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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    [Scene 19 in Quarto]
    Scena Quarta.
    Enter Regan, and Steward.
    Reg. But are my Brothers Powres set forth?
    2385Stew. I Madam,
    Reg. Himselfe in person there?
    Stew. Madam with much ado:
    Your Sister is the better Souldier.
    Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your Lord at home?
    2390Stew. No Madam.
    Reg. What night import my Sisters Letter to him?
    Stew. I know not, Lady.
    Reg. Faith he is poasted hence on serious matter:
    It was great ignorance, Glousters eyes being out
    2395To let him liue. Where he arriues, he moues
    All hearts against vs: Edmund, I thinke is gone
    In pitty of his misery, to dispatch
    His nighted life: Moreouer to descry
    The strength o'th'Enemy.
    2400Stew. I must needs after him, Madam, with my Letter.
    Reg. Our troopes set forth to morrow, stay with vs:
    The wayes are dangerous.
    Stew. I may not Madam:
    My Lady charg'd my dutie in this busines.
    2405Reg. Why should she write to Edmund?
    Might not you transport her purposes by word? Belike,
    Some things, I know not what. Ile loue thee much
    Let me vnseale the Letter.
    Stew. Madam, I had rather----
    2410Reg. I know your Lady do's not loue her Husband,
    I am sure of that: and at her late being heere,
    She gaue strange Eliads, and most speaking lookes
    To Noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosome.
    Stew. I, Madam?
    2415Reg. I speake in vnderstanding: Y'are: I know't,
    Therefore I do aduise you take this note:
    My Lord is dead: Edmond, and I haue talk'd,
    And more conuenient is he for my hand
    Then for your Ladies: You may gather more:
    2420If you do finde him, pray you giue him this;
    And when your Mistris heares thus much from you,
    I pray desire her call her wisedome to her.
    So fare you well:
    If you do chance to heare of that blinde Traitor,
    2425Preferment fals on him, that cuts him off.
    Stew. Would I could meet Madam, I should shew
    What party I do follow.
    Reg. Fare thee well. Exeunt
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