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And pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old comedy:[2744][2745]
my cue is villanous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o'[2745][2747]
Bedlam. O, these eclipses do portend these divisions! fa,[2745][2748][2749]
sol, la, mi.[2749][2750] 130
my cue is villanous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o'[2745][2747]
Bedlam. O, these eclipses do portend these divisions! fa,[2745][2748][2749]
sol, la, mi.[2749][2750] 130
Edg. How now, brother Edmund! what serious contemplation
are you in?
are you in?
Edm. I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read
this other day, what should follow these eclipses.[2727]
this other day, what should follow these eclipses.[2727]
Edg. Do you busy yourself about that?[2751] 135
Edm. I promise you, the effects he writ of succeed[2752]
unhappily; as of unnaturalness between the child and the[2753]
parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions[2753][2754]
in state, menaces and maledictions against king and[2753]
nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation[2753] 140
of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what.[2753][2755]
unhappily; as of unnaturalness between the child and the[2753]
parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions[2753][2754]
in state, menaces and maledictions against king and[2753]
nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation[2753] 140
of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what.[2753][2755]
Edg. How long have you been a sectary astronomical?[2753]
Edm. Come, come; when saw you my father last?[2753]
Edg. Why, the night gone by.[2756]
Edm. Spake you with him? 145
Edg. Ay, two hours together.[2757]
Edm. Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure
in him by word or countenance?[2758]
in him by word or countenance?[2758]
Edg. None at all.
Edm. Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended[2759] 150
him: and at my entreaty forbear his presence till some[2760]
little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure, which
at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of[2761]
your person it would scarcely allay.[2762]
him: and at my entreaty forbear his presence till some[2760]
little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure, which
at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of[2761]
your person it would scarcely allay.[2762]
Edg. Some villain hath done me wrong. 155
Edm. That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent[2763]
forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower and, as I[2763]
say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly[2763]
bring you to hear my lord speak: pray ye, go; there's my[2763][2764]
key: if you do stir abroad, go armed.[2763] 160
forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower and, as I[2763]
say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly[2763]
bring you to hear my lord speak: pray ye, go; there's my[2763][2764]
key: if you do stir abroad, go armed.[2763] 160
Edg. Armed, brother![2763]
Edm. Brother, I advise you to the best: go armed: I[2763][2765]
am no honest man if there be any good meaning towards[2766]
you: I have told you what I have seen and heard; but[2767]
faintly, nothing like the image and horror of it: pray you,[2767] 165
away.
am no honest man if there be any good meaning towards[2766]
you: I have told you what I have seen and heard; but[2767]
faintly, nothing like the image and horror of it: pray you,[2767] 165
away.
Edg. Shall I hear from you anon?
Edm. I do serve you in this business. [Exit Edgar.[2768]
A credulous father, and a brother noble,
Whose nature is so far from doing harms 170
That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty
My practices ride easy. I see the business.
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit:
All with me's meet that I can fashion fit. [Exit.[2769]
A credulous father, and a brother noble,
Whose nature is so far from doing harms 170
That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty
My practices ride easy. I see the business.
Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit:
All with me's meet that I can fashion fit. [Exit.[2769]
Scene III. The Duke of Albany's palace.
Enter Goneril and Oswald, her steward.[2770]
Gon. Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding
of his fool?
of his fool?
Gon. By day and night he wrongs me; every hour[2773][2774]
He flashes into one gross crime or other,[2774] 5
That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it:
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us[2775]
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,[2776]
I will not speak with him; say I am sick:
If you come slack of former services, 10
You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.
He flashes into one gross crime or other,[2774] 5
That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it:
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us[2775]
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,[2776]
I will not speak with him; say I am sick:
If you come slack of former services, 10
You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.
Osw. He's coming, madam; I hear him. [Horns within.[2777]
Gon. Put on what weary negligence you please,[2778][2779]
You and your fellows; I'ld have it come to question:[2778][2780]
If he distaste it, let him to our sister,[2778][2781] 15
Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,[2778]
Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man,[2782]
That still would manage those authorities[2782]
That he hath given away! Now, by my life,[2782]
Old fools are babes again, and must be used[2782][2783] 20
With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused.[2782][2784]
Remember what I tell you.
You and your fellows; I'ld have it come to question:[2778][2780]
If he distaste it, let him to our sister,[2778][2781] 15
Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,[2778]
Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man,[2782]
That still would manage those authorities[2782]
That he hath given away! Now, by my life,[2782]
Old fools are babes again, and must be used[2782][2783] 20
With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused.[2782][2784]
Remember what I tell you.
Osw. Very well, madam.[2785]
Gon. And let his knights have colder looks among you;[2786]
What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so:[2786][2787]
I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,[2788] 25
That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister,[2788][2789]
To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. [Exeunt.[2789][2790]
What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so:[2786][2787]
I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,[2788] 25
That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister,[2788][2789]
To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. [Exeunt.[2789][2790]
Scene IV. A hall in the same.
Enter Kent, disguised.[2791]
Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow,[2792][2793]
That can my speech defuse, my good intent[2792][2794]
May carry through itself to that full issue[2792]
For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent,[2792][2795]
If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,[2792] 5
So may it come, thy master whom thou lovest[2792][2796]
Shall find thee full of labours.[2792]
That can my speech defuse, my good intent[2792][2794]
May carry through itself to that full issue[2792]
For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent,[2792][2795]
If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,[2792] 5
So may it come, thy master whom thou lovest[2792][2796]
Shall find thee full of labours.[2792]
Horns within. Enter Lear, Knights, and Attendants.[2797]
Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready.
[Exit an Attendant.] How now! what art thou?[2798]
[Exit an Attendant.] How now! what art thou?[2798]
Kent. A man, sir. 10
Lear. What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou
with us?
with us?
Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve
him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest;
to converse with him that is wise and says little; to fear[2799] 15
judgement; to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish.
him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest;
to converse with him that is wise and says little; to fear[2799] 15
judgement; to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish.
Lear. What art thou?[2800]
Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as
the king.
the king.
Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a[2801] 20
king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou?[2802]
king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou?[2802]
Kent. Service.
Lear. Who wouldst thou serve?[2803]
Kent. You.
Lear. Dost thou know me, fellow? 25
Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your countenance
which I would fain call master.
which I would fain call master.
Lear. What's that?[2804]
Kent. Authority.
Lear. What services canst thou do?[2805] 30
Kent. I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a[2806]
curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message
bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified
in, and the best of me is diligence.
curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message
bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified
in, and the best of me is diligence.
Lear. How old art thou? 35
Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing,[2807]
nor so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my
back forty eight.
nor so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my
back forty eight.
Enter Oswald.[2812]
Re-enter Knight.[2817]
How now! where's that mongrel?
Knight. He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.[2818]
Lear. Why came not the slave back to me when I 50
called him?
called him?
Lear. He would not![2821]
Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is; but,[2819] 55
to my judgement, your highness is not entertained with that
ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a great
abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants[2822]
as in the duke himself also and your daughter.
to my judgement, your highness is not entertained with that
ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a great
abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants[2822]
as in the duke himself also and your daughter.
Lear. Ha! sayest thou so? 60
Knight. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be[2819]
mistaken; for my duty cannot be silent when I think
your highness wronged.[2823]
mistaken; for my duty cannot be silent when I think
your highness wronged.[2823]
Lear. Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception:[2824]
I have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I[2825] 65
have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as[2826]
a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: I will look[2827]
further into't. But where's my fool? I have not seen him[2828]
this two days.[2829]
I have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I[2825] 65
have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as[2826]
a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: I will look[2827]
further into't. But where's my fool? I have not seen him[2828]
this two days.[2829]
Knight. Since my young lady's going into France, sir,[2830] 70
the fool hath much pined away.
the fool hath much pined away.
Re-enter Oswald.[2833]
O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am I, sir?[2834] 75
Osw. My lady's father.
Lear. My lady's father! my lord's knave: you whoreson
dog! you slave! you cur!
dog! you slave! you cur!
Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?
[Striking him.[2838]
[Tripping up his heels.
[Pushes Oswald out.
Enter Fool.
Fool. Let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb.[2847]
[Offering Kent his cap.
Lear. How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou?
Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.
Kent. Why, fool?[2848]
Fool. Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour:[2849] 95
nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch[2850]
cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb: why, this fellow hath[2851]
banished two on's daughters, and done the third a blessing[2852]
against his will; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear
my coxcomb. How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs 100
and two daughters![2853]
nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch[2850]
cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb: why, this fellow hath[2851]
banished two on's daughters, and done the third a blessing[2852]
against his will; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear
my coxcomb. How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs 100
and two daughters![2853]
Lear. Why, my boy?
Fool. If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs[2854]
myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters.
myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters.
Lear. Take heed, sirrah; the whip. 105
Fool. Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped[2855]
out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and[2856]
stink.
out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and[2856]
stink.
Lear. A pestilent gall to me![2857]
Fool. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.[2858] 110
Lear. Do.[2859]
Fool. Mark it, nuncle:[2860]
Have more than thou showest,[2861]
Speak less than thou knowest,[2861]
Lend less than thou owest,[2861] 115
Ride more than thou goest,[2861]
Learn more than thou trowest,[2861]
Set less than thou throwest;[2861]
Leave thy drink and thy whore,[2861]
And keep in-a-door,[2861][2862] 120
And thou shalt have more[2861]
Than two tens to a score.[2861]
Have more than thou showest,[2861]
Speak less than thou knowest,[2861]
Lend less than thou owest,[2861] 115
Ride more than thou goest,[2861]
Learn more than thou trowest,[2861]
Set less than thou throwest;[2861]
Leave thy drink and thy whore,[2861]
And keep in-a-door,[2861][2862] 120
And thou shalt have more[2861]
Than two tens to a score.[2861]
Kent. This is nothing, fool.[2863]
Fool. Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer,[2864]
you gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of[2865] 125
nothing, nuncle?[2866]
you gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of[2865] 125
nothing, nuncle?[2866]
Lear. Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of
nothing.
nothing.
Fool. [To Kent] Prithee, tell him, so much the rent of[2867]
his land comes to: he will not believe a fool. 130
his land comes to: he will not believe a fool. 130
Lear. A bitter fool![2868]
Fool. Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between[2868][2869]
a bitter fool and a sweet fool?[2868][2870]
a bitter fool and a sweet fool?[2868][2870]
Lear. No, lad; teach me.[2868]
Fool. That lord that counsell'd thee[2871][2872][2873] 135
To give away thy land,[2872][2873]
Come place him here by me;[2872][2873]
Do thou for him stand:[2872][2873][2874]
The sweet and bitter fool[2872][2873]
Will presently appear;[2872][2873]
The one in motley here,[2872][2873] 140
The other found out there.[2872][2873]
To give away thy land,[2872][2873]
Come place him here by me;[2872][2873]
Do thou for him stand:[2872][2873][2874]
The sweet and bitter fool[2872][2873]
Will presently appear;[2872][2873]
The one in motley here,[2872][2873] 140
The other found out there.[2872][2873]
Kent. This is not altogether fool, my lord.[2872]
Fool. No, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if[2872]
I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't: and[2872][2876][2877]
ladies too, they will not let me have all the fool to myself;[2872][2877][2878]
they'll be snatching. Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give[2872][2879] 150
thee two crowns.
I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't: and[2872][2876][2877]
ladies too, they will not let me have all the fool to myself;[2872][2877][2878]
they'll be snatching. Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give[2872][2879] 150
thee two crowns.
Lear. What two crowns shall they be?
Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg in the middle and[2880]
eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou
clovest thy crown i' the middle and gavest away both parts,[2881] 155
thou borest thine ass on thy back o'er the dirt: thou hadst[2882]
little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavest thy golden
one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipped[2883]
that first finds it so.[2884]
[Singing] Fools had ne'er less wit in a year;[2885][2886] 160
For wise men are grown foppish,
And know not how their wits to wear,[2887]
Their manners are so apish.
eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou
clovest thy crown i' the middle and gavest away both parts,[2881] 155
thou borest thine ass on thy back o'er the dirt: thou hadst[2882]
little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavest thy golden
one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipped[2883]
that first finds it so.[2884]
[Singing] Fools had ne'er less wit in a year;[2885][2886] 160
For wise men are grown foppish,
And know not how their wits to wear,[2887]
Their manners are so apish.
Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah?[2888]
Fool. I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy[2889] 165
daughters thy mother: for when thou gavest them the rod[2890]
and puttest down thine own breeches,
[Singing] Then they for sudden joy did weep,[2885][2891][2892]
And I for sorrow sung,[2892]
That such a king should play bo-peep,[2892] 170
And go the fools among.[2892][2893]
daughters thy mother: for when thou gavest them the rod[2890]
and puttest down thine own breeches,
[Singing] Then they for sudden joy did weep,[2885][2891][2892]
And I for sorrow sung,[2892]
That such a king should play bo-peep,[2892] 170
And go the fools among.[2892][2893]
Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy
fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.[2894]
fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.[2894]
Lear. An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped.[2895]
Fool. I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are: 175
they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have me[2896]
whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding[2897]
my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool:[2898]
and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy
wit o' both sides and left nothing i' the middle. Here comes[2899] 180
one o' the parings.[2898][2900]
they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have me[2896]
whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding[2897]
my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool:[2898]
and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy
wit o' both sides and left nothing i' the middle. Here comes[2899] 180
one o' the parings.[2898][2900]
Enter Goneril.