Lear. Because they are not eight.

  Fool. Yes indeed. Thou wouldst make a good Fool. Lear. To take't again perforce!deg Monster ingratitude!

  Fool. If thou wert my Fool, Nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time.

  Lear. How's that?

  Fool. Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.

  20 on's of his

  22 of on

  32 horns (1) snail's horns (2) cuckold's horns

  33 nature paternal instincts

  36 seven stars the Pleiades

  36 moe more

  36 pretty apt

  40 To ... perforce (1) of Goneril, who has forcibly taken away Lear's privileges; or (2) of Lear, who meditates a forcible resumption of authority

  Lear. O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper;deg I would not be mad!

  [Enter Gentleman.]

  How now, are the horses ready?

  Gentleman. Ready, my lord.

  Lear. Come, boy.

  Fool. She that's a maid now, and laughs at my departure, Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter.deg Exeunt

  47 in temper sane

  51-52 She ... shorter the maid who laughs, missing the tragic implications of this quarrel, will not have sense enough to preserve her virginity ("things" = penises)

  ACT 2

  Scene 1. [The Earl of Gloucester's castle.]

  Enter Edmund and Curan, severally.deg

  Edmund. Savedeg thee, Curan.

  Curan. And you, sir. I have been with your father, and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here with him this night.

  Edmund. How comes that?

  Curan. Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad? I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments.deg

  Edmund. Not I. Pray you, what are they?

  Curan. Have you heard of no likelydeg wars toward,deg 'twixt the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?

  Edmund. Not a word.

  Curan. You may do, then, in time. Fare you well, sir. Exit.

  Edmund. The Duke be here tonight? The better!deg best! 2.1.1 s.d severally separately (from different entrances on stage)

  1 Save God save

  9 ear-kissing arguments subjects whispered in the ear

  11 likely probable

  11 toward impending

  16 The better so much the better

  This weaves itself perforcedeg into my business.

  My father hath set guard to take my brother,

  And I have one thing of a queasy questiondeg

  Which I must act. Briefnessdeg and Fortune, work!

  Brother, a word; descend. Brother, I say!

  Enter Edgar.

  My father watches. O sir, fly this place.

  Intelligencedeg is given where you are hid.

  You have now the good advantage of the night.

  Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall?

  He's coming hither, now i' th' night, i' th' haste,deg

  And Regan with him. Have you nothing said

  Upon his partydeg 'gainst the Duke of Albany?

  Advise yourself.deg

  Edgar. I am sure on't,deg not a word. Edmund. I hear my father coming. Pardon me:

  In cunningdeg I must draw my sword upon you.

  Draw, seem to defend yourself; now quit youdeg well.

  Yield! Come before my father! Light ho, here!

  Fly, brother. Torches, torches!--So farewell.

  Exit Edgar.

  Some blood drawn on me would beget opiniondeg

  [Wounds his arm]

  Of my more fierce endeavor. I have seen drunkards

  Do more than this in sport. Father, father!

  Stop, stop! No help?

  Enter Gloucester, and Servants with torches.

  Gloucester. Now, Edmund, where's the villain?

  Edmund. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon

  To stand auspicious mistress.

  Gloucester. But where is he? 17 perforce necessarily

  19 of a queasy question that requires delicate handling (to be "queasy" is to be on the point of vomiting)

  20 Briefness speed

  23 Intelligence information

  26 i' th' haste in great haste

  28 Upon his party censuring his enmity

  29 Advise yourself reflect

  29 on't of it

  31 In cunning as a pretense

  32 quit you acquit yourself

  35 beget opinion create the impression

  Edmund. Look, sir, I bleed.

  Gloucester. Where is the villain, Edmund?

  Edmund. Fled this way, sir, when by no means he

  could--

  Gloucester. Pursue him, ho! Go after.

  [Exeunt some Servants.]

  By no means what?

  Edmund. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; But that I told him the revenging gods

  'Gainst parricides did all the thunder bend;deg

  Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond

  The child was bound to th' father. Sir, in fine,deg

  Seeing how loathly oppositedeg I stood

  To his unnatural purpose, in felldeg motiondeg

  With his prepared sword he charges home

  My unprovideddeg body, latcheddeg mine arm;

  But when he saw my best alarumeddeg spirits

  Bold in the quarrel's right,deg roused to th'

  encounter,

  Or whether gasteddeg by the noise I made,

  Full suddenly he fled.

  Gloucester. Let him fly far.

  Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; And found--dispatch.deg The noble Duke my master,

  My worthy archdeg and patron, comes tonight.

  By his authority I will proclaim it,

  That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks,

  Bringing the murderous coward to the stake.

  He that conceals him, death.deg

  Edmund. When I dissuaded him from his intent, And found him pightdeg to do it, with curstdeg speech

  I threatened to discoverdeg him. He replied, 48 bend aim

  50 In fine finally

  51 loathly opposite bitterly opposed

  52 fell deadly

  52 motion thrust (a term from fencing)

  54 unprovided unprotected

  54 latched wounded (lanced)

  55 best alarumed wholly aroused

  56 Bold ... right confident in the tightness of my cause

  57 gasted struck aghast

  60 dispatch i.e., he will be killed

  61 arch chief

  65 death (the same elliptical form that characterizes "dispatch," 1.60)

  67 pight determined

  67 curst angry

  68 discover expose

  "Thou unpossessingdeg bastard, dost thou think,

  If I would stand against thee, would the reposaldeg

  Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee

  Make thy words faithed?deg No. What I should

  deny--

  As this I would, ay, though thou didst produce

  My very characterdeg--I'd turn it all

  To thy suggestion,deg plot, and damned practice.deg

  And thou must make a dullard of the world,deg

  If they not thoughtdeg the profits of my death

  Were very pregnantdeg and potential spiritsdeg

  To make thee seek it."

  Gloucester. O strange and fasteneddeg villain! Would he deny his letter, said he? I never gotdeg him. Tucketdeg within. Hark, the Duke's trumpets. I know not why he

  comes.

  All portsdeg I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape;

  The Duke must grant me that. Besides, his picture I

  will send far and near, that all the kingdom

  May have due note of him; and of my land,

  Loyal and naturaldeg boy, I'll work the means


  To make thee capable.deg

  Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants.

  Cornwall. How now, my noble friend! Since I came hither, Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news.

  Regan. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short Which can pursue th' offender. How dost, my lord?

  Gloucester. O madam, my old heart is cracked, it's cracked.

  69 unpossessing beggarly (landless)

  70 reposal placing

  72 faithed believed

  74 character handwriting

  75 suggestion instigation

  75 practice device

  76 make ... world think everyone stupid

  77 not thought did not think

  78 pregnant teeming with incitement

  78 potential spirits powerful evil spirits

  79 fastened hardened

  80 got begot

  80 s.d. Tucket (Cornwall's special trumpet call)

  82 ports exits, of whatever sort

  86 natural (1) kind (filial) (2) illegitimate

  87 capable able to inherit

  Regan. What, did my father's godson seek your life? He whom my father named, your Edgar?

  Gloucester. O lady, lady, shame would have it hid.

  Regan. Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tended upon my father?

  Gloucester. I know not, madam. 'Tis too bad, too bad.

  Edmund Yes, madam, he was of that consort.deg

  Regan. No marvel then, though he were ill affected.deg 'Tis they have putdeg him on the old man's death,

  To have th' expense and wastedeg of his revenues.

  I have this present evening from my sister

  Been well informed of them, and with such cautions

  That, if they come to sojourn at my house,

  I'll not be there.

  Cornwall. Nor I, assure thee, Regan. Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father A childlikedeg office.

  Edmund. It was my duty, sir.

  Gloucester. He did bewray his practice,deg and received This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him.

  Cornwall. Is he pursued?

  Gloucester. Ay, my good lord.

  Cornwall. If he be taken, he shall never more Be feared of doingdeg harm. Make your own purpose,

  How in my strength you please.deg For you, Edmund,

  Whose virtue and obediencedeg doth this instant

  So much commend itself, you shall be ours.

  Natures of such deep trust we shall much need;

  You we first seize on.

  Edmund. I shall serve you, sir, Truly, however else.

  Gloucester. For him I thank your Grace.

  99 consort company

  100 ill affected disposed to evil

  101 put set

  102 expense and waste squandering

  108 childlike filial

  110 bewray his practice disclose his plot

  114 of doing because he might do

  114-15 Make ... please use my power freely, in carrying out your plans for his capture

  116 virtue and obedience virtuous obedience

  Cornwall. You know not why we came to visit you? Regan. Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed night. Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some prize,deg

  Wherein we must have use of your advice.

  Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,

  Of differences,deg whichdeg I best thought it fit

  To answer fromdeg our home. The several

  messengers

  From hence attend dispatch.deg Our good old friend,

  Lay comforts to your bosom,deg and bestow

  Your needfuldeg counsel to our businesses,

  Which craves the instant use.deg

  Gloucester. I serve you, madam.

  Your Graces are right welcome.

  Exeunt. Flourish.

  Scene 2. [Before Gloucester's castle.]

  Enter Kent and Oswald, severally.

  Oswald. Good dawningdeg to thee, friend. Art of this house?deg

  Kent. Ay.

  Oswald. Where may we set our horses?

  Kent. I' th' mire.

  Oswald. Prithee, if thou lov'st me, tell me.

  Kent. I love thee not.

  122 prize importance

  125 differences quarrels

  125 which (referring not to "differences," but to the letter Lear has written)

  126 from away from

  127 attend dispatch are waiting to be sent off

  128 Lay ... bosom console yourself (about Edgar's supposed treason)

  129 needful needed

  131 craves the instant use demands immediate transaction

  2.2.1 dawning (dawn is impending, but not yet arrived)

  1-2 Art of this house i.e., do you live here

  Oswald. Why then, I care not for thee.

  Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury Pinfold,deg I would make thee care for me.

  Oswald. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. Kent. Fellow, I know thee.

  Oswald. What dost thou know me for?

  Kent. A knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats;deg a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited,deg hundred-pound,deg filthy worsted-stockingdeg knave; a lily-livered, action-taking,deg whoreson, glass-gazing, deg superserviceable,deg finicaldeg rogue; one-trunk-inheritingdeg slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good service,deg and art nothing but the compositiondeg of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch; one whom I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition.deg

  Oswald. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee!

  Kent. What a brazen-faced varlet art thou to deny thou knowest me! Is it two days since I tripped up thy heels and beat thee before the King? [Drawing his sword] Draw, you rogue, for though it be night, yet the moon shines. I'll make a sop o' th' moonshinedeg of you. You whoreson cullionly barbermonger,deg draw!

  9 Lipsbury Pinfold a pound or pen in which strayed animals are enclosed ("Lipsbury" may denote a particular place, or may be slang for "between my teeth")

  14 broken meats scraps of food

  15 three-suited (the wardrobe permitted to a servant or "knave")

  16 hundred-pound (the extent of Oswald's wealth, and thus a sneer at his aspiring to gentility)

  16 worsted-stocking (worn by servants)

  17 action-taking one who refuses a fight and goes to law instead

  17-18 glass-gazing conceited 18 superserviceable sycophantic, serving without principle.

  18 finical overfastidious

  18-19 one-trunk-inheriting possessing only a trunkful of goods

  19-20 bawd ... service pimp, to please his master

  20-21 composition compound

  24 addition titles

  33 sop o' th' moonshine i.e., Oswald will admit the moonlight, and so sop it up, through the open wounds Kent is preparing to give him

  34 cuillonly barbermonger base patron of hairdressers (effeminate man)

  Oswald. Away, I have nothing to do with thee.

  Kent. Draw, you rascal. You come with letters against the King, and take Vanity the puppet'sdeg part against the royalty of her father. Draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbonadodeg your shanks. Draw, you rascal. Come your ways!deg

  Oswald. Help, ho! Murder! Help!

  Kent. Strike, you slave! Stand, rogue! Stand, you neatdeg slave! Strike! [Beating him]

  Oswald. Help, ho! Murder, murder! Enter Edmund, with his rapier drawn, Cornwall,

  Regan, Gloucester, Servants.

  Edmund. How now? What's the matter? Part!

  Kent. With you,deg goodman boy,deg if you please! Come, I'll fleshdeg ye, come on, young master.

  Gloucester. Weapons? Arms? What's the matter here?

  Cornwall. Keep peace, upon your lives. He dies that strikes again. What is the matter?

  Regan. The messengers from our sister and the King.

  Cornwall. What is your
difference?deg Speak.

  Oswald. I am scarce in breath, my lord.

  Kent. No marvel, you have so bestirreddeg your valor. You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee.deg A tailor made thee.deg

  Cornwall. Thou art a strange fellow. A tailor make a man?

  Kent. A tailor, sir. A stonecutter or a painter could 37 Vanity the puppet's Goneril, here identified with one of the personified characters in the morality plays, which were sometimes put on as puppet shows

  39 carbonado cut across, like a piece of meat before cooking

  40 Come your ways get along

  42 neat (1) foppish (2) unmixed, as in "neat

  wine"

  46 With you i.e., the quarrel is with you

  46 goodman boy young man (peasants are "goodmen"; "boy" is a term of contempt)

  47 flesh introduce to blood (term from hunting)

  52 difference quarrel

  54 bestirred exercised

  55 nature disclaims in thee nature renounces any part in you

  55-56 A tailor made thee (from the proverb "The tailor makes the man")

  not have made him so ill, though they had been but two years o' th' trade.

  Cornwall. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?

  Oswald. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared at suit ofdeg his gray beard--

  Kent. Thou whoreson zed,deg thou unnecessary letter! My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unbolteddeg villain into mortar and daub the wall of a jakesdeg with him. Spare my gray beard, you wagtail! deg

  Cornwall. Peace, sirrah! You beastlydeg knave, know you no reverence?

  Kent. Yes, sir, but anger hath a privilege.

  Cornwall. Why art thou angry?

  Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a sword, Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as

  these,

  Like rats, oft bite the holy cordsdeg atwain

  Which are too intrincedeg t' unloose; smoothdeg

  every passion

  That in the natures of their lords rebel,

  Being oil to fire, snow to the colder moods;

  Renege,deg affirm, and turn their halcyon beaksdeg

  With every gale and varydeg of their masters,

  Knowing naught, like dogs, but following.

  A plague upon your epilepticdeg visage!

  Smile youdeg my speeches, as I were a fool? 64 at suit of out of pity for

  65 zed the letter Z, generally omitted in contemporary dictionaries

  67 unbolted unsifted, i.e., altogether a villain 68 jakes privy

  68-69 wagtail a bird that bobs its tail up and down, and thus suggests obsequiousness