Internet Shakespeare Editions  Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Michael Best Not Peer Reviewed  King Lear (Quarto 1,
1608)  The Historie of King Lear. defuse, my good intent may
carry through it selfe to that full is- sue for which I raz'd my
likenes, now banisht Kent,535if thou canst serue where thou dost
stand condem'd, thy maister whom thou louest shall find the full
of labour. Enter Lear. Lear. Let me not stay a iot for dinner,
goe get it readie, 540how now, what art thou? Kent. A man Sir.
Lear. What dost thou professe? what would'st thou with vs? Kent.
I doe professe to be no lesse then I seeme, to serue 545him
truly that will put me in trust, to loue him that is honest, to
con- uerse with him that is wise,and sayes little, to feare
iudgement, to fight when I cannot chuse, and to eate no fishe.
Lear. What art thou? 550Kent. A very honest harted fellow, and
as poore as the king. Lear. If thou be as poore for a subiect,as
he is for a King,thar't poore enough, what would'st thou? Kent.
Seruice. Lear. 555