Per. Reverend appearer, no; I threw her o'erboard with these very arms. Cer. Upon this coast, I warrant you. Per. Tis most certain. Cer. Look to the lady ;-O, she's but o'erjoy'd. Early, one blust'ring morn, this lady was Thrown on this shore. I op'd the coffin, and Thai. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man Through whom the gods have shewn their power; that From first to last resolve you. [can Per. Reverend sir, The gods can have no mortal officer How this dead queen re-lives? Found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and plac'd her How she came placed here within the temple; Per. May we see them? Cer. Great sir, they shall be brought you to my Whither I invite you. Look! Thaisa is Recover'd. Thai. O, let me look! [house, If he be none of mine, my sanctity Per. Immortal Dian! Thai. Now I know you better.When we with tears parted Pentapolis, The king, my father, gave you such a ring. [Shows a ring. Per. This, this: no more, you gods your present kindness Makes my past miseries sport: You shall do well, Melt, and no more be seen. O come, be buried My heart Bless'd, and mine own! Hel. Hail, mamad, and my queen! Thai. Per. You have heard, me say, when I did fly from No needful thing omitted. Per. Pure Diana! This ornament that makes me look so dismal, Thai. Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, Sir, that my father's dead. Per. Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves [queen, Will in that kingdom spend our following days; Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign. Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay, To hear the rest untold.—Sir, lead the way. [Exeunt. Enter GOWER. Gow. In Antioch, and his daughter, you have heard A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty: That him and his they in his palace burn. To a former edition of this play were subjoined two Disser-cribed to him by several dramatic writers. I wish not to rely tations: one written by Mr. Steevens, the other by me. In the latter I arged such arguments as then appeared to me to have weight, to prove that it was the entire work of Shakspeare, and one of his earliest compositions. Mr. Steevens on the other hand maintained, that it was originally the production of some elder playwright, and afterwards improved by our poet, whose hand was acknowledged to be visible in many scenes throughout the play. On a review of the various arguments which each of as produced in favour of his own hypothesis, I am now convinced that the theory of Mr. Steevens was right, and have no difficulty in acknowledging my own to be erroneous. This play was entered on the Stationers books, together with Antony and Cleopatra, in the year 1608, by Edward Blount, a bookseller of eminence, and one of the publishers of the first folio edition of Shakspeare's works. It was printed with his name in the title-page, in his life-time: but this circumstance proves nothing, because, by the knavery of booksellers, other pieces were also ascribed to him in his life-time, of which he indubitably wrote not a line. Nor is it necessary to urge, in support of its genuineness, that at a subsequent period it was as on any circumstance of that kind; because, in all questions of this nature, internal evidence is the best that can be produced, and, to every person intimately acquainted with our poet's writ ings, must in the present case be decisive. The congenial sentiments, the numerous expressions bearing a striking similitude to passages in his undisputed plays, some of the incidents, the situation of many of the persons, and in various places the colour of the style, all these combine to set the seal of Shakspeare on the play before us, and furnish as with internal and irresistible proofs, that a considerable portion of this piece, as it now ap pears, was written by him. The greater part of the last three acts may, I think, on this ground be safely ascribed to him; and his hand may be traced occasionally in the other two divi. sions. To alter, new-model, and improve the unsuccessful dramas of preceding writers, was, I believe, much more common in the time of Shakspeare than is generally supposed. This piece having been thus new-modelled by our poet, and enriched with many happy strokes from his pen, is unquestionably entitled to that place among his works, which it has now obtained.—MALONS. THIS tragedy was entered in the books of the Stationers' Company, Nov. 26. 1607, and is there mentioned as having been played the preceding Christmas before his majesty, at Whitehall It must have been written after 1603, as Shakspeare has borrowed several fanstastic names of spirits, mentioned in this play, from Harsnett's Declaration of Popish Imposters, which was published that year. King Lear was not printed till 1008. There was an old play on the same subject, which had been in possession of the stage for many years before the production of Shakspeare's tragedy; but from which our author has co PERSONS REPRESENTED. LEAR, King of Britain. KING OF FRANCE. DUKE OF BURGUNDY. DUKE OF CORNWALL DUKE OF ALBANY. EARL OF KENT. EARL OF GLOSTER. EDGAR, son to Gloster. EDMUND, bastard son to Gloster. CURAN, a courtier. Old Man, tenant to Gloster. Physician. Fool. OSWALD, steward to Goneril. An Officer employed by Edmund. ACT I. SCENE I.-A Room of State in King Lear's Palace. Enter KINT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND. Kent. I thought, the king had more affected the duke of Albany, than Cornwall. Glo. It did always seem so to us: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weigh'd, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety. Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it. Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had, a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper. Glo. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund? Edm. No, my lord. pied one passage only. The story of King Lear and his thres Daughters, is found in Holinshed's Chronicle; and was ori ginally told by Geoffry of Monmouth, who says that Lear was the eldest son of Bladud, and "nobly governed his country for sixty years." According to that historian, he died about 800 years before Christ. Shakspeare has taken the hint for the behaviour of the steward, and the reply of Cordelia to her father concerning her future marriage, from the Mirror of Magistrates,1587. According to Steevens, the episode of Glos ter and his sons is borrowed from Sidney's Arcadia. Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, and Attendants. Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloster. Glo. I shall, my liege. [Exit GLOSTER & EDMUND. Lear. Mean-time we shall express our darker pur pose. [vided, Give me the map there.-Know, that we have di In three, our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age; Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburden'd crawl toward death. Our son of CornAnd you, our no less loving son of Albany, [wall We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife May be prevented now. The princes, France and BurGreat rivals in our youngest daughter's love, [gundy, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, And here are to be answer'd.- Tell me, my daughters, (Since now we will divest us, both of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state,) Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where merit doth most challenge it.-Goneril, Our eldest-born, speak first. Gon. Sir, I Do love you more than words can wield the matter, Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent, [Aside. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, Reg. I am made of that self metal as my sister, I Which the most precious square of sense possesses And find, I am alone felicitate Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Lear. Nothing! Cor. Nothing. Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: speak again. Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty According to my bond; nor more, nor less. Lear. How, how, Cordelia ? mend your speech a Lest it may mar your fortunes. [little, Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you, all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall carry Half my love with him, half my care, and duty! Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. Lear. But goes this with thy heart! Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region of my heart: be Kent unmannerly, When Lear is mad. What would'st thou do, old man? Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak, When power to flattery bows! To plainness honour's bound, When majesty stoops to folly. Beverse tny doom; And, in thy best consideration, check This hideous rashness: answer my life my judgment, Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least} Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sound Reverbs no hollowness. Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Ay, good my lord. I'll tell thee thou dost evil. Lear. So young, and so untender! Cor. So young, my lord, and true. Lear. Hear me, recreant! On thine allegiance hear me ! Lear. Let it be so,-Thy truth then be thy dower: Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow, For, by the sacred radiance of the sun; From whom we do exist, and cease to be; [thian, Good my liege, Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath: I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery.-Hence, and avoid my sight! So be my grave my peace, as here I give [ To ČOR. Her father's heart from her!-Call France;-Who Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany, [stirs With my two daughters' dowers digest this third: Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. I do invest you jointly with my power, Pre-eminence, and all the large effects That troop with majesty.-Ourself, With reservation of an hundred knights, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make with you by due turns. Only we still retain The name, and all the additions to a king; The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest, [course, by monthly Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirm, (Which we durst never yet,) and, with strain'd pride, [appear, Kent. Fare thee well, king; since thus thou wilt Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.— The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid, [TO CORDELIA That justly think'st, and hast most rightly said!— And your large speeches may your deeds approve, [To REGAN and GONERIE That good effects may spring from words of love.Thus Kent, O princes, bids you all adieu; He'll shape his old course in a country new. [Exit. Re-enter GLOSTER: with FRANCE, BURGUNDY, and Attendants. Glo. Here's France and Burgundy, my noble lord. We first address towards you, who with this king Most royal majesty, I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd, Nor will you tender less. Lear. Right noble Burgundy, When she was dear to us, we did hold her so; Bur. Pardon me, royal sir; I would not from your love make such a stray, France. That monsters it, or your fore-vouch'd affection Cor. Bur. Royal Lear, Give but that portion which yourself propos'd, And here I take Cordelia by the hand, Duchess of Burgundy. Lear. Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm Bur. I am sorry, then, you have so lost a father, That you must lose a husband. Cor Peace be with Burgundy! Since that respects of fortune are his love, I shall not be his wife. [lect [poor; France. Fairest Cordelia, that art most rich, being Most choice, forsaken; and most lov'd, despis'd! Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon : Be it lawful, I take up what's cast away. Gods, gods! 'tis strange, that from their cold'st negMy love should kindle to inflam'd respect.Thy dowerless daughter, king, thrown to my chance, La queen of us, of ours, and our fair France: Not all the dukes of wat'rish Burgundy Shall buy this unpris'd precious maid of me. Lear. Thou hast her, France; let her be thine } Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see That face of hers again :-Therefore be gone, Without our grace, our love, our benizon. Come, noble Burgundy. [Flourish. Exeunt LEAR, BURGUNDY, CORF WALL, ALBANY, GLOSTER, and Attendants. France. Bid farewell to your sisters. Cor. The jewels of our father, with wash'd eyes Gon. Prescribe not us our duties. Let your study Be, to content your lord; who hath receiv'd you Come, my fair Cordelia. [Exeunt FRANCE and CORDELIA. Gon. Sister, it is not a little I have to say, of what most nearly appertains to us both. I think, our father will hence to-night. Reg. That's most certain, and with you; next month with us. Gon. You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath not been little; he always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off,appears too grossly. Reg. 'Tis the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself. Gon. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted condition, but, therewithal, the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them. Reg. Such unconstant starts we are like to have from him, as this of Kent's banishment. Gon. There is further compliment of leave-taking between France and him. Pray you, let us hit together: If our father carry authority with such diepositions as he bears, this last surrender of his wil' but offend us. Reg. We shall further think of it. Gon. We must do something, and i' the heat. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A Hall in the Earl of Gloster's Castle Enter EDMUND, with a letter. Edm. Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law My services are bound: Wherefore should I Stand in the plague of custom; and permit The curiosity of nations to deprive me, For that I am some twelve or fourteen moon-shines Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base? When my dimensions are as well compact, My mind as generous, and my shape as true, As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base! Who, in the lusty stealth of nature, take More composition and fierce quality, Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed, Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops, Got 'tween asleep and wake ?-Well then, Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land: Enter GLOSTER. Gio. Kent banish'd thus! and France in choler parted! Edm. If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this, and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction; and that without any further delay than this very evening. Glo. He cannot be such a monster. Edm. Nor is not, sure. Glo. To his father, that so tenderly and entirely loves him. Heaven and earth!-Edmund, seek him out; wind me into him, I pray you; frame the busi Glo. Why so earnestly seek you to put up that let-ness after your own wisdom: I would unstate myself, Edm. I know no news, my lord. to be in a due resolution. Glo. What paper were you reading? Edm. Nothing, my lord. [ter? Glo. No what needed then that terrible despatch of it into your pocket? the quality of nothing hath not such need to hide itself. Let's see: Come, if it be nothing, I shall not need spectacles. Edm. I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter from my brother, that I have not all o'er read; for so much as I have perused, I find it not fit for your o'erlooking. Glo. Give me the letter, sir. Edm. I will seek him, sir, presently; convey the business as I shall find means, and acquaint you withal. Glo. These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us: Though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus, yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects: love cools, friendship falls off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked between son and father. This villain of mine comes under the prediction; there's son against father: the king falls from bias of nature; there's father against child. We have seen the best of our time: Machinations, hollowness, treachery, and all ruinous disorders, follow us disquietly to our graves! he-Find out this villain, Edmund; it shall lose thee nothing; do it carefully--And the noble and truehearted Kent banished! his offence, honesty!Strange! strange! Edm. I shall offend, either to detain or give it. The contents as in part I understand them, are to blame. Glo. Let's see, let's sce. Edm. I hope, for my brother's justification, wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. Glo. [Reads] This policy, and reverence of age, makes the world bitter to the best of our times; keeps our fortunes from us, till our oldness cannot relish them. I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny; who sways, not as it hath power, but as it is suffered. Come to me, that of this I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live the beloved of your brother Edgar Humph-Conspiracy!-Sleep till I waked him,-you should enjoy half his revenue,-My son Edgar! Had he a hand to write this? a heart and brain to breed it in? When came this to you? Who brought it? Edm. It was not brought me, my lord; there's the cunning of it; I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet. Glo. You know the character to be your brother's? Edm. If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear it were his; but, in respect of that, I would fain think it were not. Glo. It is his. Edm. It is his hand, my lord; but I hope, his heart is not in the contents. Glo. Hath he never heretofore sounded you in this business? Edm. Never, my lord: But I have often heard him maintain it to be fit, that, sons at perfect age, and fathers declining, the father should be as ward to the son, and the son manage his revenue. [Exit. Edm. This is the excellent foppery of the world! that, when we are sick in fortune, (often the surfeit of our own behaviour,) we make guilty of our disas ters, the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity; fools, by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers, by an enforced obe1 eace of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on: An admirable evasion of whore-master man, to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star! My father compounded with ny mother under the dragon's tail: and my nativity was under ursa major; so that it follows, I am rough and lecherous.-Tut, I should have been that I am, had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing. Edgar Enter EDGAR. and pat he comes, like the catastrophe of the old comedy. My cue is villanous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o'Bedlam.-O, these eclipses do portend these divisions! fa, sol, la, mi. Edg. How now, brother Edmund? What serious contemplation are you in? Edm. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read Glo. O villain, villain!-His very opinion in the letter!-Abhorred villain! Unnatural, detested, bru-ceed unhappily: as of unnaturalness between the tish villain worse than brutish!-Go, sirrah, seek him: I'll apprehend him :-Abominable villain!— Where is he? Edm. I do not well know, my lord. If it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother, till you can derive from him better testimony of his intent, you shall run a certain course; where, if you violently proceed against him, mistaking his child and the parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what. Edg. How long have you been a sectary astrono mical? Edm. Come, come; when saw you my father last? |