King Lear : Act 4, Scene 3
Enter KENT and a GENTLEMAN.
KENT
gone back returned (to France)
1
Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back 2
know you the reason?
Gentleman
imperfect i.e., incomplete
3
Something he left imperfect in the state, which since
4
his coming forth is thought of; which imports to the
5
kingdom so much fear and danger, that his personal
6
return was most required and necessary.
KENT
7
Who hath he left behind him general?
Gentleman
8
The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.
KENT
9
Did your letters pierce the queen to any pierce i.e., bring | the queen i.e., Cordelia, King Lear's daughter, now Queen of France
10
demonstration of grief?
Gentleman
11
Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence;trill'd trickled
12
And now and then an ample tear trill'd down it seem'd ... o'er her. i.e., it seemed that she triumphed over her most heartfelt feelings which made a valiant attempt to triumph over her
13
Her delicate cheek: it seem'd she was a queen 14
Over her passion; who, most rebel-like, 15
Sought to be king o'er her.
KENT
15
O, then it moved her.
Gentleman
strove struggled (against one other)
Who should express her goodliest. which (of the two approachespatience or sorrow) would best express her feelings | like a better way better than that, but similar
smilets ... eyes the smiles of her lips seemed oblivious to the tears in her eyes
Who should express her goodliest. which (of the two approachespatience or sorrow) would best express her feelings | like a better way better than that, but similar
smilets ... eyes the smiles of her lips seemed oblivious to the tears in her eyes
16
Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove 17
Who should express her goodliest. You have seen 18
Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears 19
Were like a better way: those happy smilets, 20
That play'd on her ripe lip, seem'd not to know 21
What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence, 22
As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief,Sorrow ... become it. Sorrow would be a precious thing, like a jewel, if all were as attractive in sorrow as she.
23
Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved, 24
If all could so become it.
KENT
24
Made she no verbal question?
Gentleman
heaved breathed out with difficulty
25
'Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of 'father' 26
Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart: 27
Cried 'Sisters! sisters! Shame of ladies! sisters! 28
Kent! father! sisters! What, i' the storm? i' the night?Let pity not be believed! Let no show of pity be trusted (since so many prove to be false) | clamour moisten'd outcry of grief assuaged by tears | started went
29
Let pity not be believed!' There she shook 30
The holy water from her heavenly eyes, 31
And clamour moisten'd: then away she started 32
To deal with grief alone.
KENT
It is the stars i.e., everything that happens is the fault of the stars
32
It is the stars, 33
The stars above us, govern our conditions; Else one self mate and mate otherwise one couple (husband and wife) | issues offspring
34
Else one self mate and mate could not beget 35
Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?
Gentleman
36
No.
KENT
before the king return'd before the King of France returned to France
37
Was this before the king return'd?
Gentleman
37
No, since.
KENT
the town Dover, where the French forces have established a foothold
better tune i.e., more composed state of mind
better tune i.e., more composed state of mind
38
Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's i' the town; 39
Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers 40
What we are come about, and by no meansyield consent | his daughter his daughter, Cordelia
41
Will yield to see his daughter.
Gentleman
41
Why, good sir?
KENT
sovereign overruling | elbows him gives him sharp pains
turn'd ... casualties turned her out and left her to take her chances in a foreign land | dear rights rightful inheritance
turn'd ... casualties turned her out and left her to take her chances in a foreign land | dear rights rightful inheritance
42
A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness, 43
That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her 44
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights 45
To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting 46
His mind so venomously, that burning shameDetains him from keeps him from seeing
47
Detains him from Cordelia.
Gentleman
47
Alack, poor gentleman!
KENT
powers troops, armies
48
Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?
Gentleman
afoot on the march
49
'Tis so, they are afoot.
KENT
50
Well, sir, I'll bring you to our master Lear,dear cause important purpose
Will ... awhile i.e., will require that my true identity remain unknown for a while
not grieve / Lending me this acquaintance. not regret sharing this news (about the King of France and Cordelia)
Will ... awhile i.e., will require that my true identity remain unknown for a while
not grieve / Lending me this acquaintance. not regret sharing this news (about the King of France and Cordelia)
51
And leave you to attend him: some dear cause 52
Will in concealment wrap me up awhile; 53
When I am known aright, you shall not grieve 54
Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go 55
Along with me.
Exeunt.