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  • Title: King Lear (Modern, Extended Folio)
  • Editor: Michael Best
  • Textual editors: James D. Mardock, Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-463-9

    Copyright Michael Best. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Michael Best
    Not Peer Reviewed

    King Lear (Modern, Extended Folio)

    [Scene 8 in Quarto]
    3.1
    1615Storm still. Enter Kent [disguised] and a Gentleman, separately.
    Kent
    Who's there besides foul weather?
    Gentleman
    One minded like the weather, most unquietly.
    Kent
    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. Tears his white hair,
    1622.1Which 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.
    1622.5This 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
    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?
    1650Kent
    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].
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