52, Regan. "Joint stool" can also suggest the judicial bench; hence Goneril may be identified by the Fool, ironically, with those in power, who judge)
53 store stuff
54 Corruption ... place bribery in the court 60 counterfeiting i.e., feigned madness
64 or ... or either ... or
Tooth that poisons if it bite;
Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim,
Hound or spaniel, brachdeg or lym,deg
Or bobtail tike, or trundle-taildeg--
Tom will make him weep and wail;
For, with throwingdeg thus my head,
Dogs leaped the hatch,deg and all are fled.
Do, de, de, de. Sessa!deg Come, march to wakesdeg
and fairs and market towns. Poor Tom, thy horndeg
is dry.
Lear. Then let them anatomize Regan. See what breeds about her heart.deg Is there any cause in nature that makedeg these hard hearts? [To Edgar] You, sir, I entertaindeg for one of my hundred;deg only I do not like the fashion of your garments. You will say they are Persian;deg but let them be changed.
Kent. Now, good my lord, lie here and rest awhile.
Lear. Make no noise, make no noise; draw the curtains.deg So, so. We'll go to supper i' th' morning.
Fool. And I'll go to bed at noon.deg
Enter Gloucester.
Gloucester. Come hither, friend. Where is the King my master?
Kent. Here, sir, but trouble him not; his wits are gone.
Gloucester. Good friend, I prithee take him in thy arms. 67 brach bitch
67 lym bloadhound (from the liam or leash with which he was led)
68 bobtail ... trundle-tail short-tailed or long-tailed cur
70 throwing jerking (as a hound lifts its head from the ground, the scent having been lost)
71 leaped the hatch leaped over the lower half of a divided door (i.e., left in a hurry)
72 Sessa be off
72 wakes feasts attending the dedication of a church
73 horn horn bottle which the Bedlam used in begging a drink (Edgar is suggesting that he is unable to play his role any longer)
75-76 Then ... heart i.e., if the Bedlam's horn is dry, let Regan, whose heart has become as hard as horn, be dissected
77 make (subjunctive)
78 entertain engage
78 hundred i.e., Lear's hundred knights
80 Persian gorgeous (ironically of Edgar's rags)
82 curtains (Lear imagines himself in bed)
84 And ... noon (the Fool's last words)
I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him.
There is a litter ready; lay him in't
And drive toward Dover, friend, where thou shalt
meet
Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master.
If thou shouldst dally half an hour, his life,
With thine and all that offer to defend him,
Stand in assured loss. Take up, take up,
And follow me, that will to some provisiondeg
Give thee quick conduct.deg
Kent. Oppressed nature sleeps. This rest might yet have balmed thy broken
sinews,deg
Which, if conveniencedeg will not allow,
Stand in hard cure.deg [To the Fool] Come, help
to bear thy master.
Thou must not stay behind.
Gloucester. Come, come, away!
Exeunt [all but Edgar].
Edgar. When we our betters see bearing our woes, We scarcely think our miseries our foes.deg
Who alone suffers suffers most i' th' mind,
Leaving freedeg things and happy showsdeg behind;
But then the mind much sufferancedeg doth o'erskip
When grief hath mates, and bearing fellowship.deg
How light and portabledeg my pain seems now,
When that which makes me bend makes the
King bow.
He childed as I fathered. Tom, away.
Mark the high noises,deg and thyself bewraydeg
When false opinion, whose wrong thoughtsdeg defile
thee, 95 provision maintenance
96 conduct direction
97 balmed thy broken sinews soothed thy racked nerves
98 convenience fortunate occasion
99 Stand ... cure will be hard to cure
102 our foes enemies peculiar to ourselves
104 free carefree
104 shows scenes
105 sufferance suffering
106 bearing fellowship suffering has company
107 portable able to be supported or endured
110 Mark the high noises observe the rumors of strife among those in power
110 bewray reveal
111 wrong thoughts misconceptions
In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee.deg
What will hap moredeg tonight, safe 'scape the King!
Lurk,deg lurk. [Exit.]
Scene 7. [Gloucester's castle.]
Enter Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, Edmund, and Servants.
Cornwall. [To Goneril] Post speedily to my Lord your husband; show him this letter. The army of France is landed. [To Servants] Seek out the traitor Gloucester. [Exeunt some of the Servants.] Regan. Hang him instantly.
Goneril. Pluck out his eyes.
Cornwall. Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our sister company. The revenges we are bounddeg to take upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding. Advise the Duke where you are going, to a most festinatedeg preparation. We are bound to the like. Our postsdeg shall be swift and intelligentdeg betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister; farewell, my Lord of Gloucester.deg
Enter Oswald.
How now? Where's the King?
Oswald. My Lord of Gloucester hath conveyed him hence. 112 In ... thee on the manifesting of your innocence recalls you from outlawry and restores amity between you and your father
113 What ... more whatever else happens
114 Lurk hide 3.7.9 bound (1) forced (2) purposing to
11 festinate speedy
12 posts messengers
13 intelligent full of information
14 Lord of Gloucester i.e., Edmund, now elevated to the title
Some five or six and thirty of his knights,
Hot questristsdeg after him, met him at gate;
Who, with some other of the lords dependants,deg
Are gone with him toward Dover, where they
boast
To have well-armed friends.
Cornwall. Get horses for your mistress. [Exit Oswald.]
Goneril. Farewell, sweet lord, and sister.
Cornwall. Edmund, farewell. [Exeunt Goneril and Edmund.]
Go seek the traitor Gloucester,
Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us.
[Exeunt other Servants.]
Though well we may not pass upondeg his life
Without the form of justice, yet our power
Shall do a court'sy todeg our wrath, which men
May blame, but not control.
Enter Gloucester, brought in by two or three.
Who's there, the traitor?
Regan. Ingrateful fox, 'tis he.
Cornwall. Bind fast his corkydeg arms.
Gloucester. What means your Graces? Good my friends, consider You are my guests. Do me no foul play, friends.
Cornwall. Bind him, I say. [Servants bind him.]
Regan. Hard, hard! O filthy traitor.
Gloucester. Unmerciful lady as you are, I'm none.
Cornwall. To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find--
18 questrists searchers
19 lords dependants attendant lords (members of Lear's retinue)
25 pass upon pass judgment on
27 do a court'sy to indulge
30 corky sapless (because old)
[Regan plucks his beard. deg]
Gloucester. By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done To pluck me by the beard.
Regan. So
white, and such a traitor?
Gloucester. Naughtydeg lady, These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin
Will quickendeg and accuse thee. I am your host.
With robber's hands my hospitable favorsdeg
You should not ruffledeg thus. What will you do?
Cornwall. Come, sir, what letters had you latedeg from France?
Regan. Be simple-answered,deg for we know the truth.
Cornwall. And what confederacy have you with the traitors Late footed in the kingdom?
Regan. To whose hands you have sent the lunatic King: Speak.
Gloucester. I have a letter guessinglydeg set down, Which came from one that's of a neutral heart, And not from one opposed.
Cornwall. Cunning.
Regan. And false.
Cornwall. Where hast thou sent the King?
Gloucester. To Dover.
Regan. Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at perildeg--
Cornwall. Wherefore to Dover? Let him answer that. 35 s.d. plucks his beard (a deadly insult) 38 Naughty wicked
40 quicken come to life
41 hospitable favors face of your host
42 ruffle tear at violently
43 late recently
44 simple-answered straightforward in answering
48 guessingly without certain knowledge
53 charged at peril ordered under penalty
Gloucester. I am tied to th' stake, and I must stand the course. deg
Regan. Wherefore to Dover?
Gloucester. Because I would not see thy cruel nails Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister
In his anointeddeg flesh rashdeg boarish fangs.
The sea, with such a storm as his bare head
In hell-black night endured, would have buoyeddeg up
And quenched the stelleddeg fires.
Yet, poor old heart, he holpdeg the heavens to rain.
If wolves had at thy gate howled that dearndeg time,
Thou shouldst have said, "Good porter, turn the
key."deg
All cruels else subscribe.deg But I shall see
The wingeddeg vengeance overtake such children.
Cornwall. See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot.
Gloucester. He that will thinkdeg to live till he be old, Give me some help.--O cruel! O you gods!
Regan. One side will mockdeg another. Th' other too.
Cornwall. If you see vengeance--
First Servant. Hold your hand, my lord! I have served you ever since I was a child;
But better service have I never done you
Than now to bid you hold.
Regan. How now, you dog?
First Servant. If you did wear a beard upon your chin, 55 course coursing (in which a relay of dogs baits a bull or bear tied in the pit)
59 anointed holy (because king)
59 rash strike with the tusk, like a boar
61 buoyed risen
62 stelled (1) fixed (as opposed to the planets or wandering stars) (2) starry
63 holp helped
64 dearn dread
65 turn the key i.e., unlock the gate
66 All cruels else subscribe all cruel creatures but man are compassionate
67 winged (1) heavenly (2) swift
70 will think expects
72 mock make ridiculous (because of the contrast)
I'd shake itdeg on this quarrel. What do you mean!deg
Cornwall. My villain!deg
Draw and fight.
First Servant. Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger.
Regan. Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus? She takes a sword and runs at him behind, kills him.
First Servant. O, I am slain! my lord, you have one eye left To see some mischiefdeg on him. O!
Cornwall. Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly. Where is thy luster now?
Gloucester. All dark and comfortless. Where's my son Edmund? Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of naturedeg
To quitdeg this horrid act.
Regan. Out, treacherous villain, Thou call'st on him that hates thee. It was he
That made the overturedeg of thy treasons to us;
Who is too good to pity thee.
Gloucester. O my follies! Then Edgar was abused.deg Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him.
Regan. Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell His way to Dover. Exit [one] with Gloucester.
How is't, my lord? How look you?deg
Cornwall. I have received a hurt. Follow me, lady. Turn out that eyeless villain. Throw this slave
Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace. 78 shake it (an insult comparable to Regan's plucking of Gloucester's beard)
78 What ... mean i.e., what terrible thing arc you doing
79 villain serf (with a suggestion of the modem meaning)
83 mischief injury
87 enkindle ... nature fan your natural feeling into flame
88 quit requite
90 overture disclosure
92 abused wronged.
95 How look you how are you
Untimely comes this hurt. Give me your arm.
Exeunt.
Second Servant. I'll never care what wickedness I do, If this man come to good.
Third Servant. If she live long, And in the end meet the old course of death,deg Women will all turn monsters.
Second Servant. Let's follow the old Earl, and get the Bedlam To lead him where he would. His roguish madness Allows itself to anything.deg
Third Servant. Go thou. I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs To apply to his bleeding face. Now heaven help him. [Exeunt severally.]
102 meet ... death die the customary death of old age
105-6 His ... anything his lack of all self-control leaves him open to any suggestion
ACT 4
Scene 1. [The heath.]
Enter Edgar.
Edgar. Yet better thus, and known to be contemned,deg Than still contemned and flattered. To be worst,
The lowest and most dejecteddeg thing of fortune,
Stands still in esperance,deg lives not in fear:
The lamentable change is from the best,
The worst returns to laughter.deg Welcome then,
Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace!
The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst
Owesdeg nothing to thy blasts.
Enter Gloucester, led by an Old Man.
But who comes here?
My father, poorly led?deg World, world, O world!
But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee,
Life would not yield to age.deg
Old Man. O, my good lord, I have been your tenant, and your father's tenant, these fourscore years.
Gloucester. Away, get thee away; good friend, be gone: 4.1.1 known to be contemned conscious of being despised
3 dejected abased
4 esperance hope
6 returns to laughter changes for the better
9 Owes is in debt for
10 poorly led (1) led like a poor man, with only one attendant (2) led by a poor man
11-12 But ... age we should not agree to grow old and hence die, except for the hateful mutability of life
Thy comfortsdeg can do me no good at all;
Thee they may hurt.deg
Old Man. You cannot see your way.
Gloucester. I have no way and therefore wantdeg no eyes; I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seen,
Our means secure us, and our mere defects
Prove our commodities.deg Oh, dear son Edgar,
The fooddeg of thy abuseddeg father's wrath!
Might I but live to see thee indeg my touch,
I'd say I had eyes again!
Old Man. How now! Who's there?
Edgar. [Aside] O Gods! Who is 't can say "I am at the worst"? I am worse than e'er I was.
Old Man. 'Tis poor mad Tom.
Edgar. [As
ide] And worse I may be yet: the worst is not So long as we can say "This is the worst."deg
Old Man. Fellow, where goest?
Gloucester. Is it a beggar-man?
Old Man. Madman and beggar too.
Gloucester. He has some reason,deg else he could not beg. I' th' last night's storm I such a fellow saw,
Which made me think a man a worm. My son
Came then into my mind, and yet my mind
Was then scarce friends with him. I have heard
more since.
As flies to wantondeg boys, are we to th' gods, 16 comforts ministrations
17 hurt injure
18 want require
20-21 Our ... commodities our resources make us overconfident, while our afflictions make for our advantage
22 food i.e., the object on which Gloucester's anger fed
22 abused deceived
23 in i.e., with, by means of
27-28 the ... worst so long as a man continues to suffer (i.e., is still alive), even greater suffering may await him
31 reason faculty of reasoning
36 wanton (1) playful (2) reckless
They kill us for their sport.
Edgar. [Aside] How should this be?deg Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow,
Ang'ringdeg itself and others. Bless thee, master!
Gloucester. Is that the naked fellow?
Old Man. Ay, my lord.
Gloucester. Then, prithee, get thee gone: if for my sake Thou wilt o'ertake us hence a mile or twain
I' th' way toward Dover, do it for ancientdeg love,
And bring some covering for this naked soul,
Which I'll entreat to lead me.
Old Man. Alack, sir, he is mad.
Gloucester. 'Tis the times' plague,deg when madmen lead the blind. Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure;deg
Above the rest,deg be gone.
Old Man. I'll bring him the best 'pareldeg that I have, Come on 't what will. Exit.
King Lear (Folger Shakespeare Library) Page 17
