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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    No purpose of his remoue.
    Kent. Hayle to thee noble maister.
    1280Lear. How, mak'st thou this shame thy pastime?
    Foole. Ha ha, looke he weares crewell garters,
    Horses are tide by the heeles, dogges and beares
    Byt'h necke, munkies bit'h loynes, and men
    Byt'h legges, when a mans 1285ouer lusty at legs,
    Then he weares wooden neatherstockes.
    Lear. Whats he, that hath so much thy place mistooke to set
    thee here?
    Kent. It is both he and shee, your sonne & daugter.
    Lear. No. Kent. Yes.
    Lear. No I say, Kent. I say yea.
    Lear. No no, they would not.Kent. Yes they haue.
    1295Lear. By Iupiter I sweare no, they durst not do't,
    They would not, could not do't, tis worse then murder,
    To doe vpon respect such violent outrage,
    1300Resolue me with all modest hast, which way
    Thou may'st deserue, or they purpose this vsage,
    Coming from vs.
    Kent. My Lord, when at their home
    I did commend your highnes letters to them,
    1305Ere I was risen from the place that shewed
    My dutie kneeling, came there a reeking Post,
    Stewd in his hast, halfe breathles, panting forth
    From Gonerill his mistris, salutations,
    Deliuered letters spite of intermission,
    1310Which presently they read, on whose contents
    They summond vp their men, straight tooke horse,
    Commanded me to follow, and attend the leasure
    Of their answere, gaue me cold lookes,
    And meeting here the other messenger,
    1315Whose welcome I perceau'd had poyson'd mine,
    Being the very fellow that of late
    Display'd so sawcily against your Highnes,
    Hauing more man then wit, about me drew,
    He raised the house with loud and coward cries,
    1320Your sonne and daughter found this trespas worth
    This
    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