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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    2270Stew. Madame within, but neuer man so chang'd, I told him
    of the army that was landed, he smild at it, I told him you were
    coming, his answere was the worse, of Glosters treacherie, and of
    the loyall seruice of his sonne 2275when I enform'd him, then hee
    cald me sott, and told me I had turnd the wrong side out, what
    hee should most desire seemes pleasant to him, what like offen-
    siue.
    Gon. Then shall you goe no further,
    2280It is the cowish terrer of his spirit
    That dares not vndertake, hele not feele wrongs
    Which tie him to an answere, our wishes on the way
    May proue effects, backe Edgar to my brother,
    Hasten his musters, and conduct his powers
    2285I must change armes at home, and giue the distaffe
    Into my husbands hands, this trusty seruant
    Shall passe betweene vs, ere long you are like to heare
    If you dare venture in your owne behalfe
    A mistresses command, weare this, spare speech,
    2290Decline your head: this kisse if it durst speake
    Would stretch thy spirits vp into the ayre,
    Conceaue and far you well.
    Bast. Yours in the ranks of death.
    Gon. My most deere Gloster, to thee womans seruices(are dew
    A foole vsurps my bed.
    Stew. Madam here comes my Lord. Exit Stew.
    2300Gon. I haue beene worth the whistlling.
    Alb. O Gonoril, you are not worth the dust which the(rude wind
    Blowes in your face, I feare your disposition
    2303.1That nature which contemnes ith origin
    Cannot be bordered certaine in it selfe,
    She that her selfe will sliuer and disbranch
    From her materiall sap, perforce must wither,
    2303.5And come to deadly vse.
    Gon. No more, the text is foolish.
    Alb. Wisedome and goodnes, to the vild seeme vild,
    Filths sauor but themselues, what haue you done?
    Tigers, not daughters, what haue you perform'd?
    2303.10A father, and a gracious aged man
    Whose