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1. Act I, Scene 1
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0
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King Lear’s Palace.
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1
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Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund. [Kent and Gloucester converse. Edmund stands back.]
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2
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Earl of Kent.
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3
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I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than
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Cornwall.
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Earl of Gloucester.
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It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of the
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kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values most, for
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8
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equalities are so weigh'd that curiosity in neither can make
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choice of either's moiety.
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10
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Earl of Kent.
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11
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Is not this your son, my lord?
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12
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Earl of Gloucester.
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13
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His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often
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blush'd to acknowledge him that now I am braz'd to't.
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Earl of Kent.
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I cannot conceive you.
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Earl of Gloucester.
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Sir, this young fellow's mother could; whereupon she grew
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round-womb'd, and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she
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had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?
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Earl of Kent.
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I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so
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proper.
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Earl of Gloucester.
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But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than
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this, who yet is no dearer in my account. Though this knave came
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something saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was
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his mother fair, there was good sport at his making, and the
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whoreson must be acknowledged.- Do you know this noble gentleman,
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Edmund?
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31
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Edmund.
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[comes forward]No, my lord.
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Earl of Gloucester.
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34
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My Lord of Kent. Remember him hereafter as my honourable
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friend.
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36
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Edmund.
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37
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My services to your lordship.
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38
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Earl of Kent.
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I must love you, and sue to know you better.
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40
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Edmund.
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41
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Sir, I shall study deserving.
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42
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Earl of Gloucester.
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43
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He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again.
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44
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[Sound a sennet.]
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The King is coming.
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46
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Enter one bearing a coronet; then Lear; then the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall; next, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, with Followers.
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47
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Lear.
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48
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Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.
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49
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Earl of Gloucester.
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I shall, my liege.
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51
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Exeunt [Gloucester and Edmund].
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52
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Lear.
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53
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Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.
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54
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Give me the map there. Know we have divided
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In three our kingdom; and 'tis our fast intent
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To shake all cares and business from our age,
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Conferring them on younger strengths while we
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Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall,
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59
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And you, our no less loving son of Albany,
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We have this hour a constant will to publish
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61
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Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife
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May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy,
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Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,
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Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,
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And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters
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(Since now we will divest us both of rule,
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Interest of territory, cares of state),
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Which of you shall we say doth love us most?
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That we our largest bounty may extend
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Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril,
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Our eldest-born, speak first.
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Goneril.
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73
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Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter;
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Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty;
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Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
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No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;
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As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found;
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A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable.
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Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
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80
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Cordelia.
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81
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[aside]What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent.
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82
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Lear.
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83
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Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,
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With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,
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85
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With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,
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86
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We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue
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87
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Be this perpetual.- What says our second daughter,
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Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.
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Regan.
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90
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Sir, I am made
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Of the selfsame metal that my sister is,
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92
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And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
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I find she names my very deed of love;
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Only she comes too short, that I profess
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Myself an enemy to all other joys
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Which the most precious square of sense possesses,
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And find I am alone felicitate
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In your dear Highness' love.
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Cordelia.
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100
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[aside]Then poor Cordelia!
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And yet not so; since I am sure my love's
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More richer than my tongue.
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103
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Lear.
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104
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To thee and thine hereditary ever
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Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom,
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No less in space, validity, and pleasure
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Than that conferr'd on Goneril.- Now, our joy,
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Although the last, not least; to whose young love
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109
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The vines of France and milk of Burgundy
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110
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Strive to be interest; what can you say to draw
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111
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A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.
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112
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Cordelia.
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113
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Nothing, my lord.
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114
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Lear.
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115
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Nothing?
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116
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Cordelia.
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117
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Nothing.
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118
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Lear.
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119
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Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again.
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120
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Cordelia.
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121
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Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
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122
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My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty
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According to my bond; no more nor less.
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124
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Lear.
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125
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How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little,
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126
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Lest it may mar your fortunes.
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127
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Cordelia.
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128
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Good my lord,
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You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me; I
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Return those duties back as are right fit,
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Obey you, love you, and most honour you.
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132
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Why have my sisters husbands, if they say
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They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,
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134
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That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry
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Half my love with him, half my care and duty.
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136
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Sure I shall never marry like my sisters,
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To love my father all.
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138
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Lear.
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139
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But goes thy heart with this?
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140
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Cordelia.
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141
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Ay, good my lord.
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142
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Lear.
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143
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So young, and so untender?
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144
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Cordelia.
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145
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So young, my lord, and true.
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Lear.
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147
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Let it be so! thy truth then be thy dower!
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148
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For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,
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149
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The mysteries of Hecate and the night;
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By all the operation of the orbs
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From whom we do exist and cease to be;
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Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
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Propinquity and property of blood,
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And as a stranger to my heart and me
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Hold thee from this for ever. The barbarous Scythian,
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Or he that makes his generation messes
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To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
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158
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Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd,
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As thou my sometime daughter.
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Earl of Kent.
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161
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Good my liege-
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Lear.
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163
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Peace, Kent!
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164
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Come not between the dragon and his wrath.
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165
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I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest
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166
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On her kind nursery.- Hence and avoid my sight!-
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167
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So be my grave my peace as here I give
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168
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Her father's heart from her! Call France! Who stirs?
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169
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Call Burgundy! Cornwall and Albany,
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With my two daughters' dowers digest this third;
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171
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Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her.
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I do invest you jointly in my power,
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Preeminence, and all the large effects
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That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course,
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With reservation of an hundred knights,
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By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode
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177
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Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain
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178
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The name, and all th' additions to a king. The sway,
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179
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Revenue, execution of the rest,
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180
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Beloved sons, be yours; which to confirm,
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181
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This coronet part betwixt you.
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Earl of Kent.
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183
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Royal Lear,
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184
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Whom I have ever honour'd as my king,
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Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd,
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186
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As my great patron thought on in my prayers-
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Lear.
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188
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The bow is bent and drawn; make from the shaft.
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189
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Earl of Kent.
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190
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Let it fall rather, though the fork invade
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191
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The region of my heart! Be Kent unmannerly
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192
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When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man?
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193
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Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak
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194
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When power to flattery bows? To plainness honour's bound
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195
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When majesty falls to folly. Reverse thy doom;
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196
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And in thy best consideration check
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197
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This hideous rashness. Answer my life my judgment,
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198
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Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least,
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199
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Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound
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200
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Reverbs no hollowness.
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201
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Lear.
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202
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Kent, on thy life, no more!
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203
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Earl of Kent.
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204
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My life I never held but as a pawn
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205
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To wage against thine enemies; nor fear to lose it,
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206
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Thy safety being the motive.
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207
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Lear.
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208
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Out of my sight!
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209
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Earl of Kent.
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210
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See better, Lear, and let me still remain
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211
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The true blank of thine eye.
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212
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Lear.
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213
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Now by Apollo-
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214
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Earl of Kent.
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215
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Now by Apollo, King,
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216
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Thou swear'st thy gods in vain.
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217
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Lear.
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218
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O vassal! miscreant![Lays his hand on his sword.]
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219
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Duke of Albany.
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220
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[with Cornwall]Dear sir, forbear!
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221
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Earl of Kent.
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222
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Do!
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223
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Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow
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224
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Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift,
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225
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Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat,
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226
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I'll tell thee thou dost evil.
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227
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Lear.
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228
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Hear me, recreant!
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229
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On thine allegiance, hear me!
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230
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Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow-
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231
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Which we durst never yet- and with strain'd pride
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232
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To come between our sentence and our power,-
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233
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Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,-
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234
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Our potency made good, take thy reward.
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235
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Five days we do allot thee for provision
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236
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To shield thee from diseases of the world,
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237
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And on the sixth to turn thy hated back
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238
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Upon our kingdom. If, on the tenth day following,
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239
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Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions,
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240
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The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter,
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241
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This shall not be revok'd.
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242
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Earl of Kent.
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243
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Fare thee well, King. Since thus thou wilt appear,
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244
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Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.
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245
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[To Cordelia]The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid,
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246
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That justly think'st and hast most rightly said!
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247
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[To Regan and Goneril]And your large speeches may your deeds
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248
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approve,
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249
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That good effects may spring from words of love.
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250
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Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu;
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251
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He'll shape his old course in a country new.[Exit.]
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252
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Flourish. Enter Gloucester, with France and Burgundy; Attendants.
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253
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Earl of Gloucester.
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254
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Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord.
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255
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Lear.
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256
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My Lord of Burgundy,
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257
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We first address toward you, who with this king
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258
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Hath rivall'd for our daughter. What in the least
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259
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Will you require in present dower with her,
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260
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Or cease your quest of love?
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261
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Duke of Burgundy.
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262
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Most royal Majesty,
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263
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I crave no more than hath your Highness offer'd,
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264
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Nor will you tender less.
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265
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Lear.
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266
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Right noble Burgundy,
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267
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When she was dear to us, we did hold her so;
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268
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But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands.
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269
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If aught within that little seeming substance,
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270
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Or all of it, with our displeasure piec'd,
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271
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And nothing more, may fitly like your Grace,
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272
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She's there, and she is yours.
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273
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Duke of Burgundy.
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274
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I know no answer.
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275
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Lear.
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276
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Will you, with those infirmities she owes,
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277
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Unfriended, new adopted to our hate,
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278
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Dow'r'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath,
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279
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Take her, or leave her?
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280
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Duke of Burgundy.
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281
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|
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Pardon me, royal sir.
|
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282
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Election makes not up on such conditions.
|
|
283
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Lear.
|
|
284
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|
|
Then leave her, sir; for, by the pow'r that made me,
|
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285
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|
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I tell you all her wealth.[To France]For you, great King,
|
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286
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I would not from your love make such a stray
|
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287
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|
|
To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you
|
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288
|
|
|
T' avert your liking a more worthier way
|
|
289
|
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|
Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd
|
|
290
|
|
|
Almost t' acknowledge hers.
|
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291
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|
King of France.
|
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292
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|
|
This is most strange,
|
|
293
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|
|
That she that even but now was your best object,
|
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294
|
|
|
The argument of your praise, balm of your age,
|
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295
|
|
|
Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time
|
|
296
|
|
|
Commit a thing so monstrous to dismantle
|
|
297
|
|
|
So many folds of favour. Sure her offence
|
|
298
|
|
|
Must be of such unnatural degree
|
|
299
|
|
|
That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection
|
|
300
|
|
|
Fall'n into taint; which to believe of her
|
|
301
|
|
|
Must be a faith that reason without miracle
|
|
302
|
|
|
Should never plant in me.
|
|
303
|
|
|
Cordelia.
|
|
304
|
|
|
I yet beseech your Majesty,
|
|
305
|
|
|
If for I want that glib and oily art
|
|
306
|
|
|
To speak and purpose not, since what I well intend,
|
|
307
|
|
|
I'll do't before I speak- that you make known
|
|
308
|
|
|
It is no vicious blot, murther, or foulness,
|
|
309
|
|
|
No unchaste action or dishonoured step,
|
|
310
|
|
|
That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour;
|
|
311
|
|
|
But even for want of that for which I am richer-
|
|
312
|
|
|
A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue
|
|
313
|
|
|
As I am glad I have not, though not to have it
|
|
314
|
|
|
Hath lost me in your liking.
|
|
315
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
316
|
|
|
Better thou
|
|
317
|
|
|
Hadst not been born than not t' have pleas'd me better.
|
|
318
|
|
|
King of France.
|
|
319
|
|
|
Is it but this- a tardiness in nature
|
|
320
|
|
|
Which often leaves the history unspoke
|
|
321
|
|
|
That it intends to do? My Lord of Burgundy,
|
|
322
|
|
|
What say you to the lady? Love's not love
|
|
323
|
|
|
When it is mingled with regards that stands
|
|
324
|
|
|
Aloof from th' entire point. Will you have her?
|
|
325
|
|
|
She is herself a dowry.
|
|
326
|
|
|
Duke of Burgundy.
|
|
327
|
|
|
Royal Lear,
|
|
328
|
|
|
Give but that portion which yourself propos'd,
|
|
329
|
|
|
And here I take Cordelia by the hand,
|
|
330
|
|
|
Duchess of Burgundy.
|
|
331
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
332
|
|
|
Nothing! I have sworn; I am firm.
|
|
333
|
|
|
Duke of Burgundy.
|
|
334
|
|
|
I am sorry then you have so lost a father
|
|
335
|
|
|
That you must lose a husband.
|
|
336
|
|
|
Cordelia.
|
|
337
|
|
|
Peace be with Burgundy!
|
|
338
|
|
|
Since that respects of fortune are his love,
|
|
339
|
|
|
I shall not be his wife.
|
|
340
|
|
|
King of France.
|
|
341
|
|
|
Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being poor;
|
|
342
|
|
|
Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd!
|
|
343
|
|
|
Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon.
|
|
344
|
|
|
Be it lawful I take up what's cast away.
|
|
345
|
|
|
Gods, gods! 'tis strange that from their cold'st neglect
|
|
346
|
|
|
My love should kindle to inflam'd respect.
|
|
347
|
|
|
Thy dow'rless daughter, King, thrown to my chance,
|
|
348
|
|
|
Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France.
|
|
349
|
|
|
Not all the dukes in wat'rish Burgundy
|
|
350
|
|
|
Can buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me.
|
|
351
|
|
|
Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind.
|
|
352
|
|
|
Thou losest here, a better where to find.
|
|
353
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
354
|
|
|
Thou hast her, France; let her be thine; for we
|
|
355
|
|
|
Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see
|
|
356
|
|
|
That face of hers again. Therefore be gone
|
|
357
|
|
|
Without our grace, our love, our benison.
|
|
358
|
|
|
Come, noble Burgundy.
|
| |
|
359
|
|
|
Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, [Cornwall, Albany, Gloucester, and Attendants].
|
| |
|
360
|
|
|
King of France.
|
|
361
|
|
|
Bid farewell to your sisters.
|
|
362
|
|
|
Cordelia.
|
|
363
|
|
|
The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes
|
|
364
|
|
|
Cordelia leaves you. I know you what you are;
|
|
365
|
|
|
And, like a sister, am most loath to call
|
|
366
|
|
|
Your faults as they are nam'd. Use well our father.
|
|
367
|
|
|
To your professed bosoms I commit him;
|
|
368
|
|
|
But yet, alas, stood I within his grace,
|
|
369
|
|
|
I would prefer him to a better place!
|
|
370
|
|
|
So farewell to you both.
|
|
371
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
372
|
|
|
Prescribe not us our duties.
|
|
373
|
|
|
Regan.
|
|
374
|
|
|
Let your study
|
|
375
|
|
|
Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you
|
|
376
|
|
|
At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,
|
|
377
|
|
|
And well are worth the want that you have wanted.
|
|
378
|
|
|
Cordelia.
|
|
379
|
|
|
Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides.
|
|
380
|
|
|
Who cover faults, at last shame them derides.
|
|
381
|
|
|
Well may you prosper!
|
|
382
|
|
|
King of France.
|
|
383
|
|
|
Come, my fair Cordelia.
|
| |
|
384
|
|
|
Exeunt France and Cordelia.
|
| |
|
385
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
386
|
|
|
Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly
|
|
387
|
|
|
appertains to us both. I think our father will hence to-night.
|
|
388
|
|
|
Regan.
|
|
389
|
|
|
That's most certain, and with you; next month with us.
|
|
390
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
391
|
|
|
You see how full of changes his age is. The observation we
|
|
392
|
|
|
have made of it hath not been little. He always lov'd our
|
|
393
|
|
|
sister most, and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her
|
|
394
|
|
|
off appears too grossly.
|
|
395
|
|
|
Regan.
|
|
396
|
|
|
'Tis the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but slenderly
|
|
397
|
|
|
known himself.
|
|
398
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
399
|
|
|
The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then
|
|
400
|
|
|
must we look to receive from his age, not alone the
|
|
401
|
|
|
imperfections of long-ingraffed condition, but therewithal
|
|
402
|
|
|
the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with
|
|
403
|
|
|
them.
|
|
404
|
|
|
Regan.
|
|
405
|
|
|
Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this
|
|
406
|
|
|
of Kent's banishment.
|
|
407
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
408
|
|
|
There is further compliment of leave-taking between France and
|
|
409
|
|
|
him. Pray you let's hit together. If our father carry authority
|
|
410
|
|
|
with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his
|
|
411
|
|
|
will but offend us.
|
|
412
|
|
|
Regan.
|
|
413
|
|
|
We shall further think on't.
|
|
414
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
415
|
|
|
We must do something, and i' th' heat.
|
| |
|
416
|
|
|
Exeunt.
|
| |
| |
|
2. Act I, Scene 2
|
|
0
|
|
|
The Earl of Gloucester’s Castle.
|
| |
|
1
|
|
|
Enter [Edmund the] Bastard solus, [with a letter].
|
| |
|
2
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
3
|
|
|
Thou, Nature, art my goddess; to thy law
|
|
4
|
|
|
My services are bound. Wherefore should I
|
|
5
|
|
|
Stand in the plague of custom, and permit
|
|
6
|
|
|
The curiosity of nations to deprive me,
|
|
7
|
|
|
For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines
|
|
8
|
|
|
Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base?
|
|
9
|
|
|
When my dimensions are as well compact,
|
|
10
|
|
|
My mind as generous, and my shape as true,
|
|
11
|
|
|
As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us
|
|
12
|
|
|
With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base?
|
|
13
|
|
|
Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take
|
|
14
|
|
|
More composition and fierce quality
|
|
15
|
|
|
Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed,
|
|
16
|
|
|
Go to th' creating a whole tribe of fops
|
|
17
|
|
|
Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well then,
|
|
18
|
|
|
Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land.
|
|
19
|
|
|
Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund
|
|
20
|
|
|
As to th' legitimate. Fine word- 'legitimate'!
|
|
21
|
|
|
Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed,
|
|
22
|
|
|
And my invention thrive, Edmund the base
|
|
23
|
|
|
Shall top th' legitimate. I grow; I prosper.
|
|
24
|
|
|
Now, gods, stand up for bastards!
|
| |
|
25
|
|
|
Enter Gloucester.
|
| |
|
26
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
27
|
|
|
Kent banish'd thus? and France in choler parted?
|
|
28
|
|
|
And the King gone to-night? subscrib'd his pow'r?
|
|
29
|
|
|
Confin'd to exhibition? All this done
|
|
30
|
|
|
Upon the gad? Edmund, how now? What news?
|
|
31
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
32
|
|
|
So please your lordship, none.
|
| |
|
33
|
|
|
[Puts up the letter.]
|
| |
|
34
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
35
|
|
|
Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter?
|
|
36
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
37
|
|
|
I know no news, my lord.
|
|
38
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
39
|
|
|
What paper were you reading?
|
|
40
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
41
|
|
|
Nothing, my lord.
|
|
42
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
43
|
|
|
No? What needed then that terrible dispatch of it into your
|
|
44
|
|
|
pocket? The quality of nothing hath not such need to hide
|
|
45
|
|
|
itself. Let's see. Come, if it be nothing, I shall not need
|
|
46
|
|
|
spectacles.
|
|
47
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
48
|
|
|
I beseech you, sir, pardon me. It is a letter from my brother
|
|
49
|
|
|
that I have not all o'er-read; and for so much as I have
|
|
50
|
|
|
perus'd, I find it not fit for your o'erlooking.
|
|
51
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
52
|
|
|
Give me the letter, sir.
|
|
53
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
54
|
|
|
I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The contents, as
|
|
55
|
|
|
in part I understand them, are to blame.
|
|
56
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
57
|
|
|
Let's see, let's see!
|
|
58
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
59
|
|
|
I hope, for my brother's justification, he wrote this but as
|
|
60
|
|
|
an essay or taste of my virtue.
|
|
61
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
62
|
|
|
[reads]'This policy and reverence of age makes the world
|
|
63
|
|
|
bitter to the best of our times; keeps our fortunes from us
|
|
64
|
|
|
till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle
|
|
65
|
|
|
and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny, who sways,
|
|
66
|
|
|
not as it hath power, but as it is suffer'd. Come to me, that
|
|
67
|
|
|
of this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I
|
|
68
|
|
|
wak'd him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live
|
|
69
|
|
|
the beloved of your brother,
|
|
70
|
|
|
'EDGAR.'
|
|
71
|
|
|
Hum! Conspiracy? 'Sleep till I wak'd him, you should enjoy half
|
|
72
|
|
|
his revenue.' My son Edgar! Had he a hand to write this? a heart
|
|
73
|
|
|
and brain to breed it in? When came this to you? Who brought it?
|
|
74
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
75
|
|
|
It was not brought me, my lord: there's the cunning of it. I
|
|
76
|
|
|
found it thrown in at the casement of my closet.
|
|
77
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
78
|
|
|
You know the character to be your brother's?
|
|
79
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
80
|
|
|
If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear it were his;
|
|
81
|
|
|
but in respect of that, I would fain think it were not.
|
|
82
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
83
|
|
|
It is his.
|
|
84
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
85
|
|
|
It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his heart is not in the
|
|
86
|
|
|
contents.
|
|
87
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
88
|
|
|
Hath he never before sounded you in this business?
|
|
89
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
90
|
|
|
Never, my lord. But I have heard him oft maintain it to be fit
|
|
91
|
|
|
that, sons at perfect age, and fathers declining, the father
|
|
92
|
|
|
should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue.
|
|
93
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
94
|
|
|
O villain, villain! His very opinion in the letter! Abhorred
|
|
95
|
|
|
villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain! worse than
|
|
96
|
|
|
brutish! Go, sirrah, seek him. I'll apprehend him. Abominable
|
|
97
|
|
|
villain! Where is he?
|
|
98
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
99
|
|
|
I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please you to suspend
|
|
100
|
|
|
your indignation against my brother till you can derive from him
|
|
101
|
|
|
better testimony of his intent, you should run a certain course;
|
|
102
|
|
|
where, if you violently proceed against him, mistaking his
|
|
103
|
|
|
purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour and shake
|
|
104
|
|
|
in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life
|
|
105
|
|
|
for him that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your
|
|
106
|
|
|
honour, and to no other pretence of danger.
|
|
107
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
108
|
|
|
Think you so?
|
|
109
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
110
|
|
|
If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you shall
|
|
111
|
|
|
hear us confer of this and by an auricular assurance have your
|
|
112
|
|
|
satisfaction, and that without any further delay than this very
|
|
113
|
|
|
evening.
|
|
114
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
115
|
|
|
He cannot be such a monster.
|
|
116
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
117
|
|
|
Nor is not, sure.
|
|
118
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
119
|
|
|
To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him.
|
|
120
|
|
|
Heaven and earth! Edmund, seek him out; wind me into him, I pray
|
|
121
|
|
|
you; frame the business after your own wisdom. I would unstate
|
|
122
|
|
|
myself to be in a due resolution.
|
|
123
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
124
|
|
|
I will seek him, sir, presently; convey the business as I
|
|
125
|
|
|
shall find means, and acquaint you withal.
|
|
126
|
|
|
Earl of Gloucester.
|
|
127
|
|
|
These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to
|
|
128
|
|
|
us. Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet
|
|
129
|
|
|
nature finds itself scourg'd by the sequent effects. Love cools,
|
|
130
|
|
|
friendship falls off, brothers divide. In cities, mutinies; in
|
|
131
|
|
|
countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond crack'd
|
|
132
|
|
|
'twixt son and father. This villain of mine comes under the
|
|
133
|
|
|
prediction; there's son against father: the King falls from bias
|
|
134
|
|
|
of nature; there's father against child. We have seen the best
|
|
135
|
|
|
of our time. Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all
|
|
136
|
|
|
ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our graves. Find out
|
|
137
|
|
|
this villain, Edmund; it shall lose thee nothing; do it
|
|
138
|
|
|
carefully. And the noble and true-hearted Kent banish'd! his
|
|
139
|
|
|
offence, honesty! 'Tis strange.[Exit.]
|
|
140
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
141
|
|
|
This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are
|
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142
|
|
|
sick in fortune, often the surfeit of our own behaviour, we make
|
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143
|
|
|
guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars; as if
|
|
144
|
|
|
we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion;
|
|
145
|
|
|
knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical pre-dominance;
|
|
146
|
|
|
drunkards, liars, and adulterers by an enforc'd obedience of
|
|
147
|
|
|
planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine
|
|
148
|
|
|
thrusting on. An admirable evasion of whore-master man, to lay
|
|
149
|
|
|
his goatish disposition to the charge of a star! My father
|
|
150
|
|
|
compounded with my mother under the Dragon's Tail, and my
|
|
151
|
|
|
nativity was under Ursa Major, so that it follows I am rough and
|
|
152
|
|
|
lecherous. Fut! I should have been that I am, had the
|
|
153
|
|
|
maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing.
|
|
154
|
|
|
Edgar-
|
|
155
|
|
|
[Enter Edgar.]
|
|
156
|
|
|
and pat! he comes, like the catastrophe of the old comedy. My
|
|
157
|
|
|
cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o' Bedlam.
|
|
158
|
|
|
O, these eclipses do portend these divisions! Fa, sol, la, mi.
|
|
159
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
160
|
|
|
How now, brother Edmund? What serious contemplation are you
|
|
161
|
|
|
in?
|
|
162
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
163
|
|
|
I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read this other day,
|
|
164
|
|
|
what should follow these eclipses.
|
|
165
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
166
|
|
|
Do you busy yourself with that?
|
|
167
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
168
|
|
|
I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed unhappily: as
|
|
169
|
|
|
of unnaturalness between the child and the parent; death,
|
|
170
|
|
|
dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions in state,
|
|
171
|
|
|
menaces and maledictions against king and nobles; needless
|
|
172
|
|
|
diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts,
|
|
173
|
|
|
nuptial breaches, and I know not what.
|
|
174
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
175
|
|
|
How long have you been a sectary astronomical?
|
|
176
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
177
|
|
|
Come, come! When saw you my father last?
|
|
178
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
179
|
|
|
The night gone by.
|
|
180
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
181
|
|
|
Spake you with him?
|
|
182
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
183
|
|
|
Ay, two hours together.
|
|
184
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
185
|
|
|
Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in him by
|
|
186
|
|
|
word or countenance
|
|
187
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
188
|
|
|
None at all.
|
|
189
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
190
|
|
|
Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him; and at my
|
|
191
|
|
|
entreaty forbear his presence until some little time hath
|
|
192
|
|
|
qualified the heat of his displeasure, which at this instant so
|
|
193
|
|
|
rageth in him that with the mischief of your person it would
|
|
194
|
|
|
scarcely allay.
|
|
195
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
196
|
|
|
Some villain hath done me wrong.
|
|
197
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
198
|
|
|
That's my fear. I pray you have a continent forbearance till
|
|
199
|
|
|
the speed of his rage goes slower; and, as I say, retire with me
|
|
200
|
|
|
to my lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my
|
|
201
|
|
|
lord speak. Pray ye, go! There's my key. If you do stir abroad,
|
|
202
|
|
|
go arm'd.
|
|
203
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
204
|
|
|
Arm'd, brother?
|
|
205
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
206
|
|
|
Brother, I advise you to the best. Go arm'd. I am no honest man
|
|
207
|
|
|
if there be any good meaning toward you. I have told you what I
|
|
208
|
|
|
have seen and heard; but faintly, nothing like the image and
|
|
209
|
|
|
horror of it. Pray you, away!
|
|
210
|
|
|
Edgar.
|
|
211
|
|
|
Shall I hear from you anon?
|
|
212
|
|
|
Edmund.
|
|
213
|
|
|
I do serve you in this business.
|
|
214
|
|
|
[Exit Edgar.]
|
|
215
|
|
|
A credulous father! and a brother noble,
|
|
216
|
|
|
Whose nature is so far from doing harms
|
|
217
|
|
|
That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty
|
|
218
|
|
|
My practices ride easy! I see the business.
|
|
219
|
|
|
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit;
|
|
220
|
|
|
All with me's meet that I can fashion fit.[Exit.]
|
| |
| |
|
3. Act I, Scene 3
|
|
0
|
|
|
The Duke of Albany’s Palace.
|
| |
|
1
|
|
|
Enter Goneril and [her] Steward [Oswald].
|
| |
|
2
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
3
|
|
|
Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?
|
|
4
|
|
|
Oswald.
|
|
5
|
|
|
Ay, madam.
|
|
6
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
7
|
|
|
By day and night, he wrongs me! Every hour
|
|
8
|
|
|
He flashes into one gross crime or other
|
|
9
|
|
|
That sets us all at odds. I'll not endure it.
|
|
10
|
|
|
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
|
|
11
|
|
|
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,
|
|
12
|
|
|
I will not speak with him. Say I am sick.
|
|
13
|
|
|
If you come slack of former services,
|
|
14
|
|
|
You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.
|
| |
|
15
|
|
|
[Horns within.]
|
| |
|
16
|
|
|
Oswald.
|
|
17
|
|
|
He's coming, madam; I hear him.
|
|
18
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
19
|
|
|
Put on what weary negligence you please,
|
|
20
|
|
|
You and your fellows. I'd have it come to question.
|
|
21
|
|
|
If he distaste it, let him to our sister,
|
|
22
|
|
|
Whose mind and mine I know in that are one,
|
|
23
|
|
|
Not to be overrul'd. Idle old man,
|
|
24
|
|
|
That still would manage those authorities
|
|
25
|
|
|
That he hath given away! Now, by my life,
|
|
26
|
|
|
Old fools are babes again, and must be us'd
|
|
27
|
|
|
With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abus'd.
|
|
28
|
|
|
Remember what I have said.
|
|
29
|
|
|
Oswald.
|
|
30
|
|
|
Very well, madam.
|
|
31
|
|
|
Goneril.
|
|
32
|
|
|
And let his knights have colder looks among you.
|
|
33
|
|
|
What grows of it, no matter. Advise your fellows so.
|
|
34
|
|
|
I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,
|
|
35
|
|
|
That I may speak. I'll write straight to my sister
|
|
36
|
|
|
To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner.
|
| |
|
37
|
|
|
Exeunt.
|
| |
| |
|
4. Act I, Scene 4
|
|
0
|
|
|
The Duke of Albany’s Palace.
|
| |
|
1
|
|
|
Enter Kent, [disguised].
|
| |
|
2
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
3
|
|
|
If but as well I other accents borrow,
|
|
4
|
|
|
That can my speech defuse, my good intent
|
|
5
|
|
|
May carry through itself to that full issue
|
|
6
|
|
|
For which I raz'd my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent,
|
|
7
|
|
|
If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,
|
|
8
|
|
|
So may it come, thy master, whom thou lov'st,
|
|
9
|
|
|
Shall find thee full of labours.
|
|
10
|
|
|
Horns within. Enter Lear,[Knights,]and Attendants.
|
|
11
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
12
|
|
|
Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready.[Exit
|
|
13
|
|
|
an Attendant.]How now? What art thou?
|
|
14
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
15
|
|
|
A man, sir.
|
|
16
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
17
|
|
|
What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us?
|
|
18
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
19
|
|
|
I do profess to be no less than I seem, to serve him truly
|
|
20
|
|
|
that will put me in trust, to love him that is honest, to
|
|
21
|
|
|
converse with him that is wise and says little, to fear
|
|
22
|
|
|
judgment, to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish.
|
|
23
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
24
|
|
|
What art thou?
|
|
25
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
26
|
|
|
A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the King.
|
|
27
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
28
|
|
|
If thou be'st as poor for a subject as he's for a king, thou
|
|
29
|
|
|
art poor enough. What wouldst thou?
|
|
30
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
31
|
|
|
Service.
|
|
32
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
33
|
|
|
Who wouldst thou serve?
|
|
34
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
35
|
|
|
You.
|
|
36
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
37
|
|
|
Dost thou know me, fellow?
|
|
38
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
39
|
|
|
No, sir; but you have that in your countenance which I would
|
|
40
|
|
|
fain call master.
|
|
41
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
42
|
|
|
What's that?
|
|
43
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
44
|
|
|
Authority.
|
|
45
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
46
|
|
|
What services canst thou do?
|
|
47
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
48
|
|
|
I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale in
|
|
49
|
|
|
telling it and deliver a plain message bluntly. That which
|
|
50
|
|
|
ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me
|
|
51
|
|
|
is diligence.
|
|
52
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
53
|
|
|
How old art thou?
|
|
54
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
55
|
|
|
Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor so old to
|
|
56
|
|
|
dote on her for anything. I have years on my back forty-eight.
|
|
57
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
58
|
|
|
Follow me; thou shalt serve me. If I like thee no worse after
|
|
59
|
|
|
dinner, I will not part from thee yet. Dinner, ho, dinner!
|
|
60
|
|
|
Where's my knave? my fool? Go you and call my fool hither.
|
|
61
|
|
|
[Exit an attendant.]
|
|
62
|
|
|
[Enter [Oswald the] Steward.]
|
|
63
|
|
|
You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter?
|
|
64
|
|
|
Oswald.
|
|
65
|
|
|
So please you-[Exit.]
|
|
66
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
67
|
|
|
What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back.
|
|
68
|
|
|
[Exit a Knight.]Where's my fool, ho? I think the world's
|
|
69
|
|
|
asleep.
|
|
70
|
|
|
[Enter Knight]
|
|
71
|
|
|
How now? Where's that mongrel?
|
|
72
|
|
|
Knight.
|
|
73
|
|
|
He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.
|
|
74
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
75
|
|
|
Why came not the slave back to me when I call'd him?
|
|
76
|
|
|
Knight.
|
|
77
|
|
|
Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, he would not.
|
|
78
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
79
|
|
|
He would not?
|
|
80
|
|
|
Knight.
|
|
81
|
|
|
My lord, I know not what the matter is; but to my judgment
|
|
82
|
|
|
your Highness is not entertain'd with that ceremonious affection
|
|
83
|
|
|
as you were wont. There's a great abatement of kindness appears
|
|
84
|
|
|
as well in the general dependants as in the Duke himself also
|
|
85
|
|
|
and your daughter.
|
|
86
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
87
|
|
|
Ha! say'st thou so?
|
|
88
|
|
|
Knight.
|
|
89
|
|
|
I beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken; for
|
|
90
|
|
|
my duty cannot be silent when I think your Highness wrong'd.
|
|
91
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
92
|
|
|
Thou but rememb'rest me of mine own conception. I have
|
|
93
|
|
|
perceived a most faint neglect of late, which I have rather
|
|
94
|
|
|
blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence
|
|
95
|
|
|
and purpose of unkindness. I will look further into't. But
|
|
96
|
|
|
where's my fool? I have not seen him this two days.
|
|
97
|
|
|
Knight.
|
|
98
|
|
|
Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the fool
|
|
99
|
|
|
hath much pined away.
|
|
100
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
101
|
|
|
No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you and tell my
|
|
102
|
|
|
daughter I would speak with her.[Exit Knight.]Go you, call
|
|
103
|
|
|
hither my fool.
|
|
104
|
|
|
[Exit an Attendant.]
|
|
105
|
|
|
[Enter [Oswald the] Steward.]
|
|
106
|
|
|
O, you, sir, you! Come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir?
|
|
107
|
|
|
Oswald.
|
|
108
|
|
|
My lady's father.
|
|
109
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
110
|
|
|
'My lady's father'? My lord's knave! You whoreson dog! you
|
|
111
|
|
|
slave! you cur!
|
|
112
|
|
|
Oswald.
|
|
113
|
|
|
I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your pardon.
|
|
114
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
115
|
|
|
Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?
|
| |
|
116
|
|
|
[Strikes him.]
|
| |
|
117
|
|
|
Oswald.
|
|
118
|
|
|
I'll not be strucken, my lord.
|
|
119
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
120
|
|
|
Nor tripp'd neither, you base football player?
|
| |
|
121
|
|
|
[Trips up his heels.
|
| |
|
122
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
123
|
|
|
I thank thee, fellow. Thou serv'st me, and I'll love thee.
|
|
124
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
125
|
|
|
Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences. Away,
|
|
126
|
|
|
away! If you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry; but
|
|
127
|
|
|
away! Go to! Have you wisdom? So.
|
| |
|
128
|
|
|
[Pushes him out.]
|
| |
|
129
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
130
|
|
|
Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee. There's earnest of thy
|
|
131
|
|
|
service.[Gives money.]
|
| |
|
132
|
|
|
Enter Fool.
|
| |
|
133
|
|
|
Fool.
|
|
134
|
|
|
Let me hire him too. Here's my coxcomb.
|
| |
|
135
|
|
|
[Offers Kent his cap.]
|
| |
|
136
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
137
|
|
|
How now, my pretty knave? How dost thou?
|
|
138
|
|
|
Fool.
|
|
139
|
|
|
Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.
|
|
140
|
|
|
Earl of Kent.
|
|
141
|
|
|
Why, fool?
|
|
142
|
|
|
Fool.
|
|
143
|
|
|
Why? For taking one's part that's out of favour. Nay, an thou
|
|
144
|
|
|
canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly.
|
|
145
|
|
|
There, take my coxcomb! Why, this fellow hath banish'd two on's
|
|
146
|
|
|
daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will. If
|
|
147
|
|
|
thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.- How now,
|
|
148
|
|
|
nuncle? Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters!
|
|
149
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
150
|
|
|
Why, my boy?
|
|
151
|
|
|
Fool.
|
|
152
|
|
|
If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs myself.
|
|
153
|
|
|
There's mine! beg another of thy daughters.
|
|
154
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
155
|
|
|
Take heed, sirrah- the whip.
|
|
156
|
|
|
Fool.
|
|
157
|
|
|
Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipp'd out, when
|
|
158
|
|
|
Lady the brach may stand by th' fire and stink.
|
|
159
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
160
|
|
|
A pestilent gall to me!
|
|
161
|
|
|
Fool.
|
|
162
|
|
|
Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.
|
|
163
|
|
|
Lear.
|
|
164
|
|
|
Do.
|
|
165
|
|
|
Fool.
|
|
166
|
|
|
Mark it, nuncle.
|
|
167
|
|
|
Have more than thou showest,
|
|
168
|
|
|
Speak less than thou knowest,
|
|
169
|
|
|
Lend less than thou owest,
|
|
170
|
|
|
Ride more than thou goest,
|
|
171
|
|
|
Learn more than thou trowest,
|
|
172
|
|
|
Set |
