Page:The Psychology of Shakespeare.pdf/177

162 making a probable conjecture at the genesis of Lear's delusions are, however, left us. The first, respecting Edgar's supposed daughters, is suggested by the lowness to which his

nature is subdued, which could only be

through his unkind daughters. The second is suggested by Edgar's naked, unaccommodated manhood. The third appears to have had its origin in a slighter suggestion, the sight of a pair of joint stools, hard and warped, whom the poor madman likens to his daughters, and for whose trial he suddenly extemporizes a court of justice: “Lear. It shall be done, I will arraign them straight:—

Come, sit thou here, most learned justicer:[To Edgar. Thou, sapient sir, sit here. [To the Fool.]—Now, ye she foxes —









Bring in the evidence.— Thou robed man of justice, take thy place:– [To Edgar. And thou, his yoke-fellow of equity, [To the Fool. Bench by his side:–You are of the commission, Sit you too.

[To Kent. Edg. Let us deal justly. Sleepest or wakest thou, jolly shepherd 2 Thy sheep be in the corn; And for one blast of thy mimikin mouth, Thy sheep shall take mo harm.

Pur ! the cat is grey.

Lear. Arraign her first ; ’tis Goneril. I here take my oath before this honourable assembly, she kicked the poor king her father.

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Fool. Come hither, mistres; Is your name Goneril 7 Lear. She cannot deny it.

Fool. Cry you mercy, I took you for a joint-stool. Lear. And here's another, whose warp'd looks proclaim What store her heart is made of.-Stop her there !

Arms, arms, sword, fire –Corruption in the place False justicer why hast thou let her 'scape 2" Were it not for the comments of Kent and Edgar, this scene would read as if Lear threw some voluntary mockery into it ; but his amazed look which we learn from Kent, and the pity with which Edgar is overwhelmed, prove its sad