# Result number

Work The work is either a play, poem, or sonnet. The sonnets are treated as single work with 154 parts.

Character Indicates who said the line. If it's a play or sonnet, the character name is "Poet."

Line Shows where the line falls within the work.

The numbering is not keyed to any copyrighted numbering system found in a volume of collected works (Arden, Oxford, etc.) The numbering starts at the beginning of the work, and does not restart for each scene.

Text The line's full text, with keywords highlighted within it, unless highlighting has been disabled by the user.

1

King Lear
[I, 1]

Goneril

55

Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter;
Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;
As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found;
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable.
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.

2

King Lear
[I, 2]

Edmund

395

If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear it were his;
but in respect of that, I would fain think it were not.

3

King Lear
[I, 3]

Goneril

528

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.

4

King Lear
[I, 4]

Knight

587

My lord, I know not what the matter is; but to my judgment
your Highness is not entertain'd with that ceremonious affection
as you were wont. There's a great abatement of kindness appears
as well in the general dependants as in the Duke himself also
and your daughter.

5

King Lear
[I, 4]

Duke of Albany

824

What's the matter, sir?

6

King Lear
[II, 2]

Edmund

1114

How now? What's the matter? Parts [them].

7

King Lear
[II, 2]

Earl of Gloucester

1117

Weapons? arms? What's the matter here?

8

King Lear
[II, 2]

Duke of Cornwall

1118

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

9

King Lear
[III, 2]

Fool

1760

This is a brave night to cool a courtesan. I'll speak a
prophecy ere I go:
When priests are more in word than matter;
When brewers mar their malt with water;
When nobles are their tailors' tutors,
No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors;
When every case in law is right,
No squire in debt nor no poor knight;
When slanders do not live in tongues,
Nor cutpurses come not to throngs;
When usurers tell their gold i' th' field,
And bawds and whores do churches build:
Then shall the realm of Albion
Come to great confusion.
Then comes the time, who lives to see't,
That going shall be us'd with feet.
This prophecy Merlin shall make, for I live before his time. Exit.

10

King Lear
[III, 3]

Earl of Gloucester

1784

Go to; say you nothing. There is division betwixt the Dukes,
and a worse matter than that. I have received a letter this
night- 'tis dangerous to be spoken- I have lock'd the letter in
my closet. These injuries the King now bears will be revenged
home; there's part of a power already footed; we must incline to
the King. I will seek him and privily relieve him. Go you and
maintain talk with the Duke, that my charity be not of him
perceived. If he ask for me, I am ill and gone to bed. Though I
die for't, as no less is threat'ned me, the King my old master
must be relieved. There is some strange thing toward, Edmund.
Pray you be careful. Exit.

11

King Lear
[III, 5]

Edmund

1995

If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty
business in hand.

12

King Lear
[IV, 5]

Regan

2560

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.

13

King Lear
[IV, 6]

Earl of Gloucester

2605

So may it be indeed.
Methinks thy voice is alter'd, and thou speak'st
In better phrase and matter than thou didst.

14

King Lear
[IV, 6]

Edgar

2779

O, matter and impertinency mix'd!
Reason, in madness!

15

King Lear
[IV, 6]

Edgar

2865

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