the tragedy of king lear - character extract · 2013-11-10 · the tragedy of king lear king lear...
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The Tragedy of King Lear
King Lear complete text
King Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester. 1.1.34
King Lear. Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. 1.1.36
Give me the map there. Know that we have divided 1.1.37
In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent 1.1.38
To shake all cares and business from our age; 1.1.39
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we 1.1.40
Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall, 1.1.41
And you, our no less loving son of Albany, 1.1.42
We have this hour a constant will to publish 1.1.43
Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife 1.1.44
May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy, 1.1.45
Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, 1.1.46
Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, 1.1.47
And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters,-- 1.1.48
Since now we will divest us both of rule, 1.1.49
Interest of territory, cares of state,-- 1.1.50
Which of you shall we say doth love us most? 1.1.51
That we our largest bounty may extend 1.1.52
Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril, 1.1.53
Our eldest-born, speak first. 1.1.54
KIng Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, 1.1.64
With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, 1.1.65
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, 1.1.66
We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue 1.1.67
Be this perpetual. What says our second daughter, 1.1.68
Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. 1.1.69
King Lear. To thee and thine hereditary ever 1.1.82
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; 1.1.83
No less in space, validity, and pleasure, 1.1.84
Than that conferr'd on Goneril. Now, our joy, 1.1.85
Although the last, not least; to whose young love 1.1.86
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy 1.1.87
Strive to be interess'd; what can you say to draw 1.1.88
A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. 1.1.89
King Lear. Nothing! 1.1.91
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. Nothing will come of nothing: speak again. 1.1.93
King Lear. How, how, Cordelia! mend your speech a little, 1.1.97
Lest it may mar your fortunes. 1.1.98
King Lear. But goes thy heart with this? 1.1.109
King Lear. So young, and so untender? 1.1.111
King Lear. Let it be so; thy truth, then, be thy dower: 1.1.113
For, by the sacred radiance of the sun, 1.1.114
The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; 1.1.115
By all the operation of the orbs 1.1.116
From whom we do exist, and cease to be; 1.1.117
Here I disclaim all my paternal care, 1.1.118
Propinquity and property of blood, 1.1.119
And as a stranger to my heart and me 1.1.120
Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous Scythian, 1.1.121
Or he that makes his generation messes 1.1.122
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom 1.1.123
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and relieved, 1.1.124
As thou my sometime daughter. 1.1.125
King Lear. Peace, Kent! 1.1.127
Come not between the dragon and his wrath. 1.1.128
I loved her most, and thought to set my rest 1.1.129
On her kind nursery. Hence, and avoid my sight! 1.1.130
So be my grave my peace, as here I give 1.1.131
Her father's heart from her! Call France; who stirs? 1.1.132
Call Burgundy. Cornwall and Albany, 1.1.133
With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: 1.1.134
Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. 1.1.135
I do invest you jointly with my power, 1.1.136
Pre-eminence, and all the large effects 1.1.137
That troop with majesty. Ourself, by monthly course, 1.1.138
With reservation of an hundred knights, 1.1.139
By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode 1.1.140
Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain 1.1.141
The name, and all the additions to a king; 1.1.142
The sway, revenue, execution of the rest, 1.1.143
Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, 1.1.144
This coronet part betwixt you. 1.1.145
Giving the crown King Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from the shaft. 1.1.150
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. 1.1.162
King Lear. Out of my sight! 1.1.166
King Lear. Now, by Apollo,-- 1.1.169
King Lear. O, vassal! miscreant! [Lays his hand on his sword] 1.1.172
King Lear. Hear me, recreant! 1.1.179
On thine allegiance, hear me! 1.1.180
Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, 1.1.181
Which we durst never yet, and with strain'd pride 1.1.182
To come between our sentence and our power, 1.1.183
Which nor our nature nor our place can bear, 1.1.184
Our potency made good, take thy reward. 1.1.185
Five days we do allot thee, for provision 1.1.186
To shield thee from diseases of the world; 1.1.187
And on the sixth to turn thy hated back 1.1.188
Upon our kingdom: if, on the tenth day following, 1.1.189
Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions, 1.1.190
The moment is thy death. Away! by Jupiter, 1.1.191
This shall not be revoked. 1.1.192
King Lear. My lord of Burgundy. 1.1.202
We first address towards you, who with this king 1.1.203
Hath rivall'd for our daughter: what, in the least, 1.1.204
Will you require in present dower with her, 1.1.205
Or cease your quest of love? 1.1.206
King Lear. Right noble Burgundy, 1.1.210
When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; 1.1.211
But now her price is fall'n. Sir, there she stands: 1.1.212
If aught within that little seeming substance, 1.1.213
Or all of it, with our displeasure pieced, 1.1.214
And nothing more, may fitly like your grace, 1.1.215
She's there, and she is yours. 1.1.216
King Lear. Will you, with those infirmities she owes, 1.1.218
Unfriended, new-adopted to our hate, 1.1.219
Dower'd with our curse, and stranger'd with our oath, 1.1.220
Take her, or leave her? 1.1.221
King Lear. Then leave her, sir; for, by the power that made me, 1.1.224
I tell you all her wealth. 1.1.225
To KING OF FRANCE
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
For you, great king, 1.1.226
I would not from your love make such a stray, 1.1.227
To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you 1.1.228
To avert your liking a more worthier way 1.1.229
Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed 1.1.230
Almost to acknowledge hers. 1.1.231
King Lear. Better thou 1.1.254
Hadst not been born than not to have pleased me better. 1.1.255
King Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm. 1.1.267
King Lear. Thou hast her, France: let her be thine; for we 1.1.285
Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see 1.1.286
That face of hers again. Therefore be gone 1.1.287
Without our grace, our love, our benison. 1.1.288
Come, noble Burgundy. 1.1.289
Flourish. Exeunt all but KING OF FRANCE, GONERIL,
REGAN, and CORDELIA King Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready. 1.4.8
Exit an Attendant How now! what art thou? 1.4.9
King Lear. What dost thou profess? what wouldst thou with us? 1.4.11
King Lear. What art thou? 1.4.17
King Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a 1.4.19
king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? 1.4.20
King Lear. Who wouldst thou serve? 1.4.22
King Lear. Dost thou know me, fellow? 1.4.24
King Lear. What's that? 1.4.27
King Lear. What services canst thou do? 1.4.29
King Lear. How old art thou? 1.4.34
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no 1.4.38
worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. 1.4.39
Dinner, ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool? 1.4.40
Go you, and call my fool hither. 1.4.41
Exit an Attendant
Enter OSWALD You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter? 1.4.42
King Lear. What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back. 1.4.44
Exit a Knight Where's my fool, ho? I think the world's asleep. 1.4.45
Re-enter Knight How now! where's that mongrel? 1.4.46
King Lear. Why came not the slave back to me when I called him. 1.4.48
King Lear. He would not! 1.4.51
King Lear. Ha! sayest thou so? 1.4.58
King Lear. Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception: I 1.4.62
have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I 1.4.63
have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity 1.4.64
than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: 1.4.65
I will look further into't. But where's my fool? I 1.4.66
have not seen him this two days. 1.4.67
King Lear. No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you, and 1.4.70
tell my daughter I would speak with her. 1.4.71
Exit an Attendant Go you, call hither my fool. 1.4.72
Exit an Attendant
Re-enter OSWALD O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am I, 1.4.73
sir? 1.4.74
King Lear. 'My lady's father'! my lord's knave: your 1.4.76
whoreson dog! you slave! you cur! 1.4.77
King Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal? 1.4.79
Striking him King Lear. I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll 1.4.82
1.4.83
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
love thee. King Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's 1.4.88
earnest of thy service. 1.4.89
Giving KENT money
Enter Fool King Lear. How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou? 1.4.91
King Lear. Why, my boy? 1.4.101
King Lear. Take heed, sirrah; the whip. 1.4.104
King Lear. A pestilent gall to me! 1.4.107
King Lear. Do. 1.4.109
King Lear. Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing. 1.4.125
King Lear. A bitter fool! 1.4.128
King Lear. No, lad; teach me. 1.4.131
King Lear. Dost thou call me fool, boy? 1.4.140
King Lear. What two crowns shall they be? 1.4.149
King Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? 1.4.162
King Lear. An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped. 1.4.172
King Lear. How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on? 1.4.181
Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown. 1.4.182
King Lear Are you our daughter? 1.4.210
King Lear. Doth any here know me? This is not Lear: 1.4.218
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes? 1.4.219
Either his notion weakens, his discernings 1.4.220
Are lethargied--Ha! waking? 'tis not so. 1.4.221
Who is it that can tell me who I am? 1.4.222
King Lear. I would learn that; for, by the 1.4.224
marks of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, 1.4.225
I should be false persuaded I had daughters. 1.4.226
King Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman? 1.4.228
King Lear. Darkness and devils! 1.4.245
Saddle my horses; call my train together: 1.4.246
Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee. 1.4.247
Yet have I left a daughter. 1.4.248
King Lear. Woe, that too late repents,-- 1.4.251
To ALBANY O, sir, are you come? 1.4.252
Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses. 1.4.253
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, 1.4.254
More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child 1.4.255
Than the sea-monster! 1.4.256
King Lear. [To GONERIL] Detested kite! thou liest. 1.4.258
My train are men of choice and rarest parts, 1.4.259
That all particulars of duty know, 1.4.260
And in the most exact regard support 1.4.261
The worships of their name. O most small fault, 1.4.262
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! 1.4.263
That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature 1.4.264
From the fix'd place; drew from heart all love, 1.4.265
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! 1.4.266
Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, 1.4.267
Striking his head And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people. 1.4.268
King Lear. It may be so, my lord. 1.4.271
Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear! 1.4.272
Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend 1.4.273
To make this creature fruitful! 1.4.274
Into her womb convey sterility! 1.4.275
Dry up in her the organs of increase; 1.4.276
And from her derogate body never spring 1.4.277
A babe to honour her! If she must teem, 1.4.278
Create her child of spleen; that it may live, 1.4.279
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her! 1.4.280
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth; 1.4.281
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks; 1.4.282
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits 1.4.283
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel 1.4.284
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is 1.4.285
To have a thankless child! Away, away! 1.4.286
Exit King Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! 1.4.291
Within a fortnight! 1.4.292
King Lear. I'll tell thee: 1.4.294
To GONERIL Life and death! I am ashamed 1.4.295
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; 1.4.296
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, 1.4.297
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee! 1.4.298
The untented woundings of a father's curse 1.4.299
Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes, 1.4.300
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out, 1.4.301
And cast you, with the waters that you lose, 1.4.302
To temper clay. Yea, it is come to this? 1.4.303
Let is be so: yet have I left a daughter, 1.4.304
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable: 1.4.305
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails 1.4.306
She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find 1.4.307
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think 1.4.308
I have cast off for ever: thou shalt, 1.4.309
I warrant thee. 1.4.310
Exeunt KING LEAR, KENT, and Attendants King Lear. Go you before to Gloucester with these letters. 1.5.1
Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you 1.5.2
know than comes from her demand out of the letter. 1.5.3
If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore you. 1.5.4
King Lear. Ay, boy. 1.5.9
King Lear. Ha, ha, ha! 1.5.12
King Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? 1.5.16
King Lear. No. 1.5.20
King Lear. I did her wrong-- 1.5.23
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. No. 1.5.25
King Lear. Why? 1.5.27
King Lear. I will forget my nature. So kind a father! Be my 1.5.30
horses ready? 1.5.31
King Lear. Because they are not eight? 1.5.34
King Lear. To take 't again perforce! Monster ingratitude! 1.5.36
King Lear. How's that? 1.5.39
King Lear. O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven 1.5.42
Keep me in temper: I would not be mad! 1.5.43
Enter Gentleman How now! are the horses ready? 1.5.44
King Lear. Come, boy. 1.5.46
King Lear. 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home, 2.4.1
And not send back my messenger. 2.4.2
King Lear. Ha! 2.4.7
Makest thou this shame thy pastime? 2.4.8
King Lear. What's he that hath so much thy place mistook 2.4.15
To set thee here? 2.4.16
King Lear. No. 2.4.19
King Lear. No, I say. 2.4.21
King Lear. No, no, they would not. 2.4.23
King Lear. By Jupiter, I swear, no. 2.4.25
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King Lear. They durst not do 't; 2.4.27
They could not, would not do 't; 'tis worse than murder, 2.4.28
To do upon respect such violent outrage: 2.4.29
Resolve me, with all modest haste, which way 2.4.30
Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage, 2.4.31
Coming from us. 2.4.32
King Lear. O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! 2.4.61
Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow, 2.4.62
Thy element's below! Where is this daughter? 2.4.63
King Lear. Follow me not; 2.4.65
Stay here. 2.4.66
Exit King Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary? 2.4.93
They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches; 2.4.94
The images of revolt and flying off. 2.4.95
Fetch me a better answer. 2.4.96
King Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion! 2.4.101
Fiery? what quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester, 2.4.102
I'ld speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. 2.4.103
King Lear. Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man? 2.4.105
King Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father 2.4.107
Would with his daughter speak, commands her service: 2.4.108
Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood! 2.4.109
Fiery? the fiery duke? Tell the hot duke that-- 2.4.110
No, but not yet: may be he is not well: 2.4.111
Infirmity doth still neglect all office 2.4.112
Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves 2.4.113
When nature, being oppress'd, commands the mind 2.4.114
To suffer with the body: I'll forbear; 2.4.115
And am fall'n out with my more headier will, 2.4.116
To take the indisposed and sickly fit 2.4.117
For the sound man. Death on my state! wherefore 2.4.118
Looking on KENT Should he sit here? This act persuades me 2.4.119
That this remotion of the duke and her 2.4.120
Is practise only. Give me my servant forth. 2.4.121
Go tell the duke and 's wife I'ld speak with them, 2.4.122
Now, presently: bid them come forth and hear me, 2.4.123
Or at their chamber-door I'll beat the drum 2.4.124
Till it cry sleep to death. 2.4.125
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart! but, down! 2.4.127
King Lear. Good morrow to you both. 2.4.133
King Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason 2.4.136
I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad, 2.4.137
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, 2.4.138
Sepulchring an adultress. 2.4.139
To KENT O, are you free? 2.4.140
Some other time for that. Beloved Regan, 2.4.141
Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath tied 2.4.142
Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here: 2.4.143
Points to his heart I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe 2.4.144
With how depraved a quality--O Regan! 2.4.145
King Lear. Say, how is that? 2.4.149
King Lear. My curses on her! 2.4.155
King Lear. Ask her forgiveness? 2.4.163
Do you but mark how this becomes the house: 2.4.164
'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old; 2.4.165
Kneeling Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg 2.4.166
That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.' 2.4.167
King Lear. [Rising] Never, Regan: 2.4.170
She hath abated me of half my train; 2.4.171
Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue, 2.4.172
Most serpent-like, upon the very heart: 2.4.173
All the stored vengeances of heaven fall 2.4.174
On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones, 2.4.175
You taking airs, with lameness! 2.4.176
King Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames 2.4.178
Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty, 2.4.179
You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun, 2.4.180
To fall and blast her pride! 2.4.181
King Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse: 2.4.184
Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give 2.4.185
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce; but thine 2.4.186
Do comfort and not burn. 'Tis not in thee 2.4.187
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, 2.4.188
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, 2.4.189
And in conclusion to oppose the bolt 2.4.190
Against my coming in: thou better know'st 2.4.191
The offices of nature, bond of childhood, 2.4.192
Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude; 2.4.193
Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot, 2.4.194
Wherein I thee endow'd. 2.4.195
King Lear. Who put my man i' the stocks? 2.4.197
Tucket within King Lear. This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride 2.4.202
Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. 2.4.203
Out, varlet, from my sight! 2.4.204
King Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope 2.4.206
Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here? O heavens, 2.4.207
Enter GONERIL If you do love old men, if your sweet sway 2.4.208
Allow obedience, if yourselves are old, 2.4.209
Make it your cause; send down, and take my part! 2.4.210
To GONERIL Art not ashamed to look upon this beard? 2.4.211
O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand? 2.4.212
King Lear. O sides, you are too tough; 2.4.216
Will you yet hold? How came my man i' the stocks? 2.4.217
King Lear. You! did you? 2.4.220
King Lear. Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd? 2.4.227
No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose 2.4.228
To wage against the enmity o' the air; 2.4.229
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,-- 2.4.230
Necessity's sharp pinch! Return with her? 2.4.231
Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took 2.4.232
Our youngest born, I could as well be brought 2.4.233
To knee his throne, and, squire-like; pension beg 2.4.234
To keep base life afoot. Return with her? 2.4.235
Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter 2.4.236
To this detested groom. 2.4.237
Pointing at OSWALD
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad: 2.4.239
I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell: 2.4.240
We'll no more meet, no more see one another: 2.4.241
But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter; 2.4.242
Or rather a disease that's in my flesh, 2.4.243
Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil, 2.4.244
A plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle, 2.4.245
In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee; 2.4.246
Let shame come when it will, I do not call it: 2.4.247
I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, 2.4.248
Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove: 2.4.249
Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure: 2.4.250
I can be patient; I can stay with Regan, 2.4.251
I and my hundred knights. 2.4.252
King Lear. Is this well spoken? 2.4.259
King Lear. I gave you all-- 2.4.273
King Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaries; 2.4.275
But kept a reservation to be follow'd 2.4.276
With such a number. What, must I come to you 2.4.277
With five and twenty, Regan? said you so? 2.4.278
King Lear. Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd, 2.4.280
When others are more wicked: not being the worst 2.4.281
Stands in some rank of praise. 2.4.282
To GONERIL I'll go with thee: 2.4.283
Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, 2.4.284
And thou art twice her love. 2.4.285
King Lear. O, reason not the need: our basest beggars 2.4.291
Are in the poorest thing superfluous: 2.4.292
Allow not nature more than nature needs, 2.4.293
Man's life's as cheap as beast's: thou art a lady; 2.4.294
If only to go warm were gorgeous, 2.4.295
Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st, 2.4.296
Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need,-- 2.4.297
You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need! 2.4.298
You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, 2.4.299
As full of grief as age; wretched in both! 2.4.300
If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts 2.4.301
Against their father, fool me not so much 2.4.302
To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger, 2.4.303
And let not women's weapons, water-drops, 2.4.304
Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags, 2.4.305
I will have such revenges on you both, 2.4.306
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
That all the world shall--I will do such things,-- 2.4.307
What they are, yet I know not: but they shall be 2.4.308
The terrors of the earth. You think I'll weep 2.4.309
No, I'll not weep: 2.4.310
I have full cause of weeping; but this heart 2.4.311
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws, 2.4.312
Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad! 2.4.313
Exeunt KING LEAR, GLOUCESTER, KENT, and Fool
Storm and tempest King Lear. Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! 3.2.1
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout 3.2.2
Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! 3.2.3
You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, 3.2.4
Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, 3.2.5
Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, 3.2.6
Smite flat the thick rotundity o' the world! 3.2.7
Crack nature's moulds, an germens spill at once, 3.2.8
That make ingrateful man! 3.2.9
King Lear. Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain! 3.2.14
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: 3.2.15
I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness; 3.2.16
I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children, 3.2.17
You owe me no subscription: then let fall 3.2.18
Your horrible pleasure: here I stand, your slave, 3.2.19
A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man: 3.2.20
But yet I call you servile ministers, 3.2.21
That have with two pernicious daughters join'd 3.2.22
Your high engender'd battles 'gainst a head 3.2.23
So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul! 3.2.24
King Lear. No, I will be the pattern of all patience; 3.2.37
I will say nothing. 3.2.38
Enter KENT King Lear. Let the great gods, 3.2.50
That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, 3.2.51
Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, 3.2.52
That hast within thee undivulged crimes, 3.2.53
Unwhipp'd of justice: hide thee, thou bloody hand; 3.2.54
Thou perjured, and thou simular man of virtue 3.2.55
That art incestuous: caitiff, to pieces shake, 3.2.56
That under covert and convenient seeming 3.2.57
Hast practised on man's life: close pent-up guilts, 3.2.58
Rive your concealing continents, and cry 3.2.59
These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man 3.2.60
More sinn'd against than sinning. 3.2.61
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. My wits begin to turn. 3.2.70
Come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? art cold? 3.2.71
I am cold myself. Where is this straw, my fellow? 3.2.72
The art of our necessities is strange, 3.2.73
That can make vile things precious. Come, 3.2.74
your hovel. 3.2.75
Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart 3.2.76
That's sorry yet for thee. 3.2.77
King Lear. True, my good boy. Come, bring us to this hovel. 3.2.83
Exeunt KING LEAR and KENT King Lear. Let me alone. 3.4.4
King Lear. Wilt break my heart? 3.4.6
King Lear. Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm 3.4.8
Invades us to the skin: so 'tis to thee; 3.4.9
But where the greater malady is fix'd, 3.4.10
The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'ldst shun a bear; 3.4.11
But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea, 3.4.12
Thou'ldst meet the bear i' the mouth. When the 3.4.13
mind's free, 3.4.14
The body's delicate: the tempest in my mind 3.4.15
Doth from my senses take all feeling else 3.4.16
Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude! 3.4.17
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand 3.4.18
For lifting food to't? But I will punish home: 3.4.19
No, I will weep no more. In such a night 3.4.20
To shut me out! Pour on; I will endure. 3.4.21
In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril! 3.4.22
Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all,-- 3.4.23
O, that way madness lies; let me shun that; 3.4.24
No more of that. 3.4.25
King Lear. Prithee, go in thyself: seek thine own ease: 3.4.27
This tempest will not give me leave to ponder 3.4.28
On things would hurt me more. But I'll go in. 3.4.29
To the Fool In, boy; go first. You houseless poverty,-- 3.4.30
Nay, get thee in. I'll pray, and then I'll sleep. 3.4.31
Fool goes in Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are, 3.4.32
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm, 3.4.33
How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides, 3.4.34
Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you 3.4.35
From seasons such as these? O, I have ta'en 3.4.36
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp; 3.4.37
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, 3.4.38
That thou mayst shake the superflux to them, 3.4.39
And show the heavens more just. 3.4.40
King Lear. Hast thou given all to thy two daughters? 3.4.51
And art thou come to this? 3.4.52
King Lear. What, have his daughters brought him to this pass? 3.4.65
Couldst thou save nothing? Didst thou give them all? 3.4.66
King Lear. Now, all the plagues that in the pendulous air 3.4.68
Hang fated o'er men's faults light on thy daughters! 3.4.69
King Lear. Death, traitor! nothing could have subdued nature 3.4.71
To such a lowness but his unkind daughters. 3.4.72
Is it the fashion, that discarded fathers 3.4.73
Should have thus little mercy on their flesh? 3.4.74
Judicious punishment! 'twas this flesh begot 3.4.75
Those pelican daughters. 3.4.76
King Lear. What hast thou been? 3.4.84
King Lear. Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer 3.4.102
with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies. 3.4.103
Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou 3.4.104
owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep 3.4.105
no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! here's three on 3.4.106
's are sophisticated! Thou art the thing itself: 3.4.107
unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare, 3.4.108
forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! 3.4.109
come unbutton here. 3.4.110
Tearing off his clothes King Lear. What's he? 3.4.126
King Lear. First let me talk with this philosopher. 3.4.153
What is the cause of thunder? 3.4.154
King Lear. I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban. 3.4.156
What is your study? 3.4.157
King Lear. Let me ask you one word in private. 3.4.159
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. O, cry your mercy, sir. 3.4.172
Noble philosopher, your company. 3.4.173
King Lear. Come let's in all. 3.4.176
King Lear. With him; 3.4.178
I will keep still with my philosopher. 3.4.179
King Lear. Come, good Athenian. 3.4.183
King Lear. A king, a king! 3.6.11
King Lear. To have a thousand with red burning spits 3.6.15
Come hissing in upon 'em,-- 3.6.16
King Lear. It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. 3.6.20
To EDGAR Come, sit thou here, most learned justicer; 3.6.21
To the Fool Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, you she foxes! 3.6.22
King Lear. I'll see their trial first. Bring in the evidence. 3.6.35
To EDGAR Thou robed man of justice, take thy place; 3.6.36
To the Fool And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, 3.6.37
Bench by his side: 3.6.38
To KENT you are o' the commission, 3.6.39
Sit you too. 3.6.40
King Lear. Arraign her first; 'tis Goneril. I here take my 3.6.47
oath before this honourable assembly, she kicked the 3.6.48
poor king her father. 3.6.49
King Lear. She cannot deny it. 3.6.51
King Lear. And here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim 3.6.53
What store her heart is made on. Stop her there! 3.6.54
Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place! 3.6.55
False justicer, why hast thou let her 'scape? 3.6.56
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. The little dogs and all, Tray, Blanch, and 3.6.62
Sweet-heart, see, they bark at me. 3.6.63
King Lear. Then let them anatomize Regan; see what breeds 3.6.75
about her heart. Is there any cause in nature that 3.6.76
makes these hard hearts? 3.6.77
To EDGAR You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred; only I 3.6.78
do not like the fashion of your garments: you will 3.6.79
say they are Persian attire: but let them be changed. 3.6.80
King Lear. Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains: 3.6.82
so, so, so. We'll go to supper i' he morning. So, so, so. 3.6.83
King Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the 4.6.96
king himself. 4.6.97
King Lear. Nature's above art in that respect. There's your 4.6.99
press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a 4.6.100
crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard. Look, 4.6.101
look, a mouse! Peace, peace; this piece of toasted 4.6.102
cheese will do 't. There's my gauntlet; I'll prove 4.6.103
it on a giant. Bring up the brown bills. O, well 4.6.104
flown, bird! i' the clout, i' the clout: hewgh! 4.6.105
Give the word. 4.6.106
King Lear. Pass. 4.6.108
King Lear. Ha! Goneril, with a white beard! They flattered 4.6.110
me like a dog; and told me I had white hairs in my 4.6.111
beard ere the black ones were there. To say 'ay' 4.6.112
and 'no' to every thing that I said!--'Ay' and 'no' 4.6.113
too was no good divinity. When the rain came to 4.6.114
wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when 4.6.115
the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I 4.6.116
found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go to, they are 4.6.117
not men o' their words: they told me I was every 4.6.118
thing; 'tis a lie, I am not ague-proof. 4.6.119
King Lear. Ay, every inch a king: 4.6.122
When I do stare, see how the subject quakes. 4.6.123
I pardon that man's life. What was thy cause? Adultery? 4.6.124
Thou shalt not die: die for adultery! No: 4.6.125
The wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly 4.6.126
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
Does lecher in my sight. 4.6.127
Let copulation thrive; for Gloucester's bastard son 4.6.128
Was kinder to his father than my daughters 4.6.129
Got 'tween the lawful sheets. 4.6.130
To 't, luxury, pell-mell! for I lack soldiers. 4.6.131
Behold yond simpering dame, 4.6.132
Whose face between her forks presages snow; 4.6.133
That minces virtue, and does shake the head 4.6.134
To hear of pleasure's name; 4.6.135
The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to 't 4.6.136
With a more riotous appetite. 4.6.137
Down from the waist they are Centaurs, 4.6.138
Though women all above: 4.6.139
But to the girdle do the gods inherit, 4.6.140
Beneath is all the fiends'; 4.6.141
There's hell, there's darkness, there's the 4.6.142
sulphurous pit, 4.6.143
Burning, scalding, stench, consumption; fie, 4.6.144
fie, fie! pah, pah! Give me an ounce of civet, 4.6.145
good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: 4.6.146
there's money for thee. 4.6.147
King Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. 4.6.149
King Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny 4.6.152
at me? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid! I'll not 4.6.153
love. Read thou this challenge; mark but the 4.6.154
penning of it. 4.6.155
King Lear. Read. 4.6.159
King Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your 4.6.161
head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in 4.6.162
a heavy case, your purse in a light; yet you see how 4.6.163
this world goes. 4.6.164
King Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes 4.6.166
with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond 4.6.167
justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in 4.6.168
thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which 4.6.169
is the justice, which is the thief? Thou hast seen 4.6.170
a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? 4.6.171
King Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou 4.6.173
mightst behold the great image of authority: a 4.6.174
dog's obeyed in office. 4.6.175
Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand! 4.6.176
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back; 4.6.177
Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind 4.6.178
For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs the cozener. 4.6.179
Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; 4.6.180
Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, 4.6.181
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks: 4.6.182
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it. 4.6.183
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em: 4.6.184
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power 4.6.185
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes; 4.6.186
And like a scurvy politician, seem 4.6.187
To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now, now: 4.6.188
Pull off my boots: harder, harder: so. 4.6.189
King Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. 4.6.191
I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester: 4.6.192
Thou must be patient; we came crying hither: 4.6.193
Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air, 4.6.194
We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark. 4.6.195
King Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come 4.6.197
To this great stage of fools: this a good block; 4.6.198
It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe 4.6.199
A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof; 4.6.200
And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law, 4.6.201
Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill! 4.6.202
Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants King Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even 4.6.205
The natural fool of fortune. Use me well; 4.6.206
You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons; 4.6.207
I am cut to the brains. 4.6.208
King Lear. No seconds? all myself? 4.6.210
Why, this would make a man a man of salt, 4.6.211
To use his eyes for garden water-pots, 4.6.212
Ay, and laying autumn's dust. 4.6.213
King Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom. What! 4.6.215
I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king, 4.6.216
My masters, know you that. 4.6.217
King Lear. Then there's life in't. Nay, if you get it, you 4.6.219
shall get it with running. Sa, sa, sa, sa. 4.6.220
Exit running; Attendants follow
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' the grave: 4.7.52
Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound 4.7.53
Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears 4.7.54
Do scald like moulten lead. 4.7.55
King Lear. You are a spirit, I know: when did you die? 4.7.57
King Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? 4.7.60
I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity, 4.7.61
To see another thus. I know not what to say. 4.7.62
I will not swear these are my hands: let's see; 4.7.63
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured 4.7.64
Of my condition! 4.7.65
King Lear. Pray, do not mock me: 4.7.69
I am a very foolish fond old man, 4.7.70
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; 4.7.71
And, to deal plainly, 4.7.72
I fear I am not in my perfect mind. 4.7.73
Methinks I should know you, and know this man; 4.7.74
Yet I am doubtful for I am mainly ignorant 4.7.75
What place this is; and all the skill I have 4.7.76
Remembers not these garments; nor I know not 4.7.77
Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me; 4.7.78
For, as I am a man, I think this lady 4.7.79
To be my child Cordelia. 4.7.80
King Lear. Be your tears wet? yes, 'faith. I pray, weep not: 4.7.82
If you have poison for me, I will drink it. 4.7.83
I know you do not love me; for your sisters 4.7.84
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong: 4.7.85
You have some cause, they have not. 4.7.86
King Lear. Am I in France? 4.7.88
King Lear. Do not abuse me. 4.7.90
King Lear. You must bear with me: 4.7.97
Pray you now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish. 4.7.98
Exeunt all but KENT and Gentleman King Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: 5.3.9
We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: 5.3.10
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, 5.3.11
And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live, 5.3.12
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh 5.3.13
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues 5.3.14
Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, 5.3.15
Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out; 5.3.16
And take upon's the mystery of things, 5.3.17
As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out, 5.3.18
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, 5.3.19
That ebb and flow by the moon. 5.3.20
King Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, 5.3.22
The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? 5.3.23
He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, 5.3.24
And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; 5.3.25
The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell, 5.3.26
Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see 'em starve 5.3.27
first. Come. 5.3.28
Exeunt KING LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded King Lear. Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones: 5.3.302
Had I your tongues and eyes, I'ld use them so 5.3.303
That heaven's vault should crack. She's gone for ever! 5.3.304
I know when one is dead, and when one lives; 5.3.305
She's dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass; 5.3.306
If that her breath will mist or stain the stone, 5.3.307
Why, then she lives. 5.3.308
King Lear. This feather stirs; she lives! if it be so, 5.3.312
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows 5.3.313
That ever I have felt. 5.3.314
King Lear. Prithee, away. 5.3.316
King Lear. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all! 5.3.318
I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever! 5.3.319
Cordelia, Cordelia! stay a little. Ha! 5.3.320
What is't thou say'st? Her voice was ever soft, 5.3.321
Gentle, and low, an excellent thing in woman. 5.3.322
I kill'd the slave that was a-hanging thee. 5.3.323
King Lear. Did I not, fellow? 5.3.325
I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion 5.3.326
I would have made them skip: I am old now, 5.3.327
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you? 5.3.328
Mine eyes are not o' the best: I'll tell you straight. 5.3.329
King Lear. This is a dull sight. Are you not Kent? 5.3.332
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The Tragedy of King Lear - character extract
King Lear. He's a good fellow, I can tell you that; 5.3.335
He'll strike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten. 5.3.336
King Lear. I'll see that straight. 5.3.338
King Lear. You are welcome hither. 5.3.341
King Lear. Ay, so I think. 5.3.345
King Lear. And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life! 5.3.361
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, 5.3.362
And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more, 5.3.363
Never, never, never, never, never! 5.3.364
Pray you, undo this button: thank you, sir. 5.3.365
Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips, 5.3.366
Look there, look there! 5.3.367
Dies
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