Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: Nahum Tate
Editor: Lynne Bradley
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Adapted by Nahum Tate) (Modern)

ACT IV
A grotto.
Edmund and Regan amorously seated,
listening to music.
1500Bastard
Why were those beauties made another's right
Which none can prize like me? Charming queen,
Take all my blooming youth, forever fold me
In those soft arms, lull me in endless sleep
That I may dream of pleasures too transporting
1505For life to bear.
Regan
Live, live, my Gloster,
And feel no death but that of swooning joy.
I yield thee blisses on no harder terms
Than that thou continue to be happy.
1510Bastard
This jealousy is yet more kind. Is it possible
That I should wander from a paradise
To feed on sickly weeds? Such sweets live here
That constancy will be no virtue in me.
And yet must I forthwith go meet her sister,
To whom I must protest as much.
Suppose it be the same; why, best of all,
And I have then my lesson ready conned.
Wear this remembrance of me. I dare now
1520Gives him a ring.
Absent myself no longer from the duke
Whose wound grows dangerous -- I hope mortal.
Bastard
And let this happy image of your Gloster,
Pulling out a picture drops a note.
1525Lodge in that breast where all his treasure lies.
To this brave youth a woman's blooming beauties
Are due; my fool usurps my bed. What's here?
Confusion on my eyes.
"Where merit is so transparent, not to behold it were
blindness, and not to reward it, ingratitude.
Gonerill."
Vexatious accident! Yet fortunate, too.
1535My jealousy's confirmed, and I am taught
To cast for my defense --
Enter an Officer.
Now, what mean those shouts? And what thy hasty entrance?
Officer
A most surprising and a sudden change.
1540The peasants are all up in mutiny,
And only want a chief to lead them on
To storm your palace.
On what provocation?
Officer
At last day's public festival, to which
1545The yeomen from all quarters had repaired,
Old Gloster, whom you late deprived of sight,
(His veins yet streaming fresh) presents himself,
Proclaims your cruelty and their oppression,
With the king's injuries. Which so enraged them,
1550That now that mutiny which long had crept,
Takes wing and threatens your best powers.
White-livered slave!
Our forces raised and led by valiant Edmund
Shall drive this monster of rebellion back
1555To her dark cell. Young Gloster's arm allays
The storm his father's feeble breath did raise.
Exeunt.