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

rabble

Make servants of their betters.

Enter ALBANY.

disorder'd

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 3 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.

'A fox, when one has caught her,
And such a daughter,

Should sure to the slaughter,

If my cap would buy a halter;

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

1

At point a hundred knights. Yes, that on every

dream,

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,How now,

Oswald?

Enter STEWARD.

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.

Liable to reprehension.

[Exeunt.