By your allowance; which if you should, the fault
Would not 'scape censure, nor the redresses sleep, 232
Which, in the tender of a wholesome weal,
Might in their working do you that offence,
Which else were shame, that then necessity
Will call discreet proceeding. 236
Fool. For you trow, nuncle,
The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long,
That it had it head bit off by it young.
So out went the candle, and we were left darkling. 240
Lear. Are you our daughter?
Gon. I would you would make use of your good wisdom,
Whereof I know you are fraught; and put away
These dispositions which of late transform you
From what you rightly are. 245
Fool. May not an ass know when the cart
draws the horse? Whoop, Jug! I love thee.
Lear. Does any here know me? This is not Lear: 248
Does Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?
Either his notion weakens, his discernings
Are lethargied. Ha! waking? 'tis not so.
Who is it that can tell me who I am? 252
Fool. Lear's shadow.
[Lear. I would learn that; for, by the marks
of sovereignty, knowledge and reason, I should
be false persuaded I had daughters. 256
Fool. Which they will make an obedient
father.]
Lear. Your name, fair gentlewoman?
231 allowance: approval
233 tender: care
weal: commonwealth
239 it: its
240 darkling: in the dark
243 fraught: stored
247 Jug; cf. n.
250 notion: understanding
257 Which they: who
