of the incidents; and nothing can be more complete than the distinction between Lear's real and Edgar's assumed madness, while the resemblance in the cause of their distresses, from the severing of the nearest ties of natural affection, keeps up a unity of interest. Shakespear's mastery over his subject, if it was not art, was owing to a knowledge of the connecting links of the passions, and their effect upon the mind, still more wonderful than any systematic adherence to rules, and that anticipated and outdid all the efforts of the most refined art, not inspired and rendered instinctive by genius. One of the most perfect displays of dramatic power is the first interview between Lear and his daughter, after the designed affronts upon him, which till one of his knights reminds him of them, his sanguine temperament had led him to overlook. He returns with his train from hunting, and his usual impatience breaks out in his first words, "Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go, get it ready." He then encounters the faithful Kent in disguise, and retains him in his service; and the first trial of his honest duty is to trip up the heels of the officious Steward who makes so prominent and despicable a figure through the piece. On the entrance of Gonerill the following dialogue takes place : "Lear. How now, daughter? what makes that frontlet on ? Methinks, you are too much of late i' the frown. Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow, when thou had'st 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; [To Gonerill] so your face bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum. He that keeps nor crust nor crum, That's a sheal'd peascod! Gonerill. Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool, Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth In rank and not-to-be-endured riots. [Pointing to Lear. I had thought, by making this well known unto you, By what yourself too late have spoke and done, By your allowance; which if you should, the fault Fool. For you trow, nuncle, The hedge sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, That it had its head bit off by its young. So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. Lear. Are you our daughter? Gonerill. Come, sir, I would, you would make use of that good wisdom Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse? Lear. Does any here know me ?-Why, this is not Lear: Are lethargy'd-Ha! waking ?-'Tis not so. Who is it that can tell me who I am?-Lear's shadow ? I would learn that: for by the marks Of sov'reignty, of knowledge, and of reason, I should be false persuaded I had daughters.- Gonerill. Come, sir: This admiration is much o' the favour Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you As you are old and reverend, you should be wise: That this our court, infected with their manners, Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak For instant remedy: be then desir'd By her, that else will take the thing she begs, A little to disquantity your train; And the remainder, that shall still depend, To be such men as may besort your age, Lear. Darkness and devils! Saddle my horses; call my train together.- - Gonerill. 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? speak, sir.—Prepare my horses.— Ingratitude! thou marble-hearted fiend, More hideous, when thou shew'st thee in a child, [To Albany. Albany. Pray, sir, be patient. Lear. Detested kite! thou liest. [To Gonerill. My train are men of choice and rarest parts, And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name. -O most small fault, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia shew! Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear! [Striking his head. And thy dear judgment out!- -Go, go, my people! Of what hath mov'd you. Lear. It may be so, my lord Hear, nature, hear! dear goddess, hear! To make this creature fruitful! To have a thankless child!-Away, away! 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! Albany. What's the matter, sir? [Exit. Lear. I'll tell thee; life and death! I am asham'd [To Gonerill. That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, [Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants." This is certainly fine: no wonder that Lear says after it, "O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heavens," feeling its effects by anticipation; but fine as is this burst of rage and indignation at the first blow aimed at his hopes and expectations, it is nothing near so fine as what follows from his double disappointment, and his lingering efforts to see which of them he shall lean upon for support and find comfort in, when both his daughters turn against his age and weakness. It is with some difficulty that Lear gets to speak with his daughter Regan, and her husband, at Gloster's castle. In concert with Gonerill they have left their own home on purpose to avoid him. His apprehensions are first alarmed by this circumstance, and when Gloster, whose guests they are, urges the fiery temper of the Duke of Cornwall as an excuse for not importuning him a second time, Lear breaks out— "Vengeance! Plague! Death! Confusion! Afterwards, feeling perhaps not well himself, he is inclined to admit their excuse from illness, but then recollecting that they have set his messenger (Kent) in the stocks, all his suspicions are roused again, and he insists on seeing them. "Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER, and Servants. Lear. Good-morrow to you both. Cornwall. Hail to your grace! Regan. I am glad to see your highness. [Kent is set at liberty, Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason Some other time for that.- -Beloved Regan, I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe, [To Kent. [Points to his heart. Regan. I pray you, sir, take patience; I have hope You less know how to value her desert, Than she to scant her duty. Lear. Say, how is that? Regan. I cannot think my sister in the least Lear. My curses on her ! Nature in you stands on the very verge Lear. Ask her forgiveness ? Do you but mark how this becomes the use? Age is unnecessary; on my knees I beg, That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. Regan. Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks : Return you to my sister. Lear. Never, Regan: She hath abated me of half my train; Look'd blank upon me; struck me with her tongue, Most serpent-like, upon the very heart: All the stor❜d vengeances of heaven fall On her ungrateful top! Strike her young bones, Cornwall. Fie, sir, fie! Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames |