let me; if I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool to my felf; they'll be fnatching.-Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns. Lear. What two crowns fhall they be? Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg i' the middle, and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the 988 When thou clov't thy crown i' the middle, and gaveft away both parts, thou boreft thine afs on thy back over the dirt: Thou had'ft little wit in thy bald crown, when thou gaveft thy golden one away. If I fpeak like myself in this, let him' be whipp'd that first finds it fo. Fools ne'er had lefs grace in a year; [Singing. And know not how their wits to wear, Their manners are Jo apifh. Lear. When were you wont to be fo full of fongs, firrah! Fool. I have used it, nuncle, ever fince thou mad't thy daughters thy mothers: for when thou gaveft them the rod, and put'ft down thine own breeches, Then they for fudden joy did weep, [Singing. That fuch a king fhould play bo-peep, Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a fchool-mafter that can steach 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 fpeaking true, thou'lt have me whipt for lying; and, fometimes, 1 am whipt for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind of thing, than a fool: and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou haft pared thy wit o both fides, and left nothing in the middle: Here comes one o' the parings. Enter GONERÍL. Lear. How now, daughter? what makes that frontlet on? Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown. Fool. Thou waft a pretty fellow, when thou had'st 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 GONERIL.] fo your face bids me, though you fay nothing, Mum, mum. He that keeps not cruft nor crum, That's a fheal'd peafcod! [Pointing to LEAR Gon. Not only, fir, this your all-licens'd fool, But other of your infolent retinue Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth I had thought, by making this well known unto you Would not 'fcape cenfure, nor the redreffes fleep; Fool. For you trow, nuncle, The hedge fparrow fed the cuckoo fo long, So, out went the candle and we were left darkling. Gon. Come, fir, I would, you would make use of that good wisdom Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away Thefe difpofitions, which of late transform you From what you rightly are. Fool. May not an afs know when the cart draws the horfe?Whoop, Jug, I love thee. Lear. Does any here know me? is not Lear: -Why, this Does Lear walk thus? fpeak thus?--Where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, or his difcernings [dow? Gon. Come, fir: This admiration is much o' the favour Of other your new pranks. I do befeech you A; As you are old and reverend, you should be wife: That this our court, infected with their manners, By her, that else will take the thing she begs, And the remainder, that fall till depend, Lear. Darknefs and' devils! Saddle my horfes; call my train together.- Gon. You ftrike my people; and your diforder'd Maké fervants of their betters. Enter ALBANY. [rabble Lear. Woe that too late repents-O, fir, are you come? Is it your will? speak, fir.-Prepare my horfes.[To ALBANY. Ingratitude! thou marble-hearted fiend, More hideous, when thou fhew'it thee in a child, Than the fea-monster! Alb. Pray, fir, be patient. Lear. Detefted kite! thou lieft. [To GONERIL, My train are men of choice and rarest parts, That all particulars of duty know; And in the moft exact regard fupport The worfhips of their name.-O most small fault, C 3 How How ugly didft thou in Cordelia fhew! Which, like an engine, wrench'd myframe of nature From the fixt place; drew from my heart all love, And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! Beat at this gate, that let thy folly go in, [Striking his head, And thy dear judgment out!-Go, go, my people! Alb. My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant Of what hath mov'd you. Lear. It may be fo, my lord Hear, nature, hear! dear goddess, hear! Gon. Never affli& yourself to know the caufe; That dotage gives it. Re-enter LEAR. Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! Within a fortnight! Alb |