The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: ss1r - Tragedies, p. 305

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The Tragedie of King Lear.
[2635]
The knowledge of themselues. Edg. Giue me your hand: Farre off methinkes I heare the beaten Drumme. Come Father, Ile bestow you with a Friend. Exeunt.
Scoena Septima. [Act 4, Scene 6] This is the sixth scene in the Folio edition, although it is numbered the seventh. Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Gentleman. Cor. O thou good Kent,
[2640]
How shall I liue and worke To match thy goodnesse? My life will be too short, And euery measure faile me. Kent. To be acknowledge'd Madam is ore­pai'd,
[2645]
All my reports go with the modest truth, Nor more, nor clipt, but so. Cor. Be better suited, These weedes are memories of those worser houres: I prythee put them off. Kent.
[2650]
Pardon deere Madam, Yet to be knowne shortens my made intent, My boone I make it, that you know me not, Till time, and I, thinke meet. Cor. Then be't so my good Lord:
[2655]
How do's the King? Gent.

Madam sleepes still.

 Cor. O you kind Gods! Cure this great breach in his abused Nature, Th'vntun'd and iarring senses, O winde vp,
[2660]
Of this childe‐changed Father. Gent. So please your Maiesty, That we may wake the King, he hath slept long? Cor. Be gouern'd by your knowledge, and proceede I'th' sway of your owne will: is he array'd? Enter Lear in a chaire carried by Seruants Gent.
[2665]
I Madam: in the heauinesse of sleepe, We put fresh garments on him. Be by good Madam when we do awake him, I doubt of his Temperance. Cor. O my deere Father, restauratian hang
[2670]
Thy medicine on my lippes, and let this kisse Repaire those violent harmes, that my two Sisters Haue in thy Reuerence made. Kent.

Kind and deere Princesse.

 Cor. Had you not bin their Father, these white flakes
[2675]
Did challenge pitty of them. Was this a face To be oppos'd against the iarring windes? Mine Enemies dogge, though he had bit me, Should haue stood that night against my fire, And was't thou faine (poore Father)
[2680]
To houell thee with Swine and Rogues forlorne, In short, and musty straw? Alacke, alacke, 'Tis wonder that thy life and wits, at once Had not concluded all. He wakes, speake to him. Gen.

Madam do you, 'tis fittest.

 Cor. How does my Royall Lord?
[2685]
How fares your Maiesty? Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o'th' graue, Thou art a Soule in blisse, but I am bound

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Vpon a wheele of fire, that mine owne teares Do scal'd, like molten Lead. Cor.
[2690]

Sir, do you know me?

 Lear.

You are a spirit I know, where did you dye?

 Cor.

Still, still, farre wide.

 Gen. He's scarse awake, Let him alone a while. Lear.
[2695]
Where haue I bin? Where am I? Faire day light? I am mightily abus'd; I should eu'n dye with pitty To see another thus. I know not what to say: I will not sweare these are my hands: let's see,
[2700]
I feele this pin pricke, would I were assur'd Of my condition. Cor. O looke vpon me Sir, And hold your hand in benediction o're me, You must not kneele. Lear.
[2705]
Pray do not mocke me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourescore and vpward, Not an houre more, nor lesse: And to deale plainely,
[2710]
I feare I am not in my perfect mind. Me thinkes I should know you, and know this man, Yet I am doubtfull: For I am mainely ignorant What place this is: and all the skill I haue Remembers not these garments: nor I know not
[2715]
Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me, For (as I am a man) I thinke this Lady To be my childe Cordelia. Cor.

And so I am: I am.

 Lear. Be your teares wet?
[2720]
Yes faith: I pray weepe not, If you haue poyson for me, I will drinke it: I know you do not loue me, for your Sisters Haue (as I do remember) done me wrong. You haue some cause, they haue not. Cor.
[2725]

No cause, no cause.

 Lear.

Am I in France?

 Kent.

In your owne kingdome Sir.

 Lear.

Do not abuse me.

 Gent. Be comforted good Madam, the great rage
[2730]
You see is kill'd in him: desire him to go in, Trouble him no more till further settling. Cor.

Wilt please your Highnesse walke?

 Lear. You must beare with me: Pray you now forget, and forgiue,
[2735]
I am old and foolish. Exeunt.
Actus Quintus. Scena Prima. [Act 5, Scene 1] Enter with Drumme and Colours, Edmund, Regan. Gentlemen, and Souldiers. Bast. Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold, Or whether since he is aduis'd by ought To change the course, he's full of alteration, And selfereprouing, bring his constant pleasure. Reg.
[2740]

Our Sisters man is certainely miscarried.

 Bast.

'Tis to be doubted Madam.

 Reg. Now sweet Lord, ff You

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Actus Quintus. Scena Prima. [Act 5, Scene 1] Enter with Drumme and Colours, Edmund, Regan. Gentlemen, and Souldiers. Bast. Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold, Or whether since he is aduis'd by ought To change the course, he's full of alteration, And selfereprouing, bring his constant pleasure. Reg.
[2740]

Our Sisters man is certainely miscarried.

 Bast.

'Tis to be doubted Madam.

 Reg. Now sweet Lord, You know the goodnesse I intend vpon you: Tell me but truly, but then speake the truth,
[2745]
Do you not loue my Sister? Bast.

In honour'd Loue.

 Reg. But haue you neuer found my Brothers way, To the fore‐fended place? Bast.

No by mine honour, Madam.

 Reg.
[2750]
I neuer shall endure her, deere my Lord Be not familiar with her. Bast.

Feare not, she and the Duke her husband.

 Enter with Drum and Colours, Albany, Gonerill, Soldiers. Alb. Our very louing Sister, well be‐met: Sir, this I heard, the King is come to his Daughter
[2755]
With others, whom the rigour of our State Forc'd to cry out. Regan.

Why is this reasond?

 Gone. Combine together 'gainst the Enemie: For these domesticke and particular broiles,
[2760]
Are not the question here. Alb. Let's then determine with th'ancient of warre On our proceeding. Reg.

Sister you'le go with vs?

 Gon.

No.

 Reg.
[2765]

'Tis most conuenient, pray go with vs.

 Gon.

Oh ho, I know the Riddle, I will goe.

 Exeunt both the Armies. Enter Edgar. Edg. If ere your Grace had speech with man so poore, Heare me one word. Alb.

Ile ouertake you, speake.

 Edg.
[2770]
Before you fight the Battaile, ope this Letter: If you haue victory, et the Trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seeme, I can produce a Champion, that will proue What is auouched there. If you miscarry,
[2775]
Your businesse of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune loues you. Alb.

Stay till I haue read the Letter.

 Edg. I was forbid it: When time shall serue, let but the Herald cry,
[2780]
And Ile appeare againe. Exit. Alb.

Why farethee well, I will o're‐looke thy paper.

 Enter Edmund. Bast. The Enemy's in view, draw vp your powers, Heere is the guesse of their true strength and Forces, By dilligent discouerie, but your hast
[2785]
Is now vrg'd on you. Alb.

We will greet the time.

 Exit. Bast. To both these Sisters haue I sworne my loue: Each iealous of the other, as the stung Are of the Adder. Which of them shall I take?
[2790]
Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enioy'd If both remaine aliue: To take the Widdow, Exasperates, makes mad her Sister Gonerill, And hardly shall I carry out my side, Her husband being aliue. Now then, wee'l vse
[2795]
His countenance for the Battaile, which being done, Let her who would be rid of him, deuise His speedy taking off. As for the mercie Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, The Battaile done, and they within our power,
[2800]
Shall neuer see his pardon: for my state, Stands on me to defend, not to debate. Exit.
 

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<div type="scene" n="1">
   <head rend="italic center">Actus Quintus. Scena Prima.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 5, Scene 1]</head>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter with Drumme and Colours, Edmund, Regan.
      <lb/>Gentlemen, and Souldiers.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-lr-bas">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <l n="2736">Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold,</l>
      <l n="2737">Or whether since he is aduis'd by ought</l>
      <l n="2738">To change the course, he's full of alteration,</l>
      <l n="2739">And selfereprouing, bring his constant pleasure.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-reg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Reg.</speaker>
      <p n="2740">Our Sisters man is certainely miscarried.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-lr-bas">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <p n="2741">'Tis to be doubted Madam.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-reg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Reg.</speaker>
      <l n="2742">Now sweet Lord,</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0816-0.jpg" n="306"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="2743">You know the goodnesse I intend vpon you:</l>
      <l n="2744">Tell me but truly, but then speake the truth,</l>
      <l n="2745">Do you not loue my Sister?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-bas">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <p n="2746">In honour'd Loue.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-lr-reg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Reg.</speaker>
      <l n="2747">But haue you neuer found my Brothers way,</l>
      <l n="2748">To the fore‐fended place?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-bas">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <p n="2749">No by mine honour, Madam.</p>
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   <sp who="#F-lr-reg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Reg.</speaker>
      <l n="2750">I neuer shall endure her, deere my Lord</l>
      <l n="2751">Be not familiar with her.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-bas">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <p n="2752">Feare not, she and the Duke her husband.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter with Drum and Colours, Albany, Gonerill, Soldiers.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-lr-alb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Alb.</speaker>
      <l n="2753">Our very louing Sister, well be‐met:</l>
      <l n="2754">Sir, this I heard, the King is come to his Daughter</l>
      <l n="2755">With others, whom the rigour of our State</l>
      <l n="2756">Forc'd to cry out.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-reg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Regan.</speaker>
      <p n="2757">Why is this reasond?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-gon">
      <speaker rend="italic">Gone.</speaker>
      <l n="2758">Combine together 'gainst the Enemie:</l>
      <l n="2759">For these domesticke and particular broiles,</l>
      <l n="2760">Are not the question here.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-alb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Alb.</speaker>
      <l n="2761">Let's then determine with th'ancient of warre</l>
      <l n="2762">On our proceeding.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-reg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Reg.</speaker>
      <p n="2763">Sister you'le go with vs?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-gon">
      <speaker rend="italic">Gon.</speaker>
      <p n="2764">No.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-reg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Reg.</speaker>
      <p n="2765">'Tis most conuenient, pray go with vs.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-gon">
      <speaker rend="italic">Gon.</speaker>
      <p n="2766">Oh ho, I know the Riddle, I will goe.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt both the Armies.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Edgar.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-lr-edg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
      <l n="2767">If ere your Grace had speech with man so poore,</l>
      <l n="2768">Heare me one word.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-alb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Alb.</speaker>
      <p n="2769">Ile ouertake you, speake.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-edg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
      <l n="2770">Before you fight the Battaile, ope this Letter:</l>
      <l n="2771">If you haue victory,<gap/>et the Trumpet sound</l>
      <l n="2772">For him that brought it: wretched though I seeme,</l>
      <l n="2773">I can produce a Champion, that will proue</l>
      <l n="2774">What is auouched there. If you miscarry,</l>
      <l n="2775">Your businesse of the world hath so an end,</l>
      <l n="2776">And machination ceases. Fortune loues you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-alb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Alb.</speaker>
      <p n="2777">Stay till I haue read the Letter.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-edg">
      <speaker rend="italic">Edg.</speaker>
      <l n="2778">I was forbid it:</l>
      <l n="2779">When time shall serue, let but the Herald cry,</l>
      <l n="2780">And Ile appeare againe.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-lr-alb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Alb.</speaker>
      <p n="2781">Why farethee well, I will o're‐looke thy paper.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Edmund.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-lr-bas">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <l n="2782">The Enemy's in view, draw vp your powers,</l>
      <l n="2783">Heere is the guesse of their true strength and Forces,</l>
      <l n="2784">By dilligent discouerie, but your hast</l>
      <l n="2785">Is now vrg'd on you.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-lr-alb">
      <speaker rend="italic">Alb.</speaker>
      <p n="2786">We will greet the time.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-lr-bas">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bast.</speaker>
      <l n="2787">To both these Sisters haue I sworne my loue:</l>
      <l n="2788">Each iealous of the other, as the stung</l>
      <l n="2789">Are of the Adder. Which of them shall I take?</l>
      <l n="2790">Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enioy'd</l>
      <l n="2791">If both remaine aliue: To take the Widdow,</l>
      <l n="2792">Exasperates, makes mad her Sister<hi rend="italic">Gonerill</hi>,</l>
      <l n="2793">And hardly shall I carry out my side,</l>
      <l n="2794">Her husband being aliue. Now then, wee'l vse</l>
      <l n="2795">His countenance for the Battaile, which being done,</l>
      <l n="2796">Let her who would be rid of him, deuise</l>
      <l n="2797">His speedy taking off. As for the mercie</l>
      <l n="2798">Which he intends to<hi rend="italic">Lear</hi>and to<hi rend="italic">Cordelia</hi>,</l>
      <l n="2799">The Battaile done, and they within our power,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="2800">Shall neuer see his pardon: for my state,</l>
      <l n="2801">Stands on me to defend, not to debate.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>

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