Page:The Psychology of Shakespeare.pdf/156

Rh mity of age, it is evident it has surprised and alarmed them. His sudden changes, unguarded by any judgment, are evidently a new thing to these selfish and clear-sighted observers; although, indeed they are but the exaggerated

results of long habits of rule and rashness, matured into a state which renders him unfit for the exercise of authority.

Gom. You see how full of changes his age is ; the obser vation we have made of it hath been little; he always loved our sister most ; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off, appears too grossly.

Reg. 'Tis but the infirmity of his age : yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself. Gon.

The best and soundest of his time hath been but

rash; then must we look from his age to receive, not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed condition, but therewithal, the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them.

Reg.

Such inconstant starts are we like to have from him,

as this of Kent's banishment.

Gom. There is further compliment of leave-taking between France and him. Pray you, let us sit together: if our father carry authority with such disposition as he bears, this last Sur render of his will but offend us.

Reg.

We shall further think of it.

Gon. We must do something, and i' the heat.” Goneril speedily finds that such authority as her old father chooses to exercise does offend her.

He strikes her

gentleman for chiding his fool; wrongs her, as she thinks, by day and night; every hour he flashes, as she thinks, into one gross crime or other; he upbraids her on every trifle.

She 'll not endure it.

She has no love for the old

man, and little patience for his infirmities, whether they be those of native disposition, of dotage, or of disease : “Idle old man,

That still would manage those authorities That he hath given away ! Now, by my life, Old fools are babes again ; and must be us'd With checks as flatteries—when they are seen, abus'd.”