SCENE I.
A Heath.
A storm is heard, with thunder and lightning. Enter Kent, and a Gentleman, meeting.
Kent.
Who's there, beside foul weather?
Gent.
One minded like the weather, most unquietly.
Kent.
I know you; Where's the king?
Gent.
Contending with the fretful element:
Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea,
Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main3 note
9Q1087,
That things might change, or cease: 4 note
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
The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain.
5 note
This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
-- 450 --
The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
And bids what will take all.
Kent.
But who is with him?
Gent.
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 6 note
my note,
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;
7 note
Who have (as who have not, that their great stars
Throne and set high?) servants, who seem no less;
Which are to France the spies and speculations
Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen8 note,
-- 451 --
9 note
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,
Whereof, perchance, these 1 note
are but furnishings;—
[2 noteBut, true it is, 3 note
from France there comes a power
-- 452 --
Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,
Wise in our negligence, have secret fee
In some of our best ports, and are at point
-- 453 --
To shew 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
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.]
Gent.
I will talk further with you.
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) shew her this ring;
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.
Gent.
Give me your hand: Have you no more to say?
Kent.
Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet;
That, when we have found 4 note
the king, (in which your pain
That way; I'll this,) he that first lights on him,
Holla the other.
[Exeunt severally.
-- 454 --
Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
