King Lear, Act 1, Scene 3

Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool?

Did my father hit my servant for telling off his fool?

Ay, madam.

Yes, madam.

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

Day and night, he wrongs me. Every hour he bursts out into some serious offence or other that sets us all quarrelling. I won't put up with it. His knights are getting out of control, and he himself scolds us over every little thing. When he comes back from hunting, I won't speak with him. Say I'm ill. If you fall short of the service you used to give him, you'll be doing right; I'll take the blame for it.

He’s coming, madam; I hear him.

He's coming, madam. I hear him.

Put on what weary negligence you please, You and your fellows; I’d have it come to question: If he distaste it, let him to our sister, Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, Not to be overruled. Idle old man, That still would manage those authorities That he hath given away! Now, by my life, Old fools are babes again; and must be us’d With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abus’d. Remember what I have said.

Be as tired and careless in your duties as you like, you and your fellow servants. I want it to become an issue. If he doesn't like it, let him go to my sister, whose thinking on this, I know, is the same as mine: we are not to be ordered about. Foolish old man, who still wants to exercise the powers he has given away! Now, by my life, old fools become children again, and when they are seen to be taking advantage, they must be handled with reprimands instead of flattery. Remember what I've told you.

Very well, madam.

Very well, madam.

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

And let his knights get colder looks from all of you. Whatever comes of it doesn't matter; tell your fellow servants to do the same. I want to create opportunities out of this, and I will, so that I can have my say. I'll write to my sister at once to follow exactly the same course as me. Get dinner ready.