That make ingrateful man! 9
Fool. O nuncle, court holy-water in a dry
house is better than this rain-water out o' door.
Good nuncle, in, and ask thy daughters' blessing;
here's a night pities neither wise man nor fool.
Lear. Rumble thy bellyful! Spit fire! spout rain! 14
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters:
I tax not you, 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 have with two pernicious daughters join'd
Your high-engender'd battles 'gainst a head
So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul. 24
Fool. He that has a house to put his head in
has a good head-piece.
The cod-piece that will house
Before the head has any, 28
The head and he shall louse;
So beggars marry many.
The man that makes his toe
What he his heart should make, 32
Shall of a corn cry woe,
And turn his sleep to wake.
For there was never yet fair woman but she
made mouths in a glass. 36
Enter Kent.
Lear. No, I will be the pattern of all patience;
I will say nothing.
10 court holy-water: flattery
18 subscription: allegiance
27 cod-piece: part of man's dress between the legs
