William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT II. 2. Scene II. Before Gloster's Castle. (continued)

Kent.
Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the king; and
take vanity the puppet's part against the royalty of her father:
draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbonado your shanks:--
draw, you rascal; come your ways!

Osw.
Help, ho! murder! help!

Kent.
Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat slave, strike!

[Beating him.]

Osw.
Help, ho! murder! murder!

[Enter Edmund, Cornwall, Regan, Gloster, and Servants.]

Edm.
How now! What's the matter?

Kent.
With you, goodman boy, an you please: come, I'll flesh you; come
on, young master.

Glou.
Weapons! arms! What's the matter here?

Corn.
Keep peace, upon your lives;
He dies that strikes again. What is the matter?

Reg.
The messengers from our sister and the king.

Corn.
What is your difference? speak.

Osw.
I am scarce in breath, my lord.

Kent.
No marvel, you have so bestirr'd your valour. You cowardly
rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee.

Corn.
Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man?

Kent.
Ay, a tailor, sir: a stonecutter or a painter could not have
made him so ill, though he had been but two hours at the trade.

Corn.
Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?

Osw.
This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spared at suit of
his grey
beard,--

Kent.
Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter!--My lord, if you'll
give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar and
daub the walls of a jakes with him.--Spare my grey beard, you
wagtail?