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?