Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: King Lear (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Michael Best
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-463-9

    Copyright Michael Best. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Michael Best
    Not Peer Reviewed

    King Lear (Folio 1, 1623)

    Scaena Tertia.
    Enter Gloster, and Edmund.
    Glo. Alacke, alacke Edmund, I like not this vnnaturall
    dealing; when I desired their leaue that I might pity him,
    1755they tooke from me the vse of mine owne house, charg'd
    me on paine of perpetuall displeasure, neither to speake
    of him, entreat for him, or any way sustaine him.
    Bast. Most sauage and vnnaturall.
    Glo. Go too; say you nothing. There is diuision be-
    1760tweene the Dukes, and a worsse matter then that: I haue
    receiued a Letter this night, 'tis dangerous to be spoken,
    I haue lock'd the Letter in my Closset, these iniuries the
    King now beares, will be reuenged home; ther is part of
    a Power already footed, we must incline to the King, I
    1765will looke him, and priuily relieue him; goe you and
    maintaine talke with the Duke, that my charity be not of
    him perceiued; If he aske for me, I am ill, and gone to
    bed, if I die for it, (as no lesse is threatned me) the King
    my old Master must be relieued. There is strange things
    1770toward Edmund, pray you be carefull. Exit.
    Bast. This Curtesie forbid thee, shall the Duke
    Instantly know, and of that Letter too;
    This seemes a faire deseruing, and must draw me
    That which my Father looses: no lesse then all,
    1775The yonger rises, when the old doth fall. Exit.