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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    Come hither Herald, let the Trumpet sound, and read our this.
    3057.1Cap. Sound Trumpet.
    3060Her. If any man of quality or degree, in the hoast of the Ar-
    my, will maintaine vpon Edmund, supposed Earle of Glocester,
    that he's a manifold traitor, let him appeare at the thirde sound
    of the Trumpet: he is bold in his defence.
    Bast. Sound. Againe.
    Enter Edgar at the third sound, with a trumpet before him.
    Alb. Aske him his purposes, why he appeares
    Vpon this call o'th trumpet?
    3070Her. What are you? your name and quality?
    And why you answer this present summons?
    Edg. O know my name is lost by Treasons tooth:
    Bare-gnawne and canker-bit,
    3075Where is the aduersary I come to cope withall?
    Alb. What is that aduersary?
    Edg. What's he that speakes for Edmund Earle of Gloster?
    Bast. Himselfe, what sayst thou to him?
    3080Edg. Draw thy sword,
    That if my speech offend a noble heart, thy arme
    May do thee iustice, heere is mine:
    Behold it is the priuiledge of my tongue,
    3085My oath and profession. I protest,
    Maugre thy strength, youth, place and eminence,
    Despight thy victor, sword, and fire new fortun'd,
    Thy valor, and thy heart, thou art a traitor:
    False to the gods, thy brother, and thy father,
    3090Conspicuate gainst this high illustrious Prince,
    And from th'extremest vpward of thy head,
    To the descent and dust beneath thy feet,
    A most toad-spotted traitor: say thou no;
    This sword, this arme, and my best spirits,
    Is bent to proue vpon thy heart, whereto I speake thou lyest.
    Bast. In wisedome I should aske thy name,
    But since thy outside lookes so faire and warlike,
    And that thy being some say of breeding breathes,
    By right of knight-hood I disdaine and spurne,
    With