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  • Title: King Lear (Modern, Quarto)
  • Editor: Michael Best
  • Textual editors: James D. Mardock, Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-463-9

    Copyright Michael Best. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Michael Best
    Not Peer Reviewed

    King Lear (Modern, Quarto)

    2347.1[Scene 17]
    Enter Kent [disguised] and a Gentleman.
    Kent
    Why the king of France is so suddenly gone back, know you no reason?
    2 Gentleman
    Something he left imperfect in the state, which since his 2347.5coming 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?
    2 Gentleman
    The Marshal of France, Monsieur la Far.
    2347.10Kent
    Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?
    2 Gentleman
    I say she took them, read them in my presence,
    And now and then an ample tear trilled down
    Her delicate cheek. It seemed she was a queen
    Over her passion, who, most rebel-like,
    Sought to be king o'er her.
    2347.15Kent
    Oh, then it moved her.
    2 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
    2347.20That played on her ripe lip seemed not to know
    What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence
    As pearls from diamonds dropped. In brief,
    Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved
    If all could so become it.
    2347.25Kent
    Made she no verbal question?
    2 Gentleman
    Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of "father"
    Pantingly forth, as if it pressed her heart;
    Cried "Sisters, sisters, shame of ladies! Sisters?
    Kent, father, sisters? What, i'th'storm, i'th'night?
    2347.30Let pity not be believed." There she shook
    The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
    And clamor-moistened her. Then away she started,
    To deal with grief alone.
    Kent
    It is the stars,
    The stars above us govern our conditions,
    2347.35Else one self mate and make could not beget
    Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?
    2 Gentleman
    No.
    Kent
    Was this before the King returned?
    2 Gentleman
    No, since.
    Kent
    Well, sir, the poor distressèd Lear's i'th'town,
    2347.40Who sometime in his better tune remembers
    What we are come about, and by no means
    Will yield to see his daughter.
    2 Gentleman
    Why, good sir?
    Kent
    A sovereign shame so elbows him. His own unkindness
    That stripped her from his benediction, turned her
    2347.45To 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.
    2 Gentleman
    Alack, poor gentleman.
    Kent
    Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?
    2347.502 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,
    2347.55Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go
    Along with me.
    Exeunt.
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