King Lear
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Gentleman.Enter Cordelia, Kent, and Doctor KL IV.vii.1
Cor. CORDELIA 
O thou good Kent, / How shall I liue and workeO thou good Kent, how shall I live and work KL IV.vii.1
To match thy goodnesse? / My life will be too short,To match thy goodness? My life will be too short KL IV.vii.2
And euery measure faile me.And every measure fail me.measure (n.)
course of action, means		KL IV.vii.3
Kent. KENT 
To be acknowledg'd Madam is ore-pai'd,To be acknowledged, madam, is o'erpaid. KL IV.vii.4
All my reports go with the modest truth,All my reports go with the modest truth,modest (adj.)
moderate, uninflated, free from exaggeration		KL IV.vii.5
Nor more, nor clipt, but so.Nor more nor clipped, but so.clip (v.)

old form: clipt
cut short, abbreviate, curtail		KL IV.vii.6.1
Cor. CORDELIA 
Be better suited,Be better suited.suit (v.)
dress, clothe, equip		KL IV.vii.6.2
These weedes are memories of those worser houres:These weeds are memories of those worser hours.memory (n.)
reminder, memento		KL IV.vii.7
weed (n.)

old form: weedes
(plural) garments, dress, clothes
I prythee put them off.I prithee put them off. KL IV.vii.8.1
Kent. KENT 
Pardon deere Madam,Pardon, dear madam, KL IV.vii.8.2
Yet to be knowne shortens my made intent,Yet to be known shortens my made intent.made (adj.)
resolved, framed, decided		KL IV.vii.9
intent (n.)
intention, purpose, aim
shorten (v.)
make ineffective, undermine, subvert
My boone I make it, that you know me not,My boon I make it that you know me notboon (n.)

old form: boone
petition, entreaty, request		KL IV.vii.10
Till time and I, thinke meet.Till time and I think meet.meet (adj.)
fit, suitable, right, proper		KL IV.vii.11
Cor. CORDELIA 
Then be't so my good Lord:Then be't so, my good lord. KL IV.vii.12.1
(To Doctor) KL IV.vii.12
How do's the King?How does the King? KL IV.vii.12.2
Gent. DOCTOR 
Madam sleepes still.Madam, sleeps still. KL IV.vii.13
Cor. CORDELIA 
O you kind Gods!O you kind gods, KL IV.vii.14
Cure this great breach in his abused Nature,Cure this great breach in his abused nature!nature (n.)
natural powers, normal state [of mind and body]		KL IV.vii.15
abused (adj.)
maltreated, wronged, violated
Th'vntun'd and iarring senses, O winde vp,Th' untuned and jarring senses O wind upwind up (v.)

old form: winde vp
put in tune, put in order, harmonize		KL IV.vii.16
untuned (adj.)

old form: vntun'd
out-of-tune, disordered, disturbed
Of this childe-changed Father.Of this child-changed father!child-changed (adj.)

old form: childe-changed
changed by his children; or: changed into a child		KL IV.vii.17.1
Gent. DOCTOR 
So please your Maiesty,So please your majesty, KL IV.vii.17.2
That we may wake the King, he hath slept long?That we may wake the King. He hath slept long. KL IV.vii.18
Cor. CORDELIA 
Be gouern'd by your knowledge, and proceedeBe governed by your knowledge and proceed KL IV.vii.19
I'th'sway of your owne will: is he array'd?I'the sway of your own will. Is he arrayed?will (n.)
desire, wish, liking, inclination		KL IV.vii.20
sway (n.)
controlling influence, guiding power, direction
array (v.)

old form: array'd
clothe, dress, attire
Gent. GENTLEMAN 
I Madam: in the heauinesse of sleepe,Ay, madam; in the heaviness of sleep KL IV.vii.21
We put fresh garments on him.We put fresh garments on him. KL IV.vii.22
Enter Lear in a chaire carried by SeruantsEnter Gentleman ushering Lear in a chair carried by KL IV.vii.23.1
servants. All fall to their knees KL IV.vii.23.2
DOCTOR 
Be by good Madam when we do awake him,Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; KL IV.vii.23
I doubt of his Temperance.I doubt not of his temperance.temperance (n.)
self-control, calm behaviour, moderation		KL IV.vii.24.1
CORDELIA 
Very well. KL IV.vii.24.2
Music sounds off stage KL IV.iv.25
DOCTOR 
Please you draw near. – Louder the music there! KL IV.vii.25
Cor. CORDELIA  
(kneeling by the chair and kissing his hand) KL IV.iv.26
O my deere Father, restauratian hangO my dear father! Restoration hang KL IV.vii.26
Thy medicine on my lippes, and let this kisseThy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss KL IV.vii.27
Repaire those violent harmes, that my two SistersRepair those violent harms that my two sisters KL IV.vii.28
Haue in thy Reuerence made.Have in thy reverence made.reverence (n.)

old form: Reuerence
respected state, venerable condition		KL IV.vii.29.1
Kent. KENT 
Kind and deere Princesse.Kind and dear princess! KL IV.vii.29.2
Cor. CORDELIA 
Had you not bin their Father, these white flakesHad you not been their father, these white flakesflake (n.)
lock of hair		KL IV.vii.30
Did challenge pitty of them. Was this a faceHad challenged pity of them. Was this a facechallenge (v.)
demand as a right, claim, call for, insist on		KL IV.vii.31
To be oppos'd against the iarring windes?To be opposed against the jarring winds? KL IV.vii.32
To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder,dread-bolted (adj.)
with frightening thunderbolts		KL IV.vii.33
In the most terrible and nimble strokenimble (adj.)
sudden, swift, rapid		KL IV.vii.34
Of quick cross lightning? To watch, poor perdu,perdu (n.)
sentinel exposed to danger, sentry placed in a hazardous position		KL IV.vii.35
watch (v.)
stay awake, keep vigil
cross (adj.)
forked, zigzag
Mine Enemies dogge,With this thin helm? Mine enemy's dog,helm (n.)
covering of hair		KL IV.vii.36
though he had bit me, / Should haue stood that nightThough he had bit me, should have stood that night KL IV.vii.37
against my fire, / And was't thou faine (poore Father)Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father,fain (adj.)

old form: faine
satisfied, well pleased, glad		KL IV.vii.38
To houell thee with Swine and Rogues forlorne,To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlornrogue (n.)
vagabond, vagrant, beggar		KL IV.vii.39
hovel (v.)

old form: houell
find poor shelter [as in a hovel]
forlorn (adj.)

old form: forlorne
wretched, abandoned, destitute
In short, and musty straw? Alacke, alacke,In short and musty straw? Alack, alack! KL IV.vii.40
'Tis wonder that thy life and wits, at once'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at oncewits, also five wits
faculties of the mind (common wit, imagination, fantasy, estimation, memory) or body (the five senses)		KL IV.vii.41
Had not concluded all. He wakes, speake to him.Had not concluded all. – He wakes! Speak to him.conclude (v.)
end, finish, close		KL IV.vii.42
Gen. DOCTOR 
Madam do you, 'tis fittest.Madam, do you; 'tis fittest. KL IV.vii.43
Cor. CORDELIA 
How does my Royall Lord? / How fares your Maiesty?How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?fare (v.)
get on, manage, do, cope		KL IV.vii.44
Lear. LEAR 
You do me wrong to take me out o'th'graue,You do me wrong to take me out o'the grave. KL IV.vii.45
Thou art a Soule in blisse, but I am boundThou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound KL IV.vii.46
Vpon a wheele of fire, that mine owne tearesUpon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears KL IV.vii.47
Do scal'd, like molten Lead.Do scald like molten lead. KL IV.vii.48.1
Cor. CORDELIA 
Sir, do you know me?Sir, do you know me? KL IV.vii.48.2
Lear. LEAR 
You are a spirit I know, where did you dye?You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die? KL IV.vii.49
Cor. CORDELIA 
Still, still, farre wide.Still, still, far wide!wide (adj.)
confused, disoriented		KL IV.vii.50
Gen. DOCTOR 
He's scarse awake, / Let him alone a while.He's scarce awake. Let him alone awhile. KL IV.vii.51
Lear. LEAR 
Where haue I bin? / Where am I? Faire day light?Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight? KL IV.vii.52
I am mightily abus'd; I should eu'n dye with pittyI am mightily abused. I should even die with pityabuse (v.)

old form: abus'd
misuse, maltreat, treat badly, wrong		KL IV.vii.53
To see another thus. I know not what to say:To see another thus. I know not what to say. KL IV.vii.54
I will not sweare these are my hands: let's see,I will not swear these are my hands. Let's see. KL IV.vii.55
I feele this pin pricke, would I were assur'dI feel this pin-prick. Would I were assuredassured (adj.)

old form: assur'd
certain, definite, sure		KL IV.vii.56
Of my condition.Of my condition! KL IV.vii.57.1
Cor. CORDELIA 
O looke vpon me Sir,O look upon me, sir, KL IV.vii.57.2
And hold your hand in benediction o're me,And hold your hand in benediction o'er me.benediction (n.)
blessing, spiritual gift		KL IV.vii.58
(Lear falls to his knees) KL IV.vii.58
You must not kneele.No, sir, you must not kneel. KL IV.vii.59.1
Lear. LEAR 
Pray do not mocke me:Pray do not mock me. KL IV.vii.59.2
I am a very foolish fond old man,I am a very foolish fond old man,fond (adj.)
foolish, stupid, mad		KL IV.vii.60
Fourescore and vpward, / Not an houre more, nor lesse:Four score and upward, not an hour more nor less, KL IV.vii.61
And to deale plainely,And, to deal plainly,plainly (adv.)

old form: plainely
bluntly, frankly, candidly		KL IV.vii.62
deal (v.)

old form: deale
express oneself, speak
I feare I am not in my perfect mind.I fear I am not in my perfect mind. KL IV.vii.63
Me thinkes I should know you, and know this man,Methinks I should know you, and know this man;methinks(t), methought(s) (v.)

old form: Me thinkes
it seems / seemed to me		KL IV.vii.64
Yet I am doubtfull: For I am mainely ignorantYet I am doubtful; for I am mainly ignorantmainly (adv.)

old form: mainely
entirely, completely, totally		KL IV.vii.65
What place this is: and all the skill I haueWhat place this is; and all the skill I haveskill (n.)
discernment, discrimination, capacity to perceive		KL IV.vii.66
Remembers not these garments: nor I know notRemembers not these garments; nor I know not KL IV.vii.67
Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me,Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me, KL IV.vii.68
For (as I am a man) I thinke this LadyFor, as I am a man, I think this lady KL IV.vii.69
To be my childe Cordelia.To be my child Cordelia. KL IV.vii.70.1
Cor. CORDELIA  
(weeping) KL IV.iv.70
And so I am: I am.And so I am, I am. KL IV.vii.70.2
Lear.LEAR 
Be your teares wet? / Yes faith: I pray weepe not,Be your tears wet? Yes, faith! I pray, weep not. KL IV.vii.71
If you haue poyson for me, I will drinke it:If you have poison for me I will drink it. KL IV.vii.72
I know you do not loue me, for your SistersI know you do not love me, for your sisters KL IV.vii.73
Haue (as I do remember) done me wrong.Have, as I do remember, done me wrong. KL IV.vii.74
You haue some cause, they haue not.You have some cause; they have not.cause (n.)
reason, motive, ground		KL IV.vii.75.1
Cor. CORDELIA 
No cause, no cause.No cause, no cause. KL IV.vii.75.2
Lear. LEAR 
Am I in France?Am I in France? KL IV.vii.76.1
Kent. KENT 
In your owne kingdome Sir.In your own kingdom, sir. KL IV.vii.76.2
Lear. LEAR 
Do not abuse me.Do not abuse me.abuse (v.)
deceive, mislead, fool, cheat		KL IV.vii.77
Gent. DOCTOR 
Be comforted good Madam, the great rageBe comforted, good madam. The great rage,rage (n.)
madness, insanity, derangement		KL IV.vii.78
You see is kill'd in him:You see, is killed in him; and yet it is danger KL IV.vii.79
To make him even o'er the time he has lost.even over (v.)
make sense of, straighten out		KL IV.vii.80
desire him to go in, / Trouble him no moreDesire him to go in; trouble him no more KL IV.vii.81
till further setling.Till further settling. KL IV.vii.82.1
Cor. CORDELIA 
Wilt please your Highnesse walke?Will't please your highness walk? KL IV.vii.82.2
Lear. LEAR 
You must beare with me: / Pray you now forget,You must bear with me. Pray you now, forget and KL IV.vii.83
and forgiue, / I am old and foolish. forgive. I am old and foolish. KL IV.vii.84
Exeunt all but Kent and Gentleman KL IV.vii.84
GENTLEMAN 
Holds it true, sir, that the Duke of Cornwallhold (v.)
stand firm, continue, carry on		KL IV.vii.85
was so slain? KL IV.vii.86
KENT 
Most certain, sir. KL IV.vii.87
GENTLEMAN 
Who is conductor of his people?conductor (n.)
leader, commander, chief		KL IV.vii.88
KENT 
As 'tis said, the bastard son of Gloucester. KL IV.vii.89
GENTLEMAN 
They say Edgar, his banished son, is with KL IV.vii.90
the Earl of Kent in Germany. KL IV.vii.91
KENT 
Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about. Thelook about (v.)
be on the lookout, be wary		KL IV.vii.92
powers of the kingdom approach apace.power (n.)
armed force, troops, host, army		KL IV.vii.93
apace (adv.)
quickly, speedily, at a great rate
GENTLEMAN 
The arbitrement is like to be bloody. Farelike (adv.)
likely, probable / probably		KL IV.vii.94
fare ... well (int.)
goodbye [to an individual]
arbitrament, arbitrement (n.)
deciding of a dispute, determination, settlement
you well, sir. KL IV.vii.95
Exit KL IV.vii.95
KENT 
My point and period will be throughly wrought,work (v.), past form wrought
bring about, arrange, effect		KL IV.vii.96
point (n.)
aim, purpose, culmination
period (n.)
end, purpose, goal
Or well or ill, as this day's battle's fought.ill (adv.)
badly, adversely, unfavourably		KL IV.vii.97
ExeuntExit KL IV.vii.97
 Previous Act IV, Scene VII Next  
x

Jump directly to