King Lear (Modern, Folio)

Introduction
2. Textual Introduction
Texts of this edition
1. King Lear (Folio, 1623)
3. Modern
5. Extended modern
7. Old-spelling transcription
8. King Lear (Quarto 1, 1608)
10. Modern
12. Extended modern
14. Old-spelling transcription
15. King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)
17. Old-spelling transcription
Contextual materials
1. Sources for the Lear story
3. Holinshed on King Lear
5. The History of King Leir
7. Albion's England (Selection)
9. Hardyng's Chronicle (Selection)
11. Kings of Britain
13. Chronicles of England
15. Faerie Queene
17. The Mirror for Magistrates
18. Sources for the Gloucester plot
20. The Arcadia
22. A Declaration of Egregious Popish Impostures
23. Literary, political, and social contexts
25. Aristotle on tragedy
27. The Book of Job (Selections)
29. The Monk's Tale (Selections)
31. The Defense of Poetry
33. The First Blast of the Trumpet
35. Basilicon Doron
37. On Bastards
39. On Aging
40. King Lear's afterlife
42. King Lear (Adapted by Nahum Tate)
Facsimiles
[Scene 20 in Quarto]
 4.5.0.124294.5
 4.5.0.22430Enter Gloucester and Edgar [dressed like a peasant].
 4.5.12431Gloucester
 When shall I come to th'top of that same hill?
 4.5.22432Edgar
 You do climb up it now. Look how we labor.
 4.5.32433Gloucester
 Methinks the ground is even.
 2434Edgar
 Methinks the ground is even.  Horrible steep.
 4.5.42435Hark, do you hear the sea?
 4.5.52436Gloucester
 No, truly.
 4.5.62437Edgar
 Why, then your other senses grow imperfect
 4.5.72438By your eyes' anguish.
 2439Gloucester
 By your eyes' anguish.  So may it be, indeed.
 4.5.82440Methinks thy voice is altered, and thou speakest
 4.5.92441In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
 4.5.102442Edgar
 Y'are much deceived. In nothing am I changed
 4.5.112443But in my garments.
 2444Gloucester
 But in my garments.  Methinks y'are better spoken.
 4.5.1224452235Edgar
 Come on sir, 24462236here's the place. Stand still. How fearful
 4.5.132447And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low.
 4.5.142448The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
 4.5.152449Show scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down
 4.5.162450Hangs one that gathers samphire--dreadful trade.
 4.5.172451Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.
 4.5.182452The fishermen that walk upon the beach
 4.5.192453Appear like mice, and yond tall anchoring bark
 4.5.202454Diminished to her cock, her cock a buoy
 4.5.212455Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge,
 4.5.222456That on th'unnumbered idle pebble chafes
 4.5.232457Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more
 4.5.242458Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
 4.5.252459Topple down headlong.
 2460Gloucester
 Topple down headlong.  Set me where you stand.
 4.5.2624612250Edgar
 Give me your hand.
 4.5.272462You are now within a foot 2251of th'extreme verge.
 4.5.282463For all beneath the moon 2252would I not leap upright.
 4.5.2924642253Gloucester
 Let go my hand.
 4.5.302465Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel
 4.5.312466Well worth a poor man's taking. Fairies and gods
 4.5.322467Prosper it with thee. Go thou further off.
 4.5.332468Bid me farewell and let me hear thee going.
 4.5.342469Edgar
 [Pretending to leave] Now fare ye well, good sir.
 2470Gloucester
 [Pretending to leave] Now fare ye well, good sir.  With all my heart.
 4.5.352471Edgar
 [Aside] Why I do trifle thus with his despair
 4.5.362472Is done to cure it.
 2473Gloucester
 Is done to cure it.  O you mighty gods--
 4.5.36.1[He kneels.]
 4.5.372474This world I do renounce, and in your sights
 4.5.382475Shake patiently my great affliction off.
 4.5.392476If I could bear it longer, and not fall
 4.5.402477To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
 4.5.412478My snuff and loathèd part of nature should
 4.5.422479Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O bless him.
 4.5.432480Now, fellow, fare thee well.
 4.5.43.1[He falls forward.]
 2481Edgar
 Now, fellow, fare thee well.  Gone, sir; farewell.
 4.5.442482[Aside] And yet I know not how conceit may rob
 4.5.452483The treasury of life, when life itself
 4.5.462484Yields to the theft. Had he been where he thought,
 4.5.472485By this had thought been past. Alive, or dead?
 4.5.482486[Aloud] Ho, you sir! Friend, hear you sir? Speak.
 4.5.492487[Aside] Thus might he pass indeed. Yet he revives.
 4.5.502488[Aloud] What are you, sir?
 2489Gloucester
 [Aloud] What are you, sir?  Away, and let me die.
 4.5.5124902275Edgar
 Hadst thou been aught 2491but gossamer, feathers, air,
 4.5.5224922276So many fathom down precipitating,
 4.5.532493Thoudst shivered like an egg. But thou dost breathe,
 4.5.542494Hast heavy substance, bleed'st not, speakest, art sound.
 4.5.552495Ten masts at each make not the altitude
 4.5.562496Which thou hast perpendicularly fell.
 4.5.572497Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.
 4.5.582498Gloucester
 But have I fallen or no?
 4.5.592499Edgar
 From the dread summit of this chalky bourn,
 4.5.602500Look up a height. The shrill-gorged lark so far
 4.5.612501Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up.
 4.5.622502Gloucester
 Alack, I have no eyes.
 4.5.632503Is wretchedness deprived that benefit
 4.5.642504To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort
 4.5.652505When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage
 4.5.662506And frustrate his proud will.
 2507Edgar
 And frustrate his proud will.  Give me your arm.
 4.5.672508Up, so. How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand.
 4.5.682509Gloucester
 Too well, too well.
 2510Edgar
 Too well, too well.  This is above all strangeness.
 4.5.692511Upon the crown o'th'cliff, what thing was that
 4.5.702512Which parted from you?
 2513Gloucester
 Which parted from you?  A poor unfortunate beggar.
 4.5.712514Edgar
 As I stood here below, methought his eyes
 4.5.722515Were two full moons. He had a thousand noses,
 4.5.732516Horns whelked and waved like the enragèd sea.
 4.5.742517It was some fiend. Therefore, thou happy father,
 4.5.752518Think that the clearest gods, who make them honors
 4.5.762519Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
 4.5.772520Gloucester
 I do remember now. Henceforth I'll bear
 4.5.782521Affliction till it do cry out itself
 4.5.792522"Enough, enough," and die. That thing you speak of,
 4.5.802523I took it for a man. Often 'twould say
 4.5.812524"The fiend, the fiend." He led me to that place.
 4.5.822525Edgar
 Bear free and patient thoughts.
 4.5.82.12526Enter Lear [crowned with weeds and flowers].
 Bear free and patient thoughts.  2527But who comes here?
 4.5.832528The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
 4.5.842529His master thus.
 4.5.852530Lear
 No, they cannot touch me for crying. I am the 2531King himself.
 4.5.862532Edgar
 Oh, thou side-piercing sight!
 4.5.872533Lear
 Nature's above art in that respect. There's your 2534press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a 2535crow-keeper. Draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a 2536mouse! Peace, peace. This piece of toasted cheese will 2537do't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. 2538Bring up the brown bills. Oh, well flown, bird; i'th' 2539clout, i'th'clout. Hewgh. Give the word.
 4.5.882540Edgar
 Sweet marjoram.
 4.5.892541Lear
 Pass.
 4.5.902542Gloucester
 I know that voice.
 4.5.912543Lear
 Ha! Goneril with a white beard? They flattered 2544me like a dog and told me I had the white hairs in 2545my beard ere the black ones were there. To say "ay" and 2546"no" to everything that I said "Ay" and "no" to was no good 2547divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the 2548wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not 2549peace at my bidding--there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em 2550out. Go to, they are not men o'their words; they told 2551me I was everything. 'Tis a lie. I am not ague-proof.
 4.5.922552Gloucester
 The trick of that voice I do well remember.
 4.5.932553Is't not the King?
 4.5.94255423310.1Lear
 Is't not the King?  Ay, every inch a king.
 4.5.9525550.2When I do stare, see how the subject quakes?
 4.5.9625560.3I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause?
 4.5.9725571Adultery? 2Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery?
 4.5.982558No, 2.1the wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly
 4.5.9925593Does lecher in my sight. 4Let copulation thrive,
 4.5.1002560For Gloucester's bastard son 5was kinder to his father
 4.5.1012561Than my daughters 6got 'tween the lawful sheets.
 4.5.10225627To't luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.
 4.5.10325634.18Behold yond simp'ring dame,
 4.5.1049Whose face between her 2564forks presages snow,
 4.5.10510That minces virtue, and does shake 2565the head
 4.5.10611To hear of pleasure's name. 12The fitchew, nor
 4.5.1072566The soilèd horse goes to't 13with a more riotous
 4.5.1082567Appetite. 14Down from the waist they are centaurs,
 4.5.10915Though 2568women all above. 16But to the girdle
 4.5.110Do the gods 2569inherit; 17beneath is all the fiend's.
 There's hell, there's 2570darkness, 18there is the sulphurous pit; burning, scalding, stench, 2571consumption. Fie, fie, fie, pah, pah. 19Give me an ounce 2572of civet; good apothecary, 20sweeten my imagination. 2573There's money for thee.
 4.5.111257421Gloucester
 Oh, let me kiss that hand.
 4.5.11225752347Lear
 Let me wipe it first. 2576It smells of mortality.
 4.5.11323482577Gloucester
 O ruined piece of nature! This great world
 4.5.1142578Shall so 2349wear out to naught. 2579Dost thou know me?
 4.5.1152580Lear
 I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou 2581squinny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid, I'll not 2582love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning 2583of it.
 4.5.1162584Gloucester
 Were all thy letters suns I could not see.
 4.5.1172585Edgar
 [Aside] I would not take this from report. 2586It is,
 4.5.118And my heart breaks at it.
 4.5.1192587Lear
 Read.
 4.5.1202588Gloucester
 What? With the case of eyes?
 4.5.1212589Lear
 Oh ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your 2590head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a 2591heavy case, your purse in a light, yet you see how this world 2592goes.
 4.5.1222593Gloucester
 I see it feelingly.
 4.5.1232594Lear
 What, art mad? A man may see how this world 2595goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See how 2596yond justice rails upon yond simple thief? Hark in 2597thine ear. Change places, and handy-dandy, which is 2598the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a 2599farmer's dog bark at a beggar?
 4.5.1242600Gloucester
 Ay, sir.
 4.5.1252601Lear
 And the creature run from the cur? There thou 2602mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's 2603obeyed in office.
 4.5.1262603.122Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody 2604hand.
 4.5.12723Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thy own 2605back.
 4.5.12824Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind
 4.5.12925For which 2606thou whip'st her.
 4.5.130The usurer hangs the cozener.
 4.5.13126Through 2607tattered clothes great vices do appear;
 4.5.13227Robes 2608and furred gowns hide all. 46Plate sins with gold
 4.5.1334728And 2609the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;
 4.5.13429Arm it in 2610rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
 4.5.13530None does offend, 2611none, I say none. I'll able 'em.
 4.5.1364831Take that of me my friend, 2612who have the power
 4.5.1374932To seal th'accuser's lips. 50Get thee 2613glass eyes,
 4.5.13833And, like a scurvy politician, seem
 4.5.13934To see the 2614things thou dost not. 35Now, now, now, now.
 4.5.140Pull off my 2615boots. Harder, harder, so.
 4.5.1412616Edgar
 [Aside] Oh, matter and impertinency mixed;
 4.5.1422617Reason in madness.
 4.5.1432618Lear
 If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
 4.5.1442619I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester.
 4.5.1452620Thou must be patient. We came crying hither;
 4.5.1462621Thou know'st the first time that we smell the air
 4.5.1472622We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee. Mark.
 4.5.1482623Gloucester
 Alack, alack the day.
 4.5.14926242380Lear
 When we are born, we cry that we are come
 4.5.1502625To this 2381great stage of fools.-- This' a good block.
 4.5.1512626It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
 4.5.1522627A troop of horse with felt. I'll put't in proof,
 4.5.1532628And when I have stolen upon these son-in-laws,
 4.5.1542629Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.
 4.5.154.12630Enter a Gentleman.
 4.5.1552631Gentleman
 Oh, here he is. Lay hand upon him. Sir,
 4.5.1562632Your most dear daughter--
 4.5.1572633Lear
 No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
 4.5.1582634The natural fool of fortune. Use me well.
 4.5.1592635You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
 4.5.1602636I am cut to th'brains.
 2637Gentleman
 I am cut to th'brains.  You shall have anything.
 4.5.1612638Lear
 No seconds? All myself?
 4.5.1622639Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,
 4.5.1632640To use his eyes for garden water-pots45.
 4.5.16647I will die bravely 2641Like a smug bridegroom. 
 What? I will be jovial.
 4.5.1672642Come, come, I am a king, masters, know you that?
 4.5.16826438Gentleman
 You are a royal one, and we obey you.
 4.5.16926449Lear
 Then there's life in't. Come, an you get it,
 4.5.1702645You shall get it by running: Sa, sa, sa, sa.
 4.5.170.1Exit [King Lear, running, pursued by attendants].
 4.5.1712646Gentleman
 A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
 4.5.1722647Past speaking of in a king. Thou hast a daughter
 4.5.1732648Who redeems nature from the general curse
 4.5.1742649Which twain have brought her to.
 2650Edgar
 Which twain have brought her to.  Hail, gentle sir.
 4.5.1752651Gentleman
 Sir, speed you. What's your will?
 4.5.1762652Edgar
 Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
 4.5.17726532404Gentleman
 Most sure and vulgar.
 4.5.1782654Everyone hears that which can distinguish sound.
 4.5.17926552406Edgar
 But, by your favor, 2656how near's the other army?
 4.5.18026572407Gentleman
 Near and on speedy foot. The main descry
 4.5.1812658Stands on the hourly thought.
 4.5.1822659Edgar
 I thank you, sir. That's all.
 4.5.1832660Gentleman
 Though that the queen on special cause is here
 4.5.1842661Her army is moved on.
 2662Edgar
 Her army is moved on.  I thank you, sir.
 4.5.184.1Exit [Gentleman].
 4.5.1852663Gloucester
 You ever gentle gods take my breath from me.
 4.5.1862664Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
 4.5.1872665To die before you please.
 2666Edgar
 To die before you please.  Well pray you, father.
 4.5.1882667Gloucester
 Now, good sir, what are you?
 4.5.1892668Edgar
 A most poor man made tame to fortune's blows,
 4.5.1902669Who by the art of known and feeling sorrows
 4.5.1912670Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand.
 4.5.1922671I'll lead you to some biding.
 2672Gloucester
 I'll lead you to some biding.  Hearty thanks.
 4.5.1932673The bounty and the benison of heaven
 4.5.1942674To boot, and boot.
 4.5.194.12675Enter [Oswald, the] steward.
 2676Oswald
 To boot, and boot.  A proclaimed prize! Most happy.
 4.5.1952677That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh
 4.5.1962678To raise my fortunes. Thou old, unhappy traitor,
 4.5.1972679Briefly thyself remember. The sword is out
 4.5.1982680That must destroy thee.
 2681Gloucester
 That must destroy thee.  Now let thy friendly hand
 4.5.1992682Put strength enough to't.
 4.5.200.1[Edgar steps between them.]
 2683Oswald
 Put strength enough to't.  Wherefore, bold peasant
 4.5.2002684Dar'st thou support a published traitor? Hence,
 4.5.2012685Lest that th'infection of his fortune take
 4.5.2022686Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
 4.5.2032687Edgar
 Chill not let go zir, 2688without vurther 'casion.
 4.5.2042689Oswald
 Let go, slave, or thou diest.
 4.5.2052690Edgar
 Good gentleman, go your gait and let poor 2691volk pass. An 'chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 2692'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis, by a vortnight. Nay, 2693come not near th'old man. Keep out, che vor ye, or I'se 2694try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder. 2695Chill be plain with you.
 4.5.2062696Oswald
 Out, dunghill!
 4.5.240.1[They fight.]
 4.5.2072697Edgar
 Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come, no matter vor 2698your foins.
 4.5.210.1[Edgar knocks him down.]
 4.5.2082699Oswald
 Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.
 4.5.2092700If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body,
 4.5.2102701And give the letters which thou find'st about me
 4.5.21127022442To Edmund Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out
 4.5.2122703Upon 2443the English party. Oh, untimely death! Death.
 4.5.212.1[He dies.]
 4.5.2132704Edgar
 I know thee well. A serviceable villain,
 4.5.2142705As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
 4.5.2152706As badness would desire.
 2707Gloucester
 As badness would desire.  What, is he dead?
 4.5.2162708Edgar
 Sit you down, father; rest you.--
 4.5.216.1[Gloucester sits.]
 4.5.2172709Let's see these pockets. The letters that he speaks of
 4.5.2182710May be my friends. He's dead. I am only sorry
 4.5.2192711He had no other deathsman. Let us see.
 4.5.2202712Leave, gentle wax; and manners blame us not.
 4.5.2212713To know our enemy's minds we rip their hearts;
 4.5.2222714Their papers is more lawful.
 2715Reads the letter.
 4.5.2232716"Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many 2717opportunities to cut him off. If your will want not, time and 2718place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done if he 2719return the conqueror, then am I the prisoner and his bed my 2720jail, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me and 2721supply the place for your labor. 2722Your--wife, so I would say--2723affectionate servant47.1.
 4.5.22447.4Goneril."47.5
 4.5.2252724Oh, indistinguished space of woman's will!
 4.5.2262725A plot upon her virtuous husband's life,
 4.5.2272726And the exchange my brother. [To Oswald's body] Here in the sands
 4.5.2282727Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified
 4.5.2292728Of murderous lechers, and in the mature time
 4.5.2302729With this ungracious paper strike the sight
 4.5.2312730Of the death-practiced Duke. For him 'tis well
 4.5.2322731That of thy death and business I can tell.
 4.5.2332732Gloucester
 The King is mad. 2733How stiff is my vile sense
 4.5.2342734That I stand up and have ingenious feeling
 4.5.2352735Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract;
 4.5.2362736So should my thoughts be severed from my griefs,
 4.5.236.12737Drum afar off.
 4.5.2372738And woes, by wrong imaginations lose
 4.5.2382739The knowledge of themselves.
 2740Edgar
 The knowledge of themselves.  Give me your hand.
 4.5.2392741Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum.
 4.5.2402742Come father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
 48Exeunt, [dragging off the body].48.1
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King Lear (Modern, Folio)
