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  • Title: King Lear (Modern, Extended Folio)
  • Editor: Michael Best
  • Textual editors: James D. Mardock, Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Modern, Extended Folio)

    [Scene 20 in Quarto]
    4.5
    2430Enter Gloucester and Edgar [dressed like a peasant].
    Gloucester
    When shall I come to th'top of that same hill?
    Edgar
    You do climb up it now. Look how we labor.
    Gloucester
    Methinks the ground is even.
    Edgar
    Horrible steep.
    2435Hark, do you hear the sea?
    Gloucester
    No, truly.
    Edgar
    Why, then your other senses grow imperfect
    By your eyes' anguish.
    Gloucester
    So may it be, indeed.
    2440Methinks thy voice is altered, and thou speakest
    In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
    Edgar
    Y'are much deceived. In nothing am I changed
    But in my garments.
    Gloucester
    Methinks y'are better spoken.
    2445Edgar
    Come on sir, here's the place. Stand still. How fearful
    And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low.
    The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
    Show scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down
    2450Hangs one that gathers samphire--dreadful trade.
    Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.
    The fishermen that walk upon the beach
    Appear like mice, and yond tall anchoring bark
    Diminished to her cock, her cock a buoy
    2455Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge,
    That on th'unnumbered idle pebble chafes
    Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more
    Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
    Topple down headlong.
    2460Gloucester
    Set me where you stand.
    Edgar
    Give me your hand.
    You are now within a foot of th'extreme verge.
    For all beneath the moon would I not leap upright.
    Gloucester
    Let go my hand.
    2465Here, friend, 's another purse; in it a jewel
    Well worth a poor man's taking. Fairies and gods
    Prosper it with thee. Go thou further off.
    Bid me farewell and let me hear thee going.
    Edgar
    [Pretending to leave] Now fare ye well, good sir.
    2470Gloucester
    With all my heart.
    Edgar
    [Aside] Why I do trifle thus with his despair
    Is done to cure it.
    Gloucester
    O you mighty gods--
    [He kneels.]
    This world I do renounce, and in your sights
    2475Shake patiently my great affliction off.
    If I could bear it longer, and not fall
    To quarrel with your great opposeless wills,
    My snuff and loathèd part of nature should
    Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O bless him.
    2480Now, fellow, fare thee well.
    [He falls forward.]
    Edgar
    Gone, sir; farewell.
    [Aside] And yet I know not how conceit may rob
    The treasury of life, when life itself
    Yields to the theft. Had he been where he thought,
    2485By this had thought been past. Alive, or dead?
    [Aloud] Ho, you sir! Friend, hear you sir? Speak.
    [Aside] Thus might he pass indeed. Yet he revives.
    [Aloud] What are you, sir?
    Gloucester
    Away, and let me die.
    2490Edgar
    Hadst thou been aught but gossamer, feathers, air,
    So many fathom down precipitating,
    Thoudst shivered like an egg. But thou dost breathe,
    Hast heavy substance, bleed'st not, speakest, art sound.
    2495Ten masts at each make not the altitude
    Which thou hast perpendicularly fell.
    Thy life's a miracle. Speak yet again.
    Gloucester
    But have I fallen or no?
    Edgar
    From the dread summit of this chalky bourn,
    2500Look up a height. The shrill-gorged lark so far
    Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up.
    Gloucester
    Alack, I have no eyes.
    Is wretchedness deprived that benefit
    To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort
    2505When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage
    And frustrate his proud will.
    Edgar
    Give me your arm.
    Up, so. How is't? Feel you your legs? You stand.
    Gloucester
    Too well, too well.
    2510Edgar
    This is above all strangeness.
    Upon the crown o'th'cliff, what thing was that
    Which parted from you?
    Gloucester
    A poor unfortunate beggar.
    Edgar
    As I stood here below, methought his eyes
    2515Were two full moons. He had a thousand noses,
    Horns whelked and waved like the enragèd sea.
    It was some fiend. Therefore, thou happy father,
    Think that the clearest gods, who make them honors
    Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
    2520Gloucester
    I do remember now. Henceforth I'll bear
    Affliction till it do cry out itself
    "Enough, enough," and die. That thing you speak of,
    I took it for a man. Often 'twould say
    "The fiend, the fiend." He led me to that place.
    2525Edgar
    Bear free and patient thoughts.
    Enter Lear [crowned with weeds and flowers].
    But who comes here?
    The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
    His master thus.
    2530Lear
    No, they cannot touch me for crying. I am the King himself.
    Edgar
    Oh, thou side-piercing sight!
    Lear
    Nature's above art in that respect. There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a 2535crow-keeper. Draw me a clothier's yard. Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace. This piece of toasted cheese will do't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. Oh, well flown, bird; i'th' clout, i'th'clout. Hewgh. Give the word.
    2540Edgar
    Sweet marjoram.
    Lear
    Pass.
    Gloucester
    I know that voice.
    Lear
    Ha! Goneril with a white beard? They flattered me like a dog and told me I had the white hairs in 2545my beard ere the black ones were there. To say "ay" and "no" to everything that I said "Ay" and "no" to was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding--there I found 'em, there I smelt 'em 2550out. Go to, they are not men o'their words; they told me I was everything. 'Tis a lie. I am not ague-proof.
    Gloucester
    The trick of that voice I do well remember.
    Is't not the King?
    Lear
    Ay, every inch a king.
    2555When I do stare, see how the subject quakes?
    I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause?
    Adultery? Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery?
    No, the wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly
    Does lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive,
    2560For Gloucester's bastard son was kinder to his father
    Than my daughters got 'tween the lawful sheets.
    To't luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.
    Behold yond simp'ring dame,
    Whose face between her forks presages snow,
    That minces virtue, and does shake 2565the head
    To hear of pleasure's name. The fitchew, nor
    The soilèd horse goes to't with a more riotous
    Appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs,
    Though women all above. But to the girdle
    Do the gods inherit; beneath is all the fiend's.
    There's hell, there's 2570darkness, there is the sulphurous pit; burning, scalding, stench, consumption. Fie, fie, fie, pah, pah. Give me an ounce of civet; good apothecary, sweeten my imagination. There's money for thee.
    Gloucester
    Oh, let me kiss that hand.
    2575Lear
    Let me wipe it first. It smells of mortality.
    Gloucester
    O ruined piece of nature! This great world
    Shall so wear out to naught. Dost thou know me?
    2580Lear
    I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squinny at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid, I'll not love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.
    Gloucester
    Were all thy letters suns I could not see.
    2585Edgar
    [Aside] I would not take this from report. It is,
    And my heart breaks at it.
    Lear
    Read.
    Gloucester
    What? With the case of eyes?
    Lear
    Oh ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your 2590head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light, yet you see how this world goes.
    Gloucester
    I see it feelingly.
    Lear
    What, art mad? A man may see how this world 2595goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief? Hark in thine ear. Change places, and handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar?
    2600Gloucester
    Ay, sir.
    Lear
    And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog's obeyed in office.
    2603.1Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand.
    Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thy own 2605back.
    Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind
    For which thou whip'st her.
    The usurer hangs the cozener.
    Through tattered clothes great vices do appear;
    Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sins with gold
    And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;
    Arm it in 2610rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
    None does offend, none, I say none. I'll able 'em.
    Take that of me my friend, who have the power
    To seal th'accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes,
    And, like a scurvy politician, seem
    To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now.
    Pull off my 2615boots. Harder, harder, so.
    Edgar
    [Aside] Oh, matter and impertinency mixed;
    Reason in madness.
    Lear
    If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
    I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester.
    2620Thou must be patient. We came crying hither;
    Thou know'st the first time that we smell the air
    We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee. Mark.
    Gloucester
    Alack, alack the day.
    Lear
    When we are born, we cry that we are come
    2625To this great stage of fools.-- This' a good block.
    It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
    A troop of horse with felt. I'll put't in proof,
    And when I have stolen upon these son-in-laws,
    Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.
    2630Enter a Gentleman.
    Gentleman
    Oh, here he is. Lay hand upon him. Sir,
    Your most dear daughter--
    Lear
    No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even
    The natural fool of fortune. Use me well.
    2635You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;
    I am cut to th'brains.
    Gentleman
    You shall have anything.
    Lear
    No seconds? All myself?
    Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,
    2640To use his eyes for garden water-pots;
    Ay, and laying autumn's dust.
    Gentleman
    Good sir--
    Lear
    I will die bravely Like a smug bridegroom.
    What? I will be jovial.
    Come, come, I am a king, masters, know you that?
    Gentleman
    You are a royal one, and we obey you.
    Lear
    Then there's life in't. Come, an you get it,
    2645You shall get it by running: Sa, sa, sa, sa.
    Exit [King Lear, running, pursued by attendants].
    Gentleman
    A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
    Past speaking of in a king. Thou hast a daughter
    Who redeems nature from the general curse
    Which twain have brought her to.
    2650Edgar
    Hail, gentle sir.
    Gentleman
    Sir, speed you. What's your will?
    Edgar
    Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?
    Gentleman
    Most sure and vulgar.
    Everyone hears that which can distinguish sound.
    2655Edgar
    But, by your favor, how near's the other army?
    Gentleman
    Near and on speedy foot. The main descry
    Stands on the hourly thought.
    Edgar
    I thank you, sir. That's all.
    2660Gentleman
    Though that the queen on special cause is here
    Her army is moved on.
    Edgar
    I thank you, sir.
    Exit [Gentleman].
    Gloucester
    You ever gentle gods take my breath from me.
    Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
    2665To die before you please.
    Edgar
    Well pray you, father.
    Gloucester
    Now, good sir, what are you?
    Edgar
    A most poor man made tame to fortune's blows,
    Who by the art of known and feeling sorrows
    2670Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand.
    I'll lead you to some biding.
    Gloucester
    Hearty thanks.
    The bounty and the benison of heaven
    To boot, and boot.
    2675Enter [Oswald, the] steward.
    Oswald
    A proclaimed prize! Most happy.
    That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh
    To raise my fortunes. Thou old, unhappy traitor,
    Briefly thyself remember. The sword is out
    2680That must destroy thee.
    Gloucester
    Now let thy friendly hand
    Put strength enough to't.
    [Edgar steps between them.]
    Oswald
    Wherefore, bold peasant
    Dar'st thou support a published traitor? Hence,
    2685Lest that th'infection of his fortune take
    Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.
    Edgar
    Chill not let go zir, without vurther 'casion.
    Oswald
    Let go, slave, or thou diest.
    2690Edgar
    Good gentleman, go your gait and let poor volk pass. An 'chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis, by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th'old man. Keep out, che vor ye, or I'se try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder. 2695Chill be plain with you.
    Oswald
    Out, dunghill!
    [They fight.]
    Edgar
    Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come, no matter vor your foins.
    [Edgar knocks him down.]
    Oswald
    Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.
    2700If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body,
    And give the letters which thou find'st about me
    To Edmund Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out
    Upon the English party. Oh, untimely death! Death.
    [He dies.]
    Edgar
    I know thee well. A serviceable villain,
    2705As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
    As badness would desire.
    Gloucester
    What, is he dead?
    Edgar
    Sit you down, father; rest you.--
    [Gloucester sits.]
    Let's see these pockets. The letters that he speaks of
    2710May be my friends. He's dead. I am only sorry
    He had no other deathsman. Let us see.
    Leave, gentle wax; and manners blame us not.
    To know our enemy's minds we rip their hearts;
    Their papers is more lawful.
    2715Reads the letter.
    "Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off. If your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done if he return the conqueror, then am I the prisoner and his bed my 2720jail, from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me and supply the place for your labor. Your--wife, so I would say--affectionate servant, and for you her own for venture,
    Goneril."
    Oh, indistinguished space of woman's will!
    2725A plot upon her virtuous husband's life,
    And the exchange my brother. [To Oswald's body] Here in the sands
    Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified
    Of murderous lechers, and in the mature time
    With this ungracious paper strike the sight
    2730Of the death-practiced Duke. For him 'tis well
    That of thy death and business I can tell.
    Gloucester
    The King is mad. How stiff is my vile sense
    That I stand up and have ingenious feeling
    2735Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract;
    So should my thoughts be severed from my griefs,
    Drum afar off.
    And woes, by wrong imaginations lose
    The knowledge of themselves.
    2740Edgar
    Give me your hand.
    Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum.
    Come father, I'll bestow you with a friend.
    Exeunt, [dragging off the body].
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