William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT I. 4. Scene IV. A Hall in Albany's Palace.

[Enter Kent, disguised.]

Kent.
If but as well I other accents borrow,
That can my speech defuse, my good intent
May carry through itself to that full issue
For which I rais'd my likeness.--Now, banish'd Kent,
If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd,
So may it come, thy master, whom thou lov'st,
Shall find thee full of labours.

[Horns within. Enter King 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?

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'st as poor for a subject as he's 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?