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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    The which he lackes, that to prouoke in him
    Are many simples operatiue, whose power
    2365Will close the eye of anguish.
    Cord. All blest secrets, all you vnpublisht vertues of the earth,
    Spring with my teares, be aidant and remediat
    In the good mans distresse, seeke, seeke for him,
    2370Least his vngouernd rage dissolue the life,
    That wants the meanes to leade it.

    Enter a Messenger.
    Messen. Newes Madam, the British powers are marching he-
    therward.
    2375Cord. Tis knowne before, our preparation stands
    In expectation of them, ô deare Father,
    It is thy businesse that I go about, therefore great France,
    My mourning and important teares hath pittied,
    No blowne ambition doth our armes insite,
    2380But loue, deare loue, and our aged fathers right,
    Soone may I heare and see him. Exit.

    Enter Regan and Steward.
    Reg. But are my brothers powers set foorth?
    2385Stew. I Madam.
    Reg. Himselfe in person?
    Stew. Madam with much ado, your sister's the better Soldier.
    Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your Lady at home?
    2390Stew. No Madam.
    Reg. What might import my sisters letter to him?
    Stew. I know not Lady.
    Reg. Faith he is posted hence on a serious matter,
    It was great ignorance, Glocesters eies being out,
    2395To let him liue, where he arriues he moues
    All hearts against vs, and now I thinke is gone,
    In pitty of his misery to dispatch his nighted life,
    Moreouer to descrie the strength of the Army.
    2400Stew. I must needs after him with my Letters.
    Reg. Our troope sets foorth to morrow, stay with vs,
    The