Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak For instant remedy: be then desired By her, that else will take the thing she begs, And the remainder, that shall still depend,1 And know themselves and you. 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.-O, sir, are you come? Is it your will? [to Alb.] 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. [to Goneril. Lear. 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 1 Continue in service. The worships of their name.-O most small fault, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! Which, like an engine,1 wrench'd my frame of nature From the fix'd place; drew from my heart all love, And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! [striking his head. Lear. It may be so, my lord.-Hear, Nature, hear; Dear goddess, hear! Suspend thy purpose, if Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful: Dry up in her the organs of increase; And from her derogate 2 body never spring [Exit. A rack. 2 Degraded. 3 Falling. Alb. Now, gods, that we adore, whereof comes this? Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause; 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:-Life and death! I am ashamed That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; [to Goneril. That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, Should make thee worth them.-Blasts and fogs upon thee! The untented 1 woundings of a father's curse 1 Undressed. I have cast off for ever; thou shalt, I warrant thee. [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! You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master. [to the Fool. Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, and take the fool with thee. 'A fox, when one has caught her, Should sure to the slaughter, So the fool follows after.' [Exit. Gon. This man hath had good counsel.-A hun dred knights! 'Tis politic and safe to let him keep At point1 a hundred knights. Yes, that on every dream, Each buz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, He Gon. Completely armed. If she sustain him and his hundred knights, Oswald? Enter STEWard. -How now, What, have you writ that letter to my sister? Stew. 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. And hasten your return. lord, Get you gone; [Exit Stew.] No, no, my This milky gentleness, and course of yours, Though I condemn it not; yet, under pardon, You are much more attask'd1 for want of wisdom, Than praised 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. 1 Liable to reprehension. |