Scene V
Court before the same
Enter Lear, Kent, and Fool.[3029]
Lear. Go you before to Gloucester with these letters.[3030]
Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know
than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence
be not speedy, I shall be there afore you.[3031]
Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know
than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence
be not speedy, I shall be there afore you.[3031]
Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered 5
your letter. [Exit.
your letter. [Exit.
Fool. If a man's brains were in's heels, were't not in[3032]
danger of kibes?
danger of kibes?
Lear. Ay, boy.
Fool. Then, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall ne'er go[3033] 10
slip-shod.
slip-shod.
Lear. Ha, ha, ha!
Fool. Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly;
for though she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet I[3034]
can tell what I can tell.[3035] 15
for though she's as like this as a crab's like an apple, yet I[3034]
can tell what I can tell.[3035] 15
Lear. Why, what canst thou tell, boy?[3036]
Fool. She will taste as like this as a crab does to a[3037]
crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle[3038]
on's face?[3039]
crab. Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle[3038]
on's face?[3039]
Lear. No. 20
Fool. Why, to keep one's eyes of either side's nose,[3040]
that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into.[3041]
that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into.[3041]
Lear. I did her wrong—[3042]
Fool. Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell?[3043]
Lear. No. 25
Fool. Nor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a
house.
house.
Lear. Why?
Fool. Why, to put's head in; not to give it away to his[3044]
daughters, and leave his horns without a case.[3045] 30
daughters, and leave his horns without a case.[3045] 30
Lear. I will forget my nature.—So kind a father!—Be
my horses ready?
my horses ready?
Fool. Thy asses are gone about 'em. The reason why[3046]
the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason.[3047]
the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason.[3047]
Lear. Because they are not eight?[3048] 35
Fool. Yes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool.[3049]
Lear. To take 't again perforce! Monster ingratitude![3050]
Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'ld have thee beaten[3051]
for being old before thy time.
for being old before thy time.
Lear. How's that? 40
Fool. Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst[3052]
been wise.
been wise.
Lear. O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven![3053][3054]
Keep me in temper: I would not be mad![3053]
Keep me in temper: I would not be mad![3053]
Enter Gentleman.[3055]
How now! are the horses ready?[3056] 45
Gent. Ready, my lord.[3057]
Lear. Come, boy.[3058]
Fool. She that's a maid now and laughs at my departure[3059]
Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter.[3060]
Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter.[3060]
[Exeunt.
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