Over her passion; who, most rebel-like, 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 smiles, 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'à, if al} 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 believed !4-There she shook The holy water from her heavenly eyes, And clamour moisten'd: then away she started Kent. It is the stars, The stars above us, govern our conditions ;5 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. 3 Discourse, conversation. i... Let not pity be supposed to exist. 5 Dispositions. Kent. Well, sir; The poor distress'd Lear is i'the town: Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers 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 his dog-hearted daughters,-these things sting 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,7 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. SCENE IV. The same. A Tent. Enter CORDELIA, Physician, and Soldiers. Cor. Alack, 'tis he; why, he was met even now As mad as the vex'd sea: singing aloud; Crown'd with rank fumiter, and furrow weeds, 9 With harlocks, hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers, In our sustaining corn.-A century send forth; And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.]— In the restoring his bereaved sense? He, that helps him, take all my outward worth. Our foster-nurse of nature is repose, The which he lacks; that to provoke in him, Cor. All bless'd secrets, All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth, Spring with my tears! be aidant, and remediate, In the good man's distress !-Seek, seek for him; Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life That wants the means to lead it.1 Mess. Enter a Messenger. Madam, news; The British powers are marching hitherward. Cor. "Tis known before; our preparation stands In expectation of them.-O dear father, It is thy business that I go about; Therefore great France My mourning, and important tears, hath pitied. 8 Fumitory. 9 Charlocks. 2 Importunate. 1i. c. The reason which should guide it. No blown ambition doth our arms incite, But love, dear love, and our ag'd father's right: SCENE V. A Room in Gloster's Castle. Enter REGAN and Steward. [Exeunt. Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth? Your sister is the better soldier. Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? Stew. No, madam. Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. His nighted life; 4 moreover, to descry The strength o'the enemy. Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous. 3 Inflated, swelling. 4 i. e. His life made dark as night. Stew. I may not, madam ; My lady charg'd my duty in this business. Reg. Why should she write to Edmund ? Might not you Transport her purposes by word? Belike, Something I know not what :-I'll love thee much, Let me unseal the letter. Stew. 5 Madam, I had rather Reg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange œiliads, and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know, you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam? Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it: Than for your lady's :-You may gather more." And when your mistress hears thus much from you, So, fare you well. If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam! I would show What party I do follow. Reg. Fare thee well. [Exeunt. 5 A cast, or significant glance of the eye. • Observe what I am saying. 7 Infer more. |