after when a wise man giues thee better councell giue mee mine againe I would haue none but knaues follow it since a foole giues it That Sir that serues for gaine And followes but for forme Will packe when it begin to raine And leaue thee in the storme But I will tarie the foole will stay And let the wise man flie The knaue turnes foole that runs away The foole no knaue perdy Kent Where learnt you this foole Foole. Not in the stockes Enter Lear and Gloster Lear. Denie to speake with mee th' are sicke th' are weary They traueled hard to night meare Iustice I the Images of reuolt and flying off Fetch mee a better answere Glost. My deere Lord you know the fierie qualitie of the Duke now vnremoueable and fixt he is in his owne Course Lear. Veng eance death plague confusion what fierie quality why Gloster Gloster I d'e speake with the Duke of Cornewali and his wife Glost. I my good Lord. Lear. The King would speak with Cornewal the deare father Would with his daughter speake commands her seruice Fierie Duke tell the hot Duke that Lear No but not yet may be he is not well Infirmitie doth still neglect all office where to our health Is boūd we are not our selues when nature being oprest Cōmand the mind to suffer with the bodie I le forbeare And am fallen out with my more hedier will To take the indispos'd and sickly fit for the sound man Death on my state wherfore should he sit here This act perswades me that this remotion of the Duke Is practise only giue me my seruant forth Tell the Duke and 's wife I le speake with them her Now presently bid them come forth and heare me Or at their chamber doore I le beat the drum Till it cry sleepe to death Glost. I would haue all well betwixt you Lear. O my heart my heart Foole. Cry to it Nunckle as the Cokney did to the eeles when she put vm i th pâst aliue she rapt vm at h coxcombs with a stick and cryed downe wantons downe t was her brother that in pure kindnes to his horse buttered his hay Enter Duke and Regan Lear. Good morrow to you both Duke Hayle to your Grace Reg. I am glad to see your highnes Lear. Regan I thinke you are I know what reason I haue to thinke so if thou shouldst not be glad I would diuorse me from thy mothers tombe Sepulchring an adultresse yea are you free Some other time for that Beloued Regan Thy sister is naught oh Regan she hath tyed Sharpe tooth'd vnkindnes like a vulture heare I can scarce speake to thee thout not beleeue Of how depriued a qualitie O Regan Reg. I pray sir take patience I haue hope You lesse know how to value her desert Then she to slacke her dutie Lear. My cursses on her Reg. O Sir you are old Nature on you standes on the very verge of her con-fine You should be rul'd and led by some discretion That discernes your state better thē you your selfe Therfore I pray that to our sister you do make returne Say you haue wrong'd her Sir Lear. Aske her forgiuenes Doe you marke how this becomes the house Deare daughter I confesse that I am old Age is vnnecessarie on my knees I beg That you 'l vouchsafe me rayment bed and food Reg. Good sir no more these are vnsightly tricks Returne you to my sister Lear. No Regan She hath abated me of halfe my traine Lookt blacke vpon me strooke mee with her tongue Most Serpent-like vpon the very heart All the stor'd vengeances of heauen fall on her ingratful top Strike her yong bones you taking ayrs with lamenes Duke Fie fie sir. You nimble lightnings dart your blinding flames Into her scornfull eyes infect her beautie You Fen suckt fogs drawne by the powrefull Sunne To fall and blast her pride Reg. O the blest Gods so will you wish on me When the rash mood Lear. No Regan thou shalt neuer haue my curse The tēder hested nature shall not giue the or'e To harshnes her eies are fierce but thine do cōfort not burne T is not in thee to grudge my pleasures to cut off my traine To bandy hasty words to scant my sizes And in conclusion to oppose the bolt Against my coming in thou better knowest The offices of nature bond of child-hood Effects of curtesie dues of gratitude Thy halfe of the kingdome hast thou not forgot Wherein I thee indow'd Reg. Good sir too'th purpose Lear. Who put my man i' th stockes Duke What trumpets that Enter Steward Reg. I know 't my sisters this approues her letters That she would soone be here is your Lady come Lear. This is a slaue whose easie borrowed pride Dwels in the fickle grace of her a followes Out varlet from my sight Duke What meanes your Grace Enter Gon. Gon. Who struck my seruant Regan I haue good hope Thou didst not know an t Lear. Who comes here
curse which twaine hath brought her to Edg. Haile gentle sir. Gent. Sir speed you what 's your will Edg. Do you heare ought of a battell toward Gent. Most sure and vulgar euery one here 's that That can distinguish sence Edg. But by your fauour how neers the other army Gent. Neere and on speed for t the maine descryes Standst on the howerly thoughts Edg. I thanke you sir that 's all Gent. Though that the Queene on speciall cause is here Hir army is moued on Edg. I thanke you sir. Exit Glost. You euer gentle gods take my breath from me Let not my worser spirit tempt me againe To dye before you please Edg. Well pray you father Glost. Now good sir what are you Edg. A most poore man made lame by Fortunes blowes Who by the Art of knowne and feeling sorrowes Am pregnant to good pitty giue me your hand I le leade you to some biding Glost. Hartie thankes the bornet and beniz of heauen to saue thee Enter Steward Stew. A proclamed prize most happy that eyles head of thine was framed flesh to rayse my fortunes thou most vnhappy traytor briefly thy selfe remember the sword is out that must destroy thee Glost. Now let thy friendly hand put strength enough to 't Stew. VVherefore bould pesant durst thou support a publisht traytor hence least the infection of his fortune take like hold on thee let goe his arme Edg. I hill not let goe fir without cagion Stew. Let goe slaue or thou diest Edg. Good Gentleman goe your gate let poore voke passe and I hud haue beene swaggar'd out of my life it would not haue beene so long by a fortnight nay come not neare the old man keepe out cheuore ye or I le trie whether your coster or my battero be the harder I le be plaine with you Stew. Out dunghill they fight Edg. I hill pick your teeth sir come no matter for your foyns Stew. Slaue thou hast slaine me villaine take my pursse If euer thou wilt thriue burie my bodie And giue the letters which thou find'st about me To Edmund Earle of Gloster seeke him out vpon The British partie ô vntimely death death He dies Edg. I know thee well a seruiceable villaine As dutious to the vices of thy mistres as badnes would desire Glost. What is he dead Edg. Sit you down father rest you le ts see his pockets These letters that he speakes of may be my friends Hee 's dead I am only sorrow he had no other deathsmā Let vs see leaue gentle waxe and manners blame vs not To know our enemies minds wee 'd rip their hearts Their papers is more lawfull Let your reciprocall vowes bee remembred you haue many opportunities to cut him off if your will want not time and place will be fruitfully offered there is nothing done If he returne the conquerour then am I the prisoner and his bed my gayle from the lothed warmth whereof deliuer me and supply the place for your labour your wife so I would say your affectionate seruant and for you her owne for Venter Gonorill Edg. O Indistinguisht space of womans wit A plot vpon her vertuous husbands life And the exchange my brother heere in the sands Thee I le rake vp the post vnsanctified Of murtherous leachers and in the mature time With this vngratious paper strike the sight Of the death practis'd Duke for him t is well That of thy death and businesse I can tell Glost. The King is mad how stiffe is my vild sence That I stand vp and haue ingenious feeling Of my huge sorowes better I were distract So should my thoughts be fenced from my griefes And woes by wrong imaginations loose The knowledge of themselues A drum a farre off Edg. Giue me your hand far off me thinks I heare the beaten drum Come father I le bestow you with a friend Exit Enter Cordelia Kent and Doctor Cord. O thou good Kent how shall I liue and worke to match thy goodnes My life will be too short and euery measure faile me Kent To be acknowlegd madame is ore payd All my reports go with the modest truth Nor more nor clipt but so Cor. Be better suited these weeds are memories of those Worser howers I prithe put them off Kent Pardon me deere madame Yet to be knowne shortens my made intent My boone I make it that you know me not Till time and I thinke meete Cord. Then beet so my good Lord how does the king Doct. Madame sleepes still Cord. O you kind Gods cure this great breach in his abused nature The vntund and hurrying sences O wind vp Of this child changed father Doct. So please your Maiestie that we may wake the king He hath slept long Cord. Be gouernd by your knowledge and proceed i th sway of your owne will is he arayd Doct. I madam in the heauinesse of his sleepe We put fresh garments on him Gent. Good madam be by when we do awake him I doubt not of his temperance Cord. Very well Doct. Please you draw neere louder the musicke there Cor. O my deer father restoratiō hang thy medicin on my lips And let this kis repaire those violent harmes that my two sisters Haue in thy reuerence made Kent Klnd and deere Princesse Cord. Had you not bene their father these white flakes Had challengd pitie of them was this a face To be exposd against the warring winds To stand against the deepe dread bolted thunder In the most terrible and nimble stroke Of quick crosse lightning to watch poore Perdu With this thin helme mine iniurious dogge Though he had bit me should haue stood that night Against my fire and wast thou faine poore father To houill thee with swine and rogues forlorne In short and mustie straw alack alack T is wonder that thy life and wits at once Had not concluded all he wakes speake to him Doct. Madam do you t is fittest Cord. How does my royall Lord how fares your maiestie Lear. You do me wrong to take me out at h graue Thou art a soule in blisse but I am bound Vpon a wheele of fire that mine owne teares Do scald like molten lead Cord. Sir know me Lear. Y ar a spirit I know where did you dye Cord. Still still farre wide Doct. Hee s scarce awake let him alone a while Lear. Where haue I bene where am I faire day light I am mightily abusd I should ene dye with pitie To see another thus I know not what to say I will not sweare these are my hands le ts see I feele this pin pricke would I were assur'd of my condition Cord. O looke vpon me sir and hold your hands in benediction or'e me no sir you must not kneele Lear. Pray doe not mocke I am a very foolish fond old man Fourescore and vpward and to deale plainly I feare I am not in my perfect mind Mee thinks I should know you and know this man Yet I am doubtfull for I am mainly ignorant