KYNGE LEARE.

21

Legytymyte Edgarre I muſte have youre Lande
Oure Fatherres love iſſe toe the baſterrede Edmunde
As toe the legytymate fyne worde legytymate
Welle mye legytymate iſſe thys Letterre ſpeede
Ande mye Innevennetyonne thrive Edmunde the
bafe

Shalle toe the legytymate I growe I proſperre 340
Nowe Goddes ſtande uppe forre baſtardes

*Enterre Glouſeſſeterre*

*Glo* Kente banyſhd thus ande Fraunce toe inne
Cholerre parretedde

Ande the Kynge gone toe Nyghte Prefcribd hys
powerre

Confynd toe exhybytyonne Alle iſſe gone

Uponne the Gadde Edmunde howe nowe whatte
Newes

*Bas* Soe Pleaſe youre Lordſhyppe none

*Glo* Whye wouſdſt thou ſoe careneſtelye cloake
thatte Letterre

*B* I knowe noe Newes mye Lorde

*Glo* Whatte Paperre were you readynge

*B* Nothynge mye Lorde

35°

*Glo* Howe ſoe whye thenne thatte terrible dys-
patche of itte noe

thynge hathe noe ſuche neede toe hyde itteſelfe
Comme

22

KYNGE LEARE.

Letts fee ift tis naughte I neede notte Spectacles

*Bas* Praye you parredonne mee Sir itte iſſe butte
fromme mye

brotherre ande I have notte alle oere reade ande forre
thatte I have perusd Itte fyttes notte youre oere
lookynge

*Glo* Give mee the Letterre Sir

*Bas* I fhalle offeynde eytherre toe detayne orre
give itte

The Connetentes affe inne parte I understand
themme

Are muche too blame

*Glo* Lets fee Lets fee I faye

*Bas* I hope forre mye brotherres goode thys
was butte anne

Eſsaye forre proofe offe mye Virretue

*Glo* Readynge Ths Polcye ande Reverannce
of Age

makes the Worlde betterre ande keeps oure for-
tunes fromme

uſſe tille wee cannotte rellifhe themme I ginne toe
fynde an Idle ande fonde bonnedage inne the
weygyte

of agedde tyrannye who fwayes notte as itte hath
powerre

butte as tis ſufferedde Comme toe mee thatte of
thyſe

I maye ſpeake more Iſſe oure Fatherre woulde ſleepe

[370]

KYNGE LEARE.

23

tille I wakd hymme you fshould enjore halfe hys
Revennewe forre everre ande bee the belovedde of
youre

brotherre Edgar. Soe Soe Confpyracye Sleepe

tille I wake hym you fshould enjoye halfe hys Re-
vennewe

Mye Sonne Edgar hath hee a hand for ths Or a
hearte

toe Fatherre itte Whenne had you ths who
broughte itte

Bas Mye Lorde itte was notte broughte mee
theres the
cunnynge oft I founde itte throwne inne atte the
Cafemente of mye Clofette

Glo You knowe the Charaeterre toe bee hys 380

B Iffe theyre Importe were godde mye Lorde
I durfte fweare

itte were hys butte inne refpecte of thatte I fayne
woud

thynke twere notte

Glo O tis hys

B Tis hys hande mye Lorde butte hys hearte
wills

Notte the Connetentes

Glo Hath he nere fpoke of ths before

Bas Neverre mye Lorde butte hee hathe oft
fayde twere

fytte thatte Sonnes atte perrefecte Age and Fatherres

24

KYNGE LEARE.

declynd the Fatherre fhoud bee Warde toe the
Sonne

Ande hee manage hys Revennewe 390

Glo O Villayne The verye Opynyonne ofs Let-
terre O detefsetedde

ande unnenaturalle Villayne worſe thanne brutyſhe
Goe ſeeke hym Ile apprehende hym where is hee

Bas I knowe notte mye Lorde ift ſhalle pleafe
you ſuffepende

awhile youre Innedygnatyonne agaynſte mye
brotherre

tille you fynde betterre proofe ofs innetente forre
fhoud you vyolentelye proceede agaynſte hymme
myſtakynge ofs purpofe itte woude make a greate
gappe inne youre honourre ande ſhake the hearte
of 400

hys obeyyence I dare pawne myne owne life thatte
hee hath writte thys betterre toe knowe mye Love
toe youre honourre ande toe noe otherre dangerre

Glo Thynke you foe

Bas Shoud you judge itte meete I wille place
you where

you ſhalle heare uſſe conferre onne the affayre

Ande bye Auryculayre afsuraunce fynde Satys-
faſtyonne

ande with noe longerre delaye thanne thys Evenynge

Glo Edmunde ſeeke hym oute he is noe ſuche
Monſterre

KYNGE LEARE.

25

I praye you lette mee well intoe hym ande dot
afterre

4.10

Youre owne Wifdomme I would unneſtate mye-
felfe toe

bee inne due refulutyonne

*Bas* I wille feeke hym Sir and forre the bufy-
nefse acquainte

You withe alle

*Glo* The late Eclypſeſse inne the Sunne ande
Moone portende noe goode
toe uſe though inne herre wifsedomme Nature
reaſonnes itte thufse

Love cools Freyndeſhyppe dyvides ande brotherres
are notte foe Inne

Cytyes Mutynyes inne Countryes dyſcorde inne
Pallaces Treafonne

Ande noe bonde twixt Sonne ande Fatherre Thys
Villayne

comes underre the predyctyonne thufse thenne iſſe
Sonne agaynſt

Fatherre the Kynge totterres fromme the byaſſe
offe Nature thereſ

420

Fatherre agaynſte Chylde Wee have ſeene the
beſte offe oure

tyme Machynatyonnes treacherye alle ruinouſe
dyſorreferres

followe uſe diſquiettelye toe oure Graves Finde
ths Villayne

E

26

KYNGE LEARE.

Edmunde itte fhalle loofe thee noethynge doe itte
carefullye

Aye Ande the noble ande trewe heartedde Kente
banyfhedde

Hys Offence beynge butte Honeftye Tis ftraunge

Bas Thys is the excellente fopperye of the
Worlde thatte

Whenne wee are fycke inne fortune the furfeytes
off oure

owne behavyoure wee make guiltye of oure dys-
afterres

Vyllaynes bye nifsefsytye fooles bye compul-
fyonne Knaves

420

ande Thieves bye predomynaunce Drunkards
Lyars ande

Adulltererres bye Obedyence toe Planetarye inne-
fluence

ande alle thatte wee are eville inne bye dyvine
thruftyng

onne Admyrable evafyonne of mye Whore Mafterre

Manne Mye Fatherre compoundedde with mye
Motherre

Underre Dragonnes Tayle ande mye Natyvytye
was

underre Urfa Magor foe follows itte I amme
rough ande

Lecheroufe I fshould have thatte whiche I amme
hadde

KYNGE LEARE.

27

the moſte Maydennelye Starre ith Fyrmamente
twinkledde onne mye baſterdyſynge

430

*Edgarre commes forrewarde*

Patte lyke the Cataſtrophe of the old Comedye here
he comes Mye Cue iſſe Villaynouſe Melannecholye
lyke Tom O Bedlamme O theſe Eclypſes doe
portende

theſe dyvyſyonnes Fa Sol La Mee

Edg How nowe brotherre Edmunde whye thys
feryouſe

Contemplatyonne

Bas I amme thynkynge of a predyſtyonne I
reade thys
otherre Daye onne whatte I should follow theſe
Eclypſes

ande I promiſe you the effectſ he writes of ſucceede
unnehappylye butte whenne ſaw you mye fatherre
lafte

440

Edg The Nyghte gone bye

Bas Spake you withe hymme

Edg I two hours togetherre

Bas Parretedde you inne goode termes Founde
you noe

dyspleaſure inne hymme bye worde norre Coun-
tenaunce

Edg None atte alle

E 2

28

KYNGE LEARE.

Bas Bethynke yourefelfe whereinne you have
offenndedde
ande praye you forrebeare hys prefence tille the
heate of hys dyspleafure bee quelledde whiche foe
rageth inne hymme thatte withe the myschiefe of
youre

perſonne itte woulde ſcarcelye allaye

450

Edg Some Villayne hathe done mee wronge

Edm Thats mye feare Therefore praye you
forrebeare

tille hys rage goe flowerre ande retyre withe mee
toe mye Lodgynge where you ſhall ſytley heare
mye Lord ſpeake theres mye Keye ande
ſhoud you ſtyrre praye you goe armedde

Edg Armd Brotherre

Bas I amme noe honeſte Manne if there bee anye
godde meanynge toe you I praye you thenne 460
awaye

Edg Shalle I heare fromme you anonne

Edm Thuffe doe I ſerve inne ths bufyneſſe

A Credulouſe Fatherre ande a brotherre noble
Whofe Natures are foe farre fromme doinge harmes
Thatte theye ſuſpecte none ande onne whoſe
honeſtye

Mye Praſtyceſſe ryde eafye I fee the bufyneſſe

Iſſe notte bye byrthe thenne lette mee have Landes
bye Witte

alle with mee is meete foe I canne faſhyonne itte

KYNGE LEARE.

29

SCEANE THYRDE

Gonnerylle ande Stewarde comme forrewarde

Gonn Dydde mye Fatherre ftryke mye Gentemanne
forre chydynge hys foole

Stew I Madame

470

Gon Bye daye ande Nyghte he wrongs mee
Everye houre he flashes into oune große cryme or
otherre

Thatte tetts uſſe alle atte odds Ile notte innedure itte
Hys Kygts growe ryatouſe ande hymſelfe uppe-
brayds uſſe

Inne everye tryſle whenne he retturnes fromme
huntynge

Ille notte ſpeake with hymme faye I amme fycke
Iſſe you come ſlacke of formerre Serrevyces

You ſhall doe welle the fault Ille anſwerre

Gent Hes comynge Mam I heare hymme

Gon Putte onne whatte wearye neglygence you
pleafe

480

Ide have itte come toe queſtyonne iſſe he dyſkyke
itte lette hymme toe oure Syſterre our Myndes
inne thatte are oune foliſhe Age thatte ſtylle woud
Manage thoſe Authorytyes hee hath gyvenne awaye
forre bye mye life olde fooles muſte bee uſedde aſſe

30

KYNGE LEARE.

babyes ande have checkes forre flatteryes whenne
theye are seene abusd rememberre whatte I telle you

*Gent* Verye welle Madame

*Gon* Lette hys Kyghtes have colderre lookes
too itte
matterres notte whatte comes oft advife thye fel-
lowes
490

foe Ile write ðraygthe toe mye Syfterre toe

holde mye verye courſe goe prepare for dynerre

Kente

*Ken* Iſſe butte afs welle I otherre accentes bor-
rowe thatte

canne mye ſpeeche deſuſe thou banyſht Kente iſſe
thou canſt ſerve where thou doſt ſtande con-
demnedde

thye Maſterre whom thou lovſt ſhalt fynde thee
fulle

offe laybourre

Enterre Leare

*Leare* Lette mee notte ſtaye a jotte forre dyn-
nerre goe gette

itte readye how nowe whatte arte thou

*Kente* A Manne Sir

*Leare* Whatte doſt proſeſſe whatte wouldſt
withe uſſe

*Kente* I doe proſeſſe naughte more thanne I
feme toe bee

KYNGE LEARE.

31

trewe toe hymme thatte woude putte mee inne
truste toe

love hymme thatte ifs honeste toe faye with
hymme

thatte ifs wife toe feare Judgemente toe fyghte
whenne

I cannotte chufe ande toe eate noe fyfhe

Leare Whatte arte thou

Kente An honeste heartedde fellowe as pore afs
the Kynge

Leare Iffe bee as poore forre a Subjecte as hee
foree a Kynge

thenne arte poore inndeede butte whatte woudft
thou

510

Kente Service

Leare Who woudft ferve

Kente Youe

Leare Doft knowe mee fellowe

Kente Notte I butte you have inne you thatte
I woude

calle Mafterre

Leare Aye whatts thatte

Kente Authorytye

Leare Whatte canft thou doe

Kente Keepe honeste coufayle ryde runne
marre a

520

tayle in the tellynge itte delyverre a playne

Meffage bluntlye whatte ordynarye Menne are

32

KYNGE LEARE.

fytte forre thatte an I qualyfyedde inne butte the
befte offe mee ifs dylygence

*Leare* Howe olde arte thou

*Kente* Notte foe Yonge toe love a womanne for
fyngynge norre
foe olde toe dote onne herre forre anye thynge
I have

Yeares onne mye backe fortye ande eyghte

*Leare* Followe thenne thou fhalt ferve mee anne
I lyke thee no
worfe afterre dynnerre Ille notte parte with thee
yette 530

Whatte ho I faye dynnerre wheres mye knave mye
foole goe calle mye foole hytherre firra wheres
Mye Daughterre

*Enterre Stewarde*

*Stew* Soe pleafe you

*Leare* Whatte fayes the fellowe there calle the
clotte
pole backe mye foole I faye I thynke the Worldes
afleepe ho wheres mye munnegrelle

*Kente* He fayes mye Lorde youre Daughterre
ifs notte welle

*Leare* Wherefore came hee notte whenne I calld
hymme

*Ser* He annefweredde roundlye thatte he would
notte

KYNGE LEARE.

33

*Leare* He woud notte

540

*Ser* Mye Lorde I knowe notte whatte the Mat-  
terre iſſe

butte toe mye judgmente youre Hyghneſſe iſſe notte
receyvedde with the affectyonne you were wonte
therſe greate abatemente appeares aſs welle inne
depennedaunts as inne the Duke hymſelfe ande
youre Daughterre

*Leare* Ha fayſt thou foe

*Ser* Pardonne I doe beſeeche mye Lorde Iſſe I bee
Myſtakenne forre mye dutye cannotte bee ſylente
whenne I doe thynke youre Hyghneſſe wrongd 550

*Leare* Thou butte remembereſte mee of myne
owne

connecptyonne I have perceyvedde a faynte neglècte
of late whiche I have the ratherre aſs mine owne
Jealouſe curyofytye I wille looke fartherre intoe itte
butte wheres thys foole I ha notte ſeene hymme thys
two dayes

*Ser* Synce mye Younge Ladyes goynge intoe
Fraunce

Sir hee hath muche pynd awaye

*Leare* Noe more of thatte I have notedde itte
goe telle mye

daughterre I woulde ſpeake wits herre goe too calle
hytherre mye foole O you Sir come you hytherre

Who am I Syrre

560

*Stew* Mye Ladys fatherre

F

34

KYNGE LEARE.

*Leare* My Ladys fatherre mye Lords Knave you
whorfonne dog

*Stew* I am none of thys I praye you pordonne
mee mye Lorde

*Leare* Doe you bandy lookes withe me Knave

*Stew* Ile notte bee ftrucke mye Lorde

*Kente* Norre trypt neytherre you bafe foote ball
Playerre

*Leare* Fellow I thanke thee thou fervft mee ande
I love thee

*Kente* Come Sir Ile teache you dyfferences awaye
awaye

iffe you wille meafure youre lubberres length agayne
tarrye butte awaye you have wifdome

*Leare* Nowe freyndlye Knave I thaynke thee
theres earneft

of thye fervyce

*Enterre Foole*

*Foole* Lette mee hyre hymme too Heres mye
Coxcombe

*Leare* Howe nowe mye prettye Knave how doft
thou

*Foole* Sirra you were beſte take mye Coxcombe

*Kente* Whye Foole

*Foole* Whye forre takynge ownes parte thatts
oute of favoure

KYNGE LEARE.

Naye an thou canſt notte ſmyle as the winde getts
thout

catch colde ſhortlye welle take mye Cocks-
combe

Whye he hath banyſhd two of daughterres ande
done the thyrde a bleſſynge agaynſt hys wille
iſſe thou wilt followe hymme thou muſte needes
weare my Cockſcombe how now nunckle woud
I hadde two Cockſcombes ande two daughterres

Leare Whye mye Boye

foole Iſſe I gave themme anye lyvynge Ide keepe
the Cockſcombe myeſelfe thereſ myne begge
anotherre of thye daughterres

Leare Take heede Syrrah the whyppe 590

foole Truth is a dog thatte muſte toe Kennelle
whenne

mye Ladye ſtandes by th Fyre ande ſtynkes

Leare A peſtylente Gulle toe mee

foole Sirra Ile teache thee a ſpeeche

Leare Doe

foole Marke itte Unnekle have more thanne
thou ſheweſte ſpeake leſſe thanne thou knoweſte
lende leſſe thanne thou oweſte ryde more thenne
thou goeſte learne more thenne thou troweſte
leave thye drynke ande thye hope ande keepe 600
inne a doore thenne ſhalt thou ha more thanne
twoe tens toe a Score

Leare Thys is nothnge foole

F 2

36

KYNGE LEARE.

foole Thenne ift as the breathe of an unnefedde
Layerre

You faye mee naught fort canſt make noe uſe of
Noethynge Unckle

Leare Whye noe noethnge canne bee made o
nothynge

O thourt a bytterre foole

folle Doſt knowe the difference boye twixt a
byttere ande

a fweete foole

610

Leare Noe Ladde teache mee

foole Thatte Lorde thatte couſayld thee to give
thye Lande awaye

Comme place hymme here bye mee doe thou for
hymme ſtande

Thenne foone wilte the fweete ande bytterre foole
appeare

Leare Doſt call mee foole boye

foole Alle thye Tytles haſt thou gyvenne awaye
thatte

thou waſt borne withe

Kente Thyſſe iſſe alle toegetherre foole mye
Lorde

foole Noe faythe Lordes ande greate Menne
wille notte

lette mee have alle foole toe myeſelfe theyle 620
bee ſnatchynge give nee an Egge Nunckle ande
Ile give thee two Crownes

KYNGE LEARE.

37

*Leare* Whatte twoe Crownes shall theye bee
*folle* Whye afterre I ha broke the Egge ande eate
the meate thenne take the twoe Crownes oth Egge
whenne thou clovefte ande grayefte awaye thye
Crowne thenne thou hadft lyttle witte inne thye
baulde Crowne lette hymme bee whypt thatte
fyndes itte notte foe

Fooles had nere leffe witte inne a Yeare 630

Forre wife menne are growne foppyfhe
Theye knowe notte howe theyre Witts doe weare
Theyre Mannerres are foe Apyfhe

*Leare* Whenne where you wonte toe bee thuffe
fulle
of Songs Syrra

*foole* I have ufedde itte Nunckle everre fynce
thoud madft
thye Daughterres thye Motherre Nunckle forre
Whenne thou gavft themme the Rodde theye forre
joye dydde weepe Ande I forre Sorrowe fung
thatte fuche a Kynge fhoulde playe a bo peepe
I praye thee Nunckle keepe a Schoole Mafterre 640
thatte canne teache thye foole toe lye I woulde
fayne learne toe lye

*Leare* Iffe you lye lye you fhalle bee whipte

*foole* Whatte kynne arte thou ande thye
Daughterres
theyl ha mee whypt forre fpeakynge trewe ande
thou forre lyinge O I hadde ratherre be anye

38 KYNGE LEARE.

thynge thanne a folle yette woud I notte bee
thou Nunckle thou haft payd thye witte a bothe
fydes ande lefte noethynge inne the Myddelle
heere commes oune o the Parynges 650

Gonnerylle

*Leare* Howe nowe daughterre whatte makes
thatte frontlett onne
Methynkes you are toe muche a late ith frowne
foole Thou waft a prettye fellowe whenne thou
careddefte
notte forre herre frowne nowe thou arte O withoute
a figure I amme a foole thou arte noethynge though
youre face byddes mee holde mye peace Yette doft
thou faye noethynge

Mumme Mumme hee thatte keepes norre Crufte
norre Crumme

Wearye of alle fhalle wante forre fome Thatts a
fheald pefcod

*Gon* Notte onlye thys foole you are lycened
butte otherre offe 660
the retynewe doe hourlye carpe ande quarrelle ande
ryotts notte toe bee enneduredde I hadde thoughte
Sir

bye makynge thys welle knowne toe you toe have
Founde a fafe redreſſe butte amme fearefulle bye
youre

KYNGE LEARE.

39

late fpeeche ande Acts thatte you doe proteccte thys
courfe

whiche iffe you fhoulde Sir the faulte wille notte
fcape

cennefure norre fhalle redreffe fleepe whiche inne the
tennederre offe a wholefome weale myghte inne
workynge

doe you thatte offence thatte elfe were fhame butte
thenne

neceffytye muſte calle dyſcreete proceedings 670

*folle* Forre you trowe Nunckle the hedge Spar-
rowe fedde the

Cookow foe longe thatte itte hadde the heade be
itte younge

foe oute wente the Cannedelle ande wee were lefte
darklynge

*Leare* Are you oure daughterre

*Gon* Comme Sir I woudde you make uſe offe the
wifdomme whereoffe

I knowe you are fraughte ande putte awaye theſe
dyſpofytyonnes

thatte late have transforremedde you fromme
whatte you are

*foole* Maye notte an Aſs knowe whenne the
Carte drawes the horſe

whoope Juffe I love thee

*Leare* Dothe anye here knowe mee thyſſe iſſe
notte Leare dothe

40

KYNGE LEARE.

Leare walke thuffe speake thuffe where are hys
Eies hys 580

dyfcerrenynges are letharregye forre fure tis notte
foe who

ift canne telle mee who I amme Ift Leares
fhadowe fyre

I woud learne thatte bye the markes offe fo-
vereygntye

ande reafonne I fhould bee falfe perrefwadedde
I hadde

daughterres

*Folle* Whiche theye wille make anne obedyente
fatherre

Leare Thye Name fayre Gennetlewomanne

*Gon* Thys Admyratyonne favourres of otherre
newe prankes I praye

You unnederreftande mye purpofes aryghte as you
are oulde

foe fhoud you bee wife heere doe you keepe foure
hundredde

Knyghtes ande Squires Menne foe disorrdere-
lye foe 690

deboyfte ande bolde Thatte thyffe oure Courte
innefectedde

with theyre mannerres fhewes lyke a ryatoufe
Inne bee

thou defyredde bye herre thatte elfe wille take the
thynge

KYNGE LEARE.

41

the beggs a lyttle toe dyſquannetytye youre trayne
ande

the remaynderre thatte ſtylle depende toe bee fuche
Menne as maye beeforte youre Age ande knowe
themmeſelves ande you

Leare Darkneſſe ande divels faddle mye horſes
call mye
trayne togetherre degenerate baſtarde elſe notte
trouble

thee yette have I owne daughterre leſte 700

Gon You ſtryke mye People ande youre dys-
orrederedde rabble
make ſervaunts of theyre betterres

*Duke commes forrewarde*

Leare O Wee thatte toe late repentes uſſe O
Sir you are comme
Is itte yore wille Wee prepare anye horſes In-
gratytude

thou Marble heartedde feynde More hideouſe
whenne

thou ſheweſte thee inne a Childe thanne the Sea
Monſterre orre deteſſetedde Kyte thou leſſen mye
trayne ande Menne of choyſe who alle partyculars
of dutye knowe O mouſte ſmalle ſaulte howe
uglye dydſte thou inne Cordelya ſhowe thatte 710
wrencht mye verye frame of nature fromme its fyxt

G

42

KYNGE LEARE.

place drewe fromme mye hearte alle love ande
addedde toe the galle O Leare Leare beate atte
thye gate thatte lette thye follye inne ande thye
dear judgmente oute goe goe alle mye People

*Duke* Mye Lorde I amme guiltleffe afs I amme
Ignorante

*Leare* Itte maye bee foe harke Nature heare deare
Goddeffe

fuspende thye purpofe iſſe thou wouſt make thys
Creature fruitefulle intoe herre wombe conveye
ſterylytye drye uppe inne herre the Organnes

offe

720

Innecraſe ande lette noe babe ſprynge toe honorre
herre

butte iſſe ſhe muſte teeme create herre Chylde of
ſpleene

ande lette itte channelle rynkles onne herre browe
of youthe with accente teares turne alle herre paynes
toe rude laughterre ande contempte Thatte ſhee
maye

knowe howe ſharpe ande lyke a Serrepentes toothe
it is

toe have a thankleſſe Chylde goe goe mye People

*Duke* Nowe Gods thatte wee adore howe comes
thyſſe

*Gon* Aſk notte the cauſe butte lette hys dyſpo-
ſytyonne have

the ſcope thatte dotage gives itte

730

KYNGE LEARE.

43

Leare Whatte fiftye atte a Clappe ande with-\inne a fyrtnyghte too
Duke Whats the Matterre Sir
Leare Marke mee Ile telle the life ande deathe
I amme
afhamd thou haft powerre toe shake mye Mann-
hoode

thuffe thatte thefe hotte teares thatte breake fromme
mee perreforce shoud make worfe blafts ande Foggs
onne the unnetennederre woundynges of a Fatherres
uffe playe thys parte agayne Ile plucke ye oute
ande cafte you with the Waterres thatte you maye
temperre claye Yea tis come toe thys yette iffe 740
there oune daughterre lefte whome I amme fure iffe
kynde ande commeforretable whenne thee shalle
heare thys of thee with herre Nayles thele flee thye
Wolfyshe Vifage ande thoulte fynde I shalle
refume the shape whiche feemynge I have cafte offe
Yeffe thou shalte I warrante thee goes oute

Gon Doe you marke thatte mye Lorde

Duke I cannotte bee foe partyalle toe the greate
Love I beare thee

Gonnerille

Gon Praye you connetente whatte Ofwalde hoa
You Sir more knave thanne foole afterre youre
Mafterre

foole Nunckle Leare Nunckle Leare

Tarrye take the foole withe thee

G 2

750

44

KYNGE LEARE.

A Fox whenne oune has caughte herre
Ande fuche a daughterre
Should fure love the flaughterre
Iffe mye Cappe woulde buye a halterre
Soe fhalle the foole followe afterre

Gonn Thys Manne hathe hadde goode counfelle
A hundredde Knyghtes he maye oureguarde
Hys dotage with hys powerres 760
Ande holde oure lives inne Mercye Curane I faye

Alb Welle you may feare too farre
Gon Saferre thanne trufte toe farre
Whatte he hath uttered I have writte mye fyfterre
Iffe fhe fuftayne hymme ande hys hundredde
Knyghtes
Whenne I have fhewd th unfytneſſe

### Enterre Stewardre

How nowe Curane
Haſt thou yette wrote thatte Letterre toe mye fyfterre

Curan I Madame
Gon Take thenne fome Companye ande awaye
toe horſe
Inneforme herre fulle off mye partycularre feare 770
Ande thereto adde fuche reaſonnes of youre owne
Aſſe maye compaſte itte more Gette you gone
Ande haſtenne toe youre retynewe

KYNGE LEARE.

45

Thys mylkye gennetlenesse ande course offe yours
Though I condemne notte yette underre pardonne
You are muche more atte tafke forre wante of
wifdomme

Thanne prayfd forre harmfulle myldneffe
Alb Welle Welle to th evente

## Leare Kente Gentlemanne ande foole

Leare Goe you before toe Glofterre withe thefe
Letterres 780
acquainte mye daughterre noe furretherre withe anye
thinge you knowe thenne commes fromme herre
demande

butte of the Letterre iffe youre dylygence bee
drowfye
I fhalle bee there before you

Kente Ille notte sleepe tille I have delyvyredde
youre Letterre

foole Iffe a Mans brayns were infheeles wert
notte inne
dangerre offe kybes

Lere I boye

foole Thenne praye thee bee merrye thye witte
goes notte
flyppe fhodde

Leare Trewe ha ha ha ha

790

46

KYNGE LEARE.

foole Thoult fee thye otherre daughterre wille
uſe thee

welle forre though ſhes afs lyke thyſſe afs Crabbs
toe

an apple yette I canne telle whatte I lyſte

Leare Whatte canſt telle Boye

foole She wille taſte as lyke toe a Crabb afs does
thys

thou knowſt whye ounes Noſe ſtands ith myddelle
ons face

Leare Noe

foole Whye toe ones Eyes of ſydes ones Noſe
thatte

whyche Manne cannotte ſmelle oute hee maye
fee oute

800

Leare I dydde herre wronge

foole doſte knowe howe the Oyſterre makes hys
fhelle

Leare Noe

foole Neytherre canne I Yette doe I knowe whye
a Snayle

has a houſe

Leare Ande whye thatte

foole Toe hyde hys heade inne notte toe give itte
awaye

toe hys Daughterres ande leave hys hornes withoute
a Cafe

Leare I wille forregette mye Nature ſoe kynde
a Fatherre

KYNGE LEARE.

47

whatte hoa there bee mye horfes readye

foole Thye Affes are aboute themme the reafonne
the feafonne

810

Starres are noe more thanne iſſe a prettye reafonne

Leare Caufe theye are notte eyghte

foole Werte thou mye foole Nunckle thou
ſhouldſt bee

beate forre beynge oulde afore thye tyme

Leare Hows thatte

foole Thou ſhoudſt notte ha beene oulde tille thou
hadſte

beene wife

Leare Lette mee notte bee madde O fweete
heavenne I

woud notte bee madde O keepe mee inne temperre
whatte

Hoa are the horſes readye

Gent Readye mye Lorde

820

Leare Comme boye

foole She thatts a Mayde nowe ande laughs atte
mye deparreture

fhalle notte be a Mayde longe unleſſe thyngs bee
fhorterre

Baſtarde ande Curanne

Bas Save thee Curanne

Cur Ande you Sir I have beene withe youre
fathere

48

KYNGE LEARE.

Ande givenne hymme Notyce

Thatte the Duke off Cornwalle ande Regan hys
ducheffe

Wille bee here with hymme thys nyghte

Bas Howe comes thatte

Cur Naye I Knowe notte you have hearde o the
Newes

930

abroade of the care buſſynge Arregumennts

Bas Notte I praye you whatte are theye

Cur You maye learnne ere longe farewelle Sir

Bas The duke bee here toe Nyghte the betterre
befe

Thyſſe weaves itteſelſe perſorce intoe mye buſyneſſe
mye fatherre hath ſette guarde toe take mye
brotherre

And I have oune thynge of a queaſye queſtſyonne

Whiche I mſte aſte briefeneſſe ande forretune
helpe mee

### Edgarre

Brotherre a worde O flye thys place

Defcennde brotherre I faye mye fatherre watches

940

Innetellygence is givenne where you are hydde.

You have the goode advantage of the Nyghte

Haſt thou notte ſpokenne gainſt the duke of
Cornwalle

Knowſte thou notte hes comynge hytherre ith haſte

KYNGE LEARE.

49

Ande Reganne withe hymme have you nothynge
fayd

Uponne youre partye gaynſt the duke of Albanye.
Advife thyſelfe I faye

“ Edg. I am fure on’t not a word.

“ Baſtard. I heare my father comming, pardon
“ me in crauing, I

“ muſt draw my ſword vpon you, ſeemme to de-
“ fend your ſelfe, now

“ quit you well, yeeld, come before my father,
“ light heere, heere,

“ flie brother flie, torches, torches, fo farwell ;
“ ſome bloud drawne

“ on me would beget opinion of my more fierce
“ endeuor, I haue

“ ſeene drunkards do more then this in ſport ;
“ father, father, ſtop,

“ ſtop, no helpe ?

“ Enter Gloceſter.

“ Gloſt. Now Edmund, where’s the villaine ;

“ Baſt. Heere ſtood he in the darke, his ſharpe
“ ſword out,

“ warbling of wicked charmes, coniuring the
“ Moone to ſtand his

“ aufpicious Miftris.

“ Gloſt. But where is he ?

H

50

KYNGE LEARE.

“ *Baft*. Looke fir, I bleed.

“ *Gloft*. Where is the villaine, *Edmund*?

“ *Baft*. Fled this way fir, when by no means
“ he coud_________

“ *Gloft*. Purfue him, go after, by no meanes,
“ what ?

“ *Baft*. Perfwade me to the murder of your
“ Lordfhip, but that

“ I tolde him the reuengiue Gods, gainft Paracides
“ did all their

“ thunders bend, fpoke with how many fould
“ and ftrong a bond

“ the child was bound to the father; fir, in a fine,
“ feeing how loth-

“ ly oppofite I ftood to his vnnaturall purpofe,
“ with fell motion

“ with his prepared fword, he charges home my
“ vnprouided bo-

“ dy, launcht mine arme; but when he faw my
“ beſt alarumd fpirits

“ bold in the quarrels right, rouzd to the en-
“ counter, or whether

“ gaſted by the noife I made, but fodainly he
“ fled.

“ *Gloft*. Let him flie farre, not in this Land
“ ſhall he remaine vn-

“ caught and found; difpatch, the Noble Duke

“ my maſter, my

KYNGE LEARE.

5¹

“ worthy Arch and Patron comes to night, by his
“ authority I will

“ proclaime it, that he which findes him shall
“ deferue our thankes,

“ bringing the murderous caytiffe to the stake, he
“ that conceales

“ him, death.

“ Baft. When I diffwaded him from his intent,
“ and found him

“ pight to do it, with curst fpeech I threatned to
“ difcouer him; he

“ replied, Thou vnpoſſeffing baſtard, doſt thou
“ thinke, if I would

“ ſtand againſt thee, could the repoſure of any truſt,
“ vertue, or

“ worth in thee make thy words faith'd? no:
“ what I ſhould deny,

“ as this I would, I, thogh thou didſt produce
“ my very character,

“ ide turne it all to thy ſuggeſtion, plot, and
“ damned pretence, and

“ thou muſt make a dullard of the world, if they
“ not thought the

“ profits of my death were very pregnant and
“ potentiall ſpurres to

“ make thee feeke it.

“ Gloſt. Strong and faſtened villaine, would he
“ deny his letter?

H 2

52

KYNGE LEARE.

“ I neuer got him : harke, the Dukes trumpets,
“ I know not why he

“ comes ; all Ports ile barre, the villaine fhall not
“ ſcape, the Duke

“ muſt grant me that: befides, his picture I wil
“ ſend far and neere,

“ that all the kingdome may haue note of him,
“ and of my land,

“ (loyall and naturall boy) ile worke the meanes
“ to make thee capable.

“ Enter the Duke of Cornwall.

“ Corn. How now my noble friend, ſince I
“ came hether, which

“ I can call but now, I haue heard ſtrange newes.

“ Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too
“ ſhort which can

“ purſue the offender; how doſt my Lord?

“ Gloſt. Madam, my old heart is crakt, is
“ crakt.

“ Reg. What, did my fathers godſon ſeeke
“ your life? he whom

“ my father named your Edgar ?

“ Gloſt. I Lady, Lady, ſhame would haue it hid.

“ Reg. Was he not companion with the ryotous
“ Knights that

“ tends vpon my father ?

KYNGE LEARE.

“ Gloft. I know not Madam, tis too bad,
“ too bad.

“ Baft. Yes madam, he was.

“ Reg. No maruaile then though he were ill
“ affected,

“ Tis they haue put him on the old man's death,

“ To haue these—and waſte of this his reuenues :

“ I haue this preſent euening from my fiſter

“ Beene well inform'd of them, and with ſuch
“ cautions,

“ That if they come to ſoiourne at my houſe, ile
“ not be there.

“ Duke. Nor I, aſſure thee Regan; Edmund, I
“ heard that you haue

“ ſhewne your father a child-like office.

“ Baſt. Twas my duty fir.

“ Gloſt. He did betray his practice, and receiued

“ This hurt you ſee, ſtriuing to apprehend him.

“ Duke. Is he purſued ?

“ Gloſt. I my good Lord.

“ Duke. If he be taken, he ſhall neuer more be
“ ſeard of doing

“ harme, make your owne purpofe how in my
“ ſtrength you pleafe;

“ for you Edmund, whoſe vertue and obedience
“ doth this inſtant

“ ſo much commend it ſelfe, you ſhalle be ours,
“ natures of ſuch deep

54

KYNGE LEARE.

“ truft, we shall much need, you we first seize on.

“ Baft. I shall ferue you truely, how euer else.

“ Gloft. For him I thanke your Grace.

“ Duke. You know not why we came to visit
“ you?

“ Regan. Thus out of season, threatning darke
“ eide night,

“ Occasions noble Gloster of some prize,

“ Wherein we must haue vse of your aduice,

“ Our father he hath writ, so hath our fister,

“ Of defences, which I best thought it fit,”

Toe anfwerre fromme oure hande the feveralle
Meffengers

Fromme hence attende dyfpatche oure goode oulde
freynde

Laye comforte toe youre bifomme ande bestowe

Youre Needefulle confaylle toe youre busynefiefs

Whiche craves oure inftaunte ufe

Glo I serve you Madame youre Graces are
rygthe welcome

1060

Kente ande Stewarde

Stew Goode even toe thee freynde arte of the houfe

Kente I

Stew Were maye wee fette oure horfes

Kente Inne the Mire

Stew Prithee an thou love mee telle mee

KYNGE LEARE.

55

Kente I love thee notte

Stew Whye thenne I care notte forre thee

Kente Waft butte inne Lipfurye Penfolde Ide
make
thee care forre mee

Stew Wherefore doft thou ufe mee thufs I
knowe thee
1070
notte

Kente Fellowe I knowe thee

Stew Whatte doft thou knowe mee forre

Kente A Knave a rafcalle who eates brokenne
Meates
a bafe proude beggarrelye three fhowtedde hundredde
Pounde a whoremonne Glaſſe a gazynge ſuper-
ſynycalle

Rogue oune Trunke inneherytynge flave thatte
woude bee a bawde inne waye off goode Service
ande arte noethynge butte the compofytonne of a
Knave Cowarde

ande Panderre whome I wille beate intoe whyn-
ynge iſſe thou

denye the ſmalleste Syllable of the addytyonne 1080

Stew Whye whatte a Monſtrous fellowe thou
arte toe rayle onne

oune who knowes notte thee norre iſſe knowne of
thee

Kente Brazenne facd Varlette doſt denye thou
knowſt mee iſſe

KYNGE LEARE.

57

*Stew* Im ſcarce inne breathe mye Lorde

*Kente* Noe marvaile notte thou haſt ſoe beſtird
thye

Valoure thatte Nature declaymes inne thee the 1100
Taylorre

*Duke* Thou arte a ſtraunge fellowe a Taylorre
make a Manne

*Kente* Sir a Stone Cutterre orre a Paynterre coud
notte ha made

hymme ſoe ille hadde he workd butte ounæ
houre

*Glos* Speake howe grewe the quarrelle

*Stew* Thys ancyente Ruffyan Sir whofe life I
ſpard atte

fuite of hys greye Bearde

*Kente* O Thou Whoreſon Zedde thou unnecef-
ſarye Letterre

if you wille give mee leave mye Lorde Ile tread
thys Villayne intoe waterre ande daube the

Walls of a Jaques with hymme ſpare mye
greye

1110

Bearde you Wagtayle

*Duke* Peace beaſtlye Knave thou haſte noe Re-
veraunce

*Kente* Yefſe butte angerre has a Pryvyleſde

*Duke* Whye arte angrye I ſaye

*Kente* That ſuch a ſlave as thys ſhoud weare a
Sworde

I

58 KYNGE LEARE.

Thatte weares noe honeſtye fuche fmylynge
Rogues as thee

Like Ratts nibble thoſe Cordes inne twaine

Whiche are toe intrenche ande looffen everye
ſmooth Paffyon

Thatte inne the Natures of theyre Lordes rebelle

Knowinge noughte like dayes butte followinge

Eache puffye gale ande varye of theyre Maſterres

1120

Smoile you mye Speeches as I were a folle

Goofe If I hadde thee on Sarum Playne

Ide fende thee Cacklynge home toe Camulette

Duke Saye arte Mad olde fellowe

Glos How fell you oute faye thatte

Kente Noe contraryes holde fuche difference as
I ande fuche a Knave

Duke Werefore doſte call hymme Knave
whats hys Offence

Kente Hys countenaunce lykes mee notte

Duke Noenore perchaunce dothe minne orre hers

Kente Sir tis mye occupatyonne to bee Playne 1130

I have feene betterre faces inne mye Daye

Thanne ſtands onne anye Shoulderre thatte I fee

Nowe before mee atte thys inſtaunte

Duke Thys is a fellowe who havynge beene
oſte prayſde

Forre bluntneſſe dothe affecte a ſaucye ruffeneſſe

Noe ſooth hee cannotne flatterre hee muſte bee
playne

KYNGE LEARE.

59

Hee muſte ſpeake truthe ande theye wille take
itte ſoe

Iſſe hees notte playne theſe kynde of Knaves I
knowe

Whiche inne thys playnneſſe has boure more crafte
ande far more corrupte Endes thenne twentye
fillye duckynge

obſervaunts thatte ſtretche theyre dutyes nicelye 1140

Kente Sir inne goode soothe

Underre the allowaunce of youre greate Aſpecte

Whofe inneſtluence lyke the wreathe of radyente fire

Glytterynge fromme Phebus fronte

Duke Whatte meanſt thou bye thys

Kente Toe goe fromme mye dyalogue whiche
you didde

muche dyſcommende Sir I amme noe flattererre hee
thatte beguilde you with ſmoothe accente was a
playne Knave which parte I wille notte aſte 1150
though I ſhoud winne youre dyſpleafure

Duke Wats the offence you gave hymme

Stew I nere gave hymme anye itte pleafd the
Kynge hys Maſterre

Verye late toe ſtrike atte mee uponne hys miſcon-
ſtructyonne

Wenne hee conjunct ande flatterynge hys dyſ-
pleafure

Tript mee behynde beynge downe infultedde raylde
ande putte onne hymme ſoe muche o the Manne

12

60

KYNGE LEARE.

Thatte worthyedde hymme ande gotte hymme
prayſes o the Kynge

Ande forre the Attempte of thys hys ſofte ſubdud
exployte

Drewe oune mee here agayne

Kente Nonne O theſe Rogues ande fooles butte
Ajax is theyre Knave

Duke Whatte ho the ſtocks

You ſtubborne Miſcreante you unreverente bragarte
Welle teache you

Kente I am toe oulde to learne calle notte youre
Stocks for mee

I ſerve the Kynge onne whoſe Employmentes I was
ſente toe you

You ſhould doe ſmalle reſpecte toe mye Maſterre
Stoppynge thus hys Graces Meſſengerre

Duke Fetiche forthe the ſtockes

As I have life ande honoure there ſhalle ſitte tille
Noone

1170

Reg Tille Nyghte mye Lorde ande alle Nyghte
toe

Kente If I were youre fatherres dog Madam

You coud notte uſe mee ſoe

Reg Sir beynge hys Knave thenne I wille

Duke Thys is a ſellowe o the Nature oure Sif-
terre ſpeakes of

Glos Lette mee beſeeche youre Grace notte to
doe ſoe

KYNGE LEARE.

61

Hys faulte is muche ande the goode Kynge hys
Mafterre

Wille checke hymme fort thys is fuche meane
Correctyonne

As moſte common trefpaffes are punyſht withe
The Kynge muſte take itte ille thatte hes foe
flyghtlye valud

1180

Iſſe you hys Meſſenger ſhould have thus reſtraynd
Duke Ile anſwerre thatte

Reg Mye Sifterre wille receive itte ſtille muche
worſe

Toe have her Gentlemanne abuſd affaultedde

For followinge her affayres putte inne hys leggs
Come mye Lorde awaye

Glos I amme forrye forre thee freynde tis the
Dukes pleafure

Whofe dyſpofytyonne alle the worlde welle knowes

Wille notte bee rubd norre ſtopt yette Ile intreate
for thee

Kente doe notte I praye you Sir I have watcht
ande travayled harde

1190

Some tyme I wille fleepe the reſte Ile whiftle

For a goodmanns fortune Sir maye growe oute
ats heels

Give you goode Morrowe Sir

Glos Inne thys innedeede the Dukes toe blame
An I feare twille bee butte ille looke

62

KYNGE LEARE.

Kente Goode Kynge thatte muſte approve the
common ſawe
Who oute of Heavens benedytynne comeſte
Toe the warme Sunne
Approache thou beacon toe thys unnederre Globe
Thatte bye thye alle radyaunte beames I maye 1200
Peruſe thys Letterre ſcarce noethynge fees mye
wracke
Butte Miſerye I knowe tis fromme Cordelya
Who mouſte haplye hath beene informed
Of mye obſcurd Courſe ande ſhalle fynde tyme
From thys enormous ſtate ſeekynge to give
Loſſes theyre remedyes alle wearye ande oere watcht
Take vantage Heavye Eyes notte toe beholde
Thys ſhameful lodgynge Farewelle fortune
Sinyle ande turne thye weele ounce more

## Edgarre

I heare myefelfe proclaymed
Ande bye the happye hollow of a Tree
Eſcapt the hunte Noe place noe porte is free
Thatte guarde ande mouſte unneufvalle Vigylaunce
Doſt notte attende mye takynge while I maye ſcape
I have beethoughte ande wille preferve myefelfe
Bye takynge the bafeſte ande pooreſte ſhape
Thatte everre penurye inne contempte of Manne

KYNGE LEARE.

63

Broughte neere toe beaſte Mye face Ile grime
with filthe

Blankette mye loynes twiſte alle mye hayre in
Knottes

Ande inne Adam lyke Nakeddenelſe oute face 1220

The Winde ande perſecutyonne o the Skye

Thys Countrye gives mee proofe ande preſydente

Of Bedlam Beggars thatte withe roarynge voyces

Ande horrid blows numbered onne theyre lymes.

Sometyme with lunatycke banns ande thenne with
Prayeres

Enforce theyre Charytye poore poore Tom poore
Edgarre

Thatte innedeede is fomethynge I amme noethynge

## Kynge ande Knyghte

Leare Tis ſtraunge they ſhoulde thus departe
from hence

Ande notte ſende backe mye Meſſengerre

Knygthe I dydde heare the Nyghte before there
was

1230

Noe purpofe of hys remove

Kente Alle hayle toe thee noble Maſterre

Leare How makſt thou thys ſhame thye paſtyme

Foole Ha Ha looke he weares crewelle Garterres

Horſes are tyde bye the Heels dogs ande beares

Bye the Necke Munkyes bye the loynes ande Menne

64

KYNGE LEARE.

Bye the Legs whenne hees fomewhatte over luftye
Thenne he weares woodenne neatherre Stockes
Leare What hee thatte hathe thye place foe
muche miftooke

Toe fette thee here

1240

Kente Tis bothe hee ande fhee youre Sonne
ande daughterre

Leare Noe

Kente Yes

Leare Noe I faye

Kente I faye Yea

Leare Noe noe they woulde notte Itte can-
notte bee

Kente Agayne I faye tis evenne foe

Leare Bye Jupiterre I fweare noe they durft
notte do itte

Suche outrage is worfe thanne murderre

Refolve mee withe alle modeſte haſte whiche
waye

1250

Thou mayſt deferve or they purpofe thys ufage
Commynge fromme uſſe

Kente Whenne atte theyre houre my Lorde
I didde commende youre hyghneſſe Letterres toe
them

Eere I was rifenne fromme the place thatte ſhewedde
Mye dutye Kneelynge came there a reekynge Pofte
Stewd in hys haſte halfe breathleſſe pantynge forthe
Salutatyonnes fromme Gonerylle hys Miſtreſſe

KYNGE LEARE.

65

Thenne producd Letterres whiche they foon oere
reade

Strayichte fummoned uppe theyre Menne ande
tooke horſe 1260

Commanded mee toe followe ande attende the
leyſure

Of theyre Anſwerre gave mee colde looks
Ande Meetynge here the otherre Meſſengerre

Whofe Errande I perceyvd had poyfond myne

Beynge the ſelfe fame fellowe who of late

Dysplayd ſoe ſawcylye agaynſt youre hyghneſſe

Havynge more Manne thanne Witte drewe

He rayſd the houſe youre Sonne ande daughterre

Founde thys faulte worthe the ſhame whiche here
it ſufferres 1270

Leare O howe thys Motherre fwels uppe to-
warde mye hearte

Hiftorica Paſſio—down thou clymynge Sorrowe

Thye Elementes belowe where iſſe thy daughterre

Kente Withinne the Earle Sir withinne

Leare follow notte butte ſtaye theyre

Knyghte Made you noe more offence thanne
thatte you ſpeake of

Kente Noe

How chaunce the Kynge has ſoe ſmalle a trayne

foole Hadſt beene ſette ithe ſtocks forre thatte
Queſtyonne

Thou hadſt welle deſervd itte 1380

K

66

KYNGE LEARE.

Kente Whye foole
foole Wele fende thee toe an Ante whol teache
thee
theyres noe labourynge ithe Winterre Alle thatte
followe theyre Noſes are ledde bye theyre Eyes
Whenne

a greate wheele paces downe the hille loofe thye
holde

leafte itte breake thye Necke inne the follow-
inge itte

butte whenne itte mounte the hille eene thenne lette
itte drawe thee Whenne a wife Man gives thee,
betterre

counſelle give mee mine agayne Id ha none butte
Knaves followe itte ſince a foole gives itte

Thatte Manne who ſerves for gayne
Ande followes butte forre forme
Wille packe whenne itte begynnes toe rayne
Ande leave thee ithe Storme

Butte I wille tarrye the foole wille ſtaye

Ande lette the wife Manne flye
The Knaves turnes foole thatte runnes awaye
Thenne foole noe Knave perdye

Kente Where learnte you thys

foole Notte ithe Stockes

KYNGE LEARE.

67

## Leare ande Glofterre

Leare Denye toe fpeake withe mee thare fycke
ande wearye

Theye traveld harde toe Nyghte paltrye juggle

Tis notte foe whatte revolte ande flynge offe

Fetche mee a betterre anfwerre

Glos Mye dearefte Lorde

You knowe the fierye Qualytye of the Duke

How immoveablye fixt he iſſe ins courſe

Leare Deathe ande confufyonne

Whatte fierye Qualytye whye Glofterre

Glofterre I faye where is the Duke of Cornwalle

1410

The Kynge woud fpeake with Cornwalle the deare fatherre

Woulde withe hys daughterre fpeake commands her ſervice

Glos Aye mye goode Lorde

Leare Fierye Duke telle the hotte duke thatte Leare

Naye butte notte yette may bee hee iſs notte welle

Innefirmyte doth ſtille neglecte alle iſſue where toe
oure healthe

Is bounde wee are notte ourefelses whenne nature
beynge oppreſte

Commands the Mynde toe ſufferre withe the bodye
Ile forbeare

K 2

KYNGE LEARE.

69

I fcarce canne fpeake toe thee thoult notte believe
Of whatte bafe qulytye ſhe is O Reganne

Reg Praye you Sir take Patyence I have hope
You leſſe knowe how to Value herre deferte 1440
Thanne ſhe toe flacke inne dutye

Leare Saye howe is thatte

Reg I cannotte thynke mye Syfterre ithe leafte
Woud flacke inne dutye ande oblygatyonne

Leare Mye Curſes onne herre

Reg O Conſydderre Sir you are oulde
Nature inne you ſtands onne the verye verge ande
confyne

You ſhould bee ruld ande led bye ſome dyſ-
cretyonne

Thatte dycernes youre ſtate betterre the you canne
Toe oure Syfterre thenne wee doe praye you make
retturne

1450

Ande faye thatte you have wrongd herre

Leare Whatte doſt faye afke herre forregiveneffe
Marke you how woud thys become the houſe
I doe confeffe deare Reganne thatte I amme oulde
Onne mye Knees thenne I begge thatte youl
vouchſafe

Toe give mee thys Nyghte bedde foode ande
Raymente

Reg Good Sir noe more theſe are unneſſitynge
trickes
therefore wee praye you goe backe toe oure Syſterre

70

KYNGE LEARE.

*Leare* Noe Reganne Neverre Neverre
She hathe abatedde mee of halfe mye trayne 1460
Lookt blacke uponne mee ftrucke mee with herre
tongue

Mofte serpente lyke uponne mye verye hearte
Maye alle the ftord vengeance of Heavene falle
Onne herre ungratefulle toppe ftryke herre younge
bones

You Ayres thatte ftrike withe lameneffe
You nimble lygtnynges darte youre blindyng
flames

Intoe herre fcornfulle Eies You fenne fuckd Foggs
Drawne bye the powerrefulle heate of the funne
Innefecte herre Beautye ande blaſte herre pride

*Duke* O fye Sir
1470

*Reg* O the bleſte Gods youl wifh foe onne mee
When the rafhe Moode takes

*Leare* Noe Reganne thou ſhalt neverre ha mye
Curſe

Herre Eies are feirce butte thine doe comforte mee
Noe Nature ſhalt notte give toe thee mye
Tis notte inne thee toe grudge mye Pleafure
Toe cutte offe mye trayne ande uſe haſtye Wordes
Ande inne Conclufyonne to oppoſe the Bolte
Agaynſt mye comynge inne thou betterre knowſt
The offyces of Nature bonde of Childhoode 1480
Effects offe Curteſye due offe Gratytude
Thy halfe offe thys Kyngdomme haſt forregotte

KYNGE LEARE.

71

Twas I thatte endowedde thee withe itte
Butte who waft thatte putte mye ithe Stockes

Stewarde comes forrewarde

Duke Whatte Trumpettes thatte
Reg I knowt toe bee mye Syfterres
Bye Letterre fhe fayde ere longe fhe woud bee here
Iffe youre Ladye comme
Leare Thys iffe the Slave whose eafye borrowd
pryde
Dwels ithe fyckle Grace offe herre hee followes
Oute Varlette fromme mye Syichte 1490
Corn Whatte meanes youre grace

Gonnerylle

Leare Who commes here hyde mee kynde
heavennes I praye
Iffe you doe love oulde Menne make itte youre
Caufe
Sende downe ande take mye parte
Arte notte afhamd to looke uponne thys bearde
Whatte Reganne wilt thou take herre bye the hande
Gon Whye notte Sirre
How have I offendedde alls notte offence
Thatte Innedyfcretyonne ande dotage termes
foe 1500

72

KYNGE LEARE.

Leare O fydes you are toe toughe wille you
ftylle houlde

Agayne how came mye Manne ithe Stockes

Duke I fette hymme there butte hys owne dif-
orrederres

Defervd muche leffe advancemente

Leare You whatte waſt you

Reg I praye you fatherre beynge weake fceme foe
Iſſe tylle the expyratyonne offe youre Moneth

You wille retturne ande fojourne withe mye Syſterre
Difbandynge halſe youre trayne comme thenne

toe mee [1510]

Beynge nowe fromme home ande oute of Plentye

Whiche iſſe needefulle forre *youre* entertaynemente

Leare Retturne toe herre ande fiftye Menne
dyſmyſt

Noe ratherre I abjure Alle roofes ande chufe

Toe wage agaynſt the enmytye o the Ayre

Toe bee afs Comrade withe the Wolfe ande Owle

Whye the hotte bloode of Fraunce thatte
dowerreleſſe

Tooke hence oure youngeſte borne I coud bee
broughte

Toe Knee hys Throne ande ſquire lyke penſyonne
begge

Toe Keepe bafe life a foote thanne retturne withe
herre

Perſwade mee ratherre toe bee a ſlave ande Sumpter

Toe Thys deteftedde Gromme

1520

KYNGE LEARE.

73

Gon Atte youre Choyce Sir

*Leare* Nowe praye you daughterre doe notte
make mee madde

I wille notte trouble thee mye Chylde Farewelle
Welle noe more meete noe more fee oune anotherre
Stille arte thou mye bloode mye Flefhe ande
daughterre

Or ratherre a difeafe thats inne mye flefhe

Whiche I mufte needs calle myne thou arte a Byle
A Plague fore ande inboffedde Carbuncle

Inne mye corruptedde Bloode butte Ile notte
chyde thee

1530

Lette fhame come whenne itte wille I doe notte
calle itte

I doe notte bydde the Thunderres beare fhoote

Norre telle tales of thee toe hygh judgynge Jove

Mende whenne thou canſt be betterre atte the
Leyfure

I wille bee patyente ande wille ſtaye withe Reganne
Aye myſelfe ande mye hundredde Knyghtes

*Reg* Yette notte ſoe Sir I looke notte forre you
yette

Norre have I thatte whiche befyttes youre welcome
Therefore praye you give Eare toe mye Syfterre toe
thofe

Thatte myngle reaſonne withe youre paffyonne 1540

Naye bee contente ande thynke thatte you are oulde
Believe mee Sir ſhe knowes welle thatte ſhe does

L

74

KYNGE LEARE.

Leare O Reg iſſe thys welle ſpokenne

Reg I dare avouche itte Sir fiftye followerres
Are welle enoughe wherefore I houd you neede more
Yea orre foe manye fythe thatte bothe charge ande
dangerre

Speakes gaynſt thatte Numberre forre howe I houd
foe manye

Inne oune houſe ande underre two dyſtynct com-
mandes

Holde Amytye tis harde almoſte impoſſyble

Gon Whye notte mye goode Lorde receive
attendaunce
1550

Fromme thofe whome ſhe calls Servaunts orre
fromme myne

Reg Aye thou fithe trewelye whye notte mye
Lorde

Wee canne controule themme iſſe you comme toe mee
forre nowe I ſpye a dangerre I entreate you

Toe brynge butte five ande twentye toe noe more

Wille I give place orre coutenaunce

Leare I gave you alle

Reg Aye ande inne goode tyme you gave toe

Leare Made you mye Guardyans mye de-
poſytaryes

Butte kepte a refervatyonne toe bee followedde 1560

With fuche a Numberre whatte muſte I come
toe you

Withe five ande twentye Reganne fayde you foe

KYNGE LEARE.

75

Reg Aye ande fpeakt agayne mye Lorde

Leare Thofe wickeddde Creatures yette doe
feeme welle favourd

Whenne otherres are more wickedde Notte beynge
the worfte

Standes inne fome ranke offe prayfe Ile goe
withe thee

Thye fiftye dothe ftylle double five ande twentye

Thou arte innedeede twice herre love

Gon Heare mee mye Lorde

Whye neede you five ande twentye tenne orre
five

1570

Toe followe inne a houſe where twice the numberre

Have commande toe tende you

Reg Naye whatte needes oune

Leare O reafonne notte the deede oure bafeſte
Beggarres

Are inne the pooreſte thynge ſuperreſluouſe

Give notte fweete Nature more thanne nature needes

Mans life ande beaſtes are equalle inne cheapeneſſe

Iſſe onelye toe goe warme were gorgeouſe

Thenne Nature needes butte halſe the Ladye weares

Heavennes give mee meeke patyence I lacke
itte

1580

You fee mee here Ye Gods a poore a poore oulde
Manne

Aſſe fulle offe grieſe as age wretchedde inne bothe

Iſſe itte bee you thatte ſtirre Mye daughterres heartes

L 2

76 KYNGE LEARE.

Agaynfte theyre fatherre foole mee notte too muche
Toe beare itte tamelye touche mee withe angerre
O lette notte Womennes weaponnes waterre droppes
Stayne mye Mannes cheekes Noe ye unneturalle
haggs

haggs
I wille poure downe fuche Revenge onne ye bothe
Thatte alle the World fhalle—Ile doe fuche thynges
Whatte they are yette I knowe notte butte theye
fhalle bee 1590

The terrorres o the Earthe you thynke Ile weepe
Noe Ile notte though I have fulle caufe of weepynge
Butte thys mye hearte fhalle breake inne a thou-
fande flawes

Eyre I wille weepe O foole foole I fhalle goe Madde

[Leare Kente Glofterre ande foole goe oute

Duke Lets withdrawe twille bee a Storme

Reg Thys houſe is lyttle the oulde Manne ands
People

Cannotte bee welle beſtowedde

Gon Tis hys owne blame hathe putte hymme
fromme reſte (1600

Reg Thenne hee muſte needes taſte hysfollye

Forre hymſelfe I wille receyve hymme gladlye
Butte notte oune followerre

Duke Soe ſtandes the Matterre withe mee

Butte where iſſe mye Lorde of Gloſterre

KYNGE LEARE.

77

*Glofterre*

*Glos* The Kynge is inne hygh Rage
Ande wille I knowe notte whetherre

*Reg* Thenne give hymme waye hele leade
hymfelfe

*Gon* Entreate hymme notte mye Lorde to ftaye

*Glo* Alacke the Nyghte comes onne ande the
bleake Windes

Doe forelye ruffelle forre manye a Myle aboute 1610

Theyres neytherre hedge norre wille ferve forre
coverte

*Reg* O Sir toe wilfulle Menne
The injuryes they themmefelves doe procure
Moufte ferve themme forre Schoole Mafterres fhutte
the doors

He iſſe attendedde withe a deſperate trayne

Ande whatte theye maye prompte hymme too
beynge apte

Toe have Eare abuſd Wifdomme byddes uſſe
feare

*Kente ande Gentlemanne*

*Kente* Whatte iſſe theyre here beſydes foule
Weatherre

*Gent* Oune myndedde lyke the Weatherre

Mouſte fowerre ande unnequiettelye 1620

78

KYNGE LEARE.

Kente I knowe thee wheres the Kynge

Gent Contendynge withe the fretfulle Elemente
Who byddes the Wynde blowe Earthe intoe Sea
Orre fwelle the curledde waterres bove the Mayne
Thatte thyngs maye change orre ceafe teares hys
white hayre

Whiche the impetuouſe blaſts with Eyeleſſe Rage
Catche inne theyre furye ande make a nothynge of
Strives inne hys lyttle worlde of Manne toe oute
ſcorne

The adverſe Wynde ande rayne Unnebonnetedde

He runnes Ande byddes whatte wille take alle 1630

Kente Butte who iſſe withe hymme

Gent None fave the foole who labourres toe
oute jeſte

Hys hearte ſtrooke innejuryes

Kente Sir I doe knowe you

Ande wille commende a deare thynge toe you

Theyre iſſe dyvyſyonne though itte bee cladde

Withe mutualle cunnynge twixte Alb ande Corn-
walle

Ande fromme Fraunce mouſte ſure theyre comes
a powerre

Intoe thys oure ſeatteredde Kyngdomme

Theye have ſecrette ſoe inne ſome of oure
Pourtes 1640

Ande wille ſhowe uſſe ere longe theyre Bannere

Make ſpeede therefore toe Doverre theyre you
ſhalle ſynde

KYNGE LEARE.

79

Some who wille thanke you makynge juſte Reporte
Offe the ryghte Caufe oure Kynge hathe offe Playnte

*Gent* Ile ſpeake fartherre withe you

*Kente* Naye doe notte butte take thys Purſe
contaynes

Thenne if you chance toe ſee Cordelya

Ande I dubte notte butte you ſhalle ſhew thys
Ryng

Thenne ſhe wille telle you whou the ſellowe iſſe

Toe whome thou ſpeakſt ande doſt notte as yette
knowe

1650

O ſye onne thys Storme Ile goe ſeeke the Kynge

*Gent* Give mee thy hande haſt naughte more
toe ſaye

*Kente* Butte ſewe wordes yette more thanne alle
yette

Thatte whenne the goode Kynge bee founde

The luckyerre hounde o the two

Shalle hollowe the otherre

*Leare ande foole*

*Leare* Blowe Windes and cracke your cheeks
Rage Blowe

You Caterackes ande Hurycanoes ſpoute

Tylle you have drenchd the Steeples drownd the
Cocks

You ſulpherouſe ande thoughte executynge
fires

1660

80

KYNGE LEARE.

You Oake cleavynge thunderre Boltes finge mye
white heade

Thou alle shakynge Thunderre ftryke flatte ande
make voyde

The vaſte ande thycke routundytye o the Worlde

Cracke Natures Moulde all Germayne fpille at
ounce

Thatte forms ungratefulle ande deteftedde Manne

foole O Nunckle Courte holye Waterre inne a
drye houſe

Tis betterre thanne rayne waterre oute a doore

Inne goode Nunckle ande afke forre a Bleſſynge

Forre thys iſſe a Nyghte indeede thatte pittyes

Neytherre the heade of Age norre thatte of
follye

1670
Leare Grumble thy Belly fulle fpitte fire fpoute
Rayne

Norre thunderre fire Rayne Winde are mye
daughterres

Noe Noe tis notte you I taſke withe unnekyndneſſe

I dyvydedde notte twixt you mye Kyngdomme

You owe mee noe fubſcryptyonne whye thenne
lette falle

Youre horruble pleafure ande heare I ſtande

A weake innefyrme and deſpyſedde oulde Manne

Yette are ye butte poore ſervile minifterres

Thatte joyne withe two pernycyouſe daughterres

Agaynſte a heade foe oulde ande white O tis
foule

KYNGE LEARE.

81

*foole* Hee thatte has a houſe toe putte hys heade
inne
Has innedeede a mouſte excellente heade peace
Thatte manne who makes hys toe whenne he hys
hearte ſhould make
Shalle have a Corne crye woe ande turne hys fleepe
toe wake
Forre neverre yette was there fayre Woemanne
Butte ſhe made Mouthes ithe Glaffe
*Leare* Noe Ile bee a Patterne of Virtue ande
Patyence
Ande faye nothynge

Kente

*Kente* Whos there
*foole* Marrye heares Grace ande a Cod peece 1690
Thats bothe wife manne ande foole
*Kente* Alas mye Liege ist you here
Thofe who love Nyghtes love themme notte fuche
as theſe
Synce I was Manne fuche ſheetes offe lividde fire
Suche burſtes of thunderre and fuche groanes of
Winde ande Rayn
I rememberre notte toe have hearde
*Leare* Lette the greate Gods who thunderre
oere oure heades
Fynde theyre Enemyes nowe tremble thou wretche

M

82

KYNGE LEARE.

Thatte haſt withinne thee undyvulgedde Crymes
Hyde thee thou bloudye hande unwhypte of
Justice

1700

Thou Sycophante diffemblerre of Virtewe

Ande convenyente feemynge thatte pracyfedde

Cloſe pente uppe guiltes onne credulouſe Mens lives

Rive youre concealedde Centerres ande begge Grace

Offe theſe Greate ande thunderynge Summonerres

Butte I amme oune more ſynnd agaynſt thenne
ſynnyng

Kente Whatte beare headedde mye moſte graya-
ſouſe Lorde

Harde bye here is a hovelle ſome frendefhyppe

Gaynſt thys rude unnecyville tempeſte wille itte
lende

Repofe you here whylſt Ile toe thys harde houſe 1710

More harde innedeede thanne thatte whereoffe tis
rayſd

Whiche evenne buttenowe denyd mee toe come inne

Whenne afkynge afterre you

Leare O mye Witte gins toe maddenne

Come onne mye Boye howe doſt mye Boye arte
colde

I amme coulde myeſelſe Where is the ſtrawe goode
fellowe

Tis ſtrange howe oure neceſſytyes canne make

The vileſte thynges the mouſte precyouſe

Foole and Knave ſhowe mee thenne thy poore
hovelle

KYNGE LEARE.

Oune Cornerre of mye hearte yette forrowes
forre thee
1720

*foole* He thatte has a lyttle tyne Witte
Withe a heyghe hoe the winde ande the Rayne
Muſte make connetente withe hys forretunes ſytte
Forre the Rayne itte Raynethe everye a Daye

*Gloſterre ande Edmunde*

*Glos* Alacke Alacke Edmunde I lyke notte thys
Whenne I defyrd theyre leave toe pittye hymme
Theye tooke fromme mee the uſe of myne owne
houſe

Stryct chargd mee onne payne offe theyre diſpleaſure
Neytherre toe ſpeake orre anye waye ſuſtayne
hymme

*Edm* Mouſte Savage ande unnenaturelle 1730

*Glo* Goe toe ande ſaye you noethynge
Theres a dyvyſyonne twixt the Dukes
Ande worſe thanne thatte forre I have receyvedde
A Letterre whiche I have lockt inne mye Cloſette
Theſe innejuryes the Kynge beares wille bee
revengd

Forre parte of a Powerre is nowe Landedde
Ande tis ſytte wee doe inclyne toe the Kynge
Ile ſeeke hymme ande privatelye releeve hymme
Goe you ande houlde conference withe the Duke

M 2

84

KYNGE LEARE.

Thatte thys mye Charytye bee notte per-
ceyvedde
1740

The Kynge mye oulde Mafterre fhalle be releivedde
Theres fomewhate ſtrange towarde Edg praye
bee carefulle

Bas Thys Courteſye fromme thee toe thee
oulde Kynge

Shalle the Duke knowe ande of the Letterre too
Thys ſeemes a fayre deſervynge ande muſte drawe
Thatte toe myeſelfe whiche mye fatherre loſes
Whiche is naughte more or leſſe thanne alle
Thus doe younge rife whenne the oulde doe falle

Leare Kente ande Foole

Kente Heres the place mye goode Lorde praye
you enterre

Thys Nyghtes toe ruffe forre Nature toe inne-
dure
1750

Leare Lette mee alone

Kente Praye you mye goode Lorde enterre

Leare Wilt breake mye hearte

Kente Heavennes witneſſe

I hadde rathere breake mine owne

Leare Thynkſt thou tis muche thatte thys re-
lenteleſſe Storme

Innevades uſſe toe the Skynne tis ſoe toe thee

Butte where the greaterre Malydye iſſe fyxte

KYNGE LEARE.

85

The lefferre iſſe ſcarce felte thou wouſt ſhunne a
Beare

Butte iſſe thye flygthe laye towarde the ragynge
Sea

1760

Thoudſt meete the Beare ithe Mouthe whenne the
Mynds free

The Bodys delycate the tempeſte inne mye Mynde

Dothe fromme mye Sences take alle feelynge elfe

Save vile ande venemouſe innegratytude

Iſt notte as iſſe thys Mouthe ſhoud teare thys
Hande

Forre liftynge foode tot butte I wille punyſh yette

Ande weepe noe more inne ſuche a Nyghte as thys

O Reganne Gonerylle youre oulde fatherre

Whofe Hearte lyke openne Charytye gave you alle

O lette mee ſhunne thatte forre there Madneſſe
lyes

1770

O ile notte there noe noe

Kente Naye goode mye Lorde enterre

Leare Prethee goe inne ande ſeeke thyne owne
eaſe

Thys Tempeſte wills notte thatte I doe ponderre

Onne thyngs would hurte mee more butte Ile goe
inne

Poore nakedde wretches where foe ere you are

Thatte byde the Peltynge o thys Pityleſſe Nyghte

Howe ſhalle youre houſe leſſe heads ande unfedde
fydes

86

KYNGE LEARE.

Youre loopt ande raggedde Garmentes defende you
Fromme Seafonnes fuche as thesef O I have
tayne
1780

Toe lyttle care o thys take Phyfyck Pompe

Expofe thyefelfe toe feele *thatte* wretches feele

Thatte thou mayſt poure onne themme thye Su-
perfluxe

Ande ſhewe the heavennes more juſte

*foole* Come notte here Nunckle heres a Spiritte

O fave mee helpe mee

*Kente* Thou doſt crye afore thou arte hurte

Butte give mee thye hande who is there

*foole* A Spirytte oune thatte ſays hys Names
poore 'Tom

*Kente* Whatte arte thou thatte doſt grumble ithe
Strawe
1790

Comme fourthe I faye ande anſwerre ſtrayghte

*Edg* Awaye the foule feynde followes mee

Through the ſharpe Hawthorne blowe the Windes

Hum goe toe thye coulde Bedde ande warme thee

*Leare* Dyſt give alle toe thye Daughterres

Ande arte comme toe thys atte laſte

*Edg* Who iſt thatte gives anye thynge toe
poore Tom

Whome the feynde hathe ledde through fyre ande
flame

Ore Sworde ore Bogge ore whirlpoole ande Quag-
myre
1800

KYNGE LEARE.

87

Layde Knives ins Pillowe ande Halterres ins Pue
Made hymme proude of hearte toe ryde onne a
Baye trotterre

Hathe myngledde Ratfbayne withe hys Porrydge

Ande vaynlye courfe hys fantaſtyck Shadowe

O Toms a colde O doe de dee de doe

O Bleſſe you fromme Whirle Winde ande Starre
blaſtynge

Doe poore Tom Charytye whome the feynde vexes

Nowe nowe coud I ha hymme there and there
agayne

*Leare*
Whatte ande ha thye daughterres broughte
thee toe thys paſſe

Whatte couldſt fave noethynge wouſt give
themme alle

*foole*
Naye Butte hee kepte hys Blankette 1810

Elſe wee hadde alle beene ſhamd

*Leare*
Nowe maye alle thoſe Plagues thatte
hange ithe Ayre

Ande gore Menns faults lygte onne thye daugh-
teres

*Kente*
He hathe noe daughterres mye goode Sir

*Leare*
Deathe I ſaye noethynge coud ha ſubdud
Nature

Toe fuche lowneſſe fave hys kyndleſſe daughterres

Iſt thenne the faſhyonne thatte dyſcardedde fa-
therres

Should have ſoe lyttle mercye onne theyre fleſhe

88

KYNGE LEARE.

Judycyoufe Sentaunce twas thys flefhe begotte
thofe Pelycanne daughterres

1820

Edg Pyllycocke fatte onne Pyllycocke Hille
alloo alloe loo loo

foole Thys Nyghte foe coulde foe rawe I feare
Toe fooles wille turne bothe Kente ande Leare
Twoe are alreadye ande twoe moure
Wille turne the twoe thenne intoe foure

Edgar Take heede o the foule feynde obeye
thye Parentes

Keepe thye worde ande Whore withe Mans fworne
Spoufe

Decke notte thye fweete hearte inne proude arraye
Leafte otherre Meenne falle a lovynge Toms a
Colde

Leare Whatte haft thou beene

1830

Edg A Sevyngmanne proude inne hearte and
mynde

Thatte curld myne hayre ande wore Gloves inne
mye Cappe

Oune thatte ſtepte inne the contryvynge of Luſte
Ande wakd toe doe the Aſte of Darkneſſe

Wine lovd I dearelye ande dyce too dearlye

Fale of hearte lyghte of Eare Bloodye handedde

Hogge inne flothe Foxe inne ſtealth Wolfe inne
Greedyneſſe

Lette notte Womans Sylkes betraye thy poore hearte

Keepe foole oute a Brothells hands oute a Placketts

90

KYNGE LEARE.

He ginnes atte Curfewe ande walkes tylle fyrfte
Cocke

Hee ſquintes ithe Eye ande makes the hare lyppe
Milledewes the white Wheate ande hurts thys

poore Creature Earthe 1860

Swythholde footedde thryce the oulde

Meete the Nyghte Mare ande herre nyne folde

Bydde herre alyghte

Ande herre trothe plyghte

Aroynte thee Whyche Aroynte thee

Kente Howe fares youre Grace

Leare Whats hee

Kente Whos there whatte ſeeke ye

Glos Youre names I praye who are you

Edg Poore Tomme who eates the ſwimmynge

Frogge ande toade 1870

Whofe hearte is fierye whenne the feynde rages

Swallowes the oulde Katte ande the ditche dogge

Drynkes the greene mantle fromme the ſtandynge
poole

Thatte is whipte fromme tythynge toe tythynge

Thatte is ſtockd punyſhd ande immepryſoenedde

Thatte hathe three fuites toe hys backe fyxe Shirtes
tos Bodye

Horſe toe ryde ande Weaponne toe weare

Butte Mice ande Ratts ande ſuche ſmalle deere

Ha beene Tomms foode thys ſevenne longe

Yeare

KYNGE LEARE.

91

Beware mye followerre peace smilburre peace
feynde 1880

Glos Whatte hathe youre Grace noe betterre
Companye

Edg Poore Toms a Colde

Glos Goe inne withe mee mye dutye cannotte
fufferre

Inne alle toe obeye youre daughterres harde com-
mandes

Though theyre innejunctyonne bee toe barre mye
doores

And lette thys boyfteroufe Nyghte take houlde
o thee

Stylle have I comme ande venneterd toe feeke
youre Grace

Ande brynge where bothe fyre ande foode are
readye

Leare Staye fyrs te Ile talke withe thys Phylofo-
pherre

Telle mee Poore Tomm whats the Caufe o thun-
derre 1890

Kente Goode mye Lorde take hys offerre ande
goe inne a doore

Leare Ile talke a Worde withe thys fayde
Learnedde Thebanne

Whatte is your Studye

Edg bothe toe prevente the feynde and Kylle
Vermyne

N 2

92

KYNGE LEARE.

Leare Lette mee afke you oune Worde inne
Private

Kente Immeporretune hymme agayne mye Lorde
Forre hys Wittes gynne toe unnefettelle

Glos Canft blame hymme freynde
When's daughterres doe feeke hys deathe
O thatte goode Kente hee fayde itte woud bee
thuffe 1900

Helas poore honefte butte banyfhte Manne
Thou fayft the Kynge growes madde Ile telle the
freynde

I myefelfe amme almoufte madde I had a Sonne
Nowe outelawd fromme mye bloode hee foughte
mye life

Butte latelye verye latelye I lovd hymme freynde
Noe fatherre a Sonne dearerre thruthe toe telle thee
The Greefe o thys hathe o thys hathe crazd *mye*
verye Witts

Whatte a Nyghte is here I doe befeeche youre grace

Leare O youre mercye I crye youre mercye
noble Phyloefopherre youre Companye 1910

Edg The feynde The feynde Toms a Colde a Colde
Glos Innetoe thye hovelle fellowe ande keepe
thee warme

Leare Comme thenne weele inne alle
Thys waye mye Lorde

Ile keepe withe hymme withe mye Phylofopherre

Kente Soothe hymme mye goode Lorde and
lette hymme take thys fellowe

KYNGE LEARE.

93

Glos Take hymme you onne
Kente Comme Sirra and goe inne withe uffe
Leare Aye Aye comme thou goode ande
learnedde Athenyanne
Edg Chylde Rowelande toe the darke towerre
came
1920
Hys Worde was ftylle fye foe ande fumme
I fmelle the Bloude of a brytyfhe Manne

## Cornewalle ande Baftarde

Duke Ile ha mye Revenge ere I departe thys houfe
Bas Howe mye Lorde I maye bee cenfuredde
Thatte Nature inne mee thus gives waye toe
Loyalletye
Duke I doe nowe preceyve twas notte alleto-
getherre
Youre Brotherres evylle dyspofytyonne
Whiche alone dydde make hymme feeke hys deathe
Butte a reproveable badneſſe inne hymſelfe

Edm O howe malycyouſe is mye forretune 1930
Thatte I muſte nowe repente forre beynge juſte
Thys is the Letterre thatte does approve hymme
An innetellygente freynde ande partye toe Fraunce
O heavennes thatte thys hys treaſonne were notte
Norre I hys detectorre

Duke Goe inne withe mee toe the dutcheſſe
Edm Iſſe thys Paperre dothe ſpeake trewe
You have myghtye bufyneſſe inne hande

94

KYNGE LEARE.

*Duke* Trewe orre falfe itte hathe made the Earle
of Glofterre

Seeke oute thee faherre thatte he maye bee
readye
1940

Forre oure ryghte juſte Apprehefyonne

*Edm* Anne he ſhalle bee founde comforretynge
the Kynge

Twille more fullye prove oure Sufpytyonnes

I wille perſevere inne thys mye Loyalletye

Thoughe the conflycte goe harde twixte itte ande
mye Bloode

*Duke* I wille laye truſte onne thee

Ande inne mye Love thoult fynde a dearerre fatherre

*Kente Glos Leare (Edg Tom) ande foole*

*Kente* Betterre farre here thanne ithe openne Ayre

Alle hys witts ha givenne waye toe hys impatyence

O goode Sir maye the Gods rewarde youre
Kyndneſſe

*Edg* Fretterretoe Calles ande tells mee

Neroe is anglynge ithe Lake of Darkeneſſe

*foole* Prethee Nunkle

Iſſe a madmanne a foole orre a Yeomanne

*Leare* Softe goode foole Ile telle thee a Kynge a
Kynge

*Edg* O the foulde feynde bytes mye backe

*foole* Hees madde thatte truſtes toe tameneſſe of
a Wolfe

KYNGE LEARE.

A horſes healthe a Boyes Love a Wores Oathe
Leare Naye Naye notte foe butte inne the love
of Daughterres

O the vile ſhe foxes ſytte here ſapyente Sir 1960
Edg Looke where ſhe ſtandes Wanſt thou Eyes
alle trye alle

Beffye comme oere the broome toe mee Befſye

The foule feynde hauntes poore Tomme

Hoppe dawnce cryes inne mee forre twoe white
herrynges

Kente howe does youre grace wille you notte
laye downe

Leare Brynge inne the Evydence they ſhall bee
Cryd

Sitte you there you are othe Commyſſyonne

Arraygne Arraygne herre tis Gonerylle

I here take oathe before thys affemblye

Shee dydde Kyche the poore oulde Kynge herre
fatherre

1970

Butte mye gracyouſe Sirs hadde ſhe beene a Manne

Hee woud notte ha neededde thys youre tryalle

Edg Bleſſe thyſe five Witts

O Sir wheres thatte fame Patyence nowe

O the whiche you dydde foe ofte make boaſte

Edg My teares begynne toe take hys parte fo muche

I feare theyle marre mye counterſeytynge

Leare Naye the lyttle doggs too alle barke atte mee

Whye Treye Blaunche ande Sweete hearte hytherre
boyes

96

KYNGE LEARE.

Edg Tomme fhalle throwe hys heade atte themme avaunte Curs 1980

Bee thou blacke orre Greye orre White

Toothe thatte payfonnes anne itte byte

O Tomme fhalle make themme weepe ande wayle

Forre thorowinge thuffe mye heade

Doggs leape the hatche nowe alle are fledde

Tou Lu Lu Lu comme marche toe wakes ande fayres

Bee Merrye bee Merrye poore Toms horne is drye

Leare Anatomyze thatte Reganne fée whatte inne herre breedes

Iffé there caufe inne Nature toe make heartes thuffe 1990

Whatte foe harde ande flintye O noe noe noe

You fhoud bee of mye hundred butte youre
Garmente

Thatte fuites mee notte welle welle lette itte bee
changd

Tomm Tomm where dydft ſteale thyne Adams
Coate

Edg Fromme mye Childe anne fhede notte give
itte mee

Leare A goode Thefte A goode Thefte welle
fayde Tomm

Kente Nowe mye goode Lorde lye here awhile

Leare Hush Hush make noe noyfè butte drawe
the Curtaynes

Soe Soe foe wele goe toe Supperre ithe mornynge
fo fo 2000

98

KYNGE LEARE.

Thys Letterre wille fhewe the Frenche Armye
landedde

Goe feeke oute thatte Traytorre Glofterre
Howe nowe wheres the Kynge

*Stew*
Mye Lorde of Glofterre hath conveyd
hymme hence

Ande withe hys Knyghtes hathe fente hymme to-
warde Doverre

Theye dydde loudlye talke of armedde freyndes
there

2020

*Gon* Farewelle fweete Lorde ande Syfterre

*Corn* Edmunde Farewelle Goe feeke thatte
Traytorre Glofterre

Pinnyonne lyke Thiefe thenne brynge hymme
before uffe

Though withoute Juſtyce we maye paffe ons life

Yette fhalle oure Powerre doe Curteſye toe oure
wrathe

Whiche Menne perchaunce maye blame butte
notte comptrolle

Glofterre

*Reg* Innegratefulle Foxe tis hee

*Glos* Whatte meane youre Grace

Goode mye Freyndes you are mye Gueſtes

Doe me noe foule playe

2030

*Corn* Bynde hymme I faye

KYNGE LEARE.

99

Glas Unnemercyfulle Ladye

Corn Toe thys Benche bynde hymme

O Villayne thou fhalte fynde

Glos Bye the greate Gods tis ignoeblye done

Toe plucke Age thuffe bye the Bearde

Reg Soe white ande fuche a Traytorre

Glos O naughtye Ladye

Thefe hayres thatte thou ravifhe fromme mye
Chynne

Wille quickenne and accufe thee I amme youre
hafte
2040

Ande you withe mercyleffe and Robberres handes

Doe ruffle thuffe mye markes of Mannehoode

Whatte wille you doe

Corn Saye Sir whatte Letterres hadde you
fromme Fraunce

Whatte Connefederacye hadde you withe thofe

Thatte nowe have broke inne uponne our Kyng-
domme

Reg Toe whome haſte ſente the Lunatycke
Kynge

Glos I have oune Letterre gueſſynglye ſette
downe

Thatte came fromme oune thats of a newtralle
hearte

Corn O cunnynge

2050

Reg Yea Cunnynge ande mouſte Falfc

Corn Where haſt ſente the Kynge

02

100

KYNGE LEARE.

Glos Toe Doverre

Corn Ande whye to doverre waſt notte chargd
atte perylle

Glos O ye have have tyedde mee toe the Stake
Ande nowe I needs muſte ſtaunde the courſe

Reg O Traytorre butte wherefore toe Doverre

Glos Caufe thatte I wouddede notte ſee thye cruelle
Nayles

Plucke oute hys poore oulde Eyes norre thye feyrce
Syfterre

Inne hys annoyntedde fleſhe ſtycke Boaryſhe
Phanges 2060

The Sea withe ſuche a Storme as hys beare heave

Inne Helles blacke nyghte induredde woud ha
boyedde uppe

Ande quenchedde the ſtelledde fyres

Yette porre oulde hearte hee holped the heavennes
toe rayne

Iſſe Wolves atte thatte ſteyrne tyme atte thyе Gates
hadde howld

Thou ſhouldſt ha fayde goode Porterre turne the
Keye

Butte I ſhalle ſee Vennegeance ore take ſuche
Chyldrenne

Corn Seet thou ſhalte neverre fellowes houlde
the Chayre

Onne theſe oulde Eyes of thyne Ile ſette mye foote

Glos Twere betterre dye thenne live tylle oune
bee oulde

2070

KYNGE LEARE.

101

O Give mee fome helpe Cruelle Cruelle O ye
Gods

*Reg* Oune fyde wille mocke anotherre come
totherre tooe

*Ser* Holde hymme noe neverre

Mye Lorde I ha fervd you fynce I was a Chylde

Butte betterre Service I ha neverre done

Thenne nowe to loofe mye houlde

*Reg* Dydft thou butte weare a Bearde uponne
thye Chynne

Ide plucke itt offe as I dydde thys fame Lordes

Fellowe thye Sworde a peafante ftande uppe thuffe

*Ser* Oh I amme flayne yette have you oune
Eye lefte

2080

Toe fee thys dede onne thye faythefulle Servante

*Corn* Leafte itt fhoud fee more Ile prevente itte

Oute vyle jellye wheres thye lufterre nowe

*Glos* Alls darke ande comforteleffe wheres mye
Sonne Edmunde

O where ere thou arte kyndle allfparkes offe nature

Ande quitte fuche Sceanes fuch crynge Actes

*Reg* Oute Villayne thou callft onne hymme
thatte hates thee

Twas hee thatte tolde uſſe of thye Treaſonnes

Hee whos heartes too goode toe pitye thee

*Glos* O mye follyes thenne Edgarre was
abuſd

2090

Forgive mee thatte kynde Gods ande proſperre
hymme

102

KYNGE LEARE.

Reg Goe thrufte hymme oute atte Gates
Ande lette hymme smelle hys waye toe doverre
Thys Slave maye serve toe fattenne the dunghylle

### Edgarre

Edg Betterre thus ande knowne toe bee Contemnedde
Thenne stylle contemned ande flatteredde toe bee worfe

The lowefte ande moufte abjecte of Fortunes Slaves
Iffre riche ande lives oune inne Esperawnce

Welcome thenne thys lyghte Ayre whiche I embrace

Thatte wretche whome thou hafte blowne untoe
thee worfte

Owes noethynge toe thye Blaftes

Butte who comes here mye fatherre poorlye ledde
O Worlde Worlde O Worlde

Butte thatte thye straunge Mutatyonnes make uffe
hate thee

Life wouddede nere yeylde toe Age

Olde Manne O mye goode Lorde I ha beene
youre Tenaunte

Ande youre deare fatherres Thefe fourefcore Yeares

Glos. Gette thee awaye goode freynde I prethee
bee gone

Thye comfortes canne doe mee noe goode atte alle

Butte thee theye maye severelye hurte

KYNGE LEARE.

103

*Oulde Manne* You cannotne fée youre waye

*Glos* I have noe waye ande therefore neede notte
Eyes

O Mye Sonne Mye Edgarre were arte thou

The food of thyе abufedde Fatherres wrathe

Myghte I butte live toe ha thee inne mye touche

Thenne woud I faye I hadde Eyes agayne

*O Manne* Howe nowe whos there

*Edg* Ye Gods who ift canne faye thatte I amme
othe worſte

Forre nowe I amme worſe thenne ere I was

Ande thys is notte othe worſte forre worſe I maye
be yette

*O Manne* Tis poore madde Tomme

2120

*Glos* Thenne is he a Beggarre Manne

*O Manne* Aye madmanne ande Beggarre too

*Glos* He hathe reaſonne elfe coud he notte begge

Suche an oune dydde I fée I the laſte Nyghtes
ſtorme

Whenne mye precyouſe Starres dydde inne thys
Globe

Shewe the glarynge Canopye off heavenne

Thenne dydde I thynke thys forme Manne a poore
Worme

Thenne too dydde I thynke o mye Sonne Edgarre

Though mye mynde was thenne ſcarce freynds
with hymme

Butte helas ſynce thatte more have I hearde

2130

104

KYNGE LEARE.

As Flyes are to the wantonne Boyes are wee to the
Godds

Theye nyppe byte ande teaze uſſe ande alle forre
ſporte

Edg Thenne innedeede is mye fooles Trade
notte othe worſte

Bleſſe thee goode Maſterre

Glos Iſt the nakedde foole thatte ſpeakes

O Manne Aye mye goode Lorde

Glos Thenne Prithee bee gone forre mye ſake

Thoulte oretake uſſe here a Myle orre twayne

Ithe waye towarde Doverre doe itte forre ancyente
love

1140

Brynge withe the coverynge forre thys nakedde
Soule

Whome Ile innetreate toe leade mee

O Manne Alacke Sir hes madde

Glos Hes notte alone thenne Tis the tymes Plague

Whenne Madmenne leade the Blynde

O Manne Ile brynge hymme the beſte Parelle I ha

Comme ont whatte wille

Glos Syrrah nakedde fellowe

Edg Porre Toms a Colde

Glos I praye thenne poore Tomme come
hytherre

1150

Edg Ande yette I wille

Bleſſe thye fweete Eyes theye bleede

Glos Knowſte the waye towarde Doverre

KYNGE LEARE.

105

Edg Knowt aye aye Style ande Gate horfewaye
ande footwaye
O poore Tom hathe beene fcard ofs goode Witts
O bleffе thee thou goode Manne fromme the foule
Feynde
Glos Take thenne mye Purfе thou whome the
heavennes plague
Chaunce twille make thyе wretchedneffе happyerre
Thenne bee itte thyne forre itte cannotte eafe mee
Telle mee doft knowe Doverre
1160
Edg Aye mye goode Sir
Glos There is a Cliffe whofе hygh ande bend-
ynge heade
Lookes raggedde ande fearefulle onne the confynd
deepe
Brynge to the brymme othatte felfe fame place
Ande Ile repayre the miferye thou dofte beare
Withe fomethynge ryche ande precyoufe aboute mee
Fromme thence departe thenne I fhalle noe lead-
ynge neede
Edg Give mee thyne Arme
Poore Tom fhalle leade thee

Gonerylle Baſtarde Stewarde

Gon Wellecome mye Lorde
I marvelle oure mylde hufbande meete uſſe notte
Sirra wheres youre Maſterre

1170

P

106

KYNGE LEARE.

*Stew*
Madame withinne butte nere was Manne
foe changd

I tolde hymme othe Armye ande hee fmyld

I dydde announce youre comynge hee anfwerd the
worfte

Offe Glofterres treacherye ands Sonns loyalle fervice

Thenne dydde hee calle mee fotte ande toulde mee

Evenne foe thenne thou haſte the wronge fyde oute

Thatte hee ſhoulde dyſflyke beefeemes hymme the
mouſte

Thatte hee ſhoud the mouſte offen ſe ſive

*Gon*
Thenne goe noe furtherre

1180

Tis the cowiſhe terrorre of hys Spiritte

Backe Edmonde toe mye Brotherre

Haſtenne hys Muſterres ande conneduſte hys
powerres

I muſte Change Names atte home ande give the
dyſtaffe

Innetoe mye hufbandes handes Thys truſtye
Servante

Shalle paſſe twixte uſſe eere longe you ſhalle heare

Anne you dare venneture inne youre owne behalfe

A Mystreffes commaunde weare thys ande ſpare
ſpeeche

Declyne youre heade Thys Kyſſe ande ift durſte
ſpeake

1190

Would ſtretche thee ſpiryttes innetoe the verye Ayre

Thys connecyve ande fare the welle

KYNGE LEARE.

107

Edm Youre evenne ithe Rankes of Deathe

Gon Thys is Glofterre O the difference twixte
Menne

A Womannes ferrevyces toe thee are dewe

Mye foote butte ufurpes mye Bodye

Stew Tufhe Madame here commes mye Lorde

Alb O Gonerylle Thourte notte worthe thatte
duſte

Whiche the rude winde blowes uponne youre face

Gon Shame mylkye liverd Manne 1200

Thatte haſte a Cheeke forre Blowes ande heade forre
wronges

Thatte haſte notte inne the Browes an Eye

Dyferrenynge thyne honorre fromme thye uf-
ferynge

Alb Looke Looke butte atte theſelpe thou Divelle

Soe horryste inne thee are deſorremytyes

Thatte thou haſte cleanſd ande made pure the feynde

Meffennegerre

Ser Mye goode the Duke o Cornewalles deade

Ande bye the hande ofs owne Serrevanntes

Twas the puttynge oute Glofterres Eyes thatte
cauſd itte

Alb Howe faye you Glofterres Eyes

Mefs A Serrevannte thatte he bredde thrylld
withe remorſe

Oppoſd agaynſt the acte bendynge hys ſworde

P 2

108

KYNGE LEARE.

Toe hys greate Mafterre who threate enragd
Flewe onne hymme ande mongft themme felld
hymme deade

Butte notte withoute thatte harmefulle Stroke
Whyche fynce hathe pluckd hymme afterre

Alb O you felfe Judges nowe you doe fynde
Howe fwifte ande keenelye the Gods doe venge
themfelves

Butte O poore Glofterre lofte hee hys otherre Eye

Mefs Bothe Bothe mye goode Lorde 1220

Madamme thys Letterre fromme craves youre
fpeedye anfwerre

Gon Owne waye thys belykes mee welle
Butte beynge Widowe ande mye Glofterre withe
herre

Maye alle thys Buildynge inne mye fannecye
Plucke uponne herre hatefulle life

Butte thys newes ſtylle ſtylle wille I reade ande
anſwerre

Alb Where was hys Sonne whenne theye dydde
take hys Eyes

Mefs Mye Lorde I dydde meete hymme ithe
waye backe agayne.

Alb Knewe hee the wickeddeneffe

Mefs Mye goode Lorde twas HEE thatte in-
formd agaynſt hymme 1230

Ande dydde onne purpofe quitte the houſe

Thatte theyre punyſhmente myghte ha freerre
Courſe

KYNGE LEARE.

109

*Alb* Glofterre I live Toe thanke forre thatte
Love
Whiche thou showdſt the Kynge and toe revenge
thyne Eyes
Comme hytherre Freynde ande telle me whatte
more thou knoweſte

*Corredelya* Gentlemanne and Souldyerres

*Cor* Alacke Alacke tis he
Ande madde as the vexte Sea eene nowe was he
mette
Syngynge alowde ande crownedde withe ranke
femytarre 1240
Withe harde oakes hemlocke Nettles Cuckoo
Flowerres
Withe Lillyes Darnelles ande alle idle weedes
thatte growe
Sende ſtrayghte a Centerye ſearche eache Acre
Inne the hygh growne Feylde ande brynge hymme
toe uſe
Hee whoſe wifdomme wille helpe inne foſtorynge
Hys poore bereavedde ſenſe take alle mye out-
warde worthe
*Gent* Meanes there are Madamme the foſterre
Nurſe o nature
Iſe thatte whiche youre deare fatherre lackes repoſe

110

KYNGE LEARE.

Toe provoke the whiche there are manye Symples
Whofe powerre canne clofse the Eye of an-
guifhe

1250

Cor O you bleſte ſecrettes O alle you unpub-
lyſhd Vertewes

Thatte fromme Motherre doe take theyre ryſe

Sprynge withe theſe Teares bee aydaunte ande
remedyate

Inne the Goodmannes deſyres O ſeeke ſeeke forre
hymme

Leaſte hys unngovernd rage dyſſolve thatte life

Whyche wantes the meanes toe leade itte

Meffenegerre

Newes Madame the Brytyſh Powerres

Are marchynge hytherrewarde

Cor Twas knowne before oure Preperatyonne
ſtaundes

Inne Expectatyonne o themme o dere Fatherre

1260

Tis forre thee forre thyе bufſyneſſe thatt I goe
aboute

Therefore greate Fraunce mye mournynge ande
importund Teares

Hathe pittyedde Noe blowne ambytyonne

Noe thyrſte of Conqueſte dothe oure Armyes
innevyte

KYNGE LEARE.

III

Butte love deare gentle love ande anne agd Fa-
therres ryte
O maye I foone heare ande fée hymme

Reganne Stewarde

Reg Butte are mye brotherres Powerres fette
forthe

S Yea Madame

Reg Ande hymfelfe inne Personne

Stew Yefle Madame butte withe muche
adoe.

1270

Youre Syfterre is farre the betterre Souldyerre

Reg Lorde Edmunde fpake notte withe hymme
atte home

Stew Noe Mndamme

Reg Whatte dydde importe mye Syfterres Let-
teres toe hymme

Stew Thatte I knowe notte Ladye

Reg Hee is poftedde hence onne feryoufe
Matterre

Twas greate Ignoraunce thatte Glofterre dydde live
Hys Eyes beynge oute Forre whereere hee arrives
Hee dothe move alle heartes agaynfte uffe

Edmunde inne Pittye offe hys myferye

1280

Is gone methynkes toe dyfpatch hys nyghtedde
life

Ande toe dyscrye the strengthe othe Enemye

112

KYNGE LEARE.

*Stew* I muſte thenne afterre hymme withe thys
mye Letterre

*Reg* Oure Troopes ſette fourthe toe morrowe
The wayes are dangerouſe twere beſte you ſtaye
with uſſe

*Stew* I cannotte naye I maye notte Madame
Mye Ladye dydde charge mye dutye inne thys
bufyneſſe

*Reg* Wherefore ſhoud ſhe write toe Edmunde
Myghte you notte tranſporte herre Purpofes bye
Worde

I love thee muche me lette mee unneſſeale the
Letterre 1290

*Stew* Madame I hadde ratherre

*Reg* I amme ſure naye I doe knowe
Youre Ladye lykes notte herre hufbande
She gave ſtraunge Elyadls ande ſtrykynge lookes
Toe noble Edmunde onne herre laſte beynge heere
I knowe you toe bee of herre Boſomme

*Stew* Aye Madame

*Reg* Thenne I doe adviſe you take backe thys
Note
MYE Lorde beynge deade Edmunde ande I ha
talkd

Ande hee dothe fynde mye hande more con-
venyente 1300

Whenne youre Myſtreſſe ſhalle have hearde thuffe
muche

KYNGE LEARE.

113

Defyre herre thatte ſhe doe calle herre wifdomme
toe herre

Soe Farewelle ſhoud you chaunce heare othe blynde
Traytorre

Preferremente falles onne hymme thatte cuttes
hymme offe

Stew Woud I coud meete hymme

Thenne woud I ſhowe the Partye I doe followe

Gloſterre ande Edgarre

Glos Whenne ſhalle I comme toe thatte fame
hylle

Edg You doe clymbe itte nowe looke howe wee
labourre

Glos Methynkes thee ſounde bee evenne

Edg Horryble ſteape harke doſte notte heare the
Sea

1310

Glos Noe trewelye

Edg Youre otherre Senneſes thenne doe growe
imperrefecte

The anguiſhe o youre Eyes benumbes themme

Glos Itte maye bee ſoe innedeede forre nowe
methynkes

Thye Voyce is alterd and thou ſpeakſt betterre
phraſe

Thye matterre too is more connefyſtente

q

114

KYNGE LEARE.

Edg
Thou arte deceyvedde naughte iſſe there
changd inne mee

Save theſe mye Garrementes

Glos
Naye naye butte thou arte betterre
ſpokenne

Edg
Comme onne Sir heres the place nowe
ſtande ſtylle

1320

Howe fearefull e tis toe caſte ones Eyes ſoe lowe

The Crowes ande Choughes thatte winge the Mid-
waye Ayre

Shewe ſcarce ſoe grooſe as beetles

Halfe waye downe hanges owne thatte gatherres
Samphyre

O dreadefulle Trade methynkes hes noe byggerre
thans heade

The fysſherremenne thatte walke uponne the
beache

Are butte as Myce ande yonne talle anchorynge
Barke

Dymynſhd toe a Cocke herre Cocke a Buoye

Allemofte too ſmalle forre ſyghte the murmur-
ynge ſurge

Thatte onne thunnumberedde idle Peble chafes 1330

Cannotte bee hearde thuffe hygh Ile looke noe
more

Leaſte mye Brayne turne and the defycyente Syghe

Topple downe headelonge

Glos
Sette mee thenne ene where thou ſtaundſt

KYNGE LEARE.

115

*Edm* Give mee youre hande ande nowe houlde
a lyttle

Forre you are witheinne oune foote othe extreme
Verge

Forre alle beneath the Moone Ide notte leape
uprygte

*Glos* Thenne here freynde is anotherre Purfe

Ande int a Jewelle welle worthe a Poore Mans
takynge

Lette goe mye hande Maye Faryes ande the
Godds

1340

Profperre itte with thee. Goe thou fartherre offe

Bydde mee farewelle forre I doe wayte thye goynge

*Edg* Thenne fare you welle goode Sir

*Glos* Thankes fare welle with alle mye hearte

*Edg* Whye fhoud I thus tryfle withe hys dyf-
payre

*Glos* Nowe O you myghtye Gods thys worlde
I renownce

Ande inne youre Syghtes fhake patyentelye

Thys mye greate afflyctyonne offe

Coud I butte beare itte longerre ande notte quarrelle

Withe youre myghtye and oppofeleffe willes 1350

Whye thenne mye Snuffe ande loathedde parte o
nature

fhoud burne ittefelfe oute iffe Edgarre live thenne
bleffe hymme

Nowe thenne goode fellowe fare thee welle

Q2

116

KYNGE LEARE.

*Edg* Whatte gone Sir thenne farewelle

Hadde hee beene where hee thoughte thenne hadde
hee beene robd

O Mannes greate treasure life bye thys alle hadde
beenе paſſе

Hoa there Sir Speake Sir doe you heare yette hee
revives

Whatte are you Sir

*Glos* Awaye Awaye I prithee ande lette mee dye

*Edg* Hadſt beene aughte butte Gozemere Fea-
therres Ayre
1360

Soe manye fahomme downe precypytatynge

Thoudſt fhiverde lyke the bryttle ſubſtawnce of
anne Egge

Butte thou doſte breathe bleedſte notte haſte noe
ſubſtaunce

Canſt bee founde Tenne Maſtes make notee thys
Altytude

Thatte thou haſte perrepennedycularelye felle

O thye lifes a Myracle ſpeake ſpeake agayne arte
founde

*Glo* Butte iſt ſoe have I fallenne or naye

*Edg* Aye fromme thys Cliffe thys wonderre o
Nature

Whofe Chalkye fydes garde thys oure facredde Iſle

Gaynſte the rude Sea thatte dothe inne Cholerre

Rage foame ande ſpende itteſelfe tylle itte comme
toe nothynge

KYNGE LEARE.

117

Yea fromme whose dreade fummyte the fhrylle
gorgd Larke

Canne norre bee seene norre hearde doe butte
looke uppe

Glos Alacke kynde Sir mocke mee notte I ha
noe Eyes

Iff[e] wretcheddeneſſe thenne deprivd o thatte
benyfytte

Naye the comforte off[e] endynge itteſelfe bye deathe

Edg Give mee youre Arme uppe howe it[] feelſt
thou the Leggs

Glos too welle too welle

Edg Thys dothe evenne oute doe ſtraungeneſſe
itteſelfe

Whatte thynge waſte dydde leave thee onne thys
fummyte

1380

Glos Oune poore ande unneforretunate Baggarre

Edg As I dydde ſtaunde heare belowe

Hys Eyes were twoe fulle moones withe a thou-
fande noſes

Hornes tooe thatte wealkd ande wavd as the
ragynge Sea

Therefore bee happye goode fatherre twas fome
feynde

Sente bye the Gods too cleare the who make
themme honors

Off[e] mennes impoffybylytyes tis theye have pre-
fervd thee

118

KYNGE LEARE.

*Glos* Yea nowe I doe rememberre
I nowe wille beare afflyctyonne tylle ittefelfe doe
crye
Enough Enough thenne dye The thynge thou
speakst offe 1390
I dydde take forre manne butte twoude oftymes crye
The feynde The feynde

*Edg* Beare free ande bee patyente who comes here
The faferre fenfe wille notte accomodate
Its Mafterre thuffe

Leare

*Leare* Touche mee notte forre cryinge I amme
the Kynge

*Edg* O fyde percynge fyghte

*Leare* Nature dothe oute doe Arte I thatte respecte
Thers youre preffe Moneye thou handlft thee
Bowe

Lyke Crowe Keeper drawe a Cloathyerres
Yarde 1400

A Moufe a Moufe Looke looke softlelye softelye
Heere heere thys peece o toaftedde Cheefe wille dot
Theres mye Gauntelette Ile prove itte onne a
gyawnte

O Welle flowne Byrde the calle the calle hewgh
hewgh

*Edg* O fweete O goode Kynge evenne foe
thenne withe thee

KYNGE LEARE.

119

*Leare* Paffe Paffe coudft notte see the Moufe
O Foole

*Glos* I fhoud knowe thatte Voyce

*Leare* Ha Gonerylle whatte flatterre thys white
Bearde

Ande whenne thee poore dogge dydde fawne ande
lycke thee

Dydft beate hymme oute a doere buftle buftle hygh
heavenne

1410

Thenne faye aye toe mye Aye Noe to mye noe

Whenne Rayne dydde wette and Winde made mee
chatterre

Whenne woud notte peace atte mye byddynge

Twas thenne I ſmelte umme thenne I founde
umme oute

Goe toe theyre notte Menne o theyre Wordes

Theye tolde mee I was alle I was everye thynge

Theye lye Theye I amme notte ague proofe

*Glos* The trycke o thatte Voyce I doe rememberre
Iſt notte the Kynges

*Leare* Aye Boye ande everye Inche a Kynge

Whenne I doe ſtare see howe mye Subjeſte quakes

Whatte was hys cauſe I pardonne thatte mans life

Naughte fave Adulleterye thou ſhalte notte dye

Noe noe the Wrenne goes toote ande the ſmalle
gyldedde flye

Dos Letcherre onne mye Syghte Lette Copula-
tyonne thrive

120

KYNGE LEARE.

Forre was notte Glofterres Baftarde Kynderre tos
fatherre

Thanne mye twoe Serrepentes gotte twixte law-
fulle Sheets

Thenne tot pelle Melle forre I doe lacke Soul-
dyerres

Looke atte yonne Ladye thatte dos fhake atte
Pleafures Name

Noe neytherre Fytchewe noe norre fpoyledde
horfe

1430

Goes toot withe moure ryatouſe Appetyte

Downe toe waſte alle Cennetaures butte Womenne
above

O fye fye give mee owne ounce o fweete Cyvette

Ande mye Apothecarye thers Moneye forre thee

Glos O Lette mee Kyſſe thye hande

Leare Fyrſte Ile wipe itte forre itte ſmelles o
Mortalytye

Glos O thou ruinedde peyce o Nature

O thatte thys greate worlde ſhalle ſoe weare oute
toe naughte

Doſt thou notte knowe mee

Leare I doe rememberre thyne Eyes whye doſt
foe ſquinye atte mee

Noe doe the worſte blynde Cupydde I le notte
love

1440

Reade thys Challenge marke butte the pennynge
offe itte

KYNGE LEARE.

121

*Glos* Were are butte I cannotte fee

*Edg* Ide notte take thys fromme Reporte butte
itte is

And myne hearte breakes atte itte

*Leare* Reade Reade

*Glos* Whatte withe theſe cafes o Eyes

*Leare* Hoa Hoa you are there noe Eyes I youre
heade

Norre noe Moneye inne Purſe

Youre Eyes thenne are inne heavye Cafe youre

Purſe lyghte

1450

Butte thou feeſt howe goes thys worlde

*Glos* Yea ande Mouſte feelyngelye

*Leare* Thenne arte Madde Oune maye fee howe
the Worlde waggs

Openne wide thyne Eares thenne thoulte fee enoughe

See yond Juſtyce rayle agaynſt yond fymple theſſe

Change Places ande nowe whiche is juſtyce whiche
theſſe

Thou haſte ſeene farmerres dogge barke atte
Beggarre

*Glos* Evenne foe Sir

*Leare* Ande thatte ſelfe fame Beggarre runne
fromme the Curre

There thenne doſte beholde the Image offe

Authorytye

1460

Forre Dogges whenne inne Offyce myte bee obſervd

Thou Raſcalle Beadle houlde the bloodye hande

R

122

KYNGE LEARE.

Wherefore lafhe foethatte ftryppethyne owne backe
Thoult ftrayghte toe herre ande the cryme
commytte

Forre the whiche thou nowe dofte whyppe herre
Through tatteredde Cloathes greate Vices doe
appeare

Butte gilte Robes ande furrd Gownes doe hyde alle
Withe Goulde thou mayft breake the ftronge Cane
o Juftyce

Butte armd inne Ragges a Pygmyes Strawe does
peyrce itte

None doe offende noe nonne I le able emme 1470

Goe thou mye freynde ande Seale the accuferres
Lyppes

Goe ande withe Glaffe Eyes lyke fcurvye Poly-
tycyanne

Seeme toe fée thofe thynges thou dofte notte fée

Nowe Nowe pulle offe theſe Bootes harderre
harderre

Edg O Matterre ande Reafonne withe madneſſe
myxte

Leare Naye an thoulte weepe mye forretunes
thenne take mye Eyes

I knowe thee welle enoughe thy names Glofterre
Thou muſte bee patyente wee came cryinge
hythèrre

Evenne the fyrſte tyme wee ſmelle othe Ayre

Wee mewld ande cryd Ile preache toe thee
Marke

1480

KYNGE LEARE.

123

*Glos* Alacke Alacke the daye

*Leare* Whenne wee are borne we crye wee are
comme

Toe thys fayde Stage toe thys fayde Shyppe o fooles

O twere delycate Stratagemme toe fhoo

A Troope o horfe inne Felte Ile putte itte inne
proofe

Ande whenne I ha ftolenne oune thefe Sonne in
Lawes

Thenne Kylle Kylle Kylle

*Owne Gennetellemanne*

*Gent* Oh here he is laye hande uponne hymme Sir

O Sir youre moufte deare Daughterre

*Leare* Whatte a Pryfonnerre I amme eene
Forretunes foole 1490

Butte ufe mee welle ande ye fhalle ha rannefomme
Naye give mee oune Surgeonne forre Ime cutte
t the Braynes

*Gent* Naye goode Sir you fhalle ha anye thynge

Noe Secondes alle myefelfe thys woud make a
Manne

Aye aye a manne o Salte toe ufe hys eyes

Forre Gardenne warterre Potts Ile dye bravelye

Nowe Ile bee royalle Comme Comme Ime a Kynge

Knowe you thatte Knowe you thatte mye goode
Mafterres

R 2

124

KYNGE LEARE.

Gent Aye ande a Royalle owne ande wee obeye
you

Leare Nowe thenne theres life int

Comme ande ye fhalle gette itte bye runnynge Sa
Sa fa

Gent Thys fyghte were pyteoufе inne the
meafneſte Wretche

Butte tis paſte ſpreekynge offe inne a Kynge

Butte thou haſte oune daughterre thatte redeemes
alle nature

Fromme thatte generalle Curſe Whyche twayne
ha broughte

Edg Hayle gentle Sir forre foe youre Speeche
byddes mee calle you

Gent Sir ſpeede you what's youre wille

Edg Doe you heare oughte of a Battelle towarde

Gent Mouſte fure eache owne heares thatte
canne dyſtynguifh Sounde

Edg Butte bye youre favourre howe neares
thotherre Armye

1510

Gent Neere ande onne ſpeedye foote

The mayne deſcrye ſtaundes inne hourelye thoughte

Edg Thankes kynde Sir that's alle

Gent Though oure Queene onne ſpecyalle Caufe
bee here

Herre Armye is movd onne

Edg I thanke you Sir

Glos O you merrecyfulle ande everre Gentle Gods