Stands still in esperance; lives not in fear.
The lamentable change is from the best;
The worst returns to laughter Welcome then,
Thou unsubstantial air, that I embrace!
The wretch, that thou hast blown unto the worst,
Owes nothing to thy blasts. Enter Glo'ster, led by an old man.
But who comes here?
My father poorly led? ^{2 note}

But that thy strange Mutations make us hate thee,
Life would not yield to age.

Old Man.
O my good Lord,
I have been your tenant, and your father's tenant,
These fourscore years.

Glo.
Away, get thee away. Good friend, be gone;
Thy comforts can do me no good at all,
Thee they may hurt.

Old Man.
You cannot see your way.

Glo.
I have no way, and therefore want no eyes:
I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seen,
^{3 note}

Old Man.
How now? Who's there?

Edg. [Aside.]
O Gods! ^{4 note}




who is't can say, I'm at the worst?

I'm worse, than e'er I was.

Old Man.
'Tis poor mad Tom.

Edg. [Aside.]
And worse I may be yet; the worst is not,
So long as we can say, this is the worst.

Old Man.
Fellow, where go'st?

Glo.
Is it a beggar-man?

Old Man.
Madman, and beggar too.

Glo.
He has some reason, else he could not beg.
I'th' last night's storm I such a fellow saw;
Which made me think a man, a worm. My son
Came then into my mind; and yet my mind
Was then scarce friends with him. I've heard more since.
As flies to wanton boys, are we to th' Gods;
They kill us for their sport.6Q0205

Edg.
How should this be?
Bad is the trade must play the fool to sorrow,
^{5 note}Ang'ring itself and others. [Aside.]—Bless thee, master,

Glo.
Is that the naked fellow?

Old Man.
Ay, my Lord.

Glo.
Get thee away. If, for my sake,
Thou wilt o'ertake us hence a mile or twain
I'th' way tow'rd Dover, do it for ancient love;
And bring some Covering for this naked soul,
Whom I'll intreat to lead me.

Old Man.
Alack, Sir, he is mad.

Glo.
'Tis the time's plague, when madmen lead the blind.
Do as I bid, or rather do thy pleasure;
Above the rest, be gone.

Old Man.
I'll bring him the best 'parrel that I have,
Come on't, what will. [Exit.

Glo.
Sirrah, naked fellow.

Edg.
Poor Tom's a-cold.—^{6 note}I cannot daub it further. [Aside.

Glo.
Come hither, fellow.

Edg. [Aside.]
And yet I must.
—Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed.

Glo.
Know'st thou the way to Dover?

Edg.

Both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. Poor Tom hath been scar'd out of his good wits. Bless thee, good man, from the foul fiend. Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once; of Lust, as Obidicut; Hobbididen, Prince of dumbness; Mahu, of stealing; Mohu, of murder; and Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and mowing; who since ^{7 note}

Glo.
Here, take this purse, thou whom the heavens' plagues
Have humbled to all strokes. That I am wretched,
Makes thee the happier. Heavens deal so still!
^{8 note}Let the superfluous, and lust dieted man,
* ^note

Edg.
Ay, master.

Glo.
There is a cliff, whose high and bending head
Looks fearfully on the confined deep;
Bring me but to the very brim of it,
And I'll repair the misery, thou do'st bear,
With something rich about me. From that place
I shall no leading need.

Edg.
Give me thy arm;
Poor Tom shall lead thee. [Exeunt.

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