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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    Not Peer Reviewed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 21 in Quarto]
    4.6
    Enter Cordelia, Kent [disguised], and a gentleman.
    2745Cordelia
    O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work
    To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,
    And every measure fail me.
    2750Kent
    To be acknowledged, madam, is o'er-paid.
    All my reports go with the modest truth,
    Nor more, nor clipped, but so.
    Cordelia
    Be better suited.
    These weeds are memories of those worser hours.
    2755I prithee put them off.
    Kent
    Pardon, dear madam;
    Yet to be known shortens my made intent.
    My boon I make it that you know me not
    Till time and I think meet.
    2760Cordelia
    Then be't so, my good lord. [To the Gentleman] How does the King?
    Gentleman
    Madam, sleeps still.
    Cordelia
    O you kind gods,
    Cure this great breach in his abusèd nature;
    2765Th'untuned and jarring senses, O wind up,
    Of this child-changed father.
    Gentleman
    So please your majesty
    That we may wake the King. He hath slept long.
    Cordelia
    Be governed by your knowledge and proceed
    2770I'th'sway of your own will. Is he arrayed?
    Enter Lear in a chair carried by servants.
    Gentleman
    Ay, madam. In the heaviness of sleep
    We put fresh garments on him.
    Be by, good madam, when we do awake him.
    2775I doubt of his temperance.
    2775.1Cordelia
    Very well.
    Doctor
    Please you draw near. Louder the music there.
    Cordelia
    O my dear father, restoration hang
    Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss
    Repair those violent harms that my two sisters
    Have in thy reverence made.
    2780Kent
    Kind and dear princess.
    Cordelia
    Had you not been their father, these white flakes
    Did challenge pity of them. Was this a face
    To be opposed against the jarring winds,
    2783.1To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?
    In the most terrible and nimble stroke
    Of quick cross lightning to watch--poor perdu--
    With this thin helm?
    Mine enemy's dog, though he had bit me,
    2785Should have stood that night against my fire;
    And wast thou fain, poor father,
    To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn
    In short and musty straw? Alack, alack,
    'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once
    2790Had not concluded all. He wakes. [To the Gentleman] Speak to him.
    Gentleman
    Madam do you. 'Tis fittest.
    Cordelia
    How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?
    Lear
    You do me wrong to take me out o'th'grave.
    2795Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound
    Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
    Do scald like molten lead.
    Cordelia
    Sir, do you know me?
    Lear
    You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die?
    2800Cordelia
    Still, still, far wide.
    Gentleman
    He's scarce awake. Let him alone a while.
    Lear
    Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?
    2805I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity
    To see another thus. I know not what to say.
    I will not swear these are my hands. Let's see--
    I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured
    Of my condition.
    2810Cordelia
    [Kneeling] O look upon me, sir,
    And hold your hand in benediction o'er me.
    [Lear attempts to kneel.]
    You must not kneel.
    Lear
    Pray do not mock me.
    I am a very foolish, fond old man,
    2815Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less,
    And, to deal plainly,
    I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
    Methinks I should know you, and know this man,
    2820Yet I am doubtful, for I am mainly ignorant
    What place this is; and all the skill I have
    Remembers not these garments, nor I know not
    Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me,
    For, as I am a man, I think this lady
    2825To be my child, Cordelia.
    Cordelia
    And so I am, I am.
    Lear
    Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray weep not.
    If you have poison for me I will drink it.
    2830I know you do not love me, for your sisters
    Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.
    You have some cause; they have not.
    Cordelia
    No cause, no cause.
    Lear
    Am I in France?
    2835Kent
    In your own kingdom, sir.
    Lear
    Do not abuse me.
    Gentleman
    Be comforted, good madam. The great rage
    You see is killed in him; 2838.1and yet it is danger
    To make him even o'er the time he has lost.
    Desire him to go in.
    Trouble him no more till further settling.
    2840Cordelia
    Will't please your highness walk?
    Lear
    You must bear with me.
    Pray you now, forget and forgive.
    I am old and foolish.
    Exeunt. Kent and [the] gentleman [remain].
    2843.1Gentleman
    Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain?
    Kent
    Most certain, sir.
    Gentleman
    Who is conductor of his people?
    Kent
    As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester.
    2843.5Gentleman
    They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany.
    Kent
    Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about.
    The powers of the kingdom approach apace.
    Gentleman
    The arbitrament is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir.
    [Exit.]
    2843.10Kent
    My point and period will be throughly wrought,
    Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought.
    Exit.
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