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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    1510To this detested groome.
    Gon. At your choise sir.
    Lear. Now I prethee daughter do not make me mad,
    I will not trouble thee my childe, farwell,
    Wee'l no more meete, no more see one another.
    1515But yet thou art my flesh, my bloud, my daughter,
    Or rather a disease that lies within my flesh,
    Which I must needs call mine, thou art a byle
    A plague sore, an imbossed carbuncle in my
    Corrupted bloud, but Ile not chide thee,
    1520Let shame come when it will, I do not call it,
    I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoote,
    Nor tell tales of thee to high iudging Ioue,
    Mend when thou canst, be better at thy leisure,
    I can be patient, I can stay with Regan,
    1525I and my hundred Knights.
    Reg. Not altogether so sir, I looke not for you yet,
    Nor am prouided for your fit welcome,
    Giue eare to my sister, for those
    That mingle r[ea]son with your passion,
    1530Must be content to thinke you are old, and so,
    But she knowes what she does.
    Lear. Is this well spoken now?
    Reg. I dare auouch it sir, what fifty followers,
    Is it not well? what should you need of more,
    1535Yea or so many, sith that both charge and danger
    Speakes gainst so great a number, how in a house
    Should many people vnder two commands
    Hold amity, tis hard, almost impossible.
    Gon. Why might not you my Lord receiue attendance
    1540From those that she cals seruants, or from mine?
    Reg. Why not my Lord? if then they chancst to slacke you,
    We could controle them; if you will come to me,
    (For now I spie a danger) I entreate you
    1545To bring but fiue and twenty to no more
    Will I giue place or notice.
    Lear. I gaue you all.
    Reg.