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About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    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 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.
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