Then they for fudden joy did weep, That fuch a King should play bo-peep, Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a fchool-mafter that can teach thy fool to lie; I would fain learn to lie. Lear. If you lie, firrah, we'll have you whipt. Fool. I marvel, what kin thou and thy daughters are: they'll have me whipt for speaking true, thou'lt have me whipt for lying; and, fometimes, I am whipt for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind o'thing than a fool, and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou haft pared thy wit o'both fides, and left nothing i' th' middle: here comes one o' th' parings. To them, Enter Gonerill. Lear. How now, daughter, what makes that frontlet on? you are too much of late i'th' frown. Fool. Thou wait a pretty fellow, when thou hadft no need to care for her frowning; now thou art an O without a figure; I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, thou art nothing. Yes, forfooth, I will hold my tongue; [To Gonerill. fo your face bids me, tho' you fay nothing. Mum, mum, he that keeps nor cruft nor trum, [Singing. Weary of all, fhall want fome. That's a fheal'd peafcod. Gon. Not only, Sir, this your all-licens'd fool, But other of your infolent retinue, Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth In rank and not to be endured riots. I thought, by making this well known unto you, VOL. VI. B Might Might in their working do you that offence, (Which else were shame,) that then neceffity Will call difcreet proceeding. Fool. For you know, nuncle, The hedge-fparrow fed the Cuckoo fo long, So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. [dom, Fool. May not an Afs know when the cart draws the horfe? whoop, Jug, I love thee. Lear. Does any here know me? this is not Lear: Does Lear walk thus ? fpeak thus? where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, his difcernings Are lethargied Ha! waking Who is it that can tell me who I am? 'tis not fo; Lear's fhadow? I would learn; for by the marks Gon. This admiration, Sir, is much o'th' favour You, as you're old and reverend, fhould be wife. That this our Court, infected with their manners, By her, that else will take the thing the begs, A little is the common reading; but it appears, from what And And the remainders, that shall still depend, Lear. Darkness and devils! Saddle my horfes, call my train together.- Gon. You ftrike my people, and your To them, Enter Albany. diforder'd rabble Lear. Woe! that too late repents-O, Sir, are you come? Is it your will, fpeak, Sir? prepare my horfes. Ingratitude! thou marble-hearted fiend, [To Albany. More hideous, when thou fhew'ft thee in a child, Alb. Pray, Sir, be patient. Lear. Detefted kite! thou lieft. [To Gonerill. My train are men of choice and rarest parts, The worships of their names. O moft fmall fault! How ugly didft thou in Cordelia fhew? Which, like an engine, wrencht my frame of nature Beat at this gate that let thy folly in. [Striking his head. Lear. It may be so, my lord Hear, Nature, hear; dear Goddess, hear a Father! To make this creature fruitful: Into her womb convey fterility, Dry up in her the organs of increase, B 2 Create Create her child of spleen, that it may live, To laughter and contempt; that she may feel, To have a thankless child. Go, go, my people. Alb. Now, Gods, that we adore, whereof comes this? Gon. Never afflict your felf to know of it: But let his difpofition have that scope, That dotage gives it. Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap ? Within a fortnight? Alb. What's the matter, Sir? Lear. I'll tell thee life and death! I am afham'd That thou haft power to fhake my manhood thus ; [To Gon. That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, Should make thee worth them. blafts and fogs upon thee! Th' untented woundings of a father's curfe Ha! is it come to this? Let it be fo: I have another daughter, Who, I am fure, is kind and comfortable; (5) With cadent Tears.] Mr. Warburton very happily here fufpects our Author wrote, candent: as an Epithet of much more Energy, and more likely to effect Lear's Imprecation. He brings in Confirmation, what the King fays prefently after; That these hot Tears, that break from me perforce, And what he fays towards the End of the 4th A&t: but I am bound Upon a Wheel of Fire, that mine own Tears Do fcald like molten Lead. I have caft off for ever. [Ex. Lear and attendants. Gon. Do you mark that? Gon. Pray you, be content: What, Ofswald, ho! You, Sir, more knave than fool, after your mafter. Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, take the fool with thee: A Fox, when one has caught her, And fuch a daughter, Should fure to the flaughter, If my cap would buy a halter, So the fool follows after. Gon. This man hath had good counsel, 'Tis politick, and fafe, to let him keep - [Exit. a hundred [Knights! A hundred Knights; yes, that on ev'ry dream, Let me ftill take away the harms I fear, Enter Steward. How now, Ofwald? What, have you writ that letter to my fifter? Stew. Ay, Madam. Gon. Take you fome company, and away to horse; Inform her full of my particular fears, And thereto add fuch reafons of your own, As may compact it more. So get you gone, No, no, my lord, [Exit Steward. This milky gentleness and courfe of yours, You |