Act IV.
Scene III.
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?
Gent. 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 re-
quir'd and necessary.
Kent. Who hath he left behind him general?
Gent. The Marshal of France, Monsieur la
Far.
Kent. Did your letters pierce the queen to
any demonstration of grief?
Gent. 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 mov'd her.
Gent. 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 belov'd,
If all could so become it.
Kent. Made she no verbal question?
Gent. Faith, once or twice she heav'd the
name of 'father'
Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart;
Cried, ' Sisters! sisters! Shame of ladies' sis-
ters!
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 make could not beget
Such different issues. You spoke not with her
since?
Gent. No.
Kent. Was this before the king return'd?
Gent. No, since.
Kent. Well, sir, the poor distress'd 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.
Gent. 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.
Gent. Alack! poor gentleman.
Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you
heard not?
Gent. '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.
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