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Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture here;
I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe,
With how deprav'd a quality-oh, Regan!
Regan. I pray you, Sir, take patience; I have

hope,

You lefs know how to value her defert,

Than fhe to fcant her duty.

Lear. Say? how is that?

Regan. I cannot think, my fifter in the least Would fail her obligation. If, perchance, She have restrain'd the riots of your followers; 'Tis on fuch ground, and to fuch wholesome end, As clears her from all blame.

Lear. My curfes on her!

Regan. Oh, Sir, you are old! you should be rul'd and led

By some discretion! therefore, I pray you,
That to our fifter you do make return;
Say, you have wrong'd her, Sir.

Lear. Afk her forgiveness?

Do you

but mark, how this becometh us?

"Dear daughter, I confess that I am old;

cr Age is unneceffary: on my knees I beg, "That you'll vouchfafe me raiment, bed, and food." Regan. Good Sir, no more; these are unfightly

humours.

Return

Return you to my fifter.

Lear. Never, Regan:

She hath abated me of half my train;

Look'd blank upon me; struck me with her tongue
Most serpent-like, upon the very heart.

All the ftor❜d vengeances of Heaven fall
On her ungrateful top!

Regan. Oh, the bleft gods!

So will you wish on me, when the rafh mood is on. Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curfe :

Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give

Thee o'er to harfhnefs. 'Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hafty words. Thou better know'ft
The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude :

Thy half o'th' kingdom thou haft not forgot,
Wherein I thee endow'd.

Regan. Good Sir, to th' purpose. [Trumpet within.
Lear. Who put my man i'th' stocks?

Enter Steward.

Cornw. What trumpet's that?

Regan. I know't, my fifter's: this approves her

letter,

L 4

That

That she would foon be here. Is your lady come?
Lear. Out, varlet, from my fight!
Cornw. What means your grace?

Enter Gonerill.

Lear. Who ftock'd my fervant? Regan, I've good hope,

Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here? Oh, Heav'ns,

If

you do love old men, if your sweet sway Hallow obedience, if yourselves are old,

Make it your caufe; fend down and take my part! Art not asham'd to look upon this beard?

Oh, Regan, will you take her by the hand?

Gon. Why not by th' hand, Sir? how have I offended?

All's not offence, that indifcretion finds,

And dotage terms fo.

Lear. Oh, fides, you are too tough!

Will you yet hold?-How came my mani'th'ftocks? Cornw. I fet him there, Sir; but his own diforders Deferv'd much lefs advancement.

Lear. You? did you?

Regan. I pray you, father, being weak, feem fo.

If, 'till the expiration of your month,

You will return and fojourn with my fifter,

Difmiffing

Difmiffing half your train, come then to me!
I'm now from home, and out of that provision
Which shall be needful for your entertainment.

Lear. Return to her? and fifty men dismiss'd? No; rather I abjure all roofs, and chufe To be a comrade with the wolf and owl, Than have my smallest wants supplied by her. Gon. At your choice, Sir.

Lear. I pr'ythee, daughter, do not make me mad! I will not trouble thee, my child. Farewell! We'll no more meet, no more fee one another. Let fhame come when it will, I do not call it; I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot, Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove. Mend when thou canft; be better, at thy leifure. I can be patient, I can stay with Regan ; I, and my hundred knights.

Regan. Not altogether fo:

I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided
For your fit welcome.

Lear. Is this well spoken?

Regan. I dare avouch it, Sir: what, fifty followers! Is it not well? what should you need of more? Yea, or fo many? fince both charge and danger Speak 'gainst fo great a number: how in one house Should many people under two commands

Hold

Hold amity? 'Tis hard, almost impoffible.

Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive

attendance

From those that she calls fervants, or from mine? Regan. Why not, my lord? if then they chanc'd to flack ye,

We could controul them. If you'll come to me, (For now I fpy a danger) I entreat you

To bring but five-and-twenty; to no more
Will I give place or notice.

Lear. I gave you all!

Regan. And in good time you gave it.

Lear. Oh, let me not be mad, not mad, fweet Heav'n!

Keep me in temper! I would not be mad!

Gon. Hear me, my lord;

What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five,

To follow in a houfe, where twice fo many.
Have a command to tend you?

Regan. What needs one?

Lear. Oh, reafon not the need: our basest beggars Are in the pooreft things fuperfluous;

Allow not nature more than nature needs,

Man's life is cheap as beafts. But for true need, You Heav'ns, give me that patience which I need! You fee me here, you gods, a poor

old man,

As

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