The French Camp near Dover.
 Enter KENT and 1st GENTLEMAN.

Kent	Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back know you no 
	reason?

1st 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?

1st Gentleman	The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.

Kent	Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of 
	grief?

1st Gentleman	Ay, sir; 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.

Kent								O, then it moved her?

1st 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 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.

Kent							Made she no verbal question?

1st 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?
	Let pity not be believed!' There she shook
	The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
	And clamour moistened; 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 make could not beget
	Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?

1st Gentleman	No.

Kent	Was this before the king returned?

1st Gentleman										No, since.

Kent	Well, sir, the poor distressd Lear's i'th'town,
	Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers
	What we are come about, and by no means
	Will yield to see his daughter.

1st Gentleman									Why, good sir?

Kent	A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness,
	That stripped her from his benediction, turned 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.

1st Gentleman								Alack, poor gentleman!

Kent	Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not?

1st 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.
