William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT II. 4. Scene IV. Before Gloster's Castle; Kent in the stocks. (continued)

[Exeunt Lear, Gloster, Kent, and Fool. Storm heard at a
distance.]

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

Reg.
This house is little: the old man and his people
Cannot be well bestow'd.

Gon.
'Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest
And must needs taste his folly.

Reg.
For his particular, I'll receive him gladly,
But not one follower.

Gon.
So am I purpos'd.
Where is my lord of Gloster?

Corn.
Followed the old man forth:--he is return'd.

[Re-enter Gloster.]

Glou.
The king is in high rage.

Corn.
Whither is he going?

Glou.
He calls to horse; but will I know not whither.

Corn.
'Tis best to give him way; he leads himself.

Gon.
My lord, entreat him by no means to stay.

Glou.
Alack, the night comes on, and the high winds
Do sorely ruffle; for many miles about
There's scarce a bush.

Reg.
O, sir, to wilful men
The injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors:
He is attended with a desperate train;
And what they may incense him to, being apt
To have his ear abus'd, wisdom bids fear.

Corn.
Shut up your doors, my lord; 'tis a wild night:
My Regan counsels well: come out o' the storm.

[Exeunt.]