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? 19
Kent. A very honest-hearted fellow, and as
poor as the king.
Lear. If thou be as poor for a subject as he
is for a king, thou art poor enough. What
wouldst thou? 24
Kent. Service.
Lear. Whom wouldst thou serve?
Kent. You.
Lear. Dost thou know me, fellow? 28
Kent. No, sir; but you have that in your
countenance which I would fain call master.
Lear. What's that?
Kent. Authority. 32
Lear. What services canst thou do?
Kent. I can keep honest counsel, ride, run,
mar a curious tale in telling it, and deliver a
plain message bluntly; that which ordinary men
are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me
is diligence. 38
Lear. How old art thou?
Kent. Not so young, sir, to love a woman for
singing, nor so old to dote on her for any thing;
I have years on my back forty-eight. 42
Lear. Follow me; thou shalt serve me: if I
like thee no worse after dinner I will not part
from thee yet. Dinner, ho! dinner! Where's
my knave? my fool? Go you and call my fool
hither. [Exit an Attendant.]
Enter Steward [Oswald.]
18 fish; cf. n.
