Too Late to Start Again Ill Go With You Jars of Clay

King Lear Translation Act 1, Scene iv

KENT

If only equally well I other accents borrow, That can my speech diffuse, my skilful intent May carry through itself to that full issue For which I razed my likeness. At present, banished Kent, If yard canst serve where thousand dost stand condemned, And so may information technology come thy master, whom yard lovest, Shall find thee total of labors.

KENT

If I can tin disguise my vox every bit well as I've disguised my appearance, then I can carry out the plan for which I erased my truthful identity. Now, banished Kent, you tin can serve the chief who condemned you. Hopefully information technology volition work out so that my master, whom I love, will detect me to be an excellent worker.

Horns within. Enter LEAR with bellboy knights

LEAR

Let me not stay a jot for dinner. Go get it ready.

LEAR

Don't make me wait even a second for dinner. Go get it ready.

[To KENT] How now, what art thou?

[To KENT] Well now, who are yous?

LEAR

What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with u.s.a.?

LEAR

What's your profession? What do you want with me?

KENT

I practice profess to exist no less than I seem—to serve him truly that volition put me in trust, to love him that is honest, to converse with him that is wise and says footling, to fearfulness judgment, to fight when I cannot choose, and to eat no fish.

KENT

I swear that I am simply what I seem to be. I'll faithfully serve a principal who puts his trust in me, I'll dear those who are honorable, and I'll associate with those who are wise and don't say much. I fright God, fight when I have to, and don't swallow fish.

KENT

A very honest-hearted young man, and every bit poor every bit the king.

KENT

I'yard a very honest-hearted fellow, and equally poor every bit the king.

LEAR

If thou beest every bit poor for a subject as he's for a king, one thousand'rt poor enough. What wouldst thou?

LEAR

If you're as a poor a field of study as he is a king, then y'all're certainly poor enough. What do you want?

LEAR

Who wouldst thou serve?

LEAR

Whom practise you want to serve?

LEAR

Dost thou know me, boyfriend?

LEAR

Practice you know me, fellow?

KENT

No, sir. Just you have that in your countenance which I would fain telephone call master.

KENT

No, sir. But at that place's something in your confront that makes me desire to phone call you principal.

LEAR

What'southward that in my face up?

LEAR

What services canst 1000 do?

LEAR

What services can you perform?

KENT

I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale in telling it, and deliver a patently bulletin bluntly. That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in. And the best of me is diligence.

KENT

I can go along secrets, ride a horse, run, ruin an elaborate story by trying to tell it, and evangelize a plain message bluntly. I'm qualified for anything that ordinary men can do. And the best part of me is that I'm hardworking.

KENT

Not so young, sir, to beloved a adult female for singing, nor so old to dote on her for anything. I take years on my back forty- eight.

KENT

Sir, I'thousand not young plenty to fall in beloved with a woman because she sings. But I'thousand non one-time enough to dote on a woman for any reason. I'm forty-eight years old.

LEAR

Follow me. One thousand shalt serve me. If I like thee no worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet.—Dinner, ho, dinner! Where'south my knave, my fool?—Go you, and phone call my fool hither.

LEAR

Follow me. You'll serve me. If I still like y'all afterward dinner, then I'll keep you effectually.

[To his attendants] Dinner, hey, dinner! Where's my fool?

[To KENT] You, go and call my fool to come here.

You, you lot, sirrah, where's my daughter?

Yous, you, sir, where's my daughter?

OSWALD

Excuse me, I'm busy—

LEAR

What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back.

LEAR

What did that fellow say? Telephone call the blockhead back in hither.

Where'southward my fool, ho? I think the world's asleep.

Hey, where's my fool? It seems like the whole world's asleep.

How now? Where's that mongrel?

What's going on? Where's that mangy dog of a steward?

FIRST KNIGHT

He says, my lord, your girl is non well.

FIRST KNIGHT

My lord, he says that your daughter isn't feeling well.

LEAR

Why came not the slave dorsum to me when I called him?

LEAR

Why didn't that rascal come dorsum to me when I called him?

Offset KNIGHT

Sir, he answered me in the roundest manner he would not.

FIRST KNIGHT

Sir, he answered me bluntly and said that he didn't want to.

FIRST KNIGHT

My lord, I know not what the matter is, simply to my judgment your highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as yous were wont. There's a great abatement of kindness appears too in the full general dependants as in the knuckles himself likewise, and your daughter.

FIRST KNIGHT

My lord, I don't know what's the matter, but it seems to me that your Highness isn't existence given the dearest and respect that you're used to. The duke himself, the servants, and your girl all seem to share in this loss of respect towards you.

LEAR

What! Do you retrieve so?

FIRST KNIGHT

I beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken—for my duty cannot exist silent when I remember your highness wronged.

FIRST KNIGHT

My lord, I beg your pardon if I'g mistaken—but I tin't be silent when I call back your Highness is being wronged.

LEAR

1000 simply rememberest me of mine ain conception. I have perceived a most faint neglect of tardily, which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than equally a very pretense and purpose of unkindness. I volition expect further into 't. Only where'due south my fool? I have non seen him this two days.

LEAR

No, you're merely reminding me of what I've noticed likewise. I've observed a lazy neglectfulness in my subjects lately. Merely I had blamed it on my own sensitivity, and didn't suspect that they were being deliberately disrespectful. I'll look into information technology further. But where's my fool? I haven't seen him these last two days.

Get-go KNIGHT

Since my young lady's going into France, sir, the fool hath much pined away.

Start KNIGHT

Sir, ever since my lady Cordelia has gone away to France, the fool has been sad and solitary.

LEAR

No more of that. I have noted information technology well. Get you and tell my daughter I would speak with her.

LEAR

No more talking about that. I've noticed information technology likewise. Get and tell my daughter Goneril that I want to speak with her.

Go you lot, call hither my fool.

And y'all, go call my fool here.

O y'all sir, you, come you hither, sir. Who am I, sir?

Oh you, sir, you, come here, sir. Who am I, sir?

LEAR

"My lady'south male parent?" My lord'due south knave, your whoreson canis familiaris! You lot slave, you cur!

LEAR

"My lady'southward male parent?" Yous wretch, you bastard dog! You rogue, y'all dog!

OSWALD

I am none of these, my lord. I beseech your pardon.

OSWALD

I'thousand not any of those things, my lord. I beg your pardon.

LEAR

Do yous swap looks with me, you rascal? [He strikes OSWALD ]

LEAR

Do you dare brand a face up at me, you villain? [He strikes OSWALD]

OSWALD

I'll not be strucken, my lord.

OSWALD

I volition not be struck, my lord.

KENT

[tripping OSWALD] Nor tripped neither, you base football game player.

KENT

[Tripping OSWALD] Or tripped, yous filthyfootball thespian.

LEAR

[To KENT] I give thanks thee, fellow. Thou servest me, and I'll love thee.

LEAR

[To KENT] I thank you, young man. If you serve me like that, I'll love you.

KENT

[To OSWALD] Come, sir, arise, away! I'll teach y'all differences. Abroad, away. If you volition measure your lubber's length again, tarry. Merely abroad, go to. Have you wisdom? So.

KENT

[To OSWALD] Come on, sir. Get upwardly and go away! I'll teach you to respect your superiors. Away, abroad. If you want to be tripped again, then stay here. If non, go on. Do you take whatsoever common sense? And then go.

LEAR

Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee.

LEAR

Now, my friendly servant, I give thanks you.

[gives KENT coin] There's earnest of thy service.

[Giving KENT coin] There's a down payment for your service.

FOOL

Let me hire him too.—Here'due south my coxcomb. [offers KENT his cap]

FOOL

Permit me hire him too. Hither's my fool'south cap. [He offers KENT his cap]

LEAR

How at present, my pretty knave? How dost thou?

LEAR

How are you lot, my clever fool? How are you doing?

FOOL

[To KENT] Sirrah, you were best accept my coxcomb.

FOOL

[To KENT] Sir, yous had better take my cap.

FOOL

Why? For taking one'southward part that's out of favor. Nay, an thou canst not smile as the current of air sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly. There, take my coxcomb. Why, this fellow has banished ii on 's daughters, and did the tertiary a blessing against his will. If thou follow him, one thousand must needs wear my coxcomb.— How now, nuncle? Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters.

FOOL

Why? For taking the side of this unpopular king. If you can't suck up to whoever has power, and so you lot'll before long endure for it. Here, take my fool'southward cap. Why, this fellow here has banished 2 of his daughters, and gave the third a blessing without meaning to . If you're going to follow him , you're a fool, and and then yous should article of clothing my cap.

[To LEAR]  How's information technology going, uncle ? I wish I had ii caps and two daughters.

FOOL

If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my coxcombs myself. There'south mine. Beg another of thy daughters.

FOOL

If I gave them everything I owned, then I'd keep the caps for myself, to show what a fool I was. Here'southward my fool's cap. Beg your daughters for another i.

LEAR

Take heed, sirrah—the whip.

LEAR

Be careful, boy—remember you can be whipped.

FOOL

Truth's a dog that must to kennel. He must be whipped out, when Lady Brach may stand by th' fire and stink.

FOOL

Truth's a dog that must become to his kennel. He must be whipped and driven out of the house, while Lady Bitch tin stay by the fire, stinking with lies.

LEAR

A pestilent gall to me!

LEAR

Constantly irritating me!

FOOL

Sirrah, I'll teach thee a spoken communication.

FOOL

Sir, I'll teach you a speech.

FOOL

Mark it, nuncle. Accept more than than thou showest, Speak less than m knowest, Lend less than thou owest, Ride more than thou goest, Learn more than than g trowest, Set less than thou throwest, Exit thy drinkable and thy whore And keep in-a-door, And chiliad shalt have more than Than two tens to a score.

FOOL

Listen closely, uncle. Have more than yous prove, speak less than you know, lend less than y'all own, ride more than than you walk. Don't believe everything you hear. Don't bet everything on a throw of the dice. Go out your drink and your whore, and stay indoors, and you'll surely prosper.

KENT

This is nothing, Fool.

KENT

That'due south nothing, Fool.

FOOL

Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer. You gave me nil for 't.—Tin you brand no utilise of nix, nuncle?

FOOL

Then it's like the oral communication of an unpaid lawyer—you gave me zip for it, and you go what yous pay for. Can't you make some employ out of nothing, uncle?

LEAR

Why no, male child. Nothing can exist made out of naught.

LEAR

Why no, boy. Aught tin exist fabricated out of nothing.

FOOL

[To KENT] Prithee, tell him and then much the rent of his land comes to. He volition non believe a fool.

FOOL

[To KENT] Please, remind him that no state means no income. He won't believe a fool.

FOOL

Dost chiliad know the deviation, my boy, betwixt a bitter fool and a sweetness fool?

FOOL

My male child, practice you know the divergence between a bitter fool and a sweet fool?

FOOL

That lord that counseled thee To give abroad thy state, Come place him hither past me. Practice grand for him stand up. The sweetness and biting fool Will presently appear— The ane in motley hither, The other found out there.

FOOL

Bring me the lord who advised you to give abroad your land, and place him here by me. You stand up in his place. The sweetness and biting fool will instantly appear—the sugariness fool in jester's clothes here, and the bitter fool over there.

LEAR

Dost k telephone call me fool, boy?

LEAR

Are y'all calling me a fool, boy?

FOOL

All thy other titles thou hast given away that yard wast built-in with.

FOOL

Well, you've given away all the other titles yous were born with, so you might besides keep the championship of "fool."

KENT

This is not altogether fool, my lord.

KENT

This fool's words aren't totally foolish, my lord.

FOOL

No, faith, lords and great men will not allow me. If I had a monopoly out, they would accept part on 't. And ladies too— they volition not let me take all fool to myself; they'll be snatching. Give me an egg, nuncle, and I'll give thee 2 crowns.

FOOL

No, truly, lords and important men won't let me be totally foolish. If I had a monopoly on foolishness, they would insist that I share it. And ladies too—they won't ever let me exist the biggest fool. They're always snatching away my office. Uncle, give me an egg, and I'll give you two crowns.

LEAR

What two crowns shall they be?

LEAR

What two crowns do yous hateful?

FOOL

Why—after I have cut the egg i' th' eye and eat upward the meat—the two crowns of the egg. When thou clovest thy crown i' th' middle, and gavest away both parts, thou borest thy ass o' th' back o'er the dirt. Thou hadst little wit in thy baldheaded crown when 1000 gavest thy gilded one abroad. If I speak similar myself in this, permit him be whipped that first finds it and so. [Sings] Fools had ne'er less wit in a twelvemonth, For wise men are grown foppish. They know not how their wits to wear, Their manners are and then apish.

FOOL

Why—after I've cut the egg in half and eaten the whites, the yolk volition exist similar two golden crowns. When you cutting your crown and your kingdom in two and gave away both parts, y'all were conveying your donkey on your back and heedlessly reversing the order of nature. You lot didn't have much wit in the bald crown of your head when you gave your gold crown away. If anyone thinks I'k speaking nonsense like a fool when I say this, permit him be whipped.
[Singing]
Fools take had a hard year,
For wise men have grown foolish.
They don't know how to use their wits,
They can merely stupidly imitate others.

LEAR

When were yous wont to be so total of songs, sirrah?

LEAR

When did you become and so full of songs, boy?

FOOL

I take used it, nuncle, ever since thou madest thy daughters thy mothers. For when thou gavest them the rod, and put'st downward thine own breeches, [Sings] Then they for sudden joy did weep And I for sorrow sung, That such a king should play bo-peep And get the fools among. Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie. I would fain learn to lie.

FOOL

I've made a habit of singing, uncle, always since you made your daughters into your mothers by giving them the switch and pulling down your own pants,
[Singing]
Then they wept for sudden joy,
And I sang for sorrow,
That such a king should play a child's game
And get about with fools for company.
Uncle, please hire a schoolteacher who tin teach your fool to lie. I want to learn how to prevarication.

LEAR

An you lie, sirrah, we'll accept you whipped.

LEAR

If you lot lie, boy, and so I'll have you whipped.

FOOL

I curiosity what kin thou and thy daughters are. They'll take me whipped for speaking true, thousand'lt have me whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for property my peace. I had rather be whatever kind o' affair than a fool. And yet I would not be thee, nuncle. Chiliad hast pared thy wit o' both sides and left nothing i' th' centre. Here comes ane o' the parings.

FOOL

I'm amazed at how akin you and your daughters are. They'll take me whipped for telling the truth, you'll have me whipped for lying, and sometimes I'm whipped for keeping quiet besides. I wish I were anything just a fool. And yet I wouldn't want to be yous, uncle. You've sliced off your wits on both sides of your brain, and left nothing in the heart. Here comes ane of the slices.

LEAR

How now, daughter? What makes that frontlet on? Methinks you lot are too much of tardily i' th' frown.

LEAR

How are you, daughter? Why are you wearing such a frown? It seems like you've been frowning too much lately.

FOOL

[To LEAR] Yard wast a pretty beau when thou hadst no need to treat her frowning. Now one thousand art an O without a figure. I am better than m art at present. I am a fool. Thou fine art nothing. [To GONERIL] Yes, forsooth, I will hold my natural language. Then your confront bids me, though you lot say nothing. Mum, mum, He that keeps nor crust nor crumb, Weary of all, shall desire some. [indicates LEAR] That'southward a shelled peascod.

FOOL

[To LEAR]  You were a fine fellow back when yous didn't demand to care whether she was frowning or not. Now you're a zero without a digit in front end of it to requite information technology value. I'm better than you are now. I am a fool. You are nothing.

[To GONERIL] Yes, I will exist quiet. That's what your face is commanding me to do, fifty-fifty though you don't say annihilation aloud. Mum, mum, he who gives away his crust and crumbs when he'south weary of possessions, volition soon want some dorsum. [Pointing at LEAR]  That's an empty pea pod right at that place.

GONERIL

[To LEAR] Not only, sir, this your all-licensed fool, But other of your insolent retinue Practice hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth In rank and not-to-exist-endurèd riots. Sir, I had thought by making this well known unto you To accept plant a rubber redress, but now abound fearful By what yourself too tardily accept spoke and done That you protect this course and put information technology on By your allowance— which if you should, the fault Would non 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep Which in the tender of a wholesome weal Might in their working do y'all that offense, Which else were shame, that then necessity Will call discreet proceeding.

GONERIL

[To LEAR]  Sir, not just your fool hither—who is immune to say whatever he wants—merely others in your rude entourage go along lament, fighting, and breaking out in foul and intolerable wildness. Sir, I had thought that if I told you lot about this disrespectful beliefs you would detect a certain solution to information technology. But now I'grand worried because of what you yourself have said and washed all too recently. I'thou worried that you encourage this kind of behavior by assuasive it to go along. If that'south the case, then your actions won't escape penalty, and there will exist some kind of payment required of you for the good of the kingdom. I realize that having to punish your knights will seem shameful to you, but it'due south necessary in this instance.

FOOL

For you know, nuncle, The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long, That information technology'southward had information technology head bit off by it immature. And then out went the candle and we were left darkling.

FOOL

For you lot know, uncle, a sparrow raised a cuckoo in its nest for a long time, until the cuckoo grew up and the sparrow had its head bitten off by its own child. And so the candle went out, and we were all left in the nighttime.

LEAR

Are y'all our girl?

GONERIL

Come, sir, I would you would make use of that proficient wisdom Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away These dispositions that of late transform you From what you rightly are.

GONERIL

Come now, sir. I wish you would apply your wisdom—which I know yous are well-provided with— to snap out of these fickle moods that you've been in lately, so yous can return to your true cocky.

FOOL

May not an ass know when the cart draws the equus caballus? Whoop, Jug! I love thee.

FOOL

Fifty-fifty a fool can tell when everything's upside down and the cart is pulling the horse, tin't he? Whoop, sweetheart! I dear you lot!

LEAR

Does any here know me? Why, this is non Lear. Doth Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, or his discernings Are lethargied. Ha, sleeping or waking? Sure, 'tis not then. Who is it that can tell me who I am?

LEAR

Does anyone hither know who I am? Why, I tin't be Lear. Does Lear walk like this? Talk like this? Where are his eyes? Either his mind is getting weak or his senses are failing. Hey, am I awake? Surely not. Who can tell me who I am?

FOOL

Yous are Lear'due south shadow.

LEAR

I would larn that. For by the marks Of sovereignty, cognition, and reason, I should be simulated persuaded I had daughters.

LEAR

I want to acquire who I am. The testify given to me by my kingly nature, my knowledge, and my reason tries to falsely persuade me that I have daughters.

FOOL

Which they volition make an obedient father.

FOOL

Daughters who will turn you into an obedient father.

LEAR

[to GONERIL] Your name, off-white gentlewoman?

LEAR

[To GONERIL] What'southward your name, dear lady?

GONERIL

This admiration, sir, is much o' th' savor Of other your new pranks. I do beseech y'all To understand my purposes aright. Equally you are old and reverend, should be wise. Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires, Men so disordered, so debauched and bold That this our court, infected with their manners, Shows like a riotous inn. Epicurism and lust Brand it more like a tavern or a brothel Than a graced palace. The shame itself doth speak For instant remedy. Be then desired Past her that else will take the affair she begs, A piddling to disquantity your train, And the remainder that shall yet depend To exist such men as may besort your age, Which know themselves and you.

GONERIL

Sir, this pretended astonishment of yours seems very similar to your other recent pranks. Please endeavour to sympathise my purpose. Y'all are former and respected, so endeavor to exist wise besides. You're keeping a hundred knights and squires here— men so hell-raising, vulgar, and bold that our court has go infected with their manners and at present seems like a cheap, rowdy inn. Their gluttony and lust make this place feel more like a tavern or a brothel than an honored palace. It's so shameful that it requires immediate action. Therefore information technology'south my desire—and if you won't do it when I enquire politely, then I'll do it myself by force—that you reduce the number of knights in your entourage a footling. Continue the ones who are older, who suit your advanced historic period, and who know their proper identify—as well equally yours.

LEAR

Darkness and devils! Saddle my horses. Call my train together.— Degenerate bastard, I'll non problem thee. Nevertheless have I left a daughter.

LEAR

Darkness and devils!

[To his attendants] Saddle my horses. Call my knights together.

[To GONERIL] I won't trouble y'all any more, you worthless bastard. I notwithstanding have one true daughter left.

GONERIL

You strike my people, and your matted rabble Make servants of their betters.

GONERIL

Y'all strike my servants, and your disorderly rabble of knights treats their superiors like servants.

LEAR

Woe that too late repents!— [To ALBANY] O sir, are y'all come up? Is information technology your will? Speak, sir.—Set up my horses.

LEAR

[To GONERIL] Y'all'll regret this, but by then information technology'll be too belatedly!

[To ALBANY] Oh, sir, are y'all hither? Have you come to me? Speak, sir.

[To an bellboy] Prepare my horses.

Ingratitude, grand marble-hearted fiend, More hideous when grand show'st thee in a kid Than the sea monster.

Ingratitude is a cold-hearted devil, and it'southward always at its ugliest when information technology appears in an ungrateful kid. Information technology's more hideous than a sea monster!

ALBANY

Pray, sir, be patient.

ALBANY

Sir, please be patient.

LEAR

[To GONERIL] Detested kite, yard liest! My train are men of choice and rarest parts That all particulars of duty know And in the about verbal regard support The worships of their name. O most small fault, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show, That, like an engine, wrenched my frame of nature From the fixed place, drew from heart all beloved, And added to the gall! O Lear, Lear, Lear! [strikes his head] Beat at this gate that let thy folly in And thy dear judgment out!—Go, go, my people.

LEAR

[To GONERIL]  You hateful vulture, you lie! My knights are men of excellent qualities and accomplishments, and they perfectly exercise their duty and alive up to their honorable reputation. Oh, how ugly did Cordelia'south small flaw seem to me! And now information technology has tortured me and broken my body, sucking the love from my heart and replacing it with bitterness! Oh Lear, Lear, Lear! [Hit himself on the head]  Permit me beat at this gate that permit precious wisdom leave and foolishness come in!

[To his attendants] Become, go, my people.

ALBANY

My lord, I am guiltless, as I am ignorant, Of what hath moved y'all.

ALBANY

My lord, I'chiliad innocent and ignorant of whatever it is that's angered you.

LEAR

It may be so, my lord. Hear, Nature, hear, honey goddess, hear! Append thy purpose if thou didst intend To make this creature fruitful. Into her womb convey sterility. Dry out upwardly in her the organs of increment, And from her derogate torso never leap A infant to honor her. If she must teem, Create her kid of spleen, that it may live And exist a thwart disnatured torment to her. Permit it stamp wrinkles in her forehead of youth, With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks, Turn all her female parent'southward pains and benefits To laughter and contempt, that she may feel— That she may feel How sharper than a serpent'south tooth it is To have a thankless child.— Away, away!

LEAR

That may be true, my lord. Now hear me, Nature, dear goddess, hear me! If yous had intended for this woman to bear children, then change your purpose for her. Brand her womb sterile, and dry it up so that no baby will ever sally from her mean body and honor her. Just if she must give nascency, then give her a spiteful kid, so it might alive to be a perverse, unnatural torment to her. May information technology give her wrinkles in her youth, and cleave lines in her cheeks from and then many falling tears. Turn all her motherly care and nurturing into mockery and hatred, then she may feel . . and then she may feel how an ungrateful child is sharper than a serpent's tooth.

[To his attendants] Now let's get out this identify!

Exeunt LEAR, FOOL, KENT, FIRST KNIGHT and the other attendants

ALBANY

At present gods that nosotros adore, whereof comes this?

ALBANY

Past the gods, what acquired all this?

GONERIL

Never afflict yourself to know more of it, But let his disposition have that telescopic That dotage gives information technology.

GONERIL

Don't trouble yourself well-nigh it. Just permit him exist the foolish one-time man that he is in his senility.

LEAR

What, fifty of my followers at a clap? Inside a fortnight?

LEAR

What, fifty of my knights dismissed at a clap of your hands? Afterwards but 2 weeks?

ALBANY

What'southward the thing, sir?

ALBANY

What'south the matter, sir?

LEAR

I'll tell thee. [To GONERIL] Life and decease! I am aback That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus, That these hot tears which break from me perforce Should brand thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee! Th' untented woundings of a father's curse Pierce every sense nigh thee! Former fond eyes, Beweep this crusade once more, I'll pluck ye out And cast y'all, with the waters that you loose, To temper clay. Yea, is 't come up to this? Ha? Let it be and so. I have another girl, Who I am certain is kind and comfy. When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails She'll flay thy wolvish visage. Thou shalt notice That I'll resume the shape which thou dost call back I accept cast off for always. Thou shalt, I warrant thee.

LEAR

I'll tell you.

[To GONERIL]  By life and death! I'm ashamed that you lot have the power to upset me like this, and that these hot tears that leap along against my will reveal that I care enough about yous to shed them. May pain and sickness strike you! May you feel all the incurable pains a father's curse can inflict! If these onetime foolish eyes weep again because of you, I'll pluck them out and throw them to the ground so their wet tears can h2o the clay. Has information technology actually come to this? Has information technology? Then so be it. I have some other girl, who I'chiliad certain is kind and hospitable. When she hears what you've done, she'll rip up your wolfish face with her fingernails. And so you'll detect that I can over again take upwardly the power you lot thought I had bandage off forever. I volition, I promise you.

GONERIL

Practise you mark that, my lord?

GONERIL

Did you hear all that, my lord?

ALBANY

I cannot be so partial, Goneril, To the bully love I bear you lot—

ALBANY

Goneril, I tin can't be anything only biased in your favor considering of my great beloved for y'all—

GONERIL

Pray you, content. Come, sire, no more.—What, Oswald, ho! [to FOOL] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your main.

GONERIL

Please, be tranquility and don't worry. No more protests, sir.

[To her servant] Hey, Oswald, come up here!

[To the FOOL] And you, sir, who are more than a villain than a fool, run after your master.

FOOL

Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry and take the fool with thee. A trick when one has caught her And such a girl Should certain to the slaughter, If my cap would buy a halter. And so the fool follows after.

FOOL

Uncle Lear, uncle Lear, wait and take your fool with you lot. A fox, when you've caught her—and such a daughter— would certainly both exist slaughtered. If my fool's cap is worth trading for a noose, so the fool follows y'all.

GONERIL

This man hath had adept counsel—a hundred knights! 'Tis politic and condom to permit him keep At point a hundred knights, yeah, that on every dream, Each buzz, each fancy, each complaint, dislike, He may enguard his dotage with their powers And hold our lives in mercy?— Oswald, I say!

GONERIL

This human has had expert communication—a hundred knights! Yes, it's condom and prudent to let him proceed a hundred knights around, and then that every time he has an outburst, a dream, a change of mood, a complaint, or something that upsets him, he has a hundred swords to back upwards his senile whims and violently strength us to accept them!

[ To her servant] Oswald, I say! Where is he?

ALBANY

Well, y'all may fright also far.

ALBANY

You lot might exist overly nervous about this.

GONERIL

Safer than trust likewise far. Allow me still take away the harms I fear, Not fearfulness still to be taken. I know his heart. What he hath uttered I accept writ my sister. If she sustain him and his hundred knights When I accept showed th' unfitness—

GONERIL

It's better to be too nervous than too trusting. Let me always get rid of what frightens me, rather than risk existence injure by it. I've written to my sister and told her what he's said. If she welcomes him and his hundred knights later I've described his unwillingness to carry—

GONERIL

How now, Oswald? What, have y'all writ that letter to my sis?

GONERIL

How are you, Oswald? Take you written that letter to my sister however?

GONERIL

Accept you some company, and away to horse. Inform her total of my particular fear, And thereto add such reasons of your own As may compact it more. Get yous gone And hasten your return.

GONERIL

Then take some men with y'all and ride off to deliver information technology. Tell her most my specific fears, and add details of your own to dorsum them up. Now go going, and bustle back.

No, no, my lord, This milky gentleness and course of yours Though I condemn not, yet, nether pardon Y'all are much more attasked for want of wisdom Than praised for harmful mildness.

No, no, my lord, I'm not condemning your mild gentleness in dealing with my father. Merely—if you lot'll alibi me for saying then— y'all should be criticized much more for lacking wisdom than be praised for being misguidedly gentle.

ALBANY

How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell. Striving to ameliorate, oft we mar what's well.

ALBANY

I tin't tell how far ahead you can see, or how deeply you tin perceive. Just ofttimes nosotros break something in trying to set up information technology.

ALBANY

Well, well, thursday' event.

ALBANY

All correct, all right. We'll see what happens.

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Source: https://www.litcharts.com/shakescleare/shakespeare-translations/king-lear/act-1-scene-4

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