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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    whers my foole, ho I thinke the world's asleepe, how now,
    wher's that mungrel?
    580Kent. He say's my Lord, your daughter is not well.
    Lear. Why came not the slaue backe to mee when I cal'd
    him?
    seruant. Sir, hee answered mee in the roundest maner, hee
    would not.585 Lear. A would not?
    seruant. My Lord, I know not what the matter is, but to my
    iudgemẽt, your highnes is not ẽtertained with that ceremonious
    affection as you were wont, ther's a great abatement, apeer's as
    well in 590the generall dependants, as in the Duke himselfe also,
    and your daughter. Lear. Ha, say'st thou so?
    seruant. I beseech you pardon mee my Lord, if I be mistaken,
    for my dutie cannot bee silent, when I thinke 595your highnesse
    wrong'd.
    Lear. Thou but remember'st me of mine owne conception, I
    haue perceiued a most faint neglect of late, which I haue rather
    blamed as mine owne ielous curiositie, then as a very pretence &
    purport of vnkindnesse, 600I will looke further into't, but wher's
    this foole? I haue not seene him this two dayes.
    seruant. Since my yong Ladies going into France sir, the foole
    hath much pined away.
    Lear. No more of that, I haue noted it, goe you 605and tell my
    daughter, I would speake with her, goe you cal hither my foole,
    O you sir, you sir, come you hither, who am I sir?
    Steward. My Ladies Father.
    610Lear. My Ladies father, my Lords knaue, you horeson dog,
    you slaue, you cur.
    Stew. I am none of this my Lord,
    I beseech you pardon me.
    Lear. Doe you bandie lookes with me you rascall?
    615Stew. Ile not be struck my Lord,
    Kent. Nor tript neither, you base football player.
    Lear. I thanke thee fellow, thou seru'st me, and ile loue thee.
    Kent. Come sir ile teach you differences, 620away, away, if
    you will measure your lubbers length againe, tarry, but away,
    you haue wisedome.
    Lear. Now friendly knaue I thanke thee, their's earnest of
    thy seruice. Enter Foole.
    Foole.
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