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King Lear (Quarto 2, 1619)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Pervez Rizvi
Not Peer Reviewed
The History of King Lear.
canst not tell why ones nose stands in the middle of his face?
895Lear. No.
Foole. Why to keep his eyes on either side his nose, that what
a man cannot smell out, he may spy into.
Lear. I did her wrong!
Foole. Canst tell how an Oyster makes his shell.
900Lear. No.
Foole. Nor I neyther; but I can tell why a snayle has a house.
Lear. Why?
Foole. Why to put his head in, not to giue it away vnto his
905daughter, and leaue his hornes without a case.
Lear. I will forget my nature, so kinde a father; bee my horses
ready?
Foole. Thy Asses are gone about them; the reason why the se-
uen starres are no more then seuen, is a pretty reason.
910Lear. Because they are not eight.
Foole. Yes, thou wouldst make a good foole.
Lear. To tak't againe perforce; monster, ingratitude!
Foole. If thou wert my foole Nunckle, Ide haue thee beaten
for being olde before thy time.
915Lear. How's that?
Foole. Thou shouldst not haue beene olde, before thou hadst
beene wise.
Lear. O let me not be mad sweete heauen! I would not bee
mad, keepe me in temper, I would not bee mad; are the Horses
920ready?
Seruant. Ready my Lord.
Lear. Come boy.
Exit.
Foole. She that is a maid now, and laughs at my departure,
Shall not be maid long, except things be cut shorter.
925
Exit.
Enter Bastard, and Curan meetes him.
Bast. Saue thee Curan.
Curan. And you sir, I haue beene with your father, and giuen
930him notice, that the Duke of Cornwall and his Dutchesse will be
here with him to night.
Bast. How comes that?
Curan.