Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • Title: King Lear (Quarto 1, 1608)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Quarto 1, 1608)

    The Historie of King Lear.
    defuse, my good intent may carry through it selfe to that full is-
    sue for which I raz'd my likenes, now banisht Kent, 535if thou canst
    serue where thou dost stand condem'd, thy maister whom thou
    louest shall find the full of labour.
    Enter Lear.
    Lear. Let me not stay a iot for dinner, goe get it readie, 540how
    now, what art thou?
    Kent. A man Sir.
    Lear. What dost thou professe? what would'st thou with vs?
    Kent. I doe professe to be no lesse then I seeme, to serue 545him
    truly that will put me in trust, to loue him that is honest, to con-
    uerse with him that is wise, and sayes little, to feare iudgement,
    to fight when I cannot chuse, and to eate no fishe.
    Lear. What art thou?
    550Kent. A very honest harted fellow, and as poore as the king.
    Lear. If thou be as poore for a subiect, as he is for a King, thar't
    poore enough, what would'st thou?
    Kent. Seruice. Lear. 555Who would'st thou serue?
    Kent. You. Lear. Do'st thou know me fellow?
    Kent. No sir, but you haue that in your countenance, which
    I would faine call Maister.
    560Lear. Whats that? Kent. Authoritie.
    Lear. What seruices canst doe?
    Kent. I can keepe honest counsaile, ride, run, mar a curious
    tale in telling it, and deliuer a plaine message 565bluntly, that
    which ordinarie men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best
    of me, is diligence.
    Lear, How old art thou?
    Kent. Not so yong to loue a woman for singing, nor so old to
    dote on her for any thing, I haue yeares on 570my backe fortie
    eight.
    Lear. Follow mee, thou shalt serue mee, if I like thee no
    worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet, dinner, ho din-
    ner, wher's my knaue, my foole, goe you and call my foole he-
    ther, you sirra, whers my daughter?
    575Enter Steward.
    Steward. So please you,
    Lear. What say's the fellow there, call the clat-pole backe,
    wher's
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC