147 are ... me is that what you tell me

  149 heavy case sad plight (pun on 1. 146)

  149 light i.e., empty

  151 feelingly (1) by touch (2) by feeling pain (3) with emotion

  154 simple common, of low estate

  155 handy-dandy i.e., choose, guess (after the children's game--"Handy-dandy, prickly prandy"--of choosing the right hand)

  160 image of authority symbol revealing the true meaning of authority

  160-61 a ... office i.e., whoever has power is obeyed

  162 beadle parish constable

  164 kind i.e., sexual act

  For which thou whip'st her. The usurer hangs the

  cozener.deg

  Through tattered clothes small vices do appear;

  Robes and furred gownsdeg hide all. Plate sin with

  gold,

  And the strong lance of justice hurtlessdeg breaks;

  Arm it in rags, a pygmy's straw does pierce it.

  None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll abledeg

  'em:

  Take thatdeg of me, my friend, who have the power

  To seal th' accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes,deg

  And, like a scurvy politician,deg seem

  To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now,

  now.

  Pull off my boots: harder, harder: so.

  Edgar. O, matter and impertinencydeg mixed! Reason in madness!

  Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:

  Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:

  Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air

  We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.

  Gloucester. Alack, alack the day!

  Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come To this great stage of fools. This'deg a good block.deg 164-65 The usurer ... cozener i.e., the powerful moneylender, in his role as judge, puts to death the petty cheat

  167 Robes and furred gowns (worn by a judge)

  168 hurtless i.e., without hurting the sinner

  170 able vouch for

  171 that (the immunity just conferred) (1. 170)

  172 glass eyes spectacles

  173 scurvy politician vile politic man

  176 matter and impertinency sense and nonsense

  185 This' this is

  185 block (various meanings have been suggested, for example, the stump of a tree, on which Lear is supposed to climb; a mounting-block, which suggests "horse" 1.

  187; a hat [which Lear or another must be made to wear], from the block on which a felt hat is molded, and which would suggest a "felt" 1.

  187. The proposal here is that "block" be taken to denote the quintain, whose function is to bear blows, "a mere lifeless block" [As You Like It, 1.2.263], an object shaped like a man and used for tilting practice. See also Much Ado, 2.1.246-7, "she misused me past the endurance of a block!" and, in the same passage, the associated reference, "I stood like a man at a mark [target]" [1.253])

  It were a delicatedeg stratagem, to shoe

  A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof;deg

  And when I have stol'n upon these son-in-laws,

  Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

  Enter a Gentleman [with Attendants].

  Gentleman. O, here he is: lay hand upon him. Sir, Your most dear daughter--

  Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fooldeg of fortune..Use me well;

  You shall have ransom. Let me have surgeons;

  I am cutdeg to th' brains.

  Gentleman. You shall have anything.

  Lear. No seconds?deg all myself? Why, this would make a man a man of salt,deg

  To use his eyes for garden water-pots,

  Ay, and laying autumn's dust.

  Gentleman. Good sir--

  Lear. I will die bravely,deg like a smugdeg bridegroom.deg What! I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king; Masters, know you that?

  Gentleman. You are a royal one, and we obey you.

  Lear. Then there's life in 't.deg Come, and you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.deg

  Exit [running; Attendants follow].

  Gentleman. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch, Past speaking of in a king! Thou hast one daughter

  Who redeems nature from the general curse

  Which twain have brought her to,deg

  186 delicate subtle

  187 put't in proof test it

  193 natural fool born sport (with pun on "natural": "imbecile")

  195 cut wounded

  196 seconds supporters

  197 man of salt i.e., all (salt) tears

  201 bravely (1) smartly attired (2) courageously

  201 smug spick and span

  201 bridegroom whose "brave" sexual feats are picked up in the pun on "die"

  205 there's life in't there's still hope

  206 Sa ... sa hunting and rallying cry; also an interjection of defiance

  209-10 general ... to (1) universal condemnation which Goneril and Regan have made for (2) damnation incurred by the original sin of Adam and Eve

  Edgar. Hail, gentledeg sir.

  Gentleman. Sir, speeddeg you: what's your will?

  Edgar. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward?deg

  Gentleman. Most sure and vulgar:deg every one hears that, Which can distinguish sound.

  Edgar. But, by your favor, How near's the other army?

  Gentleman. Near and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.deg deg

  Edgar. I thank you, sir: that's all.

  Gentleman. Though that the Queen on special cause is here, Her army is moved on.

  Edgar. I thank you, sir.

  Exit [Gentleman].

  Gloucester. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me; Let not my worser spiritdeg tempt me again

  To die before you please.

  Edgar. Well pray you, father.

  Gloucester. Now, good sir, what are you?

  Edgar. A most poor man, made tamedeg to fortune's blows; Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows,deg

  Am pregnantdeg to good pity. Give me your hand,

  I'll lead you to some biding.deg

  Gloucester. Hearty thanks; 211 gentle noble

  211 speed God speed

  212 toward impending

  213 vulgar common knowledge

  216-17 the ... thought we expect to see the main body of the army any hour

  221 worser spirit bad angel, evil side of my nature

  224 tame submissive 2

  25 art ... sorrows instruction of sorrows painfully experienced

  226 pregnant disposed

  227 biding place of refuge

  The bounty and the benisondeg of heaven

  To boot, and boot.deg

  Enter Oswald.

  Oswald. A proclaimed prizedeg! Most happy!deg That eyeless head of thine was first frameddeg flesh

  To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,

  Briefly thyself reinember:deg the sword is out

  That must destroy thee.

  Gloucester. Now let thy friendlydeg hand Put strength enough to 't.

  [Edgar interposes.]

  Oswald. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publisheddeg traitor? Hence!

  Lest that th' infection of his fortune take

  Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

  Edgar. Chilldeg not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion.deg

  Oswald. Let go, slave, or thou diest!

  Edgar. Good gentleman, go your gait,deg and let poor volkdeg pass. And chud ha' bin zwaggereddeg out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vort-night. Nay, come not near th' old man; keep out, che vor' ye,deg or I'sedeg try whether your costarddeg or my ballowo be the harder: chill be plain with you.

  Oswald. Out, dunghill!

  They fight.

  228 benison blessing

  229 To boot, and boot
also, and in the highest degree

  229 proclaimed prize i.e., one with a price on his head

  229 happy fortunate (for Oswald)

  230 framed created

  232 thyself remember i.e., pray, think of your sins

  233 friendly i.e., because it offers the death Gloucester covets

  235 published proclaimed

  238 Chill ... (Edgar speaks in rustic dialect)

  238 Chill I will

  238 vurther 'casion further occasion

  240 gait way

  241 volk folk

  241 And chud ha' bin zwaggered if I could have been swaggered

  244 Che vor' ye I warrant you

  244 I'se I shall

  244 costard head (literally, "apple")

  245 ballow cudgel

  Edgar. Chill pick your teeth,deg zir: come; no matter vor your foins.deg

  [Oswald falls.]

  Oswald. Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse: If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body,

  And give the letters which thou find'st aboutdeg me

  To Edmund Earl of Gloucester; seek him out

  Upon the English party.deg O, untimely death!

  Death!

  He dies.

  Edgar. I know thee well. A serviceabledeg villain, As duteousdeg to the vices of thy mistress

  As badness would desire.

  Gloucester. What, is he dead?

  Edgar. Sit you down, father; rest you. Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks

  of

  May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry

  He had no other deathsman.deg Let us see:

  Leave,deg gentle wax;deg and, manners, blame us not:

  To know our enemies' minds, we rip their hearts;

  Their papersdeg is more lawful.

  Reads the letter.

  "Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not,deg time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my jail; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labor.

  "Your--wife, so I woulddeg say--affectionate 248 Chill pick your teeth I will knock your teeth out

  249 foins thrusts

  252 about upon

  254 party side

  256 serviceable ready to be used

  257 duteous obedient

  262 deathsman executioner

  263 Leave by your leave

  263 wax (with which the letter is sealed)

  265 Their papers i.e., to rip their papers

  267-68 if ... not if your desire (and lust) be not lacking

  273 would would like to

  servant, and for you her own for venture,deg

  'Goneril.' "

  O indistinguished space of woman's will!deg

  A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;

  And the exchangedeg my brother! Here in the sands

  Thee I'll rake up,deg the post unsanctifieddeg

  Of murderous lechers; and in the maturedeg time,

  With this ungracious paperdeg strikedeg the sight

  Of the death-practiceddeg Duke: for him 'tis well

  That of thy death and business I can tell.

  Gloucester. The King is mad: how stiffdeg is my vile sense,deg That I stand up, and have ingeniousdeg feeling

  Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:deg

  So should my thoughts be severed from my griefs,

  And woes by wrong imaginationsdeg lose

  The knowledge of themselves.

  Drum afar off.

  Edgar. Give me your hand: Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum.

  Come, father, I'll bestowdeg you with a friend.

  Exeunt.

  Scene 7. [A tent in the French camp.]

  Enter Cordelia, Kent, Doctor, and Gentleman.

  Cordelia. O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work, 274 and ... venture i.e., and one who holds you her own for venturing (Edmund had earlier been promised union by Goneril, "If you dare venture in your own behalf," 4.2.20).

  276 indistinguished ... will unlimited range of woman's lust

  278 exchange substitute

  279 rake up cover up, bury

  279 post unsanctified unholy messenger

  280 mature ripe

  281 ungracious paper wicked letter

  281 strike blast

  282 death-practiced whose death is plotted

  284 stiff unbending

  284 vile sense hateful capacity for feeling

  285 ingenious conscious

  286 distract distracted, mad

  288 wrong imaginations delusions

  291 bestow lodge

  To match thy goodness? My life will be too short, And every measure fail me.

  Kent. To be acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid. All my reports godeg with the modest truth, Nor more nor clipped,deg but so.

  Cordelia, Be better suited:deg These weedsdeg are memoriesdeg of those worser

  hours:

  I prithee, put them off.

  Kent. Pardon, dear madam; Yet to be known shortens my made intent:deg

  My boon I make it,deg that you know me not

  Till time and I think meet.deg

  Cordelia. Then be 't so, my good lord. [To the Doctor. ] How does the King?

  Doctor. Madam, sleeps still.

  Cordelia. O you kind gods! Cure this great breach in his abuseddeg nature.

  Th' untuned and jarring senses, 0, wind updeg

  Of this child-changed father.

  Doctor. So please your Majesty That we may wake the King: he hath slept long.

  Cordelia. Be governed by your knowledge, and proceed I' th' sway ofdeg your own will. Is he arrayed?

  Enter Lear in a chair carried by Servants.

  4.7.5 go conform

  6 clipped curtailed

  6 suited attired

  7 weeds clothes

  7 memories reminders

  9 Yet ... intent to reveal myself just yet interferes with the plan I have made

  10 My boon I make it I ask this reward

  11 meet fitting

  15 abused disturbed

  16 wind up tune

  17 child-changed changed, deranged (and also, reduced to a child) by the cruelty of his children

  20 I' th' sway of according to

  Gentleman. Ay, madam; in the heaviness of sleep We put fresh garments on him. Doctor. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; I doubt not of his temperance.deg Cordelia. Very well. Doctor. Please you, draw near. Louder the music there! Cordelia. O my dear father, restoration hang Thy medicine on my lips, and let this kiss Repair those violent harms that my two sisters Have in thy reverencedeg made. Kent. Kind and dear Princess. Cordelia. Had you not been their father, these white flakesdeg Did challengedeg pity of them. Was this a face To be opposed against the warring winds? To stand against the deep dread-bolteddeg thunder? In the most terrible and nimble stroke Of quick, crossdeg lightning to watch--poor perdu!deg--With this thin helm?deg Mine enemy's dog, Though he had bit me, should have stood that night Against my fire; and wast thou fain,deg poor father, To hovel thee with swine and roguesdeg forlorn, In shortdeg and musty straw? Alack, alack! 'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once Had not concluded all.deg He wakes; speak to him.

  Doctor. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.

  24 temperance sanity

  29 reverence revered person

  30 flakes hairs (in long strands)

  31 challenge claim

  33 deep dread-bolted deep-voiced and furnished with the dreadful thunderbolt

  35 cross zigzag

  35 perdu (1) sentry in a forlorn position (2) lost one

  36 helm helmet (his scanty hair)

  38 fain pleased

  39 rogues vagabonds

  40 short (when straw is freshly cut, it is long, and suitable for bedding, given its flexibility and crispness. As it is used, it becomes musty, shre
ds into pieces, is "short." In contemporary Maine usage, "short manure" refers to dung mixed with straw that has been broken up; "long manure" to dung mixed with coarse new straw)

  42 concluded all come to a complete end

  Cordelia. How does my royal lord? How fares your Majesty?

  Lear. You do me wrong to take me out o' th' grave: Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound

  Upon a wheel of fire,deg that mine own tears

  Do scald like molten lead.

  Cordelia. Sir, do you know me?

  Lear. You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die?

  Cordelia. Still, still, far wide.deg

  Doctor. He's scarce awake: let him alone awhile.

  Lear. Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? I am mightily abused.deg I should ev'n die with pity,

  To see another thus. I know not what to say.

  I will not swear these are my hands: let's see;

  I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured

  Of my condition.

  Cordelia. O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hand in benediction o'er me. You must not kneel.

  Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fonddeg old man,

  Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less;

  And, to deal plainly,

  I fear I am not in my perfect mind.

  Methinks I should know you and know this man,

  Yet I am doubtful; for I am mainlydeg ignorant

  What place this is, and all the skill I have

  Remembers not these garments, nor I know not

  Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me,

  For, as I am a man, I think this lady

  To be my child Cordelia.

  Cordelia. And so I am, I am.

  Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray, weep not. If you have poison for me, I will drink it. 47 wheel of fire (torment associated by the Middle Ages with Hell, where Lear thinks he is)

  50 wide i.e., of the mark (of sanity)

  53 abused deluded

  60 fond in dotage

  65 mainly entirely

  I know you do not love me; for your sisters

  Have, as I do remember, done me wrong.

  You have some cause, they have not.

  Cordelia. No cause, no cause. Lear. Am I in France?