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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

SHAKESPEARE'S
TRAGEDY OF

King Lear
EDITED, WITH NOTES
BY

WILLIAM

J.

ROLFE,

Litt.D.

FORMERLY HEAD MASTER OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

ILL USTRA TED

NEW YORK

CINCINNATI : CHICAGO

AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY

*TvsjCc.Pu-r

ReggvB<e>|
'

fineM

a,

L U

Copyright, 1903, by

WILLIAM

J.

ROLFE.

KING LEAR.

W.

.
* . .

P.

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PREFACE
1880.
on the

of King Lear was first published in

As now revised, it is substantially a new edition
same general plan as the revised Merchant of

Venice,

Macbeth, Hamlet, and other plays that have

This edition

preceded

Many

it.

of the notes

on textual

variatiofis

have been

Those that have been

omitted or abridged.
retained are mostly on the passages (particularly numerous in this play) in which different readings from
the folio or the quarto have been adopted in the more
For further information on
important modern editions.
this subject Dr. Furness's edition may be consulted.
No teacher or critical student can afford to do without
his' encyclopedic volumes, in which all the readings and
notes of the early and standard modern editions are
recorded or epitomized, together with large extracts
from the best commentators and much admirable
criticism from Dr. Furness himself.
I have also omitted most of the " Critical Comments " from the introduction, as the books from
which they were taken are now to be found in public
or school libraries.
For these extracts I have subeither

comments of my own, and have added

same kind in the Appendix. A concise

stituted familiar

more

of ,the

account of Shakespeare's metre has also been inserted

an introduction to the Notes.

Minor changes have been made throughout the
Some have been abridged, some have been
Notes.

as

'

Preface

expanded, and new ones have been added, including a

considerable number in place of those referring to my
The book is now absolutely
editions of other plays.

complete in

itself.

new edition will be generally preone

but both can be used, without
old
the
ferred to
in
the same class or club.
serious inconvenience,
I believe that the

CONTENTS
PAGE

Introduction to King Lear

The History

of the Play

The Sources

of the Plot

11

General Comments on the Play

13

King Lear

17

Act I

19

Act II

56

Act III

84

Act IV

no

Act

140

Notes

163

Appendix

285

Lear's Insanity

Cordelia

Her Character and

her Fate

....

285

289

Tate's Version of the Play

293

The Time- Analysis

295

of the Play

List of Characters in the Play

Index of Words and Phrases explained

7

296
.

299

Country near Dover

Lear

(Sir Joshua Reynolds)

INTRODUCTION TO KING LEAR

The History
King Lear was

first

of the Play

published in quarto form in

1608, with the following title-page

"

M. William Shak-speare

His True Chronicle HisKing Lear and his three

and death of
With the vnfortunate

toric of the life

Daughters.

life

of Edgar,

sonne

and heire to the Earle of Gloster, and his sullen and

assumed humor of Tom of Bedlam As it was played
:

King Lear

io

before the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall vpon S. Stephans

By

night in Christmas Hollidayes.

his Maiesties ser-

Gloabe on the BanckeLondon, Printed for Nathaniel Butter, and are

side.
sold
at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the
to be
uants playing vsually at the

signe of the Pide Bull neere St. Austins Gate.

A second
lisher in the
lar,

1608."

quarto edition was issued by the same pub-

same

except that

which

year, the title-page of

omits " and are to be sold

it

is

simi-

...

St.

Austins Gate."

The

text of the folio of 1623

is

better than that of the quartos,

generally regarded as

and appears

to

been printed from an independent manuscript.

text,

however,

is

The

tain about two

hundred and twenty

quartos, according to Furness, con-

the folios, and the folios

One

folios.

This discrepancy

much

The
later

fifty lines

entire scene

ject of

critics differ

Each

valuable as supplying the deficiencies

of the other.

quartos.

have

(iv.

lines that are not in

that are not in the

3) is

omitted in the

in the texts has

investigation

and

been the suband the

discussion

widely in their explanations of

it.

date of the play cannot be earlier than 1603 nor

than 1606.

The former

limit is fixed

lication of Dr. Harsnet's Declaration

by the pub-

of Popish Impos-

from which Shakespeare got the names of some

mentioned by Edgar in iii. 4 and the
latter by the entry of the play in the Stationers' Registers, dated November 26, 1607, which states that it
was performed " before the kinges maiestie at Whitetures,

of the devils

Introduction

vppon Sainct Stephens night at Christmas Last,"

that is, upon the 26th of December, 1606.
hall

The Sources
The

story of

of the Plot

King Lear and

his three daughters

is

by
Geoffrey of Monmouth in his Historia Britonum, by
Layamon in his Brut, by Robert of Gloucester, by Fabyan in his Chronicle, by Spenser in the Faerie Queene,
by Holinshed in his Chronicle, by Camden in his Remaines, in the Mirrour for Magistrates, in Warner's
Albion's England, and elsewhere in prose and verse.
It had also been dramatized in the Chronicle History of
King Leir, which is probably the same play that was
entered in the Stationers' Register in 1594, and that
possibly on account of the
was reprinted in 1605
one of the oldest in English

literature.

It is told

success of Shakespeare's Lear, then just brought out.

The author

of this old play probably took the

story

from Holinshed, and Shakespeare drew either from the

same source or from the old play. The portion of the
plot in which Gloster figures was derived from Sir
But the poet's real debt to
Philip Sidney's Arcadia.
his predecessors is so insignificant that it is scarce worth
tracing or recording.

tance

is

As Furness

well says, " the dis-

always immeasurable between the hint and the

fulfilment;

what

to our purblind eyes is a bare,

naked

rock, becomes, when gilded by Shakespeare's heavenly

alchemy, encrusted thick all over with jewels. When,

King Lear

12

one of his tragedies, we turn to what we

after reading

are pleased to call the 'original of his

reminded of those

we

speaks, that

glittering

plot/

am

gems, of which Heine

see at night in lovely gardens, and

think must have been

by kings' children at
play but when we look for these jewels by day we
see only wretched little worms which crawl painfully
away, and which the foot forbears to crush only out of
left

there

strange pity."

The
some

King Leir

old play of

infinitely

is

not so poor a thing as

Though almost
below Shakespeare's tragedy, it has some

of the critics

features that place

have represented.
it

above the average of contempoCampbell the poet, who was

rary dramatic productions.

an excellent critic, calls it " simple and touching." He

adds " There is one scene in it, the meeting of Corde:

lia

with her father in a lonely forest, which, with Shake-

speare's

Lear

in

my

heart, I could scarcely read with

Nevertheless, as Campbell

dry eyes."

says,

speare " has sublimated the old tragedy into a

by an
its

Shake-

new one

entire originality in the spiritual portraiture of

personages.

Wherever Shakespeare works on

old materials, you will find him, not wiping dusted gold,

but extracting gold from dust, where none but himself

could have

One

made

the golden extraction."

scene in the old play reminds

Priscilla's "

Miles Standish, and

for yourself,

John

"

The King

me of

Longfellow's

Why
of

don't you speak

France and one of

his nobles, disguised as pilgrims, fall in with Cordelia

Introduction
after her father

King,

whom

has cast her

They

off.

she has not seen,

But Cordelia says that she

is

will

with characteristic frankness

13

tell

her that the

a suitor for her hand.

not have him, adding

" Then be advised, palmer, what to do

Cease for thy king, seek for thyself

King. Your birth

Cordelia.

The King soon

royal

husband

My

's

mind

is

low enough

reveals himself,

after

to

woo.

too high for any but a king.

to love a palmer."

and Cordelia gets a

all.

General Comments on the Play

Lear was an historical character, he is supposed
to have lived in the eighth century, and that may well
If

be the time of the dramatic action. Shakespeare appears to have purposely taken us back into heathen and
The whole atmosphere is pagan.
barbarous times.
There is not a single deliberate reference to Christianity or its institutions.

man

plays,

we meet with

Occasionally, as in the Ro-

a careless or accidental allusion

like the
something associated with Christian times
mention of a "godson"
but this is simply an illus-

to

tration of the poet's unscholarly habits,

any more

They do not make

the play Chris"

than the allusion to holy churchyards "

into anachronisms.

tian

which lead him

Midsummer- Night s
a barbarian monarch Goneril,
J

in Coriolanus or to nunneries in the

Dream.

Lear himself

is

King Lear

14

Edmund

Regan, and

Gloster's eyes
times.

The plucking

are savages.

a piece of savagery in keeping with the

is

Even the

better characters, like Kent, have a

certain uncivilized impetuosity about them.

sneers at

As Kent

eral faith.

says,
"

The

stars

Lear swears by

atheist, is a part of the gen-

being an

it,

It is

above

us,

The gods

Astrology, though Ed-

of the play are heathen gods.

mund

out of

the

stars,

govern our conditions."

" the sacred radiance of the sun,

The mysteries of Hecate and the night,

By all the operation of the orbs,
From whom we do exist and cease to be."
It is also the Celtic race that

not the Saxon

we have

to deal with,

a race " highly inflammable, headstrong,

flushed with sudden angers, and breaking out into wild

violences, but also, in

its

better children at least, of a

deep tenderness and sincerity

tional race, quickly stirred to
to love, swift to hate

in short, a highly

good and

selled

blessing and cursing with the

same breath with eyes, now full

and regard, now flashing into an
detestation

to evil

emoswift

of a gentle solicitude
intolerable frenzy of

a blind, hysterical race,

and judiciously led

if

not wisely coun-

but under good auspices

springing forward with a splendid vivacity to the highjest prizes of

glory and honour."

/very type of this race

so

is

Kent

Lear himself is the

so is Cornwall
:

Introduction
" You

know

How

the

fiery quality

unremovable and

15
of the duke,

fix'd

he

is

In his own course."

And

in Cordelia

we

see the

same

Celtic impulsiveness.

She cannot control the indignation kindled in her soul

by the false protestations of her sisters.
But to presume to comment upon Lear seems little

One cannot but

short of profanity.

who
"

in his Characters of Shakespeare'' s Plays:

wish that we could pass this play over and say

says,

We

nothing about

we can say must fall far

even of what we ourselves con-

All that

it.

short of the subject, or

ceive of

play
\

To

it.

itself,

pertinence

or of
;

yet

'the best of all

attempt to give a description of the

its

effect

caught

in the

upon the mind,

is

we must say something.

Shakespeare's plays, for

which he was the most

web

in earnest.

of his

which he has taken as

its

agree with Hazlitt,

own

He

It is, then,
is

it

human

the one in

was here

The

imagination.

his subject is that

root deepest into the

mere im-

heart,

fairly

passion

which strikes
of which the

bond is the hardest to be unloosed, and the cancelling

and tearing to pieces of which gives the greatest revulsion to the frame.
passion, this tug
this firm faith in

This depth of nature,

this force of

and war of the elements of our being,

filial piety, and the giddy anarchy and

whirling tumult of the thoughts at finding the prop

ing

it

fail-

the contrast between the fixed, immovable basis

and the rapid, irregular starts of

suddenly wrenched from all its accus-

of natural affection

imagination,

King Lear

tomed holds and resting-places in the soul

what Shakespeare has given, and what nobody
he could give."
Coleridge remarks
there

is

"In

else but

the Shakespearian

a vitality which grows and evolves

this is

drama

itself

from

which guides and controls the harmonies throughout. What is Lear ? It is storm and
the thunder at first grumbling in the far
tempest

within, a key-note

horizon, then gathering around us, and at length burst-

ing in fury over our heads

succeeded by a breaking

of the clouds for a while, a last flash of lightning, the

closing-in of night,

and the

single

hope

of darkness."

KING LEAR

KING LEAR

I J.

DRAMATIS PERSONS
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.
to Gloster.
Curan, a courtier.
Goneril.
Oswald, steward to
Old Man, tenant to Gloster.

Edmund, bastard son

Doctor.
Fool.

A Captain employed by Edmund*

Gentleman attendant on Cordelia.
A Herald.
Servants to Cornwall.

Goneril,

Regan,

>

Cordelia,

daughters to Lear.

Knights of Lear's

Mesand Attendants.

train, Captains,

sengers, Soldiers,

Scene: Britain.

iS

ACT

Scene

I.

King Lear's Palace

Enter Kent, Gloster, and

Kent.

Duke

Edmund

thought the king had more affected the

Albany than Cornwall.

but now, in
Gloster. It did always seem so to us
the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of
the dukes he values most, for qualities are so weighed
of

19

King Lear

20

make

that curiosity in neither can

[Act

choice of either's

moiety.

Kent.

Is not this

His breeding,

Gloster.
I
I

it

your son,
sir,

my

lord

hath been at

my charge

have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now

am brazed to 't. Do you smell a fault ?
Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of

10

being so proper.

have a son, sir, by order of law,

some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in
my account though this knave came something
But

Gloster.

was sent for, yet was

his mother fair, and the whoreson must be acknowledged.
Do you know this noble gentleman, Edsaucily into the world before he

mund ?

20

Edmund. No, my

My

Gloster.

after as

my

Edmund.
Kent.

Gloster.

lord of Kent.

Remember him

here-

honourable friend.

My

services to your lordship.

must love you, and sue

Edmund.
he

lord.

Sir, I shall

He

shall again.

to

know you better.

study deserving.

hath been out nine years, and away

The king

Enter one bearing a

is

coronet,

coming.

[Sennet within.

King Lear, Cornwall,

Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and Attendants

Lear.

Attend the lords of France and Burgundy,

Gloster.

Scene

King Lear

I]

I shall,

Gloster.

my

ai

liege.

30

[Exeunt Gloster and Edmund.

Lear.

Meantime we

pose.

me

Give

the

map

express our darker pur-

shall

there.

Know

that

we

have

divided

In three our kingdom

To

shake

all

and

't

is

our fast intent

cares and business from our age,

Conferring them on younger strengths, while we

Our son of CornUnburthen'd crawl toward death.
wall,

And

We

you, our no less loving son of Albany,

have

this

hour a constant

Our daughters'

May

will to publish

several dowers, that future strife

be prevented now.

The

princes,

France and

4
Burgundy,
Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,
Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,
Tell me, my daughters,
And here are to be answer 'd.

Since

now we

will divest us

both of

rule,

Interest of territory, cares of state,

Which of you shall we say doth love us most ?

That we our largest bounty may extend
Goneril,
Where nature doth with merit challenge.
Our eldest-born, speak first.

Goneril. Sir, I love

you more than word can wield

the matter

Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty

Beyond what can be valued,

rich or rare

King Lear

22

No

than

less

As much

with grace, health, beauty, honour

as child e'er lov'd or father found

love that

Beyond

life,

[Act

all

makes breath poor and speech unable

manner of so much I love you.

Cordelia. [Aside]

and be
Lear. Of

all

What

shall Cordelia

speak

Love,

silent.

these bounds, even from this line to this,

With shadowy forests and with champaigns rich'd,

With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,
We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue
What says our second daughter,
Be this perpetual.
Our dearest Regan, wife of Cornwall?

60

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,
Regan. I

Only she comes too short

Myself an enemy to

Which

And

all

that I profess

other joys

the most precious square of sense professes,

find I

am

alone felicitate

70

In your dear highness' love.

[Aside]

Cordelia.

And

am sure my
my tongue.

yet not so, since I

More ponderous than

Lear.

To

Then poor Cordelia

love's

thee and thine hereditary ever

ample third of our fair kingdom,

No less in space, validity, and pleasure,
Now, our joy,
Than that conferr'd on Goneril.
Although our last and least, to whose young love
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy

Remain

this

Scene

King Lear

I]

Strive to be interess'd,

A third

what can you say

more opulent than your

my

Cordelia. Nothing,

23

sisters

to

draw

80

Speak.

lord.

Lear. Nothing?
Cordelia. Nothing.

come

Lear. Nothing will

Cordelia.

My

Unhappy

heart into

According to

of nothing

speak again.

that I am, I cannot heave

my mouth. I love your majesty

my bond, no more nor less.

How, how, Cordelia mend your speech

Lest it may mar your fortunes.
Cordelia.
Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me I
Lear.

'

little,

90

Return those duties back as are right fit,

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,

Obey

To

love

Lear.'

my

father

all.

But goes thy heart with

this

Lear. So young, and so untender

Cordelia.

Lear. Let

Ay,

Cordelia.

my good

So young, my lord, and true.

it be so
thy truth then be thy dower
;

For, by the sacred radiance of the sun,

The mysteries of Hecate and the

By all the operation of the orbs

night,

lord.
101

King Lear

24
From whom we do

exist

Here

my

I disclaim all

and cease

[Act

to be,

paternal care,

Propinquity and property of blood,

And

as a stranger to

my

heart and

me

no

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,
Lear. Peace, Kent

Come

not between the dragon and his wrath.

I lov'd her most,

On

and thought to set my rest

Hence, and avoid my sight

her kind nursery.

So be

Her

my

grave

my

father's heart

Call Burgundy.

With

peace, as here I give

from her

Call France.

Cornwall and Albany,

my

120

Who stirs

two daughters' dowers digest the 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 turn. Only we shall retain 130
The name and all the addition to a king

The sway,

revenue, execution of the rest,

Beloved sons, be yours,

which

This coronet part between you.

to confirm,

;!

Scene

King Lear

I]

25
Royal Lear,

Kent.

have ever honour 'd as my king,

Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd,
As my great patron thought on in my prayers,

Whom

The bow

Lear.

is

bent and drawn

make from

the

shaft.

Let

Kent.

The

it fall

region of

When

Lear

man

my
is

rather,

heart

mad.

though the fork invade

Be Kent unmannerly

What wouldst thou

140

do,

old

Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak

When power to flattery bows ? To plainness honour

's

bound

When majesty falls to folly. Reserve thy state,

And in thy best consideration check
This hideous rashness. Answer my life my judgment,
Thy youngest daughter does
Nor

are those empty-hearted

not love thee least

whose low sound

Reverbs no hollowness.
Kent, on thy

Lear.

Kent.

My

life I

life,

no more

never held but as a pawn

wage against thy enemies, nor fear to lose

To
Thy

Kent.

The

150
it,

safety being the motive.

Out

Lear.

See better, Lear, and

let

of

me

my
still

sight

remain

true blank of thine eye.

Lear.

Kent.

Thou

Now, by Apollo,

Now, by Apollo,

swear'st thy gods in vain.

king.

King Lear

iG

[Act

O, vassal

Lear.

miscreant!

[Laying his hand on his sword.

Albany.

\ Dear

Cornwall.

forbear

and the fee bestow

Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift
Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat,
Kill thy physician,

Kent.

'11

tell

thee thou dost

Hear me,

Lear.

On

me

thine allegiance, hear

That thou hast sought

160

evil.

to

recreant

make

us break our vow,

Which we durst never yet, and with strain'd pride

To come betwixt our sentence and our power,
Which nor our nature nor our place can bear,
Our potency made 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,

170

This shall not be revok'd.

'

Kent.

'

Fare thee

appear,

well,

king

sith

thus

thou, wilt

speeches may your deeds approve,

may spring from words

Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.

The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid,
That justly think'st and hast most rightly said

And your
That good

large

effects

of love.

180

Scene

King Lear

I]

Thus Kent,

He

'11

princes, bids

you

27

all

adieu

shape his old course in a country new.

Re-enter Gloster, with France,

Flourish.

[Exit.

Burgundy,

and Attendants.
Here

Gloster.

's

France and Burgundy,

my

noble

lord.

My

Lear.

We

Hath

lord of Burgundy,

address toward you,

first

who

rivalPd for our daughter

with this king

what, in the

least,

Will you require in present dower with her,

Or

cease your quest of love

Burgundy.
I crave

Nor

Most

royal majesty,

no more than hath your highness

you tender less.

offer'd,

will

Right noble Burgundy,

Lear.

When

she was dear to us

we did hold her

190

so,

But now her price is fallen. Sir, there she stands.

If aught within that little-seeming substance,

Or

all of

And

it,

with our displeasure piec'd,

nothing more,

may

She 's there, and she

Burgundy.
Lear.

is

fitly like

your grace,

yours.
I

know no answer.

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

Pardon me, royal sir

makes not up on such conditions.

Burgundy.
Election

200

King Lear

28

Then leave
made me,

Lear.

tell

you

all

her, sir; for,

her wealth.

[To

[Act

by the power
France]

that

For you,

great king,

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.
This is most strange,
France.
That she who even but now was your best object,
The argument of your praise, balm of your age,
I

210

The best, the 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
Fallen into taint

Must be

which

affection

to believe of her

a faith that reason without miracle

Should never plant

Cordelia.

in

me.
I yet

beseech your majesty,

want that glib and oily art

To speak and purpose not, since what I well intend
that you make known
I '11 do 't before I speak,
It is no vicious blot, nor other foulness,

If for I

No

unchaste action, or dishonour'd 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

220

Scene

King Lear

I]

29

am glad I have not, though

Hath lost me in your liking.

That

Hadst not been born than not

France.

That

Is

it

but this

to

have pleas 'd me

a tardiness in nature,

intends to do

better.
230

My lord of Burgundy,

say you to the lady ?

When

it

often leaves the history unspoke

it

What

not to have

Better thou

Lear.

Which

it is

Love

's

not love

mingled with regards that stands

Will you have her ?

She is herself a dowry.
Royal Lear,
Burgundy.
Give but that portion which yourself propos'd,
And here I take Cordelia by the hand,
Duchess of Burgundy.
I am firm.
I have sworn
240
Lear. Nothing.
Burgundy. I am sorry then you have so lost a father
That you must lose a husband.
Peace be with Burgundy
Cordelia.

Aloof from the entire point.

Since that respects of fortune are his love,

I shall

not be his wife.

France.

Fairest

Cordelia, that 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

't

is

strange that from their cold'st neglect

My

love should kindle to inflam'd respect.

Thy

dowerless daughter, king, thrown to

my

250

chance,

King Lear

30

[Act

and our fair France.

Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy
Can buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me.
Bid them farewell, Cordelia, though unkind
Thou losest here, a better where to find.
y Lear. Thou hast her, France let her be
queen

Is

of us, of ours,

f>

thine, for

we

Have no such

daughter, nor shall ever see

Therefore be gone
That face of hers again.
Without our grace, our love, our benison.
Come, noble Burgundy.
[Flourish.
Exeunt all but France,
Regan, and Cordelia.

Bid farewell to your

France.
Cordelia.

Ye

like a sister,

But

am most

are,

loath to call

Love well our

commit him

nam'd.

professed bosoms I

yet, alas

Goneril,

sisters.

know you what you

faults as they are

To your

260

jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes

Cordelia leaves you.

And,
Your

father.

stood I within his grace,

would prefer him to a better place.

So farewell to you both.

270

Regan.

Prescribe not us our duty.

Let your study

Goneril.

Be
At

to content

your

fortune's alms.

lord,

who hath

receiv'd you

You have obedience

scanted,

you have wanted.

And well are worth the want
Cordelia. Time shall unfold what plighted cunning
that

hides

King Lear

Scene I]

Who

cover faults, at

Well may

shame them

last

you prosper

3
derides.

Come, my fair Cordelia.

[Exeunt France and Cordelia.

France.

Goneril.

Sister,

it

is

not

little

have

to say of

what most nearly appertains to us both. I think our

280
father will hence to-night.
Regan. That 's most certain, and with you next
;

month with

us.

You

Goneril.

the observation
little.

He

see how full of changes his age is

we have made of it hath not been
;

always loved our sister most

what poor judgment he hath now cast her

and with

off

appears

too grossly.

Regan.

'T

the infirmity of his age

is

ever but slenderly

The

Goneril.

been but rash

to

known

yet he hath

best and soundest of his time hath 290

then must

not alone the

receive,

himself.

we

look from his age

imperfections

long-

of

ingraffed condition, but therewithal the unruly way-

wardness that infirm and choleric years bring with

them.

Regan.

Such unconstant

from him as

this of

starts are

we

like to

Kent's banishment.

There is further compliment of

Pray you,
taking between France and him.
Goneril.

hit together

if

have

leavelet

us

our father carry, authority with such

disposition as he bears, this last surrender of his will

but offend

us.

300

King Lear

32

[Act

We shall further think of

Goneril. We must do something,

Rega7i.

it.

and

i'

th' heat.

[Exeunt.

Scene

II.

The Earl of

Gloster's Castle

Enter Edmund, with a

Edmund. Thou, Nature,

My

art

my

letter

goddess

to thy law

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 moonshines

Lag

services are bound.

of a brother

Why

bastard

wherefore base

When my

dimensions are as well compact,

My

as generous

mind

my

and

shape as

true,

As honest madam's issue ? Why brand they us

With base ? with baseness ? bastardy ? base, base

10

Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land.

Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund

As to the legitimate fine word, legitimate
'

'

my legitimate, if this letter speed

And my invention thrive, Edmund the base
Well,

Shall top the legitimate.

Now, gods, stand up

grow, I prosper

for bastards

Enter Gloster
Gloster.

Kent banish 'd thus

and France

in choler

parted

And

the king gone to-night

subscrib'd his power

Scene

King Lear

II]

Confin'd to exhibition

Upon

the gad

23

All this done

Edmund, how now

Edmund. So

20

what news

please your lordship, none.

[^Putting tip the

Why

Gloster.
letter

letter.

so earnestly seek you to put up that

Edmund.
Gloster.

know no news, my lord.

What paper were you reading ?
I

Edmund. Nothing, my

lord.

No ? What needed

Gloster.

then that terrible

dis-

patch of it into your pocket ?( the quality of nothing

hath not such need to hide itself \ Let 's see come, 30
;

be nothing, I shall not need spectacles.

Edmund. I beseech you, sir, pardon me it is a
letter from my brother, that I have not all o'er-read
and for so much as I have perused, I find it not fit
if it

for your o'erlooking.

Give

Gloster.

Edmund. I
The contents,

me

the

letter, sir.

shall offend, either to detain or give

as in part I

it.

understand them, are to

blame.

Let

Gloster.

Edmund.

's

see, let

I hope, for

's

see.

40

my brother's

justification,

my

wrote this but as an essay or taste of

Gloster.

makes

the

[Reads]

world

fortunes from us

This policy

'

bitter to the best

till

and

of our

our oldness cannot

KING LEAR

virtue.

reverence of age
times, keeps
relish them.

our

and fond bondage in the oppression

an idle
who sways, not as
tyranny,
aged
of
begin to find

he

it

hath power, but

King Lear

34

[Act

Come to me, that of this I may speak

our
would sleep till I wake him, you
father
If
should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live the beEdgar.'
loved of your brother,
as it

is suffered.

more.

Hum

Conspiracy
!

Sleep

'

should enjoy half his revenue.

Had

he a hand

to breed

brought

in

it

my

of

a heart and brain

came

this

to

who

the

character

to

be your 60

If the

durst swear

matter were good,

were his but,

it were not.

it

my

lord,

in respect of that, I

fain think

Gloster.

It is his.

Edmund.
is

hand,

It is his

my

lord,

but I hope his

not in the contents.

Gloster.

business

Hath he never before sounded you

in this

Edmund. Never, my
maintain

it

to

be

fit

lord

but I have heard him

that,

sons at perfect age and

fathers declined, the father should be as

son,

you

it.

You know

Edmund.

oft

son Edgar

closet.

Gloster.

brother's

heart

My

him, you

was not brought me, my lord there 's

I found it thrown in at the case-

It

the cunning of

would

to write this

When

I wake

it?

Edmund.
ment

till
'

50

and the son manage

Gloster.

the letter

villain,

Abhorred

brutish villain

ward

to the

his revenue.

villain

villain

His very opinion

in

Unnatural, detested,

worse than brutish

Go,

sirrah,

70

Scene

King Lear

ii]

seek him

Where is he
Edmund.

'11

3$

Abominable

apprehend him.

villain

do not well know,

my

If

lord.

it

shall

please you to suspend your indignation against

brother

till

my 80

you can derive from him better testimony

you should run a certain course where,

of his intent,

you violently proceed against him, mistaking his

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
if

purpose,

other pretence of danger.

Think you so

Gloster.

Edmund.

your honour judge

If

it

meet, I will

90

place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and

by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction

and that without any further delay than this very
evening.

He

Gloster.

cannot be such a monster

Edmund. Nor

To

Gloster.
tirely loves

him out

is

not, sure.

his father, that so tenderly

him.

Heaven and

wind me

business after your

earth

you frame the

I would unstate

into him, I pray

own wisdom.

and en-

Edmund, seek
;

myself to be in a due resolution.

Edmund.

I will

seek him,

sir,

the business as I shall find means,

with

presently, convey

and acquaint you

all.

Gloster.

These

late eclipses in the

sun and moon

100

King Lear

36
portend no good to
ture can reason
self

effects.

brothers divide

off,

in countries, discord

the wisdom of na-

thus and thus, yet nature finds

scourged by the sequent

friendship falls
nies

it

Though

us.

[Act

Love

it-

cools,

in cities, muti-

and no

in palaces, treason';

bond cracked 'twixt son and father. This vilthere 's

lain of mine comes under the prediction

the

son against father

ture

there

's

the king falls from bias of na-

father against child.

the best of our time

treachery,

and

We

machinations,

have seen

hollowness,

ruinous disorders follow us dis-

all

Find out

quietly to our graves.

Ed-

this villain,

mund ;<it shall lose thee nothing do it carefully.

And the noble and true-hearted Kent banished his
;

offence, honesty!

Edmund,
world,

l^his

is

is

the excellent foppery of the

strange.

when we are sick

our own behaviour

/that,

surfeit of

[Exit.

'T

in fortune

we

often

make

the

guilty of

our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars

we were

121

as

if

on necessity, fools by heavenly

compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance
drunkards, liars, and adulterers,
by an enforced obedience of planetary influence
and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on.
Edgar
130
villains

Enter Edgar

and pat he comes,

comedy.
My cue

like the
is

catastrophe of the old

villanous melancholy, with a

Scene

King Lear

II]

sigh like

Tom

o'

Bedlam.

tend these divisions

Edgar.

37

O, these eclipses do por-

fa, sol, la,

How

now, brother
contemplation are you in ?

mi.

Edmund

what serious

Edmund. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I

read this other day, what should follow these eclipses.
Edgar.

Do you busy

yourself with that

Edmund. I promise you, the effects he writes of

succeed unhappily as of unnaturalness between the
child and the parent; death, dearth, dissolutions

140

of ancient amities

divisions in state,

menaces and

maledictions against king and nobles needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts,
;

nuptial breaches,

Edgar.
nomical

How

and

know not

Edmund. Come, come

last

what.

long have you been a sectary astro-

when saw you my

father

50

The night gone by.

Edmund. Spake you with him ?
Edgar.

Edgar. Ay, two hours together.

Edmund. Parted you in good terms

no displeasure

in

?
Found you
him by word nor countenance ?

Edgar. None at

all.

Edmund. Bethink yourself wherein you may have

offended him and at my entreaty forbear his presence
till some little time hath qualified the heat of his
dis;

pleasure, which at this instant so rageth in

the mischief of your person

it

him that with 160

would scarcely allay.

King Lear

38

[Act

Some villain hath done me wrong.

Edmund. That 's my fear. I pray you, have

Edgar.

continent forbearance

slower

the speed of his rage goes

till

me

and, as I say, retire with

to

my

lodging,

from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord

speak.
Pray ye, go there 's my key if you do stir
abroad, go armed.
Edgar. Armed, brother
;

Edmund.
armed.

Brother, I advise you to the best

am no

man

honest

if

go

170

there be any good

meaning toward you. I have told you what I have

seen and heard, but faintly, nothing like the image
and horror of it pray you, away.
Edgar. Shall I hear from you anon ?
Edmund. I do serve you in this business.
;

\_Exit

Edgar.

credulous father, and a brother noble,

Whose

nature

is

so far from doing

That he suspects none

My

practices ride easy.

Let me,
All with

if

on whose

harms
foolish honesty

I see the business.

180

not by birth, have lands by wit

me

's

Scene

meet that

III.

can fashion

fit.

[Exit.

The Duke of Albany^s Palace

Enter Goneril a7id Oswald, her steward

Goneril.

Did

my

father strike

chiding of his fool?

Oswald. Ay, madam.

my

gentleman

for

King Lear

Scene ill]

Goneril.

39

By day and night he wrongs me; every

hour

He

one gross crime or other

That sets us all at odds. I '11 not endure it.
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting
flashes into

I will

not speak with

him

am

say I

sick.

you come slack of former services,

You shall do well the fault of it I '11 answer.

10

If

madam

Oswald,

He

Goneril.

Put on what weary negligence you please,

's

coming,

hear him.

[Horns within.

You and your

If

he

distaste

fellows
it,

let

Whose mind and

I 'd

him

to

mine, I

have

my

it

come

to question.

sister,

know,

in that are one,

Not to be over-rul'd. Idle old man,

That still would manage those authorities
Now, by my life,
That he hath given away
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.
Well, madam.
Oswald.
!

Goneril.

And

among

let his

knights have

colder

20

looks

you.

no matter advise your fellows so.

I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,
That I may speak. I '11 write straight to my sister

What grows

To

hold

my

of

it,

very course.

Prepare for dinner.

\Exeunt.

King Lear

40

Scene IV.

Hall

[Act

in the

Same

Enter Kent, disguised

Kent.

my

That can

May

but as well

If

other accents borrow,

speech diffuse,

carry through

For which

itself to

raz'd

my

my good

intent

that full issue

Now, banish'd

likeness.

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

Enter Lear, Knights, and Attendants

within.

Let

Lear.

me

not stay a jot for dinner

ready. [Exit an Attendant^]

thou

How now

go get

what

it

art
io

Kent.

Lear.

What

with us
Kent.

man,

sir.

dost thou profess

what wouldst thou

do profess to be no

less

than I seem

to

him truly that will put me in trust

him that is honest to converse with him that is wise
and says little to fear judgment to fight when I
and to eat no fish.
cannot choose
serve

to love

Lear.

What

Kent.

as the king.

art

thou

very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor 20


King Lear

Scene IV]

Lear.

thou be'st as poor for a subject as he

If

for a king,

41

thou art poor enough.

Kent.

Service.

Lear.

Who

Kent.

You.

is

What wouldst thou

wouldst thou serve

Dost thou know me, fellow ?

Kent. No, sir but you have that in your countenance which I would fain call master.
Lear.

Lear.

What

Kent.

Authority.

Lear.

What

Kent.

that

's

30

services canst thou

can keep honest

curious tale in telling

it,

do

counsel, ride, run,

and deliver a plain message

men are fit for,

me is diligence.

bluntly; that which ordinary

qualified in,

and the best

How

Lear.

mar a

of

old art thou

am

Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singnor so old to dote on her for any thing I have

Kent.
ing,

years on
Lear.

my back
Follow

forty-eight.

me

40

thou shalt serve me.

If I like

thee no worse after dinner, I will not part from thee

Dinner, ho, dinner

my fool? Go you, and

yet.

call

Where

my

my knave ?

's

fool hither.
\_Exit

an

Atte7idant.

Enter Oswald
You, you,
Oswald.
Lear.

sirrah,

where

's

my

So please you,

What

daughter

says the fellow there

[Exit.
?

Call the clot-

King Lear

42

[Exit a Knight Where my

\Re-enter Knight.
think the world

poll'

[Act

back.

's

now

where

He

Knight.

asleep.

that mongrel

's

fool,

's

I\

says,

my

ho

How

~\

50

lord,

your daughter

not

is

well.

Why came

Lear.
called

not the slave back to

me when

him?

Knight.

he answered

Sir,

me

in the

roundest man-

he would not.
Lear. He would not

ner,

My

Knight.

my

but, to

lord, I

know not what

the matter

judgment, your highness

is

is

not enter-

tained with that ceremonious affection as you were

There

wont.

's

60

a great abatement of kindness ap-

pears as well in the general dependants as in the

duke himself
Lear.

Ha

Knight.

and your daughter.

also

sayest thou so

beseech you, pardon me,

be mistaken for my duty cannot be

think your highness wronged.
;

Lear.

Thou but rememberest me

my

lord,

silent

of

if

when

mine own

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
conception.

unkindness.

of

where

's

my

fool

will
I

look further into

have not seen him

't.

But

this

two

days.

Knight.
sir,

Since

the fool hath

my young lady

's

going into France,

much pined away.

70

King Lear

Scene IV]

No more

Lear.

Go

you, and

tell

have noted it well.

daughter I would speak with

of that

my

her. [Exit an Attendant^

Go

you, call hither

Re-enter
sir,

you,

come you

my

[Exit an Attendant.

fool.

O, you

43

Oswald

Who am

hither, sir.

My lady's father.
My lady's father my

I, sir

81

Oswald.
Lear.

Oswald.

you slave you cur

am none of these, my lord
!

You

lord's knave.

whoreson dog

beseech

your pardon.

Do you bandy

Lear.

looks with me, you rascal

\_Striking

Oswald.

Nor

Kent.

'11

my

not be strucken,

tripped

you

neither,

Lear.
I

'11

base

foot-ball

[Tripping up his

player.
I

thank thee, fellow

him.

lord.

heels.

thou servest me, and

91

love thee.

away
I '11 teach you differences away, away
If you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry but away
Go to have
you wisdom ? so.
[Pushes Oswald out,
Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee.
There 's earnest of thy service.
Come,

Kent.

sir, arise,

Enter Fool
Fool.

comb.

Let

me

hire

him

too.

Here

's

my

cox100

King Lear

44

of

Lear.

How

Fool.

Sirrah,

Kent.

Why,

fool

Fool.

Why?

for

favour.

now,

my

[Act

pretty knave

you were best take

how

my

dost thou

coxcomb.

taking

one's

part

that

's

out

Nay, an thou canst not smile as the

wind sits, thou 'It catch cold shortly. There, take

my coxcomb. Why, this fellow has banished two
on 's daughters, and did the third a blessing against
if thou follow him, thou must needs wear
his will
How now, nuncle Would I had no
my coxcomb.
;

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 must to kennel; he must

be whipped out, when Lady the brach may stand
by the fire and stink.

Lear.

Fool.

Sirrah, I

Lear.

Do.

Fool.

Mark it, nuncle

Have more than thou

pestilent gall to
'11

me

120

teach thee a speech.

Speak

less

showest,

than thou knowest,

Lend less than thou owest,

Ride more than thou goest,
Learn more than thou trowest,
Set less than thou throwest

King Lear

Scene IV]

And

thou shalt have more

Than two
Kent.

This

Fool.

Then

lawyer

45
130

tens to a score.

nothing, fool.

is

is

't

the

like

you gave me nothing

breath of an unfee'd
for

't.

Can you make

no use of nothing, nuncle ?

nothing can be made out
Lea?\ Why, no, boy
;

of nothing.
Fool.

[To Kent] Prithee,

rent of his land

Lear.

comes

to

he

tell

him, so

much

the

will not believe a fool.

A bitter fool

140

Dost thou know the difference, my boy,

between a bitter fool and a sweet fool ?
Lear. No, lad teach me.
Fool.
That lord that counsell'd thee
To give away thy land,
Come place him here by me,
Fool.

Do

thou for him stand

The sweet and

bitter fool

Will presently appear

The one in motley

The other found

me

here,

150

out there.

boy ?

Lear.

Dost thou

Fool.

All thy other titles thou hast given

call

fool,

away;

that thou wast born with.

Kent.

This

Fool.

No,

me.

If

part on

I
't

is

not altogether fool,

my

lord.

and great men will not let

had a monopoly out, they would have
and ladies too, they will not let me have
faith, lords

King Lear

46
the fool to myself

all

give

me

Lear.

they

an egg, and

'11

'11

[Act

be snatching.

Nuncle,

give thee two crowns.

What two crowns

shall they

be

160

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
gav'st away both parts, thou borest thy ass on thy
back o'er the dirt thou hadst little wit in thy bald
crown when thou gav'st thy golden one away. If I
speak like myself in this, let him be whipped that
;

first

finds

it

so.

had ne'er less grace in a year

For wise men are grown foppish,
And know not ho7v their wits to wear,

[Sings] Fools

170

Their manners are so apish.

Lear.
sirrah

When

were you wont

to

be so

full of

songs,

Fool.

have used

est thy daughters thy

it,

nuncle, e'er since thou mad-

mothers

for

when thou

gav'st

them the rod, and put'st down thine own breeches,

[Sings] Then they for sudden joy did weep,
And Lfor sorrow sung,
That such a king should play bo-peep,
A7id go the fools among.

keep a schoolmaster that can teach

would fain learn to lie.
you lie, sirrah, we '11 have you whipped.

Prithee, nuncle,

thy fool to

lie.

Lear.

An

Fool.

are

they

marvel what kin thou and thy daughters

have me whipped for speaking true,

'11

180

King Lear

Scene IV]

'It have me whipped for

am whipped for holding my

47
and sometimes
I had rather
and yet I would 190

thou

lying,

peace.

be any kind

thing than a fool

o'

not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit

and

sides,

one

o'

nothing

left

o'

both

Here comes

the middle.

i'

the parings.

Enter Goneril

How

Lear.

on

frontlet

now, daughter

what

makes

Methinks you are too much of

that
late

i'

the frown.

Thou wast a

Fool.

no need

to care for

without a figure.
1

am

when thou hadst

her frowning now thou art an
I am better than thou art now
pretty fellow
;

a fool, thou art nothing.

forsooth, I will hold

my

[To

tongue

Goneril'] Yes, 200

so your face bids

me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum

He that keeps nor crust 7ior crum,
;

Weary of all,
That

's

shall

want

some.

a shealed peascod.

Goneril.

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
I

had thought, by making

To have found
By what

riots.

Sir,

known unto you,

but now grow fearful,

this well

a safe redress,

yourself too late have spoke and done,

That you protect

this course,

and put it on
you should, the

By your allowance which if

Would not scape censure, nor the
;

fault

redresses sleep,

210

King Lear

48

[Act

Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,

Might in their working do you that offence,
Which else were shame, that then necessity
Will call discreet proceeding.
For, you know, nuncle,

Fool.

220

The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,

That it s had it head bit off by it young.
the candle, and we were left darkling.
went
So out
Lear. Are you our daughter ?
J

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 transport you
From what you rightly are.
Goneril.

May

Fool.

know when

not an ass

the cart draws 230

Whoop, Jug
I love thee.
any
here
know
me ? This is not Lear.
Lear. Does
Does Lear walk thus ? speak thus ? Where are his

the horse

eyes?
Either his notion weakens, his discernings

Are lethargied

Who

is it

Fool.

Ha

that can

tell

waking

me who

't

is

not

so.

am ?

Lear's shadow.

by the marks of
sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, I should be false
240
persuaded I had daughters.
Lear. I would learn that

Fool.

Which they

Lear.

Your name,

will
fair

for,

make an obedient
gentlewoman

Goneril. This admiration,

sir, is

father.

much

o'

the savour

King Lear

Scene IV]

Of other your new pranks.

To

understand

my

49

do beseech you

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 debosh'd and bold,

That this our court, infected with their manners,

Shows like a riotous inn epicurism and lust
250
Makes it more like a tavern or a brothel
Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak
For instant remedy. Be then desir'd
By her that else will take the thing she begs,
;

to disquantity

little

your train

And the remainder, that shall still depend,

To be such men as may besort your age,
Which know themselves and

you.

Darkness and devils

Lear.

my

Saddle

horses

call

my

train together

260
Degenerate bastard I '11 not trouble thee.
Yet have I left a daughter.
Goneril. You strike my people, and your disorder'd
!

rabble

Make

servants of their betters.

Enter Albany

Woe,
come ?

Lear.

Is

it

your

will

that too late repents.

Speak,

sir.

O,

are you

Prepare my horses.

Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,

KING LEAR

sir,

King Lear

50

More hideous when thou show'st

Than the sea-monster
Albany.

Detested kite

Lear.

My train
That

And

Pray,

are

men

thou

of choice

[Act

thee in a child

sir,

be patient.

liest

and

rarest parts,

270

particulars of duty know,

all

most exact regard support

of their name.
O most small fault,
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show
Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature
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.
in the

The worships

Albany.

My

am

lord, I

guiltless, as I

am

ignorant

Of what hath mov'd you.

Lear.

It

Hear, Nature, hear

Into her

Dry up

if

my

so,

dear goddess, hear

Suspend thy purpose,

To make

may be

281

thou didst intend

this creature fruitful

womb

convey

sterility

in her the organs of increase,

And from

her derogate body never spring

honour her

babe

lord.

to

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

290

King Lear

Scene IV]

To

laughter and contempt

How

that she

sharper than a serpent's tooth

To have

a thankless child

51

may

feel

it is

Away, away

[Exit.

Albany. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this

Goneril.

But

let his

Never

afflict

yourself to

the cause,

disposition have that scope

That dotage gives

it.

300

Re-enter

Lear.

know

What,

fifty

of

my

Lear

followers at a clap

Within a fortnight

What

Albany.

's

the matter, sir ?

Life and death

tell thee.
Lear. I
I am asham'd
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon theel
Th' untented woun dings of a father's curse
Pierce every sense about thee
Old fond eyes,
Beweep this cause again, I '11 pluck ye out,
And cast you, with the waters that you lose,
310
To temper clay.
Ha is it come to this ?
Let it be so. I have another daughter,
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable.
'11

When

she shall hear this of thee, with her nails

She '11 flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find

That I '11 resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever
thou shalt, I warrant thee.
[Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants.
Goneril. Do you mark that, my lord ?
;

King Lear

2
Albany.

To

cannot be so

[Act

partial, Goneril,

Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho

the great love I bear you,

Goneril.

You,

sir,

320

more knave than

N uncle

Fool.

fool with thee.

fool, after

your master.

Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry; take the

A fox,
And

when one has caught

her,

such a daughter,

Should sure to the slaughter,

If my cap would buy a halter.

So the
Goneril.

This

fool follows after.

man

[Exit.

hath had good council

hun-

dred knights

330

and safe to let him keep

At point a hundred knights yes, that, on every dream,
Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike,
'T

is politic

He may
And

enguard his dotage with their powers,

hold our lives in mercy.
Oswald, I say

Albany.

Well, you

may

fear too far.

Safer than trust too

Goneril.

Let

me

Not

fear

away the harms I fear,

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,
still

far.

take

still

to

Re-enter

Oswald

How
What, have you writ that

340

letter to

my

now, Oswald

sister?

King Lear

Scene V]

$3

Oswald.

Ay, madam.

Goneril.

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 Oswald.~\ No,
;

no,

my

lord,

This milky gentleness and course of yours

Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,

You are much more at task for want of wisdom
Than prais'd for harmful mildness.

How far your

Albany.

Striving to better, oft

Goneril.

eyes

may pierce

we mar what

Nay, then

Albany. Well, well

's

cannot

Scene V. Court

tell

well.

[Exeunt.

the event.

350

before the

Same

Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool.

Lear.

Acquaint

Go you before to Gloster with these letters.

my daughter no further with any thing you

know than comes from her demand

If

out of the

letter.

your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore

you.
Kent.

I will

not sleep,

my

lord,

till

have de-

livered your letter.

Eool.

If a

man's brains were

not in danger of kibes

Lear.

[Exit.

Ay, boy.

in

's

heels,

were

't

10

King Lear

54
Fool.

Then,

be merry

prithee,

[Act

thy wit shall

ne'er go slipshod.

Lear.

Ha,

Fool.

Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee

kindly

for

ha,

can

Lear.

What

Fool.

She

a crab.

though she

an apple, yet

's

as like this as a crab 's like

's

what I can
boy ?

tell

canst

tell.

tell,

will taste as like this as a crab

Thou

middle on

ha

canst

face

tell

why

does to

one's nose stands

i'

the
20

Lear. No.
Fool.

Why,

nose, that

keep one's eyes of either side 's

out, he may spy

to

what a man cannot smell

into.

Lear.

her wrong

I did

Canst
Lear. No.
Fool.

Fool.

Nor

tell

how an

I neither

oyster

makes

but I can

tell

his shell

why

a snail

has a house.
Lear.

Why

Fool.

Why,

30

to put

to his daughters,

's

and leave

Lear. I will forget

my

Be my horses ready
Fool.

why

Thy

head

in

not to give

it

away

his horns without a case.

nature.

So kind a father

asses are gone about 'em.

the seven stars are no

The

reason

moe than seven

is

pretty reason.

Because they are not eight ?

Fool. Yes, indeed
thou wouldst make a good
Lear.

fool.

King Lear

Scene V]

To

Lear.
gratitude
Fool.

take

again perforce

't

$$
!

Monster

in- 40

If

thou wert

my

have thee

fool, nuncle, I 'd

beaten for being old before thy time.

Lear.

How

Fool.

Thou

's

that

shouldst not have been old

till

thou

hadst been wise.

Lear.

O,

Keep me

in

let

me

not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven

temper

would not be mad

Enter Gentleman

How now

are the horses ready

Gentleman.
Lear.

Ready,

Come, boy.

my

lord.

50

[Exeunt.

HEARD MYSELF PROCLAIM'D "

" I

ACT
Scene
Enter

The Earl of Glo sterns

I.

Edmund and Curan,

Edmund. Save
Curan.

And

II
Castle

meeting

thee, Curan.

have been with your

father, and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here with him
you,

sir.

this night.

Edmund.

How

comes that ?
56

Scene

Nay,

news abroad

57

know not. You have heard of the

mean the whispered ones, for they

are yet but ear-kissing arguments

Edmund. Not
Curan.

King Lear

I]

Curan.

pray you, what are they

Have you heard

of

no

10

wars toward,

likely

Dukes of Cornwall and Albany ?

Edmund. Not a word.

'twixt the

Curan.

You may do

then in time.

Fare you

well, sir.

[Exit.

Edmund. The duke be here

to-night

The

better

best!

This weaves

My father
And

my business.
take my brother

perforce into

itself

hath set guard to

have one thing, of a queasy question,

Which

must act. Briefness and fortune, work

Brother, a word descend
Brother, I say
I

20

Enter Edgar

My

father watches

Intelligence

is

sir, fly this

place

given where you are hid

You have now the good advantage of the night.

Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall ?

He

's

coming

hither,

And Regan with him

Upon

now,
;

his party 'gainst

i'

the night,

i'

the haste,

have you nothing said

the Duke of Albany ?

Advise yourself.

am sure on 't,not a word.

Edmund. I hear my father coming. Pardon me
In cunning I must draw my sword upon you.
Edgar.

30

King Lear

58

Draw

Yield

seem to defend yourself

come before my father

[Act

now

quit

you

well.

Light, ho, here

Torches, torches So,
!

Fly, brother

II

farewell.

[Exit Edgar.

Some blood drawn on me would beget

opinion

Of my more fierce endeavour. I have seen drunkards

Father, father
Do more than this in sport.
Stop, stop

No help

Enter Gloster, and Servants with

Now, Edmund, where 's the

Edmund. Here stood he in the dark,
Gloster.

torches

villain

his sharp

sword

out,

Mumbling

To

of

wicked charms, conjuring the moon

40

stand auspicious mistress.

But where

Gloster.

Edmund. Look,

Where
Fled this way,

Ed?nund.

could

Pursue him, ho

Gloster.

Servants^
ship

child

sir,

the villain,

Edmund ?

when by no means he

Go

[Exeunt some'

after.

to the

murther of your

lord-

him the revenging gods

'Gainst parricides did

The

is

I told

Spoke with

By no means what ?

Edmund. Persuade me
But that

he

bleed.

sir, I

Gloster.

is

how

all

the thunder bend,

manifold and strong a bond

was bound

to the father

sir,

in fine,

50

Scene

To

; ;

King Lear

I]

Seeing

how

59

loathly opposite I stood

this unnatural purpose, in fell

motion

his prepared sword he charges home

unprovided body, lanc'd mine arm.
But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits

With

My

right, rous'd to the encounter,

Bold in the quarrel's

Or whether gasted by

the noise I made,

Full suddenly he fled.

Let him

Gloster.

fly far.

he remain uncaught
And found dispatch. The noble duke my master,
My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night.

Not

By

in this land shall

his authority I will proclaim

That he which

finds

him

61

it

shall deserve our thanks,

Bringing the murtherous coward to the stake

He

that conceals him, death.

Edmund. When I dissuaded him from his intent,

And found him pight to do it, with curst speech
he replied
I threaten 'd to discover him
;

'

Thou

unpossessing bastard

dost thou think,

would stand against thee, would the reposal

70
Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee
No what I should
Make thy words faith'd ?
deny
ay, though thou didst produce
As this I would,
If I

My

very character

I 'd turn

it all

To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice

And thou must make a dullard of the world,
If they not

thought the profits of

my

death

King Lear

6o

Were very pregnant and

To make thee seek it.'

[Act

potential spurs

Strong and fasten 'd villain

Gloster.

Would he deny

II

his letter

never got him.

80

\Tucket within.

Hark, the duke's trumpets

All ports I

know

not

why he comes.

bar, the villain shall not scape

'11

The duke must

I will

grant

me

Besides, his picture

that.

send far and near, that

all

the

kingdom

have due note of him and of my land,

Loyal and natural boy, I '11 work the means

May

To make

thee capable.

Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants

How

Cornwall.

now,

my

noble friend

since I

came

hither,

Which

can

Regan.

If

call
it

be

but now,
true, all

I have heard strange news.

vengeance comes too short 90

Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord ?

it 's
Gloster. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd,

crack'd

my father's

Gloster.

godson seek your

my father nam'd ? your Edgar ?
O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid

Regan.

Was he

Regan. What, did

He whom

life

not companion with the riotous

knights

That tend upon

my

father

'T

know not, madam.

Edmund. Yes, madam, he was
Gloster.

is

too bad, too bad.

of that consort.

Scene

King Lear

I]

No marvel

Regan.
'T

is

61

then, though he were

ill

affected

they have put him on the old man's death,

To have
I

have

th'

this

101

expense and waste of his revenues.

present evening from my sister

Been well inform'd of them, and with such cautions

That if they come to sojourn at my house,
I

'11

not be there.

Nor

Cornwall.

Edmund,

I,

assure thee, Regan.

hear that you have shown your father

child-like office.

Edmund.

'T was

He

Gloster.

my

see, striving to

Cornwall.

he pursued

Is

Ay,
If

in

my

my good

lord.

he be taken, he shall never more

fear'd of doing

How

no

apprehend him.

Gloster.

Cornwall.

sir.

did bewray his practice, and receiv'd

This hurt you

Be

duty,

harm

make your own

strength you please.

purpose,

For you, Edmund,

Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant

So much commend itself, you shall be ours.
Natures of such deep trust we shall much need
You we first seize on.
Edmund.
I shall serve you, sir,
Truly, however else.

For him

Gloster.

Cornwall.

Regan.

You know

Thus,

not

thank your grace.

why we came

to visit

you

out of season, threading dark-eyed

night

Occasions, noble Gloster, of some poise,

121

[Act

Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,

Of differences which I best thought it fit
To answer from our home the several messengers
From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend,
Lay comforts to your bosom, and bestow
Your needful counsel to our businesses,
Which craves the instant use.
I serve you, madam.
Gloster.

King Lear

62

Wherein we must have use

of your advice.

Your graces are

right welcome.

Scene
Enter

Before Gloster's Castle

II.

Kent and Oswald,

severally

Oswald. Good dawning to thee, friend

house

art of this

Kent.

Ay.

Oswald.
Ke?it.

Oswald.
Kent.

Where may we

set our horses

the mire.
Prithee,

I love

Oswald.
Kent.

make

Exeunt.

[Flourish.

thou

me,

lov'st

tell

me.

thee not.

Why

If I

if

then I care not for thee.

had thee

in

Lipsbury pinfold,

would

me

know

thee care for me.

Oswald.

Why

10

dost thou use

thus

thee not.
Kent.

Oswald.
Kent.

know

Fellow, I

What
knave

thee.

dost thou know

;

rascal

me

for

an eater of broken

Scene

meats

King Lear

ii]

!;

63

a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited,

hundred-pound,

worsted-stocking knave

filthy,

lily-

whoreson, glass-gazing, super-

livered, action-taking,

serviceable, finical rogue

one-trunk-inheriting slave

one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good service,

and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar,

grel bitch

whining,

if

and the son and heir

whom

one

will beat into

20

mon-

of a

clamorous

thou deniest the least syllable of thy

addition.

Oswald. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou,

thus to rail on one that

is

known

neither

of thee nor

knows thee

What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny

Is it two days ago since I tripped
thou knowest me
Kent.

up thy heels, and beat thee before the king ? Draw,

you rogue for, though it be night, yet the moon
shines.
I '11 make a sop o' the moonshine of you
you whoreson cullionly barber-monger, draw.
I have nothing to do with thee.
Oswald. Away
You come with letters
Kent. Draw, you rascal
against the king, and take Vanity the puppet's part
Draw, you rogue,
against the royalty of her father.
or I '11 so carbonado your shanks draw, you rascal
come your ways
Oswald. Help, ho murther help
Kent. Strike, you slave stand, rogue, stand you

30

neat slave, strike

\Beating

Oswald. Help, ho

murther

40

murther

him.

King Lear

64

[Act 11

Enter Edmund, with his rapier drawn

Edmund.

How now

What 's

the matter

[Parting them.
Kent.

come,

With you, goodman boy, if you please

flesh ye
Come on, young master

'11

Enter Cornwall, Regan, Gloster, and Servants

Weapons arms
What 's the matter here ?
Cornwall. Keep peace, upon your lives
50
He dies that strikes again What is the matter ?
Regan. The messengers from our sister and the king ?
Cornwall. What is your difference? speak.
Gloster.

I am scarce in breath, my lord.

No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour.

Oswald.
Kent.

You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee a

tailor made thee.
Cornwall. Thou art a strange fellow a tailor make
a man ?
;

Kent.

Ay, a

tailor, sir

a stone-cutter or a painter

could not have made him

so

ill,

though they had

been but two hours o' the trade.

Cornwall. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel ?
Oswald. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life

have spared at suit of his grey beard,

Kent. Thou whoreson zed thou unnecessary letter
My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread
this unbolted villain into mortar, and daub the wall
!

60

Scene

Spare
Peace, sirrah

Cornwall.

grey beard, you

70

know you no reverence

beastly knave,

Yes,

Kent.

6$

my

him.

of a jakes with

You

King Lear

II]

wagtail

sir

but anger hath a privilege.

Why

Co7'nwall.

thou angry ?

art

Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a sword,

Who

wears no honesty.

Like

rats, oft bite

Which
That

Such smiling rogues as

these,

the holy cords a-twain

are too intrinse

t'

unloose

smooth every passion

in the natures of their lords rebel,

snow to the colder moods

Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks
With every gale and vary of their masters,
Being

oil to fire,

Knowing nought,

like dogs,

but following.

plague upon your epileptic visage

my

Smile you

Goose,

if

Cornwall.
Gloster.

art

fell

thou mad, old fellow

you out

contraries hold

is

Why

his fault

say that.

more antipathy

No

90

dost thou call

him knave

likes

me

't

is

What

not.

more, perchance, does mine, nor

nor hers.
Sir,

His countenance

Cornwall.

Kent.

and such a knave.

Cornwall.

Kent.

What,

How

No

Kent.

plain,

ye cackling home to Camelot.

I 'd drive

Than

speeches, as I were a fool

had you upon Sarum

80

my

KING LEAR

occupation to be plain

his,

King Lear

66

[Act

have seen better faces in my time

Than stands on any shoulder that I see
I

Before

me

at this instant.

This

Cornwall.

Who, having been

is

some

fellow

prais'd for bluntness, doth affect

saucy roughness, and constrains the garb

Quite from his nature

An
An

he cannot natter, he,

honest mind and plain,
he must speak truth
they will take

These kind

so

it,

not, he 's
know, which

plain.

if

knaves

of

ioo

in this plain-

ness

Harbour more

Than twenty
That

craft

and more corrupter ends

silly-ducking observants

stretch their duties nicely.

Kent.

Sir, in

good

sooth, in sincere verity,

Under the allowance of your great aspect,

Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant

On

flickering. Phoebus' front,

fire

What mean'st by

Cornwall.

To go

my

this

which you discommend so much. I know, sir, I am no flatterer he

that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave,
which for my part I will not be, though I should win
Kent.

out of

dialect,

your displeasure to entreat

What was

Cornwall.

Oswald.

It pleas 'd the

To

strike at

When

me

to

't.

the offence you gave

him ?

never gave him any.

king his master very late

me, upon his misconstruction

he, compact,

and

flattering his displeasure,

120

Scene

Tripp'd

And

King Lear

II]

me behind

67

being down, insulted,

put upon him such a deal of

rail'd,

man

That worthied him, got praises of the king

For him attempting who was self-subdued
And in the neshment of this dread exploit
Drew on me here again.

None

Kent.

But Ajax

Fetch forth the stocks

You stubborn
'11

and cowards

their fool.

is

Cornwall.

We

of these rogues

ancient knave, you reverend braggart,

teach you

Kent.

Sir, I

am

Call not your stocks for me.

too old to learn

serve the king,

130

On whose employment

I was sent to you.

do small respect, show too bold malice
Against the grace and person of my master,

You

shall

Stocking his messenger.

Cornwall.

Fetch forth the stocks

As

have

life

and

all

and honour,
There

he

sit till

Till

noon

shall

Regan.

noon.
!

night,

till

my

lord

night too.
Kent. Why, madam,
You should not use me

Regan.
sister

were your father's dog,

so.
Sir,

Cornwall.

Our

if

This

speaks

is

of.

being his knave,

I will.

a fellow of the self-same colour

Come, bring away the stocks

140

[Stocks brought out.

Gloster.

Let

me

beseech your grace not to do

so.

King Lear

68

[Act

much, and the good king his master

your purpos'd low correction
't
Is such as basest and contemned 'st wretches
For pilferings and most common trespasses
Are punish 'd with. The king must take it ill
That he, so slightly valued in his messenger,
Should have him thus restrain'd.
I '11 answer that.
Cornwall.
Regan. My sister may receive it much more worse 150
To have her gentleman abus'd, assaulted,
Put in his legs.
For following her affairs.
[Kent is put in the stocks.

His

fault is

Will check him for

Come,

my lord, away.
I am sorry

Gloster.

\_Exeunt all but Gloster

for thee, friend

't

is

and Kent.

the duke's

pleasure,

Whose

disposition, all the world well knows,

Will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd.

Pray,

Kent.

travell'd

Some time

A good

do not,
hard

sir.

'11

be

ill

'11

whistle.

at heels.
160

The duke

[Aside]

's

to

blame

in this

king, that

must approve the

saw,

Thou out of heaven's

To the warm sun
!

't

will

[Exit.

taken.

Good

and

have watch 'd

man's fortune may grow out

Gloster.

entreat for thee.

I shall sleep out, the rest I

Give you good morrow

Kent.

benediction comest

Approach, thou beacon to

this

under globe,

common

Scene

King Lear

III]

69

That by thy comfortable beams I may

Nothing almost sees miracles
Peruse this letter
But misery. I know 't is from Cordelia,
Who hath most fortunately been inform 'd
Of my obscured course and shall find time
From this enormous state, seeking to give
Losses their remedies. All weary and o'er-watch'd,
Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold
!

170

This shameful lodging.

Fortune, good night

smile once more, turn thy wheel

[Sleeps.

Scene

III.

Part of

the

Heath

Enter Edgar
Edgar.

And by

heard myself proclaim'd,

the happy hollow of a tree

No port is free no place,

That guard and most unusual vigilance
Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may scape
I will preserve myself, and am bethought
To take the basest and most poorest shape
That ever penury, in contempt of man,
Brought near to beast my face I '11 grime with filth,
Escap'd the hunt.

Blanket

And

my

loins, elf all

my

hair in knots,

with presented nakedness outface

The winds and persecutions of the sky.

The country gives me proof and precedent
Of Bedlam beggars, who with roaring voices

10

King Lear

70
Strike in their
Pins,

wooden

numb'd and

[Act

mortified bare arms

rosemary

pricks, nails, sprigs of

And

with this horrible object, from low farms,

Poor pelting villages, sheepcotes and mills,
Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers,
Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygod poor Tom
!

That

's

something yet

Scene IV.

Kent

in the Stocks.

Lear.

'T

is

Edgar

nothing am.

Before Gloster's Castle

Enter Lear, Fool, and Gentleman

strange that they should so depart from

home,
And not send back

my

messenger.

As

Gentleman.

The
Of

20

[Exit.

I learn 'd,

night before there was no purpose in

them

remove.

this

Hail to thee, noble master

Kent.
Lear.

Ha

Mak'st thou

shame thy pastime

this

No,

Kent.

my

lord.

he wears cruel garters. Horses

Eool. Ha, ha
are tied by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck,
monkeys by the loins, and men by the legs when a
man 's over-lusty at legs, then he wears wooden
!

10

nether-stocks.

Lear.

What

he that hath so much thy place mis-

's

took

To

set thee here

King Lear

Scene IV]

Kent.

It is

71

both he and she,

Your son and daughter.

Lear.

No.

Kent. Yes.
Lear.

No,

Kent.

I say, yea.

Lear.

No, no, they would not.

Kent.

Yes, they have.

Lear.

By
By

Kent.

I say.

20

Jupiter, I swear,

no

Juno, I swear, ay

They

Lear.

They could

not,

would not do

't

durst not do

't

't

worse than

is

murther

To do upon respect such violent outrage.

Resolve me with all modest haste which way
Thou mightest deserve,
Coming from us.
Kent.
I

My

commend your

did

or they impose, this usage,

lord,

when

at their

home

highness' letters to them,

was risen from the place that show'd

Ere

My

duty kneeling, came there a reeking post,

30

Stew'd in his haste, half breathless, panting forth

From Goneril

'

his mistress salutations,

Deliver'd letters, spite of intermission,

Which presently they read on whose contents

They summoned up their meiny, straight took horse,
;

Commanded me to follow and attend

The leisure of their answer, gave me cold

And

meeting here the other messenger,

looks

King Lear

72
Whose welcome

I perceiv'd

[Act

had poison 'd mine

Being the very fellow which of

late

40

Display'd so saucily against your highness

Having more man than wit about me, drew

He rais'd the house with loud and coward cries.
Your son and daughter found this trespass worth
The shame which here it suffers.
Winter

Fool.
fly

's

not gone yet,

the wild geese

if

that way.

Fathers that wear rags

Do make

their children blind

But fathers that bear bags

Shall see their children kind.
But, for all this, thou shalt have as

thy daughters as thou canst

tell

many

50

dolours for

in a year.

mother swells up toward my heart

Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow,
Thy element 's below
Where is this daughter ?
Kent. With the earl, sir, here within.
Lear.

how

O,

this

Lear.

me not stay here.

Made you no more offence

Follow

Gentleman.

[Exit.

but what you

speak of?
Kent. None.

60

How

chance the king comes with so small a number ?

Fool. An thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that
question, thou 'dst well deserved it.
Keiit.

Fool.

Why,

We

thee there

fool?

'11

's

set thee to school to

no labouring

i'

an ant, to teach

the winter.

All that

King Lear

Scene IV]

noses are led by their eyes but blind

follow their

men

73

and there 's not a nose among twenty but can

smell him that 's stinking. Let go thy hold when a
great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck
;

with following
let

it

70

but the great one that goes upward,

him draw thee

When

after.

better counsel, give

me mine

man

a wise

again

gives the

would have

none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it.

That sir which serves and seeks for gain,

And

follows but for form,

Will pack

And
But

when

it

begins to rain,

leave thee in the storm.

I will tarry

the fool will stay,

And let the wise man fly.

The knave turns fool that runs away
The fool no knave, perdy.
Kent.

Where learned you

Not

Fool.

i'

this, fool

Deny

the stocks, fool

Re-enter Lear, with

Lear.

speak with

to

are weary

Gloster

me ? They

are sick

me

How

they

fetches,

a better answer.

My

Gloster.

You know

They have travell'd all the night ? Mere

The images of revolt and flying off.
Fetch

80

dear lord,

the fiery quality of the duke,

unremovable and

In his own course.

fix'd

he

is

90

King Lear

74
Lear.

Fiery

Vengeance plague
what quality ? Why,
!

[Act

death

confusion

Gloster, Gloster,

speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife.

I'd

Well,

Gloster.

Lear.

my good lord, I

Inform'd them

have inform'd them so.

Dost thou understand me,

man?
Ay,

Gloster.

Lear.

my good

lord.

The king would speak

with

Cornwall

the

dear father

Would with

his daughter speak,

commands her

service.

Are they inform'd of this ? My breath and blood

Fiery ? the fiery duke ? Tell the hot duke that
No, but not yet may be he is not well.

ioo

Infirmity doth

neglect

still

Whereto our health

is

all office

bound

we are not ourselves

commands the mind

When nature being oppress 'd

forbear,
To suffer with the body. I
with
my more headier will,
And am fallen out
To take the indispos'd and sickly fit
Death on my state wherefore
For the sound man.
no
This act persuades me
Should he sit here
'11

That

remotion of the duke and her

this

Give me. my servant forth.

Go tell the duke and 's wife I 'd speak with them,
Now, presently bid them come forth and hear me,
Is practice only.

Or

at their

Till

it

chamber-door

'11

beat the

drum

cry sleep to death.

Gloster.

Lear.

[Exit.
would have all well betwixt you.
But, down
me, my heart, my rising heart

King Lear

Scene IV]

Fool.

Cry

to

it,

75

nuncle, as the cockney did to the

eels

when she put 'em

'em

o'

i'

the paste alive

she knapped

the coxcombs with a stick, and cried

wantons,

down

!
'

'

120

Down,

'T was her brother that, in pure

kindness to his horse, buttered his hay.

Cornwall, Regan, and

Re-enter Gloster, with

Servants.

Good morrow

you both.
Cornwall.
Hail to your grace
[Kent is set at liberty.
Regan. I am glad to see your highness.
Lear. Regan, I think you are I know what reason
I have to think so.
If thou shouldst not be glad,
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,
Sepulchring an adulteress.
[To Kent] O, are you
Lear.

to

free?

Some other time for that.

Beloved Regan,
Thy sister 's naught. O Regan, she hath tied

130

Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here

[Points to his heart.
I

can scarce speak to thee

thou

With how deprav'd a quality

Regan.

pray you,

You less know how

Than she to scant her

sir,

'It

not believe

O Regan

take patience

have hope

to value her desert

duty.

Say,

Lear.

Regan. I cannot think

my

how

is

that

sister in the least

King Lear

Would

fail

her obligation

if,

[Act

perchance

sir,

She have restrain'd the riots of your followers,

'T is on such ground and to such wholesome end
As clears her from all blame.
Lear. My curses on her
Regan.
O, sir, you are old
Nature in you stands on the very verge
Of her confine you should be rul'd and led

140

By some

discretion that discerns your state

Better than you yourself.

Therefore

pray you

That to our sister you do make return

Say you have wrong'd her, sir.

Ask her

Lear.

Do you
'

but mark

Dear daughter,

Age

is

how

'11

becomes the house

am old
my knees I beg
me raiment, bed, and

150

I confess that I

unnecessary

That you

this

forgiveness

on

vouchsafe

food.'

Regan. Good sir, no more these are unsightly tricks.

Return you to my sister.
Lear.
Never, Regan
She hath abated me of half my train,
Look'd black upon me, strook me with her tongue,
;

Most

serpent-like,

upon the very

heart.

All the stor'd vengeances of heaven fall

On

her ingrateful top

You

taking

airs,

Strike her

with lameness

You nimble

flames

160

Cornwall.
Lear.

young bones,

Fie, sir, fie

lightnings,

dart

your blinding

King Lear

Scene IV]

Into her scornful eyes

You
To fall and

When

blast her pride

mood

is

sun,

the blest gods

the rash

so will you wish on me,

on.

No, Regan, thou shalt never have

Lear.

Thy

Infect her beauty,

drawn by the powerful

fen-suck'd fogs,

Regan.

77

my

curse

tender-hefted nature shall not give

Thee

o'er to harshness.

Her

eyes are fierce, but thine

Do comfort and not burn. 'T is not in thee

To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes,
And in conclusion to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in. Thou better know'st
The

offices of nature,

bond

Wherein

Good

Who put my man

Cornwall.

Regan.

forgot,

thee endow'd.

Regan.
Lear.

the kingdom hast thou not

half o'

171

of childhood,

Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude

Thy

know

i'

% my

sir,

to the purpose.

the stocks

\Ticcket within.

What trumpet
sister's

this

's

that

181

letter,

That she would soon be here.

Enter Oswald
Is

your lady come

a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride

Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows.
Lear.

This

approves her

is

Out, varlet, from

my

sight

King Lear

78

What means your

Cornwall.
Lear.

Who

my

stock'd

good hope

Thou

[Act 11

didst not

know on

't.

grace

servant? Regan,
have
Who comes here
I

Enter Goneril

heavens,

you do love old men, if your sweet sway

Allow obedience, if yourselves are old,
Make it your cause send down, and take my part
Art not asham'd to look upon this beard ?
Regan, will you take her by the hand ?
If

Why

Goneril.

offended
All

's

And

have

so.

you yet

Cornwall.

hold?

you are too tough

sides,

How

my man

came

I set

him

less

there, sir

but his

disorders

will return

and sojourn with

Dismissing half your

train,

am now from home, and

Which

own

You did you ?

pray you, father, being weak, seem so.
the expiration of your month,

Regan.

my

sister,

come then

to

me

out of that provision

be needful for your entertainment.

Return to her, and fifty men dismiss 'd

shall

Lear.

the

advancement.

Lear.

If, till

i'

Deserv'd much

191

dotage terms

stocks

You

not offence that indiscretion finds

Lear.

Will

How

not by the hand, sir?

200

No, rather

abjure

79

and choose

all roofs,

To wage against the enmity o' the air,

To be a comrade with the wolf and owl.
Necessity's sharp pinch

base

that dowerless took

me

rather to be slave

choice,

Lear. I prithee, daughter, do not

my

child

sir.

make me mad.

farewell.

no more meet, no more see one another.

But yet thou art

my

flesh,

my

blood,

my

daughter,

Or rather a disease that 's in my flesh,

Which I must needs call mine thou art
;

[Pointing at Oswald.

At your

I will not trouble thee,

beg

and sumpter

groom.

this detested

210

as well be brought

Return with her

life afoot.

Goneril.

'11

his throne, and, squire-like, pension

Persuade

We

Return with her

Why, the hot-blooded France,

Our youngest born,
I could

To

; ;

King Lear

Scene IV]

To knee
To keep

220

a boil,

plague-sore, an

embossed carbuncle,
But I '11 not chide thee
Let shame come when it will, I do not call it
I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot,
In

my

Nor

corrupted blood.

tell tales of

Mend when

thee to high-judging Jove.

thou canst

can be patient

and

my hundred

be better

can stay with Regan,

knights.

Regan.
I look'd

at thy leisure.

not for you yet, nor

Not altogether so

am

provided

For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister

For those that mingle reason with your passion

230

King Lear

80

[Act

Must be content to think you old, and so

But she knows what she does.

Is this well

Lear.

Regan.

dare avouch

What,

it, sir.

What should you need

spoken

fifty

followers

more ?
Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger
Speak 'gainst so great a number ? How, in one house,
Is

it

not well

of

Should many people under two commands

Hold amity ? 'T is hard, almost impossible.
Goneril.

Why

my

might not you,

240

lord, receive

at-

tendance

From

those that she calls servants or from mine

Why

Regan.

not,

my

lord

then they chanc'd to

If

slack ye,

We

could control them.

For now

To

If

spy a danger,

you

come

will

to

me,

you
no more

I entreat

bring but five and twenty

to

Will I give place or notice.

Lear. I gave you

all

And

Regan.
Lear.

Made you my

in

good time you gave

guardians,

my

it.

depositaries,

But kept a reservation to be follow'd

250

With such a number. What, must I come to you

With five and twenty, Regan ? said you so ?
Regan. And speak 't again, my lord no more with
;

me.
Lear.

Those wicked

creatures

yet

do look

well-

favour'd

When

others are

more wicked

not being the worst

King Lear

Scene ivj

Stands in some rank of praise.

81
[To Goneril~\

'11

go

with thee

Thy
And

fifty

yet doth double five

and twenty,

thou art twice her love.

Hear me, my

Gomril.

lord

What need you five and twenty, ten, or five,

To follow in a house where twice so many
Have a command to tend you ?
Regan.
What need one
Lear.

O, reason not the need

260

our basest beggars

Are in the poorest thing superfluous.

Allow not nature more than nature needs,
Man's life is cheap as beast's. Thou art a lady
If only to go warm were gorgeous,
Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st,
Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But for true need

You heavens, give me that patience, patience

You see me hefe, you gods, a poor old man,
As full of grief as age wretched in both.

need

270

If

it

be you that

stirs

these daughters' hearts

me not so much
touch me with noble anger,

Against their father, fool

To bear it tamely
And let not women's weapons,
;

my

water-drops,

man's cheeks
No, you unnatural hags,
I will have such revenges on you both,
That all the world shall
I will do such things
Stain

What they are, yet I know not but they shall be

The terrors of the earth. You think I '11 weep
;

No,

'11

not weep.
KING LEAR

280

King Lear

82
I

have

full

[Act

cause of weeping, but this heart

Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws

Or

ere I

'11

weep.

fool, I shall

go

mad

[Exeunt Lear, Gloster, Kent, and Fool.

Storm and tempest.
Cornwall. Let us withdraw 't will be a storm.
the old man and 's
Regan. This house is little
;

people

Cannot be well bestow'd.

'T

Goneril.

own blame hath put

his

is

himself from

rest

And must needs taste his folly.

Regan. For his particular, I '11 receive him
But not one follower.
Goneril.
So am I purpos'd.
Where

is

my

Cornwall.

lord of Gloster

gladly, 290

Follow 'd the old

man

forth

he

is

re-

turn'd.

Re-enter
Gloster.

The king

is

in

Gloster
high rage.

Whither

Cornwall.
Gloster.

He

calls

to

horse,

is

he going

but will I know not

whither.

Cornwall.

'T

is

best to give

him way

he leads him-

self.

Goneril.

My

Alack
winds

Gloster.

him by no means to stay.

the night comes on, and the high

lord, entreat
!

King Lear

Scene IV]

Do

sorely ruffle

There

for

many

O,

sir,

to wilful

men,

300

injuries that they themselves procure

Must be

He

miles about

scarce a bush.

's

Regan.

The

83

is

their schoolmasters.

Shut up your doors.

attended with a desperate train

And what they may incense him to, being apt

To have his ear abus'd, wisdom bids fear.
Cornwall. Shut up your doors, my lord, 't

is

a wild

night

My

Regan counsels

well.

Come

out

o'

the storm.

\Exeunt.

-&^v^ ^.

ACT
Scene
Storm

still.

Kent.

Who

Gentleman.

Enter
's

III

I.

Heath

Kent and

a Gentleman, meeting

there, besides foul weather

One minded

like the weather,

most un-

quietly.

Kent.

know

Gentleman.

you.

Where

's

the king

Contending with the

fretful

Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea,

84

elements

Scene

Or

King Lear

I]

85

swell the curled waters 'bove the main,

That things might change or cease

tears his white

hair,

Which
Catch

the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,

in their fury,

Strives in his

little

and make nothing

world of

man

of

to out-scorn

10

wind and rain.

The
This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,.
And bids what will take all.
But who is with him ?
Kent.
to-and-fro-conflicting

Gentleman.

None but

the fool,

who

labours to out-

jest

His heart-strook

injuries.

Kent.

Sir, I

do know you,

And dare, upon the warrant of my note,

Commend a dear thing to you. There is

division,

Although as yet the face of it is cover'd

With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall,

Who

have
as who have not that their great stars
servants, who seem
Thron'd and set high ?

less,

Which

and speculations
What hath been seen,

are to France the spies

Intelligent of our state.

Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes,

Or

the hard rein which both of

them have borne

Against the old kind king, or something deeper,

Whereof perchance these are but furnishings,

20

no

King Lear

86
But, true

Into this

[Act

from France there comes a power

scatter'd kingdom, who already,
it is,

in
30

Wise in our negligence, have secret feet

In some of our best ports, and are at point
To show their open banner. Now to you
If on my credit you dare build so far
To make your speed to Dover, you shall find
Some that will thank you, making just report
Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow

The king hath cause

to plain.

am a gentleman of blood and

And from some knowledge and

This

breeding,

40

assurance offer

office to you.

I will talk further

Ge?itleman.

with you.

No, do not.

Kent.

For confirmation that I am much more

Than my out-wall, open this purse and take
What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,
show her this ring
As fear not but you shall,
And she will tell you who that fellow is
That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm

I will

go seek the king.

Give

Gentleman.

Have you no more to say ?

Kent. Few words, but, to
That, when we have found
pain

That way,

'11

this,

Holla the other.

me

your hand

50

more than all yet

in which your
the king,

effect,

he that

on him
\Exeunt severally.

first lights

Scene

King Lear

ii]

Scene

87

Another Part of the Heath.

II.

Storm

still

Enter Lear and Fool

Lear.

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks

blow

You

rage

and hurricanoes, spout

Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown 'd the cocks
You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,
cataracts

Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunderbolts,

Singe

my

white head

And

thou, all-shaking thunder,

Strike flat the thick rotundity o' the world

Crack nature's moulds, all germens

That make ingrateful man

once

spill at

Fool.
is

nuncle, court holy-water in a dry house

better than this rain-water

nuncle, in

night pities neither wise

Lear.

Nor

Rumble thy

o'

bellyful

here

's

fools.

Spit, fire

Good

door.

my

spout, rain

daughters.

you elements, with unkindness

never gave you kingdom, call'd you children,

You owe me no
Your

men nor

rain, wind, thunder, fire, are

I tax not you,

I

out

ask thy daughters' blessing

10

Then

subscription.

horrible pleasure

poor, infirm, weak,

let fall

here I stand, your slave,

and despis'd old man.

you servile ministers,

That will with two pernicious daughters join
Your high-en gender 'd battles 'gainst a head
So old and white as this. O O 't is foul
But yet

I call

20

King Lear

88
Fool.

He

[Act

that has a house to put

's

head

in

has a

but she

made

good head-piece.

The man that makes his toe

What he his heart should make
Shall of a corn cry woe,

And

turn his sleep to wake.

For there was never yet

mouths in a glass.
Lear.

No, % I

will

woman

fair

be the pattern of

all

30

patience

I will say nothing.

Enter
Kent.

Who

Fool.

Marry, here

Kent. Alas,

's

there

sir,

Kent

's

man and

a wise

are you here

Love not such nights as these

fool.

Things that love night

the wrathful skies

Gallow the very wanderers of the dark,

And make them keep their

caves.

Since I was man,

40

Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder,

Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never
Remember to have heard man's nature cannot carry
;

The

affliction

nor the

fear.

Let the great gods,

Lear.

That keep this dreadful pudder o'er our heads,

Tremble, thou wretch,
Find out their enemies now.
crimes,
undivulged
within
thee
That hast
Hide thee, thou bloody hand,
Unwhipp'd of justice.
Thou perjur'd, and thou simular of virtue
Caitiff, to pieces shake,
50
That art incestuous.
That under covert and convenient seeming

Scene

Has

King Lear

II]

practis'd

on man's

89

Close pent-up

life.

guilts,

Rive your concealing continents and cry

These dreadful summoners grace. I am a man

More

sinn'd against than sinning.

s-

Kent.

my

"

Alack, bare-headed

hard by here is a hovel

Some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest.
Repose you there, while I to this hard house

Gracious

lord,

More harder than the stones whereof 't is rais'd,

Which even but now, demanding after you,
Denied me to come in
return, and force

60

Their scanted courtesy.

My

Lear.

Come on, my boy

I am cold myself.
hovel.

Fool.

[Sings]

With

He

precious..

Come,
my

your

heart

True, boy.

Fool.

and a little tiny

wind and the rain,

that has

wit,
70

content with his fortunes Jit,

the rain

Lear.

it

raineth every day.

Come, bring us

to this hovel.

\_Exeunt Lear

When
When

for thee.

Must make

'11

strange,

have one part in

hey, ho, the

For

is

things

vile

Poor fool and knave,

That's sorry yet

how dost, my boy ? art cold ?

Where is this straw, my fellow

<jThe art of our necessities

That can make

wits begin to turn.

speak a prophecy ere

and Kent.

go

more in word than matter

brewers mar their malt with water
priests are

King Lear

go

[Act

When nobles are their tailors' tutors

No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors
When every case in law is right
No squire in debt, nor no poor knight
When slanders do not live in tongues,
Nor cutpurses come not to throngs
Then shall the realm of Albion

Come

80

to great confusion.

Then comes the time, who lives to see

That going shall be us'd with feet.
This prophecy Merlin shall make

't,

for I live before

[Exit.

his time.

Scene

Glo sterns Castle

III.

Enter Gloster and

Gloster.

in

Alack, alack,

When

natural dealing.

Edmund,
I

Edmund
I like

not this un-

desired their leave that I

might pity him, they took from me the use of mine

own house charged me, on pain of perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him,
;

way
Edmund.

or any

sustain him.

Most savage and unnatural

There 's a
Gloster. Go to; say you nothing.
division between the dukes, and a worse matter than
have received a letter this night 't is dangerous to be spoken I have locked the letter in my
These injuries the king now bears will be
closet.
that.

revenged home

there

is

part of a power already

10

King Lear

Scene IV]

footed

we must

91

incline to the king.

him, and privily relieve him

I will

look

go you and maintain

talk with the duke, that my charity be not of him perIf he ask for me, I am ill and gone to bed.
ceived.
If I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the king
my old master must be relieved. There is strange
things toward, Edmund pray you, be careful.
[Exit.
Edmund. This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke
Instantly know, and of that letter too.
22
This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me
That which my father loses,
no less than all.
;

The younger

when

rises

the old doth

Scene IV. The Heath.

[Exit

fall.

Before a Hovel

Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool

Kent.

Here

is

the place,

my

lord

good

my

lord,

enter.

The tyranny
For nature

of the

open night

[Storm

Let

Good my

me

Wilt break
I

still.

alone.

lord, enter here.

Lear.
Kent.

too rough

to endure.

Lear.
Kent.

's

had rather break mine own.

my

heart

Good my

lord, enter.

Lear.

Thou

think'st

't

much

is

that this conten-

tious storm

Invades us to the skin

so

't

But where the greater malady

is

to thee,

is flx'd,

King Lear

92

The
But

lesser is scarce
if

Thou

Thou

felt.

[Act

'dst

shun a bear

thy flight lay toward the roaring sea,

'dst

meet the bear

mind
The body 's

's

10

When

the mouth.

i'

the

free

delicate

the tempest in

my mind

Doth from my senses take all feeling else

Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
For lifting food to 't ? But I will punish home.
No, I will weep no more. In such a night
Pour on I will endure.
To shut me out
!

In such a night as this

Regan, Goneril

Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave

O, that way madness lies let me shun that
No more of that

all,

20

Good my

Kent.

This tempest

On

will not give

boy go first.
Nay, get thee in.
;

me

own

seek thine

ease.

leave to ponder

You houseless poverty,

pray, and then

things would hurt

In,

lord, enter here.

Prithee, go in thyself

Lear.

me

more.

But

'11

'11

go

in.

sleep.

'11

\F00l goes

Poor naked wretches, wheresoe'er you

That bide the pelting

How

are,

of this pitiless storm,

your houseless heads and unfed sides,

Your loop'd and window'd raggedness, defend you
From seasons such as these?
O, I have ta'en
shall

Too

little

care of this

Expose thyself

to feel

in.

Take physic, pomp

what wretches

feel,

30

King Lear

Scene IV]

93

That thou mayst shake the superflux to them

And show the heavens more just.
Edgar. [Within] Fathom and half, fathom and
half
Poor Tom
[The Fool runs out from the hovel.
!

Fool.

Come

not in here, nuncle, here

Help me, help me

Give

Kent.
Fool.

me

spirit,

's

spirit.
4c

thy hand.
a spirit

Who

's

there

he says his name

's

poor

Tom.

What art thou that

Come forth.

Kent.

dost grumble there

i'

the straw?

Enter Edgar disguised as a madman

Away

Edgar.

the foul fiend follows

me

the sharp hawthorn blow the winds.

thy bed, and

thou come to this

Who

Edgar.

Hum

go

to

thee.

Didst thou give

Lear.
art

warm

Through

all

to thy daughters

And

50

Tom whom

gives any thing to poor

and through
flame, through ford and whirlpool, o'er bog and
quagmire that hath laid knives under his pillow,
and halters in his pew set ratsbane by his porridge made him proud of heart, to ride on a bay
the foul fiend hath led through

fire

trotting-horse over four-inched bridges, to course his

own shadow for a traitor.

a-cold.

Bless thy five wits

O, do de, do de, do de

whirlwinds,

star-blasting,

Tom some

charity,

and

whom

the

Tom

's

Bless thee from

taking
foul

Do
fiend

poor
vexes.

60

King Lear

94

[Act ill

There could I have him now, and there, and there

again, and there.
[Storm still.
Lear. What, have his daughters brought him to this
pass

Couldst thou save nothing?

Wouldst thou give 'em all?

Fool. Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been
all shamed.

Now,

Lear.

Hang

all

the plagues that in the pendulous air

fated o'er men's faults light on thy daughters

Kent.

He

Lear.

Death, traitor!

hath no daughters,

sir.

7o

nothing could have subdued

nature

To such
Is

it

a lowness but his unkind daughters.

the fashion that discarded fathers

Should have thus little mercy on their flesh ?

Judicious punishment 't was this flesh begot
!

Those pelican daughters.

Edgar. Pillicock sat on
Halloo, halloo, loo, loo

This cold night

Fool.

Pillicock-hill

will turn us all to fools

and

madmen.

80

Edgar. Take heed o' the foul fiend obey thy

keep thy word justly swear not commit
;

parents

not with man's sworn spouse

heart on proud array.

What

Lear.

Edgar.

that curled
as

many

Tom

hast thou been

set not thy

's

sweet

a-cold.

serving-man, proud in heart and mind

my

hair,

wore gloves

in

my

cap, swore

oaths as I spake words, and broke them in

King Lear

Scene IV]

the sweet face of heaven

95

one that slept in the con-

and waked to do it. Wine loved I

deeply, dice dearly, and in woman out-paramoured

triving of lust

90

Turk false of heart, light of ear, bloody of

hand hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness,
dog in madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking

the

of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor

Keep thy

heart to woman.

foot out of brothels, thy

pen from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend.

Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind
says suum, mun, nonny. Dolphin my boy, my boy,
sessa let him trot by.
[Storm still.
!

Thou wert

Lear.

better in thy grave than to an-

101

swer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the

man no more than this ? Consider him

Thou owest the worm no silk, the beast no
well.
hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume.
Ha!
here 's three on 's are sophisticated
Thou art the
thing itself unaccommodated man is no more but
skies.

Is

such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou

off,

you lendings

art.

Off,

come, unbutton here.

Fool. Prithee, nuncle, be contented

't
is
a no
naughty night to swim in. Now a little fire in a
wide field were like an old lecher's heart, a small
;

spark,

all

the rest on

comes a walking
Edgar. This
gins at curfew

web and

is

cold.

Look,

here

fire.

the foul Flibbertigibbet.

and walks

the pin,

body

's

He

be-

he gives the
squints the eye, and makes the
at first

cock

King Lear

96
hare-lip

[Act

in

mildews the white wheat and hurts the poor

creature of earth.
Saint Withold footed thrice the old

He

met the nightmare and her

Bid her

And
And, aroint

How

Lear.

What

her troth plight,

thee, witch, aroint thee

Who

fares your grace

's

he

alight,

Enter Gloster, with a

Kent.

120

nine-fold

torch.

What

you seek ?
Your names ?
Edgar. Poor Tom, that eats the swimming frog,
the toad, the tadpole, the wall-newt and the water 130
that in the fury of his heart, when the foul fiend rages,
eats cow-dung for sallets swallows the old rat and the
Kent.

's

What

Gloster.

there

are you there

is 't

ditch-dog

who

drinks the green mantle of the standing

whipped from tithing to tithing, and

stocked, punished, and imprisoned who hath three
suits to his back, six shirts to his body
Horse to ride, and weapon to wear
But mice and rats and such small deer
Have been Tom's food for seven long year.
Beware my follower.
Peace, Smulkin peace, thou 140
pool

is

fiend

What, hath your grace no better company ?

is a gentleman
Modo he 's called, and Mahu.
Gloster.

Edgar. The prince of darkness

Our flesh and

Gloster.
it

blood,

doth hate what gets

Tom

Poor

Edgar.

Go

Gloster.

To obey

King Lear

Scene IV]

That

in all

my lord,

is

grown so

me

my

duty cannot suffer

your daughters' hard commands.

my

Though

their injunction

And

this tyrannous night take hold upon you,

let

Yet have

And

ventur'd to

be to bar

What is

First let

me

fire

Good my

150

out,

and food

ready.

is

talk with this philosopher.

the cause of thunder

Ke?it.

doors

come seek you

bring you where both

Lear.

vile

it.

a-cold.

's

with

in

97

lord, take his

offer

a word with

this

go

the

into

house.
Lear.

'11

talk

Theban.

What

is

your study

How to

Edgar.

me

prevent the fiend and to

kill

vermin.

ask you one word in private.

Lear.

Let

Kent.

Importune him once more

His wits begin

same learned

to go,

my

160

lord

to unsettle.

Canst thou blame him

Gloster.

\Storm

still.

His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent

said it would be thus, poor banish'd man
Thou say'st the king grows mad I '11 tell thee, friend,
I am almost mad myself.
I had a son,
Now outlaw'd from my blood he sought my life,
But lately, very late. I lov'd him, friend,

He

No

father his son dearer

KING LEAR

true to

tell thee,

King Lear

98

The
I

grief hath craz'd

my

do beseech your grace,

[Act

What

wits.

a night

O, cry you mercy,

Lear.

's

this!

sir.

171

Noble philosopher, your company.

Edgar. Tom 's a-cold.
In, fellow, there, into the hovel

Gloster.

warm.
Lear. Come,

let

in

's

all.

my

This way,

Kent.

lord.

With him

Lear.
I will

keep

Kent.

keep thee

still

with

Good my

my

philosopher.

him

lord, soothe

him take the

let

fellow.

Take him you on.

Kent. Sirrah, come on go along with
Lear. Come, good Athenian.
Gloster.

No

Gloster.

Edgar.

words, no words

Child

Rowland to

His word was

I smell

still,

Cornwall.

I will

180

hush
dark tower came ;
;

Fie, foh,

andfum,

the blood of a British

Scene V.
E?tter

the

us.

man. [Exeunt.

Glo sterns Castle

Cornwall and Edmund

have

my

revenge ere

depart his

house.

Edmund. How, my lord, I may be censured, that

nature thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me
to think of.

King Lear

Scene vrj

Cornwall. I

your brother's

now

perceive

99

was not altogether

made him seek his
set a-work by a reprovit

evil disposition

death, but a provoking merit,

able badness in himself.

How

Edmund.

malicious

my

is

fortune, that I

10

must repent to be just

This is the letter he spoke
which approves him an intelligent party to the
advantages of France. O heavens that this treason were not, or not I the detector
!

of,

Cornwall.

Edmund.

Go

with

If the

me

to the duchess.

matter of this paper be certain,

you have mighty business in hand.

Cornwall. True or false, it hath made thee earl of
Gloster.
Seek out where thy father is, that he may
be ready for our apprehension.
Edmund. [Aside] If I find him comforting the
king, it will stuff his suspicion more fully.
I will
persever in my course of loyalty, though the conflict
be sore between that and my blood.
Cornwall. I will lay trust upon thee, and thou

20

shalt find a dearer father in

Scene VI.

Chamber

my

[Exeunt.

love.

a Earmhouse adjoining the

in

Castle

Enter Gloster, Lear, Kent, Fool, and Edgar

Gloster.

thankfully.

Here

is

better than the .open air

I will piece out the

addition I can.

I will not

LofC.i

take

it

comfort with what

be long from you.

King Lear

ioo
All the

Kent.

his impatience.

of his wits

calls

me, and

tells

me Nero

is

darkness. Pray, innocent,

in the lake of

and beware the foul

fiend.

me whether

Prithee, nuncle, tell

Fool.

have given way to

The gods reward your kindness
[Exit Gloster.

power

Edgar. Frateretto
an angler

[Act

be a gentleman or a yeoman
Lear. A king, a king

madman
10

No, he 's a yeoman that has a gentleman to

for he 's a mad yeoman that sees his son a
his son
gentleman before him.
Lear. To have a thousand with red burning spits
Fool.

Come

hizzing in upon 'em,

Edgar. The foul fiend bites

He

Fool.

's

mad

my

back.

that trusts in the tameness of a

wolf, a horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath.

Lear. It shall be done; I will arraign them straight.

[To Edgar] Come,

tice r.

[To

the Fool]

sit

thou here, most learned

Thou, sapient

sir, sit

Edgar. Look, where he stands

Wantest thou eyes at trial, madam
Fool.

Now, you
and glares
!

o^er the bourn, Bessy, to me.

Her boat hath a

leak,

And she must not speak

Why she dares not come over
Edgar. The

jus-

here.

she foxes

Come

to thee.

foul fiend haunts poor

Tom

in the

20


King Lear

Scene vi]

Hoppedance

voice of a nightingale.
belly

two white herring.

for

101
cries in

Tom's

not,

black

Croak

30

have no food for thee.

Kent. How do you, sir ? Stand you not so amaz'd.
Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions ?
angel

Lear.

see their trial

'11

dence.

Bring

first.

Thou robed man

[To Edgar]

of

in their evi-

take thy

justice,

place,

[To the Fool]

Bench by

And

his side.

thou, his yoke-fellow of equity,

[To Kent]

You

are o' the commis-

sion,
Sit

you

too.

Edgar. Let us deal

Sleepest or

Thy

Pur

the cat

sheep be in the corn

take

is

my

blast of thy minikin mouth,

sheep shall take no harm.

gray.

Arraign her

Lear.

40

wakest thou, jolly shepherd ?

Andfor one
Thy

justly.

first

't

is

Goneril.

here

oath before this honourable assembly, she

kicked the poor king her father.

Come

Fool.

Goneril

hither,

mistress.

Is

-50

your

name

She cannot deny it.

Fool. Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool.
Lear. And here 's another, whose warp'd looks proLear.

claim

What

store her heart is

made

on.

Stop her there

King Lear

102
Arms, arms, sword,

fire

why

False justicer,

That you

pity

so oft

Corruption in the place

hast thou

Edgar. Bless thy

Kent.

five wits

have boasted

My

Edgar. [Aside]
much,

let

her scape

Edgar.

the patience now,

is

to retain

tears begin to take his part so

60

They mar my counterfeiting.

Lear. The little dogs and all,
Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart, see, they bark

Tom

where

Sir,

[Act III

will

throw his head

at

at me.

them.

Avaunt, you curs

Be thy mouth or black or white,

Tooth that poisons if it bite
;

Mastiff, greyhound,

Hound
Or

mongrel grim,

or spaniel, brach or lym,

bobtail tike or trundle-tail,

Tom

will

make him weep and

For, with throwing thus

Dogs

Do

my

leap'd the hatch, and

70

wail

head,
all

are fled.

Come, march to wakes and

fairs and market-towns.
Poor Tom, thy horn is dry.
Lear. Then let them anatomize Regan see what
de, de, de

Sessa

any cause in nature

[To Edgar] You,
that makes these hard hearts?
only I do not
sir, I entertain for one of my hundred
You will say
like the fashion of your garments.
they are Persian but let them be changed.
Kent. Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile.
breeds about her heart.

Is there

80

King Lear

Scene vi]

Make no

Lear.
curtains

And

Fool.

'11

Gloster.

Come

my

master

Kent.

Here,

noise,

We

so, so.

'11

make no

go

to

103
noise

supper

go to bed

at noon.

Re-e7iter

Gloster

hither, friend

i'

draw the

the morning.

where

is

the king

sir

but trouble him not, his wits are

gone.

Good

Gloster.

friend, I

prithee, take

him

in

thy

arms
I

have o'erheard a plot of death upon him.

There

is

litter

ready

lay

him

in

90

't,

And

drive toward Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet

Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master.
If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life,

With

thine,

and

all

Stand in assured

And

that offer to defend him,

Take up, take up

will to some provision

loss.

follow me, that

Give thee quick conduct.

Oppress'd nature sleeps.

Kent.

This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken sinews,

Which, if convenience will not allow,
Stand in hard cure.
[To the Fool~\ Come, help to

bear thy master

Thou must

100

not stay behind.

Come, come, away.

[Exeunt all but Edgar.

Gloster.

Edgar.

When we

our betters see bearing our woes,

King Lear

104

We

[Act

in

scarcely think our miseries our foes.

Who

alone suffers suffers most

i'

the mind,

Leaving free things and happy shows behind

But then the mind much sufferance doth o'erskip,
When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship.
How light and portable my pain seems now,
When that which makes me bend makes the king bow,
no
He childed as I father'd Tom, away
;

Mark

and thyself bewray,

When false opinion, whose wrong thoughts defile
In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee.
What will hap more to-night, safe scape the king
the high noises,

thee,

[Exit.

Lurk, lurk.

Scene VII.

GZoster's

Castle

Enter Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, Edmund, and

Servants
Cornwall.

\_To

your husband

France

is

Goneril']

show him

Post speedily to
this letter

landed. Seek out the

the

my

lord

army

of

villain Gloster.

[Exeunt some, of the Servants.

Regan.

Hang him

Goneril.

instantly.

Pluck out his eyes.

EdLeave him to my displeasure

mund, keep you our sister company. The revenges
we are bound to take upon your traitorous father
Advise the duke,
are not fit for your beholding.
where you are going, to a most festinate preparation
we are bound to the like. Our posts shall be
Cornwall.

10

King Lear

Scene vil]

and

swift
sister.

intelligent

Farewell,

105

Farewell,
Gloster.

betwixt us.

my

lord of

dear

Enter Oswald

How now

where

's

the king

My lord of Gloster hath convey'd him hence.

Oswald.

Some five or six and thirty of his knights,

Hot questrists after him, met him at gate
Who, with some other of the lord's dependants,
Are gone with him toward Dover, where they boast
;

To have

well-armed friends.

Cornwall.
Goneril.

Cornwall.

Get horses for your

Farewell, sweet lord, and sister.

Edmund,

mistress.

farewell.

21

\Exeunt Goneril, Edmund, and Oswald.

Go
Pinion him like a

thief,

seek the traitor Gloster.

bring him before us.

[Exeunt other Servants.

Though well we may not pass upon his life
Without the form of justice, yet our power
Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men
May blame but not control. Who 's there ? the traitor ?

Enter Gloster, brought

Regan.

Ingrateful fox

Cornwall.
Gloster.

Bind

What

't

is

in by

two or three

he.

fast his

corky arms.

means

your

graces?

Good

friends, consider

You

are

my

guests

do me no foul

my
30

play, friends.

King Lear

106

Bind him,

Cornwall.

[Act

I say.

Hard, hard.
O filthy traitor
Gloster. Unmerciful lady as you are, I 'm none.
Cornwall. To this chair bind him.
Villain, thou
shalt find
[Regan plucks his beard.
Gloster. By the kind gods, 't is most ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.
Regan. So white, and such a traitor
Regan.

Naughty

Gloster.

These hairs which thou dost ravish from

Will quicken and accuse thee.

With robbers' hands

You should

Come,

France

sir,

am

my

chin

your host

hospitable favours

What

not ruffle thus.

Cornwall.

Regan.

my

what

lady,

40

you do ?
had you late from

will

letters

Be simple-answer' d, for we know the truth.

And what confederacy have you with the

Cornwall.

traitors

Late footed in the kingdom

Regan.

To whose hands have you

king

sent the lunatic

Speak.

have a letter guessingly set down,

Which came from one that 's of a neutral heart,
And not from one oppos'd.
Cornwall.
Cunning.
Regan.
And false.
Gloster.

Cornwall.
Gloster.

Where

hast thou sent the king

50

To

Dover.

King Lear

Scene vii]

Wast thou not charg'd

Regan. Wherefore to Dover.

at peril

107

Wherefore to Dover
answer that.

Cornwall.

Gloster.

am

Let

and

tied to the stake,

him

first

must stand

the course.

Regan. Wherefore to Dover

Gloster.

Because

would not see thy cruel

Pluck out his poor old eyes, nor thy

nails

fierce sister

In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs.

The

such a storm as his bare head

sea, with

In hell-black night endur'd, would have buoy'd up

And quench'd

the stelled fires

60

Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain.

If

wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time,

Thou

have

shouldst

'Good

said,

turn

porter,

the

key,

All cruels else subscribe.'

The winged vengeance

Cornwall.

See

the chair.

Upon

't

Gloster.

He

I shall see

shalt thou never.

these eyes of thine I

'11

set

my

that will think to live

me some help
Regan. One side

Give

But

overtake such children.

O cruel
will

If

you see vengeance

Servant.

have serv'd you ever since

till he be
you gods
;

old,
!

the

was

70

other

Hold your hand, my

I

hold

foot.

mock another

too.

Cornwall.

Fellows,

a child

lord

King Lear

108

But better service have

Than now

to bid

never done you

you hold.

How now, you dog

you did wear a beard upon your chin,
What do you mean ?
'd shake it on this quarrel.
Cornwall. My villain
[They draw and fight.
Nay, then, come on, and take the chance
i Servant.
Regan.
i

[Act

Servant.

If

of anger.

me

Regan. Give
thus
i

O,

Servant.

see

thy

79

peasant stand up

[Takes a sword, and runs at him behind.

one eye

To

sword. A

am

slain

My

lord,

you have

left

some mischief on him.

Lest

Cornwall.

see more, prevent

it

it.

Out,

[Dies.
vile

jelly

Where

All dark and comfortless.

Gloster.

Edmund

son

Edmund, enkindle

To

now ?

thy lustre

is

all

Where

's

my

the sparks of nature,

quit this horrid act.

Out, treacherous villain

Regan.

Thou

call'st

on him that hates thee

That made the overture

Who is too good to pity

O my

Gloster.

Kind

follies

gods, forgive

Regan.

His way
is

Go

me

thrust

to Dover.
't,

my

lord

it

was he

of thy treasons to us,

thee.
!

then Edgar was abus'd.

that,

him out

how

90

and prosper him

at gates, and let him smell

[Exit one
?

with

look you

Gloster.]

How

King Lear

Scene VII]

Cornwall.

Turn out

Upon

have receiv'd a hurt

that eyeless villain

the dunghill.

Untimely comes
Servant.

If this

Women
2

Give me your arm.

\Exit Cornwall, led by Regan.
never care what wickedness I do,

'11

to good.
If she live long,

100

of death,

will all turn monsters.

Let

's

follow the old earl,

Bedlam
To lead him where he would
itself to

his roguish

and get the

madness

any thing.

3 Servant. Go thou.
whites of eggs

To

this slave

bleed apace

end meet the old course

Servant.

Allows

follow me, lady.

this hurt.

man come

in the

throw

Regan,

3 Servant.

And

109

'11

apply to his bleeding face.

fetch

some

flax

and

Now, heaven help him

\_Exeunt severally.

Dover Cliff

ACT IV
Scene

I.

The Heath

Enter Edgar
Edgar. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn 'd,

Than still contemn 'd and flatter'd. To be worst,

The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune,
Stands

still

in esperance, lives not in fear.

The lamentable change is from the best

The worst returns to laughter. Welcome, then,
Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace
The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst
But who comes here ?
Owes nothing to thy blasts.
no

'

Scene

1;

King Lear

I]

1 1

Man

Enter Gloster, led by an Old

My

father, poorly led

World, world, O world

10

But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee,

Life would not yield to age.

Old Man.
O my good lord,
I have been your tenant, and your father's tenant,
These fourscore years.
Gloster. Away, get thee away
good friend, be gone.
Thy comforts can do me no good at all
;

Thee they may

Old Man.
Gloster.
I

hurt.

You cannot

have no way, and therefore want no eyes

stumbled when

us,

't

20

O dear son Edgar,

of thy abused father's wrath

but

seen,

is

and our mere defects

Prove our commodities.

Might

Full oft

I saw.

Our means secure

The food

see your way.

live to see thee in

had eyes again

Old Man.
Edgar. \_Aside~\ O gods

my

touch,

I 'd say I

at the worst
I

am

worse than

How now
Who is

is

't

's

can say

there
'

am

e'er I was.

Old Man.
Edgar.

Who

\_Aside~\

'T

And worse

is

poor

may be

mad Tom.
yet

the worst

not

So long as we can say This is the

Old Man. Fellow, where goest ?
'

Gloster.

worst.'

Is

it

a beggar-man

H2

King Lear

[Act IV

Madman and beggar too.

He has some reason, else he

Old Man.
Gloster.
I'

30

could not beg.

the last night's storm I such a fellow saw,

My

Which made me think a man a worm.

son

Came then into my mind, and yet my mind

Was then scarce friends with him. I have heard more
since.

As flies to wanton boys, are we

They kill us for their sport.

to the gods

Edgar.

Bad

is

[Aside]

How

should this be

the trade that must play fool to sorrow,

Angering
Gloster.

itself

and

others.

Is that the

Bless

naked fellow

Old Man.

thee, master

Ay,

my

lord.

40

Then, prithee, get thee gone. If for my sake

hence a mile or twain
I' the way toward Dover, do it for ancient love
And bring some covering for this naked soul,
Which I '11 entreat to lead me.
Old Man.
Alack, sir, he is mad.
Gloster.

Thou

wilt o'ertake us

Gloster.

'T

the times' plague,

is

when madmen

lead

the blind.

Do

as I bid thee, or rather

do thy pleasure

Above the rest, be gone.

Old Man. I '11 bring him
Come on 't what will.
Gloster.

Edgar.
it

Sirrah,

Poor

naked

Tom

further.

's

the best 'parel that I have,

[Aside]

[Exit.

fellow,

a-cold.

51

cannot daub

Scene

King Lear

I]

Gloster.

Come

hither, fellow.

Edgar. [Aside]

And

yet I must.

113

Bless

thy sweet

eyes, they bleed.

Know'st thou the way to Dover ?

Edgar. Both stile and gate, horse-way and footpath.
Poor Tom had been scared out of his good
wits.
Bless thee, good man's son, from the foul
fiend
Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once
Hobbididence, prince of dumbof lust, as Obidicut
ness Mahu, of stealing Modo, of murther Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and mowing, who since
possesses chambermaids and waiting-women.
So,
Gloster.

bless thee, master

Gloster.

Here,

60

take

thou

purse,

this

whom

the

heaven's plagues

Have humbled to all strokes that I am wretched

Makes thee the happier.
Heavens, deal so still

Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man,

That slaves your ordinance, that

Because he does not

feel, feel

will not see

your power quickly

70

So distribution should undo excess,

each man have enough.
Dost thou know Dover?
Edgar. Ay, master.
Gloster. There is a cliff whose high and bending head
Looks fearfully in the confined deep
Bring me but to the very brim of it,
And I '11 repair the misery thou dost bear
With something rich about me from that place
I shall no leading need.

And

KING LEAR

King Lear

114

Give

Edgar.

Poor

Tom

Scene

[Act IV

me

thy arm

[Exeunt.

shall lead thee.

II.

Duke of Albany s
1

Before the

Enter Goneril and

Goneril.

Welcome,

my

band
Not met us on the way.

lord

Palace

Edmund
marvel our mild hus-

Enter Oswald

Now, where
Oswald.

him

Madam,

within

army

but never

's

your master

man

so chang'd.

was landed
He smil'd at it. I told him you were coming
His answer was, The worse.' Of Gloster's treachery,
I told

of the

that

'

And of the loyal service of his son,

When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot,
And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out.
What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him
What like, offensive.
Goneril. [To
It is

Edmund~\ Then

the cowish terror of his

shall

you go no

further.

spirit,

That dares not undertake he '11 not feel wrongs

Which tie him to an answer. Our wishes on the way
;

May

prove

effects.

Back, Edmund, to

my

brother

Hasten his musters and conduct his powers.

I must change arms at home, and give the distaff
Into

my

husband's hands.

This trusty servant

10

Scene

King Lear

ii]

Shall pass between us

If

you dare venture

mistress's

ere long you are like to hear,

in

115

your own behalf,

command.

Wear

this

20

spare speech.

[Giving a favour.
Decline your head

Would

this kiss,

stretch thy spirits

up

if it

durst speak,

into the air.

Conceive, and fare thee well.

Edmund. Yours

in the ranks of death.

My

Goneril.

most dear Gloster

[Exit Edmund.
O, the difference of

To

thee a

My

fool usurps

man and man

woman's services are due

my

body.

Madam, here comes my

Oswald.

lord.

[Exit.

Enter Albany
Goneril.

have been worth the whistle.

Albany.

You

are not worth the dust which the rude

Blows in your

face.

I fear

Goneril

wind

30

your disposition.

That nature which contemns it origin

Cannot be border'd certain in itself
She that herself will sliver and disbranch
From her material sap perforce must wither
And come to deadly use.
Goneril. No more
the text is foolish.
Albany. Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile
Filths savour but themselves.
What have you done ?
Tigers, not daughters, what have you perform'd ?
40
;

n6

King Lear

[Activ

A father,

and a gracious aged man,

Whose reverence even the head-lugg'd bear would lick,
Most barbarous, most degenerate have you madded.
Could my good brother suffer you to do it ?
A man, a prince, by him so benefited
If that the heavens do not their visible spirits
Send quickly down to tame these vile offences,
!

It will

come,

Humanity must perforce prey on

itself,

Like monsters of the deep.

man

Milk-liver'd

Goneril.

head

wrongs

That

bear'st a cheek for blows, a

Who

hast not in thy brows an eye discerning

for

50
;

Thine honour from thy suffering that not know'st

Fools do those villains pity who are punish 'd
where 's thy
Ere they have done their mischief,
;

drum?
France spreads his banners

With plumed helm thy

Whilst thou, a moral
1

Alack,

why does he

fool, sit'st still

so

and

criest

See thyself, devil

Albany.

Proper deformity seems not

So horrid as

in

in the fiend

60

woman.

Goneril.

Albany.

in our noiseless land,

state begins to threat,

vain fool

Thou changed and

self-cover 'd thing, for

shame,
Be-monster not thy feature.

To

let

these hands obey

my

Were
blood,

't

my

fitness

Scene

King Lear

II]

They are apt enough

Thy flesh and bones.

117

and
Howe'er thou

to dislocate

woman's shape doth shield

tear
art a fiend,

thee.

Goneril. Marry, your manhood now

Enter a Messenger
Albany.

What news

Messenger.
wall
Slain

The

by

's

my good

O,

lord,

the

Duke

of

Corn-

dead

his servant, going to put out

other eye of Gloster.

Albany.

Gloster's eyes

Messenger.

servant that he bred, thrill'd with

re-

morse,

Oppos'd against the

To

act,

his great master,

bending his sword

who

thereat enrag'd

Flew on him and amongst them fell'd him dead,

But not without that harmful stroke which since

Hath pluck'd him

after.

This shows you are above,

You justicers, that these our nether crimes
So speedily can venge
But, O poor Gloster
Albany.

Lost he his other eye

Messenger.

Both, both,

madam, craves

This

letter,

'T

from your

is

But being widow, and

all

my

lord.

80

a speedy answer

sister.

Goneril.

May

[Aside]

my
my

the building in

One way

I like this well

Gloster with her,

fancy pluck

King Lear

1 1

[Act iv

Upon my hateful life another way,

I '11 read and answer. [Exit.
The news is not so tart.
Albany. Where was his son when they did take his
:

eyes

Come

Messenger.

with

my

lady hither.

He

Albany.

my good

No,

Messenger.

lord

met him back

not here.

is

again.

Albany.

90

Knows he
Ay,

Messenger.

my

the wickedness

good lord

't

was he inform 'd

against him,

And

quit the house

Might have the

on purpose, that their punishment

freer course.

Albany.

Gloster, I live

To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king,

Come hither, friend
And to revenge thine eyes.
[Exeunt.
Tell me what more thou know'st.

Scene

III.

E7iter

Kent.

Why

the

The French Camp near Dover

Kent and
King

of

a Gentleman

France

is

so suddenly

gone back, know you the reason ?

Gentleman. Something he left imperfect in the
state which since his coming forth is thought of,

kingdom so much fear and danpersonal return was most required and

which imports
ger that his

to the

necessary.

Kent.

Who

hath he

left

behind him general

King Lear

Scene Hi]

119

The Marshal

Gentleman.

Monsieur La

of France,

Far.

10

Kent.

Did your

letters pierce the

demonstration of grief

Ay,

Gentleman.

my

sir

queen

to

any

she took them, read them in

presence,

And now and then an ample tear trill'd down

Her delicate cheek. It seem'd she was a queen
Over her passion, who most rebel-like
Sought

to

be king o'er her.

mov'd her.
patience and sorrow

O, then

Kent.

Not

Gentle?nan.

a rage

to

it

strove

Who

You have

should express her goodliest.

Sunshine and rain at once

Were

like a better

way

her smiles and tears

those happy

seen
20

smilets

That play'd on her ripe lip seem'd not to know

What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence
As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief,
Sorrow would be a rarity most belov'd,
If all

could so become

it.

Made

Kent.

she no verbal question

Faith, once or twice she heav'd the

Gentleman.

name

of father

Pantingly forth, as

Cried

Kent

'

Sisters

father

night

press 'd her heart

if it

sisters
sisters

Shame

What,

of ladies
i'

sisters

the storm

i'

the
30

Let pity not be believ'd

'

There she shook

King Lear

20

[Act IV

The holy water from her heavenly eyes,

And, clamour-moisten 'd, then away she started

To

deal with grief alone.

Kent.

The

It is

the stars,

above us, govern our conditions

Else one self mate and mate could not beget
Such different issues.
You spoke not with her since
stars

Kent.

Was

this before the

king return'd

No,

Gentleman.
Kent.

Well,

the poor distressed Lear

sir,

since.

's

i'

the

town,

Who

40

sometime

What we

are

No.

Gentleman.

remembers
by no means

in his better tune

come

about, and

Will yield to see his daughter.

Why, good

Gentleman.
Ke?it.

sir

sovereign shame so elbows him

his

own

unkindness,

That

To
To

stripp'd her

from his benediction, turn'd her

foreign casualties, gave her dear rights

his dog-hearted daughters,

these things sting

His mind so venomously that burning shame

Detains him from Cordelia.
Gentleman.
Kent.

Alack, poor gentleman

Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard

not

50

Gentleman.

'T

Kent.

sir, I

And

Well,

is so,
'11

they are afoot.

bring you to our master Lear,

leave you to attend him.

Some dear cause

King Lear

Scene IV]

me up

Will in concealment wrap

121

awhile

When I am known aright, you shall not grieve

Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go
Along with me.
[Exeunt.
Scene IV.
Enter, with

The Same.

drum and

colours,

Tent

Cordelia, Doctor, and

Soldiers

Alack, 't is he
Why, he was met even
now
As mad as the vex'd sea singing aloud,
Crown 'd with rank fumiter and furrow-weeds,
Cordelia.

With burdocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,

Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow

A century send
Search every acre
the high-grown
[Exit an
And bring him
our
In our sustaining corn.
in

forth

field,

to

eye.

Officer.']

What

can man's wisdom

In the restoring his bereaved sense

He

him take all my outward worth.

There is means, madam.

that helps

Doctor.

Our foster-nurse of nature

The which he lacks that
;

is

repose,

to

provoke in him,

Are many simples operative whose power

Will close the eye of anguish.
All blest secrets,

Cordelia.

All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth,

Spring with

my

tears

be aidant and remediate

10

King Lear

122

In the good man's distress

[Act iv

Seek, seek

Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the

That wants the means

to lead

for him,

life

it.

Enter a Messenger

News,

Messenger.

The

20

powers are marching hitherward.

British

'T

Cordelia.

is

known

In expectation of them.
It is

madam

thy business that

before

our preparation stands

O dear

father,

go about

Therefore great France

My

mourning and important tears hath pitied.

No blown ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our aged father's right
[Exeunt.
Soon may I hear and see him

-Scene V.

Gloster's Castle

Enter Regan and Oswald

Regan. But are

my

brother's powers set forth?

Ay, madam.

Oswald.
Regan.

Himself in person there

Oswald.

Your

Madam,

with

much ado

sister is the better soldier.

Regan. Lord

home

Edmund

spake not with your lord at

No, madam.
Regan. What might import
Oswald.

Oswald.

know

not, lady.

my sister's

letter to

him ?

King Lear

Scene V]

23

Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.

was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out,
10
To let him live where he arrives he moves

Regan.

It

Edmund,

All hearts against us.

I think, is

gone,

In pity of his misery, to dispatch

His nighted life moreover, to descry
;

The

strength

Oswald.

the enemy.

o'

must needs

after him,

madam, with my

letter.

Our troops

Regan.

The ways

set forth

stay with us.

are dangerous.

Oswald.

My

to-morrow

my

lady charg'd

Why

Regan.

may

not,

madam

duty in this business.

Edmund?

should she write to

Might

not you

Transport her purposes by word

Some
Let

things

me

know not what.

unseal the

Regan.

am

Madam,
I

know your lady does

sure of that

She gave strange

To

noble

and

I,

20

love thee much,

at

had rather

not love her husband,

her late being here

and most speaking looks

know you are of her bosom.

ceillades

Edmund.

Oswald.
Regan.

'11

letter.

Oswald.
I

Belike,

madam ?

speak in understanding

you

are, I

know

't.

Therefore I do advise you, take this note.

My

lord

is

And more
Than

dead

Edmund and

convenient

for your lady's

have

talk'd,

he for my hand
you may gather more.

is

30

King Lear

124
If

[Act iv

him

find him, pray you, give

you do

And when your

I pray, desire

mistress hears thus

this

much from

you,

her call her wisdom to her.

you well.
If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
I should
Oswald. Would I could meet him, madam
show
39
What party I do follow.
\_Exeunt,
Fare thee well.
Regan.
So, fare

Scene VI.

Fields near

Dover

Enter Gloster, and Edgar dressed

When

Gloster.

shall I

come

like

a peasant

to the top of that

same

hill?

Edgar. You do climb up it now look, how we labour.

Gloster. Methinks the ground is even.
Horrible steep.
Edgar.
;

Hark, do you hear the sea

No,

Gloster.

truly.

Edgar. Why, then, your other senses grow imperfect

By your

eyes' anguish.

So may it be indeed
alter'd, and thou speak'st

Gloster.

Methinks thy voice is

In better phrase and matter than thou didst.
in nothing
Edgar. You 're much deceiv'd
chang'd
;

But

in

my

garments.

am

King Lear

Scene vi]

125

Methinks you re better-spoken. 10

Edgar. Come on, sir here 's the place. Stand still.
5

Gloster.

How
And

dizzy

't

fearful
is

to cast one's eyes so

low

The crows and choughs that wing the midway air

Show scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down
Hangs one that gathers sampire, dreadful trade
!

Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.

The fishermen that walked upon the beach
Appear like mice and yond tall anchoring bark
Diminish'd to her cock her cock, a buoy
Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge,
That on the unnumber'd idle pebble chafes,
Cannot be heard so high. I '11 look no more,
;

Lest

my

20

brain turn and the deficient sight

Topple down headlong.

Set

Gloster.

Edgar. Give

me where you

stand.

me your hand. You are now within

Of the extreme verge. For

Would I not leap upright.

all

beneath the moon

Let go

Gloster.

a foot

my

hand.

Here, friend, 's another purse in it a jewel

Well worth a poor man's taking; fairies and gods
Prosper it with thee
Go thou further off
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
;

Edgar.

Now

fare ye well,

good

Gloster.

Edgar.
Is

done

sir.

[Aside]

to cure

it.

Why I do

trifle

30

With

all

my

heart.

thus with his despair

King Lear

126

This world

Shake patiently
could bear

If I

you mighty gods

do renounce, and in your sights

[Kneeling]

Gloster.

[Act iv

my
it

great affliction

longer,

and not

off.

fall

To

quarrel with your great opposeless wills,

My

snuff

Burn
Now,

and loathed part

If Edgar

itself out.

of nature should

live,

him

bless

40

fellow, fare thee well.

Gone,

Edgar.

sir

farewell.

[He falls forward.

[Aside]

The

And

know not how conceit may rob

life, when life itself

yet I

treasury of

Had

he been where he thought,

By this had thought been past. Alive or dead ?
Hear you, sir speak
Ho, you sir friend
[Aside] Thus might he pass indeed yet he revives.

Yields to the theft.

What

are you, sir

Gloster.

Edgar. Hadst

Away, and let me die.

thou been aught but

gossamer,

feathers, air,

So many fathom down precipitating,

Thou 'dst shiver 'd like an egg but thou
;

Hast heavy substance, bleed'st

each make not

not, speak'st, art sound.

Ten masts at
Which thou hast perpendicularly

Thy

life 's

50

dost breathe,

the altitude
fell

Speak yet again.

no ?
the dread summit of

a miracle.

Gloster.

But have

Edgar.

From

bourn.

I fallen, or

this

chalky

King Lear

Scene vi]

Look up

a-height

127

the shrill-gorg'd lark so far

Cannot be seen or heard. Do but look up.

Gloster. Alack, I have no eyes.
Is

60

wretchedness depriv'd that benefit,

To end

itself

by death

'T was yet some comfort,

When misery could beguile the

And frustrate his proud will.

Give me your arm.

Feel you your legs ?

Edgar.

Up

How

so.

is

tyrant's rage,

't ?

You

stand.

Too

Gloster.

well, too well.

Edgar.

Upon

This

the crown o' the

cliff,

is

above

all

strangeness.

what thing was that

Which parted from you ?

Gloster.

As

Edgar.

poor unfortunate beggar.

here

stood

below,

methought

his

eyes

Were two full moons he had a thousand noses,

Horns whelk'd and wav'd like the enridged sea.
;

70

was some fiend therefore, thou happy father,

Think that the clearest gods, who make them honours
Of men's impossibilities, have preserv'd thee.
Gloster.
I do remember now.
Henceforth I '11
It

bear

do cry out itself

Enough, enough,' and die.
That thing you speak

Affliction
\

till it

of,

I
1

took

The

it

for a

man

often

fiend, the fiend

:
'

't

would say

he led

me

to that place.

King Lear

128

[Act IV

Edgar. Bear free and patient thoughts.

comes here

But

who
80

Enter Lear, fantastically dressed with wild flowers

The

safer sense will ne'er

accommodate

His master thus.

Lear. No, they cannot touch me

am

for coining; I

the king himself.

O thou side-piercing sight

Nature 's above art in that respect.

Edgar.
Lear.

There's 3^our press-money.

bow
yard.

like

That fellow handles his

crow-keeper. Draw

Look,

mouse

look, a

piece of toasted cheese will do

gauntlet

brown
clout

'11

prove

it

on a

flown,

't.

giant.

O, well
bird
hewgh Give the -word.

bills.

me

a clothier's

Peace, peace

this

There my
Bring up the

i'

's

the clout,

i'

90

the

Edgar. Sweet marjoram.

Lear.

Pass.

Gloster.

Lear.

Ha

that voice.

with a white beard They

Goneril,

and told me I had white hairs

To say
in my beard ere the black ones were there.
Ay and no 100
ay and no to every thing that I said
When the rain came to
too was no good divinity.
wet me once and the wind to make me chatter, when
the thunder would not peace at my bidding, there I
found 'em, there I smelt 'em out. Go to, they are
flattered

me

know
like a

dog

King Lear

Scene vi]

not

men

thing

't

lie,

The

Gloster.
Is

words

o' their
is

't

am

they told

129

me

not the king

was

every-

not ague-proof.

do well remember.

trick of that voice I

?

Ay, every inch a king.

Lear.

When

do stare, see how the subject quakes.

pardon that man's life.
What was thy cause
I

Adultery

shalt not die.

Die for adultery
For Gloster's bastard son

Give

kinder to his father than

me an ounce

sweeten

no

Thou

Was

of

my imagination
O,

Gloster.

Let

Lear.

me

Gloster.

let

me

money
hand

there

it first

daughters.

good apothecary,

civet,

kiss that

wipe

my

No

's

to

for thee.

it

smells of mortality.

ruin'd piece of nature

This great world

wear out to nought. Dost thou know me ? 120

Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough.
Dost
thou squiny at me ? No, do thy worst, blind Cupid
Shall so

'11

not love.

the penning of

Read thou

Were

Gloster.

Edgar.

this challenge

mark but

it.

all

[Aside]

thy letters suns, I could not see.

would not take

this

from report

it is,

And my
Lear.

heart breaks at

it.

Read.

What, with the case of eyes ?

Lear. Oh, ho, are you there with me ?
in your head, nor no money in your purse
Gloster.

KING LEAR

No
?

eyes

Your

130

King Lear

jo

[Act IV

eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light

you see how

this

I see

Gloster.

What,

Lear.

yet

world goes.
feelingly.

it

A man may see how this

mad ?

art

Look with

world goes with no eyes.

how yond

thine ears

see

upon yond simple thief. Hark,

change places, and, handy-dandy, which
Thou hast seen
is the justice, which is the thief ?
140
a farmer's dog bark at a beggar ?
Ay,
sir.
Gloster.
Lear. And the creature run from the cur ? There
thou mightst behold the great image of authority a
justice rails

in thine ear

dog

's

The

obeyed

in office.

usurer hangs the cozener.

/Through tatter 'd clothes great vices do appear

Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with
!

And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks

Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say, none
Take that of me, my friend, who have
;

To

And,

To

scurvy

politician,

see the things thou dost not.

Now, now, now, now

harder

Edgar.

Reason
Lear.
I

If

able 'em.

pull

off

my

boots.

Harder,

and impertinency mix'd

madness
thou wilt weep

know thee

well

enough

150

the power

so.

[Aside] O, matter

in

'11

Get thee glass eyes

seem

seal the accuser's lips.

like a

gold,

my fortunes, take my eyes.

thy

name

is

Gloster.

Thou must be
Thou know'st,
wawl and

Gloster.

Lear.

To
It

patient

the

first

;;

preach to thee

I will

cry.

When we

we

are born,

of horse with

And when

131

160

mark.

Alack, alack the day

cry that

we

are

come

This' a good block

this great stage of fools.

Then,

we came crying hither.

time that we smell the air,

to shoe

were a delicate stratagem,

A troop

King Lear

Scene vi]

We

! !

felt.

put

'11

't

in proof

have stolen upon these sons-in-law,

kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants

Gentleman. O, here he

is

lay

hand upon him.

Your most dear daughter

Lear. No rescue ? What, a prisoner ?
The natural fool of fortune. Use me well

You
I

shall

am

Let

have ransom.

me have

Sir,
171

am

even

a surgeon

cut to the brains.

You

Gentleman.
Lear.

No

seconds

all

shall

myself

have any thing.

would make a man a man of

To use his eyes for garden water-pots,
Ay, and laying autumn's dust.

Why,

this

Gentleman.
Lear.

Good

will

sir,

salt,

180

die bravely, like a

smug bridegroom.

What!
Come, come
masters, know you that ?

I will

My

be

jovial.

Gentleman.

You

am

are a royal one,

king,

and we obey you.

King Lear

132

Then

Lear.
it,

you

there

shall get

it

's life

in

Come, an you get

't.

by running.

[Act iv

Sa, sa, sa, sa.

[Exit running ; Attendants follow.

A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,

Gentleman.

Thou hast one daughter,

redeems nature from the general curse
Which twain have brought her to.
190
Edgar. Hail, gentle sir.
Sir, speed you
what 's your will ?
Gentleman.
Edgar. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward ?
Gentleman. Most sure and vulgar every one hears
Past speaking of in a king

Who

that,

Which can

distinguish sound.

Edgar.

How

But,

near

's

the other

army ?

Near and on

Gentleman.

by your favour,

speedy foot;

the

main

that

's all.

descry

Stands on the hourly thought.

Edgar.

Though

Gentleman.
is

here,

Her army

is

that the queen

sir

on

special cause

mov'd

Edgar.
Gloster.

thank you,

on.
I

You

thank you,

sir.

ever-gentle gods, take

[Exit Gentleman.

my

breath from

me
Let not

To

my

200

worser spirit tempt

die before

again

you please
Well pray you,

Edgar.
Gloster.

me

Now, good

sir,

what are you ?

father.

King Lear

Scene VI]

Edgar.

133

most poor man, made tame to fortune's

blows,

known and feeling sorrows,

good pity. Give me your hand,
I '11 lead you to some biding.
Gloster.
Hearty thanks
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot
Enter Oswald

Who, by

the art of

Am pregnant

to

Oswald.

That eyeless head

To

raise

my

of thine

remember

That must destroy

was

first

Most happy

fram'd flesh

Thou old unhappy

fortunes.

Briefly thyself

proclaim'd prize

the sword

is

210

traitor,

out

thee.

Now

Gloster.

Put strength enough to

let

thy friendly hand

[Edgar

't.

interposes.

Wherefore, bold peasant,

Oswald.

Darest thou support a publish 'd traitor

Hence

Lest that the infection of his fortune take

Like hold on thee.

Edgar.

Let go his arm.

Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.

Oswald. Let go, slave, or thou diest

Edgar. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor 220

volk pass.
An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my

would not ha' bin zo long as 't is by a vortNay, come not near th' old man keep out,
che vor ye, or ise try whether your costard or my
ballow be the harder chill be plain with you.
Oswald. Out, dunghill
\ They fight.

life,

't

night.

King Lear

134
Edgar.

Chill

pick your teeth,

[Act iv

Come no
[Oswaldfalls.

zir.

matter vor your foins.

Slave, thou hast slain me.

Oswald.

Villain, take

my

purse
If ever

thou wilt thrive, bury

my

body,

230

And give the letters which thou find'st about me

To Edmund Earl of Gloster seek him out
Upon the English party.
O, untimely death
;

Death

[Dies.

Edgar. I know thee well a serviceable

As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
;

villain,

What, is he dead ?
you down, father rest you.
Let's see these pockets the letters that he speaks of
May be my friends. He 's dead I am only sorry 240
He had no other deathsman. Let us see
Leave, gentle wax and, manners, blame us not.
Gloster.

Edgar.

Sit

To know

our enemies' minds,

Their papers,
[Reads]

'

is

want

opportunities to cut

not, time

and place

hearts

him

off; if

you

will be fruitfully offered.

is

warmth whereof

deliver

your labour.
Your
wife,

so

'd rip their

nothing done, if he return the conqueror ; then

I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol, from the loathed

There

am

we

lawful.

Let our reciprocal vows be remembered.

You have many

will

more

me and supply

the place

for'250

I would say affectionate servant,

'GONERIL.'

!!

King Lear

Scene vii]

O
A

plot

135

woman's

will

upon her virtuous husband's

life

indistinguish'd space of

And

the exchange

my brother

Here,

in the sands,

Thee I '11 rake up, the post unsanctified

Of murtherous lechers, and in the mature time
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death-practis'd duke. For him 't is well
That of thy death and business I can tell.
Gloster.

The king

is

mad.

How

stiff

is

260

my

vile

.sense,

That I stand up and have ingenious feeling

Of my huge sorrows
Better I were distract
So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,
And woes by wrong imaginations lose
The knowledge of themselves.
\Drum afar off.
Edgar.
Give me your hand
Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum.
Come, father, I '11 bestow you with a friend. [Exeunt.
!

Scene VII.

Tent in the French Camp.

Lear

on a

bed asleep soft music playing; Gentleman and others

',

attending

Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Doctor

Cordelia.

thou good Kent,

how

shall I live

work,

To match thy goodness ? My life will be too short,

And every measure fail me.
Kent. To be acknowledg'd, madam, is o'er-paid.

and

King Lear

136

my

All

reports go with the

Nor more nor

modest

[Act IV

truth,

clipp'd, but so.

Be

Cordelia.

These weeds are memories

I prithee, put them off.

better suited

of those worser hours.

Pardon, dear

Kent.

madam

be known shortens my made intent.

My boon I make it, that you know me not
Till time and I think meet.
Cordelia. Then be 't so, my good lord.
the king ?

Yet

to

10

How

Doctor.

Madam,

Cordelia.

Cure

this great

still.

you kind gods,

breach in his abused nature

The untun'd and

Of

sleeps

jarring senses,

this child-changed father

wind up

So please your majesty

Doctor.

That we may wake the king ? he hath slept long.

Cordelia. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and
ceed
I'

the sway of your

Gentleman.

We

Ay,

own

will.

madam

Is

he array 'd

pro-

20

in the heaviness of sleep

put fresh garments on him.

Doctor.
I

does

Be by, good madam, when we do awake him

doubt not of his temperance.

Very well.
Louder the music

Cordelia.

Doctor. Please you, draw

there
Cordelia.

near.

O my

dear father

Restoration hang

Scene vii]

King Lear

Thy medicine on my

lips,

137

and let this kiss

Repair those violent harms that my two sisters

Have

in thy reverence

made
Kind and dear

Kent.
Cordelia.

Had you

princess

not been their father, these white

flakes

Did challenge

30

pity of them.

To be oppos'd against the

To stand against the deep

Was

this a face

warring winds

dread-bolted thunder

In the most terrible and nimble stroke

poor perdu
Of quick, cross lightning ? to watch
With this thin helm ? Mine enemy's dog,
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night
Against my fire and wast thou fain, poor father,
To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn,
In short and musty straw ? Alack, alack
'T is wonder that thy life and wits at once
Had not concluded all. He wakes speak to him.
Doctor. Madam, do you
't is fittest.
!

40

Cordelia.

How does my royal

majesty
Lear.

Thou
Upon

Do

lord

How

fares your

You do me wrong

art a soul in bliss

a wheel of

fire,

me out
am bound

to take

but I

that

mine own

o'

the grave.

tears

scald like molten lead.

do you know me ?
Lear. You are a spirit, I know when did you die ?
Cordelia. Still, still, far wide
50
Doctor. He 's scarce awake
let him alone awhile.
Cordelia.

Sir,

King Lear

138

Where have

Lear.

daylight

am mightily abus'd.
To see another thus.

been

should e'en die with pity,

know not what

not swear these are

I feel this

Where am

Fair

I will

[Act iv

pin prick.

my

Would

Let

hands.
I

to say.
's

see

were assur'd

Of my condition
O, look upon me,

Cordelia.

And
No,

hold your hands in benediction o'er me.

sir,

you must not kneel.

am

mock me.

Pray, do not

Lear.
I

"

sir,

a very foolish fond old man,

60

Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor

And,

less

to deal plainly,

I fear I

am

not in

my

perfect mind.

Methinks I should know you and know this man

Yet I am doubtful for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is, and all the skill I have
:

Remembers not these garments, nor I know not

Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me

am

For, as I

To be my

a man, I think this lady

child Cordelia.

Cordelia.

Lear.

Be your

And
tears wet

so I am, I

yes, faith.

not.

you have poison for me, I will drink it.

I know you do not love me, for your sisters
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong
You have some cause, they have not.
If

am
pray,

70

weep

King Lear

Scene vii]

No

Cordelia,

Am

Lear.

139

France

I in

cause, no cause

In your own kingdom,

Kent.

Do

Lear.

sir.

not abuse me.

Be comforted, good madam the great

You see, is kill'd in him and yet 't is danger
To make him even o'er the time he has lost.
Desire him to go in trouble him no more
Doctor.

rage,

80

Till further settling.

Will

Cordelia.

't

please your highness walk

You must bear

Lear.

Pray you now,

with me.

I am old and foolish.

[Exeunt all but Kent and Gentlema?t.
Gentleman. Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of
Cornwall was so slain ?

and forgive

forget

Most

Kent.

Gentleman.

As

Kent.

't

certain, sir.

Who

is

is said,

conductor of his people

They say Edgar, his banished

Earl of Kent in Germany.

Gentleman.

with the

Report

Kent.

about

is

changeable.

the powers of the

Gentleman.

Fare you
Kent.

'T

is

is

kingdom approach apace.

The arbitrement
point

90

son,

time to look

is

like to

be bloody.

well, sir.

My

the bastard son of Gloster.

[Exit.

and

period

will

be

throughly

wrought,

Or

well or

ill,

as this day's battle

's

fought.

[Exit.

Dover Castle

ACT V
Scene
Enter, with

The British Camp, near Dover

I.

drum and

colours,

tlemen,

and

Edmund, Regan, Gen-

Soldiers

Edmund. Know of the duke if his last purpose

Or whether since he is advis'd by aught

hold,

To change the course. He 's full of alteration

And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure.
[To a Gentleman, who goes
Regan. Our

Edmund. 'T

sister's
is

to

man

is

certainly miscarried.

be doubted, madam.
140

out.

Scene

King Lear

I]

141

Regan.
Now, sweet
You know the goodness I intend upon you
Tell me
but truly
but then speak the truth,

Do you

not love

my

sister

Edmund.

In honour'd love.

But have you never found

Regan.

lord,

my

brother's

way

To

10

the forfended place

Edmund.

That thought abuses you.

Regan. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.
Edmund. No, by mine honour, madam.
Regan. I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,
Be not familiar -with her.

Edmund.

Fear

She and the duke her husband

Enter, with

drum and

me

not.

colours,

Albany, Goneril, and

Soldiers
[Aside]

Goneril.

had rather

lose the battle than

that sister

Should loosen him and me.

Albany. Our very loving
Sir, this I

hear

With others

the king

whom

Forc'd to cry out.

I

It

sister, well

is

come

be-met.

to his daughter,

the rigour of our state

Where

never yet was valiant

could not be honest,

for this business,

toucheth us, as France invades our land,

20

King Lear

142

[Act

Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear,

Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
Edmund. Sir, you speak nobly.

Why

Regan.

Combine together

Goneril.

is

'gainst the

this reason 'd

enemy

For these domestic and particular broils

30
Are not the question here.
Let 's then determine
Albany.
With the ancient of war on our proceeding.
Edmund. I shall attend you presently at your
tent.

Regan.

you

Sister,

Gonerii.

Regan.

'11

go with us

No.
'T

is

pray you, go with

most convenient;

us.

Goneril.

As

[Aside]

O, ho,

know

they are going out, enter

Edgar.

If e'er

the riddle

Edgar

I will

disguised

your grace had speech with

man

so

poor,

Hear me one word.

Albany.

'11

overtake you.

Speak.

Albany and Edgar.

Edgar. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. 40
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it wretched though I seem,
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
\Exeunt

all but

Scene

King Lear

I]

Your business

And
.

an end,
Fortune love you

of the world hath so

machination ceases.

Albany.

143

Stay

till

have read the

Edgar.

When time shall

appear
And I
'11

Albany.

Why,

letter.

was forbid

it.

serve, let but the herald cry,

again.

49

fare thee well

will o'erlook thy

[Exit Edgar.

paper.

Edmund

Re-enter

Edmund. The enemy

's

in

draw up your

view;

powers.

Here is the guess of their true strength and

By diligent discovery but your haste
Is now urg'd on you.

forces

We

Albany.

will greet the time.

Edmund. To both these

sisters

have

[Exit.

sworn

my

love

Each jealous of the other,

Are of the adder. Which

as the stung

Both

Neither can be enjoy'd,

If

one

or neither

them

shall I take

To take the widow

makes mad her sister Goneril

both remain

Exasperates,

of

alive.

And hardly shall I carry out my

Her husband being alive. Now

60

side,

then

we

'11

use

His countenance for the battle which being done,

Let her who would be rid of him devise
As for the mercy
His speedy taking-off
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
;

King Lear

144
The

battle done,

me

Scene

Alarum

within.

state

{Exit.

Field between the two Camps

Enter, with

drum and

Cordelia, and Soldiers, over

.

my

for

to defend, not to debate.

II.

and they within our power,

Shall never see his pardon

Stands on

[Act

the stage

colours,

Lear,

and exeunt

Enter Edgar and Gloster

Edgar. Here, father, take the shadow of this tree

For your good host pray that the right may thrive.
;

If

ever I return to you again,

'11

bring you comfort.

Grace go with you,

Gloster.

sir

[Exit Edgar.

Alarum and

Re-enter

retreat within.

Edgar. Away, old man, give

me

Edgar

thy hand

King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter

Give me thy hand come on.

away

ta'en.

Gloster.

No

further, sir

Edgar. What, in

ill

man may

thoughts again

rpt

?(

even here.

Men must

dure
Their going hence, even as their coming hither

Ripeness
Gloster.

is all.)

Come

en-

10

on.

And

that

's

true too.

[Exeunt.

King Lear

Scene in]

Scene

III.

145

The British Camp near Dover

with drum and colours,

E?iter, in conquest,

Lear and Cordelia,

Edmund

prisoners ; Captain, Soldiers,

etc.

Edmund. Some

officers take

Until their greater pleasures

That are

We

Cordelia.

are not the first

best meaning, have incurr'd the worst.

For thee, oppressed king, I

Myself could else out-frown

we not

Lear.

be known

to censure them.

Who, with

Shall

them away good guard,

first

am

cast

down

false fortune's frown.

and these
Come, let

see these daughters

No, no,

no,

no

sisters
's

away

to

prison

We

two alone

will sing like birds

i'

the cage.

kneel down
When thou dost ask me blessing, I
live,
And ask of thee forgiveness. So we
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
'11

10

'11

At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues

Talk of court news and we '11 talk with them too,
Who loses and who wins, who 's in, who 's out,
And take upon 's the mystery of things,
As if we were God's spies and we '11 wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones
That ebb and flow by the moon.
Take them away.
Edmund.
;

Lear.

Upon such
KING LEAR

sacrifices,

IO

my

Cordelia,

20

King Lear

146

The gods themselves throw

[Act

Have

incense.

caught

thee?

He

that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven,

And

fire

Wipe

us hence like foxes.

thine eyes

The good-years shall devour them, flesh and fell,

Ere they shall make us weep we '11 see 'em starv'd
:

first.

[Exeunt Lear and Cordelia guarded.

Come.
Edmund. Come hither, captain hark.
Take thou this note [giving a paper] go follow them
,

to prison.

One step I have advanc'd thee if thou dost

As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes. Know thou this, that men
;

30

Are as the time is to be tender-minded

Does not become a sword. Thy great employment
Will not bear question either say thou 'It do 't
Or thrive by other means.
I '11 do 't, my lord.
Captain.
Edmund. About it and write happy when thou hast
;

done.

I say, instantly, and carry it so

Mark,
As I have set it down.
Captain. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats 39
[Exit.
If 't be man's work, I '11 do 't.
;

Flourish.

Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, another

Captain, and Soldiers

Albany.

Sir,

strain,

you have show'd to-day your valiant

King Lear

Scene in]

And

147

fortune led you well you have the captives

That were the opposites of this day's strife.
I do require them of you, so to use them
As we shall find their merits and our safety

May

equally determine.

Edmund.

Sir, I

thought

it fit

To send the old and miserable king

To some retention and appointed guard
Whose age had charms in it, whose title more,
To pluck the common bosom on his side,

And

Which do command them.

My

reason

all

To-morrow, or

Where you

We

the same

With him I sent the queen

and they are ready

at further space, to

appear

shall hold your session.

sweat and bleed

And

50

turn our impress 'd lances in our eyes

At

this time

the friend hath lost his friend,

the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd

By those that feel their sharpness.

The question of Cordelia and her father
Requires a

fitter place.

Albany.
I

Sir,

by your patience,

hold you but a subject of this war,

Not

as a brother.

Regan.

That

's

as

we

list

to grace him.

Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded

Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers,
Bore the commission of my place and person
The which immediacy may well stand up,

And

call itself

your brother.

6q.

King Lear

148

Not

Goneril.

own grace he doth

In his

More than

in

so hot

your addition.
In

my

rights,

invested, he compeers the best.

That were the most,

Albany.

exalt himself

Regan.

By me

[Act

70

he should husband

if

you.

Regan. Jesters do

oft

prove prophets.
Holla, holla

Goneril.

That

eye that told you so look'd but a-squint.

Regan. Lady,

am

not well

From a full-flowing
Take thou my soldiers,
Dispose of them, of

me

Witness the world, that

My

answer

else I should

stomach. General,

prisoners, patrimony

the walls are thine.

I create

thee here

lord and master.

Mean you

Goneril.

The let-alone lies not

Edmund. Nor in thine, lord.

Albany.

[To

my

in

him

your good

Half-blooded

Albany.

Regan.

to enjoy

title

Albany.

Edmund] Let the drum

thine.

Stay yet

hear reason.

will.

80

fellow, yes.

strike,

and prove

Edmund,

I arrest

thee

On

capital treason

and, in thy arrest,

This gilded serpent [pointing

to

Goneril].

claim, fair sister,

I

bar

'T

is

it

in the interest of

she

is

my

wife

sub-contracted to this lord,

For

your

King Lear

Scene Hi]

And
If

149

her husband, contradict your bans.

I,

you

My

will

lady

is

make your

marry,

An

Goneril.

Albany.

me

loves to

bespoke.

Thou

interlude

art arm'd,

90

Gloster;

the trumpet

let

sound.
If

none appear

Thy

There
Ere

upon thy person

to prove

many

heinous, manifest, and

is

my pledge

it

on thy heart,

[throwing down a glove].

thou art in nothing

I taste bread,

Than

treasons,

have here proclaim 'd thee.

Regan.

'11

prove

less

Goneril.

{Aside]

If not, I

ne'er trust medicine.

'11

Edmund. [Throwing down a

What

change.

in the

Sick, O, sick

glove]

world he

There

's

my

ex-

is

That names me traitor, villain-like he lies.

Call by thy trumpet he that dares approach,
On him, on you,
who not ?
I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.
Albany. A herald, ho

100

A herald,

Edmund.
Albany.

ho, a herald

Trust to thy single virtue

for

thy sol-

diers,

All levied in

Took

my

name, have

in

my name

their discharge.

My

Regan.
Albany.

She

is

not well.

sickness grows

upon me.

Convey her to my

tent.

[Exit Regan,

led.

King Lear

150

[Act

Enter a Herald

Come hither, herald.

And read out this.
Captain.

within the

109

[A trumpet

Sound, trumpet
[Reads]

Herald.

Let the trumpet sound,

lists

'

of the

sounds.

If any man of quality or degree

army will maintai?i upon Ed-

mund, supposed Earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold

traitor, let him appear by the third sound of the trumpet ; he

is

bold in his

Edmund. Sound
Herald.
Herald.

Again
Again

defence.''

[Eirst trumpet.

[Second trumpet.

[Third trumpet.

[Trumpet answers
Enter Edgar, at

the third sound, armed, with

before

Albany.

Upon

Ask him

his purposes,

Herald.
quality

This present summons

why he appears

What are you ?

and why you answer
Know, my name

treason's tooth bare-gnawn

am

come

120

Edgar.

Yet

a trumpet

him

this call o' the trumpet.

Your name, your

By

withi?t.

is lost,

and canker-bit

noble as the adversary

to cope.

Which

Albany.

Edgar. What
Gloster

's

is

that adversary

he that speaks for

Edmund

Earl of

Scene

King Lear

III]

Edmund. Himself

what

151
thou to him

say'st

Draw

Edgar.
That,

if

my

My

it is

thee justice

here

is

mine.

the privilege of mine honours,

and

oath,

Maugre thy

thy sword,

speech offend a noble heart,

Thy arm may do

Behold,

my

profession.

130

I protest,

and eminence,

strength, place, youth,

Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,

Thy

valour and thy heart,

thou

art a traitor,

False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father,

Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince,

And, from the extremest upward of thy head

To the descent and dust below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou No,'
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
'

Thou liest.
Edmund. In wisdom

should ask thy

But, since thy outside looks so fair

name

140

and warlike,

And that thy tongue some say of breeding

What safe and nicely I might well delay

breathes,

By

rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn.

Back do I toss these treasons to thy head,
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart
Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,

Where they
Albany.

Trumpets, speak
They fight. Edmundfalls.

shall rest for ever.

[Alarums.

150

Save him, save him

King Lear

152

[Act

This

Goneril.

is

practice, Gloster

By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer

An unknown opposite thou art not vanquish'd,
:

But cozen'd and beguil'd.

Shut your mouth, dame,

Albany.

Hold, sir
Or with this paper shall I stop it.
Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil.
No tearing, lady I perceive you know it.
[Gives the letter to Edmund.

Say,

Goneril.

Who

if

can arraign

I do, the laws are

me

for

mine, not thine.

[Exit.

't ?

Most monstrous

Albany.

Know'st thou

this

paper

161

Ask me not what

Edmund.

know.

Go after her: she 's desperate; govern her.

Edmund. What you have charg'd me with, that have
Albany.

And
'T

is

done

more,

much more

past,

and so am

I.

the time will bring

But what

fortune on

That hast this

I do forgive thee.
Edgar.
I

If

am no

Let

less in

's

me ?

If

'rt

noble,

exchange charity.

blood than thou

art,

Edmund

more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.

My name

is

Edgar, and thy father's son.

The
Make instruments to plague us.
The dark and vicious place where

gods are just, and of our pleasant vices

Cost him

his eyes.

out.

thou

art

thou

it

thee he got

170

; !

King Lear

Scene in]

153

Thou hast spoken right,

Edmund.
The wheel is come full circle I am here.

't

is

true

Methought thy very gait did prophesy

I must embrace thee
royal nobleness.

Albany.

Let sorrow

split

my

heart

ever I

if

Did hate thee or thy father

Worthy prince,

Edgar.

Albany. Where have you hid yourself

know

't.

181

How

have you known the miseries of your father ?

Edgar. By nursing them, my lord. List a brief
And when 't is told, O that my heart would burst

The bloody proclamation

me

That follow'd
That we the pain

O, our
sweetness
death would hourly die
once taught me
lives'

to shift

fault

reveal

Until some half-hour past,

Not

'd

when

was arm'd.
good success,

weak

190

myself unto him,

though hoping, of this

I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last
Told him my pilgrimage but his flaw'd heart,
sure,

Alack, too

of

Into a madman's rags, to assume a semblance

That very dogs disdain'd and in this habit
Met I my father with his bleeding rings,
Their precious stones new lost, became his guide,
Led him, begg'd for him, sav'd him from despair

to escape,

so near,

Rather than die at

Never,

tale

the conflict to support

'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,

200

Burst smilingly.

Edmund.

This speech of yours hath mov'd me,

King Lear

54

And
You

[Act

But speak you on

look as you had something more to say.
Albany. If there be more, more woful, hold it in
For I am almost ready to dissolve,
shall

perchance do good.

Hearing of
Edgar.

this.

This would have seem'd a period

To such as love not sorrow but another,

To amplify too much, would make much more,
And top extremity.
Whilst I was big in clamour there came in a man
Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
;

210

Shunn'd my abhorr'd society but then, finding

Who 't was that so endur'd, with his strong arms
He fasten'd on my neck, and bellow'd out
As he 'd burst heaven, threw him on my father,
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
That ever ear receiv'd which in recounting
His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life
;

Twice then the trumpets sounded,

And there I left him tranc'd.
But who was this ?
220
Albany.
disguise
in
who
Kent
banish
'd
sir,
the
Kent,
Edgar.
Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service

Began

to crack.

Improper

for a slave.

Enter a Gentleman with a bloody knife

Gentleman.

Edgar.
Albany.

Help, help, O, help

What kind of help ?
Speak, man.
!

King Lear

Scene in]

What means

Edgar.

that bloody knife

Gentleman.
It

came

'T

even from the heart of

Albany.

155

Who

dead

hot,

is

it

smokes

O, she's dead

speak, man.

Gentlema?i. Your lady, sir, your lady and her sister

By her is poison'd she confesses it.
Edmund. I was contracted to them both all three
!

Now

marry

an

in

instant.

Here comes Kent.

Edgar.

231

Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead.

This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble,
Albany.

Touches us not with

pity.

Enter

[Exit Ge?itleman.

Kent
O,

is

this

he

The time will not allow the compliment

Which very manners urges.
Kent.
I am come

To
Is

my

bid

king and master aye good night.

he not here

Great thing of us forgot

Albany.

Edmund, where

Speak,

delia

See'st thou this object,

's

the king

and where

's

Cor-

Kent ?

240

[The bodies of Goneril and Regan are brought

Kent.

Alack,

Edmund.
The one the

And

why

thus

in.

Yet Edmund was belov'd.

other poison'd for

after slew herself.

my

sake,

King Lear

156

Cover
some good mean
Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send,
Even

Albany.

Edmund.

Be

brief in

it,

[Act

their faces.

so.

pant for

life

to the castle

for

my

to do,

writ

on the life of Lear and on Cordelia.

Nay, send in time
Is

Run, run, O, run

Albany.

To who, my

Edgar.

lord

Who

has the

office

send

Thy

250

token of reprieve.

Edmund. Well thought on

Give

take

my

sword,

the captain.

it

Haste

Albany.

thee, for thy life

[Exit Edgar.

Edmund. He hath commission from thy wife and me

To hang Cordelia in the prison, and
To lay the blame upon her own despair,
That she fordid
Albany.

herself.

The gods defend her

Bear

him hence

[Edmund is

awhile.

borne

off.

Cordelia dead in his arms

Edgar, Captain, and others following

Re-enter Lear, with

Lear.

Howl, howl, howl, howl

O, you are

men

of

stones

Had

your tongues and eyes,

I 'd

use them so

That heaven's vault should crack.

She

's

ever
I

know when one

is

dead, and

when one

lives.

gone

260

for

dead as

's

If that

Lend me

earth.

157

a looking-glass

her breath will mist or stain the stone,

Why, then she

lives.

Is this the promis'd

Kent.

Edgar. Or image of that horror

Fall

This feather

Lear.

stirs

That ever

have

Prithee,

if it

be

'T

Cordelia, Cordelia
is 't

so,

sorrows

master

is

noble Kent, your friend.

A plague upon you, murtherers, traitors, all

might have sav'd her

What

and cease

away

Edgar.
Lear.

all

O my good

Lear.

felt.

Kent.

she lives

a chance which does redeem

end

Albany.

It is

King Lear

Scene in]

She

new she

stay a

thou say'st

's

gone for ever

271

Ha

little.

\Her voice was ever

soft,

Gentle and low, an excellent thing in woman, j

I kill'd the slave that was a-hanging thee.
Captain.

'T

is

true,

my

lords,

he

Did

Lear.
I

have seen the day, with

my

good

would have made them skip. I

And these same crosses spoil me.
I

Mine

One

of

Lear.

If

Fortune brag of

them ye behold.
This

is

a dull sight.

am

old now,

Who are you

'11

280

tell

Are you not Kent

The same,

Kent.

Your servant Kent.

I not, fellows

biting falchion

you straight.
two she lov'd and hated,

eyes are not o' the best; I

Kent.

did.

Where

is

your servant Caius

King Lear

158
Lear.

He

's

you that
dead and rotten.

a good fellow, I can

tell

and quickly too. He 's

Kent. No, my good lord I am the very man

He

'11

strike,

Lear.

Kent.

That from your

'11

see that straight.

and decay

of difference

first

Have follow'd your sad steps

You

Lear.

Kent.

Nor no man

else

all

are

welcome

hither.

cheerless, dark,

's

and

deadly.

Your

And

[Act

292

eldest daughters have fordone themselves,

desperately are dead.

Ay, so

Lear.

Albany.

He knows

That we present us

I think.

not what he says, and vain

it is

to him.

Very

Edgar.

bootless.

Enter a Captain
Captain.

Edmund

is

my

dead,

That

Albany.

lord.
's

but a

trifle

here.

You lords and noble friends, know our intent.

What comfort to this great decay may come
Shall be applied for us, we will resign,
:

During the

To him

life

our absolute power

boot,

300

of this old majesty,

;

[To

Edgar and Kent]

you, to your rights,

With

and such addition as your honours

Have more than merited. All friends

The wages of their virtue, and all foes
The cup of their deservings.
O, see,

shall taste

see

And my

poor fool

is

Why

should a dog, a horse, a

And

thou no breath at

all

159

hang'd

Thou

No, no, no

have

rat,

Never, never, never, never, never

'It

there, look there

come no more,

Kent.

faints

Vex

I prithee,

not his ghost.

him
That would upon the rack
Stretch him out longer. I
Kent.

He

O,

The wonder

but usurp 'd his

\, Albany.

is

break

let

Look up, my lord.

him pass !'he hates

is

gone, indeed.

he hath endur'd so long

life.

Bear them from hence.

Our present

busi-

ness

Is

of this tough world

He

Edgar.

lips,

lord,

Edgar.
Kent.

310

[Dies.

He
Break, heart

sir.

her
My
my lord

Edgar.

life

life,

Pray you, undo this button thank you,

Do you see this ? Look on her, look,

Look

King Lear

Scene in]

Lear.

general woe. [To Kent and Edgar]

320

Friends of

my

you twain
Rule in this realm, and the gor'd state sustain.
Kent. I have a journey, sir, shortly to go
My master calls me, I must not say no.
Albany. The weight of this sad time we must obey,
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
The oldest hath borne most we that are young
Shall never see so much, nor live so long.
[Exeunt, with a dead march.
soul,

NOTES

KING LEAR

II

l6l

Norman Gateway Dover Castle

NOTES
Introduction
The Metre of the

Play.

outset that metre, or the

It

should be understood at the

mechanism of

gether distinct from the music of verse.

the other of taste

and

Music

feeling.

of verse; the metrical form

is

verse,

is

something

is

The one

alto-

matter of rule,

is

not an absolute necessity

a necessity, being that which consti-

tutes the verse.

The

plays of Shakespeare (with the exception of rhymed pasand of occasional songs and interludes) are all in unrhymed
or blank verse ; and the normal form of this blank verse is illustrated by i. i. 54 of the present play: "As much as child e'er lov'd
sages,

or father found."

This

line,

it

will

be seen, consists of ten

syllables (2d, 4th, 6th, 8th,

(1st, 3d, etc.)

syllables,

with the even

and 10th) accented, the odd

being unaccented.

Theoretically,

163

it

is

syllables

made up

of

Notes

164
five feet

of two syllables each, with the accent on the second sylla-

Such a foot is called an iambus (plural, iambuses, or the Latin

iambi), and the form of verse is called iambic.

ble.

This fundamental law of Shakespeare's verse

is

subject to certain

modifications, the most important of which are as follows

After the tenth syllable an unaccented syllable (or even two

1.

may be added, forming what

such syllables)

female

"

The rhythm

is

as in

line;

speech unable."

1.

i.

55

is

sometimes called a

makes breath poor and

love that

complete with the second syllable

In i. I. 37
have
two extra
we
Albany")
son
of
("And you, our no less loving
Albany.
syllable
of
the
first
syllables, the rhythm being complete with
of unable, the third being an

The

2.

extra eleventh syllable.

as in

i.

and

liberty."

the

first

46

1.

In both lines the accent

is

shifted from

an

of you shall

we

eyesight, space,

shifted from the second to

This change occurs very rarely in the tenth

syllable.

and seldom

"

"Dearer than

say doth love us most?" and 51:

lable,

may be
Which

accent in any part of the verse

even to an odd syllable

in the fourth ;

and

syl-

not allowable in two suc-

it is

cessive accented syllables.

An

3.

extra unaccented syllable

and

may

occur in any part of the

In 39 the second syllable of several

is superfluous; in 59 the second syllable of shadowy; and in 60
In line 64 (a female line) the word am is superthat of plenteous.

line

as in

i.

1.

39, 59,

60.

fluous.
4.

Any unaccented

ately before or after

reckoned as accented
in lines 51

and

70.

an even place immedi-

syllable, occurring in

an even syllable which

for the

is

properly accented,

purposes of the verse

In 51 the

last syllable

as, for

is

instance,

of liberty, and in 70 that

of felicitate, are metrically equivalent to accented syllables

and so

with the fourth syllable of hereditary in 74 and of validity in 76

(both being female lines), and the third of Burgundy in 79.
5.

In many instances in Shakespeare words must be lengthened

in order to

(a)

fill

out the rhythm

In a large

class of

words

in

which

e or i is followed

by

Notes
another vowel, the

e or i is

made

165

a separate syllable

as ocean,

For instance,

opinion, soldier, patience, partial, marriage, etc.

in this play, iv. 5. 3 ("Your sister is the better soldier") appears

to have only nine syllables, but soldier is a trisyllable; and the

same

is

true of gorgeous in

266

4.

ii.

" If only to go

of the line, but there are few instances of

Many

(b)

monosyllables ending in

long vowel or diphthong, are often

dear, fire, hair, hour,

In

etc.

2.

iii.

ters ") fire

15

("Nor

And

so,

a dissyllable.

is

the

In J.
first

C.
is

fire

first)
iii.

is

[fidd(e)ler]

ii.

All

to

iv. 4.

you both

Prove

fire,

are

170), your,

my

daugh-

repeated in a verse

is

dissyllable;

"As

/ or r,

as in
it

fire

so,"

drives out

it is

M.

of V. iii. 2. 20:
where either yours

fire,

so pity, pity,"

preceded by another consonant, are

"While she did

158:

's

Well,

of these children "

T.

word

as fare, fear,

v. 3.

a vowel came between the consonants

if

1.

grim" [pilg(e)rim];

W.

347 and

4.

i.

preceded by a
;

a dissyllable.

pronounced as

as in T. of S.

dissyllables

a dissyllable, the other being a monosylla-

172:

1.

Words containing

(c)

often

If the

and

in Lear.

wind, thunder,

though yours, not yours.

(preferably the
ble.

rain,

it

r, re, rs, res,

made

more (see on

often both monosyllable

"

warm were

This lengthening occurs most frequently at the end

gorgeous."

C.

iii.

5.

of E.v.

43
1.

call

me

rascal fiddler"

" If you will tarry, holy pil-

360: "These are the parents

(childeren, the original form of the word)

76: "Grace and remembrance [rememb(e)rance] be

" etc.

(d) Monosyllabic exclamations (ay, O, yea, nay, hail,

etc.)

monosyllables otherwise emphasized are similarly lengthened

certain longer

words

as

commandement

442); safety (trisyllable) in Ham. i.

originally pronounced) in J. C. iv.

3.
1.

and
also

in the present play (iv.

21;

22:

I.

business (trisyllable, as

"To groan and

sweat

and other
under the business " (so in several other passages)
words mentioned in the notes to the plays in which they occur.
;

6.

Words

are also contracted for metrical reasons, like plurals

and possessives ending

in a sibilant, as balance, horse (for horses

Notes

66

and horse's), princess, sense, marriage (plural and possessive), image

So with many adjectives in the super(see note on ii. 4. 87), etc.
lative (like coldest in i. I. 249, stern''st, kindest, secret' st, etc.), and
certain other words.
7.

The

accent of words

is

also varied in

many

instances for met-

Thus we find both revenue and revenue in the first

scene of the M. N. D. (lines 6 and 158), cdnfine (noun) and confine (see note on ii. 4. 145), mdture (see on iv. 6. 258) and mature, pursue and pursue, distinct and distinct, etc.
rical reasons.

These instances of variable accent must not be confounded with

those in which words were uniformly accented differently in the

time of Shakespeare

like aspect (see

sepulchre (verb; see on

ii.

4.

on

ii.

2.

108), impdrtune,

129), persever (never persevere),

'perseverance, rheumatic, etc.

8.

Alexandrines, or verses of twelve syllables, with six accents,

occur here and there in the plays.

They must not be confounded

with female lines with two extra syllables (see on

above) or with

which two extra unaccented syllables may occur.

Incomplete verses, of one or more syllables, are scattered

other lines in
9.

through the plays.

10.

See

Doggerel measure

i.

is

1.

102, etc.

49, 99, 101,

used in the very

earliest

comedies (Z. Z.

Z. and C. of E. in particular) in the mouths of comic characters,

but nowhere else in those plays, and never anywhere in plays written
after 1598.
11.

Rhyme

occurs frequently in the early plays, but diminishes

with comparative regularity from that period until the

latest.

Thus,

in Z. Z. Z. there are about 1100 rhyming verses (about one-third

of the whole number), in the

M. N. D.

about 900, in Richard II.

and R. and J. about 500 each, while in Cor. and A. and C. there are
only about 40 each, in the Temp, only two, and in the W. T. none
at

all,

except in the chorus introducing act

and other matter not

enumeration.
verses, only

in ten-syllable

iv.

Songs, interludes,

measure are not included in

this

In the present play, out of some 2200 ten-syllable

about seventy are in rhyme.

Notes

67

Alternate rhymes are found only in the plays written before 1599
In the M. of V. there are only four lines at the end of

or 1600.

Much Ado and

A. Y. L., we also find a few lines, but

and subsequent plays.
Rhymed couplets, or "rhyme-tags" are often found at the end of
In Ham.,
scenes
as in 9 of the 26 scenes of the present play.
20
scenes,
and
in
Macb,,
21
out
of
have
such
"tags;,"
28,
14 out of
iii.

In

2.

none

at all in this

but in the latest plays they are not so frequent.

instance, has but one,

In this edition of Shakespeare, the

12.

The Temp.,

for

and the W. T. none.

final

-ed of past tenses

and participles in verse is printed -d when the word is to be pronounced in the ordinary way; as in answered, line 43, and lov'd,
But when the metre requires that the
line 54, of the first scene.

made

-ed be

endured,

i.

a separate syllable, the

4. 209,

where endured

tion from this rule

is

is

is

e is

retained ; as in not-to-be-

a trisyllable.

The

only varia-

in verbs like cry, die, sue, etc., the -ed of

which

made a separate syllable.

Shakespeare's Use of Verse and Prose in the Plays.

very rarely,

This

entirely

poetical,
is

little

atten-

an interesting study. In Lear we find scenes

in verse or in prose, and others in which the two are mixed.

but

it

is

In general, we
ever,

ever,

a subject to which the critics have given very

is

tion,

if

may

and prose

say that verse

for

what

is

is

used for what

not poetical.

The

is

distinctly

distinction,

how-

not so clearly marked in the earlier as in the later plays.

The second scene

of the

M.

of

V., for

instance,

is

in prose, because

and Nerissa are talking about the suitors in a familiar and

playful way; but in the T. G. of V., where Julia and Lucetta are
discussing the suitors of the former in much the same fashion, the
scene is in verse. Dowden, commenting on Rich. II, remarks:
Portia

"

Had

we may be
would
not have
4)
uttered stately speeches in verse, but would have spoken homely
prose, and that humour would have mingled with the pathos of the
scene. The same remark may be made with reference to the subShakespeare written the play a few years

certain that the gardener

and

his servants

(iii.

later,

Notes

68

sequent scene

Tower."

in the

groom visits the dethroned king

Comic characters and those in low life generally

(v. 5) in

speak in prose in the

which

his

Dowden intimates, but in the

much used instead. See on II

later plays, as

very earliest ones doggerel verse

is

above.

The change from prose

to verse

is

well illustrated in the third

M.

of V. It begins with plain prosaic talk about a

business matter; but when Antonio enters, it rises at once to the
scene of the

higher level of poetry.

his hatred of the

The

sight of

Antonio reminds Shylock of

Merchant, and the passion expresses

We

the vernacular tongue of poetry.

itself in verse,

have a similar change in

scene of J. C, where, after the quibbling " chaff " of the

mechanics about their trades, the mention of Pompey reminds the
the

first

Tribune of their plebeian

fickleness,

and

his scorn

and indignation

flame out in most eloquent verse.

The

reasons for the choice of prose or verse are not always so

clear as in these instances.

We

are seldom puzzled to explain the

expect prose.

verse where we might

As Professor Corson remarks {Introduction to Shake-

speare, 1889),

"Shakespeare adopted verse as the general tenor of

prose, but not unfrequently

we meet with

his language, and therefore expressed

much

in verse that

is

within

the capabilities of prose; in other words, his verse constantly en-

croaches upon the domain of prose, but his prose can never be said
to encroach

think

we

upon the domain of

verse."

If in rare instances

find exceptions to this latter statement,

seems to usurp the place of verse,

and prose

we

actually

I believe that careful study of

the passage will prove the supposed exception to be apparent rather

than

real.

Some Books for Teachers and Students.

the many books that might be commended to the
student are the following

few out of

teacher and the

Halliwell-Phillipps's Outlines of
of Shakespeare (7th ed. 1 887) ; Sidney Lee's Life of Shakespeare (1898; for ordinary students the abridged ed. of 1899 is
preferable) ; Schmidt's Shakespeare Lexicon (3d ed. 1902) ; Littlecritical

the Life

Notes

169

Dyce's Glossary (1902); Bartlett's Concordance to

Shakespeare (1895); Abbott's Shakespearian Grammar (1873);
Furness's "New Variorum" ed. of Lear (1880; encyclopaedic and
dale's ed. of

exhaustive)

Dowden's Shakspere

His

Mind and Art

(Ameri-

can ed. 1881); Hudson's Life, Art, and Characters of Shakespeare

(revised ed. 1882); Mrs. Jameson's Characteristics of Women
(several eds.; some with the title, Shakespeare Heroines')', Ten
Brink's Five Lectures on Shakespeare (1895);

and His

Predecessors

(American

Gervinus's Shakespeare Commentaries (Bun-

ed. 1884);

nett's translation,

(1895);

Boas's Shakespeare

Dyer's Folk-lore of Shakespeare

Wordsworth's Shakespeare's Knowledge

1875);

of the Bible (3d ed. 1880); Elson's Shakespeare in Music (1901).

Some of the above books will be useful to all readers who are
interested in special subjects or in general criticism of Shakespeare.

Among

those which are better suited to the needs of ordinary

readers and students, the following

William Shakespeare
Cyclopedia

and

may be mentioned: Mabie's

and Man (1900); Phin's

Poet, Dramatist,

Glossary of Shakespeare (1902; more compact and

Dowden's Shakspere Primer (1877; small

cheaper than Dyce);

but invaluable); Rolfe's Shakespeare the

the

home and

school

life,

Boy (1896

treating of

the games and sports, the manners,

customs, and folk-lore of the poet's time); Guerber's Myths of

Greece

and Rome

(for

young students who may need information

on mythological allusions not explained in the notes).

Black's Judith Shakespeare (1884; a novel, but a careful study

of the scene and the time) is a book that I always commend to

young people, and their elders will also enjoy it. The Lambs'

Tales

from Shakespeare

out in

is

a classic for beginners in the study of

and in Rolfe's ed. the plan of the authors is carried

the Notes by copious illustrative quotations from the plays.

the dramatist

Mrs. Cowden-Clarke's Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines (several

eds.) will particularly interest girls; and both girls and boys will find
Bennett's Master Skylark (1897) an d
speare's Little

Lad (1897)

Imogen

equally entertaining

Clark's Will Shake-

and

instructive.

Notes

170

H. Snowden Ward's Shakespeare's Town and Tunes (1896) and

John Leyland's Shakespeare Country (1900) are copiously illustrated books (yet inexpensive) which may be particularly com-

mended

for school libraries.

The abbreviations of the

Abbreviations in the Notes.
as
names of Shakespeare's plays will be readily understood
T. N. for Twelfth Night, Cor. for Coriolanus, 3 Hen. VI. for
The Third Part of King Henry the Sixth, etc. P. P. refers to
The Passionate Pilgrim; V. and A. to Venus and Adonis; L. C,
to Lover's Co?nplaint ; and Sonn. to the Sonnets.
Other abbreviations that hardly need explanation are Cf (confer,
compare), Fol. (following), Id. {idem, the same), and Prol. (prologue). The numbers of the lines in the references (except for the
present play) are those of the "Globe " edition (the cheapest and
best edition of Shakespeare in one compact volume), which is now
generally accepted as the standard for line-numbers in works of reference (Schmidt's Lexicon, Abbott's Grammar, Dowden's Primer,
;

the publications of the

The

Stories

Sidney.

The

New

Shakspere Society,

etc.).

of the Play as told by Holinshed and

Lear and his daughters as told by Holin-

story of

shed (ed. 1574) is as follows x

" Leir the sonne of Baldud, was admitted ruler ouer the Britaines,
:

what time Ioas raigned as yet in

Iuda. This Leir was a prince of right noble demeanor, gouerning
He made the towne of
his land and subiects in great wealth.
Caerlier nowe called Leicester, which standeth vpon the riuer
of Sore. It is written that he had by his wife three daughters
without other issue, whose names were Gonorilla, Regan, and
Cordeilla, which daughters he greatly loued, but specially Cordeilla
the yoongest farre aboue the two elder. When this Leir therefore
was come to great yeeres, & began to waxe vnweldie through age,
in the yeere of the world 3105, at

he thought to vnderstand the affections of his daughters towards

1

See Furness,

p.

384

fol.

Notes
whome he

him, and preferre hir

171

best loued, to the succession ouer

the kingdome. Whervpon he first asked Gonorilla the eldest, how

who calling hir gods to record, protested,
well shee loued him
than hir owne life, which by right and
more
that she loued him
reason shoulde be most deere vnto hir. With which answer the
father being well pleased, turned to the second, and demanded of
who answered (confirming hir saiengs
hir how well she loued him
with great othes) that she loued him more than toung could ex:

presse,

and

"Then

farre

aboue

all

other creatures of the world.

called he his yoongest daughter Cordeilla before him,

asked of hir what account she made of him: vnto

made

this

answer as followeth:

Knowing

whome

the great loue

and
she

and

you haue always borne towards me, (for the

answere
not
you otherwise than I thinke, and as my
maie
which I
vnto you, that I haue loued you
protest
conscience leadeth me) I
euer, and will continuallie (while I Hue) loue you as my naturall
fatherlie zeale that

And

you would more vnderstand of the loue that I

beare you, assertaine your selfe, that so much as you haue, so much
you are worth, and so much I loue you, and no more. The father
being nothing content with this answer, married his two eldest
daughters, the one vnto Henninus, the Duke of Cornewal, and the
other vnto Maglanus, the Duke of Albania, betwixt whome he
father.

if

and ordeined that his land should be deuided after his death,
and the one halfe thereof immediatelie should be assigned to
them in hand but for the third daughter Cordeilla he reserued

willed

nothing.

" Neuertheless

it

fortuned that one

of the princes of Gallia

(which now is called France) whose name was Aganippus, hearing

of the beautie, womanhood, and good conditions of the said Cordeilla,

desired to haue hir in mariage, and sent ouer to hir father,

requiring that he mighte haue hir to wife

to

whome answere was

made, that he might haue his daughter, but as for anie dower he
could haue none, for all was promised and assured to hir other sisAganippus notwithstanding this answer of deniall to
ters alreadie.

Notes

172
receiue anie thing by
wife, onlie

moued

amiable vertues.

But

Cordeilla, tooke hir to

This Aganippus was one of the twelue kings

that ruled Gallia in

recorded.

way of dower with

thereto (I saie) for respect of hir person and

those

daies, as in

the Brittish historie

it

is

to proceed.

" After that Leir was fallen into age, the two dukes that had

married his two eldest daughters, thinking long yer the gouernment
of the land did

and

reft

come

to their hands, arose against

him

in armour,

from him the gouernance of the land, vpon conditions

life
by the which he was put to his
Hue after a rate assigned to him for the maintenance of his estate, which in processe of time was diminished as
well by Maglanus as by Henninus.
But the greatest griefe that

to be continued for terme of

portion, that

is,

to

Leir tooke, was to see the vnkindnesse of his daughters, which

seemed to thinke that all was too much which their father had,
the same being neuer so little in so much, that going from the
one to the other, he was brought to that miserie, that scarslie
they would allow him one seruaunt to waite vpon him.
" In the end, such was the vnkindnesse, or (as I maie saie) the
vnnaturalnesse which he found in his two daughters, notwithstanding their faire and pleasant words vttered in time past, that being
constreined of necessitie, he fled the land, and sailed into Gallia,
there to seeke some comfort of his youngest daughter Cordeilla
whom before time he hated. The ladie Cordeilla hearing that he
was arriued in poore estate, she first sent to him privilie a certeine
summe of monie to apparell himselfe withall, and to reteine a certein number of seruants that might attende vpon him in honorable
wise, as apperteined to the estate which he had borne
and then so
accompanied, she appointed him to come to the court, which he
did, and was so ioifullie, honorablie, and louinglie receiued, both
by his sonne in law Aganippus, and also by his daughter Cordeilla,
that his hart was greatlie comforted; for he was no lesse honored,
than if he had beene king of the whole countrie himselfe.
"Now when he had informed his son in law and his daughter in
:

Notes
what

sort

he had beene vsed by

173

his other daughters,

Aganippus

caused a mightie armie to be put in readinesse, and likewise a

greate nauie of ships to be rigged, to passe ouer into Britaine with

him againe restored to his kingdome.

was accorded, that Cordeilla should also go with him to take
possession of the land, the which he promised to leaue vnto hir,
Leir his father in law, to see

It

as the rightfull inheritour after his decesse, notwithstanding

former grant

made

of wise.
" Herevpon,

to hir sisters or to their

any
husbands in anie manet

when

this

armie and nauie of ships were readie,

Leir and his daughter Cordeilla with hir husband tooke the sea,

and arriuing in Britaine, fought with their enimies, and discomfited

them in battell, in which Maglanus and Henninus were slaine and
then was Leir restored to his kingdome, which he ruled after this
by the space of two yeeres, and then died, fortie yeeres after he
first began to reigne.
His bodie was buried at Leicester in a vaut
vnder the chanell of the riuer of Sore beneath the towne.
" Cordeilla the yoongest daughter of Leir was admitted Q. and
supreme gouernesse of Britaine, in the yeere of the world 3155,
before the bylding of Rome 54, Uzia was then reigning in Juda,
:

and Jeroboam ouer

Israeli.

This Cordeilla after hir father's de-

ceasse ruled the land of Britaine right worthilie during the space

of fiue yeeres, in which

about the end of those

meane time her husband

fiue yeeres, hir

Cunedag, sonnes to hir aforesaid

died,

and then

two nephewes Margan and

sisters,

disdaining to be vnder the

gouernment of a woman, leuied warre against hir, and destroied a

great part of the land, and finallie tooke hir prisoner, and laid hir
fast in ward, wherewith she tooke suche griefe, being a woman of
a manlie courage, and despairing to recouer libertie, there she slue
hirselfe."

The

following extract from Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia

(lib.

ii.

pp. 133-138, ed. 1598) contains the story, referred to on page 11

above, from which Shakespeare derived the incidents of his plot in

which Gloster

figures.

It is entitled, in

the ed. of 1590,

"The

piti-

Notes

174
state,

full

and

story of the

Paphlagonian vnkinde king, and his

kind sonne, first related by the son, then by the blind father "
" It was in the kingdome of Galacia, the season being (as in the
:

depth of winter) verie cold, and as then sodainlie growne to so extreame and foule a storme, that neuer any winter (I thinke) brought
so that the Princes were euen c5pelled by the
forth a fowler child
:

winde blew into their faces, to seeke

some shrowding place which a certain hollow rocke offering vnto
haile, that the pride of the

them, they

made

staying there,

till

it

their shield against the tempests furie.

who

speach of a couple,

so

not perceiuing them, being hid within

that rude canapie, held a straunge

made them

And

the violence there of was passed, they heard the

and

which

pitifull disputation,

step out, yet in such sort, as they might see vnseene.

There they perceiued an aged man, and a young, scarcelie come to

the age of a man, both poorely arrayed, extreamely weather-beaten;
the olde man blind, the young man leading him and yet through
:

all

those miseries, in both there seemed to appeare a kind of noble-

But the first words they heard,

Well Leonatus (said he) since I canleade me to that which should end my griefe,

nesse, not sutable to that affliction.

were these of the old man.

not perswade thee to

and thy

trouble, let

my
me

but miserie

fall

worse then

me now

intreat thee to leaue

miserie cannot be greater then

continue to

it is,

me

feare not,

and nothing doth become

my blind steps, I cannot

am and do not I pray thee, do not obstinately
but flie, flie from
infect thee with my wretchednesse

this region only

feare not the

daunger of

Deare father (answered he) do

the only remnant of my happinesse while

worthie of me.

not take away from

me

haue power to do you seruice, I am not whollie miserable. Ah

my sonne (said he, and with that he groned, as if sorrow straue to
breake his heart) how euill fits it me to haue such a sonne, and how
much doth thy kindnesse vpbraid my wickednesse ? These dolefull speeches, and some others to like purpose (well shewing they
I

had not bene borne

to the

fortune

they were in,)

moued

the

Princes to go out vnto them, and aske the younger what they were ?

Notes
Sirs

175

(answered he with a good grace, and made the more agreeable

by a certaine noble kind of piteousnesse)

know

straungers, that

see well

you are

not our miserie, so well here knowne, that

no man dare know, but that we must be miserable. Indeed our

though nothing is so needfull vnto vs as pitie, yet
nothing is more dangerous vnto vs, then to make our selues so

state is such, as

knowne

may

as

stirre

pitie;

but your presence

crueltie shall not ouer-runne hate

is

sunke below the degree of

man (whom

" This old

and

if it

promiseth that

did, in truth our state

feare.

leade) was lately rightfull Prince of this

countrie of Paphlagonia, by the hard-hearted vngratefulnesse of a

sonne of

his,

depriued, not onely of his kingdome (whereof no

were euer able to spoyle him) but of his sight, the

which Nature graunts to the poorest creatures. Whereby,
and by other his vnnaturall dealings, he hath bene driuen to such
griefe, as euen now he would haue had me to haue led him to the
forraine forces
riches

top of this rocke, thence to cast himselfe headlong to death

and
would haue made me, who receiued my life of him, to be the
worker of his destruction. But noble Gentlemen, said he, if either
of you haue a father, and feele what dutifull affection is engrafted
in a sonnes heart, let me intreat you to conueigh this afflicted
Prince to some place of rest and securitie amongst your worthie
acts it shall be none of the least, that a king of such might and
fame, & so vniustlie oppressed, is in any sort by you relieued.
" But before they could make him answere, his father beganne to
speake. Ah my sonne, said he, how euill an Historian are you,
:

so

that leaue out the chiefe knot of

my

wickednesse

and

if

all

the discourse

thou doest

it

to spare

my wickednesse,

my

eares, (the only

now left me proper for knowledge) assure thy selfe thou

mistake me and I take witnesse of that Sunne which you see
sense

that he cast

wish

my

euill as

vp

his blind eyes, as if

selfe in

may

worse case then

he would hunt for light) and

do wish my selfe, which is as

be, if I speake vntrulie, that nothing

my thoughts,

as the publishing of

my

doest
(with

shame.

is

so

welcome to
know you

Therefore

Notes

176
Gentlemen

(to

whom

my

from

heart I wish that

may

it

not proue

some ominous foretoken of misfortune to haue met with such a

miser as I am) that whatsoeuer my son (6 God, that truth binds me
But
to reproch him with the name of my son) hath said is true.
besides those truthes, this also is true, that hauing had in lawfull
manage, of a mother fit to beare royall children, this sonne (such a
one as partly you see, and better shall know by my short declaration) and so enioyed the expectations in the world of him, till he
was growne

needed enuie no

to iustifie their expectations (so as I

father for the chiefe comfort of mortalitie, to leaue another onesselfe after
I

me)

was caried by a bastard sonne of mine

(if at least

woman my

concubine,

be bound to beleeue the words of that base

then to hate,

his

mother)

my

best to destroy this sonne (I thinke

to mislike,

first

destruction.

What wayes he vsed

do
you thinke) vndeseruing

lastlie to destroy, or to

to bring

you, I should tediouslie trouble you with as

risie,

me

to

no remembrance of naughtinesse delights

thinks, the accusing his traps

fault,

should

if I

tell

desperate fraud, smooth malice, hidden ambition, and smiling

enuie, as in anie liuing person could be harboured

me

it,

much poisonous hypoc-

which

selfe,

to leade

list it

but mine owne

But the conclusion

gaue orders to some seruants of mine,

my

but I

not;

might in some maner excuse

certainlie I lothe to do.

such charities as

me

whom I

him out

is,

and

my

that I

thought as apt

into a forrest,

for

and there

to kill him.

"But those theeues

spared his

life,

letting

did, giuing himselfe to

(better natured to

him go

my

to learne to

sonne then myselfe)

Hue poorely

which he

be a priuate souldier in a countrey here by

but as he was ready to be greatly aduanced for some noble peeces

of seruice which he did, he heard newes of

my

me

who (drunke

in

and vnnaturall sonne of mine) suffered my selfe so to be gouerned by him, that all fauours and
punishments passed by him, all offices, and places of importance
distributed to his fauorites
so that ere I was aware, I had left my
selfe nothing but the name of a King
which he shortly wearie of
affection to that vnlawfull

Notes

177

too, with many indignities (if any thing may be called an indignitie,
which was laid vpon me) threw me out of my seat, and put out my
eyes; and then (proud in his tyrannie) let me go, neither imprisoning,

nor killing

miserie

me

but rather delighting to

miserie indeed,

and

of disgrace,

make me

euer there were anie

if

feele

And

of guiltinesse.

as he

ness,

fuller

came

to the crowne by so vniust means, as vniustlie he kept

fullest

my

of wretched-

full

by
and
murderers of libertie ; disarming all his owne countrimen, that no
man durst shew himself a wel-willer of mine to say the truth (I
thinke) few of them being so (considering my cruell follie to my
good sonne, and foolish kindnesse to my vnkind bastard ) but if
there were any who felt a pitie of so great a fall, and had yet any
sparkes of vnslaine dutie left in them towards me ; yet durst they
not shew it, scarcelie with giuing me almes at their doores
which
yet was the onlie sustenance of my distressed life, no bodie daring
to shew so much charitie, as to lend me a hand to guide my darke
steps till this sonne of mine (God knowes, worthy of a more vertuous, and more fortunate father) forgetting my abhominable wrongs,
not recking daunger, and neglecting the present good way hee was
in of doing himselfe good, came hither to do this kind office you
see him performe towards me, to my vnspeakeable griefe ; not onlie
it,

force of straunger souldiers in Cittadels, the neasts of tyrannie,

because his kindnesse

is

a glasse euen to

naughtiness, but that aboue

all griefes, it

my

grieues

blind eyes of

me

my

he should des-

peratelie aduenture the losse of his well-deseruing life for mine, that
yet

owe more

to

Fortune

for

my deserts,

as if

he would

carie

mudde

know, he that now raigneth, how

much so euer (and with good reason) he despiseth me, of all men
despised
yet he will not let slip any aduantage to make away
him, whose iust title (ennobled by courage & goodnesse) may one

in a chest of Chrystall

for well I

day shake the seat of a neuer secure tyrannie.

And

for this cause

him to leade me to the top of this rocke, indeed I must

confesse, with meaning to free him from so serpentine a companion
as I am.
But he finding what I purposed, onely therein since he
I craued of

KING LEAR

12

Notes

178

[Act

was borne, shewed himselfe disobedient vnto me. And now Gentlemen, you haue the true storie, which I pray you publish to the

my

world, that
filial
it

may

for

mischieuous proceedings

reward now

pietie, the onlie

me

be, let

left for

may be

the glorie of his

so great a merite.

obtaine that of you, which

my

And if
me

sonne denies

neuer was there more pity in sauing any, then in ending me,

my

both because therin

agonie shall end,

young man, who

this excellent

ACT

&

you

so

else wilfully followes his

shal preserue

owne

ruine."

Gloster. In the 1st folio the name is

Scene I.
Enter .
here spelt " Gloucester" but in many places in the play (as in
Rich. III.) it is " Gloster" or " Glouster" and the abbreviations
The 1st quarto has
used* are " Glo.," " Glou.," " Glost.," etc.
.

" Gloster," as have the majority of the

1.

Had more

intransitive in

affected.

A. and

C.

modern

eds.

Had been more partial to. The verb is

3. 71: "As thou affect'st" (=likest,
i.

pleasest)
2.

Holinshed derives the name from Albanacte, or

He gave the name Albania

Albany.

Albanactus, the youngest son of Brute.

to that portion of Britain left
territory north of the
5.

The

Qualities.

which some editors

4 and
iv. 3.
7.
1

i.

4. 71.

303,

S.

where

Moiety.

Hen. IV.

it

folio reading;

prefer.

uses the

1.

his father, including all the

the quartos have " equalities,"

Curiosity ' careful scrutiny.

word nowhere

has a similar sense

Often used
iii.

him by

Humber.

96, etc.

else

i.

2.

= nicety)

for a fraction other

The

Cf.

except in T. of A.

than a

half.

meaning of the passage

is:

Cf.

the

qualities or values are so balanced that the nicest discrimination

cannot make choice

among them.

Notes

Scene I]
Brazed,

11.

braz'd

Cf.

man,"

iii.

4.

37: "If

damned custom have not

so," etc.

it

Comely; as

Proper.

13.

Ham.

179

often.

etc.

16.

Something.

27.

Out.

The

adverbial use

very

is

Seeking his fortune abroad.

common

Cf. T. G.

" He wonder'd that your lordship

Would suffer him to spend his youth

While other men, of slender

at

is,

in S.

ofV.

i.

3.

home,

reputation,

Put forth their sons to seek preferment out

that

"a proper

Oth. iv. 3. 35:

Cf.

"
;

in foreign countries.

28.

Sennet.

31.

Darker.

A succession
More

of notes on the trumpet or cornet.

"
secret; or " what has not been told before

(Johnson).

In

33.

Fast

We

three.

= fixed,

still

say " cut in two," " break in two," etc.

like constant in

settled;

38 below.

France and Burgundy. King Lear lived, as the chronicle

says, "in the times of Joash, King of Judah."
S. appears to
imagine Lear as king in the rough times following Charlemagne,
when France and Burgundy had become separate nations (Mo40.

berly).

For

44, 45.

"Both

more than two nouns, cf. V. and A. 747:

and qualities; " W. T. iv. 4. 56: " She
butler, cook; " 1 Hen. IV. v. 1. 107: "Both he

both with

favour, savour, hue,

was both pantler,

and they and you,"

48.

claims
ii.

3.

50.

it

as due.

134, etc.

Word.

which some
51.

it

etc.

Where your

For challenge,
See also

The

prefer.

Space.

to enjoy

56.

etc.

Where nature,

Space

iv. 7.

folio

cf.

natural affection deservedly

Oth.

i.

3.

188,

ii.

I.

213, Rich II.

31 below.

reading.

The

Wield = manage,

quartos have

"words,"

express.

in general, the world;

as liberty

is

the freedom

(Schmidt).

Beyond all manner,

etc.

" Beyond

all

assignable quantity

Notes

180

[Act

and cannot say it is so much, for how

it would yet be more" (Johnson).
But so much may refer to the comparisons just made.
What shall Cordelia speak ? The folio reading, retained by
57.
Furness and others; the quarto, which is generally followed, has
you beyond

I love

much

limits,

soever I should name,

" do " for speak.

As Furness remarks, the choice

of readings, apart

from authority, depends on whether we take Love and

be silent as

imperative or not.

"Shady"

Shadowy.

59.
v. 4.

paigns

(the quarto reading).

Cf. T.

" This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods."

plains, cf.

T.

discovers not more."

JV.

ii.

V.

174: "Daylight and champaign

5.

Ricfr'd (

G.of

For cham-

enriched)

is

used by

S.

nowhere

else.

63.

The quartos add " speake," which most

Cornwall.

editors

adopt.
64.
C.

Self.

of E.
65.

v. 1.

Cf.

iv.

3.

36 below

" one

self

mate."

See also

10: "that self chain," etc.

And prize

me,

etc.

And

reckon myself equal to her in

affection.

66.

Names my

deed, or just as
67.

That.

69.

Which

very deed of

Describes

love.

my

love in very

it is.

In that, because.
the most precious

square of sense professes.

reading; the quartos have "possesses."

The

The

folio

choice between the

two depends on the meaning of square of sense, which it is not easy

to make out.
Johnson says " Perhaps square means only compass,
comprehension" Edwards makes it "the full complement of all
:

the senses;" Moberly, "the choicest estimate of sense;" Wright,

" the most delicately sensitive part of

my

nature."

If S. wrote the

rule, estimate, commust have one of these meanings

For a fuller
pass, or range; but there may be some corruption.
discussion of the enigma the reader may consult Fnrness, who has
a full page of fine print upon it.
He reads professes, and remarks

word,

it

" Whatever meaning or no-meaning

we may

attach to

square of

Scene
sense,

Notes

I]

it

seems clear

to

me

that

Regan

refers to the joys

which that

square professes to bestow."

Made happy;

Felicitate.

70.

For the form,

S.

the only instance of the word in

degenerate, coitsecrate, suffocate,

cf.

and the

like,

used as participles or adjectives.

More

73.

some

The

ponderous.

quartos have " more richer," which

Schmidt remarks

editors adopt.

" Light

applied to a wanton, frivolous, and fickle love;

But the opposite of

proverbial expression.

'

was the usual term

was a

light o' love

'

heavy, could not

this,

be here employed, because that means uniformly, in a moral sense,

melancholy, sad; nor

is

weighty any better;

therefore S. chose

ponderous."
Validity.

76.

In A.

Value.

W.

v.

3.

192, the

word

is

used

with reference to a ring.

Our

and

The folio reading, adopted by Furness

and other editors; but many follow the quartos, which have " the
last, not least in our deere love."
Cf. J. C. iii. 1. 189: "Though
78.

last

least.

Malone quotes The Spanish Tragedy,

third and last, not least, in our account."
The expression also occurs in Peele, Middleton, Beaumont and
Fletcher, etc.
White says " Plainly this passage was rewritten
before the folio was printed. The last part of 82, as it appears in
the quartos, shows that the figurative allusion to the King of France
and the Duke of Burgundy could have formed no part of the passage when that text was printed. And in the rewriting there was
a happy change made from the commonplace of last not least to
an allusion to the personal traits and family position of Cordelia.
The impression produced by all the passages in which she appears
or is referred to is, that she was her father's little pet, while her
last,

not least in love."

written before 1593

"The

'

sisters

were

big, bold,

brazen beauties.

scene, Lear says of her to

seeming substance, or

When
'

she

fourscore

is

all

Burgundy
of

it,

'

If

'

Afterward, in this very

aught within that

with our' displeasure pieced?

little

etc.

dead, too, her father, although an infirm old man,

and upward,'

carries her

body in

his arms.

Cordelia

Notes

82

was evidently the

least, as well as

[Act

the youngest and best beloved,

of the old king's daughters; and therefore he says to her,

my

our joy, what can you say to justify

richest third of the

and the

'Now

you the

intention of giving

kingdom, although you are the youngest born

least royal in

your presence

?'

The

poet's every touch

figure of Cordelia paints her as, with all her firmness of

upon the

character, a creature to
or her husband's,

man's bosom,

nestle in a

and to be

her

cherished almost like a

father's

little

child;

happy after-thought brings the picture into perfect keepand

ing,
at the very commencement of the drama impresses upon
the mind a characteristic trait of a personage who plays an imporand

this

tant part in
last,

it,

although she

is little

seen."

As Furness

says, "

not least was a hackneyed phrase in Shakespeare's time,

it

If
is

more reason why it should not be used here."

A metonymy for pastures. Moberly remarks " In
79. Milk.
ascribing vines to France, and not to Burgundy, S. may have
all

the

thought of the pastoral countries of Southern Belgium as forming

part of Burgundy, as they did till the death of Charles the Bold,
1477."
80.

Theobald's reading, adopted by the

Interess'd.

The

generally.

sidering

it

editors

folio has " interest," which Schmidt retains, con-

a contracted form of interested.

ton's Polyolbion, preface

interessed therein; " and

" he

is

someway

Steevens quotes Drayor other by his blood

Ben Jonson, Sejanus,

iii.

"but that the dear republic,

Our sacred laws, and

Are

just authority

interess'd therein, I

should be

silent."

Wright adds examples of interessed from Massinger, Florio, and

Minsheu.
" There is someColeridge remarks
82. Nothing, my lord.
thing of disgust at the ruthless hypocrisy of her sisters, and
:

some

faulty admixture of pride

little

'Nothing;

'

and her tone

is

and sullenness

in Cordelia's

well contrived, indeed, to lessen the

Notes

Scene I]

glaring absurdity of Lear's conduct, but answers the yet

the

moment

has served

it

This

the picture.

is

its

more im-

attention from the nursery-tale

away the

portant purpose of forcing

83

end, that of supplying the canvas for

by Kent's opposi-

also materially furthered

which displays Lear's moral incapability of resigning the

Kent is, persovereign power in the very act of disposing of it.
haps, the nearest to perfect goodness in all Shakespeare's charaction,

and yet the most individualized. There is an extraordinary

charm in his bluntness, which is that only of a nobleman, arising
from a contempt of overstrained courtesy, and combined with easy
His passionate
placability where goodness of heart is apparent.
affection for, and fidelity to, Lear act on our feelings in Lear's own
favour; virtue seems to be in company with him."
An allusion to the old
85. Nothing will come of nothing.
maxim, Ex nihilo nihil fit. Cf. i. 4. 124 below.
According to my duty, as I am
88. According to my bond.
ters,

bound by

filial

" Countess.

obligation.

A.

Cf.

i.

Do

not you love him,

3.

194:

Love you my son?

Helena.
Countess.

W.

Go

not about

Whereof the world

my

love hath in

't

madam?

a bond

takes note."

For the antithesis of mend and mar, cf. V. and A.

For make and mar, cf. R.
478, R. of L. 578, and Sonn. 103. 10.
and J. i. 2. 13, A. Y. L. i. I. 34, etc.
89.

Mend.

92.

As are

(to

right

be returned)

Some make

fit.

of the relative use of as.

95.

Love you

use of all

her

all," etc.

96.

Plight.

this sense

all.

several times.

Cf.

i.

Give you

altogether),

See also

iv. 7.

4.

" as (they) are right

it

may be an

fit

instance

60 below.

For the adverbial

all their love.

T. of A.

cf.

i.

1.

139

"I

will dispossess

42 below.

Pledge, troth;

in S.,

this

" but, as Furness suggests,

the only instance of the noun in

though the verb (see

iii.

4.

123 below) occurs

Notes

184

A dissyllable;

Hecate.

105.

VI.

iii.

as regularly in S. except in

regards Shakespeare's share in that play."

settle the question;

however,

(Comus, 135) and as a

syllable

Hen.

It

would not of

itself,

Milton uses Hecate both as a

for

this is " a significant fact as

Wright remarks that

2. 64.

[Act

dis-

trisyllable (Id. 535).

Operation of the orbs. An astrological allusion.

Whom. For which; as often.

106.
107.

in. The barbarous

Wright

Scythian.

cites Purchas,

Pilgrim-

age, ed. 1614, p. 396: "These customes were generall to the

Scythians in Europe and Asia ( for which cause Scytharum facinora patrare, grew into a prouerbe of immane crueltie, and their
Land was iustly called Barbarous) others were more speciall and
:

peculiar to particular Nations Scythian."

" Was ever Scythia half so barbarous? "

Makes

112.

generation
C.

iii.

146

1.

Devours

his generation messes.

progeny,

cf.

Matthew

(cf.

W.

T.

iii.

7), etc.

1.

ii.

Cf.

T. A.

1.

i.

his children.

148, Rich. II. v. 5. 8, T.

As Herodotus

tells

131

For

and

us that

the Scythians ate their aged relatives, Craig suggests that generation

may mean parents,

Rich. II.

v. 1. 37,

as in Rich. II.

i.

improbable.

Ham.

i.

'

Wrath
118.

is

Moberly remarks " A natural trope

he would wear a helmet,
:

On

which for

For

Britain.'

put by

To

crest the

Lear

golden dragon clung

metonymy for the object of the wrath.

The expression is evidently suggested by

to the sense of rest

10

for

set -my rest.

the card-playing phrase set

v. 3. 1

cf.

Sometimes was similarly used;

2. 8, etc.

to use, as, like Arthur,

"

former, whilom),

2. 54, v. 5. 75, etc.

Dragon.

117.

is

For the adjective use

Sometime.

115.

but that

up my rest, though with a reference also

For a similar instance, see R. andJ.

repose.

"

Will

I set

up my

O, here

everlasting rest."

Scene

up

Set

Notes

i]

my

185

was the usual phrase

rest

game

in the

of primero,

and, as Furness notes, the one elsewhere used by S.; but

my

set

The

Minsheu's Dialogues, 1599.

rest in

we

find

following extract

from a dialogue illustrating the game shows that some of its technicalities were much like those of certain games still in vogue
" O. Let the cardes

come

me,

to

M.

them; one, two,

three,

R. Passe. Z. Passe.

O. I

for I deale

M.

fower, one, two, three, fower.

Passe.

R. He none. Z. I must of force see

it; deale the cards.
M. Giue me fower cards; He see as much as
he sets. R. See heere my rest ; let euery one be in. M. I am come
set so

much.

I will

And

to passe againe.

R.

my

see

M. He

rest.

Hence,

119.

Z. I do the selfe same.

I too.

R.

it.

Z. I cannot giue

I also.

am flush."
and avoid my sight !

was a small prime.

this is

none.

M.

Z. I

has been disputed whether

It

The

addressed to Cordelia or Kent.

the former view

O. I set

ouer.

it

only reason given for

that Cordelia does not go out, as,

is

is

it

said, she

would be likely to do upon such a command; but neither does

Kent obey the order, and Cordelia would perhaps be no more likely
to leave at the

impatient

first

fairly time to go, the order

he

is

word of her
given to

father.

call in

Before she has

France to take her

if

will.

Who

121.

stirs?

Delius takes this to be a threat, to frighten

the by-standers from any chance opposition.

courtiers

seem unwilling

to

with a finer insight, asks

tiers

Moberly says

"

May

it

The

and

at Cor-

sudden and impending doom, that they stand motionless and

forget to

move ? "

123.

Digest.

124.

Marry

126.

Effects.

130.

Only.

323, A. Y. L.
131.

"

not be that the circle of cour-

are so horror-struck at Lear's outburst of fury,

delia's

obey a command so reckless." Furness,

Metaphorically
her.

amalgamate, combine.

Get her a husband.

Attributes, accompaniments.

For the transposition,

i.

2.

Addition.

cf.

Much

Ado,

iii.

1.

23, iv.

I.

204, etc.

Titular honour.

Many

editors adopt the " addi-

Notes

86

tions " of the quartos, but

cf. ii.

[Act

25 below, where the singular, as

2.

the context shows, refers to a multiplicity of

132.

as suits

all

v. 3. 69.

powers and attributes not thus reserved.

Make from.

and A.

See also

titles.

Accented by S. on the first or second syllable,

Revenue.
the measure.
Of the rest is antithetical to The name, etc.,

and includes
138.

5, C.

of E.

Go
1.

i.

from, get away from.

93),

make for (W.

T.

Cf.

iv. 4.

make

554),

(V.

to

etc,

The fork. That is, the barbed arrowhead. Cf. A. Y. L.

24: "forked heads" (of arrows). For invade, cf. iii. 4. 7

139.
1.

ii.

The only

below.

below and Hen.

ter

V.

i.

What wouldst

141.

2.

Reserve thy

thou do ?

state.

in S. are v.

"Kent

is

25

" This

is

spoke on seeing his mas-

" (Capell).

The quartos have

" Reuerse thy doome,"

which most of the editors follow; but Furness ably defends the
reading:

I.

136.

put his hand to his sword

144.

word

other instances of the

such a noble fellow that we

folio

who know Cordelia's

and honesty, and have heard her words spoken aside,

is here pleading her cause.
But I am afraid
are
too
hasty.
Kent
is
pleading,
not
for
Cordelia,
we
but for Lear
himself; he has not as yet made the slightest allusion to Cordelia.
When Lear denounces her, Kent, who sees that Lear is crushing

truthfulness

cannot but think that he

the only chance of future happiness, starts forward with

liege;

and

'

'

Good my

but before he can utter another word Lear interrupts him,

and
same error, so that when Kent speaks again we
keep up the same illusion, whereas all that he now says breathes
devotion to the king, and to no one else. The folly to which majesty falls is not the casting off of a daughter,
that is no more

we

interprets his exclamation as an intercession for Cordelia;

fall

into the

foolish in a king than in a subject,

revenue, of sway, and of the crown

this is

power bowing

reserve his state.'

but

itself,

it is

the surrendering of

this is

hideous rashness,

Hence, Kent entreats Lear 'to

show still more conclusively that Lear,

to flattery.

And

to

and not Cordelia, is chiefly in his thoughts, in his very next speech
he says that the motive for which he now risks his life is the safety

Scene

Notes

I]

87

Furthermore, when Lear has been turned out of doors

of the king.

have usurped all his powers, Gloucester (iii, 4.

He said it would be thus,' which
Ah, that good Kent
cannot well refer to any other passage than the present. Moreover,
had Kent been so devoted to Cordelia as to suffer banishment for
his daughters

and

163) says,

'

her sake, would he not have followed her to France rather than

fol-

lowed as a servant his great patron whom he had thought on in his

prayers? It need scarcely be added that reserve thy state means
'

'

retain thy royal dignity

146.

my

Answer my

life,

and power.' "

etc.
That is, let

my

be answerable for

life

judgment.

149.
ates, as

151.

wage

Probably the poet's

Reverbs.

white or centre of a target. " See better,"

and keep me always in your view " (Johnson).

Elsewhere

Swear'' st.

Revoke thy

" doom " for

164.

161

S.

has swear by in this sense; but such

is

common

editors read

gift.

Exaggerated, excessive; as in 2 Hen. IV,

Strained.

Nor

enough.

Here the quartos and some

gift.

"This strained passion doth you wrong,

nor.

my

i.

I.

lord."

Often used by S. for neither

nor.

sometimes find three or more parts thus joined; as in R.

and

166.

We

will

it."

omission of prepositions after other verbs

159.

contraction of reverber-

The

Blank.

says Kent, "

156.

own

no other instance of the word has been found.

Wage. Stake, set as a wager. Cf. Cymb. i. 4. 144: "I

against your gold, gold to

154.

/.

'

ii.

2.

167.

40, Oth.

Our

iii.

4. 116, etc.

potency

made

good, etc.

"As

a proof that I

am

not a

mere threatener, that I have power as well as will to punish, take the
due reward of thy demerits; hear thy sentence" (Malone).
169.

Diseases.

Dis-eases, discomforts.

Cf.

Hen. VI.

ii.

5.

44:

"And in that ease I'll tell thee my disease; " T. of A. iii. 1. 56:
"Thou disease of a friend, and not himself! " Cf. also the verb
(= make uneasy, disturb) in Cor. 3. 117: "she will but disease
i.

our better mirth."

Notes

88
Away!

173.

[Act I

Dr. Bucknill says

etc.

" Lear's treatment of Kent;

his ready threat in reply to Kent's deferential address; his passion-

ate interruptions and reproaches; his attempted violence, checked

by Albany and Cornwall; and, finally, the cruel sentence of banish-

ment, cruelly expressed,

passion has

become

Sith.

179.

And your

stantiate your

ii.

4.

whom

in

237 below.

"And may

large speeches, etc.

ample protestations

Here's.

man

these are the acts of a

all

Since; as in

175.

183.

disease."

The

your acts sub-

" (Clarke).

singular verb

is

often thus used before a plural

subject.

Address ourselves

Address toward.

185.

with address
"

direct, in L. L. L. v. 2.

Hath been
In

instance of the verb in S.

below

it is

used as

That

So.

191.

now =
is,

We

to.

find

toward

address'd

a rival or competitor; the only

the least

at

the

In

least.

ii.

4.

138

in the smallest degree.

worthy of such a dowry.

play on dear, as the next line shows

we

Toward that shade I might behold

The king and his companions."

Hath rivalVd.

186.

92

There

is

a kind of

when she was dear

in love

held her dear in price.

193.

Little-seeming.

194.

Piedd.

195.

Like.

me

That

See on 78 above.

Little in appearance.
is,

Please.

pieced out.
Cf.

ii.

2.

Cf.

92 below

2 below.
" His countenance likes

iii.
:

6.

not."

Owns, possesses;

197.

Owes.

199.

Stranger''d.

verb in

Makes not

204.

Make

206.

Cf.

i.

4.

126 below.

S.

201.

as, cf.

as often.

Estranged, alienated; the only instance of the

212

up.

Comes

such a stray.

to

Go

no

decision.

so far astray.

For the

ellipsis of

just below.

Avert.

Turn; the only instance of the verb

sion he does not use at

all.

in S.

The double comparative,

as in

Aver-

more

Notes

Scene I]

worthier,

common

is

We

in S.

have

189
examples in this

at least six

and the double superlative in "most poorest" (ii. 3. 7).

Theme, subject; as in ii. I. 9 below.
210. Argument.
We still use the expression "in a
211. In this trice of time.
N.
iv.
2.
etc.).
"On a trice" occurs in Temp. v.
(T.
trice"
123,

play;

I.

238.
212.

Elsewhere in

Dismantle.

from which anything

iv. 4.

66 and

Such

214.

is

Ham.

iii.

that.

S. the object of the

stripped, as in

modern

verb

usage.

that

is

W.

Cf.

T.

293.

2.

Cf.

ii.

2.

122 below: "such a deal of

man

that worthied him."

Makes monstrous;

Monsters.

215.

hear

my

Cor.

as in

ii.

2.

81

"To

nothings monster 'd."

Must be is understood. Fallen into taint = become

Malone paraphrases the passage thus " Either her offence
must be monstrous, or, if she has not committed any such offence,
the affection which you always professed to have for her must be
tainted and decayed."
Craig suggests that or ere, as not unfrequently.
The latter clause would then mean " ere the warm affection you always professed for her should thus suddenly have changed
216.

Fallen.

tainted.

to hate."

219.

For.

Because

as in

M. for M. ii. I. 27, etc.

222. Nor other foulness.

i.

2. 5

below.

of V.

The quartos have " murder

" murder, or," and the folios " murther, or."

emendation.

M.

Cf.

i.

3.

43,

or " or

Collier suggested the

Moberly remarks: "The gradation, 'vicious blot,

Moreover, from the par-

murder, foulness,' would not be happy.

allel

expression,

conclude that in

'

vicious

mole of

this line

nature,' in

Lear might be supposed to have

line to evil actions

cleared."

from

Ham.

i.

4. 24,

we may

Cordelia refers to natural defects, which

all

just discovered;

but in the next

suspicions of which she wishes to be

Furness agrees with Moberly as to the gradation, and

adds: "This alone

taint the line.

is

so un-Shakespearian that of itself

And mark how

it

would

admirably the lines are

bal-

Notes

190
anced:

step.'

But

even for want,

Hanmer

the want," as

226.

"

2.

and

still-closing in Id.

227.

That.

228.

Hath

It shall lose

231.

The

cedent

is

iii.

3.

and such

clear,

is

in S.

still-vexed in

Cf.

Temp.

64.

Hath caused me to lose.

In = in respect

me.

The

's

Cf.

118 below

2.

i.

to.

only instance of the form in S.

Unspoken

v. 5. 139.

not love, etc.

234. Regards.
etc.

sense

uncommon

thee nothing."

Unspoke.

love

not

See on 214 above.

lost

occurs only in Cymb.

233.

is

should have expected " even

the

Ever-begging.

Still-soliciting.

229,

We

etc.

reads, but

" confusion of construction "

i.

vicious blot or other foulness,' 'unchaste action or dis-

honour'd
225.

[Act

Cf.

Considerations

Sonn. 116.
;

as in

Ham.

ii.

2. 79,

iii.

1.

87,

though the antebe you that stirs," etc.

relative often takes a singular verb,

plural.

Cf.

ii.

235.

Entire point.

243.

Respects

of.

4.

272 below

Main

" If

it

point.

Considerations

Cf.

of.

Ham.

iii.

2.

193: "base

respects of thrift," etc.

Such harsh contracted superlatives are common.

Used contemptuously. Burgundy was the bestwatered district of France. There is a play on the other sense of
"weak, poor," which we have in Oth. iii. 3. 15: "waterish diet."
S. uses the word only twice.
254. Unprized. Not prized by others, unappreciated ; used
nowhere else by S.
Unnatural
or combining that sense with the
255. Unkind.
more familiar one. Cf. iii. 4. 72 below " his unkind daughters."
256. " Here and where have the power of nouns Thou losest
249.

Coldest.

253.

Waterish.

this residence to find a better residence in

another place " (John-

son).
260.

Benison.

Blessing

as in

Macb.

40 and

iv. 6.

208

jewels," which

may

4.

ii.

below.
263.

Ye jewels.

The

early eds. have "

The

Scene

Notes

I]

what

possibly be

S.

wrote

191

but The and Ye, being constantly writ-

ten alike in that day, were liable to be confounded by the printer.

Rowe's emendation
to tears

267.

i.

27, iv.

1.

156,

1.

M.

iv.

3.

" but bosoms

39

wretch" (that is, your

and Oth. iii. I. 58.
269.

me

273.

shall

Cf. J.

Elsewhere in

may be a dative, as often.

At fortune 's alms. At the

And

W.

See also

C. v.

62

5.

T.

"Ay,

S.

iv. 4.

if

574

Messala

we have prescribe
The

charity of fortune,

sion fortune's alms occurs again in Oth.

274.

50 below. Cf. M.
have your bosom on this

as in v. 3.

to you," etc.

271. Prescribe not us.

here us

love

heart's desire).

Commend.

Prefer.

will prefer

And you

"

Pope changed professed

Professed love.

Professed bosoms.

to " professing

for

Ado,

130, etc.

2.

iii.

Washed is often applied

R. and J. ii. 3. 70,

generally adopted.

is

Much

as in

iii.

but

expres-

122.

4.

And

well are worth the want, etc.

to,

are justly denied

the natural kindness you have failed to show.

Complicated ; literally, folded.

The quartos
275. Plighted.
have "pleated" or " pleeted," and some modern eds. "plaited."

2.

iii.

9.

21

Henley

Cover.

287.

Grossly.

171, A. W.

Of his

" her well-plighted frock."

276.

290.

"the plighted clouds;" and Spenser,

Comus, 301:

Cf. Milton,

F. Q.

sees an allusion to Proverbs, xxviii. 13.

Palpably, evidently (Schmidt)

time.

Of

his life.

time something too prodigal,"

292.

^r^and

graft.

of

mind confirmed by long

3.

35 below.
296.

as in C. of

E.

Unconstant.

constant oftener.

Moberly remarks

etc.

M.

of V.

i.

ii.

i.

1.

129:

"my

2.

Long-ingraffed condition
habit " (Malone).

Capricious

Like

Cf.

See also

44 below.
The quartos have "long ingrafted."

Long-ingraffed.

uses both

3. 184, etc.

i.

used by

'S.

" qualities

For condition,

S. several times,

cf. iv.

but in-

likely, as often.

" These

women come

of themselves,

and

at

Notes

192
once, to the feeling which

Othello

whom

on

curled darlings

Iago's arts to instil into

all

urged that Desdemona must be

of Venice."

'

Agree

Hit.

300.

would not have preferred him to the

irregular in mind, or she

'

requires

at length

is

it

it

[Act

The

the quarto reading.

folios

have " sit,"

which some editors adopt.

302.

be

if

the king goes on in this way,

kingdom

for his surrender of the

Scene

II.

Thou, Nature,

1.

3.

Stand in

4.

Curiosity.

i.

be only the worse

shall

off

hot," as the proverb hath

is

it.

As Steevens remarks, Ed-

etc.

speaks of nature in opposition to custom, and not to the

existence of a God.

on

we

iv.

to us.

" While the iron

304. /' the heat.

mund

"Thou but
i. 140:
The meaning seems to

as in M. of V.
;
speak so loud," etc.

Injure

Offend.

offend'st thy lungs to

7 below.

Be exposed

to the plague, or vexation.

See

"Over-nice scrupulousness" (Steevens).

Deprive

5 above.

1.

Cf.

the plague.

deprive of

my

rights as a son, dis-

inherit.
5.

For

See on

Because that.

that.

shines = months;

like

moons

in Oth.

i.

i.

3.

I.

Moon-

219 above.

84, A.

and

C.

12. 16,

iii.

etc.
6.

Lag of Lagging
.

"That came
7.

Compact.

A. Y. L.
8.

T.

9.

C.

ii.

Honest.

2.

See on

19.

I.

1.

90

Cf.

M. N. D.

v. I. 8,

70 above.

Chaste; as often.

Cf.

birth.

Cf.

A. Y. L.

40, etc.
"
Capell's correction of the "tooth'
of the quartos

Subscribed.

and

ii.

154, etc.

16. Top the.

and the " to' th' " or " to
rise above, see Macb. iv. 3.

81, T.

i.

Noble-minded, befitting one of noble

Generous.

and

Cf. Rich. III.

him buried."

Compacted, put together.

7. 5, etc.

ii.

behind, later than.

too lag to see

th' " of the folios.

i.

2.

For top

= overtop,

57, etc.

Surrendered, signed away.

C. iv. 5. 105, etc.

Cf.

T. of S.

i.

1.

Notes

Scene II]
Confined

20.

maintenance.

G. of V.

i.

69

3.

maintenance he from his friends receives,

Like exhibition shalt thou have from me."

Ben Jonson,

cites

Silent

Woman,

and with good morality;

distinctly,

What

"

Nares

Restricted to an allowance or mere

to exhibition.

Cf. T.

T93

iii.

" Behave yourself

or, I protest, I

'11

take away

your exhibition."

Upon

21.

On

the gad.

only here and in T. A.

iv.

in driving cattle.
I.

103,

Gad=. goad,
word

moment.

the spur of the

an iron-pointed rod used

or

where

S.

uses the

means a

it

stylus,

or

ancient pen.

Affrighted

Terrible.

28.

used passively, like

many

adjectives

in -die.

Read

O'er-read.

33.

ing over.

Cf. v.

Are

38.

to

1.

in next line

= look-

be blamed, are blamable.

Active

So overlooking

over.

50 below.

Are

blame.

to

used passively.
Trial or test.
For

infinitives are often thus

Essay or

42.

"

And

taste.

worst essays prov'd thee

my

only twice, having elsewhere assay, of which

As Steevens

form.

from royal

K.John,
43.

v. 6.

Policy

notes, both essay (or assay)

For the custom of taking

tables.

28 and Rich. II.

and

reverence.

Sonn. no. 8:

essay, cf.

best of love."

S. uses the
is

it

and

word

only another

terms

taste are

the assay (or say), see

v. 5. 99.

Policy of holding in reverence.

on i. 4. 349 below.
of our times. The best portions of our

For

the construction, see

The

44.

on

1.

i.

best

lives.

See

290 above.

45.

Oldness.

46.

Idle

Old age

used by

Weak and

and fond.

S.

nowhere

foolish.

else.

ox fond,

and

iv. 7.

that

tyranny implies a person or persons, but the

60 below.

For who, see on

i.

1.

cf.

107 above.
it

i.

4.

308

It is true

shows that

it is

grammatically and rhetorically neuter.

59.

Closet.

Private

KING LEAR

room, chamber

as often.

Cf.

Matthew,

Notes

194
In

vi. 6.

iii.

6 and Oth.

1.

N.

v. 1.

it

Handwriting; as in

W.

354,

T.

That

v. 2. 38,

Sons at perfect age.

ii.

3.

is,

That

is,

For

being of age.

declined,

Cf.

i.

4.

269

215 below.

4.

Pawn

Whereas; as
That is,

down.

Cf. Rich. III.

tence of danger

down

The usual address to a

no, 116, etc. Feel

dangerous purpose.

92.

Auricular.

99.

Wind me

as a pledge.

107,

2.

iii.

often.

lay

Cf. Oth. iv. 2.

soul at stake."

Your honour.

90.

53, etc.

" Declin'd into the vale of years."

"Lay down my

See also

74 below.

I.

ii.

iv. 7.

Equivalent to detestable ; as often.

Where.

82.

86.

13

265

Detested.

75.

and

iii.

Ham.

the matter or contents.

That.

71.

Oth.

the same meaning, though

modern sense; as in Macb. v.

iv. 2. 22.

63.

cf.

may have

to be used in the

it

Character.

60.

T.

12 below

3.

Schmidt takes

[Act

Used by

into him.

Cf.

i.

lord in the time of S.

test,

4. 71

sound.

Pre-

below.

only here.

S.

Insinuate yourself into his confidence.

64: "to wind Yourself into a power tyrannical."

For the expletive me (like the Latin "ethical dative"), cf. Ham.

Cf.

ii.

Cor.

2.

iii.

601

100.

3.

"Who

does

me

Unstate myself
Cf.

position.

A.

and

C.

this?" etc.

Give up

my state,

13. 30:

iii.

sacrifice

my

fortune and

" Yes, like enough, high-battled Caesar will

Unstate his happiness,"

101.
iii.

To

be in

a due resolution.

1. 131, etc.) or satisfied

102.

Convey.

Manage

on

etc.

To be

fully resolved (see J. C.

this point.

artfully.

Cf.

Macb.

iv. 3.

71,

Hen.

V.

i.

2. 74, etc.

105.

These late

eclipses, etc.

current belief in astrology,

when

this play

was

Moberly remarks:

we may remember

"As

that, at

to the

the time

written, Dr. Dee, the celebrated adept,

grieving for his lost patroness,

Queen Elizabeth;

was

that the profii-

Scene

Notes

II]

gate court of James

I.

was

195

in 161 8 frightened

by the appearance

of a comet into a temporary fit of gravity; and that even Charles I.

sent ^500 as a fee to William Lilly for consulting the stars as to his
Cf. Sonn. 107. 6
flight from Hampton Court in 1647."

"

The mortal moon hath her eclipse endur'd,

the sad augurs mock their own presage

And
See also

Ham.

sions to the

P. L.

i.

i.

120 and Oth.

1.

ominous nature of

594:

Milton has several

v. 2. 99.

eclipses;

"
!

as in the

allu-

grand image

in

" as when the sun new-risen

Looks through the horizontal misty air,
Shorn of his beams or from behind the moon,
In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds
On half the nations, and with fear of change
;

Perplexes monarchs."
106.

Though

the

wisdom of nature,

etc.

" That

natural philosophy can give account of eclipses, yet

consequences" (Johnson).
is

we

is,

though

feel their

Moberly remarks: "This curious view

repeated, with remarkable force of language, by Sir T. Browne,

even in the

less

when he wrote

credulous times

his Treatise

on

That two suns or moons should appear, is not

worth the wonder. But that the same should fall out at the point
of some decisive action, that these two should make but one line
in the book of fate, and stand together in the great Ephemerides
Vulgar Errors

of God, besides the philosophical assignment of the cause,

admit a Christian apprehension in the signalty.'

We

it

may

learn also

from Bishop Burnet that Lord Shaftesbury believed in astrology,

and thought that the souls of men

108.
sir

'

is

Sequent.

Cf.

A.

W.

ii.

live in

2.

the stars."

56: "Indeed your 'O Lord,

very sequent to your whipping."

113. Bias of nature. Natural tendency. The metaphor is taken

from the game of bowls, and is a favourite one with S.
For the figure, cf. i. I. 148.
Insincerity.
115. Hollowness.

Notes

196
116.

Disquietly.

118.

Lose.

121.

Foppery.

123.

We

Disasters

On

125.
sity,"

is

Causing disquiet; used by

See on

i.

I.

M.

Cf. /. C.

etc.

i.

of V.
2.

ii.

5.

140:

35.

The

fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are underlings."

an astrological term.

As

necessity.

in the folios; the quartos have "

which, according to Schmidt,

For on

S. only here.

228 above.

Foolishness; as in

make guilty,
"

[Act 1

necessity, cf. L. L. L.

S.

Cf. on (or upon) com-

149, 155.

I.

i.

is

by neces-

not found elsewhere in

pulsion (M. of V. iv. 1. 183, 1 Hen. IV. ii. 4. 261, T. and C. ii. 2.
153) and by compulsion (here and in K. John,\\. I. 218). Schmidt
considers that " S. has an unmistakable preference for on

and upon

which gives the motive or impulse to anything;"

but some of the examples he gives can be readily balanced by
For instance, he
others in which other prepositions are used.
quotes "on constraint" from K. John, v. I. 28; but we find
" by constraint " in A. W. iv. 2. 16. So against "upon instinct"
to express that

in

Hen. IV.

F. Q.

Treacher s.
i.

"by instinct

" in Rich. III.

ii.

malice " occurs in Rich. II.

malice," " in malice,"

126.

put

i. 1.9, while elsewhere

On
" through malice," " from malice," " out of malice," " with

3. 42, etc.

we have

we may

4. 331,

ii.

"

4.

41

"

etc.,

some of these occurring several times each.

Cf. Spenser,
used by S. only here.

Traitors;

No

knight, but treachour,

Spherical predominance

predominant

W.

in A.

i.

is
I.

full

an astrological

21 1:

of false despight."
expression.

Cf.

" Helena. The wars have so kept you under that you must needs
have been born under Mars.
Parolles. When he was predominant.
"
Helena. When he was retrograde, I think, rather ;

and W. T.

i.

2.

202

" It is

a bawdy planet, that will

't is predominant."

Where

strike

Scene

Notes

ii]

197

128. Influence is another astrological word, rarely used by S.

except with reference, direct or indirect, to the power of the heavCf. Milton,

enly bodies.

P. L.

iv.

669

"which these soft fires

Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat
Of various influence foment and warm,

Temper
Their

On

down

or nourish, or in part shed

stellar virtue

on

all

kinds that grow

earth," etc.

Cf. Job, xxxviii. 31.

Spherical

planetary

the only instance of

this sense in S.

Like the catastrophe,

131.

etc.

"That

is,

just

circum-

as the

stance which decides the catastrophe of a play intervenes on the

very nick of time" (Heath).

inartistic structure of

Cue.

132.

Like

tice.

One

Tom

It

may, however, be a

hit at

the

the early comedies.

of S.'s favourite figures drawn from stage prac0' Bedlam

like a " Bedlam beggar," such as

See ii. 3. 6-20 below.

says: "S. shows by the conBurney
Dr.
la,
mi.
Fa,
sol,
134.
text that he was well acquainted with the property of these syllables
in solmization, which imply a series of sounds so unnatural that

Edgar afterward pretends

to be.

ancient musicians prohibited

their

use.

Edmund, speaking

of

eclipses as portents and prodigies, compares the dislocation of

events, the times being out of joint, to the unnatural and offensive
Probably, however, Edmund is merely
sounds, fa sol la mi."
singing to himself in order not to seem to observe Edgar's

approach.
141.

Succeed.

as in

success" {Oth.

iii.

144.

"

Diffidences.

And wound

only twice.

come to pass. Cf. success =

"bad success" (T. and C. ii.

Follow,

good or bad;

3.

issue,
2.

whether

117), "vile

322), etc.
Distrust,

suspicions.

Cf.

her honour with this diffidence."

K. John,
S. uses

i.

the

1.

65

word

Notes

198

[Act

Dissipation of cohorts would seem to

145.

of military organizations

but

mean

the breaking

up

very likely either spurious or

is

it

corrupt.

With

160.

4.

mischief ofyour person.

the

For the

to your person.

"And when

146:

That

When

Fitly.
I?7iage

and

the

Scene
3.

your feelings

Horrible reality.

For the "hendi-

cf.

180. Practices.

v. 3.

i.

time comes.

fit

horror.

43 above.
Harmful
178. Harms.
1694, 1 Hen. VI. iv. 7. 46,

adys,"

3 Hen. VI.

" Restrain

Have a continent forbearance.

and keep away" (Craig).
173.

even with harm

cf.

the rage allays, the rain begins."

163.

166.

is,

intransitive use of allay,

III.

For the

acts.

Plots, artifices;

2.

R. of L. 28,

plural, cf.

etc.

Chiding of

as often.

For of with

Cf.

ii.

verbals,

I.

75 below.

cf. ii. 1.

40 and

206 below.

remarks of Oswald

Coleridge

"

The steward should be

placed in exact antithesis to Kent, as the only character of utter

irredeemable baseness in

Even

S.

tion of the poet are very observable

tool of a Goneril

be

in this the

judgment and inven-

what

else could the willing

for

Not a vice but

this of baseness

was

left

open

to him."

8,

8.

On

we

find "

On

trifle.

For every

Distaste.

15.

what

every

every trifling occasion.

In Temp.

ii.

2.

trifle."

Cf. T.

and

C.

ii.

66

2.

"Although

my will distaste

elected."

it

Weak,

17.

Idle.

18.

Authorities.

why meet him

21.
critics,

Taking

foolish

For the

at the gates,

as in

i.

plural,

2.
cf.

46 above.

M. for M.

and redeliver our

iv. 4.

6:

"And

authorities there?

"

With checks as flatteries, etc. This line has puzzled the

and various unsatisfactory emendations have been proposed.
it

as

it

stands,

we may accept Tyrwhitt's explanation " with

when they (that is, flatteries) are seen

checks, as well as flatteries,

Notes

Scene IV]

to

Craig makes as

be abused."

199

" instead

of, for

(that

is,

rather

than)."

Scene IV.
had disguised

2.

Disorder

Diffuse.

his dress.

Cf.

Hen.

There, as here and in Rich. III.

to

V. v. 2. 61

as

he

78, the early eds. spell the

2.

i.

it,

" diffus'd attire."

defuse,

mean
4.

wild or disordered.

6.

Erased.

Raz'd.

razed quite,"

So

wish, as
12.
is

and so disguise

"
which some editors retain; but the folio has " diffused
"
M. W. iv. 4. 54: "some diffused song; where the word seems

word
in

it,

may

it

come.

some take

What

Cf.

Sonn.

It

may come

25.

1 1

" from the book of honour

etc.

not a parenthetical

to pass;

it.

dost thou profess ?

thy profession, or calling?

profession a tinker."

What
Cf. T.

See also J.

dost thou " set

of

C.

S. ind. 2. 22:

i.

1.

Ham.

5,

up

for,"

"by

what

present

1.

35, etc.

Cf.

A. Y. L.

v.

Kent, in his reply, plays upon the word.

16.

Converse.

Have converse with, associate

with.

v. 2. 66, etc.

To fear judgment = to fear litigation, or being brought before

Schmidt makes it refer to the Last Judgment.
That is, to be a Protestant. To eat fish on
18. To eat no fish.
account of religious scruples was in Queen Elizabeth's time the
mark of a Papist and an enemy to the government.
Cf. iv. 3. 8 and v. 3. 250 below.
25. Who. Eor whom, as often.
a
secret when honour requires it.
Keep
honest
counsel.
Keep
23.
=
"a
Cf. Cymb. v. 5. 361
elegant
or
elaborate.
Curious
34.
1 7.

a judge.

most curious mantle,"

38.

To

love.

That

etc.
is,

as to love.

For the

ellipsis, cf.

ii.

4. 12

below.
43.

Knave. Servant;

originally, boy.

however, coming into use in the time of

47.
in

iv. 2.

The modern
"Cf.

Temp.

ii.

sense was,
1.

166, etc.

head)
Clodpole, blockhead. It is used literally (
184 : " I have sent Cloten's clotpoll down the stream."

Clotpoll.

Cymb.

S.

Notes

200
Roundest.

55.
1.

iii.

Bluntest, plainest.

[Act

T. N.

Cf.

ii.

3.

102,

Ham.

191, etc.

That

60.

See on

as.

i.

1.

92 above.

" ReCf. K. John, iii. 4. 96

members me of all his gracious parts," etc.
Very slight. The neglect has been so faint that
69. Most faint.
he has been doubtful whether it was intentional.
68.

Rememberest.

71.

Curiosity.

1.6 above, and

i.

See on

actual intention.

This two days.

73.

" Scrupulous watchfulness of his

See on

(Steevens).

Remindest.

2.

i.

cf.

i.

2. 4.

own dignity"

Very pretence

88 above.
interchangeably in such

S. uses this or these

expressions.

The fool hath much pined azvay. As Clarke notes, there is

" It
little speech and in Lear's rejoinder
serves ... to mark him at once as a creation apart from all other
of Shakespeare's fools; it serves to depict Cordelia's power of
attaching and endearing those around her; and it serves to denote
her old father's already awakened consciousness that he has done
76.

much

significance in this

her grievous injustice."

A metaphor from tennis.

Bandy.

87.

"

etc.

R.

and J.

ii.

5.

14

Had she affections and warm youthful blood,

She would be as swift in motion as a ball
My words would bandy her to my sweet love,
And

L. L. L.

Cf.

v. 2.

his to

29:

me

"
;

"Well bandied both; a

Furness quotes Cotgrave, Fr. Diet.

racier contre.

To bandy

set of wit well play'd,"

" Iou'er a bander 6 a

against, at Tennis;

and (by metaphor)

to pursue with all insolencie, rigour, extremitie."

88.

Strucken.

Cf. /.

C.

ii.

2.

114:

"Caesar,

't

is

strucken

eight."

The game was then " a somewhat vulgar

by the London apprentices in Cheapside to
Cf. C. of E. ii. 1. 8^.
the terror of respectable citizens."
89.

Fool-ball player.

recreation, practised

Notes

Scene IV]
Earnest.

98.

W.

T.

99.

iv. 4.

paid in advance to bind the bargain.

Cf.

659, etc.

Enter

dearest of

Money

201

all

though last, not least,' my

Ah, what a noble heart, a gen-

"'Now, our

Fool.

Fools, Lear's Fool

joy,

and a loving one, lies beneath that parti-coloured jerkin

It may be your eyes see him not as mine do, but he
Look at him

tle

appears to

me

sensibility

even to pain, with eyes lustrously

of a light delicate frame, every feature expressive of

intelligent, a

mouth

blandly beautiful, and withal a hectic flush upon his cheek.

Oh

Oh that I could describe him as I knew

were a painter
him in my boyhood, when the Fool made me shed tears, while
When the Fool enters, throwing his
Lear did but terrify me
that I

coxcomb

at

we ought

miserable rashness of Lear,

moment
still

Kent, and instantly follows

Throughout

to the last.

it

to

this

up with

allusions to the

understand him from that

scene his wit, however varied,

aims at the same point, and in spite of threats, and regardless

words may be construed by Goneril's creatures, with the

eagerness of a filial love he prompts the old king to resume the

how

his

'

shape which he had cast

off.'

'This

is

not altogether

fool,

my

and when driven from the scene

by Goneril, he turns upon her with an indignation that knows no
fear of the 'halter' for himself: 'A fox when one has caught her,
And such a daughter, Should sure to the slaughter, If my cap would
buy a halter.' That such a character should be distorted by players,
Observe every word he speaks; his
printers, and commentators!
meaning, one would imagine, could not be misinterpreted; and
lord.'

when

But, alas!

it

is

too late;

at length, finding his covert

reproaches can avail nothing, he

changes his discourse to simple mirth, in order to distract the sorWhen Lear is in the storm, who is with him?
rows of his master.

None
jest

not even Kent

His heart-struck

mind would be too

this

poor

'

None

injuries.'

painful,

but the Fool

fills

who

labours to out-

The tremendous agony

and even

of Lear's

deficient in pathos, without

he that touches our hearts

the imagination to aching " (C. A. Brown).

faithful servant at his side.

with pity, while Lear

It is

202

Notes

[Act

After quoting this and Charles Cowden-Clarke's

Fool, in which he takes the ground that he

is

comments on the
" a youth, not a grown

man," Furness remarks: "After these long and good notes by my

betters I wish merely to record humbly but firmly my conviction
that the Fool, one of Shakespeare's most wonderful characters, is
not a boy, but a

whom

man

one

of the shrewdest, tenderest of men,

had made shrewd, and whom afflictions had made

tender; his wisdom is too deep for any boy, and could be found
only in a man, removed by not more than a score of years from the
king's own age; he had been Lear's companion from the days of
Lear's early manhood."
For myself, I fully agree with this latter
view of the Fool. Not only does much that he says show a shrewdness which can only be the result of long experience and observation
of men and things, but his intense sympathy for Lear seems to me
long

life

On the other hand, Lear's

addressing him as " boy " and " pretty knave," and the like, may
beyond the capacity of boyish years.

be explained, partly by the force of habit

when he

would from

for

he was a mere boy

it

may be added,

his very position naturally continue to

be regarded and

first

became Lear's companion, and,

treated as a boy

and partly from

his slight

which would make him appear more

man.

The

like

and

fragile physique,

an overgrown boy than a

Furness quotes Minsheu (s. v. cockes"Englishmen use to call vaine and proud braggers, and men of meane discretion and judgement Coxcombes.
Because naturall Idiots and Fooles haue, and still doe accustome

Coxcomb.

combe, ed. 1617)

fool's cap.

themselues to weare in their Cappes, cock's feathers, or a hat with

a necke and head of a cocke on the top and a bell thereon, &c,

and thinke themselues finely fitted and proudly attired therewith,

so we compare a presumptuous bragging fellow, and wanting all
true Iudgement and discretion, to such an Idiote foole, and call
him also Coxecombe."
The pronoun was
102. You were best.
It were best for you.
originally the dative, but came to be regarded as a nominative.

Notes

Scene IV]

Abbott (Grammar, 81) says that

we never use the possessive inflection of the unemphatic one as an
One's part that's, etc.

104.

"

203

antecedent," as here; but the construction does not strike

me

as

wholly unfamiliar now, at least colloquially.

That is, be turned out of doors and
106. Thou 'It catch cold.

exposed to the weather.

On

108.

Of

's.

On was often

his.

used for

especially in con-

of,

tractions like this.

no. Nuncle. Probably a contraction of mine uncle, the customary appellation of the licensed foob to his superiors (Nares)
Nuncle and naunt are said to be still in vulgar use in Yorkshire.
113.

Living.

land and

Property.

Lady

hear Lady,

See also
120.

sionate

'11

"where my

104:

3.

A.

Y. L.

2.

i.

where Celia says to

is, satire] one of

91,

be whipped for taxation [that

the brach.

my

iii.

iv.

xii.

See also 168 below.

these days."
118.

Cf.

fools.

Touchstone, " you

T.

44, Luke, viii. 43, etc.

has
shown, was a common
Douce
Whipping, as

The whip.

116.

punishment of

W.

Cf.

See also Mark,

living lies."

6.

Cf.

Hen. LV.

brach, howl in Irish."

iii.

240: "I had rather

I.

brach was a female hound.

69 below.

A pestilent gall

Moberly explains this as "a pasto me!

remembrance of Oswald's insolence." Furness says " This
:

Why may

does not satisfy me, but I can offer nothing better."

not refer to the Fool,
the

whip?

126.
128.

Cf.

"

Oivest.

who

A bitter

has
fool

just nettled his

!

" just below.

See on

Ownest.

i.

Apparently here

Trowest.

1.

197 above.

knowest.

ing of trozu was think or believe; but trow

know?
T. of S.
129.

Cf.
i.

A. Y. L.

2.

Set.

165

"

iii.

2.

189

Cf.

Rich. LLL.

The

you was

"Trow you who

Trow you whither

Stake, risk.

it

master into a hint of

am
v. 4.

often

meando you

hath done this?"

going? "
9

usual

etc.

"I have

set

my life

Throwest seems to be = thfowest for ; but it may

be = " hast won by thy last throw " (Schmidt).
See on i. 1. 85 above.
136. Nothing can be made of nothing.

upon a

cast."

Notes

204
That lord

144-159.

[Act

snatching.

These

lines are

omitted in

the folios; "perhaps for political reasons," says Johnson, "as they

seemed to censure the monopolies."

150.
Cf.

and A.

The

Motley.

A. Y. L.

parti-colored dress of the professional fool.

7. 34, 58, etc.

ii.

The word

is

= fool

Sonn. no. 2

in

Y. L. hi. 3. 79.

monopoly out. That is, legally taken out, issued for my

Warburton considered this " a satire on the gross abuses
of monopolies at that time, and the corruption and avarice of the
courtiers, who commonly went shares with the patentee." Steevens
quotes sundry hits at the same abuse from other writers of the time.
An allusion to ^Esop's fable of the man and his
165. Thy ass.
157.

benefit.

ass.

167.

that

If I speak,
is,

who first
who was

"If

etc.

like a fool, foolishly

finds

it

I speak on

not

let

to be as I have said

likely to

this occasion like

me be whipped,

that

is,

myself

but him

the king himself,

be soonest sensible of the truth and justness of

the sarcasm, and who, he insinuates, deserved whipping for the

part he

Fools

170.

time

silly

had acted" (Eccles).

when

had ne^er

fools

were never so

were

little

less

"There never was a

and the reason is that they

grace in a year.

less in favour;

supply their place "

men now

wanted, for wise

(Johnson).

low

263,

3.

348,

76.

Used

179.

Then

Lucrece, 1608

v. 1.

Tom and am

harm

in

6.

iii.

ii.

When

a practice of

it.

Cf.

For

21 be-

To

42, 44.

iii.

in S.

3. 20,

these

953) adds seven

See R. of L. 554, M. N. D.
and
L. L. L. v. 2. 55.
303,

they, etc.

"

in

S.

Made

it.

that of

{Early Eng. Pronunciation,

Ellis

from other works of

iii.

cf.

of corn and

also that

examples

word

Foolish; the only instance of the

Foppish.

171.

the rhyme with apish,

Ham.

iii.

ii.

I.

48, 54,

2. 50.

Steevens compares Heywood's Rape of

Tarquin

first

in court

And was approved

king,

began,

Notes

Scene IV]

Some men
But
Thee.

191.

2 Hen. VI.

Cf.

sodden joy gan weep,

sorrow sing."

for

for

T of A.

117: "it

iv. I.

205

277: "Ay, that

iv. 3.

am

not thee; "

thee I fear," etc.

is

"The monster

Goneril prepares what is

Albany renders a still more madnamely, Regan and Cornwall in perdening grievance possible
Not a sentiment, not an image,
fect sympathy of monstrosity.
which can give pleasure on its own account is admitted. Whenever these creatures are introduced, and they are brought forward
194.

Enter Goneril.

necessary, while the character of

as little as possible, pure horror reigns throughout " (Coleridge).

?nakes that frontlet on ?

What causes that frown like a
on your brow ? A frontlet was a band of cloth worn at
night on the forehead to keep it smooth.
Steevens quotes The
Four P's, 1569 (the Pardoner has asked why women are so long
dressing when they get up in the morning, and the Pedler replies,

What

frontlet

with a play on the word

" Forsooth,

And
As

frontlettes, fyllettes, partlettes,

is

and

like the

Or when
198.
2.

An

and

bracelettes;

nettes, the lette is suche,

small,

Clarke cites Chapman, Hero

i.

then theyr bonettes, and theyr poynettes.

these lettes

E'en

women have many lettes,

masked in many nettes

That spede

"

hindrance)

they be

And
By

let

O.

when

haste

is

muche."

and Leander :

forehead cloth that in the night,

they sorrow, ladies us'd to wear."

cipher.

For "the allusion reversed," see

W.

T.

6 (Malone).

205.

Shealed
instead.

207.

A
is

shealed peascod.

S. uses

Other.

the verb nowhere

For the

plural,

awaking when the other do,"

a mere husk.
which some eds. give

shelled pea-pod

only the old spelling of

shelled,,

else.

cf.

etc.

M.N.D.

iv.

Retinue

is

1.

71

"That he

accented on the

Notes

206
penult

the only instance in which

[Act

Rank.

Gross

210.

/ had

thought

Much Ado,

ii.

as in

136,

2.

i.

iii.

36, etc.

3.

Ham.

Cf.

v.

I.

268,

261, etc.

1.

213.

Put

214.

Allowance.

Promote or encourage

it on.

Permission,

Moberly remarks: "The

men

rest

it.

sanction.

Cf.

ii.

2.

394, etc.

108 below.

2.

sentence labours under a

of the

check

to riot I will

Ham. v.

Cf.

The meaning, however,

plethora of relatives.
instigate your

Ham.

To have found.

word in verse. So
and Tennyson regularly.

uses the

S.

Milton in the two instances in his verse

209.

it,

is

simple

even though

it

'

you

If

offends

you as that offence, which would otherwise be a shame, would be

Yes,' replies
proved by the necessity to be a discreet proceeding.'
the Fool, and so the young cuckoo, wanting the nest to itself, was
under the regrettable necessity of biting off the head of its fostermother the sparrow
which, under the circumstances, was not a
;

'

'

shame, but an act of discretion.' "

215.

Not '"scape,"

Scape.

as usually printed, being found in

contemporaneous prose.

The tender of a wholesome weal.

commonwealth. Cf. I Hen. IV. v. 4. 49

The regard

216.

"

Thou

And

218.

Which

hast redeem'd thy lost opinion,

show'd thou mak'st some tender of

For wholesome, cf. Ham.

and for weal, Macb. iii. 4.
else, etc.

i.

5. 70,

iii.

necessity

proceeding, though otherwise (that

my

life."

4. 6$, Alacb. iv. 3. 105, etc.;

76, v. 2. 27, Cor.

Which

for a healthy

is,

ii.

3.

189, etc.

would

justify as discreet

but for the necessity),

it

would be shameful.
222.

It head.

4), while

it 's is

In the

folio its

found nine times.

occurs but once (M. for

vincial

it

its

repetition in the

precedes own.

form of the old genitive.

i.

2.

It as a genitive (or "possessive ")

occurs fourteen times (not counting

sage), in seven of which

M.

This

it is

same pas-

an early pro-

In our version of the Bible,

its

Notes

Scene IV]

is

found only in Leviticus, xxv.

own

5,

207

where the

ed. of 161

has "of

accord."

For the allusion

to the

cuckoo laying

its

eggs in the nests of

R. of L. 849, 1 Hen. IV. v. I. 60, etc.

Darkling. In the dark.
S. found the almost identical

other birds,
223.

cf.

image applied to the story of Lear as told by Spenser, F. Q.

30:

it

ii.

10.

" But true

it is that, when the oyle is spent,

The light goes out, and weeke [wick] is throwne away
So when he had resignd his regiment,

His daughter gan despise his drouping day,

And
226.

wax

wearie

I would you

of his continuall stay."

would.

Cf.

Hen. IV.

M. N. D.

3. 112,

v. 1.

255, etc.

Whereof

227.

Elsewhere in

fraught.

S.

fraught

fol-

is

lowed by with.
228.

A.

Moods, humours; as in 299 below. Cf.

113: "Now I will be your Rosalind in a more

Dispositions.

Y. L.

v.

1.

coming-on disposition,"

etc.

Whoop, Jug ! I love thee. Probably a quotation from some

old song, but having no special point here, unless perhaps to
231.

Jug was

express ironically the Fool's estimation of Goneril.

old

nickname

234.

for Joan, also used as a

His notion weakens.

107 and Macb.

iii.

I.

For notion

Which.

241.
;

but

it

243.

We
322,

W.

cf.

sometimes use

it

Cor.

v. 6.

word

in S.

else.

whom,

referring to

connective used improperly,"

now.

This admiration.

do not

phorical

Steevens takes this to be

maybe "the commonest

as the illiterate

mind,

83; the only other instances of the

Discernings and lethargied he uses nowhere

Lear

the

term of endearment.

find

That is, the astonishment you affect.

the noun savour used elsewhere by S. in this meta-

way; but
T.

ii.

cf.

3. 119,

the verb in L. L. L.

Hen.

V.

i.

2.

iv.

2.

250, 295, etc.

165, T.

N.

v. I.

Notes

208

53

new pranks. For the order, cf. 2 Hen. IV.

With Poins and other his continual followers," etc.

Other your

244.
4.

[Act

"

found in the

Appears

Shows.

250.

calls

lust

iv.

old spelling of debauched, and the only one

the four instances in which the

folio in

Epicurism
Corson

An

Debosttd.

248.

occurs.

274 below.

as in

word

tavern

" An instance of what

brothel.

a respective construction. The first word refers to the

to the fourth " (Furness).
See on iv. 2. 65

and the second

third,

below.

The

251. Makes.

not

singular verb with two singular subjects

is

uncommon.

Cf. Macb. iii. 4. 41

Full of grace, dignified.
252. Grac'd.
" the grac'd person of our Banquo."
Speak for
call for, de"
"
mand. Cf. Cor. iii. 2. 41
when extremities speak (that is, call
:

to action)

upon

Temp.

207

1.

ii.

"the occasion speaks thee"

(calls

thee), etc.

Diminish

255. Disquantity.

used by

S.

nowhere

else.

Cf.

disnatured in 290 below.

256.

Depend.

257.

Besort.

Who

Which.

258.

Be dependent, continue
Become,

Marble-hearted.

268.

Sea-monster.

that in

in Oth.

i.

Cf. marble-breasted in T. TV. v.

S. refers

any particular monster

If

may be

in service.

noun

3. 239.

I.

The commentators have wasted much

the question whether

whale.

the

as often.

266.

Cf.

befit.

M. of

V.

iii.

2.

127.

ink on

hippopotamus or to the
meant (which is doubtful), it

to the
is

57, or

some other

old classical

story.

269.

Detested.

270.

Choice

M. for M.

See on

and

iv. 6.

13

273. Worships.
to worship " (that

on

iv. 6.

275.

2.

i.

for choicest

"The generous and

Honour,
is,

75 above.

Perhaps

rarest.

dignity.

Cf.

and

rarest.

Cf.

gravest citizens," etc.

W.

raised to honour), etc.

"rear'd
2. 314
For the plural, see

T.\.

35 below.

An

engine.

The

rack.

Steevens quotes Beaumont and

Notes

Scene IV]
Fletcher, Night- Walker,

iv.

209

"Their souls shot through with

adders, torn on engines."

Here apparently

279. Dear.

and

i.

1.

Bear children.

For the

ing date," etc.

Thwart.

290.
S.

"

and Id.
flame, driven down,"
;

1.

177 above,

cf. felici-

compounds with

v. 2.

Macb.

91

"

my

teem-

176, etc.

iv. 3.

the only instance of the adjective in

" Mov'd contrary with thwart ob132
"
the slant lightning, whose thwart
1075
;

viii.

x.

Disnatur'd = unnatural, wanting in natu-

etc.

The word

ral affection.

II

Cf. Rich.

transitive use, see

Perverse

Cf. Milton, P. L.

liquities

i.

70 above.

Teem.

288.

Cf.

For the form,

Degenerate, debased.

Derogate.

287.
tate,

= precious.

19 below.

1.

iii.

is

used only once by

dis- : dislimn,

S., like

sundry other

dismask, dispiteous, disorbed, dis-

property, disquantity (255 above), disunite, disvalue, disvouch, etc.

292.

Falling (Latin cadens)

Cadent.

and cadence only

293.

good

Her

offices,

in L. I. L.

mother's pains

S.

only here

benefits.

Her maternal

pains and

her loving attention to the training of her child.

295.

How

299.

Disposition.

307.

and

used by

126.

iv. 2.

Untented.

detestable,

2.

16:

Malone compares Psalms,

sharper, etc.

i.

2.

That cannot be probed, incurable. Cf. detested

For tent = a probe, cf. T. and C. ii.
75 above.
"

To
For the verb, see
308.

Fond.

309.

Beweep.

cxl. 3.

See on 228 above.

the tent that searches

the bottom of the worst."

Ham.
Cf.

2.

ii.

Foolish.

626

See on

Sonn. 29. 2

" I

i.

2.

'11

tent

him

to the quick."

46 above.

" I

all

alone beweep

my

outcast

state," etc.

313.

Comfortable.

In an active sense

313 above and ii. 2. 166 below.

comfortable to my mother," etc.

i.

4.

KING LEAR

ready to comfort.

See also A. W.

i.

1.

86

Cf.
:

"Be

Notes

210
325-329.

Ellis

ble, especially

after are also

the

rhymed

including the word halter.

in T. of S.

i.

I.

Daughter and
and W. T. iv. 1. 27,

245, 246

In the former of these two, the rhyme, as here in Lear,

28.

the last three rhymes are remarka-

says that
last,

[Act

may

be meant to be ridiculous.
332.

At point.

33 below and
333.

Ready, prepared

Cf.

I.

Surround as with a guard, protect; used by

S.

i.

2.

200.

Whisper.

Buzz.

any emergency.

for

iii.

Ham.

Cf.

" did

Hen. VIII.

148:

I.

ii.

you not of late days hear

A buzzing of a separation
Between the king and Katherine?
334.

Enguard.

"

only here.
335.

At

In mercy.

And

"

his mercy.

the offender's

Of the duke only

and L. L. L.

"In

Still.

338.

Taken.

345. Full.

To be

856: "That
is

M.

life lies

of

V. iv. 1.

in the

355

mercy

"
;

lie

within the mercy of your wit."

the legal phrase" (Malone).

See on i. 1. 226 above.

That is, taken with harm, be harmed by
causes of harm.

337.

Harms =
"

v. 2.

misericordia

Cf.

Ever.

Used

full like

adverbially;

me,"

etc.

as often.

Particular

W.

Cf.

= personal,

T.

i.

others.

2.

individual.

129:
Cf.

30 below, and the noun in ii. 4. 290.

" Unite one circumstance with another so as
347. Compact.

v. 1.

to

make

a consistent account" (Johnson).

More

is

metrically a

dissyllable.

349.

This milky gentleness

and

cotirse.

This weak gentleness

For the construction, see on i. 2. 43 and 173

above.
"A faint and milky heart ; " and
Cf. T. of A. iii. 1. 57
" milk-liver'd," iv. 2. 50 below.
Liable to be "taken to task," as we say.
351. At task.
to
better, etc.
Cf. Sonn. 103. 9
Striving
354.
of your course.

Notes

Scene v]
"

The

356.

to

Were it
To mar

the event will

is,

Scene V.

make the

residence of the

was well

show

"
?

nous verrons.

The city of Gloucester, which

Duke of Cornwall and Regan,

Gloster.

S.

chose

in order

a probability to their setting out late from there on a

to give
visit to

1.

not sinful then, striving to mend,

the subject that before

That

event.

the Earl of Gloster, whose castle

near that

may be supposed

to

be

city.

makes drains plural, except in A. W. hi. 2. 16:

The brains of my Cupid 's knocked out," where the intervening
As brain and
singular may perhaps account for the irregularity.
8.

Brains.

S.

"

brains were used indiscriminately (except in such phrases as " to

beat out the brains"),
to the

it

is

not strange that the pronoun referring

words should be used somewhat

loosely, at least in vulgar

parlance.
9.

Kibes.

Chilblains.

Thy wit

11.

no wit

see.

Kindly here
(Mason).

The omission

ii.

276,

1.

Ham.

v. 1. 153, etc.

"For you show you have

of thou

= " both

affectionately

a crab apple.

15.

Crab.

That

20.

On 's.

See on

of

Temp.

in undertaking your present journey."

Shalt

14.

Cf.

shall ne'er go slipshod.

is,

i.

4.

and

108 above.

as

subject

is

common.

like the rest of her

M. N. D.

Cf.

ii.

I.

kind "

48, etc.

Just below, in 20,

we have

on.

25.

7"

did her wrong.

Cordelia, that

is

little

Weiss remarks

"

The

talked of by herself, and

beautiful soul of
is

but stingily set

by circumstance, engrosses our feeling in scenes from whose

threshold her filial piety is banished.
We know what Lear is so
forth

pathetically

ments;

it

remembering; the

sisters tell us in their cruellest

mo-

mingles with the midnight storm a sigh of the daugh-

terhood that was repulsed. In the pining of the Fool we detect it.
Through every wail or gust of this awful symphony of madness,
ingratitude, and irony, we feel a woman's breath."

Notes

212

II

Often used in questions, perhaps on account of the

Be.

34.

[Act

doubt implied.

The seven

36.

The

stars.

The

Pleiades.

Cf.

Hen. IV.

i.

2.

16.

Pleiades have been familiar as household words from the earli-

est times,

and "the seven stars" has always been the popular Eng-

name for them. Moe (= more) is regularly plural.

I am inclined to agree with Johnson
40. To take 't again, etc.

lish

that Lear

is

here " meditating on his assumption of royalty " (John-

manner

son), rather than on "his daughter's having in so violent a

deprived him of those privileges which before she had agreed to

grant

him"

(Steevens).

O, let

47.

me

not be mad, etc.

self-consciousness of gathering

A most

...

of the disease.

Dr. Bucknill remarks

madness

is

common

" This

in various forms

remarkable instance of

this

was pre-

sented in the case of a patient, whose passionate, but generous,

temper became morbidly exaggerated

after a

blow upon the head.

His constantly expressed fear was that of impending madness; and

when

the calamity he so

much dreaded had

and he

actually arrived,

raved incessantly and incoherently, one frequently heard the very

words of Lear proceeding from his

mad

lips

'

Oh,

let

me

not be

! '

Scene

I.

70, T.

V.\.

1.

Ado,

iii.

Save

1.

N.

iii.

2. 82, v. 1.

thee.

1.

1,

ACT

II

That

is,

76, etc.

327, A. Y. L. v.

God

save thee.

For the
2.

full

Cf. T. G.

form, see

of

Much

20, etc.

The
Ear-kissing.
With lips touching the hearer's ear.
quartos have " eare-bussing," in which there may be a play on
9.

buzzing (see on
11.
iv. 6.

Toward.
192 below.

i.

4. 333 above).
In preparation, near at hand; as in

iii.

3.

20 and

Scene

Notes

I]

18.

Queasy.

27.

Upon

213

Delicate, to be handled nicely.

On

his party.

his side.

Delius thinks that in order

and urge him to flight, Edmund asks him

first whether he has not spoken against Cornwall, and then, reversing the question, whether he has not said something on the side of
Cornwall against Albany. Craig suggests that the meaning may
be " against Cornwall's party, which is soon to be opposed to that

to confuse his brother

of Albany."

Advise yourself.

28.

Ar

Cf. T.

Consider.

iv. 2.

102: "Advise

you what you say," etc.

Acquit yourself. Cf. I Corinthians, xvi. 13.
31. Quit you.
32. Yield! come before my father ! This is spoken loud so as
to be heard outside.

Steevens quotes Marston,

35. / have seen drunkards, etc.
Dutch Courtezan, iv. 1 " Nay, looke you for my owne part, if I
been drunk to your
have not as religiously vowd my hart to you,
healthe, swalowd flap-dragons, eate glasses, drunke urine, stabd
;

arms, and don

43.

Either the participle with of added

But that.

uncommon.
"

Following the when in 43.

Ham. iv. 7. 160:

Cf.

When

in

And that he
Loathly.

51.

52.
to

Ham.

Loathingly

guard

construction

violent to that

end

is

calls for drink," etc.

the only instance of the adverb in S.

adjective occurs several times

Motion.

The

your motion you are hot and dry

As make your bouts more

The

(cf.

92) or the verbal with a omitted; more likely the former.

This way. "A wrong way should be pointed to " (Capell).

47.

not

the offices of protested gallantrie for your sake."

Mumbling.

40.
ii. 1.

all

and so does the noun

loathness.

fencing term, meaning an attack as opposed

or parrying.

Cf. the passage

from

Ham.

in note

on 47

above.
53.

bare,

Charges home,

and put

it

etc.

home,"

Cf. Oth. v.

etc.

1.2: " Wear thy good rapier

Notes

214

[Act

II

landd. The quartos have " lancht " or " launcht," but lance
and launch seem to have been often used interchangeably.
54.

The quarto reading; the folios have "And

Furness adopts Staunton's conjecture of " whe'r " ( ==

But when.

55.

when."

whether) for when, which

is

very plausible; but there

may be

change of construction in Or whether, or an ellipsis Or whether

gasted, etc.
Best alarum''d = thoroughly
(it was that he was)
:

The verb

awakened.

occurs again in Macb.

Nares

Frightened.

Gasted.

57.

1.

ii.

53.

an instance of gast as a

cites

from Mirrour for Magistrates : " Thou never wast in

Gaster was another form of the word. Cf.
thy life so ghast."

participle
all

Gifford, Dial,

on Witches, 1603

red hote, they gaster

occurs in Oth.

v. I.

Dispatch.

60.

him

" If they run at

so sore," etc.

Gastness

him with a

spit

= ghastliness)

106.

That

is,

him

dispatch

or

= Dispatch

is

the

Cf. death in 65 just below.

word.

Arch.

61.

Chief,

Bight.

67.

used by

master;

quotes Heywood, If you

and honesty."

Know,

Fixed, settled.
"

etc.

Cf. T.

You

vile

and

C. v. 10.

abominable

erect) occurs in Cymb. v.

24

for truth

tents,

Thus proudly pight upon our Phrygian

Straight-pight (

Steevens

only here.

S.

"Poole, that arch,

5.

plains."

164.

It

was the

old participle of pitch ; also the past tense, as in Spenser, F. Q.

i.

2.

42

"

Then brought she me

And by my
Curst
69.

me

N. iii. 2. 46)
Incapable of inheriting

harsh, sharp (as in T.

Unpossessing.

Blackstone says, " nullius

70.

into this desert waste,

wretched lovers side

If I

would.

If I

(used by S. only here)

virtue, or

filius,"

often

to,

shrewish.

a bastard being, as

and therefore of kin

were disposed
is

pight."

if I

to nobody.

should.

analogous to disposal.

Reposal

"The words

worth are in loose construction with the

rest of the

Scene

Notes

I]

215

sentence; 'the reposure of any trust, (or the belief in any) virtue,
or worth in thee " (Wright).
'

72.

Faith'd.

74.

Character.

Handwriting.

75*

Suggestion.

Prompting

word

The verb

in S.

on

practice see
76.

Believed, credited; used by S. only here.

Dullard.

"

Not.

78.

Pregnant.

i.

2.

60 above.

the usual meaning of the

often used in a similar sense.

is

v. 5.

For

" What, mak'st thou me a

word only twice.

265

S. uses the

For the transposition (a

77.

etc.,

Cymb.

Cf.

dullard in this act

suggest

180 above.

2.

i.

See on

to evil

Ready; or about

according to the connection).

common one) cf. iv.

2.

2 below.

appear (in action, as truth,

This is a frequent metaphorical
to

sense of the word.

79.

Strong.

Rich. II. v.

"O

45 " strong thief." Here the word seems in perkeeping with the fastened (= confirmed, hardened) which

T. of A.
fect

59:

3.

For the bad sense of the word, cf.

heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy; " and

Obdurate.

iv. 3.

follows.
80.

81.

He

/ never got him.

cf. iii. 4.

is

no son of mine.

For get

Hark!

etc.

tucket (see stage-direction)

notes on the trumpet, used as a signal for a march.

found in the text of Hen. V.

82.

Cor.

i.

83.

= beget,

146 below.

Ports.

iv.

gates;

Portals,

was a

set of

The word

is

2. 35.

as

in

T.

and

C.

iv.

4.

113,

138,

7. 1, v. 6. 6, etc.

His picture,

etc.

Lord Campbell remarks:

suppose that photography, by which this

mode

"One would

of catching crimi-

now

practised, had been invented in the time of Lear."

Furness adds that photography has merely been called to our aid
in continuing a practice common in the time of S.; and he cites
nals

is

the old play of Nobody

"

and

Somebody, 1606

Let him be straight imprinted to the life

His picture shall be set on euery stall,

Notes

2i6
And

[Act

ii

proclamation made, that he that takes him,

Shall haue a hundred pounds of Somebody."

Here used

Natural.

86.

opposed

as

to

in the double sense of illegitimate

unnatural, which Gloster implies that Edgar

87.

Capable.

Capable of inheriting

99.

Consort.

Company, fellowship

" Wilt thou be of our consort

accent on the

last

syllable;

musicians (as in T. G. of V.

on the

as in T. G. of V.

Th? expense.

on.

"after the expense of

iii.

2.

84 and 2 Hen. VI.

See on

to.

The spending
so much money

nue, see on

i.

14.

115.

64

iii.

2.

327),

" Sonn. 94. 6:

ii.

147

2.

"And

hus-

For the accent of reve-

132 above.

I.

Bewray.

Disclose, betray.

Cf.

also R. of L. 1698, Cor. v. 3. 95, etc.

113.

213 above.

4.

i.

M. W.

as in

nature's riches from expense," etc.

109.

iv. 1

The word in this sense has the

but when it means a company of
"

Prompted him

Put him

102.

a legal use of the word.

first.

101.

band

and

is.

iii.

6. 1 1 1

below

For practice,

cf.

and see

75 above.

With regard to doing.

In my strength. With my authority.

Of doing.

Doth.

The

singular verb

is

often used after two singular

nominatives.

Trustworthiness; as in Oth.

Trust.

117.
is

i.

3.

285:

"A man

he

of honesty and trust," etc.

Threading,

121.

Cf. Cor.

etc.

iii.

1.

127:

"They would

not

thread the gates."

122.

and

difficult

126.
iii.

Poise.

4.

Weight, moment.

From our home.

36

Cf. Oth.

iii.

3.

82

" full of poise

weight."

That

"

From

To

is,

away from our home.

feed were best at

thence the sauce to meat

127.

Attend dispatch.

129.

Businesses.

The

is

Cf.

Macb.

home

ceremony

"
;

Wait

to

folio

reading; the quartos have "busi-

be dispatched.

Scene

If the singular

nesse."

be a

Notes

II]

The

trisyllable.

iv. 3.

98,

adopted (as

is

plural

is

II.

eds.)

I.

i.

220,

it

must

iii.

7. 5,

2. 15,

iv.

though the antecedent be

Scene

many

in

it is

found in A. W.

and K. John, iv. 3. 158.

Demands. The relative often takes a singular

T.

Craves.

130.

verb,

W.

21

Not elsewhere used by

Dawning.

1.

plural.

such

S. in

salutation.

If thou lov'st me. " A conventional phrase before a question

or request, which Kent here takes literally" (Delius).
6.

9.

No

Lipsbury pinfold.

Nares suggests that

teeth, as

pound),
pound,

it

such place as Lipsbury

may be

being the pinfold within the

cf.

T.

G. of V.

pinfold

" Milton,

known.

Comus, 7

For pinfolds, (a

lips."

"You

114:

i.

is

a coined term, referring to "the

I mean the
" Confin'd and pester'd

mistake;

in this pinfold here," etc.

16.

Three-suited.

Having but three

temptuous, and in keeping with

Jonson, Silent

Woman,

iv.

and hadst nothing but three

is

probable that three

allowance.

husband

Woman,

and man's-meat, your three

of stockings, one

silk,

a term of reproach.

17.

Cf.

Worsted-stocking.

1,

'

Who

'

you

gives

allows you your horse-meat

apparel a year
?

" It

Mrs. Otter, scolding her

"

your four pair

Hundred-pound -was

Middleton, Phoenix,

iv.

worn by

"

Am

also

used

In England in the time of Elizabeth

all

who

Fletcher,

with woolen stockings."

silk

could afford them, and worsted

woolen ones were thought cheap and mean.

Beaumont and
iv.

suits of

three worsted

says

hundred-pound gentleman?"

stockings were
or

Wright

year were part of a servant's

iii.

Who

Ben

poor fellow

pitiful

she treats as a dependant, says,

?

con-

clothes;

Steevens cites

suits of apparel."

your maintenance, I pray you

like a

"wert a

suits of clothes a

In the Silent

whom

2:

of

suits

beggarly.

Steevens quotes

The Captain, iii. 3 " serving-men

Malone adds from Middleton, Phoenix,
:

2: " Metreza Auriola keeps her love with half the cost that I

am

Notes

2i
at

[Act ii

her friend can go afoot, like a good husband, walk in worsted

stockings,

and inquire

cowardly.

white-livered,

See on

boy."

for the six-penny ordinary."

Macb.

Cf.

v.

'

"Thou

15:

3.

Lily-livered

lily-liver'd

349 above.
Action-taking = resenting an injury by a lawsuit, instead of

18.

fighting

it

4.

i.

out like a man.

perhaps, above his work.

Superserviceable

= possessing

Inheriting

H. and J.

i.

over-officious

27.

Rail on.

33.

Sop

as often.

See on

Title.
S.

Cf.

Temp.

1.

i.

229

Cullionly

deals
:

37.

See also 2 Hen.

much

at.

Probably an allusion to the old dish

which Nares gives the receipt from

cullion-like, base.

you dogs

preach,

speech).

who

79,

131 above.

a cook-book of the time. Clarke remarks that the threat

lent to " I '11 beat you fiat as a pancake.

the

2.

ii.

uses rail on or upon oftener than rail

the moonshine.

called " eggs in moonshine," for

34.

or,

2. 30, etc.

25. Addition.

<?'

235 below.
With all his belongings in a single

Cf. iv. 6.

One-trunk-inheriting.

19.

trunk.

to

avaunt,
VI.

with barbers

3.

i.

Cf.

Hen.

you

iii.
!

22

2.

"

fop.

Cf.

"

Up

(Fluellen's

Barber-monger

43.

hence a

V.

cullions

equiva-

is

A. and

C.

one
ii.

2.

" barber'd ten times o'er."

Vanity the puppet

" Alluding to the old moralities

part.

or allegorical plays, in which Vanity, Iniquity, and other vices were

personified" (Johnson).
39.

Carbonado.

broiling.

Cf.

carbonadoed."
40.

W.

Literally, to cut a piece of

T.

iv. 4.

slave.

rascal" (Steevens).

my

meat crosswise for

and toads

" to eat adders' heads

Come on

1
;

Hen. IV.
used by

v. 3. 61.

S. oftener

than come

" Mere slave, very slave " (Johnson)

Furness

to find a parallel instance in

leave,

For the noun, see

Come your ways.

your way.
43. Neat

268

neat scoundrel."

is

"

finical

inclined to agree with Johnson, and

Ben Jonson,
It is

Poetaster,

iv.

"By

thy

perhaps an objection to Johnson's

explanation that S. nowhere else has neat

pure, unmixed.

On

Notes

Scene II]

the other hand, he seems to use

in

Hen. IV.

3.

i.

33

"

Came

it

contemptuously

= spruce, finical,

there a certain lord, neat, and trimly

dress' d," etc.

Goodman boy. Cf. R. and J. i. 5. 79: "What, goodman

Goodman was sometimes used contemptuously; as in M.
for M. v. 1. 328 " Come hither, goodman baldpate," etc.
To initiate. Cf. K. John, v. 1. 71, I Hen. IV. v. 4.
47. Flesh.
46.

boy "
!

133, etc.

See also feshment in 125 below.

Oswald

Messengers.

51.

from our

the messenger

is

sister,

Kent

the messenger from the king.

Disclaims

55.
1.

Disowns; elsewhere in

in.

For a

106 above.

tailor

"

made

thee, cf.

Ancient.

63.

seems,

it

"Z

says:

is

2..81

Cf.

i.

make

thee."

Aged, old; as in 128 below.

Thou whoreson zed !

65.

without in.
iv.

No, nor thy tailor, rascal,

he made those clothes,

Who is thy grandfather

Which, as

S.

Cymb.

etc.

Ben Jonson

heard among

letter often

us,

in his

Eng. Gram.

but seldom seen."

Farmer quotes Mulcaster " Z is much harder among us, and seldom seen
S is become its lieutenant-general. It is lightlie
:

expressed in English, saving in foren enfranchisements."

Baret, in

his Alvearie, 1580, omits the letter.

Coarse, unrefined.

Unbolted.

67.

made

Toilet says

" Unbolted mor-

and to break the lumps it is

wooden shoes." For bolted = re" Such and so finely bolted didst thou
fined, see Hen. V. ii. 2. 137
"
seem
and Cor. iii. I. 322: "In bolted language."
68. Jakes.
A privy. S. uses the word only here, but it is implied in the play on. Ajax in Z. L. L. v. 2. 581.
The bird so called mentioned by S. nowhere
69. Wagtail.

tar

is

mortar

necessary to tread

of unsifted lime,

it

by

men

in

else.

76.

The holy

cords.

The

natural ties

between parents and

chil-

220

Notes

A-twain

dren.

twain.

in

[Act II

L, C. 6

Cf.

" Tearing of papers,

breaking rings a-twain."

77.

Intrinse.

It

seems

in

A.

to

and

Intricate, or tightly

drawn; used by

S.

only here.

be a contracted form of intrinsicate, which occurs only

C. v. 2.
"

307

With thy sharp teeth this knot

Of life at once untie."

Malone notes

intrinsicate

word was a new one

and quotes
"new-minted
epithets (as reall, intrinsecate, Delphicke)."
Smooth = flatter,
humour as in Rich. II. i. 2. 169 " Sweet smoothing word ; " and
Id. i. 3. 48 " smooth, deceive, and cog."
The plural may be explained by the proximity of
78. Rebel.
that the

at this time,

the preface to Marston's Scourge of Villanie, 1598:

by the plural implied in every.

lords, or

80.

Renege.

Deny from
:

C.

1.

i.

"reneges

8:

all

temper."

It

The

occurs again in A.
quartos spell the

"Reneag," which indicates the pronunciation.

Bartas, The Battail of Ivry :

" All

we
and

the Late Latin renego, whence also

get renegade (through the Spanish).

Europe nigh

(all sorts

word

Nares quotes

Du

of rights reneg'd)

Against the Truth and Thee, un-holy Leagu'd."

Halcyon. Kingfisher.
b. x.

"A lytle

Steevens quotes Lupton's Notable Things,

byrde called the Kings Fysher, being hanged vp in

the ayre by the neck, his nebbe or byll wyll be alwayes dyrect or
strayght against ye winde ; " and Marlowe, Jew of Malta, i. I
:

"

But now how stands the wind ?

Into what corner peers my halcyon's

bill ?

"

Nat. Hist, of Birds (quoted by

Dyce), the belief in a connection between the halcyon and the

According

wind
81.

still

to Charlotte Smith's

among the common people of England

The only instance of the noun in S.

lingered

Vary.

in 1807.

Scene

Notes

II]

"Distorted by grinning"

Epileptic.

83.

221
(Dyce).

Oswald

is

pale with fright, yet pretending to laugh.

Smile at

Smile.

84.

as in

and

4. 15

iii.

The ancient name

85.

Sarum.

86.

Cackling.

As

but probably a corruption.

as

if;

203 below.

v. 3.

of Salisbury.

Oswald's forced laughter suggests to Kent the

cackling of a goose " (Furness).

Camelot, famed in the Arthurian

legends, was Cadbury in Somersetshire, according to Selden; and

near it, Hanmer says, " there are many large moors, upon which

numbers of geese are bred." Malory identifies Camelot with

Winchester; and "Winchester goose" (1 Hen. VI. i. 3. 53, T.
great

and C. v. 10, 55) was a cant term for a certain sore, to which Capell
saw a quibbling reference here. Sundry other explanations have
been suggested.
See on

92.

Likes.

99.

Constrains the garb,

Pleases.

I. 195 above.
" Forces his outside, or his appear-

i.

etc.

ance, to something totally different

For the

(Johnson).
Cor.

iv. 7.

44,

Ham.

That

figurative use of garb,

ii.

2.

be

So.

103.

These kind of knaves.

In

of fools," etc.

Id.

104.

More

105.

Silly-ducking.

contemptuous
iv. 3. 18.

i.

corrupter.

for

and

390,

102.

is,

his natural disposition "

from

it

2.

so

10

a very

we

See on

i.

1.

The hyphen

i.

106.

below.

Nicely.

V. v.

80,

1.

use of the word.

73 above.
in the folios.

in Rich. III.

= obsequious

"

Blow

Hen.

5.

is

very breath

i.

3.

Ducking is
49 and T. of A.

So observe

For observance

attendants.

let his

cf.

315.

common
N.

homage, cf. M. W. ii. 2. 203 and A. Y. L.

pay homage; as in T. of A. iv. 3. 212:

And

I.

ii.

95: "These set kind

find " and those poor number."

Cf. T.

bowing; as

Observants

Oth.

v. 2. 102.

Hinge thy knee,

whom

thou

'It

observe

off thy cap."

With the utmost

exactness.

Cf.

v.

3.

146

Notes

222

126 above.
in S.

An

Aspect.

108.

is

Cf.

Sonn. 26.

Discomrn end.

113.

Accent.

1.

iii.

See on

astrological term.

always on the

III.

[Act

10,

Hen. IV.

1.

i.

106 and

I.

i.

The

97, etc.

II

i.

2.

accent

last syllable.

Disapprove; used by

Speech, language

as in

S.

nowhere

M. N. D.

else.

v. 1. 97,

J. C.

113, etc.

Though I should win,

114.

now

displeased as you

etc.

are, to like

"Though I
me so well as

should win you,

to entreat

me

to

be a knave" (Johnson).
120.
v.

1.

Joined with him, taking his part.

Compact.

242: "Compact

with her that

's

gone,"

Cf.M.forM.

etc.

Being down, insulted, /being down, he insulted, etc.

Assumed such a show of manhood
122. Put upon him, etc.
that he seemed a hero and won praises from the king.
As exalted him into a hero (Schmidt).
123. That worthied him.
For venturing to attack him. Cf.
124. For him attempting.
121.

M. W.
125.

on

ii.

2.

iv. 2.

In

226

" he will never

the fieshment

"In

of.

the

attempt us again,"

first

etc.

See

glory of " (Clarke).

47 above.

127.

Is their fool.

132.

Do

respect

is

Is a fool
like do

compared with them.

homage, do reverence,

etc.

Cf.

i.

4.

108

above.
134.

Stocking.

Putting in the stocks

as in

ii.

4.

186 below.

"Very artfully is this

noon! etc. Clarke remarks
speech thrown in. Not only does it serve to paint the vindictive
disposition of Regan, it also serves to regulate dramatic time by
making the subsequent scene where Lear arrives before Glouces137.

Till

and finds his faithful messenger in the stocks appear

sufficiently advanced in the morning to allow of that same scene
closing with the actual approach of night,' without disturbing the
sense of probability. S. makes a whole day pass before our eyes
during a single scene and dialogue, yet all seems consistent and
ter's castle

'

natural in the course of progression."

139.

Being.

That

is,

you

being.

Cf.

121 above.

Scene

2.

435, etc.

1.

41, T.

Temp.

Bring here, bring along

Bring- away.

14 1.
ii.

223

(the quarto reading); as in A. Y.I.

"Nature"

Colour.

140.
iii.

Notes

II]

of A.

187, etc.

2.

i.

as in

M.

for

M.

So come away = come here as in

In great houses movable stocks were kept

v. I. 68, etc.

for the correction of servants.

Rebuke;

144.

Check.

149.

Answer.

Cf.

More

i.

1.

as iny. C.

146 and

i.

iv. 3.

97, etc.

3. 11

above.

worse.
See on 104 above.
RubVd.
Hindered;
a metaphor from the game of bowls.
156.
Cf. the noun in Rich. II. iii. 4. 4.
Even a good man may have
159. A good man's fortune, etc.
bad luck. Possibly, as Furness suggests, Kent may jocosely mean
"that what is usually but a metaphor is with him a reality."
160. Give you good morrow !
God give you good morning!
For the full form, see I. I. I. iv. 2. 84, and for the contraction,
God ye good morrow, R. and J. ii. 4. 1 1 6. The salutation was one
Good morrow was
"used only by common people" (Schmidt).
150.

considered proper only before noon.

Approve

162.

saying, "

the

common

saw, etc.

Howell, English Proverbs, 1660

to the

warm

proverb

Prove the truth of the old

Out of God's blessing into the warm sun."

is

The

"He

good

sun, viz. from

uncertain.

Malone

cites

goes out of God's blessing

The

to worse."

origin of the

simplest explanation, perhaps,

is

that

was applied to those who were turned out of doors and exposed

it

to

the weather.
165. This under globe.
world; " and Sonn. 7. 2:
"

Lo

Cf.

in the orient

T.

when

of.

A.

I.

i.

44: "this beneath

the gracious light

burning head, each under eye

Doth homage to his new-appearing sight."

Lifts

up

166.

Comfortable.

167.

Nothing

his

Comforting.

almost, etc.

See on

i.

The wretched

4.

313 above.

are almost the only

Notes

224
persons

who can be

[Act ii
" That Cordelia should

said to see miracles.

have thought of him, or that her

should have reached him,

letter

seems to him such a miracle as only those in misery experience

"

(Delius).
170.

My

obscured course.

and who
normal state of
etc.

(that

is,

affairs to set

jointed, partly because

My

disguise.

And

shall

find time,

Cordelia) will find opportunity in this ab-

he

is

things right again.

The

style is dis-

soliloquizing, partly because

he can

hardly keep his eyes open for weariness.

171.

Enormous (which has the same etymology

norma is compounded with e instead of

as abnormal,

ah)

except that

explained by

Johnson as

= " unwonted,

is

rightly

out of rule, out of the

ordinary course of things."

1

72.

All weary,

Here he

etc.

gives

way

to his drowsiness, bids

advantage of their heaviness not to see

his eyes take

how poor

resting-place he has, and, with a good-night prayer for better fortune, falls asleep.
cf.

J. C.

iv.

3.

241

worn out with watching),

" Poor knave, I blame thee not ; thou art

For

o" er-watched (

o'er-watch'd."

For other interpretations of portions of the passage, as well as

for the

may

emendations that have been proposed, the curious reader

consult Furness.

Scene

III.

2.

Happy.

Lucky, fortunate

as

in

iv.

209

6.

below.

ii.

Harbour, refuge.

3.

Port.

5.

Attend my taking.

1.

Am

6.

form

Watch

to capture me.

For

in S.

bethought.

He

Think, intend

8.

on

the only instance of the

generally uses the reflexive form; as in /. C.

" It may be I shall otherwise bethink me ; " T.

251
" he hath better bethought him of his quarrel," etc.
7.

does, see

115 above.

Most poorest. See on i. I. 73 above.

In contempt of?nan. Bringing a man

Ar

iii.

into contempt.

4.

iv. 3.

327

Scene

Notes

III]

Elf all my hair.

10.

do that of

Tangle

sluttish persons.

Cf.

my

225

hair as elves

R. and J.

i.

were supposed

91

5.

"the

to

elf-locks

in foul, sluttish hair."

Assumed.

Presented.

11.

Temp.

iv. 1.

167:

Bedlam

14.

"when

The verb

is

often

presented Ceres,"

represent.

Steevens quotes from Dekker's

beggars.

Cf.

etc.

Belman

of London, of which three editions appeared in 1608, the

same

year in which Lear was first printed, the following description of

" an Abraham man " " He sweares he hath been in Bedlam, and
;

will talke frantickely of

places of his

naked

purpose

you see pinnes stuck

flesh, especially in his

in

sundry

armes, which paine he

make you believe he is out of his

name of Poore Tom, and comming
Poore Tom is a-cold. Of these Abraham-

gladly puts himselfe to, only to

He

wits.

himselfe by the

calls

near any body cries out,

men, some be exceeding merry, and doe nothing but sing songs
own braines some will dance, others will
doe nothing but either laugh or weepe others are dogged, and so
sullen both in loke and speech, that spying but a small company in
a house, they boldly and bluntly enter, compelling the servants
through feaie to give them what they demand."
Deadened, hardened.
See the quotation from
15. Mortified.
Dekker just above.
fashioned out of their

Wooden pricks.

16.

Skewers.

best skewers are made,

Low

lowly,

18.

19.

Bans.

bans."
in v. 3.

20.

called prick-zvood" (Mason).

often.

Cf. v. 3.

240 below.

humble.

Pelting.

pelting (folio,

is

Appearance, sight; as

Object,

17.

" The Euonymus, of which the

Paltry,
'

petty

petty.

Cf.

Curses; as in T. of A.

Elsewhere

M. N. D.

ii.

1.

91

" every

river/' etc.

')

iv. 1.

34:

in S. the plural refers to the

"with multiplying
marriage bans; as

88 below.
Turlygod.

So in

all

in the 14th

the early eds.

Warburton conjectured

name applied to a fraternity of gypsies or beggars

century. Douce says that this name was corrupted into

"Turlupin," the

KING LEAR

Notes

226

" Turlygood," the form adopted by

whether Turlygood has any

[Act ii

many

Nares doubts

editors.

real connection with

Turlupin, though,

means a kind of beggar.

Edgar I shall no longer
21. Edgar I nothing am.
adverbial use of nothing is common.

like that,

evidently

it

Scene IV.

Cruel.

7.

be.

The

play upon crewel, or worsted, of

The pun

which garters were often made.

occurs often in the old

dramatists.

At

10.

11.

"I

'11

legs.

The

expression

is

found in Dekker, Massinger, Mid-

and other writers of the time.

dleton,

A ether-stocks.
T

Short stockings.

For

sew nether-stocks."

stocks

Cf. I

Hen. IV.

ii.

stockings, see T.

4. 131

N.

i.

3.

144.
13.

24.
iv. 2.

25.

26

To set thee. As to set thee. See on i. 4. 38 above.

Upon respect. Upon consideration, deliberately. Cf. K.John,
214: " More upon honour than advised respect."
Resolve me.

"I

will resolve

Cf. iv. 7. 5

nor

Inform me, explain to me.

Modest

your grace."

below, where modest

clipp'd, but so," that

is,

is

Cf. Rich. III. iv. 2.

reasonable, becoming.

exactly explained by "

not too

much nor too

Nor more
but

just

S. uses

the

little,

the measure (Latin modus).

26.

Treatment

Usage.

the only sense in which

word.
Relating to thou.

27.

Coming.

28.

Commend.

33.

Spite of intermission.

35.

Cf.

as in

Macb.

Not waiting
:

Meiny.
and

in Chaucer,
his

deliver;

Macb. iv. 3. 232 " Cut short

Immediately; as often.
Presently.

answer.
34.

Commit,

many

" Mesnie

Retinue, attendants.
also in Spenser.

it aff raide
:

seiuants."

f.

did make,"

etc.

Cf.

for
all

Cf.

i.

me

7. 11, etc.

to receive

my

intermission."

114 below.

The word occurs repeatedly

F. Q. iii. 12. 23: "That all

See also Cotgrave, Fr. Diet.

meynie, familie, household, household companie, or

Notes

Scene IV]
Displayed

41.

Made

so saucily.

227
impudent a display

so

the

only instance of the intransitive verb in S.

Drew.

42.

52. Dolours.

M. for M.

18 and

I.

ii.

"Count, or recount; according

which

to the sense in

understood" (Wright).

Used

Mother.

54.

we

i?,

Temp.

cf.

2. 50.

i.

Tell.

53.

dolours

That is, / drew my sword.

For the play on the word,

as

synonymous with Hysterica

what

passio, or

Ritson quotes Harsnet, Declaration, where Master

call hysteria.

who was persuaded by

Richard Mainy,

sessed of the devil, deposes as follows

the priests that he was pos" The disease I spake of,

:

was a spice of the Mother, where-with I had beene troubled (as is

before mentioned) before my going into Fraunce whether I doe
rightly terme it the Mother or no, I know not."
:

How

61.

"How

To an

65.

How

chance?

chance thou

chances

art returned so

ant, etc.

See Proverbs,

you had been schooled by the

Cf.

it?

soon?"
vi.

C.

of E.

2.

i.

42:

etc.

6-8.

"

If,

says the Fool,

you would have known that the

ant,

summer

king's train, like that sagacious animal, prefer the

perity to the colder season of adversity, from

which no

of pros-

profit

can be

derived" (Malone).
Sir.

75.

" some

sir

Cf.

Temp.

v.

1.

69:

Perdy.

85.

Deny.

Refuse; as often.

86.

Fetches.

82.

"a

loyal sir; " T.

N.

iii.

4.

81

of note," etc.

par Dieu.

corruption of

Cf.

Hen. V.

ii.

1.

52,

etc.

Shifts, pretexts.

Cf. Rich. III. v. 3. 343, etc.

Cf.

Ham.

ii.

I.

38:

"a

fetch of

warrant," etc.

Images.

87.

syllable.

89.
90.
iv. 4.

See

Signs, tokens.
p.

The word may be

metrically a dis-

165 above.

Temper, disposition; as in 134 below.

Immovable. We find irremovable
518, and unremovably in T. of A. v. I. 227.

103.

Quality.

Unremovable.

Office.

Service, duty.

Cf.

176 below.

"

in

The strong

W.

T.

inter-

Notes

228
est

now

felt

by Lear, to try to

[Act

find excuses for his daughter,

is

ii

most

pathetic" (Coleridge).

More

107.

See on

headier.

i.

I.

These double compara-

73.

and superlatives occur with more than usual frequency in this

Heady here is " not headstrong, but headlong, impetuous"
Cf. Hen. V.'\. 1. 34, etc.
in. Remotion. Removal (from their own house to Gloster's
castle).
Cf. T. of A. iv. 3. 346: "All thy safety were remotion,
and thy defence absence."
112. Practice.
Artifice.
See on i. 2. 180 above.
See on 34 above.
114. Presently.

tives

play.

Till

116.

it

cry sleep

death.

to

clamour murders

the

Till

sleep.

Cockney.
The word here seems to mean a cook, though
may be only a cockney cook (the noun being understood), or
a London cook; perhaps an allusion to some familiar story of the
time.
Tyrwhitt cites passages from Piers the Plowman and The
Turnament of Tottenham, in which the word also appears to be =
119.

it

cook; but Whalley, Malone, and Douce explain

uses

it

in the

only here and in T. N.

modern

120.

iv. I. 15,

where

it

differently.

S.

appears to be used

it

sense.

Knapped.

The word meant

to "strike smartly," as well as

to break in pieces (as in Psalms, xlvi.

"

knappeth the spear

"

Knap

in sunder").

10,

Cf.

Prayer

Book

version

Bacon, Nat. Hist. 133:

a pair of tongs some depth within the water, and you shall

hear the sound of the tongs."

122.

'Twas her

ness are kindred

128.

Thy

brother, etc.

Absurd

cruelty

and absurd kind-

follies.

mother's tomb.

In the old drama she

is

The only

reference to her in the play.

mentioned as " our (too

late) deceast

and

dearest queen."
129.

Sepulchring.

Cf.

R. of L. 805: "

May

likewise be sepul-

chred in thy shade;" and T. G. of V. iv. 2. 118 "Or at the least,

in hers sepulchre thine."
In both passages the accent is on the
:

"

Notes

Scene IV]

The noun has the modern accent in S. except

Milton makes the same distinction.

penult, as here.

Rich. II.
131.
eds.

i.

it

Bad, wicked; usually spelt naught in the early

has this sense, but notight

Sharp-tooth' d unkindness.

Hen. VI.
134.

when

Cf.

allusion to the vulture of Prometheus,

1

in

196.

Naught.

when

132.

3.

229

i.

nothing.

2 Hen. IV.

cf.

For the

295 above.

4.

v.

3.

145,

47, etc.

iv. 3.

Disposition, nature.

Quality.

89 above.

Cf.

"take your patience

Cf. W. T. iii. 2. 232
135. Take patience.
106.
also
VIII.
v.
I.
Hen.
See
to you."
You less know how, etc. One of the peculiar "double
136.
negatives " explained by Schmidt, p. 1420. The meaning is
:

"

You

are apter to depreciate her than she to

scant her

duty."

Furness asks: "Is the levity ill-timed that suggests that perhaps

Regan's speech puzzles poor old Lear himself quite as much as his
commentators, and he has to ask her to explain
that ?

143.
is

'

Say,

how

is

'

O, sir,

you are

old,

etc.

Coleridge remarks: "Nothing

so heart-cutting as a cold, unexpected defence or palliation of a

complained

cruelty passionately

And

hard-heartedness.
sir,

you are old

'

of,

or so expressive of thorough

horror of Regan's 'O,

feel the excessive

and

then her drawing from that universal

and indulgence the very reason for her frightSay you have wrong'd her.' All Lear's faults
We refuse to know them otherwise
for him.

object of reverence
ful

conclusion

'

increase our pity

than as means of his sufferings and aggravations of his daughters'

ingratitude."
145.
148.

M. for
in the

150.

noun on

either syllable.

Return, go back; as in T. G. of V. ii. 7. 14,

S. does not use the phrase
107, T. N. i. 4. 22, etc.

3.

The house.
1598:

accents the

return.

modern sense

(Warburton).
dria,

S.

Confine.

Make
M. iv.

= make requital).
"The order of families,

duties of relation"

Steevens cites Chapman, Blind Beggar of Alexan"Come up to supper; it will become the house

Notes

230

v.

56)

3.

Age

152.

when

mother kneels

his

An

unnecessary.

is

11

Schmidt compares the horror of Coriolanus

wonderful well."
(Cor.

[Act

to him.

ironical apology for

useless

his

existence.

Ac-

This refers to Lear's kneeling.

Unsightly tricks.

154.

cording to Davies (quoted by Furness), "Garrick threw himself

on both knees, with

his

hands clasped, and

in a supplicating tone

repeated this touching, though ironical, petition."

The

construction

not found else-

is

S.

early eds. have " strooke " or " stroke," as in

The

Strook.

157.

many

Deprived.

Abated.

156.

where in

modern

other passages; oftener than "struck," which

For the participle the early

tors generally print here.

eds.

edi-

have

struck, strook or strooke, stroke, strooken, stroken, strucken (see

4.

i.

82 above), and stricken.

160.

Ingrateful

Ungrateful head.

top.

i.

" Alas, not I

And
161.
Cf. also

that

Taking.

Ham.

i.

ingrateful

above.

For

to their

low ranks,"

top,

cf.

Cf. the old play of

poore soule, she breeds yong bones,

makes her

is it

so tutchy sure."

Malignant, bewitching
I.

uses

S.

much oftener than ungrateful. See on 90

" and bowed his eminent top
A. W.
2. 43
Her young bones = her unborn infant.
etc.
King Leir :

"No

163:

fairy takes,

as in

iii.

4.

60 below.

nor witch hath power

to harm."
165.

Malone made the verb

Fall.

humble), as

it

often

As Wright remarks,

ii.

2.

transitive (

but I have no doubt that

this is

more

in

it

From

fogs, fens, flats,

By inch-meal a

cause to
is

sun sucks up
on Prosper fall, and make him

disease

"
!

fall,

intransitive.

in similar passages

2 (a strikingly parallel imprecation)

" All the infections that the

=
it

keeping with drawn and

the sense in which S. uses

It is also

Temp.

is

blast.

as in

Notes

Scene IV]

M. N. D.

See also

ii.

1.

90,

A. W.

i.

23
1.

Macb.

79,

iv.

1.

105, iv. 3.

227, etc.

Tender-hefted.

169.

The

Neither

"tender hested."

is

folio

reading;

easily explained.

the quartos having

As hefts

heavings

in W. T. ii. I. 45, Steevens thought tender-hefted might mean

"whose bosom is agitated with tender passions." The only other
sense of heft (not found in S.) is haft or handle; whence some

" held by tenderness," " tender, gentle, to

"
touch or to approach," set in a tender handle or delicate bodily

make

the

compound

frame," etc.
it is

said,

On

may be

command, and tender-hested,

the other hand, hest
" governed by gentle dispositions." All these

interpretations are

unsatisfactory.

There

is

probably some cor-

ruption in the passage, but tender-hearted, the

only emendation

been proposed, is "tolerable and not to be endured."

could never have written " tender-hearted nature."
Malone compares T. of A. v. I.
171. Do comfort and not burn.

that has
S.

134:

"Thou

sun, that comfort'st, burn!

"

Wright says " The words sizar and

the former originally
sizing are still well known in Cambridge
denoting a poor student, so called from the sizes or allowances
made to him by the college to which he belonged." For bandy see
1

73.

Allowances.

Sizes.

on

i.

4.

87 above.

Confirms ; as in i. 1. 179 and ii. 2. 162 above.

Easy-borrowed. "Borrowed without the trouble of doing
anything to justify it " (Moberly).
181.

Approves.

183.

See on ii. 2. 134 above.

Approve of as in the Prayer Book version of
Psalms, xi. 6: "The Lord alloweth the righteous" (Upton).
"A still worse, or more disgraceful sit198. Less advancement.
appears
to be, as Schmidt terms it, "an unIt
(Percy).
uation"
186.

Stocked.

189.

Allow.

disguised sneer."
207.

To wage.

where used by
209.

That

is,

to

S. in this sense

wage combat,

to

contend; not

else-

without an object.

Necessity's sharp pinch !

This

is

explained as in apposition

Notes

232

[Act 11

with what precedes, and perhaps correctly.

It may, however, be
an exclamation that has no syntactical connection with what preIt may mean, Is this the pinch to which Necessity brings
cedes.

me

Or

it

is

barely possible that

it is

a sarcastic reference to the

Regan has given for not receiving him

that she is
away from home, and has not the means of entertaining him.
excuse which

Schmidt points

an anacoluthon, "Necessity's sharp pinch

as

it

,"

leaving us to guess at what Lear would have said, but for the sud-

den turn in the

of L. 165

"

No
No

212. Knee.

1.5:

"

Kneel before.

The verb

A mile before his tent fall

214.

Sumpter.

221.

Boil.

occurs again in Cor.

v.

owl,

A pack-horse.

Spelt "Bile" or

Embossed.

down, and knee

This

is

S.

uses the

"Byle"

word only

here.

in the early eds., as in

doubtless indicating the pronunciation.

Tumid

as in

A. Y. L.

is

ii.

7.

67

And

all

the

in A.

W.

iii.

"

The emboss

evils," etc.

107, as Furnivall has shown,

= emboiter)

cries."

into his mercy."

embossed sores and headed

boser

R.

and wolves' death-boding

noise but owls'

other printing of the time

6.

wolf and

cf.

the

comfortable star did lend his light

The way

222.

On

tide of his passion.

of different origin (Old Fr. em-

Cotgrave's " Emboister

To imbox,

in-

close, insert, fasten, put, or shut vp, as within a box."

226.

High-judging Jove.

Cf. Milton's "all-judging

Jove" (Lyci-

das, 82).

See on i. 1. 175 above.

Charge expense as
237. Sith.
K.John, i. 1. 49: "this expedition's charge," etc.
Keep friendship. Cf. " hold friendship "
240. Hold amity.
L. L. L. ii. 1. 141. " Hold antipathy " occurs in ii. 2. 89 above.
;

243.

Slack ye.

247.

Notice.

etc.

Neglect you.

Cf.

i.

3.

Attention, recognition.

in

in

10 above.
Cf.

Cymb.

ii.

3.

45, 65,

Notes

Scene IV]

233

249.

My guardians.

The guardians under me

251.

With.

254.

Well-favoured.

303 below.
Well in favour, or features.

Ado,

iii.

255.

215:

By.

T.

3. 15,

N.

Not being

Cf.

1.

259.

123

Much
v.

follows the

5.

amend

they."

What need, etc. How need, or why need, etc. Cf. J.

" What need we any spur but our own cause ? "
"Observe that the

O, reason not, etc.

262.

Cf.

is I

the abhorred things o' the earth

By being worse than

1.

realms.

Steevens compares Cymb.

the worst, etc.

all

my

169, etc.

5.

" It

That

of

tranquillity

C.

ii.

which

stunning of the blow permits Lear to reason "

first

(Coleridge).

Are in

263.
that

may be called
Need

268.

ended

Have

the poorest, etc.

something

superfluous.

"

this sentence,

To imagine how Shakespeare would have

one must be a Shakespeare. The poor king,

stops short in his definition

it is

patience" (Moberly).
269.

in their poverty

too plain that his true need

is

I need !

Patience, patience

Perhaps, as Malone conjecwas a slip of the printer. If so,

Abbott would put you heavens in a
patience a dissyllable, the second a

tured, the repetition of patience

patience would be a trisyllable.

separate line,

making the

first

trisyllable.

272.

Stirs.

274.

To

283.

See on

As

bear.

Flaws.

"

i.

1.

234 and ii. 1. 115 above.

See on i. 4. 38 above.

to bear.

A flaw

signifies a crack,

but

is

here used for a

small broken particle " (Malone).

284.
2. 1 1, v.

Or
i.

A reduplication,

ere.

287.

Bestowed.

288.

Hath.

above.

or being

= before.

Cf.

Te?7ip.

i.

103, etc.

Cf.

Lodged;

as often.

Cf. iv. 6.

For the omission of the

299 below.

269 below.

subject, see

on

ii.

4.

42

Notes

234
290.

As

For his particular.

concerned.

self is

to

him

Cf. Cor. iv. 7. 13:

[Act

personally, so far as

in

he him-

mean

"Yet I wish, sir

your particular
you had not
commission with him "

Join'd in
299.

The word

used figuratively

is

= be

tur-

313 "To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome."

See on 251 above.

bulent) in T. A.

i.

With.

303.

Bluster.

Ruffle.

for

Instigate, provoke;

304.

Incense.

305.

His ear

abused.

Cf.

W.

A.

as iny. C.
v. 3.

295

i.

3. 13, etc.

" She does abuse

our ears."

ACT

III

Scene I.
6.
The main. The mainland. Elsewhere in S. it
means the sea. Cf. Sonn. 64. 7: " the watery main; " K. John,\\.
1.

26

" England, hedg'd in with the main," etc.

On

curled waters,

cf.

2 Hen. IV.

Who take the

"

iii.

1.

23

ruffian billows

by the

Curling their monstrous heads,"

Blind, undiscerning.

Eyeless.

8.

top,

etc.

Cf. the literal use in

iii.

7.

96

below.

Make

9.

nothing

of.

Treat with contempt (as

expression), not "annihilate," as

10.

His

notion of

little

man

world of man.

some explain

we

"And

use the

Probably an allusion to the ancient

as the microcosm, or little world, containing in

iature the elements of the macrocosm, or the universe.

v. 5.

still

it.

these same thoughts people this

little

min-

Cf. Rich. II.

world."

See

also L. C. 7.
12.

Cub-drawn.

Sucked dry by her

cubs,

and made hungry by

Scene

Notes

I]

A. Y. L.

it.

Cf.

and

Id. iv. 3.

iv. 3. 1

127

2 Hen. VI.

Cf. Oth.

1.

iii.

307

17.

Heart-strook.
Note.

23.

Who

all

drawn dry;"

lioness."

and

for bonnet

cap, see

84: "then Lucifer take all!"

3.

i.

" nay, then, a

See on

ii.

4.

shame take

seem no

" etc.

Cf.

85 above.

I.

ii.

seem nothing

else

than servants,

they really are.

spies that

(p. 1421), gives

Who

less.

all

157 above.

Observation, or knowledge.

Close

Speculations.

24.

23

2.

i.

M. W.

Cf.

all.

18.

and not the

udders

4. 31, etc.

i.

Take

15.

"A lioness, with

"the suck'd and hungry

Unbonneted.

14.

Rich. II.

15

235

more than

abstract for the concrete;

lexicon

Schmidt, in his

observers.

sixty instances in S. of this use of the

and Furness adds

discretion in

ii.

146

4.

below.

What hath

26.

2.

that

offence-taking.

plottings.

Cf.

packing, with a witness, to deceive us

29.

Furnishings.

30.

Power.

Cf.

iii.

31.

Cf.

iii.

5.

to note

is,

12 and iii. 7. 12
and report, etc.

"taking

Cf.

22) and the play upon the expression

Packings

3. 41.

been seen, etc.

Huffs,

Snuffs.

(Z. L. L. v.
i.

Giving information.

Intelligent.

25.

below.

T. of S. v.
"
all

1.

in

it

in

121

1
:

snuff"

Hen. IV.
"Here's

"Colours, external pretences " (Johnson).

Army;

as often, both in the singular

and the

plural,

below.
"Divided, unsettled, disunited " (Johnson)

3. 13, iv. 2. 17, iv. 3. 50, iv. 4. 21, etc.,

Scattered.

not

elsewhere used in this sense by S.

Footing, landing.

32.

Feet.

33.

At point. See on i. 4. 332 above.

To show their open banner. To begin active hostilities.
To make. As to make. See on 4. 38 and ii. 4. 13 above.

34.
36.

i.

39. Plain.

43.

I will talk further

ponement
45.

John,

Complain.

Rich

3.

20.

II.

Exterior.

Cf.

i.

3.

75, etc.

This implies a courteous post-

with you.

or dismissal of a request

Out-wall.
iii.

Cf.

hence Kent's reply (Delius).

wall in

T.

N.

i.

2.

48,

and K.

Notes

236
That.

48.

S. generally uses

in

[Act

the possessive pronoun with fellow

companion.

To

52.

effect.

As

to effect, in importance.

Labour, effort {will be or lies being understood). S.

53. Pain.
uses both pain and pains in this sense ; now we use only the
latter.

Scene
2.

172

II.

2.

Water

Hurricanoes.

" the dreadful

Which shipmen do

And downe

and

C. v.

spout

the shower impetuously doth

men

Like that which

That

Cf. T.

the hurricano call."

Nares quotes Drayton, Mooncalf, 168:

"

spouts.

fall,

the Hurricano call."

the weathercocks.

3.

Cocks.

4.

Thought-executing.

is,

Doing execution with the

rapidity of

thought.
5.

Vaunt-couriers.

Forerunners, precursors;

foremost scouts of an army."

"

Temp.

Cf.

i.

2.

201

originally

"the

Jove's lightnings, the precursors

O' the dreadful thunder-claps."

8.

Germens. Seeds; as
"

=
;

"

iv. 1.

and

o'

59.

Cf.

W.

T.

iv. 4.

489

the earth together,

the seeds within."

destroy: Cf.

also Spenser, F. Q.

or spill

Macb.

Let nature crush the sides

And mar
Spill

in

iii.

Ham.
7.

54

Id. v. 10. 2:

iv. 5.

20: "It

spills itself," etc.

Badd her commaund my

"As

it is

life

See

to save

greater prayse to save then

spill," etc.

10.

Court holy-water.

tions court holy-water to

same phrase:

Eau

" Ray, among his proverbial phrases, menmean fair words. The French have the

benite de

cour" (Steevens).

Cotgrave, Fr.

Scene

Notes

II]

Diet., has "

faire

Eau

beniste de Cour.

words, flattering speeches,"

13.

Pities.

15.

Fire.

For the

Court holy water

as in Rich. II.

complements,

etc.

of the relative,

ellipsis

dissyllable

237

cf.

i.

4.

294,

62 above.
1.

34, v.

1.

i.

3.

the only instance of

ii.

48, etc.
18.

the

Submission, obedience

Subscription.

noun

in S.

Cf.

the use of the verb in

2.

i.

and

19 above

iii.

7.

65 below.
23.
ii.

High-engender 'd.

226 above.

4.

That makes

27.

High

Battles

in the

battalions

heavens; as in high-judging,
as in J. C. v.

Makes

his toe, etc.

i.

4. etc.

that his last object

which

should be his first (Capell). Furness paraphrases the quatrain thus

" A man who prefers or cherishes a mean member in place of a vital

one

enduring pain where others would suffer merely a

Lear had preferred Regan and Goneril to Cordelia."
For there was never yet, etc. "This is the Fool's way of

shall suffer

twinge.
31.

diverting attention after he has said something a

the idea of a very pretty

39.

little

too pointed;

faces in a looking-glass

For made mouths,

raises a smile" (Furness).

iv. 4.

woman making

cf.

Ham.

ii.

2.

381,

50, etc.

Gallow.

According

Affright

to Nares, the

the

only instance

word

in the corrupt

of the

word

form of gaily

in

S.

is still

used in the West of England.

Carry.

43.

Bear, sustain.

Cf.

R.

and

J.

iv. 5.

120

"I

will

carry no crotchets."
44.

Affliction.

45.

Pudder.

other editors

Charles
play.

49.

The

but the majority read "pother," as Furness notes.

Lamb

preferred pudder, and uses

Cf. Cor.

ii.

Simular.

1.

234,

(that

Has.

is,

One

where the old

it

eds.

remarks on
have " poother."

in his

this

Simulator; the only instance of the noun in S.

adjective occurs

enough"
52.

Used for "any painful sensation" (Schmidt).

The folio spelling, followed by Furness and some

in

Cymb.

v.

5.

200:

"with simular proof

pretended, counterfeited).
of

many examples

of the verb in the third person

Notes

238

with a relative whose antecedent

[Act

of the

is

first

in

or second person.

Cf. the noun in i. 2. 180 above.

That which contains or encloses the original
Cf. Ham. iv. 4. 64, etc.
sense of the word, and the usual one in S.
Cry
Concealing continents l shrouds of secrecy " (Herford)

Practised on
53.

plotted against.

Continents.

grace

cry for grace or pardon.

27) and cry you pardon {Oth.

54.

The

Summoners.

you mercy (M. W.

Cf. cry

v. 1.

iii.

5.

93).

summon

officers that

offenders before a

tribunal.

my

56.

Gracious

59.

More

60.

Demanding.

62-68.

lord.

harder.

Cf.

See on

4.

iii.

i.

73 above.

I.

Inquiring, asking.

My wits begin

turn,

to

etc.

import of this must be weighed with

incoherent and

full

below.

of delusion.

Cf. v. 3.

63 below.

"The
when Lear is

Dr. Bucknill remarks

iv. 6.

100-104,

Insanity arising from mental and

moral causes often continues in a certain state of imperfect devel-

opment; ... a state of exaggerated and perverted emotion, accompanied by violent and irregular conduct, but unconnected with
intellectual aberration, until some physical shock is incurred,
bodily

illness,

or accident, or exposure to physical suffering;

then the imperfect type of mental disease

lunacy, characterized by
intellect,

more or

less

by delusion or incoherence.

Lear, and although

we have never

is

and

converted into perfect

profound affection of the

This

is

evidently the case in

seen the point referred to by any

and have again and again read the play without perceiving
these passages, and especially from the
second, in which the poor madman's imperfect memory refers to
his suffering in the storm, that S. contemplated this exposure and
physical suffering as the cause of the first crisis in the malady. Our
wonder at his profound knowledge of mental disease increases, the
more carefully we study his works here and elsewhere he displays
with prolific carelessness a knowledge of principles, half of which
would make the reputation of a modern psychologist."
" The alchemy or transforming power " (Moberly).
65. The art.
writer,
it,

we cannot doubt from

Notes

Scene IV]

239

"This may
Cf. T. A7 v. I. 398 fol.
69. He that has and, etc.
have been the same song, but changed by the Fool to suit the
",

occasion" (Furness).

The whole

I'll speak a prophecy, etc.

74.

probably an interpolation.

Ham.

Cf.

2.

iii.

42

of this speech
:

"

And

let

is

those

down for them,"

The prophecy is an imitation of one formerly ascribed to
Chaucer, but now regarded as spurious.
no more than

that play your clowns speak

is

set

etc.

Merlin.

87.

and

Cf.

Hen. IV.

150: "the dreamer Merlin

1.

iii.

his prophecies."

Scene III.
two particulars,

5.

cf.

Neither

M.for M.

For the use with more than

or.

iv. 2.

108: "neither in time, matter,

or other circumstance," etc.

13.

Ho?ne.

Fully.

14.

Footed.

On

quarto reading.

See on

foot

Cf.

iii.

(the quarto reading).

this

or

1. 53 above, and cf. iii. 4. 16 below.

perhaps = " landed," which is the

ii.

look

45 below.

7.

A. Y. I.

Cf.

ii.

5.

34:

= look for, " seek "

"He hath been all

day to look you."

Toward. At hand. See on ii. I. II above.

Forbid thee. Forbidden thee; the usual form of the

20.

21.

ple in S.

Cf. v.

1.

6.
Think''si 'tis much.
Cf. Temp. i.
Scene IV.
" Thou dost, and think'st it much to tread the ooze," etc.
7.

Invades.

partici-

47 below.

See on

i.

1.

2.

252

iii.

I.

24

Hen. IV.

iv.

139 above.

As if. Cf. v. 3. 203 below.

Home. See on ii. 1. 53 and iii. 3. 13 above.
Poverty.
The abstract for the concrete. See on
As.

15.
16.

26.

above.
loop'd.

31.
1.

71

35.

where.

"

all

Full of holes.

For

loop

hole, see

sight-holes, every loop," etc.

Super/lux.

Superfluity;

which

is

the word

S. uses else-

Notes

240
37.

Fathom and

54.

Knives under

"

That

his pillow, etc.

to

is,

tempt him to

Swords, poisons, halters, and envenom'd

Are

me

laid before

Four-inched

right in sup-

is

taking soundings at sea.

if

Steevens quotes Dr. Faustus, 1604:

cide.

57.

Probably Steevens

half, etc.

posing that Edgar talks as

in

[Act

steel,

to dispatch myself."

The

bridges.

sui-

old bridges of a single

beam

01

plank across small streams, intended for pedestrians but sometimes

used by horsemen.

Thy five

58.

Do

de,

do de, do de

Star-blasting.

etc.

62.

Cf.

For taking, see on

Now, and there,

at flies"

68.

92

" Alas,

how

sir,

fell

you

" perhaps intended to express the teeth-

is

chattering sound emitted by one

60.

iv. 2.

"

besides your five wits?

59.

N.

Cf. T.

wits.

who

Ham. i.
4. 161

ii.

etc.

"

shivers with cold" (Clarke).

162

1.

" then no planets strike,"

above.

He

catches at the fiend, as he would

(Moberly).

Impending, overhanging.

Pendulous.

108:

"

Be

as a planetary plague

iv.

3.

when Jove

Will o'er some high-vic'd

In the sick

T. of A.

Cf.

city

hang

his poison

air."

Schmidt quotes The Birth of Merlin (which has been attributed

I: "Knowest thou what pendulous mischief roofs thy

to S.), iv.

head?"
72.

Lowness

literally

Unkind
See on
74.

i.

(=
is
I.

and

C.

ii.

in Id. hi. II.

63

it is

abject condition.

small elevation),

accented on the

and
first

In A.

7.

22

it is

used

= meanness.

syllable, as usual before a

noun.

254 above.

Should have,

pins into the arms.

stage -direction:

etc.

This probably refers to the sticking of

In Edwin Booth's Prompt-book there

"Draws

a thorn, or

wooden

spike,

is

from Edgar's

Notes

Scene IV]
arm, and

it into his own; " and after line 76

hand and takes away the thorn" (Furness).

Wise, or

75. Judicious.

Edgar

just.

can were fed with blood from

Ham.

126 and

"

Alluding to the fable that the young of the

Pelican.

iv.

its

own

Cf. Rich. II.

breast.

peliii.

1.

5. 146.

Suggested

Pillicock.

77.

241

tries to thrust

seizes Lear's

76.

by pelican.

In

Gurtorts Garland we find the nursery rhyme

" Pillycock, Pillycock sat
If he's not gone,

he

on a

sits

Ritson's

Gammer

hill

there

still."

The word was

Florio

often used as a term of endearment.

Dyce quotes
" Pinchino, a prime-cocke, a pillicocke, a darlin, a beloued

lad."

Loo, loo

78.

Craig says that this

which he has heard

bull

now, dog

same way.
Commit.
,82.

in Cardigan.
!

The word seems

to incontinence (Malone).
87.

my

Curled

Cf.

Loo, Paris, loo "

to

is

" a cry to excite dogs "

T.

and

C. v. 7. 10:

Schmidt explains

it

"Now,
in the

have been applied particularly

Schmidt compares Oth.

iv. 2.

72

fol.

Curling the hair seems to have been the

hair.

mark

of a swaggerer, for in Harsnet's Declaration we are told that

the devil was said to appear " sometimes like a Ruffian, with curled
haire."

Cf.

T. of A.

my

Gloves in

II. v. 3. 17:

iv. 3.

cap ; that

is,

160

"Make

curl'd-pate ruffians bald."

as the favour of a mistress.

And from the common'st creature

And wear it as a favour."

"

See also T.

and

Light of ear.

93.

Hog

" Foolishly credulous" (Schmidt).

sloth, etc.

sins are typified

pluck a glove,

C. iv. 4. 73, v. 2. 79, etc.

92.

in

Cf. Rich.

In the Ancren Riwle, the seven deadly

by seven wild animals; the

lion being the type of

pride, the serpent of envy, the unicorn of wrath, the bear of sloth,

KING LEAR

Notes

242

[Act

in

the fox of covetousness, the swine of greediness, and the scorpion

of lust.

Suum, mun, nonny. The nonsensical burden of a song.

Ham. iv. 5. 165 and Much Ado, ii. 3. 76. Dolphin my boy

99.
Cf.
is

Farmer quotes Ben Jonson,

Dauphin my boy."
(a word of doubtful origin and meaning) cf. T.

probably a quotation from a song.

Bartholomew Fair,
For

100.

sessa

of S. ind. 1. 6
245

2.

" he shall be

"let the world slide; sessa

"
!

better.
See on i. 4. 102 above. Cf. 2 Hen. IV.
" I were better to be eaten to death with a rust,"

Thou wert

101.
i.

v.

etc.

That

105.

The

106.

Sophisticated.

cat.

The word

used.

72

"a

soldier

iv. 6.

used by

word
is

the civet cat.

Adulterated,

Unaccommodated.

107.

instance of the

also

is

is,

S.

Cf.

A. Y. L.

not genuine

2. 70.

iii.

as

now

often

only here.

Unsupplied with conveniences

accommodated

the only

Hen. IV. iii. 2.

better accommodated than with a wife ; " and see
in S.

Cf.

in 2

81 below.

"The

madness against which Lear has

and
awful object which Edgar has made of himself, and he longs to
reduce himself, like him, to a state of absolute and unmitigated
108.

Off, off, etc.

latent

been struggling bursts into violence at sight of the strange

nature" (Moberly).
109.
to

Unbutton here.

me by an eminent

Furness remarks

novelist

"

and dramatist

It

in

has been suggested

London

that these

words are properly a stage-direction."

Bad; used in a much stronger sense than now.

See also on ii. 4. 131 above.
The early eds. and most modern ones have "wild."

in. Naughty.
Cf.

iii.

112.

7.

37 below.

Wide.

Jennens suggested the change, on the ground that wide is better

opposed to little ; and Walker, who says that " zvildis in the manner of modern, not Elizabethan poetry," gives other instances from
S.

and contemporaneous writers of the same misprint of wild

wide.

for

Notes

Scene IV]

114.

That

zvalking fire.

is,

243

Gloster with his torch approach-

ing in the distance.

115.

here,

is

This name, like that of the other demons

Flibbertigibbet.

from Harsnet, who says

" Frateretto, Fleberdigibet,

Hober-

didance, Tocobatto, were four deuils of the round, or Morrice,

Sara in her

had come

It

gives

it

to

as one of the definitions of Coquette

minx, a cocket or tatling housewife; a

Walks.

116.

W.

120.
is

See also

T.

i.

2.

291

for

" wold," which

Her

An

The

a flebergebit."

Cymb.

Cf.
iv. 5.

old

folios

12,

name

i.

W.

176: "Pray,

I.

T.

i.

2.

172, Oth.

for cataract in the eye.

and web."

The name

have "Swithold."

Old (the reading of the

St. Vitalis.
is

M.

" a fisking, or fliperous

titifill,

" Blind with the pin

Saint Withold.

a corruption of

121.

M.

away.

and iv. 7. 83 below.

The web and the pin.

117.
Cf.

= go

Often

walk awhile."
iv. 3. 4,

whom

tuned together, in measure and sweet cadence."

be used figuratively even in that day, for Cotgrave

fits,

early eds.)

another form of the word.

nine-fold.

That

her

nine

imps,

or

familiars

Evidently implying aversion, and

= " Away

is,

(Capell)
124.

Aroint

with thee
126.

thee.

" but of doubtful origin.

What

's

Who 's

he?

he?

Cf.

Macb.

i.

3. 6.

Cf. v. 3. 120, 126,

166 below.

The old eds. have "tod pole," "Tod-pole,"

130. Tadpole.
"Tod-pool," or "toade pold; " but the modern spelling was then
Cotgrave has "Gyrine: the frog tearmed, a Tadpole."
The zvall-newt and the water = the lizard common on stone walls
in Europe and the water-newt.
For the ellipsis in water, cf. M. for
M. iii. 2. 9 " furred with fox and lamb-skins."
It is used figuSalads.
Cf. 2 Hen. VI. iv. 10. 9.
132. Sallets.
in use.

ratively in

133.
cf.

Temp.
134.

Ham.

ii.

Ditch-dog
iv.

I.

2.

462.

a dead

dog thrown

into a ditch.

For mantle,

182: " Filthy-mantled pool."

Whipped from

A tithing is the same in

A statute of the time of Eliza-

tithing to tithing.

the country as a ward in the

city.

Notes

244

[Act

in

beth enacted that vagabonds or "tramps" should be publicly

whipped and sent from parish to parish.
The quartos read "hath had." Schmidt remarks
135. Hath.
" Hath had probably accords with the fact, but what have facts to
where
do with madness ? Tom hath three suits and six shirts
"
are they ? who has taken them from him ?
138, 139. Capell cites the old romance of Sir Bevis of Northampton (referred to in Hen. VIII. i. 1. 38)
;

" Rattes

Was

and myce and suche smal dere

meate that seuen yere."

his

Deer was sometimes used

quotes Barclay, Eclogues,

in the general sense of

1570:
"

140.

143.

may be

Modo and Mahu

The

Malone

is

his

chere."

Harsnet's category of

below.
Cf. Sir
ii.

prince of darkness

Mahu, Mahu
145.

just

The prince of darkness, etc.

quoting from Tear) , Goblins,
"

all their

name from

Another

Smulkin.

game.

Everie sorte of dere

Shrunk under shadowes abating

devils, like

is

John Suckling (who

a gentleman,

name."

Our flesh and blood, etc. Clarke remarks

Some tone or inflection

speare's subtle touches.

"

One

of Shake-

in Edgar's voice

has reached the father's heart, and bitterly recalls the supposed unfilial

conduct of his elder son, and he links

daughters.

Edgar, instinctively

it

with that of Lear's

feeling this, perseveres with his

drown the betrayed sound of his own voice, and

maintain the impression of his assumed character."
That is, by my obeying. Obey in all, etc. is =
149. To obey.
obey your daughters in all their hard commands.

Bedlam

153.

cry, to

Is.

Cf.

ii.

1.

115 above.

Avoid perhaps with something of its original

To kill vermin, as Clarke remarks, is " an
sense of anticipating.
159.

Prevent.

Notes

Scene IV]

245
mode

of Shakespeare's dexterous

instance

would be treated by other writers of

that

of indicating points

his

time with revolting

coarseness."
161.

Importune.

168.

Late.

171.

I do

Accented regularly by

Lately; as in

beseech

i.

your grace,

4.

on the penult.

S.

195 above.
" Here Gloster attempts to lead

Lear towards the shelter he has provided in the farm-house adjoining the castle

but the king will not hear of quitting his

'

philoso-

pher.'

Gloster then induces the Bedlam-fellow to go into the hovel,

that he

may be

him

out of Lear's sight

but Lear proposes to follow

Kent endeavours to draw Lear

away, but, finding him resolved to keep still with his philosopher,' begs Gloster to humour the king, and let him take the fellow with him. Gloster accedes, and bids Kent himself take the
fellow with them in the direction they desire to go
and this is
thither, saying,

'

Let

's

in

all.'

'

'

'

'

'

done.

We

point out these details, because,

be not specially

if it

observed, the distinction between the hovel and the farm-house

would hardly be understood. The mention of cushions and a
'joint-stool in scene vi. shows it to be some place of better accommodation than the 'hovel; and probably some cottage or farmhouse belonging to one of Gloster's tenants" (Clarke). For cry
you mercy, see on iii. 2. 53 above.
Humour. Cf. C. of E. iv. 4. 82: "Is't good to
177. Soothe.
soothe him in these contraries?" The word in S. always means
'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

either to

knight

humour

or to flatter.

Child Rowland.

182.

is

Spenser.

The

familiar to every reader of the old English ballads

young
and of

The

ballad

Byron has adopted

use of Child as the

it

in

Childe

title

Harold.

of a

quoted here has never been discovered.

Fragments of a Scottish
version of the story are given by Jamieson in his Ilhistrations of
Northern Antiquities, and in Professor Child's English and Scottish Ballads.

Browning's

poem

suggested by the passage

known.
183.

His word.

That of the giant

in the old story.

is

well

Notes

246
Scene V.

See

father.

Fears me.

4.

211

"Censure me

He

as

wisdom,"

in your

in

often.

Cf.

Nature

etc.

refers to his giving information against his

21 above.

3.

iii.

Judged, estimated

Censured.

3.

J. C. iii. 2. 16:
natural affection.

[Act

Makes me

fear, frightens

me.

Cf. T.

of

S.

i.

2.

" Fear boys with bugs," etc.

8.

tated

"

provoking merit.

him against a

A merit

father that

he felt in himself which irrihad none" (Mason). Some take

provoking merit to refer to Gloster, not to Edgar.

Of being just. See on iii. 4. 149 above.
11. To be just.
Approves

12.

party

to, etc.

See on

proves.

ii.

4. 181

a party intelligent to (or

An intelligent

above.

knowing

to), etc.

Cf. iv.

3 below.

1.

Comforting.

21.

phrase

as the legal

still is.

Persever.

23.

"Giving aid and comfort to; "

The

spelling of the

first

three folios, indicating

the old pronunciation of the word, the only one in S.

Equivalent to nature in 4 above, and opposed like

Blood.

24.

that to loyalty,

Scene VI.
4. Have. The reading of all the early eds., changed
It is one of the inin most modern ones to " hath " or " has."
stances of " confusion of proximity " so
6.

Frateretto.

7.

Innocent.

"a

dumb
10.

VI.

ii.

19.

See on

He

is

iii.

4.

addressing the Fool.

4. 81, 85, 95,

and

horse's health.

"A

horse
Cf.

have as many diseases as two and

Justicer.

right justicer."
this

it

Cf.

W.

A.

commeth

but not a gentleman.

Hen. IV.

ject to disease" (Johnson).

21.

in S.

iv. 3.

213:

Cf.

Hen.

innocent that could not say him nay."

A yeoman. A freeholder,
A

common

115 above.

is

above

T. of S.
fifty

all
i.

other animals sub-

2.

81

"though she

horses."

56 below, and Cymb. v. 5. 214:

Boswell quotes Lambard's Eirenarcha
Cf.

that

M.

iv. 2. 16.

"Some up: " And of

Fitzherbert (in his treatise of the Justices

"

Notes

Scene vi]

them

of Peace) calleth
justices, as

247

justicers (contractly for justiciars) and not

we commonly, and

name

not altogether improperly, doe

them."
22.
24.

Used by

Sapient.

Wantest thou

admire you during

S.

nowhere
"

eyes, etc.
trial,

madam

Do

else.

you want eyes to gaze

The

at

and

fiends are there to serve

your purpose" (Clarke).

25. Come o'er, etc.
Time: "The allusion

Popular Music of the Olden

by William Birch
entitled,
'A
songe
betwene
the
Quenes
Majestie and
[1558],
Englande,' a copy of which is in the library of the Society of
Antiquaries.
England commences the dialogue, inviting Queen
Cf. Chappell,
is

to an English ballad

Elizabeth in the following words

'

Come

over the born, Bessy,

Swete Bessy, come over

come over

the born, Bessy,

to me.'

Halliwell-Phillipps gives the music of the song from a

1

MS.

of the

Museum.

6th century in the British

See on hi. 4. 115 above.

White herring. According to some authorities, this means
fresh herring; but in the North of England pickled herring are so
called.
On Croak not, etc., Malone quotes Harsnet " One time
30.

Hoppedance.

31.

shee remembereth, that shee having the said croaking in her

belly,

they said

was the

it

devil

that

was about the bed,

T.

2.

that

spake with the voice of a toad."

38.

Used again

Bench.

to authority.
Cf. 2

Hen IV.

Of

the

hi.

2.

in

W.

i.

commission ; that
97:

"my

is,

314, where

it

is

= raise

a justice of the peace.

cousin Silence, in commission with

me."
41.
the

Sleepest, etc.

Four Elements

43.

Minikin.

45.

Pur.

This

Steevens quotes an old play, The Interlude of

" Sleepyst thou, wakyst thou, Geffery

Small and pretty

may be

however, one of Harsnet's

used'by

S.

"

only here.

only an imitation of a cat.

devils.

Coke?
Purre

is,

Notes

248
Cry you mercy,

52.

Ray's Proverbs.
crie

you mercy,

proverbial

expression,

in

found in

Steevens quotes Lyly, Mother Bombie, 1594: "I

tooke you for a joynt stoole." For cry you mercy,

171 above.

cf. iii. 4.

If this

Store.

54.

etc.

[Act

what

is

S.

wrote,

it

must be

substance or

material.

Thy five

57.

See on

wits.

iii.

58 above.

4.

Lym is Hanmer's correchim " or " Him " of the quartos and " Hym " of the
The word meant a lime-hound, or a hound led in a lime,
See on

69. Brach.

i.

4.

118 above.

tion of the "

folios.

or leash.

Tike.

70.

small dog, or cur.

"a

gives trindle-tail as

and

cites

Beaumont and
"

73.

Hatch.

mon now

Fletcher, Love's Cure,

Like a poor
Between his

I.

ii.

31.

iii.

See on
is

cur, clapping his trindle tail

legs."

iii.

4.

Cf.

K. John

i.

1.

com-

171, v. 2. 138, etc.

100 above.

"A

dry.

Tom of Bedlam,

Nares

A half-door, or the lower half of a divided door;

Thy horn

75.

every

Hen.

corruption of trundle-tail, or curly-tail"

in English cottages.

Sessa

74.

Cf.

horn was usually carried about by

to receive

such drink as the charitable might

afford him, with whatever scraps of food they

might give him

Aubrey, in his MS. Natural History of Wiltshire, in

describing " Bedlam beggars," says " they wore about their necks
(Malone).

a great horn of an oxe in a string or bawdric, which,

came

to an house for almes, they did wind;

when they

and they did putt the

drink given them into this horn, whereto they did putt a stopple."
76.
Cf.

79.
4.
i.

That

Anatomize Regan.

A. Y.

L.'\. 1. 162,

ii.

7.

is,

dissect her after executing her.

56, etc.

Entertain. Take into service, engage. Cf. T. G. of V. ii.

" Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant; " Much Ado,

no:
3.

60:

service;

"entertained for a perfumer,"

as in

A. W.

iii.

etc.

6. 13, iv. 1. 17, etc.

So entertainment

Notes

Scene vi]

81.

84.

Perhaps a reminiscence of the Persian robes of an

Persian.

embassy sent

249

England early

to

Bucknill remarks here

James

in

" Lear

I.'s

is

reign.

comparatively tranquil in

conduct and language during the whole period of Edgar's

companionship.

It

only after the Fool has

is

mad

disappeared, and

Edgar has left to be the guide of his blind father, that the king
becomes absolutely wild and incoherent. The singular and undoubted fact is, that few things tranquillize the insane more than
the companionship of the insane.
It is a fact not easily explicable,
but it is one of which, either by the intuition of genius, or by the
information of experience, S. appears to be aware."
85.

And I HI go

White remarks: "About the

bed at noon.

to

middle of the play the Fool suddenly disappears, making in reply

to Lear's remark,
rejoinder,

'And

'

We

'11

'11

go to supper

go to bed

Clearly for this reason

to answer in antiphonic

in the morning,' the fitting

Why

at noon.'

commentary the mad king's

with his simple wit and homespun wisdom

when Lear

does he not return?

he remains with Lear during his insanity,

lofty ravings

but after that time,

sinks from frenzy into forlorn imbecility, the

The

utterances would have jarred upon our ears.

Fool's

situation be-

comes too grandly pathetic

to admit the presence of a jester,

unless he

nothing.

make

is

professional,

And

sport with the great primal elements of woe.

poor Fool sought the

to the wall, and-

little

officio."

89.

Upon.

Against.

94.

Thine,

and all,

We may still

etc.

so the

corner where he slept, turned his face

went to bed in the noon of

functus

time

is

who,

Even Shakespeare could not

his life for the last

say " an attack

Thine and that of

all, etc.

upon him."
As Abbott

remarks, the Elizabethan writers object to scarcely any

ellipsis that

can be readily supplied from the context.

95.

Assured

= stand
98.

(T.

in

Balm'd.

of S. ind.

i.

Assurance, or certainty, of loss

loss.

danger

of,

are exposed

to.

Cf.

Anointed with healing balm, healed.

I.

48 and Per.

iii.

2.

65)

or stand in

100 below.

it

is

Elsewhere

used of fragrant

Notes

250
Sinews

applications.

nerves

[Act

and A.

as in V.

903,

in

and some-

times in other writers of the time.

quadrisyllable.

Stand in hard cure.

100.

51

Convenience.

99.

Will be hard to cure.

Cf. Oth,

ii.

I.

" Stand in bold cure."

106.

Suffering;

Sufferance.

as often in S.

Cf. J. C.

ii.

I.

115,

etc.

107.

Bearing.

Endurance of

108.

Portable.

Bearable, endurable; as in Macb.

suffering.
iv. 3.

89: "all

these are portable."

no.
ii.

1.

not found elsewhere in

Childed'\s>

297 and Macb.

The high

III.

iv. 2.

cf.

J. C.

tumults of approaching war "

"The loud

noises.

Bewray

(Steevens).

For fathered,

S.

27.

See on

disclose, discover.

ii.

1.

109 above.

Johnson paraphrases the passage thus " Attend to the great events
that are approaching, and make thyself known when that false
:

opinion

now

prevailing against thee shall, in consequence of just

proof of thy integrity, revoke

its

erroneous sentence and recall

thee to honour and reconciliation."

113.
1

14.

Repeals.

What

SCENE VII.
7.

2.

Revenges.

10.

Festinate.

feslinately
12.

See on
13.

Recalls.

is

Swift
iii.

My

1.

Cf.

J. C.

iii. i.

Happen what

will hap.

Letter.

For the

Cf.

iii.

plural,

5.

above.

cf. ii. 4.

The word

Speedy.

is

one of Armado's affectations

and

intelligent.

Prompt

51, etc.

will.

in

277 above.
used by S. only here, but
in L. L. L.

iii.

1. 6.

conveying information.

25 above.

lord of Gloster.

"Meaning Edmund, newly

invested

18 above.

Oswald

with his father's titles" (Johnson).

Cf.

iii.

5.

in 14 refers to the old earl.

17.

Questrists.

Seekers, searchers (Fr. questeur).

not found elsewhere.

18.

Cf.

Lord's dependants.

questant in A.

Some

W.

ii.

I.

The word

is

16.

editors print " lords

dependants "

Notes

Scene vii]

(=

dependant lords)

251

but, as Furness remarks,

clearly

it

means

There were no lords dependent on the

king, but only certain knights. The question in 46 below doubtless refers to Gloster's agency in giving Lear an escort of some of
dependants.

Gloster's

own

his

followers.

Pass upon.

24.

It is still a legal

''That

pass a judicial sentence" (Johnson).

is,

term (Furness).

26. Do a courtesy to.

Yield to, obey. Cf. M.for
" Bidding the law make court'sy to their will."
28.

Ingrateful.

29.

Corky.

ii.

Naughty.

striking instance

See on

of the word.

iii.

Come

4.

1 1 1

39.

Quicken.

40.

My hospitable favours.

to

life.

ii.

4.

175

160 above.

4.

" Dry, withered, husky "

Harsnet has the expression

only here.
37.

See on

M.

(Johnson) ; used by S.
" an old corkie woman."

of the old strong meaning

above.
Cf. Oth.

The

iii.

3.

features of

277, etc.

me

your host.

Cf.

Hen. IV. iii. 2. 136 "And stain my favours in a bloody mask "
where most editors read " favour." Steevens quotes David and
I

Bethsabe, 1599

"To

Simple-answer

43.

daunt the favours of

1

his lovely face."

Plain in your answer.

d.

Cf. better-spoken

in iv. 6. 10 below.

45.

Footed.

54.

/ am

7.

See on

"

An

They have

14 above.

3.

iii.

tied, etc.

allusion to bear-baiting.

tied

But, bear-like,

me

cannot

to

a stake;

must

fight the

course

Cf.

Macb.

v.

fly,

"
;

Course was the technical term for a bout or round in the baiting.

Brome, Antipodes : " two ten-dog courses at the great bear."

Lifted itself up.
60. Buoyed up.
The verb occurs nowhere
else in S.
For the noun, see iv. 6. 19 below.

Cf.

61.

Stelled.

stelld), as

62.
help.

Fixed, as Schmidt explains.it

some make

Holp.

not

starry (from

R. of L. 1444 and Sonn. 24. 1.

Often used by S. both as past tense and participle of
it.

Cf.

Notes

252
The

Stern.

63.

have "dearn" (=: dreadful), which

The word occurs in Per. iii. prol. 15 "By

quartos

some

editors adopt.

many

a dearn

and painful perch."

All cruels

65.

If

we

The

subscribe.

else

As Furness remarks, this

play.

[Act in

is

quartos have " subscrib'd."

" the most puzzling phrase " in the

we may

follow the folio,

as well put the

He

the address to the porter, as Furness does.

words into

suggests two para-

phrases (" acknowledge the claims of all creatures, however cruel

they may be at other times," or " give up all cruel things else

that

is,

"As

right.

in

i.

cruel"), and the

they are

forget that
2.

only their

fol.

that

up whatsoever was cruel

claim to his compassion "
;

he should

is,

or,

surrender,

poor beasts, and see

in the

more

concisely, "

For the general meaning of the passage,

all cruelties."

may be

Lear subscribed his powers, so here the

19,

porter should stibscribe all cruels,

yield, give

second

condone

cf. iv. 7.

36

below.

67.

See

shall thou never !

of this scene?

wrong, and yet

There

Coleridge asks

"

What can

I say

my

reluctance to think Shakespeare

Elsewhere he says : " I will not disguise my

."

is

conviction that in this one point the tragic in this play has been

urged beyond the outermost mark and ne plus ultra of the

dramatic."
77.

What

do you

given to Cornwall
78.

Villain.

In

mean

"

So
its

Furness asks

?
S.

" Should not this be

may have

intended.

sense

serf.

literal

of

Moberly remarks

" As a villain could hold no property but by his master's sufferance,

had no

and was (perhaps) incapable

sword
against his master would be unheard-of presumption, for which
any punishment would be admissible. The lord's making war
against his superior lord would entail no such consequences."
legal rights as against his lord,

of bearing witness against freemen, that one should raise his

Requite

87.

Quit.

89.

Overture.

more overture."

as often,

Disclosure.

Cf.

Ham.
W. T.

Cf.

v. 2. 68, etc.
ii.

1.

172:

"without

Scene

Notes

I]

O.

91.

Monosyllabic exclamations sometimes take the place of

a foot in the verse.

done,"

26 below.

Cf. iv. 2.

Adverbial;

Untimely.

98.

253

as

in

Ham.

iv.

I.

40: "untimely

etc.

Old course of death. Ordinary course of death, a natural

Wordsworth (Shakespeare 's Knowledge and Use of the
Bible) compares Numbers, xvi. 29.
Lunatic; as in K.John, ii. I. 83: "Bedlam,
103. Bedlam.
101.

death.

have done."
,

Allows

105.

ployed

Allows

itself to.

itself to

be turned

or

to,

em-

in.

Flax and whites of

106.

eggs.

A common

remedy

in that day.

ACT IV
Scene

I.

3.

Dejected thing of fortune.

Thing

cast

down by

fortune.
4.

Esperance.

Hope;

as in

T.

and

C. v. 2. 121

"An

esper-

ance so obstinately strong."

7.

Unsubstantial.

Cf.

and

R.

J. v.

3.

103.

Insubstantial occurs

Temp. iv. i. 155. See on ii. 4. 160 above.

Need not care for them or, has
9. Owes nothing to thy blasts.
nothing to thank them for.
"We so hate life that we
12. Life would not yield to age.
gladly find ourselves lapsing into old age, and approaching death,

in

which
20.

from

will deliver us

Our means

it

secure us.

careless" (Schmidt).

think

"The advantages we

For secure,
"

To

(Moberly)

cf.

T. of.A.

ii.

2.

enjoy
185

Canst thou the conscience lack

"
Secure thy heart

shall lack friends ?

make

us

Notes

254

[Act iv

and Oth. i. 3. 10: "I do not so secure me in the error," etc.

Wright explains the passage thus "Things we think meanly of, our
mean or moderate condition, are our security; " and he adds that
:

he knows of no instance of the verb secure

know

means = mean

of no instance of

Knight says

dition."

"

= to

The means, such

securities, and, further, our

we

as

moderate con-

possess, are our

Sun-

mere defects prove advantages."

dry emendations have been suggested, but the old text

and the choice of explanations

right,

render careless.

things, or "

is

probably

between Schmidt's and

lies

Knight's.
21.

Commodities.

22.

Abused.

Advantages.

Cf. 2

deluded

Deceived,

as

Hen. IV.

2.

i.

278.

Cymb.

Cf.

often.

iii.

4.

123, etc.

They

37.

kill us

Knowl. of Bible)

for their

says

Wordsworth {Shakespeare''s
much doubt whether S. would have

sport.

" I very

allowed any but a heathen character to utter this sentiment."

Angering itself and others. "He at the same time disand the person he endeavours to amuse " (Heath).

39.

pleases himself

The

Times'.

46.

plural, not the singular.

Cf.

M. for M.

iii.

2.

on the times;" M. of V. ii. 9. 48: "the

But the singular is similarly
chaff and ruin of the times," etc.
v. 8. 24, Ham. iii. 2. 27, etc.
iii.
1.
Macb.
in
G.
as
T.
86,
used
of V.

"Making

288:

practice

When madmen

lead the blind

" when

madden

enthusiasts

the

ignorant."
52.

Daub

Disguise

it.

as in Rich. III.

iii.

5.

29

" So smooth

he daub'd his vice with show of virtue."

61.

Flibbertigibbet.

= making faces
ing,

Cf.

iii.

or grimaces.

115 above. Mopping and mowing

The two words have the same mean-

4.

and are often thus conjoined.

"

Each one,

tripping

Will be here with

63.

Chambermaids.

Cf.

on

Temp.

iv.

1.

47

his toe,

mop and mow ,"

etc.

Probably an allusion to Harsnet's account

of three chambermaids in the family of Mr.

Edmund Peckham.

Scene

Notes

ii]

255

Perhaps, as Moberly thinks, there may be a general reference to

chambermaids "who perform these antics before their mistress's
dressing-glass."

Makes

67.

now

" That

thee the happier.

me

teaches

(Wordsworth).

to
Cf.

is,

because

who

compassionate those
Dido's

"Non

my

wretchedness

are in

distress"

ignara mali miseris succurrere

disco."
68. Superfluous.
Having more than enough. Cf. A. W.
116: " Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly." See also

i.

1.

ii.

4.

260 above.

That

69.

slaves, etc.

"

Who,

instead of paying the deference

submission due to your ordinance, treats

it

it

as his slave,

and

by making

subservient to his views of pleasure or interest" (Heath).

There

74.

is

The

cliff, etc.

cliff,

now known

as Shakespeare'

town of Dover, to the southwest. It has

been somewhat diminished in height by frequent landslips, but is
Cliff, is

just outside of the

about 350 feet high. The surge still chafes against the pebbles, and the samphire-gatherer is still let down in a basket to
still

pursue his perilous trade

but the

cliff is

not so perpendicular, noi

do objects below seem so small, as one would infer from the poet's
Probably he did not mean to give a picture of this
description.
particular

cliff,

or less ideal.

Dover

cliff

but delineated one " in his mind's eye," and more

The South Eastern Railway now runs through

Confined.

75.

Scene
reaching

II.
it

the

in a tunnel 1331 yards long.

I.

in his

Restrained, kept back by the

cliff.

Welcome. She welcomes him to her house after

company (Delius). Our mild husband is con-

temptuous.
2.

Not.

For the transposition, see on

ii.

1.

77 above, and

cf.

53 below.
8.

tish

Sot.

iv. 15.

Fool (like the Fr.

foolish, in the

79.

sot)

the only meaning in

one instance in which he uses

it,

S.

So

A.

and

sot-,

C,

Notes

256
What

1 1

[Act iv

Ellipses in antithetical sentences are

like, offensive.

common.
Cowardly; used by S. only here.
That is, a manly answer to a challenge ; as in
14. Answer.
Ham. v. 2. 179 and T. and C. i. 3. 332.
See on iii. I. 30 above.
Forces.
16. Powers.
Likely
as in i. 1. 296 above and iv. 7. 95 below.
19. Like.
Either that she may put a chain round
22. Decline your head.
Cowish.

12.

his

neck (Delius), or to receive the kiss.

Understand; as in Temp.
Conceive.

24.

See on

26.

O.

29.

/ have

iii.

7.

iv. I.

50, etc.

91 above.

There was a time when you

been worth the whistle.

long without coming to meet me.

would not have
Steevens quotes Heywood's Proverbs : " A poore dogge that is not
waited so

woorth the whystlyng."

Fear = fear for ; as in v. I. 16 below.

That nature, etc. That nature which despises its origin
cannot be restrained within any bounds whatever, but is capable of
31.

32.

For

any depravity.
Sliver.

34.

Cf.

The word

eclipse."

it

possessive,

Macb.
is

in

iv.

1.

cf.

i.

4.

common

222 above.

" Sliver'd

28:

ently obsolete (or provincial) in England.

S.

in

the moon's

use in this country, but appar-

Disbranch

is

used by

only here.
35.

marks

Schmidt reFurnishing matter, nourishing.

Material.
" From Shakespeare's use of material elsewhere, in the

sense of full of matter, and hence of importance, it is not easy to

" full of matter," in a sense in
But here it is
explain it here."

which

S. often

of necessity
is

often

= by

uses matter

(=

substance, materials).

used only with must in

force;

as in

i.

4.

this sense.

305 and

i.

5.

Cf.

Perforce

49 below.

It

40 above.

Deadly use. Ruin, or destruction ; like the use made of

wood when dead (that is, for burning).
Cf. T. of A. iv. 1. 6: "To general filths," etc.
39. Filths.
36.

Savour

have a

taste or relish for.

Scene

42.

47.

the head.

Cf.

Hen. IV.

i.

2.

82

bear."

Madded.

Cf.

7?^.

//".

v. 5.

61

"This music mads me,"

Schmidt thinks the word suspiciously "weak"; but

in the sense of " subdue " or " crush " (see

Tame.

often uses

it

Schmidt's Lexicon)

age

257

S. does not use madden.

etc.

S.

Led by

Head-lugg'd.

"a lugged
43.

Notes

II]

spirit of

K. John,

as in

wild war,"

See also

etc.

See on

v. 2.

Milk-liver 'd.

54.

Tools do those villains, etc.

2.

"

And tame

the sav-

18 above.

6.

17 above.

50.

ii.

iii.

74

am

inclined to agree with

Furness that this probably refers to Albany himself, not to Gloster

" She cannot refer to Gloster, because
or Lear as others explain it.
Albany is ignorant of what had been done to him, and she herself
had left Gloster's castle before the blinding was accomplished;
and it is difficult to believe that she refers to Lear."
55. Where 's thy drum ? That is, why are you not rallying your
forces ?

7.

56.

Noiseless.

58.

Moral.

With no sound of warlike preparation.

Moralizing.

Cf.

Much

Ado,

v. I.

A. Y. L.

30,

ii.

29, etc.
60.

I.37-S

Proper deformity.

"

if

Native depravity.

damn d commotion

Cf. 2

so appear

Hen, IV.

iv.

In his true native and most proper shape."

62.

Whose natural (feminine) self

The meaning then is: Thou perverted
thy proper self (either thy womanly self, or

Self-cover 'd.

concealed.
hast lost

has seemed to me, the ideal of

fiend, do not thus

in

me

make

to yield to the

"Is

it

affection)

a monster of thyself.

covered or

who

thy self as

it

and hast become a

Were it becoming

angry impulse, I could tear thee limb from

limb; but, fiend though thou

thee.

my

is

creature,

art,

thy woman's shape doth shield

over-refinement to suppose that this revelation to

Albany of his wife's fiendlike character transforms, in his eyes,

even her person? She is changed, her true self has been covered ;

KING LEAR

Notes

258
now

whole outward shape

that she stands revealed, her

No woman,

monstered.

of

least

[Act iv

moved under such scathing words from her husband.

'

feature

it is

is

'

that

is

Goneril's

quivering and her face distorted with passion.

Albany

her not to

tells

her

let

be-

Goneril, could remain un-

all

evil self, hitherto

Then

covered

and concealed, betray itself in all its hideousness in her outward

shape" (Furness). No emendation is necessary, but several have
been proposed. For feature = bodily shape in general, figure, form,
cf. Ham. iii. I. 167; and for blood = passion, anger, L. L. L. i. 2. 32.
That is, to tear
65. To dislocate and tear Thy flesh and bones.
thy flesh and dislocate thy bones. The construction is used by S.
many times (cf. i. 4. 250 above) ; and sometimes, as here, without
preserving the proper order

Cymb.

I.

iii.

3:

"

corresponding words.

of the

And will to

and

C. iv. 15. 25

and tongues

ears
"

Be theme and hearing ever

A.

" If knife, drugs, serpents

Edge,

cf.

Macb.
"

Who

i.

60

3.

neither beg nor fear

"

Your favours nor your hate

T.

2.

iii.

164 :

have

sting, or operation," etc.

For the proper order,

W.

" Though I with death and with

Reward did threaten and encourage him,"

68.
is

Your manhood now !

73.
1.

1.

Sarcastic

" This

is

etc.

your manhood,

nice notion you have of

"
!

Remorse.

76,

Macb.

74.

46:

"A

it?" Moberly paraphrases thus:

manhood

Cf.

i.

Opposed.

5.

Pity,

compassion

as very often.

Cf.

Temp.

v.

W.

v.

45, etc.

Opposed

himself.

For oppose against,

cf.

T.

Scene

Notes

III]

" *T

My

their wills."

often used refiexively; as in

Bending

18, etc.

to

Pluck'd.

K. John,

I.

iii.

170, Rich. II.

iii.

3.

turning against.

In the direction

To.

75.
78.

your counsel

lord should to the heavens be contrary,

Oppose against
It is

is

259

of,

against.

word with

favourite

It

S.

occurs six times in

the present play.

79. Justicers.

See on

6.

iii.

Nether

21 above.

committed on

earth (opposed to above).

Not

Venge.

80.

to

be printed " 'venge," as in many eds.

now

the Fr. venger (Latin vindicare), but has

It is

given place to avenge

and revenge. Cf. vengeance and vengeful*

" Goneril's plan was to poison her sister,
83. One way, etc.
and to get possession of
to murder Albany,
to marry Edmund,
the whole kingdom.
As the death of Cornwall facilitated the last
part of her scheme, she was pleased at it; but disliked it, as it put
it in the power of her sister to marry Edmund" (Mason).
Cf. Cor. ii. 1. 216:
85. The building in my fancy.

"

And the

my very wishes
my fancy."

buildings of

Another way. Really the same as the One way in 8^, the
being introduced by the But.
which she did not like
way
again.
back
That is, going
90. Back again.
86.

other

Scene

III.

Enter

letters to
8.

This scene

is

a Gentleman.

omitted in the folios.

" The same whom he had sent with

Cordelia" (Johnson).

Who.

For whom, as

often.

Cf.

i.

4..

25 above and v.

3.

250

below.
11.
iii.

Letters.

3. 148,

Letter; as often.

M.for M.

iv. 3.

97, etc.

Cf.

M.ofV.'vi.

1.

108,^. W.

Notes

160

4:

ii.

21.

means

"And

Who.

16.

'

Trickled

TrilVd.

14.
rals,

chilly

See on

better

i.

way than
'

'

'

i.

and

2.

tears

expressed her feelings in

'

patience or sorrow

who

Cf. Brit. Pasto-

47 above, and cf. 19 below.

disputed passage. Clarke says: "It

smiles

either

each of which 'strove

words

107 and

1.

only here.

S.

o'er his staring eyes."

trill

A much

way.

that her mingled

a better

used by

drops

[Act iv

'

could do separately;

should express her goodliest.'

clude comparison with the opening phrase of the speech,

rage

The

her smiles and tears were like a better way,' moreover, in-

'

showing that her emotion vented

';

itself in

but ('a better way') in gentle 'smiles and

'

Not

to a

nothing like rage,

tears,'

compounded of

both 'patience and sorrow.'" Various emendations have been

Smilets is " a purely Shakespearian diminutive " used
suggested.
only here.
24.

As pearls,

etc.

Steevens takes the poetry out of the passage

by the following note, which might have been written by a jeweller's

apprentice " This idea might have been taken from the ornaments
:

which frequently consisted of

diamonds with pearls appended to them, or, in the jeweller's
phrase, dropping from them.
Pendants for the ear are still called
dropsy
of the ancient carcanet or necklace,

table

31.

Let pity not be believed I

33.

And, clamour--moisten

moistened her."

That

d, etc.

Capell gave "

is,

believed to

exist.

The quartos read "And clamour

And clamour

moisten'd "

allayed

with tears her grief ready to burst out into clamour, as winds are

Moberly explains it, "Shed tears upon her cry

Walker makes clamour-moisten 'd refer to eyes
Furness puts it, " her eyes that were heavenly and wet

allayed by rain.

of sorrow."
or,

as

with wailing."

Furness prefers this explanation, but

the passage to be corrupt

tion he

compares Hen. V.

as
ii.

2.

it

probably

"the full-fraught

139:

believes

For the construc-

is.

man and

best endued."
34.

It

35.

Conditions.

is the stars, etc.

Cf.

i.

2.

105

fol.

Nature, disposition.

above.

Cf.

i.

1.

292 above.

"

Notes

Scene IV]

36.

and

Self mate

For

(Johnson).

self,

"

mate.

cf.

i.

I.

261

The same husband and

wife

64 above.

Have not spoken. Cf. Hen. V. iv. 7. 58 "I

37. Spoke not.
was not angry since I came to France," etc.
44. Elbows. Perhaps = pushes him aside (Schmidt). The word
is a puzzling one, and probably one of the corruptions of this corrupt scene, " perhaps the most corrupt throughout Shakespeare's
:

plays " (Furness).

47. Dog-hearted. Inhuman, brutal. Craig, in his note on this passage, says that " S. rarely, if ever, says anything good of the dog ; "

but see the description of the hounds in

the talk of the hunters in T. of S. ind.

M. N. D.

1.

16

of his greyhound against the criticism of Slender

fol.);

the classification of dogs in Macb.

1.

iii.

iv. 1.

118

fol.;

Page's defence

fol.;

(M.

92

W.'\.

fol.;

I.

96

"the cun-

ning hounds " in V.

and A. 687, etc. S. evidently loved dogs as

he did horses, though he naturally often makes his characters refer
to them with the ordinary contemptuous and derogatory metaphors
taken from the meaner types of the animal.
51.

'Tis

so,

they are afoot.

"So

it

that they are on foot"

is

(Johnson); "they are actually on foot" (Malone).

53.

Some dear

cause.

Some important

business.

Cf.

4.

279

common name

for

i.

above.

Scene IV.

3.

plants of the genus

Fumiter.

Fumitory;

Fumaria.

Cf.

Hen.

the

V. v. 2. 45

"

The

darnel,

hemlock, and rank fumitory."

The quartos have " hor-docks," and the folios

4. Burdocks.
" Hardokes " or " Ffardocks." Burdocks is Hanmer's emendation,
The common burdock {Lappa
Wood) grows abundantly by roadsides and in waste

adopted by most of the editors.

officinalis,

places both in

England and

in this country.

Hemlock

ingredients of the witches' cauldron, in Macb.

quotation from Hen. V. just above.

by

S.j

as in

W.

T.i. 3. 329, Rich.

IF

i.

4. 25.

is

Nettles are often

iii.

2. 18,

Hen.

one of the

See also the

mentioned

VA.U 60,

etc.

Notes

161

[Act iv

According
here meant; but that has " rose-

Cf. cuckoo-buds in L. <L. L. v. 2. 906.

Cuckoo-flowers.

to Beisly, the Lychnis flos-cuculi

is

coloured flowers," while the cuckoo-buds in

L. L. are " of yellow

JL.

Ellacombe thinks that either the cowslip or the buttercup is

is inclined, with Dr.*Prior, to decide on the latter.
The Lolium temulentum. Cf Hen. V. v. 2. 45 and
5. Darnel.
Hen* VlJm.. 2. 44. According to Ellacombe, in the time of S.

hue."

meant, and he

fc

darnel, like cockle,

as " a general

was used

name

for

any hurtful

= unprofitable, worthless opposed to sustaining.

as in Cor.
Century. A company of a hundred men
7.

weed."
6.

Idle

i.

In the only other instance of the word in

S.

(Cymb.

iv. 2.

391

3.

" a

means simply a hundred,

27 " Our worser genius can," etc.
Heals, cures; as in R. of L. 1822, Temp. ii. 2. 97,
10. Helps.
7b&? is 3d pers. imperative, or "subT. G.*of V. iv. 2. 47, etc.

century of prayers"),

Can,

8.

it

Temp.

Cf.

iv. 1.

junctive imperative."
use, cf. M. of V. ii. 1. 19, W. T.
Dr. Kellogg {Shakespeare's Delin. of Insanity,

Means. For the singular

11.
iv. 4.

632, 865, etc.

"The

p. 26)

remarks:

worthy

of careful attention, as

reply of the Physician

is significant,

and

embracing a brief summary of almost

the only true principles recognized by

modern

science,

and now

carried out by the most eminent physicians in the treatment of the

We

insane.

no

find here

the invocation of saints,

cians of the time of S.

allusion to the scourgings, the charms,

etc.,

employed by the most eminent physiwe any allusion to the rotary

neither have

chairs, the vomitings, the

purgings by hellebore, the showerings,

and blisterings, which, even down to

been inflicted upon these unfortunates by
so called,' and which stand recorded as imperish-

the bleedings, scalp-shavings,

our
'

own

times, have

science falsely

able

monuments

of medical folly; but in place of

all

this,

S.,

speaking through the mouth of the Physician, gives us the principle, simple, truthful,
14.

Simples,

and

universally applicable."

Medicinal herbs.

pounded of many simples,"

etc.

Cf.

A, Y. L.

iv,

I.

16:

"com-

Notes

Scene V]

Generally used in S. of physical pain.

Anguish.

15.

263
Cf. iv. 6.

6 below.

Aidant and remediate. Helpful and

17.

elsewhere;

adjective

but

we

Hen. VI. iv. 4. 17.

Unbridled
19. Ungovern 'd.

healing.

S. uses neither

and

find aidance in V.

A. 330 and

as in T, G. of V. iv. 1. 45

"the

fury of ungovern'd youth."

Important.

26.

7. 21, etc.

iii.

27.

Blown.

28.

Aged.

Importunate.

Cf.

Much Ado

Cf.

A.

ther's

it

Ham.
20. By

i.

may

2.

74,

A. W.

and

C. v. 2. 352.

Abbott makes the word here a monosyllable, and

Scene V.
in

I.

ii.

Inflated, swollen.

seems to think that the only alternative

ble; but why not scan thus: " But love,

gedfa-

is
|

to

make our a

dear love,

dissylla-

and our

a|

right"?

13.

68

Nighted. Darkened.
" thy nighted colour."

By word

word.

The word

of mouth, orally.

Belike

occurs again

it

is likely,

be.

22. Madam, I had rather

Johnson says " I know not well
why S. gives to Oswald, who is a mere factor of wickedness, so
much fidelity. He now refuses the letter; and afterwards, when
he is dying, thinks only how it may be safely delivered." Ver-

planck remarks

" S. has here incidentally painted, without the

formality of a regular moral lesson, one of the very strange

very

common

ous,

honourable,

self-contradictions of our enigmatical nature.

even

self-sacrificing

fidelity,

sometimes

chief or leader, sometimes to a party, a faction, or a gang,

pears to be so
that

the

it is

little

its

to

ap-

dependent on any principle of virtuous duty

among those who have thrown off

often found strongest

common

restraints

man's obligations to his

the most

and

Zeal-

of morality.

God

abandoned mind

still

natural social sympathies,

It

would seem that when

or his kind are rejected or forgotten,

craves something for the exercise of

and

as

it

loses sight of nobler

and

truer

Notes

264

duties becomes, like the Steward,

vices

'

of

its

[Act iv

more and more

'

duteous to the

self-chosen masters."

glances.
The word is spelled " aliads "
"
"
"
Cf. M. W.
Eliads or
Iliads " in the folios.
in the quartos, and
"
Page's wife, who even now gave me good eyes too,
i. 3. 68
25.

(Eillades.

Amorous

examined
26.

my

Of her

parts with most judicious oeillades."

In her confidence.

bosom.

"I am

Cf. J. C. v. I. 7:

in their bosoms."
29.

Take

Take note

this note.

could not have been a

killed

by Edgar, and

of

this,

attend to what I say.

his pockets rifled, only

one

letter

and that was Goneril's. See iv. 6. 245 below.

Tell her to help herself,
35. Desire her call, etc.

Scene VI.

The materials of

See

Arcadia.

p.

173

fol.

It

because when Oswald was afterward

letter,

this scene are

if

was found,

she can.

taken from Sidney's

above.

For the adverbial use, cf. T. N. iii. 4. 196:

3. Horrible.
"swear horrible; " I Hen. IV. ii. 4. 402: "horrible afeard," etc.
10. You We better-spoken ; like well-spoken in T. G. of V. i. 2. 10.
Cf. Orlando's comment on Rosalind's speech in A. Y. L. iii. 2. 359.
The Corvus monedula. Cf. M. N. D. ii. 2. 21
13. Choughs.

and Macb.
14.

iii.

Gross.

4. 12.

Big, large.

Cf.

the quibble in

Hen. IV.

ii.

4.

250:

" These lies are like their father that begets them; gross as a

mountain, open, palpable."

15.

Sampire.

ing with

its

The

than the modern samphire.

of

its

Italian names,

and more in keepherbe de Saint-Pierre " )

spelling of the early eds.

derivation (from the Fr. "

Herba

1'

Gerarde, in his Herbal, gives as one

di

San

Pietro.

He

says

"

Rocke

Malone says
Sampier groweth on the rocky cliffe's at Douer."
" This personage is not a mere creature of Shakespeare's imagina-

common

tion, for the gathering of

samphire was

occupation in his time,

being carried and cried about the

and much used as a

it

pickle."

Cf.

literally

a trade or

Drayton, Polyolbion,

xviii.

streets,
:

Notes

Scene VI]

265

Rob

"

Dover's neighbouring cleeves of samphire, to excite

His dull and sickly taste, and stir up appetite."

Not

Yond.

18.

"yond'," as

to be printed

often

it

It is

is.

not

a contraction of yonder.

Cockboat; the only mention of

Unnumbered. Innumerable; as in J.
Cock.

19.

21.

skies are painted with

For

above.

idle,

cf.

unnumber'd sparks."
iv.

4.

5 above.

C.

Cf.

Pebble

in S.

it

iii.

I.

"The

63:

untented in

i.

4.

291

used collectively;

is

but some eds. adopt the harsh reading, " pebbles chafes."

Oth.

Defective, failing ; used by S. only here and in

" Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense."

Deficient.

23.

63

3.

i.

So near the edge of the

Upright.

27.

cliff it

would be danger-

ous to leap even upwards.

For the

Sights.

35.

you

will,

plural,

cf.

Rich. II.

so I were from your sights."

Such

iv.

1.

when more than one person is meant.

Not to be opposed used by
38. Opposeless.
Cf. A. W. i. 2. 59
39. My snuff, etc.

S.

"
'

After

my

'

Of younger
(that

is,

to

spirits

Imagination

may be

illusion

me

not

'

live,'

to

oil,

common

in

only here.

S.

quoth he,
be the snuff

"

be called a snuff by them).

Conceit.

42.

Let

flame lacks

314: "Whither

plurals are

as in

Edgar

so strong,"

Ham.
says,

iii.

4.

"

14, etc.

" as actually to

The

cause

death."

VI.

iii.

50.

i.

1.

A.

3.

25

"

Fathom.

A. Y. L.

Cf.

Pass away, die

Pass.

47.

50:

iv.

as in v. 3. 315 below.

S.

him pass peaceably."

uses both fathom and fathoms

1.

210:

let

"how many

"how many fathom deep;

fathoms deep,"

At

54.

Fell also occurs as the participle in T. A.

iv. 3.

265.

2 Hen.

in the plural.

"

T.

and

C.

etc.

53.

each.

Cf.

Joined end to end.

ii.

4.

50 and T. of

Notes

166
Boundary.

Bourn.

57.

Cf.

[Act iv

Temp.

ii.

152: "Bourn, bound

1.

of land," etc.

III.

stomach,

Oth.

cf.

I.

ii.

Whelk'd.

71.

" His face

is

Shrill-gorg' d

86.

iv. 4.

We find " a-high " in Rich.

= shrill-throated. For gorge = throat,

To the height, aloft.

A-height.

58.

236, etc.

Protruding, like whelks.

Cf.

Hen.

V.

iii.

6.

108:

bubukles, and whelks, and knobs," etc. Enridged

" Whose ridges with
Cf. V. and A. 820
only here.

is all

used by

S.

the meeting clouds contend; " and R. of L. 1439: "with swelling

ridges."

This has been variously defined as " open and

Clearest.

73.

and " clear-sighted." As Schmidt remarks,

seems to combine the ideas of " bright, pure, and glorious." In

righteous," " purest,"

it

Lycidas, 70, " clear spirit "

Men's

74.

Luke,

cites

impossibilities.

= " noble mind"

What men

in 71.

call impossibilities.

Capell

xviii. 27.

Sound.

Free.

80.

is

Cf.

M. of M.

i.

2.

44: "whether thou

art

tainted or free," etc.

81.

cretion

Sounder, saner. Cf. M. for M. i. 1. 72: "safe disSafer.

" Cor. ii. 3. 226: "safer judgment," etc.
Accotnmodate
;

= equip,

furnish.

Cf.

unaccommodated,

iii.

4.

107 above.

your press-money, etc. As Capell notes, Lear's mad

running
upon war and warlike exercises, the enlisting
thoughts are
Press-money was the
of soldiers, the training of bowmen, etc.
money given to a soldier when he was pressed into service. Cf.
2 Hen. IV. iii. 2. 296, where Wart receives " a tester," or sixpence.
87. There

88.

R.

One who keeps off crows from a field.

" Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper."

crow-keeper.

and J.

'j

i.

4.

clothier's

yard.

Cf.

Steevens compares the old ballad of Chevy-

An arrow of a cloth-yard long."

Brown bills. Halberds used by foot-soldiers.

Chace : "
92.

VI.

iv.

10. 13:

"For many
with a brown

had been cleft

them from rust.

bill."

Cf. 2

Hen.

my

brain-pan

They were browned

to protect

a time, but for a

sallet,

Notes

Scene VI]

The phrase

Well flown, bird!

uses

is

the centre of the target.

taken from falconry, but Lear

The

figuratively of the arrow.

it

267

Cf. Z. Z. Z.

clout
iv. I.

was the white mark in

136: " he '11 ne'er hit

the clout."

The watchword

The word.

93.

many

and

as in Rich. III. v. 3. 349

other passages.

The

Marjoram.

94.

Origanum marjorana.

plant

A.

Cf.

W.

iv. 5. 17, etc.

And

98.

told me, etc.

Told

me

had the wisdom of age

that I

before I had attained to that of youth (Capell).

100. Ay and no too, etc.
Clarke says " Lear

exclaims in-

first

'To say "ay" and "no" to everything I said! recollecting the facility with which his courtiers veered about in their
answers to suit his varying moods, just as Osric does to Hamlet
and then he goes on to say that this kind of ay and no too is
no good divinity."
Hold its peace. Cf. Oth. v. 2. 219
103. Peace.
dignantly

'

'

'

'

" Iago.

Come, hold your peace.

Emilia.

'T will out,

Trick.

107.

Peculiarity.

Cf.

trick of Cceur-de-Lion's face; "

nous

K.John,
I.

*t

1.85:

i.

Hen. IV.

out

will

"He

peace

"
!

hath a

446: "a

4.

ii

villa-

trick of thine eye," etc.

109.

"The

'

Probably collective

Subject.

greater

file

115.

Civet.

Cf.

119.

Piece.

Nearly

Temp.

i.

2.

56:

of beauty," etc.

as in

of the subject held the

"a

iii.

4.

M. for M.

duke

iii.

2.

145

be wise."

to

105 above.

= masterpiece,

piece of virtue; "

or

W.

model
T.

iv.

(Schmidt).
4.

32:

"a

Cf.

piece

This great world = the macrocosm, as opposed to

the microcosm, ox "little world of

man"

(iii.

10), implied in

I.

what precedes.
122.

Suffolk
a

New

Squiny.
;

Squint.

Wright says the word

is

and, as Furness adds, in this country also.

still

used in

have heard

England mother say to a boy, " Don't squiny up your eyes."

Notes

268
It

126.

But what

Emphatic; as in Macb.'x.

is.

3.

141

Cf.

W.

"and nothing

is

not."

is

The

129.

[Act iv

case.

The empty

socket.

T. v.

"to

14:

2.

tear the cases of their eyes."

me? Is that what you mean? Cf. A.

know where you are." Furness compares
"take me with you " in R. and J. iii. 5. 140.
In a heartfelt way. Lear takes it to mean
134. Feelingly,
Are you

130.

Y. L. v. 2.

32

there with

" O, I

" only by feeling, as I have no eyes."

of low estate.
Simple
and C. v. 2. 342 " a simple countryman," etc.

A.

in which,

by a

sort of

is

men

play with your majestie as

game,

children's

passed quickly from one hand to the

Douce quotes an old MS., A free discourse, etc. " They

of hand, a thing

other.
.

Handy-dandy.

138.
sleight

Cf.

play with

little

children at

handye dandye, which hand will you have, when they are disposed
keep any thinge from them."
" When
146. Through tatter 'd clothes great vices do appear.

to

looked

through

at

tattered

clothes,

all

appear

vices

great

(Furness).

and furr'd gowns

Robes

147.

ing

base

in

sin

hide

Cf.

all.

R. of L. 93

Plate

of majesty."

plaits

clothe

in

" Hidplate

armour.

Warrant, answer

Able.

150.

" That

's

safe, I

'11

matter,"

less

art;"

Much

Impertinency

etc.

Cf.

for.

Middleton,

Game

at Chess:

it."

Meaning, sense.

Matter.

156.

matter with

able

Ado,

what

Ham.

Cf.
ii.

is

1.

" More
ii.
2. 95
344: "all mirth and no
:

not pertinent, or to the pur-

Douce says that the word was not used in the sense of rude or
unmannerly till the middle of the 17th century, nor in that of saucy

pose.

until a considerable

time afterward.

Cf.

impertinent in Temp.

i.

2. 138.

162.

Wawl.

165.

This 1

Block

= the

Used by
This

is.

S. only here.

The

early eds.

Cf. caterwaul.

have "this a" or "This

fashion of a hat, from the block on which

it

a."

was shaped.

Notes

Scene VI]

Cf.

Much

Ado,

I.

i.

Lear probably had no hat on his head, but

77.

Furness says that in Edwin

only his fantastic crown of weeds.

Booth's Prompt Book, there

Curan's hat;" which

269

is

the stage-direction, " Lear takes

certainly better than to suppose that

is

he

took his own.

166.

stratagem

Malone says: "This

delicate stratagem, etc.

had

'

been put in practice

actually

fifty

'delicate

years before S.

was born, as we learn from Lord Herbert's Life of Henry the

Eighth : the ladye Margaret,
caused there a juste to be held
in an extraordinary manner ; the place being a fore-room raised
high from the ground by many steps, and paved with black square
'

stones like marble; while the horses, to prevent sliding, were shod

with felt or flocks [the Latin words are feltro sive tomento~\

which the

ladies

danced

all night.

after

"
'

Then, kill, kill, etc. Formerly the word given in the Engarmy when an onset was made (Malone). Cf. V. and A. 652:
" in a peaceful hour doth cry, kill, kill.' "
See also The Mirrour
"
Magistrates
Our
Englishmen
came
:
boldly
forth at night,
of
169.

lish

'

crying,
1

George, Salisbury,

St.

'

73.

fortune.
174.

175.

Cut

177.

A man
2.

i.

181.

"

'

One born

to

be the sport of

Cf. R. and J. iii. 1. 129: " I am fortune's fool."

A surgeon. The word that S. uses elsewhere, but we

chirurgeonly in Temp.

Ham.

kill, kill

The natural fool of fortune.

to the

154,

brains.

of

and Cor.

Smug.

Cf. Acts, v. 33:

A man

salt.

find

140.

1.

ii.

of tears.

"cut
Cf.

to the heart."

K. John,

v. 7. 45,

v. 6. 93.

Spruce.

M. of

Cf.

V.

iii.

1.

43,

Hen. IV.

iii.

I.

102, etc.
185.

There

186.

Sa, sa, sa, sa.

'j

life

in

V.

"

The

An

case is not yet desperate.

exclamation inciting to swift running "

(Schmidt).
191.
iv. 4.

Speed you.

112:

192.

May you

speed, or prosper.

"I would not have him speed,"

Toward.

See on

ii.

1.

11 above.

etc.

Cf. T. G.

of

V.

Notes

270

Commonly known.

Vulgar.

193.

[Act iv

and

A.

Cf.

C.

13. 119:

iii.

" vulgar fame," etc.

Who.

Which.

194.

The main

196.

See on

i.

4.

258 above.

"The main body

descry, etc.

is

expected to be

descried every hour " (Johnson).

My

201.

"

worser

spirit.

Our worser genius."

ially

as in

and

A.

C.

ii.

below and Temp.

Cf. iv. 7. 7

iv. I.

27:

uses worser often, and sometimes adverb-

S.

90

5.

"I cannot hate thee worser than

do," etc.
Heartfelt, or touching

Feeling.

205.

both senses.

W.

'Cf.

might be some

iv.

2.

combining

or perhaps

To whose

feeling sorrows I

allay."

206. Pregnant.

Disposed, ready.

See on

Abiding-place, abode.

Biding.

207.

T.

"

Cf.

1.

ii.

78 above.

R. of L. 550: "from

their biding."

and boot. Over and above my thanks. Herford

meaning: "to boot, in addition (to my thanks), and
(the bounty of heaven) be your help."
Recollect thy past sins, and commend
212. Thyself remember.
To

209.

boot,

sees a double

thyself to heaven.

213.

Now

explains

it;

218.

from

Clearly addressed to Oswald, as Furness

etc.

let,

not to Edgar, as some suppose.

chud from

Provincial Glossary, chell

Gait.

Che vor ye.

224.

is

Somersetshire

ich

would

dialect) contracted

said to be used for

/ shall in

Cf. Rich. III.

word

226.
dar'st

i.

4.

Somerset

for

warn you.

Ise

=I

dialects.

shall;

western part of Somersetshire, and pronounced

in the folios (Wright).

In Grose's

or ich should.

/ am in Somerset.
Way; now confined to northern

and Devon, and cham

220.

the

I will (in

Chill.

ich will, as

Costard

159 and

M. W.

head;
iii.

I.

literally

14.

still

ice,

used in the
as

it

is

spelt

a kind of apple.

Ballow

is

a northern

pole, cudgel.

Out, dunghill! Cf. K. John,

thou brave a nobleman?"

iv. 3.

87:

"Out, dunghill!

Notes

Scene VI]

Thrusts in fencing; the only instance of the noun

Foins.

228.

M. W.

For the verb, see

in S.

ii.

3. 24,

Applied to a single

Letters.

231.

271

Much

letter,

Ado,
as in

v. 1. 84, etc.
1

5.

i.

above.

Malone says it is used like the Latin epistola, but he probably

meant litterce, as epistolce is a quasi-singular only in post-classical
writers.

ii.

M. of

4. 4,

V.

Cf.

2. 76, etc.

ii.

Deathsman.

Executioner; as in R. of L. 1001, 2 Hen. VI.

Edgar is sorry that he anticipated the hangman.
" Good wax, thy
Cf. Cymb. iii. 2. 35
242. Leave, gentle wax.
241.

iii.

Often used as an address to any old man.

Father.

238.

Macb.
2.

217, etc.

leave."

243.

We'd

rip their hearts.

" I

'11

have

Thy

this secret

heart to find

Their papers.

247.

Fruitfully.

For the

244.

Cf.

Cymb.

iii.

5.

86

from thy heart, or

rip

it."

ellipsis, cf. iv. 2. 1 1

Abundantly,

fully;

as in A.

above.

W.

ii.

2. 73,

the

only other instance of the adverb in S.

indistinguish? d space, etc.

254.

range of woman's will

2d quarto reading)

"

Schmidt makes undistinguished (the

"incalculable,

guished occurs nowhere else in

L. C. 20.
257.

For

Rake

space, cf.

up.

England phrase, "

" O, unmarked, boundless

i.

1.

S.,

unaccountable."

Indistin-

and undistinguished only

in

51 above.

Cover by raking up the earth.

Cf. the

New

up a fire," that is, cover it with ashes.

Steevens thought
Unsanctified'= wicked; as in Macb. iv. 2. 81.
it referred to his burial " in ground unsanctified " {Ham. v. I. 252).
S. has the word only these three times.
Accented here on the penult, because coming
258. Mature.
to rake

before a noun.
260.
plot, in

L)eath-practis d.
iii.

2.

Whose death

is

plotted.

Cf. practise

52 above.

263. Ingenious.

Conscious; or, perhaps, sensitive, acute.

Cf.

Notes

272
Ham.

"thy most ingenious sense ;" where

271
" keen intellect."

v. 1.

mean

264.

Distract.

269.

Bestow.

Scene VII.
6.

Qi.J. C.

Cf.

9.

My

Shortens

of V.

made

The

intent.

= mars,

i.

iv. 6.

seems to

fell distract," etc.

See on
2. 79,

ii.

4.

T. N.

Morn

25 above.

v. 1.

241, etc.;

appear."

Cf. M. N. D. ii. 2. 71
Memories memorials;

etc.

For worser, see on

3. 3, etc.

ii.

M.

it

287 above.

"Till civil-suited

Garments.

Weeds.

Athens he doth wear,"

4.

ii.

Moderate.

Modest.

5.

Dressed.

Suited.

155: "she

iv. 3.

See on

Lodge.

also Milton, //. Pens. 122:

7.

[Act iv

"Weeds

as in

A.

of

Y. L.

201 above.

intention or plan I have formed.

prejudices.

For the

13.

Sleeps.

16.

The untuned,

of the subject, see on

ellipsis

Cf.

etc.

Ham.

iii.

I.

The metaphor

jangled out of tune, and harsh."

ii.

4.

42 above.

166: "Like sweet bells

in

wind up

is

taken from a stringed instrument.

17.

plain

Either "changed to a
"changed by the conduct of his

Child-changed.
it;

or

understand

child," as

some

ex-

children," as others

it.

24.

Temperance.

25.

Music.

Self-restraint, calmness.

Dr. Bucknill says

Cf.

Macb. iv.

3.

92, etc.

" This seems a bold experiment,

and one not unfraught with danger. The idea that the insane mind
beneficially influenced by music is, indeed, an ancient and general

is

one; but that the medicated sleep of insanity should be interrupted

by

it,

and that the

first

object presented to the consciousness should

be the very person most likely to excite profound emotion, appear

to be expedients

little

calculated to promote that tranquillity of the

mental functions which

after the

is,

undoubtedly, the safest state to induce,

excitement of mania.

suspicion of this

may have

crossed

Shakespeare's mind, for he represents Lear in imminent danger of

passing into a
26.

new form

of delusion."

Restoration hang, etc.

the medicine to cure thee.

Let restoration hang upon

my

lips

Notes

Scene vii]

32.

Opposed against.

33.

Dread-bolted.

compound words

Cf.

174 above.

calls

number of

attention to the

in this play.

Forlorn one

35. Perdu.

4.

ii.

Clarke

273

according to Reed and others, an

on a desperate serperdu of the old French

and the
army, a sentinel placed in a very perilous position
watch favours this interpretation. Perdu in this sense is found in
Beaumont and Fletcher {Little French Lawyer, ii. 2) and Tourallusion to the enfants perdus, or soldiers sent

Craig refers

vice.

it

to the sentinelle

neur {Atheist's Tragedy,

Mine

36.
J.

W.

enemy's

ii.

dog,

65).

Verplanck remarks

etc.

"

The

late

used often to quote these lines as accumu-

Jarvis, the artist,

compass the greatest causes of dislike to be

overcome by good-natured pity. It is not merely the personal
enemy, for whom there might be human sympathy, that is admitted
to the family fireside, but his dog, and that a dog who had himself inflicted his own share of personal injury, and that too upon
lating in the shortest

a gentle being from

whom

was not possible that he could have

it

received any provocation."

The only instance of the verb in S. ; and the

39. To hovel.
noun occurs only in this play (iii. 2. 56 fol. and iii. 4. 174).
40. Short. If this is what S. wrote, it must be = scanty,
insufficient.

42.

Concluded

Come

all.

to

an end altogether.

See on

i.

1.

95

above.
47.

That.

So that

as often.

Deceived

53. Abus'd.

" Abuses

as in 77

me

below and

iv. 1.

22 above.

Cf.

damn me."
60-75. I am a very foolish, etc. Dr. Ray says " A more faithful
picture of the mind, at the moment when it is emerging from the

Ham.

ii.

2.

632

to

darkness of disease into the clear atmosphere of health restored,

was never executed than

covery from acute mania

this of Lear's
is

gradual, one

recovery.

giving away, until, after a series of struggles, which

KING LEAR

Generally, re-

delusion after

another

may occupy

Notes

274

[Act iv

weeks or months, between the convictions of reason and the suggestions of disease, the patient comes out a sound, rational man.
In a small f proportion of cases, however, this change takes place
very rapidly. Within the space of a few hours or a day he recognizes his true condition, abandons his delusions, and contemplates
all

his relations in

an entirely different light."

Not an hour more or

61.

Sir

less.

Joshua Reynolds and Steevens

thought this must be an interpolation

but Lear

not yet in his

is

perfect mind.

And

70.

so

" Never surely was the passionate

I am, I am.

weeping of a reticent woman more perfectly expressed in brief

written words than these and the No cause, no cause that follow.
They so admirably portray the suppressed weeping natural to such
'

a character as Cordelia's
intensely loving

78.

Rage.

80.

Even

concentrated and undemonstrative, yet

and earnest" (Clarke).

Deceive

Abuse.

77.

'

Insanity
o'er.

as in

as in C. of

" That

22 above.

iv. I.

E.

iv. 3.

to reconcile

is,

it

89, etc.

to his apprehension"

(Warburton)
Till further settling.

82.

Till

he becomes calmer.

Dr. Brig-

Jour, of Insanity, July, 1844) remarks: "We conalmost with shame, that, although near two centuries and

ham (Amer.
fess,

a half have passed since

method of
produce sleep, and to

add

to his

ment, to avoid

all

S.

thus wrote,

we have

quiet the

unkindness, and,

when

minds and to cause a

Cf. T.

N.

iii.

hi. 2.

4. 148, v. 1. 350,

now

is

421

and

C.

considered

For the old"a dark house

of E.

v. 1. 247.

83.

Walk.

Withdraw.

95. Arbitrement.

See on

Decision.

iii.

4.

treat-

anything likely to

relapse,

time treatment of insanity, see A. Y. L.

to

To

the patients begin to

the best and nearly the only essential treatment."

and a whip."

little

mind by medical and moral

convalesce, to guard, as he directs, against

disturb their

very

treating the insane as thus pointed out.

107 above.

Cf. Rich. III. v. 3.

89

iv. 4.

97,

Notes

Scene I]

275

"the arbitrement

Of bloody

I.

and mortal-staring war."

Thoroughly

Throughly.

97.
iv.

strokes

Temp.

as in

M.

3. 14,

iii.

of V.

173, etc.

ACT V
Scene

I.

His constant pleasure.

4.

Cf. " constant will " in

5.

Miscarried.

6.

Doubted.

i.

1.

His settled resolution.

38 above.

Lost, killed

Cf. 44 below.
So doubtful = suspicious,

as often.

Suspected, feared.

in

12 below.
7.

S.

Intend upon.

9.
1 1

Honoured.

12.

Fear me

18.

Had

S.

only in such

See on

ii.

2.

120 above.

"of her bosom" in iv. 5. 26 above.

" Hers in the full sense of the word."

As far

Cf.

16.

Elsewhere used by
forfend, etc.

Intimately connected.

Conjunct.

call hers

66 below.

Forbidden.

God forfend, heaven

13. Bosom'd.

we

Cf.

Elsewhere

intend to confer upon.

for,

Honourable, virtuous.

Forfended.

phrases as

as

Intend

has intend to or toward.

Fear not

not.

for

See on

me.

Good English now

rather.

iv. 2.

as then.

31 above.

Be-met

met

used by S. only here.

25.

It toucheth us, etc.

Because the French are invaders of his

country, not merely the supporters of Lear.

26.

28.

V.

ii.

noun

in

ii.

7.

is

found nowhere

91 and Hen. VIII.

Cause or compel to

oppose.

else in S.,

i.

2. 55.

fight against us.

Discussed, talked about

Cf.

ii.

4.

262 above

8. 27.

Particular.

also the

The verb

bolden in A. Y. L.

Reasoned.

and M. of
30.

Encourages.

Folds.

we have
27. Make

but

ii.

Private, personal.
4.

290 above.

Cf.

i.

4.

345 above.

See

Notes

276

36.

The ancient of war. Veteran soldiers.

Becoming, proper. Cf. iv.
Convenient.

37.

/ know

32.

the riddle.

[Act

5.

31 above.

understand your game

you want

to

keep watch of me.

44.

Here the meaning

See on 5 above.

Miscarry.

from what

Look

50.

Overlook.

53.

Discovery.

54.

Greet the time.

Reconnoitring.

2.

i.

^ above.

Macb.

Cf.

as in

i.

4. 71

Carry out my side. Be a winner

13: "which side should win," etc.

63.

Countenance.

Authority.

the countenance of the king; "

Cf. 2

and

just

nance and the grace of heaven."

Cf. Macb. i. 7. 20
65. Taking-off.

v. 4. 6.

above.

in the

game.

Cf. Cor. v.

Hen. IV. iv. 2. 13: "abuse

below (24) "the counte:

" his taking-off ."

etc.

For my state, etc. For it concerns me to defend my

For stands upon, cf. Rich. II. ii. 3. 138, A. and C. ii.

etc.

Shall

68.

Scene
The tree

plain

Meet the emergency.

Suspicious

56. Jealous.

See on

over.

61.
3.

is

follows.

= they shall

II.
is

state,
1.

50,

a " confusion of construction."

2.
For your good host. That is, for your shelter.
compared to a host, or one who takes us under his

roof.
5.

Mr. Spedding would begin act

Transactions for 1877-1879, p.

11.

Ripeness

not to come;
yet

it

will

Scene
iii.

5.
7.

if it

come
III.

is all.

be not to come,

the readiness

3.

Censure.

3 above.
These daughters

and

See

New

Shaks. Soc.

15.

Ham.

Cf.

v. here.

v. 2.
it

will

232: "If

be now;

it

be now,

if it

't

is

be not now,

is all."

Judge, pass sentence upon.

these

sisters.

"

bitter

simplest words, thoroughly characteristic in the

expression with intense feeling" (Clarke).

See on

sarcasm in

woman

of quiet

Notes

Scene in]

13.

Gilded

"Gay

butterflies.

277

courtiers"

mont and Fletcher, The Coronation,

i.

(Craig).

" The gay

Cf.

flies

Beau-

that buzz

about the court."

17.

As

if we were God's spies.

"As

if

we were

angels commis-

sioned to survey and report the lives of men, and consequently en-

dowed with the power of prying into the original motives of action
and the mysteries of conduct " (Johnson).
18.

Packs.

Combinations, coalitions.

Cf.

M. W.

2.

iv.

123:

" a knot, a ging, a pack, a conspiracy," etc.

Upon such

20-25.

sacrifices, etc.

not mania, but neither

bility often

is it

seen in extreme age, as

of the drama, and

it

is

Dr. Bucknill says

sound mind.
it is

It is

" This

is

the emotional excita-

depicted in the early scenes

precisely true to the probabilities of the

mind's history that this should be the phase of infirmity displaying

moment.

itself at this

Any

other dramatist than S. would have

represented the poor old king quite restored to the balance and
control of his faculties.

The complete

efficiency of

filial

love would

have been made to triumph over the laws of mental function.

But S. has represented the exact degree of improvement which was
circumstances, namely, restoration from the
mania which resulted from the combined influence of
physical and moral shock, with persistence of the emotional excitement and disturbance which is the incurable and unalterable result
of passion exaggerated by long habitude and by the malign influence

probable under the

intellectual

of extreme age."
23.

Like foxes.

of their holes.

Alluding to the practice of smoking foxes out

Steevens cites Harrington's Ariosto :

" Ev'n as a Foxe,

whom smoke and fire

doth

fright,

ground remaine,
Bolts out, and through both smoke and fires he
Into the Tariers mouth, and there he dieth."

So

24.

Eng.

as he dare not in the

Good-years.
Diet.'),

An

flieth

expression of doubtful origin (see the

which "came

to

New

be used in imprecatory phrases as

Notes

278

[Act

denoting some undefined malefic power or agency." The old

explanation (making it = the pox) is pronounced " quite inadFlesh

missible."
iii.

2.

flesh

and

For

skin.

A. Y. L.

cf.

fell,

v. 5. 2.

The warrant

This note.

28.

and fell

55 and Macb.

for

the

execution of Lear and

Cordelia.

Thy great

33.

employnient, etc.

to you does not admit of debate.

soldier.

Count yourself lucky, congratulate yourself;

Write happy.

36.,

The important business intrusted

Sword

perhaps a hint of reward.

Carry

37.

Ado,

iv.

41.

1.

Conduct the business, manage

it.

"this well carried,"

212:

Strain.

Race, lineage.

Much

Cf.

it.

etc.

Cf. J.

C. v.

1.

39: "the noblest

of thy strain," etc.

Opponents; as in

43.

Opposites.

48.

Retention.

Ham.

Confinement, custody.

pointed guard axe omitted in the

v. 2. 62, etc.

The words and

ap-

folios.

The affection of the common people.

The soldiers we have pressed into
51. Our impressed lances.
our service.
Our eyes tvhich = the eyes of us who. Cf. " their
50.

The common bosom.

greater pleasures
66.

compares
69.

Ham.

Your

i.

that " in 2 above.

Being next

Immediacy.
2.

109

addition.

in authority to

me.

Malone well

" most immediate to our throne."

The

title

you have given him.

Cf.

ii.

2.

25

above.
70.

Compeers.

Is

the peer

not found elsewhere in

S.,

of,

is

equal with.

The verb

and the noun occurs only

in

is

Sonn.

86. 7.
71.

That were

the most, etc.

The quartos

give this speech to

Goneril.
73.

Looked but asquint.

Steevens cites Ray, Proverbs

" Love

being jealous makes a good eye look a-squint."

74.
(cf.

I am

not well.

The poison which Goneril has given

97 and 227 below) begins

to work.

her

Scene

Stomach.

75.
i.

68

2.

Notes

III]

Wrath, passion.

279

Cf. the quibble in

T.

G. of V.

" I

would it were,
That you might kill your stomach on your meat,
And not upon your maid."

The walk are

77.

whether

="I

used figuratively

is

it

thine.

It

has been a matter of dispute

Regan's castle

this refers to

(cf.

surrender at

247 below), or whether

discretion."

The

latter

view seems the more probable.

The

80.

"

let-alone, etc.

Whether he

shall not or shall,

depends

not on your choice" (Johnson).

On

84.

capital treason.

Both on and of are used by

cause of the arrest.

Cf. Rich. II. iv. I.

we

etc.

arrest

you here,"

An

90.

S.

with the

capital treason

Virtue.

"

" Be what they will,"

104.

"Of

Our play has plot within plot " (Moberly).

Whoever. Cf. Hen. VIII. ii. 1. 65 and v. 3. 47:

interlude

What.

98.

151:

etc.

Valour (the Latin virtus) ; as in Cor.

i.

I.

41:

" even to the altitude of his virtue."

Come

108.

here,

cf.

fairies."

120.

and

cf.

125.

him

i.

Supposed.

113.

posed

hither, herald.

Rich. II.

What

For the formalities of the contest

3.

Pretended.

Cf.

M. W.

iv.

4.

61:

"the sup-

See also 3 Hen. VI. iii. 3. 223, iv. 1. 93, etc.

are you? Who are you? See on iii. 4. 126 above

125 and 166 below.

Cope.

For the

transitive use,

cf.

A. Y. L.

ii.

1.

67: "cope

in these sullen fits," etc.

The privilege of mine honours. The right of my profession

draw my sword against a traitor.
Cf. T. N. iii. I. 163, etc.
132. Maugre. In spite of.
Fresh from the mint. Cf. T. N. iii. 2. 23, etc.
133. Fire-new.
" Conspirer " (Mdcb. iv. 1. 91).
Elsewhere
136. Conspirant.

130.

(as a knight) to

S. uses conspirator.

143.

In wisdom,

etc.

Because

if

his adversary

was not of equal

Notes

2 8o

[Act

Hence the

rank, he might have declined the combat.

claimed (in), "If any

Cf. also

herald pro-

of quality or degree," etc. (Malone).

154 below.

And

145.

man

And

that.

since

Say

that.

assay,

proof;

taste,

alluding to the formality of giving the say at the royal table.

on

i.

2.

146.

See

42 above.

What

and

safe

The delay which by

nicely, etc.

the laws

of knighthood I might properly and with due regard to punctilio

make,

We may

make.

I scorn to

consider safe

and

nicely as

an

and merrily" iny. C. ii. 1. 224 ; for, though

sometimes uses safe adverbially, he has safely much oftener.
Cf. " hell-black," iii. 7. 60
149. Hell-hated. Abhorred like hell.

instance like "fresh

S.

above.

As

150.

Which.

153.

Save him,

to which.

"Albany

etc.

desires that

Edmund's

life

may

be spared at present, only to obtain his confession, and to convict

him openly by
i.

2.

own

his

For practice, see on

letter" (Johnson).

180 above.

157.

Hold,

161.

Of

Addressed to Edmund.

sir.

Omitted in the quartos

but, as Furness notes,

it

is

the groan that breaks from Albany at the revelation of his wife's

abandoned

effrontery,

and

is

as needful to the character as

it is

to

the rhythm.
163.

Govern.

Restrain, control

as often.

The luck

167.

This fortune on me.

170.

The second more may be

to conquer

me.
Abbott makes it.
Wordsworth quotes the Apocryphal Book
172. The gods, etc.
"Wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same
of Wisdom, xi. 16
also shall he be punished."
The wheel. That is, of fortune. Cf. ii. 2. 1 75 above. On
1 76.
dissyllabic, as

the passage

cf.

J. C.

" This day

v. 3.
I

And where

25

breathed
I

first

time

is

did begin there shall

My life is run his

compass."

come round,
I

end

"

Scene

When

A.

and
183.

my

Split

179.
"

Notes

III]

281

Cf. Rich. III.

heart.

300 (see also

3,

i.

v. 1.

C.v.

also

24.

I.

For the transitive

List.

26)

See

shall split thy very heart with sorrow," etc.

he

use, cf.

Hen.

V.

1.

i.

43,

Ham.

i.

3. 30, etc.

Sockets

191. Rings.
194.

the case of

129 above.

iv. 6.

Furness thinks Delius

Fault.

right in giving this the

is

meaning of " misfortune ; " but possibly Edgar now blames himself for not making himself known to his father sooner.
Good result, or issue. See on i. 2. 140
196. Good success.
above.
198.

Flawed.

203.

As.

204.

more strong,"
205.

Broken.

Cf.

As if. See on
More, more woful.

4.

ii.

4. 15

Weep.

Cf.

283 above.
above, and

K. John,

Cf.

See also Cor.

etc.

Dissolve.

iii.

iv. 6.

iv.

2.

215 below.

cf.

42

"

And

more,

63.

Rich. II.

2.

iii.

108

" all dissolv'd

to tears."

207.

But

what seemed

to

is

iii.

Loud.

210. Big.

For

limit of sorrow."

it

only,

by

and so exceed

this gerundial use of

12 above.

5.

See on

Top.

One more such circumstance

already too much, would add to

be the

the infinitive, see

209.

"

another, etc.

amplifying what

i.

2.

Cf.

16 above.

A. Y. L.

ii.

7.

161

" His big manly voice,"

etc.

218.

Puissant.

Always a

dissyllable in S. , but puissance

is

some-

times a trisyllable.
219.

Began

to

crack.

Cf.

Rich. III.

iv.

4.

365:

"till heart-

strings break."

220.
in Per.

Tranc'd.
iii.

2.

As

in a trance, apparently

dead

like

entranced

94.

222.

Enemy

224.

What kind of help ?

king.

Cf. Cor. iv. 14. 171

"I

find

"this

enemy town,"

etc.

something very expressive

of the versatile and vigilant character of Edgar in this inquiry

(W, W. Lloyd).

Notes

282
236.

Manners.

[Act

makes the word

S.

either singular

or plural,

like news, tidings, etc.

243.

For the adverbial

After.

use, cf.

Temp*

10,

2.

ii.

iii.

2.

158, etc.

247.

My writ.

Cf.

250.

To who?

Cf.

" With who

253.

" etc.

Haste

28 above.
Oth.

Thee

thee.

"To who?" 7&

52:

2.

i.

See also on

iv.

2.

99:

8 above.

iv. 3.

apparently used for thou in this ex-

is

pression (Abbott).
257.

Destroyed.

Fordid.

See also 293 below.

Apparently
264. Stone.
265.
line, cf.

266.

Cf.

Ham.

ii.

103, v.

1.

1.

244, etc.

crystal, or polished stone.

The predicted doomsday. On the next

The great doom's image."

The promised end.

Macb.
Fall

(Cap ell).

ii.

3.

83

"

and cease !

" Fall, heavens,

and let
as nouns

Delius takes fall and cease

horror, which

had occurred

to

me

all

things cease

"
!

in apposition with

as a possible interpretation.

Moberly and Schmidt also adopt this view. For cease as a noun,
For other explanations
cf. Ham. iii. 3. 15: "cease of majesty."
of this perplexing
267.

little

This feather

speech, see Furness.

stirs !
"

By

Cf.

2 Hen. IV.

iv.

5.31:

his gates of breath

There lies a downy feather which stirs not.

Did he suspire, that light and weightless down
Perforce must move."
272.
for a

I might have

moment,

274.

Her

or

sav^d her.

They have

he might have saved

voice, etc.

distracted his attention

his child.

"This wonderfully quiet touch seems

to

complete the perfection of Cordelia's character, evidently the poet's

Englishwoman. Her voice

was the outward signature of her graciously tempered nature.
Burke's description of his wife is a master's variation on Shakespeare's theme: 'Her eyes have a mild light, but they awe you
best -loved creation, his type of the ideal

Scene

Notes

III]

when she

pleases

they command, like a good

Her

not by authority, but by virtue.

Her

voice

is

283

soft,

smiles

man

out of

are

inexpressible.

office,

low music, not formed to rule in public assemwho can distinguish a company from a

but to charm those

blies,

crowd.

It

has

this

advantage, you must be close to her to hear

it'" (Moberly).

278.

and

it

Biting falchion.
shall bite

my

upon

Cf.

Made them skip.

with my long sword

279.

time,

M.

W.\\.

I.

136: " I have a sword,

necessity."
Cf.

M. W.

ii.

1.

236: "I have seen the

would have made you four

tall

fellows

skip like rats."

286.

290.

He 's a goodfellow,
Your

(Schmidt).
292.
for

me

293.

mind is wandering again.

Your first turn of fortune "
"their first of manhood."
11
" Welcome, alas here 's no welcome
Lear's

etc.

"

first of difference.

Cf.

Macb.

Nor no man

v. 2.

else.

or any one " (Capell).

See on 257 above.

In desperation.

Fordone.

294. Desperately.
299.

Decay.

Capell and Steevens refer this to Lear

(="this

piece of decayed royalty, this ruined majesty ") ; but Delius and
" the collective misFurness are probably right in taking it as

fortunes which this scene reveals."

303.

Boot.

306.

0,

More than

see, see !

that.

209 above.

Cf. iv. 6.

These words are occasioned by seeing Lear

again embrace the body of Cordelia (Capell).

307. My poor fool. Cordelia; not his Fool, as some have thought.
For poor fool as a term of endearment, cf. W. T. ii. I. 118, etc.
Furness gives nearly three pages of notes on the passage, at the

end of which he says

" Very reluctantly

regret that
(iii.

2.

it

have come to the con-

fully with his

"
cannot be referred to Lear's " poor fool and knave

viction that this refers to Cordelia."

67), but to

my mind

sympathize

the context settles the question beyond

no room for a divided sorrow here; Lear's

a doubt. There
thoughts can never wander more from his dead daughter.
is

Notes

284
Pray you, undo

311.

1833) remarks:

"The

this button.

[Act

The Quarterly Review

(April,

intense excitement which Lear had under-

gone, and which lent for a time a supposititious

life

frame, gives place to the exhaustion of despair.

where any other mind would have confined

to his enfeebled

But even here,

itself to

the single

passion of parental despair, S. contrives to indicate by a gesture

the very train of internal physical changes which are causing death.

the heart can no longer be propelled

The blood gathering about

by

enfeebled impulse.

its

Lear, too

weak

to relieve the impedi-

which he imagines cause the sense of suffocation,

"
asks a by-stander to undo this button.
See on iv. 6. 47 above,
315. Pass.
The epithet seems to be suggested by the unyield316. Tough.

ments of

his dress,

'

'

ing force of the rack.

322.

As Jennens remarks, " the play would

Sustain.

best

end

here."
323.

A journey.

324.

Master.

ence to

God

That

" Lear.

is,

It

to another world.

would be hard

to find in S. a refer-

as master'''' (Schmidt).

and some modern eds. (perSchmidt thinks that the

first two lines may belong to Edgar, and the last two to Albany.
" Age and fulness of sorrows have
327, 328. The oldest, etc.
been the same thing to the unhappy Lear; his life has been prolonged into times so dark in their misery and so fierce in their
unparalleled ingratitude and reckless passion, that even if we live
325.

The weight,

haps rightly) give

The

folios

speech to Edgar.

he has (which will hardly be), our existence will never

on days as evil as those which he has seen " (Moberly).

as long as
light

etc.

this

APPENDIX
Lear's Insanity

Whether Lear is insane at

the beginning of the play

(incidentally referred to in the notes above)

discussed.

king

is

a question

which has been much

Coleridge believed that the method by which the old

daughters is only " a trick ; " and

tests the affection of his

"the grossness of his rage is in part the natural result of a

trick suddenly and most unexpectedly baffled and disappointed." Others have thought it simply a proof that the old man
is in his dotage, though not verging upon insanity ; but several
eminent alienists agree in the opinion that the mind of the aged
that

silly

monarch is already unbalanced.

Dr. Amariah Brigham (" Shakespeare's Illustrations of Insanity,"
"Lear's is a
in Amer. Jour, of Insanity, July, 1844) says:
such as
genuine case of insanity from the beginning to the end
we often see in aged persons. On reading it we cannot divest our;

selves of the idea that

Still,

we apprehend,

The general

belief

it is

a real case of insanity correctly reported.

the play, or case,

is,

is

generally misunderstood.

that the insanity of Lear originated solely

from the ill-treatment of

he was

in-

when he gave

his

his daughters, while in truth

sane before that, from the beginning of the play,

kingdom away, and banished, as it were, Cordelia and Kent, and

abused his servants. The ill-usage of his daughters only aggravated
Had it been otherthe disease, and drove him to raving madness.
been inconsistent
have
insanity,
would
wise, the case, as one of
prepare those
Scott
Walter
and very unusual. Shakespeare and

whom

they represent as insane, by education and other circum-

285

Appendix

286
stances, for the disease,

thus
is

outbreak

its

is

they

predispose them to insanity, and

not unnatural.

In the case of Lear the insanity

so evident before he received any abuse from his daughters that,

was not so
was unquestionably very troublesome, and by his new pranks,' as his daughter calls them, and rash
and variable conduct, caused his children much trouble, and intro-

professionally speaking, a feeling of regret arises that he

considered and so treated.

He

'

duced much discord into their households. In fact, a little feeling

of commiseration for his daughters at first arises in our minds from
these circumstances, though to be sure they form no excuse for their
subsequent bad conduct.

marked

Let

it

be remembered they exhibited no

disposition to ill-treat or neglect

him

until after the con-

Then

duct of himself and his knights had become outrageous.

they at

first

reproved him, or rather asked him to change his course

manner.

in a mild

This, however, caused an unnatural

violent burst of rage, but did not originate his insanity, for

already exhibited symptoms of

naturally even

" Lear

is

if

it,

and

it

and

he had

would have progressed

he had not been thus addressed.

not after this represented as constantly deranged.

most persons affected by this kind of insanity, he

Like

at times converses

rationally.

" In the storm-scene he becomes violently enraged, exhibiting

what may be seen

violence.

It is

daily in a mad-house, a

paroxysm of rage and

not until he has seen and conversed with Edgar,

'the philosopher and learned Theban,' as he calls him, that he

becomes a

real

treatment, he
restores him.

maniac.

falls

asleep,

After

and

this,

aided by a proper course of

sleep, as in all similar cases, partially

But the violence of his disease and his sufferings are

too great for his feeble system, and he dies, and dies deranged.

The whole

case

is

instructive, not as

an interesting story merely,

but as a faithful history of a case of senile insanity, or the insanity

of old age."

Dr. Isaac Ray, another expert in insanity (Amer. Jour, of

Insanity, April, 1847), recognizes in Lear " a strong predisposition

Appendix
to insanity, which,

if it

287

had not been developed by the approach of

old age or the conduct of his daughters, would have been by some-

His conduct

thing else."

scene " indicates an

in the first

Dr.

not the actual invasion of disease."

ill-

Ray

balanced mind,
" The development of the early stage of Lear's insanity, or
if

adds
its

incubation, as

skill,

more

the

it

is

technically called,

surprising as

And

attracts the least attention.

ment

is

evinced, not so

is

managed with masterly

that stage of the disease which

is

it

much by

the reason

is

that the derange-

delusions or gross improprieties

of conduct, as by a mere exaggeration of natural peculiarities, by

inconsistencies of behaviour, by certain acts for which very plausible

reasons are assigned, though they would never have been performed
in a perfectly
trifling

With

times and occasions.

away

by gusts of passion

state of mind,

sound

at every

provocation, or by doing very proper things at unseasonable

his

kingdom, but

the private citizen.

He

his

finds

own

and accord he gives

monarch in
person a band of riotous

free will

difficult

it

attaches to his

to sink the

whose loose and lawless behaviour is destructive to the

Under
peace and good order of his daughter's household.
retainers,

not strange that she should remonstrate, and,

had not the divine light already begun to flicker, he would have
acknowledged the justice of the reproof. As it is, however, instead

such an

infliction

of admitting
to her,

flies

it is

upbraids her with the vilest

his

he attributes the whole of it

upon her head the bitterest curses,
ingratitude, and forthwith proclaims
Another lifelike touch is given

some share of the

fault,

into a passion, pours

wrongs to the public

ear.

to the picture in Lear's attributing

his troubles to

all

tude, not being aware, of course, that he

insanity long before

he had any reason

filial

ingrati-

was on the high road to

to

doubt their kindness.

when

his story, to fix

more common than

upon some event, and

friends, as the

cause of his troubles, which occurred long sub-

In

fact,

nothing

is

for the patient,

especially

some

telling

act of his

sequently to the real origin of his disorder, and might have had

but an accidental connection with

it."

Appendix

288
''

Dr.

J. C.

Bucknill {The

similar ground.

He

Mad

severe

is

Folk of Shakespeare, 1867) takes

upon the

critics for " refusing to see

the symptoms of insanity in Lear until the reasoning power itself has
become undeniably alienated." They " have completely over-

looked the early symptoms of his insanity, and, according to the

custom of the world, have postponed its recognition until he is
running about a frantic raving madman."
I am inclined to adopt this opinion of professional judges of
insanity, not only because they are so

much

better acquainted with

the subject than I can pretend to be, but also because

it

perfectly

We
up the
enfeebled
by
is
mind
that
Lear's
must say, it seems to me, either
beginage and he has lapsed into second childhood, or that he is
ning to show symptoms of the insanity which subsequently maniclears

of the opening scene of the play.

difficulties

fests itself past a

This latter explanation

doubt.

the more natural and probable.

should not look

for the occasional

that afterward appear

is

It is

is,

he were in

on the whole,

his dotage,

we

evidences of sound judgment

but these, as Dr. Brigham has said, are

not unusual in the insane.

that

If

They

are

deranged than in one that

is

an interesting fact that the

more

likely to

hopelessly
first

appear in a mind

weakened by

age.

writer to call attention to

the evidences of Lear's incipient insanity at the opening of the

and that this woman was the author of the

work on Shakespeare from an American pen. This
work, entitled Shakespeare Illustrated, was in three volumes, pubplay was a
first

woman

critical

lished in 1753 1754.

The

dedication to the Earl of Orrery was

written by Dr. Johnson, the

lady, Mrs. Charlotte

Lennox, being

then a resident of London, as she had been from the age of fifteen, though born in New York, of which city her father, Colonel
James Ramsay, was lieutenant-governor. Besides her work on
Shakespeare, she wrote plays, novels, biographies, and translations

from the French.

on Lear's insanity from whom I have quoted also

us that Edgar's madness is as clearly a sham as that of Lear is a

The
tell

authorities

Appendix

289

Edgar imposes upon those about him, as he might deceive

but Dr. Brigham or Dr. Ray or Dr Bucknill would
soon detect the simulation, as they and other experts have done in
hundreds of cases of assumed insanity. They soon see the method
reality.

most persons

in the madness, however shrewdly

vellous the

it

may be

disguised.

How

mar-

knowledge of the human mind which enabled Shake-

speare to delineate not only

man

its

natural workings in almost every

woman, but
morbid action and the

conceivable type of

or

also to discriminate thus

imitation of such action

nicely between its
insight
into
our mental nature in its
wonderful
same
the
It was
what even the medical
him
to
see
enabled
that
diseased conditions

men
is,

of his age, as of

all

earlier time,

the proper treatment of insanity.

(iii. 2.

ject in

had

failed to discern, that

A passage

in

As You Like

It

421) epitomizes the wisdom of the olden time on this suba single sentence " Love is merely a madness, and, I tell
:

you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as

madmen

do."

This was the usual treatment of lunatics

dark house and a whip
indeed, almost down to
until long after the time of Shakespeare
!

own day

and the barbarous practice still lingers

agement of a certain class of cases in some asylums.
our

in the

man-

Dr. Brown,

a high authority of less than a century ago, seriously maintained

that " the patient ought to be struck with fear and terror, and

driven in his state of insanity to despair

as a

remedy against

over muscular excitement the labour of draught cattle should be

imposed on him ; the diet should be the poorest possible, and his

drink only water."

Compare

this

with the treatment of poor

mad

and note Dr. Brigham's com-

Lear in the last scene of act iv.,

ments upon it (see on iv. 7. 82 above).

Cordelia: her Character and her Fate

Lear, in his best days, must have been every inch a king, but one
only fitted to be an absolute monarch.

KING LEAR

19

His preeminent

trait is a

Appendix

290

strong will that can tolerate no limitations or restraints.

In his old

and with the shadow of insanity already resting upon him, this
wilfulness becomes a blind, unreasoning arrogance and obstinacy
which in the end proves his destruction. His daughters are all as
wilful as he is, for Cordelia is no exception.
Goneril and Regan
are depraved by nature, and their self-will works itself out in filial
ingratitude, conjugal infidelity, and reckless criminality.
They let
nothing stand in the way of their evil desires and purposes. Goneril
poisons her sister to remove an obstacle from her path, and when
detected and exposed destroys herself
wilful and defiant to the
age,

last.

Cordelia, with
this is

her virtues,

all

her ruin no

less

is

as wilful as her

bad

sisters,

than their obstinacy in wickedness

and

is theirs.

By how slight a concession to her father's persistent demand for

some stronger assurance of her love might she have saved herself
from banishment and him from all the woes that his misunderstanding of her reticence brings upon him and upon her
But she has
resolved to say "Nothing" in reply to his question:
!

third

" What can you say to draw

more opulent than your sisters? "

and "Nothing" is the utmost that she will say. Lear loves her
and pleads with her " Nothing will come of nothing ; speak
:

again; " but her only answer

"

Unhappy

that I

is

am,

cannot heave

My heart into my mouth.

According

to

my

I love your majesty

bond, no more nor less."

how exasperatingly cold and

your majesty according to my
bond,'" and according to the strict letter of the bond, " no more nor
less."
Shylock's insistence upon the literal interpretation of his bond
is not more unfeeling or inexorable.
Contrast it with the tenderBut the cannot

is

simply will not; and

formal the whole speech

is

"I

love

ness of the king's preface to the appeal which has provoked her

Appendix
though her
first

cause

sisters' effusive

to this cold

291

professions of affection have been the

and repellent demeanour:

" Now, our joy,

Although our last and least, to whose young love
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy
Strive to be interess'd, what can you say," etc.

What
some

yearning of paternal fondness, inviting, almost entreating,

reciprocal expression of

filial

love from her

He

Regan

dressed no such tender words to Goneril and

has ad-

mere com-

monplaces of courtesy in contrast to that spontaneous outburst of

fatherly affection for his "joy," his " last

and

least," his pet Cordelia.

Mrs. Jameson, who dwells enthusiastically on the beauty of the

character, says " If Cordelia were not thus portrayed, this deliber:

would strike us verging on harshness or obstinacy." I

must so strike us, charming as she otherwise is, but we

ate coldness

think

it

judge the

fault as gently as

due to the

fact that

we

can.

We

try to regard

upon the King of France, who had long been one

This

new

affection,

it

as partially

she had already begun to look with favour

which we may imagine

to

of her suitors.

have been

less exact-

ing and unreasonable than her poor old father's, had already
that half of her love to
"

Why

have

They

love

which she

my

sisters

refers

when

husbands,

if

she says

won

they say

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."

Well said, indeed, but not wisely just then

It was a pity that
one who was so sparing of speech should say what could only add
!

to her father's irritation instead of the loving conciliatory

would have
But when we

that

dents, but

words

set all right again.

reflect that

Shakespeare did not choose his

was simply dramatizing an old and

inci-

familiar story,

we

Appendix

292
cannot but admire the
point.

It is

skill

with which he manages this troublesome

necessary that Cordelia shall offend her father and be

At the same time, she must not do it in such a way as

and appear to deserve the severe judgment
Shakespeare therefore makes her behaviour the natof her father.
ural result of her temperament and the position in which she is
placed and we feel that she is lovely and loving even when she
allows herself to seem cold and " untender."
Though the delineation of Cordelia is so distinct and complete,
disinherited.

to forfeit our sympathy

it is

remarkable that she has so

drama.

little

to say in the course of the

After the few sentences she speaks in the

first

scene, she

disappears from the stage until nearly the close of the fourth act,

and brief.
and less as whole lines, she has but 46 lines in
the first scene and 69 more in the latter scenes
115 in all out of
per
cent
of
the
whole,
little
more
than
to state it
lines,
or
3336
3
mathematically.
Was ever a prominent character painted with so
few strokes, and yet so vividly and so perfectly? Could any one

and

in the remainder of the play her speeches are few

Counting

half-lines

but Shakespeare have done it?

But why must Cordelia die?

"This veiled angelic form with the

tender beauty of her loving, maidenly soul, and yet so manly in her

and self-reliance, with her deep, peaceful heart which is

and pure in feeling, with her silent love and self-denial,
does her death not seem like that of an
with her heroic loyalty
innocent victim, and, though not without a motive, does it not
appear unreasonable and devoid of all internal necessity?" Ulrici,
who asks this question, replies to it thus " She is as well aware
of the violence, the impetuosity, and domineering spirit of her father
regardless of his repeated
and yet she continues
as Goneril is
to reply in her obviously
entreaties to consider what she is saying
offensive and provoking manner, and finally to give an explanation
which could only irritate him even more, as it contained a distinct
reproach against himself and his demands. What she must have
expected, must have foreseen, occurs: Lear bursts out into a fit of
resolution

so strong

Appendix
rage; she does nothing to check or calm

293
it,

but

lets its full force fall

She thus draws upon her own head a share of the great
misery which must follow her disinheritance nay, to a certain extent
she is chiefly to blame for the whole of the terrible catastrophe; it
could not have happened had she not been disinherited and ban-

upon

her.

By her own

ished.

fault, therefore,

the tragic fate which

self called

it

forth,

is

and has

when compared with

she has become entangled in

hanging over her

house

father's

also to fall with

Her

it.

she hei-

transgression,

the crimes of those around her, does indeed

appear next to nothing; and she has atoned for

it

by the love and

devotion with which she hastens to the assistance of her aged father,

and cures him. But it was she who

and consequently she too is involved in
In the words of another critic " Does
the general destruction."
not the rain fall on the just and the unjust? Yes; and so does the
and by which she

saves, tends,

unfettered the power of

evil,

The whirlwind, when once

rain of ruin.

and choose
once

and

it

it

its

has a chance of venting

alas

rages, does not pick

itself

he cannot cancel

it

when

upon her; the chance comes,

Let Lear bemoan his

does not spare her.

yet, alas

it

Goneril's spite will not spare Cordelia

victims.

folly as

he may,

"
!

But throughout the play, " amidst the continual disorder and*
confusion in the natural and the moral world,"

we

tinual consciousness of eternal order, law, and good.

of the play, to those

who

for the final impression

triumph of good over

and that

in the

end

it

evil

rightly consider

it, is

makes upon

is

us

feel " a con-

The

feeling

high and calm; "

that of the ultimate

the eternal truth that God in heaven,

be well
not here on earth.

all will

is

there, if

Tate's Version of the Play

In

68 1

Nahum

to say nothing of

Tate brought out a version of Lear, in which

minor changes

the

ending of the play was

Appendix

294
made

a happy instead of a tragic one. Neither Lear nor Cordelia

and the latter marries Edgar. This was the Lear " which held
the stage for a hundred and sixty years, and in which all our greatest actors, Garrick, Kemble, Kean, and others, won applause," and
dies,

which was discarded only about

ers that Charles

Lamb

fifty

Verplanck consid-

years ago.

has hit the reason of this

" If he

right,

is

then the real secret of the prolonged popularity of Tate's distortion

King Lear

of

to

is

be found in the fact that the grand and terrible

passion of the original

hibition,

because

it

is

too purely spiritual for mere dramatic ex-

belongs to that highest region of intellectual

poetry which can be reached only by the imagination,

raised by
chilled

its

own workings;

and crippled by attention

Lamb says:
"The Lear of Shakespeare

warmed and

it becomes
and external imita-

while, on the contrary,

to material

tion."

cannot be acted.

The contemptible

machinery by which they mimic the storm which he goes out

in

is

not more inadequate to represent the horrors of the real elements

than any actor can be to represent Lear;

they might more easily

propose to personate the Satan of Milton upon a stage, or one of

Michael Angelo's terrible

figures.

The

greatness of Lear

is

not in

corporal dimension, but in intellectual; the explosions of his passion are terrible as a volcano; they are storms turning up and dis-

bottom that sea, his mind, with all its vast riches. It
mind which is laid bare. This case of flesh and blood seems

closing to the
is

his

too insignificant to be thought on, even as he himself neglects

On

the stage

we

see nothing but corporal infirmities

it.

and weakness,

we read it, we see not Lear, but we

mind, we are sustained by a grandeur

the impotence of rage; while

are Lear,

which

we

baffles the

are in his

malice of daughters and storms;

tions of his reason,

ing,
its

we

in the aberra-

discover a mighty irregular power of reason-

immethodized from the ordinary purposes of

powers, as the wind blows where

ruptions and abuses of mankind.

it

life,

listeth, at will

What have

but exerting

upon the

cor-

looks or tones to do

with that sublime identification of his age with that of the heavens

Appendix
themselves,

when,

in his reproaches to

justice of his children,

old'?

What

295

them

for conniving at the in-

he reminds them that

gesture shall

we

'

they themselves are

appropriate to this?

What

has the

beyond all
art, as the tamperings with it show; it is too hard and stony; it
must have love scenes and a happy ending, It is not enough that
Cordelia is a daughter, she must shine as a lover too. Tate has put
his hook in the nostrils of this Leviathan, for Garrick and his followers, the showmen of the scene, to draw the mighty beast about
as if the living martyrdom that
more easily. A happy ending
voice or the eye to do with such things ?

Lear had gone through

the

But the play

is

flaying of

his feelings alive

did

not make a fair dismissal from the stage of life the only decorous
thing for him. If he is to live and be happy after, if he could sustain this world's burden after, why all this pudder and preparation

why torment us with

all

this

unnecessary sympathy?

childish pleasure of getting his gilt robes

tempt him to act over again his misused station; as if,

and with his experience, anything was left but to die."

The
This

is

As

if

the

and sceptre again could

at his years

Time-Analysis of the Play

summed up by Mr.

P. A. Daniel, in his paper "

On

the

Times or Durations of the Action of Shakspere's Plays" {Transactions of

"Day
"

New

Shakspere Society,

1.

Act

I. sc.

i.

2.

Act

I. sc.

ii.

An

877-1 879, p. 220) as follows

Interval of something less than a fortnight.

"

3.

"

4.

"

5.

"

6.

and v.
and ii.
Act III.
Act II. sc. iii. and iv.
Act III. sc. vii. ; Act IV." sc. i.

"

7.

Act IV.

Act

I. sc. iii. iv.

Act

II. sc.

i.

sc.

sc. i.-vi.

ii.

Perhaps an Interval of a day or two.

Appendix

296
Day

8.

Act IV.

sc.

"

9.

Act IV.

sc. iv. v.

"

10.

Act IV.

sc. vii.

iii.

and vi.
Act V.

the Play

List of Characters in

The numbers

sc. i.-iii."

in parentheses indicate the lines the

characters

have in each scene

Lear:
6(31)

1(122), 4(131), 5(22)

i.

6(106), 7(32)

iv.

King of France :
Burgundy :
Cornwall:

Whole

i.
i.

v.

Whole

3(54).

Whole no.
Whole no. 12.

1(32).

i.

1(12).

1(1)

4(161);

ii.

2(43), 4(68),

32.

1(14), 2(32), 4(12)

ii.

iii.

no. 770.

iii.

5(12), 7(38).

no. 109.

Albany:

1(1), 4(11);

i.

iv.

v.

2(43);

Whole

1(14), 3(87).

no. 156.

Kent:

1(44), 4(37), 5(2);

i.

ii.

2(104), 4(32);

4(23), 6(15), 7(33)

Edgar:
6(119)

2(11)

i.

Edmund:
iv.

2(1);

v.

Curan

3(24). Whole

v.

2(3).

1(1), 3(21)

i.

1(3), 2(128);

4(74), 6(47)

iii.

Whole

ii.

iii.

Whole
;

3(20),

no. 344.

iv.

1(33),

no. 406.

1(63), 2(1);

iii.

3(6), 5(14)

i.

3(3), 4(6)
no. 80.

ii.

2(27)

iii.

7(6)

iv.

2(10), 5(12),

Whole

6(16).

Man

Doctor

Fool:

i.

Whole

ii.

1(44), 6(63)

no. 379.

Whole no. 323.

1(31), 3(7 6 )ii. 1(11).
Whole no. 11.

Oswald:

Old

iv.

1(12), 2(10), 3(78).

v.

i(40>

iii.

v.

2(17), 4(18). 6(15) ;

3(29), 7(16) ;
Gloster: i. 1(25), 2(61); ii. 1(30), 2(15), 4(12);
iv.

iv.

Whole no. 12.

7(13). Whole no. 18.

1(12).

iv 4(5),

4(109), 5(31);

no. 252.

ii.

4(43)

2(40), 4(13)* 6(16).

Appendix
Captain:

v.

Whole

3(6).

Gentleman:

5(1);

i.

ii.

297

no. 6.

4(5);

1(17);

iii.

Whole no. 87.

Herald : v. 3(10). Whole no. 10.
1st Servant: iii. 7(9).
Whole no. 9.
2d Servant: iii. 7(5). Whole no. 5.
^d Servant : iii. 7(5). Whole no. 5.
Knight : i. 4(16). Whole no. 16.
Messenger : ivl 2(17), 4(2). Whole no.

7(9)

v.

Goneril:
v

1(31), 3(25), 4(66)

Whole no. 201.
(7)? SC ^)'

Regan:
v.

iv.

3(34), 6(16),

3(5).

i.

19.

4(15)

ii.

iii.

7(2)

iv.

2(39);

iv.

5(33)

i.

1(17)

1(14), 3(18).

Cordelia:

i.

ii.

1(23), 2(8), 4(59)

no. 191.

iii.

7(19)

Whole

1(46)

iv.

(24), 7(40)

v.

3(5).

Whole

no.

15.

In the above enumeration, parts of lines are counted as whole

making the total

number in each scene

lines,

4(370. 5(5 6 );

"

in the play greater than

is

as follows

i(*3i)

i.

it is.

The

actual

1(312), 2(200), 3(17),

2(180), 3(21), 4(312);

iii.

1(55),

2(97). 3(26), 4(189), 5( 2 6), 6(122), 7(108); iv. 1(82), 2(98),

3(57), 4(29), 5(4o), 6(293), 7(98); v. 1(69), 2(11), 3(326).
Whole no. in the play, 3336.

INDEX OF WORDS AND PHRASES

EXPLAINED
abated (= deprived) ? 230
able (verb), 268
abuse (= deceive)

254,

273. 274

accent (= speech) 222

accommodate, 266
according to my bond, 183
action-taking, 218
addition, 185, 218, 278
address toward, 188
admiration, 207
advise yourself, 213
affected, 178
affliction, 237
after (adverb) 282
aged (metre), 263
a-height, 266
aidant and remediate, 263
Albany, 178
all (adverbial), 183
all cruels else subscribe,
252
allay (intransitive), 198
allow (= approve of ) , 231
allowance, 206
allows itself to, 253
am bethought, 224
ancient (= aged), 219
ancient of war, 276
angering, 254
anguish, 263
,

answer

(= answer

for)

187, 223

answer (noun), 256

approve (= prove),

223,

231, 246

arbitrement, 274
arch (= master), 214
are you there with
268

art

(= alchemy) 238
,

ballow, 270
balmed, 249

bandy, 200, 231

bans (= curses), 225
barber-monger, 218
battles (= battalions) 237
bearing (= suffering) 250
Bedlam (= lunatic), 253
,

me

biding (= abode) , 270

big (=loud), 281
biting falchion, 283
blank, 187
block (of hat), 268
blood (= nature) 246
blood (= passion), 258
blown (= inflated), 263
boil (spelling), 232
bolds (verb), 275
boot, 270, 283
bosomed, 275
bosoms (=love), 191,264
both, 179
bourn, 266
brach, 203, 248
brains (number), 211
brazed, 179
bring away, 223
brown bills, 266
,

buoyed, 251
burdocks, 261
businesses, 215

buzz (= whisper), 210

by word, 263

Bedlam beggars, 225

belike, 263
be-met, 275
bench (verb), 247
bending to, 259
benison, 190
besort, 208
best alarumed, 214
best of our times, 193
bestowed (= lodged) 233,
272
better-spoken, 264
better way, a, 260
beweep, 209
bewray, 216, 250
bias of nature, 195
,

argument (= theme), 189

aroint thee, 243

as (= as if), 221, 239, 281

as (omitted), 199, 226,
233, 235
as far as we call hers, 275
aspect, 222
a-squint, 278
at each, 265
at Fortune's alms, 191
at legs, 226
attempting, 222
at point, 210, 235
at task, 210
attend dispatch, 216
attend my taking, 224
a-twain, 220
authorities, 198
avert (= turn), 188
ay and no too, 267

299

cackling, 221
cadent, 209
Camelot, 221
can, 262
capable, 216
carbonado, 218
carry (= sustain), 237
carry it, 278
carry out my side, 276
case (= socket) 268
cat (= civet cat) , 242, 267
catch cold, 203
cease (noun), 282
censured (= judged), 246,
,

276
century, 262
challenge, 179

Index of Words and Phrases

300

champaigns, 180

course (in bear-baiting),

disclaims in, 219

character, 194, 215

251
court holy-water, 236
cowish, 256
coxcomb, 202
crab (= crab apple), 211
craves (= demands), 217
crow-keeper, 266
cruel (play upon) , 226
cruels, 252
cry grace, 238
cry sleep to death, 228
cry you mercy, 238, 248
cub-drawn, 234
cuckoo-flowers, 262
cue, 197
cullionly, 218

discommend, 222

charge (= expense), 232

che vor ye, 270
check (= rebuke), 223
child-changed, 272
Child Rowland, 245
childed, 250
chill (provincial), 270
choice and rarest, 208
choughs, 264
civet, 267
clamour-moistened, 260
clearest, 266
closet (= chamber) 193
clothier's yard, 266
clotpoll, 199
clout, 267
cock (= cockboat) 265
cockney, 228
cocks (= weathercocks)
236
cold'st, 190
colour (= nature), 223
come your ways, 218
comfortable (active) , 209,
223
comforting, 246
commend (= deliver) 226
commit, 241
commodities, 254
common bosom, 278
compact, 210
,

compact (= compacted)
192, 222

compeers (verb), 278

conceit, 265

conceive, 256

concluded

curiosity, 178, 192, 200

curious (= elegant), 199

curled hair, 241
curst, 214
cut to the brains, 269

darker (= more

secret)

275

179
darkling, 207
darnel, 262
daub it, 254
dawning, 217
deadly use, 256
dear, 188, 209, 261
dearn, 252
death-practised, 271
deathsman, 271
deboshed, 208
decay, 283
declined, 194
deer (= game) 244

dullard, 215
dunghill (personal), 270
ear-kissing, 212

all,

273
conditions (= temper), 260
confine (accent) 229
confined to exhibition, 193
conjunct, 275
consort (= company), 216
conspirant, 279
constant (== settled), 275
constrains the garb, 221
continents, 238
convenience (metre) , 250
convenient, 276
converse, 199
convey, 194
cope (transitive), 279
corky, 257
costard, 270
countenance, 276
,

deficient (= defective) 265

dejected thing of fortune,
,

253

demand (= inquire), 238

deny (= refuse), 227
depend (= be dependent),
208
deprive, 192

derogate
(= degraded)
209
descry (noun), 270
desperately, 283
detested, 194, 208
diffidences, 197
diffuse, 199

digest (= enjoy), 185

disasters, 196

disbranch, 256

discovery, 276
diseases, 187
dismantle, 189
disnatured, 209
dispatch, 214
display (intransitive), 227
dispositions, 207, 209
disquantity, 208
disquietly, 196
dissipation of cohorts, 198
dissolve (= weep), 281
distaste (verb), 198
distract (= distracted), 27
ditch-dog, 243
do a courtesy to, 251
do de, do de, do de, 240
do respect, 222
dog-hearted, 261
dolours (play upon), 227
Dolphin my boy, 242
doubted (=suspected), 275
doubtful (= suspicious)

earnest (noun), 201

easy-borrowed, 231
eat no fish, to, 199
effects, 185
elbows (verb), 261
elf (verb), 225
embossed, 232
engine (= rack) , 208
enguard, 210
enormous, 224
enridged, 266
entertain, 248
entire point, 190
epileptic, 221
esperance, 253
essay or taste, 193
even (verb), 274
exhibition, 193
expense, 216
eyeless, 234
fa, sol, la,

faint,

mi, 197

200

faithed, 215
fall (transitive ?) , 230
fall and cease, 282
fallen into taint, 189

,!

Index of Words and Phrases

fast

(=

fixed), 179

fastened

(= confirmed),

father (= old man), 271

fathered, 250
fathom (plural), 265
fault, 281
favours (= features), 251
fear (= cause to fear), 246
fear (= fear for), 256, 275
feature (= figure), 258
feel

(=

test), 194

(heartfelt), 270
feeling
feelingly, 268
feet (= footing), 235
felicitate, 181
fell (= fallen), 265
festinate, 250
fetches, 227
filths,

256

fire (dissyllable), 237

fire-new, 279
first of difference, 283
five wits, 240, 248
flawed, 279, 281
flaws, 233

flax

and whites of eggs,

253

gad> 193
gait

(= way), 270

gallow, 237
garb, 221
gasted, 214
generation (= progeny),
184
generous, 192
germens, 236
get (= beget), 215
gilded butterflies, 277
give you good morrow
223
Gloster (city), 211
Gloster (spelling), 178
gloves in my cap, 241
God's spies, 277
goodman boy, 219
good-years, 277
govern, 280
graced, 208
gracious my lord, 238
greet the time, 276
gross (= big) 264
grossly (= palpably), 191
rather, 275

thought

to

have

fleshment, 222

handy-dandy, 268
happy (= lucky) , 224
harms, 198, 210
hatch (= half-door), 248

high-engendered, 237
high-judging, 232
hit (= agree), 192

from (= away from), 216

home (=

fumiter, 261
furnishings, 235

hog

(=weak), 193, 198

(= worthless), 262
image and horror, 198
images (= signs), 227
immediacy, 278
idle

impertinency, 268
important
(= importunate), 263
importune (accent), 245
in (= in respect to) , 190
in a due resolution, 194
in
contempt of man,

224
in mercy, 210
in
strength, 216
in the least, 188
in this trice
of time,

incense, 234
indistinguished, 271
influence, 197
ingenious, 251, 271
ingrateful, 230
inheriting, 218

innocent (= fool) , 246

intelligent, 235, 246, 250
intend upon, 275
interessed, 182
intrinse, 220
invade, 186, 239
ise (= I shall), 270
it

(possessive), 206, 256

jakes, 219
jealous, 276
judicious, 241
justicer, 246, 259

in sloth, 241

fully), 213, 239

honest (= chaste) 192
honoured (= honorable)
,

210

the heat, 192

idle

189

heart-strook, 235
Hecate (dissyllable), 184
hell-hated, 280
helps (= heals), 262
hemlock, 261
high noises, 250

hold amity, 232

hollowness, 195
holp, 251
holy cords, 219

full (adverbial),

i'

in three, 179

head-lugged, 257
heady, 228

fordone, 283
forfended, 275
fork (= arrow-head), 186
four- inched bridges, 240
Frateretto, 246
fraught, 207
free (= sound) , 266
frontlet, 205
fruitfully, 271

house, 229
hovel (verb), 273
how chance ? 227
hundred-pound, 217
hurricanoes, 236

my

had
had

found, 206
halcyon, 220

for (= because), 189

for his particular, 234
for that, 192
forbid thee, 239
fordid, 282

horrible (adverb), 264

horse's health, 246
hospitable favours, 251
host (figurative), 276

flesh (verb), 219

flesh and fell, 278

Flibbertigibbet, 243, 254

foins, 271
fond (= foolish), 193, 209
foot-ball player, 200
footed, 239, 251
foppery, 195
foppish (= foolish) , 204

301

275

Hoppedance, 247
horn is dry, thy, 248

kibes, 211

269
kindly, 211
knapped, 228
knave (= servant), 199
knee (verb), 232
kill, kill,

Index of Words and Phrases

3<D2

memories (= memorials)

lady the brach, 203

lag of, 192
lances (= soldiers), 278

272

mend and mar,

183

and least, 181

(= lately) 245
launch (= lance), 214

men's impossibilities, 266

let-alone, 279
letters (= letter), 259, 271
liberty, 179
light of ear, 241
like (= likely), 191, 256,
like (= please), 188, 221
lily-livered, 218

milk-livered, 257

Modo, 244

Lipsbury pinfold, 217

moe, 212

(transitive), 281
little-seeming, 188

moiety, 178

last

late

list

world of man, 234

living (= property) 203
little

Merlin, 239

milk (= pastures), 182

milky

gentleness
course, 210
minikin, 247
miscarried, 275, 276
modest, 226, 272

and

monsters (verb), 189

moonshines, 192

mopping

and

mowing,

loathly (adverb), 213

long-ingraffed, 191

254
moral, 257

look (= look for)

more corrupter, 221

more (dissyllable), 210
more harder, 238
more headier, 228
more, more woful, 281
more ponderous, 181
more worse, 223
more worthier, 174

loo, loo!

239

241

looped, 239
lord's dependants, 250
lose (= cause to lose)

190, 196

low (= lowly) 225

,

lowness, 240
lym, 248

mortified, 225
most poorest, 224
mother (= hysteria) , 227
motion (in fencing), 213

madded, 257

made mouths,
Mahu, 244

237

motley, 204

main (= mainland) 234

,

make from, 186

make nothing of, 234
make oppose, 275
make return, 229
make such a stray, 188
makes

his

generation

messes, 184

makes not up,

man

188
of salt, 269

manners (number), 282

mantle, 243
marble-hearted, 208
marjoram, 267
(= nourishing),
material
256
matter (= sense), 268

mature (accent), 271

maugre, 279

me

(expletive), 194

means, 254

means

(singular), 262

meiny, 226

nothing (adverb), 226

notice (= attention) 232
notion (= mind) , 207
nuncle, 203

mumbling, 213

my made

intent, 272

nature, 246
natural, 216
natural fool
269
naught, 229

of

fortune,

naughty, 242, 251

neat slave, 218
necessity's sharp pinch,
231
nether, 259
nether-stocks, 226
nettles, 261
nicely, 221
nighted, 263
noiseless, 257
nor other foulness, 189
(transposed),
not
215,
255
note, 235

note (= warrant), 278

O, 205, 253, 280

obscured course, 224
observants, 221
object, 225
oeillades, 264
o'erlook (= look over),
193, 276
o'er-read, 193
o'er-watched, 224
of (= on), 211
of (with verbal), 198
of her bosom, 243, 264
of the commission, 247
offend (= injure), 192
office (= service) , 227
old (= wold) 243
old course of death, 253
oldness, 193
on capital treason, 279
on every trifle, 198
on (= of), 203, 211
on necessity, 196
one-trunk-inheriting, 218
only (transposed), 185
operation of the orbs, 184
opposed, 258
opposeless, 265
opposites, 278
or (= before) , 233
other (plural), 205
other (transposed), 208
our means secure us, 253
out (= abroad), 179
out-wall, 235
overture, 252
owe (= own), 188, 203
,

packings, 235
packs, 277
pain (= labour)

236

particular, 210, 275

pass (= die) 265, 284
pass upon, 251
,

pawn down,

194

peace (verb), 267

peascod, 205
pebble (collective), 265
pelican, 241
pelting (= paltry), 225

pendulous, 240
perdu, 273

,,

Index of Words and Phrases

perdy, 227
perforce, 256
persever, 246
piece (=masterpiece),267
pieced, 188
pight, 214
Pillicock, 241
pinfold, 217
plain (verb), 235
plate (verb), 268
plight, 183
plighted (= folded), 191
plucked, 259
poise (= weight), 216

(= considerations), 190
remediate, 263
remember (= remind), 200
remorse (= pity), 258
remotion, 228
renege, 220
repeals (= recalls), 250
reposal, 214
reserve thy state, 186
resolve me, 226
respects of, 190
retention, 278
revenges, 250

policy, 193
port (= refuge), 224
portable, 250
ports (= portals), 215
poverty (concrete), 239
power (= army) , 235
powers (= army), 256

revenue

practices (= plots), 198,

216, 228
practised on, 238
prefer (= commend), 191

roundest (= plainest), 200

rubbed (= hindered) 223
ruffle, 234

pregnant, 215, 270

prescribe not us, 191
present (= assume), 225
presently, 226, 228
press-money, 266
pretence (= design), 194
prevent (= avoid), 244

sa, sa, sa, sa, 269

profess, 199

promised end, the, 282

proper (= comely), 179
proper deformity, 257
provoking merit, 246
pudder, 237
puissant
(dissyllable),
281
pur, 247
put on, 206, 216

(= temper) 227,
229
queasy, 213
questrists, 250
quicken, 251
quit (= acquit), 213
quit (= requite), 252
quality

regards

186,

reverbs, 187
riched, 180
rings (= sockets), 281
ripeness is all, 276
rip their hearts, 271
,

safe and nicely, 280

safer (= sounder), 266

Saint Withold, 243

243
sampire, 255, 264
sapient, 247
Sarum, 221
save thee, 212
savour, 256
saw (= saying) , 223
say (= assay), 280
scape, 206
scattered, 235
sea-monster, 208
secure, 254
self, 180
self-covered, 257
sallets,

self

mate and mate, 261

sennet, 179

set
set

(= stake) 203
,

my

rest, 184
stars, 212

shadowy (= shady), 180

on, 218

rake up, 271

rank (= gross) 206

,

shrill-gorged, 266
sights, 265
silly-ducking, 221

simple-answered, 251
simples (= herbs), 262
simular, 237
sinews (= nerves), 250
sir, 227
sith, 188, 232
sizes, 231

slack ye, 232

slaves (verb), 255
sliver, 256
smilets, 260

smooth (=
smug, 269

flatter),

Shakespeare's Cliff, 255

shealed peascod, 205

razed, 199

short, 273

reasoned, 275

show (= appear) , 208

220

Smulkin, 244
snuff, 265
snuffs, 235

so (=be it so), 221

so (omitted), 273
something (adverb), 179
sometime (adjective), 184

soothe (= humour), 245

sop o' the moonshine, 218
sophisticated, 242
sot (= dolt), 255
space, 179, 271
speak for, 208
speculations, 235
speed you, 269
spherical predominance,
196
spill (= destroy), 236
spite of intermission, 226
split my heart, 281
square of sense, 180
squiny, 267
stand in hard cure, 250
stand in the plague, 192

stands upon, 276

star-blasting, 240
stelled, 251
still

(= ever) 210
,

190
stock (= put in stocks)
222, 231
stock (= stocking) 226
stomach (= wrath), 279
stone (= crystal), 282
store, 248
strain (= race) 278
strained
(= excessive)
187
strangered, 188
strong, 215
still-soliciting,

sepulchring (accent), 228

sequent, 195
sessa, 242, 248

seven
rail

(accent),

216

303

Index of Words and Phrases

304
strook, 230

strucken, 200
subject (collective), 267
subscribed, 192, 252
subscription, 237
succeed (= come to pass)
197
success (= issue) 197
that, 189
such
,

sufferance, 250
suggestion, 215
suited (= dressed), 272

times', 254
tithing, 243
to (= against), 259
to boot, 270

Tom

o'

Bedlam, 197

top (= head) 230

top (= overtop), 192, 281
tough, 284
toward (= at hand), 212,
239, 269
,

summoners, 238

tranced, 281
treachers, 196
trick (= peculiarity), 267

sumpter, 232

trilled,

superfluous, 255
superflux, 239
superserviceable, 218
supposed (= pretended),

trindle-tail, 248

260

trowest, 203
trust (= trustworthiness)

216
tucket, 215

279

suum, mun, nonny, 242

swear (= swear by), 187

Turlygod, 225

unaccommodated, 242
tadpole, 243
take all, 235
take patience, 229
taken, 210

taking (= malignant) 230

taking-off, 276
tame, 257
teem, 209
tell (= count ? ) 227
temperarfce, 272
tender of a wholesome
weal, 206
,

tender-hefted, 231
tent (= probe), 209

(= affrighted), 193
(=in that), 180

terrible

that
that

... as, 183, 200

thee (= thou), 205, 282
there 's life in 't, 269
these kind of knaves, 221
think'st 't is much, 239
this', 268
this fortune on me, 280
this great world, 267
this two days, 200
thoroughly, 275
thought-executing, 236
threading, 216
three-suited, 217
throwest, 203
thwart (adjective), 209
tike, 248
till further settling, 274
time (= life), 191

unbolted, 219
unbonneted, 235
unconstant, 191
under globe, 223
undo this button, 284
ungoverned, 263
unkind, 190, 240
unnumbered, 265
unpossessing, 214
unprized, 190
unremovable, 227
unsanctified, 271
unspoke, 190
unstate myself, 194
unsubstantial, 253
untented, 209
untimely (adverb), 253
upon (= against) , 249
upon his party, 213
upon respect, 226
upon the gad, 193
usage (= treatment), 226
used it, 204

wage (= contend), 231

wage (= stake), 243
wagtail, 219

walk (= go away) , 274

wall-newt, 243
walls are
thine,
the,
279
washed (of tears), 191
waterish, igo
wawl, 268
web and pin, 243
weeds (= garments), 272
well-favoured, 233
well flown, bird
267
wert better, thou, 242
what (= who), 243, 279
what (= whoever), 279
what (= why), 233
what will hap, 250
wheel (of fortune), 280
whelked, 266
!

where (= whereas) 194

which (= who), 208
,

white herring, 247

who (= which), 184, 193,
260
who (= whom), 199, 259
whoop, Jug, I love thee!
207
wield, 179
wind me into him, 194
wind up, 272
wit shall ne'er go slipshod, 211

with (=by),233, 234

with checks as flatteries,
etc.,

198

wooden pricks, 225

word (= watchword), 267
worships (= honour), 208
worsted-stocking, 217
worth the whistle, 256
worthied, 222
wrath (= object of), 184
write happy, 278

validity, 181

yeoman, 246

vanity the puppet's part,

218
vary (noun), 220
vaunt-couriers, 236
venge, 259
very pretence, 200
villain (= serf), 252
virtue (= valour), 279
vulgar, 270

yond, 265
you were best, 202, 242

young bones, 230

your honour, 194
zed, 219

1903

Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process.

Neutralizing agent:

Magnesium Oxide

Treatment Date: Feb. 2009

PreservationTechnologies
A

WORLD LEADER
111

IN

COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION

Thomson Park

Drive

Cranberry Township,

(724)779-2111

PA 16066