Enter Albany.[2955]
Lear. Woe, that too late repents,—[To Alb.] O, sir, are you come?[2956]
Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses.[2957]
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,
More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child
Than the sea-monster![2958]
Alb. Pray, sir, be patient.[2959][2960] 255
Lear. [To Gon.] Detested kite! thou liest.[2959][2961][2962]
My train are men of choice and rarest parts,[2962]
That all particulars of duty know,
And in the most exact regard support
The worships of their name. O most small fault,[2963] 260
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!
That, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature[2964]
From the fix'd place, drew from my heart all love
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear![2965]
Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in [Striking his head.[2966]265
And thy dear judgement out! Go, go, my people.[2967]
Alb. My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant[2968]
Of what hath moved you.[2969]
Lear. It may be so, my lord.[2970]
Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear![2970][2971]
Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend[2970] 270
To make this creature fruitful:[2970]
Into her womb convey sterility:
Dry up in her the organs of increase,
And from her derogate body never spring[2972]
A babe to honour her! If she must teem, 275
Create her child of spleen, that it may live
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her.[2973]
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;[2974]
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits[2975] 280
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel[2976]
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child! Away, away! [Exit.[2977]
Alb. Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?[2978]
Gon. Never afflict yourself to know the cause,[2979] 285
But let his disposition have that scope
That dotage gives it.
Re-enter Lear.[2980]
Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap!
Within a fortnight!