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Original text	Modern text	Key line
Let me hire him too, here's my Coxcombe.	Let me hire him too. Here's my coxcomb.	KL I.iv.95

Sirrah, you were best take my Coxcombe.	Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.	KL I.iv.97

Why? for taking ones part that's out of fauour,	Why? For taking one's part that's out of favour.	KL I.iv.99
nay, & thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt	Nay, and thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt	KL I.iv.100
catch colde shortly, there take my Coxcombe; why this	catch cold shortly. There, take my coxcomb! Why, this	KL I.iv.101
fellow ha's banish'd two on's Daughters, and did the	fellow has banished two on's daughters, and did the	KL I.iv.102
third a blessing against his will, if thou follow him, thou	third a blessing against his will. If thou follow him, thou	KL I.iv.103
must needs weare my Coxcombe. How now Nunckle?	must needs wear my coxcomb. How now, nuncle!	KL I.iv.104
would I had two Coxcombes and two Daughters.	Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters!	KL I.iv.105

If I gaue them all my liuing,I'ld keepe my Coxcombes	If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my coxcombs	KL I.iv.107
my selfe, there's mine, beg another of thy Daughters.	myself. There's mine. Beg another of thy daughters.	KL I.iv.108

Truth's a dog must to kennell, hee must bee whipt	Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped	KL I.iv.110
out, when the Lady Brach may stand by'th'fire and	out when the Lady Brach may stand by the fire and	KL I.iv.111
stinke.	stink.	KL I.iv.112

Sirha, Ile teach thee a speech.	Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.	KL I.iv.114

Marke it Nuncle;	Mark it, nuncle:	KL I.iv.116
Haue more then thou showest,	Have more than thou showest,	KL I.iv.117
Speake lesse then thou knowest,	Speak less than thou knowest,	KL I.iv.118
Lend lesse then thou owest,	Lend less than thou owest,	KL I.iv.119
Ride more then thou goest,	Ride more than thou goest,	KL I.iv.120
Learne more then thou trowest,	Learn more than thou trowest,	KL I.iv.121
Set lesse then thou throwest;	Set less than thou throwest;	KL I.iv.122
Leaue thy drinke and thy whore,	Leave thy drink and thy whore	KL I.iv.123
And keepe in a dore,	And keep in-a-door,	KL I.iv.124
And thou shalt haue more,	And thou shalt have more	KL I.iv.125
Then two tens to a score.	Than two tens to a score.	KL I.iv.126

Then 'tis like the breath of an vnfeed Lawyer, you	Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer: you	KL I.iv.128
gaue me nothing for't, can you make no vse of nothing	gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of nothing,	KL I.iv.129
Nuncle?	nuncle?	KL I.iv.130

Prythee tell him, so much the rent of his	Prithee tell him; so much the rent of his	KL I.iv.132
land comes to, he will not beleeue a Foole.	land comes to. He will not believe a fool.	KL I.iv.133

Do'st thou know the difference my Boy, betweene a	Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a	KL I.iv.135
bitter Foole, and a sweet one.	bitter fool and a sweet fool?	KL I.iv.136

	That lord that counselled thee	KL I.iv.138
	To give away thy land,	KL I.iv.139
	Come place him here by me;	KL I.iv.140
	Do thou for him stand.	KL I.iv.141
	The sweet and bitter fool	KL I.iv.142
	Will presently appear:	KL I.iv.143
	The one in motley here,	KL I.iv.144
	The other found out – there.	KL I.iv.145

	All thy other titles thou hast given away; that thou	KL I.iv.147
	wast born with.	KL I.iv.148

	No, faith; lords and great men will not let me. If I	KL I.iv.150
	had a monopoly out they would have part on't; and	KL I.iv.151
Foole.	ladies too – they will not let me have all the fool to myself;	KL I.iv.152
Nunckle, giue me an egge, and	they'll be snatching. Nuncle, give me an egg and	KL I.iv.153
Ile giue thee two Crownes.	I'll give thee two crowns.	KL I.iv.154

Why after I haue cut the egge i'th'middle and eate	Why, after I have cut the egg i'the middle and eat	KL I.iv.156
vp the meate, the two Crownes of the egge: when thou	up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou	KL I.iv.157
clouest thy Crownes i'th'middle, and gau'st away both	clovest thy crown i'the middle, and gavest away both	KL I.iv.158
parts, thou boar'st thine Asse on thy backe o're the durt,	parts, thou borest thine ass on thy back o'er the dirt	KL I.iv.159
thou had'st little wit in thy bald crowne, when thou	Thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown when thou	KL I.iv.160
gau'st thy golden one away; if I speake like my selfe in	gavest thy golden one away. If I speak like myself in	KL I.iv.161
this, let him be whipt that first findes it so.	this, let him be whipped that first finds it so.	KL I.iv.162
Fooles had nere lesse grace in a yeere,	Fools had ne'er less grace in a year,	KL I.iv.163
For wisemen are growne foppish,	For wise men are grown foppish	KL I.iv.164
And know not how their wits to weare,	And know not how their wits to wear,	KL I.iv.165
Their manners are so apish.	Their manners are so apish.	KL I.iv.166

I haue vsed it Nunckle, ere since thou mad'st thy	I have used it, nuncle, e'er since thou madest thy	KL I.iv.168
Daughters thy Mothers, for when thou gau'st them the	daughters thy mothers; for when thou gavest them the	KL I.iv.169
rod, and put'st downe thine owne breeches,	rod and puttest down thine own breeches,	KL I.iv.170

then they / For sodaine ioy did weepe,	Then they for sudden joy did weep,	KL I.iv.171
And I for sorrow sung,	And I for sorrow sung,	KL I.iv.172
That such a King should play bo-peepe,	That such a king should play bo-peep	KL I.iv.173
And goe the Foole among.	And go the fools among.	KL I.iv.174
Pry'thy Nunckle keepe a Schoolemaster that can teach thy	Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy	KL I.iv.175
Foole to lie, I would faine learne to lie.	fool to lie; I would fain learn to lie.	KL I.iv.176

I maruell what kin thou and thy daughters are,	I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are.	KL I.iv.178
they'l haue me whipt for speaking true: thou'lt	They'll have me whipped for speaking true; thou'lt	KL I.iv.179
haue me whipt for lying, and sometimes I am	have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am	KL I.iv.180
whipt for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind	whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind	KL I.iv.181
o'thing then a foole, and yet I would not be thee Nunckle,	o' thing than a fool. And yet I would not be thee, nuncle.	KL I.iv.182
thou hast pared thy wit o'both sides, and left nothing	Thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides and left nothing	KL I.iv.183
i'th'middle; heere comes one o'the parings.	i'the middle. Here comes one o'the parings.	KL I.iv.184

Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need	Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need	KL I.iv.187
to care for her frowning, now thou art an O without a	to care for her frowning. Now thou art an 0 without a	KL I.iv.188
figure, I am better then thou art now, I am a Foole, thou	figure. I am better than thou art now; I am a fool; thou	KL I.iv.189

art nothing. Yes forsooth I will hold my	art nothing. (To Gonerill) Yes, forsooth, I will hold my	KL I.iv.190
tongue, so your face bids me, though you say nothing.	tongue. So your face bids me, though you say nothing.	KL I.iv.191
Mum, mum,	Mum, mum!	KL I.iv.192
he that keepes nor crust, not crum,	He that keeps nor crust nor crumb,	KL I.iv.193
Weary of all, shall want some.	Weary of all, shall want some.	KL I.iv.194

That's a sheal'd Pescod.	That's a shelled peascod.	KL I.iv.195

For you know Nunckle,	For you know, nuncle,	KL I.iv.210
the Hedge-Sparrow fed the Cuckoo so long,	The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long	KL I.iv.211
that it's had it head bit off by it young,	That it's had it head bit off by it young.	KL I.iv.212
so out went the Candle,and we were left darkling.	So out went the candle and we were left darkling.	KL I.iv.213

May not an Asse know, when the Cart drawes the	May not an ass know when the cart draws the	KL I.iv.219
Horse?	horse?	KL I.iv.220
Whoop Iugge I loue thee.	Whoop, Jug, I love thee!	KL I.iv.221

Lears shadow.	Lear's shadow.	KL I.iv.2227

	Which they will make an obedient father.	KL I.iv.231

Nunkle Lear, Nunkle Lear, / Tarry, take the Foole	Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry! Take the Fool	KL I.iv.312
with thee:	with thee.	KL I.iv.313
A Fox, when one has caught her,	A fox, when one has caught her,	KL I.iv.314
And such a Daughter,	And such a daughter	KL I.iv.315
Should sure to the Slaughter,	Should sure to the slaughter,	KL I.iv.316
If my Cap would buy a Halter,	If my cap would buy a halter –	KL I.iv.317
So the Foole followes after.	So the fool follows after.	KL I.iv.318

If a mans braines were in's heeles, wert not in	If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in	KL I.v.8
danger of kybes?	danger of kibes?	KL I.v.9

Then I prythee be merry, thy wit shall not go	Then I prithee be merry. Thy wit shall not go	KL I.v.11
slip-shod.	slipshod.	KL I.v.12

Shalt see thy other Daughter will vse thee kindly,	Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly;	KL I.v.14
for though she's as like this, as a Crabbe's like an Apple, yet	for though she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet	KL I.v.15
I can tell what I can tell.	I can tell what I can tell.	KL I.v.16

She will taste as like this as, a Crabbe do's to a Crab:	She will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab.	KL I.v.18
thou canst tell why ones nose stands i'th'middle on's	Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i'the middle on's	KL I.v.19
face?	face?	KL I.v.20

Why to keepe ones eyes of either side's nose, that	Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose; that	KL I.v.22
what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into.	what a man cannot smell out he may spy into.	KL I.v.23

Can'st tell how an Oyster makes his shell?	Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell?	KL I.v.25

Nor I neither; but I can tell why a Snaile ha's a house.	Nor I neither. But I can tell why a snail has a house.	KL I.v.27

Why to put's head in, not to giue it away to his	Why, to put's head in; not to give it away to his	KL I.v.29
daughters, and leaue his hornes without a case.	daughters, and leave his horns without a case.	KL I.v.30

Thy Asses are gone about 'em; the reason why the	Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the	KL I.v.33
seuen Starres are no mo then seuen, is a pretty reason.	seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason.	KL I.v.34

Yes indeed, thou would'st make a good Foole.	Yes, indeed. Thou wouldst make a good fool.	KL I.v.36

If thou wert my Foole Nunckle, Il'd haue thee beaten	If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee beaten	KL I.v.38
for being old before thy time.	for being old before thy time.	KL I.v.39

Thou shouldst not haue bin old, till thou hadst	Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst	KL I.v.41
bin wise.	been wise.	KL I.v.42

She that's a Maid now,& laughs at my departure,	She that's a maid now, and laughs at my departure,	KL I.v.48
Shall not be a Maid long, vnlesse things be cut shorter.	Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter.	KL I.v.49

Hah, ha, he weares Cruell Garters Horses are tide by	Ha, ha! He wears cruel garters. Horses are tied by	KL II.iv.7
the heads, Dogges and Beares by'th'necke, Monkies by'th'	the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by the	KL II.iv.8
loynes, and Men by'th'legs: when a man ouerlustie at	loins, and men by the legs. When a man's overlusty at	KL II.iv.9
legs, then he weares wodden nether-stocks.	legs, then he wears wooden nether-stocks.	KL II.iv.10

Winters not gon yet, if the wil'd Geese fly that way,	Winter's not gone yet if the wild geese fly that way.	KL II.iv.45
Fathers that weare rags,	Fathers that wear rags	KL II.iv.46
do make their Children blind,	Do make their children blind,	KL II.iv.47
But Fathers that beare bags,	But fathers that bear bags	KL II.iv.48
shall see their children kind.	Shall see their children kind.	KL II.iv.49
Fortune that arrant whore,	Fortune, that arrant whore,	KL II.iv.50
nere turns the key to th'poore.	Ne'er turns the key to the poor.	KL II.iv.51
But for all this thou shalt haue as many Dolors for thy	But for all this thou shalt have as many dolours for thy	KL II.iv.52
Daughters, as thou canst tell in a yeare.	daughters as thou canst tell in a year.	KL II.iv.53

And thou hadst beene set i'th'Stockes for that question,	And thou hadst been set i'the stocks for that question,	KL II.iv.62
thoud'st well deseru'd it.	thou'dst well deserved it.	KL II.iv.63

Wee'l set thee to schoole to an Ant, to teach thee	We'll set thee to school to an ant to teach thee	KL II.iv.65
ther's no labouring i'th'winter. All that follow their	there's no labouring i'the winter. All that follow their	KL II.iv.66
noses, are led by their eyes, but blinde men, and there's	noses are led by their eyes, but blind men; and there's	KL II.iv.67
not a nose among twenty, but can smell him that's	not a nose among twenty but can smell him that's	KL II.iv.68
stinking; let go thy hold, when a great wheele runs downe	stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down	KL II.iv.69
a hill, least it breake thy necke with following. But the great	a hill, lest it break thy neck with following. But the great	KL II.iv.70
one that goes vpward, let him draw thee after: when a	one that goes upward, let him draw thee after. When a	KL II.iv.71
wiseman giues thee better counsell giue me mine againe,	wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again;	KL II.iv.72
I would hause none but knaues follow it, since a Foole giues it.	I would ha' none but knaves use it, since a fool gives it.	KL II.iv.73
That Sir, which serues and seekes for gaine,	That sir which serves and seeks for gain,	KL II.iv.74
And followes but for forme;	And follows but for form,	KL II.iv.75
Will packe, when it begins to raine,	Will pack when it begins to rain,	KL II.iv.76
And leaue thee in the storme,	And leave thee in the storm;	KL II.iv.77
But I will tarry, the Foole will stay,	But I will tarry, the fool will stay,	KL II.iv.78
And let the wiseman flie:	And let the wise man fly.	KL II.iv.79
The knaue turnes Foole that runnes away,	The knave turns fool that runs away;	KL II.iv.80
The Foole no knaue perdie.• Enter Lear, and Gloster:	The fool no knave, perdy.	KL II.iv.81

Not i'th'Stocks Foole.	Not i'the stocks, fool.	KL II.iv.83

Cry to it Nunckle, as the Cockney did to the Eeles,	Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels	KL II.iv.117
when she put 'em i'th'Paste aliue, she knapt 'em	when she put 'em i'the paste alive. She knapped 'em	KL II.iv.118
o'th'coxcombs with a sticke, and cryed downe wantons,	o'the coxcombs with a stick and cried ‘ Down, wantons,	KL II.iv.119
downe; 'twas her Brother, that in pure kindnesse to his	down!’ 'Twas her brother that in pure kindness to his	KL II.iv.120
Horse buttered his Hay.	horse buttered his hay.	KL II.iv.121

O Nunkle, Court holy-water in a dry house, is better	O nuncle, court holy water in a dry house is better	KL III.ii.10
then this Rain-water out o' doore. Good Nunkle, in, aske thy	than this rain-water out o' door. Good nuncle, in; ask thy	KL III.ii.11
Daughters blessing, heere's a night pitties neither Wisemen,	daughters' blessing. Here's a night pities neither wise	KL III.ii.12
nor Fooles.	men nor fools.	KL III.ii.13

He that has a house to put's head in, has a good	He that has a house to put's head in has a good	KL III.ii.25
Head-peece:	headpiece.	KL III.ii.26
The Codpiece that will house,	The codpiece that will house	KL III.ii.27
before the head has any;	Before the head has any,	KL III.ii.28
The Head, and he shall Lowse:	The head and he shall louse;	KL III.ii.29
so Beggers marry many.	So beggars marry many.	KL III.ii.30
The man y^t makes his Toe,	The man that makes his toe	KL III.ii.31
what he his Hart shold make,	What he his heart should make,	KL III.ii.32
Shall of a Corne cry woe,	Shall of a corn cry woe,	KL III.ii.33
and turne his sleepe to wake.	And turn his sleep to wake.	KL III.ii.34
For there was neuer yet faire woman, but shee made mouthes	For there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths	KL III.ii.35
in a glasse.	in a glass.	KL III.ii.36

Marry here's Grace, and a Codpiece, that's a Wiseman,	Marry, here's grace and a codpiece – that's a wise	KL III.ii.40
and a Foole.	man and a fool.	KL III.ii.41

He that has and a little-tyne wit,	He that has and a little tiny wit,	KL III.ii.74
With heigh-ho, the Winde and the Raine,	With heigh-ho, the wind and the rain,	KL III.ii.75
Must make content with his Fortunes fit,	Must make content with his fortunes fit,	KL III.ii.76
Though the Raine it raineth euery day.	Though the rain it raineth every day.	KL III.ii.77

This is a braue night to coole a Curtizan: Ile speake	This is a brave night to cool a courtesan. I'll speak	KL III.ii.79
a Prophesie ere I go:	a prophecy ere I go:	KL III.ii.80
When Priests are more in word, then matter;	When priests are more in word than matter,	KL III.ii.81
When Brewers marre their Malt with water;	When brewers mar their malt with water,	KL III.ii.82
When Nobles are their Taylors Tutors,	When nobles are their tailors' tutors,	KL III.ii.83
No Heretiques burn'd, but wenches Sutors;	No heretics burned but wenches' suitors –	KL III.ii.84
Then shal the Realme of Albion,	Then shall the realm of Albion	KL III.ii.85
come to great confusion:	Come to great confusion.	KL III.ii.86
When euery Case in Law, is right;	When every case in law is right,	KL III.ii.87
No Squire in debt, nor no poore Knight;	No squire in debt nor no poor knight,	KL III.ii.88
When Slanders do not liue in Tongues;	When slanders do not live in tongues,	KL III.ii.89
Nor Cut-purses come not to throngs;	Nor cutpurses come not to throngs,	KL III.ii.90
When Vsurers tell their Gold i'th'Field,	When usurers tell their gold i'the field,	KL III.ii.91
And Baudes, and whores, do Churches build,	And bawds and whores do churches build –	KL III.ii.92
Then comes the time, who liues to see't,	Then comes the time, who lives to see't,	KL III.ii.93
That going shalbe vs'd with feet.	That going shall be used with feet.	KL III.ii.94
This prophecie Merlin shall make, for I liue before his	This prophecy Merlin shall make; for I live before his	KL III.ii.95
time.	time.	KL III.ii.96

Come not in heere Nuncle, here's a spirit, helpe me,	Come not in here, nuncle; here's a spirit. Help me,	KL III.iv.38
helpe me.	help me!	KL III.iv.39

A spirite, a spirite, he sayes his name's poore Tom.	A spirit, a spirit! He says his name's Poor Tom.	KL III.iv.41

Nay, he reseru'd a Blanket, else we had bin all	Nay, he reserved a blanket; else we had been all	KL III.iv.62
sham'd.	shamed.	KL III.iv.63

This cold night will turne vs all to Fooles, and	This cold night will turn us all to fools and	KL III.iv.75
Madmen.	madmen.	KL III.iv.76

Prythee Nunckle be contented, 'tis a naughtie night	Prithee, nuncle, be contented; 'tis a naughty night	KL III.iv.106
to swimme in. Now a little fire in a wilde Field, were like an	to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an	KL III.iv.107
old Letchers heart, a small spark, all the rest on's body,	old lecher's heart – a small spark, all the rest on's body	KL III.iv.108
cold: Looke, heere comes a walking fire.	cold. Look, here comes a walking fire.	KL III.iv.109

Prythee Nunkle tell me, whether a madman be a	Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a	KL III.vi.9
Gentleman, or a Yeoman.	gentleman or a yeoman.	KL III.vi.10

No, he's a Yeoman, that ha's a Gentleman to his Sonne:	No! He's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son;	KL III.vi.12
for hee's a mad Yeoman that sees his Sonne a Gentleman	for he's a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman	KL III.vi.13
before him.	before him.	KL III.vi.14

	He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a	KL III.vi.18
	horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath.	KL III.vi.19

	Her boat hath a leak	KL III.vi.26
	And she must not speak	KL III.vi.27
	Why she dares not come over to thee.	KL III.vi.28

	Come hither, mistress. Is your name Gonerill?	KL III.vi.49

	Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool.	KL III.vi.51

And Ile go to bed at noone.	And I'll go to bed at noon.	KL III.vi.83

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