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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    Bore the commission of my place and person,
    3005The which imediate may well stand vp,
    And call it selfe your brother.
    Gono. Not so hot, in his owne grace hee doth exalt himselfe
    more then in your aduancement.
    3010Reg. In my right by me inuested he com-peers the best.
    Gon. That were the most, if hee should husband you.
    Reg. Iesters doe oft proue Prophets.
    Gon. Hola, hola, 3015that eye that told you so, lookt but a squint.
    Reg. Lady I am not well, els I should answere
    From a full flowing stomack, Generall
    Take thou my souldiers, prisoners, patrimonie,
    3020Witnes the world that I create thee here
    My Lord and maister.
    Gon. Meane you to inioy him then?
    Alb. The let alone lies not in your good will.
    Bast. Nor in thine Lord.
    3025Alb. Halfe blouded fellow, yes.
    Bast. Let the drum strike, and proue my title good.
    Alb. Stay yet, heare reason, Edmund I arrest thee
    On capitall treason, and in thine attaint,
    This gilded Serpent, for your claime faire sister
    3030I bare it in the interest of my wife.
    Tis she is subcontracted to this Lord
    And I her husband contradict the banes,
    If you will mary, make your loue to me,
    My Lady is bespoke, thou art arm'd Gloster,
    If none appeare to proue vpon thy head,
    Thy hainous, manifest, and many treasons,
    3040There is my pledge, ile proue it on thy heart
    Ere I tast bread, thou art in nothing lesse
    Then I haue here proclaimd thee.
    Reg. Sicke, ô sicke.
    Gon. If not, ile ne're trust poyson.
    3045Bast. Ther's my exchange, what in the world he is,
    That names me traytor, villain-like he lies,
    Call by thy trumpet, he that dares approach,
    On him, on you, who not, I will maintaine
    My
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