ode of Regan, his
other daughter. And Lear thought to himself how small the fault of
Cordelia (if it was a fault) now appeared, in comparison with her
sister's, and he wept; and then he was ashamed that such a creature as
Goneril should have so much power over his manhood as to make him weep.

Regan and her husband were keeping their court in great pomp and state
at their palace; and Lear despatched his servant Caius with letters to
his daughter, that she might be prepared for his reception, while he and
his train followed after. But it seems that Goneril had been before-hand
with him, sending letters also to Regan, accusing her father of
waywardness and ill humours, and advising her not to receive so great a
train as he was bringing with him. This messenger arrived at the same
time with Caius, and Caius and he met: and who should it be but Caius's
old enemy the steward, whom he had formerly tripped up by the heels for
his saucy behaviour to Lear. Caius not liking the fellow's look, and
suspecting what he came for, began to revile him, and challenged him to
fight, which the fellow refusing, Caius, in a fit of honest passion,
beat him soundly, as such a mischief-maker and carrier of wicked
messages deserved; which coming to the ears of Regan and her husband,
they ordered Caius to be put in stocks, though he was a messenger from
the king her father, and in that character demanded the highest respect:
so that the first thing the king saw when he entered the castle, was his
faithful servant Caius sitting in that disgraceful situation.

This was but a bad omen of the reception which he was to expect; but a
worse followed, when, upon inquiry for his daughter and her husband, he
was told they were weary with travelling all night, and could not see
him; and when lastly, upon his insisting in a positive and angry manner
to see them, they came to greet him, whom should he see in their company
but the hated Goneril, who had come to tell her own story, and set her
sister against the king her father!

This sight much moved the old man, and still more to see Regan take her
by the hand; and he asked Goneril if she was not ashamed to look upon
his old white beard. And Regan advised him to go home again with
Goneril, and live with her peaceably, dismissing half of his attendants,
and to ask her forgiveness; for he was old and wanted discretion, and
must be ruled and led by persons that had more discretion than himself.
And Lear showed