| ACT III SCENE I | A heath. | |
| [Storm still. Enter KENT and a Gentleman, meeting] |
| KENT | Who's there, besides foul weather? |
| Gentleman | One minded like the weather, most unquietly. |
| KENT | I know you. Where's the king? |
| Gentleman | Contending with the fretful element: |
| Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, | 5 |
| Or swell the curled water 'bove the main, |
| That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, |
| Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, |
| Catch in their fury, and make nothing of; |
| Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn | 10 |
| The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. |
| This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, |
| The lion and the belly-pinched wolf |
| Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, |
| And bids what will take all. | 15 |
| KENT | But who is with him? |
| Gentleman | None but the fool; who labours to out-jest |
| His heart-struck injuries. |
| KENT | Sir, I do know you; |
| And dare, upon the warrant of my note, | 20 |
| Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, |
| Although as yet the face of it be cover'd |
| With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; |
| Who have--as who have not, that their great stars |
| Throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less, | 25 |
| Which are to France the spies and speculations |
| Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen, |
| Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, |
| Or the hard rein which both of them have borne |
| Against the old kind king; or something deeper, | 30 |
| Whereof perchance these are but furnishings; |
| But, true it is, from France there comes a power |
| Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already, |
| Wise in our negligence, have secret feet |
| In some of our best ports, and are at point | 35 |
| To show their open banner. Now to you: |
| If on my credit you dare build so far |
| To make your speed to Dover, you shall find |
| Some that will thank you, making just report |
| Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow | 40 |
| The king hath cause to plain. |
| I am a gentleman of blood and breeding; |
| And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer |
| This office to you. |
| Gentleman | I will talk further with you. | 45 |
| KENT | No, do not. |
| For confirmation that I am much more |
| Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take |
| What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,-- |
| As fear not but you shall,--show her this ring; | 50 |
| And she will tell you who your fellow is |
| That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! |
| I will go seek the king. |
| Gentleman | Give me your hand: have you no more to say? |
| KENT | Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; | 55 |
| That, when we have found the king,--in which your pain |
| That way, I'll this,--he that first lights on him |
| Holla the other. |
| [Exeunt severally] |
King Lear Overview