William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT II. 4. Scene IV. Before Gloster's Castle; Kent in the stocks. (continued)

Lear.
No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse:
Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give
Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce; but thine
Do comfort, and not burn. 'Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes,
And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in: thou better know'st
The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude;
Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot,
Wherein I thee endow'd.

Reg.
Good sir, to the purpose.

Lear.
Who put my man i' the stocks?

[Tucket within.]

Corn.
What trumpet's that?

Reg.
I know't--my sister's: this approves her letter,
That she would soon be here.

[Enter Oswald.]

Is your lady come?

Lear.
This is a slave, whose easy-borrowed pride
Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows.--
Out, varlet, from my sight!

Corn.
What means your grace?

Lear.
Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope
Thou didst not know on't.--Who comes here? O heavens!

[Enter Goneril.]

If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
Allow obedience, if yourselves are old,
Make it your cause; send down, and take my part!--
[To Goneril.] Art not asham'd to look upon this beard?--
O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand?

Gon.
Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended?
All's not offence that indiscretion finds
And dotage terms so.

Lear.
O sides, you are too tough!
Will you yet hold?--How came my man i' the stocks?

Corn.
I set him there, sir: but his own disorders
Deserv'd much less advancement.

Lear.
You? did you?