Kent. None. How chance the king comes with so small a train ? Fool. An thou hadst been set i'the stocks for that question, thou hadst well deserved it. Kent. Why, fool? Fool. We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there's no labouring in the winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes, but blind men; and there's not a nose among twenty, but can smell him that's stinking. Let go thy hold, when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it; but the great one that goes up the hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again; I would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. That sir, which serves and seeks for gain, Will pack, when it begins to rain, And leave thee in the storm. But I will tarry; the fool will stay, And let the wise man fly: The knave turns fool, that runs away; Kent. Where learn'd you this, fool? Fool. Not i'the stocks, fool. Re-enter LEAR, with GLOSTER. Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary? They have travell'd hard to-night? Mere fetches; The images of revolt and flying off! Fetch me a better answer. Glo. My dear lord, You know the fiery quality of the duke; In his own course. Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion!Fiery? what quality? why, Gloster, Gloster, I'd speak with the duke of Cornwall, and his wife. Glo. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so. Lear. Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man ? Glo. Ay, my good lord. Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father Would with his daughter speak, commands her service : Infirmity doth still neglect all office, Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves, And am fallen out with my more headier will For the sound man.-Death on my state! wherefore [Looking on KENT. Should he sit here? This act persuades me, That this remotion' of the duke and her Is practice only. Give me my servant forth: Go, tell the duke and his wife, I'd speak with them, : Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum, Till it cry-Sleep to death. 7 Glo. I'd have all well betwixt you. [Exit. Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart!-but, down. Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the this remotion] From their own house to that of the earl of Gloster. 8 Is practice only.] Practice is, in Shakspeare, and other old writers, used commonly in an ill sense for unlawful artifice. eels, when she put them i'the paste' alive; she rapp'd 'em o'the coxcombs with a stick, and cry'd, Down, wantons, down: 'Twas her brother, that, in pure kindness to his horse, butter'd his hay. Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER, and Servants. Lear. Good morrow to you both. Corn. Hail to your grace! [KENT is set at liberty. Reg. I am glad to see your highness. Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason I have to think so: if thou should'st not be glad, I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb, Sepúlch'ring an adultress.—O, are you free? [TO KENT. Some other time for that.-Beloved Regan, [Points to his Heart. I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe, Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience; I have hope, Than she to scant her duty'. Say, how is that? Lear. Lear. My curses on her! Reg. O, sir, you are old; Nature in you stands on the very verge 9 i'the paste] The paste, or crust of a pie, in Shakspeare's time, was called a coffin. 1 scant her duty.] i. e. be deficient in her duty; but the expression is inaccurate. Of her confine you should be rul'd, and led Say, you have wrong'd her, sir. Lear. Ask her forgiveness? Do you but mark how this becomes the house 1? [Kneeling. That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. Reg. Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks : Return you to my sister. Lear. Never, Regan: Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue, All the stor❜d vengeances of heaven fall On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones, Corn. Lear. You nimble flames Fye, fye, fye! lightnings, dart your blinding Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty, You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun, To fall and blast her pride! Reg. O the blest gods! So will you wish on me, when the rash mood's on †. Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse; Thy tender-hefted nature' shall not give Thee o'er to harshness; her eyes are fierce, but thine 1 the house?] The order of families, duties of relation. 2 Age is unnecessary :] i. e. Old age has few wants, or it may mean that old people are useless. t "mood is on."-MALONE. 3 Thy tender-hefted nature --] Hefted seems to mean the same as heaved. Tender hefted, i. e. whose bosom is agitated by tender passions. Do comfort, and not burn: 'Tis not in thee Thy half o'the kingdom hast thou not forgot, Reg. Good sir, to the purpose. 9 [Trumpets within. What trumpet's that? Lear. Who put my man i'the stocks? Corn. Enter Steward. Reg. I know't, my sister's: this approves her letter, That she would soon be here.-Is your lady come? Lear. This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows:Out, varlet, from my sight! Corn. What means your grace? Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope Thou didst not know of't.-Who comes here? O, heavens, Enter GONERIL. If you do love old men, if your sweet sway Make it your cause; send down, and take my part! + to scant my sizes,] To contract my allowances or proportions settled. Sizes are certain portions of bread, beer, or other victuals, which in publick societies are set down to the account of particular persons: a word still used in colleges. 5 Allow obedience,] Allow sometimes signifies approve. |