READ STUDY GUIDE: Act IV, scenes iii–v |
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Act IV, Scene iii:
The French camp near Dover.
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 required and |
| necessary. |
| Kent.: |
| Who hath he left behind him general? |
| Gent.: |
| The Mareschal 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 day: 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! sisters! |
| Kent! father! sisters! What, i' the storm? i' the night? |
| Let pity not be believ'd!'—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? |
| Gent.: |
| No. |
| Kent.: |
| Was this before the king return'd? |
| Gent.: |
| 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. |
| 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 a-foot. |
| 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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