That you protect this course, and put it on, Fool. For you trow, nuncle, The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling. Gon. I would, you would make use of your good wisdom, Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away These dispositions, which of late transform you From what you rightly are. Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee. Why this is not Lear: Where are his eyes? Either Sleeping Lear. Does any here know me? does Lear walk thus? speak thus? his notion weakens, or his discernings are lethargied. Ha! sure 't is not so. Who is it that can tell me Lear's shadow? I would learn that; for by the marks of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason, I should be false persuaded I had daughters. or waking? who I am? - Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. Gon. This admiration, Sir, is much o' the favour Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you To understand my purposes aright, As you are old and reverend, should be wise. Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak For instant remedy: be, then, desir'd By her, that else will take the thing she begs, And the remainder, that shall still depend, To be such men as may besort your age, Lear. Darkness and devils! — Saddle my horses; call my train together. Gon. You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble Enter ALBANY. Lear. Woe, that too late repents, O, Sir! [TO ALB.] are you come? Prepare my horses. Is it your will? Speak, Sir. Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, More hideous, when thou show'st thee in a child, Than the sea-monster! Alb. Pray, Sir, be patient. [To GONERIL. Lear. Detested kite! thou liest: My train are men of choice and rarest parts, That all particulars of duty know, And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name. O, most small fault! How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show, Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, And thy dear judgment out! [Striking his head. Go, go, my people. Lear. To make this creature fruitful! Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? But let his disposition have that scope That dotage gives it. Re-enter LEAar. Lear. What! fifty of my followers, at a clap, Within a fortnight? Alb. What's the matter, Sir? Lear. I'll tell thee. [Exit. Life and death! [To GONERIL.] I am ashamed, That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus: That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, Pierce every sense about thee! — Old fond eyes, Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck you out, Let it be so : - I have another daughter, Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable: When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails I have cast off for ever. [Exeunt LEAR, KENT, and Attendants. Gon. Do you mark that, my lord? To the great love I bear you, Gon. Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho! You, Sir, more knave than fool, after your master. [To the Fool. Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear! tarry, and take the fool with thee. A fox, when one has caught her, Should sure to the slaughter,. If my cap would buy a halter; So the fool follows after. [Exit. Gon. This man hath had good counsel. A hundred knights! 'Tis politic, and safe, to let him keep At point a hundred knights: yes, that on every dream, Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, He may enguard his dotage with their powers, Oswald, I say! And hold our lives in mercy. Safer than trust too far. Let me still take away the harms I fear, When I have show'd th' unfitness, how now, Oswald! Re-enter OsWALD. What, have you writ that letter to my sister? Osw. Ay, Madam. Gon. Take you some company, and away to horse: Inform her full of my particular fear; And thereto add such reasons of your own, As may compact it more. Get you gone, And hasten your return. [Exit Osw.] No, no, my lord, Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon, You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom, Alb. How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot tell: Gon. Nay, then Alb. Well, well; the event. SCENE V. Court before the Same. Enter LEAR, KENT, and Fool. [Exeunt. Lear. Go you before to Gloster with these letters. Acquaint my daughter no farther with any thing you know, than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there before you. Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter. [Exit. Fool. If a man's brains were in 's heels, were 't not in danger of kibes? Lear. Ay, boy. Fool. Then, I pr'ythee, be merry; thy wit shall not go slipshod. Lear. Ha, ha, ha! Fool. Shalt see, thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for though she's as like this, as a crab is like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. Lear. What canst tell, boy? Fool. She will taste as like this, as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle on 's face. Fool. Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. Lear. I did her wrong. Fool. Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell? Lear. No. Fool. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house. |