Goneril ignores her husband, trying only incidentally to influence his judgment first by reference to his possible loss of power (311) and then to a danger to public order (325). She sets him aside; and his protest is weak and ineffectual. He fears a storm in his own household more than he fears trouble from Lear. Goneril. This man hath had good counsel! A hundred knights! 'T is politic and safe to let him keep At point a hundred knights! Yes, that on every dream, Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, He may enguard his dotage with their powers And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say! Albany. Well, you may fear too far. Goneril. 325 Let me still take away the harms I fear, Not still fear to be taken. I know this heart, What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister; If she sustain him and his hundred knights, When I have show'd th' unfitness, Re-enter Oswald. How now, Oswald! 335 What, have you writ that letter to my sister? Oswald. Ay, madam. Albany seems to fear no danger from the king and his armed body of followers; but Goneril, whose ambitions are not yet satisfied, objects to such a force in attendance upon her father. Apart from the trouble which they cause in her household, may she foresee in them a possible obstacle to the attainment of her political desires? 323. This man: Albany. The irony of Goneril's words, evidenced in this aside, is directed against her husband who objects to her severe measures, and who, at peril to the State she declares, would allow the old man to retain his armed retinue. 325. politic: wise, for the public good. 326. At point: under arms, prepared. 327. buzz: idle rumour. 328. enguard: protect. 329. in mercy: at his mercy. The legal expression is In misericordia. 332. taken: taken by harms. 334. sustain: support; literally and also in the sense of approve. The sentence is never finished. Goneril. Take 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, This milky gentleness and course of yours Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon, 340 You are much more at task for want of wisdom 345 Than prais'd for harmful mildness. Albany. How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell; Striving to better, oft we mar what 's well. Goneril. Nay, then Albany. Well, well; th' event. 338. company: escort. 339. full: fully. particular: personal, individual. 341. compact: strengthen my argument. 343. The milky gentleness of your course. (Schmidt.) 345. at task: blamed. (Exeunt.) 350 350. th' event: Albany declines to argue, but says let us wait the outcome of your method. |