Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Scene

Act I: Scene 4

GONERIL.
Do you mark that?

ALBANY.
I cannot be so partial, Goneril,
To the great love I bear you, —

GONERIL.
Pray you, content. — What, Oswald, ho!
[To the Fool] You, sir, more knave than fool, after your master.

FOOL.
Nuncle Lear, nuncle Lear, tarry, — take the fool with thee. —
A fox when one has caught her,
And such a daughter,
Should sure to the slaughter,
If my cap would buy a halter;
So the fool follows after.

[Exit.]

GONERIL.
This man hath had good counsel. — A hundred knights!
'Tis politic and safe to let him keep
At point a hundred knights: yes, 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! —

ALBANY.
Well, you may fear too far.

GONERIL.
Safer than trust too far:
Let me still take away the harms I fear,
Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart.
What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister:
If she sustain him and his hundred knights,
When I have show'd th' unfitness, —

[Re-enter Oswald.]

How now, Oswald!
What, have you writ that letter to my sister?


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