Glo.
Here is better than the open air, take it thankfully:
I will piece out the comfort with what addition I can;
I will not be long from you. [Exit.

Kent.

All the pow'r of his wits has given way to his impatience: the gods reward your kindness.

Edg.

Fraterreto calls me, and tells me Nero is an angler in the lake of darkness: pray innocent, and beware the foul fiend.

Fool.

Pr'ythee, nuncle, tell me, whether a madman be a gentleman, or a yeoman?

Lear.

A King, a King.

Fool.

No, he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son: for he's a yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him.

Lear.
To have a thousand with red burning spits
Come hizzing in upon 'em.* ^note

Edg.
The foul fiend bites my back.

Fool.

He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, the health of a horse, the love of a boy, or the oath of a whore.

Lear.
It shall be done, I will arraign 'em strait.
Come sit thou here, most learned justice,
Thou sapient Sir, sit here—now ye she foxes.

Edg.

The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a nightingale. Hopdance cries in Tom's belly for two white herrings. Croak not black angel, I have no food for thee.

Lear.
I'll see their tryal, bring me in the evidence.
Thou robed man of justice take thy place,
And thou his yoke-fellow of equity
Bench by his side. You are o'th' commission, sit you too.
Arraign her first, 'tis Gonerill.

Fool.
Come hither Mistress, is your name Gonerill?

Lear.
She cannot deny it.

Fool.
Cry you mercy, I took you for a Joint-stool

Lear.
Arms, arms, sword, fire, corruption in the place!
False justicer, why hast thou let her scape?

Edg.
Bless thy five wits.

Kent.
O pity! Sir, where is the patience now,
That you so oft have boasted to retain?

Edg.
My tears begin to take his part so much
They mar my counterfeiting. [Aside.

Lear.
The little dogs and all,
Tray, Blanch, and Sweet-heart; see, they bark at me—

Edg.
Tom will throw his head at them; avaunt, you curs!
Be thy mouth or black or white,
Tooth that poisons if it bite;
Mastiff, grey-hound, mungril grim,
Hound or spaniel, † ^notebrache, or hym;
† ^noteOr bobtail tike, or trundle tail,
Tom will make him weep and wail,
For with throwing thus my head;
Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled.
Do, de, de, de: Sessey, come, march to wakes and fairs,
And market towns; poor Tom thy horn is dry. [Exit.

Lear.

Then let them anatomize Regan—see what breeds about her heart—Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard hearts? You Sir, I entertain for one of my hundred; only I do not like the fashion of your garments. You will say they are Persian; but let them be chang'd.

Re-Enter Glo'ster.

Kent.
Now, good my lord, lye here, and rest a while.

Lear.
Make no noise, make no noise, draw the curtains:
So, so, we'll go to supper i'th' morning.

Fool.
And I'll go to bed at noon.

Glo.
Come hither, friend, where is the King, my master?

Kent.
Here, Sir, but trouble him not, his wits are gone.

Glo.
Good friend, I pr'ythee take him in thy arms;
I have o'er-heard a plot of death upon him:
There is a litter ready, lay him in't,
And drive tow'rd Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet
Both welcome and protection. Take up thy master.
If thou should'st dally half an hour, his life,
With thine, and all that offer to defend him,
Stand in assured loss. Take up, take up,
And follow me, that will to some provision
Give thee quick conduct. Come, away away. [Exeunt.

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