SCENE I. A heath. King Lear  Shakespeare homepage  |  King Lear  | Act 3, Scene 1 

 Previous scene  |  Next scene  SCENE I. A heath. 

 Storm still. Enter KENT and a Gentleman, meeting  KENT  Who's there, besides foul weather? 

 Gentleman  One minded like the weather, most unquietly. 

 KENT  I know you. Where's the king? 

 Gentleman  Contending with the fretful element: 

 Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, 

 Or swell the curled water 'bove the main, 

 That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, 

 Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, 

 Catch in their fury, and make nothing of; 

 Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn 

 The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. 

 This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, 

 The lion and the belly-pinched wolf 

 Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, 

 And bids what will take all. 

 KENT  But who is with him? 

 Gentleman  None but the fool; who labours to out-jest 

 His heart-struck injuries. 

 KENT  Sir, I do know you; 

 And dare, upon the warrant of my note, 

 Commend a dear thing to you. There is division, 

 Although as yet the face of it be cover'd 

 With mutual cunning, 'twixt Albany and Cornwall; 

 Who have--as who have not, that their great stars 

 Throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less, 

 Which are to France the spies and speculations 

 Intelligent of our state; what hath been seen, 

 Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, 

 Or the hard rein which both of them have borne 

 Against the old kind king; or something deeper, 

 Whereof perchance these are but furnishings; 

 But, true it is, from France there comes a power 

 Into this scatter'd kingdom; who already, 

 Wise in our negligence, have secret feet 

 In some of our best ports, and are at point 

 To show their open banner. Now to you: 

 If on my credit you dare build so far 

 To make your speed to Dover, you shall find 

 Some that will thank you, making just report 

 Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow 

 The king hath cause to plain. 

 I am a gentleman of blood and breeding; 

 And, from some knowledge and assurance, offer 

 This office to you. 

 Gentleman  I will talk further with you. 

 KENT  No, do not. 

 For confirmation that I am much more 

 Than my out-wall, open this purse, and take 

 What it contains. If you shall see Cordelia,-- 

 As fear not but you shall,--show her this ring; 

 And she will tell you who your fellow is 

 That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! 

 I will go seek the king. 

 Gentleman  Give me your hand: have you no more to say? 

 KENT  Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet; 

 That, when we have found the king,--in which your pain 

 That way, I'll this,--he that first lights on him 

 Holla the other. 



 Exeunt severally  Shakespeare homepage  |  King Lear  | Act 3, Scene 1 

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