back to 1.4 skip to 2.1 King Lear Act 1, Scene 5 Enter KING LEAR, KENT, and Fool King LearGo you before to Gloucester with these letters. Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know than comes from her demand out of the letter. If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there afore you. KentI will not sleep, my lord, till I have delivered your letter. Exit FoolIf a man’s brains were in’s heels, were’t not in danger of kibes? King LearAy, boy. FoolThen, I prithee, be merry; thy wit shall ne’er go slip-shod. King LearHa, ha, ha! FoolShalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly; for though she’s as like this as a crab’s like an apple, yet I can tell what I can tell. King LearWhy, what canst thou tell, my boy? FoolShe will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab. Thou canst tell why one’s nose stands i’ the middle on’s face? King LearNo. FoolWhy, to keep one’s eyes of either side’s nose; that what a man cannot smell out, he may spy into. King LearI did her wrong— FoolCanst tell how an oyster makes his shell? King LearNo. FoolNor I neither; but I can tell why a snail has a house. King LearWhy? FoolWhy, to put his head in; not to give it away to his daughters, and leave his horns without a case. King LearI will forget my nature. So kind a father! Be my horses ready? FoolThy asses are gone about ‘em. The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason. King LearBecause they are not eight? FoolYes, indeed: thou wouldst make a good fool. King LearTo take ‘t again perforce! Monster ingratitude! FoolIf thou wert my fool, nuncle, I’ld have thee beaten for being old before thy time. King LearHow’s that? FoolThou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise. King LearO, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven Keep me in temper: I would not be mad! Enter Gentleman How now! are the horses ready? GentlemanReady, my lord. King LearCome, boy. FoolShe that’s a maid now, and laughs at my departure, Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter. Exeunt King Lear Act 1, Scene 5