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 show’d th’ unfitness,—
[Re-enter Oswald.]
How now, Oswald!
What, have you writ that letter to my sister?
Osw.
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. Get you gone;
And hasten your return.
[Exit Oswald.]
No, no, my lord!
This milky gentleness and course of yours,
Though I condemn it not, yet, under pardon,
You are much more attask’d for want of wisdom
Than prais’d 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.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE V. Court before the Duke of Albany’s Palace.
[Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool.]
Lear. Go you before to Gloster with these letters: acquaint my daughter no further with anything you know than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore you.
Kent.
I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter.
[Exit.]
Fool.
If a man’s brains were in’s heels, were’t not in danger of kibes?
Lear.
Ay, boy.
Fool.
Then I pr’ythee be merry; thy wit shall not go slipshod.
Lear.
Ha, ha, ha!
Fool. Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for though she’s as like this as a crab’s like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell.
Lear.
What canst tell, boy?
Fool. She’ll taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell why one’s nose stands i’ the middle on’s face?
Lear.
No.
Fool. Why, to keep one’s eyes of either side’s nose, that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into.
Lear.
I did her wrong,—
Fool.
Canst 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’s head in; not to give it away to his daughters, and leave his horns without a 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 wouldst make a good fool.
Lear.
To tak’t again perforce!—Monster ingratitude!
Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I’ld have thee beaten for being old before thy time.
Lear.
How’s that?
Fool.
Thou shouldst not have been old till 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.
Fool.
She that’s a maid now, and laughs at my departure,
Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter.
[Exeunt.]
ACT II.
SCENE I. A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloster.
[Enter Edmund and Curan, meeting.]
Edm.
