1 Man's nature cannot carry Th'affliction, nor the fear.
2 How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think of.
3 Safer than trust too far: Let me still take away the harms I fear, Not fear still to be taken: I know his heart.
4 If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, How in my strength you please.
5 My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies; ne'er fear to lose it, Thy safety being the motive.
6 He is attended with a desperate train, And what they may incense him to, being apt To have his ear abus'd, wisdom bids fear.
7 If you shall see Cordelia, As fear not but you shall, show her this ring; And she will tell you who your fellow is That yet you do not know.
8 Take you some company, and away to horse: Inform her full of my particular fear; And thereto add such reasons of your own As may compact it more.
9 For this business, It toucheth us as France invades our land, Not bolds the King, with others whom I fear Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
10 Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; And to deal plainly, I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
11 To be worst, The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: The lamentable change is from the best; The worst returns to laughter.
12 Something he left imperfect in the state, which since his coming forth is thought of, which imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger that his personal return was most required and necessary.
13 There is a cliff, whose high and bending head Looks fearfully in the confined deep: Bring me but to the very brim of it, And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear With something rich about me: from that place I shall no leading need.
14 I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest; to converse with him that is wise and says little; to fear judgement; to fight when I cannot choose; and to eat no fish.