King Lear : Act 3, Scene 1



           Storm still. Enter KENT [disguised as Caius]
           and a Gentleman, severally.
severally: at separate doors.


      KENT
  1   Who's there, besides foul weather?

      Gentleman
  2   One minded like the weather, most unquietly.

      KENT
  3   I know you. Where's the king?

      Gentleman
  4   Contending with the fretful element:
  5   Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea,
  6   Or swell the curled water 'bove the main,
6. main: mainland.

  7   That things might change or cease; tears his white hair,
7. things: all things.

  8   Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,
  9   Catch in their fury, and make nothing of;
9. make nothing of: blow about disdainfully.

 10   Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn
 11   The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain.
 12   This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
12. This . . . couch: this night, in which even the hungriest mother bear, sucked dry by her cubs, would stay in her den.

 13   The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
 14   Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
14. unbonneted: bare-headed.

 15   And bids what will take all.
15. bids what will take all: —This is a cry of desperate defiance; "take all" is the cry of a gambler staking his last.


      KENT
                                                      But who is with him?

      Gentleman
 16   None but the fool; who labours to out-jest
16. out-jest: relieve by jesting.

 17   His heart-struck injuries.

      KENT
                                                Sir, I do know you;
18. upon . . . note: on the strength of what I know.
 18   And dare, upon the warrant of my note,
 19   Commend a dear thing to you. There is division,
19. Commend . . . you: entrust a precious undertaking to you.

 20   Although as yet the face of it be cover'd
 21   With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall;
 22   Who have—as who have not, that their great stars
 23   Throned and set high?—servants, who seem no less,
22-23. as who . . . set high?: i.e., as has everyone favored by destiny. who . . . less: i.e., who appear to be loyal servants.

 24   Which are to France the spies and speculations
24. speculations: scouts.

 25   Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen,
25. Intelligent of: supplying intelligence.

 26   Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes,
26. snuffs and packings: quarrels and intrigues.

 27   Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
27. rein: treatment.

 28   Against the old kind king; or something deeper,
 29   Whereof perchance these are but furnishings;
29. furnishings: outward signs.

 30   But, true it is, from France there comes a power
30. a power: an army.

 31   Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,
31. scatter'd: divided.

 32   Wise in our negligence, have secret feet
32. Wise in: aware of. feet: footholds.

 33   In some of our best ports, and are at point
 34   To show their open banner. Now to you:
34. at point . . . banner: on the verge of declaring war.

 35   If on my credit you dare build so far
35. credit: trustworthiness. so far: so far as.

 36   To make your speed to Dover, you shall find
 37   Some that will thank you, making just report
37. making just report: i.e., for making an accurate report.

 38   Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
38. bemadding: maddening.

 39   The king hath cause to plain.
39. plain: complain.

 40   I am a gentleman of blood and breeding;
 41   And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer
41. from . . . assurance: i.e., from my assured knowledge of the situation.

 42   This office to you.
42. office: role; assignment; duty.


      Gentleman
 43   I will talk further with you.
43. I will talk further with you: i.e., I'll think it over and get back to you.


      KENT
                                                      No, do not.
 44   For confirmation that I am much more
 45   Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take
45. out-wall: outward appearance.

 46   What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,—
 47   As fear not but you shall,—show her this ring;
47. fear not but: be assured that.

 48   And she will tell you who your fellow is
48. fellow: your present companion, me.

 49   That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!
 50   I will go seek the king.

      Gentleman
 51   Give me your hand: have you no more to say?

      KENT
 52   Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet;
52. to effect: in importance.

 53   That, when we have found the king,—in which your pain
 54   That way, I'll this,—he that first lights on him
54. in which your pain / That way: i.e., in the course of your diligent search, go that way.

 55   Holla the other.

           Exeunt.