...SHAKSPEARE. 413 and when Lear has heard all, he invokes the powers above him: 1. You see me here, you gods, a poor old man As full of grief as age; wretched in both. 2. Touch me with noble anger. O ! let not women's weapons, water-drops, Stain my man's cheeks. The...

...type still lives in threats that would do credit to Atreus himself. Lear begins: You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it tamely; touch me...

...and bone of Lear's shame at being reduced to an impotence he considers womanish: You see me here, you Gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both! If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it tamely; touch me...

...ill-starred, Of Zeus the enemy, hated of all (pp. 30o-301 ) somewhat as Lear complains, You see me here, you Gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both! (1I.^.274-275) and later, "here I stand, your slave, / A poor, infirm, weak, and despis'd old man"...

...warm. But for true need — You heavens, give me patience — patience I need! You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much 270 To bear it tamely; touch...

...You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need. You see me here, you gods, a poor old fellow, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so mutfh 245 To bear it tamely. Touch...

...what thou gorgeous wear'st, Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it tamely; touch me...

...realize more fully when both Regan and Goneril join to strip him of his retainers: You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age, wretched in both. (2.4.272-73) If Lear in his natural body is "a poor old man," at the same time he remains the king,...

...warm. But, for true need — You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need! You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both. If it be you that stirs these daughters' hearts Against their father, fool me not so much To bear it tamely; touch me...

...inside. It is the debilitating selfpity of Shakespeare's King Lear, as he cries, "You see me here, you gods, a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both ... A poor, infirm, weak, and despis'd old man . . . unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor,...