Act 2 — Scene IV. Before Gloucester's castle. Kent in the stocks.

Lear. 'Tis strange that they should so depart from home,[3314] And not send back my messenger.[3315] Gent. As I learn'd,[3316] The night before there was no purpose in them[3316][3317] Of this remove.[3316][3318] Kent. Hail to thee, noble master! Lear. Ha![3319][3320] 5 Makest thou this shame thy pastime?[3320] Kent. No, my lord.[3321] Fool. Ha, ha! he wears cruel garters. Horses are tied[3322][3323] by the heads, dogs and bears by the neck, monkeys by the[3322][3324] loins, and men by the legs: when a man's over-lusty at[3322][3325] legs, then he wears wooden nether-stocks.[3322][3326] 10 Lear. What's he that hath so much thy place mistook[3327] To set thee here?[3327] Kent. It is both he and she;[3328] Your son and daughter.[3328] Lear. No. Kent. Yes. 15 Lear. No, I say. Kent. I say, yea.[3329] Lear. No, no, they would not.[3330] Kent. Yes, they have.[3330] Lear. By Jupiter, I swear, no. 20 Kent. By Juno, I swear, ay.[3331] Lear. They durst not do't;[3332] They could not, would not do't; 'tis worse than murder,[3332][3333] To do upon respect such violent outrage: Resolve me with all modest haste which way Thou mightst deserve, or they impose, this usage,[3334] 25 Coming from us. Kent. My lord, when at their home I did commend your highness' letters to them, Ere I was risen from the place that show'd[3335] My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post,[3336] Stew'd in his haste, half breathless, panting forth[3337] 30 From Goneril his mistress salutations;[3338] Deliver'd letters, spite of intermission,[3339] Which presently they read: on whose contents[3340] They summon'd up their meiny, straight took horse;[3341] Commanded me to follow and attend 35 The leisure of their answer; gave me cold looks: And meeting here the other messenger,[3342] Whose welcome, I perceived, had poison'd mine— Being the very fellow that of late[3343] Display'd so saucily against your highness— 40 Having more man than wit about me, drew:[3344] He raised the house with loud and coward cries. Your son and daughter found this trespass worth The shame which here it suffers.[3345] Fool. Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that way.[3346][3347] 45 Fathers that wear rags[3346][3348] Do make their children blind;[3346][3348] But fathers that bear bags[3346][3348] Shall see their children kind.[3346][3348] Fortune, that arrant whore,[3346][3348] 50 Ne'er turns the key to the poor.[3346][3348] But, for all this, thou shalt have as many dolours for thy[3346][3349][3350] daughters as thou canst tell in a year.[3346][3349] Lear. O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! Hysterica passio, down, thou climbing sorrow,[3351] 55 Thy element's below! Where is this daughter? Kent. With the earl, sir, here within.[3352][3353] Lear. Follow me not; stay here. [Exit.[3352][3354] Gent. Made you no more offence but what you speak of?[3355] Kent. None.[3356][3357] 60 How chance the king comes with so small a train?[3357][3358] Fool. An thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that[3359][3360] question, thou hadst well deserved it.[3361] Kent. Why, fool? Fool. We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee 65 there's no labouring i' the winter. All that follow their[3360][3362] noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and there's not[3362] a nose among twenty but can smell him that's stinking. Let[3363] go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with following it; but the great one that[3364] 70 goes up the hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man[3365] gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it. That sir which serves and seeks for gain,[3366][3367] And follows but for form,[3367] 75 Will pack when it begins to rain,[3367][3368] And leave thee in the storm.[3367][3369] But I will tarry; the fool will stay,[3367][3370] And let the wise man fly:[3367][3371] The knave turns fool that runs away;[3367][3372] 80 The fool no knave, perdy.[3367][3372] Kent. Where learned you this, fool? Fool. Not i' the stocks, fool.[3360][3373]

Lear. Deny to speak with me? They are sick? they are weary?[3375] They have travell'd all the night? Mere fetches;[3376][3377] 85 The images of revolt and flying off.[3377][3378] Fetch me a better answer.[3379] Glou. My dear lord,[3380] You know the fiery quality of the duke;[3380] How unremoveable and fix'd he is[3380] In his own course.[3380] 90 Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion![3380][3381] Fiery? what quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester,[3380][3382] I'ld speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife.[3380] Glou. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so.[3383] Lear. Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man?[3383] 95 Glou. Ay, my good lord. Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father[3384] Would with his daughter speak, commands her service:[3385] Are they inform'd of this? My breath and blood![3386] 'Fiery'? 'the fiery duke'? Tell the hot duke that—[3387] 100 No, but not yet: may be he is not well:[3388] Infirmity doth still neglect all office[3389] Whereto our health is bound; we are not ourselves[3389][3390] When nature being oppress'd commands the mind[3389][3391] To suffer with the body: I'll forbear;[3389] 105 And am fall'n out with my more headier will,[3392] To take the indisposed and sickly fit[3393] For the sound man. [Looking on Kent] Death on my state! wherefore[3393][3394] Should he sit here? This act persuades me[3393][3395] That this remotion of the duke and her[3393] 110 Is practice only. Give me my servant forth.[3396] Go tell the duke and's wife I'ld speak with them,[3397] Now, presently: bid them come forth and hear me, Or at their chamber-door I'll beat the drum Till it cry sleep to death.[3398] 115 Glou. I would have all well betwixt you. [Exit.[3399] Lear. O me, my heart, my rising heart! But down![3400] Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels[3401] when she put 'em i' the paste alive; she knapped 'em o' the[3402] coxcombs with a stick, and cried 'Down, wantons, down!' 120 'Twas her brother that, in pure kindness to his horse, buttered[3403] his hay.

Lear. Good morrow to you both. Corn. Hail to your grace!

Reg. I am glad to see your highness. Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what reason[3406] 125 I have to think so: if thou shouldst not be glad,[3407] I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,[3408] Sepulchring an adultress. [To Kent] O, are you free?[3409] Some other time for that. Beloved Regan, Thy sister's naught: O Regan, she hath tied[3410][3411] 130 Sharp-tooth'd unkindness, like a vulture, here:[3410]

I can scarce speak to thee; thou'lt not believe[3413] With how depraved a quality—O Regan![3414] Reg. I pray you, sir, take patience: I have hope[3415] You less know how to value her desert 135 Than she to scant her duty.[3416] Lear. Say, how is that?[3417][3418] Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least[3417] Would fail her obligation: if, sir, perchance[3417][3419] She have restrain'd the riots of your followers,[3417] 'Tis on such ground and to such wholesome end[3417] 140 As clears her from all blame.[3417] Lear. My curses on her! Reg. O, sir, you are old; Nature in you stands on the very verge[3420][3421] Of her confine: you should be ruled and led[3420][3422] By some discretion that discerns your state[3420] 145 Better than you yourself. Therefore I pray you[3420][3423] That to our sister you do make return;[3420] Say you have wrong'd her, sir. Lear. Ask her forgiveness?[3424] Do you but mark how this becomes the house:[3425] [Kneeling] 'Dear daughter, I confess that I am old;[3426] 150 Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed and food.' Reg. Good sir, no more; these are unsightly tricks: Return you to my sister. Lear. [Rising] Never, Regan:[3427] She hath abated me of half my train; 155 Look'd black upon me; struck me with her tongue,[3428] Most serpent-like, upon the very heart: All the stored vengeances of heaven fall[3429] On her ingrateful top! Strike her young bones,[3429][3430] You taking airs, with lameness.[3429] Corn. Fie, sir, fie![3431] 160 Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding flames[3432] Into her scornful eyes. Infect her beauty, You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun[3433] To fall and blast her pride.[3433][3434] Reg. O the blest gods! so will you wish on me,[3435] 165 When the rash mood is on.[3435][3436] Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse: Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give[3437][3438] Thee o'er to harshness: her eyes are fierce, but thine[3438][3439] Do comfort and not burn. 'Tis not in thee[3438] 170 To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,[3438] To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes, And in conclusion to oppose the bolt Against my coming in: thou better know'st[3440] The offices of nature, bond of childhood, 175 Effects of courtesy, dues of gratitude;[3441] Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot,[3442] Wherein I thee endow'd. Reg. Good sir, to the purpose.[3443] Lear. Who put my man i' the stocks? [Tucket within.[3444] Corn. What trumpet's that? Reg. I know't; my sister's: this approves her letter,[3445] 180 That she would soon be here.

Is your lady come? Lear. This is a slave whose easy-borrow'd pride[3447] Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows.[3448] Out, varlet, from my sight! Corn. What means your grace? Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I have good hope[3449] 185 Thou didst not know on't. Who comes here?

O heavens, If you do love old men, if your sweet sway[3451][3452] Allow obedience, if yourselves are old,[3451][3453] Make it your cause; send down, and take my part![3451] [To Gon.] Art not ashamed to look upon this beard?[3454] 190 O Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand?[3455] Gon. Why not by the hand, sir? How have I offended? All's not offence that indiscretion finds[3456] And dotage terms so. Lear. O sides, you are too tough; Will you yet hold? How came my man i' the stocks?[3457] 195 Corn. I set him there, sir: but his own disorders[3458] Deserved much less advancement.[3459] Lear. You! did you? Reg. I pray you, father, being weak, seem so.[3460] If, till the expiration of your month,[3461] You will return and sojourn with my sister, 200 Dismissing half your train, come then to me: I am now from home and out of that provision[3462] Which shall be needful for your entertainment. Lear. Return to her, and fifty men dismiss'd? No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose 205 To wage against the enmity o' the air,[3463][3464] To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,—[3463][3465] Necessity's sharp pinch! Return with her? Why, the hot-blooded France, that dowerless took[3466][3467] Our youngest born, I could as well be brought[3467] 210 To knee his throne, and, squire-like, pension beg[3468] To keep base life afoot. Return with her? Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter To this detested groom. [Pointing at Oswald.[3469] Gon. At your choice, sir. Lear. I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad:[3470] 215 I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell: We'll no more meet, no more see one another: But yet thou art my flesh, my blood, my daughter; Or rather a disease that's in my flesh,[3471] Which I must needs call mine: thou art a boil,[3472] 220 A plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle,[3473][3474] In my corrupted blood. But I'll not chide thee;[3473] Let shame come when it will, I do not call it:[3475] I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot,[3476] Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove:[3477] 225 Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure: I can be patient; I can stay with Regan, I and my hundred knights. Reg. Not altogether so:[3478][3479] I look'd not for you yet, nor am provided[3478][3480] For your fit welcome. Give ear, sir, to my sister;[3478][3481] 230 For those that mingle reason with your passion[3478][3482] Must be content to think you old, and so—[3483] But she knows what she does. Lear. Is this well spoken?[3484] Reg. I dare avouch it, sir: what, fifty followers?[3485] Is it not well? What should you need of more? 235 Yea, or so many, sith that both charge and danger[3486] Speak 'gainst so great a number? How in one house[3487] Should many people under two commands Hold amity? 'Tis hard, almost impossible.[3488] Gon. Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance 240 From those that she calls servants or from mine? Reg. Why not, my lord? If then they chanced to slack you,[3489] We could control them. If you will come to me,[3490] For now I spy a danger, I entreat you[3491] To bring but five and twenty: to no more[3492] 245 Will I give place or notice. Lear. I gave you all—[3493] Reg. And in good time you gave it. Lear. Made you my guardians, my depositaries, But kept a reservation to be follow'd[3494] With such a number. What, must I come to you[3495] 250 With five and twenty, Regan? said you so?[3496] Reg. And speak't again, my lord; no more with me.[3497] Lear. Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd,[3498][3499] When others are more wicked; not being the worst[3498][3500] Stands in some rank of praise. [To Gon.] I'll go with thee:[3501] 255 Thy fifty yet doth double five and twenty, And thou art twice her love.[3502] 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? Reg. What need one?[3503] 260 Lear. O, reason not the need: our basest beggars[3504] Are in the poorest thing superfluous: Allow not nature more than nature needs, Man's life's as cheap as beast's: thou art a lady;[3505] If only to go warm were gorgeous, 265 Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st,[3506] Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But for true need,—[3507] You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need![3508] You see me here, you gods, a poor old man,[3509] As full of grief as age; wretched in both: 270 If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts[3510] Against their father, fool me not so much[3511] To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger,[3512] And let not women's weapons, water-drops,[3513] Stain my man's cheeks! No, you unnatural hags, 275 I will have such revenges on you both[3514] That all the world shall—I will do such things,—[3515] What they are, yet I know not, but they shall be The terrors of the earth. You think I'll weep;[3516] No, I'll not weep:[3517] 280 I have full cause of weeping; but this heart[3517][3518] Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws,[3517][3519] Or ere I'll weep. O fool, I shall go mad!

Corn. Let us withdraw; 'twill be a storm.

Reg. This house is little: the old man and his people[3522][3523] 285 Cannot be well bestow'd.[3522][3524] Gon. 'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest,[3522][3525] And must needs taste his folly.[3522][3526] Reg. For his particular, I'll receive him gladly, But not one follower. Gon. So am I purposed.[3527][3528] 290 Where is my lord of Gloucester?[3528] Corn. Follow'd the old man forth: he is return'd.[3529]

Glou. The king is in high rage. Corn. Whither is he going?[3530][3531] Glou. He calls to horse; but will I know not whither.[3530][3532] Corn. 'Tis best to give him way; he leads himself.[3533] 295 Gon. My lord, entreat him by no means to stay. Glou. Alack, the night comes on, and the bleak winds[3534] Do sorely ruffle; for many miles about[3535][3536] There's scarce a bush.[3535][3537] Reg. O, sir, to wilful men The injuries that they themselves procure 300 Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors: He is attended with a desperate train; And what they may incense him to, being apt[3538] To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear. Corn. Shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night:[3539] 305 My Regan counsels well: come out o' the storm. [Exeunt.[3540]