Dear daughter, I confefs, that I am old; That you'll vouchfafe me raiment, bed, and food. Lear. Never, Regan: She hath abated me of half my train; Look'd blank upon me ; ftruck me with her tongue, (10) Moft ferpent-like, upon the very heart. All the ftor'd vengeances of heaven fall On her ingrateful Top! ftrike her young bones, Corn. Fie, Sir! fie! Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames Into her fcornful eyes! infect her beauty, You fen-fuck'd fogs, drawn by the pow'rful fun Reg. O the bleft Gods! So will you wish on me, when the rash mood is on. Thee o'er to harshness; her eyes are fierce, but thine Thy half o'th' Kingdom thou haft not forgot, Reg. Good Sir, to th' purpose. [Trumpet within. Lear. Who put my man i' th' Stocks? (10) Look'd black upon me,] This is a Phrafe which I do not understand; neither have I any where else met with it. But to look blank is a known Expreffion, fignifying, either to give difcouraging Looks to another, or to ftand dismay'd and difappointed one's-felf. The Poet means here, that Gonerill gave him cold Looks, as he before phrases it in this play. Enter Enter Steward. Corn. What trumpet's that? Reg. I know't, my fifter's: this approves her letter, That the would foon be here. Is your lady come? Lear. This is a flave, whofe eafie-borrowed pride Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. Out, varlet, from my fight. Corn. What means your Grace? Enter Gonerill. Lear. Who ftockt my fervant? Regan, I've good hope, Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here ? O Heav'ns, If you do love old men, if your sweet sway (11) Make it your cause; fend down, and take my part. O Regan, will you take her by the hand? Gon. Why not by th' hand, Sir? how have I offended? All's not offence, that indiscretion finds, And dotage terms fo. Lear. Ŏ fides, you are too tough! Will you yet hold? how came my man i' th' Stocks? Corn. I fet him there, Sir: but his own disorders Deferv'd much lefs advancement. Lear. You? did you? Reg. I pray you, Father, being weak, seem so. You will return and fojourn with my fifter, if your fweet Sway (11) Allow Obedience,] Could any Man in his Senfes, and Lear has 'em yet, make it a Question whether Heaven allow'd Obedience? Undoubtedly, the Poet wrote - Hallow Obedience,i. e. if by your Ordinances you hold and pronounce it sanctified; and punish the Violators of it as facrilegious Perfons. Mr. Warburton Which fhall be needful for your entertainment. Gon. At your choice, Sir. Lear. I pr'ythee, daughter, do not make me mad Which I muft needs call mine; thou art a bile, In my corrupted blood; but I'll not chide thee. Reg. Not altogether io; I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided your fit welcome; give ear to my fifter; For (12) and chufe To wage against the enmity o' th' Air, To be a Comrade with the Wolf and Owl, Neceffity's fharp Pinch.] The Breach of the Senfe here is a manifeft Proof, that thefe Lines were transpos'd by the firft Editors: Neither can there be any Syntax or Grammatical Coherence, unless we fuppofe Neceffity's fharp Pinch to be the Accufative to wage. As I have plac'd the Verses, the Senfe is fine and eafie; and the Sentence compleat and finish'd. VOL. VI. C For For thofe that mingle reafon with your paffion, Lear. Is this well spoken? Reg. I dare avouch it, Sir; what, fifty followers? Is it not well? what fhould you need of more ? Yea, or fo many? fince both charge and danger Speak 'gainft fo great a number: how in one house Should many people under two commands Hold amity? 'tis hard, almoft impoffible. Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance From those that the calls fervants, or from mine? Reg. Why not, my lord? if then they chanc'd to flack ye, We could controul them; if you'll come to me, To bring but five and twenty; to no more Lear. I gave you all Reg. And in good time you gave it. Lear. Made you my Guardians, my depofitaries; But kept a reservation to be follow'd With fuch a number; muft I come to you With five and twenty? Regan, faid you fo? Reg. And fpeak't again, my lord, no more with me, Lear. Thofe wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd, When others are more wicked: Not being worft, Stands in fome rank of praife; I'll go with thee; Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty; And thou art twice her love. Gon. Hear me, my lord; What need you five and twenty, ten, or five, Reg. What needs one? Lear. O, reafon not the need: our basest beggars Are in the poorest thing fuperfluous; Allow not nature more than nature needs, Man's life is cheap as beafts. Thou art a lady; Why, Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'ft, Stain my man's cheeks. No, you unnat❜ral hags, That all the world shall I will do fuch things, Or ere I weep. O fool, I fhall go mad. [Exeunt Lear, Glo'fter, Kent and Fool. Corn. Let us withdraw, 'twill be a ftorm. [Storm and tempeft. Reg. This houfe is little; the old man and his people Cannot be well beftow'd. Gon. 'Tis his own blame hath put himself from reft, And must needs tafte his folly. Reg. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly; But not one follower. Gon. So am I purpos'd.. Where is my Lord of Glo' fter? Enter Glo'fter. Corn. Follow'd the old man forth; he is return'd. Glo. The King is in high rage, and will I know not whither. Corn. 'Tis beft to give him way, he leads himself. Gon. My lord, intreat him by no means to stay. Glo. Alack, the night comes on: and the high winds Do forely ruffle, for many miles about There's fcarce a bush. Reg. O Sir, to wilful men, The injuries, that they themselves procure, C 2 Muft |