Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Michael Best
Not Peer Reviewed

King Lear (Modern, Folio)

1615Storm still. Enter Kent [disguised] and a Gentleman, separately.
Who's there besides foul weather?
Gentleman
One minded like the weather, most unquietly.
I know you. Where's the King?
Gentleman
Contending with the fretful elements;
1620Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea,
Or swell the curlèd waters 'bove the main
That things might change or cease.
Kent
But who is with him?
Gentleman
None but the Fool, who labors to out-jest
1625His heart-struck injuries.
Kent
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 covered
1630With mutual cunning, twixt Albany and Cornwall,
Who have--as who have not that their great stars
Throned and set high?--servants who seem no less,
Which are to France the spies and speculations
Intelligent of our state. What hath been seen,
1635Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes,
Or the hard rein which both of them hath born
Against the old kind King, or something deeper,
Whereof, perchance, these are but furnishings.
Gentleman
I will talk further with you.
1640Kent
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,
1645And she will tell you who that fellow is
That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm.
I will go seek the King.
Gentleman
Give me your hand.
Have you no more to say?
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 [separately].