2/

in

alt

i

Nor cut-purses come not to throngs;

When usurers tell their gold i' the field;

And bawds and whores do

churches build;

Then shall the

Albion

realm

of

Come to great confusion :

Then comes the time, who lives to see't,

That going shall be used with feet.

This prophecy Merlin shall make; for I live before his

time.

[Exit.

SCENE III. A Room in
GLOUCESTER'S Castle.

Enter GLOUCESTER and
EDMUND.

Glou. Alack, alack! Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house; charged me, on pain of perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him.

Edm. Most savage and unnatural!

Room in
Castle.

thing.

Glou. Go to; say you no

There is between the dukes, and a division worse matter than that. have received a letter this night; 'tis dangerous to be spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet. These injuries the king now bears

be

revenged home;

a

power

we

must

will there's part of already footed; incline to the king. I will seek him and privily relieve him; go you and maintain talk with the duke, that my charity be not of him perceived. If he ask for me, I

am ill and gone to bed. If I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the king, my old master, must be relieved. There is some strange thing toward, Edmund; pray you, be careful.

[Exit. Edm. This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke Instantly know; and of that letter too:

This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me

That which my father loses; no less than all:

The younger rises when the

old doth fall.

[Exit.

SCENE IV. The Heath.
Before a Hovel.

Enter LEAR, KENT, and Fool.

Kent. Here is the place, my lord; good my lord,

enter :

The tyranny of the open night's too rough

For nature to endure.

Lear.

[Storm still.

Let me alone.

Kent. Good my lord, enter

here.

Lear.

Wilt break my

heart?

Kent. I'd rather break mine