Kent. A man, sir. Lear. What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us? Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest; to converse with him that is wise, and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when I cannot choose; and to eat no fish. Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? Lear. Dost thou know me, fellow? Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your countenance, which I would fain call master. 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 ordinary men are fit for, I am est of me is diligence. love a woman for er for any thing: I Remember what I have said. Stew. Very well, madam. you; What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so: I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, SCENE IV. A hall in the same. Enter KENT, disguised. Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow, That can my speech diffuse,' my good intent May carry through itself to that full issue For which I rased my likeness. Now, banish'd Kent, If thou canst serve where thou dost stand con⚫ demn'd, (So may it come!) thy master, whom thou lovest, Shall find thee full of labors. Horns within. Enter LEAR, Knights, and Attendants. Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go, get it ready. [Exit an Attendant.] How now? what art thou? 1 Disorder, disguise. Kent. A man, sir. Lear. What dost thou profess? What wouldst thou with us? Kent. I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve him truly that will put me in trust; to love him that is honest; to converse with him that is wise, and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when I cannot choose; and to eat no fish. Lear. What art thou? Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? Kent. Service. Lear. Who wouldst thou serve? Kent. You. 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 any thing: I have years on my back forty-eight. lubber's length again, tarry; but away: go to have you wisdom? so. [pushes the Steward out. Lew. Now, my friendly knave, I thank thee: there's earnest of thy service. [giving Kent money. Enter FOOL. Fook Let me hire him too:-here's my coxcomb. [giving Kent his cap. Lear. How now, my pretty knave? how dost thou? Fool. Sirrah, you were best take my coxcomb. Kent. War, fool? Fot. Way? For taking one's part that is out of fror. Nar, an thou canst not smile as the wind sis, then a catch cold shortly. There, take my coxcomb: wår, this fellow has banished two of his daughters, and did the third a blessing against his will; if thee Allow him, thou must needs wear my corcomb.—How now, nuncle? Would I had two corcombe and two daughters! Lear. Why, my boy? Fool. If I gave them all my living, I'd keep my coxcombs myself: there's mine; beg another of thy daughters. Lear. Take heed, sirrah; the whip. Fool. Truth's a dog that must to kennel; he must be whipped out, when lady, the brach,' may stand by the fire and stink. Bitch hound. Lear. A pestilent gall to me! Fool. Sirrah, I'll teach thee a speech. Fool. Mark it, nuncle: 'Have more than thou showest, And thou shalt have more Than two tens to a score.' Lear. This is nothing, fool. Fool. Then 'tis like the breath of an unfeed lawyer; you gave me nothing for 't: can you make no use of nothing, nuncle? Lear. Why, no, boy; nothing can be made out of nothing. Fool. Pr'ythee, tell him, so much the rent of his land comes to; he will not believe a fool. [io Kent. Lear. A bitter fool! Fool. Dost thou know the difference, my boy, between a bitter fool and a sweet fool! Lear. No, lad; teach me. Fool. That lord, that counsel'd thee To give away thy land, Ownest, possessest. 2 Believest |