Peer Reviewed
King LearThe History of King Leir (Modern)
- Introduction
- Texts of this edition
- Contextual materials
- Facsimiles
943.1[Scene 12] [Video Sc.12]
Ah, Gonorill, what dire unhappy chance
Alas, my lord, whom doth it touch so near,
I hope so too, but yet to be more sure
12.22.1Exit [Cornwall with attendants].
But I will intercept the messenger
My honest friend, whither away so fast?
To Cambria, madam, with letters from the king.
To whom?
Unto your father, if he be there.
Let me see them.
12.49.1She opens them.
Madam, I hope your grace will stand 997between me and my neck-verse if I be 998called in question for opening the king's letters.
'Twas I that opened them; it was not thou.
Ay, but you need not care, and so must I, 1001a handsome man, be quickly trussed up; 1002and when a man's hanged, all the world cannot save him.
He that hangs thee were better hang his father,
I am o'erjoyed; I surfeit of sweet words.
Ay, but thou wouldst keep one life still,
That one life is not too dear for my good queen: this 1012sword, this buckler, this head, this heart, these hands, arms, 1013legs, tripes, bowels, and all the members else whatsoever, are at 1014your dispose. Use me, trust me, command me; if I fail in any1015thing, tie me to a dung cart and make a scavenger's horse of 1016me, and whip me so long as I have any skin on my back.
In token of further employment, take that.
A strong bond, a firm obligation, good in law, good 1020in law. If I keep not the condition, let my neck be the forfei1021ture of my negligence.
I like thee well; thou hast a good tongue.
And as bad a tongue, if it be set on it, as any oysterwife 1024at Billingsgate hath. Why, I have made many of my neighbors 1025forsake their houses with railing upon them, and go dwell 1026elsewhere, and so, by my means, houses have been good cheap in 1027our parish. My tongue being well whetted with choler is more 1028sharp than a razor of Palermo.
Oh, thou art a fit man for my purpose.
Commend me not, sweet Queen, before you try me.
Well said. Then this is thy trial: instead of carrying 1033the king's letters to my father, carry thou these letters to my 1034sister, which contain matter quite contrary to the other. There 1035shall she be given to understand that my father hath detracted 1036her, given out slanderous speeches against her, and that he 1037hath most intolerably abused me, set my lord and me 1038at variance, and made mutinies amongst the commons.
It sufficeth; conceit, it is already done. 1048I will so tongue-whip him that I will 1049leave him as bare of credit 1050as a poulter leaves a cony when she pulls off his skin.
Yet there is a further matter.
I thirst to hear it.
If my sister thinketh convenient, as my letters 1054importeth, to make him away, hast thou the heart to 1055effect it?
Few words are best in so small a matter;
About it presently; I long till it be done.
I fly, I fly.
12.85.1Exeunt.