lying; and sometimes I am whipped for holding
my peace. I had rather be any kind o' thing
than a fool; and yet I would not be thee,
nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides,
and left nothing i' the middle: here comes one o'
the parings. 208
Enter Goneril.
Lear. How now, daughter! what makes that
frontlet on? Methinks you are too much of
late i' the frown. 211
Fool. Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou
hadst no need to care for her frowning; now
thou art an O without a figure. I am better
than thou art now; I am a fool, thou art
nothing. [To Goneril.] Yes, forsooth, I will
hold my tongue; so your face bids me, though
you say nothing.
Mum, mum;
He that keeps nor crust nor crumb, 220
Weary of all, shall want some.
That's a shealed peascod. [Pointing to Lear.]
Gon. Not only, sir, this your all-licens'd fool,
But other of your insolent retinue 224
Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth
In rank and not-to-be-endured riots. Sir,
I had thought, by making this well known unto you,
To have found a safe redress; but now grow fearful, 228
By what yourself too late have spoke and done,
That you protect this course, and put it on
210 frontlet: forehead-band, i.e., frown
214 an O without a figure: a mere cipher
222 shealed peascod: empty peapod
230 protect: authorize
put . . . on: encourage
