Page 1805 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

I had thought, by making this well known unto you,
To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,
By what yourself too late have spoke and done,
That you protect this course, and put it on [200]

By your allowance; which if you should, the fault
Would not ’scape censure, nor the redresses sleep,
Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,
Might in their working do you that offence,

Which else were shame, that then necessity [205]
Will call discreet proceeding.

FOOL
For you know, Nuncle,
The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,
That it’s had it head bit off by it young.

So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. [210]

LEAR
Are you our daughter?

GONERIL
I would you would make use of your good wisdom,
Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away

These dispositions which of late transport you
From what you rightly are. [215]

FOOL
May not an ass know when a cart draws the horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee.

LEAR
Does any here know me? This is not Lear:
Does Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?
Either his notion weakens, his discernings [220]

Are lethargied − Ha! waking? ’tis not so.
Who is it that can tell me who I am?

FOOL