Lear. To have a thousand with red burning spits

Come hissing in upon 'em,Edg. The foul fiend bites my back.

Fool. He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a horse's health, a boy's love, or a whore's oath.

Lear. It shall be done; I will arraign them straight. [To EDGAR.] Come, sit thou here, most learned justi

cer;

[To the Fool.] Thou, sapient sir, sit here. Now, you she foxes!

Edg. Look where he stands

Edg. The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a nightingale. Hopdance cries in Tom's belly for two white herring. Croak not, black angel; I have no food for

thee.

Kent. How do you, sir? Stand you not so amazed: Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions?

Lear. I'll see their trial first. Bring in their evidence.

[To EDGAR.] Thou robed man of justice, take thy place;

[To the Fool.] And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity,

Bench by his side. [To KENT.] You are o' the commission,

Sit you too.

Edg. Let us deal justly.

Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd?

Thy sheep be in the corn; And for one blast of thy minikin mouth,

Thy sheep shall take no

harm.

Purr! the cat is grey.

Lear. Arraign her first; 'tis Goneril. I here take my oath before this honourable assembly, she kicked the poor king her father.

Fool. Come hither, mistress. Is your name Goneril?

Lear. She cannot deny it.

Fool. Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool. Lear. And here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim

What store her heart is made on. Stop her there! Arms, arms, sword, fire! Corruption in the place! False justicer, why hast thou let her 'scape?

Edg. Bless thy five wits! Kent. O pity! Sir, where is the patience now

That you so oft have boasted to retain ?

Edg. [Aside.] My tears be