certainly, far less repulsive than that of her fierce sister. Black as her conduct undoubtedly is, viewed by itself, it is but grey when brought into contrast with that of her hellish sister—the adulteress, the murderess-poisoner, and
suicide. ) Lear himself acknowledges the difference between them :
“No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse; Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give Thee o'er to harshness; her eyes are fierce, but thine Do comfort, and not burn ;"
and it is remarkable that he does not curse Regan, except in connection with her sister. His terrific imprecations are heaped upon the head of Goneril alone, as if, with the
instinct of madness, he had recognized the dark supremacy of her wickedness. When Regan, whom he appears to have loved, joins the old man, his heart is somewhat softened, and grief, for a moment, takes the place of pas sion ; yet it is passionate grief, choking its expression with its intensity : “Beloved Regan,
Thy sister's naught : O, Regan, she hath tied Sharp-tooth’d unkindness, like a vulture, here, [Points to his heart. I can scarce speak to thee; thou 'lt not believe With how deprav'd a quality—O, Regan " He finds his convictions somewhat checked at this con
juncture; he does not meet with that sympathy from Regan, which he has made sure that his injuries will excite. She reasons with him, not accusingly and threaten ingly as Goneril, and yet not yielding a point of the ques tion at issue. She tells him the truth without flinching, and strangely, without at first giving offence, as far as she is concerned :
“O, sir, you are old; Nature in you stands on the very verge Of her confine : you should be rul’d and led
