What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence,
As pearls from diamonds dropp’d: in brief, sorrow
Would be a rarity most beloved, if all
Could so become it.
Kent.

Made she no verbal question? Gen. Faith, once or twice she heaved 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 !'%_There she shook
The holy water from her heavenly eyes,
And clamor moisten'd: then away she started
To deal with grief alone.
Kent.

It is the stars,
The stars above us, govern our conditions ; 3
Else one self mate and mate could not beget
Such different issues.—You spoke not with her

since ?
Gen. No.
Kent. Was this before the king return'd?
Gen.

No, since. Kent. Well, sir, the poor distress'd Lear is i' the

town ; Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers What we are come about, and by no means

Tj. e. did she enter into no conversation with you! ? Let not pity be supposed to exist. 3 Dispositions.

Will yield to see his daughter.
Gen.

Why, good sir ?
Kent. A sovereign shame so elbows him ;-his

own unkindness, That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd 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. Gen.

Alack, poor gentleman ! Kent. Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you

heard not? Gen. '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 1
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.

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,

Important business.

? Fumitory.

With harlocks,1 hemlock, nettles, cuckoo-flowers,
Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow
In our sustaining corn: a century send forth;
Search every acre in the high-grown field,
And bring him to our eye. [Exit an Officer.}-

What can man's wisdom do,
In the restoring his bereaved sense ?
He, that helps him, take all my outward worth.

Phy. There is means, madam :
Our foster-nurse of Nature is repose,
The which he lacks : that to provoke in him,
Are many simples operative, whose power
Will close the eye of anguish.
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.

Enter MESSENGER.
Mes.

Madam, news;
The British powers are marching hitherward.

Cor. 'Tis known before; our preparation stands
In expectation of them.- dear father,
It is thy business that I

go

about;
Therefore great France
My mourning and important? tears hath pitied.

No blown 1 ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our aged father's right.
Soon may I hear and see him !

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

A room in Gloster's castle.

Enter REGAN and STEWARD.
Re. But are my brother's powers set forth?
Stew.

Ay, madam. Re.

Himself In person there?

Stew. Madam, with much ado; Your sister is the better soldier. Re. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at

home? Stew. No, madam. Re. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew, I know not, lady.

Re. Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out, To let him live; where he arrives, he moves All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone, In pity of his misery, to despatch His nighted life; moreover, to descry The strength o' the enemy. Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my

letter.

1 Inflated, swelling.

Re. Our troops set forth to-morrow : stay with us : The ways are dangerous. Stew.

I may not, madam; My lady charged my duty in this business.

Re. 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.

Madam, I had rather
Re. I know, your lady does not love her husband;
I am sure of that: and, at her late being here,
She gave strange ceiliads, and most speaking looks
To noble Edmund : I know, you are of her bosom.

Stew. I, madam?
Re. I speak in understanding; you are; I know

it:

Therefore, I do advise you, take this note.”
My lord is dead: Edmund and I have talk'd;
And more convenient is he for my hand,
Than for your lady's: you may gather more.3
If

you do find him, pray you, give him this; And when your mistress hears thus much from you, I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. So, fare you well. If you

do chance to hear of that blind traitor, Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

i Significant glances. . Observe what I am saying. 3 i. e. you may infer more than I have told you.