dinner! Where’s my knave,14 my fool? Go you, and call my fool hither.
Exit an ATTENDANT. Enter OSWALD. You, you, sirrah, where’s my daughter?
OSWALD So please you – Exit.
15. clotpoll: blockhead; idiot 45
LEAR What says the fellow there? Call the clotpoll15 back. Exit a KNIGHT. Where’s my fool? Ho, I think the world’s asleep. Re-enter KNIGHT. How now! Where’s that mongrel?
KNIGHT He says, my lord, your daughter is not well.
LEAR Why came not the slave back to me when I called him?
16. roundest: so bluntly as to be rude 50
KNIGHT Sir, he answered me in the roundest16 manner: he would not.
LEAR He would not!
55 36 King Lear
KNIGHT My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my judgement, your highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont; there’s a great abatement of kindness appears as well in the
