William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

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

Corn.
What mean'st by this?

Kent.
To go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much. I know,
sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent
was a plain knave; which, for my part, I will not be, though I
should win your displeasure to entreat me to't.

Corn.
What was the offence you gave him?

Osw.
I never gave him any:
It pleas'd the king his master very late
To strike at me, upon his misconstruction;
When he, compact, and flattering his displeasure,
Tripp'd me behind; being down, insulted, rail'd
And put upon him such a deal of man,
That worthied him, got praises of the king
For him attempting who was self-subdu'd;
And, in the fleshment of this dread exploit,
Drew on me here again.

Kent.
None of these rogues and cowards
But Ajax is their fool.

Corn.
Fetch forth the stocks!--
You stubborn ancient knave, you reverent braggart,
We'll teach you,--

Kent.
Sir, I am too old to learn:
Call not your stocks for me: I serve the king;
On whose employment I was sent to you:
You shall do small respect, show too bold malice
Against the grace and person of my master,
Stocking his messenger.

Corn.
Fetch forth the stocks!--As I have life and honour,
there shall he sit till noon.

Reg.
Till noon! Till night, my lord; and all night too!

Kent.
Why, madam, if I were your father's dog,
You should not use me so.

Reg.
Sir, being his knave, I will.

Corn.
This is a fellow of the self-same colour
Our sister speaks of.--Come, bring away the stocks!

[Stocks brought out.]