Page:William Hazlitt - Characters of Shakespear's Plays (1817).djvu/193

Rh Dry up in her the organs of increase; And from her derogate body never spring A babe to honour her! If she must teem, Create her child of spleen: that it may live, To be a thwart disnatur'd torment to her! Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth; With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks; Turn all her mother's pains, and benefits, To laughter and contempt; that she may feel How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child! Away, away![Exit. Albany. Now, gods, that we adore, whereof comes this? Gonerill. Never afflict yourself to know the cause; But let his disposition have that scope That dotage gives it.

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Lear. What, fifty of my followers at a clap! Within a fortnight! Albany. What's the matter, sir? Lear. I'll tell thee; life and death! I am asham'd That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus: [To Gonerill. That these hot tears, which break from me perforce, Should make thee worth them.Blasts and fogs upon thee! The untented woundings of a father's curse Pierce every sense about thee!Old fond eyes Beweep this cause again, I'll pluck you out; And cast you, with the waters that you lose, To temper clay.Ha! is it come to this? Let it be so:Yet have I left a daughter, Who, I am sure, is kind and comfortable; When she shall hear this of thee, with her nails She'll flea thy wolfish visage. Thou shalt find,