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King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Pervez Rizvi
Not Peer Reviewed
The History of King Lear.
But Mice and Rats, and such small Deere,
Hath beene Toms food for seuen long yeare.
Beware my follower, peace snulbug, peace thou fiend.
1920Glost, What, hath your Grace no better company?
Edg. The Prince of darknes is a Gentleman, modo hee's called,
and ma hu --------
Glost. Our flesh and bloud is growne so vilde my Lord, that it
doth hate what gets it.
1925Edg. Poore Toms a colde.
Glost. Go in with me, my duty cannot suffer to obey in al your
daughters hard commands, though their iniunction be to barre
my doores, and let this tyranous night take hold vpon you, yet
1930haue I venter'd to come seeke you out, and bring you where
both food and fire is ready.
Lear. First let me talke with this Philosopher;
What is the cause of thunder?
Kent. My good Lord take his offer, go into the house.
Lear. Ile talke a word with this most learned Theban; wha[t]
is your study?
Edg. How to preuent the fiend, and to kill vermine.
Lear. Let me aske you one word in priuate.
1940Kent. Importune him to goe my Lord, his wits begin to vn-
setle.
Glost. Canst thou blame him?
His daughters seeke his death. O that good Kent,
He said it would be thus, poore banisht man,
1945Thou saist the King growes mad, ile tell thee friend,
I am almost mad my selfe; I had a sonne
Now out-lawed from my bloud, he sought my life
But lately, very late, I lou'd him friend,
No father his sonne dearer, truth to tell thee,
1950The greefe has craz'd my wits.
What a night's this? I do beseech your Grace.
Lear. O cry you mercy noble Philosopher, your company.
Edg. Tom's a cold.
1955Glost. In fellow there, into th'houell, keepe thee warme.
Lear. Come, let's in all.
G
Kent.