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lying; and sometimes I am whipped for holding

my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing

than a fool; and yet I would not be thee,

nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides,

and left nothing i' the middle: here comes one o'

the parings.

Lear. How now, daughter! what makes that

frontlet on? Methinks you are too much of

late i' the frown.

Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou

hadst no need to care for her frowning; now

thou art an O without a figure. I am better

than thou art now; I am a fool, thou art

nothing. [To Goneril.] Yes, forsooth, I will

hold my tongue; so your face bids me, though

you say nothing.

Mum, mum;

He that keeps nor crust nor crumb,

Weary of all, shall want some.

That's a shealed peascod. [Pointing to Lear.]

Gon. Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool,

But other of your insolent retinue

Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth

In rank and not-to-be-endured riots. Sir,

I had thought, by making this well known unto you,

To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful,

By what yourself too late have spoke and done,

That you protect this course, and put it on

 210 frontlet: forehead-band, i.e., frown

214 an O without a figure: a mere cipher

222 shealed peascod: empty peapod

230 protect: authorize

put on: encourage

