Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Scene

Act I: Scene 4

LEAR.
What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll back. —

[Exit a Knight.]

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

[Re-enter Knight.]

How now! where's that mongrel?

KNIGHT.
He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.

LEAR.
Why came not the slave back to me when I called him?

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

LEAR.
He would not!

KNIGHT.
My lord, I know not what the matter is; but to my judgment your
highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as
you were wont; there's a great abatement of kindness appears as
well in the general dependants as in the duke himself also and
your daughter.

LEAR.
Ha! say'st thou so?

KNIGHT.
I beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken; for my duty
cannot be silent when I think your highness wronged.

LEAR.
Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception: I have perceived
a most faint neglect of late; which I have rather blamed as mine
own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence and purpose of
unkindness: I will look further into't. — But where's my fool? I
have not seen him this two days.


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