Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/78

62

Kent. But who is with him?

Gent. 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

Thron'd 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.]

Gent. I will talk further with you.

 18 note: observation

23 no less: no less than true servants

24 speculations: scouts

25 Intelligent: giving intelligence, i.e., knowledge

26 snuffs: resentments

packings: sudden starts

29 furnishings: outer coverings

39 plain: complain

41 knowledge and assurance: sure knowledge

