King Lear : Act 3, Scene 1
Storm still. Enter KENT [disguised as Caius]
and a Gentleman, severally.
severally: at separate doors.
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,
6. main: mainland.
7 That things might change or cease; tears his white hair,
7. things: all things.
8 Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,
9 Catch in their fury, and make nothing of;
9. make nothing of: blow about disdainfully.
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,
12. This . . . couch: this night, in which even the hungriest mother bear, sucked dry by her cubs, would stay in her den.
13 The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
14 Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
14. unbonneted: bare-headed.
15 And bids what will take all.
15. bids what will take all: —This is a cry of desperate defiance; "take all" is the cry of a gambler staking his last.
KENT
But who is with him?
Gentleman
16 None but the fool; who labours to out-jest
16. out-jest: relieve by jesting.
17 His heart-struck injuries.
KENT
Sir, I do know you;
18. upon . . . note: on the strength of what I know.
18 And dare, upon the warrant of my note,
19 Commend a dear thing to you. There is division,
19. Commend . . . you: entrust a precious undertaking to you.
20 Although as yet the face of it be cover'd
21 With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall;
22 Who have—as who have not, that their great stars
23 Throned and set high?—servants, who seem no less,
22-23. as who . . . set high?: i.e., as has everyone favored by destiny. who . . . less: i.e., who appear to be loyal servants.
24 Which are to France the spies and speculations
24. speculations: scouts.
25 Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen,
25. Intelligent of: supplying intelligence.
26 Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes,
26. snuffs and packings: quarrels and intrigues.
27 Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
27. rein: treatment.
28 Against the old kind king; or something deeper,
29 Whereof perchance these are but furnishings;
29. furnishings: outward signs.
30 But, true it is, from France there comes a power
30. a power: an army.
31 Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,
31. scatter'd: divided.
32 Wise in our negligence, have secret feet
32. Wise in: aware of. feet: footholds.
33 In some of our best ports, and are at point
34 To show their open banner. Now to you:
34. at point . . . banner: on the verge of declaring war.
35 If on my credit you dare build so far
35. credit: trustworthiness. so far: so far as.
36 To make your speed to Dover, you shall find
37 Some that will thank you, making just report
37. making just report: i.e., for making an accurate report.
38 Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
38. bemadding: maddening.
39 The king hath cause to plain.
39. plain: complain.
40 I am a gentleman of blood and breeding;
41 And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer
41. from . . . assurance: i.e., from my assured knowledge of the situation.
42 This office to you.
42. office: role; assignment; duty.
Gentleman
43 I will talk further with you.
43. I will talk further with you: i.e., I'll think it over and get back to you.
KENT
No, do not.
44 For confirmation that I am much more
45 Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take
45. out-wall: outward appearance.
46 What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,—
47 As fear not but you shall,—show her this ring;
47. fear not but: be assured that.
48 And she will tell you who your fellow is
48. fellow: your present companion, me.
49 That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!
50 I will go seek the king.
Gentleman
51 Give me your hand: have you no more to say?
KENT
52 Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet;
52. to effect: in importance.
53 That, when we have found the king,—in which your pain
54 That way, I'll this,—he that first lights on him
54. in which your pain / That way: i.e., in the course of your diligent search, go that way.
55 Holla the other.
Exeunt.