Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Michael Best
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Quarto 1, 1608)

The Historie of King Lear.
And step, I haue aduanct thee, if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes, know thou this that men
Are as the time is, to be tender minded
2975Does not become a sword, thy great imployment
Will not beare question, either say thout do't,
Or thriue by other meanes.
Cap. Ile do't my Lord.
Bast. About it, and write happy when thou hast don,
2980Marke I say instantly, and carie it so
As I haue set it downe.
2981.1Cap. I cannot draw a cart, nor eate dride oats,
If it bee mans worke ile do't.
Enter Duke, the two Ladies, and others.
Alb. Sir you haue shewed to day your valiant strain,
And Fortune led you well you haue the captiues
2985That were the opposites of this dayes strife,
We doe require then of you, so to vse them,
As we shall find their merits, and our safty
May equally determine.
Bast. Sir I thought it fit,
2990To send the old and miserable King to some retention, and ap-(pointed guard,
Whose age has charmes in it, whose title more
To pluck the coren bossom of his side,
And turne our imprest launces in our eyes
Which doe commaund them, with him I sent the queen
2995My reason, all the same and they are readie to morrow,
Or at further space, to appeare where you shall hold
Your session at this time, mee sweat and bleed,
2997.1The friend hath lost his friend, and the best quarrels
In the heat are curst, by those that feele their sharpes,
The question of Cordelia and her father
Requires a fitter place.
Alb. Sir by your patience,
I hold you but a subiect of this warre, 3000not as a brother.
Reg. That's as we list to grace him,
Me thinkes our pleasure should haue beene demanded
Ere you had spoke so farre, he led our powers,
Bore