Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/41

King Lear, I. iv  Fool. Let me hire him too: here's my cox-

comb.

Lear. How now, my pretty knave! how dost

thou?

Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb.

Kent. Why, fool?

Fool. Why? for taking one's part that's out

of favour. Nay, an thou canst not smile as the

winds sits, thou'lt catch cold shortly: there, take

my coxcomb. Why, this fellow has banished

two on 's daughters, and did the third a blessing

against his will: if thou follow him thou must

needs wear my coxcomb. How now, nuncle!

Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters!

Lear. Why, my boy?

Fool. If I gave them all my living, I'd keep

my coxcombs myself. There's mine; beg an-

other of thy daughters.

Lear. Take heed, sirrah; the whip.

Fool. Truth's a dog must to kennel; he must

be whipped out when Lady the brach may stand

by the fire and stink.

Lear. A pestilent gall to me!

Fool. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech.

Lear. Do.

Fool. Mark it, nuncle:—

Have more than thou showest,

Speak less than thou knowest,

Lend less than thou owest,

Ride more than thou goest,

Learn more than thou trowest,

 105 coxcomb: fool's cap

112 an: if

115 on 's: of his

117 nuncle: mine uncle

125 brach: hunting-bitch

127 gall; cf. n.

135 goest: walkest

136 trowest: knowest; cf. n.

