King Lear : Act 1, Scene 4
Enter KENT [disguised as Caius].
KENT
1
If but as well I other accents borrow,
2
That can my speech defuse, my good intent
1-2. If . . . defuse: i.e., if I can disguise my voice as well as I have disguised my appearance.
3
May carry through itself to that full issue
3. issue: result.
4
For which I raz'd my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent,
4. raz'd my likeness: erased my true appearance.
5
If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,
5. serve . . . condemn'd: i.e., serve King Lear, who condemned you to exile.
6
So may it come, thy master, whom thou lovest,
7
Shall find thee full of labours.
7. full of labours: excellent in performing services.
Horns within. Enter LEAR, [Knights,] and
Horns within: The king and his court have been out hunting, and we hear the hunting horns just before we see the king. The "within" means within the backstage area, out of sight.
Attendants.
KING LEAR
8
Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go get it ready.
8. stay: wait. dinner: lunch.
[One of Lear's attendants hurries away
to see about the food. Kent approaches
King Lear.]
9
How now! what art thou?
9. what art thou?: who are you?
KENT
10
A man, sir.
KING LEAR
11
What dost thou profess? what wouldst thou
11. What dost thou profess?: what is your trade?
12
with us?
11-12. what wouldst thou with us?: what do you want from me?
KENT
13
I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve
13. profess: promise, vow.
14
him truly that will put me in trust: to love him
14. put me in trust: believe me to be trustworthy.
15
that is honest; to converse with him that is wise,
15. honest: honorable. converse: associate.
16
and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when I
16. judgment: i.e., God's judgment.
17
cannot choose; and to eat no fish.
16-17. when I cannot choose: when I must. eat no fish: always be a true beef-eating Englishman (?).
KING LEAR
18
What art thou?
KENT
19
A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as
20
the king.
KING LEAR
21
If thou be'st as poor for a subject as he's for a
22
king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou?
KENT
23
Service.
KING LEAR
24
Who wouldst thou serve?
KENT
25
You.
KING LEAR
26
Dost thou know me, fellow?
KENT
27
No, sir; but you have that in your countenance
28
which I would fain call master.
28. fain: gladly.
KING LEAR
29
What's that?
KENT
30
Authority.
KING LEAR
31
What services canst thou do?
KENT
32
I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious
32. keep honest counsel: keep confidences.
33
tale in telling it, and deliver a plain message
32-33. mar a curious tale in telling it: spoil an elaborate story by attempting to tell it. This little joke at his own expense underlines what Kent says next, which is that he can "deliver a plain message bluntly."
34
bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am
35
qualified in; and the best of me is diligence.
KING LEAR
36
How old art thou?
KENT
37
Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing, nor
38
so old to dote on her for any thing: I have years
39
on my back forty eight.
KING LEAR
40
Follow me. Thou shalt serve me: if I like thee no
41
worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.
42
Dinner, ho, dinner! Where's my knave? my fool?
43
Go you, and call my fool hither.
[Exit an Attendant to fetch the Fool.]
Enter Steward [OSWALD].
44
You, you, sirrah, where's my daughter?
OSWALD
45
So please you,
Exit.
45. So please you: if you don't mind. This is a deliberately insulting brush-off.
KING LEAR
46
What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll
46. clotpoll: blockhead.
47
back.
[Exit a Knight.]
48
Where's my fool, ho? I think the world's asleep.
[Re-enter Knight.]
49
How now! where's that mongrel?
Knight
50
He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.
KING LEAR
51
Why came not the slave back to me when I called
52
him?
Knight
53
Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner, he
53. roundest: bluntest, impolite.
54
would not.
KING LEAR
55
He would not!
Knight
56
My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my
57
judgment, your highness is not entertained with that
58
ceremonious affection as you were wont; there's a
58. wont: accustomed to.
59
great abatement of kindness appears as well in the
59. kindness: natural respect.
60
general dependants as in the duke himself also and
58-59. the general dependants: the staff and hangers-on of the house.
61
your daughter.
KING LEAR
62
Ha! sayest thou so?
Knight
63
I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken;
64
for my duty cannot be silent when I think your
65
highness wronged.
KING LEAR
66
Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception:
66. Thou . . . conception: you are only reminding me of what I have already thought of.
67
I have perceived a most faint neglect of late; which
67. faint: indolent, careless.
68
I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity
68. jealous curiosity: suspicious inquisitiveness.
69
than as a very pretense and purpose of unkindness:
69. very pretense and purpose: deliberate intention. unkindness: unnatural treatment. Because he is king, Lear expects to be treated as a king is naturally treated, with the greatest attentiveness and respect.
70
I will look further into't. But where's my fool? I
71
have not seen him this two days.
Knight
72
Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the
72. young lady's: Cordelia's.
73
fool hath much pined away.
KING LEAR
74
No more of that; I have noted it well. Go you, and
75
tell my daughter I would speak with her.
[Exit an Attendant.]
76
Go you, call hither my fool.
[Exit another Attendant.]
Enter Steward [OSWALD].
77
O, you sir, you, come you hither, sir: who
78
am I, sir?

Illustrator: Sir John Gilbert
OSWALD
79
My lady's father.
KING LEAR
80
'My lady's father'! my lord's knave: you
81
whoreson dog! you slave! you cur!
OSWALD
82
I am none of these, my lord; I beseech your
83
pardon.
KING LEAR
84
Do you bandy looks with me, you rascal?
[Striking him.]
OSWALD
85
I'll not be struck, my lord.
KENT
86
Nor tripped neither, you base football player.
86. base football player: low-class ruffian. >>>
[Tripping up his heels.]
KING LEAR
87
I thank thee, fellow; thou servest me, and I'll
88
love thee.
KENT
89
Come sir, arise, away! I'll teach you differences.
89. differences: distinctions of rank.
90
Away, away! if you will measure your lubber's
91
length again, tarry; but away! Go to; have you
90-91. measure your lubber's length again: i.e., have your loutish body again lying on the ground.
92
wisdom? so.
[Pushes OSWALD out.]
KING LEAR
93
Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee; there's
94
earnest of thy service.
94. earnest of: a down payment on.
[Giving KENT money.]
Enter Fool.
Fool
95
Let me hire him too: here's my coxcomb.
[Offering KENT his fool's cap.]
KING LEAR
96
How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou?
Fool
97
Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.
KENT
98
Why, fool?
Fool
99
Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour.
100
Nay, an thou canst not smile as the wind sits,
100. an thou: if thou. smile as the wind sits: i.e., suck up to whoever has power.
101
thou'lt catch cold shortly: there, take my coxcomb.
101. catch cold: find yourself out in the cold.
102
Why, this fellow has banished two on's daughters,
103
and did the third a blessing against his will; if thou
102. banished two on's daughters: banished two of his daughters. >>>
104
follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb.
105
How now, nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs and
105. nuncle: mine uncle This was a common form of address from a Fool to his lord. Of course, no other person could address a king as "nuncle," or refer to him as a "fellow," as the Fool just did.
106
two daughters!
KING LEAR:
107
Why, my boy?
Fool
108
If I gave them all my living, I'ld keep my coxcombs
108. all my living: i.e., all the property which produces the income that I live on. I'ld keep my coxcombs: I would keep my coxcombs [in order to show what a fool I was].
109
myself. There's mine; beg another of thy daughters.
KING LEAR:
110
Take heed, sirrah; the whip.
Fool
111
Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped
112
out, when Lady the brach may stand by the fire
112. brach: hound bitch
113
and stink.
KING LEAR
114
A pestilent gall to me!
114. gall: source of irritation, like an open sore.
Fool
115
Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.
KING LEAR
116
Do.
Fool
117
Mark it, nuncle:
117. Mark it: i.e., pay close attention.
118
Have more than thou showest,
119
Speak less than thou knowest,
120
Lend less than thou owest,
120. owest: own.
121
Ride more than thou goest,
121. goest: walk.
122
Learn more than thou trowest,
122. Learn: listen to, study. trowest: believe.
123
Set less than thou throwest;
123. Set less than thou throwest: bet less than your all on one throw of the dice.
124
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
125
And keep in-a-door,
125. in-a-door: indoors.
126
And thou shalt have more
127
Than two tens to a score.
126-127. thou shalt have more / Than two tens to a score : i.e., you will prosper.
KENT
128
This is nothing, fool.
Fool
129
Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer;
129. breath: speech. unfee'd: unpaid.
130
you gave me nothing for't. Can you make no
131
use of nothing, nuncle?
KING LEAR
132
Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of
133
nothing.
Fool: [To KENT.]
134
Prithee, tell him, so much the rent of his
135
land comes to: he will not believe a fool.
KING LEAR
136
A bitter fool!
136. bitter: vexatious.
Fool
137
Dost thou know the difference, my boy,
138
between a bitter fool and a sweet one?
KING LEAR
139
No, lad; teach me.
Fool
140
That lord that counsell'd thee
141
To give away thy land,
140-141. That lord that counsell'd thee / To give away thy land:The only "lord" who advised Lear to give away his land was Lear himself; it was all his own idea. The point of the Fool's little ditty is underline the fact that it is Lear who is the "bitter fool."
142
Come place him here by me,
143
Do thou for him stand:
144
The sweet and bitter fool
145
Will presently appear;
146
The one in motley here,
146. motley: the traditional fool's costume. >>>
147
The other found out there.
146-147. The one . . . there: i.e., me [the sweet fool] and you [the bitter fool].
KING LEAR
148
Dost thou call me fool, boy?
Fool
149
All thy other titles thou hast given away; that
149. that: that title [of "Fool"].
150
thou wast born with.
150. thou wast born with: In Shakespeare's time "fool" could be used as a term of endearment for a baby or toddler.
KENT
151
This is not altogether fool, my lord.
151. This is not altogether fool: this that the Fool is saying is not totally foolish.
Fool
152
No, faith, lords and great men will not let me; if
152. lords . . . me: i.e., lords and great men will not allow me to have a monopoly on foolishness.
153
I had a monopoly out, they would have part on't:
152-153. if I had a monopoly out: an officially granted monopoly.
154
and ladies too, they will not let me have all fool
155
to myself; they'll be snatching. Give me an egg,
155. they'll be snatching: The Fool is also satirizing the intense competition among the great lords of England for lucrative royal monopolies, such as the exclusive right to import a certain kind of wine.
156
nuncle, and I'll give thee two crowns.
KING LEAR
157
What two crowns shall they be?
Fool
158
Why, after I have cut the egg i' the middle, and eat
159
up the meat, the two crowns of the egg. When thou
160
clovest thy crown i' the middle, and gavest away
161
both parts, thou bor'st thy ass on thy back o'er
162
the dirt. Thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown,
163
when thou gav'st thy golden one away. If I speak
164
like myself in this, let him be whipt that first
165
finds it so.
163-165. If I speak . . . finds it so: I think this means "If anyone thinks I am speaking like what I appear to be, a fool, let him be whipped."
[Sings.]
166
"Fools had ne'er less grace in a year;
167
For wise men are grown foppish,
166-167. Fools . . . foppish: i.e., fools are no longer in demand since wise men now consider it fashionable to act and look like fools. >>>
168
And know not how their wits to wear,
169
Their manners are so apish."
169. apish : stupid, imitative.
KING LEAR
170
When were you wont to be so full of songs,
170. wont : accustomed.
171
sirrah?
Fool
172
I have used it, nuncle, e'er since thou madest thy
172. used it: made it my practice.
173
daughters thy mothers: for when thou gavest them
174
the rod, and put'st down thine own breeches,
[Sings.]
175
"Then they for sudden joy did weep,
176
And I for sorrow sung,
175-176. Then . . . sung: This is an ironic allusion to a pious song. >>>
177
That such a king should play bo-peep,
177. bo-peep: a game played with very young children, also known as "peek-a-boo."
178
And go the fools among."
179
Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach
180
thy fool to lieI would fain learn to lie.
KING LEAR
181
An you lie, sirrah, we'll have you whipped.
181. An: if.
Fool
182
I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are. They'll
182. what kin: how alike.
183
have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt have
184
me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am whipped
185
for holding my peace. I had rather be any kind o'
186
thing than a fool: and yet I would not be thee, nuncle;
187
thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides, and left nothing
187. pared: sliced off.
188
i' the middle: here comes one o' the parings.
Enter GONERIL.
KING LEAR
189
How now, daughter! what makes that frontlet on?
189. frontlet: band worn on the forehead. This is King Lear's jesting metaphor for Goneril's frown.
190
Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown.
Fool
191
Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to
192
care for her frowning; now thou art an O without a
193
figure: I am better than thou art now; I am a fool,
193. an O without a figure: a zero without another digit in front of it; i.e., nothing.
194
thou art nothing.
[To GONERIL.]
195
Yes, forsooth, I will hold my tongue; so your face
196
bids me, though you say nothing.
197
Mum, mum,
198
He that keeps nor crust nor crum,
199
Weary of all, shall want some.
198-199. He . . . some: i.e., he who gives everything away because he's tired of it all, will later find himself in need of some of what he gave away.
[Pointing to KING LEAR.]
200
That's a sheal'd peascod.
200. sheal'd peascod: shelled [empty] pea pod; nothing.
GONERIL
201
Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool,
201.all-licens'd fool: fool who is allowed to say anything and everything. >>>
202
But other of your insolent retinue
203
Do hourly carp and quarrel; breaking forth
204
In rank and not-to-be endur'd riots. Sir,
204. rank: foul, stinking, blatant.
205
I had thought, by making this well known unto you,
206
To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,
206. found a safe redress: seen you solve the problem.
207
By what yourself too late have spoke and done,
207. too late: all too recently.
208
That you protect this course, and put it on
208. this course: this kind of behavior.
209
By your allowance; which if you should, the fault
208-209. put it on . . . allowance: encourage it by allowing it to happen. if you should: if that is what you are doing.
210
Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep,
211
Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,
211. tender of: care for. weal: commonwealth.
212
Might in their working do you that offence,
213
Which else were shame, that then necessity
214
Will call discreet proceeding.
213-214. Which . . . proceeding. : which under other circumstances would be shameful [to you], [but] that in this instance would by necessity be called a prudent proceeding.
Fool
For, you know, nuncle,
[Sings.]
215
"The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,
215. The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo: >>>
216
That it had it head bit off by it young."
217
So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.
217. darkling: in the dark.
KING LEAR
218
Are you our daughter?
GONERIL
219
Come sir,
220
I would you would make use of that good wisdom,
221. fraught: freighted with; i.e., amply provided with.
221
Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away
222
These dispositions, that of late transport you
222. these dispositions: i.e., the capricious moods you have lately shown.
223
From what you rightly are.
Fool
224
May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse?
[Sings.]
225
"Whoop, Jug! I love thee."
225. "Whoop, Jug! I love thee.": "Jug" is a nickname for "Joan," which is a typical name for a female servant. The Fool is aiming another barb at Goneril, who is probably still frowning and expecting to be taken very seriously.
KING LEAR
226
Doth any here know me? This is not Lear:
227
Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?
228
Either his notion weakens, his discernings
228-229. Either . . . lethargied: Either his intellect weakens or his senses are falling into a lethargy. waking?: am I awake?
229
Are lethargiedHa! waking? 'tis not so.
230
Who is it that can tell me who I am?
Fool
231
Lear's shadow.
KING LEAR
232
I would learn that; for, by the marks of
232. that: i.e., who I am. Lear doesn't hear or ignores the Fool's "Lear's shadow."
233
sovereignty, knowledge, and reason,
233. by the marks of . . . and reason: by the evidence supplied by my kingly nature, my memory, and my common sense.
234
I should be false persuaded I had daughters.
Fool
235
Which they will make an obedient father.
235. Which: Whom.
KING LEAR
236
Your name, fair gentlewoman?
GONERIL
237
This admiration, sir, is much o' the savour
237. admiration: [pretended] wonderment.
238
Of other your new pranks. I do beseech you
239
To understand my purposes aright:
240
As you are old and reverend, should be wise.
240. should: you should.
241
Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires;
242
Men so disorder'd, so debosh'd and bold,
242. disorder'd: disorderly. debosh'd: debauched.
243
That this our court, infected with their manners,
244
Shows like a riotous inn. Epicurism and lust
244. Shows: appears. Epicurism: devotion to the party-hearty life.
245
Make it more like a tavern or a brothel
246
Than a grac'd palace. The shame itself doth speak
246. a grac'd: an honored.
247
For instant remedy: be then desired
246-247. doth . . . remedy: shows the need for an immediate remedy.
248
By her, that else will take the thing she begs,
248. her: me.
249
A little to disquantity your train;
249. disquantity your train: reduce the size of your retinue.
250
And the remainders, that shall still depend,
250. still depend: continue to be retained.
251
To be such men as may besort your age,
251. besort: befit.
252
Which know themselves and you.
252. Which know themselves and you: i.e., who know their place and yours. Goneril is forcibly reminding King Lear that he is no longer a king, but only an old man who should be grateful for anything he gets.
KING LEAR
Darkness and devils!
253
Saddle my horses; call my train together:
254
Degenerate bastard! I'll not trouble thee.
255
Yet have I left a daughter.
255. Yet have I left a daughter.: I still have a [true] daughter [Regan].
GONERIL
You strike my people
256
And your disorder'd rabble make servants of their betters.
Enter ALBANY.
ALBANY: i.e., the Duke of Albany, Goneril's husband.
KING LEAR
257
Woe, that too late repents,
257. Woe, that too late repents: Woe to him who repents [of his decisions] too late. King Lear is justifying his sudden decision to go to Regan's palace.
[To ALBANY.]
O, sir, are you come?
258
Is it your will? Speak, sir. Prepare my horses.
258. Is it your will?: i.e., Do you approve of your wife's treatment of me?
259
Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend,
260
More hideous when thou show'st thee in a child
261
Than the sea-monster!
ALBANY
Pray, sir, be patient.
KING LEAR: [To GONERIL.]
262
Detested kite! thou liest.
262. kite: a kind of hawk that feeds on carrion, including the bodies of dead soldiers.
263
My train are men of choice and rarest parts,
263. parts: qualities, accomplishments.
264
That all particulars of duty know,
265
And in the most exact regard support
266
The worships of their name. O most small fault,
266. The worships of their name: Their honorable reputations.
267
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show!
268
Which, like an engine, wrench'd my frame of nature
268. engine: i.e., the rack

269
From the fix'd place; drew from heart all love,
270
And added to the gall. O Lear, Lear, Lear!
271
Beat at this gate, that let thy folly in,
271. this gate: i.e., Lear's head
[Striking his head.]
272
And thy dear judgment out! Go, go, my people.
272. dear: precious.
ALBANY
273
My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant
274
Of what hath moved you.
274. moved: angered.
KING LEAR
274
It may be so, my lord.
275
Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear!
276
Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend
277
To make this creature fruitful!
278
Into her womb convey sterility!
279
Dry up in her the organs of increase;
280
And from her derogate body never spring
280. derogate: debased.
281
A babe to honour her! If she must teem,
281. teem: breed.
282
Create her child of spleen; that it may live,
282. spleen: malice, spitefulness.
283
And be a thwart disnatur'd torment to her!
283. a thwart disnatur'd torment: a frustrating, unnatural torment.
284
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
285
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks,
285. cadent: falling. fret: gnaw.
286
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits
286. mother's pains and benefits: maternal care and nurturing.
287
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel
287. laughter: mockery.
288
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is

289
To have a thankless child! Away, away!
Exit.
ALBANY
290
Now, gods that we adore, whereof comes this?
GONERIL
291
Never afflict yourself to know more of it;
292
But let his disposition have that scope
293
That dotage gives it.
293. let his disposition have that scope /
That dotage gives it: i.e., let him be the foolish old man that he is.
Enter [KING] LEAR.
KING LEAR
294
What, fifty of my followers at a clap!
295
Within a fortnight!
ALBANY
What's the matter, sir?
KING LEAR
296
I'll tell thee:
[To GONERIL.]
Life and death! I am asham'd
297
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus;
298
That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,
298. perforce: against my will.
299
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs
299. Should . . . them: i.e., should reveal that I care enough about you to shed tears. Blasts . . . thee: plagues upon you. >>>
upon thee!
300
The untented woundings of a father's curse
300. untented: incurable.
301
Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes,
301. fond: foolish.
302
Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck ye out,
302. Beweep this cause again: if you weep again for the same reason.
303
And cast you, with the waters that you loose,
304
To temper clay. Yea, is't come to this?
304. temper clay: i.e., mix with dirt.
305
Ha? Let it be so: I have another daughter,
306
Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable.
306. comfortable: ready to offer comfort.
307
When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails
308
She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt find
309
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
308. I'll resume the shape: i.e., I will once again be an honored king.
310
I have cast off for ever.
Exit [King Lear and all of his followers
except the Fool].
GONERIL
310
Do you mark that, my lord?
ALBANY
311
I cannot be so partial, Goneril,
311. partial: biased.
312
To the great love I bear you,
312. To: Because of.
GONERIL
313
Pray you, content. What, Oswald, ho!
313. Pray you, content: i.e., please don't worry about a thing and please shut up.
[To the Fool.]
314
You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master.
314. after your master: i.e., go follow Lear.
Fool
315
Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry and take the fool
316
with thee.
317
A fox, when one has caught her,
318
And such a daughter,
319
Should sure to the slaughter,
319. sure: surely be sent.
320
If my cap would buy a halter:
320. halter: hangman's noose.
321
So the fool follows after.
Exit.
GONERIL
322
This man hath had good counsela hundred knights!
323
'Tis politic and safe to let him keep
323. politic: prudent. Goneril is being sarcastic.
324
At point a hundred knights: yes, that, on every 324. At point: armed.
dream,
325
Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike,
325. buzz: rumor.
326
He may enguard his dotage with their pow'rs,
326. enguard his dotage: protect himself in his old age.
327
And hold our lives in mercy. Oswald, I say!
327. in mercy: at his mercy.
ALBANY
328
Well, you may fear too far.
328. you may fear too far: your fears may be overblown.
GONERIL
Safer than trust too far:
329
Let me still take away the harms I fear,
329. still: always.
330
Not fear still to be taken. I know his heart.
330. Not fear still to be taken: and not always fear to be captured in a surprise attack.
331
What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister
332
If she sustain him and his hundred knights
333
When I have show'd the unfitness,
Enter Steward [Oswald].
333
How now, Oswald?
334
What, have you writ that letter to my sister?
OSWALD
335
Ay, madam.
GONERIL
336
Take you some company, and away to horse:
337
Inform her full of my particular fear;
337. particular: specific.
338
And thereto add such reasons of your own
339
As may compact it more. Get you gone;
339. compact: compound.
340
And hasten your return.
[Exit Oswald.]
340
No, no, my lord,
341
This milky gentleness and course of yours
341. milky . . . course: mildly gentle course of action.
342
Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,
342. under pardon: if you will allow me to say so.
343
You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom
343. attask'd: criticized.
344
Than praised for harmful mildness.
ALBANY
345
How far your eyes may pierce I can not tell:
346
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.
GONERIL
347
Nay, then
ALBANY
348
Well, well; th' event.
348. th' event: i.e., we'll see what the outcome is.
Exeunt.