Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Pervez Rizvi
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

The History of King Lear.
1190Duke. What's the offence you gaue him?
Stew. I neuer gaue him any, it pleasd the King his master
Very late to strike at me vpon his missconstruction,
When he coniunct and flattering his displeasure
1195Tript me behinde, being downe, insulted, raild,
And put vpon his such a deale of man, that
That worthied him, got praises of the King,
For him attempting who was selfe subdued,
And in the flechuent of this dread exploit,
1200Drew on me heere againe.
Kent. None of these roges & cowards but A'Iax is their foole.
Duke. Bring foorth the stockes ho?
You stubborne miscreant knaue, you vnreuerent bragart,
1205Wee'l teach you.
Kent. I am too olde to learne, call not your stockes for me,
I serue the King, on whose imploiments I was sent to you,
You should do small respect, shew too bold malice
1210Against the grace and person of my master,
Stopping his Messenger.
Duke. Fetch foorth the stockes; as I haue life and honour,
There shall he sit till noone.
Reg. Till noone, till night my Lord, and all night too.
1215Kent. Why Madam, if I were your fathers dog you could not
vse me so.
Reg. Sir, being his knaue, I will.
Duke. This is a fellow of the same nature,
Our sister speakes off, come, bring away the stockes.
1220Glost. Let me beseech your Grace not to do so,
His fault is much, and the good King his Master
1221.1Will checke him for't; your purposd low correction
Is such, as basest and temnest wretches for pilfrings
And most common trespasses are punisht with,
The King must take it ill, that hee's so slightly valued
In his Messenger, should haue him thus restrained.
Duke. Ile answer that.
1225Reg. My sister may receiue it much more worse,
To haue her gentleman abused, assaulted
For