Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Michael Best
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Modern, Quarto)

[Scene 10]
Enter Gloucester and the Bastard, with lights.
Gloucester
Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I might pity him, 1755they took from me the use of mine own house, charg'd me, on pain of their displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him.
Bastard
Most savage and unnatural.
Gloucester
Go to, say you nothing. There's a division 1760betwixt the Dukes; and a worse matter than that, I have received a letter this night--'tis dangerous to be spoken. I have locked the letter in my closet. These injuries the King now bears will be revenged home; there's part of a power already landed. We must incline to the King. I 1765will seek him, and privily relieve him. Go you and maintain talk with the Duke that my charity be not of him perceived. If he ask for me, I am ill, and gone to bed. Though I die for't, as no less is threatened me, the King my old master must be relieved. There is some strange thing 1770toward. Edmund, pray you be careful.
Exit.
Bastard
This courtesy forbid thee shall the Duke
Instantly know, and of that letter too.
This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me
That which my father loses--no less than all.
1775The younger rises when the old do fall.