Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst 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, forsooth, I will hold my tongue; so your face [to Gon.] bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum, He that keeps nor crust nor crum, That's a shealed peascod. [Pointing to Lear. Gon. Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool, Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth I had thought, by making this well known unto you, Fool. For, you know, nuncle, The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling. Lear. Are you our daughter? 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 transport you From what you rightly are. Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse?-Whoop, Jug! I love thee. Lear. Does any here know me?-This is not Lear: Does Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, his discernings Are lethargied-Ha! waking? 'tis not so. Who is it that can tell me who I am? Fool. Lear's shadow. Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks of sovereignty, Knowledge, and reason, I should be false persuaded I had daughters.(25) Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. Gon. This admiration, sir, is much o' the favour As you are old and reverend, should be wise. Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak By her, that else will take the thing she begs, A little to disquantity your train; And the remainder, that shall still depend, Lear. Darkness and devils! Saddle my horses; call my train together.- Yet have I left a daughter. Gon. You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble Make servants of their betters. Enter ALBANY. Lear. Woe, that too late repents,-[to Alb.] O, sir, are Is it your will? Speak, sir.-Prepare my horses.- More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child Than the sea-monster! Alb. Pray, sir, be patient. 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 [To Goneril. The worships of their name.-O most small fault, Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature Lear.(26) Into her womb convey sterility! Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? But let his disposition have that scope As dotage gives it. Re-enter LEAR. Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! Within a fortnight! Alb. What's the matter, sir? [Exit. Lear. I'll tell thee,-Life and death! I am asham'd [To Goneril. That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus ; That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, Should make thee worth them.-Blasts and fogs upon thee! The untented woundings of a father's curse Pierce every sense about thee!-Old fond eyes, Let it be so:-I have another daughter, [Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants. Gon. Do you mark that? Alb. I cannot be so partial, Goneril, 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,―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. Gon. This man hath had good counsel: knights! 'Tis politic and safe to let him keep [Exit. a hundred At point a hundred knights: yes, that, on every dream, Safer than trust too far: He may enguard his dotage with their powers, Re-enter OSWALD. How now, 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 Oswald.] No, no, my lord, This milky gentleness and course of yours 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. [Exeunt. SCENE V. Court before the same. Enter LEAR, KENT, and Fool. Lear. Go you before to Gloster with these letters. Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore 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 prithee, be merry; thy wit shall not go slip-shod. Lear. Ha, ha, ha! Fool. Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for though she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. Lear. What canst tell, boy? |