Ralph Waldo Emerson, comp. (1803–1882). Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. 1880.
From King LearWilliam Shakespeare (15641616)
(See full text.)
O H
If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
Allow obedience, if yourselves are old,
Make it your cause; send down, and take my part!
*****
R
Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters:
I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness,
I never gave you kingdom, called you children;
You owe me no subscription; why then, let fall
Your horrible pleasure; here I stand your slave,
A poor infirm, weak, and despised old man;—
But yet I call you servile ministers,
That have with two pernicious daughters joined
Your high-engendered battles ’gainst a head
So old and white as this. O! O! ’tis foul!