Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Pervez Rizvi
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

The History of King Lear.
Gon. Hola, hola, that eye that told you so, lookt but a squint.
Reg. Lady I am not well, else I should answer
From a full flowing stomacke. Generall,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony,
3020Witnesse the world, that I create thee heere
My Lord and master.
Gon. Meane you to enioy him then?
Alb. The let alone lies not in your good will.
Bast. Nor in thine Lord.
3025Alb. Halfe blooded fellow, yes.
Bast. Let the drum strike, and proue my title good.
Alb. Stay yet, heare reason: Edmund, I arrest thee
On capitall treason; and in thine attaint,
This gilded Serpent: for your claime faire sister,
3030I bare it in the interestof my wife,
Tis she is subcontracted to her Lord,
And I her husband contradict the banes,
If you will marry, make your loue to me,
My Lady is bespoke. Thou art arm'd Gloster.
If none appeare to proue vpon thy head,
Thy hainous, manifest, and many treasons,
3040There is my pledge, Ile proue it on thy heart
Ere I tast bread, thou art in nothing lesse
Then I haue heere proclaim'd thee.
Reg. Sicke, ô sicke.
Gon. If not, Ile nere trust poyson.
3045Bast. Ther's my exchange, what in the world he is,
That names me traitor, villain-like he lyes,
Call by thy Trumpet, he that dares approach
On him, on you, who not, I will maintaine
My truth and honor firmely.
Alb. A Herald ho.
3051.1Bast. A herald ho, a herald.
Alb. Trust to thy single vertue, for thy soldiers
All leuied in my name, haue in my name tooke their discharge.
3055Reg. This sicknesse growes vpon me.
Alb. She is not well, conuey her to my tent,
Come
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