Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/99

King Lear, III. vii

Glo. I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course.

Reg. Wherefore to Dover?

Glo. Because I would not see thy cruel nails

Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister

In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs.

The sea, with such a storm as his bare head

In hell-black night endur'd, would have buoy'd up,

And quench'd the stelled fires;

Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain.

If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that dern time,

Thou shouldst have said, 'Good porter, turn the key,'

All cruels else subscrib'd: but I shall see

The winged vengeance overtake such children.

Corn. See 't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair.

Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot.

Glo. He that will think to live till he be old,

Give me some help! O cruel! O ye gods!

[Gloucester's eye put out.]

Reg. One side will mock another; the other too.

Corn. If you see vengeance—

First Serv. Hold your hand, my lord:

I have serv'd you ever since I was a child,

But better service have I never done you

Than now to bid you hold.

Reg. How now, you dog!

First Serv. If you did wear a beard upon your chin,

I'd shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean?

Corn. My villain!

 54 course: an attack in the sport of bear-baiting

61 stelled fires: fixed stars

63 dern: dark

65 cruels; cf. n.

78 villain: servant

