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Home > King Lear > ACT III - SCENE I. A heath.

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ACT III - SCENE I. A heath.
Storm still. Enter KENT and a Gentleman, meeting

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,
7    That things might change or cease; tears his white hair,
8    Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,
9    Catch in their fury, and make nothing of;
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,
13   The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
14   Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
15   And bids what will take all.
KENT
16   But who is with him?
Gentleman
17   None but the fool; who labours to out-jest
18   His heart-struck injuries.
KENT
19   Sir, I do know you;
20   And dare, upon the warrant of my note,
21   Commend a dear thing to you. There is division,
22   Although as yet the face of it be cover'd
23   With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall;
24   Who have--as who have not, that their great stars
25   Throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less,
26   Which are to France the spies and speculations
27   Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen,
28   Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes,
29   Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
30   Against the old kind king; or something deeper,
31   Whereof perchance these are but furnishings;
32   But, true it is, from France there comes a power
33   Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,
34   Wise in our negligence, have secret feet
35   In some of our best ports, and are at point
36   To show their open banner. Now to you:
37   If on my credit you dare build so far
38   To make your speed to Dover, you shall find
39   Some that will thank you, making just report
40   Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
41   The king hath cause to plain.
42   I am a gentleman of blood and breeding;
43   And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer
44   This office to you.
Gentleman
45   I will talk further with you.
KENT
46   No, do not.
47   For confirmation that I am much more
48   Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take
49   What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,--
50   As fear not but you shall,--show her this ring;
51   And she will tell you who your fellow is
52   That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!
53   I will go seek the king.
Gentleman
54   Give me your hand: have you no more to say?
KENT
55   Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet;
56   That, when we have found the king,--in which your pain
57   That way, I'll this,--he that first lights on him
58   Holla the other.
Exeunt severally

< (Previous) ACT II, SCENE IVACT III, II (Next) >
Scene Index
ACT I
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV
  • SCENE V


  • ACT II
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV


  • ACT III
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV
  • SCENE V
  • SCENE VI
  • SCENE VII


  • ACT IV
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III
  • SCENE IV
  • SCENE V
  • SCENE VI
  • SCENE VII


  • ACT V
  • SCENE I
  • SCENE II
  • SCENE III

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