SCENE III. The Duke of Albany's palace. King Lear  Shakespeare homepage  |  King Lear  | Act 1, Scene 3 

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 Enter GONERIL, and OSWALD, her steward  GONERIL  Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool? 

 OSWALD  Yes, madam. 

 GONERIL  By day and night he wrongs me; every hour 

 He flashes into one gross crime or other, 

 That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it: 

 His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us 

 On every trifle. When he returns from hunting, 

 I will not speak with him; say I am sick: 

 If you come slack of former services, 

 You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer. 

 OSWALD  He's coming, madam; I hear him. 



 Horns within  GONERIL  Put on what weary negligence you please, 

 You and your fellows; I'll have it come to question: 

 If he dislike it, let him to our sister, 

 Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, 

 Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man, 

 That still would manage those authorities 

 That he hath given away! Now, by my life, 

 Old fools are babes again; and must be used 

 With cheques as flatteries,--when they are seen abused. 

 Remember what I tell you. 

 OSWALD  Well, madam. 

 GONERIL  And let his knights have colder looks among you; 

 What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so: 

 I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, 

 That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister, 

 To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner. 



 Exeunt  Shakespeare homepage  |  King Lear  | Act 1, Scene 3 

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