Gent. Contending with the fretful elements;[3543]
Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea, 5
Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main,[3544]
That things might change or cease; tears his white hair,[3545]
Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,[3545]
Catch in their fury, and make nothing of;[3545]
Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn[3545][3546][3547] 10
The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain.[3545][3546][3548]
This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,[3545][3549]
The lion and the belly-pinched wolf[3545][3550]
Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,[3545]
And bids what will take all.[3545]
Kent. But who is with him? 15
Gent. None but the fool; who labours to out-jest
His heart-struck injuries.[3551]
Kent. Sir, I do know you;
And dare, upon the warrant of my note,[3552]
Commend a dear thing to you. There is division,[3553]
Although as yet the face of it be cover'd[3554] 20
With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall;[3555]
Who have—as who have not, that their great stars[3556][3557]
Throned and set high?—servants, who seem no less,[3556][3558]
Which are to France the spies and speculations[3556][3559]
Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen,[3556][3560] 25
Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes,[3556]
Or the hard rein which both of them have borne[3556][3561]
Against the old kind king, or something deeper,[3556]
Whereof perchance these are but furnishings,—[3556][3562]
But true it is, from France there comes a power[3563][3564] 30
Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already,[3564][3565][3566]
Wise in our negligence, have secret feet[3564][3565][3567]
In some of our best ports, and are at point[3564][3565]
To show their open banner. Now to you:[3564][3565]
If on my credit you dare build so far[3564][3565] 35
To make your speed to Dover, you shall find[3564]
Some that will thank you, making just report[3564]
Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow[3564][3568]
The king hath cause to plain.[3564][3569]
I am a gentleman of blood and breeding,[3564][3569] 40
And from some knowledge and assurance offer[3564][3569][3570]
This office to you.[3564][3569][3570]
Gent. I will talk further with you.[3571]
Kent. No, do not.
For confirmation that I am much more[3572]
Than my out-wall, open this purse and take 45
What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,—
As fear not but you shall,—show her this ring,[3573]
And she will tell you who your fellow is[3574]
That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm!
I will go seek the king.
Gent. Give me your hand:[3575] 50
Have you no more to say?[3575]
Kent. Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet;
That when we have found the king,—in which your pain[3576]
That way, I'll this,—he that first lights on him[3576]
Holla the other. [Exeunt severally.[3576][3577] 55