FOOL. Let me hire him too; here's my coxcomb.
[Giving Kent his cap.]
LEAR.
How now, my pretty knave! how dost thou?
FOOL.
Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.
KENT.
Why, fool?
FOOL.
Why, for taking one's part that's out of favour. Nay, an thou
canst not smile as the wind sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly:
there, take my coxcomb: why, this fellow hath banish'd two on's
daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will; if
thou follow him, thou must needs wear my coxcomb. — How now,
nuncle! Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters!
LEAR.
Why, my boy?
FOOL.
If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my coxcombs myself.
There's mine; beg another of thy daughters.
LEAR.
Take heed, sirrah, — the whip.
FOOL.
Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must be whipped out, when
the lady brach may stand by the fire and stink.
LEAR.
A pestilent gall to me!
FOOL.
Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.
LEAR.
Do.
FOOL.
Mark it, nuncle: —
Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest,
Lend less than thou owest,
Ride more than thou goest,
Learn more than thou trowest,
Set less than thou throwest;
Leave thy drink and thy whore,
And keep in-a-door,
And thou shalt have more
Than two tens to a score.
