Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/107

King Lear, IV. ii

Proper deformity seems not in the fiend

So horrid as in woman.

Gon. O vain fool!

[Alb. Thou changed and self-cover'd thing, for shame,

Be-monster not thy feature. Were 't my fitness

To let these hands obey my blood,

They are apt enough to dislocate and tear

Thy flesh and bones; howe'er thou art a fiend,

A woman's shape doth shield thee.

Gon. Marry, your manhood.—Mew!]

[Alb. What news?]

Mess. O! my good lord, the Duke of Cornwall's dead;

Slain by his servant, going to put out

The other eye of Gloucester.

Alb. Gloucester's eyes!

Mess. A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse,

Oppos'd against the act, bending his sword

To his great master; who, thereat enrag'd,

Flew on him, and amongst them fell'd him dead;

But not without that harmful stroke, which since

Hath pluck'd him after.

Alb. This shows you are above,

You justicers, that these our nether crimes

So speedily can venge! But, O poor Gloucester!

Lost he his other eye?

Mess. Both, both, my lord.

This letter, madam, craves a speedy answer;

 60 Proper: that which belongs

61 vain: empty

62 self-cover'd: hypocritical

63 Be-monster not thy feature: don't let your whole appearance become beastly

65 apt: ready

73 remorse: pity 