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,

A little to disquantity your train ;

And the remainder, that shall still depend,1
To be such men as may besort your age,

And know themselves and you.

Darkness and devils!

Lear.
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 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!
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 am guiltless, as I am ignorant Of what hath moved you.

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:

Into her womb convey sterility;

Dry up in her the organs of increase;

And from her derogate 2 body never spring

A babe to honor 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.

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
Pierce every sense about thee !-Old fond eyes,
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck you out;
And cast you, with the waters that you lose,
To temper clay.-Ha! 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

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.

Gon. This man hath had good counsel.-A hun

dred knights!

"Tis politic and safe to let him keep

At point1 a hundred knights.

dream,

Yes, that on every

Each buz, 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 utter'd, I have writ my sister;

1 Completely armed.

If she sustain him and his hundred knights,
When I have show'd the unfitness,-

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.