King Lear
Act III, Scene 1
A heath.
- Storm still. Enter Kent disguised as Caius and First
- Gentleman severally.
Kent
1- Who’s there, besides foul weather?
First Gentleman
2- One minded like the weather, most unquietly.
Kent
3- I know you. Where’s the King?
First Gentleman
4 - 15- 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 hair,
- Which the impetuous blasts with eyeless rage
- Catch in their fury, and make nothing of,
- Strives in his little world of man to outscorn
- 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.
Kent
16- But who is with him?
First Gentleman
17 - 18- None but the Fool, who labors to outjest
- His heart-struck injuries.
Kent
19 - 44- Sir, I do know you,
- And dare upon the warrant of my note
- Commend a dear thing to you. There is division
- (Although as yet the face of it is 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. What hath been seen,
- Either in snuffs and packings of the Dukes,
- Or the hard rein which both of them hath borne
- Against the old kind King; or something deeper,
- Whereof (perchance) these are but furnishings—
- But true it is, from France there comes a power
- Into this scattered 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.
Earl of Kent
Louis Rhead, 1918
First Gentleman
45- I will talk further with you.
Kent
46 - 53- 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 is
- That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!
- I will go seek the King.
First Gentleman
54- Give me your hand. Have you no more to say?
Kent
55 - 58- Few words, but to effect, more than all yet:
- 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.
Mr. Garrick in the character of King Lear
R. Sayer, J. Smith, 1769