2179Edg. Yet better thus, and knowne to be contemn'd,

2180Then still contemn'd and flatter'd, to be worst:

2181The lowest, and most deiected thing of Fortune,

2182Stands still in esperance, liues not in feare:

2183The lamentable change is from the best,

2184The worst returnes to laughter. Welcome then,

2185Thou vnsubstantiall ayre that I embrace:

2186The Wretch that thou hast blowne vnto the worst,

2187Owes nothing to thy blasts.

2189But who comes heere? My Father poorely led?

2190World, World, O world!

2191But that thy strange mutations make vs hate thee,

2192Life would not yeelde to age.

2193Oldm. O my good Lord, I haue bene your Tenant,

2194And your Fathers Tenant, these fourescore yeares.

2195Glou. Away, get thee away: good Friend be gone,

2196Thy comforts can do me no good at all,

2197Thee, they may hurt.

2198Oldm. You cannot see your way.

2199Glou. I haue no way, and therefore want no eyes:

2200I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seene,

2201Our meanes secure vs, and our meere defects

2202Proue our Commodities. Oh deere Sonne Edgar,

2203The food of thy abused Fathers wrath:

2204Might I but liue to see thee in my touch,

2205I'ld say I had eyes againe.

2206Oldm. How now? who's there?

2207Edg. O Gods! Who is't can say I am at the worst?

2208I am worse then ere I was.

2209Old. 'Tis poore mad Tom.

2210Edg. And worse I may be yet: the worst is not,

2211So long as we can say this is the worst.

2212Oldm. Fellow, where goest?

2213Glou. Is it a Beggar-man?

2214Oldm. Madman, and beggar too.

2215Glou. He has some reason, else he could not beg.

2216I'th'last nights storme, I such a fellow saw;

2217Which made me thinke a Man, a Worme. My Sonne

2218Came then into my minde, and yet my minde

2219Was then scarse Friends with him.

2220I haue heard more since:

2221As Flies to wanton Boyes, are we to th'Gods,

2222They kill vs for their sport.

2223Edg. How should this be?

2224Bad is the Trade that must play Foole to sorrow,

2225Ang'ring it selfe, and others. Blesse thee Master.

2226Glou. Is that the naked Fellow?

2227Oldm. I, my Lord.

2228Glou. Get thee away: If for my sake

2229Thou wilt ore-take vs hence a mile or twaine

2230I'th'way toward Douer, do it for ancient loue,

2231And bring some couering for this naked Soule,

2232Which Ile intreate to leade me.

2233Old. Alacke sir, he is mad.

2234Glou. 'Tis the times plague,

2235When Madmen leade the blinde:

2236Do as I bid thee, or rather do thy pleasure:

2237Aboue the rest, be gone.

2238Oldm. Ile bring him the best Parrell that I haue

2239Come on't, what will. Exit

2240Glou. Sirrah, naked fellow.

2241Edg. Poore Tom's a cold. I cannot daub it further.

2242Glou. Come hither fellow.

2243Edg. And yet I must:

2244Blesse thy sweete eyes, they bleede.

2245Glou. Know'st thou the way to Douer?

2246Edg. Both style, and gate; Horseway, and foot-path:

2247poore Tom hath bin scarr'd out of his good wits. Blesse

2248thee good mans sonne, from the foule Fiend.

2249Glou. Here take this purse, y^u whom the heau'ns plagues

2250Haue humbled to all strokes: that I am wretched

2251Makes thee the happier: Heauens deale so still:

2252Let the superfluous, and Lust-dieted man,

2253That slaues your ordinance, that will not see

2254Because he do's not feele, feele your powre quickly:

2255So distribution should vndoo excesse,

2256And each man haue enough. Dost thou know Douer?

2257Edg. I Master.

2258Glou. There is a Cliffe, whose high and bending head

2259Lookes fearfully in the confined Deepe:

2260Bring me but to the very brimme of it,

2261And Ile repayre the misery thou do'st beare

2262With something rich about me: from that place,

2263I shall no leading neede.

2264Edg. Giue me thy arme;

2265Poore Tom shall leade thee. Exeunt.