No Fear Shakespeare
King Lear
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 4, Scene 3
Original Text | Modern Text | |
Enter KENT disguised and GENTLEMAN
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KENT enters in disguise, along with the GENTLEMAN. | |
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KENT
Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back know you
the reason?
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KENT
Do you know why the King of France suddenly went back home?
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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.
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GENTLEMAN
He’d left some unfinished business, which he remembered after arriving here. It was urgent and important enough to require his personal presence.
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KENT
Who hath he left behind him general?
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KENT
Whom did he leave in charge here?
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GENTLEMAN
The Marshal of France, Monsieur la Far.
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GENTLEMAN
The marshal of France, Monsieur la Far.
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KENT
Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of
grief?
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KENT
Was Queen Cordelia aggrieved by the letters you delivered?
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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.
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GENTLEMAN
Yes, sir. She took the letters and read them in front of me. Now and then a large tear trickled down her delicate cheek. She seemed to be trying to control her emotions, which were overwhelming her.
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KENT
O, then it moved her?
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KENT
So she was moved by it?
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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.
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GENTLEMAN
There were no outbursts. She was struggling between emotion and self-control. You’ve seen how it can rain while the sun shines? That’s how she was, smiling and crying at once, only more lovely. The little smile on her full lips didn’t seem aware of the tears that were dropping like diamonds from her pearly eyes. If everyone looked so lovely in their sorrow, then sorrow would be highly prized.
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