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  • Title: King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)
  • Editor: Pervez Rizvi
  • 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: Pervez Rizvi
    Not Peer Reviewed

    King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

    The History of King Lear.
    my father named your Edgar
    Glost. I Lady, Lady, shame would haue it hid.
    Reg. Was he not companion with the ryotous Knights that
    tends vpon my father?
    1035Glost. I know not Madam, tis too bad, too bad.
    Bast. Yes madam, he was.
    Reg. No maruaile then though he were ill affected,
    Tis they haue put him on the old mans death,
    To haue these ------- and waste of this his reuenues:
    1040I haue this present euening from my sister
    Beene well inform'd of them, and with such cautions,
    That if they come to soiourne at my house, ile not be there.
    Duke. Nor I, assure thee Regan; Edmund, I heard that you haue
    1045shewne your father a child-like office.
    Bast. Twas my duty sir.
    Glost. He did betray his practise, and receiued
    This hurt you see, striuing to apprehend him.
    1050Duke. Is he pursued?
    Glost. I my good Lord.
    Duke. If he be taken, he shall neuer more be feard of doing
    harme, make your owne purpose how in my strength you please;
    for you Edmund, whose vertue and obedience doth this instant
    so much commend it selfe, you shall be ours, natures of such deep
    trust, we shall much need, you we first seize on.
    Bast. I shall serue you truely, how euer else.
    1060Glost. For him I thanke your Grace.
    Duke. You know not why we came to visite you?
    Regan. Thus out of season, threatning darke eide night,
    Occasions noble Glocester of some prize,
    Wherein we must haue vse of your aduice,
    1065Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
    Of defences, which I best thought it fit,
    To answer from our hand, the seuerall messengers
    From hence attend dispatch, our good old friend,
    Lay comforts to your bosome, & bestow your needfull counsell
    1070To our businesse, which craues the instant vse.
    1070.1Exit.
    Glost.
    D2