Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/205

Rh need some trusty friend, had returned in disguise to Britain. He offered himself to Lear as his servant, and Lear, who did not recognize him, had accepted him. He now called Kent, and sent him as his messenger to Regan, to inform her of her sister’s wicked conduct, and bid her prepare to receive him.

Kent hurried off without delay, but the end proved that Goneril outwitted him. This wicked woman, the moment Lear left her palace, sent a messenger post-haste to Regan, counseling her to oppose all Lear’s wishes, and deprive him of all state, lest with his hundred men he should prove dangerous to their power. The Duke of Albany, who was a kind-hearted man, but incapable of controlling so bad a wife, tried in vain to soften her heart. All his sympathy for Lear seemed but to strengthen her purpose.

Regan received her sister’s messenger, and immediately followed her advice. When Kent arrived at her court, he was punished for some slight offense by being placed with his feet in the stocks. Very soon Lear arrived, to find his messenger thus insulted, his message unheeded, and himself received with pointed coldness by the daughter on whom all his hopes were laid.

The poor king placed much constraint upon himself at first, and tried to reason mildly with