King Lear by William Shakespeare
Act 1 - Scene 3
The Duke of Albany’s Palace.
Goneril : Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?
Oswald : Ay, madam.
Goneril : By day and night, he wrongs me! Every hour
[p]He flashes into one
gross crime or other
[p]That sets us all at odds. I'll not endure
it.
[p]His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
[p]On every
trifle. When he returns from hunting,
[p]I will not speak with him.
Say I am sick.
[p]If you come slack of former services,
[p]You shall
do well; the fault of it I'll answer.
Oswald : He's coming, madam; I hear him.
Goneril : Put on what weary negligence you please,
[p]You and your fellows. I'd
have it come to question.
[p]If he distaste it, let him to our
sister,
[p]Whose mind and mine I know in that are one,
[p]Not to be
overrul'd. Idle old man,
[p]That still would manage those
authorities
[p]That he hath given away! Now, by my life,
[p]Old fools
are babes again, and must be us'd
[p]With checks as flatteries, when
they are seen abus'd.
[p]Remember what I have said.
Oswald : Very well, madam.
Goneril : And let his knights have colder looks among you.
[p]What grows of it,
no matter. Advise your fellows so.
[p]I would breed from hence
occasions, and I shall,
[p]That I may speak. I'll write straight to my
sister
[p]To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner.
Previous: Act 1 - Scene 2
Next: Act 1 - Scene 4



