Fool. Lear's shadow.

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. Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman?

Gon. This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour
Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you
To understand my purposes aright :

As you are old and reverend, should be wise.
Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires;
Men so disordered, so deboshed, and bold,
That this our court, infected with their manners,

Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel

Than a graced palace.

The shame itself doth

speak

For instant remedy: be then desired,

By her that else will take the things she begs,
A little to disquantity your train ;

And the remainder that shall still depend,

To be such men as may besort your age,

Which know themselves and you.

Lear.

Darkness and devils !

Saddle my horses; call my train together.-
Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee:

Yet have I left a daughter.

Gon. You strike my people; and your disordered rabble

Make servants of their betters.

Enter ALBANY

Lear. Woe, that too late repents,-[To ALBANY.] O, sir, are you come?

Is it your will? Speak, sir.-Prepare my horses.—
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,

More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child
Than the sea-monster !

Alb.

Pray, sir, be patient.

Lear. [To GONERIL.] 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, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!

Which, like an engine, wrenched my frame of

nature

From the fixed place, drew from my heart all love, And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear!

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 moved you.

It may be

so, my lord.

Lear.
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 derogate body never spring
A babe to honour her! If she must teem,
Create her child of spleen; that it may live,
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her!
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits
To laughter and contempt: that she may feel
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is

To have a thankless child !-Away, away! [Exit.
Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes

this?

Gon. Never afflict yourself to know more of it; 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,-[To GONERIL.] Life and death! I am ashamed

That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus ; That these hot tears, which break from me per

force,

Should make thee worth them.-Blasts and fogs upon thee!

The untented woundings of a father's curse
Pierce every sense about thee!-Old fond eyes,
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out,
And cast you, with the waters that you lose,
To temper clay.-Yea, is it come to this!
Let it be so :-yet have I left a daughter,
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable :
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flay thy wolfish visage. Thou shalt find
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever.

[Exeunt LEAR, KENT, and Attendants.

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!-[To the Fool.] You, sir, more knave than 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 counsel:-a hundred

knights!

'Tis 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!— Alb. Well, you may fear too far.

Gon.

Safer than trust too far:

Let me still take away the harms I fear,
Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart.
What he hath uttered I have writ my sister :
If she sustain him and his hundred knights,
When I have showed the unfitness,-

Re-enter OSWALD

How now, Oswald !

What, have you writ that letter to my sister?