The family Shakspeare ... in which nothing is added to the original text; but those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family ..
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F.R.S. & S.A. THE FIFTH EDITION, VOL. VIII. CONTAINING LEAR; ROMEO AND JULIET; HAMLET; OTHELLO. LONDON: T'RINTEI) FOR LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1827. Sportive Fancy round him flew. Nature led him by the hand, Instructed him in all she knew, And gave him absolute command. KING LEAR. VOL. VIII. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Lear, king of Britain, King of France. Duke of Burgundy. Duke of Cornwall. Duke of Albany. Earl of Kent. Earl of Gloster. Edgar, son to Gloster, Edmund, bastard son to Gloster, CuRAN, a courtier. Old Man, tenant to Gloster, Physician, Fool Oswald, steward to Goneril, An Officer, employed by Edmund, Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia, A Herald, Servants to Cornwall, Goneril, "^ Regan, ^daughters to Lear, Cordelia, J Knights attending on the king. Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants, SCENE, Britain, KING LEAR. ACT I. SCENE L — A Boom of State in King Lear's Palace, Enter Kent, Gloster, and Edmund. Kent, I THOUGHT, the king had more affected the duke of Albany, than Cornwall. Glo, It did always seem so to us : but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most ; for equalities are so weigh'd that curiosity ^ in neither can make choice of cither's moiety. ^ Kent* Is this your son, my lord ? Glo, His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge : I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it. Do you smell a fault ? Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. Glo. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account : — Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund? ^ Most scrupulous nicety. 2 p^j.^ or division. B 2 4 KING LEAR. Act I. Edm, No, my lord. Glo, My lord of Kent : remember him hereafter as my honourable friend. Edm, My services to your lordship. Kent, I must love you, and sue to know you better. Edm, Sir, I shall study deserving. Glo, He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again : — The king is coming. \_Trumpets sound within. Enter Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendants, Lear, Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glo, I shall, my liege, \_Ea:eunt Gloster and Edmund. Lear, Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there. — Know, that we have divided. In three, our kingdom : and 'tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age : Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburden'd crawl toward death. — Our son of Cornwall, And you, our no less loving son of Albany, We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, And here are to be answer'd. — Tell me, my daugh- ters, (Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Scene I. KING LEAR. 5 Interest of territory, cares of state,) Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where merit doth most challenge it. — Goneril, Our eldest-born, speak first. Gon. Sir, I Do love you more than words can wield the matter. Dearer than eye-sight, space and liberty ; Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare ; No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, ho- nour : As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found. A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable ; Beyond all manner of so much I love you. Cor. What shall Cordelia do ? love and be silent. [_Aside, Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this. With shadowy forests and with champains ^ rich'd. With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady : To thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual. — What says our second daugh- ter, Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall ? Speak. Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister. And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find, she names my very deed of love ; Only she comes too short, — that I profess Myself an enemy to all other joys. Which the most precious square^ of sense possesses j And find, I am alone felicitate ^ In your dear higliness' love. Cor. Then poor Cordelia ! \_Aside, And yet not so ; since, I am sure, my love's More richer than my tongue. Lear. To thee, and thine hereditary ever, 3 Open plains. '^ Comprehension. ^ Made happy. B 3 6 KING LEAR. Act I. Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom : No less in space, validity ^ and pleasure, Than that confirm'd on Goneril. — Now, our joy, Although the last, not least ; to whose young love The vines of France, and milk of Burgundy, Strive to be interess'd : what can you say, to draw A third more opulent than your sisters ? Speak. Cor, Nothing, my lord. Lear. Nothing ? Cor, Nothing. Lear, Nothing can come of nothing: speak again. Cor, Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth : I love your majesty According to my bond ; nor more nor less. Lear, How, how, Cordelia ? mend your speech a Httle. Lest it may mar your fortunes. Cor, Good, my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me : I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say, They love you, all ? Haply, when I shall wed. That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall carry Half my love with him, half my care, and duty : Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters. To love my father all. Lear, But goes this with thy heart ? Cor, Ay, good my lord. Lear, So young, and so untender ? Cor, So young, my lord, and true. Lear, Let it be so, — Thy truth then be thy dower : For, by the sacred radiance of the sun ; The mysteries of Hecate, and the night ; ^ Value. Scene I. KING LEAR. 7 By all the operations of the orbs, From whom we do exist, and cease to be ; 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, Or he that makes his generation ^ messes To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd, As thou my sometime daughter. Kent, Good my liege, — Ijear, Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath : I lovM her most, and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery. — Hence, and avoid my sight ! — \To Cordelia. 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, With my two daughters' dowers digest this third : Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. I do invest you jointly with my power. Pre-eminence, and all the large effects That troop with majesty. *— Ourself, by monthly course. 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 The name, and all the additions ^ to a king ; The sway. Revenue, execution of the rest. Beloved sons, be yours : which to confirm. This coronet part between you. {Giving the Crown, 7 Kindred. ^ From this time. 9 His children. ' Titles. B 4 8 KING LEAR. Act I. Kent. Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, Lov'd as my father, as my master followed, As my great patron thought on in my prayers, — Lear, The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft. Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region of my heart : be Kent unmannerly. When Lear is mad. What wouldst thou do, old man? Think*st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, When power to flattery bows ? To plainness ho- nour's bound, When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom ; And, in thy best consideration, check This hideous rashness : answer my life my judg- ment. Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least ; Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs ^ no hollowness. Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies ; nor fear to lose it. Thy safety being the motive. Lear. Out of my sight ! Kent. See better, Lear ; and let me still remain The true blank ^ of thine eye. Lear. Now, by Apollo, — Kent. Now, by Apollo, king. Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. Lear, O, vassal, miscreant ! [Laying his Hand on his Sword, Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kent. Do ; Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift ; 2 Reverberates. ^ xhe mark to shoot at. Scene I. KING LEAR. ,9 Or whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, I'll tell thee, thou dost evil. Lear, Hear me, recreant ! On thine allegiance hear me ! — Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, (Which we durst never yet,) and, withstrain'd pride. To come betwixt our sentence and our power; (Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,) Our potency make good, take thy reward. Five days we do allot thee, for provision To shield thee from diseases of the world : And, on the sixth, to turn thy hated back Upon our kingdom : if, on the tenth day following, Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, The moment is thy death : Away ! By Jupiter, This shallnot be revok'd. Kent, Fare thee well, king : since thus thou wilt appear. Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here. — The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [To Cordelia. That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said ! — And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [To Regan and Goneril. That good effects may spring from words of love. — Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu ; He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Ea:it. Re-enter Gloster; with France, Burgundy, and Attendants. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. Lear. My lord of Burgundy, We first address towards you, who with this king Hath rivalled for our daughter ; What, in the least, Will you require in present dower with her, Or cease your quest of love ? 10 KING LEAR. Act I. Bur. Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer' d, Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so ; But now her price is fall'n : Sir, there she stands ; If aught within that little, seeming substance. Or all of it, with our displeasure piec'd, And nothing more, may fitly like your grace. She's there, and she is yours. Bur. I know no answer. Lear. Sir, Will you, with those infirmities she owes, ^ Unfriended, new adopted to our hate, Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath. Take her, or leave her ? Bur. Pardon me, royal sir ; Election makes not up on such conditions. Lear. Then leave her, sir ; for, by the power that made me, I tell you all her wealth, — For you, great king, [To France. 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. Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd Almost to acknowledge hers. France. This is most strange 1 That she, that even but now was your best object. The argument of your praise, balm of your age. Most best, most dearest, should in this trice of time Commit a thing so monstrous, to dismantle So many folds of favour ! Sure, her offence Must be of such unnatural degree. That monsters it, or your fore- vouch' d affection ^ Owns, is possessed of. Scene I. KING LEAR. 11 Fall into taint : which to believe of her, Must be a faith, that reason without miracle Could never plant in me. Cor. I yet beseech your majesty, (If for ^ I want that glib and oily art, To speak and purpose not j since what I well in- tend, I'll do't before I speak,) that you make known It is no vicious blot, murder, or foulness. No unchaste action or dishonoured step. That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour: But even for want of that, for which I am richer ; A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue That I am glad I have not, though not to have it. Hath lost me in your liking. Lear, Better thou Hadst not been born, than not to have pleas'd me better. France, Is it but this ? a tardiness in nature, Which often leaves the history unspoke. That it intends to do ? — My lord of Burgundy, What say you to the lady ? Love is not love. When it is mingled with respects, that stand Aloof from the entire point. Will you have her ? She is herself a dowry. Bur, Royal Lear, Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, And here I take Cordelia by the hand. Duchess of Burgundy. Lear, Nothing : I have sworn ; I am firm. Bur, I am sorry then, you have so lost a father, That you must lose a husband. Car, Peace be with Burgundy ! Since that respects of fortune are his love, I shall not be his wife. *" Because. 12 KING LEAR. Act I, France, Fmrest Cordelia, thou art most rich, being poor ; Most choice, forsaken : and most lov'd, despis'd ! Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon : Be it lawful, I take up what's cast away. Gods, gods! 'tis strange, that from their cold'st neglect My love should kindle to inflam'd respect. — Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, Is queen of us, of ours, and our fair France : Not all the dukes of wat'rish Burgundy Shall buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me. — Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind : Thou losest here, a better where to find. hear. Thou hast her, France : let her be thine ; for we Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of her's again : — Therefore be gone. Without our grace, our love, our benizon. ^ — Come, noble Burgundy. {Flourish, Fxeunt Lear, Burgundy, Corn- wall, Albany, Gloster, and Attendants, France, Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor, The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Cordelia leaves you : I know you what you are ; And, like a sister, am most loath to call Your faults, as they are nam'd. Use well our father : To your professed bosoms I commit him : But yet, alas ! stood I within his grace, I would prefer him to a better place. So farewell to you both. Gon, Prescribe not us our duties. Reg, Let your study Be, to content your lord ; who hath receiv'd you 6 Blessing. Scene I. KING LEAR. 13 At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted, And well are worth the want that you have wanted. Cor. Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides ; Who cover faults, at last shame them derides. Well may you prosper ! France. Come, my fair Cordelia. [^Ea:eunt France and Cordelia. Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say, of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think, our father will hence to-night. Reg. That's most certain, and with you ; next month with us. Gon. You see how full of changes his age is : the observation we have made of it hath not been little : he always loved our sister most ; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off, appears too grossly. 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 the imperfections of long-en- grafted condition \ but therewithal, the unruly waywardness that infirm and cholerick years bring with them. Reg. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him, as this of Kent's banishment. Gon. There is further compliment of leave-taking between France and him. Pray you, let us hit together : If our father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his will but offend us. Reg. We shall further think of it. Gon. We must do something, and i'the heat. \_Ea:eunt. 7 Qualities of mind. 14 KING LEAR. Act I. SCENE II. A Hall in the EarlofGloster^s Castle, Enter Edmund, with a Letter. ' Edm, Thou, nature, art my goddess ; to thy law My services are bound : Wherefore should I Stand in the plague of custom ; and permit The curiosity ^ of nations to deprive me, For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines Lag of a brother ? Why bastard ? wherefore base ? When my dimensions are as well compact. My mind as generous, and my shape as true. As honest madam's issue ? Why brand they us With base ? with baseness ? bastardy ? Well then, Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land : Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund, As to the legitimate : Fine word, — legitimate ! Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed. And my invention thrive, Edmund the base Shall top the legitimate. I grow ; I prosper : — Now, gods, stand up for bastards ! Enter Gloster. Glo, Kent banish'd thus ! And France in choler parted ! And the king gone to-night ! subscrib'd ^ his power ! Confin'd to exhibition ! ^ All this done Upon the gad ! ^ Edmund ! How now ? what news ? Edm, So please your lordship, none. [_Putting up the Letter. 8 The nicety of civil institution. ^ Yielded, surrendered. 1 Allowance. 2 Suddenly. Scene II. KING LEAR. 15 Glo, Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter ? Edm, I know no news, my lord. Glo, What paper were you reading ? Edm, Nothnig, my lord. Glo. No? What needed then that terrible de- spatch of 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 not need spectacles. Edm. I beseech you, sir, pardon me : it is a let- ter from my brother, that I have not all o'er read ; for so much as I have perused, I find it not fit for your over-looking. Glo. Give me the letter, sir. Edm. I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The contents, as in part I understand them, are to blame. Glo. 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. Glo. [Reads.] This policy, and reverence of age^ makes the wqrld bitter to the best of our times ; keeps our fortunes 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 to me, that of this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live the beloved of your br other y Edgar. — Humph — Conspiracy ! — Sleep till I waked him — you should enjoy half his revenue. — My son Edgar ! Had he a hand to write this ? a heart and brain to breed it in ? — When came this to you ? Who brought it ? Edm. It was not brought me ; my lord, there's the 3 Trial. 4 Weak and foolish. 16 KING LEAR. Act L cunning of it ; I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet. Glo, You know the character to be your bro- ther's ? Edm, If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear it were his ; but in respect of that, I would fain think it were not. Glo, It is his. Edm, It is his hand, my lord ; but, I hope, his heart is not in the contents. Glo, Hath he never heretofore sounded you in this business ? Edm. Never, my lord : But I have often heard him maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, and fathers declining, the father should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue. Glo, O villain, villain ! — His very opinion in the letter ! — Abhorred villain ! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain ! worse that brutish ! — Go, sirrah, seek him ; I'll apprehend him : — Abominable vil- lain ! — Where is he ? Edm, I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother, till you can derive from him better testi- mony of his intent, you shall run a certain course 5 where ^, if you violently proceed against him, mis- taking his purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour, and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life for him, that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your honour, and to no other pretence of danger. Glo, Think you so ? Edm, If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction ; and 5 Whereas. Scene IL KING LEAR. ^ that without any further delay than this very evening. Glo. He cannot be such a monster. Edm. Nor is not, sure. Glo. To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him. — Heaven and earth ! — Edmund, seek him out ; wind me into him, I pray you : frame the business after your own wisdom : I would unstate myself, to be in a due resolution. Edm, I will seek him, sir, presently; convey^ the business as I shall find means, and acquaint you withal. Glo, These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us : Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent^ effects: love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide : in cities, mu- tinies ; in countries, discord 5 in pakces, treason ; and the bond cracked between son and father. This villain of mine comes under the prediction ; there's son against father : the king falls from bias of nature; there's father against child. We have seen the best of our time : Machinations, hollow- ness, treachery, and all ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our graves ! — Find out this villain, Edmund, it shall lose thee nothing ; do it carefully : — And the noble and true-hearted Kent banished ! his offence, honesty ! Strange ! strange ! [Ea:it, Edm, This is the excellent foppery of the world ! that when we are sick in fortune, (often the surfeit of our own behaviour,) we make guilty of our dis- asters, the sun, the moon, and the stars : as if we were villains by necessity : fools, by heavenly compulsion ; knaves, thieves, and treachers % by spherical predominance ; drunkards, liars, and adul- terers, by an enforced obedience of planetary in- ^ Manage. ^ Following. ^ Traitors. VOL. VIII. C 18 KING LEAR. Act 1. fluence ; and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on : An admirable evasion of man, to lay his ill disposition to the charge of a star ! Edgar — Enter Edgar. and pat he comes, like the catastrophe of the old comedy : My cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o' Bedlam. — O, these eclipses do portend these divisions ! fa, sol, la, mi. ^ 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. Edg, Do you busy yourself with that ? Edm, I promise you, the effects he writes of, succeed unhappily ; as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent ; death, dearth, dissolu- tions of ancient amities ; divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and nobles ; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts ^ nuptial breaches, and I know not what. Edg, How long have you been a sectary astrono- mical ? Edm, Come, come; when saw you my father last ? Edg, Why, the night gone by. Edm, Spake you with him ? Edg, Ay, two hours together. Edm, Parted you in good terms ? Found you no displeasure in him, by word or countenance ? Edg, None at all. Edm, Bethink yourself, wherein you may have offended him : and at my entreaty, forbear his pre- ^ These sounds are unnatural and offensive in musick. ^ For cohorts some editors read courts. Scene III. KING LEAR. m sence, till some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure ; which at this instant so rageth in him, that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely allay. Hdg. Some villain hath done me wrong. JEdm, That's my fear. I pray you, have a con- tinent^ forbearance, till the speed of his rage goes slower ; and, as I say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord speak : Pray you, go ; there's my key : — If you do stir abroad, go armed. Edg. Armed, brother ? Edm, Brother, I advise you to the best: go armed; I am no honest man, if there be any good meaning towards you : I have told you what I have seen and heard, but faintly; nothing like the image and horror of it : Pray you, away. Edg, Shall I hear from you anon ? Edm. I do serve you in this business. — [^Ea:it Edgar. A credulous father, and a brother noble. Whose nature is so far from doing harms. 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. [^E^it, SCENE in. A Room in the Duke o/' Albany's Palace. Enter Goneril and Steward. Gon, Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool ? 2 Temperate, c 2 20 KING LEAR. Act L Stew, Ay, madam. Gon. By day and night ! he wrongs me ; every hour He flashes into one gross crime or other, That sets us all at odds : I'll not endure it : His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us On every trifle : — When he returns from hunting, I will not speak with him ; say, I am sick : — If you come slack of former services. You shall do well ; the fault of it I'll answer. Stew. He's coming, madam ; I hear him. \_Horns within. Gon. Put on what weary negligence you please, You and your fellows ; I'd have it come to question: If he dislike it, let him to my sister. Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, Not to be over-rul'd. Idle old man. That still would manage those authorities, That he hath given away ! — Now, by my life. Old fools are babes again ; and must be us'd With checks, as flatteries, — when they are seen abus'd. Remember what I have said. Stew. Very well, madam. Gon. And let his knights have colder looks among you; What grows of it, no matter ; advise your fellows so: I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall. That I may speak. — I'll write straight to my sister, To hold my very course : — Prepare for dinner. [_Ea:eunt. Scene IV. KING LEAR. 21 SCENE IV. A Hall in the same. Enter Kent, disguised. Kent, If but as well I other accents borrow, That can my speech diffuse ^ my good intent May carry through itself to that full issue For which I raz'd ** my likeness. — Now, banish'd Kent, If thou canst serve where thou dost stand con- demn'd, (So may it come !) thy master, whom thou lov'st. Shall find thee full of labours. Horns within. Enter Lear, Knights, a7id At- tendants. Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner : go, get it ready. \^EMt an Attendant. ~] How now, what art thou ? Kent. A man, sir. 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 judgment; to fight, when I cannot choose ; and to eat no fish. Lear. What art thou ? Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. Lear, If thou be as poor for a subject, as he is ^ Disorder, disguise. ■* Effaced.. c 3 22 KING LEAR. Act I. for a king, thou art poor enough. What would'st thou ? Kent. Service. Liear, Who would st thou serve ? Kent, You. L,ear. Dost thou know me, fellow ? Kent, No, sir ; but you have that in your coun- tenance, which I would fain call master. Lear. What's that ? Kent. Authority. Lear. What services canst thou do ? Kent. I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message bluntly : that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in 5 and the best of me is diligence. Lear. How old art thou ? Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing ; 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 worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. — Dinner, ho, dinner ! — Where's my knave ? my fool ? Go you, and call my fool hither : Enter Steward. You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter? Stexv. So please you, — \^Ea:it. Lear. What says the fellow there? Call the clot-poll back. — Where's my fool, ho? — I think the world's asleep. — How now, where's that mongrel ? Knight. He says, my lord, your daughter is not well. Lear. Why came not the slave back to me, when I call'd him ? Knight. Sir, he answer'd me in the roundest manner, he would not. Scene IV. KING LEAR. 23 Lear. He would not ! Knight, My lord, I know not what the matter is ; but, to my judgment, your highness is not enter- tained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont ; there's a great abatement of kindness ap- pears, as well in the general dependants, as in the duke himself also, and your daughter. Lear. Ha ! say'st thou so ? Knight. 1 beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken ; for my duty cannot be silent, when I think your highness is wrong'd. Lear. Thou but remember'st me of mine own conception ; I have perceived a most faint neglect of late ; which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity ^ than as a very pretence ^ and purpose of unkindness : I will look further in to' t. — But Where's my fool? I have not seen him this two days. Knight. Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the fool hath much pin'd away. Lear. No more of that ; I have noted it well Go, you, and tell my daughter I would speak with her. — Go you, call hither my fool. — Re-enter Steward. O, you sir, you sir, come you hither : Who am I, sir? Stew. My lady's father. Lear. My lady's father ! my lord's knave : you slave ! you cur ! Stew. lam none of this, my lord ; I beseech you, pardon me. Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal ? {^Striking him. Stew. I'll not be struck, my lord. * Punctilious jealousy. ^ Design. C 4 24 KING LEAR. Act I Kent, Nor tripped neither; you base foot-ball player. [Tripping up his Heels, Lear, I thank thee, fellow ; thou servest me, and I'll love thee. Kent, Come, sir, arise, away ; I'll teach you differences ; away, away : If you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry : but away ; go to : Have you wisdom ? so. [Pushes the Steward out, Lear, Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee : there's earnest of thy service. [Giving Kent Money, Enter Fool. Fool, Let me hire him too ; — Here's my cox- comb. [Giving Kent his Cap, Lear. How now, my pretty knave ? how dost thou ? Fool, Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. Kent, Why, fool ? Fool, Why, for taking one's part that is out of favour : Nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly : There, take my coxcomb : Why, this fellow has banish'd two of his daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will ; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb. — How now, nuncle ? 'Would I had two coxcombs, and two daughters ! Lear, Why, my boy ? Fool, If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my coxcombs myself: There's mine ; beg another of thy daughters. Lear, Take heed, sirrah ; the whip. Fool, Truth's a dog that must to kennel ; he must be whipp'd out, when Lady, the brach ^, may stand by the fire. " Bitch hound. Scene IV. KING LEAR. 25 Lear, A pestilent gall to me ! Fool Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech. Lear. Do. Fool, Mark it, nuncle : — Have more than thou showest. Speak less than thou knowestf Lend less than thou owest, ^ Ride more than thougoest. Learn more than thou trowest, ^ Set less than thou throwest; Aiid thou shalt have more Then two tens to a score, Lear, This is nothing, fool. Fool, Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer ; you gave me nothing fbr't : Can you make no use of nothing, nuncle ? Lear, Why, no, boy 5 nothing can be made out of nothing. Fool, Pr'ythee, tell him, so much the rent of his land comes to ; he will not believe a fool. ITo Kent. Lear, A bitter fool ! Fool, Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter fool and a sweet fool ? Lear, No, lad ; teach me. Fool. That lord, that counselled thee To give away thy land. Come place him here by me, — Or do thou for him stand : The sweet and bitter fool Will presently appear ; The one in motley here. The other found out there, Lear, Dost thou call me fool, boy ? Fool, All thy other titles thou hast given away ; that thou wast born with. 8 Ownest, possessest. ^ Believest. 26 KING LEAR. Act I. Kent. This is not altogether fool, my lord. Fool. No, 'faith, lords and great men will not let me ; if I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't : and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool to myself; they'll be snatching. — Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns. Lear. What two crowns shall they be ? Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg i'the middle, and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou clovest thy crown i'the middle and gavest away both parts, thou borest thine ass on thy back over the dirt : Thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown, when thou gavest thy golden one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipp'd that first finds it so. Fools had ne^er less grace^ in a year ; [Singing. For wise men are grown foppish ; And know not how their wits to wear. Their manners are so apish. Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? Fool. I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy daughters thy mother. Then they for sudden joy did weep, [Singing. And I for sorrow sung, That such a king should play bo-peep. And go the fools among. Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie ; I would fain learn to lie. Lear. If you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipp'd. Fool. I marvel, what kin thou and thy daughters are: they'll have me whipp'd for speaking true, thou'lt have me whipp'd for lying ; and, sometimes, I am whipp'd for holding my peace. I had rather ^ Favour. Scene IV. KING LEAR. 27 be any kind of thing, than a fool : and yet I would not be thee, nuncle ; thou hast pared thy wit o'both sides, and left nothing in the middle : Here comes one o'the parings. Enter Goneril. Lear. How now, daughter ! what makes that frontlet ^ on ? Methinks, you are too much of late i'the frown. FooL Thou wast a pretty fellow, when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning ; now thou art an O ^ without a figure : I am better than thou art now ; I am a fool, thou art nothing. — Yes, for- sooth, I will hold my tongue ; so your face \Jo GoN.] bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum. He that keeps nor crust nor crum Weary of all, shall want some, — That's a sheal'd peascod. ^ [Pointing to Lear. Gon, Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool, But other of your insolent retinue. Do hourly carp and quarrel ; breaking forth In rank and not-to-be-endured riots. Sir, I had thought, by making this well known unto you. To have found a safe redress ; but now grow fearful. By what yourself too late have spoke and done, That you protect this course, and put it on By your allowance^; which if you should, the fault Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep ; Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,^ 2 Part of a woman's head-dress, to which Lear compares her frowning brow. ^ A cypher. 4 A mere husk which contains nothing. '' Approbation. ^ Well governed state. 28 KING LEAR. Act I. Might in their working do you that offence, Which else were shame, that then necessity Will call discreet proceeding. Fool. For you trow, nuncle. The hedge'Sparrow fed the cuckoo so long^ That it had its head bit off by its young. So, out went the candle, and we were left darkhng. Lear. Are you our daughter ? Gon. Come, sir, I would, you would make use of that good wisdom whereof I know you are fraught^; and put away these dispositions, which of late transform you from what you rightly are. Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse ? Lear. Does any here know me ? — Why this is not Lear : does Lear walk thus ? speak thus ? Where are his eyes ? Either his notion weakens, or his discernings are lethargied. — Sleeping or wak- ing ? — Ha ! sure 'tis not so. — Who is it that can tell me who I am ? — Lear's shadow ? I would learn that ; for by the marks of sovereignty, know- ledge, and reason, I should be false persuaded I had daughters. — Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman ? Gon. Come, sir ; This admiration is much o'the favour ^ Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you To understand my purposes aright : As you are old and reverend, you should be wise ; Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires : Men so disorder' d, so debauch' d, and bold. That this our court, infected with their manners, Shows like a riotous inn. The shame doth speak For instant remedy : Be then desir'd 7 Stored. ^ Complexion. Scene IV. KING LEAR. 29 By her, that else will take the thing she begs, A little to disquantity your train ; And the remainder, that shall still depend,^ To be such men as may besort your age, And know themselves and you. Lear, Darkness and devils ! — Saddle my horses ; call my train together. — Degenerate bastard ! I'll not trouble thee ; Yet have I left a daughter. Gon, You strike my people ; and your disorder'd rabble Make servants of their betters. Enter Albany. Lear, Woe, that too late repents, — O, sir, are you come ? Is it your will ? [To Alb.] Speak, sir. — Prepare my horses. Ingratitude ! thou marble-hearted fiend. More hideous, when thou show'st thee in a child. Than the sea-monster ! Alb, Pray, sir, be patient. Jjear. Detested kite ! thouliest: [To Goneril. My train are men of choice and rarest parts. That all particulars of duty know ; And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name. — O most small fault. How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show ! Which, like an engine ^ wrench'd my frame of na- ture From the fix'd place ; drew from my heart all love. And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear ! Beat at this gate that let thy folly in, [Striking his Head. And thy dear judgment out ! — Go, go, my people. ^ Continue in service. * The rack. 30 KING LEAR. Act I. Alb, My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant Of what hath mov'd you. Lea7\ It may be so, my lord. — Hear, nature, hear; Dear goddess, hear ! Suspend thy purpose, if Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful ! Into her womb convey sterility ! Dry up in her the organs of increase ; And from her derogate ^ body never spring A babe to honour her ! If she must teem. Create her child of spleen ; that it may live. And be a thwart disnatur'd torment to her ! Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth ; With cadent ^ tears fret channels in her cheeks ; Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits. To laughter and contempt ; that she may feel How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child ! — Away, away ! \^Exit. Alb, Now, gods, that we adore, whereof comes this? Gon, Never afflict yourself to know the cause ; But let his disposition have that scope That dotage gives it. Re-enter Lear. Lear, What, fifty of my followers, at a clap ! Within a fortnight ? Alb, What's the matter, sir ? Lear, I'll tell thee ; — Life and death ! I am asham'd That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus : [ Jb GONERIL. That these hot tears, which break from me per- force, Should make thee worth them. — Blasts and fogs upon thee ! -^ Degraded. ^ Falling. Scene IV. KING LEAR. 31 The untented ^ woundings of a father's curse Pierce every sense about thee ! — Old fond eyes, Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck you out ; And cast you, with the waters that you lose, To temper clay. — Ha ! is it come to this ? Let it be so : — Yet have I left a daughter. Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable ; When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails She'll flay thy wolfish visage. Thou shalt find. That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think I have cast off for ever ; thou shalt, I warrant thee. [Ea^eunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants. Gon, Do you mark that, my lord ? Alb, I cannot be so partial, Goneril, To the great love I bear you, — Gon, Pray you, content. — What, Oswald, ho ! You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. [To the Fool. Fool, Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, and take the fool with thee. A fox, when one has caught her. And such a daughter. Should sure to the slaughter^ If my cap would buy a halter ; So the fool follows after, [Exit. Gon, This man hath had good counsel : — A hundred knights ! 'Tis politick, and safe, to let him keep At pointy a hundred knights. Yes, that on every dream. Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike. He may enguard his dotage with their powers. And hold our lives in mercy. — Oswald, I say ! — Alb, Well, you may fear too far. * Undressed. * Armed. 32 KING LEAR. Act I. Gon, Safer than trust : Let me still take away the arms I fear, Not fear still to be taken. I know his heart : What he hath utter'd, I have writ my sister ; If she sustain him and his hundred knights, When I have show'd the unfitness, — How now, Oswald ? Enter Steward. What, have you writ that letter to my sister ? Stew, Ay, madam. Gon, Take you some company, and away to horse : Inform her full of my particular fear ; And thereto add such reasons of your own. As may compact it more. Get you gone ; And hasten your return. [^Exit Stew.] No, no, my lord. This milky gentleness, and course of yours. Though I condemn it not, yet, under pardon, You are much more attask'd^ for want of wis- dom. Than prais'd for harmful mildness. Alb, How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot tell ; Striving to better, oft we mar what's well. Gon, Nay, then — Alb, Well, well ; the event. [Ea:eunt, ^ Liable to reprehension. Scene V. KING LEAR. 33 SCENE V. Court before the same. Enter Lear, Kent, and Vool. Lear. Go you before to Gloster with these let- ters: 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 before you. Kent, I will not sleep, my lord, till I have deli- vered your letter. [^Ea:it. Fool. If a man's brains were in his heels, were't not in danger of kibes ? Lear. Ay, boy. Fool. Then, I pr'ythee, be merry ; thy wit shall not go 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 is like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, my boy ? Fool. She will taste as like this, as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell, why one's nose stands i'the middle of his face ? Lear. No. Fool. Why, to keep his eyes on either side his nose ; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. Lear. I did her wrong : — - Fool. Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell ? Lear. No. Fool. Nor I neither ; but I can tell why a snail has a house. 