1160975Kent. No contraries hold more, antipathy,

1161976Then I and such a knaue.

1162977Duke. Why dost thou call him knaue, 1163what's his offence.

1164978Kent. His countenance likes me not.

1165979Duke. No more perchance does mine, or his, or hers.

1166980Kent. Sir tis my occupation to be plaine,

1167981I haue seene better faces in my time

1168982That stands on any shoulder that I see

1169983Before me at this instant.

1170984Duke. This is a fellow 1171who hauing beene praysd

985For bluntnes doth affect 1172a sawcy ruffines,

986And constraines the garb 1173quite from his nature,

987He cannot flatter he, he must be plaine,

1174988He must speake truth, 1175and they will tak't so,

989If not he's plaine, 1176these kind of knaues I know

990Which in this plainnes 1177harbour more craft,

991And more corrupter ends, 1178then twentie silly ducking

992Obseruants, 1179that stretch their duties nisely.

1180993Kent. Sir in good sooth, or in sincere veritie,

1181994Vnder the allowance of your graund aspect.

1182995Whose influence like the wreath of radient fire

1183996In flitkering Phoebus front.

1184997Duke. What mean'st thou by this?

1185998Kent. To goe out of my dialogue which you discom1186mend so

999much, I know sir, I am no flatterer, he that be1187guild you in a plain

1000accent, was a plaine knaue, which for my part 1188I will not bee,

1001though I should win your displeasure, to intreat mee too't.

11901002Duke. What's the offence you gaue him?

11911003Stew. I neuer gaue him any, 1192it pleas'd the King his maister

1004Very late 1193to strike at me vpon his misconstruction,

11941005When he coniunct and flattering his displeasure

11951006Tript me behind, being downe, insulted, rayld,

11961007And put vpon him such a deale of man, that,

11971008That worthied him, got prayses of the King,

11981009For him attempting who was selfe subdued,

11991010And in the flechuent of this dread exploit,

12001011Drew on me here againe.

12011012Kent. None of these roges & cowards but AIax 1202is their foole.