---

King Lear : Act 1, Scene 3

---

           Enter GONERIL, and [OSWALD, her] steward.

      GONERIL:
  1   Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?

      OSWALD:
  2   Yes, madam.

      GONERIL:
  3   By day and night he wrongs me; every hour
  4   He flashes into one gross crime or other,
  5   That sets us all at odds: I'll not endure it:
  6   His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
  7   On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,
  8   I will not speak with him; say I am sick:
  9   If you come slack of former services,
 10   You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.

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

           [Hunting horns sound.]

      GONERIL:
 12   Put on what weary negligence you please,
 13   You and your fellows; I'll have it come to question:
 14   If he distaste it, let him to our sister,
 15   Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,
 16   Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man,
 17   That still would manage those authorities
 18   That he hath given away! Now, by my life,
 19   Old fools are babes again; and must be used
 20   With cheques as flatteries, when they are seen abus'd.
 21   Remember what I tell you.

      OSWALD:
                                                    Well, madam.

      GONERIL:
 22   And let his knights have colder looks among you;
 23   What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so:
 24   I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,
 25   That I may speak: I'll write straight to my sister,
 26   To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner.

           Exeunt.