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Home  »  King Lear  »  Act I

William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Scene III

Act I

[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 hourHe flashes into one gross crime or otherThat sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it.His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids usOn 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 authoritiesThat he hath given away! Now, by my life,Old fools are babes again, and must be us’dWith 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.