LEAR.
Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope
Thou didst not know on't. — Who comes here? O heavens!
[Enter Goneril.]
If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
Allow obedience, if yourselves are old,
Make it your cause; send down, and take my part! —
[To Goneril.] Art not asham'd to look upon this beard? —
O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand?
GONERIL.
Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended?
All's not offence that indiscretion finds
And dotage terms so.
LEAR.
O sides, you are too tough!
Will you yet hold? — How came my man i' the stocks?
CORNWALL.
I set him there, sir: but his own disorders
Deserv'd much less advancement.
LEAR.
You? did you?
REGAN.
I pray you, father, being weak, seem so.
If, till the expiration of your month,
You will return and sojourn with my sister,
Dismissing half your train, come then to me:
I am now from home, and out of that provision
Which shall be needful for your entertainment.
LEAR.
Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd?
No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the enmity o' the air;
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl, —
Necessity's sharp pinch! — Return with her?
Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took
Our youngest born, I could as well be brought
To knee his throne, and, squire-like, pension beg
To keep base life afoot. — Return with her?
Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter
To this detested groom.
[Pointing to Oswald.]
