The worships of their name.-O most small fault, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! Which, like an engine,1 wrench'd my frame of nature From the fix'd place; drew from my heart all love, And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! [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 moved you. Lear. It may be so, my lord.-Hear, Nature, hear; Dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful: Into her womb convey sterility; Dry up in her the organs of increase; And from her derogate 2 body never spring [Exit. A rack. 2 Degraded. 3 Falling. Alb. Now, gods, that we adore, whereof comes this? Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause; But let his disposition have that scope That dotage gives it. Re-enter LEAR. Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap? Within a fortnight? Alb. What's the matter, sir? Lear. I'll tell thee:-Life and death! I am ashamed That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus ; The untented 1 woundings of a father's curse 1 Undressed. I have cast off for ever; thou shalt, I warrant thee. [Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants. Gon. Do you mark that, my lord? 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, and take the fool with thee. A fox, when one has caught her, Should sure to the slaughter, So the fool follows after.' [Exit. Gon. This man hath had good counsel.—A hun dred knights! "Tis politic and safe to let him keep At point1 a hundred knights, Yes, that on every dream, Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, 1 Completely armed. If she sustain him and his hundred knights, Oswald? Enter STEWARD. -How now, What, have you writ that letter to my sister? 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. And hasten your return. lord, Get you gone; [Exit Stew.] No, no, my This milky gentleness, and course of yours, Though I condemn it not; yet, under pardon, You are much more attask'd1 for want of wisdom, Than praised for harmful mildness. Alb. How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot tell: Striving to better, oft we mar what's well. Gon. Nay, then Alb. Well, well; the event. 1 Liable to reprehension. [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 farther with any thing you know, than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there before you. Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter. [Exit. Fool. If a man's brains were in his heels, were 't not in danger of kibes ? Lear. Ay, boy. Fool. Then, I pr'ythee, be merry; thy wit shall not go slipshod. Lear. Ha, ha, ha! Fool. Shalt see, thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for though she's as like this as a crab is like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? Fool. She will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle of his face? Lear. No. Fool. Why, to keep his eyes on either side his nose; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. Lear. I did her wrong: |