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Home : King Lear : Act 4, scene vii : page 262 Read the Study Guide: King Lear
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King Lear
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 DOCTOR
  Madam, do you. 'Tis fittest.
DOCTOR
You talk to him, ma'am. That's most appropriate.
 CORDELIA
  How does my royal lord? How fares your majesty?
CORDELIA
How are you, my royal lord? How is your majesty doing?
 LEAR
  You do me wrong to take me out o' th' grave.
  Thou art a soul in bliss, but I am bound
45 Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
  Do scald like molten lead.
LEAR
You do me wrong by taking me out of the grave. You're a soul in heaven, but I'm tied to the fiery wheel of a torture machine in hell. Even my tears burn me like molten lead.
 CORDELIA
                          Sir, do you know me?
CORDELIA
Sir, do you know who I am?
 LEAR
  You are a spirit, I know. Where did you die?
LEAR
You're a spirit, I know. Where did you die?
 CORDELIA
  (aside to DOCTOR) Still, still far wide!
CORDELIA
(whispering to the DOCTOR) He's still in outer space.
 DOCTOR
  He's scarce awake. Let him alone awhile.
DOCTOR
He's still half asleep. Let him be for a bit.
 LEAR
50 Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight?
  I am mightily abused. 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 pinprick. Would I were assured
55 Of my condition.
LEAR
Where have I been? Where am I? Is it daytime? I've been tricked. I would die of pity to see someone else in my condition. I don't know what to say. I can't even be sure these are my hands. Let's see. I feel this pinprick. I wish I knew what is happening.
 CORDELIA
  (kneels)
                          O, look upon me, sir,
  And hold your hands in benediction o'er me.
  No, sir, you must not kneel.
CORDELIA
(kneeling) Look at me, sir, and give me your blessing. No, sir, don't kneel.
 LEAR
                                          Pray, do not mock me.
  I am a very foolish fond old man,
60 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.
LEAR
Please don't make fun of me. I'm a foolish, senile old man, eighty-something years old, not an hour more or less. To put it plainly, I'm afraid I'm not quite sane. I feel I should recognize you and that man (he points to KENT),

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