_Edg._ Poor Tom, that eats the swimming frog, the toad, the tadpole, the wall-newt and the water; that in the fury[3765] 125 of his heart, when the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for sallets; swallows the old rat and the ditch-dog; drinks the[3766] green mantle of the standing pool; who is whipped from tithing to tithing, and stock-punished, and imprisoned;[3767] who hath had three suits to his back, six shirts to his body,[3768] 130 horse to ride and weapon to wear;[3769] But mice and rats and such small deer[3770] Have been Tom's food for seven long year.[3771] Beware my follower. Peace, Smulkin; peace, thou fiend![3772] _Glou._ What, hath your grace no better company? 135 _Edg._ The prince of darkness is a gentleman: Modo[3773][3774] he's call'd, and Mahu.[3773][3775] _Glou._ Our flesh and blood is grown so vile, my lord,[3776][3777] That it doth hate what gets it.[3776][3778] _Edg._ Poor Tom's a-cold.[3779][3780] 140 _Glou._ Go in with me: my duty cannot suffer[3781] To obey in all your daughters' hard commands:[3781] Though their injunction be to bar my doors[3781][3782] And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you,[3781] Yet have I ventured to come seek you out[3781][3783] 145 And bring you where both fire and food is ready.[3781][3784] _Lear._ First let me talk with this philosopher. What is the cause of thunder? _Kent._ Good my lord, take his offer; go into the house.[3785] _Lear._ I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban.[3786][3787] 150 What is your study?[3786] _Edg._ How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin. _Lear._ Let me ask you one word in private.[3788] _Kent._ Importune him once more to go, my lord;[3789][3790] His wits begin to unsettle.[3789] _Glou._ Canst thou blame him? [_Storm still._[3791] 155 His daughters seek his death: ah, that good Kent![3792] He said it would be thus, poor banish'd man! Thou say'st the king grows mad; I'll tell thee, friend,[3793] I am almost mad myself: I had a son,[3794] Now outlaw'd from my blood; he sought my life,[3795] 160 But lately, very late: I loved him, friend, No father his son dearer: truth to tell thee,[3796] The grief hath crazed my wits. What a night's this![3797] I do beseech your grace,--[3798] _Lear._ O, cry you mercy, sir.[3799] Noble philosopher, your company.[3799] 165 _Edg._ Tom's a-cold.[3780] _Glou._ In, fellow, there, into the hovel: keep thee warm.[3800] _Lear._ Come, let's in all. _Kent._ This way, my lord. _Lear._ With him;[3801] I will keep still with my philosopher.[3801]