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<title>SCENE IV. A hall in the same.
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<tr><td class="play" align="center">King Lear
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| <A href="/Shakespeare/lear/">King Lear</A>
| Act 1, Scene 4
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<H3>SCENE IV. A hall in the same.</h3>
<p><blockquote>
<i>Enter KENT, disguised</i>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech1><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>If but as well I other accents borrow,</A><br>
<A NAME=2>That can my speech defuse, my good intent</A><br>
<A NAME=3>May carry through itself to that full issue</A><br>
<A NAME=4>For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent,</A><br>
<A NAME=5>If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,</A><br>
<A NAME=6>So may it come, thy master, whom thou lovest,</A><br>
<A NAME=7>Shall find thee full of labours.</A><br>
<p><i>Horns within. Enter KING LEAR, Knights, and Attendants</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech2><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=8>Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit an Attendant</i></p>
<A NAME=9>How now! what art thou?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech3><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=10>A man, sir.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech4><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=11>What dost thou profess? what wouldst thou with us?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech5><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=12>I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve</A><br>
<A NAME=13>him truly that will put me in trust: to love him</A><br>
<A NAME=14>that is honest; to converse with him that is wise,</A><br>
<A NAME=15>and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when I</A><br>
<A NAME=16>cannot choose; and to eat no fish.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech6><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=17>What art thou?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech7><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=18>A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech8><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=19>If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a</A><br>
<A NAME=20>king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech9><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=21>Service.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech10><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=22>Who wouldst thou serve?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech11><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=23>You.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech12><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=24>Dost thou know me, fellow?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech13><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=25>No, sir; but you have that in your countenance</A><br>
<A NAME=26>which I would fain call master.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech14><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=27>What's that?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech15><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=28>Authority.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech16><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=29>What services canst thou do?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech17><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=30>I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious</A><br>
<A NAME=31>tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message</A><br>
<A NAME=32>bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am</A><br>
<A NAME=33>qualified in; and the best of me is diligence.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech18><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=34>How old art thou?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech19><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=35>Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor</A><br>
<A NAME=36>so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years</A><br>
<A NAME=37>on my back forty eight.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech20><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=38>Follow me; thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no</A><br>
<A NAME=39>worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.</A><br>
<A NAME=40>Dinner, ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool?</A><br>
<A NAME=41>Go you, and call my fool hither.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit an Attendant</i></p>
<p><i>Enter OSWALD</i></p>
<A NAME=42>You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech21><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=43>So please you,--</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech22><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=44>What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit a Knight</i></p>
<A NAME=45>Where's my fool, ho? I think the world's asleep.</A><br>
<p><i>Re-enter Knight</i></p>
<A NAME=46>How now! where's that mongrel?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech23><b>Knight</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=47>He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech24><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=48>Why came not the slave back to me when I called him.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech25><b>Knight</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=49>Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, he would</A><br>
<A NAME=50>not.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech26><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=51>He would not!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech27><b>Knight</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=52>My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my</A><br>
<A NAME=53>judgment, your highness is not entertained with that</A><br>
<A NAME=54>ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a</A><br>
<A NAME=55>great abatement of kindness appears as well in the</A><br>
<A NAME=56>general dependants as in the duke himself also and</A><br>
<A NAME=57>your daughter.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech28><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=58>Ha! sayest thou so?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech29><b>Knight</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=59>I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken;</A><br>
<A NAME=60>for my duty cannot be silent when I think your</A><br>
<A NAME=61>highness wronged.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech30><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=62>Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception: I</A><br>
<A NAME=63>have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I</A><br>
<A NAME=64>have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity</A><br>
<A NAME=65>than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness:</A><br>
<A NAME=66>I will look further into't. But where's my fool? I</A><br>
<A NAME=67>have not seen him this two days.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech31><b>Knight</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=68>Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the</A><br>
<A NAME=69>fool hath much pined away.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech32><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=70>No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you, and</A><br>
<A NAME=71>tell my daughter I would speak with her.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit an Attendant</i></p>
<A NAME=72>Go you, call hither my fool.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit an Attendant</i></p>
<p><i>Re-enter OSWALD</i></p>
<A NAME=73>O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am I,</A><br>
<A NAME=74>sir?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech33><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=75>My lady's father.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech34><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=76>'My lady's father'! my lord's knave: your</A><br>
<A NAME=77>whoreson dog! you slave! you cur!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech35><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=78>I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your pardon.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech36><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=79>Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?</A><br>
<p><i>Striking him</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech37><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=80>I'll not be struck, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech38><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=81>Nor tripped neither, you base football player.</A><br>
<p><i>Tripping up his heels</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech39><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=82>I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll</A><br>
<A NAME=83>love thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech40><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=84>Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences:</A><br>
<A NAME=85>away, away! if you will measure your lubber's</A><br>
<A NAME=86>length again, tarry: but away! go to; have you</A><br>
<A NAME=87>wisdom? so.</A><br>
<p><i>Pushes OSWALD out</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech41><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=88>Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's</A><br>
<A NAME=89>earnest of thy service.</A><br>
<p><i>Giving KENT money</i></p>
<p><i>Enter Fool</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech42><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=90>Let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb.</A><br>
<p><i>Offering KENT his cap</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech43><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=91>How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech44><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=92>Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech45><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=93>Why, fool?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech46><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=94>Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour:</A><br>
<A NAME=95>nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits,</A><br>
<A NAME=96>thou'lt catch cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb:</A><br>
<A NAME=97>why, this fellow has banished two on's daughters,</A><br>
<A NAME=98>and did the third a blessing against his will; if</A><br>
<A NAME=99>thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.</A><br>
<A NAME=100>How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech47><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=101>Why, my boy?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech48><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=102>If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs</A><br>
<A NAME=103>myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech49><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=104>Take heed, sirrah; the whip.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech50><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=105>Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped</A><br>
<A NAME=106>out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and stink.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech51><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=107>A pestilent gall to me!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech52><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=108>Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech53><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=109>Do.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech54><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=110>Mark it, nuncle:</A><br>
<A NAME=111>Have more than thou showest,</A><br>
<A NAME=112>Speak less than thou knowest,</A><br>
<A NAME=113>Lend less than thou owest,</A><br>
<A NAME=114>Ride more than thou goest,</A><br>
<A NAME=115>Learn more than thou trowest,</A><br>
<A NAME=116>Set less than thou throwest;</A><br>
<A NAME=117>Leave thy drink and thy whore,</A><br>
<A NAME=118>And keep in-a-door,</A><br>
<A NAME=119>And thou shalt have more</A><br>
<A NAME=120>Than two tens to a score.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech55><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=121>This is nothing, fool.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech56><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=122>Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer; you</A><br>
<A NAME=123>gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of</A><br>
<A NAME=124>nothing, nuncle?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech57><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=125>Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech58><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=126>[To KENT] Prithee, tell him, so much the rent of</A><br>
<A NAME=127>his land comes to: he will not believe a fool.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech59><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=128>A bitter fool!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech60><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=129>Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a</A><br>
<A NAME=130>bitter fool and a sweet fool?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech61><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=131>No, lad; teach me.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech62><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=132>That lord that counsell'd thee</A><br>
<A NAME=133>To give away thy land,</A><br>
<A NAME=134>Come place him here by me,</A><br>
<A NAME=135>Do thou for him stand:</A><br>
<A NAME=136>The sweet and bitter fool</A><br>
<A NAME=137>Will presently appear;</A><br>
<A NAME=138>The one in motley here,</A><br>
<A NAME=139>The other found out there.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech63><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=140>Dost thou call me fool, boy?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech64><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=141>All thy other titles thou hast given away; that</A><br>
<A NAME=142>thou wast born with.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech65><b>KENT</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=143>This is not altogether fool, my lord.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech66><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=144>No, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if</A><br>
<A NAME=145>I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't:</A><br>
<A NAME=146>and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool</A><br>
<A NAME=147>to myself; they'll be snatching. Give me an egg,</A><br>
<A NAME=148>nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech67><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=149>What two crowns shall they be?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech68><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=150>Why, after I have cut the egg i' the middle, and eat</A><br>
<A NAME=151>up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou</A><br>
<A NAME=152>clovest thy crown i' the middle, and gavest away</A><br>
<A NAME=153>both parts, thou borest thy ass on thy back o'er</A><br>
<A NAME=154>the dirt: thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown,</A><br>
<A NAME=155>when thou gavest thy golden one away. If I speak</A><br>
<A NAME=156>like myself in this, let him be whipped that first</A><br>
<A NAME=157>finds it so.</A><br>
<p><i>Singing</i></p>
<A NAME=158>Fools had ne'er less wit in a year;</A><br>
<A NAME=159>For wise men are grown foppish,</A><br>
<A NAME=160>They know not how their wits to wear,</A><br>
<A NAME=161>Their manners are so apish.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech69><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=162>When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech70><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=163>I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy</A><br>
<A NAME=164>daughters thy mothers: for when thou gavest them</A><br>
<A NAME=165>the rod, and put'st down thine own breeches,</A><br>
<p><i>Singing</i></p>
<A NAME=166>Then they for sudden joy did weep,</A><br>
<A NAME=167>And I for sorrow sung,</A><br>
<A NAME=168>That such a king should play bo-peep,</A><br>
<A NAME=169>And go the fools among.</A><br>
<A NAME=170>Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach</A><br>
<A NAME=171>thy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech71><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=172>An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech72><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=173>I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are:</A><br>
<A NAME=174>they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt</A><br>
<A NAME=175>have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am</A><br>
<A NAME=176>whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any</A><br>
<A NAME=177>kind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be</A><br>
<A NAME=178>thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides,</A><br>
<A NAME=179>and left nothing i' the middle: here comes one o'</A><br>
<A NAME=180>the parings.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter GONERIL</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech73><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=181>How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on?</A><br>
<A NAME=182>Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech74><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=183>Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to</A><br>
<A NAME=184>care for her frowning; now thou art an O without a</A><br>
<A NAME=185>figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool,</A><br>
<A NAME=186>thou art nothing.</A><br>
<p><i>To GONERIL</i></p>
<A NAME=187>Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue; so your face</A><br>
<A NAME=188>bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum,</A><br>
<A NAME=189>He that keeps nor crust nor crum,</A><br>
<A NAME=190>Weary of all, shall want some.</A><br>
<p><i>Pointing to KING LEAR</i></p>
<A NAME=191>That's a shealed peascod.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech75><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=192>Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool,</A><br>
<A NAME=193>But other of your insolent retinue</A><br>
<A NAME=194>Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth</A><br>
<A NAME=195>In rank and not-to-be endured riots. Sir,</A><br>
<A NAME=196>I had thought, by making this well known unto you,</A><br>
<A NAME=197>To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,</A><br>
<A NAME=198>By what yourself too late have spoke and done.</A><br>
<A NAME=199>That you protect this course, and put it on</A><br>
<A NAME=200>By your allowance; which if you should, the fault</A><br>
<A NAME=201>Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep,</A><br>
<A NAME=202>Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,</A><br>
<A NAME=203>Might in their working do you that offence,</A><br>
<A NAME=204>Which else were shame, that then necessity</A><br>
<A NAME=205>Will call discreet proceeding.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech76><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=206>For, you trow, nuncle,</A><br>
<A NAME=207>The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,</A><br>
<A NAME=208>That it's had it head bit off by it young.</A><br>
<A NAME=209>So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech77><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=210>Are you our daughter?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech78><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=211>Come, sir,</A><br>
<A NAME=212>I would you would make use of that good wisdom,</A><br>
<A NAME=213>Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away</A><br>
<A NAME=214>These dispositions, that of late transform you</A><br>
<A NAME=215>From what you rightly are.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech79><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=216>May not an ass know when the cart</A><br>
<A NAME=217>draws the horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech80><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=218>Doth any here know me? This is not Lear:</A><br>
<A NAME=219>Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?</A><br>
<A NAME=220>Either his notion weakens, his discernings</A><br>
<A NAME=221>Are lethargied--Ha! waking? 'tis not so.</A><br>
<A NAME=222>Who is it that can tell me who I am?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech81><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=223>Lear's shadow.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech82><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=224>I would learn that; for, by the</A><br>
<A NAME=225>marks of sovereignty, knowledge, and reason,</A><br>
<A NAME=226>I should be false persuaded I had daughters.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech83><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=227>Which they will make an obedient father.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech84><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=228>Your name, fair gentlewoman?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech85><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=229>This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour</A><br>
<A NAME=230>Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you</A><br>
<A NAME=231>To understand my purposes aright:</A><br>
<A NAME=232>As you are old and reverend, you should be wise.</A><br>
<A NAME=233>Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires;</A><br>
<A NAME=234>Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold,</A><br>
<A NAME=235>That this our court, infected with their manners,</A><br>
<A NAME=236>Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust</A><br>
<A NAME=237>Make it more like a tavern or a brothel</A><br>
<A NAME=238>Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak</A><br>
<A NAME=239>For instant remedy: be then desired</A><br>
<A NAME=240>By her, that else will take the thing she begs,</A><br>
<A NAME=241>A little to disquantity your train;</A><br>
<A NAME=242>And the remainder, that shall still depend,</A><br>
<A NAME=243>To be such men as may besort your age,</A><br>
<A NAME=244>And know themselves and you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech86><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=245>Darkness and devils!</A><br>
<A NAME=246>Saddle my horses; call my train together:</A><br>
<A NAME=247>Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee.</A><br>
<A NAME=248>Yet have I left a daughter.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech87><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=249>You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble</A><br>
<A NAME=250>Make servants of their betters.</A><br>
<p><i>Enter ALBANY</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech88><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=251>Woe, that too late repents,--</A><br>
<p><i>To ALBANY</i></p>
<A NAME=252>O, sir, are you come?</A><br>
<A NAME=253>Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses.</A><br>
<A NAME=254>Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,</A><br>
<A NAME=255>More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child</A><br>
<A NAME=256>Than the sea-monster!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech89><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=257>Pray, sir, be patient.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech90><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=258>[To GONERIL] Detested kite! thou liest.</A><br>
<A NAME=259>My train are men of choice and rarest parts,</A><br>
<A NAME=260>That all particulars of duty know,</A><br>
<A NAME=261>And in the most exact regard support</A><br>
<A NAME=262>The worships of their name. O most small fault,</A><br>
<A NAME=263>How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!</A><br>
<A NAME=264>That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature</A><br>
<A NAME=265>From the fix'd place; drew from heart all love,</A><br>
<A NAME=266>And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear!</A><br>
<A NAME=267>Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in,</A><br>
<p><i>Striking his head</i></p>
<A NAME=268>And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech91><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=269>My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant</A><br>
<A NAME=270>Of what hath moved you.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech92><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=271>It may be so, my lord.</A><br>
<A NAME=272>Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear!</A><br>
<A NAME=273>Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend</A><br>
<A NAME=274>To make this creature fruitful!</A><br>
<A NAME=275>Into her womb convey sterility!</A><br>
<A NAME=276>Dry up in her the organs of increase;</A><br>
<A NAME=277>And from her derogate body never spring</A><br>
<A NAME=278>A babe to honour her! If she must teem,</A><br>
<A NAME=279>Create her child of spleen; that it may live,</A><br>
<A NAME=280>And be a thwart disnatured torment to her!</A><br>
<A NAME=281>Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;</A><br>
<A NAME=282>With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;</A><br>
<A NAME=283>Turn all her mother's pains and benefits</A><br>
<A NAME=284>To laughter and contempt; that she may feel</A><br>
<A NAME=285>How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is</A><br>
<A NAME=286>To have a thankless child! Away, away!</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech93><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=287>Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech94><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=288>Never afflict yourself to know the cause;</A><br>
<A NAME=289>But let his disposition have that scope</A><br>
<A NAME=290>That dotage gives it.</A><br>
<p><i>Re-enter KING LEAR</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech95><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=291>What, fifty of my followers at a clap!</A><br>
<A NAME=292>Within a fortnight!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech96><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=293>What's the matter, sir?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech97><b>KING LEAR</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=294>I'll tell thee:</A><br>
<p><i>To GONERIL</i></p>
<A NAME=295>Life and death! I am ashamed</A><br>
<A NAME=296>That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus;</A><br>
<A NAME=297>That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,</A><br>
<A NAME=298>Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee!</A><br>
<A NAME=299>The untented woundings of a father's curse</A><br>
<A NAME=300>Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes,</A><br>
<A NAME=301>Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out,</A><br>
<A NAME=302>And cast you, with the waters that you lose,</A><br>
<A NAME=303>To temper clay. Yea, it is come to this?</A><br>
<A NAME=304>Let is be so: yet have I left a daughter,</A><br>
<A NAME=305>Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable:</A><br>
<A NAME=306>When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails</A><br>
<A NAME=307>She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find</A><br>
<A NAME=308>That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think</A><br>
<A NAME=309>I have cast off for ever: thou shalt,</A><br>
<A NAME=310>I warrant thee.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt KING LEAR, KENT, and Attendants</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech98><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=311>Do you mark that, my lord?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech99><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=312>I cannot be so partial, Goneril,</A><br>
<A NAME=313>To the great love I bear you,--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech100><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=314>Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho!</A><br>
<p><i>To the Fool</i></p>
<A NAME=315>You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech101><b>Fool</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=316>Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry and take the fool</A><br>
<A NAME=317>with thee.</A><br>
<A NAME=318>A fox, when one has caught her,</A><br>
<A NAME=319>And such a daughter,</A><br>
<A NAME=320>Should sure to the slaughter,</A><br>
<A NAME=321>If my cap would buy a halter:</A><br>
<A NAME=322>So the fool follows after.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit</i></p>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech102><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=323>This man hath had good counsel:--a hundred knights!</A><br>
<A NAME=324>'Tis politic and safe to let him keep</A><br>
<A NAME=325>At point a hundred knights: yes, that, on every dream,</A><br>
<A NAME=326>Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike,</A><br>
<A NAME=327>He may enguard his dotage with their powers,</A><br>
<A NAME=328>And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say!</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech103><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=329>Well, you may fear too far.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech104><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=330>Safer than trust too far:</A><br>
<A NAME=331>Let me still take away the harms I fear,</A><br>
<A NAME=332>Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart.</A><br>
<A NAME=333>What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister</A><br>
<A NAME=334>If she sustain him and his hundred knights</A><br>
<A NAME=335>When I have show'd the unfitness,--</A><br>
<p><i>Re-enter OSWALD</i></p>
<A NAME=336>How now, Oswald!</A><br>
<A NAME=337>What, have you writ that letter to my sister?</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech105><b>OSWALD</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=338>Yes, madam.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech106><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=339>Take you some company, and away to horse:</A><br>
<A NAME=340>Inform her full of my particular fear;</A><br>
<A NAME=341>And thereto add such reasons of your own</A><br>
<A NAME=342>As may compact it more. Get you gone;</A><br>
<A NAME=343>And hasten your return.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit OSWALD</i></p>
<A NAME=344>No, no, my lord,</A><br>
<A NAME=345>This milky gentleness and course of yours</A><br>
<A NAME=346>Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,</A><br>
<A NAME=347>You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom</A><br>
<A NAME=348>Than praised for harmful mildness.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech107><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=349>How far your eyes may pierce I can not tell:</A><br>
<A NAME=350>Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech108><b>GONERIL</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=351>Nay, then--</A><br>
</blockquote>
<A NAME=speech109><b>ALBANY</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=352>Well, well; the event.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt</i></p>
</blockquote>
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