M. William Shak-speare

43I Thought the King had more affected the 5Duke of Al-

4bany then Cornwell.

65Glost. It did allwaies seeme so to vs, but 7now in the

6diuision of the kingdomes, it ap8peares not which of

7the Dukes he values 9most, for equalities are so weighed, that cu-

8riositie in nei10ther, can make choise of eithers moytie.

119Kent. Is not this your sonne my Lord?

1210Glost. His breeding sir hath beene at my charge, I haue 13so of-

1411ten blusht to acknowledge him, that now I am braz'd to it.

1512Kent. I cannot conceiue you.

1613Glost. Sir, this young fellowes mother Could, wher17upon shee

14grew round wombed, and had indeed Sir a 18sonne for her cradle,

15ere she had a husband for her bed, 19doe you smell a fault?

2016Kent. I cannot wish the fault vndone, the issue of it 21being so

17proper.

2218Glost. But I haue sir a sonne by order of Law, some 23yeare el-

19der then this, who yet is no deerer in my ac24count, though this

20knaue came something sawcely into the 25world before hee was

21sent for, yet was his mother faire, 26there was good sport at his

22makeing, & the whoreson must 27be acknowledged, do, you know

23this noble gentle29man Edmund?

24Bast. No my Lord.

3025Glost. My Lord of Kent, 31remember him hereafter as my ho-

26norable friend..

3227Bast. My seruices to your Lordship.

3328Kent. I must loue you, and sue to know you better.

3429Bast. Sir I shall study deseruing.

3530Glost. Hee hath beene out nine yeares, and away hee shall

3631againe, the King is comming.

3935Lear. Attend my Lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster.

4036Glost. I shall my Leige.

4137Lear. Meane time we will expresse our darker purposes,

4238The map there; know we haue diuided

4339In three, our kingdome; and tis our first intent,

4440To shake all cares and busines of our state,

4541Confirming them on yonger yeares,

5042The two great Princes France and Burgundy,

5143Great ryuals in our youngest daughters loue,

5244Long in our Court haue made their amorous soiourne,

5345And here are to be answerd, tell me my daughters,

5646Which of you shall we say doth loue vs most,

5747That we our largest bountie may extend,

5848Where merit doth most challenge it,

5949Gonorill our eldest borne, speake first?

6050Gon. Sir I do loue you more then words can weild the (matter,

6151Dearer then eye-sight, space or libertie,

6252Beyond what can be valued rich or rare,

6353No lesse then life; with grace, health, beautie, honour,

6454As much a child ere loued, or father friend,

6555A loue that makes breath poore, and speech vnable,

6656Beyond all manner of so much I loue you.

6757Cor. What shall Cordelia doe, loue and be silent.

6858Lear. Of al these bounds, euen from this line to this,

6959With shady forrests, and wide skirted meades,

7160We make thee Lady, to thine and Albaines issue,

7261Be this perpetuall, what saies our second daughter?

7362Our deerest Regan, wife to Cornwell, speake?

7463Reg. Sir I am made of the selfe same mettall that my sister is,

7564And prize me at her worth in my true heart,

7665I find she names my very deed of loue, 77onely she came short,

66That I professe 78my selfe an enemie to all other ioyes,

7967Which the most precious square of sence possesses,

8068And find I am alone felicitate, 81in your deere highnes loue.

8269Cord. Then poore Cord. 83& yet not so, since I am sure

70My loues 84more richer then my tongue.

8571Lear. To thee and thine hereditarie euer

8672Remaine this ample third of our faire kingdome,

8773No lesse in space, validity, and pleasure,

8874Then that confirm'd on Gonorill, but now our ioy,

8975Although the last, not least in our deere loue,

9176What can you say to win 92a third, more opulent

77Then your sisters.

9378Cord. Nothing my Lord.

9679Lear. How, nothing can come of nothing, speake (againe.

9780Cord. Vnhappie that I am, I cannot heaue 98my heart into my

81mouth,--> I loue your Maiestie 99according to my bond, nor more nor

82lesse.

10083Lear. Goe to, goe to, mend your speech a little,

10184Least it may mar your fortunes.

10285Cord. Good my Lord,

10386You haue begot me, bred me, loued me,

10487I returne those duties backe as are right fit,

10588Obey you, loue you, and most honour you,

10689Why haue my sisters husbands if they say 107they loue you all,.

90Happely when I shall wed, 108that Lord whose hand

91Must take my plight, shall cary 109halfe my loue with him,

92Halfe my care and duty, 110sure I shall neuer

93Mary like my sisters, to loue my father all.

11194Lear. But goes this with thy heart?

11295Cord. I good my Lord.

11396Lear. So yong and so vntender.

11497Cord. So yong my Lord and true.

11598Lear. Well let it be so, thy truth then be thy dower,

11699For by the sacred radience of the Sunne,

117100The mistresse of Heccat, and the might,

118101By all the operation of the orbs,

119102From whome we doe exsist and cease to be

120103Heere I disclaime all my paternall care,

121104Propinquitie and property of blood,

122105And as a stranger to my heart and me

123106Hould thee from this for euer, the barbarous Scythyan,

124107Or he that makes his generation

108Messes 125to gorge his appetite

126109Shall bee as well neighbour'd, pittyed and relieued

127110As thou my sometime daughter.

128111Kent. Good my Liege.

129112Lear. Peace Kent, 130come not between the Dragon & (his wrath,

131113I lou'd her most, and thought to set my rest

132114On her kind nurcery, hence and auoide my sight?

133115So be my graue my peace as here I giue,

134116Her fathers heart from her, call France, who stirres?

135117Call Burgundy, Cornwell, and Albany,

136118With my two daughters dower digest this third,

137119Let pride, which she cals plainnes, marrie her:

138120I doe inuest you iointly in my powre,

139121Preheminence, and all the large effects

140122That troope with Maiestie, our selfe by monthly course

141123With reseruation of an hundred knights,

142124By you to be sustayn'd, shall our abode

143125Make with you by due turnes, onely we still retaine

144126The name and all the additions to a King,

127The sway, 145reuenue, execution of the rest,

146128Beloued sonnes be yours, which to confirme,

147129This Coronet part betwixt you.

148130Kent. Royall Lear,

149131Whom I haue euer honor'd as my King,

150132Loued as my Father, as my maister followed,

151133As my great patron thought on in my prayers.

152134Lear. The bow is bẽt & drawen make from the shafte.

153135Kent. Let it fall rather,

136Though the forke inuade 154the region of my heart,

137Be Kent vnmannerly 155when Lear is man,

138What wilt thou doe ould man, 156think'st thou that dutie

139Shall haue dread to speake, 157when power to flatterie bowes,

158140To plainnes honours bound 159when Maiesty stoops to folly,

141Reuerse thy doome, 160and in thy best consideration

142Checke 161this hideous rashnes, answere my life

143My iudgement, 162thy yongest daughter does not loue thee least,

163144Nor are those empty harted whose low, sound

164145Reuerbs no hollownes.

165146Lear. Kent on thy life no more.

166147Kent. My life I neuer held but as a pawne

167148To wage against thy enemies, nor feare to lose it

168149Thy safty being the motiue.

169150Lear. Out of my sight.

170151Kent. See better Lear and let me still remaine,

171152The true blanke of thine eye.

172153Lear. Now by Appollo,

173154Kent. Now by Appollo King 174thou swearest thy Gods (in vaine.

175155Lear. Vassall, recreant.

177156Kent. Doe, kill thy Physicion,

157And the fee bestow 178vpon the foule disease,

158Reuoke thy doome, 179or whilst I can vent clamour

159From my throat, 180ile tell thee thou dost euill.

181160Lear. Heare me, on thy allegeance heare me?

182161Since thou hast sought to make vs breake our vow,

183162Which we durst neuer yet; and with straied pride,

184163To come betweene our sentence and our powre,

185164Which nor our nature nor our place can beare,

186165Our potency made good, take thy reward,

187166Foure dayes we doe allot thee for prouision,

188167To shield thee from diseases of the world,

189168And on the fift to turne thy hated backe

190169Vpon our kingdome, if on the tenth day following,

191170Thy banisht truncke be found in our dominions,

192171The moment is thy death, away, by Iupiter

193172This shall not be reuokt.

194173Kent. Why fare thee well king, since thus thou wilt (appeare,

195174Friendship liues hence, and banishment is here,

196175The Gods to their protection take the maide,

197176That rightly thinks, and hast most iustly said,

198177And your large speeches may your deedes approue,

199178That good effects may spring from wordes of loue:

200179Thus Kent O Princes, bids you all adew,

201180Heele shape his old course in a countrie new.

204182Glost. Heers France and Burgundie my noble Lord.

205183Lear. My L. of Burgũdie, 206we first addres towards you,

184Who with a King 207hath riuald for our daughter,

185What in the least 208will you require in present

186Dower with her, 209or cease your quest of loue?

210187Burg. Royall maiesty,

211I craue no more then what

188Your highnes offered, 212nor will you tender lesse?

213189Lear. Right noble Burgundie, 214when she was deere to (vs

190We did hold her so, 215but now her prise is fallen,

191Sir there she stands, 216if ought within that little

192Seeming substãce, 217or al of it with our displeasure peec'st,

218193And nothing else may fitly like your grace,

219194Shees there, and she is yours.

220195Burg. I know no answer.

221196Lear. Sir will you with those infirmities she owes,

222197Vnfriended, new adopted to our hate,

223198Couered with our curse, and stranger'd with our oth,

224199Take her or leaue her.

225200Burg. Pardon me royall sir, 226election makes not vp

201On such conditions.

227202Lear. Then leaue her sir, for by the powre that made (me

228203I tell you all her wealth, for you great King,

229204I would not from your loue make such a stray,

230205To match you where I hate, therefore beseech you,

231206To auert your liking a more worthier way,

232207Then on a wretch whome nature is ashamed

233208Almost to acknowledge hers.

234209Fra. This is most strange, 235that she, that euen but now

210Was your best obiect, 236the argument of your praise,

211Balme of your age, 237most best, most deerest,

212Should in this trice of time 238commit a thing,

213So monstrous to dismantell 239so many foulds of fauour,

214Sure her offence 240must be of such vnnaturall degree,

241215That monsters it, or you for voucht affections

242216Falne into taint, which to beleeue of her

243217Must be a faith that reason without miracle

244218Could neuer plant in me.

245219Cord. I yet beseech your Maiestie,

246220If for I want that glib and oyly Art,

247221To speake and purpose not, since what I well entend

248222Ile do't before I speake, that you may know

249223It is no vicious blot, murder or foulnes,

250224No vncleane action or dishonord step

251225That hath depriu'd me of your grace and fauour,

252226But euen for want of that, for which I am rich,

253227A still soliciting eye, and such a tongue,

254228As I am glad I haue not, though not to haue it,

255229Hath lost me in your liking.

256230Leir. Goe to, goe to, better thou hadst 257not bin borne,

231Then not to haue pleas'd me better.

258232Fran. Is it no more but this, a tardines in nature,

259233That often leaues the historie vnspoke 260that it intends to (do,

234My Lord of Burgundie, 261what say you to the Lady?

235Loue is not loue 262when it is mingled with respects that (stãds

263236Aloofe from the intire point wil you haue her?

264237She is her selfe and dowre.

265238Burg. Royall Leir,

266giue but that portion

239Which your selfe proposd, 267and here I take Cordelia

240By the hand, 268Dutches of Burgundie,

269241Leir. Nothing, I haue sworne.

270242Burg. I am sory then you haue so lost a father,

271243That you must loose a husband.

272244Cord. Peace be with Burgundie, 273since that respects

245Of fortune are his loue, 274I shall not be his wife.

275246Fran. Fairest Cordelia that art most rich being poore,

276247Most choise forsaken, and most loued despisd,

277248Thee and thy vertues here I ceaze vpon,

278249Be it lawfull I take vp whats cast away,

279250Gods, Gods! tis strãge, that from their couldst neglect,

280251My loue should kindle to inflam'd respect,

281252Thy dowreles daughter King throwne to thy chance,

282253Is Queene of vs, of ours, and our faire France:

283254Not all the Dukes in watrish Burgundie,

284255Shall buy this vnprizd precious maide of me,

285256Bid them farewell Cordelia, though vnkind

286257Thou loosest here, a better where to find.

287258Lear. Thou hast her France, let her be thine,

259For we 288haue no such daughter, nor shall euer see

289260That face of hers againe, therfore be gone,

290261Without our grace, our loue, our benizon? 291come noble (Burgũdy.

292263Fran. Bid farewell to your sisters?

293264Cord. The iewels of our father,

265With washt eyes 294Cordelia leaues you, I know you what (you are,

295266And like a sister am most loath to call 296your faults

267As they are named, vse well our Father,

297268To your professed bosoms I commit him,

298269But yet alas stood I within his grace,

299270I would preferre him to a better place:

300271So farewell to you both?

301272Gonorill. Prescribe not vs our duties?

302273Regan. Let your study 303be to content your Lord,

274Who hath receaued you 304at Fortunes almes,

275You haue obedience scanted,

305276And well are worth the worth that you haue wanted.

306277Cord. Time shal vnfould what pleated cũning hides,

307278Who couers faults, at last shame them derides:

308279Well may you prosper.

309280Fran. Come faire Cordelia? Exit France & Cord.

310281Gonor. Sister, it is not a little I haue to say,

311282Of what most neerely appertaines to vs both,

312283I thinke our father will hence to night.

313284Reg. Thats most certaine, and with you, next moneth with vs.

314285Gon. You see how full of changes his age is the ob315seruation we

286haue made of it hath not bin little; hee alwaies 316loued our sister

287most, and with what poore iudgement hee 317hath now cast her

288off, appeares too grosse.

318289Reg. Tis the infirmitie of his age, yet hee hath euer but 319slen-

290derly knowne himselfe.

320291Gono. The best and soundest of his time hath bin but 321rash,

292then must we looke to receiue from his age not a322lone the imper-

293fection of long ingrafted condition, but 323therwithal vnruly way-

294wardnes, that infirme and 324cholericke yeares bring with them.

325295Rag. Such vnconstant starts are we like to haue from 326him, as

296this of Kents banishment.

327297Gono. There is further complement of leaue taking be328tweene

298France and him, pray lets hit together, if our 329Father cary autho-

299rity with such dispositions as he beares, 330this last surrender of his,

300will but offend vs,

331301Ragan. We shall further thinke on't.

332302Gon. We must doe something, and it'h heate. Exeunt.

335304Bast. Thou Nature art my Goddesse, to thy law 336my seruices

305are bound, wherefore should I 337stand in the plague of custome,

306and permit 338the curiositie of nations to depriue me, 339for that I am

307some twelue or 14. mooneshines 340lag of a brother, why bastard?

308wherfore base, 341when my dementions are as well compact,

342my

309mind as generous, and my shape as true 343as honest madams issue,

310why brand they vs 344with base, base bastardie? 345who in the lusty

311stealth of nature, take more composition and feirce quality, 347then

312doth within a stale dull lyed bed, 348goe to the creating of a whole

313tribe of fops 349got tweene a sleepe and wake; well the 350legitimate

314Edgar, I must haue your land, 351our Fathers loue is to the bastard

315Edmund, 352as to the legitimate, 353well my legitimate, if this letter

316speede, 354and my inuention thriue, Edmund the base

355shall tooth'le-

317gitimate: I grow, I prosper, 356now Gods stand vp for Bastards.

358319Glost. Kent banisht thus, and France in choller parted, 359and

320the King gone to night, subscribd his power, 360confined to exhi-

321bition, all this donne 361vpon the gadde; Edmund how now

322what newes?

362323Bast. So please your Lordship, none:

363324Glost. Why so earnestly seeke you to put vp that letter?

364325Bast. I know no newes my Lord.

365326Glost. What paper were you reading?

366327Bast. Nothing my Lord,

367328Glost. No, what needes then that terribe dispatch of 368it into

329your pocket, the qualitie of nothing hath not 369such need to hide

330it selfe, lets see, come if it bee no370thing I shall not neede specta-

331cles.

371332Ba. I beseech you Sir pardon me, it is a letter 372from my brother,

333that I haue not all ore read, for so 373much as I haue perused, I find it

334not fit for your liking.

375335Glost. Giue me the letter sir.

376336Bast, I shall offend either to detaine or giue it, 377the contents

337as in part I vnderstand them, 378are too blame.

379338Glost. Lets see, lets see?

380339Bast. I hope for my brothers iustification, he wrot 381this but

340as an essay, or tast of my vertue. A Letter.

382341Glost. This policie of age makes the 383world bitter to the best

342of our times, keepes our fortunes from 384vs till our oldnes cannot

343relish them, I begin to find an idle 385and fond bondage in the op-

344pression of aged tyranny, who swaies 386not as it hath power, but as

345it is suffered, come to me, that of 387this I may speake more, if our

346father would sleepe till I wakt 388him, you should inioy halfe his

347reuenew for euer, and liue the 389beloued of your brother Ed-

348gar.

390349 Hum, conspiracie, slept till I wakt him, you should 391enioy halfe

350his reuenew, my sonne Edgar, had hee a 392hand to write this, a

351hart, and braine to breed it in, 393when came this to you, who

352brought it?

394353Bast. It was not brought me my Lord, ther's the 395cunning of

354it, I found it throwne in at the casement of 396my closet.

397355Glost. You know the Caractar to be your brothers?

398356Bast. If the matter were good, my Lord I durst sweare 399it were

357his but in respect, of that I would faine thinke it 400were

not,

401358Glost. It is his?

402359Bast. It is his hand my Lord, but I hope his heart is 403not in

360the contents.

404361Glost. Hath he neuer heretofore soũded you in this busines?

405362Bast. Neuer my Lord, but I haue often heard him main406taine

363it to be fit, that sons at perfit age, & fathers 407declining, his father

364should be as ward to the sonne, and 408the sonne mannage the re-

365uenew.

409366Glost. O villaine, villaine, his very opinion in the let410ter, ab-

367horred villaine, vnnaturall detested brutish 411villaine, worse then

368brutish, go sir seeke him, I 412apprehend him, abhominable villaine

369where is he?

413370Bast. I doe not well know my Lord, if it shall please you to

414371suspend your indignation against my brother, til you can 415deriue

372from him better testimony of this intent: you should 416run a cer-

373taine course, where if you violently proceed 417against him, mi-

374staking his purpose, it would make a great 418gap in your owne

375honour, & shake in peeces the heart of 419his obediẽce, I dare pawn

376downe my life for him, 420he hath wrote this to feele my affection

377to your honour, and 421to no further pretence of danger.

422378Glost. Thinke you so?

423379Bast. If your honour iudge it meete, I will place you 424where

380you shall heare vs conferre of this, and by an auri425gular assurance

381haue your satisfaction, and that without 426any further delay then

382this very euening.

427383Glost. He cannot be such a monster.

427.1384Bast. Nor is not sure.

427.2385Glost. To his father, that so tenderly and intirely loues him,

427.3386heauen and earth! Edmund seeke 428him out, wind mee into him, I

387pray you frame your bu429sines after your own wisedome, I would

388vnstate my 430selfe to be in a due resolution.

431389Bast. I shall seeke him sir presently, conuey the bu432sinesse as I

390shall see meanes, and acquaint you withall.

433391Glost. These late eclipses in the Sunne and Moone por434tend

392no good to vs, though the wisedome of nature can 435reason thus

393and thus, yet nature finds it selfe scourg'd 436by the sequent effects,

394loue cooles, friendship fals off, 437brothers diuide, in Citties mu-

395tinies, in Countries dis438cords, Pallaces treason, the bond crackt

396betweene 439sonne and father; 444find out this villaine Edmund, it shal

397loose 445thee nothing, doe it carefully, and the noble and true har-

446398ted Kent banisht, his offence honest, strange strange!

447399Bast. This is the excellent foppery of the world, that 448when

400we are sicke in Fortune, often the surfeit of our owne 449behauiour,

401we make guiltie of our disasters, the Sunne, the 450Moone, and the

402Starres, as if we were Villaines by necessitie, 451Fooles by heauen-

403ly compulsion, Knaues, Theeues, and 452Trecherers by spirituall

404predominance, Drunkards, Ly453ars, and Adulterers by an enforst

405obedience of planitary 454influence, and all that wee are euill in,

406by a diuine thru455sting on, an admirable euasion of whoremaster

407man, 456to lay his gotish disposition to the charge of Starres: 457my

408Father compounded with my Mother vnder the Dra458gons taile,

409and my natiuitie was vnder Vrsa maior, so 459that it followes, I am

410rough and lecherous, Fut, I should 460haue beene that I am, had the

411maidenlest starre of the Fir461mament twinckled on my bastardy

462412

er Edgar

463Edgar; and out hee comes like the Catastrophe of the old Co-

414medy, 464mine is villanous melancholy, with a sith like them of

465415Bedlam; O these eclipses doe portend these diui466sions.

416Edgar. How now 467brother Edmund, what serious con468templa-

417tion are you in?

469418Bast. I am thinking brother of a prediction I read this 470other

419day, what should follow these Eclipses.

471420Edg. Doe you busie your selfe about that?

472421Bast. I promise you the effects he writ of, succeed 473vnhappily,

422as of vnnaturalnesse betweene the child and the parent, death,

473.1423dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities, diuisions in state, mena-

473.2424ces and maledictions against King and nobles, needles diffiden-

473.3425ces, banishment of friẽds, dissipation of Cohorts, nuptial breach-

473.4426es, and I know not what.

473.5427Edg. How long haue you beene a sectary Astronomicall?

428Bast. Come, come, 474when saw you my father last?

429Edg. Why, 475the night gon by.

476430Bast. Spake you with him?

477431Edg. Two houres together.

478432Bast. Parted you in good tearmes? found you no dis479pleasure

433in him by word or countenance?

480434Edg. None at all.

481435Bast. Bethinke your selfe wherein you may haue offen482ded

436him, and at my intreatie, forbeare his presence, till 483some little

437time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure, 484which at this in-

438stant so rageth in him, that with the mis485chiefe, of your parson it

439would scarce allay.

486440Edg. Some villaine hath done me wrong.

487441Bast. Thats my feare 493brother, I aduise you to the best, goe

442arm'd, I am no honest 494man if there bee any good meaning to-

443wards you, I haue told 495you what I haue seene & heard, but faint-

444ly, nothing 496like the image and horror of it, pray you away

497445Edg. Shall I heare from you anon?

498446Bast. I doe serue you in this busines: Exit Fdgar

499447A credulous Father, and a brother noble,

500448Whose nature is so farre from doing harmes,

501449That he suspects none, on whose foolish honesty

502450My practises ride easie, I see the busines,

503451Let me if not by birth, haue lands by wit,

504452All with me's meete, that I can fashion fit. Exit.

507454Gon. Did my Father strike my gentleman for chi508ding of his

455foole?

509456Gent. Yes Madam.

510457Gon. By day and night he wrongs me,

511458Euery houre he flashes into one grosse crime or other

512459That sets vs all at ods, ile not indure it,

513460His Knights grow ryotous, and him selfe obrayds vs,

514461On euery trifell when he returnes from hunting,

515462I will not speake with him, say I am sicke,

516463If you come slacke of former seruices,

517464You shall doe well, the fault of it ile answere.

518465Gent. Hee's coming Madam, I heare him.

519466Gon. Put on what wearie negligence you please, 520you and your

467fellow seruants, i'de haue it come in question, 521if he dislike it, let

468him to our sister, 522whose mind and mine I know in that are one,

522.1469not to be ouerruld; idle old man that still would manage those

522.2470authorities that hee hath giuen away, now by my life old fooles

522.3471are babes again, & must be vs'd with checkes as flatteries, when

472they are seene abusd,523 remember what I tell you.

524473Gent. Very well Madam.

525474Gon. And let his Knights haue colder looks among 526you, what

475growes of it no matter, aduise your fellowes so, I would breed

526.1476from hence occasions, and I shall, that I may speake, 527ile write

477straight to my sister to hould my very course, goe pre528pare for

478dinner. Exit.

531480Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow, 532that can my speech

481defuse, my good intent 533may carry through it selfe to that full is-

482sue 534for which I raz'd my likenes, now banisht Kent, 535if thou canst

483serue where thou dost stand condem'd, 536thy maister whom thou

484louest 537shall find the full of labour.

539486Lear. Let me not stay a iot for dinner, goe get it readie, 540how

487now, what art thou?

541488Kent. A man Sir.

542489Lear. What dost thou professe? what would'st thou 543with vs?

544490Kent. I doe professe to be no lesse then I seeme, to serue 545him

491truly that will put me in trust, to loue him that is 546honest, to con-

492uerse with him that is wise, and sayes little, to 547feare iudgement,

493to fight when I cannot chuse, and to 548eate no fishe.

549494Lear. What art thou?

550495Kent. A very honest harted fellow, and as poore as 551the king.

552496Lear. If thou be as poore for a subiect, as he is for a 553King, thar't

497poore enough, what would'st thou?

554498Kent. Seruice. Lear. 555Who would'st thou serue?

556499Kent. You. Lear. 557Do'st thou know me fellow?

558500Kent. No sir, but you haue that in your countenance, 559which

501I would faine call Maister.

560502Lear. Whats that? Kent. 561Authoritie.

562503Lear. What seruices canst doe?

563504Kent. I can keepe honest counsaile, ride, run, mar a 564curious

505tale in telling it, and deliuer a plaine message 565bluntly, that

506which ordinarie men are fit for, I am qua566lified in, and the best

507of me, is diligence.

567508Lear, How old art thou?

568509Kent. Not so yong to loue a woman for singing, 569nor so old to

510dote on her for any thing, I haue yeares on 570my backe fortie

511eight.

571512Lear. Follow mee, thou shalt serue mee, if I like thee no

572513worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet, dinner, 573ho din-

514ner, wher's my knaue, my foole, goe you and call 574my foole he-

515ther, you sirra, whers my daughter?

576517Steward. So please you,

577518Lear. What say's the fellow there, call the clat-578pole backe,

519whers my foole, ho I thinke the world's 579asleepe, how now,

520wher's that mungrel?

580521Kent. He say's my Lord, your daughter is not well.

581522Lear. Why came not the slaue backe to mee when I 582cal'd

523him?

583524seruant. Sir, hee answered mee in the roundest maner, 584hee

525would not.585 Lear. A would not?

586526seruant. My Lord, I know not what the matter is, 587but to my

527iudgemẽt, your highnes is not ẽtertained 588with that ceremonious

528affection as you were wont, 589ther's a great abatement, apeer's as

529well in 590the generall dependants, as in the Duke himselfe also,

530and 591your daughter.592 Lear. Ha, say'st thou so?

593531seruant. I beseech you pardon mee my Lord, if I be 594mistaken,

532for my dutie cannot bee silent, when I thinke 595your highnesse

533wrong'd.

596534Lear. Thou but remember'st me of mine owne con597ception, I

535haue perceiued a most faint neglect of late, 598which I haue rather

536blamed as mine owne ielous curio599sitie, then as a very pretence &

537purport of vnkindnesse, 600I will looke further into't, but wher's

538this foole? I 601haue not seene him this two dayes.

602539seruant. Since my yong Ladies going into France 603sir, the foole

540hath much pined away.

604541Lear. No more of that, I haue noted it, goe you 605and tell my

542daughter, I would speake with her, goe you 606cal hither my foole,

543O you sir, you sir, come you hither, 607who am I sir?

608544Steward. 609My Ladies Father.

610545Lear. My Ladies father, my Lords knaue, you hore611son dog,

546you slaue, you cur.

612547Stew. I am none of this my Lord,

613I beseech you pardon me.

614548Lear. Doe you bandie lookes with me you rascall?

615549Stew. Ile not be struck my Lord,

616550Kent. Nor tript neither, you base football player.

617551Lear. I thanke thee fellow, 618thou seru'st me, and ile loue thee.

619552Kent. Come sir ile teach you differences, 620away, away, if

553you will measure your lubbers length a621gaine, tarry, but away,

554you haue wisedome.

622555Lear. Now friendly knaue I thanke thee, their's 623earnest of

556thy seruice. 624 Enter Foole.

625557Foole. Let me hire him too, heer's my coxcombe.

626558Lear. How now my prety knaue, how do'st thou?

627559Foole. Sirra, you were best take my coxcombe.

628560Kent. Why Foole?

629561Foole. Why for taking on's part, that's out of fauour, 630nay and

562thou can'st not smile as the wind sits, thou't catch 631cold shortly,

563there take my coxcombe; why this fellow 632hath banisht two

564on's daughters, and done the third a 633blessing against his will, if

565thou follow him, thou must 634needs weare my coxcombe, how

566now nuncle, would 635I had two coxcombes, and two daughters.

636567Lear. Why my boy?

637568Foole. If I gaue them any liuing, id'e keepe my cox638combs

569my selfe, ther's mine, beg another of thy 639daughters.

640570Lear. Take heede sirra, the whip.

641571Foole. Truth is a dog that must to kenell, hee must bee 642whipt

572out, when Ladie oth'e brach may stand by the fire 643and stincke.

644573Lear. A pestilent gull to mee.

645574Foole. Sirra ile teach thee a speech.646 Lear. Doe.

647575Foole. Marke it vncle, 648haue more then thou shewest, 649speake

576lesse then thou knowest, 650lend lesse then thou owest, 651ride more

577then thou goest, 652learne more then thou trowest, 653set lesse then

578thou throwest, 654leaue thy drinke and thy whore, 655and keepe in a

579doore, 656and thou shalt haue more, 657then two tens to a score.

658580Lear. This is nothing foole.

659581Foole. Then like the breath of an vnfeed Lawyer, 660you gaue

582me nothing for't, can you make no vse of no661thing vncle?

662583Lear. Why no boy, 663nothing can be made out of nothing.

664584Foole. Preethe tell him so much the rent of his land 665comes to,

585he will not beleeue a foole.

666586Lear. A bitter foole.

667587Foole. Doo'st know the difference my boy, be668tweene a bitter

588foole, and a sweete foole.

669589Lear. No lad, teach mee.

670590Foole. 670.01That Lord that counsail'd thee to giue away thy land,

670.02591Come place him heere by mee, doe thou for him stand,

670.03592The sweet and bitter foole will presently appeare,

670.04593The one in motley here, the other found out there.

670.05594Lear. Do'st thou call mee foole boy?

670.06595Foole. All thy other Titles thou hast giuen away, tha thou

670.07596wast borne with.

670.08597Kent. This is not altogether foole my Lord.

670.09598Foole. No faith, Lords and great men will not let me, if I had

670.10599a monopolie out, they would haue part an't, and Ladies too, they

670.11600will not let me haue all the foole to my selfe, they'l be snatching;

601giue me an egge Nuncle, and ile giue thee 671two crownes.

672602Lear. What two crownes shall they be?

673603Foole. Why, after I haue cut the egge in the middle and 674eate

604vp the meate, the two crownes of the egge; when 675thou clouest

605thy crowne it'h middle, and gauest away 676both parts, thou borest

606thy asse at'h backe or'e the 677durt, thou had'st little wit in thy bald

607crowne, when thou 678gauest thy golden one away, if I speake like

608my selfe in 679this, let him be whipt that first finds it so.

680609Fooles had nere lesse wit, in a yeare,

681610For wise men are growne foppish,

682611They know not how their wits doe weare,

683612Their manners are so apish.

684613Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs sirra?

685614Foole. I haue vs'd it nuncle, euer since thou mad'st 686thy daugh-

615ters thy mother, for when thou gauest them 687the rod, and put'st

616downe thine own breeches, then they 688for sudden ioy did weep,

689617and I for sorrow sung, 690that such a King should play bo-peepe,

691618and goe the fooles among: 692prethe Nunckle keepe a schoolema-

619ster that can teach 693thy foole to lye, I would faine learneto lye.

694620Lear. And you lye, weele haue you whipt.

695621Foole. I maruell what kin thou and thy daughters are, 696they'l

622haue me whipt for speaking true, thou wilt haue mee 697whipt for

623lying, and sometime I am whipt for holding 698my peace, I had

624rather be any kind of thing then a foole, 699and yet I would not bee

625thee Nuncle, thou hast pared thy 700wit a both sides, & left nothing

626in the middle, here 701comes one of the parings.

703628Lear. How now daughter, what makes that Frontlet 704on,

629Me thinks you are too much alate it'h frowne.

705630Foole. Thou wast a prettie fellow when thou had'st no 706need

631to care for her frowne, now thou art an O with707out a figure, I am

632better then thou art now, I am a foole, 708thou art nothing, yes for-

633sooth I will hould my tongue, so 709your face bids mee, though

634you say nothing.

710635Mum, mum, he that keepes neither crust nor crum,

711636Wearie of all, shall want some. That's a sheald pescod.

712637Gon. Not onely sir this, your all-licenc'd foole, 713but other of

638your insolent retinue 714do hourely carpe and quarrell, breaking

639forth 716in ranke & (not to be indured riots,) Sir I had thought by

640making this well knowne vnto you, 717to haue found a safe redres,

641but now grow fearefull 718by what your selfe too late haue spoke

642and done, 719that you protect this course, and put on 720by your al-

643lowance, which if you should, the fault 721would not scape censure,

644nor the redresse, sleepe, 722which in the tender of a wholsome

645weale, 723might in their working doe you that offence, 724that else

646were shame, that then necessitie 725must call discreet proceedings.

726647Foole. For you trow nuncle, the hedge sparrow 727fed the Coo-

648kow so long, that it had it head bit off beit 728young, so out went

649the candle, and we were left dark729ling.

730650Lear. Are you our daughter?

731651Gon. Come sir, I would you would make vse of that good

652wisedome 732whereof I know you are fraught, and put away 733these

653dispositions, that of late transforme you 734from what you rightly

654are.

735655Foole. May not an Asse know when the cart drawes 736the horse,

737656whoop Iug I loue thee.

738657Lear. Doth any here know mee? 739why this is not Lear, 740doth

658Lear walke thus? speake thus? where are his eyes, 741either his no-

659tion, weaknes, or his discernings 742are lethergie, sleeping, or wake-

660ing; ha! sure tis not so, 743who is it that can tell me who I am? Lears

744661shadow? I would learne that, for by the markes of soueraintie,

744.1662knowledge, and reason, I should bee false perswaded I had

744.2663daughters.

744.3664Foole. Which they, will make an obedient father.

745665Lear. Your name faire gentlewoman?

746666Gon. Come sir, this admiration is much of the sauour 747of other

667your new prankes, I doe beseech you 748vnderstand my purposes

668aright, 749as you are old and reuerend, should be wise, 750here do you

669keepe a 100. Knights and Squires, 751men so disordred, so deboyst

670and bold, 752that this our court infected with their manners, 753showes

671like a riotous Inne, epicurisme, and lust 754make more like a tauerne

672or brothell, 755then a great pallace, the shame it selfe doth speake

756673for instant remedie, be thou desired 757by her, that else will take the

674thing shee begs, 758a little to disquantitie your traine, 759and the re-

675mainder that shall still depend, 760to bee such men as may besort

676your age, 761that know themselues and you.

762677Lear. Darkenes, and Deuils! 763saddle my horses, call my traine

678together, 764degenerate bastard, ile not trouble thee, 765yet haue I left

679a daughter.

766680Gon. You strike my people, and your disordred rabble, 767make

681seruants of their betters. 768Enter Duke.

769682Lear. We that too late repent's, O sir, are you come? 770is it your

683will that wee prepare any horses, 771ingratitude! thou marble har-

684ted fiend, 772more hideous when thou shewest thee in a child, 773then

685the Sea-monster, 775detested kite, thou list 776my traine, and men of

686choise and rarest parts, 777that all particulars of dutie knowe, 778and

687in the most exact regard, support 779the worships of their name, O

688most small fault, 780how vgly did'st thou in Cordelia shewe, that

781689like an engine wrencht my frame of nature 782from the fixt place,

690drew from my heart all loue 783and added to the gall, O Lear. Lear!

784691beat at this gate that let thy folly in, 785and thy deere iudgement

692out, goe goe, my people?

786693Duke, My Lord, I am giltles as I am ignorant.

788694Leir. It may be so my Lord, 789harke Nature, heare deere God-

695desse, 790suspend thy purpose, if thou did'st intend 791to make this

696creature fruitful 792into her wombe, conuey sterility, 793drie vp in hir

697the organs of increase, 794and from her derogate body neuer spring

795698a babe to honour her, if shee must teeme, 796create her childe of

699spleene, that it may liue 797and bee a thourt disuetur'd torment to

700her, 798let it stampe wrinckles in her brow of youth, 799with accent

701teares, fret channels in her cheeks, 800turne all her mothers paines

702and benefits 801to laughter and contempt, that shee may feele, that

703she may feele, 802how sharper then a serpents tooth it is, 803to haue a

704thanklesse child, goe, goe, my people?

804705Duke. Now Gods that we adore, 805whereof comes this!

806706Gon. Neuer afflict your selfe to know the cause, 807but let his

707disposition haue that scope 808that dotage giues it.

810708Lear. What, fiftie of my followers at a clap, 811within a fortnight?

812709Duke. What is the matter sir?

813710Lear. Ile tell thee, 814life and death! I am asham'd

815that thou hast

711power to shake my manhood thus, 816that these hot teares that

712breake from me perforce. 817should make the worst 818blasts and fogs

713vpon 819the vntented woundings of a fathers cursse, 820pierce euery

714sence about the old fond eyes, 821beweepe this cause againe, ile

715pluck you out,822 & you cast with the waters that you make 823to tem-

716per clay, yea, i'st come to this? 824yet haue I left a daughter, 825whom

717I am sure is kind and comfortable, 826when shee shall heare this of

718thee, with her nailes 827shee'l flea thy woluish visage, thou shalt

719find 828that ile resume the shape, which thou dost thinke 829I haue cast

720off for euer, thou shalt I warrant thee.

830721Gon. Doe you marke that my Lord?

831722Duke. I cannot bee so partiall Gonorill

832to the great loue I 723beare you, 833

724Gon. Come sir no more,

834you, more knaue then foole, after 725your master? 835

726Foole. Nunckle Lear, Nunckle Lear, 836tary and take the foole 727with 837a fox when one has caught her, 838and such a daughter 839should 728sure to the slaughter, 840if my cap would buy a halter, 841so the foole 729followes after.

848730Gon. What Oswald, ho.Oswald. Here Madam, 858

731Gon. What haue you writ this letter to my sister?

859732Osw. Yes Madam. 860

733Gon. Take you some company, and away to horse,

861informe 734her full of my particular feares, 862and thereto add such reasons of

735your owne, 863as may compact it more, get you gon, 864& hasten your

736returne now my Lord, 865this mildie gentlenes and course of yours

866737though I dislike not, yet vnder pardon 867y'are much more attastk

738for want of wisedome, 868then praise for harmfull mildnes.

869739Duke. How farre your eyes may pearce I cannot tell, 870striuing740to better ought, we marre whats well.

871741Gon. Nay then.872 Duke. Well, well, the euent, Exeunt

875743Lear. Goe you before to

Gloster with these letters, 876acquaint

744my daughter no further with any thing you 877know, then comes

745from her demand out of the letter, 878if your diligence be not spee-

746die, I shall be there before 879you.

880747Kent. I will not sleepe my Lord, till I haue deliuered 881your

748letter. Exit

882749Foole. If a mans braines where in his heeles, wert not in 883dan-

750ger of kibes?884 Lear. I boy.

885751Foole. Then I prethe be mery, thy wit shal nere goe 886slipshod.

887752Lear. Ha ha ha.

888753Foole. Shalt see thy other daughter will vse thee kind889ly, for

754though shees as like this, as a crab is like an 890apple, yet I con, what

755I can tel.

891756Lear. Why what canst thou tell my boy?

892757Foole. Sheel tast as like this, as a crab doth to a 893crab, thou

758canst not tell why ones nose stande in the middle 894of his face?

895759Lear. No.

896760Foole. Why, to keep his eyes on either side's nose, 897that what

761a man cannot smell out, a may spie into.

898762Lear. I did her wrong.

899763Foole. Canst tell how an Oyster makes his shell. 900Lear. No.

901764Foole. Nor I neither, but I can tell why a snayle has 902a house.

903765Lear. Why?

904766Foole. Why, to put his head in, not to giue it away to his

905767daughter, and leaue his hornes without a case.

906768Lear. I will forget my nature, so kind a father; be 907my horses

769readie?

908770Foole. Thy Asses are gone about them, the reason why 909the

771seuen starres are no more then seuen, is a prettie reason.

910772Lear. Because they are not eight.

911773Foole. Yes thou wouldst make a good foole.

912774Lear. To tak't againe perforce, Monster, ingratitude!

913775Fool. If thou wert my foole Nunckle, id'e haue thee 914beatẽ for

776being old before thy time.

915777Lear. Hows that?

916778Foole. Thou shouldst not haue beene old, before thou hadst

917779beene wise.

918780Lear. O let me not be mad sweet heauen! I would not be mad,

919781keepe me in temper, I would not be mad, are 920the horses readie?

921782Seruant. Readie my Lord. Lear. Come boy. Exit.

923783Foole. Shee that is maide now, and laughs at my departure,

924784Shall not be a maide long, except things be cut shorter. Exit

928786Bast. Saue thee Curan.

929787Curan. And you Sir, I haue beene 930with your father, and giuen

788him notice, 931that the Duke of Cornwall and his Dutches 932will bee

789here with him to night.

933790Bast. How comes that?

934791Curan. Nay, I know not, you haue heard of the newes 935abroad,

792I meane the whisperd ones, for there are yet but 936eare-bussing ar-

793guments.

937794Bast. Not, I pray you what are they?

938795Curan. Haue you heard of no likely warres towards, 939twixt

796the two Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?

940797Bast. Not a word.

941798Curan. You may then in time, 942fare you well sir.

943799Bast. The Duke be here to night! the better best, 944this weaues

800

Enter Edgar

it selfe perforce into my busines, 945my father hath set gard to take

801my brother, 947and I haue one thing of a quesie question, which

802must aske breefnes and fortune helpe; 949brother, a word, discend

803brother I say, 950my father watches, O flie this place, 951intelligence

804is giuen where you are hid, 952you haue now the good aduantage

805of the night, 953haue you not spoken gainst the Duke of Cornwall

806ought, 954hee's coming hether now in the night, it'h hast, 955and Re-

807gan with him, haue you nothing said 956vpon his partie against the

808Duke of Albany, 957aduise your---

958809Edg. I am sure on't not a word.

959810Bast. I heare my father coming, pardon me 960in crauing, I must

811draw my sword vpon you, 961seeme to defend your selfe, 962now quit

812you well, 963yeeld, come before my father, light here, here, 964flie

813brother flie, torches, torches, so farwell; 966some bloud drawne

814on mee would beget opinion 967of my more fierce indeuour, I

815haue seene drunckards 968doe more then this in sport, father, father,

969816stop, stop, no, helpe? Enter Glost.

971817Glost. Now Edmund where is the villaine?

972818Bast. Here stood he in the darke, his sharpe sword out, 973warb-

819ling of wicked charms, coniuring the Moone 974to stand's auspici-

820ous Mistris. Glost. 975But where is he?

976821Bast. Looke sir, I bleed.

977822Glost. Where is the villaine Edmund?

978823Bast. Fled this way sir, when by no meanes he could---

979824Glost. Pursue him, go after, by no meanes, what?

980825Bast. Perswade me to the murder of your Lordship, but that

981826I told him the reuengiue Gods, 982gainst Paracides did all their

827thunders bend, 984spoke with how many fould and strong a bond

828the child was bound to the father, sir in a fine, 985seeing how loath-

829ly opposite I stood, 986to his vnnaturall purpose, with fell motion

987830with his prepared sword, hee charges home 988my vnprouided bo-

831dy, lancht mine arme, 989but when he saw my best alarumd spirits,

990832bould in the quarrels, rights, rousd to the encounter, 991or whether

833gasted by the noyse I made, 992but sodainly he fled.

993834Glost, Let him flie farre, 994not in this land shall hee remaine vn-

835caught 995and found, dispatch, the noble Duke my maister, 996my

836worthy Arch and Patron, comes to night, 997by his authoritie I will

837proclaime it, 998that he which finds him shall deserue our thankes,

999838bringing the murderous caytife to the stake, 1000hee that conceals

839him, death.

1001840Bast. When I disswaded him from his intent, 1002and found him

841pight to doe it, with curst speech 1003I threatned to discouer him, he

842replyed, 1004thou vnpossessing Bastard, dost thou thinke, 1005if I would

843stand against thee, could the reposure 1006of any trust, vertue, or

844worth in thee 1007make thy words fayth'd? no. what I should denie,

1008845as this I would, I, though thou didst produce 1009my very character,

846id'e turne it all 1010to thy suggestion, plot, and damned pretence,

1011847and thou must make a dullard of the world, 1012if they not thought

848the profits of my death, 1013were very pregnant and potentiall

849spurres 1014to make thee seeke it.

1015850Glost. Strong and fastned villaine, 1016would he denie his letter,

851I neuer got him, 1017harke the Dukes trumpets, I know not why he

852comes, 1018all Ports ile barre, the villaine shall not scape, 1019the Duke

853must grant mee that, besides, his picture 1020I will send farre and

854neere, that all the kingdome 1021may haue note of him, and of my

855land 1022loyall and naturall boy, ile worke the meanes 1023to make thee

856capable.

1025858Corn. How now my noble friend, since I came hether, 1026which

859I can call but now, I haue heard strange newes.

1027860Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short 1028which can

861pursue the offender, how dost my Lord?

1029862Glost. Madam my old heart is crackt, is crackt.

1030863Reg. What, did my fathers godson seeke your life? 1031he whom

864my father named your Edgar?

1032865Glost. I Ladie, Ladie, shame would haue it hid.

1033866Reg. Was he not companion with the ryotous knights, 1034that

867tends vpon my father?

1035868Glost. I know not Madam, tis too bad, too bad.

1036869Bast. Yes Madam, he was.

1037870Reg. No maruaile then though he were ill affected,

1038871Tis they haue put him on the old mans death,

1039872To haue the wast and spoyle of his reuenues:

1040873I haue this present euening from my sister,

1041874Beene well inform'd of them, and with such cautions,

1042875That if they come to soiourne at my house, 1043ile not be there.

1044876Duke. Nor I, assure thee Regan; Edmund, 1045I heard that you

877haue shewen your father 1046a child-like office.

1047878Bast. Twas my dutie Sir.

1048879Glost. He did betray his practise, and receiued

1049880This hurt you see, striuing to apprehend him.

1050881Duke. Is he pursued? Glost. 1051I my good Lord.

1052882Duke. If he be taken, he shall neuer more 1053be feard of doing

883harme, make your own purpose 1054how in my strength you please,

884for you Edmund, 1055whose vertue and obedience, doth this instant

1056885so much commend it selfe, you shall bee ours, 1057natures of such

886deepe trust, wee shall much need 1059you, we first seaze on.

887Bast. I shall serue you truly, how euer else.

1060888Glost. For him I thanke your grace.

1061889Duke. You know not why we came to visit you?

1062890Regan. Thus out of season, threatning darke ey'd night,

1063891Ocasions noble Gloster of some prise,

1064892Wherein we must haue vse of your aduise,

1065893Our Father he hath writ, so hath our sister,

1066894Of diferences, which I lest thought it fit,

1067895To answer from our home, the seuerall messengers

1068896From hence attend dispatch, our good old friend,

1069897Lay comforts to your bosome, & bestow 1070your needfull councell

898To our busines, 1071which craues the instant vse. (Exeunt.

1072899Glost. I serue you Madam, 1073your Graces are right welcome.

1076901Steward. Good euen to thee friend, art of the house?

1077902Kent. I.Stew. 1078Where may we set our horses?

1079903Kent. It'h mire.Stew. 1080Prethee if thou loue me, tell me.

1081904Kent. I loue thee not. Stew. 1082Why then I care not for thee.

1083905 Kent. If I had thee in Lipsburie pinfold, I would make 1084thee

906care for mee.

1085907Stew. Why dost thou vse me thus? I know thee not.

1086908Kent. Fellow I know thee.

1087909Stew, What dost thou know me for?

1088910Kent. A knaue, a rascall, an eater of broken meates, a 1089base,

911proud, shallow, beggerly, three shewted hundred 1090pound, filthy

912worsted-stocken knaue, a lilly lyuer'd 1091action taking knaue, a

913whorson glassegazing super1092finicall rogue, one truncke inheri-

914ting slaue, one that 1093would'st bee a baud in way of good seruice,

915and art no1094thing but the composition of a knaue, begger, cow-

916ard, 1095pander, and the sonne and heire of a mungrell bitch, 1096whom

917I will beat into clamorous whyning, if thou 1097denie the least silla-

918ble of the addition.

1098919Stew. What a monstrous fellow art thou, thus 1099to raile on one,

920that's neither 1100knowne of thee, nor knowes thee.

1101921Kent. What a brazen fac't varlet art thou, to deny 1102thou

922knowest mee, is it two dayes agoe since I beat thee, and tript vp

923thy 1103heeles before the King? draw you rogue, 1104for though it be

924night the Moone shines, ile make a 1105sop of the moone-shine a'you,

925draw you whorson cullyonly 1106barber-munger, draw?

1107926Stew. Away, I haue nothing to doe with thee.

1108927Kent. Draw you rascall, you bring letters a1109gainst the King,

928and take Vanitie the puppets part, 1110against the royaltie of her

929father, draw you rogue 1111or ile so carbonado your shankes, draw

930you rascall, come 1112your wayes.

1113931Stew. Helpe, ho, murther, helpe.

1114932Kent. Strike you slaue, stand rogue, stand you neate 1115slaue,

1116933strike? Stew. Helpe, ho, murther, helpe.

1118936Bast. How now, whats the matter?

1119937Kent. With you goodman boy, and you please come, 1120ile

938fleash you, come on yong maister.

1121939Glost. Weapons, armes, whats the matter here?

1122940Duke. Keepe peace vpon your liues, hee dies that 1123strikes a-

941gaine, what's the matter?

1124942Reg. The messengers from our sister, and the King.

1125943Duke. Whats your difference, speake?

1126944Stew. I am scarse in breath my Lord.

1127945Kent. No maruaile you haue so bestir'd your valour, 1128you

946cowardly rascall, nature disclaimes in thee, a Tayler 1129made thee.

1130947Duke. Thou art a strange fellow, a Taylor make a man.

1131948Kent. I, a Tayler sir; a Stone-cutter, or a Painter could 1132not

949haue made him so ill, though hee had beene but two 1133houres at

950the trade.

1134951Glost. Speake yet, how grew your quarrell?

1135952Stew. This ancient ruffen sir, whose life I haue 1136spar'd at sute

953of his gray-beard.

1137954Kent. Thou whorson Zedd, thou vnnecessarie letter, 1138my

955Lord if you'l giue mee leaue, I will tread this vn1139boulted villaine

956into morter, and daube the walles of a 1140iaques with him, spare

957my gray beard you wagtayle.

1141958Duke. Peace sir, you 1142beastly Knaue you haue no reuerence.

1143959Kent. Yes sir, but anger has a priuiledge.

1144960Duke. Why art thou angry?

1145961Kent. That such a slaue as this should weare a sword,

1146962That weares no honesty, such smiling roges as these,

1147963Like Rats oft bite those cordes in twaine,

1148964Which are to intrench, to inloose smooth euery passion

1149965That in the natures of their Lords rebell,

1150966Bring oyle to stir, snow to their colder-moods,

1151967Reneag, affirme, and turne their halcion beakes

1152968With euery gale and varie of their maisters,

1153969Knowing nought like dayes but following, 1154a plague vpon your (epeliptick

970Visage, 1155smoyle you my speeches, as I were a foole?

1156971Goose and I had you vpon Sarum plaine,

1157972Id'e send you cackling home to Camulet.,

1158973Duke. What art thou mad old fellow?

1159974Glost. How fell you out, say that?

1160975Kent. No contraries hold more, antipathy,

1161976Then I and such a knaue.

1162977Duke. Why dost thou call him knaue, 1163what's his offence.

1164978Kent. His countenance likes me not.

1165979Duke. No more perchance does mine, or his, or hers.

1166980Kent. Sir tis my occupation to be plaine,

1167981I haue seene better faces in my time

1168982That stands on any shoulder that I see

1169983Before me at this instant.

1170984Duke. This is a fellow 1171who hauing beene praysd

985For bluntnes doth affect 1172a sawcy ruffines,

986And constraines the garb 1173quite from his nature,

987He cannot flatter he, he must be plaine,

1174988He must speake truth, 1175and they will tak't so,

989If not he's plaine, 1176these kind of knaues I know

990Which in this plainnes 1177harbour more craft,

991And more corrupter ends, 1178then twentie silly ducking

992Obseruants, 1179that stretch their duties nisely.

1180993Kent. Sir in good sooth, or in sincere veritie,

1181994Vnder the allowance of your graund aspect.

1182995Whose influence like the wreath of radient fire

1183996In flitkering Phoebus front.

1184997Duke. What mean'st thou by this?

1185998Kent. To goe out of my dialogue which you discom1186mend so

999much, I know sir, I am no flatterer, he that be1187guild you in a plain

1000accent, was a plaine knaue, which for my part 1188I will not bee,

1001though I should win your displeasure, to intreat mee too't.

11901002Duke. What's the offence you gaue him?

11911003Stew. I neuer gaue him any, 1192it pleas'd the King his maister

1004Very late 1193to strike at me vpon his misconstruction,

11941005When he coniunct and flattering his displeasure

11951006Tript me behind, being downe, insulted, rayld,

11961007And put vpon him such a deale of man, that,

11971008That worthied him, got prayses of the King,

11981009For him attempting who was selfe subdued,

11991010And in the flechuent of this dread exploit,

12001011Drew on me here againe.

12011012Kent. None of these roges & cowards but AIax 1202is their foole.

12031013Duke. Bring forth the stockes ho?

12041014You stubburne miscreant knaue, you reuerent bragart,

12051015Weele teach you.

12061016Kent. I am too old to learne, 1207call not your stockes for me,

1017I serue the King, 1208on whose imployments I was sent to you,

12091018You should doe small respect, shew too bold malice

12101019Against the Grace and person of my maister,

12111020Stopping his messenger.

12121021Duke. Fetch forth the stockes? 1213as I haue life and honour,

1022There shall he sit 1214till noone.

1023Reg. Till noone, till night my Lord, and all night too.

12151024Kent. Why Madam, if I were your fathers dogge, 1216you could

1025not vse me so.

12171026Reg. Sir being his knaue, I will.

12181027Duke. This is a fellow of the selfe same nature,

12191028Our sister speake of, come bring away the stockes?

12201029Glost. Let me beseech your Grace not to doe so,

1030His fault is much, and 1221the good King his maister

1221.11031Will check him for't, your purpost low correction

1221.21032Is such, as basest and temnest wretches for pilfrings

1221.31033And most common trespasses are punisht with,

1034The King must take it ill, 1222that hee's so slightly valued

1035In his messenger, 1223should haue him thus restrained.

12241036Duke. Ile answer that.

12251037Reg. My sister may receiue it much more worse,

12261038To haue her Gentlemen abus'd, assalted

1226.11039For following her affaires, put in his legges,

12271040Come my good Lord away?

12281041Glost. I am sory for thee friend, tis the Dukes pleasure,

12291042Whose disposition all the world well knowes

12301043Will not be rubd nor stopt, ile intreat for thee.

12311044Kent. Pray you doe not sir, I haue watcht and trauaild (hard,

12321045Sometime I shal sleepe ont, the rest ile whistle,

12331046A good mans fortune may grow out at heeles,

12341047Giue you good morrow.

12351048Glost. The Dukes to blame in this, 1236twill be ill tooke.

12371049Kent. Good King that must approue the cõmon saw,

12381050Thou out of heauens benediction comest

12391051To the warme Sunne.

12401052Approach thou beacon to this vnder gloabe,

12411053That by thy comfortable beames I may

12421054Peruse this letter, nothing almost sees my wracke

12431055But miserie, I know tis from Cordelia,

12441056Who hath most fortunately bin informed

12451057Of my obscured course, and shall find time

12461058From this enormious state, seeking to giue

12471059Losses their remedies, all wearie and ouerwatch

12481060Take vantage heauie eyes not to behold

12491061This shamefull lodging, Fortune goodnight,

12501062Smile, once more turne thy wheele. sleepes.

12521064Edg. I heare my selfe proclaim'd,

12531065And by the happie hollow of a tree

12541066Escapt the hunt, no Port is free, no place

12551067That guard, and most vnusuall vigilence

12561068Dost not attend my taking while I may scape,

12571069I will preserue my selfe, and am bethought

12581070To take the basest and most poorest shape,

12591071That euer penury in contempt of man,

12601072Brought neare to beast, my face ile grime with filth,

12611073Blanket my loynes, else all my haire with knots,

12621074And with presented nakednes outface,

12631075The wind, and persecution of the skie,

12641076The Countrie giues me proofe and president

12651077Of Bedlam beggers, who with roring voyces,

12661078Strike in their numb'd and mortified bare armes,

12671079Pins, wodden prickes, nayles, sprigs of rosemary,

12681080And with this horrible obiect from low seruice,

12691081Poore pelting villages, sheep-coates, and milles,

12701082Sometime with lunaticke bans, sometime with prayers

12711083Enforce their charitie, poore Turlygod, poore Tom,

12721084That's something yet, Edgar I nothing am. Exit

12741086Lear. Tis strange that they should so depart from (hence,

12751087And not send backe my messenger.

12761088Knight. As I learn'd, 1277the night before there was

1089No purpose 1278of his remoue.

12791090Kent. Hayle to thee noble maister.

12801091Lear. How, mak'st thou this shame thy pastime?

12821092Foole. Ha ha, looke he weares crewell garters,

1093Horses are 1283tide by the heeles, dogges and beares

1094Byt'h necke, 1284munkies bit'h loynes, and men

1095Byt'h legges, when a mans 1285ouer lusty at legs,

1096Then he weares wooden neatherstockes.

12861097Lear. Whats he, 1287that hath so much thy place mistooke 1288to set

1098thee here?

12891099Kent. It is both he and shee, your sonne & daugter.

12911100Lear. No. 1292Kent. Yes.

12931101Lear. No I say, 1294Kent. I say yea.

1102Lear. No no, they would not.Kent. Yes they haue.

12951103Lear. By Iupiter I sweare no, 1297they durst not do't,

12981104They would not, could not do't, tis worse then murder,

12991105To doe vpon respect such violent outrage,

13001106Resolue me with all modest hast, which way

13011107Thou may'st deserue, or they purpose this vsage,

13021108Coming from vs.

13031109Kent. My Lord, when at their home

13041110I did commend your highnes letters to them,

13051111Ere I was risen from the place that shewed

13061112My dutie kneeling, came there a reeking Post,

13071113Stewd in his hast, halfe breathles, panting forth

13081114From Gonerill his mistris, salutations,

13091115Deliuered letters spite of intermission,

13101116Which presently they read, on whose contents

13111117They summond vp their men, straight tooke horse,

13121118Commanded me to follow, and attend 1313the leasure

1119Of their answere, gaue me cold lookes,

13141120And meeting here the other messenger,

13151121Whose welcome I perceau'd had poyson'd mine,

13161122Being the very fellow that of late

13171123Display'd so sawcily against your Highnes,

13181124Hauing more man then wit, about me drew,

13191125He raised the house with loud and coward cries,

13201126Your sonne and daughter found this trespas worth

13211127This shame which here it suffers.

13281128Lear. O how this mother swels vp toward my hart,

13291129Historica passio downe thou climing sorrow,

13301130Thy element's below, where is this daughter?

13311131Kent. With the Earle sir within,

13321132Lear. Follow me not, stay there?

13331133Knight. Made you no more offẽce 1334then what you speake of?

13351134Kent. No, 1336how chance the King comes with so small a traine?

13371135Foole. And thou hadst beene set in the stockes for that 1338questi-

1136on, thou ha'dst well deserued it.

13391137Kent. Why foole?

13401138Foole. Weele set thee to schoole to an Ant, to teach 1341thee ther's

1139no labouring in the winter, all that follow their noses, are led by

1140their eyes, but blind men, and ther's not a 1342nose among a 100. but

13431141can smell him thats stinck1344ing, let goe thy hold when a great

1142wheele runs downe a 1345hill, least it breake thy necke with follow-

1143ing it, but the 1346great one that goes vp the hill, let him draw thee

1144after, 1347when a wise man giues thee better councell, giue mee mine

13481145againe, I would haue none but knaues follow it, sincea 1349foole

1146giues it.

13591155Kent. Where learnt you this foole?

13601156Foole. Not in the stockes.

13611158Lear. Denie to speake with mee, 1362th'are sicke, th'are (weary,

13631159They traueled hard to night, meare Iustice,

13641160I the Images of reuolt and flying off,

13651161Fetch mee a better answere.

13661162Glost. My deere Lord,

1367you know the fierie qualitie of the

1163Duke, 1368how vnremoueable and fixt he is 1369in his owne Course.

13701164Lear. Vengeance, death, plague, confusion, what fierie quality,

13711165why Gloster, Gloster, 1372id'e speake with the Duke of Cornewall, and

1166his wife.

13731167Glost. I my good Lord.

13761168Lear. The King would speak with Cornewal, 1377the deare father

13781169Would with his daughter speake, commands her seruice,

13801170Fierie Duke, tell the hot Duke that Lear,

13811171No but not yet may be he is not well,

13821172Infirmitie doth still neglect all office, 1383where to our health

1173Is boũd, we are not our selues, 1384when nature being oprest

1174Cõmand the mind 1385to suffer with the bodie, ile forbeare,

13861175And am fallen out with my more hedier will,

13871176To take the indispos'd and sickly fit, 1388for the sound man,

1177Death on my state, wherfore 1389should he sit here?

1178This act perswades me, 1390that this remotion of the Duke, (& her

13911179Is practise, only giue me my seruant forth,

13921180Tell the Duke and's wife, Ile speake with them

13931181Now presently, bid them come forth and heare me,

13941182Or at their chamber doore ile beat the drum,