Gentleman,14Q1322 Knights, and Attendants.
Lea.
Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go, get it ready.
[to an Attendant, who goes out.
How now, what art thou?
Ken.
A man, sir.
Lea.
What dost thou profess? What would'st thou with us?
Ken.
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 judgment; to fight, when I cannot choose;
and to eat no fish.
Lea.
What art thou? note
Ken.
A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king.
Lea.
If thou be as note poor for a subject, as he is for a
king, thou art poor enough. What would'st thou?
Ken.
Service.
Lea.
Whom would'st note thou serve?
Ken.
You.
Lea.
Dost thou know me, fellow?
Ken.
No, sir; but you have that in your countenance,
which I would fain call master.
Lea.
What's that?
Ken.
Authority.
Lea.
What services can'st thou note do?
Ken.
I can keep honest counsel, note ride, run, mar a curious
tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message bluntly:
that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualify'd
in; and the best of me is diligence.
Lea.
How old art thou?
Ken.
Not so young, sir, note to love a woman for singing;
-- 22 --
nor so old, to dote on her for any thing: I have
years on my back forty eight.
Lea.
Follow me; thou shalt note serve me; if I like thee
no worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.—
Dinner, ho, dinner!—Where's my knave, my fool? Go
you, [to an Attendant.] and call my fool hither:—
Enter Steward.
You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter?
Ste.
So please you,—
[Exit.
Lea.
What says the fellow there? Call the clot-pole
back.—Where's my fool? Ho, I think the world's
asleep.—How now, where's that mungrel?
Gen.
He says note, my lord, your daughter note is not well.
Lea.
Why came not the slave back to me, when I
call'd him?
Gen.
Sir, he note answer'd me in the roundest manner,
he would not.
Lea.
He would note not!
Gen.
My lord, I know not what the matter is, but,
to my judgment, your highness is not entertained with
that ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a
great abatement appears note, as well in the general dependants,
as in the duke himself also, and your daughter.
Lea.
Ha! say'st thou so?
Gen.
I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be
mistaken; for my duty cannot be silent, when I think
your highness is note wrong'd.
Lea.
Thou but remember'st me of mine own conception:
I have perceived a most faint neglect of late;
which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity,
than as a very pretence and purpose of note unkindness:
I will look further into't. note—But where's my fool? note
-- 23 --
I have not seen him this two note days.
Gen.
Since my young lady's going into France, sir,
the fool hath much pined away.
Lea.
No more of that; I have noted it.—Go note you, [to one Attendant.]
and tell my daughter, I would speak with
her.—Go you, [to another] call hither my fool.—O,
Re-enter Steward, brought back by an Attendant.
you sir, you sir, come you hither: Who note am I, sir?
Ste.
My lady's father.
Lea.
My lady's father! my lord's knave: You whorson
dog! you slave! you cur!
Ste.
I am none of this, my lord; I beseech you, pardon me. note
Lea.
Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?
Ste.
I'll not be struck note, my lord.
[in Posture of defending himself.
Ken.
Nor tript neither; you base football-player.
[tripping up his Heels.
Lea.
I thank thee, fellow; thou serv'st me, and I'll
love thee.
Ken.
Come, sir, arise, away; note I'll teach you differences;
away, away: If you will measure your lubber's
length again, tarry: but away: go to; Have you wisdom note?
so note.
[driving him out.
Lea.
Now, my note friendly knave, I thank thee: there's note
earnest of thy service.
[giving Kent Money.
Enter Fool.
Foo.
Let me hire him too;—Here's my coxcomb.
[offering his Cap.
Lea.
How now, my pretty knave? how dost thou?
Foo.
Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.
Ken.
Why, fool? note
-- 24 --
Foo.
Why? For taking one's part that's out of favour:
Nay, an thou can'st not smile as the wind sits,
thou'lt catch cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb:
Why, this fellow has banish'd note two on's note daughters, and
did the note third a blessing against his will; if thou follow
him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.—How now,
nuncle?14Q1323 'Would I had two coxcombs, and two daughters!
Lea.
Why, my boy?
Foo.
If I gave them all my living, note I'd keep my coxcombs note
myself: There's † mine; beg another of thy
daughters.
Lea.
Take heed, sirrah; the whip.
Foo.
Truth's a dog must note to kennel; he must be
whipt out, when the lady brach note may stand by the fire
and stink.
Lea.
A pestilent gall note to me!
Foo.
Sirrah, I'll14Q1324 teach thee a speech.
Ken.
Do. note
Foo.
Mark it, nuncle note:—
Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest,
Lend less than thou owest,
Ride more than thou goest,
Learn more than thou trowest,
Set less than thou throwest;
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
And keep in-a-door,
And thou shalt have more
Than two tens to a score.
Ken.
This is note nothing, fool.
Foo.
Then 'tis note like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer;
you gave me nothing for't note:—Can you make no use of
-- 25 --
nothing, nuncle? note
Lea.
Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing.
Foo.
Pr'ythee, tell him, [to Kent] so much the rent
of his land comes to; he will not believe a fool.
Lea.
A bitter fool!
Foo.
Dost thou note14Q1325 know the difference, nuncle, between note
a bitter fool and a sweet fool?
Lea.
No, lad; teach me.
Foo.
That lord, that counsel'd thee note
to give away thy land,
Come place him here by me,—
or do thou for him stand:
The sweet and bitter fool
will presently appear;
The one in motley here †,
the other found out there †.
Lea.
Dost thou call me fool, boy?
Foo.
All thy other titles thou hast given away; that
thou wast born with.
Ken.
This is not altogether fool, my lord.
Foo.
No, 'faith, lords and great men will not let me;
if I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't note:
and ladies note too, they will not note let me have all fool note to
myself; they'll be snatching.—Give me an egg, nuncle, note
and I'll give thee two crowns.
Lea.
What two crowns shall they be?
Foo.
Why, after I have cut the egg i'th' middle,
and eat up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When
thou clovest thy crown note in the middle note, and gavest away
both parts, thou borest thine ass note on thy back over the
dirt: Thou had'st little wit in thy bald crown, when
thou gav'st thy golden one away. If I speak like myself
-- 26 --
in this, let him be whipt that first finds it so.
Fools had ne'er14Q1326 less grace in note a year;
[singing.
for wise men are grown foppish;
and know not how their wits to wear, note
their manners are so apish.
Lea.
When were you wont to be so full of songs,
sirrah?
Foo.
I have used note it, nuncle, ever since thou mad'st
thy daughters thy mothers: note for when thou gavest them
the rod, and putest down thine own breeches,
Then they for sudden joy did weep,
[singing.
and I for sorrow sung,
that such a king should play bo-peep,
and go the fool note among.
Pr'ythee, nuncle, keep a school-master that can teach
thy fool to lye; I would fain learn to lye note.
Lea.
If you note lye, sirrah, note we'll have you whipt.
Foo.
I marvel, what kin thou and thy daughters
are: they'll have me whipt for speaking true, thou'lt note
have me whipt for lying; and, sometimes note, I am whipt
for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind of
thing, than a fool: and yet I would not be thee, nuncle;
thou hast pared thy wit o'both sides, and left nothing
in the middle: Here comes one of the parings.
Enter Goneril.
Lea.
How now, daughter? what makes that frontlet on?
Methinks, note you are too much of late note i'the frown.
Foo.
Thou wast a pretty fellow, when thou had'st
no need to care for her frowning; now thou art note an
O without a figure: I am better than thou art now;
I am a fool, thou art nothing.—Yes, forsooth, [to Gon.]
I will hold my tongue; so your face bids me, though
-- 27 --
you say nothing. Mum, mum,
He that keeps nor crust note nor crum,
Weary of all, shall want some.—
That's a shell'd peascod.
[to Kent, shewing Lear.
Gon.
Not only, sir, this your all-licenc'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,
To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,
By what yourself too late have spoke and done,
That you protect this course, and put it on note
By your allowance; which if you should, the fault
Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses note sleep;
Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,
Might in their working do you that offence,
Which else note were shame, that then necessity
Will call discreet proceeding. note
Foo.
For you trow, nuncle, note
The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,
That it had it's head note bit off by it's young:
So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.
Lea.
Are you our daughter?
Gon.
Come, sir, note
I would, you would make use of that good note wisdom
Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away
These dispositions, which of late transport note you
From what you rightly are.
Foo.
May not an ass know when the cart draws the
horse?—Whoop, Jug! I love thee.
Lea.
Does any here14Q1327 know me?—This is not Lear:
Does Lear walk thus? speak thus?—Where are his eyes?
-- 28 --
Either his notion weakens, his discernings
Are lethargy'd,—Ha! waking? 'Tis not so.—
Who is it that can tell me who I am?
Foo.
Lear's shadow.
Lea.
Your name, fair gentlewoman? note
Gon.
This admiration, sir, is note much o'the favour
Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you
To note understand my purposes aright:
You, as you are old and reverend, should note be wise:
Here do you keep a hundred note knights and squires;
Men so disorder'd, so debauch'd note, and bold,
That this our court, infected with their manners,
Shews like a riotous inn: epicurism and lust
Make note it note more like a tavern, or a brothel,
Than a grac'd palace. note The shame itself doth speak
For instant remedy: Be then desir'd note
By her, that else will take the thing she begs,
A little to14Q1328 disquantity your train;
And the remainder note, that shall still depend,
To be such men as may besort your age,
And know note themselves and you.
Lea.
Darkness and devils!—
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 disorder'd rabble
Make servants of their betters.
Enter Albany.
Lea.
Woe, that note too late repents, note—14Q1329O, sir, are you come? note
Is it your will? speak, sir.—Prepare my horses. note—
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,
More hideous, when thou shew'st thee in a child,
-- 29 --
Than the sea-monster!
Alb.
Pray, sir, be patient. note
Lea.
Detested kite, [to Goneril.] thou ly'st note:
My train are men of choice and rarest parts,
That all particulars of duty know;
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 note an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature
From the fixt place; drew from my heart all love,
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear,
Beat at this gate, [striking his Head] that let thy folly in,
And thy dear judgment out!—Go, go, my people.
Alb.
My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant
Of what hath mov'd you. note
Lea.
It may be so, my lord.—
Hear, nature! hear, dear goddess; hear a father!
Suspend note 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 body never spring
A babe to honour her! If she must teem,
Create her child of spleen; that it may live,
And be a thwart disnatur'd note torment to her!
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears note fret channels in her cheeks;
Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits,
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel note
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child! note—Away, away.
Alb.
Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?
-- 30 --
Gon.
Never afflict yourself to know note the cause;
But let his disposition have that scope
That dotage note gives it.
Lea.
What, fifty of my followers, at a clap!
Within a fortnight!
Alb.
What's the matter, sir?
Lea.
I'll tell thee;—Life and death! [to Gon.] I am asham'd
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus:
That these hot tears, which break note from me perforce,
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee!
The untented woundings note of a father's curse
Pierce every sense about thee!—Old note fond eyes,
Beweep this cause again note, I'll pluck you out; note
And cast you, with the waters that you lose note,
To temper clay.—Ha! is note it come to this?
Let it be so: note—I have another daughter, note
Who, I note am sure, is kind and comfortable;
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
She'll flea thy note wolfish visage. Thou shalt find,
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever; thou shalt, I warrant thee. note14Q1330
[Exeunt Lear, Kent, Gen. and Att.
Gon.
Do you mark that, my lord? note
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 note than fool, after your master.
Foo.
Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, take note the fool
with thee. note—
A fox, when one has caught her,
And such a daughter,
-- 31 --
Should sure to the slaughter,
If my cap would buy a halter;
So the fool follows after.
[Exit. note
Gon.
This man hath had good counsel: A hundred knights!
'Tis politick, and safe, to let him keep,
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. note—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;
If she sustain him and his hundred knights,
When I have shew'd the unfitness,—How now, Oswald?
Enter Steward.
What, have you writ that letter to my sister?
Ste.
Ay, madam.
Gon.
Take you some company, and away to horse:
Inform her full of my particular fear; note
And thereto add such reasons of your own,
As may compact it more: So, get you gone;
And hasten your return. note [Exit Ste.] No, no, my lord,
This milky gentleness note, and course of yours,
Though I condemn it not, note yet, under pardon,
You are much more at task for want note of wisdom,
Than prais'd for note harmful mildness.
Alb.
How far your eyes may pierce, I cannot tell;
Striving to better, oft we note mar what's well.
Gon.
Nay, then—
Alb.
Well, well, the event.
[Exeunt.
-- 32 --
Edward Capell [1767], Mr William Shakespeare his comedies, histories, and tragedies, set out by himself in quarto, or by the Players his Fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those Editions in ten Volumes octavo; with an introduction: Whereunto will be added, in some other Volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a Body of Various Readings entire (Printed by Dryden Leach, for J. and R. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S10601].
