Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts
List of characters
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • Title: King Lear (Modern, Extended Quarto)
  • Editor: Michael Best
  • Textual editors: James D. Mardock, Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-463-9

    Copyright Michael Best. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Michael Best
    Not Peer Reviewed

    King Lear (Modern, Extended Quarto)

    [Act 4, scene 6 in Folio]
    [Scene 21]
    Enter Cordelia, Kent [disguised], a doctor, and a gentleman. [Soft music]
    2745Cordelia
    O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work
    To match thy goodness? My life will be too short,
    And every measure fail me.
    2750Kent
    To be acknowledged, madam, is o'er-paid.
    All my reports go with the modest truth,
    Nor more, nor clipped, but so.
    Cordelia
    Be better suited.
    These weeds are memories of those Worser hours.
    2755I prithee put them off.
    Kent
    Pardon me, dear madam;
    Yet to be known shortens my made intent.
    My boon I make it that you know me not
    Till time and I think meet.
    2760Cordelia
    Then be't so, my good lord. [To the doctor] How does the King?
    Doctor
    Madam, sleeps still.
    Cordelia
    O you kind gods,
    Cure this great breach in his abusèd nature;
    2765The untuned and hurrying senses, O wind up,
    Of this child-changed father.
    Doctor
    So please your majesty
    That we may wake the King. He hath slept long.
    Cordelia
    Be governed by your knowledge and proceed
    2770I'th'sway of your own will. Is he arrayed?
    Doctor
    Ay, madam. In the heaviness of his sleep
    We put fresh garments on him.
    Gentleman
    Good madam, be by when we do awake him.
    2775I doubt not of his temperance.
    2775.1Cordelia
    Very well.
    Doctor
    Please you draw near. Louder the music there.
    [Lear is discovered, or carried in, asleep.]
    Cordelia
    O my dear father, restoration hang
    Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss
    Repair those violent harms that my two sisters
    Have in thy reverence made.
    2780Kent
    Kind and dear princess.
    Cordelia
    Had you not been their father, these white flakes
    Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face
    To be exposed against the warring winds,
    2783.1To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?
    In the most terrible and nimble stroke
    Of quick cross lightning to watch--poor perdu--
    With this thin helm? Mine injurious dog,
    Though he had bit me, 2785should 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,
    'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once
    2790Had not concluded all. He wakes. [To the doctor] Speak to him.
    Doctor
    Madam, do you. 'Tis fittest.
    Cordelia
    How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?
    Lear
    You do me wrong to take me out o'th'grave.
    2795Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound
    Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
    Do scald like molten lead.
    Cordelia
    Sir, know me.
    Lear
    Y'are a spirit, I know. Where did you die?
    2800Cordelia
    Still, still, far wide.
    Doctor
    He's scarce awake. Let him alone a while.
    Lear
    Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?
    2805I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity
    To see another thus. I know not what to say.
    I will not swear these are my hands. Let's see--
    I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured
    Of my condition.
    2810Cordelia
    [Kneeling] O look upon me, sir,
    And hold your hands in benediction o'er me.
    [Lear attempts to kneel.]
    No, sir, you must not kneel.
    Lear
    Pray do not mock.
    I am a very foolish, fond old man,
    2815Fourscore and upward, and to deal plainly,
    I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
    Methinks I should know you, and know this man,
    2820Yet 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,
    For, as I am a man, I think this lady
    2825To be my child, Cordelia.
    Cordelia
    And so I am.
    Lear
    Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray weep not.
    If you have poison for me I will drink it.
    2830I know you do not love me, for your sisters
    Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.
    You have some cause; they have not.
    Cordelia
    No cause, no cause.
    Lear
    Am I in France?
    2835Kent
    In your own kingdom, sir.
    Lear
    Do not abuse me.
    Doctor
    Be comforted, good madam. The great rage
    You see is cured in him; 2838.1and yet it is danger
    To make him even o'er the time he has lost.
    Desire him to go in. Trouble him no more
    Till further settling.
    2840Cordelia
    Will't please your highness walk?
    Lear
    You must bear with me. Pray now, forget and forgive.
    I am old and foolish.
    Exeunt. Kent and [the] gentleman [remain].
    2843.1Gentleman
    Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain?
    Kent
    Most certain, sir.
    Gentleman
    Who is conductor of his people?
    Kent
    As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester.
    2843.5Gentleman
    They say Edgar, his banished son, is with the Earl of Kent in Germany.
    Kent
    Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about.
    The powers of the kingdom approach apace.
    Gentleman
    The arbitrament is like to be bloody. Fare you well, sir.
    [Exit.]
    2843.10Kent
    My point and period will be throughly wrought,
    Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought.
    Exit.
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC