Gent. Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence,[4149]
And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
Her delicate cheek: it seem'd she was a queen[4150]
Over her passion, who most rebel-like[4150][4151]
Sought to be king o'er her.[4150]
Kent. O, then it moved her. 15
Gent. Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove[4152]
Who should express her goodliest. You have seen[4153]
Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears[4154]
Were like a better way: those happy smilets[4154][4155]
That play'd on her ripe lip seem'd not to know[4156] 20
What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence
As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief,[4157][4158]
Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved,[4157]
If all could so become it.[4157]
Kent. Made she no verbal question?[4159]
Gent. Faith, once or twice she heaved the name of 'father'[4160] 25
Pantingly forth, as if it press'd her heart;
Cried 'Sisters! sisters! Shame of ladies! sisters![4161]
Kent! father! sisters! What, i' the storm? i' the night?[4161][4162]
Let pity not be believed!' There she shook[4163]
The holy water from her heavenly eyes, 30
And clamour moisten'd: then away she started[4164]
To deal with grief alone.
Kent. It is the stars,[4165][4166]
The stars above us, govern our conditions;[4166]
Else one self mate and mate could not beget[4167]
Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?[4168] 35
Gent. No.
Kent. Was this before the king return'd?
Gent. No, since.
Kent. Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear's i' the town;[4169]
Who sometime in his better tune remembers[4170]
What we are come about, and by no means[4171] 40
Will yield to see his daughter.[4171]