Speeches (Lines) for Oswald
in "King Lear"
Total: 38

1

I,3,506

Goneril. Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?

Oswald. Ay, madam.

2

I,3,516

(stage directions). [Horns within.]

Oswald. He's coming, madam; I hear him.

3

I,3,527

Goneril. Put on what weary negligence you please,
You and your fellows. I'd have it come to question.
If he distaste it, let him to our sister,
Whose mind and mine I know in that are one,
Not to be overrul'd. Idle old man,
That still would manage those authorities
That he hath given away! Now, by my life,
Old fools are babes again, and must be us'd
With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abus'd.
Remember what I have said.

Oswald. Very well, madam.

4

I,4,577

Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me. If I like thee no worse after
dinner, I will not part from thee yet. Dinner, ho, dinner!
Where's my knave? my fool? Go you and call my fool hither.
[Exit an attendant.]
[Enter [Oswald the] Steward.]
You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter?

Oswald. So please you- Exit.

5

I,4,608

Lear. No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you and tell my
daughter I would speak with her. [Exit Knight.] Go you, call
hither my fool.
[Exit an Attendant.]
[Enter [Oswald the] Steward.]
O, you, sir, you! Come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir?

Oswald. My lady's father.

6

I,4,611

Lear. 'My lady's father'? My lord's knave! You whoreson dog! you
slave! you cur!

Oswald. I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your pardon.

7

I,4,614

(stage directions). [Strikes him.]

Oswald. I'll not be strucken, my lord.

8

I,4,867

Goneril. Safer than trust too far.
Let me still take away the harms I fear,
Not fear still to be taken. I know his heart.
What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister.
If she sustain him and his hundred knights,
When I have show'd th' unfitness- [Enter [Oswald the] Steward.]
How now, Oswald?
What, have you writ that letter to my sister?

Oswald. Yes, madam.

9

II,2,1075

(stage directions). Enter Kent and [Oswald the] Steward, severally.

Oswald. Good dawning to thee, friend. Art of this house?

10

II,2,1077

Earl of Kent. Ay.

Oswald. Where may we set our horses?

11

II,2,1079

Earl of Kent. I' th' mire.

Oswald. Prithee, if thou lov'st me, tell me.

12

II,2,1081

Earl of Kent. I love thee not.

Oswald. Why then, I care not for thee.

13

II,2,1084

Earl of Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury Pinfold, I would make thee care for
me.

Oswald. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not.

14

II,2,1086

Earl of Kent. Fellow, I know thee.

Oswald. What dost thou know me for?

15

II,2,1096

Earl of Kent. A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud,
shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy,
worsted-stocking knave; a lily-liver'd, action-taking, whoreson,
glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue;
one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of
good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave,
beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch;
one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny the
least syllable of thy addition.

Oswald. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one
that's neither known of thee nor knows thee!

16

II,2,1104

Earl of Kent. What a brazen-fac'd varlet art thou, to deny thou knowest me!
Is it two days ago since I beat thee and tripp'd up thy heels
before the King? [Draws his sword.] Draw, you rogue! for, though
it be night, yet the moon shines. I'll make a sop o' th'
moonshine o' you. Draw, you whoreson cullionly barbermonger!
draw!

Oswald. Away! I have nothing to do with thee.

17

II,2,1109

Earl of Kent. Draw, you rascal! You come with letters against the King, and
take Vanity the puppet's part against the royalty of her father.
Draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbonado your shanks! Draw, you
rascal! Come your ways!

Oswald. Help, ho! murther! help!

18

II,2,1112

Earl of Kent. Strike, you slave! Stand, rogue! Stand, you neat slave!
Strike! [Beats him.]

Oswald. Help, ho! murther! murther!

19

II,2,1122

Duke of Cornwall. What is your difference? Speak.

Oswald. I am scarce in breath, my lord.

20

II,2,1129

Duke of Cornwall. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?

Oswald. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spar'd
At suit of his grey beard-

21

II,2,1183

Duke of Cornwall. What was th' offence you gave him?

Oswald. I never gave him any.
It pleas'd the King his master very late
To strike at me, upon his misconstruction;
When he, conjunct, and flattering his displeasure,
Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd
And put upon him such a deal of man
That worthied him, got praises of the King
For him attempting who was self-subdu'd;
And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit,
Drew on me here again.

22

III,7,2134

Duke of Cornwall. Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep you our sister
company. The revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous
father are not fit for your beholding. Advise the Duke where you
are going, to a most festinate preparation. We are bound to the
like. Our posts shall be swift and intelligent betwixt us.
Farewell, dear sister; farewell, my Lord of Gloucester. [Enter Oswald the Steward.]
How now? Where's the King?

Oswald. My Lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence.
Some five or six and thirty of his knights,
Hot questrists after him, met him at gate;
Who, with some other of the lord's dependants,
Are gone with him towards Dover, where they boast
To have well-armed friends.

23

IV,2,2341

Goneril. Welcome, my lord. I marvel our mild husband
Not met us on the way. [Enter Oswald the Steward.]
Now, where's your master?

Oswald. Madam, within, but never man so chang'd.
I told him of the army that was landed:
He smil'd at it. I told him you were coming:
His answer was, 'The worse.' Of Gloucester's treachery
And of the loyal service of his son
When I inform'd him, then he call'd me sot
And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out.
What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him;
What like, offensive.

24

IV,2,2370

Goneril. My most dear Gloucester!
O, the difference of man and man!
To thee a woman's services are due;
My fool usurps my body.

Oswald. Madam, here comes my lord. Exit.

25

IV,5,2552

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

Oswald. Ay, madam.

26

IV,5,2554

Regan. Himself in person there?

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

27

IV,5,2557

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

Oswald. No, madam.

28

IV,5,2559

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

Oswald. I know not, lady.

29

IV,5,2567

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.

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

30

IV,5,2570

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

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

31

IV,5,2576

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.

Oswald. Madam, I had rather-

32

IV,5,2581

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.

Oswald. I, madam?

33

IV,5,2593

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.

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

34

IV,6,2844

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

Oswald. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy!
That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh
To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor,
Briefly thyself remember. The sword is out
That must destroy thee.

35

IV,6,2852

(stage directions). [Edgar interposes.]

Oswald. Wherefore, bold peasant,
Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence!
Lest that th' infection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

36

IV,6,2857

Edgar. Chill not let go, zir, without vurther 'cagion.

Oswald. Let go, slave, or thou diest!

37

IV,6,2863

Edgar. Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor voke pass. An chud
ha' bin zwagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' bin zo long as
'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near th' old man. Keep out,
che vore ye, or Ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the
harder. Chill be plain with you.

Oswald. Out, dunghill!

38

IV,6,2867

(stage directions). [Oswald falls.]

Oswald. Slave, thou hast slain me. Villain, take my purse.
If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body,
And give the letters which thou find'st about me
To Edmund Earl of Gloucester. Seek him out
Upon the British party. O, untimely death! Death!