n the instance of the good Earl of Kent, who,
though banished by Lear, and his life made forfeit if he were found in
Britain, chose to stay and abide all consequences, as long as there was
a chance of his being useful to the king his master. See to what mean
shifts and disguises poor loyalty is forced to submit sometimes; yet it
counts nothing base or unworthy, so as it can but do service where it
owes an obligation!

In the disguise of a serving man, all his greatness and pomp laid aside,
this good earl proffered his services to the king, who, not knowing him
to be Kent in that disguise, but pleased with a certain plainness, or
rather bluntness in his answers, which the earl put on (so different
from that smooth oily flattery which he had so much reason to be sick
of, having found the effects not answerable in his daughter), a bargain
was quickly struck, and Lear took Kent into his service by the name of
Caius, as he called himself, never suspecting him to be his once great
favourite, the high and mighty Earl of Kent.

This Caius quickly found means to show his fidelity and love to his
royal master: for Goneril's steward that same day behaving in a
disrespectful manner to Lear, and giving him saucy looks and language,
as no doubt he was secretly encouraged to do by his mistress, Caius, not
enduring to hear so open an affront put upon his majesty, made no more
ado but presently tripped up his heels, and laid the unmannerly slave in
the kennel; for which friendly service Lear became more and more
attached to him.

Nor was Kent the only friend Lear had. In his degree, and as far as so
insignificant a personage could show his love, the poor fool, or jester,
that had been of his palace while Lear had a palace, as it was the
custom of kings and great personages at that time to keep a fool (as he
was called) to make them sport after serious business: this poor fool
clung to Lear after he had given away his crown, and by his witty
sayings would keep up his good humour, though he could not refrain
sometimes from jeering at his master for his imprudence in uncrowning
himself, and giving all away to his daughters; at which time, as he
rhymingly expressed it, these daughters

For sudden joy did weep
And he for sorrow sung,
That such a king should play bo-peep
And go the fools among.

And in such wild sayings, and scraps of songs, of which he had plenty,
this pleasant honest fool poured out his heart even in the