_Enter_ KENT _and a_ Gentleman.
_Kent._ Why the King of France is so suddenly gone[4141]
back know you the reason?[4141][4142]
_Gent._ Something he left imperfect in the state which[4143]
since his coming forth is thought of, which imports to the[4143][4144]
kingdom so much fear and danger that his personal return[4143][4145] 5
was most required and necessary.[4143]
_Kent._ Who hath he left behind him general?[4146]
_Gent._ The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.[4147]
_Kent._ Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration[4148]
of grief?[4148] 10
_Gent._ Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence,[4149]
And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
Her delicate cheek: it seem'd she was a queen[4150]
Over her passion, who most rebel-like[4150][4151]
Sought to be king o'er her.[4150]
_Kent._ O, then it moved her. 15
_Gent._ Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove[4152]
Who should express her goodliest. You have seen[4153]
Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears[4154]
Were like a better way: those happy smilets[4154][4155]
That play'd on her ripe lip seem'd not to know[4156] 20
What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence
As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief,[4157][4158]
Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved,[4157]
If all could so become it.[4157]
_Kent._ Made she no verbal question?[4159]
_Gent._ Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of 'father'[4160] 25
Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart;
Cried 'Sisters! sisters! Shame of ladies! sisters![4161]
Kent! father! sisters! What, i' the storm? i' the night?[4161][4162]
Let pity not be believed!' There she shook[4163]
The holy water from her heavenly eyes, 30
And clamour moisten'd: then away she started[4164]
To deal with grief alone.
_Kent._ It is the stars,[4165][4166]
The stars above us, govern our conditions;[4166]
Else one self mate and mate could not beget[4167]
Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?[4168] 35
_Gent._ No.
_Kent._ Was this before the king return'd?
_Gent._ No, since.
_Kent._ Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's i' the town;[4169]
Who sometime in his better tune remembers[4170]
What we are come about, and by no means[4171] 40
Will yield to see his daughter.[4171]
_Gent._ Why, good sir?
_Kent._ A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness[4172]
That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her[4173]
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights
To his dog-hearted daughters: these things sting[4174][4175] 45
His mind so venomously that burning shame[4174][4175]
Detains him from Cordelia.[4174][4176]
_Gent._ Alack, poor gentleman!
_Kent._ Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?[4177]
_Gent._ 'Tis so; they are afoot.[4178]
_Kent._ Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear, 50
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[4179]
Along with me. [_Exeunt._[4179][4180] 55