SCENE I.
A Heath.
A Storm, with Thunder and Lightning. Enter Kent, and a Gentleman, meeting9 note.
Kent.
Who's here, beside foul weather?
Gent.
One minded, like the weather, most unquietly.
Kent.
I know you. Where's the king?
Gent.
Contending with the fretful elements;
Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea,
Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main,
That things might change or cease: tears his white hair10 note,
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.
This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
-- 417 --
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 outjest
His heart-struck injuries.
Kent.
Sir, I do know you,
And dare, upon the warrant of my note1 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;
Who have (as who have not, that their great stars
Thron'd and set high?) servants, who seem no less,
Which are to France the spies and speculations
Intelligent of our state; 11Q1059 what hath been seen,
Either in snuffs and packings2 note of the dukes,
Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
Against the old kind king; or something deeper,
Whereof, perchance, these are but furnishings3 note;—
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
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
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.
-- 418 --
Gent.
I will talk farther 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) show her this ring,
And she will tell you who that fellow is4 note
That yet you do not know. [Thunder.] 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 the king, in which your pain
That way, I'll this5 note
, he that first lights on him,
Holloa the other.
[Exeunt severally.
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
