Edg. Yet better thus, and known to be contemn'd,[3997]
Than still contemn'd and flatter'd. To be worst,[3998]
The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune,[3999]
Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear:[4000]
The lamentable change is from the best; 5
The worst returns to laughter. Welcome then,[4001][4002]
Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace![4002]
The wretch that them hast blown unto the worst[4002]
Owes nothing to thy blasts. But who comes here?[4002][4003][4004]
Enter Gloucester, led by an Old Man.[4005]
My father, poorly led? World, world, O world![4005][4006] 10
But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee,[4007]
Life would not yield to age.[4008]
Old Man. O, my good lord, I have been your tenant,[4009]
and your father's tenant, these fourscore years.[4009][4010]
Glou. Away, get thee away; good friend, be gone: 15
Thy comforts can do me no good at all;
Thee they may hurt.
Old Man. Alack, sir, you cannot see your way.[4011]
Glou. I have no way and therefore want no eyes;
I stumbled when I saw: full oft 'tis seen, 20
Our means secure us, and our mere defects[4012]
Prove our commodities. Ah, dear son Edgar,[4013]
The food of thy abused father's wrath!
Might I but live to see thee in my touch,
I'ld say I had eyes again!
Old Man. How now! Who 's there?[4014] 25
Edg. [Aside] O gods! Who is't can say 'I am at the worst'?[4015][4016]
I am worse than e'er I was.[4017]
Old Man. 'Tis poor mad Tom.