Speeches (Lines) for (stage directions)
in "King Lear"
Total: 112

1

I,1,1

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Kent, Gloucester, and Edmund. [Kent and Gloucester converse. Edmund stands back.]

2

I,1,32

Earl of Gloucester. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again.
[Sound a sennet.]
The King is coming.

(stage directions). Enter one bearing a coronet; then Lear; then the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall; next, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, with Followers.

3

I,1,35

Earl of Gloucester. I shall, my liege.

(stage directions). Exeunt [Gloucester and Edmund].

4

I,1,201

Earl of Kent. Fare thee well, King. Since thus thou wilt appear,
Freedom lives hence, and banishment is here.
[To Cordelia] The gods to their dear shelter take thee, maid,
That justly think'st and hast most rightly said!
[To Regan and Goneril] And your large speeches may your deeds
approve,
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.

(stage directions). Flourish. Enter Gloucester, with France and Burgundy; Attendants.

5

I,1,290

Lear. Thou hast her, France; let her be thine; for we
Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see
That face of hers again. Therefore be gone
Without our grace, our love, our benison.
Come, noble Burgundy.

(stage directions). Flourish. Exeunt Lear, Burgundy, [Cornwall, Albany, Gloucester, and Attendants].

6

I,1,309

King of France. Come, my fair Cordelia.

(stage directions). Exeunt France and Cordelia.

7

I,1,332

Goneril. We must do something, and i' th' heat.

(stage directions). Exeunt.

8

I,2,333

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter [Edmund the] Bastard solus, [with a letter].

9

I,2,356

Edmund. 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 moonshines
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 th' creating a whole tribe of fops
Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well then,
Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land.
Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund
As to th' legitimate. Fine word- 'legitimate'!
Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed,
And my invention thrive, Edmund the base
Shall top th' legitimate. I grow; I prosper.
Now, gods, stand up for bastards!

(stage directions). Enter Gloucester.

10

I,2,362

Edmund. So please your lordship, none.

(stage directions). [Puts up the letter.]

11

I,3,504

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Goneril and [her] Steward [Oswald].

12

I,3,515

Goneril. By day and night, he wrongs me! Every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds. I'll not endure it.
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,
I will not speak with him. Say I am sick.
If you come slack of former services,
You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.

(stage directions). [Horns within.]

13

I,3,533

Goneril. And let his knights have colder looks among you.
What grows of it, no matter. Advise your fellows so.
I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,
That I may speak. I'll write straight to my sister
To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner.

(stage directions). Exeunt.

14

I,4,534

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Kent, [disguised].

15

I,4,613

Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?

(stage directions). [Strikes him.]

16

I,4,616

Earl of Kent. Nor tripp'd neither, you base football player?

(stage directions). [Trips up his heels.

17

I,4,621

Earl of Kent. Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences. Away,
away! If you will measure your lubber's length again, tarry; but
away! Go to! Have you wisdom? So.

(stage directions). [Pushes him out.]

18

I,4,624

Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee. There's earnest of thy
service. [Gives money.]

(stage directions). Enter Fool.

19

I,4,626

Fool. Let me hire him too. Here's my coxcomb.

(stage directions). [Offers Kent his cap.]

20

I,4,711

Fool. I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are. They'll have me
whipp'd for speaking true; thou'lt have me whipp'd for lying;
and sometimes I am whipp'd for holding my peace. I had rather be
any kind o' thing than a fool! And yet I would not be thee,
nuncle. Thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides and left nothing
i' th' middle. Here comes one o' the parings.

(stage directions). Enter Goneril.

21

I,4,781

Goneril. You strike my people, and your disorder'd rabble
Make servants of their betters.

(stage directions). Enter Albany.

22

I,4,821

Goneril. Never afflict yourself to know the cause;
But let his disposition have that scope
That dotage gives it.

(stage directions). Enter Lear.

23

I,4,840

Lear. I'll tell thee. [To Goneril] Life and death! I am asham'd
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus;
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee!
Th' untented woundings of a father's curse
Pierce every sense about thee!- Old fond eyes,
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out,
And cast you, with the waters that you lose,
To temper clay. Yea, is it come to this?
Let it be so. Yet have I left a daughter,
Who I am sure is kind and comfortable.
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever; thou shalt, I warrant thee.

(stage directions). Exeunt [Lear, Kent, and Attendants].

24

I,5,925

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

(stage directions). Exeunt.

25

II,1,926

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter [Edmund the] Bastard and Curan, meeting.

26

II,1,966

Edmund. I hear my father coming. Pardon me!
In cunning I must draw my sword upon you.
Draw, seem to defend yourself; now quit you well.-
Yield! Come before my father. Light, ho, here!
Fly, brother.- Torches, torches!- So farewell.
[Exit Edgar.]
Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
Of my more fierce endeavour. [Stabs his arm.] I have seen
drunkards
Do more than this in sport.- Father, father!-
Stop, stop! No help?

(stage directions). Enter Gloucester, and Servants with torches.

27

II,1,1022

Earl of Gloucester. Strong and fast'ned villain!
Would he deny his letter? I never got him.
[Tucket within.]
Hark, the Duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes.
All ports 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 natural boy, I'll work the means
To make thee capable.

(stage directions). Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants.

28

II,1,1073

Earl of Gloucester. I serve you, madam.
Your Graces are right welcome.

(stage directions). Exeunt. Flourish.

29

II,2,1074

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Kent and [Oswald the] Steward, severally.

30

II,2,1113

Oswald. Help, ho! murther! murther!

(stage directions). Enter Edmund, with his rapier drawn, Gloucester, Cornwall, Regan, Servants.

31

II,2,1212

Duke of Cornwall. This is a fellow of the selfsame colour
Our sister speaks of. Come, bring away the stocks!

(stage directions). Stocks brought out.

32

II,2,1227

Regan. My sister may receive it much more worse,
To have her gentleman abus'd, assaulted,
For following her affairs. Put in his legs.-
[Kent is put in the stocks.]
Come, my good lord, away.

(stage directions). Exeunt [all but Gloucester and Kent].

33

II,2,1250

Earl of Kent. Good King, that must approve the common saw,
Thou out of heaven's benediction com'st
To the warm sun!
Approach, thou beacon to this under globe,
That by thy comfortable beams I may
Peruse this letter. Nothing almost sees miracles
But misery. I know 'tis from Cordelia,
Who hath most fortunately been inform'd
Of my obscured course- and [reads] 'shall find time
From this enormous state, seeking to give
Losses their remedies'- All weary and o'erwatch'd,
Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold
This shameful lodging.
Fortune, good night; smile once more, turn thy wheel.

(stage directions). Sleeps.

34

II,3,1251

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Edgar.

35

II,4,1273

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Lear, Fool, and Gentleman.

36

II,4,1403

Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels when she
put 'em i' th' paste alive. She knapp'd 'em o' th' coxcombs with
a stick and cried 'Down, wantons, down!' 'Twas her brother that,
in pure kindness to his horse, buttered his hay.

(stage directions). Enter Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, Servants.

37

II,4,1406

Duke of Cornwall. Hail to your Grace!

(stage directions). Kent here set at liberty.

38

II,4,1469

Regan. Good sir, to th' purpose.

(stage directions). Tucket within.

39

II,4,1480

Duke of Cornwall. What means your Grace?

(stage directions). Enter Goneril.

40

II,4,1588

Lear. O, reason not the need! Our basest beggars
Are in the poorest thing superfluous.
Allow not nature more than nature needs,
Man's life is cheap as beast's. Thou art a lady:
If only to go warm were gorgeous,
Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st
Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need-
You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need!
You see me here, you gods, a poor old man,
As full of grief as age; wretched in both.
If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts
Against their father, fool me not so much
To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger,
And let not women's weapons, water drops,
Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags!
I will have such revenges on you both
That all the world shall- I will do such things-
What they are yet, I know not; but they shall be
The terrors of the earth! You think I'll weep.
No, I'll not weep.
I have full cause of weeping, but this heart
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws
Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad!

(stage directions). Exeunt Lear, Gloucester, Kent, and Fool. Storm and tempest.

41

III,1,1617

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Kent and a Gentleman at several doors.

42

III,1,1676

Earl of Kent. Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet:
That, when we have found the King (in which your pain
That way, I'll this), he that first lights on him
Holla the other.

(stage directions). Exeunt [severally].

43

III,2,1677

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Lear and Fool.

44

III,2,1712

Fool. He that has a house to put 's head in has a good head-piece.
The codpiece that will house
Before the head has any,
The head and he shall louse:
So beggars marry many.
The man that makes his toe
What he his heart should make
Shall of a corn cry woe,
And turn his sleep to wake.
For there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths in a
glass.

(stage directions). Enter Kent.

45

III,2,1759

Lear. True, my good boy. Come, bring us to this hovel.

(stage directions). Exeunt [Lear and Kent].

46

III,3,1777

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Gloucester and Edmund.

47

III,4,1800

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool.

48

III,4,1841

Edgar. [within] Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom!

(stage directions). Enter Fool [from the hovel].

49

III,4,1847

Earl of Kent. What art thou that dost grumble there i' th' straw?
Come forth.

(stage directions). Enter Edgar [disguised as a madman].

50

III,4,1862

Edgar. Who gives anything to poor Tom? whom the foul fiend hath led
through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlpool, o'er
bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and
halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, made him proud
of heart, to ride on a bay trotting horse over four-inch'd
bridges, to course his own shadow for a traitor. Bless thy five
wits! Tom 's acold. O, do de, do de, do de. Bless thee from
whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do poor Tom some charity,
whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have him now- and there-
and there again- and there!

(stage directions). Storm still.

51

III,4,1895

Edgar. A servingman, proud in heart and mind; that curl'd my hair,
wore gloves in my cap; serv'd the lust of my mistress' heart and
did the act of darkness with her; swore as many oaths as I spake
words, and broke them in the sweet face of heaven; one that
slept in the contriving of lust, and wak'd to do it. Wine lov'd
I deeply, dice dearly; and in woman out-paramour'd the Turk.
False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand; hog in sloth, fox
in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey.
Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray
thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy foot out of brothel, thy hand
out of placket, thy pen from lender's book, and defy the foul
fiend. Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind; says
suum, mun, hey, no, nonny. Dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa! let
him trot by.

(stage directions). Storm still.

52

III,4,1904

Lear. Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy
uncover'd body this extremity of the skies. Is man no more than
this? Consider him well. Thou ow'st the worm no silk, the beast
no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! Here's three
on's are sophisticated! Thou art the thing itself;
unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked
animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! Come, unbutton
here.

(stage directions). [Tears at his clothes.]

53

III,4,1909

Fool. Prithee, nuncle, be contented! 'Tis a naughty night to swim
in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lecher's
heart- a small spark, all the rest on's body cold. Look, here
comes a walking fire.

(stage directions). Enter Gloucester with a torch.

54

III,4,1982

Edgar. Child Rowland to the dark tower came;
His word was still
Fie, foh, and fum!
I smell the blood of a British man.

(stage directions). Exeunt.

55

III,5,1983

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Cornwall and Edmund.

56

III,5,2005

Duke of Cornwall. I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt find a dearer
father in my love.

(stage directions). Exeunt.

57

III,6,2006

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Gloucester, Lear, Kent, Fool, and Edgar.

58

III,6,2012

Earl of Kent. All the power of his wits have given way to his impatience.
The gods reward your kindness!

(stage directions). Exit [Gloucester].

59

III,6,2086

Fool. And I'll go to bed at noon.

(stage directions). Enter Gloucester.

60

III,6,2105

Earl of Gloucester. Come, come, away!

(stage directions). Exeunt [all but Edgar].

61

III,7,2120

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, [Edmund the] Bastard, and Servants.

62

III,7,2124

Duke of Cornwall. [to Goneril] Post speedily to my lord your husband, show him
this letter. The army of France is landed.- Seek out the traitor
Gloucester.

(stage directions). [Exeunt some of the Servants.]

63

III,7,2155

Duke of Cornwall. Bind him, I say.

(stage directions). [Servants bind him.]

64

III,7,2159

Duke of Cornwall. To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find-

(stage directions). [Regan plucks his beard.]

65

III,7,2234

Duke of Cornwall. I have receiv'd a hurt. Follow me, lady.
Turn out that eyeless villain. Throw this slave
Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace.
Untimely comes this hurt. Give me your arm.

(stage directions). Exit [Cornwall, led by Regan].

66

III,7,2245

Servant 3. Go thou. I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs
To apply to his bleeding face. Now heaven help him!

(stage directions). Exeunt.

67

IV,1,2246

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Edgar.

68

IV,1,2336

Edgar. Give me thy arm.
Poor Tom shall lead thee.

(stage directions). Exeunt.

69

IV,2,2337

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Goneril and [Edmund the] Bastard.

70

IV,2,2371

Oswald. Madam, here comes my lord. Exit.

(stage directions). Enter Albany.

71

IV,2,2416

Goneril. Marry, your manhood mew!

(stage directions). Enter a Gentleman.

72

IV,2,2452

Duke of Albany. Gloucester, I live
To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the King,
And to revenge thine eyes. Come hither, friend.
Tell me what more thou know'st.

(stage directions). Exeunt.

73

IV,3,2453

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Kent and a Gentleman.

74

IV,4,2515

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter, with Drum and Colours, Cordelia, Doctor, and Soldiers.

75

IV,4,2538

Cordelia. All blest secrets,
All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth,
Spring with my tears! be aidant and remediate
In the good man's distress! Seek, seek for him!
Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life
That wants the means to lead it.

(stage directions). Enter Messenger.

76

IV,4,2549

Cordelia. 'Tis known before. Our preparation stands
In expectation of them. O dear father,
It is thy business that I go about.
Therefore great France
My mourning and important tears hath pitied.
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right.
Soon may I hear and see him!

(stage directions). Exeunt.

77

IV,5,2550

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Regan and [Oswald the] Steward.

78

IV,6,2596

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Gloucester, and Edgar [like a Peasant].

79

IV,6,2793

Lear. When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools. This' a good block.
It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
A troop of horse with felt. I'll put't in proof,
And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,
Then kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

(stage directions). Enter a Gentleman [with Attendants].

80

IV,6,2812

Lear. Then there's life in't. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it
by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa!

(stage directions). Exit running. [Attendants follow.]

81

IV,6,2830

Edgar. I thank you, sir

(stage directions). Exit [Gentleman].

82

IV,6,2843

Earl of Gloucester. Hearty thanks.
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot, and boot!

(stage directions). Enter [Oswald the] Steward.

83

IV,6,2851

Earl of Gloucester. Now let thy friendly hand
Put strength enough to't.

(stage directions). [Edgar interposes.]

84

IV,6,2864

Oswald. Out, dunghill!

(stage directions). They fight.

85

IV,6,2866

Edgar. Chill pick your teeth, zir. Come! No matter vor your foins.

(stage directions). [Oswald falls.]

86

IV,6,2872

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 about me
To Edmund Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out
Upon the British party. O, untimely death! Death!

(stage directions). He dies.

87

IV,6,2905

Earl of Gloucester. The King is mad. How stiff is my vile sense,
That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract.
So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs,
And woes by wrong imaginations lose
The knowledge of themselves.

(stage directions). A drum afar off.

88

IV,7,2909

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter Cordelia, Kent, Doctor, and Gentleman.

89

IV,7,2933

Cordelia. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
I' th' sway of your own will. Is he array'd?

(stage directions). Enter Lear in a chair carried by Servants.

90

IV,7,2939

Cordelia. Very well.

(stage directions). Music.

91

IV,7,3008

Lear. You must bear with me.
Pray you now, forget and forgive. I am old and foolish.

(stage directions). Exeunt. Manent Kent and Gentleman.

92

V,1,3021

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter, with Drum and Colours, Edmund, Regan, Gentleman, and Soldiers.

93

V,1,3026

Edmund. Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold,
Or whether since he is advis'd by aught
To change the course. He's full of alteration
And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure.

(stage directions). [Exit an Officer.]

94

V,1,3071

Duke of Albany. I'll overtake you.- Speak.

(stage directions). Exeunt [all but Albany and Edgar].

95

V,1,3084

Duke of Albany. Why, fare thee well. I will o'erlook thy paper.

(stage directions). Exit [Edgar].

96

V,1,3085

(stage directions). Exit [Edgar].

(stage directions). Enter Edmund.

97

V,2,3106

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter, with Drum and Colours, the Powers of France over the stage, Cordelia with her Father in her hand, and exeunt. Enter Edgar and Gloucester.

98

V,2,3112

Earl of Gloucester. Grace go with you, sir!

(stage directions). Exit [Edgar].

99

V,2,3113

(stage directions). Exit [Edgar].

(stage directions). Alarum and retreat within. Enter Edgar,

100

V,3,3122

(beginning of scene)

(stage directions). Enter, in conquest, with Drum and Colours, Edmund; Lear and Cordelia as prisoners; Soldiers, Captain.

101

V,3,3166

Captain. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work, I'll do't. Exit.

(stage directions). Flourish. Enter Albany, Goneril, Regan, Soldiers.

102

V,3,3260

Herald. Again! Third trumpet.

(stage directions). Trumpet answers within.

103

V,3,3261

(stage directions). Trumpet answers within.

(stage directions). Enter Edgar, armed, at the third sound, a Trumpet before him.

104

V,3,3300

Edmund. In wisdom I should ask thy name;
But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,
And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes,
What safe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn.
Back do I toss those treasons to thy head;
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;
Which- for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise-
This sword of mine shall give them instant way
Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak!

(stage directions). Alarums. Fight. [Edmund falls.]

105

V,3,3317

Duke of Albany. Go after her. She's desperate; govern her.

(stage directions). [Exit an Officer.]

106

V,3,3384

Edgar. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise
Followed his enemy king and did him service
Improper for a slave.

(stage directions). Enter a Gentleman with a bloody knife.

107

V,3,3396

Edmund. I was contracted to them both. All three
Now marry in an instant.

(stage directions). Enter Kent.

108

V,3,3432

Duke of Albany. The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile.

(stage directions). [Edmund is borne off.]

109

V,3,3433

(stage directions). [Edmund is borne off.]

(stage directions). Enter Lear, with Cordelia [dead] in his arms, [Edgar, Captain, and others following].

110

V,3,3481

Edgar. Very bootless.

(stage directions). Enter a Captain.

111

V,3,3520

Duke of Albany. The weight of this sad time we must obey,
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
The oldest have borne most; we that are young
Shall never see so much, nor live so long.

(stage directions). Exeunt with a dead march.

112

V,3,3521

(stage directions). Exeunt with a dead march.

(stage directions). THE END