On ev'ry trifle. When he returns from hunting, I will not speak with him; fay, I am fick. You fhall do well; the fault of it I'll anfwer. Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one, That ftill would manage those authorities, Remember what I've faid. Stew. Very well, madam. Gon. And let his knights have colder looks among you what grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows fo: I'll write straight to my fifter to hold my courfe: away! [Exeunt. Scene changes to an open place before the Palace. Enter Kent difguis'd. Kent. If but as well I other accents borrow, And can my speech diffuse, my good intent For which I raz'd my likenefs. Now, banish'd Kent, If If thou canst ferve where thou doft ftand condemn'd, So may it come, thy mafter, whom thou lov't, Shall find thee full of labours. Enter Lear, Knights and attendants. Lear. Let me not stay a jot for dinner; go, get it ready: how now, what art thou? Kent. A man, Sir. [To Kent. Lear. What doft thou profefs? what wouldft thou with us ? Kent. I do profefs to be no lefs than I feem; to ferve him truly, that will put me in trust; to love him that is honeft; to converse with him that is wife, and fays little; to fight when I cannot chuse, and to eat no fish. Kent. A very honeft-hearted fellow, and as poor as the king. Lear. If thou be'ft as poor for a fubject, as he is for a king, thou art poor enough. What wouldst thou? Kent. Service. Lear. Whom wouldft thou ferve? Kent. You. Lear. Doft thou know me, fellow? Kent. No, Sir; but you have that in your coun tenance, which I would fain call master. Lear. Lear. What's that? Kent. Authority. Lear. What services canst thou do? Kent. I can keep honeft counfels, ride, run, marr a curious tale in telling it, and deliyer a plain meffage bluntly: that which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the beft of me is diligence. Lear. How old art thou? Kent. Not fo young, Sir, to love a woman for finging; nor fo old, to doat on her for any thing. I have years on my back forty-eight. Lear. Follow me, thou fhalt serve me. Enter Steward. You, you, firrah, where's my daughter? [Exit. Lear. What fays the fellow there? call the clotpole back. Knight. He fays, my lord, your daughter is not well. Lear. Why came not the flave back to me when I called him? Knight. Sir, he anfwered me in the roundest manner, he would not. Lear. He would not? Knight. Knight. My lord, I know not what the matter is; but, to my judgment, your highness is not entertain'd with that ceremonious affection as you were wont. Lear. Ha! fay'ft thou fo? Knight. I beseech you pardon me, my lord, if I be mistaken; for my duty cannot be filent, when I think your highness is wrong'd. Lear. Thou but remember'ft me of my own conception. I have perceiv'd a most faint neglect of late; I will look further into't. Go you and tell my daughter I would speak with her. Enter Steward. Oh, you, Sir, come you hither, Sir; who am I, Sir? Stew. My lady's father. Lear. My lady's father? my lord's knave! Stew. I am none of thefe, my lord; I befeech your pardon. Lear. Do you bandy looks with me, rascal? Stew. I'll not be ftruck, my lord! player. [Striking him. Kent. Nor tripp'd neither, you base foot-ball [Tripping up his heels. Lear. I thank thee, fellow. Thou ferv'ft me, and I'll love thee. Kent. [Pushes the Steward out. Kent. Come, Sir, arife, away! To them, enter Gonerill. Lear. How now, daughter? what makes that frontlet on? you are too much of late i'th' frown. Gon. Your infolent retinue, Sir, Do hourly carp and quarrel, breaking forth I thought by making this well known unto you, By your allowance; if you should, the fault Gon. I would, you would make use of your good wisdom, Whereof I know you are fraught, and put away Lear. Does any here know me? this is not Lear: Does Lear walk thus? fpeak thus? where are his eyes? Either his notion weakens, his difcernings Are lethargied-Ha! waking?-'tis not fo; Who is it that can tell me who I am? VOL. III. K Your |