GONERIL

Sir I do love you more then words can wield the matter, Dearer then eyesight, space or liberty, Beyond what can be valued rich or rare, No less then life; with grace, health, beauty, honour, As much a child ere loved, or father friend, A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable, Beyond all manner of so much I love you. You see how full of changes his age is the observation we have made of it hath not been little; he always loved our sister most, and with what poor judgement he hath now cast her off, appears too gross. We must do something, and it'h heat. Did my Father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool? By day and night he wrongs me, Every hour he flashes into one gross crime or other That sets us all at ods, isle not endure it, His Knights grow riotous, and him self obrayds us, On every trifell when he returns from hunting, I will not speak with him, say I am sick, If you come slack of former services, You shall do well, the fault of it isle answer. Put on what weary negligence you please, you and your fellow servants, i'de have it come in question, if he dislike it, let him to our sister, whose mind and mine I know in that are one, not to be overruled; idle old man that still would manage those authorities that he hath given away, now by my life old fools are babes again, & must be used with checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused, remember what I tell you. And let his Knights have colder looks among you, what grows of it no matter, advise your fellows so. I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, that I may speak, isle write straight to my sister to hold my very course, go prepare for dinner. Not only sir this, your all-licenc'd fool, but other of your insolent retinue do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth in rank & (not to be endured riots,) Sir I had thought by making this well known unto you, to have found a safe redress, but now grow fearful by what your self too late have spoke and done, that you protect this course, and put on by your all lowance, which if you should, the fault would not escape censure, nor the redress, sleep, which in the tender of a wholesome weal, might in their working do you that offence, that else were shame, that then necessity must call discreet proceedings. Come sir, I would you would make use of that good wisdom whereof I know you are fraught, and put away these dispositions, that of late transform you from what you rightly are. Come sir, this admiration is much of the savour of other your new pranks, I do beseech you understand my purposes aright, as you are old and reverend, should be wise, here do you keep a 100. Knights and Squires, men so disordered, so deboyst and bold, that this our court infected with their manners, shows Like a riotous Inn, epicurism, and lust make more Like a tavern or brothel, then a great palace, the shame it self does speak for instant remedy, be thou desired by her, that else will take the thing she begs, a little to disquantity your train, and the re mainder that shall still depend, to be such men as may besort your age, that know themselves and you. You strike my people, and your disordered rabble, make servants of their betters. Never afflict your self to know the cause, but let his disposition have that scope that dotage gives it. Do you mark that my Lord? Come sir no more, you, more knave then fool, after your master? What Oswald, ho. What have you writ this letter to my sister; Take you some company, and away to horse, inform her full of my particular fears, and thereto add such reasons of your own, as may compact it more, get you gone, and after your return now my Lord, this mildy gentleness and course of yours though I dislike not, yet under pardon you're much more alapt want of wisdom, then praise for harmful mildness. Nay then. Who struck my servant, Regan I have good hope Thou didst not know ant. Why not by the hand sir, how have I offended? Also not offence that indiscretion finds, And dotage terms so. At your choice sir. Why might not you my Lord receive attenda ̄ ce From those that she calls servants, or from mine? He are me my Lord, What needs you five and twenty, ten, or five, To follow in a house, where twice so many Have a command to tend you. 'Tis his own blame hath put himself from rest, And must needs taste his folly. My Lord, entreat him by no means to stay. Pluck out his eyes. Farewell sweet Lord and sister. Welcome my Lord I marvel our mild husband Not met us on the way, now where's your master? Then shall you go no further, It is the cowish cur of his spirit That dares not undertake, he'll not feel wrongs Which tie him to and answer, our wishes on the way May prove effects, back Edgar to my brother, Hasten his musters, and conduct his powers I must change arms at home, and give the distaff Into my husbands hands, this trusty servant Shall pass between us, ere long you are Like to hear If you dare venture in your own behalf A Mistress's coward, wear this spare speech, Decline your head: this kiss if it durst speak Would stretch thy spirits up into the air, Conceive and far you well. My most deer Gloucester, to thee woman's services are Due My foot usurps my body. I have been worth the whistle. No more, the text is foolish. Milk liuerd man That bearest a cheek for blocs, a head for wrongs, Who hast not in thy brows and eye deserving thine honour, From thy suffering, that not knowest fools, do those villains pity Who are punished ere they have done their mischief, Where's thy drum? France spreads his banners in our noystles land, With plumed helm, thy slayer begin threats Whil's thou a moral fool sits still and cries Alack why does he so? Oh vain fool! Marry your manhood now— One way I Like this well, But being widow and my Gloucester with her, May all the building on my fancy pluck, Upon my hateful life, another way the news is not so took, I'll read and answer. No. Oh ho, I know the riddle, I will go. That were the most, if he should husband you. Hola, hola, that eye that told you so, looked but a squint. Mean you to enjoy him then? If not, isle never trust poison. This is mere practice Gloucester by the law of arms Thou art not bound to answer and unknown opposite, Thou art not vanquished, but cozened and beguiled, Say if I do, the laws are mine not thine, who shall arraine me for't. Ask me not what I know. Prescribe not us our duties? Sister, it is not a little I have to say, Of what most nearly appertains to us both, I think our father will hence to night. The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash, then must we look to receive from his age not alone the imper fection of long ingrafted condition, but therewithal unruly way wardnes, that infirm and choleric years bring with them. There is further compliment of leave taking between France and him, pray lets hit together, if our Father carry autho rity with such dispositions as he bears, this last surrender of his, will but offend us, I had rather lose the battle, then that sister should loosen him and me. Combine together gainst the enemy, For these domestic door particulars Are not to question here. Not so hight, in his own grace he does exalt himself more then in your advancement.