Kent. I say, yea. Lear. No, no; they would not. They could not, would not do 't: 't is worse than murder, To do upon respect such violent outrage." Resolve me, with all modest haste, which way Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage, Coming from us. Kent. My lord, when at their home I did commend your highness' letters to them, From Goneril his mistress, salutations: Commanded me to follow, and attend Displayed so saucily against your highness), Fool. Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that way. Fathers that wear rags Do make their children blind; But fathers that bear bags Shall see their children kind. Fortune, that arrant whore, Ne'er turns the key to the poor. But for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year. Lear. O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! Hysterica passio!-Down, thou climbing sorrow, [Exit. Gent. Made you no more offence than what you speak of? Kent. None. How chance the king comes with so small a train? Fool. We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there's no labouring in the winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes, but blind men; and there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him that's stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it: but the great one that goes up the hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. That sir which serves and seeks for gain, Will pack when it begins to rain, And leave thee in the storm. Re-enter LEAR, with GLOSTER. Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are sick; they are weary; They have travelled hard to-night? Mere fetches; 1 1 When nature, being oppressed, commands the mind To suffer with the body. I'll forbear; For the sound man.-Death on my state! where- [Exit. Glo. I'd have all well betwixt you. Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart!--but down. Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels when she put them i' the paste alive: she rapped 'em o' the coxcombs with a stick, and cried, "Down, wantons, down." 'Twas her brother that, in pure kindness to his horse, buttered his hay. Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER, and Servants. Lear. Good morrow to you both. I have to think so. If thou shouldst not be glad, Some other time for that.-Belovéd Regan, Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least Would fail her obligation. If, sir, perchance, She have restrained the riots of your followers, 'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end, As clears her from all blame. Lear. My curses on her! Nature in you stands on the very verge curse; Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give thine Do comfort, and not burn. T is not in thee Reg. I pray you, father, being weak, seem so. If, till the expiration of your month, You will return and sojourn with my sister, Dismissing half your train, come then to me: I am now from home, and out of that provision Which shall be needful for your entertainment. Lear. Return to her, and fifty men dismissed! No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose To wage against the enmity o' the air; To be a comrade with the wolf and owl: Necessity's sharp pinch!-Return with her! Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took Our youngest born, I could as well be brought To knee his throne, and, squire-like, pension beg To keep base life afoot.-Return with her! Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter To this detested groom. [Looking on the Steward. Gon. At your choice, sir. Lear. I pr'y thee, daughter, do not make me mad: I will not trouble thee, my child: farewell: Are in the poorest thing superfluous : You heavens, give me that patience, patience You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, Stain my man's cheeks!-No, you unnatural hags, I will have such revenges on you both That all the world shall-I will do such things- I have full cause of weeping; but this heart [Storm heard at a distance. Reg. This house is little; the old man and his people Cannot be well bestowed. Gon. "T is his own blame: he hath put himself from rest, And must needs taste his folly. Reg. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly; |