King Lear: Act 4, Scene 3

    tragedy

    The French camp near Dover.

    Scene Summary

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    Kent and a gentleman discuss Cordelia's reaction to the letters describing what has been done to her father. She wept when she read them — 'sunshine and rain at once.' She is with the French army at Dover. Lear is nearby but refuses to see her, too ashamed of how he treated her.

    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