William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT III. 4. Scene IV. A part of the Heath with a Hovel. Storm continues. (continued)

Glou.
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 ventur'd to come seek you out
And bring you where both fire and food is ready.

Lear.
First let me talk with this philosopher.--
What is the cause of thunder?

Kent.
Good my lord, take his offer; go into the house.

Lear.
I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban.--
What is your study?

Edg.
How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin.

Lear.
Let me ask you one word in private.

Kent.
Importune him once more to go, my lord;
His wits begin to unsettle.

Glou.
Canst thou blame him?
His daughters seek his death:--ah, that good Kent!--
He said it would be thus,--poor banish'd man!--
Thou say'st the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend,
I am almost mad myself: I had a son,
Now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life
But lately, very late: I lov'd him, friend,--
No father his son dearer: true to tell thee,
[Storm continues.]
The grief hath craz'd my wits.--What a night's this!--
I do beseech your grace,--

Lear.
O, cry you mercy, sir.--
Noble philosopher, your company.

Edg.
Tom's a-cold.

Glou.
In, fellow, there, into the hovel; keep thee warm.

Lear.
Come, let's in all.

Kent.
This way, my lord.

Lear.
With him;
I will keep still with my philosopher.

Kent.
Good my lord, soothe him; let him take the fellow.

Glou.
Take him you on.