There is division,
Although as yet the face of it is covered
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,
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,
Whereof perchance these are but furnishings;
But true it is, from France there comes a power
Into this scattered kingdom, who already,
Wise in our negligence, have secret feet
In some of our best ports and are at point
To show their open banner.
– William Shakespeare
King Lear, Act 3, Scene 1. Kent talks about the power struggle that is going on in the kingdom between Albany and Cornwall, and also that France is preparing to invade. He reveals that there is growing division between Albany and Cornwall, though they have cunningly hidden it so far. Both have servants who appear loyal to them but who are actually French spies. These spies have noted the quarrels of the dukes and their harsh treatment of the kindly old King Lear. Meanwhile an army from France has landed in some of Britain’s ports and are ready to reveal themselves.