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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    Not Peer Reviewed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 1, scene 3 in Folio]
    505[Scene 3]
    Enter Goneril and [Oswald, her] gentleman.
    Goneril
    Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?
    Oswald
    Yes, madam.
    510Goneril
    By day and night he wrongs me. Every hour
    He flashes into one gross crime or other
    That sets us all at odds. I'll not endure it.
    His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
    On every trifle. When he returns from hunting
    515I will not speak with him. Say I am sick.
    If you come slack of former services
    You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.
    [Hunting horns within]
    Oswald
    He's coming madam. I hear him.
    Goneril
    Put on what weary negligence you please,
    520You and your fellow servants. I'd have it come in question.
    If he dislike it, let him to our sister,
    Whose mind and mine I know in that are one,
    522.1Not to be overruled. Idle old man
    That still would manage those authorities
    That he hath given away. Now, by my life,
    Old fools are babes again, and must be used
    With checks as flatteries when they are seen abused.
    Remember what I tell you.
    Oswald
    Very well, madam.
    525Goneril
    And let his knights have colder looks among you. What grows of it, no matter. Advise your fellows so. I would breed 526.1from hence occasions, and I shall, that I may speak. I'll write straight to my sister to hold my very course. Go prepare for dinner.
    Exeunt [separately].
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