Chapter XIII: Act I: SCENE I. King Lear's palace (1)

_Enter_ KENT, GLOUCESTER, _and_ EDMUND.[2424]

_Kent._ I thought the king had more affected the Duke[2425][2426]
of Albany than Cornwall.[2425][2426]

_Glou._ It did always seem so to us: but now, in the[2425][2426][2427]
division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes[2425][2426][2428]
he values most; for equalities are so weighed that
curiosity[2425][2426][2429] 5
in neither can make choice of either's moiety.[2425][2426]

_Kent._ Is not this your son, my lord?[2425]

_Glou._ His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I[2425]
have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am[2425]
brazed to it.[2425][2430] 10

_Kent._ I cannot conceive you.[2425]

_Glou._ Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon[2425]
she grew round-wombed, and had indeed, sir, a son for her[2425]
cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a[2425]
fault?[2425] 15

_Kent._ I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it[2425]
being so proper.[2425]

_Glou._ But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year[2425][2431]
elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though[2425][2432]
this knave came something saucily into the world before he[2425][2433] 20
was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport[2425]
at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged.[2425][2434]
Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?[2425][2435]

_Edm._ No, my lord.[2425][2436]

_Glou._ My lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my[2425][2437] 25
honourable friend.[2425][2437]

_Edm._ My services to your lordship.[2425]

_Kent._ I must love you, and sue to know you better.[2425]

_Edm._ Sir, I shall study deserving.[2425][2438]

_Glou._ He hath been out nine years, and away he shall[2425] 30
again. The king is coming.[2425][2439]

_Sennet. Enter one bearing a coronet,_ KING LEAR, CORNWALL,
ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, _and_ Attendants.[2440]

_Lear._ Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.[2441]

_Glou._ I shall, my liege. [_Exeunt Gloucester and Edmund._[2442]

_Lear._ Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.[2443]
Give me the map there. Know we have divided[2444] 35
In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent[2445]
To shake all cares and business from our age,[2446]
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we[2447][2448]
Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall,[2448]
And you, our no less loving son of Albany,[2448][2449] 40
We have this hour a constant will to publish[2448]
Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife[2448][2450]
May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy,[2448][2451]
Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,[2452]
Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, 45
And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters,[2453]
Since now we will divest us both of rule,[2454]
Interest of territory, cares of state,[2454][2455]
Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
That we our largest bounty may extend 50
Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril,[2456]
Our eldest-born, speak first.[2457]

_Gon._ Sir, I love you more than words can wield the
matter,[2457][2458]
Dearer than eye-sight, space and liberty,[2459]
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare, 55
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour,
As much as child e'er loved or father found;[2460]
A love that makes breath poor and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.[2461]

_Cor._ [_Aside_] What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent.[2462] 60

_Lear._ Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,
With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,[2463][2464][2465]
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,[2464]
We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue[2466]
Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter,[2467] 65
Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.[2468]

_Reg._ I am made of that self metal as my sister,[2469]
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart[2470]
I find she names my very deed of love;[2471]
Only she comes too short: that I profess[2471][2472] 70
Myself an enemy to all other joys[2471]
Which the most precious square of sense possesses,[2473]
And find I am alone felicitate[2474][2475]
In your dear highness' love.[2474]

_Cor._ [_Aside_] Then poor Cordelia![2476][2477][2478]
And yet not so, since I am sure my love's[2479][2480] 75
More ponderous than my tongue.[2477][2480][2481]

_Lear._ To thee and thine hereditary ever
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom,
No less in space, validity and pleasure,
Than that conferr'd on Goneril. Now, our joy,[2482][2483][2484] 80
Although the last, not least, to whose young love[2483][2485]
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy[2483]
Strive to be interess'd, what can you say to draw[2483][2486]
A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.[2483][2487]

_Cor._ Nothing, my lord. 85

_Lear._ Nothing![2488]

_Cor._ Nothing.[2488]

_Lear._ Nothing will come of nothing: speak again.[2489]

_Cor._ Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave[2490][2491]
My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty[2490] 90
According to my bond; nor more nor less.[2490][2492]

_Lear._ How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little,[2493]
Lest it may mar your fortunes.[2494]

_Cor._ Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I[2495][2496]
Return those duties back as are right fit,[2496][2497] 95
Obey you, love you, and most honour you.
Why have my sisters husbands, if they say[2498]
They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,[2498][2499][2500]
That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry[2500]
Half my love with him, half my care and duty:[2500] 100
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,[2500][2501][2502]
To love my father all.[2502][2503]

_Lear._ But goes thy heart with this?

_Cor._ Ay, good my lord.[2504]

_Lear._ So young, and so untender?

_Cor._ So young, my lord, and true. 105

_Lear._ Let it be so; thy truth then be thy dower:[2505]
For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,
The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;[2506]
By all the operation of the orbs[2507]
From whom we do exist and cease to be; 110
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me
Hold thee from this for ever. The barbarous Scythian,[2508]
Or he that makes his generation messes[2509] 115
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom[2509][2510]
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied and relieved,[2510]
As thou my sometime daughter.

_Kent._ Good my liege,--[2511]

_Lear._ Peace, Kent![2512]
Come not between the dragon and his wrath.[2512] 120
I loved her most, and thought to set my rest
On her kind nursery. Hence, and avoid my sight![2513]
So be my grave my peace, as here I give
Her father's heart from her! Call France. Who stirs?
Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany,[2514] 125
With my two daughters' dowers digest this third:[2515]
Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her.
I do invest you jointly with my power,[2516]
Pre-eminence and all the large effects[2517]
That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course,[2518] 130
With reservation of an hundred knights
By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode
Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain[2519]
The name and all the additions to a king;[2520][2521]
The sway, revenue, execution of the rest,[2520][2522] 135
Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm,
This coronet part betwixt you.[2523]

_Kent._ Royal Lear,
Whom I have ever honour'd as my king,[2524]
Loved as my father, as my master follow'd,[2525]
As my great patron thought on in my prayers,--[2526] 140

_Lear._ The bow is bent and drawn; make from the shaft.

_Kent._ Let it fall rather, though the fork invade[2527]
The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly,
When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man?[2528]
Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak, 145
When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound,[2529]
When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom,[2530]
And in thy best consideration check[2531]
This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgement,[2532]
Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least; 150
Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound[2533]
Reverbs no hollowness.[2533]

_Lear._ Kent, on thy life, no more.[2534]

_Kent._ My life I never held but as a pawn[2535]
To wage against thy enemies, nor fear to lose it,[2536]
Thy safety being the motive.[2537]

_Lear._ Out of my sight! 155

_Kent._ See better, Lear, and let me still remain
The true blank of thine eye.

_Lear._ Now, by Apollo,--

_Kent._ Now, by Apollo, king,[2538][2539]
Thou swear'st thy gods in vain.[2538]

_Lear._ O, vassal! miscreant!

[_Laying his hand on his sword._[2540]

_Alb._ } Dear sir, forbear.[2541] 160
_Corn._}

_Kent._ Do;[2542]
Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow[2543][2544]
Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy doom;[2543][2545]
Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat,[2543]
I'll tell thee them dost evil.[2543]

_Lear._ Hear me, recreant![2546][2547] 165
On thy allegiance, hear me![2546][2548]
Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow,[2549]
Which we durst never yet, and with strain'd pride[2550]
To come between our sentence and our power,[2551]
Which nor our nature nor our place can bear, 170
Our potency made good, take thy reward.[2552]
Five days we do allot thee, for provision[2553]
To shield thee from diseases of the world,[2554]
And on the sixth to turn thy hated back[2555]
Upon our kingdom: if on the tenth day following[2556] 175
Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions,
The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter,[2557]
This shall not be revoked.

_Kent._ Fare thee well, king: sith thus thou wilt appear,[2558]
Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.[2559] 180
[_To Cordelia_] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid,[2560]
That justly think'st and hast most rightly said![2561]
[_To Regan and Goneril_] And your large speeches may
your deeds approve,[2562]
That good effects may spring from words of love.
Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; 185
He'll shape his old course in a country new. [_Exit._[2563]

_Flourish. Re-enter_ GLOUCESTER, _with_ FRANCE, BURGUNDY, _and_
Attendants.[2564]

_Glou._ Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.[2565]

_Lear._ My lord of Burgundy,[2566][2567]
We first address towards you, who with this king[2566][2568]
Hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least,[2566][2569] 190
Will you require in present dower with her,[2566]
Or cease your quest of love?[2566][2570]

_Bur._ Most royal majesty,[2571]
I crave no more than what your highness offer'd,[2571][2572]
Nor will you tender less.[2571][2573]

_Lear._ Right noble Burgundy,[2574]
When she was dear to us, we did hold her so;[2574][2575] 195
But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands:[2574][2576]
If aught within that little seeming substance,[2574][2577]
Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced,[2574][2578]
And nothing more, may fitly like your grace,[2579]
She's there, and she is yours.

_Bur._ I know no answer. 200

_Lear._ Will you, with those infirmities she owes,[2580]
Unfriended, new adopted to our hate,
Dower'd with our curse and stranger'd with our oath,[2581]
Take her, or leave her?[2582]

_Bur._ Pardon me, royal sir;[2583][2584]
Election makes not up on such conditions.[2584][2585] 205

_Lear._ Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me,
I tell you all her wealth. [_To France_] For you, great king,[2586]
I would not from your love make such a stray,
To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you
To avert your liking a more worthier way[2587] 210
Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed
Almost to acknowledge hers.

_France._ This is most strange,[2588]
That she, that even but now was your best object,[2588][2589]
The argument of your praise, balm of your age,[2588][2590]
Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time[2588][2591] 215
Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle[2588]
So many folds of favour. Sure, her offence[2588][2592]
Must be of such unnatural degree[2588]
That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection[2593][2594]
Fall'n into taint: which to believe of her,[2594][2595] 220
Must be a faith that reason without miracle[2596]
Could never plant in me.[2596]

_Cor._ I yet beseech your majesty,--[2597][2598]
If for I want that glib and oily art,[2598][2599]
To speak and purpose not, since what I well intend,[2600]
I'll do't before I speak,--that you make known[2601] 225
It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness,[2602]
No unchaste action, or dishonour'd step,[2603]
That hath deprived me of your grace and favour;[2604]
But even for want of that for which I am richer,[2605]
A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue[2606] 230
As I am glad I have not, though not to have it[2607]
Hath lost me in your liking.

_Lear._ Better thou[2608][2609]
Hadst not been born than not to have pleased me better.[2609][2610]

_France._ Is it but this, a tardiness in nature[2611]
Which often leaves the history unspoke[2612][2613] 235
That it intends to do? My lord of Burgundy,[2613][2614]
What say you to the lady? Love's not love[2613][2615]
When it is mingled with regards that stand[2613][2616]
Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her?[2617]
She is herself a dowry.[2618]

_Bur._ Royal Lear,[2619][2620] 240
Give but that portion which yourself proposed,[2620]
And here I take Cordelia by the hand,[2620]
Duchess of Burgundy.[2620]

_Lear._ Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm.[2621]

_Bur._ I am sorry then you have so lost a father[2622] 245
That you must lose a husband.

_Cor._ Peace be with Burgundy![2623][2624]
Since that respects of fortune are his love,[2623][2625]
I shall not be his wife.[2623]

_France._ Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich being poor,[2626]
Most choice forsaken, and most loved despised, 250
Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon:[2627]
Be it lawful I take up what's cast away.[2628]
Gods, gods! 'tis strange that from their cold'st neglect[2629]
My love should kindle to inflamed respect.
Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance,[2630] 255
Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France:
Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy[2631]
Can buy this unprized precious maid of me.[2632]
Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind:[2633][2634]
Thou losest here, a better where to find.[2634] 260

_Lear_. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine, for we[2635]
Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see[2635]
That face of hers again. Therefore be gone[2636]
Without our grace, our love, our benison.[2637][2638]
Come, noble Burgundy.[2637] 265

[_Flourish. Exeunt all but France, Goneril,
Regan, and Cordelia._[2639]

_France._ Bid farewell to your sisters.[2640]

_Cor._ The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes[2641][2642]
Cordelia leaves you: I know you what you are;[2642][2643]
And, like a sister, am most loath to call[2642]
Your faults as they are named. Use well our father:[2642][2644] 270
To your professed bosoms I commit him:[2645]
But yet, alas, stood I within his grace,
I would prefer him to a better place.[2646]
So farewell to you both.

_Reg._ Prescribe not us our duties.[2647]

_Gon._ Let your study[2648] 275
Be to content your lord, who hath received you[2648]
At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,[2648][2649]
And well are worth the want that you have wanted.[2650]

_Cor._ Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides:[2651]
Who cover faults, at last shame them derides.[2652] 280
Well may you prosper!

_France._ Come, my fair Cordelia.

[_Exeunt France and Cordelia._[2653]

_Gon._ Sister, it is not a little I have to say of what
most[2654][2655][2656]
nearly appertains to us both. I think our father will hence[2655][2657]
to-night.[2655]

_Reg._ That's most certain, and with you; next month[2658] 285
with us.

_Gon._ You see how full of changes his age is; the observation[2659]
we have made of it hath not been little: he always[2660]
loved our sister most; and with what poor judgement he hath
now cast her off appears too grossly.[2661] 290

_Reg._ 'Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but
slenderly known himself.

_Gon._ The best and soundest of his time hath been but
rash; then must we look to receive from his age, not alone[2662]
the imperfections of long ingrafted condition, but[2663] 295
therewithal the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric[2664]
years bring with them.

_Reg._ Such unconstant starts are we like to have from[2665]
him as this of Kent's banishment.

_Gon._ There is further compliment of leave-taking between[2666] 300
France and him. Pray you, let's hit together: if our[2667]
father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears,[2668]
this last surrender of his will but offend us.

_Reg._ We shall further think on 't.[2669]

_Gon._ We must do something, and i' the heat. [_Exeunt._ 305

SCENE II. _The Earl of Gloucester's castle._

_Enter_ EDMUND, _with a letter_.[2670]

_Edm._ Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law[2671]
My services are bound. Wherefore should I[2671]
Stand in the plague of custom, and permit[2671][2672]
The curiosity of nations to deprive me,[2671][2673]
For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines[2671] 5
Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base?[2671][2674]
When my dimensions are as well compact,[2671][2675]
My mind as generous and my shape as true,[2671]
As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us[2671][2676]
With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base?[2671][2677] 10
Who in the lusty stealth of nature take[2671]
More composition and fierce quality[2671]
Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed,[2671][2678]
Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops,[2671][2679]
Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well then,[2671][2680] 15
Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land:[2671]
Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund[2671]
As to the legitimate: fine word,'legitimate!'[2671][2681]
Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed[2671]
And my invention thrive, Edmund the base[2671][2676] 20
Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper:[2671][2682]
Now, gods, stand up for bastards![2671]

_Enter_ GLOUCESTER.[2671]

_Glou._ Kent banish'd thus! and France in choler parted![2671][2683][2684]
And the king gone to-night! subscribed his power![2671][2684][2685]
Confined to exhibition! All this done[2671][2684][2686] 25
Upon the gad! Edmund, how now! what news?[2671][2684]

_Edm._ So please your lordship, none.

[_Putting up the letter._[2687]

_Glou._ Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter?[2688]

_Edm._ I know no news, my lord.

_Glou._ What paper were you reading? 30

_Edm._ Nothing, my lord.

_Glou._ No? What needed then that terrible dispatch of[2689]
it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath not such
need to hide itself. Let's see: come, if it be nothing, I shall[2690]
not need spectacles. 35

_Edm._ I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter from[2691]
my brother, that I have not all o'er-read; and for so much[2692]
as I have perused, I find it not fit for your o'er-looking.[2693]

_Glou._ Give me the letter, sir.

_Edm._ I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The[2694] 40
contents, as in part I understand them, are to blame.[2694][2695]

_Glou._ Let's see, let's see.

_Edm._ I hope, for my brother's justification, he wrote
this but as an essay or taste of my virtue.[2696]

_Glou._ [_Reads_] 'This policy and reverence of age makes[2697] 45
the world bitter to the best of our times; keeps our fortunes[2698]
from us till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find
an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny;
who sways, not as it hath power, but as it is suffered. Come[2699]
to me, that of this I may speak more. If our father would 50
sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue for
ever, and live the beloved of your brother, EDGAR.'
Hum! Conspiracy!--'Sleep till I waked him, you should[2700]
enjoy half his revenue!'--My son Edgar! Had he a hand
to write this? a heart and brain to breed it in? When[2701] 55
came this to you? who brought it?[2702]

_Edm._ It was not brought me, my lord; there's the cunning
of it; I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet.

_Glou._ You know the character to be your brother's?

_Edm._ If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear 60
it were his; but, in respect of that, I would fain think it[2703][2704]
were not.[2703]

_Glou._ It is his.[2705]

_Edm._ It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his heart is[2706]
not in the contents. 65

_Glou._ Hath he never heretofore sounded you in this[2707]
business?

_Edm._ Never, my lord: but I have heard him oft maintain[2708]
it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, and fathers declining,[2709]
the father should be as ward to the son, and the[2710] 70
son manage his revenue.[2711]

_Glou._ O villain, villain! His very opinion in the letter!
Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain!
worse than brutish! Go, sirrah, seek him; ay, apprehend[2712]
him: abominable villain! Where is he? 75

_Edm._ I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please[2713]
you to suspend your indignation against my brother till you
can derive from him better testimony of his intent, you[2714]
should run a certain course; where, if you violently proceed[2715]
against him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a great 80
gap in your own honour and shake in pieces the heart of[2716]
his obedience. I dare pawn down my life for him that he[2717]
hath wrote this to feel my affection to your honour and to[2718]
no further pretence of danger.[2719]

_Glou._ Think you so? 85

_Edm._ If your honour judge it meet, I will place you
where you shall hear us confer of this and by an auricular[2720]
assurance have your satisfaction, and that without any further
delay than this very evening.

_Glou._ He cannot be such a monster--[2721] 90

_Edm._ Nor is not, sure.[2722]

_Glou._ To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves[2722]
him. Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him out; wind me[2722][2723]
into him, I pray you: frame the business after your own[2724]
wisdom. I would unstate myself, to be in a due resolution. 95

_Edm._ I will seek him, sir, presently, convey the business[2725]
as I shall find means, and acquaint you withal.[2726]

_Glou._ These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend[2727][2728]
no good to us: though the wisdom of nature can reason it[2729]
thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent[2730] 100
effects: love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide:
in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces,[2731]
treason; and the bond cracked 'twixt son and father. This[2732][2733]
villain of mine comes under the prediction; there's son[2733]
against father: the king falls from bias of nature; there's[2733] 105
father against child. We have seen the best of our time:[2733]
machinations, hollowness, treachery and all ruinous disorders[2733]
follow us disquietly to our graves. Find out this[2733]
villain, Edmund; it shall lose thee nothing; do it carefully.[2734]
And the noble and true-hearted Kent banished! his offence, 110
honesty! 'Tis strange. [_Exit._[2735]

_Edm._ This is the excellent foppery of the world, that[2736]
when we are sick in fortune--often the surfeit of our own[2737]
behaviour--we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the
moon and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity,[2738] 115
fools by heavenly compulsion, knaves, thieves and treachers,[2739]
by spherical predominance, drunkards, liars and adulterers,[2740]
by an enforced obedience of planetary influence;
and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on: an admirable
evasion of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish 120
disposition to the charge of a star! My father compounded[2741]
with my mother under the dragon's tail, and my nativity
was under Ursa major; so that it follows I am rough and
lecherous. Tut, I should have been that I am, had the[2742]
maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my[2743] 125
bastardizing. Edgar--[2744][2745][2746]

_Enter_ EDGAR.

And pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old comedy:[2744][2745]
my cue is villanous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o'[2745][2747]
Bedlam. O, these eclipses do portend these divisions! fa,[2745][2748][2749]
sol, la, mi.[2749][2750] 130

_Edg._ How now, brother Edmund! what serious contemplation
are you in?

_Edm._ I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read
this other day, what should follow these eclipses.[2727]

_Edg._ Do you busy yourself about that?[2751] 135

_Edm._ I promise you, the effects he writ of succeed[2752]
unhappily; as of unnaturalness between the child and the[2753]
parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities;[2753][2754]
divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and[2753]
nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends,[2753] 140
dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what.[2753][2755]

_Edg._ How long have you been a sectary astronomical?[2753]

_Edm._ Come, come; when saw you my father last?[2753]

_Edg._ Why, the night gone by.[2756]

_Edm._ Spake you with him? 145

_Edg._ Ay, two hours together.[2757]

_Edm._ Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure
in him by word or countenance?[2758]

_Edg._ None at all.

_Edm._ Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended[2759] 150
him: and at my entreaty forbear his presence till some[2760]
little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure, which
at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of[2761]
your person it would scarcely allay.[2762]

_Edg._ Some villain hath done me wrong. 155

_Edm._ That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent[2763]
forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower and, as I[2763]
say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly[2763]
bring you to hear my lord speak: pray ye, go; there's my[2763][2764]
key: if you do stir abroad, go armed.[2763] 160

_Edg._ Armed, brother![2763]

_Edm._ Brother, I advise you to the best: go armed: I[2763][2765]
am no honest man if there be any good meaning towards[2766]
you: I have told you what I have seen and heard; but[2767]
faintly, nothing like the image and horror of it: pray you,[2767] 165
away.

_Edg._ Shall I hear from you anon?

_Edm._ I do serve you in this business. [_Exit Edgar._[2768]
A credulous father, and a brother noble,
Whose nature is so far from doing harms 170
That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty
My practices ride easy. I see the business.
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit:
All with me's meet that I can fashion fit. [_Exit._[2769]

SCENE III. _The Duke of Albany's palace._

_Enter_ GONERIL _and_ OSWALD, _her steward_.[2770]

_Gon._ Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding
of his fool?

_Osw._ Yes, madam.[2771][2772]

_Gon._ By day and night he wrongs me; every hour[2773][2774]
He flashes into one gross crime or other,[2774] 5
That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it:
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us[2775]
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,[2776]
I will not speak with him; say I am sick:
If you come slack of former services, 10
You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.

_Osw._ He's coming, madam; I hear him. [_Horns within._[2777]

_Gon._ Put on what weary negligence you please,[2778][2779]
You and your fellows; I'ld have it come to question:[2778][2780]
If he distaste it, let him to our sister,[2778][2781] 15
Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,[2778]
Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man,[2782]
That still would manage those authorities[2782]
That he hath given away! Now, by my life,[2782]
Old fools are babes again, and must be used[2782][2783] 20
With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused.[2782][2784]
Remember what I tell you.

_Osw._ Very well, madam.[2785]

_Gon._ And let his knights have colder looks among you;[2786]
What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so:[2786][2787]
I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,[2788] 25
That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister,[2788][2789]
To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. [_Exeunt._[2789][2790]

SCENE IV. _A hall in the same._

_Enter_ KENT, _disguised_.[2791]

_Kent._ If but as well I other accents borrow,[2792][2793]
That can my speech defuse, my good intent[2792][2794]
May carry through itself to that full issue[2792]
For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent,[2792][2795]
If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,[2792] 5
So may it come, thy master whom thou lovest[2792][2796]
Shall find thee full of labours.[2792]

_Horns within. Enter_ LEAR, Knights, _and_ Attendants.[2797]

_Lear._ Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready.
[_Exit an Attendant._] How now! what art thou?[2798]

_Kent._ A man, sir. 10

_Lear._ What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou
with us?

_Kent._ I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve
him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest;
to converse with him that is wise and says little; to fear[2799] 15
judgement; to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish.

_Lear._ What art thou?[2800]

_Kent._ A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as
the king.

_Lear._ If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a[2801] 20
king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou?[2802]

_Kent._ Service.

_Lear._ Who wouldst thou serve?[2803]

_Kent._ You.

_Lear._ Dost thou know me, fellow? 25

_Kent._ No, sir; but you have that in your countenance
which I would fain call master.

_Lear._ What's that?[2804]

_Kent._ Authority.

_Lear._ What services canst thou do?[2805] 30

_Kent._ I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a[2806]
curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message
bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified
in, and the best of me is diligence.

_Lear._ How old art thou? 35

_Kent._ Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing,[2807]
nor so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my
back forty eight.

_Lear._ Follow me; thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no[2808][2809]
worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. Dinner,[2809][2810] 40
ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool? Go you, and[2810]
call my fool hither. [_Exit an Attendant._[2811]

_Enter_ OSWALD.[2812]

You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter?[2813]

_Osw._ So please you,-- [_Exit._[2814]

_Lear._ What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll[2815] 45
back. [_Exit a Knight._] Where's my fool, ho? I think[2816]
the world's asleep.

_Re-enter_ Knight.[2817]

How now! where's that mongrel?

_Knight._ He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.[2818]

_Lear._ Why came not the slave back to me when I 50
called him?

_Knight._ Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner,[2819][2820]
he would not.

_Lear._ He would not![2821]

_Knight._ My lord, I know not what the matter is; but,[2819] 55
to my judgement, your highness is not entertained with that
ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a great
abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants[2822]
as in the duke himself also and your daughter.

_Lear._ Ha! sayest thou so? 60

_Knight._ I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be[2819]
mistaken; for my duty cannot be silent when I think
your highness wronged.[2823]

_Lear._ Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception:[2824]
I have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I[2825] 65
have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as[2826]
a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: I will look[2827]
further into't. But where's my fool? I have not seen him[2828]
this two days.[2829]

_Knight._ Since my young lady's going into France, sir,[2830] 70
the fool hath much pined away.

_Lear._ No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you,[2831]
and tell my daughter I would speak with her. [_Exit an[2832]
Attendant._] Go you, call hither my fool. [_Exit an Attendant._

_Re-enter_ OSWALD.[2833]

O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am I, sir?[2834] 75

_Osw._ My lady's father.

_Lear._ My lady's father! my lord's knave: you whoreson
dog! you slave! you cur!

_Osw._ I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your[2835][2836][2837]
pardon.[2835][2837] 80

_Lear._ Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?

[_Striking him._[2838]

_Osw._ I'll not be struck, my lord.[2839]

_Kent._ Nor tripped neither, you base foot-ball player.[2840]

[_Tripping up his heels._

_Lear._ I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll[2841]
love thee.[2841] 85

_Kent._ Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences:[2842]
away, away! If you will measure your lubber's length again,[2843]
tarry: but away! go to; have you wisdom? so.[2844]

[_Pushes Oswald out._

_Lear._ Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's[2845]
earnest of thy service. [_Giving Kent money._[2846] 90

_Enter_ Fool.

_Fool._ Let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb.[2847]

[_Offering Kent his cap._

_Lear._ How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou?

_Fool._ Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.

_Kent._ Why, fool?[2848]

_Fool._ Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour:[2849] 95
nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch[2850]
cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb: why, this fellow hath[2851]
banished two on's daughters, and done the third a blessing[2852]
against his will; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear
my coxcomb. How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs 100
and two daughters![2853]

_Lear._ Why, my boy?

_Fool._ If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs[2854]
myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters.

_Lear._ Take heed, sirrah; the whip. 105

_Fool._ Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped[2855]
out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and[2856]
stink.

_Lear._ A pestilent gall to me![2857]

_Fool._ Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.[2858] 110

_Lear._ Do.[2859]

_Fool._ Mark it, nuncle:[2860]
Have more than thou showest,[2861]
Speak less than thou knowest,[2861]
Lend less than thou owest,[2861] 115
Ride more than thou goest,[2861]
Learn more than thou trowest,[2861]
Set less than thou throwest;[2861]
Leave thy drink and thy whore,[2861]
And keep in-a-door,[2861][2862] 120
And thou shalt have more[2861]
Than two tens to a score.[2861]

_Kent._ This is nothing, fool.[2863]

_Fool._ Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer,[2864]
you gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of[2865] 125
nothing, nuncle?[2866]

_Lear._ Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of
nothing.

_Fool._ [To Kent] Prithee, tell him, so much the rent of[2867]
his land comes to: he will not believe a fool. 130

_Lear._ A bitter fool![2868]

_Fool._ Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between[2868][2869]
a bitter fool and a sweet fool?[2868][2870]

_Lear._ No, lad; teach me.[2868]

_Fool._ That lord that counsell'd thee[2871][2872][2873] 135
To give away thy land,[2872][2873]
Come place him here by me;[2872][2873]
Do thou for him stand:[2872][2873][2874]
The sweet and bitter fool[2872][2873]
Will presently appear;[2872][2873]
The one in motley here,[2872][2873] 140
The other found out there.[2872][2873]

_Lear._ Dost thou call me fool, boy?[2872][2875]

_Fool._ All thy other titles thou hast given away; that[2872]
thou wast born with.[2872] 145

_Kent._ This is not altogether fool, my lord.[2872]

_Fool._ No, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if[2872]
I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't: and[2872][2876][2877]
ladies too, they will not let me have all the fool to
myself;[2872][2877][2878]
they'll be snatching. Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give[2872][2879] 150
thee two crowns.

_Lear._ What two crowns shall they be?

_Fool._ Why, after I have cut the egg in the middle and[2880]
eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou
clovest thy crown i' the middle and gavest away both parts,[2881] 155
thou borest thine ass on thy back o'er the dirt: thou hadst[2882]
little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavest thy golden
one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipped[2883]
that first finds it so.[2884]
[_Singing_] Fools had ne'er less wit in a year;[2885][2886] 160
For wise men are grown foppish,
And know not how their wits to wear,[2887]
Their manners are so apish.

_Lear._ When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah?[2888]

_Fool._ I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy[2889] 165
daughters thy mother: for when thou gavest them the rod[2890]
and puttest down thine own breeches,
[_Singing_] Then they for sudden joy did weep,[2885][2891][2892]
And I for sorrow sung,[2892]
That such a king should play bo-peep,[2892] 170
And go the fools among.[2892][2893]

Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy
fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.[2894]

_Lear._ An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped.[2895]

_Fool._ I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are: 175
they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have me[2896]
whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding[2897]
my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool:[2898]
and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy
wit o' both sides and left nothing i' the middle. Here comes[2899] 180
one o' the parings.[2898][2900]

_Enter_ GONERIL.

_Lear._ How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on?[2901][2902][2903]
Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown.[2902][2904]

_Fool._ Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no
need to care for her frowning; now thou art an O without[2905] 185
a figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, thou
art nothing. [_To Gon._] Yes, forsooth, I will hold my[2906]
tongue; so your face bids me, though you say nothing.

Mum, mum:[2907]
He that keeps nor crust nor crumb,[2908] 190
Weary of all, shall want some.
[_Pointing to Lear_] That's a shealed peascod.[2909]

_Gon._ Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool,[2910][2911]
But other of your insolent retinue[2910][2912]
Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth[2910] 195
In rank and not to be endured riots. Sir,[2910][2913]
I had thought, by making this well known unto you,[2910][2914]
To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,[2910]
By what yourself too late have spoke and done,[2910]
That you protect this course and put it on[2910][2915] 200
By your allowance; which if you should, the fault[2910][2916][2917]
Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep,[2910][2917][2918]
Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,[2910]
Might in their working do you that offence[2910]
Which else were shame, that then necessity[2910][2919] 205
Will call discreet proceeding.[2910][2920]

_Fool._ For, you know, nuncle,[2921]
The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,[2922]
That it had it head bit off by it young.[2922][2923]
So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. 210

_Lear._ Are you our daughter?

_Gon._ Come, sir,[2924]
I would you would make use of that good wisdom[2925][2926]
Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away[2925][2927]
These dispositions that of late transform you[2925][2928] 215
From what you rightly are.[2925]

_Fool._ May not an ass know when the cart draws the
horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee.

_Lear._ Doth any here know me? This is not Lear:[2929][2930]
Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?[2931] 220
Either his notion weakens, his discernings[2932]
Are lethargied--Ha! waking? 'tis not so.[2933]
Who is it that can tell me who I am?[2929][2934]

_Fool._ Lear's shadow.[2935]

_Lear._ I would learn that; for, by the marks of[2936][2937] 225
sovereignty knowledge and reason, I should be false[2936][2938]
persuaded I had daughters.[2936]

_Fool._ Which they will make an obedient father.[2936][2939][2940]

_Lear._ Your name, fair gentlewoman?[2939]

_Gon._ This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour[2941][2942] 230
Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you[2941]
To understand my purposes aright:[2941][2943]
As you are old and reverend, you should be wise.[2941][2944]
Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires;[2941][2945]
Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold,[2941][2946] 235
That this our court, infected with their manners,[2941]
Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust[2941][2947]
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel[2941][2948]
Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak[2941][2949]
For instant remedy: be then desired[2941][2950] 240
By her that else will take the thing she begs[2941]
A little to disquantity your train,[2941][2951]
And the remainder that shall still depend,[2941][2952]
To be such men as may besort your age,[2941]
Which know themselves and you.[2941][2953]

_Lear._ Darkness and devils![2941] 245
Saddle my horses; call my train together.[2941]
Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee:[2941]
Yet have I left a daughter.[2941]

_Gon._ You strike my people, and your disorder'd rabble[2954]
Make servants of their betters.[2954] 250

_Enter_ ALBANY.[2955]

_Lear._ Woe, that too late repents,--[_To Alb._] O, sir,
are you come?[2956]
Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses.[2957]
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,
More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child
Than the sea-monster![2958]

_Alb._ Pray, sir, be patient.[2959][2960] 255

_Lear._ [_To Gon._] Detested kite! thou liest.[2959][2961][2962]
My train are men of choice and rarest parts,[2962]
That all particulars of duty know,
And in the most exact regard support
The worships of their name. O most small fault,[2963] 260
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!
That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature[2964]
From the fix'd place, drew from my heart all love
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear![2965]
Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in [_Striking his head._[2966] 265
And thy dear judgement out! Go, go, my people.[2967]

_Alb._ My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant[2968]
Of what hath moved you.[2969]

_Lear._ It may be so, my lord.[2970]
Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear![2970][2971]
Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend[2970] 270
To make this creature fruitful:[2970]
Into her womb convey sterility:
Dry up in her the organs of increase,
And from her derogate body never spring[2972]
A babe to honour her! If she must teem, 275
Create her child of spleen, that it may live
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her.[2973]
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;[2974]
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits[2975] 280
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel[2976]
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child! Away, away! [_Exit._[2977]

_Alb._ Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?[2978]

_Gon._ Never afflict yourself to know the cause,[2979] 285
But let his disposition have that scope
That dotage gives it.

_Re-enter_ LEAR.[2980]

_Lear._ What, fifty of my followers at a clap!
Within a fortnight!

_Alb._ What's the matter, sir?[2981]

_Lear._ I'll tell thee. [_To Gon._] Life and death! I am
ashamed[2982] 290
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus;
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,[2983]
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee![2984][2985]
The untented woundings of a father's curse[2985]
Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes,[2986] 295
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out[2987]
And cast you with the waters that you lose,[2988]
To temper clay. Yea, is it come to this?[2989]
Let it be so: yet have I left a daughter,[2990]
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable:[2991] 300
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find[2992]
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever: thou shalt, I warrant thee.

[_Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants._[2993]

_Gon._ Do you mark that, my lord?[2994] 305

_Alb._ I cannot be so partial, Goneril,
To the great love I bear you,--[2995][2996]

_Gon._ Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho![2995][2997][2998]
[_To the Fool_] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your
master.[2995][2997][2999]

_Fool_. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry; take the fool[3000][3001] 310
with thee.[3000][3002]

A fox, when one has caught her,[3002]
And such a daughter,
Should sure to the slaughter,
If my cap would buy a halter:[3003] 315
So the fool follows after. [_Exit._[3004]

_Gon_. This man hath had good counsel: a hundred knights![3005][3006]
'Tis politic and safe to let him keep[3005][3007]
At point a hundred knights: yes, that on every dream,[3008]
Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, 320
He may enguard his dotage with their powers
And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say![3009]

_Alb._ Well, you may fear too far.

_Gon._ Safer than trust too far:[3010]
Let me still take away the harms I fear,
Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart.[3011] 325
What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister:
If she sustain him and his hundred knights,[3012]
When I have show'd the unfitness,--

_Re-enter_ OSWALD.[3013]

How now, Oswald![3014]
What, have you writ that letter to my sister?[3014][3015]

_Osw._ Yes, madam.[3016] 330

_Gon._ Take you some company, and away to horse:[3017]
Inform her full of my particular fear,[3018]
And thereto add such reasons of your own
As may compact it more. Get you gone;[3019]
And hasten your return. [_Exit Oswald._] No, no, my lord,[3020] 335
This milky gentleness and course of yours[3021]
Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,[3022]
You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom[3023]
Than praised for harmful mildness.[3024]

_Alb._ How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell:[3025] 340
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.[3025][3026]

_Gon._ Nay, then--[3027]

_Alb._ Well, well; the event. [_Exeunt._[3028]

SCENE V. _Court before the same._

_Enter_ LEAR, KENT, _and_ Fool.[3029]

_Lear._ Go you before to Gloucester with these letters.[3030]
Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know
than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence
be not speedy, I shall be there afore you.[3031]

_Kent._ I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered 5
your letter. [_Exit._

_Fool._ If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in[3032]
danger of kibes?

_Lear._ Ay, boy.

_Fool._ Then, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall ne'er go[3033] 10
slip-shod.

_Lear._ Ha, ha, ha!

_Fool._ Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly;
for though she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet I[3034]
can tell what I can tell.[3035] 15

_Lear._ Why, what canst thou tell, boy?[3036]

_Fool._ She will taste as like this as a crab does to a[3037]
crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle[3038]
on's face?[3039]

_Lear._ No. 20

_Fool._ Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose,[3040]
that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into.[3041]

_Lear._ I did her wrong--[3042]

_Fool._ Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell?[3043]

_Lear._ No. 25

_Fool._ Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a
house.

_Lear._ Why?

_Fool._ Why, to put's head in; not to give it away to his[3044]
daughters, and leave his horns without a case.[3045] 30

_Lear._ I will forget my nature.--So kind a father!--Be
my horses ready?

_Fool._ Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why[3046]
the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason.[3047]

_Lear._ Because they are not eight?[3048] 35

_Fool._ Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool.[3049]

_Lear._ To take 't again perforce! Monster ingratitude![3050]

_Fool._ If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'ld have thee beaten[3051]
for being old before thy time.

_Lear._ How's that? 40

_Fool._ Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst[3052]
been wise.

_Lear._ O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven![3053][3054]
Keep me in temper: I would not be mad![3053]

_Enter_ Gentleman.[3055]

How now! are the horses ready?[3056] 45

_Gent._ Ready, my lord.[3057]

_Lear._ Come, boy.[3058]

_Fool._ She that's a maid now and laughs at my departure[3059]
Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter.[3060]

[_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[2424] ACT I. SCENE I.] Actus Primus. Scæna Prima. Ff. See note (I).

King Lear's palace.] A Palace. Rowe. The King's Palace. Theobald. A State-room in King Lear's Palace. Capell.

Edmund.] F₄. Edmond. F₁ F₂ F₃. Bastard. Qq.

[2425] Kent. _I ... coming._] Spurious, according to Seymour.

[2426] _I thought ... moiety._] Verse, S. Walker conj., ending the lines _Duke ... always ... division ... dukes ... pois'd ... choice ... moiety._

[2427] _so_] om. F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2428] _of the ... of the_] _O' th' ... o' th'_ S. Walker conj.

_kingdom_] F₄. _kingdome_ F₁ F₂ F₃. _kingdomes_ Qq.

[2429] _equalities_] Q₁ Q₂. _qualities_ Ff. _equalties_ Q₃.

_weighed_] _pois'd_ So quoted by S. Walker.

[2430] _to it_] Qq. _too't_ F₁ F₂. _to't_ F₃ F₄.

[2431] _sir, a son_] _sir a sonne_ Q₁ Q₂. _a sonne, sir_ F₁ F₂. _a sonne_ Q₃. _a son, sir_ F₃ F₄.

_year_] _yeares_ Q₃.

[2432] _this, ... account:_] _this, ... account;_ Theobald. _this, ... account,_ Qq. _this; ... account,_ Ff.

[2433] _something_] _somewhat_ F₃ F₄.

_into_] Q₁ Q₂. _to_ Ff. _in_ Q₃.

[2434] _and the_] _and he_ Q₃.

[2435] _noble gentleman_] Q₁ Q₂ F₁. _nobleman_ F₂ F₃ F₄. _noble gentlemen_ Q₃.

[2436] Edm.] Ff. Bast. Qq. (and throughout).

[2437] _My ... friend._] Prose in Q₁ Q₂. Two lines, the first ending _Kent,_ in Ff. See note (II).

[2438] _deserving_] _your deserving_ Pope.

[2439] _again._] _again._ [Trumpets sound, within. Theobald.

[2440] Sennet.] Ff. Sound a Sennet, Q₁ Q₂. Sunday a Cornet, Q₃.

Enter one bearing a coronet, King ... Attendants.] Enter King ... Attendants. Ff. Enter one bearing a Coronet, then Lear, then the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall, next Gonorill, Regan, Cordelia, with followers. Qq.

[2441] SCENE II. Pope.

_the lords_] Ff. _my lords_ Qq.

_Gloucester_] om. Pope.

[2442] _my liege_] Q₁ Q₃. _my leige_ Q₂. _my Lord_ Ff.

[Exeunt....] Capell. Exit. Ff. om. Qq.

[2443] _shall_] F₃ F₄. _shal_ F₁ F₂. _will_ Qq.

_darker_] _dark_ Q₃.

_purpose_] Ff. _purposes_ Qq.

[2444] _Give ... there._] F₁ F₂. _The map there;_ Qq. _Give me the map here._ F₃ F₄.

_Know_] Qq. _Know, that_ Ff.

[2445] _In_] _Into_ F₄.

_our_] om. Q₃.

_fast_] Ff. _first_ Qq. om. Pope. See note (III).

[2446] _from our age_] Ff. _of our state_ Qq.

[2447] _Conferring_] Ff. _Confirming_ Qq.

_strengths,_] Ff. _yeares_, Qq.

[2448] _while we ... now._] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[2449] _loving son_] _lov'd_ Seymour conj.

[2450] _daughters'_] Capell. _daughters_ F₁ F₂. _daughter's_ F₃ F₄.

[2451] _now_] om. Hanmer.

_The princes_] Ff. _The two great princes_ Qq. om. Seymour conj.

[2452] _youngest_] Q₁ Q₂ _yongest_ F₁ Q₃. _yonger_ F₂. _younger_ F₃ F₄.

[2453] _Tell me, my_] _Tell my_ F₃ F₄. _Tell me,_ Pope.

[2454] _Since ... state,_] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[2455] _cares_] _and cares_ Hanmer.

[2456] _Where ... challenge._] Ff. _Where merit doth most challenge it:_ Qq, ending the line at _it_. Capell, reading with Qq, divides the lines as Ff.

[2457] _Our ... more_] As one line, S. Walker conj.

[2458] _Sir,_] Put in a line by itself, Johnson. Erased in Collier MS.

_Sir, I love_] _Sir, I Do love_ Steevens, ending line 52 at _I_.

_Sir, I ... matter,_] _I love you sir,_ Pope. _Sir, I do love you Far more ... matter: love you_ Capell.

_I love_] Ff. _I do love_ Qq.

_words_] Qq. _word_ Ff.

_wield_] Q₁ Q₃ F₄. _weild_ Q₂ F₁ F₂ F₃. _yield_ Capell conj.

[2459] _and_] Ff. _or_ Qq.

[2460] _much as_] Ff. _much a_ Qq.

_e'er_] _e're_ F₃ F₄. _ere_ Q₁ Q₂ F₁ F₂. _eare_ Q₃.

_found_] Ff. _friend_ Qq.

[2461] _manner of so_] _manner. So_ Becket conj.

[2462] [Aside] Pope. om. Qq Ff.

_do?_] Pope. _do,_ Qq. _speake?_ F₁ F₂. _speak?_ F₃ F₄.

[2463] _shadowy_] Ff. _shady_ Qq.

[2464] _and with ... rivers_] Ff. Omitted in Qq.

[2465] _champains_] F₁. _champions_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2466] _Albany's_] F₄. _Albanies_ Q₁ F₁ F₂. _Albaines_ Q₂. _Albaenids_ Q₃. _Albanie's_ F₃.

_issue_] Qq. _issues_ Ff.

[2467] _What says_] om. Seymour conj.

[2468] _wife to_] Q₁ Q₂. _wife of_ Ff Q₃.

_Cornwall? Speak._] Pope. _Cornwall, speake._ Q₁ Q₃. _Cornwell, speake?_ Q₂. _Cornwall?_ Ff (omitting _Speak_).

[2469] _I am_] Ff. _Sir I am_ Qq. _I'm_ Pope. _Sir, I'm_ Dyce, ed. 2, putting _Sir_ in a separate line.

_that self metal_] _that selfe-mettle_ F₁ F₂. _that self-metal_ F₃ F₄. _the selfe-same mettall_ Q₁. _the selfe same mettall_ Q₂. _the selfe-same mettell_ Q₃.

_as my sister_] Ff. _that my sister is_ Qq.

[2470] _me_] _you_ Mason conj.

_worth. In ... heart_] _worth. In ... heart,_ Ff. _worth in ... heart,_ Qq. _worth, in ... heart._ Theobald (Bishop conj.) _worth, in ... heart_ Tyrwhitt conj.

[2471] _I find ... joys,_] Three lines in Ff. Two, the first ending _short_, in Qq.

[2472] _comes too short_] Ff. _came short_ Qq.

_short:_] Theobald. _short,_ Qq Ff.

_that_] _in that_ Keightley.

[2473] _precious square_] _precious spirit_ Hanmer. _spacious sphere_ Singer (ed. 2). _precious sphere_ Collier (Collier MS.) _spacious square_ Keightley (Grant White conj. withdrawn).

_sense_] _sense'_ Smith apud Grey conj.

_possesses_] Qq. _professes_ Ff.

_precious treasure_ Bailey conj.

[2474] _And ... love._] As in Ff. One line in Qq.

[2475] _alone_] _all one_ Q₃.

[2476] [Aside] Pope. om Qq Ff.

[2477] _Then ... tongue._] As in Ff. Two lines, the first ending _sure,_ in Qq.

[2478] _Cordelia_] _Cord._ Q₂.

[2479] _love's_] Q₁ Ff Q₃. _loves_ Q₂.

[2480] _love's ... tongue._] _love, ... tongue, outvalues theirs._ Seymour conj.

[2481] _ponderous_] Ff. _richer_ Qq. _plenteous_ Collier MS. _precious_ Grant White conj.

_my tongue_] _their tongue_ Warburton conj.

[2482] _conferr'd_] Ff. _confirm'd_ Qq.

[2483] See note (IV).

[2484] _Now_] Ff. _but now_ Qq.

[2485] _the last, not_] Qq. _our last and_ Ff. _our last, not_ Pope.

_least, ... love_] _least; ... love,_ Ff. _least in our deere love,_ Qq. _least; in whose young love_ Hanmer.

[2486] _interess'd_] Malone. _interest_ Ff. _int'ress'd_ Theobald.

_can you say_] _say you_ Pope.

_draw_] Ff. _win_ Qq.

[2487] _opulent_] _opilent_ F₁.

[2488] Lear. _Nothing!_ Cor. _Nothing._] Omitted in Qq. Lear. _How!_ Cor. _Nothing._ Capell.

[2489] _Nothing will come_] Ff. _How, nothing can come_ Qq.

[2490] _Unhappy ... less_] As in Ff. Prose in Qq.

[2491] _heave_] _have_ Q₃.

[2492] _nor more_] Qq. _no more_ Ff.

[2493] _How, how, Cordelia!_] _Go too, go too,_ Q₁ Q₃. _Goe to, goe to,_ Q₂.

_mend_] _mend me_ Capell, reading with Qq.

[2494] _it_] Qq. _you_ Ff.

[2495] _begot_] _bgot_ Q₁ (Cap.)

[2496] _I ... fit,_] As in Pope. One line in Qq Ff.

[2497] _are_] _is_ Keightley.

[2498] _Why ... all?_] As in Ff. One line in Qq.

[2499] _Haply_] Q₁ Q₃. _Happely_ Q₂. _Happily_ Ff.

[2500] _Haply ... never_] Arranged as in Ff. Three lines, ending _hand ... him, ... never,_ in Qq.

[2501] _marry_] _Matry_ Q₁ (Cap.) _Mary_ Q₂.

[2502] _marry ... all._] Arranged as in Pope. One line in Qq.

[2503] _To ... all._] Qq. Omitted in Ff.

[2504] _thy heart with this?_] Ff. _this with thy heart!_ Qq (tis Q₃).

_Ay, good my_] _I good my_ Q₁ Q₂. _I goe my_ Q₃. _I my good_ Ff.

[2505] _Let_] Ff. _Well let_ Qq.

_thy truth_] _the truth_ F₃ F₄.

[2506] _mysteries_] F₂ F₃ F₄. _mistresse_ Qq. _miseries_ F₁.

_Hecate_] F₃ F₄. _Heccat_ Qq F₁. _Hecat_ F₂.

_night_] Ff. _might_ Qq.

[2507] _operation_] Qq F₁. _operations_ F₂ F₃ F₄.

[2508] _this_] _this tyme_ Anon. conj. MS. See note (V).

_ever. The_] Ff. _ever, the_ Qq.

_barbarous_] _barbarious_ Q₃.

[2509] _Or ... appetite,_] Arranged as in Ff. Two lines, the first ending _generation,_ in Qq.

[2510] _shall to my bosom Be_] Ff. _Shall be_ Q₁ Q₃. _Shall bee_ Q₂.

[2511] _liege,--_] _liege--_ Rowe. _liege._ Qq Ff.

[2512] _Peace ... wrath._] As in Ff. One line in Qq.

_Peace, Kent!... between_] _Peace,--come not 'tween_ Seymour conj.

[2513] _and_] om. Pope.

[To Cor. Rowe. To Kent. Heath conj.

[2514] _Burgundy._] _Burgundy--_ Rowe. _Burgundy,_ Qq Ff.

[Exit an Att. Capell. Exit Edmund. Capell conj. MS.

[2515] _daughters' dowers_] Warburton. _daughters dowres_ F₁ F₃ F₄. _daughters dower_ Qq. _daughters, dowres_ F₂.

_this_] Qq. _the_ Ff.

[2516] _with_] Ff. _in_ Qq.

[2517] _Pre-eminence_] Malone. _Preheminence_ Qq Ff.