painter could not have made him so ill, though
they had been but two hours o' the trade. 64
Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?
Osw. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I
have spar'd at suit of his grey beard,— 67
Kent. Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary
letter! My lord, if you will give me leave, I will
tread this unbolted villain into mortar, and
daub the wall of a jakes with him. Spare my
grey beard, you wagtail? 72
Corn. Peace, sirrah!
You beastly knave, know you no reverence?
Kent. Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.
Corn. Why art thou angry? 76
Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a sword,
Who wears no honesty. Such smiling rogues as these,
Like rats, oft bite the holy cords a-twain
Which are too intrinse t' unloose; smooth every passion 80
That in the natures of their lords rebel;
Bring oil to fire, snow to their colder moods;
Renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks
With every gale and vary of their masters, 84
Knowing nought, like dogs, but following.
A plague upon your epileptic visage!
Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool?
Goose, if I had you upon Sarum plain, 88
I'd drive ye cackling home to Camelot.
Corn. What! art thou mad, old fellow?
Glo. How fell you out? say that.
68 zed; cf. n.
70 unbolted: unrefined
71 a jakes: a privy
79, 80 holy cords . . . too intrinse; cf. n.
83 Renege: deny
halcyon; cf. n.
84 gale: breeze
vary: variation
88 Sarum: Salisbury
89 Camelot; cf. n.
