Speak 'gainst so great a number? How, in one house, Should many people, under two commands, Hold amity? "Tis hard; almost impossible. Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance From those that she calls servants, or from mine? Reg. Why not, my lord? If then they chanc'd to slack you, We could control them: If you will come to me, (For now I spy a danger,) I entreat you To bring but five and twenty; to no more Will I give place or notice. Lear. I gave you Reg. all And in good time you gave it. Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaries; But kept a reservation to be follow'd With such a number: What, must I come to you Reg. And speak it again, my lord; no more with me. Lear. Those wicked creatures yet do look well-fa vour'd, When others are more wicked; not being the worst, Stands in some rank of praise:-I'll go with thee; [TO GONERIL. Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, Gon. Hear me, my lord; What need you five and twenty, ten, or five, ACT III. SCENE I. A Heath. A Storm is heard, with Thunder and Lightning. Enter KENT, and a Gentleman, meeting. Kent. Who's here, beside foul weather? Gent. One minded like the weather, most unquietly. Kent. I know you; Where's the king ? That things might change, or cease: tears his white hair; Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, Catch in their fury, and make nothing of: Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, The lion and the belly-pinched wolf Keep their fur dry, unbonnetted he runs, And bids what will take all. And dare, upon the warrant of my art,+ 3 Whose dugs are drawn dry by it's young. 4 Which teaches us "to find the mind's construction in the face." Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; To make your speed to Dover, you shall find I am a gentleman of blood and breeding; Gent. I will talk further with you. No, do not. 5 Snuffs are dislikes, and packings underhand contrivances. • Samples. And she will tell you who your fellow 7 is 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, 8 You sulphurous and thought-executing fires Vaunt couriers to oak-cleaving thunder-bolts, Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, Strike flat the thick rotundity o'the world! Fool. O nuncle, court holy-water' in a dry house is better than this rain-water out o'door. Good nuncle, 7 Companion. 8 Quick as thought. 9 Avant couriers, French. A proverbial phrase for fair words. in, and ask thy daughter's blessing; here's a night pities neither wise men nor fools. Lear. Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain! Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness, I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children, You owe me no subscription; why then let fall Your horrible pleasure; here I stand, your slave, A poor, infirm, weak, and despis'd old man :But yet I call you servile ministers, That have with two pernicious daughters join'd Your high engender'd battles, 'gainst a head So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul! Fool. He that has a house to put his head in, has a good head-piece. The cod-piece that will house, Before the head has any, So beggars marry many. What he his heart should make, Shall of a corn cry woe, And turn his sleep to wake. for there was never yet fair woman, but she made mouths in a glass. Enter KENT. Lear. No, I will be the pattern of all patience, I will say nothing. Kent. Who's there? 2 Obedience. |