Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/135

King Lear, V. iii

To some retention, and appointed guard;

Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,

To pluck the common bosom on his side,

And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes

Which do command them. With him I sent the queen;

My reason all the same; and they are ready

To-morrow, or at further space, to appear

Where you shall hold your session. [At this time

We sweat and bleed; the friend hath lost his friend,

And the best quarrels, in the heat, are curs'd

By those that feel their sharpness;

The question of Cordelia and her father

Requires a fitter place.]

Alb. Sir, by your patience,

I hold you but a subject of this war,

Not as a brother.

Reg. That's as we list to grace him:

Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded,

Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers,

Bore the commission of my place and person;

The which immediacy may well stand up,

And call itself your brother.

Gon. Not so hot;

In his own grace he doth exalt himself

More than in your addition.

Reg. In my rights,

By me invested, he compeers the best.

Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you.

Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets.

 48 retention: detention

51 impress'd: enlisted

63 demanded: requested

66 immediacy: sovereignty

70 compeers: equals

