Page 1849 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

O Nuncle, court holy-water in a dry house is better [10] than this rain-water
out o’door. Good Nuncle, in, ask thy daughters blessing; here’s night pities
neither wise men nor Fools.

LEAR
Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain!
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: [15]

I tax you not, you elements, with unkindness;
I never gave you kingdom, call’d you children,
You owe me no subscription; then let fall

Your horrible pleasure; here I stand, your slave,
A poor, infirm, weak, and despis’d old man. [20]
But yet I call you servile ministers,
That will with two pernicious daughters join
Your high-engender’d battles ’gainst a head

So old and white as this. O, ho! ’tis foul.

FOOL
He that has a house to put’s head in has a good [25] headpiece.
The cod-piece that will house
Before the head has any,

The head and he shall louse;
So beggars marry many. [30]
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 [35] in a glass.

Enter Kent.

LEAR
No, I will be the pattern of all patience;

I will say nothing.

KENT
Who’s there?