William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT IV. 1. Scene I. The heath. (continued)

Glou.
He has some reason, else he could not beg.
I' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw;
Which made me think a man a worm: my son
Came then into my mind, and yet my mind
Was then scarce friends with him: I have heard more since.
As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods,--
They kill us for their sport.

Edg.
[Aside.] How should this be?--
Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow,
Angering itself and others.--Bless thee, master!

Glou.
Is that the naked fellow?

Old Man.
Ay, my lord.

Glou.
Then pr'ythee get thee gone: if for my sake
Thou wilt o'ertake us, hence a mile or twain,
I' the way toward Dover, do it for ancient love;
And bring some covering for this naked soul,
Which I'll entreat to lead me.

Old Man.
Alack, sir, he is mad.

Glou.
'Tis the time's plague when madmen lead the blind.
Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure;
Above the rest, be gone.

Old Man.
I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have,
Come on't what will.

[Exit.]

Glou.
Sirrah naked fellow,--

Edg.
Poor Tom's a-cold.
[Aside.] I cannot daub it further.

Glou.
Come hither, fellow.

Edg.
[Aside.] And yet I must.--Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed.

Glou.
Know'st thou the way to Dover?

Edg.
Both stile and gate, horseway and footpath. Poor Tom hath been
scared out of his good wits:--bless thee, good man's son, from
the foul fiend! Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once; of
lust, as Obidicut; Hobbididence, prince of dumbness; Mahu, of
stealing; Modo, of murder; Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and
mowing,--who since possesses chambermaids and waiting women. So,
bless thee, master!