Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Pervez Rizvi
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

The History of King Lear.

2155She takes a sword, and runs at him behinde.
Seruant. Oh I am slaine my Lord, yet haue you one eye left to
see some mischiefe on him, oh! He dies.
Corn. Least it see more, preuent it, out vilde Ielly,
Where is thy luster now?
2160Glost. All darke and comfortles, wheres my sonne Edmund?
Edmund vnbridle all the sparkes of nature, to quit this horrid
acte.
Reg. Out villaine, thou calst on him that hates thee, it was hee
that made the ouerture of thy treasons to vs, who is too good to
pitty thee.
Glost. O my follies, then Edgar was abused,
Kinde Gods forgiue me that, and prosper him.
2170Reg. Goe thrust him out at gates, and let him smell his way to
Douer, how ist my Lord? how looke you?
Corn. I haue receiued a hurt, follow me Lady,
Turne out that eyelesse villaine, throw this slaue vpon
2175The dunghill, Regan I bleed apace, vntimely
Comes this hurt, giue me your arme. Exit.
2176.1Seruant. Ile neuer care what wickednesse I do,
If this man come to good.
2.Seruant. If she liue long, and in the end meet the old course
of death, women will all turne monsters.
2177.51.Ser. Let's follow the old Earle, and get the bedlam
To lead him where he would, his rogish madnesse
Allowes it selfe to any thing.
2.Ser. Goe thou, ile fetch some flaxe and whites of egges to
apply to his bleeding face, now heauen helpe him.
Enter Edgar.
Edg. Yet better thus, and knowne to be contemn'd,
2180Then still contemn'd and flattered to be worst,
The lowest and most deiected thing of Fortune
Stands still in experience, liues not in feare,
The lamentable change is from the best,
The worst returnes to laughter,
Who's