Lear. Follow me not; stay here. [Exit. Gent. Made you no more offence but what you speak of? How chance the king comes with so small a train? 60 Fool. An thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that question, thou hadst well deserved it. Kent. Why, fool? Fool. We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there's no labouring i' the winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him that's stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it; but the great one that goes up the hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. That sir which serves and seeks for gain, And follows but for form, Will pack when it begins to rain, And leave thee in the storm. But I will tarry; the fool will stay, And let the wise man fly: The knave turns fool that runs away; The fool no knave, perdy. Kent. Where learned you this, fool? Fool. Not i' the stocks, fool. Re-enter LEAR, with GLOUCESTER. 80 Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary ? They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches; The images of revolt and flying off. Fetch me a better answer. Glou. My dear lord, You know the fiery quality of the duke; How unremoveable and fix'd he is In his own course. Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion! 90 Glou. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so. Lear. Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man? Glou. Ay, my good lord. Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father Would with his daughter speak, commands her service: Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves And am fall'n out with my more headier will, For the sound man. wherefore Should he sit here? 100 [Looking on Kent.] Death on my state! This act persuades me That this remotion of the duke and her Is practice only. Give me my servant forth. Go tell the duke and 's wife I'ld speak with them, Glou. I would have all well betwixt you. ΙΙΟ [Exit. Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart! But, down! Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels when she put 'em i' the paste alive; she knapped 'em o' the coxcombs with a stick, and cried 'Down, wantons, down!' 'Twas her brother that, in pure kindness to his horse, buttered his hay. 121 Re-enter GLOUCESTER, with CORNWALL, REGAN, and Servants. Lear. Good morrow to you both. Hail to your grace! [Kent is set at liberty. Reg. I am glad to see your highness. Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, 130 [Points to his heart. I can scarce speak to thee; thou 'lt not believe Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope Than she to scant her duty. Lear. Say, how is that? Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least Lear. My curses on her! Reg. Of her confine: you should be ruled and led Say you have wrong'd her, sir. Lear. Ask her forgiveness? Do you but mark how this becomes the house: 140 Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed and food.' Reg. Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks: Return you to my sister. Lear. [Rising] Never, Regan: She hath abated me of half my train; Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue, All the stored vengeances of heaven fall On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones, Corn. Fie, sir, fie! 150 Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames Into her scornful eyes. Infect her beauty, You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun, Reg. O the blest gods! so will you wish on me, Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse: Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce, but thine To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train, Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot, Reg. Good sir, to the purpose. 161 170 Lear. Who put my man i' the stocks? [Tucket within. Corn. What trumpet's that? Reg. I know 't; my sister's; this approves her letter, That she would soon be here. Enter OSWALD. Is your lady come? 180 Lear. This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. Out, varlet, from my sight! Corn. What means your grace? Regan, I have good Lear. Who stock'd my servant? hope Thou didst not know on 't. Who comes here? Enter GONERIL. O heavens, If you do love old men, if your sweet sway 190 Gon. Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended? All's not offence that indiscretion finds And dotage terms so. Lear. Will you yet hold? O sides, you are too tough; How came my man i' the stocks? Corn. I set him there, sir: but his own disorders Deserved much less advancement. Lear. You! did you? Reg. I pray you, father, being weak, seem so. 200 |