Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/50

34

Though I condemn not, yet, under pardon,

You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom

Than prais'd for harmful mildness.

Alb. How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell:

Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.

Gon. Nay, then—

Alb. Well, well; the event.

Lear. Go you before to Gloucester with these

letters. Acquaint my daughter no further with

any thing you know than comes from her

demand out of the letter. If your diligence be

not speedy I shall be there before you.

Kent. I will not sleep, my lord, till I have

delivered your letter.

Fool. If a man's brains were in 's heels, were 't

not in danger of kibes?

Lear. Ay, boy.

Fool. Then, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall

not go slip-shod.

Lear. Ha, ha, ha!

Fool. Shalt see thy other daughter will use

thee kindly; for though she's as like this as a

crab is like an apple, yet I can tell what I can

tell.

Lear. What canst tell, boy?

 368 attask'd: blamed

373 the event: the outcome (will show)  9 kibes: chilblains

15 kindly: pun, with double meaning of 'gently' and 'naturally'

16 crab: crabapple

