And let not women's weapons, water-drops, That all the world shall-I will do such things,- No, I'll not weep: I have full cause of weeping; but this heart Or ere I'll weep. 280 [Exeunt Lear, Gloucester, Kent, and Fool. Storm and tempest. Corn. Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm. Reg. This house is little: the old man and his people Cannot be well bestow'd. Gon. 'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest, And must needs taste his folly. Reg. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly, But not one follower. Where is my lord of Gloucester ? Corn. Follow'd the old man forth: he is return'd. 290 Re-enter GLOucester. Whither is he going? Glou. The king is in high rage. Corn. Glou. He calls to horse; but will I know not whither. Corn. 'Tis best to give him way; he leads himself. Gon. My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. Glou. Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds Do sorely ruffle; for many miles about There's scarce a bush. Reg. O, sir, to wilful men, The injuries that they themselves procure E 300 And what they may incense him to, being apt Corn. Shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night: My Regan counsels well: come out o' the storm. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. A heath. Storm still. Enter KENT and a Gentleman, meeting. Kent. Who's there, besides foul weather? Kent. I know you. Where's the king? Gent. Contending with the fretful elements; Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea, Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main, That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, Catch in their fury, and make nothing of; The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, And bids what will take all. Kent. But who is with him? Gent. None but the fool; who labours to outjest His heart-struck injuries. Kent. Sir, I do know you; And dare, upon the warrant of my note, 1Ο 20 With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; Or the hard rein which both of them have borne To make your speed to Dover, you shall find The king hath cause to plain. I am a gentleman of blood and breeding, Gent. I will talk further with you. No, do not. For confirmation that 1 am much more Gent. Give me your hand: have you no more to say? Kent. Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; That, when we have found the king,-in which your pain That way, I'll this, he that first lights on him Holla the other. 30 40 50 [Exeunt severally. SCENE II. Another part of the heath. Storm still. Enter LEAR and Fool. Lear. Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks! Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, Crack nature's moulds, all germens spill at once, 9 Fool. O nuncle, court holy-water in a dry house is better than this rain-water out o' door. Good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters' blessing: here's a night pities neither wise man nor fool. Lear. Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain! That have with two pernicious daughters join'd So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul! 20 Fool. He that has a house to put's head in has a good head-piece. The man that makes his toe What he his heart should make Shall of a corn cry woe, And turn his sleep to wake. 30 For there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths in a glass. Lear. No, I will be the pattern of all patience; I will Fool. Marry, here's a wise man and a fool. Kent. Alas, sir, are you here? things that love night And make them keep their caves: since I was man, Lear. Let the great gods, That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, Unwhipp'd of justice: hide thee, thou bloody hand; Kent.. Alack, bare-headed! Gracious my lord, hard by here is a hovel; Lear. My wits begin to turn. Come on, my boy: how dost, my boy? art cold? 40 50 60 |