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No Fear Translations
No Fear Audio
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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Enter LEAR , KENT disguised, and FOOL
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Enter LEAR , KENT disguised, and FOOL
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KENT Here is the place, my lord. Good my lord, enter.
The tyranny of the open night’s too rough
For nature to endure.
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KENT Here is the place, my lord. Good my lord, enter.
The tyranny of the open night’s too rough
For nature to endure.
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Storm still
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Storm still
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LEAR Let me alone.
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LEAR Let me alone.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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LEAR Wilt break my heart?
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LEAR Wilt break my heart?
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KENT 5 I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter.
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KENT I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter.
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LEAR Thou think’st ’tis much that this contentious storm
Invades us to the skin. So ’tis to thee.
But where the greater malady is fixed
The lesser is scarce felt. Thou’dst shun a bear,
10 But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea
Thou’dst meet the bear i' th' mouth. When the mind’s free,
The body’s delicate. The tempest in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else
Save what beats there—filial ingratitude.
15 Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
For lifting food to ’t? But I will punish home.
No, I will weep no more. In such a night
To shut me out! Pour on, I will endure.
In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril,
20 Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all—
Oh, that way madness lies. Let me shun that.
No more of that.
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LEAR Thou think’st ’tis much that this contentious storm
Invades us to the skin. So ’tis to thee.
But where the greater malady is fixed
The lesser is scarce felt. Thou’dst shun a bear,
But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea
Thou’dst meet the bear i' th' mouth. When the mind’s free,
The body’s delicate. The tempest in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else
Save what beats there—filial ingratitude.
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
For lifting food to ’t? But I will punish home.
No, I will weep no more. In such a night
To shut me out! Pour on, I will endure.
In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril,
Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all—
Oh, that way madness lies. Let me shun that.
No more of that.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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LEAR Prithee, go in thyself. Seek thine own ease.
This tempest will not give me leave to ponder
25 On things would hurt me more. But I’ll go in.
(to FOOL) In, boy. Go first. You houseless poverty—
Nay, get thee in. I’ll pray, and then I’ll sleep.
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LEAR Prithee, go in thyself. Seek thine own ease.
This tempest will not give me leave to ponder
On things would hurt me more. But I’ll go in.
(to FOOL) In, boy. Go first. You houseless poverty—
Nay, get thee in. I’ll pray, and then I’ll sleep.
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Exit FOOL
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Exit FOOL
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Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are,
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm,
30 How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides,
Your looped and windowed raggedness, defend you
From seasons such as these? Oh, I have ta'en
Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp.
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
35 That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just.
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Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are,
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm,
How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides,
Your looped and windowed raggedness, defend you
From seasons such as these? Oh, I have ta'en
Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp.
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just.
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EDGAR (within) Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom!
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EDGAR (within) Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom!
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Enter FOOL
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Enter FOOL
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FOOL Come not in here, nuncle. Here’s a spirit. Help me, help me!
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FOOL Come not in here, nuncle. Here’s a spirit. Help me, help me!
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KENT Give me thy hand. Who’s there?
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KENT Give me thy hand. Who’s there?
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FOOL 40 A spirit, a spirit. He says his name’s Poor Tom.
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FOOL A spirit, a spirit. He says his name’s Poor Tom.
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KENT What art thou that dost grumble there i' th' straw?
Come forth.
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KENT What art thou that dost grumble there i' th' straw?
Come forth.
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Enter EDGAR disguised
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Enter EDGAR disguised
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EDGAR Away! The foul fiend follows me! Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Hum! Go to thy cold bed and warm thee.
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EDGAR Away! The foul fiend follows me! Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Hum! Go to thy cold bed and warm thee.
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LEAR Didst thou give all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this?
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LEAR Didst thou give all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this?
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EDGAR Who gives any thing to Poor Tom, whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlipool, o'er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, made him proud of heart to ride on a bay trotting- horse over four-inched bridges to course his own shadow for a traitor? Bless thy five wits. Tom’s a-cold. Oh, do-de, do-de, do-de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do Poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have him now—and there—and there again—and there.
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EDGAR Who gives any thing to Poor Tom, whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlipool, o'er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, made him proud of heart to ride on a bay trotting- horse over four-inched bridges to course his own shadow for a traitor? Bless thy five wits. Tom’s a-cold. Oh, do-de, do-de, do-de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do Poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have him now—and there—and there again—and there.
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Storm still
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Storm still
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LEAR What, has his daughters brought him to this pass?—
60 Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give 'em all?
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LEAR What, has his daughters brought him to this pass?—
Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give 'em all?
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FOOL Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed.
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FOOL Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed.
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LEAR Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air
Hang fated o'er men’s faults light on thy daughters!
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LEAR Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air
Hang fated o'er men’s faults light on thy daughters!
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KENT He hath no daughters, sir.
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KENT He hath no daughters, sir.
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LEAR 65 Death, traitor! Nothing could have subdued nature
To such a lowness but his unkind daughters.
Is it the fashion that discarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flesh?
Judicious punishment! 'Twas this flesh begot
70 Those pelican daughters.
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LEAR Death, traitor! Nothing could have subdued nature
To such a lowness but his unkind daughters.
Is it the fashion that discarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flesh?
Judicious punishment! 'Twas this flesh begot
Those pelican daughters.
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EDGAR Pillicock sat on Pillicock hill. Alow, alow, loo, loo!
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EDGAR Pillicock sat on Pillicock hill. Alow, alow, loo, loo!
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FOOL This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.
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FOOL This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.
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EDGAR Take heed o' th' foul fiend. Obey thy parents, keep thy word’s justice, swear not, commit not with man’s sworn spouse, set not thy sweet heart on proud array. Tom’s a- cold.
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EDGAR Take heed o' th' foul fiend. Obey thy parents, keep thy word’s justice, swear not, commit not with man’s sworn spouse, set not thy sweet heart on proud array. Tom’s a- cold.
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LEAR What hast thou been?
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LEAR What hast thou been?
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EDGAR A servingman, proud in heart and mind, that curled my hair, wore gloves in my cap, served the lust of my mistress' heart and did the act of darkness with her, swore as many oaths as I spake words and broke them in the sweet face of heaven—one that slept in the contriving of lust and waked to do it. Wine loved I deeply, dice dearly, and in woman outparamoured the Turk. False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand—hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind, says, “Suum, mun, nonny.” Dauphin my boy, my boy, cessez. Let him trot by.
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EDGAR A servingman, proud in heart and mind, that curled my hair, wore gloves in my cap, served the lust of my mistress' heart and did the act of darkness with her, swore as many oaths as I spake words and broke them in the sweet face of heaven—one that slept in the contriving of lust and waked to do it. Wine loved I deeply, dice dearly, and in woman outparamoured the Turk. False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand—hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind, says, “Suum, mun, nonny.” Dauphin my boy, my boy, cessez. Let him trot by.
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Storm still
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Storm still
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LEAR Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies.—Is man no more than this? Consider him well.—Thou owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! Here’s three on ’s are sophisticated. Thou art the thing itself.
Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.—
Off, off, you lendings! Come. Unbutton here. (tears at his clothes)
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LEAR Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies.—Is man no more than this? Consider him well.—Thou owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! Here’s three on ’s are sophisticated. Thou art the thing itself.
Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.—
Off, off, you lendings! Come. Unbutton here. (tears at his clothes)
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Enter GLOUCESTER with a torch
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Enter GLOUCESTER with a torch
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FOOL Prithee, nuncle, be contented. 'Tis a naughty night to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lecher’s heart—a small spark, all the rest on ’s body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire.
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FOOL Prithee, nuncle, be contented. 'Tis a naughty night to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lecher’s heart—a small spark, all the rest on ’s body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire.
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EDGAR This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet. He begins at curfew and walks till the first cock. He gives the web and the pin, squints the eye and makes the harelip, mildews the white wheat and hurts the poor creature of earth.
Swithold footed thrice the 'old.
He met the nightmare and her ninefold,
Bid her alight,
And her troth plight.
And aroint thee, witch, aroint thee!
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EDGAR This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet. He begins at curfew and walks till the first cock. He gives the web and the pin, squints the eye and makes the harelip, mildews the white wheat and hurts the poor creature of earth.
Swithold footed thrice the 'old.
He met the nightmare and her ninefold,
Bid her alight,
And her troth plight.
And aroint thee, witch, aroint thee!
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KENT How fares your grace?
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KENT How fares your grace?
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LEAR (indicating GLOUCESTER) What’s he?
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LEAR (indicating GLOUCESTER) What’s he?
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KENT Who’s there? What is ’t you seek?
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KENT Who’s there? What is ’t you seek?
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GLOUCESTER What are you there? Your names?
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GLOUCESTER What are you there? Your names?
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EDGAR |
EDGAR |
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) What, hath your grace no better company?
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) What, hath your grace no better company?
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EDGAR The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. Modo he’s called, and Mahu.
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EDGAR The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. Modo he’s called, and Mahu.
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) Our flesh and blood, my lord, is grown so vile
135 That it doth hate what gets it.
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) Our flesh and blood, my lord, is grown so vile
That it doth hate what gets it.
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EDGAR Poor Tom’s a-cold.
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EDGAR Poor Tom’s a-cold.
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GLOUCESTER Go in with me. My duty cannot suffer
To obey in all your daughters' hard commands.
Though their injunction be to bar my doors
140 And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you,
Yet have I ventured to come seek you out
And bring you where both fire and food is ready.
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GLOUCESTER Go in with me. My duty cannot suffer
To obey in all your daughters' hard commands.
Though their injunction be to bar my doors
And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you,
Yet have I ventured to come seek you out
And bring you where both fire and food is ready.
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LEAR First let me talk with this philosopher.—
(to EDGAR) What is the cause of thunder?
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LEAR First let me talk with this philosopher.—
(to EDGAR) What is the cause of thunder?
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KENT |
KENT |
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LEAR I’ll talk a word with this same learnèd Theban.—
What is your study?
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LEAR I’ll talk a word with this same learnèd Theban.—
What is your study?
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EDGAR How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin.
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EDGAR How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin.
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LEAR Let me ask you one word in private.
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LEAR Let me ask you one word in private.
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LEAR and EDGAR talk aside
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LEAR and EDGAR talk aside
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KENT His wits begin t' unsettle.
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KENT His wits begin t' unsettle.
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GLOUCESTER Canst thou blame him?
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GLOUCESTER Canst thou blame him?
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Storm still
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Storm still
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His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent—
He said it would be thus, poor banished man.
Thou say’st the king grows mad. I’ll tell thee, friend,
155 I am almost mad myself. I had a son,
Now outlawed from my blood. He sought my life,
But lately, very late. I loved him, friend—
No father his son dearer. Truth to tell thee,
The grief hath crazed my wits.
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His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent—
He said it would be thus, poor banished man.
Thou say’st the king grows mad. I’ll tell thee, friend,
I am almost mad myself. I had a son,
Now outlawed from my blood. He sought my life,
But lately, very late. I loved him, friend—
No father his son dearer. Truth to tell thee,
The grief hath crazed my wits.
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What a night’s this!
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What a night’s this!
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LEAR O, cry your mercy, sir.—
(to EDGAR) Noble philosopher, your company.
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LEAR O, cry your mercy, sir.—
(to EDGAR) Noble philosopher, your company.
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EDGAR Tom’s a-cold.
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EDGAR Tom’s a-cold.
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GLOUCESTER In, fellow. There, into th' hovel. Keep thee warm.
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GLOUCESTER In, fellow. There, into th' hovel. Keep thee warm.
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LEAR Come let’s in all.
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LEAR Come let’s in all.
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KENT This way, my lord.
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KENT This way, my lord.
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LEAR (indicating EDGAR)
With him!
165 I will keep still with my philosopher.
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LEAR (indicating EDGAR)
With him!
I will keep still with my philosopher.
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KENT (to GLOUCESTER)
Good my lord, soothe him. Let him take the fellow.
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KENT (to GLOUCESTER)
Good my lord, soothe him. Let him take the fellow.
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GLOUCESTER Take him you on.
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GLOUCESTER Take him you on.
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KENT (to EDGAR) Sirrah, come on. Go along with us.
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KENT (to EDGAR) Sirrah, come on. Go along with us.
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LEAR 170 Come, good Athenian.
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LEAR Come, good Athenian.
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GLOUCESTER No words, no words. Hush.
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GLOUCESTER No words, no words. Hush.
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EDGAR Child Roland to the dark tower came,
His word was still “Fie, foh, and fum,
I smell the blood of a British man.”
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EDGAR Child Roland to the dark tower came,
His word was still “Fie, foh, and fum,
I smell the blood of a British man.”
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Exeunt
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Exeunt
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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Enter LEAR , KENT disguised, and FOOL
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Enter LEAR , KENT disguised, and FOOL
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KENT Here is the place, my lord. Good my lord, enter.
The tyranny of the open night’s too rough
For nature to endure.
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KENT Here is the place, my lord. Good my lord, enter.
The tyranny of the open night’s too rough
For nature to endure.
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Storm still
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Storm still
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LEAR Let me alone.
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LEAR Let me alone.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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LEAR Wilt break my heart?
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LEAR Wilt break my heart?
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KENT 5 I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter.
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KENT I had rather break mine own. Good my lord, enter.
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LEAR Thou think’st ’tis much that this contentious storm
Invades us to the skin. So ’tis to thee.
But where the greater malady is fixed
The lesser is scarce felt. Thou’dst shun a bear,
10 But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea
Thou’dst meet the bear i' th' mouth. When the mind’s free,
The body’s delicate. The tempest in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else
Save what beats there—filial ingratitude.
15 Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
For lifting food to ’t? But I will punish home.
No, I will weep no more. In such a night
To shut me out! Pour on, I will endure.
In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril,
20 Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all—
Oh, that way madness lies. Let me shun that.
No more of that.
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LEAR Thou think’st ’tis much that this contentious storm
Invades us to the skin. So ’tis to thee.
But where the greater malady is fixed
The lesser is scarce felt. Thou’dst shun a bear,
But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea
Thou’dst meet the bear i' th' mouth. When the mind’s free,
The body’s delicate. The tempest in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else
Save what beats there—filial ingratitude.
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
For lifting food to ’t? But I will punish home.
No, I will weep no more. In such a night
To shut me out! Pour on, I will endure.
In such a night as this! O Regan, Goneril,
Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all—
Oh, that way madness lies. Let me shun that.
No more of that.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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KENT Good my lord, enter here.
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LEAR Prithee, go in thyself. Seek thine own ease.
This tempest will not give me leave to ponder
25 On things would hurt me more. But I’ll go in.
(to FOOL) In, boy. Go first. You houseless poverty—
Nay, get thee in. I’ll pray, and then I’ll sleep.
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LEAR Prithee, go in thyself. Seek thine own ease.
This tempest will not give me leave to ponder
On things would hurt me more. But I’ll go in.
(to FOOL) In, boy. Go first. You houseless poverty—
Nay, get thee in. I’ll pray, and then I’ll sleep.
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Exit FOOL
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Exit FOOL
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Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are,
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm,
30 How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides,
Your looped and windowed raggedness, defend you
From seasons such as these? Oh, I have ta'en
Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp.
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
35 That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just.
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Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you are,
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm,
How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides,
Your looped and windowed raggedness, defend you
From seasons such as these? Oh, I have ta'en
Too little care of this! Take physic, pomp.
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just.
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EDGAR (within) Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom!
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EDGAR (within) Fathom and half, fathom and half! Poor Tom!
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Enter FOOL
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Enter FOOL
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FOOL Come not in here, nuncle. Here’s a spirit. Help me, help me!
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FOOL Come not in here, nuncle. Here’s a spirit. Help me, help me!
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KENT Give me thy hand. Who’s there?
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KENT Give me thy hand. Who’s there?
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FOOL 40 A spirit, a spirit. He says his name’s Poor Tom.
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FOOL A spirit, a spirit. He says his name’s Poor Tom.
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KENT What art thou that dost grumble there i' th' straw?
Come forth.
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KENT What art thou that dost grumble there i' th' straw?
Come forth.
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Enter EDGAR disguised
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Enter EDGAR disguised
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EDGAR Away! The foul fiend follows me! Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Hum! Go to thy cold bed and warm thee.
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EDGAR Away! The foul fiend follows me! Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind. Hum! Go to thy cold bed and warm thee.
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LEAR Didst thou give all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this?
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LEAR Didst thou give all to thy two daughters, and art thou come to this?
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EDGAR Who gives any thing to Poor Tom, whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlipool, o'er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, made him proud of heart to ride on a bay trotting- horse over four-inched bridges to course his own shadow for a traitor? Bless thy five wits. Tom’s a-cold. Oh, do-de, do-de, do-de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do Poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have him now—and there—and there again—and there.
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EDGAR Who gives any thing to Poor Tom, whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame, through ford and whirlipool, o'er bog and quagmire; that hath laid knives under his pillow and halters in his pew, set ratsbane by his porridge, made him proud of heart to ride on a bay trotting- horse over four-inched bridges to course his own shadow for a traitor? Bless thy five wits. Tom’s a-cold. Oh, do-de, do-de, do-de. Bless thee from whirlwinds, star-blasting, and taking! Do Poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes. There could I have him now—and there—and there again—and there.
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Storm still
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Storm still
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LEAR What, has his daughters brought him to this pass?—
60 Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give 'em all?
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LEAR What, has his daughters brought him to this pass?—
Couldst thou save nothing? Wouldst thou give 'em all?
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FOOL Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed.
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FOOL Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed.
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LEAR Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air
Hang fated o'er men’s faults light on thy daughters!
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LEAR Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air
Hang fated o'er men’s faults light on thy daughters!
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KENT He hath no daughters, sir.
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KENT He hath no daughters, sir.
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LEAR 65 Death, traitor! Nothing could have subdued nature
To such a lowness but his unkind daughters.
Is it the fashion that discarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flesh?
Judicious punishment! 'Twas this flesh begot
70 Those pelican daughters.
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LEAR Death, traitor! Nothing could have subdued nature
To such a lowness but his unkind daughters.
Is it the fashion that discarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flesh?
Judicious punishment! 'Twas this flesh begot
Those pelican daughters.
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EDGAR Pillicock sat on Pillicock hill. Alow, alow, loo, loo!
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EDGAR Pillicock sat on Pillicock hill. Alow, alow, loo, loo!
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FOOL This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.
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FOOL This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.
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EDGAR Take heed o' th' foul fiend. Obey thy parents, keep thy word’s justice, swear not, commit not with man’s sworn spouse, set not thy sweet heart on proud array. Tom’s a- cold.
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EDGAR Take heed o' th' foul fiend. Obey thy parents, keep thy word’s justice, swear not, commit not with man’s sworn spouse, set not thy sweet heart on proud array. Tom’s a- cold.
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LEAR What hast thou been?
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LEAR What hast thou been?
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EDGAR A servingman, proud in heart and mind, that curled my hair, wore gloves in my cap, served the lust of my mistress' heart and did the act of darkness with her, swore as many oaths as I spake words and broke them in the sweet face of heaven—one that slept in the contriving of lust and waked to do it. Wine loved I deeply, dice dearly, and in woman outparamoured the Turk. False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand—hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind, says, “Suum, mun, nonny.” Dauphin my boy, my boy, cessez. Let him trot by.
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EDGAR A servingman, proud in heart and mind, that curled my hair, wore gloves in my cap, served the lust of my mistress' heart and did the act of darkness with her, swore as many oaths as I spake words and broke them in the sweet face of heaven—one that slept in the contriving of lust and waked to do it. Wine loved I deeply, dice dearly, and in woman outparamoured the Turk. False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand—hog in sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey. Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman. Keep thy foot out of brothels, thy hand out of plackets, thy pen from lenders' books, and defy the foul fiend. Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind, says, “Suum, mun, nonny.” Dauphin my boy, my boy, cessez. Let him trot by.
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Storm still
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Storm still
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LEAR Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies.—Is man no more than this? Consider him well.—Thou owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! Here’s three on ’s are sophisticated. Thou art the thing itself.
Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.—
Off, off, you lendings! Come. Unbutton here. (tears at his clothes)
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LEAR Why, thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies.—Is man no more than this? Consider him well.—Thou owest the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the cat no perfume. Ha! Here’s three on ’s are sophisticated. Thou art the thing itself.
Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal as thou art.—
Off, off, you lendings! Come. Unbutton here. (tears at his clothes)
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Enter GLOUCESTER with a torch
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Enter GLOUCESTER with a torch
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FOOL Prithee, nuncle, be contented. 'Tis a naughty night to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lecher’s heart—a small spark, all the rest on ’s body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire.
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FOOL Prithee, nuncle, be contented. 'Tis a naughty night to swim in. Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lecher’s heart—a small spark, all the rest on ’s body cold. Look, here comes a walking fire.
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EDGAR This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet. He begins at curfew and walks till the first cock. He gives the web and the pin, squints the eye and makes the harelip, mildews the white wheat and hurts the poor creature of earth.
Swithold footed thrice the 'old.
He met the nightmare and her ninefold,
Bid her alight,
And her troth plight.
And aroint thee, witch, aroint thee!
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EDGAR This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet. He begins at curfew and walks till the first cock. He gives the web and the pin, squints the eye and makes the harelip, mildews the white wheat and hurts the poor creature of earth.
Swithold footed thrice the 'old.
He met the nightmare and her ninefold,
Bid her alight,
And her troth plight.
And aroint thee, witch, aroint thee!
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KENT How fares your grace?
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KENT How fares your grace?
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LEAR (indicating GLOUCESTER) What’s he?
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LEAR (indicating GLOUCESTER) What’s he?
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KENT Who’s there? What is ’t you seek?
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KENT Who’s there? What is ’t you seek?
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GLOUCESTER What are you there? Your names?
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GLOUCESTER What are you there? Your names?
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EDGAR |
EDGAR |
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) What, hath your grace no better company?
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) What, hath your grace no better company?
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EDGAR The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. Modo he’s called, and Mahu.
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EDGAR The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. Modo he’s called, and Mahu.
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) Our flesh and blood, my lord, is grown so vile
135 That it doth hate what gets it.
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GLOUCESTER (to LEAR) Our flesh and blood, my lord, is grown so vile
That it doth hate what gets it.
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EDGAR Poor Tom’s a-cold.
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EDGAR Poor Tom’s a-cold.
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GLOUCESTER Go in with me. My duty cannot suffer
To obey in all your daughters' hard commands.
Though their injunction be to bar my doors
140 And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you,
Yet have I ventured to come seek you out
And bring you where both fire and food is ready.
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GLOUCESTER Go in with me. My duty cannot suffer
To obey in all your daughters' hard commands.
Though their injunction be to bar my doors
And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you,
Yet have I ventured to come seek you out
And bring you where both fire and food is ready.
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LEAR First let me talk with this philosopher.—
(to EDGAR) What is the cause of thunder?
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LEAR First let me talk with this philosopher.—
(to EDGAR) What is the cause of thunder?
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KENT |
KENT |
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LEAR I’ll talk a word with this same learnèd Theban.—
What is your study?
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LEAR I’ll talk a word with this same learnèd Theban.—
What is your study?
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EDGAR How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin.
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EDGAR How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin.
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LEAR Let me ask you one word in private.
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LEAR Let me ask you one word in private.
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LEAR and EDGAR talk aside
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LEAR and EDGAR talk aside
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KENT His wits begin t' unsettle.
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KENT His wits begin t' unsettle.
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GLOUCESTER Canst thou blame him?
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GLOUCESTER Canst thou blame him?
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Storm still
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Storm still
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His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent—
He said it would be thus, poor banished man.
Thou say’st the king grows mad. I’ll tell thee, friend,
155 I am almost mad myself. I had a son,
Now outlawed from my blood. He sought my life,
But lately, very late. I loved him, friend—
No father his son dearer. Truth to tell thee,
The grief hath crazed my wits.
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His daughters seek his death. Ah, that good Kent—
He said it would be thus, poor banished man.
Thou say’st the king grows mad. I’ll tell thee, friend,
I am almost mad myself. I had a son,
Now outlawed from my blood. He sought my life,
But lately, very late. I loved him, friend—
No father his son dearer. Truth to tell thee,
The grief hath crazed my wits.
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What a night’s this!
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What a night’s this!
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LEAR O, cry your mercy, sir.—
(to EDGAR) Noble philosopher, your company.
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LEAR O, cry your mercy, sir.—
(to EDGAR) Noble philosopher, your company.
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EDGAR Tom’s a-cold.
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EDGAR Tom’s a-cold.
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GLOUCESTER In, fellow. There, into th' hovel. Keep thee warm.
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GLOUCESTER In, fellow. There, into th' hovel. Keep thee warm.
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LEAR Come let’s in all.
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LEAR Come let’s in all.
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KENT This way, my lord.
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KENT This way, my lord.
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LEAR (indicating EDGAR)
With him!
165 I will keep still with my philosopher.
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LEAR (indicating EDGAR)
With him!
I will keep still with my philosopher.
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KENT (to GLOUCESTER)
Good my lord, soothe him. Let him take the fellow.
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KENT (to GLOUCESTER)
Good my lord, soothe him. Let him take the fellow.
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GLOUCESTER Take him you on.
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GLOUCESTER Take him you on.
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KENT (to EDGAR) Sirrah, come on. Go along with us.
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KENT (to EDGAR) Sirrah, come on. Go along with us.
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LEAR 170 Come, good Athenian.
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LEAR Come, good Athenian.
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GLOUCESTER No words, no words. Hush.
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GLOUCESTER No words, no words. Hush.
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EDGAR Child Roland to the dark tower came,
His word was still “Fie, foh, and fum,
I smell the blood of a British man.”
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EDGAR Child Roland to the dark tower came,
His word was still “Fie, foh, and fum,
I smell the blood of a British man.”
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Exeunt
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Exeunt
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