Shakespeare Portal

Act 3, Scene 1

A Heath.

  1. [A storm with thunder and lightning. Enter Kent and a Gentleman, meeting.]
  2. Kent
  3. 1559 Who's there, besides foul weather?
  4. Gentleman
  5. 1560 One minded like the weather, most unquietly.
  6. Kent
  7. 1561 I know you. Where's the king?
  8. Gentleman
  9. 1562 Contending with the fretful elements;
  10. 1563 Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea,
  11. 1564 Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main,
  12. 1565 That things might change or cease; tears his white hair,
  13. 1566 Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,
  14. 1567 Catch in their fury and make nothing of;
  15. 1568 Strives in his little world of man to outscorn
  16. 1569 The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain.
  17. 1570 This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
  18. 1571 The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
  19. 1572 Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
  20. 1573 And bids what will take all.
  21. Kent
  22. 1574 But who is with him?
  23. Gentleman
  24. 1575 None but the fool, who labours to out-jest
  25. 1576 His heart-struck injuries.
  26. Kent
  27. 1577 Sir, I do know you;
  28. 1578 And dare, upon the warrant of my note,
  29. 1579 Commend a dear thing to you. There is division,
  30. 1580 Although as yet the face of it be cover'd
  31. 1581 With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall;
  32. 1582 Who have,—as who have not, that their great stars
  33. 1583 Throne and set high?—servants, who seem no less,
  34. 1584 Which are to France the spies and speculations
  35. 1585 Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen,
  36. 1586 Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes;
  37. 1587 Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
  38. 1588 Against the old kind king; or something deeper,
  39. 1589 Whereof, perchance, these are but furnishings;—
  40. 1590 But, true it is, from France there comes a power
  41. 1591 Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,
  42. 1592 Wise in our negligence, have secret feet
  43. 1593 In some of our best ports, and are at point
  44. 1594 To show their open banner.—Now to you:
  45. 1595 If on my credit you dare build so far
  46. 1596 To make your speed to Dover, you shall find
  47. 1597 Some that will thank you making just report
  48. 1598 Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
  49. 1599 The king hath cause to plain.
  50. 1600 I am a gentleman of blood and breeding;
  51. 1601 And from some knowledge and assurance offer
  52. 1602 This office to you.
  53. Gentleman
  54. 1603 I will talk further with you.
  55. Kent
  56. 1604 No, do not.
  57. 1605 For confirmation that I am much more
  58. 1606 Than my out wall, open this purse, and take
  59. 1607 What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,—
  60. 1608 As fear not but you shall,—show her this ring;
  61. 1609 And she will tell you who your fellow is
  62. 1610 That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!
  63. 1611 I will go seek the king.
  64. Gentleman
  65. 1612 Give me your hand: have you no more to say?
  66. Kent
  67. 1613 Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet,—
  68. 1614 That, when we have found the king,—in which your pain
  69. 1615 That way, I'll this,—he that first lights on him
  70. 1616 Holla the other.
  71. [Exeunt severally.]