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  • Title: King Lear (Modern, Quarto)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Modern, Quarto)

    [Act 4, scene 2 in Folio]
    [Scene 16]
    Enter Goneril and [the] Bastard.
    Goneril
    Welcome, my lord. I marvel our mild husband
    Not met us on the way.
    2269.1Enter [Oswald the] steward.
    Now, where's your master?
    2270Oswald
    Madam, within, but never man so changed.
    I told him of the army that was landed;
    He smiled at it. I told him you were coming;
    His answer was "The worse." Of Gloucester's treachery
    And of the loyal service of his son,
    2275When I informed him, then he called me sot
    And told me I had turned the wrong side out.
    What he should most defy seems pleasant to him,
    What like, offensive.
    Goneril
    [To the Bastard] Then shall you go no further.
    2280It is the cowish terror of his spirit
    That dares not undertake. He'll not feel wrongs
    Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way
    May prove effects. Back, Edmund, to my brother;
    Hasten his musters, and conduct his powers.
    2285I must change arms at home and give the distaff
    Into my husband's hands. This trusty servant
    Shall pass between us. Ere long you are like to hear,
    If you dare venture in your own behalf,
    A mistress's command. Wear this--spare speech.
    [Gives him a favor of some kind.]
    2290Decline your head.
    [She kisses him.]
    This kiss, if it durst speak,
    Would stretch thy spirits up into the air.
    Conceive--and fare you well.
    Bastard
    Yours in the ranks of death.
    [Exit.]
    Goneril
    My most dear Gloucester.
    To thee a woman's services are due--
    A fool usurps my bed.
    Oswald
    Madam, here comes my lord.
    Exit [Oswald the] steward.
    [Enter Albany.]
    2300Goneril
    I have been worth the whistling.
    Albany
    O Goneril,
    You are not worth the dust which the rude wind
    Blows in your face. I fear your disposition.
    2303.1That nature which contemns its origin
    Cannot be bordered certain in itself.
    She that herself will sliver and disbranch
    From her material sap, perforce must wither
    2303.5And come to deadly use.
    Goneril
    No more, the text is foolish.
    Albany
    Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile.
    Filths savor but themselves. What have you done?
    Tigers, not daughters, what have you performed?
    2303.10A father, and a gracious agèd man,
    Whose reverence even the head-lugged bear would lick,
    Most barbarous, most degenerate have you madded.
    Could my good brother suffer you to do it?
    A man, a prince, by him so benefited?
    2303.15If that the heavens do not their visible spirits
    Send quickly down to tame these vile offences,
    It will come. Humanity must perforce prey on itself
    Like monsters of the deep.
    Goneril
    Milk-livered man,
    2305That bearest a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs;
    Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning
    Thine honor from thy suffering; that not know'st
    Fools do those villains pity 2307.1who are punished
    Ere they have done their mischief. Where's thy drum?
    France spreads his banners in our noiseless land,
    With plumèd helm, thy flaxen biggin threats,
    Whilst thou, a moral fool, sits still and cries
    2307.5"Alack, why does he so?"
    Albany
    See thyself, devil.
    Proper deformity shows not in the fiend
    2310So horrid as in woman.
    Goneril
    O vain fool!
    2311.1Albany
    Thou changèd, and self-covered thing, for shame,
    Bemonster not thy feature. Wer't my fitness
    To let these hands obey my blood,
    They are apt enough to dislocate and tear
    2311.5Thy flesh and bones. Howe'er thou art a fiend,
    A woman's shape doth shield thee.
    Goneril
    Marry, your manhood?--mew!
    Enter a Gentleman.
    2312.1Albany
    What news?
    1 Gentleman
    O my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead,
    Slain by his servant, going to put out
    2315The other eye of Gloucester.
    Albany
    Gloucester's eyes?
    1 Gentleman
    A servant that he bred, thralled with remorse,
    Opposed against the act, bending his sword
    To his great master; who thereat enraged,
    2320Flew on him, and amongst them felled him dead;
    But not without that harmful stroke which since
    Hath plucked him after.
    Albany
    This shows you are above, you justicers,
    That these our nether crimes 2325so speedily can venge.
    But oh, poor Gloucester, lost he his other eye?
    1 Gentleman
    Both, both, my lord. [To Goneril] This letter, madam, craves
    A speedy answer. 'Tis from your sister.
    2330Goneril
    [Aside] One way I like this well;
    But being widow, and my Gloucester with her,
    May all the building on my fancy pluck
    Upon my hateful life. Another way
    The news is not so took. [Aloud] I'll read and answer.
    Exit [Goneril].
    2335Albany
    Where was his son when they did take his eyes?
    1 Gentleman
    Come with my lady hither.
    Albany
    He is not here?
    1 Gentleman
    No, my good lord, I met him back again.
    2340Albany
    Knows he the wickedness?
    1 Gentleman
    Ay, my good lord, 'twas he informed against him,
    And quit the house on purpose that their punishment
    Might have the freer course.
    Albany
    Gloucester, I live
    2345To thank thee for the love thou showed'st the king,
    And to revenge thy eyes.--Come hither, friend,
    Tell me what more thou knowest.
    Exeunt.
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