These dispositions, that of late transform you From what you rightly are. Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse? - Whoop, Jug! I love thee. Lear. Doth any here know me? Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Why, this is not Lear: Where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, or his discernings Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks of sovereignty, Knowledge, and reason, I should be false-persuaded I had daughters. Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. Gon. This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour As you are old and reverend, should be wise. Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak By her, that else will take the thing she begs, A little to disquantity your train; And the remainder, that shall still depend, Darkness and devils! Lear. Gon. You strike my people; and your disorder'd rabble Make servants of their betters. Enter ALBANY. Lear. Woe, that too late repents, — [To Alb.] O, sir, are you come? Prepare my horses. - Is it your will? Speak, sir. More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child Alb. Pray, sir, be patient. O most small fault, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in, [Striking his head. And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people. Alb. My lord, I'm guiltless, as I'm ignorant Of what hath mov'd you. Lear. Into her womb convey sterility! [Exit. Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? That dotage gives it. Re-enter LEAR. Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! Alb. What's the matter, sir? Within a fortnight! [To Gon.] Life and death! I am That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out, [Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants. Gon. Do you mark that, my lord? To the great love I bear you, Gon. Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho! [To the Fool] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. 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, So the fool follows after. [Exit. Gon. This man hath had good counsel: knights! 'Tis politic and safe to let him keep a hundred At point a hundred knights: yes, that, on every dream, He may enguard his dotage with their powers, And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say! Safer than trust too far: Let me still take away the harms I fear, Re-enter OSWALD. How now, Oswald! What, have you writ that letter to my sister? Osw. 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. Get you gone; And hasten your return. [Exit Oswald.] No, no, my lord, Though I condemn it not, yet, under pardon, You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom Than prais'd 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. [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 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. Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter. [Exit. Fool. If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in danger of kibes? Lear. Ay, boy. Fool. Then, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall not go slip-shod. 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 can tell what I can tell. Lear. What canst tell, 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 on's face? Lear. No. Fool. Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose; what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. Lear. I did her wrong Fool. Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell? Lear. No. that Fool. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house. Fool. Why, to put his head in; not to give it away to his daughters, and leave his horns without a case. Lear. I will forget my nature. So kind a father! - Be my horses ready? Fool. Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason. Lear. Because they are not eight? Fool. Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool. Lear. To take 't again perforce! Monster ingratitude! Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time. |