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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    I feele this pin pricke, would I were assur'd of my condition.
    2810Cord. O looke vpon me sir, and hold your hands in benedicti-
    on or'e me, no sir you must not kneele.
    Lear. Pray doe not mocke,
    I am a very foolish fond old man,
    2815Fourescore and vpward, and to deale plainly
    I feare I am not in my perfect mind,
    Mee thinks I should know you, and know this man;
    2820Yet I am doubtfull, for I am mainly ignorant
    What place this is, and all the skill I haue
    Remembers not these garments, nor I know not
    Where I did lodge last night, doe not laugh at me,
    For as I am a man, I thinke this Ladie
    2825To be my child Cordelia. Cord. And so I am.
    Lear. Be your teares wet, yes faith, I pray weep not,
    If you haue poyson for mee I will drinke it,
    2830I know you doe not loue me, for your sisters
    Haue as I doe remember, done me wrong,
    You haue some cause, they haue not.
    Cord. No cause, no cause. Lear. Am I in France?
    2835Kent. In your owne kingdome sir.
    Lear. Doe not abuse me?
    Doct. Be comforted good Madame, the great rage you see is
    cured in him, and yet it is danger to make him euen ore the time
    hee has lost, desire him to goe in, trouble him no more till fur-
    ther setling: 2840 Cord. Wilt please your highnes walke?
    Lear. You must beare with me, pray now forget and forgiue,
    I am old and foolish. Exeunt. Manet Kent and Gent.
    2843.1Gent. Holds it true sir that the Duke of Cornwall was so slaine?
    Kent. Most certaine sir.
    Gent. Who is conductor of his people?
    Kent. As tis said, the bastard sonne of Gloster.
    2843.5Gent. They say Edgar his banisht sonne is with the Earle of
    Kent in Germanie.
    Kent. Report is changeable, tis time to looke about,
    The powers of the kingdome approach apace.
    Gent. The arbiterment is like to be bloudie, fare you well sir.
    2843.10Kent. My poynt and period will be throughly wrought,
    Or