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  • Title: King Lear (Modern, Folio)
  • Editor: Michael Best
  • Textual editors: James D. Mardock, Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best
  • Research assistants: Quinn MacDonald, Michelle Spelay

    • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Modern, Folio)

    [Scene 22 in Quarto]
    5.1
    2845Enter, with drum and colors, Edmund [the Bastard], Regan, gentlemen, and soldiers.
    Bastard
    [To an officer] Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold,
    Or whether since he is advised by aught
    To change the course. He's full of alteration
    2850And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure.
    [Exit officer.]
    Regan
    Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.
    Bastard
    'Tis to be doubted, madam.
    Regan
    Now, sweet lord,
    You know the goodness I intend upon you.
    2855Tell me but truly--but then speak the truth--
    Do you not love my sister?
    Bastard
    In honored love.
    Regan
    But have you never found my brother's way
    To the forfended place?
    2860Bastard
    No, by mine honor, madam.
    Regan
    I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,
    Be not familiar with her.
    Bastard
    Fear not.--
    She and the Duke her husband.
    Enter, with drum and colors, Albany, Goneril, [and] soldiers.
    2865Albany
    Our very loving sister, well be-met.
    Sir, this I heard: the King is come to his daughter
    With others whom the rigor of our state
    Forced to cry out.
    Regan
    Why is this reasoned?
    2870Goneril
    Combine together 'gainst the enemy,
    For these domestic and particular broils
    Are not the question here.
    Albany
    Let's then determine with th'ensign of war
    On our proceeding.
    2875Regan
    Sister, you'll go with us?
    Goneril
    No.
    Regan
    'Tis most convenient. Pray go with us.
    Goneril
    [Aside] Oh ho, I know the riddle.--I will go.
    Exeunt both the armies.
    2880Enter Edgar, [disguised, speaking to Albany as he is leaving].
    Edgar
    If ere your grace had speech with man so poor,
    Hear me one word.
    Albany
    [To those leaving] I'll overtake you. [To Edgar] Speak.
    Edgar
    Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
    2885If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
    For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,
    I can produce a champion that will prove
    What is avouchèd there. If you miscarry,
    Your business of the world hath so an end,
    2890And machination ceases. Fortune loves you.
    Albany
    Stay till I have read the letter.
    Edgar
    I was forbid it.
    When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
    And I'll appear again.
    2895Albany
    Why fare thee well, I will o'erlook thy paper.
    Exit [Edgar].
    Enter Edmund [the Bastard].
    Bastard
    The enemy's in view. Draw up your powers.
    Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
    By diligent discovery, but your haste
    2900Is now urged on you.
    Albany
    We will greet the time.
    Exit.
    Bastard
    To both these sisters have I sworn my love,
    Each jealous of the other as the stung
    Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
    2905Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed
    If both remain alive. To take the widow
    Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
    And hardly shall I carry out my side,
    Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use
    2910His countenance for the battle; which, being done,
    Let her who would be rid of him devise
    His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
    Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
    The battle done, and they within our power,
    2915Shall never see his pardon; for my state
    Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
    Exit.
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