Page 1808 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Into her womb convey sterility!
Dry up in her the organs of increase,
And from her derogate body never spring
A babe to honour her! If she must teem,

Create her child of spleen, that it may live [275]
And be a thwart disnatur’d torment to her!
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth,
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks,

Turn all her mother’s pains and benefits
To laughter and contempt, that she may feel [280]
How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child! Away, away!

(Exit.)

ALBANY
Now, Gods that we adore, whereof comes this?

GONERIL
Never afflict yourself to know more of it:
But let his disposition have that scope [285]
As dotage gives it.

Re-enter Lear.

LEAR
What! fifty of my followers at a clap;
Within a fortnight!

ALBANY
What’s the matter, Sir?

LEAR
I’ll tell thee. (To Goneril.) Life and death! I am asham’d
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus, [290]

That these hot tears, which break from me perforce,
Should make thee worth them. Blasts and fogs upon thee!
Th’untented woundings of a father’s curse
Pierce every sense about thee! Old fond eyes,