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Speeches (Lines) for Regan
in "King Lear"

Total: 73

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# Act, Scene, Line
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Speech text

1

I,1,69

Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,
With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,
With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads,
We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue
Be this perpetual.- What says our second daughter,
Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak.

Regan. Sir, I am made
Of the selfsame metal that my sister is,
And prize me at her worth. In my true heart
I find she names my very deed of love;
Only she comes too short, that I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys
Which the most precious square of sense possesses,
And find I am alone felicitate
In your dear Highness' love.


2

I,1,301

Goneril. Prescribe not us our duties.

Regan. Let your study
Be to content your lord, who hath receiv'd you
At fortune's alms. You have obedience scanted,
And well are worth the want that you have wanted.


3

I,1,312

Goneril. Sister, it is not little I have to say of what most nearly
appertains to us both. I think our father will hence to-night.

Regan. That's most certain, and with you; next month with us.


4

I,1,317

Goneril. You see how full of changes his age is. The observation we
have made of it hath not been little. He always lov'd our
sister most, and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her
off appears too grossly.

Regan. 'Tis the infirmity of his age; yet he hath ever but slenderly
known himself.


5

I,1,324

Goneril. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash; then
must we look to receive from his age, not alone the
imperfections of long-ingraffed condition, but therewithal
the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with
them.

Regan. Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this
of Kent's banishment.


6

I,1,330

Goneril. There is further compliment of leave-taking between France and
him. Pray you let's hit together. If our father carry authority
with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his
will but offend us.

Regan. We shall further think on't.


7

II,1,1025

Duke of Cornwall. How now, my noble friend? Since I came hither
(Which I can call but now) I have heard strange news.

Regan. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short
Which can pursue th' offender. How dost, my lord?


8

II,1,1028

Earl of Gloucester. O madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd!

Regan. What, did my father's godson seek your life?
He whom my father nam'd? Your Edgar?


9

II,1,1031

Earl of Gloucester. O lady, lady, shame would have it hid!

Regan. Was he not companion with the riotous knights
That tend upon my father?


10

II,1,1035

Edmund. Yes, madam, he was of that consort.

Regan. No marvel then though he were ill affected.
'Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
To have th' expense and waste of his revenues.
I have this present evening from my sister
Been well inform'd of them, and with such cautions
That, if they come to sojourn at my house,
I'll not be there.


11

II,1,1061

Duke of Cornwall. You know not why we came to visit you-

Regan. Thus out of season, threading dark-ey'd night.
Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise,
Wherein we must have use of your advice.
Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
Of differences, which I best thought it fit
To answer from our home. The several messengers
From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend,
Lay comforts to your bosom, and bestow
Your needful counsel to our business,
Which craves the instant use.


12

II,2,1120

Duke of Cornwall. Keep peace, upon your lives!
He dies that strikes again. What is the matter?

Regan. The messengers from our sister and the King


13

II,2,1206

Duke of Cornwall. Fetch forth the stocks! As I have life and honour,
There shall he sit till noon.

Regan. Till noon? Till night, my lord, and all night too!


14

II,2,1209

Earl of Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's dog,
You should not use me so.

Regan. Sir, being his knave, I will.


15

II,2,1222

Duke of Cornwall. I'll answer that.

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.


16

II,4,1407

(stage directions). Kent here set at liberty.

Regan. I am glad to see your Highness.


17

II,4,1418

Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason
I have to think so. If thou shouldst not be glad,
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,
Sepulchring an adultress. [To Kent] O, are you free?
Some other time for that.- Beloved Regan,
Thy sister's naught. O Regan, she hath tied
Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here!
[Lays his hand on his heart.]
I can scarce speak to thee. Thou'lt not believe
With how deprav'd a quality- O Regan!

Regan. I pray you, sir, take patience. I have hope
You less know how to value her desert
Than she to scant her duty.


18

II,4,1422

Lear. Say, how is that?

Regan. I cannot think my sister in the least
Would fail her obligation. If, sir, perchance
She have restrain'd the riots of your followers,
'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end,
As clears her from all blame.


19

II,4,1428

Lear. My curses on her!

Regan. O, sir, you are old!
Nature in you stands on the very verge
Of her confine. You should be rul'd, and led
By some discretion that discerns your state
Better than you yourself. Therefore I pray you
That to our sister you do make return;
Say you have wrong'd her, sir.


20

II,4,1440

Lear. Ask her forgiveness?
Do you but mark how this becomes the house:
'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old. [Kneels.]
Age is unnecessary. On my knees I beg
That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food.'

Regan. Good sir, no more! These are unsightly tricks.
Return you to my sister.


21

II,4,1454

Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames
Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty,
You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the pow'rful sun,
To fall and blast her pride!

Regan. O the blest gods! so will you wish on me
When the rash mood is on.


22

II,4,1468

Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse.
Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give
Thee o'er to harshness. Her eyes are fierce; but thine
Do comfort, and not burn. 'Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes,
And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in. Thou better know'st
The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude.
Thy half o' th' kingdom hast thou not forgot,
Wherein I thee endow'd.

Regan. Good sir, to th' purpose.


23

II,4,1472

Duke of Cornwall. What trumpet's that?

Regan. I know't- my sister's. This approves her letter,
That she would soon be here.
[Enter [Oswald the] Steward.]
Is your lady come?


24

II,4,1496

Lear. You? Did you?

Regan. I pray you, father, being weak, seem so.
If, till the expiration of your month,
You will return and sojourn with my sister,
Dismissing half your train, come then to me.
I am now from home, and out of that provision
Which shall be needful for your entertainment.


25

II,4,1528

Lear. I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad.
I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell.
We'll no more meet, no more see one another.
But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter;
Or rather a disease that's in my flesh,
Which I must needs call mine. Thou art a boil,
A plague sore, an embossed carbuncle
In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee.
Let shame come when it will, I do not call it.
I do not bid the Thunder-bearer shoot
Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove.
Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure;
I can be patient, I can stay with Regan,
I and my hundred knights.

Regan. Not altogether so.
I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided
For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister;
For those that mingle reason with your passion
Must be content to think you old, and so-
But she knows what she does.


26

II,4,1535

Lear. Is this well spoken?

Regan. I dare avouch it, sir. What, fifty followers?
Is it not well? What should you need of more?
Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger
Speak 'gainst so great a number? How in one house
Should many people, under two commands,
Hold amity? 'Tis hard; almost impossible.


27

II,4,1543

Goneril. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance
From those that she calls servants, or from mine?

Regan. Why not, my lord? If then they chanc'd to slack ye,
We could control them. If you will come to me
(For now I spy a danger), I entreat you
To bring but five-and-twenty. To no more
Will I give place or notice.


28

II,4,1549

Lear. I gave you all-

Regan. And in good time you gave it!


29

II,4,1554

Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaries;
But kept a reservation to be followed
With such a number. What, must I come to you
With five-and-twenty, Regan? Said you so?

Regan. And speak't again my lord. No more with me.


30

II,4,1564

Goneril. Hear, me, my lord.
What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five,
To follow in a house where twice so many
Have a command to tend you?

Regan. What need one?


31

II,4,1590

Duke of Cornwall. Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm.

Regan. This house is little; the old man and 's people
Cannot be well bestow'd.


32

II,4,1594

Goneril. 'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest
And must needs taste his folly.

Regan. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly,
But not one follower.


33

II,4,1609

Earl of Gloucester. Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds
Do sorely ruffle. For many miles about
There's scarce a bush.

Regan. O, sir, to wilful men
The injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors.
He is attended with a desperate train,
And what they may incense him to, being apt
To have his ear abus'd, wisdom bids fear.


34

III,7,2125

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

Regan. Hang him instantly.


35

III,7,2150

Duke of Cornwall. Edmund, farewell. [Exeunt Goneril, Edmund, and Oswald.]
Go seek the traitor Gloucester,
Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us. [Exeunt other Servants.]
Though well we may not pass upon his life
Without the form of justice, yet our power
Shall do a court'sy to our wrath, which men
May blame, but not control. [Enter Gloucester, brought in by two or three.]
Who's there? the traitor?

Regan. Ingrateful fox! 'tis he.


36

III,7,2156

(stage directions). [Servants bind him.]

Regan. Hard, hard. O filthy traitor!


37

III,7,2162

Earl of Gloucester. By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.

Regan. So white, and such a traitor!


38

III,7,2169

Duke of Cornwall. Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?

Regan. Be simple-answer'd, for we know the truth.


39

III,7,2172

Duke of Cornwall. And what confederacy have you with the traitors
Late footed in the kingdom?

Regan. To whose hands have you sent the lunatic King?
Speak.


40

III,7,2178

Duke of Cornwall. Cunning.

Regan. And false.


41

III,7,2181

Earl of Gloucester. To Dover.

Regan. Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charg'd at peril-


42

III,7,2184

Earl of Gloucester. I am tied to th' stake, and I must stand the course.

Regan. Wherefore to Dover, sir?


43

III,7,2200

Earl of Gloucester. He that will think to live till he be old,
Give me some help!- O cruel! O ye gods!

Regan. One side will mock another. Th' other too!


44

III,7,2206

Servant 1. Hold your hand, my lord!
I have serv'd you ever since I was a child;
But better service have I never done you
Than now to bid you hold.

Regan. How now, you dog?


45

III,7,2209

Servant 1. If you did wear a beard upon your chin,
I'ld shake it on this quarrel.

Regan. What do you mean?


46

III,7,2212

Servant 1. Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger.

Regan. Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus?
She takes a sword and runs at him behind.


47

III,7,2221

Earl of Gloucester. All dark and comfortless! Where's my son Edmund?
Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature
To quit this horrid act.

Regan. Out, treacherous villain!
Thou call'st on him that hates thee. It was he
That made the overture of thy treasons to us;
Who is too good to pity thee.


48

III,7,2227

Earl of Gloucester. O my follies! Then Edgar was abus'd.
Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him!

Regan. Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell
His way to Dover. [Exit one with Gloucester.]
How is't, my lord? How look you?


49

IV,5,2551

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

Regan. But are my brother's pow'rs set forth?


50

IV,5,2553

Oswald. Ay, madam.

Regan. Himself in person there?


51

IV,5,2556

Oswald. Madam, with much ado.
Your sister is the better soldier.

Regan. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?


52

IV,5,2558

Oswald. No, madam.

Regan. What might import my sister's letter to him?


53

IV,5,2560

Oswald. I know not, lady.

Regan. Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
It was great ignorance, Gloucester's eyes being out,
To let him live. Where he arrives he moves
All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone,
In pity of his misery, to dispatch
His nighted life; moreover, to descry
The strength o' th' enemy.


54

IV,5,2568

Oswald. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.

Regan. Our troops set forth to-morrow. Stay with us.
The ways are dangerous.


55

IV,5,2572

Oswald. I may not, madam.
My lady charg'd my duty in this business.

Regan. Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
Something- I know not what- I'll love thee much-
Let me unseal the letter.


56

IV,5,2577

Oswald. Madam, I had rather-

Regan. I know your lady does not love her husband;
I am sure of that; and at her late being here
She gave strange eyeliads and most speaking looks
To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.


57

IV,5,2582

Oswald. I, madam?

Regan. I speak in understanding. Y'are! I know't.
Therefore I do advise you take this note.
My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd,
And more convenient is he for my hand
Than for your lady's. You may gather more.
If you do find him, pray you give him this;
And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
I pray desire her call her wisdom to her.
So farewell.
If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.


58

IV,5,2595

Oswald. Would I could meet him, madam! I should show
What party I do follow.

Regan. Fare thee well. Exeunt.


59

V,1,3027

(stage directions). [Exit an Officer.]

Regan. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.


60

V,1,3029

Edmund. Tis to be doubted, madam.

Regan. Now, sweet lord,
You know the goodness I intend upon you.
Tell me- but truly- but then speak the truth-
Do you not love my sister?


61

V,1,3034

Edmund. In honour'd love.

Regan. But have you never found my brother's way
To the forfended place?


62

V,1,3037

Edmund. That thought abuses you.

Regan. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.


63

V,1,3040

Edmund. No, by mine honour, madam.

Regan. I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,
Be not familiar with her.


64

V,1,3056

Edmund. Sir, you speak nobly.

Regan. Why is this reason'd?


65

V,1,3063

Edmund. I shall attend you presently at your tent.

Regan. Sister, you'll go with us?


66

V,1,3065

Goneril. No.

Regan. 'Tis most convenient. Pray you go with us.


67

V,3,3191

Duke of Albany. Sir, by your patience,
I hold you but a subject of this war,
Not as a brother.

Regan. That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers,
Bore the commission of my place and person,
The which immediacy may well stand up
And call itself your brother.


68

V,3,3200

Goneril. Not so hot!
In his own grace he doth exalt himself
More than in your addition.

Regan. In my rights
By me invested, he compeers the best.


69

V,3,3203

Goneril. That were the most if he should husband you.

Regan. Jesters do oft prove prophets.


70

V,3,3206

Goneril. Holla, holla!
That eye that told you so look'd but asquint.

Regan. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
From a full-flowing stomach. General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine.
Witness the world that I create thee here
My lord and master.


71

V,3,3216

Duke of Albany. Half-blooded fellow, yes.

Regan. [to Edmund] Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.


72

V,3,3234

Duke of Albany. Thou art arm'd, Gloucester. Let the trumpet sound.
If none appear to prove upon thy person
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge [throws down a glove]! I'll prove it on thy
heart,
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.

Regan. Sick, O, sick!


73

V,3,3247

Duke of Albany. Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.

Regan. My sickness grows upon me.


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