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
With five and twenty, Regan? said you so?

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,
And thou art twice her love.

Gon.

Hear me, my lord;

What need you five and twenty, ten, or five,
To follow in a house, where twice so many
Have a command to tend you u?

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 ?
Gent. Contending with the fretful element:
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;

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,
Although as yet the face of it be cover'd

With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall;
Who have (as who have not, that their great stars
Thron'd and set high?) servants, who seem no less;
Which are to France the spies and speculations
Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen,
Either in snuffs and packings5 of the dukes;
Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
Against the old kind king; or something deeper,
Whereof, perchance, these are but furnishings ;-
[But, true it is, from France there comes a power
Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,
Wise in our negligence, have secret feet
In some of our best ports, and are at point
To show their open banner.-Now to you:
If on my credit you dare build so far

To make your speed to Dover, you shall find
Some that will thank you, making just report
Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
The king hath cause to plain.

I am a gentleman of blood and breeding;
And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer
This office to you.]

Gent. I will talk further with you.
Kent.

No, do not.
For confirmation that I am much more
Than my out wall, open this purse, and take
What it contains: If you shall see Cordelia,
(As fear not but you shall,) show her this ring;

5 Snuffs are dislikes, and packings underhand contrivances. • Samples.

And she will tell you who your fellow 7 is
That yet you do not know. Fye on this storm!
I will go seek the king.

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!
Crack nature's moulds, all germens spill at once,
That make ingrateful man!

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,
The head and he shall louse ;-

So beggars marry many.
The man that makes his toe

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.