| ACT I SCENE III | The Duke of Albany's palace. | |
| [Enter GONERIL, and OSWALD, her steward] |
| GONERIL | Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool? |
| OSWALD | Yes, madam. |
| GONERIL | 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: | 5 |
| 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. | 10 |
| OSWALD | He's coming, madam; I hear him. |
| [Horns within] |
| GONERIL | Put on what weary negligence you please, |
| You and your fellows; I'll have it come to question: |
| If he dislike it, let him to our sister, |
| Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, | 15 |
| Not to be over-ruled. 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 used |
| With cheques as flatteries,--when they are seen abused. | 20 |
| Remember what I tell you. |
| OSWALD | Well, madam. |
| GONERIL | 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, | 25 |
| That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister, |
| To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. |
| [Exeunt] |
King Lear Overview