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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    Not Peer Reviewed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 wayes are dangerous.
    Stew. I may not Madam, my Lady charg'd my dutie in this
    businesse.
    2405Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
    Transport her purposes by word, belike
    Something, I know not what, Ile loue thee much,
    Let me vnseale the Letter.
    Stew. Madam ide rather -------
    2410Reg. I know your Lady does not loue her husband,
    I am sure of that: and at her late being heere
    She gaue strange aliads, and most speaking lookes
    To Noble Edmund, I know you are of her bosome.
    Stew, I Madam.
    2415Reg. I speake in vnderstanding, for I know't,
    Therefore I do aduise you to take this note:
    My Lord is dead, Edmund and I haue talkt,
    And more conuenient is he for my hand,
    Then for your Ladies: you may gather more,
    2420If you do finde him, pray you giue him this,
    And when your mistris heares thus much from you,
    I pray desire her call her wisedome to her, so farewll,
    If you do chance to heare of that blinde traitor,
    2425Preferment fals on him that cuts him off.
    Stew. Would I could meet him Madam, I would shew
    What Lady I do follow.
    Reg. Fare thee well. Exit.

    2430Enter Gloster and Edmund.
    Glo. When shall we come to'th top of that same hill?
    Edg. You do climbe it vp now, looke how we labour?
    Glo. Me thinkes the ground is euen.
    Edg. Horrible steepe: hearke, do you heare the sea?
    Glo. No truly.
    Edg. Why then your other senses grow imperfect
    By your eies anguish.
    Glo. So may it be indeed,
    2440Methinkes thy voice is altered, and thou speakst
    With
    I