LEAR.
Dost thou know me, fellow?
KENT.
No, sir; but you have that in your countenance which I would fain call master.
LEAR.
What’s that?
KENT.
Authority.
LEAR.
What services canst thou do?
KENT.
I can keep honest counsel, ride, run, mar a curious tale in telling it and deliver a plain message bluntly. That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.
LEAR.
How old art thou?
KENT.
Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing; nor so old to dote on her for anything: I have years on my back forty-eight.
LEAR.
Follow me; thou shalt serve me. If I like thee no worse after dinner, I will not part from thee yet. Dinner, ho, dinner! Where’s my knave? my fool? Go you and call my fool hither.
[Exit an Attendant.]