Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture here; 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, 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 All the ftor❜d vengeances of Heaven fall 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 Thy half o'th' kingdom thou haft not forgot, Regan. Good Sir, to th' purpose. [Trumpet within. 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? 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! 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 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 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. 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 |