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Lear. How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on?[2901][2902][2903]
Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown.[2902][2904]
Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown.[2902][2904]
Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no
need to care for her frowning; now thou art an O without[2905] 185
a figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, thou
art nothing. [To Gon.] Yes, forsooth, I will hold my[2906]
tongue; so your face bids me, though you say nothing.
need to care for her frowning; now thou art an O without[2905] 185
a figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, thou
art nothing. [To Gon.] Yes, forsooth, I will hold my[2906]
tongue; so your face bids me, though you say nothing.
Mum, mum:[2907]
He that keeps nor crust nor crumb,[2908] 190
Weary of all, shall want some.
[Pointing to Lear] That's a shealed peascod.[2909]
He that keeps nor crust nor crumb,[2908] 190
Weary of all, shall want some.
[Pointing to Lear] That's a shealed peascod.[2909]
Gon. Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool,[2910][2911]
But other of your insolent retinue[2910][2912]
Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth[2910] 195
In rank and not to be endured riots. Sir,[2910][2913]
I had thought, by making this well known unto you,[2910][2914]
To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,[2910]
By what yourself too late have spoke and done,[2910]
That you protect this course and put it on[2910][2915] 200
By your allowance; which if you should, the fault[2910][2916][2917]
Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep,[2910][2917][2918]
Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,[2910]
Might in their working do you that offence[2910]
Which else were shame, that then necessity[2910][2919] 205
Will call discreet proceeding.[2910][2920]
But other of your insolent retinue[2910][2912]
Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth[2910] 195
In rank and not to be endured riots. Sir,[2910][2913]
I had thought, by making this well known unto you,[2910][2914]
To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,[2910]
By what yourself too late have spoke and done,[2910]
That you protect this course and put it on[2910][2915] 200
By your allowance; which if you should, the fault[2910][2916][2917]
Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep,[2910][2917][2918]
Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,[2910]
Might in their working do you that offence[2910]
Which else were shame, that then necessity[2910][2919] 205
Will call discreet proceeding.[2910][2920]
Fool. For, you know, nuncle,[2921]
The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,[2922]
That it had it head bit off by it young.[2922][2923]
So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. 210
The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,[2922]
That it had it head bit off by it young.[2922][2923]
So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. 210
Lear. Are you our daughter?
Gon. Come, sir,[2924]
I would you would make use of that good wisdom[2925][2926]
Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away[2925][2927]
These dispositions that of late transform you[2925][2928] 215
From what you rightly are.[2925]
I would you would make use of that good wisdom[2925][2926]
Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away[2925][2927]
These dispositions that of late transform you[2925][2928] 215
From what you rightly are.[2925]
Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the
horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee.
horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee.
Lear. Doth any here know me? This is not Lear:[2929][2930]
Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?[2931] 220
Either his notion weakens, his discernings[2932]
Are lethargied—Ha! waking? 'tis not so.[2933]
Who is it that can tell me who I am?[2929][2934]
Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?[2931] 220
Either his notion weakens, his discernings[2932]
Are lethargied—Ha! waking? 'tis not so.[2933]
Who is it that can tell me who I am?[2929][2934]
Fool. Lear's shadow.[2935]
Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks of sovereignty[2936][2937] 225
knowledge and reason, I should be false persuaded[2936][2938]
I had daughters.[2936]
knowledge and reason, I should be false persuaded[2936][2938]
I had daughters.[2936]
Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman?[2939]
Gon. This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour[2941][2942] 230
Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you[2941]
To understand my purposes aright:[2941][2943]
As you are old and reverend, you should be wise.[2941][2944]
Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires;[2941][2945]
Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold,[2941][2946] 235
That this our court, infected with their manners,[2941]
Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust[2941][2947]
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel[2941][2948]
Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak[2941][2949]
For instant remedy: be then desired[2941][2950] 240
By her that else will take the thing she begs[2941]
A little to disquantity your train,[2941][2951]
And the remainder that shall still depend,[2941][2952]
To be such men as may besort your age,[2941]
Which know themselves and you.[2941][2953]
Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you[2941]
To understand my purposes aright:[2941][2943]
As you are old and reverend, you should be wise.[2941][2944]
Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires;[2941][2945]
Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold,[2941][2946] 235
That this our court, infected with their manners,[2941]
Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust[2941][2947]
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel[2941][2948]
Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak[2941][2949]
For instant remedy: be then desired[2941][2950] 240
By her that else will take the thing she begs[2941]
A little to disquantity your train,[2941][2951]
And the remainder that shall still depend,[2941][2952]
To be such men as may besort your age,[2941]
Which know themselves and you.[2941][2953]
Enter Albany.[2955]
Lear. Woe, that too late repents,—[To Alb.] O, sir, are you come?[2956]
Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses.[2957]
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,
More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child
Than the sea-monster![2958]
Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses.[2957]
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,
More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child
Than the sea-monster![2958]
Lear. [To Gon.] Detested kite! thou liest.[2959][2961][2962]
My train are men of choice and rarest parts,[2962]
That all particulars of duty know,
And in the most exact regard support
The worships of their name. O most small fault,[2963] 260
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!
That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature[2964]
From the fix'd place, drew from my heart all love
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear![2965]
Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in [Striking his head.[2966]265
And thy dear judgement out! Go, go, my people.[2967]
My train are men of choice and rarest parts,[2962]
That all particulars of duty know,
And in the most exact regard support
The worships of their name. O most small fault,[2963] 260
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!
That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature[2964]
From the fix'd place, drew from my heart all love
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear![2965]
Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in [Striking his head.[2966]265
And thy dear judgement out! Go, go, my people.[2967]
Lear. It may be so, my lord.[2970]
Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear![2970][2971]
Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend[2970] 270
To make this creature fruitful:[2970]
Into her womb convey sterility:
Dry up in her the organs of increase,
And from her derogate body never spring[2972]
A babe to honour her! If she must teem, 275
Create her child of spleen, that it may live
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her.[2973]
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;[2974]
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits[2975] 280
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel[2976]
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child! Away, away! [Exit.[2977]
Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear![2970][2971]
Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend[2970] 270
To make this creature fruitful:[2970]
Into her womb convey sterility:
Dry up in her the organs of increase,
And from her derogate body never spring[2972]
A babe to honour her! If she must teem, 275
Create her child of spleen, that it may live
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her.[2973]
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;[2974]
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits[2975] 280
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel[2976]
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child! Away, away! [Exit.[2977]
Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?[2978]
Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause,[2979] 285
But let his disposition have that scope
That dotage gives it.
But let his disposition have that scope
That dotage gives it.
Re-enter Lear.[2980]
Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap!
Within a fortnight!
Within a fortnight!
Alb. What's the matter, sir?[2981]
Lear. I'll tell thee. [To Gon.] Life and death! I am ashamed[2982]290
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus;
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,[2983]
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee![2984][2985]
The untented woundings of a father's curse[2985]
Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes,[2986] 295
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out[2987]
And cast you with the waters that you lose,[2988]
To temper clay. Yea, is it come to this?[2989]
Let it be so: yet have I left a daughter,[2990]
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable:[2991] 300
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find[2992]
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever: thou shalt, I warrant thee.
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus;
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,[2983]
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee![2984][2985]
The untented woundings of a father's curse[2985]
Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes,[2986] 295
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out[2987]
And cast you with the waters that you lose,[2988]
To temper clay. Yea, is it come to this?[2989]
Let it be so: yet have I left a daughter,[2990]
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable:[2991] 300
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find[2992]
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever: thou shalt, I warrant thee.
[Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants.[2993]
Gon. Do you mark that, my lord?[2994] 305
Gon. Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho![2995][2997][2998]
[To the Fool] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master.[2995][2997][2999]
[To the Fool] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master.[2995][2997][2999]
A fox, when one has caught her,[3002]
And such a daughter,
Should sure to the slaughter,
If my cap would buy a halter:[3003] 315
So the fool follows after. [Exit.[3004]
And such a daughter,
Should sure to the slaughter,
If my cap would buy a halter:[3003] 315
So the fool follows after. [Exit.[3004]
Gon. This man hath had good counsel: a hundred knights![3005][3006]
'Tis politic and safe to let him keep[3005][3007]
At point a hundred knights: yes, that on every dream,[3008]
Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, 320
He may enguard his dotage with their powers
And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say![3009]
'Tis politic and safe to let him keep[3005][3007]
At point a hundred knights: yes, that on every dream,[3008]
Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, 320
He may enguard his dotage with their powers
And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say![3009]
Alb. Well, you may fear too far.
Re-enter Oswald.[3013]
Osw. Yes, madam.[3016] 330
Gon. Take you some company, and away to horse:[3017]
Inform her full of my particular fear,[3018]
And thereto add such reasons of your own
As may compact it more. Get you gone;[3019]
And hasten your return. [Exit Oswald.] No, no, my lord,[3020] 335
This milky gentleness and course of yours[3021]
Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,[3022]
You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom[3023]
Than praised for harmful mildness.[3024]
Inform her full of my particular fear,[3018]
And thereto add such reasons of your own
As may compact it more. Get you gone;[3019]
And hasten your return. [Exit Oswald.] No, no, my lord,[3020] 335
This milky gentleness and course of yours[3021]
Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,[3022]
You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom[3023]
Than praised for harmful mildness.[3024]
Alb. How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell:[3025] 340
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.[3025][3026]
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.[3025][3026]
Gon. Nay, then—[3027]
Alb. Well, well; the event. [Exeunt.[3028]
Scene V. Court before the same.
Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool.[3029]
Lear. Go you before to Gloucester with these letters.[3030]
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.[3031]
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.[3031]
Fool. If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in[3032]
danger of kibes?
danger of kibes?
Lear. Ay, boy.
Fool. Then, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall ne'er go[3033] 10
slip-shod.
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[3034]
can tell what I can tell.[3035] 15
for though she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet I[3034]
can tell what I can tell.[3035] 15
Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, boy?[3036]
Fool. She will taste as like this as a crab does to a[3037]
crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle[3038]
on's face?[3039]
crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle[3038]
on's face?[3039]
Lear. No. 20
Fool. Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose,[3040]
that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into.[3041]
that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into.[3041]
Lear. I did her wrong—[3042]
Fool. Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell?[3043]
Lear. No. 25
Fool. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a
house.
house.
Lear. Why?
Fool. Why, to put's head in; not to give it away to his[3044]
daughters, and leave his horns without a case.[3045] 30
daughters, and leave his horns without a case.[3045] 30
Lear. I will forget my nature.—So kind a father!—Be
my horses ready?
my horses ready?
Fool. Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why[3046]
the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason.[3047]
the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason.[3047]
Lear. Because they are not eight?[3048] 35
Fool. Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool.[3049]
Lear. To take 't again perforce! Monster ingratitude![3050]
Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'ld have thee beaten[3051]
for being old before thy time.
for being old before thy time.
Lear. How's that? 40
Fool. Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst[3052]
been wise.
been wise.
Enter Gentleman.[3055]