Fool. If a man's brains were in his heels, were 't not in danger of kibes? Lear. Ay, boy. Fool. Then, I pr'y thee, be merry; thy wit shall not go slip-shod." Lear. Ha, ha, ha! Fool. Shalt see, thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for though she's as like this as a crab is like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, my boy? Fool. She will taste as like this, as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell, why one's nose stands i' the middle of his face? Lear. No. Fool. Why, to keep his eyes on either side his nose; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. Lear. I did her wrong: Fool. Can'st tell how an oyster makes his shell? Lear. No. Fool. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house. Lear. Why? Fool. Why, to put his head in; not to give it away to his daughters, and leave his horns without à case. Lear. I will forget my nature. So kind a father! - Be my horses ready? Fool. Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven, is a pretty reason. Lear. Because they are not eight? Fool. Yes, indeed: Thou wouldest make a good fool. Lear. To take it again perforce! - Monster ingratitude! Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time. Lear. How's that? Fool. Thou should'st not have been old, before thou hadst been wise. Lear. O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper; I would not be mad! Enter Gentleman. How now! Are the horses ready? Gent. Ready, my lord. Lear. Come, boy. [Exeunt. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. A Court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloster. Enter EDMUND and CURAN, meeting. Edm. Save thee, Curan. Cur. And you, sir. I have been with your father; and given him notice, that the duke of Cornwall, and Regan his duchess, will be here with him to-night. Edm. How comes that? Cur. Nay, I know not: You have heard of the news abroad; I mean, the whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments? Edm. Not I; 'Pray you, what are they? Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the dukes of Cornwall and Albany? Edm. Not a word. Cur. You may then, in time. Fare Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better! Best! This weaves itself perforce into my business! Brother, a word; descend: Brother, I say; Enter EDGAR. · - My father watches:-O sir, fly this place; Edg. 8 I am sure on 't, not a word. Edm. I hear my father coming,-Pardon me:In cunning, I must draw my sword upon you: Draw: Seem to defend yourself: Now quit you well. Yield: : - come before my father; - Light, ho, here! Fly, brother;-Torches! torches!-So, farewell.[Exit EDGAR. Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion Of [Wounds his arm. my more fierce endeavour : I have seen drunk ards Do more than this in sport. 7 Delicate. Father! father! 8 Consider, recollect yourself. Enter GLOSTER, and Servants with Torches. Glo. Now, Edmund, where's the villain? Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon Glo. Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. Glo. But where is he? Where is the villain, Edmund ? Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after.-[Exit Serv.] Edm. Pursuade me to the murder of ship; But that I told him, the revenging gods your lord Sir, in fine, 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; 9 Full suddenly he fled. Glo. Let him fly far: Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; And found Despatch. The noble duke my master, My worthy arch' and patron, comes to-night: That he, which finds him, shall deserve our thanks, 9 Frighted. 1 Chief. Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent, And found him pight to do it, with curst 3 speech I threaten'd to discover him: He replied, Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think, If I would stand against thee, would the reposal Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny, (As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce My very character) I'd turn it all To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: Glo. Strong and fasten'd villain! I never got him. [Trumpets within. Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he Would he deny his letter? comes: All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, and Attendants. Corn. How now, my noble friend? since I came hither, (Which I can call but now,) I have heard strange news. Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short, Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord ? 2 Pitched, fixed. 3 Severe, harsh. 4 i. e. Capable of succeeding to my land. |