Back to main page
King Lear - Act 4, scene 5
Cite
Download King Lear
Last updated: Thu, Apr 21, 2016
- PDF Download as PDF
- DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) without line numbers Download as DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) without line numbers
- DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) with line numbers Download as DOC (for MS Word, Apple Pages, Open Office, etc.) with line numbers
- HTML Download as HTML
- TXT Download as TXT
- XML Download as XML
- TEISimple XML (annotated with MorphAdorner for part-of-speech analysis) Download as TEISimple XML (annotated with MorphAdorner for part-of-speech analysis)
Navigate this work
King Lear - Act 4, scene 5Act 4, scene 5
Scene ⌜5⌝
Synopsis:
Regan questions Oswald about Goneril and Edmund, states her intention to marry Edmund, and asks Oswald to dissuade Goneril from pursuing Edmund.
Enter Regan and ⌜Oswald, the⌝ Steward.REGAN
2688 But are my brother’s powers set forth?
OSWALD 2689 Ay, madam.
REGAN 2690 Himself in person there?
p.
193
OSWALD
2691
Madam, with much ado.2692 5 Your sister is the better soldier.
REGAN
2693 Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?
OSWALD 2694 No, madam.
REGAN
2695 What might import my sister’s letter to him?
OSWALD 2696 I know not, lady.
REGAN
2697 10 Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
2698 It was great ignorance, Gloucester’s eyes being out,
2699 To let him live. Where he arrives he moves
2700 All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone,
2701 In pity of his misery, to dispatch
2702 15 His nighted life; moreover to descry
2703 The strength o’ th’ enemy.
OSWALD
2704 I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.
REGAN
2705 Our troops set forth tomorrow. Stay with us.
2706 The ways are dangerous.
OSWALD 2707 20 I may not, madam.
2708 My lady charged my duty in this business.
REGAN
2709 Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
2710 Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
2711 Some things—I know not what. I’ll love thee much—
2712 25 Let me unseal the letter.
OSWALD 2713 Madam, I had rather—
REGAN
2714 I know your lady does not love her husband;
2715 I am sure of that; and at her late being here,
2716 She gave strange eliads and most speaking looks
2717 30 To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.
OSWALD 2718 I, madam?
REGAN
2719 I speak in understanding. Y’ are; I know ’t.
p.
195
2720
Therefore I do advise you take this note:2721 My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talked,
2722 35 And more convenient is he for my hand
2723 Than for your lady’s. You may gather more.
2724 If you do find him, pray you, give him this,
2725 And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
2726 I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.
2727 40 So, fare you well.
2728 If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
2729 Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
OSWALD
2730 Would I could meet ⟨him,⟩ madam. I should show
2731 What party I do follow.
REGAN 2732 45 Fare thee well.
They exit.