Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. Gon. Come, sir; This admiration is much o'the favour Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you As you are old and reverend, you should be wise: Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak For instant remedy. Be then desir'd By her, that else will take the thing she begs, A little to disquantity your train; And the remainder, that shall still depend, To be such men as may besort your age, Lear. Darkness and devils! Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee; Yet have I left a daughter. Gon. You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble Make servants of their betters. Enter ALBANY. Lear. Woe, that too late repents,-O, sir, are you come? Is it your will? [to Alb.] Speak, sir.-Prepare my horses. Ingratitude! thou marble-hearted fiend, More hideous, when thou show'st thee in a child, Alb. Pray, sir, be patient. [To Goneril. Lear. Detested kite! thou liest.. My train are men of choice and rarest parts, That all particulars of duty know; And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name.-O most small fault, Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, [striking his head. And thy dear judgement 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 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 dérogate body never spring With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks; [Exit. 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 That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus: [To Goneril. 24 That these hot tears, which break from me perforces Should make thee worth them.-Blasts and fogs upon thee! The untented, woundings of a father's curse She'll flay thy wolfish visage. Thou shalt find, 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, And such a daughter, Should sure to the slaughter, If my cap would buy a halter; So the fool follows after. [Exit. Gon. This man hath had good counsel:-A hundred knights! Tis politick, and safe, to let him keep At point, a hundred knights. Yes, that on every dream, Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, If she sustain him and his hundred knights, When I have show'd the unfitness,-How now, Oswald? What, have Enter Steward. you writ that letter to my sister? Stew. Ay, madam. 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. lord, Get you gone; [Exit Stew.] No, no, my This milky gentleness, and course of yours, 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. SCENE V. Court before the Same. Enter LEAR, KENT, and Fool. [Exeunt Lear. Go you before to Gloster with these letters: acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know, than comes from her demand out of the letter |