hadst little wit in thy bald crown, when thou gavest thy golden one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipped that first finds it so. 1 Fools had ne'er less grace in a year; [Singing. Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah? Fool. I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy daughters thy mothers: for, when thou gavest them the rod and putt'st down thine own breeches, Then they for sudden joy did weep, And I for sorrow sung, That such a king should play bo-peep,2 [Singing. Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a school - master that can teach thy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie. Lear. An you lie, sirrah, we 'll have you whipped. Fool. I marvel, what kin thou and thy daughters are: they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou 'lt have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool; and yet I would not be thee, nuncle: thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, and left nothing i' the middle. Here comes one o' the parings. Enter GONERIL. Lear. How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on?3 Methinks, you are too much of late i' the frown. Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow, when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning; now thou art an O without a figure. I am better than thou art now: I am a fool; thou art nothing. Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue! 1. There never was a time when fools were less in favour; and the reason is, they never were so little wanted, for wise men now supply their place. 2. Bo-peep means child's play: The looking out from behind some object, and drawing back as if frightened, crying at the same time, bo-peep, to amuse little children. 3. A frontlet was a forehead-cloth, used formerly by ladies at night, to render that part smooth. Lear, probably, means to say that Goneril's brow was as completely covered by a frown as it would be by a frontlet. To make was formerly often used where we should now use the verb, to do. so your face [To GON.] bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum: He that keeps nor crust nor crum, Weary of all, shall want some. That's a shealed peascod.1 Goneril. Not only, Sir, this your all-licens'd fool, But other of your insolent retinue Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth In rank and not-to-be-endured riots. Sir, I had thought, by making this well known unto you, Fool. For you trow, nuncle, The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.+ Gon. I would, you would make use of your good Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away wisdom, Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the Whoop, Jug! I love thee. - horse? Lear. Does any here know me? This is not Lear: 1. i. e. a mere husk, which contains in order to restore a wholesome state nothing. The outside of a king remains, of things. but all the intrinsic parts of royalty are gone: he has nothing to give. To sheal, or shale, is to shell. 2. And encourage it by your approbation. 3. Which, if applied, as is necessary 4. This line is nothing but a fag end of an old song, added by the fool to keep up his character for uttering nonsense, and at the same time to take off the sharp edge of his former speech. Does Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, his discernings Are lethargied. Ha! waking? 't is not so. - Fool. Lear's shadow? Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks of sov Knowledge, and reason, I should be false persuaded I had daughters. 1 ereignty, Fool. Which they will make an obedient father. Goneril. This admiration, Sir, is much o' the favour Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you As you are old and reverend, should be wise. Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak By her, that else will take the thing she begs, And the remainder, that shall still depend, Lear. 6 Darkness and devils! Saddle my horses; call my train together. 3 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! [To ALB.] are you come? Is it your will? Speak, Sir. — Prepare my horses. More hideous, when thou show'st thee in a child, Albany. Pray, Sir, be patient. [To GONERIL. Lear. Detested kite! thou liest: My train are men of choice and rarest parts, And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name.2 - O, most small fault! Which, like an engine,3 wrench'd my frame of nature Lear. Into her womb convey sterility! Dry up in her the organs of increase; 6 1. Mr. Upton observes, that the seamonster is the hippopotamus, the hieroglyphical symbol of impiety and ingratitude. 2. And in every respect maintain most exactly the dignity of him whom they serve. 3. By an engine is meant the instrument of torture called the rack. 7 4. Derogate, degraded, blasted. 5. And be a mischievous, unnatural torment to her. Disnatured is not in use. 6. Cadent tears, falling tears. 7. Turn all her maternal cares and good offices. To laughter and contempt; that she may feel To have a thankless child! - Away! away! [Exit. Albany. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this? 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! [To GONERIL.] That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus: Let it be so: I have another daughter, [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. |