ACT IV
SCENE III The French camp near Dover.


 [Enter KENT and a Gentleman]

KENT Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back
 know you the reason?

Gentleman Something he left imperfect in the
 state, which since his coming forth is thought
 of; which imports to the kingdom so much
 fear and danger, that his personal return was
 most required and necessary.

KENT Who hath he left behind him general?

Gentleman The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.

KENT Did your letters pierce the queen to any
 demonstration of grief?

Gentleman Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence;
 And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
 Her delicate cheek: it seem'd she was a queen
 Over her passion; who, most rebel-like,
 Sought to be king o'er her.

KENT O, then it moved her.

Gentleman Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove
 Who should express her goodliest. You have seen
 Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears
 Were like a better way: those happy smilets,
 That play'd on her ripe lip, seem'd not to know
 What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence,
 As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief,
 Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved,
 If all could so become it.

KENT Made she no verbal question?

Gentleman 'Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of 'father'
 Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart:
 Cried 'Sisters! sisters! Shame of ladies! sisters!
 Kent! father! sisters! What, i' the storm? i' the night?
 Let pity not be believed!' There she shook
 The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
 And clamour moisten'd: then away she started
 To deal with grief alone.

KENT It is the stars,
 The stars above us, govern our conditions;
 Else one self mate and mate could not beget
 Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?

Gentleman No.

KENT Was this before the king return'd?

Gentleman No, since.

KENT Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's i' the town;
 Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers
 What we are come about, and by no means
 Will yield to see his daughter.

Gentleman Why, good sir?

KENT A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness,
 That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her
 To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights
 To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting
 His mind so venomously, that burning shame
 Detains him from Cordelia.

Gentleman Alack, poor gentleman!

KENT Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?

Gentleman 'Tis so, they are afoot.

KENT Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear,
 And leave you to attend him: some dear cause
 Will in concealment wrap me up awhile;
 When I am known aright, you shall not grieve
 Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go
 Along with me.

 [Exeunt]



 KING LEAR


ACT IV