King Lear - Act 1 Scene 3

King Lear

A Room in the DUKE OF ALBANY'S Palace.

Enter GONERIL and OSWALD her Steward.

Gon. Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?

Osw. Ay, madam.

Gon. By day and night he wrongs me; every hour

He flashes into one gross crime or other,

That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it:

His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us

On every trifle. When he returns from hunting

I will not speak with him; say I am sick:

If you come slack of former services,

You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.

Osw. He's coming, madam; I hear him. [Horns within.

Gon. Put on what weary negligence you please,

You and your fellows; I'd have it come to question:

If he distaste it, let him to my sister,

Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,

Not to be over-rul'd. Idle old man,

That still would manage those authorities

That he hath given away! Now, by my life,

Old fools are babes again, and must be us'd

With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abus'd.

Remember what I have said.

Osw. Well, madam.

Gon. And let his knights have colder looks among you;

What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so:

I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,

That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister

To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. [Exeunt.