Act 1 — Scene IV. A hall in the same.
Reading edition
Enter Kent, disguised.[2791]
Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow,[2792][2793] That can my speech defuse, my good intent[2792][2794] May carry through itself to that full issue[2792] For which I razed my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent,[2792][2795] If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,[2792] 5 So may it come, thy master whom thou lovest[2792][2796] Shall find thee full of labours.[2792]
Horns within. Enter Lear, Knights, and Attendants.[2797]
Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready. [Exit an Attendant.] How now! what art thou?[2798] Kent. A man, sir. 10 Lear. What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us? Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest; to converse with him that is wise and says little; to fear[2799] 15 judgement; to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish. Lear. What art thou?[2800] Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a[2801] 20 king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou?[2802] Kent. Service. Lear. Who wouldst thou serve?[2803] Kent. You. Lear. Dost thou know me, fellow? 25 Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your countenance which I would fain call master. Lear. What's that?[2804] Kent. Authority. Lear. What services canst thou do?[2805] 30 Kent. I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a[2806] curious tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence. Lear. How old art thou? 35 Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing,[2807] nor so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years on my back forty eight. Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no[2808][2809] worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. Dinner,[2809][2810] 40 ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool? Go you, and[2810] call my fool hither. [Exit an Attendant.[2811]
Enter Oswald.[2812]
You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter?[2813] Osw. So please you,— [Exit.[2814] Lear. What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll[2815] 45 back. [Exit a Knight.] Where's my fool, ho? I think[2816] the world's asleep.
Re-enter Knight.[2817]
How now! where's that mongrel? Knight. He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.[2818] Lear. Why came not the slave back to me when I 50 called him? Knight. Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner,[2819][2820] he would not. Lear. He would not![2821] Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is; but,[2819] 55 to my judgement, your highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a great abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants[2822] as in the duke himself also and your daughter. Lear. Ha! sayest thou so? 60 Knight. I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be[2819] mistaken; for my duty cannot be silent when I think your highness wronged.[2823] Lear. Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception:[2824] I have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which I[2825] 65 have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as[2826] a very pretence and purpose of unkindness: I will look[2827] further into't. But where's my fool? I have not seen him[2828] this two days.[2829] Knight. Since my young lady's going into France, sir,[2830] 70 the fool hath much pined away. Lear. No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you,[2831] and tell my daughter I would speak with her. [Exit an Attendant.][2832] Go you, call hither my fool. [Exit an Attendant.
Re-enter Oswald.[2833]
O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who am I, sir?[2834] 75 Osw. My lady's father. Lear. My lady's father! my lord's knave: you whoreson dog! you slave! you cur! Osw. I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your[2835][2836][2837] pardon.[2835][2837] 80 Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?
[Striking him.[2838]
[Tripping up his heels.
Lear. I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll[2841] love thee.[2841] 85 Kent. Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences:[2842] away, away! If you will measure your lubber's length again,[2843] tarry: but away! go to; have you wisdom? so.[2844]
[Pushes Oswald out.
Lear. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's[2845] earnest of thy service. [Giving Kent money.[2846] 90
Enter Fool.
Fool. Let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb.[2847]
[Offering Kent his cap.
Lear. How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou? Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. Kent. Why, fool?[2848] Fool. Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour:[2849] 95 nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch[2850] cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb: why, this fellow hath[2851] banished two on's daughters, and done the third a blessing[2852] against his will; if thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb. How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs 100 and two daughters![2853] Lear. Why, my boy? Fool. If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs[2854] myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters. Lear. Take heed, sirrah; the whip. 105 Fool. Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped[2855] out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and[2856] stink. Lear. A pestilent gall to me![2857] Fool. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.[2858] 110 Lear. Do.[2859] Fool. Mark it, nuncle:[2860] Have more than thou showest,[2861] Speak less than thou knowest,[2861] Lend less than thou owest,[2861] 115 Ride more than thou goest,[2861] Learn more than thou trowest,[2861] Set less than thou throwest;[2861] Leave thy drink and thy whore,[2861] And keep in-a-door,[2861][2862] 120 And thou shalt have more[2861] Than two tens to a score.[2861] Kent. This is nothing, fool.[2863] Fool. Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer,[2864] you gave me nothing for't. Can you make no use of[2865] 125 nothing, nuncle?[2866] Lear. Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing. Fool. [To Kent] Prithee, tell him, so much the rent of[2867] his land comes to: he will not believe a fool. 130 Lear. A bitter fool![2868] Fool. Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between[2868][2869] a bitter fool and a sweet fool?[2868][2870] Lear. No, lad; teach me.[2868] Fool. That lord that counsell'd thee[2871][2872][2873] 135 To give away thy land,[2872][2873] Come place him here by me;[2872][2873] Do thou for him stand:[2872][2873][2874] The sweet and bitter fool[2872][2873] Will presently appear;[2872][2873] The one in motley here,[2872][2873] 140 The other found out there.[2872][2873] Lear. Dost thou call me fool, boy?[2872][2875] Fool. All thy other titles thou hast given away; that[2872] thou wast born with.[2872] 145 Kent. This is not altogether fool, my lord.[2872] Fool. No, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if[2872] I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't: and[2872][2876][2877] ladies too, they will not let me have all the fool to myself;[2872][2877][2878] they'll be snatching. Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give[2872][2879] 150 thee two crowns. Lear. What two crowns shall they be? Fool. Why, after I have cut the egg in the middle and[2880] eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou clovest thy crown i' the middle and gavest away both parts,[2881] 155 thou borest thine ass on thy back o'er the dirt: thou hadst[2882] little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavest thy golden one away. If I speak like myself in this, let him be whipped[2883] that first finds it so.[2884] [Singing] Fools had ne'er less wit in a year;[2885][2886] 160 For wise men are grown foppish, And know not how their wits to wear,[2887] Their manners are so apish. Lear. When were you wont to be so full of songs, sirrah?[2888] Fool. I have used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy[2889] 165 daughters thy mother: for when thou gavest them the rod[2890] and puttest down thine own breeches, [Singing] Then they for sudden joy did weep,[2885][2891][2892] And I for sorrow sung,[2892] That such a king should play bo-peep,[2892] 170 And go the fools among.[2892][2893] Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.[2894] Lear. An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped.[2895] Fool. I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are: 175 they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have me[2896] whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding[2897] my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool:[2898] and yet I would not be thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides and left nothing i' the middle. Here comes[2899] 180 one o' the parings.[2898][2900]
Enter Goneril.
Lear. How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on?[2901][2902][2903] Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown.[2902][2904] Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning; now thou art an O without[2905] 185 a figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool, thou art nothing. [To Gon.] Yes, forsooth, I will hold my[2906] tongue; so your face bids me, though you say nothing. Mum, mum:[2907] He that keeps nor crust nor crumb,[2908] 190 Weary of all, shall want some. [Pointing to Lear] That's a shealed peascod.[2909] Gon. Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool,[2910][2911] But other of your insolent retinue[2910][2912] Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth[2910] 195 In rank and not to be endured riots. Sir,[2910][2913] I had thought, by making this well known unto you,[2910][2914] To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,[2910] By what yourself too late have spoke and done,[2910] That you protect this course and put it on[2910][2915] 200 By your allowance; which if you should, the fault[2910][2916][2917] Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep,[2910][2917][2918] Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,[2910] Might in their working do you that offence[2910] Which else were shame, that then necessity[2910][2919] 205 Will call discreet proceeding.[2910][2920] Fool. For, you know, nuncle,[2921] The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,[2922] That it had it head bit off by it young.[2922][2923] So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. 210 Lear. Are you our daughter? Gon. Come, sir,[2924] I would you would make use of that good wisdom[2925][2926] Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away[2925][2927] These dispositions that of late transform you[2925][2928] 215 From what you rightly are.[2925] Fool. May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee. Lear. Doth any here know me? This is not Lear:[2929][2930] Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?[2931] 220 Either his notion weakens, his discernings[2932] Are lethargied—Ha! waking? 'tis not so.[2933] Who is it that can tell me who I am?[2929][2934] Fool. Lear's shadow.[2935] Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks of sovereignty[2936][2937] 225 knowledge and reason, I should be false persuaded[2936][2938] I had daughters.[2936] Fool. Which they will make an obedient father.[2936][2939][2940] Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman?[2939] Gon. This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour[2941][2942] 230 Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you[2941] To understand my purposes aright:[2941][2943] As you are old and reverend, you should be wise.[2941][2944] Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires;[2941][2945] Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold,[2941][2946] 235 That this our court, infected with their manners,[2941] Shows like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust[2941][2947] Make it more like a tavern or a brothel[2941][2948] Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak[2941][2949] For instant remedy: be then desired[2941][2950] 240 By her that else will take the thing she begs[2941] A little to disquantity your train,[2941][2951] And the remainder that shall still depend,[2941][2952] To be such men as may besort your age,[2941] Which know themselves and you.[2941][2953] Lear. Darkness and devils![2941] 245 Saddle my horses; call my train together.[2941] Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee:[2941] Yet have I left a daughter.[2941] Gon. You strike my people, and your disorder'd rabble[2954] Make servants of their betters.[2954] 250
Enter Albany.[2955]
Lear. Woe, that too late repents,—[To Alb.] O, sir, are you come?[2956] Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses.[2957] Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child Than the sea-monster![2958] Alb. Pray, sir, be patient.[2959][2960] 255 Lear. [To Gon.] Detested kite! thou liest.[2959][2961][2962] My train are men of choice and rarest parts,[2962] That all particulars of duty know, And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name. O most small fault,[2963] 260 How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show! That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature[2964] From the fix'd place, drew from my heart all love And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear![2965] Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in [Striking his head.[2966]265 And thy dear judgement out! Go, go, my people.[2967] Alb. My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant[2968] Of what hath moved you.[2969] Lear. It may be so, my lord.[2970] Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear![2970][2971] Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend[2970] 270 To make this creature fruitful:[2970] Into her womb convey sterility: Dry up in her the organs of increase, And from her derogate body never spring[2972] A babe to honour her! If she must teem, 275 Create her child of spleen, that it may live And be a thwart disnatured torment to her.[2973] Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth; With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;[2974] Turn all her mother's pains and benefits[2975] 280 To laughter and contempt; that she may feel[2976] How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child! Away, away! [Exit.[2977] Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?[2978] Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause,[2979] 285 But let his disposition have that scope That dotage gives it.
Re-enter Lear.[2980]
Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! Within a fortnight! Alb. What's the matter, sir?[2981] Lear. I'll tell thee. [To Gon.] Life and death! I am ashamed[2982]290 That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus; That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,[2983] Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee![2984][2985] The untented woundings of a father's curse[2985] Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes,[2986] 295 Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out[2987] And cast you with the waters that you lose,[2988] To temper clay. Yea, is it come to this?[2989] Let it be so: yet have I left a daughter,[2990] Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable:[2991] 300 When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find[2992] That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think I have cast off for ever: thou shalt, I warrant thee.
[Exeunt Lear, Kent, and Attendants.[2993]
Gon. Do you mark that, my lord?[2994] 305 Alb. I cannot be so partial, Goneril, To the great love I bear you,—[2995][2996] Gon. Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho![2995][2997][2998] [To the Fool] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master.[2995][2997][2999] Fool. Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry; take the fool[3000][3001] 310 with thee.[3000][3002] A fox, when one has caught her,[3002] And such a daughter, Should sure to the slaughter, If my cap would buy a halter:[3003] 315 So the fool follows after. [Exit.[3004] Gon. This man hath had good counsel: a hundred knights![3005][3006] 'Tis politic and safe to let him keep[3005][3007] At point a hundred knights: yes, that on every dream,[3008] Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, 320 He may enguard his dotage with their powers And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say![3009] Alb. Well, you may fear too far. Gon. Safer than trust too far:[3010] Let me still take away the harms I fear, Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart.[3011] 325 What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister: If she sustain him and his hundred knights,[3012] When I have show'd the unfitness,—
Re-enter Oswald.[3013]
How now, Oswald![3014] What, have you writ that letter to my sister?[3014][3015] Osw. Yes, madam.[3016] 330 Gon. Take you some company, and away to horse:[3017] Inform her full of my particular fear,[3018] And thereto add such reasons of your own As may compact it more. Get you gone;[3019] And hasten your return. [Exit Oswald.] No, no, my lord,[3020] 335 This milky gentleness and course of yours[3021] Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,[3022] You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom[3023] Than praised for harmful mildness.[3024] Alb. How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell:[3025] 340 Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.[3025][3026] Gon. Nay, then—[3027] Alb. Well, well; the event. [Exeunt.[3028]