Page:The Psychology of Shakespeare.pdf/195

180 O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hand in benediction o'er me — No, sir, you must not kneel. Lear. Pray do not mock me : I am a very foolish fond old man, Cor.

Fourscore and upward; not an hour more nor less; And, to deal plainly,

I fear I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should know you, and know this man ; Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant What place this is ; and all the skill I have

Remembers not these garments; nor I know not Where I did lodge last night: Do not laugh at me;

For, as I am a man, I think this lady To be my child Cordelia. Cor.

And so I am, I am.

Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, 'faith.

I pray, weep not :

If you have poison for me I will drink it. I know you do not love me; for your sisters Have, as I do remember, done me wrong : You have some cause, they have not.”

“Phys. Be comforted, good madam : the great rage You see, is kill'd in him : and yet it is danger To make him even o'er the time he has lost.

Desire him to go in : trouble him no more, Till further settling.

Cor. Will't please your highness walk 2 Lear.

You must bear with me :

Pray you now, forget and forgive; I am old and foolish.” The idea that death is past is half a delusion, half a dream, in which the objects of sense are visible while the judgment is not sufficiently alert to interpret them. When he does awake, the mind, suffering from the weakness which follows fierce ex citement, cannot comprehend the new circumstances which surround him—the unknown place and the royal robes. But, first of all, the poor patient would assure himself that he is a living sentient being, and not a soul in torture, as the fear ful dream has represented. The half-timid enquiries into his state and surroundings, represent both exhaustion and calm