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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    And step, I haue aduanct thee, if thou dost
    As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
    To noble fortunes, know thou this that men
    Are as the time is, to be tender minded
    2975Does not become a sword, thy great imployment
    Will not beare question, either say thout do't,
    Or thriue by other meanes.
    Cap. Ile do't my Lord.
    Bast. About it, and write happy when thou hast don,
    2980Marke I say instantly, and carie it so
    As I haue set it downe.
    2981.1Cap. I cannot draw a cart, nor eate dride oats,
    If it bee mans worke ile do't.
    Enter Duke, the two Ladies, and others.
    Alb. Sir you haue shewed to day your valiant strain,
    And Fortune led you well you haue the captiues
    2985That were the opposites of this dayes strife,
    We doe require then of you, so to vse them,
    As we shall find their merits, and our safty
    May equally determine.
    Bast. Sir I thought it fit,
    2990To send the old and miserable King to some retention, and ap-(pointed guard,
    Whose age has charmes in it, whose title more
    To pluck the coren bossom of his side,
    And turne our imprest launces in our eyes
    Which doe commaund them, with him I sent the queen
    2995My reason, all the same and they are readie to morrow,
    Or at further space, to appeare where you shall hold
    Your session at this time, mee sweat and bleed,
    2997.1The friend hath lost his friend, and the best quarrels
    In the heat are curst, by those that feele their sharpes,
    The question of Cordelia and her father
    Requires a fitter place.
    Alb. Sir by your patience,
    I hold you but a subiect of this warre, 3000not as a brother.
    Reg. That's as we list to grace him,
    Me thinkes our pleasure should haue beene demanded
    Ere you had spoke so farre, he led our powers,
    Bore
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