Storm still. Enter Kent in disguise, and a Gentleman, severally. 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 elements; Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea 5 Or swell the curlèd waters ’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; 10 Strives in his little world of man to outscorn The to-and-fro conflicting wind and rain. This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, The lion and the belly-pinchèd wolf 15 Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs And bids what will take all. | Kent, still disguised as Caius, meets up with the Gentleman, who informs him that the King is still running about in a night so dreadful that even lions and bears have taken to their dens. |
KENT But who is with him? GENTLEMAN None but the Fool, who labors to outjest His heart-struck injuries. 20 | Only the Fool accompanies the King on his mad journey, trying to stave off Lear's madness with friendly jokes. |
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 is covered With mutual cunning, ’twixt Albany and Cornwall, 25 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. From France there comes a power 30 Into this scattered 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 35 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: what hath been seen, Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes, 40 Or the hard rein which both of them hath borne Against the old kind king, or something deeper, Whereof perchance these are but furnishings. I am a gentleman of blood and breeding, And from some knowledge and assurance offer 45 This office to you. | Kent then gives the gentleman a political update: tension between Regan's husband (Cornwall) and Goneril's husband (Albany) may result in a civil war, though they're keeping it hush-hush. Aside from possibly having a war, both Albany and Cornwall may be united in one activity: plotting against the life of Lear, their father-in-law. This has all been discovered by spies placed strategically in their houses as servants, and France (which has likely sent the spies) is even now preparing to make a move against these divided houses. Kent reveals he's actually a gentleman himself, meaning that he's of noble breeding, and not just a random guy. But he doesn't go so far as to reveal that he's Kent. |
GENTLEMAN I will talk further with you. KENT No, do not. For confirmation that I am much more Than my outwall, open this purse and take 50 What it contains. Kent hands him a purse and a ring. If you shall see Cordelia (As fear not but you shall), show her this ring, And she will tell you who that fellow is That yet you do not know. Fie on this storm! 55 I will go seek the King. GENTLEMAN Give me your hand. Have you no more to say? | Kent asks the Gentleman to be a messenger for him. He instructs him to go to Dover (where Cordelia is) and report of Lear's recent ill-treatment. He then gives the Gentleman the his entire purse so the messenger will be inspired to actually do the job at hand. He also gives him a ring to give to Cordelia, who will know when she sees it that the message is from Kent. |
KENT Few words, but, to effect, more than all yet: That when we have found the King—in which your pain 60 That way, I’ll this—he that first lights on him Holla the other. They exit separately. | As they part, Kent says, "I'll go this way, and you go that way. Let me know if you find the King—I'll do the same." |