Gentleman | |
Contending with the fretful element: | |
| | Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea, | 5 |
| | Or swell the curled water 'bove the main, | |
| | That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, | |
| | Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, | |
| | Catch in their fury, and make nothing of; | |
| | Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn | 10 |
| | The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. | |
| | This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch, | |
| | The lion and the belly-pinched wolf | |
| | Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, | |
| | And bids what will take all. | 15 |
KENT | |
Sir, I do know you; | |
| | And dare, upon the warrant of my note, | 20 |
| | 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 | |
| | Throned and set high?--servants, who seem no less, | 25 |
| | 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, | 30 |
| | 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 | 35 |
| | 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 | 40 |
| | 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. | |
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